Salmonellaspp. andEscherichia coli: survival and growth in plant tissue

Abstract

This review presents information on disease outbreaks in human populations linked to Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157:H7 associated with the consumption of fresh produce. It focuses on the processes of bacterial internalization and survival in non-host plant tissues and the role of biofilms in bacterial persistence. Research to identify the microbial sources contaminating fruits and vegetables and their persistence is urgently required. Internalization of human pathogenic bacteria in plant tissues is reported for various fruits. Under certain circumstances these can enter the plant via roots or seeds, with subsequent survival and translocation within the plant. Research should continue on the relationships between human pathogens and plants, and treatments should be developed to minimize pathogen presence on the surface of raw produce and to prevent their internalization.

Interacciones entre Escherichia coli O157:H7 y Plantas Comestibles. ¿Se han Desarrollado Mecanismos de Internalización Bacteriana?

“…Other studies have demonstrated that E. coli O157:H7 can internalize within the seeds and roots, and then migrate to other tissues (Ávila-Quezada et al, 2010). The movement can be upwards from the roots to the lettuce foliage, as was shown in an experiment carried out by Solomon et al (2002).…”

Occurrence of ingression of Salmonella spp. in Betel leaf (Piper betle L.)

“…Hou et al (2013) reported that bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and Pantoea can internalize into lettuce leaves naturally through wounds or via roots and stomata. Avila-Quezada et al (2010) showed that Salmonella spp. can internalize and migrate into plant tissues such as seeds, fruits, leaves, roots and stems and survive for extended periods in internalized condition.…”

“…Contamination can occur at any stage of production such as pre-harvest or post-harvest (Semenov et al 2010;Goldberg et al 2011;Bernstein 2011). Some recent studies reported internalization of bacteria into the plant part and subsequent translocation of bacteria to leaf and other aerial parts of the plant (Goldberg et al 2011;Zhuang et al 1995;Avila-Quezada et al 2010;Hirneisen et al 2012;Zheng et al 2013;Bernstein et al 2007a;Bernstein et al 2007b). This event is alarming due to the fact that internalization of pathogenic bacteria into fresh produce pose high risk to the consumers as they are significantly resistant to external biocidal washing agents (Ibarra-Sanchez et al 2004;Jablasone et al 2005;Donkor et al 2010).…”

Using agro-industrial wastes for the cultivation of microalgae and duckweeds: Contamination risks and biomass safety concerns

“…Bacterial pathogens (such as Salmonella and E. coli) can also invade plants via roots or shoots (Cooley et al, 2003;Zhang et al, 2010) and establish themselves within intercellular spaces, in plant tissues (Ávila-Quezada et al, 2010). As in the case of HMs, it can be speculated that the inter/intracellular contamination with pathogens would be more difficult to addressed, whereas surface bound pathogens could be desorbed or treated for their inactivation.…”