Microbiological quality of bagged cut spinach and lettuce mixes.

Analysis of 100 bagged lettuce and spinach samples showed mean total bacterial counts of 7.0 log(10) CFU/g and a broad range of < 4 to 8.3 log10 CFU/g.

Relative effectiveness of the Bacteriological Analytical Manual method for the recovery of Salmonella from whole cantaloupes and cantaloupe rinses with selected preenrichment media and rapid methods.

Soak and rinse methods were compared for the recovery of Salmonella from whole cantaloupes. Cantaloupes were surface inoculated with Salmonella cell suspensions and stored for 4 days at 2 to 6 degrees C. Cantaloupes were placed in sterile plastic bags with a nonselective preenrichment broth at a 1:1.

Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital tract infection by leading-candidate topical microbicides in a mouse model.

The development of effective vaginal microbicides is paramount in the fight against the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Preclinical testing of candidate microbicides for the prevention of gonorrhea has been seriously hindered by the lack of an animal model. We assessed the efficacy of 7 promising formulated agents--CarraGuard, Ushercell, [poly]sodium 4-styrene sulfonate (T-PSS), PRO 2000, ACIDFORM, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), and BufferGel--by use of a mouse model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genital tract infection.

Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Lactobacillus species that are commonly isolated from the female genital tract.

Epidemiological studies suggest H(2)O(2)-producing lactobacilli protect women against gonorrhea. Here we demonstrate that Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii, the most common lactobacilli in the female genital tract, inhibit gonococci in both acidic and neutral pH conditions. Inhibition was neutralized by bovine catalase, suggesting that H(2)O(2) is the primary mediator of inhibition.