Enumeration of and determination of spp. and verotoxigenic in shellfish ( and ) harvested in Sardinia, Italy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of spp., Verotoxigenic (VTEC) and enumerate in shellfish ( and ) collected before and after depuration from two class B harvesting areas located in Sardinia (Italy). All the samples were analyzed for spp.

Occurrence, Seasonal Distribution, and Molecular Characterization of and in Shellfish ( and ) Collected in Sardinia (Italy).

In this study, we investigated the occurrence, seasonal distribution, and molecular characterization of pathogenic vibrios in Mediterranean mussels () and grooved carpet shells () from two harvesting areas of Sardinia (Italy). Samples collected before and after depuration were submitted for qualitative and quantitative determination of spp. spp.

Clonal relationship among Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and grooved carpet shells (Ruditapes decussatus) harvested in Sardinia (Italy).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic variability of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated from naturally contaminated Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and Grooved carpet shells (Ruditapes decussatus) from three harvesting areas of Sardinia (Italy) using a combination of different typing methods: traditional phenotypic systems and molecular techniques. Ninety-nine putative V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from shellfish collected before and after purification were included in the study.

Prevalence, bioserotyping and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica detected in pigs at slaughter in Sardinia.

The aims of the present study were to determine Yersinia enterocolitica prevalence in finishing pigs and piglets at slaughter and to characterize the isolates in terms of bioserotype, virulence profile, antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic diversity. During the years 2013-2014, nine pig slaughterhouses placed in Sardinia (Italy) were visited twice, in order to collect animal samples and scalding water. Overall, 609 samples respectively of tonsils (126), colon content (161), mesenteric lymph nodes (161) and carcass surfaces (161) were collected from 126 finishing pigs and 35 piglets.

Evaluation of short purification cycles in naturally contaminated Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) harvested in Sardinia (Italy).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of short purification cycles on the safety of naturally contaminated Mytilus galloprovincialis from harvesting areas of the Gulf of Olbia (Sardinia, Italy). Samples from ten batches of mussels were collected before, during and after purification treatment at two purification centres (A-B). All the samples were analysed for Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp according to Council Regulation (EC) 2285/2015.

Determination of Salmonella spp., E. coli VTEC, Vibrio spp., and Norovirus GI-GII in Bivalve Molluscs Collected from Growing Natural Beds in Sardinia (Italy).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of spp., verotoxigenic (VTEC), spp., and Norovirus GI-GII in bivalve molluscs, cockles, and European grooved carpet shells ( spp.

Occurrence, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Salmonella enterica in Slaughtered Pigs in Sardinia.

The aim of this study was to determine Salmonella occurrence in slaughtered finishing pigs and piglets and in slaughterhouse environment in order to characterize the isolates with phenotypical (antimicrobial testing) and molecular (PFGE, MLVA) methods. Nine slaughterhouses located in Sardinia were visited. Six hundred and eight samples collected from 106 pigs and 108 environmental samples were collected and analyzed.

Influence of Temperature, Source, and Serotype on Biofilm Formation of Salmonella enterica Isolates from Pig Slaughterhouses.

Quantitative assessment of in vitro biofilm formation by 40 Salmonella enterica isolates isolated in pig abattoirs from animal and environmental sources (surfaces in contact and not in contact with meat) and classified in eight seroytpes was carried out by using a microtiter plate assay with spectrophotometric reading (optical density at 620 nm). Biofilm-forming ability was statistically correlated with the temperature of incubation (22 and 35°C), the source of the isolates, and the antimicrobial resistance profile. After incubation at 35°C, 9 isolates (22.

Identification of Spp. Strains Isolated from Meat Products and Meat Production Plants by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Listeriosis is a foodborne disease caused by and is considered as a serious health problem, due to the severity of symptoms and the high mortality rate. Recently, other species have been associated with disease in human and animals. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in order to simultaneously detect six species , , , , , in a single reaction.

Hygiene and Welfare Evaluation of Pigs Slaughtered in Agritourisms.

The slaughtering procedures at agritourism farms must be carried out in accordance with the general and hygiene requirements of Regulations (EC) No 852 and 853/2004. In addition, regional laws define minimum requirements allowing some flexibility. Piglets and finishing pigs are the most frequently slaughtered animal in Sardinian agritourism farms.

Detection of Pathogenic in Slaughtered Pigs by Cultural Methods and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Healthy pigs carrying pathogenic to human strains are the main source of entry into slaughterhouse, where cross-contamination of carcasses can happen. The aim of this work was to determine prevalence in slaughtered pigs, investigating the presence of carriers in relation to carcass contamination. A total of 132 pig samples (tonsils, mesenteric lymph nodes, colon content, carcass surface) were collected from 4 Sardinian slaughterhouses.

Presence and molecular characterization of the major serovars of Listeria monocytogenes in ten Sardinian fermented sausage processing plants.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in ten Sardinian fermented sausage processing plants. A total of 230 samples were collected and 40 L. monocytogenes isolates were obtained and subjected to serotyping and investigated for the presence of ten virulence-associated genes using multiplex PCR assays.

Detection of genes encoding for virulence and adherence factors in Escherichia coli isolated in slaughtered Sarda breed sheep.

In order to investigate the pathogenic profile of Escherichia coli hosted in "Sarda" sheep, autochthonous race present in Sardinia, thirty-seven E. coli strains collected from different sources (fleeces, carcass swabs and gut mucosa) of pre-chill slaughtered sheep (ewes and lambs) were serotyped using pheno- and genotypic methods. Furthermore, the presence of genes encoding for virulence factors and mediating for localized mucosal adherence factors was investigated, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) characterization was performed.

Listeria monocytogenes in five Sardinian swine slaughterhouses: prevalence, serotype, and genotype characterization.

In a 3-year study (2008 to 2011) to estimate the prevalence and the contamination sources of Listeria monocytogenes in pork meat in Sardinia, Italy, 211 samples were collected from five Sardinian swine slaughterhouses: 171 samples from slaughtered pigs and 40 from the slaughterhouse environment. Fifty L. monocytogenes isolates were characterized by PCR-based serotyping, presence of virulence-associated genes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis restriction analysis.