From clinical and microbiological perspectives, it is important to know which serogroups, virulence, and antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic resistance patterns are present in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains in poultry meats from turkey, quail and ostrich that have recently been added to the cart households. These were investigated in the present study. Five-hundred poultry meat samples were collected from the supermarkets of Isfahan province, Iran. Samples were cultured immediately and those that were E. coli-positive were analyzed for the presence of serogroups, antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial virulence factors. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using disk diffusion method. The prevalence rates of E. coli in ostrich, turkey and quail meat samples were 9.33, 23.52 and 27.77%, respectively. All of the enterohemorrhagic E. coli subtypes were positive for stx1, eae and ehly genes. The prevalence rate of stx1 gene in all attaching and effacing E. coli isolates was 100%. A significant difference was found between the frequency of AEEC (enteroadherent E. coli) and EHEC (enterohemorrhagic E. coli) subtypes (P < 0.05). Among all serogroups studied, O26 and O157 had the highest prevalence. The most commonly detected antibiotic resistance genes in various poultry meat samples were tetA, CITM and aac(3)-IV. The highest level of antibiotic resistance was observed against tetracycline, ampicillin and gentamicin. Resistance against sulfamethoxazole and enrofloxacin was intermediate. Our findings should raise awareness about antibiotic resistance in poultry meats in Iran. It seems that sanitary conditions were not observed in Iranian poultry farms, slaughterhouses and supermarkets.

Introduction: Salmonella is one of the major foodborne pathogens responsible for outbreaks of foodborne illness in humans worldwide. Methodology: A total of 560 samples of chicken meat and giblets were collected from retail markets for Salmonella identification, serotyping, and antimicrobial resistance testing. Results: Salmonella was detected in 19.8% of samples. Among the five serotypes identified, S. Thompson was the predominant type (48.7%). High antimicrobial resistance rates were observed to nalidixic acid (92.8%), tetracycline (81%), trimethoprim (68.4%), sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (61.2%), streptomycin (56.7%), and kanamycin (36.9%). Although resistance to chloramphenicol (3.6%), amoxicillinclavulanic acid (5.4%), and ampicillin (11.7%) was detected, none of the isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, colistin, gentamicin, nor imipenem. Conclusions: Restrictions on the irrational use of antibiotics in humans and animals are suggested for the reduction of resistant strains.

BackgroundCockroaches are one of the most important and frequent insects responsible for harboring, transmission and dissemination of human pathogens in the hospital environment. The present research was done to study the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance in the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from hospital cockroaches.MethodsFive-hundred and thirty Periplanets americana and Blattella germanica cockroaches were collected and their gut content and external washing samples were subjected to bacterial isolation. MRSA strains were subjected to disk diffusion and PCR amplification of antibiotic resistance genes.ResultsPrevalence of MRSA strains in P. americana and B. germanica cockroaches were 52.77 and 43.33%, respectively. External washing samples of P. americana cockroaches had the highest prevalence of MRSA strains (59.57%). MRSA isolates of external washing samples harbored the highest prevalence of resistance against penicillin (100%), ceftaroline (100%), tetracycline (100%), gentamicin (83.33%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (80.55%). MRSA strains isolated from gut content samples harbored the highest prevalence of resistance against penicillin (100%), ceftaroline (100%), tetracycline (100%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (80%) and gentamicin (73.33%). BlaZ, aacA-D, tetK, msrA, dfrA, ermA, gyrA, grlA and rpoB were the most commonly detected antibiotic resistance genes amongst the MRSA strains.ConclusionsThe present investigation is the first report of the phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of antibiotic resistance in the MRSA strains isolated from P. americana and B. germanica hospital cockroaches. Hospital cockroaches are considered as a potential mechanical vector for MRSA strains.

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Background: Despite the considerable clinical role of Helicobacter pylori, its certain routes of transmission and origin have not been reported. Based on the argumentative hypothesis, foods play an imperative role in the spread of H. pylori to humans. Objectives: The current research was done to investigate the prevalence rate and distribution of Vacuolating Cytotoxin A and Cytotoxin Associated Gene A genotypes in the H. pylori strains isolated from meat, milk, and vegetables. Methods: A total of 340 food samples were collected and directly moved to the laboratory. Samples were cultured and H. pylori colonies were approved using the gram staining, urease test, and 16s rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Positive strains were tested for distribution of vacA and cagA genotypes using the multiplex-PCR. Results: Out of 340 samples, 40 (11.76%) harbored H. pylori. Prevalence of H. pylori in meat, milk, and vegetable samples were 7.33%, 16%, and 12.50%, respectively. Ovine milk (26%) was the most commonly contaminated sample. The most commonly detected genotypes were vacA s1a (87.50%), vacA m1a (87.50%), vacA s2 (82.50%), cagA (80%), and vacA m2 (62.50%). Genotypes of S1am1a (62.50%), s2m1a (55%), s1am2 (50%), s2m2 (45%), and m1am2 (42.50%) were the most commonly detected combined genotypes. Conclusions: Milk, vegetables, and meat, are latent sources of H. pylori. Similarity in the genotyping pattern of H. pylori strains of various samples represents their similar sources of infection. Further studies are required for finding the exact sources of H. pylori strains.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most imperative cause of nosocomial infections. Cockroaches are the routine insects accountable for the spread of resistant bacterial strains, exclusively MRSA. Objectives: The current survey aimed to appraise the frequency of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) and Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) in MRSA bacteria recovered from hospital cockroaches. Methods: Thirty-six MRSA isolates were recovered from the external washing samples of American and German hospital cockroaches. Bacteria were subjected to the PCR amplification of SCCmec types and the PVL gene. Results: The SCCmec types III (44.44%), I (27.77%), and II (16.66%) were the most frequent types among MRSA bacteria. The frequency of SCCmec types IVa, IVd, and V was 2.77%, 2.77%, and 5.55%, respectively. The SCCmec types IVb and IVc were not detected in the assessed samples. Twelve out of 36 (33.33%) MRSA isolates harbored the PVL gene. The frequency of the PVL gene was 35.71% and 25%, respectively, among MRSA bacteria recovered from Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica hospital cockroaches. Conclusions: The current research is an initial description of SCCmec types and the PVL gene among MRSA bacteria recovered from hospital cockroaches. High frequency of SCCmec types I, II, and III and moderate-to-low frequency of the PVL gene signify the occurrence of health care associated-MRSA.

Background: Foodstuffs with animal origins, particularly meat, are likely reservoirs of Helicobacter pylori. Purpose: An existing survey was accompanied to assess phenotypic and genotypic profiles of antibiotic resistance and genotyping of vacA, cagA, cagE, iceA, oipA, and babA2 alleles amongst the H. pylori bacteria recovered from raw meat. Methods: Six-hundred raw meat samples were collected and cultured. H. pylori isolates were tested using disk diffusion and PCR identification of antibiotic resistance genes and genotyping. Results: Fifty-two out of 600 (8.66%) raw meat samples were contaminated with H. pylori. Raw ovine meat (13.07%) had the uppermost contamination. H. pylori bacteria displayed the uppermost incidence of resistance toward tetracycline (82.69%), erythromycin (80.76%), trimethoprim (65.38%), levofloxacin (63.46%), and amoxicillin (63.46%). All H. pylori bacteria had at least resistance toward one antibiotic, even though incidence of resistance toward more than eight antibiotics was 28.84%. Total distribution of rdxA, pbp1A, gyrA, and cla antibiotic resistance genes were 59.61%, 51.92%, 69.23%, and 65.38%, respectively. VacA s1a (84.61%), s2 (76.92%), m1a (50%), m2 (39.13%), iceA1 (38.46%), and cagA (55.76%) were the most generally perceived alleles. S1am1a (63.46%), s2m1a (53.84%), s1am2 (51.92%), and s2m2 (42.30%) were the most generally perceived genotyping patterns. Frequency of cagA-, oipA-, and babA2-genotypes were 44.23%, 73.07%, and 80.76%, respectively. A total of 196 combined genotyping patterns were also perceived. Conclusion: The role of raw meat, particularly ovine meat, in transmission of virulent and resistant H. pylori bacteria was determined. VacA and cagA genotypes had the higher incidence. CagE-, babA2-, and oipA-H. pylori bacteria had the higher distribution. Supplementary surveys are compulsory to originate momentous relations between distribution of genotypes, antibiotic resistance, and antibiotic resistance genes.

Background:Foodborne diseases are considered as major health problems in different countries. Concerns over the safety of some chemical preservatives and negative consumer reactions to them have prompted interest in natural alternatives for the maintenance or extension of food shelf life. In this respect, the combination of a plant essential oil and nisin has used for controlling the growth of foodborne pathogens as natural food preservative using the mathematical model.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of Cuminum cyminum L. essential oil (0, 15, 30 and 45 µL/100 mL) and nisin (0, 0.5 and 1.5 µg/mL) combination at different temperatures (10, 25 and 35°C) on growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus in the Brain-Heart Infusion (BHI) broth model. The concentrations of 0 µL/100 mL for essential oil and 0 µg/mL for nisin imply the negative control.Materials and Methods:A multivariate variance experiment was performed. To assess the effect of essential oil, nisin and the incubation temperature on growth probability (log P%) of S. typhimurium and S. aureus, four concentrations of C. cyminum L. essential oil (0, 15, 30 and 45 µL/100 mL), three concentrations of nisin (0, 0.5 and 1.5 µg/mL) and three storage temperatures (10, 25 and 35°C) were considered.Results:The growth of S. typhimurium was significantly decreased by the concentration of essential oil ≥ 30 µL/100 mL in combination with nisin ≥ 0.5 µg/mL at temperature = 10°C (P < 0.05). Also, in combination of the essential oil ≥ 15 µL/100 mL and nisin ≥ 0.5 µg/mL at temperature ≤ 25°C, the growth of S. aureus was significantly reduced (P < 0.05).Conclusions:These results indicate that the combination of essential oil and nisin inhibits the growth of S. typhimurium and S. aureus bacteria and there is the possibility of using them as substitutes for chemical food preservatives. Moreover, the model (log P%) in this study can be a good tool for the reduction of microbiological hazards in food industry.