Survival of Tomato Outbreak AssociatedSalmonellaSerotypes in Soil and Water and the Role of Biofilms in Abiotic Surface Attachment

Abstract

Salmonella serotypes linked to tomato-associated outbreaks were evaluated for survival in soil and water over a 40-day period. Salmonella enterica serotypes Anatum, Baildon, Braenderup, Montevideo, Newport, and Javiana were inoculated separately into sterile soil and water, followed by plating onto TSAYE and XLT4 at 10-day intervals. Biofilm production by Salmonella serotypes was measured on both quartz particles (soil surrogate) and glass coverslips, and was evaluated using a crystal violet dye assay. Salmonella populations in soil and water over 40 days indicated no significant differences between Salmonella serotypes tested (p > 0.05). Over a 40-day period, there was a 1.84 ± 0.22 log CFU/g and 1.56 ± 0.54 CFU/mL decrease in populations of Salmonella in soil and water, respectively. Enumeration indicated that Salmonella population fluctuated in water but decreased linearly in soil. All serotypes tested produced the "red dry and rough" morphotype on Congo Red agar. Biofilm produced by all the Salmonella serotypes tested was significantly different on quartz particles than on glass coverslips (p < 0.0001), indicating that material and surface characteristics could affect biofilm development. The ability of Salmonella serotypes to persist in soil or water and attach to abiotic surfaces through biofilm formation affirms that contact surfaces, soil, water, and sediment should be considered as possible sources of cross-contamination in the farm environment.

Biofilm Formation by Multidrug-Resistant Serotypes of Salmonella Isolated from Fresh Products: Effects of Nutritional and Environmental Conditions

“…isolated from raw poultry. In addition, Dev-Kumar et al [4] and Tassinari et al [38] reported the rdar morphotype on CRA at 28 • C in monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Anatum, Salmonella Baildon, Salmonella Braenderup, Salmonella Javiana, Salmonella Montevideo, and Salmonella Newport isolated from water sources, feed, the environment, and feces. In contrast, Trmcic et al [28] reported that Salmonella Newport isolated from humans and Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from irrigation water exhibited the sar morphotype, while Salmonella Daytona isolated from irrigation water exhibited the bdar morphotype on CRA.…”

“…According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2006 to 2019, foodborne outbreaks of the Salmonella serotypes Newport, Infantis, and Typhimurium were linked to the consumption of fresh products with maradol papaya, cucumber, cantaloupe, avocado, tomato, frozen raw tuna, and other products in the United States [2]. The ability of Salmonella serotypes to form biofilms has been demonstrated on stainless steel and polyethylene food contact surfaces or on polystyrene, glass, plastic, cement, and rubber [3,4]. In fact, biofilms formed in food processing environments are a constant source of microbial contamination that may lead to food spoilage or Appl.…”

Climate change, extreme events, and increased risk of salmonellosis: foodborne diseases active surveillance network (FoodNet), 2004-2014

“…Wetland coverage is considerably diminished in Connecticut [ 66 ] and agricultural production covers the smallest area of the included states [ 67 ]; however, approximately 23% of its population are served by private well systems [ 68 ] compared to the national estimated average of 13% [ 69 ]. This could underscore the importance of private well contamination following periods of excessive rainfall, as well as the persistence of Salmonella serovars, such as S. Javiana in the soil and water [ 53 , 70 , 71 ].…”

Colonization and Internalization of Salmonella enterica and Its Prevalence in Cucumber Plants

“…In addition to dispersal and colonization via water, Salmonella have been shown to survive for long periods of time in the environment (Kumar et al, 2018). For example, Salmonella was shown to survive in the soil environment over a period of 40 days (Kumar et al, 2018).…”

“…In addition to dispersal and colonization via water, Salmonella have been shown to survive for long periods of time in the environment (Kumar et al, 2018). For example, Salmonella was shown to survive in the soil environment over a period of 40 days (Kumar et al, 2018). They are able to transition between hosts and can survive and persist under harsh desiccant and temperature conditions and exposure to UV radiation, all of which are common to the agricultural environment (reviewed in Brandl, 2006;Fatica and Schneider, 2011).…”