title: Detection of Cronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) from medicinal plants and spices in Syria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) is an emerging food-borne pathogen that causes severe meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates and infants. These infections have been reported from different parts of the world. The epidemiology and reservoir of Cronobacter spp. are still unknown, and most strains have been isolated from clinical specimens and from a variety of foods, including cheese, meat, milk, vegetables, grains, spices, and herbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study aimed to detect and isolate Cronobacter spp. from different Syrian samples of spices, medicinal herbs and liquorices, depending on the pigment production and biochemical profile of isolates and PCR technique. This PCR method, which provides a powerful tool for rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of Cronobacter spp., is considered a reliable alternative to traditional bacteriological methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that the percentage of Cronobacter spp. was 94%, 52%, and 32% in liquorice, spices and medicinal herbs, respectively. In addition, it assured that the optimal enhancing growth temperature was 44°C, and optimal enhancing growth pH was 5.
authors: Plant Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Damascus, Syria.
authors: Mouhammad
authors: M
authors: Belal
authors: Ayman
authors: A
authors: Al-Mariri
authors: Lila
authors: L
authors: Hallab
authors: Ibtesam
authors: I
authors: Hamad
mesh_terms: D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D059126:Cronobacter / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006035:Glycyrrhiza / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000378:metabolism; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D017365:Spices / Q000382:microbiology*; D013593:Syria; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological