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The capability to produce biofilm is an important persistence and dissemination mechanism of some foodborne bacteria. This paper investigates the relationship between some molecular characteristics (SCCmec, ST, spa-type, agr-type, cna, sarA, icaA, icaD, clfA, fnbA, fnbB, hla, hlb) of 22 food-related methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and their ability to form biofilm on stainless steel and polystyrene. Five (22.7%, 5/22) strains were able to synthesize biofilm on polystyrene, and one of these (4.5%, 1/22) strains was also able to synthesize biofilm on stainless steel. The largest amount of biofilm was formed on polystyrene by 2 MRSA strains isolated from cows' milk, thus raising concern about the dairy industry. The majority of MRSA biofilm producers carried SCCmec type IVa, suggesting that the presence of SCCmecIVa and/or agr type III could be related to the ability to form biofilm. In conclusion, in order to achieve an acceptable level of food safety, Good Hygiene Practices should be strictly implemented along the food chain to reduce the risk of colonization and dissemination of MRSA biofilm-producing strains in the food industry., Practical Application: In this study, some assayed isolates of food-related MRSA demonstrated the capacity to form biofilm. Biofilm formation differed according to surface characteristics and MRSA strains. A relationship was observed between some molecular characteristics and the ability to form biofilms. Few studies have investigated the ability of MRSA to form biofilms, and the majority of these studies have investigated clinical aspects. This work was performed to investigate whether or not there is a difference between MRSA food isolates and MRSA clinical isolates in their ability to form biofilm. These initial findings could provide information that will contribute to a better understanding of these aspects., (© 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Arcobacter spp. in bovine bulk tank milk produced in Apulia Region (Italy). Samples collected from 396 dairy farms, after enrichment in a selective broth, were subjected to an Arcobacter genus - specific Real Time PCR. Positive broths, previously filtered, were seeded on Karmali, MCCD and Columbia Blood Agar plates; presumptive Arcobacter spp. colonies were identified using an amplification and sequencing method and then characterized by Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST). Prevalence of Arcobacter spp. in bovine milk samples was 5% (20/396); A. butzleri was the only isolated species, in agreement with previous studies that reported A. butzleri as the most commonly recovered species in milk and dairy products. MLST analysis of the 20 A. butzleri strains identified 81 alleles and 16 STs. Consistent with previous studies, MLST revealed a high level of heterogeneity between the A. butzleri isolates and confirmed the high discriminatory power of this method and its suitability for epidemiological investigations. This study confirmed the importance of raw milk as a possible source of Arcobacter spp. for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) are foodborne pathogens that cause outbreaks linked to consumption of meat and raw milk. In this note the authors report results obtained from a survey conducted on minced beef and raw bovine milk samples using a Multiplex PCR (M-PCR) for the detection of eae, stx 1, stx 2 and hlyA genes as a screening step followed by a colony blot hybridization (CBH) technique for the isolation of the VTEC. Of 100 minced beef and 123 raw milk samples, 13 (13%) and 7 (5.7%) were positive in the M-PCR and among these 9 and 3 strains were isolated using CBH, respectively. All isolates showed the presence of the stx 2 gene, single or in association with the other investigated genes. None of the isolates belonged to the O157, O26, O91, O103, O111 and O145 serogroups. The study showed that the use of M-PCR for the screening of samples coupled with a sensitive and specific detection technique, could improve the possibility of detection of VTEC strains in foods. Moreover, the presence of VTEC in minced beef and in raw milk confirms their important role as putative vehicles of infection to humans. Stringent control of these foodstuffs is essential for food safety purposes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]