Food Safety Department- List of ongoing projects
Automated techniques for foodborne pathogens (RMIS 5033, RMIS 5416)
These projects focus on the development of molecular tools to rapidly enumerate viable bacteria and to detect food poisoning bacteria Salmonella spp. and Verocytotoxigenic E. coli O157:H7 in fresh meats. RNA genes are being investigated as molecular targets with suitable ones selected for further analysis. Using the identified target a detection platform will be developed based on Real-Time PCR or fluorescent in situ hybridisation. The final stage will involve determining the equivalence of the developed methods with the traditional cultural method (ISO 4833: 2003) using the equivalence procedure outlined by the European Commission and the International Standards Organisation
Quantitative risk assessment for Salmonella in pork (RMIS 5426)
Pork is an important source of Salmonella spp. In the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI), two different approaches are taken to the control of Salmonella in pig herds. A quantitative risk assessment model is being developed to assess the public health risk from Salmonella contamination on pork produced in both jurisdictions and to establish the effectiveness of the two different Salmonella control programmes
Improved physiological, immunological and molecular tools for the recovery and identification of emerging Campylobacter spp. in food (RMIS 5184)/Public Health and food related risk from emergent Campylobacter and Arcobacter in the island of Ireland (RMIS 5553)
Campylobacter spp. are the most common cause of bacterial food borne illness in Ireland. Cases have traditionallly been almost exclusively linked to C. jejuni and C. coli and currently routine examination of stool samples from infected patients and foods look exclusively for these strains. Recent research indicates that the number of clinically significant Campylobacter is being underestimated with other newly emerging strains of Campylobacter now being linked to human illness including C. upsaliensis and C. concisus.
Research network on Verocytotoxigenic E. coli in Ireland (RMIS 5270)
This VTEC Research Network aims to enhance communication and research collaboration on VTEC on the island of Ireland. The network brings together key players involved in VTEC research and surveillance in Ireland and will collaborate with key international researchers in the field. The objectives of the network are to:
- Connect all parties in Ireland with an active research or surveillance interest in VTEC into a single forum
- Provide a forum for transfer of knowledge and technology on VTEC to facilitate best use of available resources and expertise on the island
- Establish a database on VTEC research in Ireland and hold an annual research forum
- Enable cross sectoral and multi- disciplinary collaboration
Molecular investigations on Food pathogens (RMIS 5037)
kaye.burgess@teagasc.ie or geraldine.duffy@teagasc.ie
Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) is a serious pathogen of significant public health concern worldwide. Infection is usually characterised by bloody diarrhoea and can be life threatening due to the subsequent development of haemolytic-uremic syndrome which is mediated by verocytotoxins (VTs), also known as Shiga toxins (stx). The genes for these toxins are encoded in the genomes of mobile genetic elements called lamboid bacteriophages. The fact that verotoxin genes are encoded on a bacteriophage provides major potential for the spread of these genes among E. coli and for the emergence of new VTEC types. VTEC strains are strongly associated with cattle and this project focuses on the potential effect that environmental factors encountered in the bovine rumen have on the transfer of virulence factor genes from VTEC strains to other VTEC and non VTEC strains.
Risk analysis of Enterobacter Sakazakii in Irish baby food (RMIS 5561)
Enterobacter sakazakii can cause life-threatening illness in neonates, premature infants, low birth weight infants and immunocompromised infants. The presence of this organism in dry infant milk formula products and the potential for improper handling of formulas has been implicated in several clinical cases. EU and national Microbiological criteria stipulate that this pathogen must be absent from infant formula. The objective of this project is to assess the risk related to E. sakazakii in powdered infant milk formula produced in Ireland by establishing the routes of transmission along the farm to fork chain, the effectiveness of current controls and the virulence potential of isolates recovered from the environment (dairy farms and manufacturing plants).
Epidemiology and control of Verocytotoxigenic E.coli in Irish food production animals (RMIS 5555)
In Ireland, the number of confirmed cases of VTEC is one of the highest in Europe (approximately 3 cases per 100,000). E. coli O157 accounts for most of these cases, but non-O157 cases have been steadily increasing over the last 5 years. This project focuses on the risk posed by emergent serovars of VTEC (O157, O26, O111, O45 and O103) in ruminant food animals (cattle and sheep). Effective control of these organisms has been hampered due to the lack of data pertaining to their carriage in food animals and the foods produced from them. This project will address the underlying factors both extrinsic (lairage and hide pulling operations at slaughter) and the intrinsic factors (physiological and genomic) contributing to their transmission from the live animal to fresh meat carcass and on their virulence for humans. This data will be fed in to a quantitative risk assessment model which will assist Risk Managers with responsibility for protecting public health to assess the threat posed by these pathogens in food animals and derived food in Ireland.
A sentinel surveillance of Campylobacter on the island of Ireland (RMIS 5427)
Campylobacter are the most prevalent cause of foodborne illness in Ireland. Most cases of campylobacteriosis are associated with poultry. Reducing the incidence of campylobacteriosis is dependent on decreased carriage in poultry. The objective of this project is to develop a control strategy for Campylobacter in broilers by identifying and controlling the factors which contribute to carriage.
Beef and Dairy Farm Hazard Analysis with particular emphasis on Salmonella control (RMIS 5406)
The farm is the original source of the majority of foodborne bacterial pathogens. Control of Salmonella, VTEC and Campylobacter at farm level is a prerequisite to the sustainability of consumer confidence in Irish meat and poultry. This project is tracing the source of these pathogens on Irish farms to provide the scientific basis for an effective, workable risk management strategy.
Assessment and critical evaluation of antimicrobial resistance transferability in food chain (RMIS 5272)
The development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance is of major public health concern. While many studies have been reported on the potential for inter-pathogen resistance transfer, the role of non-pathogenic bacteria in the spread of antibiotic resistance has not been investigated. This project examined antibiotic resistance in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and assessed their potential to serve as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance determinants.
Verocytotoxigenic E. coli 0157:H7 isolates from food animals and humans: DNA profiling and screening of the gene products in human intestinal tissue for assessment of the invasive and toxigenic potential of isolates of different origin (RMIS 5182)
Research to date in this project has recovered verocytotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) from different animal hosts including cattle, pigs and sheep in Ireland. Molecular analysis showed that these isolates contained a range of different virulence gene profiles. An essential factor in VTEC virulence is attachment to the human large intestine. In VTEC, the type III secretion system (TTSS) encoded by a number of genes including (eaeA, TIR, VT1 and VT2) play an essential role in allowing the pathogen to translocate virulence factors into the host intestinal cells and thus cause infection. A number of VTEC isolates were missing essential genes of the TTSS and the objective of the present study was to use in vitro cell culture lines to investigate whether the absence of particle genes of the TTSS system would affect attachment to host cells and the potential virulence of these isolates to humans. This would allow us to link a particular gene profile with potential virulence.
Development of a technique to determine the influence of aerial contamination on beef, pork and lamb carcasses during slaughter (RMIS 5415)
The air is a potential source of pathogenic bacteria in slaughter plants. This project is examining the relationship between aerial and carcass contamination in beef, pork and lamb slaughter plants with the specific aim of developing a novel methodology to accurately measure the role of bacterial aerosols in carcass contamination at any given stage in the slaughter process. This would facilitate the establishment of critical limits and allow for corrective actions when these are breached.
Control of blown pack spoilage in vacuum packaged beef (RMIS 5417)
Clostridium estertheticum is a psychrophilic bacteria that grows in the anaerobic conditions provided in vacuum packaged meat. It produces large quantities of carbon dioxide which ‘spoil’ the product after approximately 3 weeks of storage. This is currently costing the Irish meat industry millions of Euro each year. The objective of this project is to examine the distribution of this organism in Irish beef and to identify the factors which have contributed to its emergence as a significant problem with a view to developing control activities.
Investigations to establish the emergence of a range of new cytotoxic pathogens associated with cattle in Ireland (RMIS 5552)
This project is concerned with the emergence of a range of new enteric pathogens, which have been found in cattle in Ireland. The discovery of new zoonotic cytotoxic pathogens, with multiple antibiotic resistances, is of major importance, since they may be capable of entering the food chain through beef carcass contamination. In the period under review, research on the development of culture and PCR based methods for selecting for / determining cytotoxic E. coli serotypes commenced.
Residue studies for food industry and Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (National Residue Testing Plan) (RMIS 4735)
This project comprises the analytical services provided in residue testing by the Residue Laboratory, Food Safety Department, including areas of method development and validation relating to the laboratory's accreditation to ISO 17025. The project covers (a) the laboratory's function as a National Reference Laboratory, under 96/23/EC, for veterinary drug residues in foods of animal origin, under contract to DAF, and (b) commercial testing for chemical residues and specialist consultancy and advice activities for the food industry.
Co-ordination of a Research Network for safefood (Food Safety Promotion Board) on Chemical Residues (RMIS 5268)
The safefood Chemical Residues Research Network (CRRN) is one of five networks established by safefood (Food Safety Promotion Board). The purpose of the Research Network is to develop interdisciplinary and inter-jurisdictional relationships between researchers working on common research themes, to generate awareness of on-going research and surveillance activities and of research expertise, techniques and equipment available at institutions on the island, to provide the opportunity for sharing and dissemination of research findings, and to encourage a more integrated and co-ordinated approach to food safety research.
Development and application of sorbent technologies for isolation of veterinary drugs from food (RMIS 5134)
The application of sorbent technologies in sample preparation can reduce the amount of solvent used in residue analysis laboratories. The objective of this project is to apply such technology to develop multi-residue assays for detection of veterinary drugs. Further benefits of sorbent techniques include reduction in matrix interference from complex biological extracts leading to improved sensitivity and robustness.
National Food Residue Database (RMIS 5129)
The National Food Residue Database has been developed to collate all relevant data, of adequate quality, on residues of contaminants in food into a single web accessible database, available to scientists, the food industry, regulatory personnel and the general public. The NFRD serves as a source of data for use in establishing the status of food and may be used in risk assessment activities.
New technologies to screen multiple chemical contaminants in food (RMIS 5442)
This IP within the EU Sixth Framework Programme aims to develop a range of new technologies that may be applied to testing for chemical contaminants in food. The technologies of transcriptomics, proteomics and biosensors will be used to develop novel tools for residue testing. Many of these new approaches will be aimed at measuring biological effects of the presence of chemical contaminants in animals. SME partners will ensure full exploitation of all developed technologies.
Profiling for abuse of anabolic agents in meat production (RMIS 5438)
This safefood-funded project, conducted by Queen's University, Belfast and Ashtown Food Research Centre, Teagasc, is aimed at developing a monitoring scheme that will act as a significant disincentive to use of illegal growth promoting steroids in cattle production. Biosensor technology will be used for biomarker profiling in blood to identify potential use of anabolic steroids and confirmation of use of natural steroids will be provided through analysis for steroid esters in animal hair by LC-MS/MS.
