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Frontiers in Microbiology 2021Coastal zones are exposed to various anthropogenic impacts, such as different types of wastewater pollution, e.g., treated wastewater discharges, leakage from sewage...
Coastal zones are exposed to various anthropogenic impacts, such as different types of wastewater pollution, e.g., treated wastewater discharges, leakage from sewage systems, and agricultural and urban runoff. These various inputs can introduce allochthonous organic matter and microbes, including pathogens, into the coastal marine environment. The presence of fecal bacterial indicators in the coastal environment is usually monitored using traditional culture-based methods that, however, fail to detect their uncultured representatives. We have conducted a year-around survey of the pelagic microbiome of the dynamic coastal ecosystem, subjected to different anthropogenic pressures to depict the seasonal and spatial dynamics of traditional and alternative fecal bacterial indicators. To provide an insight into the environmental conditions under which bacterial indicators thrive, a suite of environmental factors and bacterial community dynamics were analyzed concurrently. Analyses of 16S rRNA amplicon sequences revealed that the coastal microbiome was primarily structured by seasonal changes regardless of the distance from the wastewater pollution sources. On the other hand, fecal bacterial indicators were not affected by seasons and accounted for up to 34% of the sequence proportion for a given sample. Even more so, traditional fecal indicator bacteria () and alternative wastewater-associated bacteria (, , and ) were part of the core coastal microbiome, i.e., present at all sampling stations. Microbial source tracking and Lagrangian particle tracking, which we employed to assess the potential pollution source, revealed the importance of riverine water as a vector for transmission of allochthonous microbes into the marine system. Further phylogenetic analysis showed that the in our data set was affiliated with the pathogenic , suggesting that a potential exposure risk for bacterial pathogens in anthropogenically impacted coastal zones remains. We emphasize that molecular analyses combined with statistical and oceanographic models may provide new insights for environmental health assessment and reveal the potential source and presence of microbial indicators, which are otherwise overlooked by a cultivation approach.
PubMed: 35111137
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.765091 -
Journal of Food Protection Sep 2013The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Arcobacter species in raw milk in Finland. A total of 177 raw milk samples, each from a separate farm, were...
The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Arcobacter species in raw milk in Finland. A total of 177 raw milk samples, each from a separate farm, were examined from June to August 2011. Arcobacter species were isolated using an enrichment and selective detection procedure. Overall, 26 (15 % ) of the 177 samples yielded Arcobacter spp. Samples from 25 farms were positive for Arcobacter butzleri and from 1 farm for Arcobacter cryaerophilus. Moreover, both Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus were recovered from 1 positive sample. To evaluate a possible genetic variability, one strain of A. butzleri from each farm and the A. cryaerophilus sample were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Genotyping revealed that Arcobacter spp. populations are heterogeneous, and no dominant clone has spread in the investigated samples. Our study is the first report on the isolation of both A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus in raw milk in Finland. Based on our findings, the presence of Arcobacter species in raw milk may pose a potential hazard for human health, in particular for consumers who prefer drinking unpasteurized milk.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Cattle; Consumer Product Safety; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; Finland; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Genotype; Humans; Milk; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence
PubMed: 23992510
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-13-083 -
Journal of Dairy Science 2014The present study investigated the presence of Arcobacter spp. in industrial dairy plants. Between February and September 2013, pasteurized milk used for cheesemaking,...
The present study investigated the presence of Arcobacter spp. in industrial dairy plants. Between February and September 2013, pasteurized milk used for cheesemaking, processing and cleaning water, cheese, and environmental samples from different plant sites, including surfaces in contact or not in contact with food, were sampled. A total of 126 samples were analyzed by the cultural method and isolates were identified by multiplex PCR. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 22 of 75 environmental samples (29.3%): of them, 22.7% were surfaces in contact with food and 38.7% surfaces not in contact with food. A total of 135 Arcobacter spp. isolates were obtained; of these, 129 and 6 were identified as Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus, respectively. All food processing water and pasteurized milk samples were negative for Arcobacter species. We were not able to determine the primary source of contamination, but the isolation of both A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus in surfaces in contact with food before and during manufacturing suggests that Arcobacter spp. are not or are only partially affected by routine sanitizing procedures in the industrial dairy plants studied. The efficacy of sanitizing procedures should be evaluated and further studies are needed to determine whether certain Arcobacter strains persist for long periods of time in industrial dairy plants and whether they can survive in different types of cheese in cases of postprocessing contamination.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Cheese; Consumer Product Safety; Dairying; Food Contamination; Food Handling; Food Microbiology; Food Safety; Milk; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sanitation
PubMed: 24534515
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-7682 -
Journal of Food Protection Jan 2005Growth and survival of six human isolates of the pathogenic Arcobacter spp. in the presence of selected environmental factors were studied. Four strains of Arcobacter...
Growth and survival of six human isolates of the pathogenic Arcobacter spp. in the presence of selected environmental factors were studied. Four strains of Arcobacter butzleri and two strains of Arcobacter cryaerophilus were exposed to pH levels of 3.5 to 8.0. Most strains grew between pH 5.5 and 8.0, with optimal growth of most A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus strains at pH 6.0 to 7.0 and 7.0 to 7.5, respectively. The 24-h optimal growth range in the presence of NaCl was 0.5 to 1.0% for A. cryaerophilus. However, after 96 h, the optimum was between 0.5 and 2.0% NaCl. The optimum range for growth of A. butzleri strains was 0.09 to 0.5% NaCl after 96 h. The upper growth limits were 3.5 and 3.0% NaCl for A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus, respectively. Survival at 25 degrees C in up to 5% NaCl was noted for A. butzleri 3556 and 3539 and A. cryaerophilus 3256. Decimal reduction times (D-values) at pH 7.3 in phosphate-buffered saline for three A. butzleri strains were 0.07 to 0.12 min at 60 degrees C, 0.38 to 0.76 min at 55 degrees C, and 5.12 to 5.81 min at 50 degrees C. At pH 5.5, decreased thermotolerance was observed, with D-values of 0.03 to 0.11 min at 60 degrees C, 0.30 to 0.42 min at 55 degrees C, and 1.97 to 4.42 min at 50 degrees C. Calculated z-values ranged from 5.20 to 6.28 degrees C. D-values of a three-strain mixture of A. butzleri in raw ground pork were 18.51 min at 50 degrees C and 2.18 min at 55 degrees C. Mild heat (50 degress C) followed by cold shock (4 or 8 degrees C exposure) had a synergistic lethal effect, reducing more cells than with an individual 50 degrees C treatment or with cold shock temperatures of 12 or 16 degrees C.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Colony Count, Microbial; Consumer Product Safety; Food Microbiology; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Sodium Chloride; Temperature; Time Factors
PubMed: 15690799
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-68.1.18 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2013The objectives of this study were to investigate the presence of Campylobacter spp. and Arcobacter spp. in dairy herds authorized for the production and sale of raw milk...
The objectives of this study were to investigate the presence of Campylobacter spp. and Arcobacter spp. in dairy herds authorized for the production and sale of raw milk and in a water buffalo dairy farm, and to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. A total of 196 in-line milk filters were collected from 14 dairy farms (13 bovine and 1 water buffalo) for detection of Campylobacter spp. and Arcobacter spp. by microbiological culture. For each farm investigated, 1 isolate for each Campylobacter and Arcobacter species isolated was tested using the Etest method (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) to evaluate the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, erythromycin, and gentamicin. A total of 52 isolates were detected in 49 milk filters in 12 farms (85.7%) out of 14 and the isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni (6), Campylobacter hyointestinalis ssp. hyointestinalis (8), Campylobacter concisus (1), Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus (1), Arcobacter butzleri (22), and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (14). The small number of isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility precludes any epidemiological consideration but highlights that all Campylobacter isolates were susceptible to macrolides, which are the first-choice drugs for the treatment of campylobacteriosis, and that resistance to fluoroquinolones and tetracycline was detected; for Arcobacter isolates, resistance to ampicillin and chloramphenicol was detected. The sale of raw milk for human consumption by self-service automatic vending machines has been allowed in Italy since 2004 and the presence of C. jejuni in in-line milk filters confirms that raw milk consumption is a significant risk factor for human infection. The high occurrence of emerging Campylobacter spp. and Arcobacter spp. discovered in dairy farms authorized for production and sale of raw milk represents an emerging hazard for human health.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Arcobacter; Buffaloes; Campylobacter; Campylobacter fetus; Campylobacter hyointestinalis; Campylobacter jejuni; Female; Italy; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Milk
PubMed: 23453517
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-6249 -
Journal of Food Protection Feb 2007Twenty-two chicken livers, 10 chicken carcasses, and 15 wastewater samples were processed and analyzed for Arcobacter by PCR and traditional culture methods. Samples...
Twenty-two chicken livers, 10 chicken carcasses, and 15 wastewater samples were processed and analyzed for Arcobacter by PCR and traditional culture methods. Samples were enriched for 24 and 48 h, incubated at 30 degrees C under aerobic conditions, and streaked on blood selective media. To determine the best isolation conditions, 20 samples also were processed under microaerophilic conditions at 37 degrees C. Simple and multiplex PCR assays were used directly with enrichment broths and isolated strains. Seventeen Arcobacter strains were isolated from chicken samples, and A. butzleri was the only Arcobacter species identified. The direct PCR assay revealed that 29 of the 32 chicken samples were contaminated with Arcobacter. A. butzleri was the most frequently detected species, although Arcobacter cryaerophilus also was present in some of the samples and Arcobacter skirrowii occasionally was detected. All the wastewater samples were positive by PCR assay for Arcobacter after 24 h of enrichment. A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus were detected with the multiplex PCR assay. Fourteen Arcobacter strains were isolated from 10 of the 15 water samples analyzed; 7 were identified as A. butzleri and the remaining 7 were A. cryaerophilus. Both for chicken and water samples, Arcobacter detection rate for PCR amplification was higher than for culture isolation. These results indicate the high prevalence of Arcobacter in chicken and wastewater and the inadequacy of available cultural methods for its detection. The species-specific multiplex PCR assay is a rapid method for assessing Arcobacter contamination in chicken and wastewater samples and is a viable alternative to biochemical identification of isolated strains.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Chickens; Colony Count, Microbial; Consumer Product Safety; Food Contamination; Food Microbiology; Humans; Meat; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spain; Time Factors; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 17340867
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-70.2.341 -
MicrobiologyOpen Feb 2017The human food-borne pathogens Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus have been frequently isolated from the intestinal tracts and fecal samples of different farm...
The human food-borne pathogens Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus have been frequently isolated from the intestinal tracts and fecal samples of different farm animals and, after excretion, these microorganisms can contaminate the environment, including the aquatic one. In this regard, A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus have been detected in seawater and bivalves of coastal areas which are affected by fecal contamination. The capability of bivalve hemocytes to interact with bacteria has been proposed as the main factor inversely conditioning their persistence in the bivalve. In this study, 12 strains of Arcobacter spp. were isolated between January and May 2013 from bivalves of Central Adriatic Sea of Italy in order to examine their genetic diversity as well as in vitro interactions with bivalve components of the immune response, such as hemocytes. Of these, seven isolates were A. butzleri and five A. cryaerophilus, and were genetically different. All strains showed ability to induce spreading and respiratory burst of Mytilus galloprovincialis hemocytes. Overall, our data demonstrate the high genetic diversity of these microorganisms circulating in the marine study area. Moreover, the Arcobacter-bivalve interaction suggests that they do not have a potential to persist in the tissues of M. galloprovincialis.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Bivalvia; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases; Feces; Hemocytes; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Italy; Molecular Typing; Oceans and Seas; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Respiratory Burst; Seawater
PubMed: 27650799
DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.400 -
Food Science & Nutrition May 2024In this study, to investigate spp. contamination post-scalding and de-feathering, post-evisceration, post-chilling, and packaged products, which are the most essential...
In this study, to investigate spp. contamination post-scalding and de-feathering, post-evisceration, post-chilling, and packaged products, which are the most essential contamination stages of broiler slaughter, a total of 108 samples were taken from three different broiler slaughterhouses at different times. Isolates obtained by cultural methods in 104 of 108 samples were analyzed by mPCR method to identify pathogen spp. , , and mixed contamination of both species were detected in 51 samples. Of the 51 isolates, 27 (52.9%) were , 16 (31.4%) were , and 8 (15.7%) were mixed contamination of and , while was not detected. and contamination was 59.2% post-scalding and de-feathering, 43.4% post-evisceration, 44.4% and 48.1% post-chilling and in packaged products, respectively. All strains were found to be 100% resistant to cefoperazone and penicillin and sensitive to tetracycline. strains were 100% resistant to cefoperazone, penicillin, and cloxacillin and susceptible to tetracycline and erythromycin. In the study, it was determined that spp. caused a very intense contamination (85.18%-100%) and also contamination rates of identified pathogen strains ( and ) were very high (59.2% and 43.4%) in broiler slaughtering stages. Considering that each step in broiler slaughter could contaminate the next stage, developing a safe slaughter and minimizing the risk toward the final product, it was concluded that critical control points could not be well managed in broiler slaughterhouses, and broiler meat may pose a significant risk to public health.
PubMed: 38726459
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4013 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Jul 2007To determine the prevalence of Arcobacter in various food, animal and water sources in Turkey and to subtype the isolated strains using enterobacterial repetitive...
AIMS
To determine the prevalence of Arcobacter in various food, animal and water sources in Turkey and to subtype the isolated strains using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A total of 806 samples consisting of chicken (100) and turkey meat (100); minced beef (27); rectal swabs from cattle (173), sheep (68) and dogs (62); cloacal swabs of broilers (100) and layers (100); gall bladders of cattle (50) and drinking water samples (26) were examined. A previously described membrane filtration method was used for the isolation. Isolates were identified at species level using multiplex-PCR and discriminated by ERIC-PCR for subtyping. Ninety-eight (12.1%) of the samples examined were found positive for arcobacters. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 68%, 4%, 6.9%, 8% and 37% of chicken and turkey meats, rectal swabs and gall bladders of cattle and minced beef, respectively. No arcobacters were obtained from the rectal swabs of sheep and dogs, cloacal swabs of broilers and layers, and water samples examined. In total, 99 Arcobacter isolates were obtained. Of these isolates, 92 were identified as Arcobacter butzleri, five were Arcobacter skirrowii and two were Arcobacter cryaerophilus. Thirteen distinct DNA profiles among A. butzleri isolates were obtained by the ERIC-PCR. Of these profiles, eight were from chicken carcass, three from cattle rectal swab and two from minced beef meat isolates. Some of the isolates originated from different sources gave the same DNA profiles. All isolates of A. skirrowii and A. cryaerophilus gave different DNA profiles.
CONCLUSIONS
Poultry carcasses, minced beef meat, rectal swabs and gall bladders of cattle were found to be positive for Arcobacter spp. A. butzleri was the predominant species isolated. In addition, large heterogeneity among the Arcobacter isolates was determined.
SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY
Contamination of the poultry carcasses and minced beef meat, rectal and gall bladder samples of cattle with arcobacters poses a risk for both human and animal infections. Detection of several different Arcobacter strains may suggest multiple sources for contamination and infection.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Cattle; DNA Fingerprinting; DNA, Bacterial; Dogs; Food Microbiology; Meat; Phenotype; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Poultry; Sheep, Domestic; Turkey; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 17584450
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03240.x -
Journal of Food Protection May 2009Arcobacter is considered an emergent foodborne and waterborne enteropathogen. However, its prevalence in foods of animal origin is only partially known, because most...
Arcobacter is considered an emergent foodborne and waterborne enteropathogen. However, its prevalence in foods of animal origin is only partially known, because most studies have been concentrated on poultry, pork, and beef, and methods applied do not allow identification of all currently accepted Arcobacter species. We investigated the prevalence of Arcobacter in 203 food samples, 119 samples of seven different types of meats and 84 samples of four types of shellfish. Isolates were identified in parallel by using a published multiplex PCR method and a recently described 16S rDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism method that allows all currently accepted Arcobacter species to be characterized. The global prevalence of Arcobacter was 32%; it was highest in clams (5 of 5 samples, 100%) and chicken (9 of 14 samples, 64.3%) followed by pork (9 of 17 samples, 53.0%), mussels (23 of 56 samples, 41.1%), and duck meat (2 of 5 samples, 40.0%). Turkey meat and beef had a similar recovery rate (10 of 30 samples, 33.3%; 5 of 16 samples, 31.3%; respectively), and rabbit meat had the lowest rate (1 of 10 samples, 10.0%). No arcobacters were found in oysters, frozen shrimps, or sausages. This food survey is the first in which five of the seven accepted Arcobacter species have been isolated. Arcobacter butzleri was the most prevalent species (63.0% of isolates) followed by Arcobacter cryaerophilus (26.6%), Arcobacter mytili (4.7%), Arcobacter skirrowii (3.1%), and Arcobacter nitrofigilis (3.1%). Three (4.7%) of the isolates were classified as belonging to three potentially new phylogenetic lines. Our results indicated that Arcobacter species are widely distributed in the food products studied.
Topics: Animals; Arcobacter; Consumer Product Safety; DNA, Bacterial; Food Contamination; Humans; Meat; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Prevalence; Sensitivity and Specificity; Shellfish; Species Specificity
PubMed: 19517742
DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x-72.5.1102