Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 35-41 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Letters in applied microbiology |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 11 Apr 2017 |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2017 |
Abstract
Internalization of human pathogens in edible parts of vegetables eaten raw is a major concern, since once internalized they are protected from sanitizing treatments. In this study, we examined the invasion of gfp-labelled Escherichia coli O157:H7 into intact and biotically (infection with Xanthomonas campestris/Pseudomonas syringae) and abiotically (grating with silicon carbide) damaged leaves of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Bacterial cells were found in internal locations of the tissue, irrespective of tissue health status. Contaminated leaf sections of biotically and abiotically damaged wild rocket leaves showed higher susceptibility to microbial invasion, while the pathogen was internalized in greater numbers into intact Swiss chard leaf sections when abiotically, but not biotically, damaged. The greatest differences were observed between the plant species; after surface sanitization, E. coli O157:H7 was still detected in wild rocket leaves, but not in Swiss chard leaves. Significance and Impact of the Study: Contamination of leafy vegetables with Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a growing problem, as reported outbreaks are increasing. However, establishment of this human pathogen in the phyllosphere is not completely understood. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that E. coli O157:H7gfp+ can invade plant tissue of Swiss chard and wild rocket leaves and that the bacterium is more sensitive to surface sanitization of Swiss chard leaves. Damage to leaf tissue promoted leaf invasion, but the nature of the damage (abiotic or biotic) and plant species had an impact.
Keywords
- agriculture, E. coli, EHEC, food safety, microbial contamination, E, coli
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Letters in applied microbiology, Vol. 65, No. 1, 07.2017, p. 35-41.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Internalization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 gfp+ in rocket and Swiss chard baby leaves as affected by abiotic and biotic damage
AU - Hartmann, R.
AU - Fricke, A.
AU - Stützel, H.
AU - Mansourian, S.
AU - Dekker, T.
AU - Wohanka, W.
AU - Alsanius, B.
N1 - Funding information: The study was performed within the framework of the Tvärlivs project ‘Safe ready to eat vegetables from farm to fork: The plant as a key for risk assessment and prevention of EHEC infections (acronym: Safe Salad)’ and the international postgraduate school ‘Microbial Horticulture’ (?HORT) both funded by the Swedish research council Formas, Stockholm, Sweden, and the project ‘Qualität und Sicherheit in der Produktionskette biologisch produzierter Fertigsalate’ (German Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Nutrition, BLE; project no. 2811OE097).
PY - 2017/7
Y1 - 2017/7
N2 - Internalization of human pathogens in edible parts of vegetables eaten raw is a major concern, since once internalized they are protected from sanitizing treatments. In this study, we examined the invasion of gfp-labelled Escherichia coli O157:H7 into intact and biotically (infection with Xanthomonas campestris/Pseudomonas syringae) and abiotically (grating with silicon carbide) damaged leaves of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Bacterial cells were found in internal locations of the tissue, irrespective of tissue health status. Contaminated leaf sections of biotically and abiotically damaged wild rocket leaves showed higher susceptibility to microbial invasion, while the pathogen was internalized in greater numbers into intact Swiss chard leaf sections when abiotically, but not biotically, damaged. The greatest differences were observed between the plant species; after surface sanitization, E. coli O157:H7 was still detected in wild rocket leaves, but not in Swiss chard leaves. Significance and Impact of the Study: Contamination of leafy vegetables with Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a growing problem, as reported outbreaks are increasing. However, establishment of this human pathogen in the phyllosphere is not completely understood. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that E. coli O157:H7gfp+ can invade plant tissue of Swiss chard and wild rocket leaves and that the bacterium is more sensitive to surface sanitization of Swiss chard leaves. Damage to leaf tissue promoted leaf invasion, but the nature of the damage (abiotic or biotic) and plant species had an impact.
AB - Internalization of human pathogens in edible parts of vegetables eaten raw is a major concern, since once internalized they are protected from sanitizing treatments. In this study, we examined the invasion of gfp-labelled Escherichia coli O157:H7 into intact and biotically (infection with Xanthomonas campestris/Pseudomonas syringae) and abiotically (grating with silicon carbide) damaged leaves of wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla) using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Bacterial cells were found in internal locations of the tissue, irrespective of tissue health status. Contaminated leaf sections of biotically and abiotically damaged wild rocket leaves showed higher susceptibility to microbial invasion, while the pathogen was internalized in greater numbers into intact Swiss chard leaf sections when abiotically, but not biotically, damaged. The greatest differences were observed between the plant species; after surface sanitization, E. coli O157:H7 was still detected in wild rocket leaves, but not in Swiss chard leaves. Significance and Impact of the Study: Contamination of leafy vegetables with Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a growing problem, as reported outbreaks are increasing. However, establishment of this human pathogen in the phyllosphere is not completely understood. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that E. coli O157:H7gfp+ can invade plant tissue of Swiss chard and wild rocket leaves and that the bacterium is more sensitive to surface sanitization of Swiss chard leaves. Damage to leaf tissue promoted leaf invasion, but the nature of the damage (abiotic or biotic) and plant species had an impact.
KW - agriculture
KW - E. coli
KW - EHEC
KW - food safety
KW - microbial contamination
KW - E
KW - coli
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85019671420&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/lam.12742
DO - 10.1111/lam.12742
M3 - Article
C2 - 28397273
AN - SCOPUS:85019671420
VL - 65
SP - 35
EP - 41
JO - Letters in applied microbiology
JF - Letters in applied microbiology
SN - 0266-8254
IS - 1
ER -