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Characterization of Cronobacter sakazakii Strains Originating from Plant-Origin Foods Using Comparative Genomic
Hyein Jang1, Athmanya Eshwar2, Angelika Lehner2
1Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
Microorganisms
|July 27, 2022
Summary
Cronobacter sakazakii is found in plant-based foods and can be virulent, posing a risk similar to clinical strains. This highlights the need for broader surveillance of this foodborne pathogen in various food sources.
Area of Science:
- Food Microbiology
- Genomics
- Pathogen Surveillance
Background:
- Cronobacter sakazakii is frequently isolated from diverse food products beyond traditional sources like powdered infant formula (PIF).
- Understanding the genetic diversity and virulence of C. sakazakii from plant-origin foods is crucial for public health.
- Plant-derived foods represent an expanding reservoir for this opportunistic pathogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and virulence of Cronobacter sakazakii strains isolated from plant-origin foods.
- To compare plant-origin C. sakazakii with clinical and environmental strains.
- To identify potential transmission routes and inform surveillance strategies.
Main Methods:
- Whole genome sequencing and comparative bioinformatic analyses of 88 C. sakazakii strains.
- Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and DNA hybridization for phylogenetic clustering.
- Zebrafish infection (ZI) studies to assess virulence.
- Prophage and antimicrobial resistance gene analysis.
Main Results:
- All plant-origin strains harbored a pESA3-like virulence plasmid and shared a core genome with other C. sakazakii.
- Emerging nucleotide diversity was observed in core genes, with strains clustering by sequence types (STs).
- Virulence comparable to clinical strains was observed in some plant-origin C. sakazakii, with some strains carrying the mcr-9.1 gene.
Conclusions:
- Plant-origin foods can harbor virulent C. sakazakii strains with genomic features similar to clinically relevant types.
- These findings suggest plant-derived foods act as potential transmission vehicles for C. sakazakii.
- Expanded surveillance of C. sakazakii in a wider range of food commodities is warranted.
