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Escherichia Coli Populations (escherichia + coli_population)
Selected AbstractsINFLUENCE OF WASHING TREATMENT ON NATIVE MICROFLORA AND ESCHERICHIA COLI POPULATION OF INOCULATED CANTALOUPESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2001DIKE O. UKUKU ABSTRACT The influence of chlorine or hydrogen peroxide treatment on populations of Escherichia coli 25922 on the external surface of inoculated cantaloupe was investigated. Surface treatment with 70% EtOH, followed by immersion in 108 CFU/mL E. coli inoculum deposited an average of 4.4 log10CFU/cm2 cell population on the cantaloupe surface. The efficncy of washing inoculated cantaloupe was dependent on storage interval between inoculation and treatment. Dipping the cantaloupes in solutions containing 1000 mg/L chlorine or 5% peroxide for 5 min, within 24 h of inoculation, caused a 2 log10 CFU/cm2 reduction of the indigenous surface microflora and a 3,4.0 log10 CFU/cm2 reduction in E. coli. The efficacy was less when the interval between inoculation and treatment exceeded 24 h. Chlorine appeared in be a better antimicrobial agent than hydrogen peroxide against F. coli ATCC 25922 inoculated on cantaloupe surfaces while hydrogen peroxide was better in reducing surface microflora of cantaloupe. [source] Inability of Escherichia coli to resuscitate from the viable but nonculturable stateFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Inés Arana Abstract After induction of the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state in Escherichia coli populations, we analysed abiotic and biotic factors suggested to promote the resuscitation process. The response to the stressing conditions implied the formation of three subpopulations, culturable, VBNC and nonviable. In most adverse situations studied, the VBNC subpopulation did not represent the dominant fraction, decreasing with time. This suggests that, in most cases, the VBNC is not a successful phenotype. Combining methods of dilution and inhibition of remaining culturable cells, we designed a working protocol in order to distinguish unequivocally between regrowth and resuscitation. Reversion of abiotic factors inducing nonculturability as well as prevention of additional oxidative stress did not provoke resuscitation. Participation of biotic factors was studied by addition of supernatants from different origin without positive results. These results indicate that the E. coli strain used is not able to resuscitate from the VBNC state. VBNC cells release into the surrounding medium, and could thus aid in the survival of persisting culturable cells. The formation of a VBNC subpopulation could thus be considered as an adaptive process, designed for the benefit of the population as a whole. [source] Effect of finishing diets on Escherichia coli populations and prevalence of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli virulence genes in cattle faecesJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2005R.A. Gilbert Abstract Aim:, To determine the effect of different carbohydrate-based finishing diets on fermentation characteristics and the shedding of Escherichia coli and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) virulence genes in cattle faeces. Methods and Results:, The size of faecal E. coli populations and fermentation characteristics were ascertained in three experiments where cattle were maintained on a range of finishing diets including high grain, roughage, and roughage + molasses (50%) diets. Increased E. coli numbers, decreased pH and enhanced butyrate and lactate fermentation pathways were associated with grain diets, whereas roughage and roughage + molasses diets resulted in decreased concentrations of ehxA, eaeA and stx1 genes, this trend remaining at lairage. In one experiment, faecal E. coli numbers were significantly lower in animals fed roughage and roughage + molasses, than animals fed grain (4ˇ5, 5ˇ2 and 6ˇ3 mean log10 g,1 digesta respectively). In a second experiment, faecal E. coli numbers were 2 log lower in the roughage and roughage + molasses diets compared with grain-fed animals prior to lairage (5ˇ6, 5ˇ5 and 7ˇ9 mean log10 g,1 digesta respectively) this difference increasing to 2ˇ5 log at lairage. Conclusions:, The type of dietary carbohydrate has a significant effect on E. coli numbers and concentration of EHEC virulence genes in faeces of cattle. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The study provides a better understanding of the impact finishing diet and commercial lairage management practices may have on the shedding of E. coli and EHEC virulence factors, thus reducing the risk of carcass contamination by EHEC. [source] Influence of tetracycline exposure on tetracycline resistance and the carriage of tetracycline resistance genes within commensal Escherichia coli populationsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2003D.P. Blake Abstract Aims: To assess the influence of incremental tetracycline exposure on the genetic basis of tetracycline resistance within faecal Escherichia coli. Methods and Results: Through the adoption of a novel combination of multiple breakpoint selection, phenotypic characterization and the application of a polymerase chain reaction based gene identification system it proved possible to monitor the influence of antibiotic exposure on resistance gene possession. Using tetracycline as a case study a clear hierarchy was revealed between tet genes, strongly influenced by host antimicrobial exposure history. Conclusions: The antimicrobial exposure regime under which an animal is produced affects both the identity and magnitude of resistance gene possession of a selected bacterial population within its enteric microflora. Among the ramifications associated with such resistance gene selection is the degree of resistance conferred and the carriage of linked resistance determinants. This selection is applied by exposure to antibiotic concentrations well below recognized minimum inhibitory tetracycline concentration breakpoints widely adopted to characterize bacterial ,susceptibility'. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study confirms the ability of minimal antibiotic exposure to select for the continued persistence of resistance genes within the enteric microflora. It is clearly demonstrated that different antimicrobial regimes select for different resistance genes, the implications of which are discussed. [source] Cross-contamination of carcasses and equipment during pork processingJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002K. Warriner Aims: ,The cross-contamination events within a commercial pork processing line were examined by a combination of ERIC-PCR DNA fingerprinting of Escherichia coli and plate counts. Methods and Results: ,Sponge sampling of environmental surfaces and carcasses was performed over an 8-h processing period. Prior to the start of processing the scraper and dry polisher blades were found to harbour substantial Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli populations. From plate count data the key cross-contamination site for the transfer of bacteria between carcasses occurred during evisceration. However, DNA fingerprints of representative E. coli isolates identified that genotypes initially present on the scraper/dry polisher became distributed on wet polisher blades, band-saw and butcher's hands despite a singeing step being performed post dry polishing. A high proportion of E. coli on post-eviscerated carcasses could be traced to down-stream (pre-singe) environmental contact surfaces. Conclusions: ,DNA fingerprinting has demonstrated that E. coli and potential enteric pathogens can be transferred between pork carcasses throughout the processing line. In this respect scalding and singeing cannot be relied upon to control cross-contamination of enteric bacteria between carcasses. Significance and Impact of the Study: ,Sole reliance on indicator organism counts to identify cross-contamination events as currently advocated is limited. [source] |