Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Graca Pinto, Marta Sampaio, Oscar Dias, Carina Almeida, Joana Azeredo, Hugo Oliveira
Summary: This study analyzed 179 complete genomes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in terms of serotypes, prophage coding regions, and stx gene variants, revealing a high genetic diversity and the prevalence of non-O157 serotypes. Most STEC genomes contain a single stx gene, with some strains harboring two, three, or four stx genes, and stx2 being the most common variant. The study also identified four clusters, three subclusters, and one singleton of Stx phages, showing a diverse genetic structure with a strong selective pressure to maintain the location of stx genes close to lytic cassettes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nicola Mangieri, Roberto Foschino, Claudia Picozzi
Summary: The study found that using bacteriophages can effectively reduce the number of E. coli bacteria producing biofilms, thus improving food safety. Preventing biofilm formation is more effective than trying to remove pre-formed biofilms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alfred Fillol-Salom, Jakob T. Rostol, Adaeze D. Ojiogu, John Chen, Gill Douce, Suzanne Humphrey, Jose R. Penades
Summary: This study discovers a important anti-phage system in bacteria called phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs), which can be disseminated intra-and inter-generically by helper phages and provide broad immunity. Results show that phages can mobilize PICI-encoded immunity systems to use them against other mobile genetic elements, which compete with the phages for the same bacterial hosts. This finding has significant implications for phages, bacteria, and horizontal gene transfer control.
Article
Microbiology
Yujie Zhang, Yen-Te Liao, Alexandra Salvador, Vivian C. H. Wu
Summary: This study genetically characterized two Stx-converting phages induced from environmental STEC strains and found high genomic diversity among Stx-converting phages. The findings provide valuable insights into the dissemination of stx genes among E. coli population via the lysogenization of Stx-converting phages.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Scott T. Henderson, Pallavi Singh, David Knupp, David W. Lacher, Galeb S. Abu-Ali, James T. Rudrik, Shannon D. Manning
Summary: In this study, PCR assays were used to examine the occupancy of Shiga toxin prophages in different loci among 346 E. coli O157 strains, revealing variations in occupancy profiles among different clades. Strains belonging to clade 8 were found to have unique prophage occupancy profiles that could impact toxin expression, providing insights into the complexity of prophage integration and its implications on virulence.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lin Walker, Shengqian Sun, Harshavardhan Thippareddi
Summary: The aim of this study was to compare the growth of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) with E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef and modified Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB). Three available models (ComBase, Huang et al. model, and Cepeda et al. model) for predicting STEC growth in ground beef were evaluated. The study found that the growth of non-O157 STEC was similar to that of E. coli O157: H7, indicating that growth models for E. coli O157:H7 can be used to predict the growth of non-O157 STEC. Among the three models tested, the Cepeda et al. model accurately predicted STEC growth in ground beef and is considered a conservative growth model for STEC in commercial ground beef products.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Silje N. Ramstad, Yngvild Wasteson, Bjorn-Arne Lindstedt, Arne M. Taxt, Jorgen Bjornholt, Lin T. Brandal, Jon Bohlin
Summary: This study characterized the Stx2a phages associated with Norwegian O145:H25 STEC strains, revealing high similarity with phages from STEC related to HUS cases in the USA and Japan, highlighting their potential impact on pathogenicity.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Daniel A. Unruh, Bennett C. Uhl, Randall K. Phebus, Sara E. Gragg
Summary: This study simulated meat processing conditions to measure STEC attachment to adipose and lean beef tissue, revealing differences in attachment patterns on different types of tissue.
Article
Microbiology
Graca Pinto, Scott A. Minnich, Carolyn J. Hovde, Hugo Oliveira, Hauke Smidt, Carina Almeida, Joana Azeredo
Summary: The study found that the new lytic phage Ace is effective in controlling foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli and does not stimulate Shiga toxin production. While a single dose does not lead to the selection of resistant mutants, they may emerge after reintroduction, with lower virulence and increased sensitivity to human serum complement. The biofilm formation capacity and susceptibility to disinfectants of the resistant mutants were found to be equal to the wild-type strain.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria de los Angeles Rey, Mariana Cap, Leonardo Cristian Favre, Anabel Rodriguez Racca, Maria Jose Dus Santos, Sergio R. Vaudagna, Marina Mozgovoj
Summary: The study demonstrates that PMA-qPCR can detect and quantify viable STEC cells in beef burgers, even in the presence of a high concentration of non-viable cells. This methodology can help assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments in reducing STEC contamination in meat products.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ghizlane Gaougaou, Antony T. Vincent, Kateryna Krylova, Hajer Habouria, Hicham Bessaiah, Amina Baraketi, Frederic J. Veyrier, Charles M. Dozois, Eric Deziel, Monique Lacroix
Summary: We evolved clones of EHEC O157:H7 strain EDL933 resistant to a lethal dose of gamma irradiation by repeatedly exposing bacterial cells to irradiation. The adaptive selection involved modifications in the bacterial genome, including deletion of prophages CP-933V and BP-933W, resulting in loss of stx(1) and stx(2), loss of cytotoxicity to epithelial cells, and decreased resistance to acidity. This adaptation could potentially lead to a substantial attenuation of virulence.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rebecca L. Lindsey, Arjun Prasad, Michael Feldgarden, Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona, Curtis Kapsak, William Klimke, Angela Melton-Celsa, Peyton Smith, Alexandre Souvorov, Jenny Truong, Flemming Scheutz
Summary: Sharing genome sequences allows for the detection of novel gene subtypes and the development of improved detection methods. In this study, publicly available WGS data was used to identify a new Stx subtype in E. coli strains isolated in the USA, as well as other Stx2 subtypes. Analysis of the genome sequences and phage insertion sites revealed variability among different subtypes and their toxicity to cells.
Article
Food Science & Technology
John B. Luchansky, Laura E. Shane, Manuela Osoria, Bryan T. Vinyard, Bradley A. Shoyer, Stephen G. Campano, Anna C. S. Porto-Fett
Summary: Cells of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., or Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were inoculated onto slices of all-beef soppressata. Storage of the inoculated soppressata at 4°C or 20°C for 90 days resulted in reductions of all three pathogens. Recovery of the pathogens was more frequent from slices stored at 4°C compared to 20°C.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Amparo Eccona Sota, Mariana Cap, Anabel Rodriguez, Natalia Szerman, Francisco Speroni, Sergio R. Vaudagna
Summary: This study demonstrated that the salt content and pressure levels in beef patty formulations have an impact on the inactivation of STEC. Beef patties with 1% salt content showed higher reductions in STEC, whereas patties with 10% and 20% fat content had similar STEC inactivation effects. After HPP treatment, the spoilage microbiota counts were below detection limit, regardless of the formulation.
FOOD AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Anouschka Den Ouden, David R. Greig, Ella V. Rodwell, Francesco Tripodo, Israel Olonade, Craig Swift, Claire Jenkins
Summary: This study analyzed clinical outcomes and genome-sequencing data of STEC encoding-stx2f infections in England to assess the risk to public health. The results showed that STEC harboring stx2f can cause severe clinical outcomes, including STEC-HUS. Therefore, it is recommended to strengthen the collection and sharing of microbiological and epidemiological data and further study the animal and environmental reservoirs and transmission routes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lidia Perea, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Juan C. Nieto, Carlos Zamora, Elisabet Canto, German Soriano, Maria Poca, Pedro Blanco-Picazo, Ferran Navarro, Maite Muniesa, Silvia Vidal
Summary: This study found that butanol-purified bacteriophages can alter the phenotype and cytokine production of monocytes, making them tolerogenic.
EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Grzegorz Wegrzyn, Maite Muniesa
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Nadja Haarmann, Maike Schwidder, Maite Muniesa, Herbert Schmidt
Summary: Shiga toxins are encoded in the genome of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and released into the environment by lambdoid bacteriophages. Pathogenic STEC bacteria may also contain prophages carrying foreign genes related to virulence.
Article
Biology
Jose F. Delgado-Blas, Cristina M. Ovejero, Sophia David, Natalia Montero, William Calero-Caceres, M. Pilar Garcillan-Barcia, Fernando de la Cruz, Maite Muniesa, David M. Aanensen, Bruno Gonzalez-Zorn
Summary: The study found that bacteria in wastewater are more resistant to antibiotics and primarily adapt through a diverse set of plasmids, whereas bacteria in rivers mainly adapt through chromosomal changes.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Daniel Toribio-Avedillo, Anicet R. Blanch, Maite Muniesa, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio
Summary: Bacteriophages are promising tools for detecting fecal pollution and viral pathogen risk assessment in various environments, serving as alternatives or supplements to fecal indicator bacteria. Methods for their detection and enumeration are available, along with regulations for their application.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pedro Blanco-Picazo, Clara Gomez-Gomez, Sara Morales-Cortes, Maite Muniesa, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio
Summary: This study analyzed phages and phage particles containing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in five dairy products purchased from local retailers in Barcelona. The experiment identified phages that can infect Escherichia coli and revealed the morphologies of the phage particles. The results indicate that dairy products may serve as a potential source of antibiotic resistance genes that can be transmitted to susceptible hosts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier Mendez, Cristina Garcia-Aljaro, Maite Muniesa, Miriam Pascual-Benito, Elisenda Balleste, Pere Lopez, Antonio Monleon, Anicet R. Blanch, Francisco Lucena
Summary: A statistical framework was developed in this study for microbial source tracking (MST) using Monte Carlo simulations and non-linear regression. The model, based on parameters such as somatic coliphages and human host-specific bacteriophages, could accurately classify fecal pollution sources in water. Increasing the analyzed volume sample can reduce the threshold concentration of MST markers, making the model applicable in practical cases.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pedro Blanco-Picazo, Clara Gomez-Gomez, Marc Tormo, Maria Dolores Ramos-Barbero, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Maite Muniesa
Summary: This study analyzed viral sequences from different types of food samples and found antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in these viral sequences, suggesting that the transmission of resistance by phage particles may contribute to the emergence of resistant strains along the food chain.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pedro Blanco-Picazo, Clara Gomez-Gomez, Sergi Aguilo-Castillo, Dietmar Fernandez-Orth, Marta Cerda-Cuellar, Maite Muniesa, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio
Summary: Poultry meat production is a significant agricultural industry worldwide. The use of antibiotics in intensive chicken farming has led to the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Chicken liver, which is closely related to the intestinal tract, has been found to be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. This study detected bacteria and phages in chicken livers, including those dissected under sterile conditions. The phages were able to infect Escherichia coli and carried antibiotic resistance genes. These findings suggest that phages, like bacteria, can potentially contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Roberto Vazquez, Roberto Diez-Martinez, Pilar Domingo-Calap, Pedro Garcia, Diana Gutierrez, Maite Muniesa, Maria Ruiz-Ruigomez, Rafael Sanjuan, Maria Tomas, Maria Angeles Tormo-Mas, Pilar Garcia
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge for humanity, and phage therapy is being considered as an alternative to antibiotics. However, the development of antibiotics hindered the wide application of phage therapy in the West. Nevertheless, due to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, phage therapy is experiencing a revival, and some countries are adopting regulations to promote its short-term implementation in clinical practice. The Phage Therapy Work Group from FAGOMA in Spain has contacted the Spanish Drugs and Medical Devices Agency to advocate for the regulation of phage therapy in the country.
Article
Ecology
Pedro Blanco-Picazo, Sara Morales-Cortes, Maria Dolores Ramos-Barbero, Cristina Garcia-Aljaro, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Maite Muniesa
Summary: This study investigated whether viral particles in food could carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and found that these genes did exist in the viral particles, while outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and non-packaged bacterial DNA did not serve as carriers for these genes.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Herbert Schmidt, Maite Muniesa
Article
Ecology
Pablo Quiros, Laura Sala-Comorera, Clara Gomez-Gomez, Maria Dolores Ramos-Barbero, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Gloria Vique, Tula Yance-Chavez, Sergio Atares, Sandra Garcia-Gutierrez, Sonia Garcia-Marco, Antonio Vallejo, Ignasi Salaet, Maite Muniesa
Summary: This study reports the isolation of the first phage infecting some Nitrosomonas species. The phage was found to inhibit bacterial growth and reduce NH4+ consumption, suggesting its potential as a biocontrol agent for nitrification inhibition without the use of chemical inhibitors.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Toribio-Avedillo, Clara Gomez-Gomez, Laura Sala-Comorera, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Albert Carcereny, David Garcia-Pedemonte, Rosa Maria Pinto, Susana Guix, Belen Galofre, Albert Bosch, Susana Merino, Maite Muniesa
Summary: Wastewater-based surveillance is a valuable tool for monitoring viral circulation and serving as an early warning system. This study conducted a 15-month weekly sampling campaign in two wastewater treatment plants in Barcelona, Spain, and found the presence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in wastewater. The data obtained from wastewater surveillance provided new information on the abundance of respiratory viruses in the Barcelona area and correlated favorably with clinical data.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Dolores Ramos-Barbero, Clara Gomez-Gomez, Laura Sala-Comorera, Lorena Rodriguez-Rubio, Sara Morales-Cortes, Elena Mendoza-Barbera, Gloria Vique, Daniel Toribio-Avedillo, Anicet R. Blanch, Elisenda Balleste, Cristina Garcia-Aljaro, Maite Muniesa
Summary: In this study, 25 new crAss-like phages (termed crAssBcn) infecting Bacteroides intestinalis were isolated and genetically characterized, showing their wide distribution in fecal samples from people around the globe.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
