A man in his mid-70s with a complex medical history, including splenectomy, presented with fever and rigours. Workup revealed Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium bacteraemia and right internal iliac artery endarteritis. Two weeks following a 6-week course of antibiotics, he had a recurrence of Salmonella bacteraemia requiring an extended course of treatment.

A variety of bacteria, including beneficial probiotic lactobacilli, produce antibacterials to kill competing bacteria. Lactobacilli secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) called bacteriocins and organic acids. In the food industry, bacteriocins, but even whole cell-free supernatants, are becoming more and more important as bio-preservatives, while, in orthopedics, bacteriocins are introducing new perspectives in biomaterials technologies for anti-infective surfaces. Studies are focusing on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously known as Lactobacillus plantarum). L. plantarum exhibits great phenotypic versatility, which enhances the chances for its industrial exploitation. Importantly, more than other lactobacilli, it relies on AMPs for its antibacterial activity. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) through a Box-Behnken experimental design was used to estimate the optimal conditions for the production of antibacterials by L. plantarum. A temperature of 35 °C, pH 6.5, and an incubation time of 48 h provided the highest concentration of antibacterials. The initial pH was the main factor influencing the production of antibacterials, at 95% confidence level. Thanks to RSM, the titer of antibacterials increased more than 10-fold, this result being markedly higher than those obtained in the very few studies that have so far used similar statistical methodologies. The Box-Behnken design turned out to be a valid model to satisfactorily plan a large-scale production of antibacterials from L. plantarum.

UNASSIGNED: Swift identification and diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections are crucial for prompt treatment, prevention of complications, and reduction of the risk of hospital transmission. The radiological appearance on computed tomography could potentially provide important clues to the etiology of gastrointestinal infections. We aimed to describe features based on computed tomography of patients diagnosed with Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella infections in South Sweden.
UNASSIGNED: This was a retrospective observational population-based cohort study conducted between 2019 and 2022 in Skåne, southern Sweden, a region populated by 1.4 million people. Using data from the Department of Clinical Microbiology combined with data from the Department of Radiology, we identified all patients who underwent computed tomography of the abdomen CTA two days before and up to seven days after sampling due to the suspicion of Campylobacter, Salmonella or Shigella during the study period.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 215 CTAs scans performed on 213 patients during the study period were included in the study. The median age of included patients was 45 years (range 11-86 years), and 54% (114/213) of the patients were women. Of the 215 CTAs, 80% (n = 172) had been performed due to Campylobacter and 20% (n = 43) due to Salmonella enteritis. CTA was not performed for any individual diagnosed with Shigella during the study period. There were no statistically significant differences in the radiological presentation of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections.
UNASSIGNED: The most common location of Campylobacter and Salmonella infections was the cecum, followed by the ascending colon. Enteric wall edema, contrast loading of the affected mucosa, and enteric fat stranding are typical features of both infections. The CTA characteristics of Campylobacter and Salmonella are similar, and cannot be used to reliably differentiate between different infectious etiologies.

Infections pose a significant threat to morbidity and mortality during treatments for pediatric cancer patients. Efforts to minimize the risk of infection necessitate preventive measures encompassing both environmental and host-focused strategies. While a substantial number of infections in oncologic patients originate from microorganisms within their native microbiological environment, such as the oral cavity, intestines, and skin, the concrete risk of bloodstream infections linked to the consumption of contaminated food and beverages in the community cannot be overlooked. Ensuring food quality and hygiene is essential to mitigating the impact of foodborne illnesses on vulnerable patients. The neutropenic diet (ND) has been proposed to minimize the risk of sepsis during neutropenic periods. The ND aims to minimize bacterial entry into the gut and bacterial translocation. However, a standardized definition for ND and consensus guidelines for specific food exclusions are lacking. Most centers adopt ND during neutropenic phases, but challenges in achieving caloric intake are common. The ND has not demonstrated any associated benefits and does not ensure improved overall survival. Consequently, providing unified and standardized food safety instructions is imperative for pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Despite the lack of evidence, ND is still widely administered to both pediatric and adult patients as a precautionary measure. This narrative review focuses on the impact of foodborne infections in pediatric cancer patients and the role of the ND in comparison to food safety practices in patients undergoing chemotherapy or HCT. Prioritizing education regarding proper food storage, preparation, and cooking techniques proves more advantageous than merely focusing on dietary limitations. The absence of standardized guidelines underscores the necessity for further research in this field.

Listeriosis is a rare foodborne infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes It has been reported to be commonly found among the obstetric population, immunocompromised group and elderly, presumably due to the lower immunity status in these populations. Presentation in pregnancy is usually non-specific like fever, diarrhoea, respiratory tract symptoms and preterm rupture of membrane. These make the diagnosis challenging and may delay the correct management. We present a case of a female in her early 40s, gravida 4 para 0+3 at 27 weeks who presented with fever. She later developed preterm rupture of membrane 24 hours after admission. The leaking of liquor later changed from clear to meconium stained raising the suspicion of listeria chorioamnionitis, necessitating an emergency preterm delivery via caesarean section. The newborn acquired listeria infection and required ventilation support. He subsequently was discharged from neonatal unit after nearly 3 months of life.

Brucellar endocarditis is a rare entity commonly described as a severe disease associated with high mortality and generally requiring valve surgery for cure. Right-sided endocarditis, a very uncommon presentation of brucellosis, may be associated with a better prognosis. We describe the case of a 72-year-old woman admitted to our institution with a persistent fever and multiple pulmonary infiltrates. Transthoracic echocardiography and serologic tests led to the diagnosis of brucellar tricuspid endocarditis. The patient responded favorably to antibiotic treatment alone and did not need surgery. Prolonged antibiotic therapy with a combination of drugs active on intracellular microorganisms in the absence of surgical treatment could be effective in brucellar tricuspid endocarditis when the valve is not severely damaged.

In Jeju Island, South Korea, a patient who consumed raw pig products had subdural empyema, which led to meningitis, sepsis, and status epilepticus. We identified Streptococcus suis from blood and the subdural empyema. This case illustrates the importance of considering dietary habits in similar clinical assessments to prevent misdiagnosis.

Human viruses and viruses from animals can cause illnesses in humans after the consumption of contaminated food or water. Contamination may occur during preparation by infected food handlers, during food production because of unsuitably controlled working conditions, or following the consumption of animal-based foods contaminated by a zoonotic virus. This review discussed the recent information available on the general and clinical characteristics of viruses, viral foodborne outbreaks and control strategies to prevent the viral contamination of food products and water. Viruses are responsible for the greatest number of illnesses from outbreaks caused by food, and risk assessment experts regard them as a high food safety priority. This concern is well founded, since a significant increase in viral foodborne outbreaks has occurred over the past 20 years. Norovirus, hepatitis A and E viruses, rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus, and sapovirus are the major common viruses associated with water or foodborne illness outbreaks. It is also suspected that many human viruses including Aichi virus, Nipah virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, H5N1 avian influenza viruses, and coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV) also have the potential to be transmitted via food products. It is evident that the adoption of strict hygienic food processing measures from farm to table is required to prevent viruses from contaminating our food.

Foodborne microbial infections are leading cause of many deadly illnesses. As a result, there is an anticipated need for the development of innovative packaging materials with effective antibacterial potential. This article describes preparation and characterization of innovative ZnO@CeO2 nanocrystals through a facile hydrothermal method, as well as their outstanding antibacterial properties. The ZnO@CeO2 nanocrystals used were prepared using precursors zinc acetate and cerium nitrate at 180°C. Various sophisticated physicochemical parameters were used to assess nanocrystals. The antibacterial activity was examined using minimum inhibitory concentration technique against four major foodborne pathogenic bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram negative) at four distinct concentrations (0-400 µg/mL). The in vitro cell compatibility test was done on fibroblasts. According to our findings, the lowest concentration of ZnO@CeO2 nanocrystals limiting development of tested strains is 100 µg/mL. Additionally, the results show that the combination of ZnO and CeO2 can be synergistic, resulting in ZnO@CeO2 nanocrystals with enhanced antibacterial activity. To summarize, unique ZnO@CeO2 nanocrystals with a high surface-to-volume ratio with outstanding antibacterial activity and no harmful impact to mouse fibroblasts were shaped. The ZnO@CeO2 can be utilized to competently suppress microbial growth spoiling the food and could be utilized as economical and efficient future packaging material for food industries.

The prevalence of norovirus in oysters poses a significant threat to food safety, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of contamination patterns. This study explores the temporal dynamics of norovirus distribution in various oyster tissues over a contamination period ranging from 6 to 96 h. Four tissues-the gill, palp, digestive gland, and stomach-were subjected to systematic monitoring using RT-qPCR for absolute quantification. Results revealed rapid norovirus detection in all tissues six hours post-contamination, with subsequent variations in detection rates. Gill and digestive gland tissues exhibited a peak in detection at 12-24 h, aligning with the oyster\'s gastrointestinal circulatory system. The digestive gland, distinguished by specific enrichment and adsorption capabilities, demonstrated the highest virus concentration at 48 h. In contrast, the stomach displayed a reemergence of norovirus. Beyond 72 h, detection remained exclusive to the digestive gland, with Ct values comparable to earlier time points. At 96 h, a limited amount of norovirus was detected in the digestive gland, emphasizing the importance for timely monitoring. In addition to providing critical insights into optimal detection strategies, these findings highlight the time-related characteristics of norovirus contamination in oysters. The study identifies the digestive gland as a key target for reliable monitoring, providing valuable data to improve protocols for reducing hazards associated with oyster consumption and foodborne norovirus infections. This research contributes to the understanding of norovirus dynamics in oyster tissues and reinforces current efforts aimed at ensuring food safety and public health.