European Union Reference Laboratories support the National food, feed and veterinary Reference Laboratories with rolling out whole genome sequencing in Europe.

The Inter European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) Working Group on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) involves eight EURLs for microbiological food and feed hazards and has been working since 2017 to promote the adoption of NGS by the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in the European Union. This work illustrates the results of the first 5 years of activity. By working together, the EURLs involved have released guidance documents for assisting NRLs in all the steps of NGS, helping the transition from classical molecular methods towards whole genome sequencing while ensuring harmonization, with the final aim of improving preparedness in the use of NGS to characterize microbial hazards and trace the sources of infection.

Salmonella enterica Newserovar Abeokuta Genome Sequence, Strain OG19FER4 Isolated from Poultry Feed in Nigeria.

This report announces the genome of a newly confirmed Salmonella serovar (Salmonella enterica serovar Abeokuta) that was isolated from a poultry feed sample collected on a farm in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State in Nigeria. Salmonella Abeokuta has not been identified outside Nigeria, nor does it appear to be a cause for concern for animal and human health.

An international outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis linked to eggs from Poland: a microbiological and epidemiological study.

Background: Salmonella spp are a major cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. We investigated a large multi-country outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).

Methods: A confirmed case was defined as a laboratory-confirmed infection with the outbreak strains of S Enteritidis based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), occurring between May 1, 2015, and Oct 31, 2018.

Validation of EN ISO 6579-1 - Microbiology of the food chain - Horizontal method for the detection, enumeration and serotyping of Salmonella - Part 1 detection of Salmonella spp.

The European and International Standard method for the detection of Salmonella spp. in samples from the primary production stage, EN ISO 6579:2002/Amd.1:2007, was validated by an interlaboratory study in the frame of Mandate M/381, ordered by the European Commission and accepted by the European Standardisation Organisation (CEN).

The new ISO 6579-1: A real horizontal standard for detection of Salmonella, at last!

Up to 2016, three international standard methods existed for the detection of Salmonella spp. in food, animal feed and samples from the primary production stage: ISO 6785:2001 for milk and milk products, ISO 6579:2002 for (other) food and animal feed and Annex D of ISO 6579:2007 for samples from the primary production stage. In 2009, an ISO/CEN working group started with the revision of ISO 6579:2002 with two main aims: combining the three aforementioned standards in one document and improving the information in ISO 6579:2002.

Detection of Salmonella in fresh cheese, poultry products, and dried egg products by the ISO 6579 Salmonella culture procedure and the AOAC official method: collaborative study.

Three food types were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella by the AOAC culture method and by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 6579:2002) culture method. Paired test portions of each food type were simultaneously analyzed by both methods. A total of 21 laboratories representing federal government agencies and private industry, in the United States and Europe, participated in this interlaboratory study.

Optimisation of ISO 10705-1 on enumeration of F-specific bacteriophages.

During the European project 'Bacteriophages in bathing waters' (January 1996-June 1999), research was carried out to optimise the method for detection and enumeration of F-specific (RNA) phages in water. It was evaluated whether further optimisation would be possible/needed for the procedure as described in the standard method of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 10705-1. The research focused mainly on optimisation of the different steps for culturing the host strain WG49 Salmonella Typhimurium.