MedWorm: Listeria

Hard-Boiled Egg Recall Hits 34 StatesHard-Boiled Egg Recall Hits 34 States

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:54:42 +0100

The recall of cooked eggs, prepared salads, and sandwiches is due to listeria contamination. News Alerts (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Hard-Boiled Egg Recall Hits 34 States

WebMD Health — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Listeria contamination of hard-cooked eggs has led to recalls of prepared salads, sandwiches, and other products in 34 states. (Source: WebMD Health)

Antimicrobial Activity of Lauric Arginate‐Coated Polylactic Acid Films against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium on Cooked Sliced Ham

Journal of Food Science — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This article shows how we can simply develop functional green packaging of PLA for food with effective and efficient antimicrobial activity by use of LAE coating on the surface via corona discharge.Practical Application: The effectiveness of an innovative antimicrobial LAE‐coated PLA film against foodborne pathogens was demonstrated. Importantly, the application of the LAE to form the LAE‐coated PLA film can be customized within current film manufacturing lines. (Source: Journal of Food Science)

CFIA: Smoked Trout Fillet recalled over Listeria fears

CTV Health — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:53:17 +0100

Milford Bay Trout Farm Inc. is recalling its Smoked Trout Fillet because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. (Source: CTV Health)

Recall: Hard-cooked eggs sold in 34 states

Health News - UPI.com — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:18:23 +0100

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Michael Foods says it's recalling buckets of hard-cooked eggs in brine sold for institutional use from its Wakefield, Neb., facility due to potential Listeria. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

California Firm Recalls Prepared Sandwiches that Contain Hard-Cooked Eggs

Food and Drug Administration — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:48:00 +0100

GH Foods CA, LLC was notified by their supplier that the eggs supplied to them were from Michael Foods, Inc, who recalled Hard-Cooked eggs due to potential contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. GH Foods CA, LLC, Sacramento, California, is therefore recalling sandwiches, associated with the affected eggs, due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and individuals with weakened immune systems. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Greencore, USA â€“ Cincinnati, Recalls Egg Salad Sandwiches with Brand Name Quick CafÃ© and Take Away CafÃ© because of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:32:00 +0100

Greencore, USA is recalling approximately 550 pounds of egg salad sandwiches. The sandwiches contain eggs manufactured by Michael Foods Inc that are the subject of a previous recall due to possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Egg recall in 34 states over Listeria concerns: Full details

Health News: CBSNews.com — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:52:50 +0100

Minnesota-based food company recalling more than one million hard-cooked eggs after positive tests for Listeria bacteria (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Minn. Food Company Recalls About 1 Million Eggs in 34 States

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A Minnesota food company said Friday it is recalling more than a million hard-cooked eggs distributed to 34 states after testing revealed some may be contaminated with listeria. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Allisonâ€™s Gourmet Kitchens Recalls Prepared Salads that Contain Hard Cooked Eggs Due to Potential Health Risk.

Food and Drug Administration — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:56:00 +0100

Allisonâ€™s Gourmet Kitchens was notified by their egg supplier, Michael Foods, Inc. that they are recalling numerous lots of their hard cooked eggs due to the potential for contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. Some of these eggs were introduced into our process to manufacture these effected products. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

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Wegmans Recalls Various Prepared Foods That Contain Hard-Cooked Eggs Produced by Michael Foods

Food and Drug Administration — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:23:00 +0100

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is recalling hard-cooked eggs, as well as prepared foods that contain hard-cooked eggs, sold between January 23 and February 1, 2012 because the eggs have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Michael Foods Recalls Hard-Cooked Eggs Packed In Brine Sold In 10- And 25-Pound Pails Because Of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:16:00 +0100

Michael Foods, Inc. is recalling specific lot dates of hard-cooked eggs in brine sold in 10- and 25-pound pails for institutional use that were produced at its Wakefield, Nebraska facility because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Control of listeria monocytogenes in recycled chill brine using ultraviolet light and antimicrobial agents

Journal of Food Safety — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTPostprocessing contamination of the products in a processing plant has been identified as one of the major reasons for food contamination with Listeria; brining is one such postprocessing area. Our previous study has shown that the combinations of UV and antimicrobials reduces the number of this organism significantly in fresh brine, but brine is usually recycled from days to weeks depending on its use. Therefore, this study is focused on the reduction of L. monocytogenes in recycled chill brine (obtained from a frankfurter processor) using the combinations of UV and antimicrobial agents, such as citric acid (CA), hydrogen peroxide (HP) and dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC). Results show that the combinations of UV and 2000 ppm and 4000 ppm HP were the most effective treatments in ...

FDA takes action against New York cheese manufacturer

Food and Drug Administration — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:13:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking a federal court to prevent a New York cheese manufacturer from operating because of a history of unsanitary conditions and producing cheese in a facility contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Effect of Continuous Ohmic Heating to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in Orange and Tomato Juice

Journal of Applied Microbiology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Continuous ohmic heating can be effective at killing foodborne pathogens on orange and tomato juice with lower degradation of quality than conventional heating.Significance and Impact of Study: These results suggest that continuous ohmic heating might be effectively used to pasteurize fruit and vegetable juice in a short operating time and that the effect of inactivation depends on applied electric field strengths, treatment time and electric conductivity.© 2012The Authors Journal of Applied Microbiology © 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology (Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology)

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Behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes isolates through gastro-intestinal tract passage simulation, before and after two sub-lethal stresses.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:55:11 +0100

Authors: Barbosa J, Borges S, Magalhães R, Ferreira V, Santos I, Silva J, Almeida G, Gibbs P, Teixeira P Abstract The effects of previous exposure to sub-lethal acidic and osmotic stresses on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes during exposure to gastro-intestinal (GI) tract simulation, was investigated. Six L. monocytogenes strains isolated from cheeses were selected and exposed to high salt concentrations or acidic conditions and their viability compared in quick and slow digestions. The results demonstrated that (i) all isolates were more sensitive to the exposure to acidic than to osmotic sub-lethal conditions (ii) significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two types of digestion were observed; in slow digestion, the log reduction was higher for all the tested iso...

Effect of enterocin AS-48 in combination with biocides on planktonic and sessile Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:54:30 +0100

Authors: Caballero Gómez N, Abriouel H, Grande MA, Pérez Pulido R, Gálvez A Abstract Enterocin AS-48 was tested on a cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes strains in planktonic and sessile states, singly or in combination with biocides benzalkonium chloride, cetrimide, hexadecylpyridinium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium bromide, triclosan, poly-(hexamethylen guanidinium) hydrochloride, chlorhexidine, hexachlorophene, and the commercial sanitizers P3 oxonia and P3 topax 66. Combinations of sub-inhibitory bacteriocin concentrations and biocide concentrations 4 to 10-fold lower than their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) completely inhibited growth of the planktonic listeriae. Inactivation of Listeria in biofilms formed on polystyrene microtiter plates required concentrations...

Characterization of functional, safety, and probiotic properties of Enterococcus faecalis UGRA10, a new AS-48-producer strain.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:54:19 +0100

Authors: Cebrián R, Baños A, Valdivia E, Pérez-Pulido R, Martínez-Bueno M, Maqueda M Abstract Enterococcus faecalis UGRA10, a new AS-48-producer strain, has been isolated from a Spanish sheep's cheese. The inhibitory substance produced by E. faecalis UGRA10 was purified and characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, confirming its identity with AS-48 enterocin (7.150 Da). Subsequent genetic analysis showed the existence of the as-48 gene cluster on a plasmid of approximately 70-kb. The UGRA10 strain was examined for safety properties such as enterococci virulence genes, biogenic amine production, and antibiotic resistance. As for most E. faecalis strains, PCR amplification revealed the existence of gene encoding for GelE...

The antimicrobial properties of the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) fractional components against foodborne pathogens and the conservation of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:52:53 +0100

Authors: Lacombe A, Wu VC, White J, Tadepalli S, Andre EE Abstract The antimicrobial properties of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) were studied against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus to determine which fractional components have antimicrobial effects and which microorganisms are most susceptible to these antimicrobial properties. Lowbush blueberry extract (F1) was separated using a C-18 Sep-Pak cartridge into monomeric phenolics (F2) and anthocyanins plus proanthocyanidins (F3). Fraction 3 was further separated into anthocyanins (F4) and proanthocyanidins (F5) using a LH-20 Sephadex column. Each fraction was initially screened for antimicrobial properties using agar diffusion assay. Treatments that d...

MudPIT analysis of alkaline tolerance by Listeria monocytogenes strains recovered as persistent food factory contaminants.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:51:28 +0100

Authors: Nilsson RE, Latham R, Mellefont L, Ross T, Bowman JP Abstract Alkaline solutions are used to clean food production environments but the role of alkaline resistance in persistent food factory contamination by Listeria monocytogenes is unknown. We used shotgun proteomics to characterise alkaline adapted L. monocytogenes recovered as persistent and transient food factory contaminants. Three unrelated strains were studied including two persistent and a transient food factory contaminant determined using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The strains were adapted to growth at pH 8.5 and harvested in exponential phase. Protein extracts were analysed using multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) and protein abundance compared by spectra counting. The strains ...

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The effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the microbiological quality and safety of carrot juice during refrigerated storage.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:51:09 +0100

Authors: Patterson MF, McKay AM, Connolly M, Linton M Abstract The microbial quality of untreated and pressure-treated carrot juice was compared during storage at 4, 8 and 12 °C. High pressure treatment at 500 MPa and 600 MPa (1 min/20 °C) reduced the total counts by approximately 4 log CFU ml(-1) and there was very little growth of the survivors during storage at 4 °C for up to 22 days. Total counts increased during storage of pressure-treated juice at 8 °C and 12 °C but took significantly longer to reach maximum levels compared to the untreated juice. The microflora in the untreated juice consisted predominantly of Gram-negative bacteria, identified as mostly Pantoea spp., Erwinia spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Initially the pressure-treated juice contained low numbers ...

Antimicrobial activity of cyclodextrin entrapped allyl isothiocyanate in a model system and packaged fresh-cut onions.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:50:58 +0100

Authors: Piercey MJ, Mazzanti G, Budge SM, Delaquis PJ, Paulson AT, Truelstrup Hansen L Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the antimicrobial effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) entrapped in alpha and beta cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (ICs). In model experiments, AIT formulations were applied to filter paper discs fixed inside the lid of Petri dishes, where the agar surface was inoculated with the target organism (Penicillium expansum, Escherichia coli or Listeria monocytogenes). Solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography was used to determine static headspace concentrations of AIT formulations. The antimicrobial effect of beta IC was determined during aerobic storage of packaged fresh-cut onions at 5 °C for 20 days. AIT entrapped in beta IC exhib...

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment of ready-to-eat meat: Inactivation of Listeria innocua and changes in product quality.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:50:26 +0100

Authors: Rød SK, Hansen F, Leipold F, Knøchel S Abstract The application of cold atmospheric pressure plasma for decontamination of a sliced ready-to-eat (RTE) meat product (bresaola) inoculated with Listeria innocua was investigated. Inoculated samples were treated at 15.5, 31, and 62 W for 2-60 s inside sealed linear-low-density-polyethylene bags containing 30% oxygen and 70% argon. Treatments resulted in a reduction of L. innocua ranging from 0.8 ± 0.4 to 1.6 ± 0.5 log cfu/g with no significant effects of time and intensity while multiple treatments at 15.5 and 62 W of 20 s with a 10 min interval increased reduction of L. innocua with increasing number of treatments. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) increased with power, treatment...

Modeling the growth rate and lag time of different strains of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat lettuce.

Food Microbiology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:49:35 +0100

Authors: Sant'ana AS, Franco BD, Schaffner DW Abstract The growth parameters (growth rate, μ and lag time, λ) of three different strains each of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in minimally processed lettuce (MPL) and their changes as a function of temperature were modeled. MPL were packed under modified atmosphere (5% O(2), 15% CO(2) and 80% N(2)), stored at 7-30 °C and samples collected at different time intervals were enumerated for S. enterica and L. monocytogenes. Growth curves and equations describing the relationship between μ and λ as a function of temperature were constructed using the DMFit Excel add-in and through linear regression, respectively. The predicted growth parameters for the pathogens observed in this study were compared to ComBase, Path...

Assessment of Microbial Quality of Commercial and Home‐Made Tiger‐Nut Beverages

Letters in Applied Microbiology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These results reflected that there exists a rather high contamination level in home‐made tiger‐nut beverages indicating the need to apply correct and strict HACCP system(s) during manufacturing and storage of these food products.Significance and Impact of Study: This study demonstrates the great need to carry out microbiological tests frequently in these products and even more the need to apply correct HACCP system (s). Tiger‐nut beverages are especially well‐known products in Spain, hence it is extremely important to ensure an adequate microbiological quality to guarantee consumers health.© 2012 The Authors Letters in Applied Microbiology © 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology (Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology)

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M.E. Thompson, Inc. Recalls Anytime Deli Brand Turkey & Ham Footlong Sandwich Because Of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:10:00 +0100

M.E. Thompson, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL is recalling its Anytime Deli Turkey & Ham Sub Sandwich, UPC 0543200194, with an expiration date of January 19th and January 22nd because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Innate immunity: Phagocytes come back even stronger

Nature Reviews Immunology — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nature Reviews Immunology 12, 74 (2012). doi:10.1038/nri3163 Author: Olive Leavy Lauvau and colleagues have shown that inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils become better pathogen killers during memory responses. The authors found that the enhanced clearance of the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes following re-infection was associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated bacterial killing. Indeed, higher (Source: Nature Reviews Immunology)

Single chain MHC I trimer-based DNA vaccines for protection against Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Vaccine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kim S, Zuiani A, Carrero JA, Hansen TH Abstract To circumvent limitations of poor antigen presentation and immunogenicity of DNA vaccines that target induction of CD8(+) T cell immunity, we have generated single chain MHC I trimers (MHC I SCTs) composed of a single polypeptide chain with a linear composition of antigenic peptide, β2-microglobulin, and heavy chain of a MHC class I molecule connected by flexible linkers. Because of its pre-assembled nature, the SCT presents enhanced expression and presentation of the antigenic peptide/MHC complexes at the cell surface. Furthermore, DNA vaccination with a plasmid DNA encoding an SCT incorporating an immunodominant viral epitope elicited protective CD8(+) T cell responses against lethal virus infection. To extend these findin...

Maine company holds cold smoked salmon product after FDA order

Food and Drug Administration — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:04:00 +0100

A Maine food processing and storage company destroyed its cold smoked salmon product under the supervision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes within the firm’s facility and on processing equipment (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Infliximab: Listeria monocytogenes meningitis: case report

Reactions — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:35:21 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

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Development and Evaluation of a Multiplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Five Foodborne Pathogens

Journal of Applied Microbiology — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractA rapid multiplex PCR method for simultaneous detection of five major foodborne pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Shigella flexneri, respectively) was developed. Amplification by PCR was optimized to obtain high efficiency. Sensitivity and specificity assays were investigated by testing different strains. With a multipathogen enrichment, multiplex PCR assay was able to simultaneously detect all of the five organisms in artificially contaminated pork samples. The developed method was further applied to retail meat samples, of which 80% were found to be positive for one or more of these five organisms. All the samples were confirmed by traditional culture methods for each individual species. The result show...

Cedar Tree Cheese Recall - Listeria Alert

About.com Pediatrics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:35:08 +0100

Because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Kradjian Imp Co. is extending its recall of 231 cases of: 16oz Cedar Tree brand Tresse Cheese 16oz Cedar Tree brand Shinglish cheese Made in Canada, the recalled cheese was distributed to Mediterranean specialty markets in Southern California, Northern California, Washington State, Minnesota, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, Arizona and Michigan....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Kradjian Imp Co Is Doing An Expanded Recall Of Cedar Tree Brand Tresse Cheese And Cedar Tree Brand Shinglish Cheese Because Of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:07:00 +0100

Kradjian Imp Co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar Tree brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar Tree brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Grower linked to listeria fined on migrant housing

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:49:26 +0100

A cantaloupe grower whose farm was identified as the source of a listeria outbreak was fined by the U.S. Department of Labor for failing to provide ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Listeria monocytogenes: A Rare Cause for an Infected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We describe a case of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm infected by Listeria monocytogenes. The aneurysm was diagnosed using a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan and the infective organism identified within positive blood cultures. The patient underwent a successful urgent open aortic aneurysm repair and completed a 6-week course of antibiotics. (Source: Vascular and Endovascular Surgery)

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Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nicotinic Acid in Human Monocytes Are Mediated by GPR109a Dependent Mechanisms.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: NA displays a range of effects that are lipoprotein-independent and potentially antiatherogenic. These effects are mediated by GPR109a and are independent of prostaglandin pathways. They suggest a rationale for treatment with NA that is not dependent on levels of plasma cholesterol and possible applications beyond the treatment of dyslipidemia. PMID: 22267479 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology)

Mechanisms and immunological effects of apoptosis caused by listeria monocytogenes.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Carrero JA, Unanue ER Abstract Infection with Listeria monocytogenes shows an early stage of lymphocyte apoptosis. This is an obligatory stage the extent of which depends on infective dose. Lymphocyte apoptosis occurs early and is rapidly superseded, yet it has a strong biological consequence. The immunological effect of lymphocyte apoptosis following infection is increased susceptibility to L. monocytogenes infection due, in part, to upregulation of IL-10 on macrophages and DC. Lymphocyte apoptosis is dependent on bacterial expression of the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO). Also, purified LLO can lead to the induction of death pathways similar to infection, demonstrating that it is a killer agent generated by L. monocytogenes. Signaling through the type I interfe...

Innate Immune Pathways Triggered by Listeria monocytogenes and Their Role in the Induction of Cell-Mediated Immunity.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Witte CE, Archer KA, Rae CS, Sauer JD, Woodward JJ, Portnoy DA Abstract Acquired cell-mediated immunity to Listeria monocytogenes is induced by infection with live, replicating bacteria that grow in the host cell cytosol, whereas killed bacteria, or those trapped in a phagosome, fail to induce protective immunity. In this chapter, we focus on how L. monocytogenes is sensed by the innate immune system, with the presumption that innate immunity affects the development of acquired immunity. Infection by L. monocytogenes induces three innate immune pathways: an MyD88-dependent pathway emanating from a phagosome leading to expression of inflammatory cytokines; a STING/IRF3-dependent pathway emanating from the cytosol leading to the expression of IFN-β and coregulated genes; an...

Monocyte-Mediated Immune Defense Against Murine Listeria monocytogenes Infection.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Serbina NV, Shi C, Pamer EG Abstract Infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes induces a robust innate inflammatory response that restricts bacterial growth in the liver and spleen prior to the development of protective T cell responses. Ly6C(hi) monocytes contribute to the innate immune response following L. monocytogenes infection and in their absence, mice rapidly succumb to infection. Emigration of Ly6C(hi) monocytes from the bone marrow into the circulation is the first step in their recruitment to sites of L. monocytogenes infection and is triggered by CCL2- and CCL7-mediated stimulation of CCR2 chemokine receptors on monocytes. CCL2 expression by mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow, in response to TLR stimulation, drives monocyte emigration from cellular c...

Listeria monocytogenes and Its Products as Agents for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

We describe their development as vectors to carry protein tumor antigen and eukaryotic DNA plasmids to antigen-presenting cells and efforts to harness their tumor-homing properties. We also describe their use as vectors of angiogenic molecules to induce an immune response that will destroy tumor vasculature. The background knowledge necessary to understand the biology behind the rationale to develop Listeria as a vaccine vector for tumor immunotherapy is included as well as a brief summary of the major therapies that have used this approach thus far. PMID: 22244580 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Immunology)

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Probing CD8 T Cell Responses with Listeria monocytogenes Infection.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Condotta SA, Richer MJ, Badovinac VP, Harty JT Abstract CD8 T cells play a critical role in the control and eradication of intracellular pathogens. Increased understanding of CD8 T cell biology provides insight that can be translated into improved vaccination strategies. The intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, has been used as a model organism to study every phase of the CD8 T cell response to intracellular bacterial infection. Infection of laboratory mice with L. monocytogenes has provided insight into the factors that are involved in primary T cell responses, memory CD8 T cell generation, maintenance, functionality, and diversification following repeated pathogenic challenges. In this review, we will focus on work from our laboratories utilizing the murine m...

Dendritic Cells in Listeria monocytogenes Infection.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Edelson BT Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) represent a unique collection of innate immune cells present throughout the body as distinct subpopulations generally sharing the functions of pathogen recognition, cytokine production, and antigen presentation. A large body of work in recent years has examined DC functions during infection with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), particularly in the murine model. Here, I review several aspects of DC biology in this model, with particular emphasis on the role DCs play in the establishment of a productive Lm infection and the role of DCs as cytokine producers and antigen-presenting cells in this system. PMID: 22244578 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Immunology)

Virulence factors that modulate the cell biology of listeria infection and the host response.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Mostowy S, Cossart P Abstract The Gram-positive bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes has become one of the best studied models in infection biology. This review will update our knowledge of Listeria virulence factors and highlight their role during the Listeria infection process. PMID: 22244577 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Immunology)

Interactions of Listeria monocytogenes with the Autophagy System of Host Cells.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Lam GY, Czuczman MA, Higgins DE, Brumell JH Abstract Macrophages are immune cells that participate in the host defense against bacterial pathogens. These cells mediate bacterial clearance by internalizing bacteria into a phagosome, which ultimately fuses with lysosomes to kill bacteria. One bacterial strategy to evade killing in the phagosome is to escape from this compartment prior to lysosomal fusion. Listeria monocytogenes is a classic example of a "cytosol-adapted pathogen" in that it can rapidly escape from the phagosome in macrophages (and other cell types) and replicate rapidly in the cytosol. Phagosome escape also enables cell-to-cell spread by the bacteria through a bacterial driven actin-based motility mechanism. How the bacteria escape the phagosome and evade ho...

Studies with listeria monocytogenes lead the way.

Advances in Immunology — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:54:02 +0100

Authors: Unanue ER, Carrero JA PMID: 22244575 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Advances in Immunology)

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Bicyclo[4.4.0]decane Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes from Eryngium maritimum Essential Oil

Planta Medica — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1298157AbstractInvestigation of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Eryngium maritimum L. from Corsica led to the isolation of one known sesquiterpene (1) and three new oxygenated sesquiterpenes with a muurolane or cadinane skeleton (2–4). Structure assignments of 4βH-muurol-9-en-15-al (1), 4βH-cadin-9-en-15-al (2), 4βH-muurol-9-en-15-ol (3) and 4βH-cadin-9-en-15-ol (4) were carried out by GC/MS (EI and CI) and comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial activity of Eryngium maritimum L. oil and column chromatography fractions have been investigated for the first time. The oxygenated fraction, which contains the four sesquiterpenes, was efficient against Listeria monocytogenes and Echerichia coli.[...]© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttg...

[Report] iRhom2 Regulation of TACE Controls TNF-Mediated Protection Against Listeria and Responses to LPS

Science: Current Issue — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 06:42:26 +0100

A pseudoprotease is required for the proteolytic cleavage of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor.Authors: David R. McIlwain, Philipp A. Lang, Thorsten Maretzky, Koichi Hamada, Kazuhito Ohishi, Sathish Kumar Maney, Thorsten Berger, Aditya Murthy, Gordon Duncan, Haifeng C. Xu, Karl S. Lang, Dieter Häussinger, Andrew Wakeham, Annick Itie-Youten, Rama Khokha, Pamela S. Ohashi, Carl P. Blobel, Tak W. Mak (Source: Science: Current Issue)

Galectin 8 targets damaged vesicles for autophagy to defend cells against bacterial invasion

Nature AOP — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Teresa L. M. Thurston, Michal P. Wandel, Natalia von Muhlinen, Ágnes Foeglein & Felix Randow Autophagy defends the mammalian cytosol against bacterial infection. Efficient pathogen engulfment is mediated by cargo-selecting autophagy adaptors that rely on unidentified pattern-recognition or danger receptors to label invading pathogens as autophagy cargo, typically by polyubiquitin coating. Here we show in human cells that galectin 8 (also known as LGALS8), a cytosolic lectin, is a danger receptor that restricts Salmonella proliferation. Galectin 8 monitors endosomal and lysosomal integrity and detects bacterial invasion by binding host glycans exposed on damaged Salmonella-containing vacuoles. By recruiting NDP52 (also known as CALCOCO2), galectin 8 activates antibacterial...

A novel restriction- modification system is responsible for temperature- dependent phage resistance in Listeria monocytogenes ECII.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kim JW, Dutta V, Elhanafi D, Lee S, Osborne JA, Kathariou S Abstract Listeria monocytogenes epidemic clone II (ECII) strains are unusual in being completely resistant to phage when grown at low temperatures (≤30°C). In the current study we constructed and characterized a mariner-based mutant (J46C) of the ECII strain H7550-Cd(S) that lacked temperature-dependent resistance to phage. The transposon was localized in LMOh7858_2753 (ORF 2753), a member of a 12-ORF genomic island unique to ECII strains. ORF 2753 and ORF 2754 exhibited homologies to restriction endonucleases and methyltransferases associated with type II restriction restriction-modification (RM) systems. In silico-based predictions of the recognition site for this putative RM system were supported by resistan...

FSL J1-208: a virulent uncommon phylogenetic lineage IV Listeria monocytogenes strain with a small chromosome size and a putative virulence plasmid carrying internalin-like genes.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: den Bakker HC, Bowen BM, Rodriguez-Rivera LD, Wiedmann M Abstract The bacterial genus Listeria contains both saprotrophic and facultative pathogenic species. A small genome size has been suggested to be associated with the loss of pathogenic potential of L. welshimeri and L. seeligeri. In this paper we present data on the genome of L. monocytogenes strain FSL J1-208, a representative of phylogenetic lineage IV. Although this strain was isolated from a clinical case in a caprine host and has no decreased invasiveness in human intestinal epithelial cells, our analyses show that this strain has one of the smallest Listeria chromosomes reported to date (2.78 Mb). The chromosome contains 2772 protein coding genes, including well-characterized virulence associated genes such as ...

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Prevalence, characterization and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from bovine hides and carcasses.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wieczorek K, Dmowska K, Osek J Abstract L. monocytogenes isolated from bovine hides and carcasses (n = 812) were mainly of serogroup 1/2a. All strains were positive for internalin genes. Several isolates (72.2%) were resistant to oxacillin or clindamycin (37.0%). These findings indicate that L. monocytogenes of beef origin can be considered as a public health concern. PMID: 22247138 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology)

Equipment, Water Likely Caused Listeria Outbreak: ReportEquipment, Water Likely Caused Listeria Outbreak: Report

Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:57:03 +0100

The listeriosis outbreak traced to cantaloupes that killed 30 people last year was likely caused by a Colorado farm's new processing equipment and lack of chlorine in its washing water. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines)

Report: FDA listeria guidance ignored

CNN.com - Health — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:23:26 +0100

The company that inspected a cantaloupe farm at the center of a deadly listeriosis outbreak ignored regulators' advice on processing produce, a congressional committee has found. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

HTLV-1 bZIP factor impairs cell-mediated immunity by suppressing production of Th1 cytokines

Blood — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study shows that HBZ inhibits CD4 T-cell responses by directly interfering with the host cell-signaling pathway, resulting in impaired cell-mediated immunity in vivo. (Source: Blood)

Equipment, water likely caused Listeria outbreak: report

Modern Medicine — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The listeriosis outbreak traced to cantaloupes that killed 30 people last year was likely caused by a Colorado farm's new processing equipment and lack of chlorine in its washing water, a congressional report said on Tuesday. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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Report: FDA guidance ignored before listeria outbreak

CNN.com - Health — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:21:17 +0100

The company that inspected a Colorado cantaloupe farm at the center of a deadly listeriosis outbreak ignored federal regulators' "best and most timely" advice on processing produce, a congressional committee has found. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Report: FDA Guidance Ignored In Listeria Outbreak

WDSU.com - Health — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:27:49 +0100

System cited in cantaloupe illness outbreak

Health News - UPI.com — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:28:42 +0100

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A federal probe says a deadly Colorado listeria outbreak in cantaloupe was the fault of a grower and an audit system containing inherent conflicts of interest. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

ZIP INTERNATIONAL GROUP LLC, Issues An Alert On Listeria In Sliced Herring Fillet In Oil (Forelka)

Food and Drug Administration — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:04:00 +0100

Listeria is a common organism found in nature. It can cause serious complications for pregnant women, such as stillbirth. Other problems can manifest in people with compromised immune systems. Listeria can also cause serious flu-like symptoms in healthy individuals. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

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Food facility audits largely ignore FDA guidance

USATODAY.com Health — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:24:55 +0100

Investigators looking into an outbreak of listeria linked to 30 deaths last year found that third-party auditors ignored gov't guidance. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Serious Foodborne Illness May One Day Be Prevented By A Pill

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Modified probiotics, the beneficial bacteria touted for their role in digestive health, could one day decrease the risk of Listeria infection in people with susceptible immune systems, according to Purdue University research. Arun Bhunia, a professor of food science; Mary Anne Amalaradjou, a Purdue postdoctoral researcher; and Ok Kyung Koo, a former Purdue doctoral student, found that the same Listeria protein that allows the bacteria to pass through intestinal cells and into bloodstreams can help block those same paths when added to a probiotic... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

House Democrats Call for Tougher Food Safety Audits Following Deadly Listeria Outbreak

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

House Democrats are urging federal regulators to craft tough new standards for food safety audits in the wake of the deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in 25 years. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Food Facility Audits Largely Ignore FDA Guidance

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Congressional investigators looking into an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe linked to 30 deaths last year found that third-party auditors who gave Colorado's Jensen Farms a "superior" rating just before the outbreak largely ignored government guidance on food safety. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

DivIVA affects secretion of virulence‐related autolysins in Listeria monocytogenes

Molecular Microbiology — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

SUMMARYDivIVA is a well conserved coiled‐coil protein present in most Gram positive bacteria and has been implicated in division site selection, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and sporulation. DivIVA proteins bind lipid membranes and characteristically accumulate at curved membrane areas, i.e. the cell poles and the division site, to which they recruit various interaction partners. We have studied the role of this morphogen in the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes and our results suggest a novel mechanism by which DivIVA contributes to cell division. Contrary to expectation a ΔdivIVA mutant exhibited a pronounced chaining phenotype rather than a defect in cell division which we attributed to reduced extracellular levels of the autolytic enzymes p60 and MurA. We demonstrate that this is...

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Pill some day may prevent serious foodborne illness, scientist says

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Purdue University) Modified probiotics, the beneficial bacteria touted for their role in digestive health, could one day decrease the risk of Listeria infection in people with susceptible immune systems, according to Purdue University research. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Bacterial pathogenesis: A balancing act for LLO and PLC

Nature Reviews Microbiology — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nature Reviews Microbiology 10, 82 (2012). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2732 Author: Rachel David Listeria monocytogenes PLCs trigger ROS production, but this is countered by LLO. (Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology)

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company Issues Voluntary Recall of "Edelweiss Creamery Premium Fondue Blend" Because of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:47:00 +0100

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company is voluntarily recalling “Edelweiss Creamery Premium Fondue Blend” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company Issues Voluntary Recall of “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend -- Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese”, "Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese”, “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese” Because of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:14:00 +0100

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company of Monroe, WI is voluntarily recalling “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend -- Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese”, “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese”, “Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administratio...

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company Issues Voluntary Recall of “HEB Queso Cotija (Grated)”, “El Viajero Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)”, “El Viajero Queso Cotija (Grated)”, “BMF Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” Because of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0100

Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company in Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling “HEB Queso Cotija (Grated)”, “El Viajero Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)”, “El Viajero Queso Cotija (Grated)”, and “BMF Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

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Bekkum Family Farms LLC Announces The Recall Of Nordic Creamery Brand Grumpy Goat Shreds With A Sell By Date Of 10-MAR-12 Due To Possible Listeria Contamination

Food and Drug Administration — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:14:00 +0100

Bekkum Family Farms LLC of Westby, WI, is recalling shredded cheese because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The cheese is labeled "Grumpy Goat Shreds" under the Nordic Creamery brand name, in eightounce bags with a code date of 10-MAR-12. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Enterocin CRL35 Inhibits Listeria monocytogenes in a Murine Model

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:57:13 +0100

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease Jan 2012, Vol. 9, No. 1: 68-74. (Source: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)

Salt Stress-Induced Transcription of σB- and CtsR-Regulated Genes in Persistent and Non-Persistent Listeria monocytogenes Strains from Food Processing Plants

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:16:14 +0100

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Foodborne Pathogens and Disease)

Choosing Orientation: Influence of Cargo Geometry and ActA Polarization on Actin Comet Tails.

Mol Biol Cell — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lacayo CI, Soneral PA, Zhu J, Tsuchida MA, Footer MJ, Soo FS, Lu Y, Xia Y, Mogilner A, Theriot JA Abstract Networks of polymerizing actin filaments can propel intracellular pathogens and drive movement of artificial particles in reconstituted systems. While biochemical mechanisms activating actin network assembly have been well characterized, it remains unclear how particle geometry and large-scale force balance affect emergent properties of movement. We reconstituted actin-based motility using ellipsoidal beads resembling the geometry of Listeria monocytogenes. Beads coated uniformly with the L. monocytogenes ActA protein migrated equally well in either of two distinct orientations, with their long axes parallel or perpendicular to the direction of motion, while intermedi...

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p47(phox) Directs Murine Macrophage Cell Fate Decisions.

The American Journal of Pathology — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yi L, Liu Q, Orandle MS, Sadiq-Ali S, Koontz SM, Choi U, Torres-Velez FJ, Jackson SH Abstract Macrophage differentiation and function are pivotal for cell survival from infection and involve the processing of microenvironmental signals that determine macrophage cell fate decisions to establish appropriate inflammatory balance. NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2)-deficient chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) mice that lack the gp91(phox) (gp91(phox-/-)) catalytic subunit show high mortality rates compared with wild-type mice when challenged by infection with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), whereas p47(phox)-deficient (p47(phox-/-)) CGD mice show survival rates that are similar to those of wild-type mice. We demonstrate that such survival results from a skewed macrophage differentiation pro...

RECALL Green Valley Food Corp. is Expanding Its Recall to Include Additional Products because of a Possible Health Risk.

Food and Drug Administration — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:10:00 +0100

Green Valley Food Corp. is recalling approximately 35,159 cases of a variety of products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Random samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

New Pediatric Indication for Infliximab

AJN — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

* The tumor necrosis factor a blocker infliximab (Remicade) is now approved for use in children six years of age or older with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who haven't responded to other treatment. * Infliximab is an immune suppressant and places the patient at risk for serious infections such as tuberculosis, fungal diseases, bacterial sepsis, Legionnaires' disease, infection from Listeria, and other serious opportunistic infections. Children and adolescents also appear to have an increased risk of lymphoma and other malignancies. * Nurses need to teach infection prevention and closely monitor for infusion reactions in addition to infections (Source: AJN)

Recall of Miller's Shredded Cheese

Health News - UPI.com — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:58:53 +0100

QUINCY, Mass., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. removed Miller's Shredded Cheese from sale for possible Listeria monocytogenes, officials said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Consumer Alert for Cheese and Milk Products Due to Listeria monocytongenes Contamination

Food and Drug Administration — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:33:00 +0100

The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) is issuing a warning to consumers to avoid consumption of certain cheese and milk products because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The presence of L. monocytogenes in foods such as cheese and milk products represents a significant danger to public health. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Cellular lipid fatty acid profiles of reference and food isolates listeria monocytogenes as a response to refrigeration and freezing stress

Journal of Food Biochemistry — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTCells of three strains of Listeria monocytogenes, one a reference strain ATCC 19115 and two strains isolated from meat, were cold shocked at refrigeration (+4C) and freezing (−20C) temperatures during one night. Then, their fatty acids were extracted and their composition identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results showed that low thermal adaptation response of L. monocytogenes ATCC 19115 was different from that of the two recent food isolates L. monocytogenes. The three experimented strains showed a decrease of anteiso‐C17:0 and an increase of anteiso‐C15:0 rates. In addition, after freezing, the cellular fatty acids were detected as a signature of the membrane changes that give rise to such authenticity. The structural modification seems...

Antibacterial effects of natural volatile essential oil from zanthoxylum piperitum a.p. dc. against foodborne pathogens

Journal of Food Biochemistry — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study has shown that Z. piperitum essential oil can be used to control the growth of several foodborne pathogens. It is anticipated that Z. piperitum essential oils and its components may have greater potential as food preservatives. (Source: Journal of Food Biochemistry)

Garvieacin Q, a novel class II bacteriocin from Lactococcus garvieae BCC 43578.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tosukhowong A, Zendo T, Visessanguan W, Roytrakul S, Pumpuang L, Jaresitthikunchai J, Sonomoto K Abstract Lactococcus garvieae BCC 43578 produces a novel class II bacteriocin, garvieacin Q (GarQ) of 70 amino acids containing a 20 amino acids N-terminal leader peptide, which is cleaved at Gly-Gly site to generate the mature GarQ (5,339 Da), especially inhibitory against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 and other L. garvieae strains. PMID: 22210221 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology)

Foxp3(+) Regulatory T cells, Immune Stimulation and Host Defense against Infection.

Immunology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Foxp3(+) Regulatory T cells, Immune Stimulation and Host Defense against Infection. Immunology. 2011 Dec 29; Authors: Rowe JH, Ertelt JM, Way SS Abstract The immune system is intricately regulated allowing potent effectors to expand and become rapidly mobilized after infection, while simultaneously silencing potentially detrimental responses that averts immune-mediated damage to host tissues. This relies in large part on the delicate interplay between immune suppressive regulatory CD4(+) T cells (Tregs) and immune effectors that without active suppression by Tregs cause systemic and organ-specific autoimmunity. Although these beneficial roles have been classically described to be counter-balanced by impaired host defense against infection, newfound protective roles for Treg...

Michigan cheese recalled for possibility of listeria

Reuters: Health — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:47:19 +0100

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A dairy in Dearborn, Michigan, said it is recalling certain cheeses because they could be contaminated with listeria and may have already sickened two people. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Green Cedar Dairy Announces the Recall of All Natural Ackawi Cheese and All Natural Chives Cheese with a sell by date up to July 1, 2012 due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Food and Drug Administration — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:57:00 +0100

Green Cedar Dairy of Dearborn, Michigan, announces the recall of All Natural Ackawi Cheese and All Natural Chives Cheese with a sell by date up to July 1, 2012 because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Kradjian cheese recalled on listeria fears

Reuters: Health — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:22:25 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Kradjian Importing Co is recalling 231 cases of Canadian cheese because they could be contaminated with listeria, the Glendale, California, company said. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Kradjian Imp Co. Recalls Cedar Brand Tresse Cheese and Cedar Brand Shinglish Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:46:00 +0100

Kradjian Imp Co, Glendale, CA is recalling 231 Cases, 22Lb / Cs of Cedar brand Tresse Cheese, 16 oz and Cedar brand Shinglish cheese, 16 oz because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

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Human CD8+ T cells display a differential ability to undergo cytokine-driven bystander activation.

Cellular Immunology — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 10:12:02 +0100

In this study, we demonstrate that human CD8+ T cells also vary widely in their ability to secrete IFNγ within 15h of either Listeria infection or cytokine stimulation. The magnitude of the rapid IFNγ response correlated more closely with the intrinsic responsiveness of the T cells to cytokine stimulation rather than the amount of IL-12 produced. CD8+ T cells from 2 out of 16 blood donors (12.5%) failed to generate a significant IFNγ response. These results demonstrate that bystander activation of CD8+ T cells varies among individuals and validate further study of the differential responses observed using BALB/c vs. C57BL/6 mice. PMID: 21978649 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Cellular Immunology)

Leukemia patients at greatest risk of listeriosis

Reuters: Health — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:24:51 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with certain conditions, including leukemia, other cancers and pregnancy, are at the greatest risk of getting sick from the food-borne bacterium Listeria, French researchers report in a new study. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Leukemia Patients At Greatest Risk of Listeriosis

MedlinePlus Health News — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 20:24:49 +0100

People with certain conditions, including leukemia, other cancers and pregnancy, are at the greatest risk of getting sick from the food-borne bacterium Listeria, French researchers report in a new study.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Leukemia, Listeria Infections, Pregnancy (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Small molecule modulators of Listeria monocytogenes biofilm development.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nguyen UT, Wenderska IB, Chong MA, Koteva K, Wright GD, Burrows LL Abstract Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen whose ability to form disinfectant tolerant biofilms on a variety of surfaces presents a food safety challenge for manufacturers of ready-to-eat products. Here we developed a high-throughput biofilm assay for L. monocytogenes and as a proof of principle, used it to screen a 80-compound protein kinase inhibitor library to identify molecules that perturb biofilm development. The screen yielded molecules toxic to multiple strains of Listeria at micromolar concentrations, as well as molecules that decreased (≤50% of vehicle control) or increased (≥200%) biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting planktonic cell density. ...

HPA publishes gastrointestinal infections annual report (2010)

NeLM - News — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Health Protection Agency (HPA) Area: News The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published its first annual report on gastrointestinal infections, covering the development of surveillance systems, and reporting surveillance data on food-borne and non-food-borne outbreaks in 2010, then specifically data on Vero Cytotoxin-producing E coli, salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Norovirus and other gastrointestinal pathogens. Please see the link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

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Effect of different solvents on polyphenolic content, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of irish york cabbage

Journal of Food Biochemistry — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTCabbage is a rich source of a number of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, glucosinolates and their breakdown products, which may have antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. This investigation was undertaken to estimate the effect of using water and different organic solvents such as ethanol, acetone and methanol at various concentrations on the total polyphenols, antibacterial activity and antioxidant capacity of Irish York cabbage. Water has the highest extraction yield of 3.85%, whereas 60% methanolic extract has the highest content of total polyphenols (33.5 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram [dried weight, dw] of extract) and flavonoid (21.9 mg quercetin equivalents per gram [dw] of extract). A concentration‐dependent antioxidative capacity was confi...

Listeria monocytogenes Mutants with Altered Growth Phenotypes at Refrigerated Temperature and High Salt Environment.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Burall LS, Laksanalamai P, Datta AR Abstract Listeria monocytogenes can survive and grow in refrigerated temperatures and high salt environment. In an effort to better understand the associated mechanisms, a library of ∼ 5200 transposon mutants of LS411, a food isolate from the Jalisco cheese outbreak, were screened for their ability to grow in brain heart infusion broth at 5°C or in the presence of 7% NaCl and two mutants with altered growth profiles were identified. The LS522 mutant has a transposon insertion between secA2 and iap and showed a significant reduction in growth in BHI broth at 5°C and in the presence of 7% NaCl. RT-qPCR revealed a substantial reduction in the expression of iap. Additionally, a hypothetical gene (met), containing a putative S-adenosylmet...

Listeriolysin O Suppresses Phospholipase C-Mediated Activation of the Microbicidal NADPH Oxidase to Promote Listeria monocytogenes Infection.

Cell Host and Microbe — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lam GY, Fattouh R, Muise AM, Grinstein S, Higgins DE, Brumell JH Abstract The intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes produces phospholipases C (PI-PLC and PC-PLC) and the pore-forming cytolysin listeriolysin O (LLO) to escape the phagosome and replicate within the host cytosol. We found that PLCs can also activate the phagocyte NADPH oxidase during L. monocytogenes infection, a response that would adversely affect pathogen survival. However, secretion of LLO inhibits the NADPH oxidase by preventing its localization to phagosomes. LLO-deficient bacteria can be complemented by perfringolysin O, a related cytolysin, suggesting that other pathogens may also use pore-forming cytolysins to inhibit the NADPH oxidase. Our studies demonstrate that while the PLCs ...

Characterization and expression of attacin, an antibacterial protein-encoding gene, from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Molecular Biology Reports — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bang K, Park S, Yoo JY, Cho S Abstract To isolate antimicrobial-related genes from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, we performed GeneFishing, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based differential display technique. An attacin-like complementary DNA (cDNA) including a 3'-untranslated region was identified from among 18 over-expressed genes in microbial-infected larvae. The full-length attacin cDNA from S. exigua cDNA (Seattacin) was cloned using rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR. The attacin-like cDNA transcript was 765 nucleotides in length, and the predicted polypeptide was 254 amino acids in length with a calculated molecular mass of 27.6 kDa and an isoelectric point of 6.44. The protein sequence of the attacin-like cDNA showed high identity to that of Trichoplus...

Inhibitory effects of Leuconostoc mesenteroides 1RM3 isolated from narezushi, a fermented fish with rice, on Listeria monocytogenes infection to Caco-2 cells and A/J mice.

Anaerobe — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Nakamura S, Kuda T, An C, Kanno T, Takahashi H, Kimura B Abstract Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis in humans mainly through consumption of ready-to-eat foods. Immunocompromised persons, the elderly, and pregnant women and their fetuses or newborns are at highest risk for the infection. To isolate probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with inhibitory effects against L. monocytogenes, we screened for acid and bile resistant LABs from narezushi, a traditional salted and long-fermented fish with cooked rice. Then, inhibitory effects of the selected LABs on L. monocytogenes invasion and infection of human enterocyte Caco-2 cells and Listeria-susceptible A/J mice were determined. From a total of 231 LAB isolates, we selected five acid and bile resistant isolates (four ...

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Listeria spp. in Street-Vended Ready-to-Eat Foods

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:53:11 +0100

Street-vended ready-to-eat food sold in Egypt, including sandwiches and dishes of traditional food, was examined for the presence of Listeria species. Out of 576 samples, 24% were found to contain Listeria species. L. monocytogenes and L. innocua were isolated from 57% and 39% of the contaminated samples, respectively. Other Listeria spp. were detected with lower frequency. L. monocytogenes of ≥103 CFU/g were detected in 7% of the total examined samples, which represent 49% of the contaminated food samples (meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and products of plant origin). Most of the samples contaminated by L. monocytogenes had high levels of total viable bacterial counts. The results obtained may help to clarify the epidemiology of listeriosis in the country and draw the att...

Listeria Contaminated Ready-To-Eat Chicken Recalled, USA

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0100

4,141 pounds of ready-to-eat chickens are being recalled by House of Raeford Farms, from North Carolina, because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. A sample was submitted by an end user to a reputable laboratory and found to be tainted, the company and the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) inform. Below are details regarding this recall: Name - House of Raeford - Royal Oven Roasted Skinless Chicken Breast Packaging - packed in cases weighing from 18 to 22 pounds... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

North Carolina poultry company recalls cooked chicken

CNN.com - Health — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:03:46 +0100

A North Carolina poultry company is recalling approximately 4,000 pounds of cooked chicken breasts that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Perforin plays an unexpected role in regulating T‐cell contraction during prolonged Listeria monocytogenes infection

European Journal of Immunology — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractAfter infection or vaccination, antigen‐specific T cells proliferate then contract in numbers to a memory set point. T‐cell contraction is observed after both acute and prolonged infections although it is unknown if contraction is regulated similarly in both scenarios. Here, we show that contraction of antigen‐specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells is markedly reduced in TNF/perforin‐double deficient (DKO) mice responding to attenuated Listeria monocytogenes infection. Reduced contraction in DKO mice was associated with delayed clearance of infection and sustained T‐cell proliferation during the normal contraction interval. Mechanistically, sustained T‐cell proliferation mapped to prolonged infection in the absence of TNF, however, reduced contraction required the additional ab...

Antilisterial potential of imperatorin and limonin from poncirus trifoliata rafin

Journal of Food Biochemistry — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTTo discover natural compounds with antilisterial potential, we investigated an ethyl acetate extract of the seeds of Poncirus trifoliata Rafin., and isolated imperatorin and limonin. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The compounds were tested for antibacterial activity against some Listeria monocytogenes strains and found to possess potential antilisterial activity against L. monocytogenes American Type Culture Collection (ATCC 19116, 19111, 19166, 19118 and 15313) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 15.62 to 62.5 µg/mL. The scanning electron microscopic studies also demonstrated that imperatorin and limonin caused morphological changes of L. monocytogenes ATCC 19116 at the MIC value, along with the potential effec...

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Fontaine Sante couscous salads recalled

CTV Health — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:44:54 +0100

Several Fontaine Sante brand salads are being recalled because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. (Source: CTV Health)

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of a polyhexamethylene biguanide‐coated textile by monitoring both bacterial growth (iso 20743/2005 standard) and viability (live/dead baclight kit)

Journal of Food Safety — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial textiles (65% cotton – 35% polyester) were functionalized using a patented technology that combines an antimicrobial molecule – polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and a precipitating agent – sodium laurylsulphate. Surface characterization was performed by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and both techniques made clear signatures of PHMB at the top surface of treated textiles. Washing led to a strong decrease of PHMB concentration at the surface. Comparison of textile surface analysis and antimicrobial tests indicated that the amount of PHMB at its extreme surface of textiles after five or 10 industrial washings was sufficient to inhibit Listeria innocua but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth. The viability...

Properties of durancin gl, a new antilisterial bacteriocin produced by enterococcus durans 41d

Journal of Food Safety — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study describes the initial characterization of an apparently novel bacteriocin, durancin GL, which is produced by a strain of Enterococcus durans found in artisanal Mexican cheese samples. The bacteriocin was shown to effectively inhibit the growth of several L. monocytogenes strains, including the nisin‐resistant variant, L. monocytogenes NR30. The results suggest that durancin GL may be developed to serve as a food‐grade preservative to inhibit the growth of nisin‐resistant Listeria. (Source: Journal of Food Safety)

Structural changes in listeria monocytogenes treated with gamma radiation, pulsed electric field and ultra‐high pressure

Journal of Food Safety — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, γ radiation, PEF and UHP targeted different loci in the cell, and thus synergy between these treatments against L. monocytogenes is likely.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRecently, there is an increase in the use of gamma (γ) radiation and ultra‐high pressure (UHP) in food processing as alternatives to heat. Other promising technologies, such as pulsed electric field (PEF), are in the experimental stage. This is a side‐by‐side investigation of γ radiation, UHP and PEF that helps in understanding the mechanism of bacterial inactivation by these technologies. The study could also help food processors in determining the suitability of these technologies for particular applications. (Source: Journal of Food Safety)

Final Toll From Melon Listeria Outbreak: 30 Dead

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:23:53 +0100

Federal health authorities say the final death toll from an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe is 30. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

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Final toll from melon listeria outbreak: 30 died

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:22:10 +0100

Federal health authorities say the final death toll from an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe is 30. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

CDC declares Listeria outbreak from cantaloupes "over"

Health News: CBSNews.com — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:49:44 +0100

Listeria outbreak sickened 146 people, killed 30 (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Health Highlights: Dec. 9, 2011

Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:29:00 +0100

Eating Raw Cookie Dough Raises Illness Risk: Study Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak That Caused 30 Deaths Over: CDC Skin Around Hair Follicles Plays Role in Baldness: Study Numerous Problems at Cancer Drug Factory: FDA No Link Between Abortion, Risk of Mental Health Problems: Study (Source: Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge)

Unsafe foods, sad news for Duggar family and empathic rats

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:37:00 +0100

The final toll in the cantaloupe-listeria outbreak. Rats just want to be loved. And officials remind us: Don't eat raw cookie dough. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Final toll from melon listeria outbreak: 30 dead

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:38:56 +0100

Federal health authorities say the final death toll from an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe is 30. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

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TLR2 and NOD/RIP2 Mediate Autophagy of Listeria [Immunology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Association of ActA to peptidoglycan revealed by cell wall proteomics of intracellular Listeria monocytogenes. [Additions and Corrections]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

VOLUME 286 (2011) PAGES 34675–34689 PAGE 34685: In the title of Fig. 8, the word “correlates” was removed inadvertently. The title should read as follows: ActA exposure in bacterial surface correlates to the amount of ActA proteins present in the membrane. (Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry)

Establishing equivalence for microbial growth inhibitory effects ("iso-hurdle rules") by analysing disparate data on Listeria monocytogenes with a gamma-type predictive model.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Establishing equivalence for microbial growth inhibitory effects ("iso-hurdle rules") by analysing disparate data on Listeria monocytogenes with a gamma-type predictive model. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011 Dec 9; Authors: Pujol L, Kan-King-Yu D, Le Marc Y, Johnston MD, Rama-Heuzard F, Guillou S, McClure P, Membré JM Abstract Preservative factors act as hurdles against microorganisms by inhibiting their growth; these are essential control measures for particular foodborne pathogens. Different combinations of hurdles can be quantified and compared to each other in terms of their inhibitory effect ("iso-hurdle"). This paper presents a methodology for establishing microbial iso-hurdle rules in three steps: developing a predictive model based on existing but disparate datasets; ...

Product Recall: Fair Oaks Dairy Products Issues Voluntary Recall For Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheeses Half Pound Packages Because Of Possible Health Risk Due to Listeria Monoctyogenes Contamination

Food and Drug Administration — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:38:00 +0100

Fair Oaks Dairy Products, LLC, Fair Oaks, Indiana today issued a voluntary recall of certain one half pound retail packaged cheeses and cheese gift boxes produced under the Fair Oaks Farms Fine Cheese label and sold between September 30, 2011 and December 3, 2011. These cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Molecular Techniques in Ecohealth Research Toolkit: Facilitating Estimation of Aggregate Gastroenteritis Burden in an Irrigated Periurban Landscape

EcoHealth — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:04:00 +0100

Abstract Assessment of microbial hazards associated with certain environmental matrices, livelihood strategies, and food handling practices are constrained by time-consuming conventional microbiological techniques that lead to health risk assessments of narrow geographic or time scope, often targeting very few pathogens. Health risk assessment based on one or few indicator organisms underestimates true disease burden due a number of coexisting causative pathogens. Here, we employed molecular techniques in a survey of Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Vibrio cholera, and Rotavirus A densities in canal water with respect to seasonality and spatial distribution of poin...

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Illuminating the landscape of host-pathogen interactions with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Listeria monocytogenes has, in 25 y, become a model in infection biology. Through the analysis of both its saprophytic life and infectious process, new concepts in microbiology, cell biology, and pathogenesis have been discovered. This review will update our knowledge on this intracellular pathogen and highlight the most recent breakthroughs. Promising areas of investigation such as the increasingly recognized relevance for the infectious process, of RNA-mediated regulations in the bacterium, and the role of bacterially controlled posttranslational and epigenetic modifications in the host will also be discussed. (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

A Live-attenuated Listeria Vaccine (ANZ-100) and a Live-attenuated Listeria Vaccine Expressing Mesothelin (CRS-207) for Advanced Cancers: Phase 1 Studies of Safety and Immune Induction.

Clinical Cancer Research — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: ANZ-100 and CRS-207 administration was safe and resulted in immune activation. PMID: 22147941 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

Characterization of an anti‐listerial enterocin from wheat silage based Enterococcus faecium

Journal of Basic Microbiology — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractTwo Enterococcus faecium and one E. faecalis strains isolated and identified from wheat silage were characterized based on plasmid content, hemolytic activity, antibiotic resistance patterns, bacteriocin production potential, and presence of enterocin structural genes (entA, entB, entP, entL50B). Among the isolates, only the E. faecium U7 strain exhibited bacteriocin activity against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE). A combination of three structural genes (entA, entB, and entP) was detected in E. faecium U7. A relationship between the presence of enterocin structural genes, and bacteriocin activity was detected in E. faecium U7; therefore partially purified enterocin (PPE) was further investigated from the isolate. Several bands of...

Microbial Infection-Induced Expansion of Effector T Cells Overcomes the Suppressive Effects of Regulatory T Cells via an IL-2 Deprivation Mechanism.

Journal of Immunology — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Benson A, Murray S, Divakar P, Burnaevskiy N, Pifer R, Forman J, Yarovinsky F Abstract Regulatory Foxp3(+) T cells are a critical cell population that suppresses T cell activation in response to microbial and viral pathogens. We identify a cell-intrinsic mechanism by which effector CD4(+) T cells overcome the suppressive effects of regulatory T (Treg) cells in the context of three distinct infections: Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria monocytogenes, and vaccinia virus. The acute responses to the parasitic, bacterial, and viral pathogens resulted in a transient reduction in frequency and absolute number of Treg cells. The infection-induced partial loss of Treg cells was essential for the initiation of potent Th1 responses and host protection against the pathogens. The observed di...

SigB-Dependent Tolerance to Protein Synthesis-Inhibiting Antibiotics in Listeria monocytogenes EGDe.

Current Microbiology — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zhou Q, Wang L, Yin X, Feng X, Shang J, Luo Q Abstract The alternative sigma factor SigB in food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was determined in this study to be required for tolerance to protein synthesis-inhibiting antibiotics. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline HCl and gentamicin sulphate against EGDeΔsigB were two- and fourfold less than those for EGDe, respectively. The ability of EGDeΔsigB to overcome the growth arrest caused by erythromycin and rifampin was also weaker than that of EGDe. The transcription analysis of four genetic loci (known to be induced by rifampin in Bacillus subtili) kat, fri, ropB and rsbU in EGDe and EGDeΔsigB in the absence or presence of rifampin revealed that: (1) expression of kat and fri genes is σ ...

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Golden Glen Creamery Issues Voluntary Recall Of Butter Because Of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:04:00 +0100

Golden Glen Creamery of Bow, WA is voluntarily recalling Butter produced on November 2, 2011 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Quality Parameters and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Some Mexican Honeys

Journal of Food Science — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: A total of 14 Mexican honeys were screened for quality parameters including color, moisture, proline, and acidity. Antioxidant properties of complete honey and its methanolic extracts were evaluated by the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of complete honeys against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Listeria monocytogenes Scott A, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Sthapylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 was determined. Most of honeys analyzed showed values within quality parameters established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2001. Eucalyptus flower honey and orange blossom honey showed the highest phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity. Bell flower, orange blossom, and eucalyptus flower honeys inhibited the growth of the 4 ...

Effect of Packaging and Storage Time on Survival of Listeria monocytogenes on Kippered Beef Steak and Turkey Tenders

Journal of Food Science — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of our study was to determine effect of packaging method and storage time on reducing Listeria monocytogenes in shelf‐stable meat snacks. Commercially available kippered beef steak strips and turkey tenders were dipped into a 5‐strain L. monocytogenes cocktail, and dried at 23 °C until a water activity of 0.80 was achieved. Inoculated samples were packaged with 4 treatments: (1) vacuum, (2) nitrogen flushed with oxygen scavenger, (3) heat sealed with oxygen scavenger, and (4) heat sealed without oxygen scavenger. Samples were stored at 23 °C and evaluated for L. monocytogenes levels at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Initial levels (time 0) of L. monocytogenes were approximately 5.7 log CFU/cm2 for steak and tenders. After 24 h of storage time, a 1 log CFU/cm2 redu...

Inhibitory Effects of UV Treatment and a Combination of UV and Dry Heat against Pathogens on Stainless Steel and Polypropylene Surfaces

Journal of Food Science — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Pathogens that contaminate the surfaces of food utensils may contribute to the occurrence of foodborne disease outbreaks. We investigated the efficacy of UV treatment combined with dry heat (50 °C) for inhibiting 5 foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus) on stainless steel and polypropylene surfaces in this study. We inoculated substrates with each of the 5 foodborne pathogens cultured on agar surface and then UV treatment alone or a combination of both UV and dry heat (50 °C) was applied for 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h. The initial populations of the 5 pathogens before treatment were 8.02 to 9.18 and 8.73 to 9.16 log10 CFU/coupon on the surfaces of stainless s...

Characterization of Atypical Listeria monocytogenes Serotype 4b Strains Harboring a Lineage II-Specific Gene Cassette.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we characterized a panel of strains of serotype 4b that produced atypical results with a serotype-specific multiplex PCR and possessed the lmo0734-lmo0739 gene cassette that had been thought to be specific to lineage II. The cassette was harbored in a genomically syntenic locus in these isolates and in lineage II strains. Three distinct clonal groups (Group 1-3) were identified among these isolates based on single nucleotide polymorphism-based multilocus genotyping (MLGT) and DNA hybridization data. Groups 1 and 2 had MLGT haplotypes previously encountered among clinical isolates and were composed of clinical isolates from multiple states in the United States. In contrast, Group 3 consisted of clinical and environmental isolates solely from North Carolina and exhibited a nov...

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Investigation of the role of ZurR in the physiology and pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes

FEMS Microbiology Letters — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractListeria monocytogenes is a Gram positive pathogen that is ubiquitous in the environment. It is a facultative anaerobic rod which causes listeriosis, a disease with potentially lethal consequences for susceptible individuals. During infection the pathogen is capable of sequestering metal ions to act as vital biocatalysts in cellular processes. The zinc uptake regulator (ZurR) is predicted to coordinate uptake of zinc from the external environment. An in‐frame deletion of the zurR gene resulted in a mutant exhibiting a small colony phenotype and a smaller cell size. The zurR mutant was unaffected under conditions of zinc limitation but demonstrated increased sensitivity to toxic levels of zinc. The mutant also demonstrated a significant (1‐log) reduction in virulence potential i...

Antibiotic desensitization therapy in secondary syphilis and listeria infection: case reports and review of desensitization therapy.

Hawaii Medical Journal — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Magpantay G, Cardile AP, Madar CS, Hsue G, Belnap C Abstract Two adult cases, one of secondary syphilis and one of Listeria monocytogenes bacteremia, in which antibiotic desensitization therapy was utilized to assist treatment of active infection in the face of severe penicillin allergy. Clinical considerations are discussed that led to the decision to employ a formal desensitization procedure. Antibiotic desensitization protocols can facilitate optimal and safe antibiotic therapy in the appropriate clinical setting. PMID: 22187514 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Hawaii Medical Journal)

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated with Jensen Farms Cantaloupe—United States, August–September 2011

American Journal of Transplantation — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:11:40 +0100

A multistate outbreak of listeria (a bacteria that can cause severe illness in transplant recipients) associated with consumption of cantaloupe is reported. (Source: American Journal of Transplantation)

Trans-Ocean Products Recalls "transOCEAN Wild Alaska Sockeye Smoked Salmon" Lot No 1280W & 1293W Because of Possible Health Risks

Food and Drug Administration — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:34:00 +0100

Trans-Ocean Products, Inc. of Bellingham, Washington is recalling its 4 ounce “transOCEAN Wild Alaska Sockeye Smoked Salmon” with lot numbers 1280W & 1293W because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Identification of genes involved in Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation by mariner-based transposon mutagenesis.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chang Y, Gu W, Fischer N, McLandsborough L Abstract Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous food-borne pathogen, whose distribution and survival in food-processing environments are associated with the ability to form biofilms. The process of biofilm formation is complex and its molecular mechanism is relatively poorly understood in L. monocytogenes. To better understand the genetics of this process, a mariner-based transposon mutagenesis strategy was used to identify genes involved in biofilm formation of L. monocytogenes. A library of 6,500 mutant colonies was screened for reduced biofilm formation using a microtiter plate biofilm assay. Forty biofilm-deficient mutants of L. monocytogenes were identified based on DNA sequences of the transposon-flanking regions and Souther...

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Autophagy as an innate immunity paradigm: expanding the scope and repertoire of pattern recognition receptors.

Current Opinion in Immunology — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Deretic V Abstract Autophagy is rapidly developing into a new immunological paradigm. The latest links now include overlaps between autophagy and innate immune signaling via TBK-1 and IKKα/β, and the role of autophagy in inflammation directed by the inflammasome. Autophagy's innate immunity connections include responses to pathogen and damage-associated molecular patterns including alarmins such as HMGB1 and IL-1β, Toll-like receptors, Nod-like receptors including NLRC4, NLRP3 and NLRP4, and RIG-I-like receptors. Autophagic adaptors referred to as SLRs (sequestosome 1/p62-like receptors) are themselves a category of pattern recognition receptors. SLRs empower autophagy to eliminate intracellular microbes by direct capture and by facilitating generation and delivery of a...

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis of Listeria monocytogenes isolates of clinical, animal, food, and environmental origin from Ireland.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study describes retrospective use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to examine relationships of 222 isolates from human and non-human sources in Ireland. Human clinical isolates from other countries were also examined. Eight small clusters of indistinguishable human and non-human isolates (most of serotype 4b) were detected, suggesting potential sources for human infection. For non-human isolates, some PFGE types appeared to be exclusively associated with a single source whereas other PFGE-types appeared more widely disseminated. Indistinguishable, or highly related clusters of isolates of Irish and non-Irish origin suggest that some PFGE patterns may be global in distribution. PMID: 22116984 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology)

King And Prince Seafood Corp. Issues Voluntary Recall Notice On Nova Style Cold Smoked Salmon And Sable Fish Lox, Salmon Sushi Fillets, And Salmon Trim Because Of Possible Health Risk

Food and Drug Administration — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:41:00 +0100

King & Prince Seafood Corp. of Brunswick, GA, is initiating a voluntary recall of Nova Style Cold Smoked Salmon and Sable Fish Lox, Salmon Sushi Fillets, and Salmon Trim because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

Calgary Asian food maker closes plant over Listeria

CTV Health — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:54:09 +0100

A Calgary-based company that sells pre-cooked Asian foods is grappling with possible contamination from Listeria and has shut down its plant and recalled its products in five provinces. (Source: CTV Health)

Calgary food company issues recall after Listeria found

CTV Health — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:27:05 +0100

A Calgary-based company that makes pre-cooked Asian foods is grappling with possible contamination from Listeria. (Source: CTV Health)

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Recall expanded of ready-to-eat meals from Calgary firm

CTV Health — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:58:24 +0100

A recall issued last week for a ready-to-eat Ginger Beef Choice product due to possible Listeria contamination is being expanded. (Source: CTV Health)

Raw milk puts babies, farm workers at risk

Health News - UPI.com — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:58:45 +0100

ITHACA, N.Y., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Unpasteurized "raw" milk provides a potential breeding ground for bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter and Salmonella, U.S. researchers warn. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Listeria and autophagy escape: Involvement of InlK, an internalin-like protein.

Autophagy — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:55:04 +0100

Authors: Dortet L, Mostowy S, Cossart P Abstract Autophagy is a cell-autonomous mechanism of innate immunity that protects the cytosol against bacterial infection. Invasive bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, have thus evolved strategies to counteract a process that limits their intracellular growth. ActA is a surface protein produced by L. monocytogenes to polymerize actin and mediate intra- and intercellular movements, which plays a critical role in autophagy escape. We have recently investigated the role of another L. monocytogenes surface protein, the internalin InlK, in the infection process. We showed that in the cytosol of infected cells, InlK interacts with the Major Vault Protein (MVP), the main component of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein particles named vaults. Alt...

Salmonella Scare Hits Smucker Peanut Butter, USA

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0100

Shoppers who have purchased Smucker's Natural Peanut Butter Chunky with the Production Codes 1307004 to 1308004 with use by dates between 3rd and 4th August 2012 are advised of a recall affecting the product. Purchases would have been made since 8th November and the recall only effects the 16oz Chunky (not creamy) product. Luckily, so far no health issues have been reported and probably, partly in light of the summer's problems with Listeria, the company say the recall is being made with "an abundance of caution... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Food-safety Experts Rethink Advice After Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Safety experts are scrambling to revise some of the tenets of food-handling dangers in the wake of the deadliest modern outbreak of food-borne illness. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Listeria alert for Deschamps, Fromagerie Marie Kade cheeses

CTV Health — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:51:56 +0100

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says some Deschamps and Fromagerie Marie Kade brand cheese products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. (Source: CTV Health)

Survival and Growth of Foodborne Pathogens in Minimally Processed Vegetables at 4 and 15 °C

Journal of Food Science — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Abstract: We conducted this study to investigate the survival and growth of pathogens on fresh vegetables stored at 4 and 15 °C. Vegetables (romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, perilla leaves, and sprouts) were inoculated with 4 pathogens (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and stored at 2 different temperatures for different periods of time (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 d at 4 °C and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 d at 15 °C). Populations of the 4 pathogens tended to increase on all vegetables stored at 15 °C for 7 d. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium increased significantly, by approximately 2 log10CFU/g, on loose and head lettuce stored at 15 °C for 1 d. No significant differences were observed in t...

Effects of Slightly Acidic Low Concentration Electrolyzed Water on Microbiological, Physicochemical, and Sensory Quality of Fresh Chicken Breast Meat

Journal of Food Science — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study provides the foundation for further application of slightly acidic low concentration electrolyzed water (SlALcEW) as a sanitizing agent in meat industry. SlALcEW can be produced on site on demand and no chemicals are necessary except NaCl solution. It does not leave any residue in food due to low chlorine concentration and it is safe to handle for its semineutral pH. (Source: Journal of Food Science)