Introduction: Predictions on the world’s population in the next few decades suggest that the global demand for animal-derived proteins may not be met if current conventional agriculture approaches are used. One promising solution to this complex crisis lies in the use of single-cell proteins (SCP). SCP refers to the edible biomass of unicellular microorganisms and can be developed as animal feeds or human foods. This paper provides a detailed overview on research towards the production and utilisation of SCPs and trends within the field.Study Design: A bibliometric based study was conducted on 425 SCP research articles collected from the Web of Science database, analysing the most cited papers using VOSviewer software, and contributing authors, affiliations and country of origin. Research publications on SCP started in 1961 and has grown steadily over the years.Discussion: Emerging research topics within SCP production focused on the use of improved fungal strains, the composition and characteristics of SCPs based on the type of substrates used, industrial production processes and the use of waste for SCP production, which serves the dual purpose of mitigating the cost associated with waste disposal and production of a valuable product.

Aim: This study was aimed to determine the virulent genes and antibiotic resistance patterns among circulating diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) pathotypes in a tertiary care health center in east of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Diarrheal stool samples were obtained from 80 children under 5 years and E. coli was isolated and identified using standard biochemical and molecular methods. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect eight virulent genes of DEC. Disk diffusion method was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of DEC. Results: DEC infection was observed in 54 (68%) children among which ial gene for enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) (40% [n=22]) was commonly detected followed by eltA/eltB for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (30% [n=16]), pCVD for enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (20% [n=11]), and eaeA/bfpA for typical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (10% [n=5]). The DEC isolates phenotypically exhibited resistance for ampicillin (AMP) (44 [81%]), followed by ciprofloxacin (CIP)/ levofloxacin (LEV) (28 [52%]), cefoxitin (FOX) (11 [20%]), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC) (6 [11%]). About 60% isolates of stable toxins-ETEC were resistant to AMC, CIP, and LEV while all the labile toxin-ETEC exhibited resistance to AMP. About 60% (n=6) resistance were seen in EAEC against ampicillin, AMC, FOX, CIP, and LEV. In EIEC, all the isolates (n=22) were resistant to AMP while 50% (n=11) were resistant to both CIP and LEV. All EPEC (n=5) were resistant to AMP, FOX, CIP, and LEV. Conclusion: High frequency of virulent ial and eltA/eltB genes for EIEC and ETEC, respectively, suggests that they are the primary etiological agents of diarrhea in children among DEC pathotypes. Resistance of DEC to more than two classes of antibiotics indicate possible emergence of multidrug resistance.

Edible snails are usually obtained from the forest and in high demand among consumers. Data on the level of contamination of edible snails with bacterial pathogens are needed for making legislations that will improve food safety and protect public health. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and distribution of counts of selected bacterial pathogens in Achatina achatina from major markets within South East Nigeria. A total of 300 samples of A. achatina were examined for occurrence and counts of Citrobacter, Shigella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Aeromonas and Bacillus cereus using enrichment broth, differential and selective media. Snail samples from Ogbete market had the highest mean aerobic plate count (9.32 ± 0.308 Log CFU/g), while Abakaliki market samples had highest mean count of coliforms (7.63 ± 0.389 Log CFU/g). Among pathogens, highest counts were observed for Citrobacter and E. coli which ranged from 6.0 to 8.0 Log CFU/g in 300 (100%) and 180 (60%) samples respectively. Significant differences were observed among the locations (p < 0.01). Our findings highlight the need for formulation and implementation of strategies for the reduction of bacterial pathogens in edible snails along the value chain.

Aeromonas dhakensis is the most virulent Aeromonas species pathogenic to both animals and humans. The degree of its risk to health seems masked by misidentifications. We present the genome sequence of A. dhakensis Igbk (sequence type 1171), associated with snails, harboring the OXA-726 gene in the chromosome.

Introduction: It has been suggested that coagulase-negative staphylococci can serve as reservoirs of virulence genes for other bacteria. This study assessed the presence of such genes in selected isolates recovered from meat of the giant African snail (Achatina achatina). Material and Methods: Virulence genes were detected using a polymerase chain reaction targeting specific primers. Two representative isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The results showed that the staphylococcal enterotoxin A gene (sea) was present in five out of the eight isolates studied. The isolates expressed resistance mainly to three antibiotics: chloramphenicol, norfloxacin and cloxacillin in descending order of incidence. Most importantly, the Staphylococcus sciuri isolate NEDU 181, in addition to being resistant to the three aforementioned antibiotics, also harboured the sea gene. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of toxigenic and antibiotic-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. in commercially-available fresh snail meat. With staphylococcal enterotoxin A known to survive cooking temperature, this presents a food safety concern.

The demand for terrestrial snails as a food source is still on the increase globally, yet this has been overlooked in disease epidemiology and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study conducted genomic analyses of twenty Citrobacter portucalensis strains isolated from live edible snails traded in two hubs. The isolates were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS, antimicrobial resistance testing, whole genome sequencing, and analyses for in-depth characterization. The findings disclosed that seventeen strains across the two trading hubs were distinct from previously reported ones. Four isolates were found to share the same sequence type (ST881). Genome-based comparison suggests a clonal transmission of strains between snails traded in these hubs. All the isolates across the two hubs harbored similar variety of antimicrobial resistance genes, with notable ones being blaCMY and qnrB. Sixteen isolates (80%) expressed phenotypic resistance to second-generation cephalosporins, while eleven isolates (55%) exhibited resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. This report of multi-drug-resistant C. portucalensis strains in edible snails highlights significant concerns for food safety and clinical health because of the potential transmission to humans. Enhanced surveillance and stringent monitoring by health authorities are essential to evaluate the impact of these strains on the burden of antimicrobial resistance and to address the associated risk.