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Mangeri L, Righi F, Benevenia R, Galuppini E, Tilola M, Bertasi B, Tranquillo V, Rubini S, Losio MN, Filipello V. Monitoring and Genotyping of Norovirus in Bivalve Molluscan Shellfish from Northern Italian Seas (2018-2020). Foodborne Pathog Dis 2024; 21:27-35. [PMID: 37878812 DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2023.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) is an enteric virus with foodborne transmission. Bivalve shellfish are a main source of infections and outbreaks. In Italy a voluntary based monitoring plan to check the safety of bivalve shellfish was set up at provincial level. This study describes the occurrence and distribution of NoV in the Northern Adriatic Sea and in the Ligurian Sea. From October 2018 to September 2020, 807 bivalve shellfish samples (n = 205 oysters, n = 182 mussels, n = 348 clams, n = 72 other bivalve shellfish) were tested by One-Step Retrotranscription Real-time polymerase chain reaction for NoV GI and GII and quantified according to the ISO 15216-2:2013 and ISO 15216-1:2017. Positive samples were further analyzed to determine genotype by sequencing of the ORF1/ORF2 junction of the viral genome. A total of 126 samples were positive for NoV, mussels, and oysters had the highest probability of being positive and positive samples were found mainly in the colder season. Of these samples, 46% were NoV GII, 13% NoV GI, and 40% carried both genogroups. Thirty-seven samples were typeable (GI n = 12 and GII n = 25) with GI samples belonging to four genotypes and GII samples belonging to five genotypes. GII.3 genotype was the most prevalent, followed by GII.4, particularly Sydney 2012 subtype, a leading cause of infections worldwide, was found in three oysters' and three clams' samples. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a high heterogeneity among the species that are scattered in several clusters. Considering the low infectious dose the overall presence of NoV in edible shellfish, particular those to be eaten raw or undercooked, is moderately high. The presence of genotypes frequently involved in human infections strengthens the need for ongoing monitoring, which should be extended at national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Mangeri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Righi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Benevenia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Galuppini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Tilola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
| | - Vito Tranquillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Silva Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Cassana, Italy
| | - Marina Nadia Losio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Milano, Italy
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Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Finazzi G, Filipello V, Losio MN. Gluten quantification in gluten-free food for celiac people in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna - Italy. Eur J Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac131.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In recent decades, the celiac disease showed a gradual increase in prevalence. Therefore, there was a raised demand of gluten-free products. EU Reg. 1169/2011 states that 20 mg.kg-1 (ppm) is the maximum gluten content in food for celiac people, and that “gluten-free” labelling must be put on compliant food packages. This work is a study on different food categories, aiming at verifying the safety of analyzed samples.
Methods
Totally, 4615 gluten-free-labelled specimens were collected from January 2019 to April 2022 (pasta, 2944; cured meat, 566; flours/bakery, 489; sweets, 125 and other matrices, 491). A commercially available E.L.I.S.A. kit, according to the AOAC 2012.01-2016 method, was used to quantify gluten.
Results
In 97% of samples (4475) the gluten content was <5 ppm (lower LOD), and in 2.4% (112) it was between 5 ppm and <20 ppm. In the remaining 0.6% (28), the gluten concentration was ≥20 ppm. Of these, 0.32% (15) were between 20 and <80 ppm (upper LOD), and 0.28% (13) ≥80 ppm.
Conclusions
The increased prevalence of celiac disease and the consumers’ perception that a gluten-free diet gives benefits, lead to a greater demand of gluten-free products. In this study, 99.4% of samples were compliant with the gluten-free labelling and safe for celiac consumers. The 0.32% had a gluten content between 20 and 80 ppm, still considered “compliant”, according to the EU Reg. 828/2014 that defines as very low gluten containing (thus edible for some celiac groups), those products with a gluten content <100 ppm. Only 0.28% of samples was non-compliant (≥80 ppm). However, the authors accounted irregular those foods with ≥20 ppm. Considering the importance of these products in the daily diet, and the increasing probability to get sick by individuals, the study of their compliance to the law limits results to be important.
Key messages
• A continuous surveillance of gluten-free-labelled food products is very important to prevent risks for celiac consumers.
• The foodstuffs distributed in the two considered regions are mainly safe for celiac patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pavoni
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER , Brescia, Italy
| | - B Bertasi
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER , Brescia, Italy
| | - G Finazzi
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER , Brescia, Italy
| | - V Filipello
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER , Brescia, Italy
| | - M-N Losio
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER , Brescia, Italy
- NRC for Emerging Risks in Food Safety, IZSLER , Brescia, Italy
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Arnaboldi S, Mangeri L, Galuppini E, Righi F, Tilola M, Scarazzato A, Bertasi B, Finazzi G, Varisco G, Filipello V, Losio MN. Is SARS-CoV-2 a Concern for Food Safety? A Very Low Prevalence from a Food Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Italy. Foods 2022; 11:foods11142096. [PMID: 35885339 PMCID: PMC9324013 DOI: 10.3390/foods11142096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2019, SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the cause of an easily transmissible disease that was declared as a world pandemic. Foodborne transmission was never reported. However, early studies suggested that food could be involved in SARS-CoV-2 entry in the human gastrointestinal tract leading to possible infection, and highlighting the importance of further studies to inspect possible issues linked to food consumption. In this perspective, this work aimed at monitoring SARS-CoV-2 presence in some food and mains water samples in Northern Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). A total of 1806 foods, 112 mains water samples, and 580 swabs on meat and dairy product surfaces were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by Real-time PCR. All the analyzed samples were negative to viral RNA detection with the exception of one vegetable sample. Even if data on foodborne coronavirus transmission suggested a limited importance of this pathway, the impact of the current pandemic in Northern Italy deserved a rigorous investigation to rule out such possibility. Indeed, gaining insight on all SARS-CoV-2 possible transmission pathways, including the foodborne route, seemed of interest to maintain consumers’ confidence and trust in food safety, and for the effective management of the current, and future, possible pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Arnaboldi
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0302290381
| | - Lucia Mangeri
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Galuppini
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Righi
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Tilola
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Annalisa Scarazzato
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Finazzi
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Varisco
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marina-Nadia Losio
- Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (L.M.); (E.G.); (F.R.); (M.T.); (A.S.); (B.B.); (G.F.); (G.V.); (V.F.); (M.-N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Celoria 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Galuppini E, Mangeri L, Meletti F, Tilola M, Carta V, Todeschi S, Losio MN. Detection of Hepatitis A Virus and Norovirus in Different Food Categories: A 6-Year Survey in Italy. Food Environ Virol 2022; 14:69-76. [PMID: 34698989 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09503-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To observe the prevalence of contamination by hepatitis A virus (HAV) and norovirus (NoV) in different food types, 9242 samples were analyzed over a 6-year period (January 2014-December 2019). Samples were from routine official activities by Competent Authorities (CAs) and Food Business Operators, according to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plans. Analyses were performed in accordance with European and Italian regulations. Food types were obtained from different production areas of Italy, and ranged from mollusks, ready-to-eat (RTE) and packaged vegetables, frozen berries, tap water, fruit and RTE fruit salads, and processed and preserved foods. No risk management plans were set by the authors' laboratory, because they were still adopted by conferring customers. Analyses were conducted according to ISO/TS 15216-2:2013 (ISO in Part 2: Method for Qualitative Detection. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, 2013). The data showed that 2.25% (95% CI: 2.0-2.6) of samples were contaminated by at least one virus type, and that the most detected pathogen was NoV GII (89.50% of all positives). Mollusks (filter-feeding animals) were the most contaminated category (92.31% of all positives) not only by NoV or HAV individually, but also by multiple HAV/NoV contaminations consisting of 22.59% of all positives. For NoV, there was a significant correlation between shellfish positivity and season, with the autumn-winter period being the most associated with risk. Conversely, berries, drinking water and RTE vegetables, previously linked to several outbreaks, showed a low rate of contamination. These results from data collection have implications for the improvement of sampling plans for HAV and NoV by Italian CAs, and by food-producing and distribution operators. Moreover, these findings obtained by a standardized qualitative method contribute the collection of data aimed at establishing new microbiological criteria not yet foreseen (but advocated) by current European rules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
- Food Control Division, Food Safety Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Galuppini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucia Mangeri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Meletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michela Tilola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Carta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Todeschi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina-Nadia Losio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "B. Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
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Righi F, Arnaboldi S, Filipello V, Ianiro G, Di Bartolo I, Calò S, Bellini S, Trogu T, Lelli D, Bianchi A, Bonardi S, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Lavazza A. Torque Teno Sus Virus (TTSuV) Prevalence in Wild Fauna of Northern Italy. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020242. [PMID: 35208696 PMCID: PMC8875128 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is a non-enveloped circular ssDNA virus which frequently infects swine and has been associated with hepatic, respiratory, and autoimmune disorders. TTSuV’s pathogenic role is still uncertain, and clear data in the literature on virus reservoirs are lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of potentially zoonotic TTSuV in wild animals in Northern Italy and to evaluate their role as reservoirs. Liver samples were collected between 2016 and 2020 during four hunting seasons from wild boars (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). Samples originated from areas in Northern Italy characterized by different traits, i.e., mountains and flatland with, respectively low and high farm density and anthropization. Viral identification was carried out by end-point PCR with specific primers for TTSuV1a and TTSuVk2a species. TTSuV prevalence in wild boars was higher in the mountains than in the flatland (prevalence of 6.2% and 2.3%, respectively). In wild ruminants only TTSuVk2a was detected (with a prevalence of 9.4%). Our findings shed light on the occurrence and distribution of TTSuV in some wild animal species, investigating their possible role as reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Righi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Arnaboldi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-030-229-0781
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ianiro
- Emerging Zoonoses Unit, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.I.); (I.D.B.)
| | - Ilaria Di Bartolo
- Emerging Zoonoses Unit, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.I.); (I.D.B.)
| | - Stefania Calò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Silvia Bellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Tiziana Trogu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Alessandro Bianchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 23100 Sondrio, Italy;
| | - Silvia Bonardi
- Veterinary Science Department, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy;
| | - Enrico Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety (CRESA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.R.); (V.F.); (S.C.); (S.B.); (T.T.); (D.L.); (E.P.); (B.B.); (A.L.)
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Arnaboldi S, Benevenia R, Bertasi B, Galuppini E, Mangeri L, Tilola M, Bassi D, Cocconcelli PS, Stroppa A, Varisco G. Validation of a real-time PCR method on pta gene for Clostridium tyrobutyricum quantification in milk. Food Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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7
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Bertasi B, Galuppini E, Tilola M, Mangeri L, Meletti F, Righi F, Scarazzato A, Pavoni E, Losio MN. Monitoring of SARS-CoV 2 on primary production and manually processed foods in Northern Italy. Eur J Public Health 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
SARS CoV2 pandemic has generated interest in research of virus spread sources, apart from human contagion. In particular different studies are performed to understand surfaces involvement; during the epidemic event, different types of studies on surfaces have been performed. However, there is little information regarding the presence of the virus in food; wastewater contamination and poor hygiene practices could be the sources of viral contamination in handled food products. The aim of this work was to analyze different types of food for Sars CoV 2 presence.
Methods
390 samples of molluscs, 353 vegetables, 10 meat, 72 water, 169 berries, 16 seafood products and ready-to-eat dishes were analysed (2020-2021). Samples were selected from those provided for routine analysis during the pandemic period. The preparation was done based on ISO 15216-2 indications, followed by extraction with Nuclisense®Minimag® system; real-time PCR was applied to detect the Sars CoV2 virus Open Reading Frame 1ab, with two different master mixes.
Results
All samples tested were negative for ORF1ab detection. Many hypothesis can be made about negative Results: it could be possible that contamination levels in water, or on surfaces in contact with food, are too low to generate a detection signal; again, handling practices may be sufficient to avoid the transmission of the virus to food. Otherwise, the selected genetic target and the Real-time PCR performed, could have been not so efficient in detecting virus as expected.
Conclusions
In this preliminary work, food does not seem to be a substrate for Sars CoV2 contamination; other food categories or transformation/production processes could be investigated to confirm the obtained results. Also, different targets and amplification systems would have to be evaluated to verify the rule of foodstuffs as Sars CoV2 vehicles.
Key messages
Primary production and manual processed food don't seem to be at risk for SARS CoV2 contamination. Food has not been identified as a source of Sars CoV2 spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bertasi
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Galuppini
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Tilola
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - L Mangeri
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - F Meletti
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - F Righi
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - E Pavoni
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - MN Losio
- Food Safety Department, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety, CRESA IZSLER, Milan, Italy
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8
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Zendrini A, Carta V, Filipello V, Ragni L, Cosciani-Cunico E, Arnaboldi S, Bertasi B, Franceschi N, Ajmone-Marsan P, De Medici D, Losio MN. One-Day Molecular Detection of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Chicken Meat: A Pilot Study. Foods 2021; 10:foods10051132. [PMID: 34069582 PMCID: PMC8161052 DOI: 10.3390/foods10051132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella and Campylobacter ssp. are bacterial pathogens responsible for most foodborne infections in EU countries. Poultry serves as a reservoir for these pathogens, and its important role in the meat industry makes it essential to develop a rapid detection assay able to provide results in one day. Indeed, the rapid identification of foodborne pathogens is an important instrument for the monitoring and prevention of epidemic outbreaks. To date, Salmonella and Campylobacter screening is mainly conducted through molecular methods (PCR or real-time PCR) performed after 18–24 h long enrichments. In this study, we evaluated short enrichments (0, 2, 4, and 6 h) combined with a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification (LAMP) or real-time PCR to detect Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry meat contaminated at different concentration levels (101, 103, and 105 CFU/g). Our results show that real-time PCR allows the detection of Salmonella and Campylobacter, even after shorter enrichment times than prescribed by ISO references; particularly, it detected Salmonella down to 101 CFU/g since T0 and Campylobacter from 103 CFU/g since T0. Detection with LAMP was comparable to real-time PCR without the requirement of a thermal cycler and with shorter execution times. These characteristics make colorimetric LAMP a valid alternative when one-day results are needed, improving the timely identification of positive meat batches, even in the absence of specialized instrumentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Zendrini
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition—DIANA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via E. Parmense, 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; (A.Z.); (N.F.); (P.A.-M.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Carta
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety—CRESA, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via G. Celoria, 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-030-2290-781
| | - Laura Ragni
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Elena Cosciani-Cunico
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Sara Arnaboldi
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
| | - Niccolò Franceschi
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition—DIANA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via E. Parmense, 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; (A.Z.); (N.F.); (P.A.-M.)
| | - Paolo Ajmone-Marsan
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition—DIANA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via E. Parmense, 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy; (A.Z.); (N.F.); (P.A.-M.)
| | - Dario De Medici
- Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marina Nadia Losio
- Department of Food Safety, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via A. Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (V.C.); (L.R.); (E.C.-C.); (S.A.); (B.B.); (M.N.L.)
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risks in Food Safety—CRESA, Istituto Zooprofilattico della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via G. Celoria, 12, 20133 Milan, Italy
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9
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Beinhauerova M, Babak V, Bertasi B, Boniotti MB, Kralik P. Utilization of Digital PCR in Quantity Verification of Plasmid Standards Used in Quantitative PCR. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:155. [PMID: 32850953 PMCID: PMC7403525 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative PCR (qPCR) is a widely used method for nucleic acid quantification of various pathogenic microorganisms. For absolute quantification of microbial load by qPCR, it is essential to create a calibration curve from accurately quantified quantification standards, from which the number of pathogens in a sample is derived. Spectrophotometric measurement of absorbance is a routine method for estimating nucleic acid concentration, however, it may be affected by presence of other potentially contaminating nucleic acids or proteins and salts. Therefore, absorbance measurement is not reliable for estimating the concentration of stock solutions of quantification standards, based on which they are subsequently diluted. In this study, we utilized digital PCR (dPCR) for absolute quantification of qPCR plasmid standards and thus detecting possible discrepancies in the determination of the plasmid DNA number of standards derived from UV spectrophotometry. The concept of dPCR utilization for quantification of standards was applied on 45 qPCR assays using droplet-based and chip-based dPCR platforms. Using dPCR, we found that spectrophotometry overestimated the concentrations of standard stock solutions in the majority of cases. Furthermore, batch-to-batch variation in standard quantity was revealed, as well as quantitative changes in standards over time. Finally, it was demonstrated that droplet-based dPCR is a suitable tool for achieving defined quantity of quantification plasmid standards and ensuring the quantity over time, which is crucial for acquiring homogenous, reproducible and comparable quantitative data by qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Beinhauerova
- Department of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Department of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Controllo Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- Tecnologie Biologiche Applicate, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Petr Kralik
- Department of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czechia.,Department of Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin and of Gastronomy, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czechia
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10
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Rubini S, Barbieri S, Losio MN, Taddei R, Bertasi B, Pavoni E, Bolognesi E, Berardelli C, Govoni G, Suffredini E. Evaluation of Norovirus contamination in bivalve molluscs harvested from Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in developed countries. Transmission is through direct contact, unsanitary food handling or ingestion of contaminated water or food. Shellfish bioaccumulate NoV and current post-harvest depuration is not effective for its removal.
Materials and
Methods
A monitoring programme for NoV in bivalve shellfish harvested from Northern Adriatic Sea was initiated in 2016. From January 2016 to March 2019, 418 samples including 257 Manila clams, 73 mussels, 46 striped clams, and 42 oysters, were examined. Mollusc samples were tested for NoV genogroups I (NoV GI) and II (NoV GII) contamination by RealTime RT-PCR according to ISO 15216-2.
Results
Ninety-three out of 418 tested samples (22.2%) were contaminated by at least one NoV genogroup, the simultaneous presence of the two genogroups was detected in 19/418 of the cases. Positive samples were distributed among the tested species as follow: 29/73 (39.7%) mussels, 51/257 (19.5%) Manila clams, 8/42 (19.0%) oysters, 5/46 (10.9%) striped clam. In 2016 (n = 135), 2017 (n = 122), 2018 (n = 132) and in the first trimester of 2019 (n = 12), prevalence of NoV was 6.7%, 24.6%, 31.8% and 41.4%, respectively. NoV GII was largely predominant being detected, alone or in association with GI, in 98.9% of the contaminated samples. On the other hand, GI prevalence increased from 1.5% (2016) to 12.1% in 2018, maybe reflecting a higher circulation of this genogroup in production environments.
The vast majority of positive samples (91.4%) were detected during the cold season (November to March).
Conclusions
Overall positive samples have increased over the years (from 6.7% in 2016 to 31.8% in 2018). NoV GII was the most frequently detected genogroup, but NoV GI prevalence significantly raised in 2018. The routine application of quantitative RT-PCR (ISO 15216-1) to determine the viral load in bivalve molluscs would expand knowledge on potential for foodborne transmission.
Key messages
Overall positive samples have increased over the years. The routine application of quantitative PCR to determine the viral load in bivalve molluscs would expand knowledge on potential for foodborne transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e del, Sede di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - S Barbieri
- Department of Urgency, Department University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - M N Losio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e del, Sede di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - R Taddei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e del, Sede di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - B Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e del, Sede di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e del, Sede di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Bolognesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e del, Sede di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - C Berardelli
- Azienda USL Ferrara, Attività Veterinarie, Ferrara, Italy
| | - G Govoni
- International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - E Suffredini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rome, Italy
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11
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Finazzi G, Bertasi B, Pavoni E, Filipello V, D’Incau M, Losio MN. Contamination of Poultry Meat with Salmonella infantis should be considered a Risk for Food Safety? Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Issue/problem
EU Regulation regarding fresh poultry meat considers only S. enteritidis or S. typhimurium as Food Safety Criteria. On the contrary, the isolation of other Salmonella spp. in this food matrices is considered compliant. Several bibliographical sources indicate an increase in the isolation trend of S. infantis in the poultry industry and in derived products.
Description of the problem
Episodes of food poisoning caused by fresh chicken meat contaminated with S. infantis have been recently reported. According to CDC, last year in USA, an outbreak caused by a S. infantis strain, resistant to multiple antibiotics, ended with 129 sick people, 25 hospitalizations and a death. National Salmonellosis Control Plan for Poultry 2019-21 establishes in Italy the abatement conditions for poultry farms in case of positive isolation of S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium and S. infantis.
Results
In 2018, the National Health System disposed the analysis of batches of fresh chicken meat from Poland, sampled in a cold storage facility in Northern Italy. Food Control Dept. of IZSLER analysed 156 samples for a total of 780 sampling units (s.u.), for Salmonella spp.: 72 samples were positive (46,15%;corresponding to 222 s.u. - 28,46%). 42 strains were serotyped as S. enteritidis, 149 as S. infantis, 26 as S. newport, 4 as S. kentucky and 1 as S. mbandaka. According to EU Regulation, batches positive for S. enteritidis were indicated as not compliant, but batches positive to other Salmonella were considered regular.
Lessons
EU legislation allows the circulation of chicken meat contaminated with S. infantis. Chicken meat should be consumed after appropriate well cooking eliminating this hazard, but it does not protect the consumer from the risk of cross-contamination of tools and surfaces at the household level. It’s therefore fundamental the application of correct processing practices in order to prevent the spreading of Salmonella in home kitchens and limit dangerous episodes of infection.
Key messages
S. infantis trend of isolation in the poultry industry is increasing. application of GMPs in home cooking is fundamental to limit food outbreaks of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Finazzi
- Food Control, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - B Bertasi
- Food Control, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Pavoni
- Food Control, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - V Filipello
- Food Control, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - M D’Incau
- Applied Biological Technologies, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardie e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - M N Losio
- Food Control, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
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12
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Bertasi B, Finazzi G, Colombo R, Vignati C, Dodaro A, Spelta C, Romanò A, Tel F, Ardissino GL, Luini MV. Integrated veterinary-medical activity on characterization of shigatoxin producing Escherichia coli. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are an important public health concern as they cause severe conditions (bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome - HUS) and have epidemic potential. Cattle are the main reservoir for the highly virulent STEC O157 strain, and other HUS-associated non-O157 strains. This study aimed to characterize strains from animals and humans and to compare their molecular profiles. Animal isolates were tested for the presence of virulence factors correlated to their pathogenic potential.
Methods
74 STEC human isolates from 43 clinical cases (sporadic or epidemic) and 270 animal isolates from feces from 62 cattle farms were collected. Epidemiological investigation to collect environmental and suspected food samples was carried out for 22 cases. All isolates were typed with PFGE and their serotype was defined by Real-Time PCR. Animal isolates were also tested for the presence of subAB, saa, tia, cfk, adfO, hlyA, efaI1-lifA5’3’, and toxB virulence genes.
Results
O157 was detected in 44% of human cases, other relevant serogroups O26, O111, O103, O145 in 21, 9, 5 and 5% of cases, respectively. The source of infection was identified in one case (cheese contaminated by a O157 strain). Among animal isolates 2, 0.7, 0.7 and 0.3% were identified as O157, O11, O113, and O145, respectively. PFGE highlighted a high heterogeneicity among animal strains, however no pulsotype common to cattle and clinical isolates was found. adfO, cfk, efaI1-lifA5’3’ and toxB were found significantly correlated to eae (intimin).
Conclusions
Human and cattle strains were not correlated, however STEC diversity in cattle was very high and included some strains potentially pathogenic to humans. For this reason, upholding an integrated surveillance is very important.
Key messages
Serotypes relevant to human health were found in cattle in a small but not negligible frequence. No direct correlation was found between animal and clinical isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bertasi
- Food Control, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - G Finazzi
- Food Control, IZSLER, Brescia, Italy
| | - R Colombo
- Microbiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - C Vignati
- Microbiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A Dodaro
- Microbiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - C Spelta
- Sezione di Lodi, IZSLER, Lodi, Italy
| | - A Romanò
- Sezione di Lodi, IZSLER, Lodi, Italy
| | - F Tel
- Center of HUS Prevention, Control and Management, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - G L Ardissino
- Center of HUS Prevention, Control and Management, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - M V Luini
- Sezione di Lodi, IZSLER, Lodi, Italy
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13
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Rubini S, Losardo M, De Magistris I, Barbieri S, Bolognesi E, Berardelli C, Losio MN, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Suffredini E. Occurrence and characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in bivalves from the Adriatic Sea, Italy. Eur J Public Health 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky212.710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - M Losardo
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rome, Italy
| | - I De Magistris
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rome, Italy
| | - S Barbieri
- Department of Urgency, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - E Bolognesi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - C Berardelli
- Azienda USL Ferrara, U.O. Igiene degli alimenti di Origine Animale, Ferrara, Italy
| | - MN Losio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - B Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - E Suffredini
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rome, Italy
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14
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Finazzi G, Bertasi B, Bornati L, Benevenia R, Losio MN, Varisco G. Diagnosis of human botulism in Northern Italy during 2012-2016. Eur J Public Health 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx186.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G Finazzi
- IZSLER Microbiology Dep., Brescia, Italy
| | - B Bertasi
- IZSLER Microbiology Dep., Brescia, Italy
| | - L Bornati
- IZSLER Microbiology Dep., Brescia, Italy
| | | | - MN Losio
- IZSLER Microbiology Dep., Brescia, Italy
| | - G Varisco
- IZSLER National Reference Centre for emerging risks in food safety, Milano, Italy
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15
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Ricchi M, Bertasio C, Boniotti MB, Vicari N, Russo S, Tilola M, Bellotti MA, Bertasi B. Comparison among the Quantification of Bacterial Pathogens by qPCR, dPCR, and Cultural Methods. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1174. [PMID: 28702010 PMCID: PMC5487435 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The demand for rapid methods for the quantification of pathogens is increasing. Among these methods, those based on nucleic acids amplification (quantitative PCRs) are the most widespread worldwide. Together with the qPCR, a new approach named digital PCR (dPCR), has rapidly gained importance. The aim of our study was to compare the results obtained using two different dPCR systems and one qPCR in the quantification of three different bacterial pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes, Francisella tularensis, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. For this purpose, three pre-existing qPCRs were used, while the same primers and probes, as well as PCR conditions, were transferred to two different dPCR systems: the QX200 (Bio-Rad) and the Quant Studio 3D (Applied Biosystems). The limits of detection and limits of quantification for all pathogens, and all PCR approaches applied, were determined using genomic pure DNAs. The quantification of unknown decimal suspensions of the three bacteria obtained by the three different PCR approaches was compared through the Linear Regression and Bland and Altman analyses. Our results suggest that, both dPCRs are able to quantify the same amount of bacteria, while the comparison among dPCRs and qPCRs, showed both over and under-estimation of the bacteria present in the unknown suspensions. Our results showed qPCR over-estimated the amount of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis and F. tularensis cells. On the contrary, qPCR, compared to QX200 dPCR, under-estimated the amount of L. monocytogenes cells. However, the maximum difference among PCRs approaches was <0.5 Log10, while cultural methods underestimated the number of bacteria by one to two Log10 for Francisella tularensis and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. On the other hand, cultural and PCRs methods quantified the same amount of bacteria for L. monocytogenes, suggesting for this last pathogen, PCRs approaches can be considered as a valid alternative to the cultural ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ricchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," National Reference Centre for ParatuberculosisPodenzano, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," National Reference Centre for Tuberculosis from M. bovisBrescia, Italy
| | - Maria B Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," National Reference Centre for Tuberculosis from M. bovisBrescia, Italy
| | - Nadia Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, National Reference Laboratory for Tularemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini"Pavia, Italy
| | - Simone Russo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," National Reference Centre for ParatuberculosisPodenzano, Italy
| | - Michela Tilola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," Reparto Tecnologie Acidi Nucleici Applicate Agli AlimentiBrescia, Italy
| | - Marco A Bellotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, National Reference Laboratory for Tularemia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini"Pavia, Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini," Reparto Tecnologie Acidi Nucleici Applicate Agli AlimentiBrescia, Italy
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Anesi A, Panceri ML, Asticcioli S, Baroni D, Rognoni V, Marazza G, Rossetti E, Labbadini S, Archenti A, Luini M, Bertasi B, Pontello M, Belloni A. The importance of an early alert from the Microbiology Laboratory and multidisciplinary collaboration during a suspected salmonellosis outbreak. Microbiol Med 2017. [DOI: 10.4081/mm.2017.6275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
<em>Background and aims.</em> Salmonellosis is one of the most common and widely distributed food-borne diseases. The increasing complexity and globalization of the food industry are causing an increase of some of these large-scale food-borne illnesses, thus there is a need for improvements in public health signal detection and communication streams between laboratories and regulatory agencies. The aim of this study is to show how the early reporting of salmonellosis cases directly from the Laboratory of Microbiology to the Local Health Service Infectious Diseases Office along with the prompt response of the ASL, and the rapid involvement of the Local Veterinary Prevention Department resulted in an improved individuation and investigation of a suspected food-borne outbreak with anomalous manifestation. <br /><em>Materials and methods.</em> From August to November 2014 the early warning from the Laboratory of Microbiology regarding <em>Salmonella</em> spp. isolates with the identical serogroup and antibiotic resistance phenotype, allowed for prompt identification of a food-borne infection. <br /><em>Results and conclusions.</em> The genotyping analysis suggested that over the period considered there was more than a single monophasic <em>Salmonella</em> <em>typhimurium</em> isolate: one responsible for the sporadic cases that occurred in September and October, and another in November.
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Finazzi G, Bertasi B, Vitali A, Losio MN, Varisco G. STEC prevalence in raw milk cheese produced in Lombardia. Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw174.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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18
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Pavoni E, Dalzini E, Monastero P, Galuppini E, Meletti F, Bertasi B, Daminelli P, Losio MN, Varisco G. Frozen berries: use of a combined approach of freezing and ozonation to improve the food safety. Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw174.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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19
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Chiari M, Molinari S, Cavadini P, Bertasi B, Zanoni M, Capucci L, Lavazza A. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) feeding brown hares (Lepus europaeus) infected by European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSv) might be involved in the spread of the virus. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-016-1055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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Bertasi B, Losio MN, Daminelli P, Finazzi G, Serraino A, Piva S, Giacometti F, Massella E, Ostanello F. Seasonal Variability of Thermophilic Campylobacter Spp. in Raw Milk Sold by Automatic Vending Machines in Lombardy Region. Ital J Food Saf 2016; 5:5848. [PMID: 27853714 PMCID: PMC5090118 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2016.5848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 04/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In temperate climates, a seasonal trend was observed in the incidence of human campylobacteriosis cases, with peaks reported in spring and autumn in some countries, or in summer in others; a similar trend was observed in Campylobacter spp. dairy cattle faecal shedding, suggesting that cattle may play a role in the seasonal peak of human infection. The objectives of this study were to assess if a seasonal trend in thermophilic Campylobacter spp. contamination of raw milk exists and to evaluate a possible relation between this and the increase of human campylobacteriosis incidence in summer months. The results showed a mean prevalence of 1.6% of milk samples positive for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. with a wide range (0.0-3.1%) in different months during the three years considered. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P<0.01) of the prevalence of positive samples for thermophilic Campylobacter spp. between warmer and cooler months (2.3 vs 0.6%). The evidence of a seasonal trend in thermophilic Campylobacter spp. contamination of raw milk sold for direct consumption, with an increase of the prevalence in warmer months, may represent one of the possible links between seasonal trend in cattle faecal shedding and seasonal trend in human campylobacteriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bertasi
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Nadia Losio
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Daminelli
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Guido Finazzi
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Serraino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Silvia Piva
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Federica Giacometti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Elisa Massella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Fabio Ostanello
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
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21
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Ripamonti B, Rebucci R, Stella S, Baldi A, Savoini G, Bersani C, Bertasi B, Panteghini C, Cantoni C. Screening and selection of lactic acid bacteria from calves for designing a species-specific probiotic supplement. Italian Journal of Animal Science 2016. [DOI: 10.4081/ijas.2007.1s.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Ripamonti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
| | - R. Rebucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
| | - S. Stella
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
| | - A. Baldi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
| | - G. Savoini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
| | - C. Bersani
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
| | - B. Bertasi
- Dipartimento Alimenti e Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - C. Panteghini
- Dipartimento Alimenti e Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - C. Cantoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, Università di Milano, Italy
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22
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Dalzini E, Galuppini E, Merigo D, Buizza PF, Losio MN, Bertasi B, Varisco G. Anti-Listeria Activity of Bioactive Food Packaging on Artificially Contaminated Sliced Cheese. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.12602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalzini
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risk in Food Safety; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
| | - Elisa Galuppini
- Department of Food Microbiology; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
| | - Daniela Merigo
- Department of Food Microbiology; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
| | - Paolo-Felice Buizza
- Department of Food Microbiology; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
| | - Marina-Nadia Losio
- Department of Food Microbiology; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Department of Food Microbiology; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
| | - Giorgio Varisco
- National Reference Centre for Emerging Risk in Food Safety; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini,”; Brescia Italy
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23
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Rubini S, Barbieri S, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Cozzi L, Bergamini M, Suffredini E. Risk associated to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish in Ferrara (Emilia Romagna). Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv176.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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24
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Losio M, Pavoni E, Bilei S, Bertasi B, Bove D, Capuano F, Farneti S, Blasi G, Comin D, Cardamone C, Decastelli L, Delibato E, De Santis P, Di Pasquale S, Gattuso A, Goffredo E, Fadda A, Pisanu M, De Medici D. Microbiological survey of raw and ready-to-eat leafy green vegetables marketed in Italy. Int J Food Microbiol 2015; 210:88-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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25
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Cremonesi P, Pozzi F, Raschetti M, Bignoli G, Capra E, Graber HU, Vezzoli F, Piccinini R, Bertasi B, Biffani S, Castiglioni B, Luini M. Genomic characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with high within-herd prevalence of intramammary infections in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:6828-38. [PMID: 26233457 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-9074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important causes of mastitis in dairy cattle. Based on previous research, Staph. aureus genotypes with different pathogenic and contagious properties can cause intramammary infection (IMI) and coexist in the same herd. Our study aimed to compare Staph. aureus strains from herds that differed in IMI prevalence using different molecular approaches such as ribosomal spacer (RS)-PCR, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa typing, ribotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multiplex PCR. For this purpose, 31 dairy herds with Staph. aureus IMI were selected, and 16 of these were chosen for a comparison study: the 8 high-prevalence (HP) herds had Staph. aureus IMI prevalence >28% and the 8 low-prevalence (LP) herds had an IMI prevalence <4%. A total of 650 isolates of Staph. aureus from mammary quarters of all positive cows were genotyped with RS-PCR, a technique based on amplification of a portion of the intergenic spacer 16S-23S rRNA, and a subset of 54 strains was also analyzed by multiplex PCR, ribotyping, PFGE, MLST, and spa typing. The RS-PCR analysis revealed 12 different profiles. Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from 5 out of 8 HP herds showed a profile identical to the genotype B (GTB), described in previous studies as being strongly associated with high within-herd prevalence of Staph. aureus mastitis and the presence of the genes coding for enterotoxins sea, sed, and sej, a long x-region of spa gene, and 3 lukE fragments. Moreover, all strains isolated in the HP herds possessed genes coding for staphylococcal enterotoxins. In LP herds, a limited number of strains of 6 genotypes, different from those isolated in HP herds, were identified and GTB was not found. Within these genotypes, 4 strains were positive for the mecA gene. Preliminary results and comparison with other genotyping methods confirmed that genotyping by RS-PCR is an accurate, rapid, and inexpensive tool for future field studies on Staph. aureus mastitis strains and generates clinically relevant results.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cremonesi
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - F Pozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia, Sezione di Lodi, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - M Raschetti
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - G Bignoli
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - E Capra
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - H U Graber
- Agroscope, Institute for Food Sciences (IFS), Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, CH-3003, Bern, Switzerland
| | - F Vezzoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia, Sezione di Lodi, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - R Piccinini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - B Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia, Reparto Tecnologie Acidi Nucleici Applicate agli Alimenti, via Bianchi, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - S Biffani
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy; Parco Tecnologico Padano, Via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - B Castiglioni
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - M Luini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia, Sezione di Lodi, via Einstein, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
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Cosciani-Cunico E, Dalzini E, Ducoli S, Sfameni C, Bertasi B, Losio MN, Daminelli P, Varisco G. Behaviour of Listeria Monocytogenes and Escherichia Coli O157:H7 During the Cheese Making of Traditional Raw-Milk Cheeses from Italian Alps. Ital J Food Saf 2015; 4:4585. [PMID: 27800408 PMCID: PMC5076637 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2015.4585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 was studied during the manufacture and ripening of two traditional Italian Alps cheeses. Each cheese type was manufactured in a pilot plan from raw cow milk (without the addition of starter cultures) artificially inoculated with L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 to a final concentration of about 4 log CFU/mL. The pathogens were enumerated throughout the cheese making and ripening processes to study their behaviour. When the milk was inoculated with 4 Log CFU/mL, the pathogens counts increased in the first time during the manufacturing process and then remained constant, until the end of ripening, or decreased significantly. Results indicate that the environment and nature of food borne pathogens affected the concentration of the bacteria during the manufacturing and ripening process. Thus, the presence of low cells numbers of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 in milk destined for the production of raw milk cheeses characterized by a cooking of the curd less than 48°C can constitute a hazard for the consumer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cosciani-Cunico
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Dalzini
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Ducoli
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Sfameni
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina-Nadia Losio
- Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Daminelli
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Varisco
- Department of Food Microbiology, Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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27
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Pavoni E, Barbieri I, Bertasi B, Lombardi G, Giangrosso G, Cordioli P, Losio MN. Detection and Molecular Characterisation of Swine Hepatitis E Virus in Brescia Province, Italy. Ital J Food Saf 2015; 4:4587. [PMID: 27800394 PMCID: PMC5076652 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2015.4587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important public health concern in many developing countries and it occurs in sporadic forms in industrialized areas. With the discovery of swine HEV in pigs, which is genetically closely related to human HEV, hepatitis E is considered to be a zoonotic disease. To investigate the circulation of HEV within a distinct area of Lombardy region (Northern Italy), 17 pig farms were subjected to monitoring study by collection of fresh stool samples each represented by ground-pooled specimens. In particular, three distinct types of breeding farms were focused, represented by farrow to weaning, farrow to finish and fattening farms, respectively. Epidemiological data confirm that in Europe the seroprevalence in pigs, more than 9 month of age, ranges from 51.4 to 75%, while in 3-9 months fatteners is about 38%. In France and Italy, the positivity among farms is respectively 30 and 97.4% and the seroprevalence in Italy is 50.2%. Since HEV viremia was typically observed in the early period of life in swine, faeces were collected in boxes containing weaning pigs. For the study, 183 stool samples were collected and amplifications were performed with universal primers specific for the ORF2 region of genome. Twentyeight samples resulted positive to HEV RNA and genotyping demonstrated that they were closely related to HEV strains belonging to genotype 3 and circulating in Europe. Comparison with reference strains from GenBank excluded their similarity to genotype 1, 2 or 4 confirming that genotype 3 strains are circulating in Europe. Since it was demonstrated that swine act as a reservoir for HEV, and since many strains into HEV genotype 3 share a strong molecular similarity to human HEV, it was important to detect the presence of HEV in a restricted area with a very high density of pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pavoni
- Veterinary Public Health Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
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28
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Pavoni E, Arcangeli G, Dalzini E, Bertasi B, Terregino C, Montesi F, Manfrin A, Bertoli E, Brutti A, Varisco G, Losio MN. Synergistic effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and marination treatment on the inactivation of hepatitis a virus in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Food Environ Virol 2015; 7:76-85. [PMID: 25344058 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-014-9167-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked mussels contaminated with hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major cause of infection to humans. The origin of mussels commonly used for the preparation of marinated seafood salads is often unknown, since different producers worldwide undergo a precooking treatment at the original collection site with methods and parameters not always indicated. These treatments could be insufficient for the inactivation of HAV, which is characterized by a high temperature resistance. Both high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and marinade treatments have been shown to affect HAV vitality. In this study, two treatments (HHP and marinating) were combined in order to assess a potential synergistic effect on the virus vitality. A kinetic test was conducted by subjecting the experimentally-contaminated mussels (HAV titre: 10(6)/ml TCID50) to marinating, and to different HHP treatment (4,000; 5,000; and 6,000 bar for 1, 5, and 9 min). Virus post-treatment vitality was assessed by its ability to grow on cell cultures and by quantitative real-time RT-PCR to evaluate virus resistance under such conditions. Marinating treatment alone (final pH 4.3, and NaCl 2 %) did not inactivate the virus. On the other hand, the use of HHP treatment alone on non-marinated HAV-contaminated mussels was effective only above 5,000 bar for 5 min. The results of the present study elucidate the synergistic effect of a combination between marination and HHP treatments on the inactivation of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy,
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Giacometti F, Bonilauri P, Albonetti S, Amatiste S, Arrigoni N, Bianchi M, Bertasi B, Bilei S, Bolzoni G, Cascone G, Comin D, Daminelli P, Decastelli L, Merialdi G, Mioni R, Peli A, Petruzzelli A, Tonucci F, Bonerba E, Serraino A. Quantitative risk assessment of human salmonellosis and listeriosis related to the consumption of raw milk in Italy. J Food Prot 2015; 78:13-21. [PMID: 25581173 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Two quantitative risk assessment (RA) models were developed to describe the risk of salmonellosis and listeriosis linked to consumption of raw milk sold in vending machines in Italy. Exposure assessment considered the official microbiological records monitoring raw milk samples from vending machines performed by the regional veterinary authorities from 2008 to 2011, microbial growth during storage, destruction experiments, consumption frequency of raw milk, serving size, and consumption preference. Two separate RA models were developed: one for the consumption of boiled milk and the other for the consumption of raw milk. The RA models predicted no human listeriosis cases per year either in the best or worst storage conditions and with or without boiling raw milk, whereas the annual estimated cases of salmonellosis depend on the dose-response relationships used in the model, the milk storage conditions, and consumer behavior in relation to boiling raw milk or not. For example, the estimated salmonellosis cases ranged from no expected cases, assuming that the entire population boiled milk before consumption, to a maximum of 980,128 cases, assuming that the entire population drank raw milk without boiling, in the worst milk storage conditions, and with the lowest dose-response model. The findings of this study clearly show how consumer behavior could affect the probability and number of salmonellosis cases and in general, the risk of illness. Hence, the proposed RA models emphasize yet again that boiling milk before drinking is a simple yet effective tool to protect consumers against the risk of illness inherent in the consumption of raw milk. The models may also offer risk managers a useful tool to identify or implement appropriate measures to control the risk of acquiring foodborne pathogens. Quantification of the risks associated with raw milk consumption is necessary from a public health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giacometti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonilauri
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Via Pitagora, 2-42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Albonetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simonetta Amatiste
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lazio and Tuscany, Via Appia Nuova, 1411-00187 Rome (Campanelle), Italy
| | - Norma Arrigoni
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Strada della Faggiola, 1-29027 Gariga di Podenzano (PC), Italy
| | - Manila Bianchi
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Piedmont, Liguria and Valle D'Aosta, Via Bologna, 148-10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 7/9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bilei
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lazio and Tuscany, Via Appia Nuova, 1411-00187 Rome (Campanelle), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bolzoni
- National Reference Centre for Cattle Milk Quality, Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, 7/9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cascone
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Sicily, Via G. Marinuzzi, 3-90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Damiano Comin
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Venice, Viale dell'Università, 10-35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Daminelli
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 7/9-25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucia Decastelli
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Piedmont, Liguria and Valle D'Aosta, Via Bologna, 148-10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merialdi
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Via P. Fiorini, 5-40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Renzo Mioni
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Venice, Viale dell'Università, 10-35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Angelo Peli
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annalisa Petruzzelli
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Umbria and Marche, Via G. Salvemini, 1-06162 Perugia, Italy
| | - Franco Tonucci
- Experimental Institute for Zooprophylaxis in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Via P. Fiorini, 5-40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bonerba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima, km 3, 70010 (BA), Italy
| | - Andrea Serraino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50-40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
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Losio MN, Bozzo G, Galuppini E, Martella V, Bertasi B, Pavoni E, Finazzi G. Silter Cheese, a Traditional Italian Dairy Product: A Source of Feasible Probiotic Strains. International Journal of Food Properties 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2012.704472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Chiapponi C, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Baioni L, Scaltriti E, Chiesa E, Cianti L, Losio MN, Pongolini S. Isolation and genomic sequence of hepatitis A virus from mixed frozen berries in Italy. Food Environ Virol 2014; 6:202-6. [PMID: 24859055 PMCID: PMC4119586 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-014-9149-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/03/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected in two samples of mixed frozen berries linked to Italian hepatitis A outbreak in April and September 2013. Both viruses were fully sequenced by next-generation sequencing and the genomes clustered with HAV complete genomes of sub-genotype IA with nucleotide identities of 95-97%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Chiapponi
- Sezione Diagnostica di Parma, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), 43126, Parma, Italy,
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32
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Dalzini E, Cosciani-Cunico E, Pavoni E, Bertasi B, Daminelli P, Finazzi G, Losio MN, Varisco G. Study of Growth Potential of Listeria Monocytogenes in Low Fat Salami: An Innovative Italian Meat Product. Ital J Food Saf 2014; 3:2112. [PMID: 27800321 PMCID: PMC5076671 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2014.2112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last years, consequently to EC Regulation no. 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, some Italian food businnes operators (FBOs) leaders in the meat sector, invested in research to develop innovative products such as low fat salami, containing up to 30% less fat than the traditional one. For FBOs it is essential to demonstrate for each production process whether the substrate allows the growth of L. monocytogenes and whether L. monocytogenes could reach or exceed the limit of 100 cfu g-1 at the end of the shelf life, as stated by EC Regulation no. 2073/2005. In the present study, the growth potential of L. monocytogenes during the shelf life of low fat salami packed in modified atmosphere was evaluated. The results show that the product is unable to support the growth of pathogen, even if the storage temperature is between 8 and 12°C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalzini
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Libertini, Brescia, Italy
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33
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Dalzini E, Cosciani-Cunico E, D’Amico S, Sfameni C, Bertasi B, Losio MN, Serraino A, Daminelli P. Growth Potential of Listeria Monocytogenes in Sliced Turkey Bresaola Packed in Modified Atmosphere. Ital J Food Saf 2014; 3:2231. [PMID: 27800323 PMCID: PMC5076673 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2014.2231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
According to EC Regulation No 2073/2005, for food business operators that produce ready-to-eat (RTE) product, it is crucial to be able to demonstrate if the product supports the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. The objective of the study was therefore to evaluate the behaviour of L. monocytogenes in sliced RTE turkey bresaola (made by cured turkey breast 4.5% NaCl, 1% sodium lactate, sodium nitrite 150 ppm and flavouring) during the shelf life of the product, simulating a contamination during the slicing operation. Considering a shelf life of 90 days, as defined by manufacturer, the packages of sliced bresaola were stored at 5°C for 7 days and at 8°C for the remaining storage time (83 days). L. monocytogenes count decreased during storage test from 1.43/1.98 log cfu/g in the three batches tested to 1.03 log cfu/g in one batch and to undetectable levels in the other two batches. The results show that the investigated product is unable to support the growth of L. monocytogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dalzini
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Elena Cosciani-Cunico
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Stefano D’Amico
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Chiara Sfameni
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Marina N. Losio
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Andrea Serraino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Paolo Daminelli
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
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34
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Cosciani-Cunico E, Dalzini E, D’Amico S, Sfameni C, Bertasi B, Losio MN, Giacometti F, Daminelli P. Behaviour of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 During the Manufacture and Ripening of an Italian Traditional Raw Goat Milk Cheese. Ital J Food Saf 2014; 3:2243. [PMID: 27800324 PMCID: PMC5076674 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2014.2243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Formagelle di capra is a raw goat cheese produced from whole chilled goat milk; traditional technology involving unpasteurised milk and indigenous lactic starter cultures is employed for its production in Italy. The purpose of this study was to assess the behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during the manufacturing and ripening of this raw goat milk cheese. Raw milk was experimentally inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 in a laboratory scale plant and the count was monitored during production and 30 days of ripening required for this cheese. Results showed that E. coli O157:H7 count increased to more than 1.5 Log cfu g-1 during cheese production and remained constant until the end of ripening. The evidence that E. coli O157:H7 is able to survive during the manufacturing and ripening process suggests that the 30-day ripening period alone is insufficient to eliminate levels of viable E. coli O157:H7 in Formaggelle di capra cheese and that the presence of low numbers of E. coli O157:H7 in milk destined for the production of raw goat milk cheeses could represent a potential source of infection for humans and a threat for consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cosciani-Cunico
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Elena Dalzini
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Stefano D’Amico
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Chiara Sfameni
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Barbara Bertasi
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Marina Nadia Losio
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
| | - Federica Giacometti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Paolo Daminelli
- Laboratorio di Microbiologia degli Alimenti, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna B. Ubertini, Brescia
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35
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Oliverio E, De Nadai V, Daminelli P, Finazzi G, Bertasi B, Losio M. OCCURRENCE OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN READY TO EAT FOOD SAMPLES COLLECTED BY LOMBARDY REGION HEALTH AUTHORITIES IN 2009-2010. Ital J Food Saf 2012. [DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2012.4.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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36
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Finazzi G, Daminelli P, Serraino A, Pizzamiglio V, Riu R, Giacometti F, Bertasi B, Losio M, Boni P. Behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in packaged water buffalo mozzarella cheese. Lett Appl Microbiol 2011; 53:364-70. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2011.03118.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Daminelli P, De Nadai V, Bozzo G, Finazzi G, Oliverio E, Losio MN, Bertasi B, Boni P. Two unlinked cases of foodborne botulism in Italy at the beginning of 2010. New Microbiol 2011; 34:287-290. [PMID: 21811749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The study provides data on two cases of foodborne botulism caused by consumption of commercial vegetable products: artichoke preserve and cream of vegetable soup. By mouse bioassay, Clostridium botulinum toxin in both the suspected food samples was detected and identified as type B toxin. The detection of C. botulinum toxin in the artichoke preserve indicates an inadequate food production technology while the presence of C. botulinum toxin in the vegetable soup appeared to be related to wrong behavior on the part of the consumer and to faulty food preservation. The study confirms that an early identification and reporting of suspected botulism cases is vital in the prevention of accidental widespread outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Daminelli
- Department of Food Microbiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia.
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38
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Baldi A, Losio MN, Cheli F, Rebucci R, Sangalli L, Fusi E, Bertasi B, Pavoni E, Carli S, Politis I. Evaluation of the protective effects of alpha-tocopherol and retinol against ochratoxin A cytotoxicity. Br J Nutr 2004; 91:507-12. [PMID: 15035678 DOI: 10.1079/bjn20041092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin frequently present in food and feedstuffs, produces a wide range of toxic effects, including cell death via lipid peroxidation. In one human and four animal cell lines we determined the half lethal concentration (LC50) of OTA, its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and its ability to induce cytochrome p450 activity. We also examined the protective effect of alpha-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol in the most sensitive cell lines (i.e. bovine mammary epithelia, for which LC50 was 0.8 microg/ml (24 h), and Madin Darby canine kidney, for which LC50 was 4.3 microg/ml (48 h)). Pre-incubation for 3 h with either antioxidant significantly (P<0.05) ameliorated the OTA-induced reduction in cell viability and significantly decreased (P<0.05) ROS production. These findings indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in OTA cytotoxicity. Supplementation with antioxidant molecules may counteract the short-term toxicity of this mycotoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Baldi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technology for Food Safety, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Bertasi B, Bignotti E, Ferrando L, D'Abrosca F, Scaratti L, Pomati F. The standardization of a molecular biology method to verify the presence of Microcystis aeruginosa. Vet Res Commun 2003; 27 Suppl 1:277-9. [PMID: 14535409 DOI: 10.1023/b:verc.0000014159.85554.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B Bertasi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia, Romagna, Brescia, Italy.
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40
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Ferrari M, Losio MN, Bertasi B, Pinoni C, Cosciani E, Boni P, Pavoni E, Rubini S. [Role of the Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali in controlling the microbiological and toxicologic risks related to seafood]. Ann Ist Super Sanita 2003; 39:97-104. [PMID: 12820575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
The "Istituti Zooprofilattici" are an important network whose main function is the monitoring of animal health as well as food. As a result of the recent improvements in aquaculture technology interest in the safety of seafood is increasing. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to set up diagnostic methods for the detection of virus contamination, as well as the use of in vitro techniques able to identify the different toxins. The results have allowed the development of molecular biology assays which, together with the isolation in cell cultures, can detect contaminations/infections by the hepatitis A virus and the most common enteroviruses. Moreover, specific selected cell lines have led to the detection of different toxins. These laboratory methods will be used in order to control seafood safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Ferrari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via A. Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia.
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41
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Aleo MF, Morandini F, Bettoni F, Tanganelli S, Vezzola A, Giuliani R, Steimberg N, Boniotti J, Bertasi B, Losio N, Apostoli P, Mazzoleni G. [In vitro study of the nephrotoxic mechanism of mercuric chloride]. Med Lav 2002; 93:267-78. [PMID: 12197277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Mercury (Hg), one of the most diffused and hazardous organ-specific environmental contaminants, exists in a wide variety of physical and chemical states, each of which with unique characteristics of target organ specificity. Exposure to Hg vapour and to organic mercurials specifically affects the CNS, while the kidney is the target organ for inorganic Hg compounds. Despite the increasing number of studies, the molecular bases of the nephrotoxic potential of Hg has not, up to now, been clarified, even if there is evidence suggesting that the ability of the metal to interact with proteins (thiol groups) or to generate oxygen radicals may play a major role. Within this context, the aim of the present study was to investigate, in vitro, the mechanism(s) of the early nephrotoxic potential of mercury chloride (HgCl2), one of the most diffused and biologically active mercury (Hg2+) compounds. For this purpose, two kidney-derived in vitro systems (the MDCK and the LLC-PK1 cell lines) were tested for their sensitivity to the salt, and MDCK was chosen as the most suitable in vitro model for our study. As possible biological markers of the organ-specific toxicity of the metal we analysed: i) critical biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress conditions (effect of Hg2+ on the anti-oxidant status of the cell), and ii) gap-junctional function (GJIC). METHODS Classical toxicity tests (MTT and NR) were used for assessing the sensitivity (IC50) of LLP-CK1 and MDCK cell lines to the mercuric salt. Complete solubilisation of the salt in the culture media was verified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The influence of the metal on cell growth rate and viability were evaluated by conventional proliferation assays. For the following mechanistic studies, cells were exposed for different time periods (4 to 72 hours) to non-cytotoxic (0.1-50 microM) HgCl2 concentrations. The biochemical analysis of the pro-oxidant properties of the mercuric compound was performed by the measurement of anti-oxidant cellular defences against H2O2 [catalase (Cat), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and total glutathione (GSH)]. The influence of the metal on the GJIC capacity of MDCK cells was assessed by the "microinjection/dye-coupling" assay. RESULTS Among the two kidney-derived in vitro systems, MDCK cell line was the most specifically sensitive to the toxic effect of HgCl2: it was, consequently, chosen as a "tubular cell model" for the following experimental steps. Tested for various time periods at increasing concentrations, the HgCl2 effect on MDCK cell proliferation and viability was found to be time- and dose-related. For concentrations < or = 50 microM, HgCl2 inhibits MDCK cell growth rate, being this effect significant (> 50% in respect to untreated controls) from the 24th from the beginning of the treatment, while, for concentrations > 50 microM, the metal causes cell death. Concerning the influence of HgCl2 on MDCK anti-oxidant defences, the most interesting results were obtained by analysing the influence of the mercury salt on the GSH cell content and Gpx activity. Both were, in fact, significantly affected by the presence of the mercury ion. HgCl2 also induced a rapid, dose- and time-related inhibitory effect on the GJIC capacity of the cells. CONCLUSIONS Even if further investigations are needed to better clarify the possible causal relationship between our findings, they indicate that: a) MDCK cells represent a suitable in vitro model for the study of Hg nephrotoxicity; b) GJIC function is, among those considered in our study, one of the most sensitive biological endpoints for investigating the mechanism(s) of Hg2+ specific toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Aleo
- Sezione di Biochimica e Chimica Clinica, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italia
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