title: Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli in Raw Milk Cheeses from Lazio Region, Italy.
abstract: In recent years, the incidence of foodborne diseases caused by Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) has increased globally. For this reason, within the specific regional control plan for the detection of STEC in food products in Italy, the presence of STEC in unpasteurised milk cheeses was investigated. In total, 203 samples obtained from March 2011 to December 2013 were analysed, with two standard methods (ISO 16654:2001 and ISO 13136:2012). Two strains ofE. coliO157 were isolated (2/161, 1.2%) but did not carry any virulence-associated genes and 22stx-positive samples (22/146, 15.1%) were detected in enrichment cultures, mostly from ovine cheeses. Only two strains isolated from different ovine cheeses carriedstxgene and none of these waseae-positive. This study confirms the presence ofstx-positiveE. coliand suggests that this type of food cannot be excluded as a potential vehicle of STEC.
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lazio and Tuscany , Rome.
authors: Selene
authors: S
authors: Marozzi
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lazio and Tuscany , Rome.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: De Santis
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lazio and Tuscany , Rome.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Lovari
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lazio and Tuscany , Rome.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Condoleo
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lazio and Tuscany , Rome.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Bilei
authors: Lazio Region, Veterinary Health Section , Rome, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Marcianò
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lazio and Tuscany , Rome.
authors: Ziad
authors: Z
authors: Mezher
keywords: Prevalence; Raw milk cheeses; Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli