Foodborne Clostridioides Species: Pathogenicity, Virulence and Biocontrol Options

Abstract

Clostridioides species possess many virulence factors and alarming levels of muti-drug resistance which make them a significant risk to public health safety and a causative agent of livestock disease. Clostridioides result in serious systemic and gastrointestinal diseases such as myonecrosis, colitis, food poisoning and gastroenteritis. As foodborne pathogens, Clostridioides species are associated with significant incidences of morbidity and mortality where the application of broad-spectrum antibiotics predisposes patients to virulent Clostridioides colonisation. As part of the One Health approach, there is an urgent need to eliminate the use of antibiotics in food production to safeguard animals, humans and the environment. Alternative options are warranted to control foodborne pathogens at all stages of food production. Antimicrobial peptides and bacteriophages have demonstrated efficacy against Clostridioides species and may offer antimicrobial biocontrol options. The bacteriocin nisin, for example, has been implemented as a biopreservative for the control of Listeria, Staphylococcus and Clostridia species in food. Bacteriophage preparations have also gained recognition for the antibacterial action against highly virulent bacterial species including foodborne pathogens. Studies are warranted to mitigate the formulation and administration limitations associated with the application of such antimicrobials as biocontrol strategies. This review outlines foodborne Clostridioides species, their virulence factors, and potential biocontrol options for application in food production.

Hospital Acquired Sepsis, Disease Prevalence, and Recent Advances in Sepsis Mitigation

“…Approximately 60% of primary BSIs are caused by Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogens, namely S. aureus (44.2%), MRSA (22.1%) and E. faecium (21.2%) [ 47 ]. Gram-positive C. difficile is recognised as the leading cause of HAI infective diarrhoea and community-acquired cases of colitis, promoted by its extensive drug resistance, spore-forming and toxin-producing capabilities [ 48 ]. C. difficile BSIs, however, are typically polymicrobial and associated with GNB, while C. difficile infections are associated with severe sepsis, with rates of ca.…”

Medical Device-Associated Healthcare Infections: Sterilization and the Potential of Novel Biological Approaches to Ensure Patient Safety

“…Anionic AMPs containing acidic amino acids, e.g., glutamic acid, also exist [ 70 ]. AMPs are components of the innate immune system of living organisms with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity irrespective of AMR and MDR species profiles [ 71 ]. As innate immune components, AMPs have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and tissue regeneration properties [ 72 ], implying excellent potential as biomaterial components.…”

“…Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against yeast, fungi, viruses, and bacteria [15] Biocompatibility issues to the patient [15] Effective against AMR/MDR species [71,74] Limited information on in vivo antimicrobial efficacy [15] Prevent excessive activation of pro-inflammatory by LPS toxin [81] Bacterial resistance may emerge to certain AMPs, activity of efflux pumps [74] Potent action-low concentration needed [80] Limited stability and short half-life [82] Antibiofilm activity was observed in some cationic AMPs [74] Protein and enzymatic degradation in vivo [70] Rapid onset of action [15] Difficulties in producing large quantities of AMPs [15] pH stability-varying pH ranges throughout the GIT [15] Overstimulation of the immune system may be an issue-pro-inflammatory cytokines [80] May boost the immune system of the patient [74] Influence of in vivo conditions on AMP activity needs investigating [15] Can be modified synthetically and post-translationally [15] Impact of sterilization modalities on AMPs needs investigating Self-assembly in a physiological environment [80] Low solubility [15] Antimicrobial Peptides as Surface Coatings…”