Primer aislamiento de Cronobacter spp (Enterobacter sakazakii) en fórmula láctea en polvo producida en Chile / First isolation of Cronobacter spp (Enterobacter sakazakii) in powdered baby formula in Chile

La familia Enterobacteriaceae contempla agentes comunes en las enfermedades transmitidas por los alimentos. De esta familia Cronobacter spp, es considerado un patógeno que afecta principalmente a recién nacidos, los que pueden adquirirla a través de fórmulas lácteas infantiles en polvo contaminadas. Objetivo: Pesquisar Cronobacter spp, en una fórmula láctea en polvo producida en Chile. Material y método: En julio de 2008, se obtuvieron 80 muestras desde una planta ubicada en la Región de Los Lagos. Para el aislamiento de Cronobacter spp, se utilizó el método descrito en la norma ISO/TS 22964. Las muestras fueron analizadas en el Laboratorio de Alimentos del Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria de la Universidad Austral de Chile. Resultados: Del total de muestras analizadas, el 5 por ciento (4 / 80) fueron confirmadas como Cronobacter spp, constituyendo así el primer reporte de esta bacteria en Chile. Conclusión: Cronobacter spp, está presente en una fórmula láctea en polvo producida en Chile. Su presencia en este producto representa un riesgo que no es considerado en el actual Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos de nuestro país.

The family Enterobacteriaceae includes agents that are commonly transmitted through food. Within this family, Cronobacter spp, is considered to be a pathogen that primarily affects newborns, which can acquire it through contaminated powdered formula. Objective: Isolate Cronobacter spp, in a powdered milk formula produced in Chile. Material and method: In July of 2008, 80 samples were obtained from a factory in the Los Lagos Region. To isolate Cronobacter spp, the methods described in the ISO/TS 22964 specifications were used. The samples were analyzed at the Food Laboratory at the Institute of Preventative Veterinary Medicine and the Universidad Austral de Chile. Results: Of all analyzed samples, 5 percent (4/80) were contaminated with Cronobacter spp, which constitutes the first report of this bacterium in Chile. Conclusion: Cronobacter spp is present in powdered baby formula produced in Chile. It’s presence in this product represents a risk that is not considered in the current food safety standards in this country.

Calidad microbiológica de alimentos remitidos a un laboratorio de salud pública en el año 2009 / The microbiological quality of food sent to a public health laboratory in 2009

Objetivo Analizar la calidad Microbiológica de alimentos provenientes de los Municipios de Santander, procesados por el Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública durante el año 2009. Materiales y Métodos Se analizó la calidad microbiológica de los alimentos remitidos al LDSP de Santander durante el año 2009 mediante la recopilación de los reportes emitidos por la institución y la realización de un análisis estadístico de 763 muestras de alimentos provenientes de 76 municipios del departamento. Se analizó la información por municipio en los programas estadísticos Minitab versión 15 y Statistica versión 8.0 donde se organizó la información por categorías alimentarias y se analizaron las frecuencias en cada municipio durante el periodo de enero a diciembre del 2009 Resultados Se evidenció que de los 763 registros de alimentos el 45,2 % (n=345) presentaron contaminación bacteriana, observándose una mayor frecuencia de estos eventos en los municipios de Barichara, Barrancabermeja, Floridablanca, Girón, Socorro y Valle de San José con el 33,6 % (n=116) del total de muestras afectadas. Los principales alimentos que presentaron parámetros fuera de norma fueron los alimentos preparados con un total de 160 muestras remitidas, de las cuales 80 presentaron alteraciones lo que corresponde al 50 %, seguido de las bebidas como jugos y refrescos con un 48,3 %, los lácteos 47,9 % y los cárnicos 40,7 %. Conclusiones En las muestras remitidas al LDSP se encontró un alto índice de contaminación alimentaria durante el año 2009, información útil para la planeación de acciones preventivas dentro de los programa de vigilancia del LDSP.

Objective Testing the microbiological qualityof foodsamples from municipalities in theSantander department which were processed bythePublicHealth Laboratory(PHL) in 2009. Materialsand Methods The microbiological quality of food samples sent to the Santander PHL in 2009 was analysed by collecting reports issued by the institution and conducting a statistical analysis of 763 food samples from 76 municipalities in the department. Minitab statistical software (version 15) and Statistica (version 8.0) were used for analysing the information by municipality; this information was organised by food category and adverse incident frequency was analysed in each municipality from January to December 2009. Results It was seen that 45.2 % (n=345) of 763 food records had bacterial contamination; there was a greater frequency of these events in the municipalities of Barichara, Barrancabermeja, Floridablanca, Girón, Socorro and Valle de San Jose accounting for 33.6 % (n=116) of all affected samples. The main foods that had non-standard parameters were prepared foods (160 samples submitted), of which 80 had alterations in quality (50 %), followed by drinks like fruit juice and soft drinks (48.3 %), dairy products (47.9 %) and meat (40.7 %). Conclusions A high rate of food contamination was found in the samples sent to PHL during 2009; this information is useful for planning preventative action within the ongoing PHL surveillance programme.

Aislamiento e identificación de Enterobacter sakazakii en lactarios de Bogotá / Isolation and identification of Enterobacter sakazakii in milk feeders of Bogotá, D. C

Introducción. Enterobacter sakazakii es un patógeno oportunista emergente de alto riesgo, responsable de meningitis grave y enterocolitis necrosante. El principal vehículo de transmisión de esta bacteria son los productos infantiles deshidratados, debido a su contaminación después del tratamiento térmico. Objetivo. Identificar cepas de E. sakazakii en muestras de lactarios recolectadas en la ciudad de Bogotá, D.C. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron 222 muestras de 9 lactarios, de superficies estériles y no estériles, utensilios empleados para la preparación de biberones y operarios. Se realizó recuento de coliformes totales y detección de E. sakazakii utilizando el protocolo propuesto por la Food and Drug Administration y por el Sistema Automático Bax® Dupont Qualicon. Resultados. De las 222 muestras recolectadas en las clínicas de Bogotá, se reportó que 27,4% (61) de las muestras analizadas presentaban coliformes totales; se detectó la presencia de E. sakazakii en 3,6% por el método automatizado de PCR BAX Dupont a partir de muestras de biberones y superficies. Conclusiones. Se demostró la presencia de E. sakazakii en lactarios en Colombia. Debido a que este microorganismo es un patógeno oportunista de alto riesgo para neonatos y que está asociado a las prácticas higiénicas en los lactarios, la información de este estudio puede ser útil para la toma de medidas profilácticas que reduzcan el riesgo de contaminación con este patógeno para la población infantil y, también, aporta información importante para la salud pública.

Introduction: Enterobacter sakazakii is an emergent opportunistic pathogen of high risk responsible of severe meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates and infants with underlying medical conditions. One of the principal transmission vehicles for the transmission of these bacteria, is the infant dehydrated formula after exposing them to the heating treatment. Objective: To identify strains of E. sakazakii in milk feeders’ samples from Bogotá. Materials and methods: 222 samples from 9 milk feeders including sterile and non sterile surfaces, utensils used for the formula preparation and food handlers were analyzed. Total coliforms counts and identification of E. sakazakii was done using the FDA protocol and the automatic system Bax ® Dupont Qualicon. Results: From de 222 samples collected from hospitals in Bogotá, it was reported that 27.4% (61) had total coliforms, and the presence of E. sakazakii was detected in 3.6% (8) from one feeding bottle and surfaces. Conclusion: The presence of E. sakazakii strains was reported in Colombian milk feeders. Because this microorganism is a high risk opportunistic pathogen for newborn infants, usually associated with hygiene practices in milk feeders, the information of this research could be useful to develop preventive measurements to reduce the risk of contamination in the infant population and provides important public health information.

Bacterial contamination of Vhuswa--a local weaning food and stored drinking-water in impoverished households in the Venda region of South Africa.

Bacterial contaminants of Vhuswa--a traditional maize-based weaning food, and domestic drinking-water stored in impoverished rural households in Venda of Limpopo province, South Africa, were determined. One hundred and twenty-five samples of Vhuswa fed to children aged less than five years were assessed for Escherichia coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, and Shigella. The microbiological quality of 125 drinking-water samples was also evaluated using total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and faecal streptococci as indicators. The frequency of isolation of E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and C. jejuni from the Vhuswa samples was 70%, 5%, 5%, and 2% respectively. The geometric mean counts of total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and faecal streptococci in tap-water stored in household containers ranged from 4.9x10(2) to 5.8x10(3) cfu 100 mL(-1), 2.6x10(2) to 3.7x10(3) cfu 100 mL(-1), and 3.1x10(3) to 5.8x10(3) cfu 100 mL(-1) respectively, and for stored spring water it was 5.1x10(3) cfu 100 mL(-1), 3.2x10(3) cfu 100 mL(-1), and 5.1x10(3) cfu 100 mL(-1) respectively. The frequent contamination of water and food samples in this study has important implications for the health of children from impoverished communities.

Effect of bifidobacterium Bb12 with or without Streptococcus thermophilus supplemented formula on nutritional status.

Acute diarrhea is a common cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Probiotic supplemented infant formula is one of the effective methods for prevention of rotavirus diarrhea. Other benefits of the probiotics supplemented formula were evaluated by monitoring the growth of the children. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done in 148 children aged 6-36 months. They were divided into 3 groups: the Bb12 group, 51 children received infant formula with Bifidobacteria Bb12 supplement; the Bb12+ST group, 54 children received infant formula with Bb12 and Streptococcus thermophilus supplement; and the control group, 43 children received infant formula without supplement. The mean weight Z-score according to WHO reference standard of the Bbl2 group was -1.8 +/- 0.12, the Bb12+ST group was -1.4 +/- 0.11 and the control group was -1.8 +/- 0.13 at entry. The mean weight Z-score of children after 6 month showed that the children in the Bbl2+ST group had the highest increase in weight which was increased from -1.4 +/- 0.11 to -0.9 +/- 0.12 compared to the Z-score of the Bb12 group which had increased from -1.8 +/- 0.12 to -1.2 +/- 0.13 and in the control group from -1.8 +/- 0.13 to -1.7 +/- 0.25. In terms of the mean height Z-score, the Bb12 group was -2.7 +/- 0.14 to -1.7 +/- 0.16 which was higher than the Bb12+ST group (- 2.2 +/- 0.13 to -1.7 +/- 0.13) but was not different from the control group. However, the mean weight/height Z-score of the Bbl2+ST group had approached the reference standard (Bb12 group -0.1 +/- 0.11 to -0.1 +/- 0.13, Bb12+ST group -0.1 +/- 0.10 to 0.3 +/- 0.17, control group -0.4 +/- 0.12 to -0.1 +/- 0.16). Data showed that children who received the probiotics supplement formula had better growth during the 6 month period.

Bacteriological quality of weaning food and drinking water given to children of market women in Nigeria: implications for control of diarrhoea.

Bacteriological quality of weaning food and drinking water given to 2 groups of children aged < or = years was evaluated by estimating bacterial cell count. One group consisted of those taken to market and the other of those left at home in the care of older siblings or house-helps. Bacterial counts (geometric mean) ranged from 5.02 +/- 1.82 to 8.70 +/- 1.0 log10 cfu per g or mL of food, and from 1.15 +/- 1.67 to 6.53 +/- 0.81 log10 cfu per g or 100 mL of water. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference in counts between types of food and between meals (breakfast and lunch). Bacterial contamination increased significantly with storage time, and was, in all circumstances except the water samples, significantly higher in foods given to children left at home. Reheated leftover foods also had significantly higher bacterial load than the freshly-cooked food. Coliform count varied significantly with source of drinking water. Poor hygiene standard (inferred from bacterial contamination) was generally observed among mothers weaning < or = 2-year-old children, while they were engaged in trading activities in the market, thus exposing their children to high risk of diarrhoea. Hygiene was significantly poorer in weaning of children left at home in the care of older siblings or house-helps. This implies that, in spite of their trading activities in the market, mothers still take better care of their babies than the older siblings or house-helps who may be inexperienced. These mothers may need education on childcare and food hygiene to suit to their trading activities, for example, during their monthly meetings. There is also a need to establish ORT (oral rehydration therapy) corners in the markets as part of the municipal services. This can be used not only for efficient and quick management of diarrhoea in the market but also for reinforcing hygiene education.

Bacterial contamination of bottle milk in infants under 6 months in Children's Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

The bacterial contamination of bottle milk samples obtained randomly from 500 infants under 6 months of age who came to the Out-patient Department of Children's Hospital Bangkok was determined by collecting bottle milk samples prepared at home following interview of their caretakers after obtaining their consent. Bacterial contamination was found in 91.8% (459/500) of bottle milk samples. Among the positive samples, 82.8% (380/459) contained enteric bacteria, another 17.2% were unidentified bacteria. The dominant enteric bacteria isolated from bottle milk were Klebsiella spp (56.6%), Enterobacter spp (41.3%), Aeromonas spp (14.4%), E. coli (13.4 %) and Vibrio cholerae non 0-1 (1.8%). Isolated E. coli were further identified as enteropathogenic E. coli (7.8%, 4/51) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (3.9%, 2/51). About 74% of the contaminated bottle milk contained one type of bacteria, 23.7% had two types and 2.3 % had 3 or more types of bacteria. A level of bacterial contamination greater than the US government limited number (USGLN 2x10(4) CFU/ml) was found in 86.4% of total examined samples (432/500) [geometric mean (GM) of 2.9 x 10(6) CFU/ml]. About 66% (333/500) of bottle milk samples had coliforms greater than the USGLN (1 x l0(2) CFU/ml) with GM of 1.3 x 10(4) CFU/ml. Therefore, in the preparation of bottle milk, feeding practice should be emphasized in every setting of maternal-child health care and promotion of breast-feeding should be encouraged by the health personnel.

Microbial contamination of weaning foods.

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of Escherichia coli in different foods being fed to children in the weaning age group. The samples were collected from middle income group (MIG) and high income group (HIG) houses in different localities in Chandigarh. A total of 530 MIG and 525 HIG houses were selected on the basis of availability of children in the weaning age group. A total of 2,016 samples of weaning foods were collected. Isolation of Escherichia coli from MIG and HIG houses was 66.75% and 8.5% respectively. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli were detected in 61.47% and 43.5% of the total Escherichia coli isolates from MIG and HIG houses respectively. 'O' serogrouping of the isolates was done and the predominant serotypes found were 06, 0106, 043, 057, 01. The laboratory studies showed that almost all weaning food samples prepared in the laboratory supported the growth of known enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.