Prevalence and characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Swiss raw milk cheeses collected at producer level

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, serotypes, and virulence genes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolated from raw milk cheese samples collected at the producer level with the purpose of determining whether raw milk cheeses in Switzer-land represent a potential source of STEC pathogenic for humans. Raw milk cheese samples (soft cheese, n = 52; semihard and hard cheese, n = 744; all produced from Swiss cows’, goats’, and sheep's milk) collected at the producer level throughout Switzerland within the national sampling plan during the period of March 2006 to December 2007 were analyzed. Of the 432 cheese samples obtained in the year 2006 and the 364 samples obtained in the year 2007, 16 (3.7%) and 23 (6.3%), respectively, were found to be stx positive. By colony dot-blot hybridization, non-O157 STEC strains were isolated from 16 samples. Of the 16 strains, 11 were typed into 7 E. coli O groups (O2, O15, O22, O91, O109, O113, O174), whereas 5 strains were nontypeable (ONT). Among the 16 STEC strains analyzed, stx₁ and stx₂ variants were detected in 1 and 15 strains, respectively. Out of the 15 strains with genes encoding for the Stx2 group, 4 strains were positive for stx₂, 6 strains for stx_2d2, 2 strains for stx_2-O118, 1 strain for stx_2-06, 1 strain for stx_2g, 1 strain for stx₂ and stx_2d2, and 1 strain for stx₂ and stx_2g. Furthermore, 3 STEC strains harbored E-hlyA as a further putative virulence factor. None of the strains tested positive for eae (intimin). Results obtained in this work reinforce the suggestion that semihard raw milk cheese may be a potential vehicle for transmission of pathogenic STEC to humans.     

基于毒力基因组合评价我国产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌潜在致病风险

目的 对我国不同来源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌（STEC）分离株的致病潜力进行分级,为STEC的风险管理提供参考依据。方法 运用联合国粮食及农业组织和世界卫生组织于2018年联合发布的STEC与食品归因、表征和监测报告中提出的危害等级分级方法,对我国2018—2022年已发表的STEC数据进行分级分析。结果 分级结果显示,纳入研究的STEC菌株中72.9%为低危害菌株,26.0%为高危害菌株,1.1%为最高危害菌株。高危害菌株主要来自牛或牛肉食品（95.3%）,仅有8株为最高危害菌株,分别来自牛和患者。结论 仅依据STEC菌株的血清型不足以作为菌株毒力评判标准,通过毒力基因组合对STEC感染风险进行分级是更可靠的方法。这一方法可为我国制定STEC监测和风险评估提供参考。     

Diversity of virulence profiles of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serotypes in food-producing animals in Brazil

The prevalence, serotypes and virulence profiles of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were investigated in 205 healthy beef and dairy cattle, and 106 goats reared in the southeastern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The prevalence of STEC was 57.5% (61/106) in goats, 39.2%, (40/102) in beef cattle and 17.5% (18/103) in dairy cattle. Among the 514 STEC isolates, 40 different serotypes were found and some of them were identified in a specific host. STEC isolates harboring stx(1) corresponded to 15.6% (28/180), 26.7% (16/60) and 24.1% (66/274) in beef cattle, dairy cattle and goats, respectively. stx(2) was found in 30% (54/180), 53.3% (32/60) and 34.7% (95/274) of beef and dairy cattle, and goats. stx(1) plus stx(2) sequences were harbored by 54.4% (98/180), 20% (12/60) and 41.2% (113/274) of beef cattle, dairy cattle and goats, respectively. The eae sequence was found in 15% (9/60) and 0.6% (1/180) of STEC isolates from dairy and beef cattle, respectively, and the toxB gene was found only in one O157:H7 strain isolated from beef cattle. Strains with the genetic profiles stx(2) ehxA iha saa and stx(1) stx(2) ehxA iha saa were the most prevalent among STEC isolates from cattle. Profiles stx(1) stx(2) ehxA iha, stx(2), and stx(1) iha accounted for 75.5% (207 /274) of the STEC isolates from goats. While STEC strains carrying either stx(2) alone or associated with stx(1) were found more frequently in cattle, those harboring sequences stx(1c) and stx(2d) alone or associated with stx(1c) predominated in goats. Our data show a diversity of STEC strains in food-producing animals, most of them carrying genes linked to severe forms of human diseases.     

Thermal inactivation kinetics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in buffalo Mozzarella curd

The use of raw milk in the processing of buffalo Mozzarella cheese is permitted, but the heat treatment used for stretching the curd must ensure that the final product does not contain pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that may be present on buffalo dairy farms. This study carried out challenge tests at temperatures between 68°C and 80°C for 2 to 10 min to simulate curd temperatures during the stretching phase. Curd samples were inoculated with 2 STEC strains (serotypes O157 and O26), and their inactivation rates were assessed in the different challenge tests. The curd samples were digested with papain to ensure a homogeneous dispersion of bacteria. The STEC cells were counted after inoculation (range 7.1–8.7 log cfu/g) and after heat treatments using the most probable number (MPN) technique. A plot of log MPN/g versus time was created for each separate experiment. The log linear model with tail was used to provide a reasonable fit to observed data. Maximum inactivation rate (k_max, min⁻¹), residual population (log MPN/g), decimal reduction time (min), and time for a 4D (4-log₁₀) reduction (min) were estimated at each temperature tested. A 4D reduction of the O26 STEC strain was achieved when curd was heated at 68°C for 2.6 to 6.3 min or at 80°C for 2.1 to 2.3 min. Greater resistance was observed for the O157 strain at 68°C because k_max was 1.48 min⁻¹. The model estimates can support cheesemakers in defining appropriate process criteria needed to control possible STEC contamination in raw milk intended for the production of Mozzarella.     

前增菌抗生素添加对产志贺毒素大肠埃希氏菌分离的影响

目的 研究产志贺毒素大肠埃希氏菌（STEC）国际标准检测方法中前增菌肉汤中抗生素种类和浓度对STEC分离的影响。方法 利用STEC和其他非STEC菌株,对国际现行检测STEC标准方法推荐的在前增菌步骤使用3种抗生素的最低抑菌浓度（MICs）进行测定。结果 不同抗生素对STEC抑制存在差异性。在推荐浓度下,吖啶黄及头孢磺啶会抑制stx1a和stx2b亚型STEC的生长,新生霉素则会抑制stx1a、stx1c、stx1d、stx2b、stx2d、stx2e、stx2f、stx2g等亚型菌株的生长。此外,STEC与其他革兰氏阴性菌对吖啶黄、头孢磺啶、新生霉素的MICs无显著性差异（P<0.05）。而革兰氏阳性菌对这3种抗生素的MIC值显著低于革兰氏阴性菌（P<0.01）。结论 本文结果为STEC增菌方法的研发完善提供了有价值的证据。     

基于酸处理的产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌选择性增菌方法研究

目的 开发一套基于酸处理的产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌(Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC)选择性增菌方法,提高食品中STEC菌株的检出率.方法 选择12株不同血清型STEC菌株及13株常见干扰菌,评价其对不同酸处理条件(pH=2.0、2.5、3.0)的耐受性;考察筛选的酸处...     

可视化环介导等温扩增法检测牛奶中产志贺毒素大肠埃希氏菌

为建立一种快速、简单、灵敏的产志贺毒素大肠埃希氏菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）检测方法,本研究以stx基因作为检测靶基因和利用羟基萘酚蓝（hydroxy naphthol blue,HNB）指示剂建立了一种STEC的可视化环介导等温扩增（Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification, LAMP）方法。根据GenBank公布的STEC菌株stx1和stx2基因核苷酸序列为靶序列,分别设计并合成五组特异性LAMP引物,优化反应条件和体系,进行特异性和灵敏度试验。同时,将建立好的LAMP方法与聚合酶链式反应（polymerase chain reaction, PCR）检测方法相比较,并对人工污染STEC的脱脂乳进行检测。结果表明,建立的可视化LAMP方法在64℃反应50 min后可凭肉眼观察（紫罗兰色到天蓝色）判定结果。该方法特异性良好,与大肠埃希菌、沙门菌、金黄色葡萄球菌等均无交叉反应,可以准确区分STEC与非STEC菌。灵敏度的检测结果表明,stx1-LAMP和stx2-LAMP检测方法的检测限分别为3.54×10-4 ng/μL和3.54×10-5 ng/μL,而常规PCR的检测限stx1和stx2分别为3.54×10-3 ng/μL和3.54×10-2 ng/μL,即stx1-LAMP检测方法的灵敏度是stx1-PCR的10倍,stx2-LAMP检测方法的灵敏度是stx2-PCR的1000倍。对人工污染STEC菌牛奶样品进行检测,stx1-LAMP和stx2-LAMP分别可检测到细菌浓度为103 CFU/mL和102 CFU/mL的加标样品。本研究为STEC菌株提供了一种特异性强、灵敏度高、成本低,适用于现场和基层检测的可视化LAMP 检测方法。     

Lactic acid resistance of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and multidrug-resistant and susceptible Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport in meat homogenate

This study compared lactic acid resistance of individual strains of wild-type and rifampicin-resistant non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and of susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR) and/or MDR with acquired ampC gene (MDR-AmpC) Salmonella against E. coli O157:H7. After inoculation of sterile 10% beef homogenate, lactic acid was added to a target concentration of 5%. Before acid addition (control), after acid addition (within 2 s, i.e. time-0), and 2, 4, 6 and 8 min after addition of acid, aliquots were removed, neutralized, and analyzed for survivors. Of wild-type and of rifampicin-resistant non-O157 STEC strains, irrespective of serogroup, 85.7% (30 out of 35 strains) and 82.9% (29 out of 35 strains), respectively, reached the detection limit within 0–6 min. Of Salmonella strains, 87.9% (29 out of 33 isolates) reached the detection limit within 0–4 min, irrespective of antibiotic resistance phenotype. Analysis of non-log-linear microbial survivor curves indicated that non-O157 STEC serogroups and MDR and susceptible Salmonella strains required less time for 4D-reduction compared to E. coli O157:H7. Overall, for nearly all strains and time intervals, individual strains of wild-type and rifampicin-resistant non-O157 STEC and Salmonella were less (P < 0.05) acid tolerant than E. coli O157:H7.     

伊犁地区肉牛源产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的血清型和ERIC-PCR基因型研究

目的:了解产志贺毒素大肠杆菌在伊犁地区肉牛养殖环境和加工环节中的污染状况及其遗传多样性,为产业链中食源性致病性大肠杆菌的风险监测和控制提供基础数据。方法:采用传统方法和PCR方法对养殖环节的饲草料和粪便及屠宰环节的553份样品进行产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的污染调查,对分离鉴定的产志贺毒素大肠杆菌进行7种常见血清型（O145、O157、O45、O103、O111、O26、O121）的PCR检测和ERIC-PCR的基因分型。结果:检测553份样品中有39株编码志贺毒素基因,产志贺毒素大肠杆菌（STEC）的检测率是7.1%。常见血清型PCR检测中血清型O111有2株菌,检出率是5.1%;O145有5株菌,检出率是12.8%。ERIC-PCR基因分型产志贺毒素大肠杆菌有10种基因亚型,分成3簇,A簇有23株菌,相似性在59%¹00%,表明这些菌株之间的亲缘关系较近。结论:伊犁地区肉牛粪便是产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的污染源,这些菌株的亲缘关系较近。      

Prevalence of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in dairy cattle and their products

The main objective of this review was to assess the role of dairy cattle and their products in human infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). A large number of STEC strains (e.g., members of the serogroups O26, O91, O103, O111, O118, O145, and O166) have caused major outbreaks and sporadic cases of human illnesses that have ranged from mild diarrhea to the life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome. These illnesses were traced to O157 and non-O157 STEC. In most cases, STEC infection was attributed to consumption of ground beef or dairy products that were contaminated with cattle feces. Thus, dairy cattle are considered reservoirs of STEC and can impose a significant health risk to humans. The global nature of food supply suggests that safety concerns with beef and dairy foods will continue and the challenges facing the dairy industry will increase at the production and processing levels. In this review, published reports on STEC in dairy cattle and their products were evaluated to achieve the following specific objectives: 1) to assemble a database on human infections with STEC from dairy cattle, 2) to assess prevalence of STEC in dairy cattle, and 3) to determine the health risks associated with STEC strains from dairy cattle. The latter objective is critically important, as many dairy STEC isolates are known to be of high virulence. Fecal testing of dairy cattle worldwide showed wide ranges of prevalence rates for O157 (0.2 to 48.8%) and non-O157 STEC (0.4 to 74.0%). Of the 193 STEC serotypes of dairy cattle origin, 24 have been isolated from patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Such risks emphasize the importance and the need to develop long-term strategies to assure safety of foods from dairy cattle.     

检测产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的菌落PCR方法

针对产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的毒力基因stx 设计特异性引物,并建立一种菌落PCR 方法。菌落PCR 模拟实验证实,该方法特异性强,能良好的扩增出O157 的stx1 和stx2 基因,而普通大肠杆菌、蜡样芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌则无PCR 扩增产物。应用分子检测初筛、选择性培养、菌落PCR 相结合的方法,检测实际食品样品,分离检测到一株携带 stx1 的产志贺毒素大肠杆菌。本实验建立的菌落PCR 方法可应用于食品检验。     

食用农产品中产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌污染与家庭厨房食物安全现状分析及防控措施

本文通过对食用农产品中产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌(STEC)来源与传播途径分析,阐述了STEC污染与家庭厨房食物安全之间的关系,并对当前世界各国食品中STEC的监管情况进行阐述,从而提出我国控制食用农产品中STEC进入家庭厨房的解决方案。     

Prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in beef

Over the past two decades, many human illness outbreaks were attributed to consumption of undercooked beef products containing Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). The illnesses included mild or bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and the life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Tracing these outbreaks to O157 and an increasing number of non-O157 STEC strains suggests that beef safety concerns will continue to rise and may negatively affect the beef industry. To effectively address these concerns, it is critical to evaluate the role of beef in STEC infections. In this review, published reports on beef contamination were evaluated to assess prevalence rates and health risks of STEC isolates. Global testing of beef showed wide ranges of prevalence rates of O157 (from 0.01% to 54.2%) and non-O157 (from 1.7% to 62.5%) STEC. Of the 155 STEC serotypes found in beef, 31 and 25 are known to cause HUS and/or other illnesses, respectively.     

Micro-array for the identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) seropathotypes associated with Hemorrhagic Colitis and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in humans

A micro-array has been developed, based on the GeneDisc® array, for the genetic identification of 12 O-types and 7 H-types of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) including the most clinically relevant enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) serotypes. The genes selected for determination of the O antigens (rfbE_O157, wzx_O26, wzx_O103, wbd1_O111, ihp1_O145, wzx_O121, wzy_O113, wzy_O91, wzx_O104, wzy_O118, wzx_O45, and wbgN_O55) and H-types (fliC_H2, fliC_H7, fliC_H8, fliC_H11, fliC_H19, fliC_H21, and fliC_H28) showed a high specificity and concordance with serology. The micro-array also had a high specificity for EHEC-associated virulence factors, including Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (stx1 and stx2), intimin (eae), enterohemolysin (ehxA), serine protease (espP), catalase peroxidase (katP), the type II secretion system (etpD), subtilase cytotoxin (subA), autoagglutinating adhesin (Saa) and type III secreted effectors encoded in the genomic islands OI-122 (ent/espL2, nleB, and nleE) and OI-71 (nleF, nleH1-2, and nleA). The eae gene was detected in all typical EHEC strains, and the pattern of nle genes encoded in OI-71 and OI-122 was found to be closely associated with certain serotypes of typical EHEC and emerging EHEC strains. Virulence plasmid associated genes such as katP, espP, and etpD were more common in EHEC than in STEC strains; this supports their association with virulence. This array constitutes a valuable approach for the identification of STEC strains with a high potential for human virulence.     

A bacteriophage JN02 infecting multidrug-resistant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli: isolation,characterisation and application as a biocontrol agent in foods

Bacteriophages are increasingly considered as novel biocontrol agents against Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). In this study, a virulent phage JN02 capable of infecting MDR STEC was isolated, characterised and evaluating its efficacy in reducing MDR STEC in foods. One-step growth and stability assay showed that JN02 had a relatively short latent period (15 min), large burst sizes (69 PFU/cell), and high physicochemical stability (temperature (30–60°C), pH (2–11), 0.1%, 1% pig bile salt, biocides and food additives (100% chloroform, 0.1% acetic acid, 1% potassium sorbate). In spot tests, 18 E. coli strains were sensitive to JN02. In efficiency of plating (EOP), 4 E. coli strains were sensitive to JN02. Electron microscopy and genome sequencing showed that JN02 belongs to the family Myoviridae. Importantly, no known virulence-associated, lysogenic and antibiotic genes were identified in the genome of JN02. Viable cell counts of MDR STEC were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in milk (no viable counts) and beef samples (1.0–1.9 log₁₀ CFU cm⁻² reduction) when treated with JN02 at 4 °C. The results indicated that JN02 might be a new potential natural biological control agent for MDR STEC in foods.     

Characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli from meat and milk products of different origins and association with food producing animals as main contamination sources

Shiga toxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (STEC) cause diarrhoea and haemorrhagic colitis in humans. Most human infections are attributed to consumption of STEC contaminated foodstuff. Food producing animals constitute important reservoirs of STEC and serve as source of food contamination. In this study, we have analyzed 593 foodborne STEC strains for their serotypes and for nine virulence genes (stx1, stx1c, stx1d, stx2, stx2b, stx2e, stx2g, E-hly and eae). The 593 STEC strains grouped into 215 serotypes, and 123 serotypes (57.2%) were represented each by only one STEC isolate. Fifteen serotypes (7.0%) were attributed to 198 (33.3%) of the 593 STEC strains. The foodborne STEC were grouped into different categories in relation to the species of the food producing animal (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, red deer, wild-boar and hare). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses revealed significant similarities between the animal origin of the food and the virulence markers of foodborne STEC. Significant associations (p < 0.001) were found for stx1 and for stx2 with bovine meat and milk products. The stx2e gene was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with STEC from pork and wild boar meat. Stx1c and stx2b genes were significantly (p < 0.001) more frequent in STEC from deer meat, as well as from meat and milk products derived from sheep and goats. Using logistic regression models we detected significant (p < 0.01) combinations between stx1, stx2 and E-hly genes and STEC from bovine meat. The combination of stx1c and stx2b genes was significant (p < 0.001) for STEC derived from red deer, sheep and goat products. The properties of foodborne STEC were compared with published data on faecal STEC from food producing animals. Virulence profiles and serotypes of STEC from food showed remarkable similarities to those of faecal STEC that were from the same animal species. The findings from our study clearly indicate that the food producing animals represent the most important source for the entry of STEC in the food chain. Sound hygiene measures implemented at critical stages of food production (milking, slaughtering, and evisceration) should be most effective in reducing the frequency of STEC contamination of food derived from domestic and wildlife animals.     

产志贺毒素大肠杆菌O26多重双启动寡核苷酸引物-PCR检测方法的建立

为建立一种三重DPO-PCR方法用于食品样品中的产志贺毒素大肠杆菌O26的检测。以志贺毒素stx1和stx2、O抗原基因wzx O26特异性和实际检测效果,设计引物,构建三重DPO-PCR反应体系,进行特异性、灵敏度、模拟样品验证和实际样品验证。结果表明,三对DPO引物对退火温度不敏感,在49~69℃之间均能发生扩增,且引物之间干扰较小,具有较高的特异性,除目的基因外非目标细菌均无扩增条带出现,纯菌灵敏度检测表明,三重DPO-PCR方法对O26的最低检测限为3.8×10^3 cfu/g。在模拟样品和实际样品中具有良好的检测效果。本研究基于DPO引物构建的三重DPO-PCR方法具有效率高,特异性强,不受退火温度限制等优点,可用于食品样品中产志贺毒素大肠杆菌O26的快速准确检测提供一种高效的辅助检测方法。     

不对称PCR技术结合免疫层析法快速检测产志贺毒素大肠埃希氏菌

产志贺毒素大肠埃希氏菌(Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC)可分泌志贺毒素,致病性强,建立简便快速的STEC检测方法对控制食源性疾病的发生和蔓延极为重要.使用生物素标记STEC的标志性毒力基因stx1与stx2的下游引物进行不对称聚合酶链式反应,获得生物素化的目标单链...     

Mathematical modeling of growth of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in raw ground beef

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the growth of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC, including serogroups O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) in raw ground beef and to develop mathematical models to describe the bacterial growth under different temperature conditions. Three primary growth models were evaluated, including the Baranyi model, the Huang 2008 model, and a new growth model that is based on the communication of messenger signals during bacterial growth. A 5 strain cocktail of freshly prepared STEC was inoculated to raw ground beef samples and incubated at temperatures ranging from 10 to 35 °C at 5 °C increments. Minimum relative growth (<1 log₁₀ cfu/g) was observed at 10 °C, whereas at other temperatures, all 3 phases of growth were observed. Analytical results showed that all 3 models were equally suitable for describing the bacterial growth under constant temperatures. The maximum cell density of STEC in raw ground beef increased exponentially with temperature, but reached a maximum of 8.53 log₁₀ cfu/g of ground beef. The specific growth rates estimated by the 3 primary models were practically identical and can be evaluated by either the Ratkowsky square‐root model or a Bělehrádek‐type model. The temperature dependence of lag phase development for all 3 primary models was also developed. The results of this study can be used to estimate the growth of STEC in raw ground beef at temperatures between 10 and 35 °C. Practical Application: Incidents of foodborne infections caused by non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have increased in recent years. This study reports the growth kinetics and mathematical modeling of STEC in ground beef. The mathematical models can be used in risk assessment of STEC in ground beef.     

利用EHEC琼脂平板从食物中分离检测产志贺毒素大肠杆菌

为利用肠出血性大肠杆菌(EnterohaemorrhagicEscherichiacoli,EHEC)琼脂平板,从食物中分离、检测产志贺毒素大肠杆菌(shigatoxin-producingEscherichiacoli,STEC),采用STEC毒力基因(hlyA基因)检测溶血素的产生,建立了一种利用EHEC琼脂平板快速、准确地从食物中分离、检测STEC的方法。该方法可检测STEC不同血清O157∶H7、O26、O111。