Dissemination of Cronobacter spp. ( Enterobacter sakazakii ) in a Powdered Milk Protein Manufacturing Facility
Niamh Mullane, Brendan Healy, James H. Meade, Paul Whyte, Patrick Wall, Séamus Fanning
Abstract
Niamh Mullane, Brendan Healy, James H. Meade, Paul Whyte, Patrick Wall, Séamus Fanning
Abstract
The microbial contamination of air filters and possible links to contaminated product in a powdered milk protein-processing facility were investigated. Over a 10-month period, seven air filters, the environment, and powdered product were analyzed for the presence of Cronobacter spp. The effects of air filter installation, maintenance, and subsequent dissemination of Cronobacter were investigated. A total of 30 isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE revealed the presence of three clonal populations distributed throughout the manufacturing site. This study highlights the need for proper installation of air filters to limit the dissemination of microorganisms into processing sites.
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The microbial contamination of air filters and possible links to contaminated product in a powdered milk protein-processing facility were investigated. Over a 10-month period, seven air filters, the environment, and powdered product were analyzed for the presence of Cronobacter spp. The effects of air filter installation, maintenance, and subsequent dissemination of Cronobacter were investigated. A total of 30 isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). PFGE revealed the presence of three clonal populations distributed throughout the manufacturing site. This study highlights the need for proper installation of air filters to limit the dissemination of microorganisms into processing sites.
Key concepts: Cronobacter sakazakii, Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, Cronobacter, Contamination, Microbiology, Enterobacter, Food science, Microorganism