1. Escherichia coli is one of the most common facultative anaerobic species present in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and human beings. Usually they occur as commensals, but some serotypes can cause significant illnesses in humans as well as mammals and birds. 2. The occurrence of E. coli in different categories of table eggs collected from markets was evaluated. Isolates were analysed for the presence of virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and efficacy of peracetic acid and chlorine for the purpose of decontaminating table eggs. 3. Significant differences were observed in the occurrence of E. coli between different groups viz. processed (cleaned, washed, sanitised and packed eggs), unprocessed (un-cleaned, un-sanitised and loose eggs) and free range (eggs obtained from backyard poultry) table eggs. Overall, E. coli occurred in table eggs at 28.6% with 22.9, 29.2 and 50.0% occurrence in processed, unprocessed and free-range table eggs, respectively. 4. A total of 24 isolates of E. coli were obtained and screened for virulence genes viz. STH, SLT1/2 and INVE genes. Of the 24 isolates recovered, 10 typeable isolates belonged to O141, O119, O9, O120 and O101 serotypes, while the remaining 14 were untypeable. Antibiograms of the isolates showed multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) index in the range of 0.13-0.40. 5. Peracetic acid (PAA) and chlorine (CL) were studied for their sanitisation efficacy; concentrations of 100 mg/kg of PAA and 200 mg/kg of CL completely inactivated E. coli over the egg surface and also resulted in 2.58 and 2.38 log reduction in total viable counts (TVC), respectively. 6. The presence of virulence-associated shiga-like toxin (SLT1/2) and invasion E (INVE) genes and antimicrobial resistance among the emerging serotypes of pathogenic E. coli isolated from table eggs has public health implications. It underscores the need to implement better management practices across the production systems and marketing channels to produce E. coli-free wholesome eggs for consumers.
Foods are analyzed for food safety hazards in order to comply with food safety standards. Among food-borne pathogens Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes are recognized as major foodborne pathogens of public health significance worldwide. In the present study, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) was used to screen for S. enterica and L. monocytogenes in table eggs collected from different markets (840 eggs). Pooled egg samples categorized as commercial and backyard eggs based on the source of collection. Collected eggs were screened for S. enterica and L. monocytogenes using mPCR assays. Conserved regions viz. invA and prfA genes were targeted for the specific detection of S. enterica and L. monocytogenes, respectively. mPCR and conventional method showed same results, prevalence of S. enterica at 12.5 and 33.3 per cent in commercial and backyard eggs, respectively. While, L. monocytogenes was undetectable in commercial eggs; but, detected only in backyard table egg sample (8.3%). Present study indicated complete concordance between specific pre-enrichment mPCR and conventional cultural methods. Results of the study underscored mPCR as steadfast rapid tool for the screening of table eggs for listed food safety hazards S. enterica and L. monocytogenes in table eggs. Keywords: Eggs; Listeria; mPCR; Public Health; Salmonella
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