We describe a new approach for the real-time detection and identification of pathogens in food and environmental samples undergoing culture. Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) nanoparticles are combined with a novel homogeneous immunoassay to allow sensitive detection of pathogens in complex samples such as stomached food without the need for wash steps or extensive sample preparation. SE...

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, a relevant pathogen in veterinary medicine, and a major cause of food poisoning. Epidemiological investigation tools are needed to establish surveillance of S. aureus strains in humans, animals and food. In this study, we investigated 145 S. aureus isolates recovered from various animal species, disease conditions, food products and food poisonin...

Bacillus cereus is an important food pathogen, producing emetic and diarrheal syndromes, the latter mediated by enterotoxins. The ability to sensitively trace and identify this active toxin is important for food safety. This study evaluated a nonradioactive, sensitive, in vitro cell-based assay, based on B. cereus toxin inhibition of green fluorescent protein (GFP) synthesis in transduced monke...

Obesity in cats is associated with metabolic abnormalities and increased susceptibility to diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Studies in mouse models and human beings have shown that probiotics can reduce food intake, promote weight loss and improve metabolic profile. Studies assessing the effects of probiotics on these same parameters are absent in cats. Therefore, the aim of this study was t...

Several factors have hindered effective use of information and resources related to food safety due to inconsistency among semantically heterogeneous data resources, lack of knowledge on profiling of food-borne pathogens, and knowledge gaps among research communities, government risk assessors/managers, and end-users of the information. This paper discusses technical aspects in the establishmen...

Given the importance of Listeria monocytogenes as a risk factor in meat and poultry products, there is a need to evaluate the relative robustness of predictive growth models applied to meat products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Pathogen Modeling Program is a tool widely used by the food industry to estimate pathogen growth, survival, and inactivation in food...

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) conducted a multiyear evaluation of the 1996 Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (PR/HACCP) Systems; Final Rule for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA, FSIS). As part of this evaluation, RTI conducted a study to measure any changes in consumer knowledge, safe food handling practices (i.e., beh...

The present study was carried out to compare the inhibitory effect of alginate coatings containing Zataria Multiflora Boiss essential oil (ZMEO) in two forms of coarse emulsion and Nano-emulsion on the growth of inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7in beef fillet during 16 days of refrigeration (4 C °). Accordingly, alginate solutions (3%) with different co...

Enteric infections Outbreaks of foodborne disease Four outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease thought to be due to consumption of contaminated food were reported in September and October 2011. Three outbreaks were identified through complaints to the NSW Food Authority (NSWFA) and one outbreak was identified through reports to a public health unit. For one of these outbreaks, the causative organ...