Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, May 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Apr. 20, 2010). "School of Economic Sciences." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2006. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-81). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2008. / Adviser: Kalmia E. Kniel. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Foodborne illnesses respresent a serious threat to health. The World Health Organisation (2000) recently passed a Resolution stating that "... foodborne illness associated with microbial pathogens, biotoxins and chemical contaminants in food present a serious threat to the health of millions of people in the world (p.1)". Overall notifications of foodborne illness and food poisoning have risen significantly and many outbreaks have been associated with the food industry. The Hospitality and Catering industry is of special concern because of it's size, diversity, individual characteristics, and direct interface with customers. This thesis focuses upon the Hospitality and Catering industry in Wales, a largely unexplored area of research. It applies an investigate approach to issues relating to the management and implementation of food safety in the industry across a range of industry sectors to be found in the Principality. Information was gathered by utlising a range of secondary and primary sources. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, structured interviews, and audit checklists and observations. These were administered by way of three discrete but interlinked primary data collection investigations. Both quantitative and qualitative data were obtained. Participating industry personnel included proprietors, managers and food handlers. Via a literature review, the key issues of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour related to food safety are discussed and evaluated within the contexts of the inherent characteristics of the Hospitality and Catering industry and food safety legislation. There three investigations are presented individually and the findings are consolidated in a synoptic discussion in relation to the Aims of the thesis. The findings indicated that within the Welsh Hospitality and Catering industry levels of knowledge and attitudes with regard to food safety and food safety legislation were variable and in some instances, unsatisfactory. In many instances, intentions to act in a positive manner towards the implementation of food safety precautions were not reflected in actual behaviour. It was further found that in establishments of all sizes and ownership categories, food handling practices were variable and in many cases, unsafe. Recommendations are made based upon the results obtained and discussed in this thesis.

Thesis--PlanA (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Foodborne illnesses following the ingestion of contaminated food are a major public health problem worldwide. They include a broad group of illnesses ranging from mild to chronic or life-threatening; caused by either toxins released from the disease-causing microbes, or by the microbes themselves. Antimicrobial susceptibility data shows an alarming increase in the frequency of antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens, a situation which is worrisome as it decreases the effectiveness of drugs employed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with serious and life-threatening infections and thus, compromising human health. This study was therefore designed to assess the occurrence and characterization of bacterial foodborne pathogens in various foods sold in Alice, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa in an effort to throw more light on the inherent risk associated with such foods. The study was conducted during the period of 2011 - 2013. Two university restaurants and eight ready-to-eat food vending sites in Alice Town were selected based on their prominence to the students, workers and rest of the community. Microbiological analysis was conducted on 252 samples which included vegetables, potatoes, rice, pies, beef and chicken stew. The isolates were identified using biochemical tests and confirmation of the two most prevalent organisms (Listeria ivanovii and Enterobacter cloacae) was done using PCR techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Listeria ivanovii and Enterobacter cloacae strains were identified using the disc diffusion technique; minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the broth dilution method and M.I.C. Evaluator test strips. The microtiter plate adherence assay was employed to ascertain the ability of these isolates to adhere to a surface whereas the role of cell surface properties in biofilm formation was assessed using the coaggregation and autoaggregation assays. The architecture of the formed biofilms was examined under the scanning electron microscope. The virulence and resistant genes were also detected and characterised by sequencing the PCR products. Bacterial growth was present in all the food types tested; organisms isolated included: Listeria spp. (22%), Enterobacter spp. (18%), Aeromonas hydrophila (12%), Klebsiella oxytoca (8%), Proteus mirabilis (6.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.2%) and Pseudomonas luteola (2.4%). PCR confirmed 30 (97%) isolates as E. cloacae complex while 44% (22/50) tested positive for L. ivanovii. All the strains of E. cloacae (100%) and 96% of L. ivanovii isolates (based on phenotypic identification) were resistant to at least four or more of the antibiotics. In this study, bla-TEM was also detected from 48 (96%) of L. ivanovii and 30 (100%) of E. cloacae strains; further analysis of the bla-TEM demonstrated the occurrence of bla-TEM-1. Of the 56 bla-TEM-1 positive isolates sequenced, 7% (4/56) had mutation of either insertion or substitution of a nucleotide. Two virulence genes (ucaA and hlyA) were detected in E. cloacae isolates and none in L. ivanovii using PCR. Sequence analysis of the hsp60 gene reported the presence of two sub-species for E. cloacae; E. cloacae cluster III (75%) and E. cloacae cluster IV (25%); while analysis of the iap60 gene demonstrated that 55.8% (19/34) were L. ivanovii, 44% (15/34) L. seeligeri and 14.7% (5/34) L. welshemeri. A total of 90% L. ivanovii and 88% E. cloacae strains demonstrated the ability to form biofilms; the coaggregation index ranged from 12 to 77% while the autoaggregation index varied from 11 to 55% for L. ivanovii and 27% to 98% for E. cloacae. The findings of this study indicate that most of the ready-to-eat food samples examined did not meet bacteriological quality standards, thus posing potential risks to consumers. This should draw the attention of the relevant authorities to certify that hygienic standards are improved to curtain foodborne infections. Furthermore, the presence of multi-resistant strains is of major concern as these foods could serve as important vehicles transmitting multi-resistant bacteria and genes to humans. In addition the ability of these pathogens to form biofilms may lead to adherence of these organisms to kitchen utensils and other environments leading to cross-contamination of food processed in these areas and increase resistance of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

The increase in production farming, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), garners more investigations on the implications to public health regarding the disposal of the wastes of food production animals. In addition to the vast amount of animal manure produced, human biosolids is another waste residual that must be managed. The research focus was the sustainability of foodborne pathogens in waste products and the variables that manipulate these environments such as moisture, temperature, organic matter and time. The first study was designed to analyze spatial differences in microbial populations in broiler litter by investigating the relationship of intra-house location, age of flock, bedding moisture, and seasonality. Antibiogram profiles of selected isolates were explored to determine if antibiotic resistant bacteria are common in these environments and if multiple class resistance is present. These findings provided insight into new targets that may reduce zoonotic bacteria that are problematic from a food safety prospective as well as nuisance bacteria that threaten broiler health. The second study was designed to establish current decay rates of viral and bacterial pathogens when seeded in various waste residuals and the effects soil type and application method have on those rates. Decay rates were established by standard culture and molecular methods, such as qPCR. A comparison of both derived inactivation rates were analyzed to determine if these methods were significantly different. Both cultural and molecular methods have limitation and advantages, and the argument that both are useful and needed is asserted. The decay rates associated with each method were used to simulate a one-time exposure to a land application site to assess the microbial risk of Salmonella using a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment model.

Thesis (PhD.(Animal Science) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012

Cost-of-illness (COI) analysis was the first economic evaluation methodology used in the health field, and it aims to identify and quantify all of the costs incurred due to a particular illness. While cost-of-illness studies attract much interest from healthcare policy makers and public health advocates, inconsistencies in study methodologies and cost inventories have made cost-of-illness estimates difficult to interpret and compare, limiting their usefulness. The purpose of this thesis was to use a scoping review approach to systematically explore cost inventories in the cost of foodborne illness literature, and to investigate the association between study methodologies, component costs, and foodborne illness-related factors to the estimated cost of non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. illness, using studies identified in the scoping review. The results indicated high variability in terms of the depth and breadth of individual and societal level component costs, along with a wide range of data sources being used in the cost of foodborne illness literature. Additionally, the number of direct component cost categories included in an estimate, particularly long-term care costs, and the inclusion of chronic sequelae costs were significantly associated with the cost of non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. illness. Therefore, these may be important factors to consider when initiating a cost of foodborne illness study and when interpreting or comparing existing cost of foodborne illness estimates. The results of this thesis can be used to address issues that are believed to be limiting cost-of-illness studies as decision making tools, and to better understand factors which may impact a cost of foodborne illness estimate. / Scoping review and linear regression analyses in the area of cost of foodborne illness / Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Public Health Agency of Canada (CIHR/PHAC) Applied Public Health Research Chair (awarded to Dr. Jan M. Sargeant)