Author
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Borucki, Monica |
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Reynolds, James |
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GAY, C |
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MCELWAIN, K |
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KIM, SO |
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Knowles Jr, Donald |
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HU, JINXIN |
Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2004 Publication Date: 10/1/2004 Citation: Borucki, M.K., Reynolds, J.O., Gay, C., Mcelwain, K., Kim, S.H., Knowles Jr, D.P., Hu, J. 2004. Dairy farm reservoir of Listeria monocytogenes sporadic and epidemic strains. Journal of Food Protection. 67(11):2496-2499. Interpretive Summary: Listeria monocytogenes is a zoonotic food-borne pathogen that is responsible for 28% of food-related deaths in the United States annually, as well as a major cause of massive product recalls worldwide. Because this bacterium is capable of surviving under a wide range of environmental conditions and growth at refrigeration temperatures, it is a significant problem to the food processing industry. In this report we demonstrate that a strain of L. monocytogenes responsible for the 1985 California epidemic continues to cause sporadic human illness and has a dairy farm reservoir. Technical Abstract: Identifying the reservoirs of a pathogen is vital for control of sporadic disease and epidemics. Listeria monocytogenes is a zoonotic food-borne pathogen that is responsible for 28% of food-related deaths in the United States annually, as well as a major cause of massive product recalls worldwide. Because this bacterium is capable of surviving under a wide range of environmental conditions and growth at refrigeration temperatures, it is a significant problem to the food processing industry. Although listeriosis is a zoonotic disease, the primary reservoir of L. monocytogenes in food processing plants is believed to be environmental strains that colonize the plants. In this report we demonstrate that a strain of L. monocytogenes responsible for the 1985 California epidemic continues to cause sporadic illness and has a dairy farm reservoir. |