Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan, just.edu.jo
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Ziad Waheed Jaradat
Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Arts, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan, just.edu.jo
Cronobacter spp. (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii), are a group of Gram-negative pathogens that have been implicated as causative agents of meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. The pathogens are linked to infant formula; however, they have also been isolated from a wide range of foods and environmental samples.
Staphylococcus genus is a Gram-positive coccus normally associated with skin and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals. It is part of the commensal human microflora, or found in animals, or contaminating surfaces in the community and hospital settings. Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic species belonging to this genus, as it possesses a collection of virulence factors that are expressed solely to evade the immune system. The increase in the misuse of antimicrobial agents predisposed S. aureus to develop antibiotic resistance, including the resistance to methicillin which led to the emergence of Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA). MRSA is considered one of the most dangerous nosocomial pathogens causing many hard to treat infections in hospitals and was named as Hospital Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Over the past 20-25 years, MRSA was isolated from community settings and thus Community Associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) has emerged. Inside hospitals, MRSA has been isolated from fomites in contact with patients, as well as staff's protective and personal items. This review highlights the worldwide prevalence of MRSA on fomites within the contexts of hospital and community settings.
A conductometric immunosensor was developed for the detection of one of the most common foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7), by conductometric sensing. The sensor was built based on a polyaniline/zinc oxide (PANI/ZnO) nanocomposite film spin-coated on a gold electrode. Then, it was modified with a monoclonal anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibody as a biorecognition element. The fabricated nanostructured sensor was able to quantify the pathogens under optimal detection conditions, within 30 min, and showed a good detection range from 101 to 104 CFU/mL for E. coli O157:H7 and a minimum detection limit of 4.8 CFU/mL in 0.1% peptone water. The sensor efficiency for detecting bacteria in food matrices was tested in ultra-heat-treated (UHT) skim milk. E. coli O157:H7 was detected at concentrations of 101 to 104 CFU/mL with a minimum detection limit of 13.9 CFU/mL. The novel sensor was simple, fast, highly sensitive with excellent specificity, and it had the potential for rapid sample processing. Moreover, this unique technique for bacterial detection could be applicable for food safety and quality control in the food sector as it offers highly reliable results and is able to quantify the target bacterium.