Recovery of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes from Nonporous Surfaces Based on Surface Sampler Type.

Surface sampling devices ranging in material composition and size can be used in environmental monitoring programs. This study aimed to compare the bacterial recovery efficiency of surface samplers on stainless steel (SS) and polypropylene (PP) surfaces. Separate cocktails of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica strains were spot inoculated (1 mL; 40 spots × 25 μL) on SS and PP surfaces at high (7 log) and low (4 log) concentrations.

Thematic Analysis of Produce Packinghouse Sanitation: Challenges and Recommendations Based on Operator and Educator Insights.

Ensuring food safety in produce packinghouses is vital for preventing foodborne illnesses and safeguarding public health. This study identifies cleaning and sanitation challenges within packinghouse environments through thematic analysis of interviews with produce safety educators (N = 21) and packinghouse operators (N = 15). Key challenges include resource limitations, knowledge gaps, outdated equipment, language barriers, and reluctance to invest in change.

In Vitro Efficacy of Foam Hand Sanitizers Against Enveloped and Non-Enveloped Viruses.

Enveloped and non-enveloped virus transmission can occur via person-to-person contact and potentially through contaminated surfaces with human hands. Establishing the efficacy of hand sanitizers, including gel and foam formats, is crucial in reducing the transmission of viruses of human health concern, yet foam hand sanitizers are generally underexplored despite being widely used. Following American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1052-20, the efficacy of foam-based hand sanitizers-one non-alcohol-based hand sanitizer and four alcohol-based hand sanitizers with benzalkonium chloride and ethanol as active ingredients, respectively-were explored using bacteriophage phi6 (Φ6) as a surrogate for enveloped viruses and bacteriophage MS2 (Emesvirus zinderi) and Tulane virus (TuV) as surrogates for non-enveloped viruses.

Product formulation and rubbing time impact the inactivation of enveloped and non-enveloped virus surrogates by foam-based hand sanitizers.

Effective hand hygiene, such as hand washing and hand sanitizer use, is crucial in reducing infectious disease transmission via the hands. The efficacy of hand washing has been well-documented; however, relatively less is known regarding foam-based hand sanitizer efficacy, which is considered an effective alternative to washing hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are recommended by both the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization when the hands are not visibly dirty or greasy.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Chemical Sanitizer Efficacy Against Biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, and STEC on Food Processing Surfaces.

Chemical sanitizers are applied to food processing surfaces to inactivate bacterial pathogens. Pathogen type, surface type along with sanitizer type, concentration, and contact time are important factors potentially impacting sanitation efficacy. Numerous studies on chemical agents and lab-generated biofilms have been published; however, cross-study comparisons can be difficult.

Epidemiology and transmission dynamics of multidrug-resistant organisms in nursing homes within the United States.

Nursing home (NH) residents in the United States routinely attend interactive visits for services such as therapy or dialysis, creating opportunities for pathogen transmission. A paucity of studies exist which delineate spread of pathogens beyond residents' in-room environment. In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 197 newly-admitted residents across three Veterans Affairs NHs to characterize multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) prevalence, acquisition, and transmission.

Optimization of An Enveloped Virus Surrogate, Bacteriophage Phi6, Recovery from Hands.

Surfaces contaminated with enveloped viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and influenza virus, can potentially spread illness via hand contact. Often, the efficacy of hand hygiene interventions relies on virus recovery from hands. However, the recovery of bacteriophage phi6 (Φ6), a recommended surrogate for enveloped viruses, from the entire hands using the ASTM E2011-21 standard has not been optimized.

Virus Association with Bacteria and Bacterial Cell Components Enhance Virus Infectivity.

The transmission and infection of enteric viruses can be influenced by co-existing bacteria within the environment and host. However, the viral binding ligands on bacteria and the underlying interaction mechanisms remain unclear. This study characterized the association of norovirus surrogate Tulane virus (TuV) and murine norovirus (MNV) as well as the human enteric virus Aichi virus (AiV) with six bacteria strains (Pantoea agglomerans, Pantoea ananatis, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter cloacae, Exiguobacterium sibiricum, Pseudomonas spp.

Impact of Storage Conditions on Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in Pre- and Post-Printed 3D Food Ink.

3D food printers (3DFPs) allow for the customization of physicochemical properties of foods in new ways. Storage conditions for food ink capsules and printed food inks have not been investigated. This study aimed to determine the impact of storage temperature, time, and method (pre- vs.

Machine Learning and Imputation to Characterize Human Norovirus Genotype Susceptibility to Sodium Hypochlorite.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the developed world and a major contributor to gastroenteritis globally. Its low infectious dose and environmental persistence necessitate effective disinfection protocols. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) bleach is a widely used disinfectant for controlling HuNoV transmission via contaminated fomites.

Utilizing Zebrafish Embryos for Replication of Tulane Virus: A Human Norovirus Surrogate.

The zebrafish larvae/embryo model has been shown to support the replication of seven strains (G1.7[P7], GII.2[P16], GII.

Improving the Detection and Understanding of Infectious Human Norovirus in Food and Water Matrices: A Review of Methods and Emerging Models.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a leading global cause of viral gastroenteritis, contributing to numerous outbreaks and illnesses annually. However, conventional cell culture systems cannot support the cultivation of infectious HuNoV, making its detection and study in food and water matrices particularly challenging. Recent advancements in HuNoV research, including the emergence of models such as human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) and zebrafish larvae/embryo, have significantly enhanced our understanding of HuNoV pathogenesis.

Functional dependence as a contributing factor for patient hand contamination by multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in acute care.

Objective: Patient hands' contribution to disease transmission in healthcare settings is an important, understudied topic. We assessed correlation between patient functional dependence and hand contamination with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in acute-care settings.

Design, Setting, And Patients: Secondary, cross-sectional analyses of 399 general medicine patients enrolled in two tertiary-care hospitals over a six-month period.

Tulane Virus Persistence and Microbial Stability in 3D Food Ink under Various Storage Conditions: A Pre- and Post-Printing Analysis.

3D food printers facilitate novel customization of the physicochemical properties of food. This study aimed to investigate the impact of storage conditions on the inactivation of the human norovirus surrogate, Tulane virus (TuV), within 3D printed foods. TuV-inoculated protein cookie food ink (∽ 4 log PFU/g) was distributed into 18 3D food printer capsules (50 g each); half immediately underwent extrusion.

Hydroponic Nutrient Solution Temperature Impacts Tulane Virus Persistence over Time.

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA), or indoor agriculture, encompasses non-traditional farming methods that occur inside climate-controlled structures (e.g., greenhouses, warehouses, high tunnels) allowing for year-round production of fresh produce such as leaf lettuce.

From bytes to bites: Advancing the food industry with three-dimensional food printing.

The rapid advancement of three-dimensional (3D) printing (i.e., a type of additive manufacturing) technology has brought about significant advances in various industries, including the food industry.

Does high school health education class satisfaction influence student perceptions of public health and pandemic response?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected high school students. Little is known about the mediators of student perceptions of infection prevention and public health entities. We piloted a survey to evaluate the relationship between student perceptions of COVID-19 topics and satisfaction with their most recent health class.

A comprehensive examination of microbial hazards and risks during indoor soilless leafy green production.

Produce grown under controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is often assumed to have a reduced risk of pathogen contamination due to the low chance of exposure to outdoor contaminant factors. However, the 2021 outbreak and numerous recalls of CEA-grown lettuce and microgreens demonstrate the possibility of pathogen introduction during indoor production when there is a failure in the implementation of food safety management systems. Indoor production of commercial leafy greens, such as lettuce and microgreens, is performed across a range of protective structures from primitive household setups to advanced and partially automatized growing systems.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) in nursing home residents: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) describes a syndrome of physical and cognitive decline that persists after acute symptoms of infection resolve. Few studies have explored PASC among nursing home (NH) residents.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two NHs in Michigan.

Cultivating Food Safety Together: Insights About the Future of Produce Safety in the U.S. Controlled Environment Agriculture Sector.

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is a rapidly growing sector that presents unique challenges and opportunities in ensuring food safety. This manuscript highlights critical gaps and needs to promote food safety in CEA systems as identified by stakeholders (n=47) at the Strategizing to Advance Future Extension andResearch (S.A.

Aqueous Ozone Efficacy for Inactivation of Foodborne Pathogens on Vegetables Used in Raw Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals.

The present study evaluates the efficacy of a batch wash ozone sanitation system (BWOSS) and spray wash ozone sanitation system (SWOSS) against Listeria monocytogenes (two strains) and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (three serovars) inoculated on the surface of carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, commonly used in raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) marketed for companion animals such as dogs and cats. Produce either remained at room temperature for 2 h or were frozen at -20°C and then tempered overnight at 4°C to mimic the preprocessing steps of a raw pet food processing operation ('freeze-temper') prior to ozone treatment.

Growing Safer Greens: Exploring Food Safety Practices and Challenges in Indoor, Soilless Production Through Thematic Analysis of Leafy Greens Grower Interviews.

Indoor, soilless production-often referred to more broadly as controlled environment agriculture (CEA)-is increasingly used for the cultivation of leafy greens. Minimal information is currently available regarding food safety practices during production and distribution of leafy greens grown within indoor, soilless environments in the United States (U.S.

Persistence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Javiana, Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria innocua in Hydroponic Nutrient Solution.

This study aimed to determine the persistence of Salmonella Javiana, Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria innocua in nonsterile, hydroponic nutrient solution (NS) at 15, 25, 30, and 37°C over a 21-day period to mimic time from seedling to mature lettuce. Bacteria were inoculated in modified Hoagland's NS at 10 CFU/mL and maintained at 15, 25, 30, and 37°C. Samples were collected at various time points, and bacteria were quantified.

Transfer rates of Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and a human norovirus surrogate impacted by macronutrient composition of food inks in 3D food printing systems.

3D food printers (3DFPs) allow for the customization of the physiochemical properties of foods in new ways. Transfer kinetics of foodborne pathogens between surfaces and food inks have not been evaluated in 3DFPs. This study aimed to determine if the macromolecular composition of food inks would impact the transfer rate of foodborne pathogens from the stainless steel food ink capsule to the 3D printed food.

Evaluating the Alignment and Quality of Microgreens Training Materials Available on the Internet: A Content Analysis.

Interest in microgreens, young, edible seedlings of a variety of vegetables, spices, and herbs, is growing worldwide. A recent national survey of the U.S.