Search

Introduction There have been few attempts to provide comprehensive, consistent and comparable estimates of the burden of acute foodborne diseases. (1) In 2006, however, the World Health Organization (WHO) set [...], Objective To assess the burden posed by foodborne diseases in Japan using methods developed by the World Health Organization's Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG). Methods Expert consultation and statistics on food poisoning during 2011 were used to identify three common causes of foodborne disease in Japan: Campylobacter and Salmonella species and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichiacoli (EHEC). We conducted systematic reviews of English and Japanese literature on the complications caused by these pathogens, by searching Embase, the Japan medical society abstract database and Medline. We estimated the annual incidence of acute gastroenteritis from reported surveillance data, based on estimated probabilities that an affected person would visit a physician and have gastroenteritis confirmed. We then calculated disability- adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost in 2011, using the incidence estimates along with disability weights derived from published studies. Findings In 2011, foodborne disease caused by Campylobacter species, Salmonella species and EHEC led to an estimated loss of 6099, 3145 and 463 DALYs in Japan, respectively. These estimated burdens are based on the pyramid reconstruction method; are largely due to morbidity rather than mortality; and are much higher than those indicated by routine surveillance data. Conclusion Routine surveillance data may indicate foodborne disease burdens that are much lower than the true values. Most of the burden posed by foodborne disease in Japan comes from secondary complications. The tools developed by FERG appear useful in estimating disease burdens and setting priorities in the field of food safety. Objectif Evaluer la charge des maladies d'origine alimentaire au Japon, a l'aide de methodes developpees par le Groupe de travail de reference de l'OMS sur l'epidemiologie des maladies d'origine alimentaire (FERG). Methodes Des avis d'experts et des statistiques sur les intoxications alimentaires pour l'annee 2011 ont ete utilises pour identifier les trois principales causes des maladies d'origine alimentaire au Japon: a savoir les especes Campylobacter, Salmonella et Escherichia coli enterohemorragique (ECEH). Nous avons procede a des revues systematiques de la litterature anglaise et japonaise sur les complications causees par ces agents pathogenes, en faisant des recherches dans Embase (base de donnees bibliographiques de la societe medicale du Japon) et Medline. Nous avons evalue l'incidence annuelle de la gastroenterite aigue a partir des donnees de surveillance disponibles, sur la base des probabilites estimees qu'une personne affectee ira consulter un medecin et sera diagnostiquee comme souffrant de gastro-enterite. Nous avons ensuite calcule les AVCI (annees de vie corrigees du facteur incapacite) perdues en 2011, en utilisant les evaluations d'incidence ainsi que les coefficients de ponderation de l'incapacite tires des etudes publiees. Resultats En 2011, au Japon, les maladies d'origine alimentaire causees par les especes Campylobacter, Salmonella et ECEH ont respectivement entraine une perte estimee a 6099, 3 145 et 463 AVCI. Ces charges estimees sont fondees sur la methode de reconstruction de la pyramide de surveillance. Elles sont largement liees a la morbidite--plutot qua la mortalite--et sont tres superieures a celles indiquees par les donnees de surveillance de routine. Conclusion Il est possible que les donnees de surveillance de routine refletent des chiffres largement inferieurs a la realite. La charge des maladies d'origine alimentaire au Japon est principalement liee a leurs complications secondaires. Les outils developpes par le FERG semblent etre utiles pour evaluer les charges des maladies et definir les priorites en matiere de securite sanitaire des aliments. Objetivo Evaluar la carga que plantean las enfermedades de transmision alimentaria en Japon mediante la utilizacion de metodos desarrollados por el Grupo de Referencia sobre Epidemiologia de la Carga de Enfermedades de Transmision Alimentaria (FERG) de la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud. Metodos Se utilizaron consultas de expertos y estadisticas en intoxicacion alimentaria durante 2011 para identificar tres causas comunes en las enfermedades de transmision alimentaria en Japon: las bacterias Campylobacter, Salmonella y E. coli enterohemorragica (EHEC). Se llevaron a cabo revisiones sistematicas de bibliografia inglesa y japonesa sobre las complicaciones causadas por estos patogenos buscando en Em base, la base de datos de la sociedad medica japonesa, y Medline. Se estimo la incidencia anual de gastroenteritis aguda de los datos de vigilancia Informados, en base a probabilidades estimadas de que una persona afectada acudiria a un medico y se le confirmaria la gastroenteritis. Entonces se calcularon los anos de vida ajustados en funcion de la discapacidad (AVAD) perdidos en 2011, utilizando los calculos de incidencia junto con los pesos de la discapacidad derivados de estudios publicados. Resultados En 2011, las enfermedades de transmision alimentaria causadas por las haneuas Campylobacter. Salmonella y EHEC condujeron a una perdida de 6.099, 3.145 y 363 AVAD, respectivamente. Estas cargas estimadas estan basadas en el metodo de reconstruccion de la piramide de vigilancia, se deben en gran parte a la morbilidad mas que a la mortalidad y son mucho mas altas que aquellas indicadas por los datos obtenidos a partir de la vigilancia rutinaria. Conclusion Los datos de la vigilancia rutinaria pueden indicar que las cargas de enfermedades de transmision alimentaria son mucho mas bajas que los valores reales. La mayoria de la carga que plantean las enfermedades de transmision alimentaria en Japon proviene de complicaciones secundarias. Las herramientas desarrolladas por el FERG parecen utiles a la hora de estimar las cargas de enfermedades y de configurar prioridades en el area de la seguridad alimentaria. more...

Providencia alcalifaciensis a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family that occasionally causes diarrheagenic illness in humans via the intake of contaminated foods. Despite the epidemiological importance ofP. alcalifaciens, little is known about its pathobiology. Here we report thatP. alcalifacienscauses barrier dysfunction in Caco-2 cell monolayers and induces apoptosis in calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells.P. alcalifaciensinfection caused a 30% reduction in transepithelial resistance in Caco-2 cell monolayers, which was greater than that for cells infected withShigella flexnerior non-pathogenicEscherichia coli. As with viable bacteria, bacterial lysates treated with heat, benzonase or proteinase, but not with polymixin B, were also involved in the cellular response. TLR4 antibody neutralisation significantly restored theP. alcalifaciens-induced transepithelial resistance reduction in Caco-2 cells, suggesting that lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) might play a central role in this cellular response. Western blotting further indicated thatP. alcalifaciensLPSs reduced occludin levels, whereas LPSs fromShigellaorE. colidid not. Although the viability of Caco-2 cells was not altered significantly, the calf pulmonary artery endothelial cell line was highly sensitive toP. alcalifaciensinfection. This sensitivity was indeed dependent on LPS, which induced rapid apoptosis. Together, these data show thatP. alcalifaciensLPSs participate in epithelial barrier dysfunction and endothelial apoptosis. The findings give insight into the LPS-dependent cell signal events affecting diarrheagenicity during infection withP. alcalifaciens. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] more...

The protective role of intestinal flora against enteric infection is well known. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the major causes of human enteritis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the composition of infant intestinal microbiota which prevents E. coli O157:H7 infection in hosts. We inoculated human infant faeces into germ-free mice and produced baby-flora-associated (BFA) mice. The ability of the intestinal bacteria of BFA mice to eliminate E. coli O157:H7 was examined using gnotobiotic mice. Two groups of BFA (BFA-3 and BFA-4) mice showed different responses to E. coli O157:H7 infection. Orally challenged E. coli O157:H7 was eliminated from BFA-3 mice, whereas BFA-4 mice became carriers of E. coli O157:H7. There were remarkable differences in the composition of faecal flora between BFA-3 and BFA-4 mice, especially Bifidobacterium and Clostridium species. Using gnotobiotic mice, we found that enterobacteriaceae of BFA-3 mice are indispensable for the elimination. Enterococci and bifidobacteria appeared to support the protective function of enterobacteriaceae. The combination of aerobes from BFA-4 mice and bifidobacteria from BFA-3 mice instead of anaerobes from BFA-4 mice was capable of eliminating E. coli O157:H7. Enterobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium species which are peculiar to human infants were important members of the microbiota to eliminate E. coli O157:H7 from their intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Chicken meat is a major source of foodborne salmonellosis. In Japan, fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins are the first- and second-choice treatments for Salmonella gastroenteritis, respectively. We investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in 154 chicken meat products from Hokkaido (42), Tohoku (45), Kanto (5), and Kyushu (62), Japan. Salmonella was isolated from 133 products (86.4%). High resistance rates were observed for streptomycin (56.5%), tetracycline (50.7%), and kanamycin (47.8%), while all isolates were susceptible to cefazolin, cefotaxime, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, colistin, and chloramphenicol. The most common serovar, Salmonella Schwarzengrund (83.3%), showed clear regional differences in multidrug resistance: 100% in Kyushu, 41.5% in Tohoku, and 0% in Hokkaido. These findings highlight significant geographical variation in antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella Schwarzengrund isolates. more...

Chicken is a potent source of Salmonella infection in humans. Occasionally, patients with severe Salmonella enteritis require antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobials are used to prevent and treat bacterial infections in broiler and breeder farms. Herein, we investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in 337 vacuum-packed chicken breast products manufactured in Japan between June and December 2021. Salmonella was isolated from 287 samples (85.2%). Among the products from Eastern Japan, the lowest Salmonella prevalence was observed in those processed in September (65.6%), which was significantly ( p < 0.05) lower than that in November or December. Among the products from Western Japan, the lowest Salmonella prevalence was observed in those processed in August (61.9%), which was significantly ( p < 0.05) lower than that in June, November, and December. The most frequent serovar was Salmonella Schwarzengrund (223 isolates), followed by S. Infantis (53 isolates), S. Manhattan (9 isolates), and S. Enteritidis (1 isolate). High rates of antimicrobial resistance were observed for streptomycin (64.5%), kanamycin (50.2%), tetracycline (65.2%), nalidixic acid (11.5%), and trimethoprim (35.9%). Resistance rates against these five antimicrobials in S . Schwarzengrund isolates were markedly higher in the isolates from Western Japan than in those from Eastern Japan. All 287 Salmonella isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin which belongs to fluoroquinolones and cefotaxime which belongs to third-generation cephalosporins. Salmonella prevalence in chicken products in Japan was found to be extremely high; therefore, chicken meat should be thoroughly heated before consumption. In Japan, fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins are recommended as the first- and second-choice antimicrobials for patients with severe Salmonella enteritis, respectively. The results of this study show that administering fluoroquinolones or third-generation cephalosporins is an effective option for patients with Salmonella enteritis caused by consuming chicken meat, and efficient strategies for Salmonella management on broiler farms and chicken-processing plants need to be developed., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest., (©2024 Food Safety Commission, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.) more...

Salmonella infections represent a leading cause of foodborne illnesses; resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (TGCs), which are a first-choice antimicrobial for treating human Salmonella enteritis, has become a serious public health concern worldwide. Because the consumption of undercooked chicken meat products is a major cause of foodborne salmonellosis in Japan, we conducted three surveys at different periods between 2017 and 2022, with the cooperation of four abattoirs (two in Eastern and two in Western Japan). The first survey was conducted at abattoir A, which is located in Eastern Japan. Salmonella was detected in 84.4% of broiler flocks tested (27/32); among them, all the TGC-resistant isolates obtained from one farm (farm FA) were identified as S. Infantis. Salmonella was recovered from 62.5% of breast meat samples (20/32), with one case suggesting cross-contamination. The second survey was conducted at three other abattoirs to examine the prevalence of TGC-resistant Salmonella , in both Western (abattoirs B and C) and Eastern (abattoir D) Japan. Salmonella was detected in 90.6% of broiler flocks examined (29/32). TGC-resistant S. Infantis was isolated from 2 flocks until 2018 and not thereafter. Subsequently, isolates were identified as TGC-susceptible S. Schwarzengrund in both regions. The third survey was performed at abattoir A to elucidate whether there were changes in the phenotypes. Of the 11 broiler flocks introduced from farm FA, 10 were positive for Salmonella (90.9%); all the isolates were S. Schwarzengrund susceptible to TGC. This study shows that TGC-susceptible S. Schwarzengrund has replaced the resistant phenotypes among broiler flocks in both Eastern and Western Japan. Although chicken meat products could be cross-contaminated with Salmonella during the slaughtering process, reducing the prevalence of Salmonella in broiler flocks remains important to decrease Salmonella enteritis in humans., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (©2024 Food Safety Commission, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.) more...

Chicken liver is a potential source of campylobacteriosis in humans. Therefore, we determined the number of Campylobacter in chicken liver. In total, 33 vacuum-packed liver products were obtained from retail stores, and found that 27 of the 33 products (81.8%) were contaminated with Campylobacter. Moreover, Campylobacter was isolated from 138 of 149 livers (92.6%) collected from the 27 Campylobacter-positive products. The mean Campylobacter count was 2.3 log 10 CFU/g, while Campylobacter count in 22 of the 138 contaminated livers (15.9%) was >3.0 log 10 CFU/g. Furthermore, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and bile samples were collected from 35 broilers at chicken processing plants. We isolated Campylobacter from the gastrointestinal tract of 27 broilers (77.1%). Of these 27 broilers, liver of 24 broilers (88.9%) was Campylobacter-positive, with a mean Campylobacter count of 2.8 log 10 CFU/g. Of these 24 broilers, bile of 13 broilers (54.2%) was contaminated with Campylobacter (mean Campylobacter count, 3.5 log 10 CFU/mL). Among them, bile of 2 broilers had a Campylobacter count of >8.3 log 10 CFU/mL. Collectively, these results indicate that livers derived from broilers colonized with Campylobacter are contaminated with Campylobacter at the time of evisceration. Therefore, to prevent foodborne campylobacteriosis in humans, chicken livers should be thoroughly heated before consumption. more...

Meat derived from spent hens as well as broilers is destined for human consumption. There are many reports on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter and Salmonella in broiler meat, but few in spent hen meat. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of these genera in spent hen meat collected at chicken processing plants. Campylobacter and Salmonella were isolated from 47 (92.2%) and 18 (35.5%), respectively, of breast meat derived from 51 spent hen flocks. Campylobacter jejuni accounted for 87.5% of Campylobacter isolates. The highest resistant rate in C. jejuni isolates was found for ampicillin (45.3%), followed by tetracycline (14.3%) and ciprofloxacin (14.3%). There was no Campylobacter isolate resistant to erythromycin, which is recommended as a first-choice antimicrobial for humans when Campylobacter enteritis is strongly suspected. Of Salmonella isolates, the first and second most frequent serovars were Salmonella Corvallis (30.4%) and S. Braenderup (21.7%), respectively. Of Salmonella isolates, 30.4% were resistant to streptomycin. There was no Salmonella isolate resistant to ciprofloxacin, which is one of the recommended antimicrobials for humans against Salmonella enteritis. This study shows that one third of spent hen meat is contaminated with Campylobacter or Salmonella, and administration of erythromycin or cefotaxime is an effective option for patients with Campylobacter- or Salmonella- enteritis, respectively, caused by consumption of spent hen meat. more...

For the surveillance of the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in raw chicken products in Japan, a qualitative method, National Institute of Health Sciences Japan (NIHSJ)-02, was developed as an alternative to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 10272-1:2006. In the NIHSJ-02 culture method, the enrichment step is carried out in a reduced volume of Preston broth at 42 +/- 1 degrees C to reduce cost and space, and to prevent the overgrowth of background bacteria. To evaluate the performance of NIHSJ-02, a collaborative study was conducted, and the results obtained by NIHSJ-02 were compared with those obtained using the reference method, ISO 10272-1:2006. Fifteen laboratories participated; each examined 48 minced chicken samples consisting of test samples uninoculated, inoculated with C. jejuni at a low or high level, and inoculated with C. coli at a low level. The average probabilities of detection by NIHSJ-02 across laboratories were 0.033, 0.222, 0.678, and 0.267 in samples uninoculated, inoculated with C. jejuni at a low and high level, and with C. coli at a low level, respectively. Those by ISO 10272-1:2006 were 0.051, 0.128, 0.551, and 0.090. Significantly higher probabilities of detection were determined by NIHSJ-02 compared to ISO 10272-1:2006, except for uninoculated samples. On the other hand, significantly lower frequency of occurrence of background bacteria was observed by NIHSJ-02 (43.1%) compared with ISO 10272-1:2006 (92.6%). NIHSJ-02 showed better performance than ISO 10272-1:2006 with regard to the selective detection of C. jejuni and C. coli in chicken. more...

Appropriate handling and controlled temperature prevent cross-contamination and proliferation of contaminants in foods, thereby reducing the incidences of food-borne gastroenteritis in Japan. However, the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection did not markedly decrease and has become one of the major causes of food-borne diseases. C. jejuni and C. coli are widespread in warm-blooded domestic animals; therefore, food products may easily become contaminated during processing. C. jejuni and C. coli do not proliferate in foods, nor resistant to freezing, drying and oxidative stresses, and the number is greatly reduced under such conditions. These properties should be considered for risk management of Campylobacter in food processing and manufacturing. more...