Relationship Between Census Tract-Level Poverty and Domestically Acquired Salmonella Incidence: Analysis of Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network Data, 2010-2016
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Authors: Hadler, James L.; Clogher, Paula; Libby, Tanya; Wilson, Elisha; Oosmanally, Nadine; Ryan, Patricia; Magnuson, Luke; Lathrop, Sarah; Mcguire, Suzanne; Cieslak, Paul; Fankhauser, Melissa; Ray, Logan; Geissler, Aimee; Hurd, Sharon
Abstract
Background. The relationships between socioeconomic status and domestically acquired salmonellosis and leading Salmonella serotypes are poorly understood. Methods. We analyzed surveillance data from laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonellosis from 2010-2016 for all 10 Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) sites, having a catchment population of 47.9 million. Case residential data were geocoded, linked to census tract poverty level, and then categorized into 4 groups according to census tract poverty level. After excluding those reporting international travel before illness onset, age-specific and age-adjusted salmonellosis incidence rates were calculated for each census tract poverty level, overall and for each of the 10 leading serotypes. Results. Of 52 821geocodable Salmonella infections (>96%), 48 111 (91.1%) were domestically acquired. Higher age-adjusted incidence occurred with higher census tract poverty level (P < .001; relative risk for highest [>= 20%] vs lowest [<5%] census tract poverty level, 1.37). Children <5 years old had the highest relative risk (2.07). Although this relationship was consistent by race/ethnicity and by serotype, it was not present in 5 FoodNet sites or among those aged 18-49 years. Conclusion. Children and older adults living in higher-poverty census tracts have had a higher incidence of domestically acquired salmonellosis. There is a need to understand socioeconomic status differences for risk factors for domestically acquired salmonellosis by age group and FoodNet site to help focus prevention efforts.
The use of High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to improve the safety and quality of raw coconut (Cocos nucifera L) water
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
Authors: Raghubeer, Errol, V; Bick Ngoc Phan; Onuoha, Emmanuel; Diggins, Sheylend; Aguilar, Viviana; Swanson, Sara; Lee, Alvin
Abstract
This research investigated the use of high-pressure processing (HPP) for inactivating vegetative pathogens and spoilage microbiota in fresh unfiltered coconut water (Cocos nucifera L) from nuts obtained from Florida and frozen CW from Brazil with pH 5.0 and storage at 4 degrees C. Additionally, CW was evaluated to determine if it supported the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum with or without the use of HPP when stored at refrigeration temperatures. Samples of fresh unfiltered CW were inoculated to 5.5 to 6.5 logs/mL with multiple strain cocktails of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes and HPP at 593 MPa for 3 min at 4 degrees C. HPP and inoculated non-HPP controls were stored at 4 degrees C for 54 and 75 days for Florida CW and Brazil CW, respectively. Results of analyses showed HPP samples with <1 CFU/mL and no detection (negative/25 mL) with enrichment procedures for the 3 inoculated pathogens for all analyses. The non-HPP control samples did not show growth of the pathogens but a gradual decrease in levels to ca. 3-Logs/mL by day 54 in the fresh Florida CW and similarly in frozen Brazil CW by Day 75. Microbial spoilage of uninoculated samples was evaluated for normal spoilage microbiota through 120 days storage at 4 degrees C. Microbial counts remained at ca. 2 logs with no detectable signs of spoilage for HPP samples through 120 d. The non-HPP control samples spoiled within 2 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C with gas production, cloudiness, and off-odors. To evaluate if CW supports the growth and toxin production of C. botulinum, samples of unfiltered and filtered (0.2 mu m) CW were inoculated with either proteolytic or non-proteolytic C. botulinum spores at 2 log CFU/mL that were processed at 593 MPa for 3 min and stored at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C for 45 days. Inoculated positive and non-inoculated negative controls were prepared and stored as the HPP treated and non-HPP samples. No growth of C. botulinum or toxin production was detected in either the unfiltered or filtered CW regardless if products were HPP treated or not. All inoculated samples with C. botulinum spores were enriched at Day-45 in PYGS media to determine the viability of the inoculated spores at the end of shelf-life and screened for C. botulinum toxins. In all samples, C. botulinum toxin Types A, B and E were detected indicating spores were viable throughout the storage. Type F toxin was not detected possibly due to inherent conditions in the samples that may affected toxin screening.