61 research outputs found
Book Discussion of Resistance Women: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini
No full textRichard Fox, Friends of the Library Member, will lead the book discussion of Resistance Women: A Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, an enthralling historical saga that recreates the danger, romance, and sacrifice of an era and brings to life one courageous, passionate American—Mildred Fish Harnack—and her circle of women friends who waged a clandestine battle against Hitler in Nazi Berlin. — Amazon.
Light refreshments will be available. Attendees are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch.
Viking Outfitters, located in the CSU Student Center, is selling this book and all the Friends book selections.
You can also find the book at the Michael Schwartz Library
Co-Infection of L. monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii in a Sheep Flock Causing Abortion and Lamb Deaths
No full textAbortion in livestock is a public health burden, and the cause of economic losses for farmers. Abortion can be multifactorial, and a deep diagnostic investigation is important to reduce the spread of zoonotic disease and public health prevention. In our study, a multidisciplinary investigation was conducted to address the cause of increased abortion and lamb mortality on a farm, which detected a co-infection of Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii. Hence, it was possible to conclude that this was the reason for a reduced flock health status and the cause of an increased abortion rate. Furthermore, the investigation work and identification of the L. monocytogenes infection root allowed the reduction of economic loss
Identification of the Novel <i>Streptococcus equi</i> subsp. <i>zooepidemicus</i> Sequence Type 525 in Donkeys of Abruzzo Region, Italy
No full textStreptococcus equi sub. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is described as a commensal bacterium of several animal species, including humans. Growing evidence supports the potential role of SEZ in the onset and progression of severe clinical manifestations of diseases in horses and other animals. In the present communication, we describe the diagnostic procedure applied to characterize the streptococcal infections caused by a novel SEZ sequence type (ST525) in donkeys raised on a farm in Abruzzo, Italy. The diagnostic process began with anamnesis and anatomopathological analysis, which revealed a severe bacterial suppurative bronchopneumonia associated with systemic vascular damage and haemorrhages. Then, SEZ infection was confirmed by applying an integrative diagnostic strategy that included standard bacterial isolation techniques, analytical tools for bacteria identification (MALDI-TOF MS), and molecular analysis (qPCR). Furthermore, the application of the whole-genome sequencing approach helped us to identify the bacterial strains and the virulence factors involved in animal diseases. The novel SEZ-ST525 was identified in two cases of the disease. This new sequence type was isolated from the lung, liver, and spleen in Case 1, and from retropharyngeal lymph nodes in Case 2. Moreover, the presence of the virulence gene mf2, a virulence factor carried by prophages in Streptococcus pyogenes, was also found for the first time in an SEZ strain. The results of the present study highlight the need to apply an integrated diagnostic approach for the identification and tracking of pathogenic strains of SEZ, shedding new light on the re-evaluation of these bacteria as a causative agent of disease in animals and humans
The Slaughterhouse as Hotspot of CC1 and CC6 Listeria monocytogenes Strains with Hypervirulent Profiles in an Integrated Poultry Chain of Italy
No full textIn Europe, very few studies are available regarding the diversity of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) clonal complexes (CCs) and sequence types (ST) in poultry and on the related typing of isolates using whole genome sequencing (WGS). In this study, we used a WGS approach to type 122 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from chicken neck skin samples collected in two
different slaughterhouses of an integrated Italian poultry company. The studied strains were classified into five CCs: CC1-ST1 (21.3%), CC6-ST6 (22.9%), CC9-ST9 (44.2%), CC121-ST121 (10.6%) and CC193-ST193 (0.8%). CC1 and CC6 strains presented a virulence gene profile composed of 60 virulence genes and including the Listeria Pathogenicity Island 3, aut_IVb, gltA and gltB. According
to cgMLST and SNPs analysis, long-term persistent clusters belonging to CC1 and CC6 were found in one of the two slaughterhouses. The reasons mediating the persistence of these CCs (up to 20 months) remain to be elucidated, and may involve the presence and the expression of stress response and environmental adaptation genes including heavy metals resistance genes (cadAC, arsBC, CsoR-copA-copZ), multidrug efflux pumps (mrpABCEF, EmrB, mepA, bmrA, bmr3, norm), coldshock tolerance (cspD) and biofilm-formation determinants (lmo0673, lmo2504, luxS, recO). These findings indicated a serious risk of poultry finished products contamination with hypervirulent L.
monocytogenes clones and raised concern for the consumer health. In addition to the AMR genes norB, mprF, lin and fosX, ubiquitous in L. monocytogenes strains, we also identified parC for quinolones, msrA for macrolides and tetA for tetracyclines. Although the phenotypical expression of these AMR genes was not tested, none of them is known to confer resistance to the primary antibiotics used to treat listeriosis The obtained results increase the data on the L. monocytogenes clones circulating in Italy and in particular in the poultry chain
Bathing seawater and sand as reservoirs of clinically relevant and antimicrobial resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains
No full textKlebsiella pneumoniae is included in the ESKAPE list of bacteria, which are currently considered the greatest threat to human health. It is widely distributed in the environment, including waters, soils, and plants. According to the One Health concept, it is essential to enhance our understanding of the distribution and genetic characteristics of this human pathogen in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in environments with frequent human contact, such as beaches and seawater used for recreational purposes. The aim of this study is to investigate whether bathing seawater and sand could serve as reservoirs for antimicrobial- resistant and clinically relevant K. pneumoniae strains. A total of 60 seawater and 54 sand samples were collected along the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy) shoreline during the bathing season. K. pneumoniae was detected at 13 seawater and 12 sand sites, mainly in areas heavily impacted by anthropogenic pollution and close to river mouths. Several strains belonged to sequence types (STs) of clinical interest, and one classified as ST348 was multidrug-resistant and harbored multiple antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). All the collected strains had ARGs in their genome, several of which were located on putative plasmids or phages, enhancing the potential for their horizontal gene transfer. This study confirms that bathing seawater and sand could contribute to the selection and spread of clinically relevant K. pneumoniae, with anthropogenic pollution influencing its presence. These environments should be recognized as important reservoirs and monitored for their potential to transmit this pathogen to humans
First report of a blaNDM-producing extensively drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST437 in Italy
No full textCarbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (CP-Kps) have recently been observed to spread rapidly worldwide. New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) producing clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) cause a significant healthcare burden, particularly in Indian sub-continent, where this clone is circulating widely. However, in Italy, data on the incidence of these new clones is limited, and an ST437 NDM-producing K. pneumoniae strain has not been reported to date. A sacral ulcer infection caused by a K. pneumoniae strain was identified in an 85-year-old Italian male patient with several comorbidities. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed an extensive resistance to a wide range of antimicrobials, including novel agents such as cefiderocol and ceftazidime/avibactam. Genomic analysis identified the pathogen as an ST437 K. pneumoniae strain harboring blaNDM-5, blaOXA-232 and blaCTX-M-15 genes. Following the identification of this first case, several infection control measures were implemented in healthcare settings, including direct precautions and reinforcement of standard cross-transmission control measures. The emergence of pathogenic microbial clones carrying new genetic determinants, particularly in a little city, requires prompt diagnosis and therapeutic protocols. An effective infection control system for the early detection and/or control of the transmission of NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae is also needed. Further investigations are required to better understand the potential transmission routes and evolution of these clones
Evaluation of Listeria monocytogenes Dissemination in a Beef Steak Tartare Production Chain
No full textThis study evaluated the diffusion of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in a beef steak tartare production chain, aiming to (1) evaluate Listeria spp. diffusion in finishing farms supplying beef cattle, (2) evaluate LM prevalence in carcasses, and (3) map LM diffusion in the production plant. A detection rate of 6/76 was observed in the farm, while carcasses after skinning and before refrigeration tested positive in 19/30 and 11/30, respectively. During tartare production, 57/154 meat and 35/191 environmental samples tested positive. A total of 114 LM isolates were characterized via a whole-genome sequencing approach. Five clonal complexes (CCs) and seven sequence types (STs) were identified, with CC9-ST580 being the most prevalent. Four clusters were identified from both the slaughtering and production phases. Genes related to resistance to fosfomycin, quinolones, sulfonamides, lincosamide, and tetracycline were detected. Two hypervirulent strains (CC6-ST6 and CC2-ST145), harboring a full-length inlA, several virulence genes, and stress islands, were detected. Stress Survival Islet 1 was found in almost all the isolates. The wide diffusion of LM in steak tartare requires the management of some critical phases of the production chain (mainly slaughtering); genomic methodologies could be useful in describing the circulation and virulence of LM strains
Genetic relationships and biofilm formation of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from the smoked salmon industry
No full textAmong pathogens, L. monocytogenes has the capability to persist on Food Processing Environment (FPE), first of all posing safety issues, then economic impact on productivity. The aim of this work was to determine the influence of biofilm forming-ability and molecular features on the persistence of 19 Listeria monocytogenes isolates obtained from FPE, raw and processed products of a cold-smoked salmon processing plant. To verify the phenotypic and genomic correlations among the isolates, different analyses were employed: serotyping, Clonal Complex (CC), core genome Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) clustering, and evaluation of the presence of virulence- and persistence-associated genes. From our results, the biofilm formation was significantly higher (*P < 0.05) at 37 °C, compared to 30 and 12 °C, suggesting a temperature-dependent behaviour. Moreover, the biofilm-forming ability showed a strain-specific trend, not correlated with CC or with strains persistence. Instead, the presence of internalin (inL), Stress Survival Islet (SSI) and resistance to erythromycin (ermC) genes was correlated with the ability to produce biofilms. Our data demonstrate that the genetic profile influences the adhesion capacity and persistence of L. monocytogenes in food processing plants and could be the result of environmental adaptation in response to the external selective pressure
Hypo- and Hyper-Virulent <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> Clones Persisting in Two Different Food Processing Plants of Central Italy
No full textA total of 66 Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) isolated from 2013 to 2018 in a small-scale meat processing plant and a dairy facility of Central Italy were studied. Whole Genome Sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to assess the genetic relationships between the strains and investigate persistence and virulence abilities. The biofilm forming-ability was assessed in vitro. Cluster analysis grouped the Lm from the meat plant into three main clusters: two of them, both belonging to CC9, persisted for years in the plant and one (CC121) was isolated in the last year of sampling. In the dairy facility, all the strains grouped in a CC2 four-year persistent cluster. All the studied strains carried multidrug efflux-pumps genetic determinants (sugE, mdrl, lde, norM, mepA). CC121 also harbored the Tn6188 specific for tolerance to Benzalkonium Chloride. Only CC9 and CC121 carried a Stress Survival Islet and presented high-level cadmium resistance genes (cadA1C1) carried by different plasmids. They showed a greater biofilm production when compared with CC2. All the CC2 carried a full-length inlA while CC9 and CC121 presented a Premature Stop Codon mutation correlated with less virulence. The hypo-virulent clones CC9 and CC121 appeared the most adapted to food-processing environments; however, even the hyper-virulent clone CC2 warningly persisted for a long time. The identification of the main mechanisms promoting Lm persistence in a specific food processing plant is important to provide recommendations to Food Business Operators (FBOs) in order to remove or reduce resident Lm
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