An official website of the United States government.

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 743

  1. Megaplasmid Dissemination in Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Serotypes from Backyard and Commercial Broiler Production Systems in the Southeastern United States

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Over the past decade, there has been a rise in U.S. backyard poultry ownership, raising concern for residential area antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Salmonella contamination. This study aims to lay the groundwork to better understand the persistence of AMR Salmonella in residential broiler production systems and make comparisons with commercial systems.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  2. Virulence Genes, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Genotypes of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated from Chicken Slaughterhouses in South Korea

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Campylobacter jejuni represents one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and is primarily linked to chicken meat contamination. In the present study, we analyzed the virulence and survival genes, antimicrobial resistance, and the clonal distribution of 50 C. jejuni isolates obtained from various sources in 14 chicken slaughterhouses across 8 provinces in South Korea from 2019 to 2022.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  3. In Silico Detection of Integrons and Their Relationship with Resistance Phenotype of Salmonella Isolates from a Brazilian Pork Production Chain

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The pork production chain is an important reservoir of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. This study identified and characterized integrons in Salmonella isolates from a Brazilian pork production chain and associate them with their antibiotic resistance pattern. A total of 41 whole-genome sequencing data of nontyphoidal Salmonella were analyzed using PlasmidSPAdes and IntegronFinder software.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  4. Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Campylobacter spp. Recovered from Chicken Farms in Two Districts of Bangladesh

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter has reinforced its status as a foodborne pathogen of significant public health concern. Resistant Campylobacter is typically transferred to humans via the consumption of contaminated animal products, particularly poultry. The genes associated with antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. are poorly understood.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  5. Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Bacillus cereus Group Bacteria Isolated from the Dairy Farm Environment and Raw Milk in Tunisia

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Members of the Bacillus cereus group are well-known opportunistic foodborne pathogens. In this study, the prevalence, hemolytic activity, antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence factor genes, genetic diversity by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping, and adhesion potential were investigated in isolates from a Tunisian dairy farm environment and raw milk.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Bacillus cereus
  6. Design and Optimization of a yst-PCR to Detect Yersinia enterocolitica in Meat Food

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) directed to the yst chromosomal gene (yst-PCR) was used as a rapid, sensitive, and specific method to detect Yersinia enterocolitica strains belonging to different biotypes in foods; a competitive Internal Amplification Control (cIAC) is also developed. The cIAC had a molecular weight of 417 bp and was detected until a concentration of 0.85 ng/μL.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Yersinia
  7. Antimicrobial Activity of Eugenol Against Bacillus cereus and Its Application in Skim Milk

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Bacillus cereus is a foodborne pathogen widely distributed in the large-scale catering industry and produces spores. The study explored the antibacterial activity, potential mechanism of eugenol against B. cereus, and spores with germination rate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 0.6 mg/mL) of eugenol to six B. cereus strains was compared with the control; B. cereus treated with eugenol had a longer lag phase.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Bacillus cereus
  8. Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum Extract Against Bacillus cereus and Its Application in Pasteurized Milk

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The purpose of this study was to reveal the antibacterial activity and mechanism of Polygonatum sibiricum extract (PSE) against Bacillus cereus and further analyze the application of PSE in pasteurized milk (PM). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values and growth curve analysis were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of PSE against B. cereus.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Bacillus cereus
  9. Quantitative Risk Assessment of Salmonella in Breaded Pork Products in China

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Pork products were the most common media of Salmonella in China, breaded pork products as a very popular meat presently, whose Salmonella risk should be drawn to attention.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  10. Serological and Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Domestic Pigs Intended for Human Consumption and Potential Occupational Hazard to Pig Farmers in India

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Toxoplasma gondii, an important food-borne zoonotic parasite, poses a worldwide public health hazard. Domestic pigs are considered one of the main intermediate hosts in the zoonotic transmission of T. gondii. To date, seroepidemiological information on T. gondii in domestic pigs in India is very scarce, and there are no reports of occupational hazards to pig farmers in this country. Here, we aimed at estimating the occurrence of T.

      • Parasites
      • Toxoplasma gondii
  11. Characterization of Staphylococcus Species Isolates from Sheep Milk with Subclinical Mastitis: Antibiotic Resistance, Enterotoxins, and Biofilm Production

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Subclinical mastitis represents one of the most contagious diseases affecting animals involved in dairy production systems. Although coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNSs) have been considered minor pathogens for many years, they have recently emerged as opportunistic pathogens in mastitis disorders.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  12. Monitoring and Genotyping of Norovirus in Bivalve Molluscan Shellfish from Northern Italian Seas (2018–2020)

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Norovirus (NoV) is an enteric virus with foodborne transmission. Bivalve shellfish are a main source of infections and outbreaks. In Italy a voluntary based monitoring plan to check the safety of bivalve shellfish was set up at provincial level. This study describes the occurrence and distribution of NoV in the Northern Adriatic Sea and in the Ligurian Sea.

      • Viruses
      • Norovirus
  13. Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella Dublin and Thermotolerant Campylobacter in Liver from Veal Calves in Québec, Canada

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Salmonella Dublin and Campylobacter spp. are two foodborne pathogens of importance. A small number of studies reported that consumption of veal liver was associated with an increased risk of human illness from these two pathogens.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
      • Salmonella
  14. Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes in Pig Slaughterhouses in Korea

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that has variable subtypes associated with human listeriosis and occurs in food and processing environments. This study was conducted to provide the genetic and phenotypic characterization of L. monocytogenes in pig carcasses and environments of slaughterhouses in Korea. A total of 22 L.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
  15. Prevalence and Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Retail Raw Milk Samples in Chennai, India

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Milk is an important source of food, and it is also a nutrient-rich medium, which can harbor multiple microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus is an important foodborne pathogen in food-producing animals, and there have been many reports on its infection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which has significant global public health concerns. This study was designed to isolate, characterize, and analyze the AMR pattern of S.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  16. Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Molecular Characteristics of blaCMY-2-Carrying Salmonella enterica Serovar Albany Isolated from Chickens During 2013–2020 in South Korea

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The production of β-lactamase by nontyphoidal Salmonella has become a public health issue throughout the world. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of β-lactamase-producing Salmonella enterica serovar Albany isolates.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  17. Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterococcus faecium, and Salmonella Kentucky Harboring Aminoglycoside and Beta-Lactam Resistance Genes in Raw Meat-Based Dog Diets, USA

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The practice of feeding raw meat-based diets to dogs has grown in popularity worldwide in recent years. However, there are public health risks in handling and feeding raw meat-based dog diets (RMDDs) to dogs since there are no pathogen reduction steps to reduce the microbial load, which may include antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic bacteria. A total of 100 RMDDs from 63 suppliers were sampled, and selective media were used to isolate bacteria from the diets.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  18. Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Finishing Cattle Fed Corn Genetically Modified to Produce Increased Concentrations of Alpha Amylase in the Corn Kernel

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Cattle are recognized as the principal reservoir for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and preharvest food safety efforts often focus on decreasing shedding of this pathogen in cattle feces. Enogen® corn (EC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC) is genetically modified to produce enhanced concentrations of α-amylase in the corn kernel endosperm.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
      • Escherichia coli O157:H7
  19. Outbreaks of Campylobacteriosis Caused by Drinking Raw Milk in Japan: Evidence of Relationship Between Milk and Patients by Using Whole Genome Sequencing

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Raw milk may contain some infectious bacteria and usually requires pasteurization before drinking. In this study, we report rare outbreaks of campylobacteriosis associated with raw milk in Japan, and the application of whole genome sequencing (WGS) to studies on foodborne diseases.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  20. Longitudinal Assessment of Prevalence and Incidence of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157 Resistance to Antimicrobials in Feedlot Cattle Sourced and Finished in Two Different Regions of the United States

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The objective was to investigate the influence of cattle origin and region of finishing on the prevalence of SalmonellaEscherichia coli O157:H7, and select antimicrobial resistance in E. coli populations. Yearling heifers (n = 190) were utilized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
      • Salmonella
  21. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Meat Products: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to comprehensively understand antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Listeria monocytogenes (LM) isolated from meat and meat products. The study was performed following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
  22. Genomic Insights into Pangenome and Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter spp. Isolated from Chickens at Specific Growth Stages

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  23. Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Salmonella Isolates from Retail Meats in Nanchang, China, in Two Periods

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Salmonella is one of the most important foodborne pathogens. In this article, a total of 160 Salmonella isolates recovered from retail meats in June–July 2018 (before COVID-19 outbreak) and December 2020–April 2021 (after COVID-19 outbreak) in Nanchang, China, were characterized for serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, and specific resistance gene screening.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  24. Detection of Salmonella Enteritidis in Milk Using Conductometric Immunosensor Coated on Polyaniline/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • The demand for rapid and accurate detection methods for Salmonella Enteritidis necessitates the development of highly sensitive and specific biosensors to ensure proper monitoring of food safety and quality requirements in the food sector and to secure human health. This study focused on development of a polyaniline/zinc oxide (PANI/ZnO) nanocomposite film on a gold electrode conductometric immunosensor for detection of Salmonella Enteritidis.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  25. An Outbreak Investigation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Infections in the United States Linked to Crabmeat Imported from Venezuela: 2018

    • Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of seafood-related foodborne illness globally. In 2018, the U.S. federal, state, and local public health and regulatory partners investigated a multistate outbreak of V. parahaemolyticus infections linked to crabmeat that resulted in 26 ill people and nine hospitalizations. State and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laboratories recovered V.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio