Growing consumer awareness of the health benefits associated with fruits and vegetables and demand for easy to prepare products has prompted the development of a wide variety of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Minimally processed fruits and vegetables are often peeled, cut, or diced which compromise the produces’ natural protective barriers, exposing a nutrient rich medium and providing an ideal environment for the growth of microorganisms, including foodborne pathogens. The germination conditions of sprout vegetables consisting of relatively high temperatures and humidity, low light and abundance of nutrients are also conducive to the proliferation of foodborne pathogens. Recent outbreaks and recalls indicate additional measures are needed to improve food safety and maintain the integrity of the food industry. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) against E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. on apple slices and alfalfa sprouts and it’s influence on product quality. Apple slices inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. (each at 104 CFU/g) were treated with Lb. plantarum alone and in combination with Pediococcus acidophilus and P. pentosaceus (LPP) (107 CFU/g) while alfalfa seeds were inoculated with L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. (each at 101 CFU/g and 103 CFU/g) and treated with LPP (107 CFU/g). The growth of the microorganisms on the apple slices was assessed during five and seven days of storage at 4◦C and 20◦C, respectively. Growth on alfalfa seeds was reported during five days of sprouting at 20◦C. Populations of LAB were maintained between 7.0 log CFU/g and 8.0 log CFU/g throughout storage and sprouting on the sliced apples and alfalfa seeds, respectively. Although LAB had no significant effect on pathogen populations on apple slices during storage at 4°C (p > 0.05), populations were significantly different at 20°C (p < 0.05). Populations of L. monocytogenes in the presence of Lb. plantarum and LPP were 1.84 log CFU/g and 2.84 log CFU/g less than the controls after five days of storage at 20°C (p < 0.05). Populations of E. coli O157:H7 in the presence of Lb. plantarum and LPP were 1.83 log CFU/g and 1.86 log CFU/g less than the control after one and three days of storage, respectively. Finally, populations of Salmonella spp. were 0.86 log CFU/g less than populations in the absence of LPP after three days of storage. LPP had a significant effect on the growth of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. on alfalfa seeds (p < 0.05). After five days of sprouting, populations of L. monocytogenes at an initial concentration of 101 CFU/g and 103 CFU/g on seeds treated with LPP were approximately 4.5 log CFU/g and 1.0 log CFU/g less than the untreated seeds, respectively. Populations of Salmonella spp. at an initial concentration of 101 CFU/g and 103 CFU/g were 1.0 log CFU/g less than the control. Overall, on apple slices the combination of Lb. plantarum with P. acidophilum and P. pentosaceus demonstrated greater efficacy than Lb. plantarum alone and reduction of L. monocytogenes by Lb. plantarum and LPP was greater than Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 on apple slices and alfalfa seeds, alike. LAB had a minimal effect on the quality of the apple slices and alfalfa seeds. LAB could be an effective strategy in reducing pathogen populations at abusive temperatures and germination conditions without influencing the quality of minimally processed fruit and vegetables.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Enterobactérias produtoras de ESBLs são descritas tanto no ambiente hospitalar quanto na comunidade em todo o mundo. No Brasil, esses microrganismos também têm emergido como uma causa importante de infecções, sendo as enzimas CTX-M as prevalentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar diferentes aspectos genotípicos relacionados à expressão da resistência aos antimicrobianos em cepas Escherichia coli e de Salmonella spp, tais como: a diversidade de ESBLs, os genes de resistência aos antimicrobianos e o conteúdo plasmidial. Os aspectos epidemiológicos das cepas produtoras de ESBLs também foram investigados. Foram estudadas 88 cepas de enterobactérias, sendo 43 E. coli e 45 cepas de Salmonella spp., de origem hospitalar e da comunidade (principalmente alimentos), isoladas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A expressão de ESBL foi observada em sete cepas de E. coli (7/43, 16,3%) e em uma cepa de Salmonella Typhimurium (1/45, 2,3%) e as enzimas foram identificadas como variantes de CTX-M e SHV-5, respectivamente. Entre as cepas de E. coli, a enzima CTX-M-2 foi a mais frequente (n = 4), sendo detectada em cepas isoladas de swab retal de pacientes hospitalizados, enquanto as enzimas CTX-M-59 (uma variante de CTX-M) (n = 1) e CTX-M-9 (n = 2) foram identificadas em cepas isoladas a partir de espécimes clínicos. Salmonella Typhimurium produtora de SHV-5 foi isolada do ambiente hospitalar (fórmula infantil). As cepas de E. coli produtoras das enzimas CTX-M pertenceram a grupos filogenéticos (A, B1, D) e STs (ST34, ST69, ST101) diferentes, sendo os genes blaCTX-M identificados em plasmídeos com tipo de replicon IncA/C de cerca de 150 kb (blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-9, blaCTX-M-59) ou 80 kb (blaCTX-M-2). A cepa de S. Typhimurium produtora de SHV-5 pertenceu a um único clone (A-ST19) e o gene blaSHV-5 foi identificado em plasmídeo com o replicon IncL/M com aproximadamente 55Kb. Foi identificado pela primeira vez no Brasil o ST313 em um clone de S. Typhimurium (D-ST313), comumente associado com doenças invasivas severas, particulamente no continente africano. Genes que codificam para a resistência aos antimicrobianos não-beta-lactâmicos e integrons classe 1 foram identificados entre as cepas de E. coli e de Salmonella spp. multirresistentes produtoras ou não de ESBLs. Em conclusão: i) nossos resultados referentes à E. coli confirmaram a disseminação de enzimas CTX-M (principalmente variantes do grupo CTX-M-2) desde, pelo menos, o ano de 2000, em hospitais no Rio de Janeiro; demonstraram a implicação dos plasmídeos IncA/C na disseminação de genes blaCTX-M; indicaram a possível evolução intra-plasmídeo de blaCTX-M-59 a partir de blaCTX-M-2; a observação da diversidade e multiplicidade de plasmídeos poderiam fornecer plataformas genéticas para a dispersão de diferentes genes e/ou elementos de resistência aos antimicrobianos; ii) em relação à Salmonella spp. este estudo descreveu, pela primeira vez, o isolamento, a partir de fórmula infantil, de uma cepa de S. Typhimurium produtora de ESBL; foi demonstrada a associação do gene blaSHV-5 com plasmídeo do tipo IncL/M, que é considerado epidêmico; foi identificado o clone D-ST313 de S. Typhimurium, que está associado a doenças invasivas severas no continente africano, que reuniu cepas isoladas exclusivamente do ambiente hospitalar. / ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been described in hospitals and in the community worldwide. In Brazil, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae have also emerged as an important cause of infections, being CTX-M enzymes the most prevalent ESBLs. The objective of this study was to analyze different genotypic aspects related to expression of antimicrobial resistance in isolates of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., such as: diversity of ESBLs, antibiotic resistance genes and plasmid content. Epidemiological features of ESBL-producing isolates were also investigated. We studied 88 isolates of enterobacteria, 43 E. coli and 45 Salmonella serotypes of hospital and community (mainly food) origin, isolated in the city of Rio de Janeiro. ESBL expression was observed in seven E. coli isolates (7/43; 16,3%) and in one Salmonella Typhimurium (1/45; 2,3%) and the enzymes identified as CTX-M variants and SHV-5, respectively. Among the E. coli isolates, CTX-M-2 was the most frequent (n=4), being detected in isolates recovered from rectal swabs of hospitalized patients, whereas CTX-M-59 (a CTX-M-2-variant) (n=1) and CTX-M-9 (n=2) were identified in E. coli isolated from clinical specimens. SHV-5-producing S. Typhimurium was isolated from the hospital environment (infant formula). CTX-M-producing E. coli belonged to different phylogenetic groups (A, B1, D) and STs (ST34, ST69, ST101), being blaCTX-M genes were identified in IncA/C plasmids of approximately 150 kb (blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-9, blaCTX-M-59) or 80 kb (blaCTX-M-2). SHV-5-producing S. Typhimurium belonged to a single clone (A-ST19) and blaSHV-5 gene was identified in IncL/M plasmids of approximately 55Kb. This study first described in Brazil the isolation of S. Typhimurium belonging to ST313 commonly associated with severe invasive diseases, particularly in Africa. Genes encoding resistance to non-beta-lactams and class 1 integrons were found among ESBL-producers and non-ESBL-producing multidrug-resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. In conclusion: i) our results related to E. coli confirmed the dissemination of CTX-M-enzymes (especially CTX-M-2-variants) since, at least, the beginning of the last decade in Rio de Janeiro clinical settings; demonstrated the implication of IncA/C plasmids in the spread of blaCTX-M genes; indicated the possible intra-plasmid evolution of blaCTX-M-59 from blaCTX-M-2; observation of the diversity and multiplicity of plasmids would provide genetic platforms for spread of different antibiotic resistance genes and/or elements; ii) in relation to Salmonella spp. this study described for the first time, the isolation, from infant formula, ESBL- producing S. Typhimurium; has been demonstrated the association of blaSHV-5 to plasmids belonging to IncL/M group, that can be considered epidemic plasmids; was identified D-ST313 clone in S. Typhimurium, commonly associated with severe invasive diseases, particularly in Africa, among isolates recovered exclusively from hospital.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Enterobactérias produtoras de ESBLs são descritas tanto no ambiente hospitalar quanto na comunidade em todo o mundo. No Brasil, esses microrganismos também têm emergido como uma causa importante de infecções, sendo as enzimas CTX-M as prevalentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar diferentes aspectos genotípicos relacionados à expressão da resistência aos antimicrobianos em cepas Escherichia coli e de Salmonella spp, tais como: a diversidade de ESBLs, os genes de resistência aos antimicrobianos e o conteúdo plasmidial. Os aspectos epidemiológicos das cepas produtoras de ESBLs também foram investigados. Foram estudadas 88 cepas de enterobactérias, sendo 43 E. coli e 45 cepas de Salmonella spp., de origem hospitalar e da comunidade (principalmente alimentos), isoladas na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A expressão de ESBL foi observada em sete cepas de E. coli (7/43, 16,3%) e em uma cepa de Salmonella Typhimurium (1/45, 2,3%) e as enzimas foram identificadas como variantes de CTX-M e SHV-5, respectivamente. Entre as cepas de E. coli, a enzima CTX-M-2 foi a mais frequente (n = 4), sendo detectada em cepas isoladas de swab retal de pacientes hospitalizados, enquanto as enzimas CTX-M-59 (uma variante de CTX-M) (n = 1) e CTX-M-9 (n = 2) foram identificadas em cepas isoladas a partir de espécimes clínicos. Salmonella Typhimurium produtora de SHV-5 foi isolada do ambiente hospitalar (fórmula infantil). As cepas de E. coli produtoras das enzimas CTX-M pertenceram a grupos filogenéticos (A, B1, D) e STs (ST34, ST69, ST101) diferentes, sendo os genes blaCTX-M identificados em plasmídeos com tipo de replicon IncA/C de cerca de 150 kb (blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-9, blaCTX-M-59) ou 80 kb (blaCTX-M-2). A cepa de S. Typhimurium produtora de SHV-5 pertenceu a um único clone (A-ST19) e o gene blaSHV-5 foi identificado em plasmídeo com o replicon IncL/M com aproximadamente 55Kb. Foi identificado pela primeira vez no Brasil o ST313 em um clone de S. Typhimurium (D-ST313), comumente associado com doenças invasivas severas, particulamente no continente africano. Genes que codificam para a resistência aos antimicrobianos não-beta-lactâmicos e integrons classe 1 foram identificados entre as cepas de E. coli e de Salmonella spp. multirresistentes produtoras ou não de ESBLs. Em conclusão: i) nossos resultados referentes à E. coli confirmaram a disseminação de enzimas CTX-M (principalmente variantes do grupo CTX-M-2) desde, pelo menos, o ano de 2000, em hospitais no Rio de Janeiro; demonstraram a implicação dos plasmídeos IncA/C na disseminação de genes blaCTX-M; indicaram a possível evolução intra-plasmídeo de blaCTX-M-59 a partir de blaCTX-M-2; a observação da diversidade e multiplicidade de plasmídeos poderiam fornecer plataformas genéticas para a dispersão de diferentes genes e/ou elementos de resistência aos antimicrobianos; ii) em relação à Salmonella spp. este estudo descreveu, pela primeira vez, o isolamento, a partir de fórmula infantil, de uma cepa de S. Typhimurium produtora de ESBL; foi demonstrada a associação do gene blaSHV-5 com plasmídeo do tipo IncL/M, que é considerado epidêmico; foi identificado o clone D-ST313 de S. Typhimurium, que está associado a doenças invasivas severas no continente africano, que reuniu cepas isoladas exclusivamente do ambiente hospitalar. / ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been described in hospitals and in the community worldwide. In Brazil, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae have also emerged as an important cause of infections, being CTX-M enzymes the most prevalent ESBLs. The objective of this study was to analyze different genotypic aspects related to expression of antimicrobial resistance in isolates of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., such as: diversity of ESBLs, antibiotic resistance genes and plasmid content. Epidemiological features of ESBL-producing isolates were also investigated. We studied 88 isolates of enterobacteria, 43 E. coli and 45 Salmonella serotypes of hospital and community (mainly food) origin, isolated in the city of Rio de Janeiro. ESBL expression was observed in seven E. coli isolates (7/43; 16,3%) and in one Salmonella Typhimurium (1/45; 2,3%) and the enzymes identified as CTX-M variants and SHV-5, respectively. Among the E. coli isolates, CTX-M-2 was the most frequent (n=4), being detected in isolates recovered from rectal swabs of hospitalized patients, whereas CTX-M-59 (a CTX-M-2-variant) (n=1) and CTX-M-9 (n=2) were identified in E. coli isolated from clinical specimens. SHV-5-producing S. Typhimurium was isolated from the hospital environment (infant formula). CTX-M-producing E. coli belonged to different phylogenetic groups (A, B1, D) and STs (ST34, ST69, ST101), being blaCTX-M genes were identified in IncA/C plasmids of approximately 150 kb (blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-9, blaCTX-M-59) or 80 kb (blaCTX-M-2). SHV-5-producing S. Typhimurium belonged to a single clone (A-ST19) and blaSHV-5 gene was identified in IncL/M plasmids of approximately 55Kb. This study first described in Brazil the isolation of S. Typhimurium belonging to ST313 commonly associated with severe invasive diseases, particularly in Africa. Genes encoding resistance to non-beta-lactams and class 1 integrons were found among ESBL-producers and non-ESBL-producing multidrug-resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. In conclusion: i) our results related to E. coli confirmed the dissemination of CTX-M-enzymes (especially CTX-M-2-variants) since, at least, the beginning of the last decade in Rio de Janeiro clinical settings; demonstrated the implication of IncA/C plasmids in the spread of blaCTX-M genes; indicated the possible intra-plasmid evolution of blaCTX-M-59 from blaCTX-M-2; observation of the diversity and multiplicity of plasmids would provide genetic platforms for spread of different antibiotic resistance genes and/or elements; ii) in relation to Salmonella spp. this study described for the first time, the isolation, from infant formula, ESBL- producing S. Typhimurium; has been demonstrated the association of blaSHV-5 to plasmids belonging to IncL/M group, that can be considered epidemic plasmids; was identified D-ST313 clone in S. Typhimurium, commonly associated with severe invasive diseases, particularly in Africa, among isolates recovered exclusively from hospital.