Emerging Pathogenic Bacteria: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Foods

Abstract

Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), the cause of Johne's disease in animals, may be a causative agent of Crohn's disease (CD) in humans, but the evidence supporting this claim is controversial. Milk, meat, and water could be potential sources of MAP transmission to humans. Thus, if the link between MAP and Crohn's disease is substantiated, the fact that MAP has been detected in retail foods could be a public health concern. The purpose of the present study was to review the link between MAP and CD, the prevalence of MAP in foods, heat inactivation, control of MAP during food processing, and detection methods for MAP. Although MAP positive rates in retail milk in nine countries ranged from 0 to 2.9% by the culture method and from 4.5 to 15.5% by PCR, high temperature short time pasteurization can effectively control MAP. The effectiveness of pasteurization to inactivate MAP depends on the initial concentration of the MAP in raw milk. Development of highly sensitive and specific rapid detection methods for MAP may enhance investigation into the relationship between MAP and CD, the prevention of the spread of MAP, and problem-solving related to food safety. Collaboration and efforts by government agencies, the dairy industry, farmers, veterinarians, and scientists will be required to reduce and prevent MAP in food.

Food Safety: Emerging Pathogens

“…Despite the fact that since the first proposal of a possible link of MAP with Crohn's disease (Chiodini et al, 1984) a considerable amount of data indicating such association has been generated (Feller et al, 2007), a definitive causal relationship has yet to be established (Pistone et al, 2012). Nevertheless, the precautionary principle approach has been advocated until the role of the organism has been definitively determined (Griffiths, 2009), and potential vehicles of transmission of the organism from animals to humans include milk and dairy products as well as raw meat contaminated via feces during slaughtering (Kim and Griffiths, 2011;Skovgaard, 2007). As MAP has been isolated from both raw and pasteurized milk, the efficacy of routine pasteurization against the organism has been questioned (Greenstein and Collins, 2004;Griffiths, 2009;Skovgaard, 2007).…”

“…Additional possible means of transmission of MAP to humans include contaminated water and animal contact (Greenstein and Collins, 2004). The rising concerns regarding the putative zoonotic and foodborne transmission potential of MAP, in conjunction with the difficulties associated with the culture of this organism, render the development of rapid and sensitive methods for its detection and characterization essential (Griffiths, 2009;Kim and Griffiths, 2011;Skovgaard, 2007). Information regarding the relationship between MAP and Crohn's disease, the prevalence and survival of this emerging pathogen in foods and in the environment, as well as potential control approaches has been reviewed in detail by Griffiths (2009).…”