Question

Methods to detect different strains of same bacteria

Answer 1

Abstract

In recent times, several foodborne pathogens have become important and a threat to public health. Surveillance studies have provided data and a better understanding into the existence and spread of foodborne pathogens. The application of molecular techniques for detecting and typing of foodborne pathogens in surveillance studies provide reliable epidemiological data for tracing the source of human infections. A wide range of molecular techniques (including pulsed field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing, random amplified polymorphism deoxyribonucleic acid, repetitive extragenic palindromic, deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing, multiplex polymerase chain reaction and many more) have been used for detecting, speciating, typing, classifying and/or characterizing foodborne pathogens of great significance to humans. Farm animals including chickens, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, and others (such as domestic and wild animals) have been reported to be primary reservoirs for foodborne pathogens. The consumption of contaminated poultry meats or products has been considered to be the leading source of human foodborne infections. Ducks like other farm animals are important source of foodborne pathogens and have been implicated in some human foodborne illnesses and deaths. Nonetheless, few studies have been conducted to explore the potential of ducks in causing foodborne outbreaks, diseases and its consequences. This review highlights some common molecular techniques, their advantages and those that have been applied to pathogens isolated from ducks and their related sources.

Keywords: Ducks, Foodborne pathogens, Molecular techniques, Surveillance studies

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Introduction

Foodborne pathogens are increasingly being studied due to their ability to change and to adapt to different environmental and surviving conditions. The ability of these pathogens to mutate has contributed to their adaptability and survival under a wide range of conditions. The presence of certain antibodies, virulent genes and/or other complex defensive mechanisms produced by foodborne pathogens also contributes to their adaptability and survival under various environmental conditions. The survival of foodborne pathogens under a variety of environmental conditions warrants the development and use of efficient and reliable isolation, detection, differentiation, classification and/or typing techniques for their surveillance (Adzitey and Nurul 2011; Adzitey et al. 2011). Surveillance studies provide epidemiological data for tracing the source of infection for clinical and treatment purposes. Furthermore, surveillance studies provide data that help to reduce the emergence and colonization of foodborne pathogens, and to adapt appropriate strategies to prevent and control the spread of foodborne.

A variety of foodborne pathogens have been isolated (through surveillance studies) from different foodstuffs, animals, plants and environmental samples that have been implicated in foodborne illnesses, diseases, poisonings and/or intoxications which occurred either sporadically or through outbreaks. In particular, the handling and consumption of contaminated raw poultry meats and products have been implicated in most cases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2003; Humphrey et al. 2007; European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2008; Frederick and Huda 2011). Duck meats and eggs have also been implicated in a number of outbreaks. For example, an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium definitive phage type (DT) 8 was associated with duck eggs and products, and was responsible for the hospitalisation of two people and the death of one (Clarke 2010). Contact with young birds and ducklings in a nursery school has been linked to outbreak of Salmonella infection (Merritt and Herlihy 2003). Salmonellosis has also been associated with chicks and ducklings (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMW