RESUMO

Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are recognized as an important group of bacterial enteropathogens. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of nine strains of non-O157 STEC isolated from ready-to-eat foods in Argentina. The whole-genome sequence data provide a better understanding of these isolates and will aid epidemiological investigation during outbreaks.

RESUMO

This study was carried out to assess the survival of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) during the traditional manufacturing and ripening of Spanish hard cheese from raw cow's milk. Milk samples were spiked with up to 3.1-3.5 log cfu/mL of one strain of STEC (O140:H32 serotype) and one of aEPEC (serotype O25:H2). The first steps of cheesemaking allow for a STEC and aEPEC increase of more than 1 log cfu/mL (up to 4.74 log cfu/g and 4.55 log cfu/g, respectively). After cheese pressing, a steady reduction of both populations was observed, with the STEC strain being more sensitive. The studied pathogenic E. coli populations decreased by 1.32 log cfu/g in STEC and 0.59 log cfu/g in aEPEC in cheese ripened during a minimum period of 60 d. Therefore, a moderate contamination by these diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes, in particular, with aEPEC, on cheese manufactured from raw milk may not be totally controlled through the cheesemaking process and during a maturation of 90 d. These findings remark the importance of improvement in bacteriological quality of raw milk and cross-contamination prevention with diarrhoeagenic E. coli in the dairy industry.

RESUMO

Intestinal infections represent an important public health concern worldwide. Escherichia coli is one of the main bacterial agents involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases. In 2011, an outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Germany was related to a non-O157 STEC strain of O104:H4 serotype. The difficulty in identifying the origin of the bacteria related to the outbreak showed the importance of having epidemiological information from different parts of the world. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis to determine if E. coli strains isolated from cattle from different locations in Mexico have similar characteristics to those isolated in other countries. Samples obtained in different years from 252 cows belonging to 5 herds were analyzed. A total of 1,260 colonies were selected from the 252 samples, 841 (67%) of which corresponded to E. coli and 419 (33%) to other enterobacteria. In total, 78% (656) of the E. coli strains could be serotyped, of which 393 (59.9%) belonged to 5 diarrheagenic (DEC) pathotypes. Serotyping showed STEC (40.7%) and ETEC (26.7%) strains were more common. PCR assays were used to determine the presence of STEC (eae, stx1, stx2, and ehxA) and EAEC (aatA, aggR, and aapA) genes, and phylogenetic groups. The results showed that 70 strains belonging to 23 serogroups were stx1 and stx2 positive, while 13 strains from the O9 serogroup were ehxA, aggR, and eae positive. Phylogenetic analysis showed 58 (82.9%) strains belonged to A and B1 commensal phylogroups and 12 (17.1%) to B2, D and E virulent phylogroups. An assay to evaluate cross-antigenic reactivity in the serum of cattle between K9 capsular antigen and O104 LPS by ELISA showed similar responses against both antigens (p > 0.05). The antimicrobial sensitivity assay of the strains showed resistance to AM, CEP, CXM, TE, SXT, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. The results show that cattle are carriers and potential transmitters of STEC and ETEC strains containing virulence genes. Epidemiological retrospective studies in different countries are of great help for identifying virulent bacterial strains with the potential to cause outbreaks that may have epidemiological impact in susceptible countries.

RESUMO

Fresh cheeses are a main garnish of Mexican food. Consumption of artisanal fresh cheeses is very common and most of them are made from unpasteurised cow milk. A total of 52 fresh unpasteurised cheeses of five different types were purchased from a variety of suppliers from Tabasco, Mexico. Using the most probable number method, 67% and 63% of samples were positive for faecal coliforms and E. coli, respectively; revealing their low microbiological quality. General hygienic conditions and practices of traditional cheese manufacturers were poor; most establishments had unclean cement floors, all lacked windows and doors screens, and none of the food-handlers wore aprons, surgical masks or bouffant caps. After analysing all E. coli isolates (121 strains) for the presence of 26 virulence genes, results showed that 9 (17%) samples were contaminated with diarrheagenic E. coli strains, 8 harboured non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC), and one sample contained both STEC and diffusely adherent E. coli strains. All STEC strains carried the stx1 gene. Potential uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains were isolated from 15 (29%) samples; the most frequent gene combination was fimA-agn43. Two samples were contaminated with Salmonella. The results demonstrated that unpasteurised fresh cheeses produced in Tabasco are of poor microbiological quality and may frequently harbour foodborne pathogens. Food safety authorities in Mexico need to conduct more rigorous surveillance of fresh cheeses. Furthermore, simple and inexpensive measures as establishing programs emphasizing good hand milking practices and hygienic manufacturing procedures may have a major effect on improving the microbiological quality of these food items.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The prevalence of potentially positive Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bovine hides and carcasses in three abattoirs in Costa Rica was estimated. Two export facilities (A and B) and one non-export establishment (C) were visited during the dry and rainy seasons of 2013. Swabs of hides pre-eviscerated and treated (180-220 peroxyacetic acid spray) carcasses were tested for the potential presence of STEC serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145. The prevalence on hides during the rainy season was 86.7, 96.7 and 96.7% for facilities A, B, and C, respectively. During the dry season, the prevalence on hides was significantly lower in plants A and B (40% and 26.7%, respectively), but was marginally associated with the season in plant C (76.7%, P=0.0523). The prevalence of non-O157 STEC markers on treated carcasses was low (0 to 3.3%), suggesting that all plants were effective in minimizing the target non-O157 STEC in beef destined for export and for domestic consumption.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a disorder characterized by the presence of the classic triad: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal injury. HUS without acute renal failure can be confused with other hematologic diseases. An infantile HUS caused by a Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O145 strain carrying genotype stx2, ehxA, eae subtype ß1 is herein reported. The infant did not require dialysis during the acute stage of HUS, evolved favorably, maintained normal blood pressure and normal renal function and had no recurrence until the last control. This could be due to several factors, such as the characteristics of infecting STEC strain and a reduction in host susceptibility to renal injury. This report highlights the regional participation of non-O157 STEC in childhood diseases and the importance of performing active surveillance for all forms of HUS.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Escherichia coli productor de toxina Shiga (STEC), es un patógeno transmitido por alimentos. El serotipo O157:H7 se considera clínicamente el más importante, pero un 50% de las infecciones por STEC corresponden a serotipos no O157. En Venezuela, la presencia de cepas STEC no O157 en productos cárnicos no ha sido reportada, lo que motivó este trabajo. Se analizaron 70 muestras de carne molida (35 bovinas y 35 porcinas). El aislamiento de E. coli se llevó a cabo en agar MacConkey sorbitol, suplementado con cefixima y la identificación bioquímica según pautas de la FDA. Se realizó la extracción del ADN y ensayos de PCR para la identificación de cepas STEC O157:H7 y STEC no O157. De 70 muestras analizadas, 50 (71,4%) resultaron positivas al aislamiento de E. coli, lográndose identificar 47 cepas sorbitol positivas y 3 cepas sorbitol negativas. La PCR demostró ausencia de STEC O157:H7 y presencia de STEC no O157 productor de toxina Shiga Stx1 y Stx2 en el 4,3% de las muestras analizadas. Se demuestra, por primera vez en el país, la circulación de cepas STEC no O157 en productos cárnicos, lo que permite sugerir el establecimiento de estrategias de prevención asociadas a este patógeno.

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a food-transmitted pathogen. Serotype O157:H7 is considered the most clinically important, but 50% of STEC infections correspond to non-O157 serotypes. In Venezuela, presence of non-O157 STEC strains in meat products has not been reported, which was the reason for this study. Seventy ground meat samples were analyzed (35 bovine and 35 porcine). E. coli isolation was done in MacConkey sorbitol agar, supplemented with cefixim, and the biochemical identification was done according to FDA guidelines. DNA extraction and PCR assays were used for the identification of STEC O157:H7 and not O157 strains. Of the 70 samples analyzed, 50 (71.4%) were positive for E. coli isolation, and 47 sorbitol positive and 3 sorbitol negative strains were identified. PCR showed absence of STEC O157:H7 and presence of non-O157 STEC Shiga toxin Stx1 and Stx2 producers in 4.3% of the samples analyzed. This is the first time that the circulation of non-O157 STEC strains in meat products is demonstrated in this country, which suggests that prevention strategies associated to this pathogen should be established.