Genetic Subtyping, Biofilm-Forming Ability and Biocide Susceptibility of Strains Isolated from a Ready-to-Eat Food Industry.

is a foodborne pathogen of special concern for ready-to-eat food producers. The control of its presence is a critical step in which food-grade sanitizers play an essential role. is believed to persist in food processing environments in biofilms, exhibiting less susceptibility to sanitizers than planktonic cells.

Simultaneous norovirus outbreak in three Portuguese army bases in the Lisbon region, December 2017.

Introduction: Norovirus outbreaks frequently occur in communities and institutional settings acquiring a particular significance in armed forces where prompt reporting is critical. Here we describe the epidemiological, clinical and laboratorial investigation of a multicentre gastroenteritis outbreak that was detected simultaneously in three Portuguese army units with a common food supplier, Lisbon region, between 5 and 6 December 2017.

Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to all soldiers stationed in the three affected army units, and stool specimens were collected from soldiers with acute gastrointestinal illness.

Country-wide surveillance of norovirus outbreaks in the Portuguese Army, 2015-2017.

Introduction: Gastrointestinal infections are among the most common foodborne and waterborne diseases in military populations, with direct implications in operational efficiency and force readiness. Through the surveillance system of reportable acute gastrointestinal illness in the Portuguese Army, four norovirus outbreaks were identified between October 2015 and October 2017 in mainland Portugal and the Azores archipelago. The present study documents the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory investigations of these norovirus outbreaks.

Acute gastroenteritis outbreak associated to norovirus GI.9 in a Portuguese army base.

Gastroenteritis is considered a major illness within the military settings being caused by foodborne enteric pathogens that are particularly easily spread in the crowded conditions of military camps. Gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by norovirus usually affect a great number of soldiers due to the low infectious dose, copious viral shedding, and environmental stability. The present study describes the investigation of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis that occurred in April 2015 in a Portuguese army base, focusing on the study of the epidemiological curve, symptoms experienced by the affected soldiers, and results of food, water, and stool microbiological analysis.

Multiple enteropathogenic viruses in a gastroenteritis outbreak in a military exercise of the Portuguese Army.

Background: Gastroenteritis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the military populations and can diminish operational effectiveness and impede force readiness.

Objectives: The present study investigates the cause and the source of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak that occurred during a military exercise of the Portuguese Army, in February 2013.

Study Design: A retrospective investigation was performed and stool samples, food items and water were screened for common foodborne bacteria and viruses, namely Norovirus GI, Norovirus GII, Astrovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus and Sapovirus.