Detection of viable Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in powdered infant formula by phage-PCR and confirmed by culture

Botsaris, G; Swift, B M C; Slana, I; Liapi, M; Christodoulou, M; Hatzitofi, M; Christodoulou, V; Rees, C E

Abstract

Surveys from different parts of the world have reported that viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) can be cultured from approximately 2% of samples of retail pasteurised milk samples. Pasteurised milk is used for the production of powdered infant formula (PIF) and therefore there is a concern that MAP may also be present in these products. Several studies have previously reported the detection of MAP in PIF using PCR-based assays. However, culture-based surveys of PIF have not detected viable MAP. Here we describe a phage amplification assay coupled with PCR (page-PCR) that can rapidly detect viable MAP in PIF. The results of a small survey showed that the phage-PCR assay detected viable MAP in 13% (4/32) of PIF samples. Culture detected viable MAP in 9% (3/32) PIF samples, all of which were also phage-PCR positive. Direct IS900 PCR detected MAP DNA in 22% (7/32) of PIF samples. The presence of viable MAP in PIF indicates that MAP either survived PIF manufacturing or that post-production contamination occurred. Irrespective of the route of MAP contamination, the presence of viable MAP in PIF is a potential public health concern.

Citation

Botsaris, G., Swift, B. M. C., Slana, I., Liapi, M., Christodoulou, M., Hatzitofi, M., Christodoulou, V., & Rees, C. E. (2016). Detection of viable Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in powdered infant formula by phage-PCR and confirmed by culture. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 216, 91-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.09.011

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 19, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 4, 2016
• Deposit Date: Aug 14, 2018
• Journal: International Journal of Food Microbiology
• Print ISSN: 0168-1605
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 216
• Pages: 91-4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.09.011
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1398162