Diarrhoeagenic and spp. Contamination of Food and Water Consumed by Children with Diarrhoea in Maputo, Mozambique.

In Mozambique, about 500,000 cases of diarrhoea were caused by foodborne pathogens in 2018. A review of the epidemiology of diarrhoea in children under five showed a high disease burden. This study aimed to identify Diarrhoeagenic (DEC) and spp.

Etiology-specific incidence and mortality of diarrheal diseases in the African region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diarrheal diseases substantially affect public health impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in Africa, where previous studies have indicated a lack of comprehensive data. With a growing number of primary studies on enteric infections in Africa, this study aimed to estimate the incidence and mortality of diarrheal pathogens across all ages in Africa in the year 2020. We also explored different methodological assumptions to allow comparison with other approaches.

Assessing probiotic viability in mixed species yogurt using a novel propidium monoazide (PMAxx)-quantitative PCR method.

Viability is a prerequisite for any therapeutic benefits associated with the ingestion of probiotic bacteria. Current culture-based techniques are inadequate for the enumeration of probiotics in mixed-species food products. This study utilized a quantitative PCR (qPCR) method coupled with propidium monoazide (PMAxx), and novel species-specific gene primers to selectively enumerate spp.

species viability in dairy-based probiotic foods: challenges and innovative approaches for accurate viability determination and monitoring of probiotic functionality.

species are essential members of a healthy human gut microbiota. Their presence in the gut is associated with numerous health outcomes such as protection against gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. Regular intake of in foods is a sustainable way of maintaining the health benefits associated with its use as a probiotic.

Dynamic Interactions between Diarrhoeagenic Enteroaggregative and Presumptive Probiotic Bacteria: Implications for Gastrointestinal Health.

This study delves into the temporal dynamics of bacterial interactions in the gastrointestinal tract, focusing on how probiotic strains and pathogenic bacteria influence each other and human health. This research explores adhesion, competitive exclusion, displacement, and inhibition of selected diarrhoeagenic (D-EAEC) and potential probiotic strains under various conditions. Key findings reveal that adhesion is time-dependent, with both D-EAEC K2 and probiotic FS2 showing increased adhesion over time.

Exploration of Infant Food Microbial Composition from Formal and Informal Settings Using Viable Counts and 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Diarrhoea is a considerable agent of disease and loss of life in children below age five in South Africa. Soweto, South Africa is an urban township in Johannesburg, with most of its population living in informal settlements. Informal settlements in areas such as Soweto are often impoverished communities that do not get water easily, inadequate sanitation is pervasive, and poor hygiene common (risk factors for diarrhoeal diseases).

The Microbial Genetic Diversity and Succession Associated with Processing Waters at Different Broiler Processing Stages in an Abattoir in Australia.

The high organic content of abattoir-associated process water provides an alternative for low-cost and non-invasive sample collection. This study investigated the association of microbial diversity from an abattoir processing environment with that of chicken meat. Water samples from scalders, defeathering, evisceration, carcass-washer, chillers, and post-chill carcass rinsate were collected from a large-scale abattoir in Australia.

Pathogenesis: The Role of Stress Adaptation.

Adaptive stress tolerance responses are the driving force behind the survival ability of in different environmental niches, within foods, and ultimately, the ability to cause human infections. Although the bacterial stress adaptive responses are primarily a necessity for survival in foods and the environment, some aspects of the stress responses are linked to bacterial pathogenesis. Food stress-induced adaptive tolerance responses to acid and osmotic stresses can protect the pathogen against similar stresses in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and, thus, directly aid its virulence potential.

Systematic-review and meta-analysis on effect of decontamination interventions on prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter spp. during primary processing of broiler chickens.

Scientific advances in pathogen decontamination offer great potential to reduce Campylobacter spp. during primary processing. The aim of this study was to collate data from eligible studies using systematic review, meta-analysis followed by meta-regression.

Ultraviolet-C inactivation and hydrophobicity of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis spores isolated from extended shelf-life milk.

Bacterial spores are important in food processing due to their ubiquity, resistance to high temperature and chemical inactivation. This work aims to study the effect of ultraviolet C (UVC) on the spores of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis at a molecular and individual level to guide in deciding on the right parameters that must be applied during the processing of liquid foods. The spores were treated with UVC using phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as a suspension medium and their lethality rate was determined for each sample.

Effects of vacuum packaging storage of minimally processed cassava roots at various temperatures on microflora, tissue structure, starch extraction by wet milling and granule quality.

Background: Vacuum package storage is commonly applied to reduce postharvest deterioration in minimally processed cassava roots. However, the influence of vacuum packaging conditions on root end-use quality is poorly understood. Hence, the effects of vacuum packaged storage at ambient, refrigerated and freezing temperatures on microflora, cassava tissue structure and starch extraction by wet milling were studied.

Invited review: Probiotic yogurt quality criteria, regulatory framework, clinical evidence, and analytical aspects.

Yogurt is a milk-based product manufactured by lactic acid fermentation enabled by symbiotic yogurt cultures. Yogurt is largely considered to be a health product, and it is employed to deliver probiotics and prebiotics to the consumer. However, not all yogurts are probiotic, neither are they all functional products.

Comparative Genome Analysis of with Its Closest Phylogenetic Neighbor, , and and Groups.

currently possesses one of the most highly heat-resistant spores (HRS), which can withstand ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing. Determination of multiple whole genome sequences of . provided an opportunity to perform the first comparative genome analysis between strains and with .

Consumers' perceptions of intrinsic and extrinsic attributes as indicators of safety and quality of chicken meat: Actionable information for public health authorities and the chicken industry.

Understanding consumers' perceptions toward chicken meat safety and quality could provide valuable information to public health educators since it is the most consumed meat. This study explores perceptions of a group of South African consumers on the safety and quality of chicken meat based on intrinsic and extrinsic attributes and identifies related safety risks. Data were collected through a web-based survey (863 participants).

Solid-State Fermentation of Cassava Roots Using Cellulolytic-Type Alkaliphilic Bacillus spp. Cultures to Modify the Cell Walls and Assist Starch Release.

To improve cassava starch extraction by wet milling, solid-state fermentation of ground roots using cellulolytic-type alkaliphilic Bacilli spp., Bacillus akibai, B. cellulosilyticus and B.

Dysbiosis Signatures of Fecal Microbiota in South African Infants with Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, and Other Diseases.

Objective: To determine the association between the fecal microbiota diversity of the infants with different disease conditions, and vitamin A supplementation, antibiotic, and deworming therapies.

Study Design: In this case-control study, the bacterial community variations and the potential pathogens were identified through 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based amplicon sequencing and quantitative insights into microbial ecology pipeline in fecal samples. The participants were South African infants (mean age, 16 ± 8 months; 17 male and 17 female) hospitalized and diagnosed with gastrointestinal, respiratory, and other diseases.

A High Resolution DNA Melting Curve Analysis for the Rapid and Efficient Molecular Diagnostics of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Determinants from Foodborne .

The accurate identification of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) genes in Gram-negative bacteria is necessary for surveillance and epidemiological studies of transmission through foods. We report a novel rapid, cheap, and accurate closed tube molecular diagnostic tool based on two multiplex HRM protocols for analysis of the predominant ESBL families encountered in foods. The first multiplex PCR assay targeted blaCTX-M including phylogenetic groups 1 (CTX-M-1-15, including CTX-M-1, CTX-M-3 and CTX-M-15), 2 (CTX-M-2), and 9 (CTX-M-9-14, including CTX-M-9 and CTX-M-14).

Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Indicate Dynamic Prevalence and Moderators of Foodborne Pathogens in African Indigenous Fermented Milk.

As more microbiological data for indigenous fermented milk (IFM) becomes available, concern about their microbial safety becomes eminent. Nonetheless, these data are highly fragmented, and a tool is required to integrate existing data and to provide a basis for data-driven decision making for IFM's safety. Therefore, meta-analysis and meta-regression were conducted to estimate the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in IFM and to determine factors influencing the estimated values.

Comparison of the microbial composition of African fermented foods using amplicon sequencing.

Fermented foods play a major role in the diet of people in Africa, where a wide variety of raw materials are fermented. Understanding the microbial populations of these products would help in the design of specific starter cultures to produce standardized and safer foods. In this study, the bacterial diversity of African fermented foods produced from several raw materials (cereals, milk, cassava, honey, palm sap, and locust beans) under different conditions (household, small commercial producers or laboratory) in 8 African countries was analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing during the Workshop "Analysis of the Microbiomes of Naturally Fermented Foods Training Course".

Genome Sequences of Bacillus sporothermodurans Strains Isolated from Ultra-High-Temperature Milk.

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 3 strains isolated from ultra-high-temperature milk products in South Africa and Brazil and the type strain MB 581 (DSM 10599). The genomes will provide valuable information on the molecular dynamics of heat resistance in .

Persistence of foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in the agricultural and food production environment: Implications for food safety and public health.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a leading cause of foodborne illness associated with intestinal disease. While known over the years that contamination of food sources occurs via the oral faecal-route, the mechanisms underlying its persistence within the open environments including the food chain remains virtually unknown. Therefore, in this mini-review we will shed light on bacterial processes such as initial attachment, biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer and response to environmental stresses.

Visualisation and quantification of fumonisins bound by lactic acid bacteria isolates from traditional African maize-based fermented cereals, ogi and mahewu.

Consumption of fumonisin-contaminated foods has a negative influence on the health of humans (carcinogen; oesophageal cancer in Eastern Cape in South Africa). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have emerged as a promising natural detoxification agent against mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to visualise the interaction between fumonisins (FB and FB) and LAB: Lactobacillus plantarum FS2, L.

Insights into the role of bacteria in vitamin A biosynthesis: Future research opportunities.

Significant efforts have been made to address the hidden hunger challenges due to iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A since the beginning of the 21st century. Prioritizing the vitamin A deficiency (VAD) disorders, many countries are looking for viable alternative strategies such as biofortification. One of the leading causes of VAD is the poor bioconversion of β-carotene into retinoids.

Short communication: Source tracking Bacillus cereus in an extended-shelf-life milk processing plant using partial sequencing of rpoB and multilocus sequence typing.

We used rpoB partial sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to characterize 7 Bacillus cereus strains obtained at the following points: ESL milk during shelf life, pasteurized milk, raw milk, and filler nozzles after cleaning in place. The objective of the study was to determine relatedness among B. cereus isolates from several sampling points along an ESL processing plant with the aim of source tracking.