title: Isolationof Cronobacterspp.(Enterobacter Sakazakii)from Artisanal Mozzarella.
abstract: Cronobacterspp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen capable of causing disease and even fatalities in newborn infants within the first weeks of life if consumed as part of the diet. Premature and immunocompromised newborn infants are at particular risk. The microorganism has been isolated from a variety of foods including contaminated infant milk formula powder and milk powder substitute. The study aimed to evaluate the level of microbiological contamination in 47 samples of mozzarella cheese made with cow's milk collected from artisan cheese producers in Southern Italy. Samples were collected from commercial sales points and underwent qualitative and quantitative microbiological analyses to test for the bacterial contaminants most commonly found in milk and cheese products. The 47 samples underwent qualitative and quantitative microbiological tests according to ISO UNI EN standards. Analyses focused onStaphylococcus aures, Salmonellaspp.,Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonasspp.,E. coli, Yersiniaspp., total coliforms andCronobacter sakazakii.The ISO/TS 22964:2006 method was used to investigate possible contamination byC. sakazakii. Biochemical identification was carried out using an automated system for identification and susceptibility tests. None of the samples examined resulted positive forSalmonellaspp. orListeriaspp. Only one sample resulted positive forStaphylococcus aureus. Pseudomonasspp. was isolated in 10 (21%) of 47 samples. High levels of total coliforms were found in 10 of 47 samples.Cronobacterspp.(Enterobacter sakazakii) was isolated in one sample. This is the first study to confirm isolation ofC. sakazakiiin artisan mozzarella cheese made from cow's milk. The presence ofC. sakazakiicould be related to external contamination during the phases of production or to the use of contaminated milk. Since mozzarella is recommended in the diet of children and adults of all ages, this present study helps define it as a potential vehicle forC. sakazakiiin subjects at particular risk.
authors: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno - Sezione di Catanzaro , Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Casalinuovo
authors: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno - Sezione di Catanzaro , Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Rippa
authors: Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Catanzaro , Italy.
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Battaglia
authors: Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale di Catanzaro , Italy.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Parisi
keywords: Cheese; Cronobacter spp; Enterobacter sakazakii; Milk; Mozzarella