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Middle East/North Africa: Food Safety Studies 2009
Antimicrobial effects of pepper, parsley, and dill and their roles in the microbiological quality enhancement of traditional Egyptian kareish cheese
17 Nov 2009
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. doi:10.1089/fpd.2009.0412 [edited][FSNet]
Nahed M. Wahba, Amany S. Ahmed, Zedan Z. Ebraheim
This study was designed to assess the application of some edible plants including cayenne, green pepper, parsley, and dill to Kareish cheese and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of these plant materials against natural microflora, coliforms, molds, andStaphylococcus aureus. Twelve different concentrations of ethanol extract of the plants were prepared for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration. Cayenne and green pepper extracts showed highest activity followed by dill and parsley againstS. aureus. Addition of cayenne or green pepper to Kareish cheese during manufacture revealed that both plants were able reduce theS. aureuspopulation to undetectable level within the first and second days of storage. To study the effect of combining plant materials on the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat Kareish cheese, the total bacterial count, coliform count, and yeast and molds counts were determined. It has been found that addition of plant materials to Kareish cheese reduced the total bacterial and coliform populations. All concentrations of cayenne, green pepper, dill, and parsley (9%) completely reduced the yeast count within 2 hours. Cayenne and green pepper completely reduced the mold count within 2 days, whereas parsley and dill were found to be less effective. Kareish cheese prepared with 1% cayenne pepper and 3% and 6% each of green pepper, dill, and parsley were found strongly acceptable to the consumer and considered the most preferable type. Therefore, this study revealed that pepper, parsley, and dill exhibited antibacterial activity against natural microflora, coliforms, yeast and molds, andS. aureusin Kareish cheese, and the addition of these plants is acceptable to the consumer and may contribute to the development of new and safe varieties of Kareish cheese.
17 Nov 2009
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. doi:10.1089/fpd.2009.0412 [edited][FSNet]
Nahed M. Wahba, Amany S. Ahmed, Zedan Z. Ebraheim
This study was designed to assess the application of some edible plants including cayenne, green pepper, parsley, and dill to Kareish cheese and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of these plant materials against natural microflora, coliforms, molds, andStaphylococcus aureus. Twelve different concentrations of ethanol extract of the plants were prepared for determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration. Cayenne and green pepper extracts showed highest activity followed by dill and parsley againstS. aureus. Addition of cayenne or green pepper to Kareish cheese during manufacture revealed that both plants were able reduce theS. aureuspopulation to undetectable level within the first and second days of storage. To study the effect of combining plant materials on the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat Kareish cheese, the total bacterial count, coliform count, and yeast and molds counts were determined. It has been found that addition of plant materials to Kareish cheese reduced the total bacterial and coliform populations. All concentrations of cayenne, green pepper, dill, and parsley (9%) completely reduced the yeast count within 2 hours. Cayenne and green pepper completely reduced the mold count within 2 days, whereas parsley and dill were found to be less effective. Kareish cheese prepared with 1% cayenne pepper and 3% and 6% each of green pepper, dill, and parsley were found strongly acceptable to the consumer and considered the most preferable type. Therefore, this study revealed that pepper, parsley, and dill exhibited antibacterial activity against natural microflora, coliforms, yeast and molds, andS. aureusin Kareish cheese, and the addition of these plants is acceptable to the consumer and may contribute to the development of new and safe varieties of Kareish cheese.
Antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from retail raw chicken meat in Taif, Saudi Arabia
13 Nov 2009
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease [edited][FSNet] doi:10.1089/fpd.2009.0365
Abdullah D. Altalhi, Youssuf A. Gherbawy, Sabry A. Hassan
The present study was carried out to screen and analyze the genetic characteristics of antibiotic resistance inEscherichia colistrains isolated from chicken meat marketed in the local markets of the Taif region in Saudi Arabia. A total of 119 samples were purchased from various supermarkets and examined for bacterial contamination with resistantE. coli.Thirty-sevenE. coliisolates were evaluated for their antibiotic susceptibilities and the presence of class 1 integrons and antibiotic resistance genes. Results of antibiograms revealed thatE. coliisolates were resistant to one or more of the antibiotics tested. Resistance was most frequently observed against sulphafurazole (89.2%), ampicillin (78.4%), nalidixic acid (70.3%), streptomycin (48.6%), chloramphenicol (32.4%), and gentamicin (24.3%). FifteenE. colistrains have multidrug resistance phenotypes and harbored at least three antibiotic resistance genes. The blaTEM (β-lactamase) and sul (sulfonamide) resistance encoding genes were detected in all the tested isolates. Polymerase chain reaction screening detected class 1 integrons in all multiresistantE. coliisolates. The present study provides an assessment of the occurrence of multidrug resistance ofE. colifrom raw chicken meat collected from local markets.
13 Nov 2009
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease [edited][FSNet] doi:10.1089/fpd.2009.0365
Abdullah D. Altalhi, Youssuf A. Gherbawy, Sabry A. Hassan
The present study was carried out to screen and analyze the genetic characteristics of antibiotic resistance inEscherichia colistrains isolated from chicken meat marketed in the local markets of the Taif region in Saudi Arabia. A total of 119 samples were purchased from various supermarkets and examined for bacterial contamination with resistantE. coli.Thirty-sevenE. coliisolates were evaluated for their antibiotic susceptibilities and the presence of class 1 integrons and antibiotic resistance genes. Results of antibiograms revealed thatE. coliisolates were resistant to one or more of the antibiotics tested. Resistance was most frequently observed against sulphafurazole (89.2%), ampicillin (78.4%), nalidixic acid (70.3%), streptomycin (48.6%), chloramphenicol (32.4%), and gentamicin (24.3%). FifteenE. colistrains have multidrug resistance phenotypes and harbored at least three antibiotic resistance genes. The blaTEM (β-lactamase) and sul (sulfonamide) resistance encoding genes were detected in all the tested isolates. Polymerase chain reaction screening detected class 1 integrons in all multiresistantE. coliisolates. The present study provides an assessment of the occurrence of multidrug resistance ofE. colifrom raw chicken meat collected from local markets.
13 Oct 2009
Food Control [edited][FSNet]
E. Rahimi, H. Momtaz and M. Bonyadian
Turkey carcasses were sampled in one commercial poultry processing plant of Isfahan (Iran) to evaluate the contamination of carcasses toCampylobacter spp.along the processing plant by PCR method. A total of 348 samples were collected during six plants visit from May to December 2007.Campylobacter sppwere isolated from 62.1% (216 out of 348) of the samples. Out of 216 Campylobacter isolates, 175 (81.0%) were identified asC. jejuniand 41 (19.0%) asC. coli. The occurrences ofCampylobacter sppcontamination after defeathering, evisceration and chilling were 75.9%, 77.6% and 32.8% respectively. The results indicate that the fecal recontamination of the avian skin occurred during defeathering and evisceration. However chilling process decreasesCampylobacter spp.contamination of the turkey skin significantly.
Characterization of the first extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing nontyphoidalSalmonellastrains isolated in Tehran, Iran
28 Sep 2009
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease [edited][FSNet]
Reza Ranjbar, Giovanni M. Giammanco, Aurora Aleo, Maria Rosa Anna Plano, Ali Naghoni, Parviz Owlia, Caterina Mammina
The infections caused bySalmonellaremain a significant public health problem throughout the world. ß-Lactams and fluoroquinolones are generally used to treat invasiveSalmonellainfections, but emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains are being increasingly notified in many countries. In particular, detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) inSalmonellaspp. is a newly emerging threat worldwide. This study was carried out to characterize ß-lactamase–producingSalmonellastrains identified in Tehran, Iran. Over the 2-year period from 2007 to 2008, 6 of 136Salmonellaisolates recovered from pediatrics patients, including threeSalmonella entericaserotypes Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) and threeS.Infantis, showed an ESBL-positive phenotype. Two strains ofS. Infantis tested positive for a previously unidentified CTX-M and TEM ESBL, respectively. All ESBL-producing strains carried the insertion sequence ISEcp1 gene. Except for one strain of serotype Infantis, all strains were able to transfer the ESBL determinants by conjugation. Distinct, but closely related, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns were observed among the strains belonging to both serotypes. This study reports for the first time the emergence and characterization of ESBL-producingS. Enteritidis and Infantis strains in Iran.
Iran-Efficacy of detergents and fresh produce disinfectants against microorganisms associated with mixed raw vegetables
09 Jul 2009
Journal of Food Protection [edited][FSNet]
Efficacy of commercial detergent and disinfectants to eliminate microorganisms associated with fresh vegetables eaten raw in Iran, including radish, parsley, basil, coriander (cilantro), Allium porrum (leek), and peppermint were studied. The raw vegetables were subjected to a triple wash treatment of washing in tap water for mud removal, washing in water containing a detergent (dishwashing liquid) or disinfectant individually, and rinsing in tap water. The population of total mesophilic microbes on the surface of untreated vegetables ranged from 105 to 106 CFU/g. Washing in tap water or treatment with detergent or benzalkonium chloride reduced the total microbial count, most probable number (MPN) of coliforms, MPN of fecal coliforms, and MPN of fecalStreptococciby about 1.2 to 2.3 log. No significant differences in microbial populations were found on vegetables after decontamination with tap water, detergent, or benzalkonium chloride. Treatments with peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide reduced the total mesophilic microbial counts by about 2.8 log. The microbial reductions with calcium hypochlorite and combined hydrogen peroxide and silver ion were significantly higher than those obtained after rinsing in tap water or after detergent or benzalkonium chloride wash. Pretreatment with detergent slightly enhanced the efficacy of all decontamination treatments, but results were not significantly different from those obtained after individual application of disinfectants.
Pakistan-Prevalence of Hepatitis
09 Jun 2009
GIDEON (Global Infectious Disease & Epidemiology Network) [edited][ProMed]
Hepatitis A
Prevalence
- 4 percent of acute hepatitis in pregnant women in Karachi
- 5.4 percent of acute hepatitis in Lahore.
Seroprevalence
- 94 percent of children by age 5 (Karachi, 1994 publication)
- 100 percent of children ages 14 to 15 (Karachi, 2002 to 2004)
- 40.57 percent of persons with clinical suspicion of acute hepatitis
(2003 to 2004)
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella serotypes, Campylobacter and Yersinia spp. isolated from retail chicken and beef, Tehran, Iran
01 Apr 2010
Food Control, Volume 21, Issue 4, Pages 388-392 [edited][FSNet]
Mohammad M. Soltan Dallal, Michael P. Doyle, Maryam Rezadehbashi, Hossein Dabiri, Maryam Sanaei, Shabnam Modarresi, Rounak Bakhtiari, Kazem Sharifiy, Mahnaz Taremi, Mohammad R. Zali and M.K. Sharifi-Yazdi
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles ofSalmonellaserotypes,CampylobacterandYersinia spp. isolates from fresh chicken and beef meat obtained at retail outlets in Tehran, Iran, were determined. A total of 379 samples (190 chicken and 189 beef) were collected between April 2006 and April 2007 and analyzed for these foodborne pathogens, and isolates were subjected to antimicrobial resistance testing.Salmonella,CampylobacterandYersiniawere isolated from 124 (33%), 109 (29%) and 60 (16%) of the samples, respectively.S.Thompson was the dominant serovar ofSalmonella, isolated from 75% to 58% of theSalmonella-positive chicken and beef samples, respectively, withS. Hadar a distant second. OfCampylobacterisolates, 71% were resistant to nalidixic acid and 47% to ciprofloxacin, with 37 (40%) multidrug resistant. A high percentage ofSalmonellaisolates were resistant to antibiotics, including 82% nalidixic acid, 69% tetracycline, 63% trimethoprim and 52% streptomycin. Eighty-five (68.5%) isolates were multidrug resistant. The mostYersinia spp. were resistant to cephalotin 59 (98%) and ampicillin 31 (52%), with 14 (23%) multidrug resistant. Such baseline information on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens on raw foods of animal origin is needed to not only determine the extent of the problem but also to serve as a point of reference for monitoring changes that occur over time. Such data are essential for use in developing effective risk management strategies.
01 Apr 2010
Food Control, Volume 21, Issue 4, Pages 388-392 [edited][FSNet]
Mohammad M. Soltan Dallal, Michael P. Doyle, Maryam Rezadehbashi, Hossein Dabiri, Maryam Sanaei, Shabnam Modarresi, Rounak Bakhtiari, Kazem Sharifiy, Mahnaz Taremi, Mohammad R. Zali and M.K. Sharifi-Yazdi
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles ofSalmonellaserotypes,CampylobacterandYersinia spp. isolates from fresh chicken and beef meat obtained at retail outlets in Tehran, Iran, were determined. A total of 379 samples (190 chicken and 189 beef) were collected between April 2006 and April 2007 and analyzed for these foodborne pathogens, and isolates were subjected to antimicrobial resistance testing.Salmonella,CampylobacterandYersiniawere isolated from 124 (33%), 109 (29%) and 60 (16%) of the samples, respectively.S.Thompson was the dominant serovar ofSalmonella, isolated from 75% to 58% of theSalmonella-positive chicken and beef samples, respectively, withS. Hadar a distant second. OfCampylobacterisolates, 71% were resistant to nalidixic acid and 47% to ciprofloxacin, with 37 (40%) multidrug resistant. A high percentage ofSalmonellaisolates were resistant to antibiotics, including 82% nalidixic acid, 69% tetracycline, 63% trimethoprim and 52% streptomycin. Eighty-five (68.5%) isolates were multidrug resistant. The mostYersinia spp. were resistant to cephalotin 59 (98%) and ampicillin 31 (52%), with 14 (23%) multidrug resistant. Such baseline information on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens on raw foods of animal origin is needed to not only determine the extent of the problem but also to serve as a point of reference for monitoring changes that occur over time. Such data are essential for use in developing effective risk management strategies.
Morocco - Occurrence and legislation of mycotoxins in food and feed
01 Apr 2009
Food Control(Volume 20, Issue 4, Pages 334-344)
Abdellah Zinedine and Jordi Mañes [edited] [iFSN]
Mycotoxins are natural food and feed contaminants, mainly produced by molds of genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The number of mycotoxins known to exert toxic effect on human and animal health is constantly increasing as well as the legislative provisions taken to control their presence in food and feed. Morocco, a North African country, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, has a climate characterized by high humidity and high temperature which favor growth of molds. This paper gives an overview about the contamination levels and the occurrence of some mycotoxins (e.g. aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and Fusarium toxins) in cereals, bread, milk, spices, wine, olives, poultry feeds, dried fruits and nuts; the average of contaminated samples was often above 50%. A section on mycotoxin regulations by Moroccan authorities is discussed with a comparison with international and European limits. Recent data about the contamination of foods and feed from Morocco by mycotoxins are considered in this review. Finally, the paper gives a last part with conclusions and principal prospectives and recommendations that should be undertaken by authorities and scientists during monitoring of mycotoxins in food and feed produced and/or commercialized in Morocco.
Israel-SalmonellaInfantis, increased morbidity
8 Mar 2009
Israel Ministry of Health, Department of Epidemiology circular January 2009 [in Hebrew, trans. & summ. Mod.AS, edited] [Promed]
Since 1995, a significant, continuous decrease (from 87/100,000 to 37/100,000) of human salmonellosis has been observed in Israel.
The most striking drop is related toS.Typhimurium andS. Enteritidis. However, according to reports from the Central State Laboratories in Jerusalem, the National Salmonella Center has identified a significant relative increase in the size of theS. Infantis segment within the total ofSalmonellaspp isolates. This trend started in 2007 and increased in 2008, whenS. Infantis became the most commonSalmonellaspecies in Israel (17 percent of the total).
A similar increase could be seen in routine examinations of unprocessed (raw) food, of processed food, and of live poultry tested prior to slaughter [ante-mortem].
Molecular analysis has revealed that a new [S. Infantis] clone has been evolving. This clone was absent during pre-2004 years; it seems to be identified in isolates from all the examined sources and geographical locations. According to the analysis of sentinel samples, carried out by Israel's Centre for Disease Control (ICDC), it appears that a significant increase ofS. Infantis infections has been observed since the end of 2007.
Possible/alternating explanations:
1. The spread of new types [serovars] (such asS. Infantis) enhanced on the background of intensified control measures on 'veteran' types (S. Enteritidis,S. Typhimurium), including impact of applied poultry vaccinations.
2. Specific, inherent epidemiological characteristics of this type, leading to increased relative incidence.
ICDC is to undertake an epidemiological investigation to check the issue and try to identify the reasons for the observed increase.
Sources and Terms of Use
01 Apr 2009
Food Control(Volume 20, Issue 4, Pages 334-344)
Abdellah Zinedine and Jordi Mañes [edited] [iFSN]
Mycotoxins are natural food and feed contaminants, mainly produced by molds of genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. The number of mycotoxins known to exert toxic effect on human and animal health is constantly increasing as well as the legislative provisions taken to control their presence in food and feed. Morocco, a North African country, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, has a climate characterized by high humidity and high temperature which favor growth of molds. This paper gives an overview about the contamination levels and the occurrence of some mycotoxins (e.g. aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and Fusarium toxins) in cereals, bread, milk, spices, wine, olives, poultry feeds, dried fruits and nuts; the average of contaminated samples was often above 50%. A section on mycotoxin regulations by Moroccan authorities is discussed with a comparison with international and European limits. Recent data about the contamination of foods and feed from Morocco by mycotoxins are considered in this review. Finally, the paper gives a last part with conclusions and principal prospectives and recommendations that should be undertaken by authorities and scientists during monitoring of mycotoxins in food and feed produced and/or commercialized in Morocco.
Israel-SalmonellaInfantis, increased morbidity
8 Mar 2009
Israel Ministry of Health, Department of Epidemiology circular January 2009 [in Hebrew, trans. & summ. Mod.AS, edited] [Promed]
Since 1995, a significant, continuous decrease (from 87/100,000 to 37/100,000) of human salmonellosis has been observed in Israel.
The most striking drop is related toS.Typhimurium andS. Enteritidis. However, according to reports from the Central State Laboratories in Jerusalem, the National Salmonella Center has identified a significant relative increase in the size of theS. Infantis segment within the total ofSalmonellaspp isolates. This trend started in 2007 and increased in 2008, whenS. Infantis became the most commonSalmonellaspecies in Israel (17 percent of the total).
A similar increase could be seen in routine examinations of unprocessed (raw) food, of processed food, and of live poultry tested prior to slaughter [ante-mortem].
Molecular analysis has revealed that a new [S. Infantis] clone has been evolving. This clone was absent during pre-2004 years; it seems to be identified in isolates from all the examined sources and geographical locations. According to the analysis of sentinel samples, carried out by Israel's Centre for Disease Control (ICDC), it appears that a significant increase ofS. Infantis infections has been observed since the end of 2007.
Possible/alternating explanations:
1. The spread of new types [serovars] (such asS. Infantis) enhanced on the background of intensified control measures on 'veteran' types (S. Enteritidis,S. Typhimurium), including impact of applied poultry vaccinations.
2. Specific, inherent epidemiological characteristics of this type, leading to increased relative incidence.
ICDC is to undertake an epidemiological investigation to check the issue and try to identify the reasons for the observed increase.
Sources and Terms of Use
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