The main objective of this area of microbiological research is to increase our understanding of how and where pathogenic microorganisms enter the food chain, their prevalence and distribution. The research is also orientated towards examining means for control and prevention of such pathogens.
List of projects:
A comparative study of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates of clinical and food origin using genotypic and antimicrobial characterization techniques (2001-2004)
00-RESR-086
The principal objective of the project is to examine the genotypic profiles of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates recovered from retail food samples in three population centres (Dublin, Galway and Belfast) and compare them with clinical isolates obtained from human patients. This project has also been extended to include an examination of the role of companion animals in the transmission of this infectious agent.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Paul Whyte
Start Date: 01/03/2001
End Date: 01/09/2004
Funding Agencies: safefood
Validation of the Qualicon ABAX® system for use as an accredited rapid method for the detection of Listeria and Salmonella in food (2002-2003)
National Accreditation Board (NAB) approval of ILAB accreditation for the use of the ABAXâ system on completion of the project.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Mr Noel Shanaghy
Start Date: 11/04/2002
End Date: 01/09/2003
Funding Agencies: safefood
A study of the factors controlling the survival, germination and outgrowth of Bacillus cereus in rice-based model foods using novel rapid flow cytometry methods and biochemical markers (2003-2006)
03-PG-11
The main pathogen associated with cooked rice (a component of takeaway and cooked chilled foods) is Bacillus cereus, which can cause emetic or diarrhoeal food poisoning. It poses a food safety hazard because of its ability to exist as dormant spores and sub-lethally injured vegetative cells after cooking. In this project a novel flow cytometric method for detecting B. cereus will be developed, capable of rapidly identifying and enumerating viable and spore-forming cells. This method will subsequently be used to assess the impact of various processing, storage and cooking regimes on the survival and reactivation of B. cereus in a rice-based food system.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Martin Wilkinson
Start Date: 01/10/2003
End Date: 01/10/2006
Funding Agencies: safefood
Antibiotic resistance and the survival of antibiotic resistant Campylobacter, Salmonella and E.coli O157:H7 in foods and processing (2001-2004)
The use of anti-microbials for therapy, prophylaxis and growth promotion in animal production has led to increased anti-microbial resistance in animal pathogens. This work will focus on: antibiotic susceptibility testing for Campylobacter; methods to identify the genes involved in antibiotic resistance; an evaluation of the effect of antibiotic resistance on the survival of Salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7 in the food chain; and an investigation of the transfer of antibiotic resistance between bacteria in the food chain.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Majella Maher
Collaborating Researchers: Dr Cyril Carroll, Prof Martin Cormican,
Dr Geraldine Duffy
Start Date: 01/02/2001
End Date (extended): 31/05/2004
Funding Agencies: safefood
Arcobacter spp. In retail foodstuffs in Ireland: optimising isolation procedures and an investigation of their genetic relatedness. (2005-2007)
14-PG-17
"Arcobacters have been historically associated with veterinary diseases, notably abortion and or other reproductive disorders. More recently however, A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus have been recognised as human foodborne pathogens, most commonly associated with gastroenteritis, but also with cases of septicaemia. The lack of standardised detection techniques and the fact that Arcobacter isolation is not a routine hospital laboratory procedure has hindered accurate assessment of association of Arcobacter with human illness. This project will optimise isolation procedures for Arcobacter. The latest genotyping methods will be applied and the genotype distribution assessed. These procedures will then be used to examine the contamination of Irish foodstuffs. "
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Robert Madden
Start Date: 01/01/2005
End Date: 31/12/2007
Funding Agencies: safefood
Detection and molecular characterization of selected pathogenic organisms isolated from unpasteurised milk using milk filters (2001-2004)
00-RESR-046
Surveys have shown that a substantial proportion of farm families in the Republic of Ireland consume raw milk. This practice is inadvisable because of the risk of pathogenic microorganisms being present in the milk. As well as completing a survey of raw milk consumption by farm families, this study will determine baseline values for the incidence of a number of pathogens including Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), and Salmonella species in unpasteurised milk in commercial dairy herds in the Cork region of Ireland.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Mr Jim Buckley
Collaborating Researchers: Prof Seamus Fanning, Dr Michael Rowe
Start Date: 01/09/2001
End Date: 01/09/2004
Funding Agencies: safefood
Development of a harmonised system for approval and monitoring private laboratories testing foodborne pathogens (2001-2005)
00-RESR-105
This project aims to develop an agreed protocol for approval and monitoring testing for foodborne pathogens in private laboratories. The project has organised a number of all-Ireland inter-laboratory proficiency testing trials, as well as the development of a database of Salmonella tests and the compilation of a collection of isolates. It is also hoped that this database and collection will be extended to include other bacteria if feasible.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr John Egan
Collaborating Researchers: Dr Nola Leonard, Dr Stanley McDowell, Dr Paul Rafter
Start Date: 14/05/2001
End Date: 31/05/2005
Funding Agencies: safefood
Development of a risk assessment model for Salmonella in shell eggs and processed eggs in Ireland (2004-2007)
03-RESR-05
Hens' eggs are the principal source of Salmonella Enteriditis. This project will investigate the effect of vaccination of layers and application of Quality Assurance (QA) schemes on the risk of human infection with Salmonella spp. from the consumption of eggs and processed liquid egg produced on the island of Ireland. An extensive survey of shell eggs and processed liquid eggs will be undertaken to provide data on the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in eggs on the island of Ireland. Data from this survey will be used to develop two quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessments (MRAs), one for Northern Ireland and the other for the Republic of Ireland.
Collaborating Researchers: Dr Robert Madden, Dr Paul Whyte, Prof Seamus Fanning, Ms Louise Kelly
Start Date: 01/05/2004
End Date: 31/12/2007
Funding Agencies: safefood
Development of rapid tests for the detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and their use to determine survival in food matrices (2001-2004)
This large-scale project, which is being run in collaboration with Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM), is examining a number of aspects of MAP. The project involves survey faeces and milk from high-risk herds using culture-based and molecular detection methods. The project also aims to develop rapid methods for the detection of MAP in milk and other dairy products. The effect of different pasteurisation conditions on survival of MAP in milk is also under investigation.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Majella Maher
Collaborating Researchers: Dr John Egan, Professor Colin Hill, Dr Pat Murphy, Dr Michael Rowe
Start Date: 01/02/2001
End Date: 01/02/2004
Funding Agencies: safefood
Epidemiological assessment of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in target herds (2003-2004)
03-RESR-001
This research has been commissioned in order to carry out follow-up veterinary investigation of suspect Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP)-positive herds identified in an earlier safefood project. The objectives of this research are: (1) to validate the use of milk filters as a cost-effective, reliable methodology for screening dairy herds for the presence of MAP; (2) to identify critical risk factors for spread of MAP infection between and within herds on milk production holdings by testing milk filters, bulk tank milk, bloods from individual animals, water sources and rabbit faeces; and (3) to recommend practical control measures to the farmers concerned in relation to herd health, herd management, hygiene practices and environmental standards.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Mr Jim Buckley
Collaborating Researchers: Dr John Egan, Dr Michael Rowe
Start Date: 01/05/2003
End Date: 31/10/2004
Funding Agencies: safefood
Genetic analysis of resistance to detergents and industrial cleaning solutions in Listeria monocytogenes growing as planktonic cells and biofilms (2003-2006)
03-PG-09
Investigation of several outbreaks of listeriosis worldwide has indicated that contamination of foods with this pathogen appears to have occurred from a persistent source of the pathogen in the food manufacturing plant that survived industrial cleaning protocols. The objective of this project is to identify genes involved in the resistance of planktonic Listeria monocytogenes cells to detergents and industrial cleaning agents. Mutants exhibiting reduced detergent resistance will subsequently be analysed for detergent resistance in biofilms. In addition the correlation between detergent and bile resistance will be investigated to test the hypothesis that industrial detergents may select for bile resistant strains of L. monocytogenes in the food-processing environment.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Cormac Gahan
Collaborating Researchers: Professor Colin Hill
Start Date: 01/10/2003
End Date: 01/10/2006
Funding Agencies: safefood
Identification and characterisation of antibiotic resistance genes in poultry meat (GENECHASER)(2004-2007)
03-PG-22
This project will use a bioinformatics approach to analyse published data relating to the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes in poultry meat on the island of Ireland in order to identify the most commonly occurring antibiotic resistance genes. Primers will be developed targeting specific resistance genes and a survey of poultry meat from producers and retailers on the island of Ireland will be carried out. The information generated by this project should provide sufficient preliminary information to support the development of an innovative DNA micro-array assay for detection of antibiotic resistance genes in poultry meat.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Patrick J Naughton
Start Date: 01/01/2004
End Date: 01/01/2007
Funding Agencies: safefood
Incidence and survival of potential human pathogens in the production of the common cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) (2002-2006)
02-PG-029
This project is investigating the prevalence and potential risk of human pathogenic bacteria in cultivated mushrooms. Bacteria play an important role in the production of the mushroom fruiting body but other microorganisms, which cause mushroom disease, are still prevalent, despite prevention and control procedures. This gives rise to concern that microbes harmful to humans may also be present. This research is especially timely considering the increase in consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Patrick J Naughton
Start Date: 01/10/2002
End Date: 31/10/2006
Funding Agencies: safefood
Laboratory detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in foodstuffs – an inter-laboratory evaluation study (2003-2004)
Development of an optimised protocol for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum from vegetables for routine laboratory testing.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr John Moore
Collaborating Researchers: Dr Fiona Kenny
Start Date: 28/07/2003
End Date: 31/10/2004
Funding Agencies: safefood
Listeria monocytogenes in low pH foods: and examination of the influence of food constituents on survival and gastric transit (2002-2006)
The ability to tolerate highly acidic environments enhances the potential for growth of Listeria monocytogenes in low pH foods and permits survival during gastric transit. One mechanism that the bacterium uses to survive under such conditions is the arginine deiminase system. During the course of this project, it is intended to examine the extent to which arginine and other food constituents play a role in the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in low pH foods, and to investigate the role of these protective systems in determining the infectious dose of this important foodborne pathogen.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Cormac Gahan
Collaborating Researchers: Professor Colin Hill
Start Date: 01/10/2002
End Date: 31/10/2006
Funding Agencies: safefood
Occurrence of Salmonella on pork on the island of Ireland and an assessment of the risk factors contributing to its transmission (2005-2008)
04-RESR-08
"Salmonella species have been consistently associated with food borne illness and are the second most common cause of bacterial food borne illness. Pork has now taken over from eggs as one of the most an important food borne sources of Salmonella. Outbreaks of S. Typhimurium DT104 in Dublin (1998) and the West of Ireland (2000) linked to cooked ham resulted in 78 people and 140 people becoming ill respectively. In the Republic and Northern Ireland, two different approaches are taken to the control of Salmonella in pigs. In the Republic of Ireland, every pig herd is tested on farm on a quarterly basis to establish its Salmonella status. The category status assigned determines the treatment at slaughter and affects the need for further treatment or the destination of the meat. In Northern Ireland, there is no statutory requirement for Salmonella testing in pork. There is a voluntary system in place which tests juice from meat samples for Salmonella antibodies as they go through the abattoir. Results are compared to the national average and specialist advice is given to farms producing pigs which display high levels of contamination. The overall aim of this project is to asses the effectiveness of current control programmes and the public health risk and economic cost attributable to Salmonella on pork on the island of Ireland. This project aims to draw together and build on existing work in this area and will carry out a risk assessment of the product pathway from farm to retail level. The expected outcome will be to establish approaches by which risk and costs attributable to Salmonella can be reduced. This project will also conduct a comparison and benefit analysis of the prevention programmes available separately to Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the key policy makers and stakeholders in the pork industry on the island."
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Geraldine Duffy
Collaborating Researchers: Dr Francis Butler, Prof Seamus Fanning, Dr Maeve Henchion, Dr Nola Leonard, Dr Robert Madden, Dr Patrick J Naughton
Start Date: 01/07/2005
End Date: 01/07/2008
Funding Agencies: safefood
Research network on Verocytotoxigenic E. coli in Ireland (2004-2009)
03-NET-01
Across the island of Ireland, much research and interest is focused on verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli. This group of organisms in particular E.coli O157:H7 pose particular public health concerns for the Irish community because of the severity of the illness, and the sectors of the community which are most vulnerable to infection (children, elderly, immuno-compromised). Key to addressing the issues caused by this organism is the input and interactions of the multidisciplinary groups involved in research and surveillance including the veterinary, food, and public health sectors from universities, research institutions and industry. This network will bring together key players involved in VTEC research in Ireland and will collaborate with key international groups in the field to ensure that the research and knowledge on this organism in Ireland is state of the art. The network will aim to provide a focus from which information on the current state of research can flow to all network participants, prevent duplication of research, co-ordinate future research direction and promote collaboration. The main tasks of the project will be to set up a database of ongoing research on VTEC in Ireland (ROI and NI), establish and maintain a web site and hold regular research fora.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Geraldine Duffy
Start Date: 01/03/2004
End Date: 01/03/2009
Funding Agencies: safefood
Surveillance of Dairy Herds for emerging pathogens - Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphiococcus aureus and Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) (2005-2006)
04-RESR-013
This project involves surveillance and monitoring of milk production holdings (bovine, ovine and caprine) supplying milk for farmhouse cheese production. The monitoring programme is being carried out during a number of seasonal cycles in order to establish baseline data on the prevalence and characteristics of the following key pathogens; Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphloccaus aureus and Mycobacterium Avium paratuberculosi. The information generated will provide key information which can be applied for risk assessment and epidemiological investigations in particular with regard to the food safety risks associated with unpasteurised dairy products. safefood is funding this project collaboratively with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Co-ordinating Researcher: Mr Jim Buckley
Start Date: 01/03/2005
End Date: 01/03/2006
Funding Agencies: safefood
Use of high pressure to improve safety and quality of shellfish (2001-2005)
01-RESR-105
The aim of this project is to study the potential for use of high pressure (HP) treatment by the seafood industry on the island of Ireland. The effect of HP treatment on inactivation of selected target indicator organisms (different strains and species of Escherichia coli and Listeria spp.) and viruses in shellfish such as mussels and oysters will be studied, and the impact of this process on the sensory quality and shelf-life of shellfish will be assessed. Results of this project will be disseminated to the seafood industry on the island of Ireland.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Professor Alan Kelly
Collaborating Researchers: Dr Margaret Patterson
Start Date: 01/08/2001
End Date: 31/01/2005
Funding Agencies: safefood
Determination of the Appropriate Cooking Regimes for Recommendations for the Safe Roasting/Cooking of Stuffed Turkey
03-2007
safefood is commissioning an evidence-based study that is reviewing the standard cooking advice for stuffed and unstuffed turkeys that will ensure food safety whilst maintaining the sensory qualities of the meat. This study will determine the appropriate cooking times and temperatures for a range of different sizes of bird in both conventional and fan assisted ovens and will investigate the effect of stuffing on the microbiological safety and sensory acceptability of cooked turkey.
The key objective is to have validated scientific knowledge enabling safefood provide appropriate advice and guidance to consumers on the cooking of stuffed and unstuffed turkeys.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Joy Gaze
Collaborating Researchers: None
Start Date: 15/10/2007
End Date: 23/11/2007
Funding Agencies: safefood
Control of Campylobacter in poultry “Development of a Dissemination Programme for lessons for Farmers on the island of Ireland”.
02-2008
This study seeks to determine best practices for the control of campylobacter’s on poultry farms, based on mining the data produced by the IRTU study. This will be updated and combined with published studies to produce a concise list of current best practices which can then be widely disseminated in the poultry farming community in order to assist in meeting the goal of Campylobacter-free broilers. Experiences in Iceland and Belgium have shown that this would markedly reduce the incidence of campylobacter food poisoning in the human population.
Co-ordinating Researcher: Dr Robert Madden, QUB
Collaborating Researchers: None
Start Date: 14/04/2008
End Date: 13/04/2009
Funding Agencies: safefood
Establishment of prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes food samples and faecal samples.
Synergy Project:
There is a scarcity of data on the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in butter spreads and in fresh, soft and semi-hard cheeses. There have been a number of large outbreaks, mainly in North America, where Listeria monocytogens was identified as a causative agent.
The aim of this project is to establish the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy products, butter, cheese and pates purchased from retail outlets in the Waterford area. The project will also try to compare the strains found in food with those of clinical isolates. The work will also provide a bank of isolates which will be stored for potential use in further follow-up studies or research.
Researchers: Mr Noel Shanaghy, WPHL
Funding Agencies: safefood