Evaluation of an automated repetitive sequence-based PCR system for subtyping Enterobacter sakazakii.
Enterobacter sakazakii is regarded as a ubiquitous organism that can be isolated from a wide range of foods and environments. Infection in at-risk infants has been epidemiologically linked to the consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula. Preventing the dissemination of this pathogen in a powdered infant formula manufacturing facility is an important step in ensuring consumer confidence in a given brand together with the protection of the health status of a vulnerable population. In this study we report the application of a repetitive sequence-based PCR typing method to subtype a previously well-characterized collection of E. sakazakii isolates of diverse origin. While both methods successfully discriminated between the collection of isolates, repetitive sequence-based PCR identified 65 types, whereas pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified 110 types showing > or =95% similarity. The method was quick and easy to perform, and our data demonstrated the utility and value of this approach to monitor in-process contamination, which could potentially contribute to a reduction in the transmission of E. sakazakii.
Healy
B
B
Centre for Food Safety, School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Mullane
N
N
Collin
V
V
Mailler
S
S
Iversen
C
C
Chatellier
S
S
Storrs
M
M
Fanning
S
S
D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D044083:Cronobacter sakazakii / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA