-
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Previous studies have demonstrated an association between lymphatic vessels and diseases caused by bacterial infections. (LM) bacterial infection can affect multiple...
Previous studies have demonstrated an association between lymphatic vessels and diseases caused by bacterial infections. (LM) bacterial infection can affect multiple organs, including the intestine, brain, liver and spleen, which can be fatal. However, the impacts of LM infection on morphological and functional changes of lymphatic vessels remain unexplored. In this study, we found that LM infection not only induces meningeal and mesenteric lymphangiogenesis in mice, but also impairs meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs)-mediated macromolecules drainage. Interestingly, we found that the genes associated with lymphatic vessel development and function, such as and , were downregulated, suggesting that LM infection may affect cellular polarization and valve development. On the other hand, photodynamic ablation of MLVs exacerbated inflammation and bacterial load in the brain of mice with LM infection. Overall, our findings indicate that LM infection induces lymphangiogenesis and may affect cell polarization, cavity formation, and valve development during lymphangiogenesis, ultimately impairing MLVs drainage.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Listeria monocytogenes; Listeriosis; Lymphatic Vessels; Lymphangiogenesis; Meninges
PubMed: 38638427
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1382971 -
Infectious Diseases and Therapy Jun 2024Listeriosis is a severe food-borne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes infection. The data of listeriosis in Xi'an population are limited. The aim of this study is...
INTRODUCTION
Listeriosis is a severe food-borne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes infection. The data of listeriosis in Xi'an population are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical features and fatality risk factors for listeriosis in three tertiary-care hospitals in Xi'an, China METHODS: The characteristics of demographic data, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators, cranial imaging examination, antibiotics therapeutic schemes, and clinical outcomes were collected between 2011 and 2023. Logistic regression analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Seventy-one etiologically confirmed listeriosis patients were enrolled, including 12 neonatal and 59 non-neonatal cases. The majority of neonatal listeriosis presented as preterm (50%) and fetal distress (75%). The main clinical manifestations of non-neonatal listeriosis included fever (88%), headache (32%), disorder of consciousness (25%), vomiting (17%), abdominal pain (12%), and convulsions (8%). The fatality rate in neonatal cases was higher than in non-neonatal listeriosis (42 vs. 17%). Although no deaths were reported in maternal listeriosis, only two of 23 patients had an uneventful obstetrical outcome. Five maternal listeriosis delivered culture-positive neonates, three of whom decreased within 1 week post-gestation due to severe complications. Twenty-eight cases were neurolisteriosis and 43 cases were bacteremia. Neurolisteriosis had a higher fatality rate compared with bacteremia listeriosis (36 vs. 12%). The main neuroradiological images were cerebral edema/hydrocephalus, intracranial infection, and cerebral hernia. Listeria monocytogenes showed extremely low resistance to ampicillin (two isolates) and penicillin (one isolate). The fatality risk factors were the involvement of the central nervous system, hyperbilirubinemia, and hyponatremia for all enrolled subjects. Hyperuricemia contributed to the elevation of fatality risk in non-neonatal listeriosis.
CONCLUSIONS
When the patients suffered with symptoms of fever and central nervous system infection, they should be alert to the possibility of listeriosis. Early administration of ampicillin- or penicillin-based therapy might be beneficial for recovery of listeriosis.
PubMed: 38733495
DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-00986-3 -
International Journal of Food... Jan 2024In recent years, pre-packed ready-to-eat (RTE) food products on the Belgian market have shifted to a more plant-based composition due to a variety of reasons, including... (Review)
Review
In recent years, pre-packed ready-to-eat (RTE) food products on the Belgian market have shifted to a more plant-based composition due to a variety of reasons, including consumer concerns about health, animal welfare, and sustainability. However, similar to animal-based RTE foods, plant-based RTE foods can be susceptible to the presence and outgrowth of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). Three innovative, pre-packed, plant-based RTE food product categories on the Belgian market were identified based upon data gaps regarding the prevalence and growth potential of this pathogen. These were vegetarian and vegan deli sandwich slices (category 1), fresh-cut (mixes of) leafy vegetables (category 2), and multi-ingredient salad bowls (category 3). Reports on associated listeriosis outbreaks and recalls were collected and a comprehensive literature review on the prevalence of L. monocytogenes (i.e. detection in 25 g food) was performed. In addition, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes was also determined through an exploratory retail survey of ca. 50 different RTE products of each category. A batch was considered positive if L. monocytogenes was detected in a food item, either on the day of purchase, at the end of shelf life, or both. During the retail survey, L. monocytogenes was not detected in category 2 (0 out of 51 batches), while 1 out of 51 and 6 out of 48 batches were found positive for respectively category 1 and 3. The observed L. monocytogenes concentration did not exceed 10 CFU/g at any point in time in any batch. Furthermore, challenge tests were performed to determine the growth potential of L. monocytogenes in nine pre-packed, plant-based RTE food products (two to four different products of each category, and three different batches per product). After inoculation, products were stored for half of their shelf life at 7 °C and half of their shelf life at 9 °C (simulation of resp. retail and consumer storage). In six of the nine challenge tests executed, growth of L. monocytogenes was supported (i.e. growth potential ≥0.50 log CFU/g during shelf life). The highest growth potential was observed for fresh-cut iceberg lettuce (3.60 log CFU/g in 9 days), but a large variation regarding the growth potential of L. monocytogenes was noted both between and within the three studied pre-packed, plant-based RTE food product categories. This variation was mainly caused by differences in product composition, physicochemical product characteristics, present (competitive) microbiota such as lactic acid bacteria, applied preservation techniques, and shelf life.
Topics: Animals; Listeria monocytogenes; Food Microbiology; Prevalence; Belgium; Colony Count, Microbial; Consumer Product Safety; Food Contamination; Meat Products
PubMed: 38043378
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110506 -
Health Science Reports Feb 2024Recurring outbreaks in the United States is a growing public healthcare concern. Although no associated reported death, 17 were hospitalized out of the 18 reported...
Recurring outbreaks in the United States is a growing public healthcare concern. Although no associated reported death, 17 were hospitalized out of the 18 reported illnesses in the recent outbreak in 15 US states. The United States has experienced about 30 outbreaks in the last decade with 524 Listeriosis cases and 80 deaths. The identified origin were ice cream, leafy greens, mushroom, meat slice, dairy products like cheese, packaged salads, cooked chicken, hard-boiled egg, pork product, frozen vegetable, raw milk, packaged caramel apple, bean sprout and soya products. Although rare, may lead to serious illness (invasive listeriosis) or death. Listeriosis is critically harmful and medically complicated, especially in the pregnant, the old above 65 years and in the immunocompromised. It could cause premature birth, miscarriage or even neonatal death. Hospitalization is often necessary in the geriatric, being fatal at times. Among sp., is often human infection-associated. It is a gram-positive, non-sporulating, motile bacillus opportunistic pathogen. Food-borne listeriosis is often associated with frozen foods due to its ability to thrive at low temperatures. Hypervirulent strains of with an ability to infect the respiratory system (the lungs) was recently reported in the coronavirus disease-19 patients during the pandemic. seemed to have developed antimicrobial resistance to ciprofloxacin and meropenem, possibly acquired through the food chain. An early onset of listeriosis in the newborn is evident in the first 7 days postparturition. As the bacteria colonize the genitourinary tract, majority of such cases result from teratogenic transfer during vaginal delivery. Premature newborns, neonates born outside healthcare facilities and low-birth-weight babies were increasingly predisposed to an early onset of listeriosis. outbreaks were earlier reported in South Africa, Australia and Europe, with an unclear origin of the outbreaks. Social media updates about such outbreaks, the most likely food source, and measures to self-protect are suggested as preventive measures. The article deals on various such aspects related to listeriosis primarily originating from food, to ensure better public healthcare and human wellness.
PubMed: 38317674
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1863 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023Foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. associated with consumption of both fresh and dried specialty mushrooms have recently occurred. Dried wood ear mushrooms were...
Foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. associated with consumption of both fresh and dried specialty mushrooms have recently occurred. Dried wood ear mushrooms were implicated in a salmonellosis outbreak in 2020, while fresh enoki mushrooms were associated with two listeriosis outbreaks in 2020 and 2023. These specialty mushrooms are commercially available in both their fresh and dried states. Due to the short shelf life of mushrooms, dehydration is a common method used in both industry and by consumers to extend the shelf life and preserve quality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of dehydration on the inactivation kinetics of both and on enoki and wood ear mushrooms. Fresh mushrooms were inoculated with four strain cocktails of either or and dried at ambient conditions for 10 min. Following drying of the inoculum, mushrooms were placed into food dehydrators preheated to 70, 80, or 90°C and treated for up to 24 h. At treatment intervals, mushrooms were removed from the dehydrators for pathogen enumeration. Inactivation kinetics for both pathogens were modeled using the Weibull, log-linear with tail, and log-linear with shoulder models. Pathogen reductions of >4 log CFU/g were achieved on both enoki and wood ear mushrooms during dehydration at 90°C after only 2-4 h. At 70 and 80°C, log reductions of >4 log CFU/g were observed on wood ear mushrooms after 4-8 h. On enoki mushrooms, a tailing effect was observed with residual populations (>2 log CFU/g) of and remaining even after 24 h of treatment at both 70 and 80°C. This study emphasizes the need for an individualized dehydration strategy for each mushroom type to ensure the effectiveness of dehydration as a process to reduce pathogen populations. Results of this study will aid in informing proper time and temperature combinations for dehydration of specialty mushrooms to ensure product safety.
PubMed: 38029214
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257053 -
Microorganisms Oct 2023() is ubiquitous in nature and known for its ability to contaminate foods during production processes. Near real-time monitoring of whole genome sequences from food and...
() is ubiquitous in nature and known for its ability to contaminate foods during production processes. Near real-time monitoring of whole genome sequences from food and human isolates, complemented with epidemiological data, has been used in the Netherlands since 2019 to increase the speed and success rate of source finding in the case of (active) clusters. Nine clusters with 4 to 19 human cases investigated between January 2019 and May 2023 are described. Fish production sites were most often linked to outbreaks of listeriosis (six clusters), though other types of food businesses can face similar problems, as the production processes and procedures determine risk. The results showed that low levels of in food samples can still be linked to disease. Therefore, the investigation of a cluster of cases and deployment of the precautionary principle helps to focus on safe food and to prevent further cases. Good practice of environmental monitoring within a food business allows early detection of potential issues with food safety and helps food businesses to take appropriate measures such as cleaning to prevent regrowth of and thus future outbreaks.
PubMed: 38004629
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112617 -
Journal of Leukocyte Biology Jun 2024By providing innate immune modulatory stimuli, the early life immune system can be enhanced to increase resistance to infections. Activation of innate cell surface...
By providing innate immune modulatory stimuli, the early life immune system can be enhanced to increase resistance to infections. Activation of innate cell surface receptors called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) by TLR ligands is one promising approach that can help to control infections as described for listeriosis and cryptosporidiosis. In this study, the effect of TLR2/TLR1 and TLR2/TLR6 agonists was compared when injected into neonatal mice. Surprisingly, the stimulation of TLR2/TLR6 led to the death of the neonatal mice which was not observed in adult mice. The TLR2/TLR6 agonist administration induced higher systemic and intestinal inflammation both in adult and neonatal mice when compared to TLR2/TLR1 agonist. The mortality of neonatal mice was IFN-γ dependent and involved the intestinal production of IL-22 and IL-17A. This study clearly demonstrates that targeting TLRs as new control strategy of neonatal infections has to be used with caution. Depending on its heterodimeric form, the TLR2 stimulation can induce adverse effects more or less severe relying on the age-related immune functions of the host.
PubMed: 38872374
DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae140 -
Infectious Diseases (London, England) May 2024Veterinarians are at risk for numerous zoonotic infections. In this paper, we summarise descriptions of zoonotic infections from a questionnaire study and a series of...
BACKGROUND
Veterinarians are at risk for numerous zoonotic infections. In this paper, we summarise descriptions of zoonotic infections from a questionnaire study and a series of work-related zoonotic cases, aiming to add to the knowledge on occupational zoonotic risks of veterinarians.
METHODS
We collected data on zoonotic infections contracted by veterinarians in Finland in two studies:1) using a questionnaire in 2009, and 2) inviting veterinarians who had encountered an occupational zoonosis to report it in structured interviews in 2019.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
In the questionnaire study in 2009, of 306 veterinarians several reported zoonotic bacterial skin infections (12%), dermatophytosis (ringworm; 4.2%), virus infections (3.9%), bacterial gastroenteritis (3.3%), other bacterial zoonoses (2.3%), and parasitic infections/infestations (2.3%). In the 2019 interviews, 16 occupational zoonosis cases were reported. Of them, seven were selected to the case series. The selected cases included sepsis following a dog bite, cryptosporidiosis after a contact with calves, cutaneous listeriosis following calving assistance, gastroenteritis contracted at laboratory, dermatophytosis after equine contact, exposure at necropsy, and exposure to rabies through a horse bite. In four of the seven cases, the veterinarian disagreed or strongly disagreed with having had good knowledge of the zoonosis before the incident. The results from the questionnaire study and the case series illustrate the variety of zoonotic pathogens that veterinarians may encounter. There is a need to improve the occupational health of veterinarians and to increase awareness in the occupational health sector. We encourage addressing this need using a One Health approach.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Humans; Horses; Cattle; Veterinarians; Finland; Zoonoses; Surveys and Questionnaires; Bites and Stings; Gastroenteritis; Tinea
PubMed: 38344824
DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2313662 -
Journal of Microbiology (Seoul, Korea) Nov 2023Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen that causes listeriosis and has a high case fatality rate despite its low incidence. Medicinal plants and...
Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen that causes listeriosis and has a high case fatality rate despite its low incidence. Medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites have been identified as potential antibacterial substances, serving as replacements for synthetic chemical compounds. The present studies emphasize two significant medicinal plants, Allium cepa and Zingiber officinale, and their efficacy against L. monocytogenes. Firstly, a bacterial isolate was obtained from milk and identified through morphology and biochemical reactions. The species of the isolate were further confirmed through 16S rRNA analysis. Furthermore, polar solvents such as methanol and ethanol were used for the extraction of secondary metabolites from A. cepa and Z. officinale. Crude phytochemical components were identified using phytochemical tests, FTIR, and GC-MS. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the crude extract and its various concentrations were tested against L. monocytogenes. Among all, A. cepa in methanolic extracts showed significant inhibitory activity. Since, the A. cepa for methanolic crude extract was used to perform autography to assess its bactericidal activity. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed to determine the specific compound inhibition. The docking results revealed that four compounds displayed strong binding affinity with the virulence factor Listeriolysin-O of L. monocytogenes. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the medicinal plant A. cepa has potential antibacterial effects against L. monocytogenes, particularly targeting its virulence.
Topics: Animals; Listeria monocytogenes; Onions; Zingiber officinale; Milk; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Molecular Docking Simulation; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Plants, Medicinal; Plant Extracts; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 38048022
DOI: 10.1007/s12275-023-00086-w -
International Journal of Food... Jan 2024Listeriosis remains one of the most severe foodborne diseases regarding mortality rate. L. monocytogenes can grow under stressful conditions and contaminate various food... (Review)
Review
Listeriosis remains one of the most severe foodborne diseases regarding mortality rate. L. monocytogenes can grow under stressful conditions and contaminate various food categories. Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 modified on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs includes either qualitative or quantitative food safety criteria on L. monocytogenes and mentions EN ISO 11290-1 Standard as the reference detection method. The use of alternative certified methods is allowed at European level for own checks and by certain European countries in the frame of official controls. Here we report the comparison of alternative certified methods for the detection of L. monocytogenes, according to the criteria expressed by the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for L. monocytogenes network in Europe, through an enquiry conducted in 2022 by the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for L. monocytogenes. Emerging detection methods make it possible to diversify the panel of available detection methods. Each method has advantages and limitations and the choice of a method depends on the needs, organization and objectives of the laboratory. Our study focused on a comparison by category in order to provide an overview of the differences between the methods as complete and simple as possible, mainly by examining the certification files of the alternative methods, which constitute a reliable and publicly accessible source of information about performances of the methods.
Topics: Humans; Listeria monocytogenes; Food Microbiology; Listeriosis; Europe; European Union
PubMed: 37890286
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110448