Occurrence and characterization of <em>Arcobacter</em> spp. from ready-to-eat vegetables produced in Southern Italy

Abstract

Given that the number of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables has been widely documented and considering that data on the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. in such foodstuffs are lacking, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Arcobacter spp. and the occurrence of virulence factors as well as to genotype Arcobacter spp. in ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable samples, using cultural and biomolecular assays. Arcobacter spp. was detected in 16/110 (14.5%) samples, with A. butzleri being detected in 15/16 and A. cryaerophilus in 1/16 isolates. PCRs aimed at the nine putative virulence genes demonstrated widespread distribution of such genes among A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. In addition, multilocus sequence type (MLST) analysis revealed a low genetic diversity within the arcobacters isolates. The results underline the need to develop an appropriate surveillance system based on biomolecular characterization for an integrated microbiological risk assessment of ready-toeat vegetables, and consequently of composite foods.

Genetic characteristics, antimicrobial resistance, and prevalence of Arcobacter spp. isolated from various sources in Shenzhen, China

“…Jasim et al (2021) reported that (120/1,293) the prevalence of positive beef samples in Iraq was 9.25%, which was lower than that in the present study. Mottola et al (2021) reported that its prevalence in ready-to-eat vegetables was 14.5% (16/110), which was lower than that in the present…”

“…Jasim et al ( 2021 ) reported that (120/1,293) the prevalence of positive beef samples in Iraq was 9.25%, which was lower than that in the present study. Mottola et al ( 2021 ) reported that its prevalence in ready-to-eat vegetables was 14.5% (16/110), which was lower than that in the present study. Zhang et al ( 2019 ) reported that the contamination rate for seafood was 17.6% (56/318), which was lower than that reported here.…”

“…The prevalence of Arcobacter in broiler chickens was reported as 26.0% (26/100) in Iran (Khodamoradi and Abiri, 2020 ), 55.7% (54/97) in the south of Chile (Vidal-Veuthey et al, 2021 ), and 73.33% (44/60) in Beijing, China (Wang et al, 2016 ). Moreover, Arcobacter is also found in beef, pork, vegetables, and seafood (Mottola et al, 2016 , 2021 ; Córdoba-Calderón et al, 2017 ; Kim et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2019 ; Jasim et al, 2021 ), which represent possible transmission sources to humans. However, there have been a few reports regarding Arcobacter isolated from various sources in China.…”

Variations in Bacterial Communities and Antibiotic Resistance Genes Across Diverse Recycled and Surface Water Irrigation Sources in the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest United States: A CONSERVE Two-Year Field Study

“…Other Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens observed in our study, including A. hydrophilia , A. veronii , and A. cryaerophilus , have been occasionally isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables and have been responsible for foodborne illnesses. − Aeromonas spp. are ubiquitous in nature and have been detected globally in a broad range of foods and water sources (surface, ground, and mineral bottle water). , To date, there have been no foodborne outbreaks related to Aeromonas in the U.S., but a study by Zhang et al found that A. hydrophilia was the causative agent for a foodborne outbreak (associated with salads) in a college in China .…”

“…Other Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens observed in our study, including A. hydrophilia , A. veronii , and A. cryaerophilus , have been occasionally isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables and have been responsible for foodborne illnesses. 70 − 73 Aeromonas spp. are ubiquitous in nature and have been detected globally in a broad range of foods and water sources (surface, ground, and mineral bottle water).…”