Carbon Chemist

Tag: Salmonella

  • Researchers develop handheld device for rapid bacterial detection

    Researchers develop handheld device for rapid bacterial detection

    [ad_1]

    Hear the words E. coli or salmonella and food poisoning comes to mind. Rapid detection of such bacteria is crucial in preventing outbreaks of foodborne illness. While the usual practice is to take food samples to a laboratory to see the type and quantity of bacteria that forms in a petri dish over a span of days, an Osaka Metropolitan University research team has created a handheld device for quick on-site detection.

    Led by Professor Hiroshi Shiigi of the Graduate School of Engineering, the team experimented with a biosensor that can simultaneously detect multiple disease-causing bacterial species within an hour.

    The palm-sized device for detection can be linked to a smartphone app to easily check bacterial contamination levels.”

    Professor Hiroshi Shiigi, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University

    His team synthesized organic metallic nanohybrids of gold and copper that do not interfere with each other, so that electrochemical signals can be distinguished on the same screen-printed electrode chip of the biosensor. These organic−inorganic hybrids are made up of conductive polymers and metal nanoparticles. The antibody for the specific target bacteria was then introduced into these nanohybrids to serve as electrochemical labels.

    Results confirmed that the synthesized nanohybrids functioned as efficient electrochemical labels, enabling the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple bacteria in less than an hour.

    “This technique enables rapid determination of the presence or absence of harmful bacteria prior to shipment of food and pharmaceutical products, thereby helping to quickly ensure safety at the manufacturing site,” Professor Shiigi said.

    The team aims to develop new organic metallic nanohybrids to simultaneously detect even more bacterial species.

    The findings were published in Analytical Chemistry.

    Source:

    Osaka Metropolitan University

    Journal reference:

    Itagaki, S., et al. (2024). Simultaneous Electrochemical Detection of Multiple Bacterial Species Using Metal–Organic Nanohybrids. Analytical Chemistry. doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04587.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • New study highlights the urgent need for typhoid vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa

    New study highlights the urgent need for typhoid vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa

    [ad_1]

    There is a high burden of typhoid fever in sub-Saharan African countries, according to a new study published today in The Lancet Global Health. This high burden combined with the threat of typhoid strains resistant to antibiotic treatment calls for stronger prevention strategies, including the use and implementation of typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) in endemic settings along with improvements in access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

    The findings from this 4-year study, the Severe Typhoid in Africa (SETA) program, offers new typhoid fever burden estimates from six countries: Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria, with four countries recording more than 100 cases for every 100,000 person-years of observation, which is considered a high burden. The highest incidence of typhoid was found in DRC with 315 cases per 100,000 people while children between 2-14 years of age were shown to be at highest risk across all 25 study sites.

    There are an estimated 12.5 to 16.3 million cases of typhoid every year with 140,000 deaths. However, with generic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and abdominal pain, and the need for blood culture sampling to make a definitive diagnosis, it is difficult for governments to capture the true burden of typhoid in their countries.

    “Our goal through SETA was to address these gaps in typhoid disease burden data,” said lead author Dr. Florian Marks, Deputy Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). “Our estimates indicate that introduction of TCV in endemic settings would go to lengths in protecting communities, especially school-aged children, against this potentially deadly-;but preventable-;disease.”

    In addition to disease incidence, this study also showed that the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Salmonella Typhi, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever, has led to more reliance beyond the traditional first line of antibiotic treatment. If left untreated, severe cases of the disease can lead to intestinal perforation and even death. This suggests that prevention through vaccination may play a critical role in not only protecting against typhoid fever but reducing the spread of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria.

    There are two TCVs prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and available through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. In February 2024, IVI and SK bioscience announced that a third TCV, SKYTyphoid™, also achieved WHO PQ, paving the way for public procurement and increasing the global supply.

    Alongside the SETA disease burden study, IVI has been working with colleagues in three African countries to show the real-world impact of TCV vaccination. These studies include a cluster-randomized trial in Agogo, Ghana and two effectiveness studies following mass vaccination in Kisantu, DRC and Imerintsiatosika, Madagascar.

    Through these vaccine effectiveness studies, we aim to show the full public health value of TCV in settings that are directly impacted by a high burden of typhoid fever.” He adds, “Our final objective of course is to eliminate typhoid or to at least reduce the burden to low incidence levels, and that’s what we are attempting in Fiji with an island-wide vaccination campaign.”


    Dr. Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse, Associate Director General at IVI and Head of the Real-World Evidence Department

    As more countries in typhoid endemic countries, namely in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, consider TCV in national immunization programs, these data will help inform evidence-based policy decisions around typhoid prevention and control.

    Source:

    International Vaccine Institute

    Journal reference:

    Marks, F., et al. (2024) Incidence of typhoid fever in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria (the Severe Typhoid in Africa programme): a population-based study. The Lancet Global Health. doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00007-X.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Virginia Tech food safety expert offers tips for selecting the right charcuterie meats

    Virginia Tech food safety expert offers tips for selecting the right charcuterie meats

    [ad_1]

    Whether it’s building out a big spread for the Super Bowl or planning a Valentine’s Day meal, lots of people will be heading to the store these next few weeks to stock up on food. One item many might be considering is charcuterie. A recent Salmonella outbreak linked to charcuterie meats has raised some concerns, but Virginia Tech food safety expert Katheryn Parraga-Estrada explains that not all charcuterie products are involved in this outbreak and offers tips for selecting the right meats.

    What do people need to know before buying charcuterie meats?

    If you plan on buying or consuming charcuterie, make sure that you do not buy products from the brands implicated in the recent outbreak until the recall is over. If you have these products at home, discard them and thoroughly wash and disinfect any surfaces that may have come into contact with the products. 

    For reference, the charcuterie products involved in the recent outbreak include:

    Busseto brand Charcuterie Sampler

    – Has prosciutto, sweet soppressata, and dry coppa

    – Sold at Sam’s Club

    – Comes in a twin-pack (2 x 9oz)

     – Any lot code

    Fratelli Beretta brand Antipasto Gran Beretta

    – Has black pepper coated dry salami, Italian dry salami, dry coppa, and prosciutto

    – Sold at Costco

    – Comes in a twin-pack (2 x 12oz)

    – Any lot code

    The duration of a CDC investigation varies depending on the outbreak, and it may be extended. Each time an individual reports symptoms, it takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if it is linked to an outbreak. As part of your responsibility, you will need to keep informed as additional brands may be implicated in this recall.

    How can people avoid Salmonella?

    Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals and can cause a gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. Salmonella can contaminate food or drinking water due to poor hygiene of employees who handle the food or through cross-contamination from raw products, such as poultry products to cooked or ready-to-eat products. Every year, there are about 420 deaths due to salmonellosis and about 26,500 people get hospitalized because of this bacteria. 

    People can prevent getting sick with salmonellosis by following these recommendations:

    Wash your hands properly and sanitize them after touching pets, including poultry and reptiles, which are natural carriers of Salmonella.

    • When preparing food at home, make sure to wash and sanitize surfaces that might be contaminated with Salmonella.

    • If you have children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems at home, ensure you fully cook all foods, especially meats.

    What are the symptoms of Salmonella?

    Symptoms can develop within 6 hours to 6 days after consuming the food contaminated or swallowing the bacteria. While healthy individuals typically recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days, those with weakened immune systems, children under 5 years old, and adults above 65 years old may experience more severe symptoms requiring medical treatment or hospitalization.

    If you experience these symptoms, make sure to keep hydrated by drinking fluids and getting rest. Dehydration can occur due to diarrhea; if symptoms are severe (bloody diarrhea, severe diarrhea for more than 3 days, high fever (>102 °F), vomiting, signs of dehydration), contact your doctor. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed.

    About Parraga-Estrada

    Katheryn Parraga-Estrada joined the faculty at Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center and Virginia Tech’s Department of Food Science and Technology in September of 2021. Her extension work focuses on improving the understanding and application of food safety research through education, training, and technical guidance for the production of safe and quality foods. In addition, she is an active member of the International Association of Food Protection, Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society, and Phi Tau Sigma Honor Society.

    [ad_2]

    Source link