Sugar Modification of Wall Teichoic Acids Determines Serotype-Dependent Strong Biofilm Production in Listeria monocytogenes.

Biofilm production is responsible for persistent food contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, threatening food safety and public health. Human infection and food contamination with L. monocytogenes are caused primarily by serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b.

Antimicrobial Synergy between Aminoglycosides and Licorice Extract in .

is a foodborne pathogen that can develop serious invasive infections. Among foodborne pathogens, exhibits the highest case fatality despite antibiotic treatment, suggesting the current therapy should be improved. Although ampicillin and gentamicin are used as a combination therapy to treat listeriosis, our results showed there is no synergy between the two antibiotics.

Circulation of Plasmids Harboring Resistance Genes to Quinolones and/or Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporins in Multiple Serotypes from Swine in the United States.

Nontyphoidal (NTS) poses a major public health risk worldwide that is amplified by the existence of antimicrobial-resistant strains, especially those resistant to quinolones and extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC). Little is known on the dissemination of plasmids harboring the acquired genetic determinants that confer resistance to these antimicrobials across NTS serotypes from livestock in the United States. NTS isolates ( = 183) from U.

High Relative Frequency of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli Among Patients With Reportable Enteric Pathogens, Minnesota, 2016-2017.

Background: Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is increasingly recognized as an enteric pathogen as clinical laboratories transition to culture-independent diagnostic tests that detect EAEC. To date, epidemiological studies have focused on children aged <5 years, and information on EAEC incidence, illness outcomes, and transmission avenues is limited.

Methods: Enteric disease surveillance data in Minnesota were used to describe EAEC illnesses reported to the Minnesota Department of Health from September 2016 through August 2017.

Salmonella enterica Serotype 4,[5],12:i:- in Swine in the United States Midwest: An Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Clade.

Background: Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:-, a worldwide emerging pathogen that causes many food-borne outbreaks mostly attributed to pig and pig products, is expanding in the United States.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was applied to conduct multiple comparisons of 659 S. 4,[5],12:i:- and 325 Salmonella Typhimurium from different sources and locations (ie, the United States and Europe) to assess their genetic heterogeneity, with a focus on strains recovered from swine in the US Midwest.

Long-Term Sentinel Surveillance for Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli in Minnesota.

Background.  Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are not detected by conventional culture methods.

Characterization of Foodborne Outbreaks of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis with Whole-Genome Sequencing Single Nucleotide Polymorphism-Based Analysis for Surveillance and Outbreak Detection.

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a significant cause of gastrointestinal illness in the United States; however, current molecular subtyping methods lack resolution for this highly clonal serovar. Advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have made it possible to examine whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as a potential molecular subtyping tool for outbreak detection and source trace back. Here, we conducted a retrospective analysis of S.

Foodborne outbreak of group a streptococcus pharyngitis associated with a high school dance team banquet--Minnesota, 2012.

Background: On 20 March 2012, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was notified of multiple Facebook postings suggestive of a foodborne outbreak of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis occurring among attendees of a high school dance team banquet. An investigation was initiated.

Methods: Associations between GAS pharyngitis and specific food items were assessed among banquet attendees.

An outbreak of foodborne illness among attendees of a wedding reception in Wisconsin likely caused by Arcobacter butzleri.

Background: Arcobacter species, primarily Arcobacter butzleri, are widely distributed among animals, infrequently isolated from humans, and previously not associated with outbreaks of foodborne illness. We report results of an investigation of a foodborne outbreak that occurred among attendees of a wedding reception in Wisconsin, United States, and was likely caused by A. butzleri.

Longitudinal studies on Listeria in smoked fish plants: impact of intervention strategies on contamination patterns.

Four ready-to-eat smoked fish plants were monitored for 2 years to study Listeria contamination patterns and the impact of plant-specific Listeria control strategies, including employee training and targeted sanitation procedures, on Listeria contamination patterns. Samples from the processing plant environment and from raw and finished product were collected monthly and tested for Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes.

Impact of intervention strategies on Listeria contamination patterns in crawfish processing plants: a longitudinal study.

Two ready-to-eat crawfish processing plants were monitored for 2 years to study the impact of Listeria control strategies, including employee training and targeted sanitation procedures, on Listeria contamination. Environmental, raw material, and finished product samples were collected weekly during the main processing months (April to June) and tested for Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes.

Prevalence and growth of Listeria on naturally contaminated smoked salmon over 28 days of storage at 4 degrees C.

Only limited data are available on the growth characteristics of Listeria in naturally contaminated ready-to-eat foods. To evaluate Listeria contamination patterns and growth in smoked salmon, 72 smoked salmon product samples from two processing plants were tested for Listeria spp. and L.