Cronobacter Support
05-06-2009, 10:03 AM
1st International Conference on Cronobacter Poster Abstract 20
Evaluation of an automated repetitive sequence–based PCR system for subtyping Enterobacter sakazakii
Enterobacter sakazakii is regarded as a ubiquitous organism that can be isolated from a wide range of foods and environments. Infection in at-risk infants has been epidemiologically linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula. Preventing the dissemination of this pathogen in a powdered infant formula manufacturing facility is an important step in ensuring consumer confidence in a given brand together with the protection of the health status of a vulnerable population. In this study we report the application of a repetitive sequence–based PCR typing method to subtype a previously well-characterized collection of E. sakazakii isolates of diverse origin. While both methods successfully discriminated between the collection of isolates, repetitive sequence–based PCR identified 65 types, whereas pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified 110 types showing W95% similarity. The method was quick and easy to perform, and our data demonstrated the utility and value of this approach to monitor in-process contamination, which could potentially contribute to a reduction in the transmission of E. sakazakii.
Brendan Healy1, Niall Mullane1, V. Collin2, Sandrine Mailler2, Carol Iversen3, Sonia Chatellier2, Michéle Storrs4 and Séamus Fanning1
1Centre for Food Safety. School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland, 2bioMérieux, La Balme Les Grottes, France and, 3Institute for Food Safety & Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland. 4bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France.
Evaluation of an automated repetitive sequence–based PCR system for subtyping Enterobacter sakazakii
Enterobacter sakazakii is regarded as a ubiquitous organism that can be isolated from a wide range of foods and environments. Infection in at-risk infants has been epidemiologically linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula. Preventing the dissemination of this pathogen in a powdered infant formula manufacturing facility is an important step in ensuring consumer confidence in a given brand together with the protection of the health status of a vulnerable population. In this study we report the application of a repetitive sequence–based PCR typing method to subtype a previously well-characterized collection of E. sakazakii isolates of diverse origin. While both methods successfully discriminated between the collection of isolates, repetitive sequence–based PCR identified 65 types, whereas pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified 110 types showing W95% similarity. The method was quick and easy to perform, and our data demonstrated the utility and value of this approach to monitor in-process contamination, which could potentially contribute to a reduction in the transmission of E. sakazakii.
Brendan Healy1, Niall Mullane1, V. Collin2, Sandrine Mailler2, Carol Iversen3, Sonia Chatellier2, Michéle Storrs4 and Séamus Fanning1
1Centre for Food Safety. School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland, 2bioMérieux, La Balme Les Grottes, France and, 3Institute for Food Safety & Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland. 4bioMérieux, Marcy l’Etoile, France.