Comparison of the performance of multiple whole-genome sequence-based tools for the identification of biovar .

The (.) species comprises strains of biovar () known for their bioinsecticidal activity, as well as strains with foodborne pathogenic potential. strains are identified (i) based on the production of insecticidal crystal proteins, also known as Bt toxins, or (ii) based on the presence of , , and genes, which encode Bt toxins.

New insights into Bacillus cytotoxicus sources, screening, toxicity, and persistence in food production facilities.

Bacillus cytotoxicus is a thermotolerant member of the Bacillus cereus group. It has been linked to rare, but at times fatal cases of diarrheal disease and might be missed at routine diagnostic screening temperatures commonly used for the B. cereus group.

Stress Lowers Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C Production Independently of Agr, SarA, and SigB.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) can cause staphylococcal food poisoning, one of the most prevalent foodborne intoxications. It is produced by Staphylococcus aureus during growth in the food matrix. While the surrounding bacteria in food matrices usually repress the growth of S.

PorinPredict: Identification of OprD Loss from WGS Data for Improved Genotype-Phenotype Predictions of P. aeruginosa Carbapenem Resistance.

The increasing integration of genomics into routine clinical diagnostics requires reliable computational tools to identify determinants of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) from whole-genome sequencing data. Here, we developed PorinPredict, a bioinformatic tool that predicts defects of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane porin OprD, which are strongly associated with reduced carbapenem susceptibility. PorinPredict relies on a database of intact OprD variants and reports inactivating mutations in the coding or promoter region.

Ropiness in Bread-A Re-Emerging Spoilage Phenomenon.

As bread is a very important staple food, its spoilage threatens global food security. Ropy bread spoilage manifests in sticky and stringy degradation of the crumb, slime formation, discoloration, and an odor reminiscent of rotting fruit. Increasing consumer demand for preservative-free products and global warming may increase the occurrence of ropy spoilage.

Nitrite stress increases staphylococcal enterotoxin C transcription and triggers the SigB regulon.

Staphylococcal food poisoning is a common food intoxication caused by staphylococcal enterotoxins. While growth of Staphylococcus aureus is not inhibited by the meat-curing agent nitrite, we hypothesize that nitrite has an influence on enterotoxin C (SEC) expression. We investigated the influence of 150 mg/l nitrite on SEC expression at mRNA and protein level in seven strains expressing different SEC variants.

Mild NaCl Stress Influences Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C Transcription in a Time-Dependent Manner and Reduces Protein Expression.

Enterotoxins (SEs) produced by are the cause of serious food intoxications. Staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) is one of the main contributors, as it is often highly expressed. possesses a competitive growth advantage over accompanying bacterial flora under stress conditions encountered in foods, such as high NaCl concentrations.

Recent paradigm shifts in the perception of the role of Bacillus thuringiensis in foodborne disease.

Plant protection products based on Bacillus thuringiensis have been used to fight agricultural pests for decades and are the world's most frequently applied biopesticide. However, there is growing concern that B. thuringiensis residues in food may occasionally cause diarrheal illness in humans.

Whole Genome Sequencing Reveals Biopesticidal Origin of in Foods.

is a microbial insecticide widely used to control agricultural pests. Although generally regarded as safe, is phylogenetically intermingled with the foodborne pathogen and has been linked to foodborne outbreaks. Limited data on the pathogenicity potential of and the occurrence of biopesticide residues in food compromise a robust consumer risk assessment.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 12-year-old boy caused by acute brainstem bleeding-a case report.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute and reversible severe left ventricular dysfunction due to intensive emotional or physical stress followed by catecholamine excess. Traditionally it is most common in postmenopausal women, whereas only few cases have been described in childhood. In our case a previously well 12-year-old boy presented with severe cardiogenic shock due to dramatically impaired left ventricular function requiring significant inotropic support and invasive mechanical ventilation.

Mild Lactic Acid Stress Causes Strain-Dependent Reduction in SEC Protein Levels.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) is a major cause of staphylococcal food poisoning in humans and plays a role in bovine mastitis. () benefits from a competitive growth advantage under stress conditions encountered in foods such as a low pH. Therefore, understanding the role of stressors such as lactic acid on SEC production is of pivotal relevance to food safety.

Further Insights into the Toxicity of Based on Toxin Gene Profiling and Vero Cell Cytotoxicity Assays.

belongs to the group that also comprises the foodborne pathogen sensu stricto, causing anthrax, as well as the biopesticide . The first was isolated in the context of a severe food poisoning outbreak leading to fatal cases of diarrheal disease. Subsequent characterization of the outbreak strain led to the conclusion that this strain was highly cytotoxic and eventually resulted in the description of a novel species, whose name reflects the observed toxicity: .

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C-An Update on SEC Variants, Their Structure and Properties, and Their Role in Foodborne Intoxications.

Staphylococcal enterotoxins are the most common cause of foodborne intoxications (staphylococcal food poisoning) and cause a wide range of diseases. With at least six variants staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) stands out as particularly diverse amongst the 25 known staphylococcal enterotoxins. Some variants present unique and even host-specific features.

Draft Genome Sequence of CH_213, a Highly Cytotoxic Bacillus cytotoxicus Strain Isolated from Mashed Potatoes.

CH_213 was isolated from a dehydrated mashed potato product purchased at a Swiss supermarket in 2017. The strain is closely related to strain NVH 391-98, which was linked to a foodborne outbreak of diarrheal syndrome in France in 1998.

Draft Genome Sequence of CH_48, a Highly Cytotoxic Bacillus thuringiensis Strain Isolated from Rosemary at the Retail Level.

CH_48 exhibits extremely high levels of Vero cell cytotoxicity and sphingomyelinase activity.

DNA microarray-based characterization and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of clinical MRSA strains from animal hosts.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a leading cause of severe infections in humans and animals worldwide. Studies elucidating the population structure, staphylococcal cassette chromosome types, resistance phenotypes, and virulence gene profiles of animal-associated MRSA are needed to understand spread and transmission.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine 1) clonal complexes and types, 2) resistance phenotypes, and 3) virulence/resistance gene profiles of MRSA isolated from animals in Switzerland.

Population Structure and Genomic Profiles in Asymptomatic Carriers in Switzerland.

is a leading cause for clinical infections and food intoxications, causing over 100,000 yearly cases of bacteremia in the United States and 434 food-borne outbreaks in the European Union. Approximately 30% of the population permanently carry asymptomatically in their nasal cavity. The risk of infection and transmission to food items or the environment is higher in individuals that are nasally colonized.

Temperature-Dependent Growth Characteristics of Bacillus thuringiensis in a Ratatouille Food Model.

Abstract: In contrast to Bacillus cereus, the role of Bacillus thuringiensis in foodborne illness has been controversially discussed. As B. thuringiensis-based biopesticides containing a mixture of crystal toxins and viable spores are widely used, a current European Food Safety Authority opinion underlines the need for additional data to enable risk assessment.

Population structure and toxin gene profiles of Bacillus cereus sensu lato isolated from flour products.

Data on the occurrence, population structure and toxinogenic potential of Bacillus cereus sensu lato isolated from flour is essential to enable improved risk assessment. We aimed to provide data on the occurrence of B. cereus sensu lato in flour products at retail level.

Microarray based genetic profiling of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from abattoir byproducts of pork origin.

Many parts of pork meat processing are currently not used for human consumption in Switzerland, although they are of great nutritional value. Therefore, data on the occurrence of pathogenic organisms on byproducts is extremely scarce and the prevalence and population structure of Staphylococcus aureus on meat processing sidestreams is unknown. Hence, abattoir byproducts of pork origin including ear, forefoot, heart, intestine, liver, rib bone, sternum, bladder, stomach, hind foot and tongue originating from six abattoirs were screened for S.

The Role of Regulatory Mechanisms and Environmental Parameters in Staphylococcal Food Poisoning and Resulting Challenges to Risk Assessment.

Prevention, prediction, control, and handling of bacterial foodborne diseases - an ongoing, serious, and costly concern worldwide - are continually facing a wide array of difficulties. Not the least due to that food matrices, highly variable and complex, can impact virulence expression in diverse and unpredictable ways. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of challenges related to the presence of enterotoxigenic in the food production chain.

Detection and Identification of and via Machine Learning Based FTIR Spectroscopy.

The group comprises genetical closely related species with variable toxigenic characteristics. However, detection and differentiation of the group species in routine diagnostics can be difficult, expensive and laborious since current species designation is linked to specific phenotypic characteristic or the presence of species-specific genes. Especially the differentiation of and , the identification of psychrotolerant and , as well as the identification of emetic and s, which are both producing highly potent toxins, is of high importance in food microbiology.

Staphylococcus aureus related to bovine mastitis in Switzerland: Clonal diversity, virulence gene profiles, and antimicrobial resistance of isolates collected throughout 2017.

Staphylococcus aureus can be associated with subclinical, acute, chronic, and toxic cases of bovine intramammary infections, leading to considerable financial losses for the dairy industry in Switzerland and worldwide. In addition, milk products are one of the most common food categories implicated in staphylococcal food poisoning in humans. Detailed information on the population structure, as well as the virulence and resistance characteristics of Staph.

Whole-genome-based phylogeny of Bacillus cytotoxicus reveals different clades within the species and provides clues on ecology and evolution.

Bacillus cytotoxicus is a member of the Bacillus cereus group linked to fatal cases of diarrheal disease. Information on B. cytotoxicus is very limited; in particular comprehensive genomic data is lacking.