Co-occurrence of free-living protozoa and foodborne pathogens on dishcloths: Implications for food safety

Abstract

In the present study, the occurrence of free-living protozoa (FLP) and foodborne bacterial pathogens on dishcloths was investigated. Dishcloths form a potentially important source of cross-contamination with FLP and foodborne pathogens in food-related environments. First various protocols for recovering and quantifying FLP from dishcloths were assessed. The stomacher technique is recommended to recover flagellates and amoebae from dishcloths. Ciliates, however, were more efficiently recovered using centrifugation. For enumeration of freeliving protozoa on dishcloths, the Most Probable Number method is a convenient method. Enrichment was used to assess FLP diversity on dishcloths (n = 38). FLP were found on 89% of the examined dishcloths; 100% of these tested positive for amoebae, 71% for flagellates and 47% for ciliates. Diversity was dominated by amoebae: vahlkampfiids, vannellids, Acanthamoeba spp., Hyperamoeba sp. and Vermamoeba vermiformis were most common. The ciliate genus Colpoda was especially abundant on dishcloths while heterotrophic nanoflagellates mainly belonged to the genus Bodo, the glissomonads and cercomonads. The total number of FLP in used dishcloths ranged from 10 to 10 4 MPN/cm 2 . Flagellates were the most abundant group, and ciliates the least abundant. Detergent use was identified as a prime determinant of FLP concentrations on used dishcloths. Bacterial load on dishcloths was high, with a mean total of aerobic bacteria of 7.47 log 10 cfu/cm 2 . Escherichia coli was detected in 68% (26/38) of the used dishcloths, with concentrations up to 4 log 10 cfu/cm 2 . Foodborne pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (19/38), Arcobacter butzleri (5/38) and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Halle (1/38) were also present. This study showed for the first time that FLP, including some opportunistic pathogens, are a common and diverse group on dishcloths. Moreover, important foodborne pathogens are also regularly recovered. This simultaneous occurrence makes dishcloths a potential risk factor for cross-contamination and a microbial niche for bacteria-FLP interactions.

Arcobacter: an emerging food-borne zoonotic pathogen, its public health concerns and advances in diagnosis and control – a comprehensive review

“…An interesting study with dishcloth showed the presence of various ciliates along with other food borne pathogen including Arcobacter spp. which urge for adopting good hygienic practices while cooking (Chavatte et al 2014). Talay et al (2016) reported that 36% (41/115) of water samples from various sources (66 sewages, 25 rivers, 16 spring waters and 8 drinking waters) were showed positive for Arcobacter spp.…”

The increasing importance of Vermamoebavermiformis

“…Vermamoeba vermiformis has been recovered globally from various habitats ranging from snow, soil, to dishcloths (Chavatte et al, 2014; Delafont et al, 2018; Scheid, 2019). Vermamoeba vermiformis was detected in unexpected environments such as industrial water, aerosols and composts of composting facilities, and wastewater from textile industry (Scheid, 2019; Scheikl et al, 2014).…”

“…FIRST described in 1967, Vermamoeba vermiformis (formerly Hartmannella ) are one of the most widespread free‐living amoebae. They have been recovered from springs, contact lens cases, hospital water systems, dish cloths, and even bottled mineral water (Chavatte et al, 2014; Delafont et al, 2018; Niyyati et al, 2013; Scheid et al, 2019). Moreover, V .…”

Non-jejuni/coli Campylobacter Species and Related Organisms in Poultry, and Their Relevance in Human and Animal Disease

“…have been identified in the intestines and feces of animals (poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep, rabbits), in foods derived from these animals, and from food processing environments. Arcobacter has also been isolated from cheese and other dairy products, seafood, vegetables, and used dishcloths (Collado and Figueras 2011;Chavatte et al 2014;Lastovica et al 2014;Giacometti et al 2015). Other sources are wildlife, zoo and pet animals, zooplankton, human blood, and human feces.…”