Detecting enterococci
A new comprehensive book on the "Molecular Detection of Foodborne Pathogens" has just been published. Gathering expertise from researchers worldwide and covering 62 different types of pathogens, the book aims to “save reader’s time and patient’s lives”. ITQB/IBET researchers from the Microbiology of Man-made Environment Lab, together with researchers from Universidade de Lisboa, are the authors of the Chapter on Enterococcus.
Enterococcus encompass a large proportion of autochnous gastrointestinal microbiota of human and animals and can be found in soil, surface waters, plant material, vegetables and raw, and fermented food. Although enterococci can be advantageous for foods, the occurrence of anticrobial resistances and virulence factors, associated with their highly efficient ability to transfer genetic material, pose enterococci as an emerging threat as human pathogens associated with nosocomial and community acquired infections. The chapter has a revision on the molecular approaches for identification and detection of Enterococcus, on food sample collection and preparation, cell-isolation and counting without pre-enrichment, with pre-enrichment and DNA extraction, as well as the description of detection procedures for the identification of seven groups of species within the genus Enterococcus.
Molecular Detection of Foodborne Pathogens
Dongyou Liu, Ed., Boca Raton/London/New York, 2009: CRC Press
Excerpts from the book’s preface by Dongyou Liu
“Foodborne pathogens are microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) that are capable of infecting humans via contaminated food and/or water. In recent years, diseases caused by foodborne pathogens have become an important public health problem worldwide, resulting in significant and mortality.”
“The purpose of this book is to bring out an all-encompassing volume on the detection and identification of major foodborne (…) pathogens using state-of-art molecular techniques.”
Enterococcus (Chapter12)
Teresa Semedo-Lemsaddek, Rogério Tenreiro, Paula Lopes Alves and Teresa Crespo
