Aims: The study was performed to evaluate the safety of whole and RTE vegetables and to investigate the effectiveness of different preventive strategies for the quality assurance of RTE vegetables collected from three Italian production systems. Producer 1, applied a strict system in compliance with GAP‐ GMP – HACCP, Producer 2 used chlorine disinfection at a second washing step, and Producer 3 using a physical microbial stabilization. Methods: During the period 2005–2007, a total of 964 samples including whole vegetables and RTE salads, collected from three different producers in central Italy, were analysed to quantify the aerobic mesophilic count (AMC) and Escherichia coli, and for the presence of Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, hepatitis A virus and Norovirus (NoV). Results: None of the whole vegetable samples were positive for L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, HAV and NoV; however, a low prevalence of Salmonella was found. No pathogens were detected with cultural methods in any of the RTE vegetables analysed, only two RTE samples were positive for L. monocytogenes with PCR, but were not confirmed by the cultural method. The median values of AMC in RTE vegetables measured 24 h after packaging were statistically different among the 3 producers (5·4 × 106, 1·5 × 107 and 3·7 × 107 CFU g−1, respectively; P = 0·011). The lowest level was detected in Producer 1. Conclusion: The products that were processed applying rigorously GAP, GMP and HACCP showed a better microbiological quality than those processed with chemical or physical stabilization. Study Significance and Impact: The results of the study evidenced the efficacy of GAP, GMP and HACCP in improving microbiological quality of whole and RTE vegetables.
Background The spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is of increasing concern, especially for particular populations such as school or university students. This study compares the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards MRSA skin infections between a group of medical and public health students who attend courses and practice in a teaching hospital setting to a general population group represented by their family members, cohabitants and friends. Methods In the period March-April 2009, a survey was conducted on 166 students and their cohabitants (182). After informed consent, a self-administered questionnaire was given to each participant, containing questions concerning socio-demographic (age, gender, educational level, job activity) and leisure-time items (physical activity) as well as knowledge regarding the localisation, symptoms, means of transmission of a MRSA infection, susceptible groups, therapeutic and diagnostic aspects, and the correct behaviour for preventing transmission to others. All the students were belonging to medical and public health Technician school in a teaching hospital setting. Results Study participants were 116 biomedical students and 182 family members, cohabitants and friends. The comparison among the levels of knowledge revealed a significant difference between the two groups. One-third (30.1%, 50/166) p=0,006 of biomedical students ignore the anatomical site of MRSA infection while 20.5% (34/166) do not known the determinants involved in increasing the risk and ignore the possible development resistance to the antibiotics of S. aureus causing intractable infection (p = 0,001). Regarding attitude and behaviour toward MRSA, the distribution of answers were statistically different among the two groups in the questions regarding the diagnosis, the choice of the person to be seen if infected and the question on the prevention measures to be adopted in case of infection. Moreover, more than half of the participants are willing to pay 100 € (the maximum amount proposed) to have the best care in case of staph infection. Conclusion Most of the participants had a poor or even a very poor knowledge of the pathogen, mechanism of transmission, risk determinants and preventive measures. There is a strong need to implement targeted educational programs within current university curricula and for the general population.
Background: Verocytotoxin Escherichia coli is a frequent and important cause of diarrhea and haemolyticuremic syndrome all over the world. Consumption of ground beef, lettuce, and other kinds of food havebeen associated with outbreaks,The aim of this study was to detect the presence of E. coli O157 in meat products collected from hospitalfood catering services in Rome, using a rapid detection method in comparison with a standard culturemethod to verify the effectiveness of HACCP system.Methods: Three hundred and ten food samples (80 of cooked and 230 of raw meat) were screenedfor E.coli O157 by ISO culture method and by enzyme-linked-fluorescent-assay (ELFA)-based methods(VIDAS®system, bioMérieux). All isolates obtained were tested for VT1 and VT2 genes by PCR. Thestatistical analysis considered absolute frequencies and percentages. The K statistic was applied to assessagreement between direct culture method and the VIDAS system.Results: A total of 6 (1,9%) E.coli O157 isolates were recovered from raw meat samples by the culturemethod; of these only four were identified by PCR as VTEC producers. A total of 9 (2,9%) E.coli O157isolates were recovered from raw meat samples by the VIDAS® system. No E.coli O157 was detectedin cooked products. All comparisons between the direct culture method and the VIDAS system werestatistically significant (K= 0,795; p<0.001).Conclusions: The present study showed how ELFA-based methods are highly specific and rapid for thedetection of E.coli O157 in food samples compared with the direct culture method. ELFA method is usefulto verify the effectiveness of the HACCP system in the risk management of potential contaminating hazardsduring the preparation of foods for susceptible persons
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