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Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 99

  1. QsvR and OpaR coordinately regulate the transcription of cpsS and cpsR in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis, has a strong capacity to form biofilms on surfaces, which is strictly regulated by the CpsS–CpsR–CpsQ regulatory cascade. OpaR, a master regulator of quorum sensing, is a global regulator that controls multiple cellular pathways including biofilm formation and virulence. QsvR is an AraC-type regulator that works coordinately with OpaR to control biofilm formation and virulence gene expression of V.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  2. A mutation in the putative CRP binding site of the dctA promoter of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium enables growth with low orotate concentrations

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli use the inner membrane transporter DctA to import the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway intermediate orotate from the environment. To study the regulation of dctA expression, we used an S. enterica serovar Typhimurium pyrimidine auxotroph to select a mutant that could grow in an otherwise nonpermissive culture medium containing glucose and a low concentration of orotate.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  3. Effects of litter from antimicrobial-fed broiler chickens on soil bacterial community structure and diversity

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • This study examined changes in soil bacterial community composition and diversity in response to fertilization with litter from chickens fed a diet without antibiotics and with bambermycin, penicillin, bacitracin, salinomycin, or mix of salinomycin and bacitracin. Litter (27.5 T/ha) was applied to 24 agricultural plots in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Nonfertilized plots were used as a negative control.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium perfringens
  4. The effect of Escherichia coli ŽP strain with a conjugation-based colicin E7 delivery on growth performance, hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters, gut microbiota, and nonspecific immunity of broilers

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • The Escherichia coli ŽP strain (ŽP) was constructed based on the known probiotic E. coli strain Nissle 1917. It was genetically modified to carry the colicin E7 synthesis gene encoding DNase on a conjugative plasmid and the colicin E7 immunity gene in the chromosome.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  5. Inhibitory relationships of resident bacteria isolated from the mantle fluids of Crassostrea virginica

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Thirteen aerobic, halotolerant marine bacterial strains were isolated from the mantle fluids and associated mucus of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica harvested from the highly impacted Black Rock Harbor in western Long Island Sound. All isolated strains were Gram negative and had previously been identified using 16S RNA gene sequence analysis.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  6. Chitin degradation and its effect on natural transformation: a systematic genetic study in Vibrio parahaemolyticus

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • The degradation of polymeric chitin by chitinase liberates soluble N-acetyl glucosamine oligosaccharides (GlcNAcn≥2), a source of nutrition that can also induce a state of natural genetic competence in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This analysis revealed that among seven predicted chitinases, the synergistic action of VPA0055 (ChiA2), VP0619 (ChiB), and VPA0832 (Cdx) were essential for the robust growth and high transformation frequency on chitin.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  7. The cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) controls expression of the ferric uptake regulator (Fur) in Yersinia pestis

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is one of the most dangerous pathogens in the world. Both the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) and ferric uptake regulator (Fur) are global regulators that control the expression of a great deal of genes involved in a variety of cellular functions in Y. pestis.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Yersinia
  8. A duplex real-time NASBA assay targeting a serotype-specific gene for rapid detection of viable Salmonella Paratyphi C in retail foods of animal origin

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi C is highly adapted to humans and can cause a typhoid-like disease with high mortality rates. In this study, three serovar-specific genes were identified by comparative genomics for Salmonella Paratyphi C, SPC_0871, SPC_0872, and SPC_0908.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  9. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of viable but non-culturable Vibrio cholerae O1

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Vibrio cholerae, an important waterborne pathogen, is a rod-shaped bacterium that naturally exists in aquatic environments. When conditions are unfavorable for growth, the bacterium can undergo morphological and physiological changes to assume a coccoid morphology. This stage in its life cycle is referred to as viable but non-culturable (VBNC) because VBNC cells do not grow on conventional bacteriological culture media.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  10. LuxS modulates motility and secretion of extracellular protease in fish pathogen Vibrio harveyi

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Vibrio harveyi can cause infections and diseases in a variety of marine vertebrates and invertebrates, which are harmful to the aquaculture industry. The LuxS quorum-sensing system regulates the expression of virulence factors in a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, an in-frame deletion of the luxS gene was constructed to reveal the role of LuxS in the physiology and virulence of V. harveyi.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  11. Investigation of phage and molasses interactions for the biocontrol of E. coli O157:H7

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Resistance to antibiotics is one of the most critical health problems in the world. Therefore, finding new treatment methods to be used as alternatives to antibiotics has become a priority for researchers. Similar to phages, certain products containing antimicrobial components, such as molasses, are widely used to eliminate resistant bacteria.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
      • Escherichia coli O157:H7
  12. A naturally occurring point mutation in the hyaluronidase gene (hysA1) of Staphylococcus aureus UAMS-1 results in reduced enzymatic activity

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Hyaluronic acid is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide that is widely distributed in animal tissues. Bacterial hyaluronidases degrade hyaluronic acid as secreted enzymes and have been shown to contribute to infection. Staphylococcus aureus UAMS-1 is a clinical isolate that codes for two hyaluronidases (hysA1 and hysA2). Previous research has shown the presence of a full-length HysA1 protein from the S. aureus UAMS-1 strain with no evidence of enzymatic activity.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  13. A review of antimicrobial resistance in imported foods

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious threats to medical science. Food supply is recognized as a potential source of resistant bacteria, leading to the development of surveillance programs targeting primarily poultry, pork, and beef.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
      • Salmonella
  14. Aerobic polychlorinated biphenyl-degrading bacteria isolated from the Tohoku region of Japan are not regionally endemic

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • In the Tohoku region of Japan, 72% of the land comprises mountain forest zones. During winter, severe climatic conditions include heavy snowfall. In such an environment, which is considered high in biodiversity, we assumed that aerobic bacteria would be diverse and would possess the ability to degrade polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this study, 78 environmental samples were collected from the Tohoku region and 56 aerobic PCB-degrading bacterial strains were isolated.

      • Chemical contaminants
  15. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of viable but non-culturable Vibrio cholerae O1

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Vibrio cholerae, an important waterborne pathogen, is a rod-shaped bacterium that naturally exists in aquatic environments. When conditions are unfavorable for growth, the bacterium can undergo morphological and physiological changes to assume a coccoid morphology. This stage in its life cycle is referred to as viable but non-culturable (VBNC) because VBNC cells do not grow on conventional bacteriological culture media.

      • Vibrio
      • Bacterial pathogens
  16. Deletion of the type IV secretion system promoter VirB in Brucella abortus A19 strain attenuated the virulence of the bacteria and promotes autophagy

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Brucella abortus is a gram-negative intracellular parasite bacteria that causes serious health hazards in humans and animals. The type IV secretion system (T4SS), encoded by the virB promoter, has been identified as an important virulence factor for Brucella abortus, but its impact on Brucella abortus A19 remains unclear. In this study, the T4SS of Brucella abortus A19 was inactivated by deletion of the virB promoter, resulting in a mutant strain A19ΔvirB.

      • Bacterial pathogens
  17. Metallo-beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in the sewage of Mexico City: where do they come from?

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • While monitoring the presence of antibiotic resistance in municipal wastewater bacteria from Mexico City, five Escherichia coli isolates were found to be resistant to carbapenems, antibiotics of “last resort” used mostly in hospitals. Further analysis revealed that these carbapenem-resistant isolates carried the gene encoding a metallo-beta-lactamase, NDM-5.

      • Bacterial pathogens
  18. A review of antimicrobial resistance in imported foods

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious threats to medical science. Food supply is recognized as a potential source of resistant bacteria, leading to the development of surveillance programs targeting primarily poultry, pork, and beef.

      • Campylobacter
      • Salmonella
      • Bacterial pathogens
  19. Investigation of phage and molasses interactions for the biocontrol of E. coli O157:H7

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Resistance to antibiotics is one of the most critical health problems in the world. Therefore, finding new treatment methods to be used as alternatives to antibiotics has become a priority for researchers. Similar to phages, certain products containing antimicrobial components, such as molasses, are widely used to eliminate resistant bacteria.

      • Escherichia coli O157:H7
      • Bacterial pathogens
  20. Identification of plasmids from Brazilian Chromobacterium violaceum strains

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Chromobacterium violaceum is an opportunistic pathogen found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Chromobacterium violaceum infections are difficult to treat, and many strains are resistant to antibiotics. Recently, a novel plasmid (pChV1) was discovered in the type strain ATCC 12472, suggesting that other C. violaceum strains may harbor extra-chromosomal DNA. The aim of the present study was to detect and compare new plasmids in Brazilian strains of C.

  21. Recombinant R2-pyocin cream is effective in treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wounds

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, is one of the major species isolated from infected chronic wounds. The multidrug resistance exhibited by P. aeruginosa and its ability to form biofilms that are difficult to eradicate, along with the rising cost of producing new antibiotics, has necessitated the search for alternatives to standard antibiotics. Pyocins are antimicrobial compounds produced by P. aeruginosa that protect themselves from their competitors.

      • Produce Safety
      • Ethylene Sensitive
  22. Null mutation in sspA of Cronobacter sakazakii influences its tolerance to environmental stress

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Cronobacter sakazakii is a known foodborne opportunistic pathogen that can affect the intestinal health of infants. Despite undergoing complex manufacturing processes and low water concentration in the finished product, infant formula has been associated with Cronobacter infections, suggesting that the pathogenicity of C. sakazakii may be related to its tolerance to stress.

      • Cronobacter
      • Bacterial pathogens
  23. Pharmacophore-based screening and modification of amiloride analogs for targeting the NhaP-type cation-proton antiporter in Vibrio cholerae

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • The genome of Vibrio cholerae contains three structural genes for the NhaP-type cation-proton antiporter paralogues, Vc-NhaP1, Vc-NhaP2, and Vc-NhaP3, mediating exchange of K+ and or Na+ for protons across the membrane.

      • Vibrio
      • Antibiotic residues
      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Chemical contaminants
  24. Comparative prevalence and diversity of Campylobacter jejuni strains in water and human beings over a 1-year period in southwestern Alberta, Canada

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from diarrheic people, river water (Oldman River watershed), wastewater, and drinking water over a 1-year period in southwestern Alberta (2008–2009). High rates of campylobacteriosis were observed during the study period (≥115 cases/100 K). Infections occurred throughout the year, with peaks in late summer and early autumn. Most infections occurred in people living in Lethbridge. Campylobacter jejuni was not isolated from municipal drinking water.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  25. Morphological changes and bioaccumulation in response to cadmium exposure in Morchella spongiola, a fungus with potential for detoxification

    • Canadian Journal of Microbiology
    • Morchella is a genus of edible fungi with strong resistance to cadmium (Cd) and the ability to accumulate it in its mycelia. However, the mechanisms underlying Cd resistance in Morchella remain unknown. In the present study, morphological and physiological responses to Cd were evaluated in the mycelia of Morchella spongiola.

      • Heavy Metals
      • Chemical contaminants