A novel primer targetedgyrBgene for the identification ofCronobacter sakazakiiin powdered infant formulas (PIF) and baby foods in Iran

The aim of this study was to perform a molecular identification and design a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on a specific gene (gyrase subunit B [gyrB]) for rapid detection of Cronobacter sakazakii. In this study, from February 2017 to January 2018, 100 powdered infant formula milks (PIF1‐6) and 100 baby food items (BF1‐8) (total number = 200 samples) were purchased from different commercial brands from different pharmacies of the Mashhad city, Iran from different pharmacies of the Mashhad city, Iran. After isolation of Cronobacter, DNA extraction and PCR assay were performed to detect and confirm genus and species of isolated bacteria with 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) and designed gyrB primers, respectively. The abundance of C. sakazakii in PIFs and baby foods by culture method were 5/100 (5%) and 8/100 (8%), respectively; also, the final analysis based on gyrB primer pairs in PIF and baby food showed contamination rates of 0/100 (0%) and 3/100 (3%), respectively. These findings indicated that Iranian baby foods were a real threat for children's health. It is also recommended that this designed primer could be used for detection of Cronobacter sakazakii in these products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic bacteria that is known worldwide as a foodborne pathogen especially in Infant Formula and baby foods, therefore the quality of these products has to be evaluated by a rapid, sensitive and specific method. Our findings indicated that Iranian baby foods were a threat for children's health so implementation of adequate sanitary measures to prevent Cronobacter sakazakii illness is necessary. It was also recommended that the designed primer based on gyr B gene could be used for specific detection of Cronobacter sakazakii in these products.