Thanks to Ben D. Tall, Yi Chen, and Thomas Hammak from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for critically reviewing the manuscript. The authors also thank Hannah Lee (research internship program, Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN), University of Maryland) for laboratory assistance and David Weingaertner (FDA, CFSAN) for preparing the figure of the schematic overview shown in the video.

1. Collection of flies
<ol>
	<li>Collect individual flies using sterile entomological sweep nets. Put the nets in a cooler and transfer them to the lab.</li>
</ol>
2. Dissection of Flies
<ol>
	<li>Immobilize aseptically collected flies by placing them at -20 &#176;C for 5 - 7 min.</li>
	<li>Using sterile forceps place one fly in a sterile 2 ml tube containing 1 ml of pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) buffered peptone water (BPW). Mix the tube gently by inversion for 2 min. It is essential that the whole body of the fly be in contact with the media so that the microbiota present on the body surface (S) of the fly will be transferred to the BPW (BPW-S). Label the tube with a number and body part of the fly (i.e., 1S). 
	NOTE: Please see Table of Specific Reagents/Equipment for a detailed description of materials and reagents mentioned in this protocol.</li>
	<li>Using sterile forceps remove the fly from the BPW-S media and transfer it to an empty and clean 2 ml tube to surface disinfect the fly. Incubate the tube containing the BPW-S media at 37 &#176;C while performing the disinfection and dissection protocol.
	<ol>
		<li>Surface-disinfect the fly by immersing it in 1 ml of 70% ethanol for 1 min, followed by a rinse with sterile distilled water before immersing it in 1 ml of freshly prepared 0.05% (v/v) bleach solution. Rinse 3 times with sterile distilled water. Transfer water from the last rinse to an autoclaved 2 ml tube. 
		NOTE: Discard the liquid each time by using a 1,000 &#181;l micropipette or by inverting the tube, making sure the fly remains inside the tube. Mix gently by inversion at each step of the surface-disinfection process.</li>
		<li>To evaluate the effectiveness of the disinfection process, transfer 100 &#181;l of the water from the last rinse to a trypticase soy agar (TSA) plate and spread using a sterile L-shaped disposable spreader. Incubate the plate at 37 &#176;C for 24 hr. After incubation, register the presence of any bacterial colonies. 
		NOTE: The presence of bacterial colonies on the TSA plates indicates an inefficient surface-disinfection process. If this occurs, the presence of foodborne pathogens should only be reported on the body surface of the fly because cross-contamination between the body surface and the alimentary canal cannot be ruled out.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After surface-disinfecting the fly, transfer it to a piece of autoclaved paper towel to remove excess water and then to a sterile 60 mm disposable Petri dish.</li>
	<li>Place the Petri dish under a dissecting scope and identify the fly to the species level using dichotomous keys for dipteran families20,21.</li>
	<li>Using autoclaved fine tip forceps gently pull the anus and the whole alimentary canal (A) out of the fly and aseptically transfer it to another sterile 2 ml tube containing 1 ml of pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) BPW with 0.5 mm zirconia/silica beads (BPW-A). Label the tube with the same number selected for the individual fly and the body part of the fly (i.e., 1A).</li>
	<li>Mix the tube containing the BPW-A thoroughly for 5 - 10 min using a cell disruptor. Incubate at 36 &#177; 1 &#176;C while performing the rest of the protocol.</li>
	<li>To voucher and/or store the specimen for long-term, place the remainder of the fly in a clean 2 ml tube and add 1 - 2 ml of 95% ethanol.</li>
</ol>
3. Primary and Secondary Enrichment
<ol>
	<li>Label all primary and secondary enrichment tubes containing media according to the sample number and the body part of the fly.</li>
	<li>Under a sterile hood, transfer 300 &#181;l of BPW-S (surface) to sterile 2 ml tubes containing the following media:
	<ol>
		<li>For Salmonella, use 1 ml of pre-warmed (42 &#176;C) BPW. Incubate in a recirculating water bath at 42.5 &#176;C for 22 - 24 hr. For secondary enrichment, transfer 100 &#181;l of enriched BPW to 400 &#181;l of pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) brain heart infusion (BHI) broth previously placed in sterile cluster tubes. Incubate at 37 &#176;C for 3 hr.</li>
		<li>For Cronobacter, use 1 ml of pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) BPW with novobiocin (10 mg/L; Wallace, M., personal communication). Alternatively, use 1 ml of the R &#38; F Enterobacter sakazakii enrichment broth with supplement (vancomycin and cefsulodin) as primary enrichment. Incubate at 37 &#176;C for 22 - 26 hr. For secondary enrichment, transfer 100 &#181;l of enriched BPW with novobiocin to 400 &#181;l of pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) BHI broth previously placed in sterile cluster tubes. Incubate at 37 &#176;C for 3 hr.</li>
		<li>For L. monocytogenes, use 1 ml of freshly prepared RT 24 Listeria enrichment broth (24 LEB) with selective supplement. Incubate at 37 &#176;C for 44 &#177; 5 hr. No secondary enrichment is required for the detection of L. monocytogenes.</li>
		<li>Repeat steps 3.2.1 - 3.2.3 above using the tube labeled as BPW-A.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Preparation of the PCR-Based System for Amplification and Detection of the Target Foodborne Pathogen
Steps 4-8 use a commercial PCR cycler/detector system, a computer workstation, and ready-to-use kits to screen for Salmonella (Salmonella 2 standard assay kit), Cronobacter species (E. sakazakii standard assay kit), and Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes 24E assay kit). Standard assays use PCR end-point detection. Each kit contains PCR-ready tablets with an intercalating dye that emits a fluorescence signal when binding to double-stranded DNA. The signal is captured during the detection phase of the PCR system program, generating a melting curve that is interpreted by the software as positive or negative.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare reagents and equipment as specified by the manufacturer&#8217;s protocol per each target foodborne pathogen. 
	NOTE: The protocols for detecting Salmonella and Cronobacter require a one-step lysis procedure whereas the protocol for detecting L. monocytogenes requires a two-step lysis procedure (see sections 5 and 6, respectively).</li>
	<li>Turn on the automated heating block selecting the specific program for the target pathogen. Alternatively, if the heating blocks are manual, set temperatures to 37 &#176;C (for Salmonella, Cronobacter spp., and L. monocytogenes) or to 55 &#177; 2 &#176;C (for L. monocytogenes part 2 of lysis &#8211; see step 6.2) and 95 &#177; 3 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Make sure that the cooling blocks have been refrigerated O/N, otherwise chill them at 2 - 8 &#176;C for at least 2 hr.</li>
	<li>Using the computer software of the PCR-based detection system, create a rack file following manufacturer&#8217;s instructions.</li>
	<li>Label and arrange cluster tubes containing the lysis reagent in the rack, according to the rack file.</li>
	<li>Initialize the PCR-based detection system instrument.</li>
</ol>
5. Perform Lysis for the Detection of Salmonella and Cronobacter
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the lysis reagent by adding 150 &#181;l of protease to one 12 ml bottle of lysis buffer.</li>
	<li>Transfer 200 &#181;l of lysis reagent to each of the previously labeled cluster tubes. 
	NOTE: Cluster tubes containing the lysis reagent can be stored at 2 - 8 &#176;C for up to 2 weeks.</li>
	<li>Using long pipette tips, transfer 20 &#181;l of secondary enriched samples (see steps 3.2.1 and 3.2.2) to corresponding cluster tubes containing 200 &#181;l of lysis reagent. Use new pipette tips for each sample. 
	NOTE: Keep tubes from primary and secondary enrichment in the refrigerator (Salmonella) or at RT (Cronobacter) for further confirmation analysis of PCR-positive/ negative samples.</li>
	<li>Prepare negative controls by adding 20 &#181;l of sterile BHI media to cluster tubes containing 200 &#181;l of lysis reagent.</li>
	<li>Prepare positive controls by adding 20 &#181;l of O/N bacterial cultures (grown in BHI) of any known Salmonella or Cronobacter strain to cluster tubes containing 200 &#181;l of lysis reagent.</li>
	<li>Cap cluster tubes and secure tightly using the capping tool.</li>
	<li>Place the rack of cluster tubes in the automated heating block after selecting the specific program for the target pathogen. Alternatively, incubate cluster tubes at 37 &#177; 2 &#176;C for 20 min, followed by incubation at 95 &#177; 3 &#176;C for 10 min. Finally, transfer the cluster tubes to cooling blocks (2 - 8 &#176;C) for 5 min. 
	NOTE: Cluster tubes containing the lysate can be stored at -20 &#176;C for up to 2 weeks.</li>
</ol>
6. Perform Lysis for the Detection of L. monocytogenes
<ol>
	<li>Perform part one of lysis as follows:
	<ol>
		<li>Add 1.8 ml of sterile deionized water to the bottle of fully thawed lysing agent 1. 
		NOTE: Store lysing agent 1 at 2 - 8 &#176;C until ready to use. After opening and diluting, store at RT (20 - 30 &#176;C) for up to 6 months.</li>
		<li>Combine lysing agents 1 and 2 in a 4:1 ratio (40 &#181;l of diluted lysing agent 1 and 10 &#181;l of lysing agent 2 per each sample). Transfer 50 &#181;l of the combined lysing agents to cluster tubes. Use the mixture within 4 hr.</li>
		<li>Add 500 &#181;l of primary enriched sample (see step 3.2.3) to the cluster tube containing the 50 &#181;l of the combined lysing agents.</li>
		<li>Prepare a negative control by adding 500 &#181;l of sterile 24 LEB to 50 &#181;l of the combined lysing agents.</li>
		<li>Prepare a positive control by adding 500 &#181;l of O/N&#160;L. monocytogenes culture grown in 24 LEB to 50 &#181;l of the combined lysing agents.</li>
		<li>Cap the cluster tubes, mix gently and place in heating block at 37 &#177; 1 &#176;C for 30 min. 
		NOTE: Keep tubes from primary enrichment in the refrigerator for further confirmation analysis of PCR-positive/negative samples.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Perform part 2 of lysis as follows:
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare the lysis reagent as instructed in steps 5.1 and 5.2.</li>
		<li>Using long pipette tips transfer 20 &#181;l of part one lysate to cluster tubes containing 200 &#181;l of lysis reagent. Use new pipette tips for each sample.</li>
		<li>Cap cluster tubes and secure tightly using the capping tool.</li>
		<li>Place cluster tubes in automated heating block selecting the specific program for L. monocytogenes. Alternatively, incubate cluster tubes at 55 &#177; 2 &#176;C for 30 min, followed by incubation at 95 &#177; 3 &#176;C for 10 min. Finally, transfer the cluster tubes to cooling blocks (2 - 8 &#176;C) for 5 min. 
		NOTE: Cluster tubes containing the lysate can be stored at -20 &#176;C for up to 2 weeks.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
7. Hydrate PCR-Ready Tablets
<ol>
	<li>Select a chilled (4 &#176;C) PCR cooling block and place a PCR tube rack over the insert.</li>
	<li>Place corresponding PCR tubes containing the PCR-ready tablets (included with each kit) for the target foodborne pathogen in the holder, according to the rack file.</li>
	<li>Using the decapping tool, carefully remove the caps from PCR-tubes. Discard the caps and verify that each tube contains a tablet.</li>
	<li>Transfer 50 &#181;l (for Salmonella and Cronobacter) or 30 &#181;l (for L. monocytogenes) of lysate to specific PCR tubes. Use new optical caps and secure tightly onto the PCR tubes using the capping tool. 
	NOTE: After adding the lysate to PCR-ready tablets, samples must remain chilled at 2 - 8 &#176;C until loaded into the PCR-based detection system. The PCR tubes can be centrifuged at 2,500 x g for a few seconds to assure that the full volume is in the bottom the tube.</li>
	<li>Load the PCR tubes into the PCR cycler/detection system instrument by opening the instrument drawer.</li>
	<li>Place the rack of PCR tubes into the wells in the drawer and check that the tubes are seated correctly.</li>
	<li>Close the drawer and initiate the program as described by the manufacturer&#8217;s protocol. 
	NOTE: The PCR-based instrument has preset cycling parameters for each foodborne pathogen.</li>
	<li>Verify that the PCR cycling status bar displays a blue bar indicating that the amplification portion of the program is running. 
	NOTE: For standard PCR assays, the processing time of the full program (amplification and detection) takes approximately 3 - 3.5 hr to complete.</li>
</ol>
8. Review Results
<ol>
	<li>After processing is complete, follow the screen prompts from the PCR-based system instrument to remove samples and review results.</li>
	<li>If the target foodborne pathogen is present in the sample (either the surface or the alimentary canal of the fly) the well is red with a &#8216;plus&#8217; sign (positive). If the pathogen is absent, the well is green with a &#8216;minus&#8217; sign (negative).</li>
	<li>If the well is yellow with a red bar across the center, it indicates a signal error.</li>
</ol>
9. Isolation of Bacterial Pathogens from PCR-Positive Results
<ol>
	<li>Select tubes from the primary (for L. monocytogenes) or secondary (for Salmonella and Cronobacter) enrichment of those samples that were PCR-positive. Also, randomly select 3 - 5% of samples that were PCR-negative and proceed as follows:</li>
	<li>For Salmonella:
	<ol>
		<li>Add 100 &#181;l of the secondary enrichment media to 10 ml of Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium and to 1 ml of tetrathionate (TT) broth. Incubate tubes at 42.5 &#176;C in a recirculating water bath for 22 - 24 hr.</li>
		<li>After incubation, streak a 3 mm loopful (10 &#181;l) of each, RV and TT media on bismuth sulfite (BS) agar, xylose lysine desoxycholate (XLD) agar, and Hektoen enteric (HE) agar. Incubate plates at 35 &#177; 1 &#176;C for 22 - 24 hr.</li>
		<li>After incubation, examine plates for the presence of typical Salmonella colonies on each media. If no isolated colonies can be obtained after several sub-culturing steps, consider the sample as negative and report as a false positive for the PCR-based system. 
		NOTE: For typical Salmonella colonies on specific media see 22. Select five presumptive typical Salmonella colonies and subculture them on BS, XLD, or HE until pure cultures of isolated/single colonies are obtained.</li>
		<li>Select one pure colony and identify presumptive Salmonella by using biochemical commercial tests such as the VITEK 2 identification card or API biochemical identification system, following the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>For Cronobacter:
	<ol>
		<li>Streak a 3 mm loopful (10 &#181;l) of the secondary enrichment media on two plates of chromogenic culture media such as R&#38;F Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter) chromogenic plating medium, and/or ChromID Sakazakii Agar. Incubate plates at 35 &#176;C for 22 - 24 hr.</li>
		<li>After incubation, examine plates for the presence of typical Cronobacter colonies (blue-black to blue-gray). Select 5 presumptive Cronobacter colonies and subculture them onto R&#38;F Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter) chromogenic plating medium, ChromID Sakazakii Agar, or TSA until pure cultures of isolated/single colonies are obtained. 
		NOTE: If no isolated colonies can be obtained after several sub-culturing steps, consider the sample as negative and report as a false positive for the PCR-based detection system.</li>
		<li>Select one pure colony and identify presumptive Cronobacter by using biochemical commercial tests such as the VITEK 2 identification card or API 20E biochemical identification system, following the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>For L. monocytogenes:
	<ol>
		<li>Streak a 3 mm loopful (10 &#181;l) of the primary enrichment media on two plates of Brilliance Listeria agar (BLA). Incubate plates at 36 &#177; 1 &#176;C for 22 - 26 hr.</li>
		<li>After incubation, examine plates for the presence of presumptive L. monocytogenes (blue-green) colonies. Select 5 presumptive L. monocytogenes colonies and subculture them on BLA until obtaining pure cultures of isolated/single colonies. Re-incubate negative plates at 36 &#177; 1 &#176;C for an additional 22 - 26 hr.</li>
		<li>Select one pure colony and identify presumptive L. monocytogenes by using commercial biochemical tests such as the VITEK 2 identification card or API Listeria biochemical identification system, following the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Presumptive foodborne pathogens isolated from insects should be further confirmed and serotyped in a reference laboratory.</li>
</ol>

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G., Haggblom, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accuracy+and+Sensitivity+of+Commercial+PCR-Based+Methods+for+Detection+of+Salmonella+enterica+in+Feed.">Accuracy and Sensitivity of Commercial PCR-Based Methods for Detection of Salmonella enterica in Feed.</a> Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 76 (9), 2815-2822 (2010).</li><li>Gagn&#233;, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insect+and+mite+pests+in+food,+an+illustrated.">Insect and mite pests in food, an illustrated.</a> 1, 269-296 (1991).</li><li>Greenberg, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Flies and disease, Vol I. Ecology, classification and biotic associations. , (1971).</li><li>Barro, N., Aly, S., Tidiane, O. C. A., Sababenedjo, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Carriage+of+bacteria+by+proboscises,+legs,+and+feces+of+two+species+of+flies+in+street+food+vending+sites+in+Ouagadougou,+Burkina+Faso.">Carriage of bacteria by proboscises, legs, and feces of two species of flies in street food vending sites in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.</a> Journal of Food Protection. 69 (8), 2007-2010 (2006).</li><li>Ugbogu, O. C., Nwachukwu, N. C., Ogbuagu, U. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+Salmonella+and+Shigella+species+from+house+flies+(Musca+domestica+L.)+in+Uturu,+Nigeria.">Isolation of Salmonella and Shigella species from house flies (Musca domestica L.) in Uturu, Nigeria.</a> African Journal of Biotechnology. 5 (11), 1090-1091 (2006).</li><li>Brownlie, J. C., Johnson, K. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Symbiont-mediated+protection+in+insect+hosts.">Symbiont-mediated protection in insect hosts.</a> Trends in Microbiology. 17 (8), 348-354 (2009).</li><li>Feldhaar, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bacterial+symbionts+as+mediators+of+ecologically+important+traits+of+insect+hosts.">Bacterial symbionts as mediators of ecologically important traits of insect hosts.</a> Ecological Entomology. 36 (5), 533-543 (2011).</li><li>Wright, A. P., Gould, L. H., Mahon, B., Sotir, M. J., Tauxe, R. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Overview+of+the+Impact+of+Epidemic-Assistance+Investigations+of+Foodborne+and+Other+Enteric+Disease+Outbreaks,+1946-2005.">Overview of the Impact of Epidemic-Assistance Investigations of Foodborne and Other Enteric Disease Outbreaks, 1946-2005.</a> American Journal of Epidemiology. 174, S23-S35 (2011).</li></ol>

The use of specified instrumentation is not an endorsement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in this article.

Previous studies that have detected foodborne pathogens from wild insects have used a great variety of protocols that might not include the necessary information to accurately assess the food-related risk of the presence of a single fly in foods or food-related environments13,15,23,24. Here, we demonstrated that using this standardized protocol, it is possible to detect and isolate Cronobacter spp., S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes from the body surface and the alimentary canal of single flies caught in the wild. Because insects may carry low numbers of the target foodborne pathogen and high numbers of other indigenous microbiota25,26, this protocol requires primary (and sometimes secondary) enrichment of the samples in specific culture media to increase the sensitivity of detection of the target foodborne pathogen. Results from the PCR-based detection system were obtained within approximately 30 hr (for the detection of Cronobacter spp. and S. enterica) and 48 hr (for the detection of L. monocytogenes) after initially processing the samples. Thus, this protocol is reliable as well as rapid and sensitive enough to screen a single fly for the presence of foodborne pathogens.
Confirmation of PCR-positive results and isolation of viable bacteria is part of the standard operating procedure of many laboratories. In addition, for epidemiology purposes, pure bacterial cultures from PCR-positive samples are required to further confirm and serotype the foodborne pathogen using biochemical, immunological, or genetic methods. Although no false positives were observed when detecting S. enterica and L. monocytogenes from the body parts of single wild-caught flies, using this protocol, we found up to a 50% rate of false positives for Cronobacter spp. This suggests that the PCR-based detection system for the genus Cronobacter may cross-react with other Enterobacteriaceae present among the highly complex microbiota carried by flies. Thus, isolation and purification of pure colonies of the genus Cronobacter from PCR-positive samples require more selective plating than the other pathogens evaluated.
This protocol has primarily been standardized to screen individual wild-caught flies for the presence of Cronobacter spp., S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes using a commercial PCR-based detection system. However, this protocol was also easily adapted to screen body parts of single flies for the presence of other foodborne pathogens such as enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7 (using either the E. coli O157:H7 MP standard assay kit or the E. coli O157:H7 real-time assay kit) and the shiga-toxigenic E. coli (STEC) group (using the real-time STEC suite), obtaining sensitivities &#62;80% (unpublished data). Also, this protocol can potentially be adapted to detect foodborne pathogens from other insects that are known vectors of diseases (cockroaches and ants), but more research in this area is needed.
Foodborne illness outbreak investigations are very dynamic and comprise a multi-step process that may vary according to the specific situation and the local environment being investigated12,27. These investigations are important because they provide immediate public health protection by preventing future illnesses. Additionally, these investigations can elucidate new mechanisms by which foodborne microorganisms are spread, and raise important questions that lead to new areas for research28. Investigative techniques as well as standardized, rapid, and sensitive protocols are necessary for detecting foodborne pathogens from individual insects. This standardized protocol opens the opportunity to aseptically collect insects like flies, which can vector the foodborne bacterial pathogen, as part of an environmental sampling program. The epidemiological information that can be gained from this would be of use in constructing an accurate picture of the mechanisms of transmission of foodborne pathogens by insects (i.e., length of exposure time: a fly by landing versus flies landing, defecating, and regurgitating).
Finally, even though the commercial PCR-based detection system described here is practical to use and simplifies PCR amplification and visualization of a genus-level amplicon, it is by no means the only appropriate system. The lysate from enriched samples could alternatively be used to screen for the presence of foodborne pathogens by using publically available species-specific primer pairs. However, detection sensitivity should be demonstrated prior to their use.

Insects play an important role in the transmission of food-related diseases because they can spread pathogens to food or food contact surfaces and utensils1. Among insects, flies, cockroaches, and ants exhibit behaviors that favor the spread of foodborne pathogens. These behaviors include an association with decaying matter, refuse and feces, endophily (entering buildings), and synanthropy (cohabiting with humans)2. Foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and members of the genus Cronobacter (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) have been reported to be transmitted by insects3-5. Synanthropic filth flies mechanically spread foodborne bacteria by transferring pathogens from their contaminated body surfaces. However, the presence of foodborne pathogens in the alimentary canal of flies can be up to three times greater than that observed on their body surfaces (body, head, legs, and wings)5. Foodborne pathogens can also remain in the fly&#8217;s alimentary canal for a greater length of time than on the body surface6,7 and in some instances, they are able to multiply, colonizing the fly&#8217;s digestive tract4,8,9. This increases the vector potential of flies because they can further spread foodborne pathogens through defecation and regurgitation10,11.
Nowadays, there are improved surveillance systems that are able to detect foodborne illness outbreaks more rapidly. While performing foodborne outbreak investigations, public health officials look for the food that may be the source(s) or vehicle(s) of infection. Investigators may also perform an environmental assessment of the facility (or facilities) involved to find out how the food was contaminated and may collect samples as part of the investigation12. Despite the vast amount of scientific literature concerning insects as carriers of foodborne pathogens, linking insects as vectors of the pathogen causing a particular foodborne illness outbreak has been challenging. This is mainly because insects are not being aseptically collected as part of environmental sampling programs during foodborne outbreak investigations. To include insects, particularly those that exhibit behaviors that favor the spread of foodborne pathogens, as part of an environmental sampling procedure, a standardized, rapid, sensitive and reliable protocol to detect foodborne pathogens from a single insect needs to be in place.
Traditional plating techniques for the detection of foodborne pathogens from insects are laborious and depend upon the competitive growth of the target bacteria in different culture media to overcome the rapid growth of the innate commensal microbiota of the insect. Most of the studies that have associated insects with bacterial pathogens have increased the sensitivity of the method by pooling together several insects rather than identifying the presence of pathogens on a per individual basis. Thus, those studies did not differentiate the body part of the insect where the pathogens were found13-18. The ability to identify whether foodborne pathogens are located on the body surface or in the alimentary canal of an individual insect is important as this may have epidemiological implications and may lead to different mitigation strategies. As mechanical vectors, flies that land on food for a short time may only transfer low levels of bacteria from their body surface, whereas those flies that regurgitate and defecate on the food increase the probability of transferring pathogens at potentially higher levels of infection. Consequently, it is important to estimate the prevalence of a foodborne pathogen per an individual insect and to differentiate the body part of that insect where the bacterial pathogen is located.
Even though the use of culture-independent methods to detect foodborne pathogens are increasingly being implemented, they have not been commercially used to detect foodborne pathogens from a single insect. Currently, there are validated molecular protocols that are commercially available for the rapid detection of foodborne pathogens from foods that are being used by industry and regulatory agencies. These methods include DNA-based systems for the detection of pathogens in a variety of food samples. Although molecular protocols are faster than traditional plating methods, enrichment of the sample is still required to obtain the sensitivity level of 102 colony forming units (CFU) of the bacterial pathogen needed in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods19. Additionally, isolation of pure bacterial colonies from PCR-positive samples is needed to confirm the pathogen using appropriate methods.
The aim of this protocol is to standardize a commercially available PCR-based system used to detect pathogens from food and environmental samples for the detection of foodborne bacteria from the body surface and the alimentary canal of a single fly and to further isolate those pathogens from the samples.The sensitivity of the protocol described here was first calibrated with lab-reared adult house flies (Musca domestica) that were experimentally fed with serial dilutions of each bacterial pathogen. The standardized protocol was subsequently used to survey 100 wild-caught flies for the presence of foodborne pathogens from their body surfaces and/or alimentary canals. This standardized protocol will allow public health laboratories to detect health threats posed by insects, allowing for the possibility of collecting them as part of the environmental sampling program when performing foodborne outbreak investigations.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Bismuth sulfite (BS) agar</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>R452402</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Brain heart infusion (BHI) broth</td><td>Becton, Dickson and Company</td><td>299070</td><td>*Pre-warmed to 37&amp;deg;C. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Brilliance Listeria agar (BLA)</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>CM1080B</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Buffered peptone water (BPW)</td><td>Becton, Dickson and Company</td><td>212367</td><td>*Pre-warmed to 37&amp;deg;C or 42&amp;deg;C. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Brilliance Cronobacter agar (Druggan-Forsythe-Iversen formulation/DFI)</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>CM1055B</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>chromID Sakazakii Agar</td><td>bioM&amp;eacute;rieux</td><td>43741</td><td>*Call for information: 800.682.2666</td></tr><tr><td>R &amp;amp; F Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter) Chromogenic Plating Medium</td><td>R &amp;amp; F Laboratories</td><td>Various</td><td>*Call for information: +1.630.969.530</td></tr><tr><td>R &amp;amp; F Enterobacter sakazakiii Enrichment Broth and supplement</td><td>R &amp;amp; F Laboratories</td><td>Various</td><td>*Call for information: +1.630.969.530</td></tr><tr><td>Hektoen enteric (HE) agar</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>OXCM0419B</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>24 Listeria enrichment broth (24LEB)</td><td>Oxoid</td><td>CM1107</td><td>*Freshly prepared at room-temperature. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Listeria selective enrichment supplement</td><td>Oxoid</td><td>SR0243</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Novobiocin</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>OXSR0181E</td><td>*Multiple suppliers. Store at 2-8 &amp;deg;C</td></tr><tr><td>Vancomycin hydrochloride hydrate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>861987</td><td>Store at 2-8 &amp;deg;C</td></tr><tr><td>Cefsulodin sodium salt hydrate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>C8145</td><td>Store at 2-8 &amp;deg;C</td></tr><tr><td>Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) medium</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>CM0669B</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Tetrathionate (TT) Broth</td><td>Becton, Dickson and Company</td><td>249120</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Trypticase soy agar (TSA)</td><td>Becton, Dickson and Company</td><td>236930</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Xylose lysine desoxycholate (XLD) agar</td><td>Becton, Dickson and Company</td><td>221284</td><td>*Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>API Biochemical identification system</td><td>bioM&amp;eacute;rieux</td><td>Various</td><td>*Call for information: +1.800.682.2666</td></tr><tr><td>VITEK 2: Product Safety</td><td>bioM&amp;eacute;rieux</td><td>Various</td><td>*Call for information: +1.800.682.2667</td></tr><tr><td>BAX System Q7</td><td>DuPont</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAX E. sakazakii Standard assay kit</td><td>DuPont</td><td>D11801836</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAX L. monocytogenes 24E assay kit</td><td>DuPont</td><td>D13608125</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>BAX Salmonella 2 Standard assay kit</td><td>DuPont</td><td>D14368501</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Capping tool</td><td>DuPont</td><td>D11677028</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Decapping tool</td><td>DuPont</td><td>D11134095</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PCR tube rack/holder</td><td>DuPont</td><td>D12701663</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Featherweight forceps, wide tip</td><td>BioQuip</td><td>4750</td><td>Sterilize before use. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Fine point, straight tip forceps</td><td>BioQuip</td><td>4731</td><td>Sterilize before use. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Zirconia/silica beads, 0.5 mm</td><td>Bio Spec Products, Inc.</td><td>11079105z</td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Petri dishes - 60X15mm</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>08-772B</td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Disposable inoculating loops, 10&amp;micro;L</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>22-363-606</td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>L-shaped cell spreaders</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>14-665-230</td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Microcentrifuge tubes, 2 ml</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>Various</td><td>Sterilize before use when needed. Secure lid is preferred. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Cluster tubes</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>05-500-13</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cluster tubes caps</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>05-500-23</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium hypochlorite (Liquid chlorine bleach)</td><td></td><td></td><td>*Dilute to 0.05% with water. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Sterile deionized water</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Sterile distilled water</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Ethyl alcohol 190 proof</td><td></td><td></td><td>*Dilute to 70% with water when needed. Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Genie cell disruptor, 120V - for 1.5ml and 2.0ml microtubes</td><td>Scientific Industries, Inc.</td><td>SI-D238</td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Heating block</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Cooling block</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Recirculating water bath</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Stereo microscope</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Centrifuge</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr><tr><td>Incubator</td><td></td><td></td><td>Multiple suppliers.</td></tr></tbody></table>

detection of foodborne bacterial pathogens from individual filth flies

There is unanimous consensus that insects are important vectors of foodborne pathogens. However, linking insects as vectors of the pathogen causing a particular foodborne illness outbreak has been challenging. This is because insects are not being aseptically collected as part of an environmental sampling program during foodborne outbreak investigations and because there is not a standardized method to detect foodborne bacteria from individual insects. To take a step towards solving this problem, we adapted a protocol from a commercially available PCR-based system that detects foodborne pathogens from food and environmental samples, to detect foodborne pathogens from individual flies.Using this standardized protocol, we surveyed 100 wild-caught flies for the presence of Cronobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes and demonstrated that it was possible to detect and further isolate these pathogens from the body surface and the alimentary canal of a single fly. Twenty-two percent of the alimentary canals and 8% of the body surfaces from collected wild flies were positive for at least one of the three foodborne pathogens. The prevalence of Cronobacter spp. on either body part of the flies was statistically higher (19%) than the prevalence of S. enterica (7%) and L.monocytogenes (4%). No false positives were observed when detecting S. enterica and L. monocytogenes using this PCR-based system because pure bacterial cultures were obtained from all PCR-positive results. However, pure Cronobacter colonies were not obtained from about 50% of PCR-positive samples, suggesting that the PCR-based detection system for this pathogen cross-reacts with other Enterobacteriaceae present among the highly complex microbiota carried by wild flies. The standardized protocol presented here will allow laboratories to detect bacterial foodborne pathogens from aseptically collected insects, thereby giving public health officials another line of evidence to find out how the food was contaminated when performing foodborne outbreak investigations.

This protocol was first calibrated on a set of lab-reared house flies that were experimentally fed for 24 hr with liquid fly food (2% powder milk) containing serial dilutions (102 &#8211; 108 CFU/ml) of C. sakazakii, S. enterica, L. monocytogenes, or C. jejuni (n = 21 for each bacterial pathogen). Enrichment media as well as incubation times and temperatures were adjusted for each foodborne pathogen until the PCR-based system was able to detect the lowest levels of bacteria (102 CFU/ml) from the body surface and the alimentary canal of a single experimentally fed fly. Using the enrichment media and conditions described in the protocol section, the PCR-based system detected C. sakazakii, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes from the body surface of 100% of flies fed with bacterial inocula &#62;103 CFU/ml (Figure 1A). When flies were fed with 102 CFU/ml, the percentage of detection of C. sakazakii, S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes from their body surface was 100%, 66%, and 33%, respectively (Figure 1A). The PCR-based system also detected these three foodborne pathogens from the alimentary canal of flies fed with all bacterial concentrations at percentages &#8805;33% (Figure 1B). However, the detection of C. jejuni was only achieved when lab-reared flies were experimentally fed with liquid food containing the highest bacterial inoculum (108 CFU/ml). Hence, C. jejuni was excluded from the group of foodborne pathogens that could be tested from individual synanthropic filth flies using this PCR-based detection system.
With this standardized protocol, we were able to determine the prevalence of Cronobacter spp., S. enterica, and L. monocytogenes from the body surface and/or the alimentary canal of 100 wild flies that were individually and aseptically caught from the dumpster area of ten urban restaurants located in the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C.5 Collected filth flies were representative of at least six species including M. domestica (47%), Lucilia cuprina (33%), L. sericata (14%), Cochliomyia macellaria (2%), Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis (2%), and Ophyra leucostoma (1%). One fly was identified only to family level (Anthomyiidae; 1%). The surface-disinfection protocol was effective at avoiding cross-contamination between the body parts of the fly because no bacterial growth was observed on TSA plates for water from the last disinfection rinse of each individual fly. Thus, a distinction could be made between foodborne bacteria present on the body parts of each fly.
No false positives were detected from samples of the body surface and the alimentary canal of individual flies when using this commercial PCR-based system for the detection of S. enterica and L. monocytogenes, and the confirmation of viable pathogens on agar plates was in agreement with PCR-positive results. However, it was not possible to isolate pure cultures of Cronobacter spp. from all PCR-positive samples. Hence, the detection of this pathogen by the PCR-based system showed false positives from the body surface (50%; 9/18) and the alimentary canal (48%; 16/33) of single wild-caught flies. Randomly selected PCR-negative samples that were plated on specific media, confirmed the absence of the foodborne pathogens. Therefore, no false negatives were detected from any of the samples when using this commercial PCR-based system to detect Cronobacter spp., S. enterica, or L. monocytogenes.
Only those PCR-positive samples where the pathogen was isolated and confirmed were considered positive and included for statistical analysis. The overall presence of foodborne pathogens in the alimentary canal of wild-caught filth flies was significantly higher than on the body surface (&#967;2 = 6.8772, df = 1, p = 0.0087). 22% of the alimentary canals and 8% of the body surfaces of collected wild flies were positive for at least one of the three foodborne pathogens (Figure 2). Overall, the prevalence of Cronobacter spp. on either the body surfaces or alimentary canals of collected flies was statistically higher (19%; Fisher&#8217;s exact test p = 0.0165) than the prevalence of S. enterica (7%) and L.monocytogenes (4%). However, no statistical differences were observed when performing pairwise comparisons between the body parts of the flies for each bacterial pathogen (Figure 3; Fisher&#8217;s exact test p = 0.1464, p = 0.1184, and p = 0.6212 for Cronobacter spp., S. enterica, and L.monocytogenes, respectively). None of the flies were positive for all three pathogens evaluated. However, three of the flies (two L. cuprina and one L. sericata) carried Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes on the surface or in the alimentary canal.
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/52372/52372fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Detection levels of Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter jejuni from (A) the body surface and (B) the alimentary canal of individual lab-reared house flies fed with liquid food containing different bacterial inocula (n = 21 for each bacterial pathogen, n = 3 per each bacterial concentration). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/52372/52372fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/52372/52372fig2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2. Percentage of body surfaces and alimentary canals of individual flies found positive for any of the target foodborne pathogens.
<img alt="Figure 3" src="/files/ftp_upload/52372/52372fig3.jpg" /> 
Figure 3. Prevalence of Cronobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes from the body surface and the alimentary canal of synanthropic wild-caught flies. The p values reported are from pairwise comparisons between the body surface and the alimentary canal for each bacterial pathogen (Fisher&#8217;s exact test, p value &#60; 0.05 indicates statistical significance). Copyright &#169; American Society for Microbiology, Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology 78 (22):7891-902, 2012. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02195-12.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens from Individual Filth Flies at JoVE.com

Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens from Individual Filth Flies

A PCR-based protocol was adapted to detect Cronobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes from body surfaces and alimentary canals of individual wild-caught flies. The goal of this protocol is to detect and isolate bacterial pathogens from individual insects collected as part of an environmental sampling program during foodborne outbreak investigations.

There is unanimous consensus that insects are important vectors of foodborne pathogens. However, linking insects as vectors of the pathogen causing a ...

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18.3K Views.  U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A PCR-based protocol was adapted to detect Cronobacter spp., Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes from body surfaces and alimentary canals of individual wild-caught flies. The goal of this protocol is to detect and isolate bacterial pathogens from individual insects collected as part of an environmental sampling program during foodborne outbreak investigations.

Video: Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens from Individual Filth Flies

Tracking Microbial Contamination in Retail Environments Using Fluorescent Powder - A Retail Delicatessen Environment Example

Cross contamination of foodborne pathogens in the retail environment is a significant public health issue contributing to an increased risk for foodborne illness. Ready-to-eat (RTE) processed foods such as deli meats, cheese, and in some cases fresh produce, have been involved in foodborne disease outbreaks due to contamination with pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. With respect to L. monocytogenes, deli slicers are often the main source of cross contamination. The goal of this study was to use a fluorescent compound to simulate bacterial contamination and track this contamination in a retail setting. A mock deli kitchen was designed to simulate the retail environment. Deli meat was inoculated with the fluorescent compound and volunteers were recruited to complete a set of tasks similar to those expected of a food retail employee. The volunteers were instructed to slice, package, and store the meat in a deli refrigerator. The potential cross contamination was tracked in the mock retail environment by swabbing specific areas and measuring the optical density of the swabbed area with a spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the refrigerator (i.e. deli case) grip and various areas on the slicer had the highest risk for cross contamination. The results of this study may be used to develop more focused training material for retail employees. In addition, similar methodologies could also be used to track microbial contamination in food production environments (e.g.&#160;small farms), hospitals, nursing homes, cruise ships, and hotels.

The overall goal of this study was to demonstrate the potential cross contamination mechanism of foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in a retail deli setting. This methodology may be applied to a variety of different environments to track pathogen contamination. &#160;

Cross contamination of foodborne pathogens in the retail environment is a significant public health issue contributing to an increased risk for foodborne ...

Colorimetric Paper-based Detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from Large Volumes of Agricultural Water

This protocol describes rapid colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from large volumes (10 L) of agricultural waters. Here, water is filtered through sterile Modified Moore Swabs (MMS), which consist&#160;of a simple gauze filter enclosed in a plastic cartridge, to concentrate bacteria. Following filtration, non-selective or selective enrichments for the target bacteria are performed in the MMS. For colorimetric detection of the target bacteria, the enrichments are then assayed using paper-based analytical devices (&#181;PADs) embedded with bacteria-indicative substrates. Each substrate reacts with target-indicative bacterial enzymes, generating colored products that can be detected visually (qualitative detection) on the &#181;PAD. Alternatively, digital images of the reacted &#181;PADs can be generated with common scanning or photographic devices and analyzed using ImageJ software, allowing for more objective and standardized interpretation of results. Although the biochemical screening procedures are designed to identify the aforementioned bacterial pathogens, in some cases enzymes produced by background microbiota or the degradation of the colorimetric substrates may produce a false positive. Therefore, confirmation using a more discriminatory diagnostic is needed. Nonetheless, this bacterial concentration and detection platform is inexpensive, sensitive (0.1 CFU/ml detection limit), easy to perform, and rapid (concentration, enrichment, and detection are performed within approximately 24&#160;hr), justifying its use as an initial screening method for the microbiological quality of agricultural water.

Colorimetric Paper-based Detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from Large Volumes of Agricultural Water

A protocol involving integrated concentration, enrichment, and end-point colorimetric detection of foodborne pathogens in large volumes of agricultural water is presented here. Water is filtered through Modified Moore Swabs (MMS), enriched with selective or non-selective media, and detection is performed using paper-based analytical devices (&#181;PAD) imbedded with bacterial-indicative colorimetric substrates.

This protocol describes rapid colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from large volumes (10 L) of ...

Combination of Adhesive-tape-based Sampling and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization for Rapid Detection of Salmonella on Fresh Produce

This protocol describes a simple approach for adhesive-tape-based sampling of tomato and other fresh produce surfaces, followed by on-tape fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for rapid culture-independent detection of Salmonella spp. Cell-charged tapes can also be placed face-down on selective agar for solid-phase enrichment prior to detection. Alternatively, low-volume liquid enrichments (liquid surface miniculture) can be performed on the surface of the tape in non-selective broth, followed by FISH and analysis via flow cytometry. To begin, sterile adhesive tape is brought into contact with fresh produce, gentle pressure is applied, and the tape is removed, physically extracting microbes present on these surfaces. Tapes are mounted sticky-side up onto glass microscope slides and the sampled cells are fixed with 10% formalin (30 min) and dehydrated using a graded ethanol series (50, 80, and 95%; 3 min each concentration). Next, cell-charged tapes are spotted with buffer containing a Salmonella-targeted DNA probe cocktail and hybridized for 15 - 30 min at 55&deg;C, followed by a brief rinse in a washing buffer to remove unbound probe. Adherent, FISH-labeled cells are then counterstained with the DNA dye 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and results are viewed using fluorescence microscopy. For solid-phase enrichment, cell-charged tapes are placed face-down on a suitable selective agar surface and incubated to allow in situ growth of Salmonella microcolonies, followed by FISH and microscopy as described above. For liquid surface miniculture, cell-charged tapes are placed sticky side up and a silicone perfusion chamber is applied so that the tape and microscope slide form the bottom of a water-tight chamber into which a small volume (&le; 500 &mu;L) of Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) is introduced. The inlet ports are sealed and the chambers are incubated at 35 - 37&deg;C, allowing growth-based amplification of tape-extracted microbes. Following incubation, inlet ports are unsealed, cells are detached and mixed with vigorous back and forth pipetting, harvested via centrifugation and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Finally, samples are hybridized and examined via flow cytometry to reveal the presence of Salmonella spp. As described here, our "tape-FISH" approach can provide simple and rapid sampling and detection of Salmonella on tomato surfaces. We have also used this approach for sampling other types of fresh produce, including spinach and jalape&ntilde;o peppers.

Combination of Adhesive-tape-based Sampling and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization for Rapid Detection of Salmonella on Fresh Produce

This protocol describes a simple adhesive-tape-based approach for sampling of tomato and other fresh produce surfaces, followed by rapid whole cell detection of Salmonella using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

This protocol describes a simple approach for adhesive-tape-based sampling of tomato and other fresh produce surfaces, followed by on-tape fluorescence in ...

Immunology and Infection

Systemic Bacterial Infection and Immune Defense Phenotypes in Drosophila Melanogaster

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the premier model organisms for studying the function and evolution of immune defense. Many aspects of innate immunity are conserved between insects and mammals, and since Drosophila can readily be genetically and experimentally manipulated, they are powerful for studying immune system function and the physiological consequences of disease. The procedure demonstrated here allows infection of flies by introduction of bacteria directly into the body cavity, bypassing epithelial barriers and more passive forms of defense and allowing focus on systemic infection. The procedure includes protocols for the measuring rates of host mortality, systemic pathogen load, and degree of induction of the host immune system. This infection procedure is inexpensive, robust and quantitatively repeatable, and can be used in studies of functional genetics, evolutionary life history, and physiology.

Systemic Bacterial Infection and Immune Defense Phenotypes in Drosophila Melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is an outstanding model organism for studying innate immune systems and the physiological consequences of infection and disease. This protocol describes how to deliver robust and quantitatively repeatable bacterial infections to D. melanogaster, and how to subsequently measure infection severity and quantify the host immune response.

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the premier model organisms for studying the function and evolution of immune defense. Many aspects of ...

Development of an Electrochemical DNA Biosensor to Detect a Foodborne Pathogen

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) is a common foodborne pathogen that contributes to a large proportion of public health problems globally, significantly affecting the rate of human mortality and morbidity. Conventional methods for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus such as culture-based methods, immunological assays, and molecular-based methods require complicated sample handling and are time-consuming, tedious, and costly. Recently, biosensors have proven to be a promising and comprehensive detection method with the advantages of fast detection, cost-effectiveness, and practicality. This research focuses on developing a rapid method of detecting V. parahaemolyticus with high selectivity and sensitivity using the principles of DNA hybridization. In the work, characterization of synthesized polylactic acid-stabilized gold nanoparticles (PLA-AuNPs) was achieved using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Field-emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). We also carried out further testing of stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility of the PLA-AuNPs. We found that the PLA-AuNPs formed a sound structure of stabilized nanoparticles in aqueous solution. We also observed that the sensitivity improved as a result of the smaller charge transfer resistance (Rct) value and an increase of active surface area (0.41 cm2). The development of our DNA biosensor was based on modification of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with PLA-AuNPs and using methylene blue (MB) as the redox indicator. We assessed the immobilization and hybridization events by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). We found that complementary, non-complementary, and mismatched oligonucleotides were specifically distinguished by the fabricated biosensor. It also showed reliably sensitive detection in cross-reactivity studies against various food-borne pathogens and in the identification of V. parahaemolyticus in fresh cockles.

A protocol for the development of an electrochemical DNA biosensor comprising a polylactic acid-stabilized, gold nanoparticles-modified, screen-printed carbon electrode to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus is presented.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) is a common foodborne pathogen that contributes to a large proportion of public health problems globally, ...

Bioengineering

Foodborne Pathogen Screening Using Magneto-fluorescent Nanosensor: Rapid Detection of E. Coli O157:H7

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been linked to both waterborne and foodborne illnesses, and remains a threat despite the food- and water-screening methods used currently. While conventional bacterial detection methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) can specifically detect pathogenic contaminants, they require extensive sample preparation and lengthy waiting periods. In addition, these practices demand sophisticated laboratory instruments and settings, and must be executed by trained professionals. Herein, a protocol is proposed for a simpler diagnostic technique that features the unique combination of magnetic and fluorescent parameters in a nanoparticle-based platform. The proposed multiparametric magneto-fluorescent nanosensors (MFnS) can detect E. coli O157:H7 contamination with as little as 1 colony-forming unit present in solution within less than 1 h. Furthermore, the ability of MFnS to remain highly functional in complex media such as milk and lake water has been verified. Additional specificity assays were also used to demonstrate the ability of MFnS to only detect the specific target bacteria, even in the presence of similar bacterial species. The pairing of magnetic and fluorescent modalities allows for the detection and quantification of pathogen contamination in a wide range of concentrations, exhibiting its high performance in both early- and late-stage contamination detection. The effectiveness, affordability, and portability of the MFnS make them an ideal candidate for point-of-care screening for bacterial contaminants in a wide range of settings, from aquatic reservoirs to commercially packaged foods.

Foodborne Pathogen Screening Using Magneto-fluorescent Nanosensor: Rapid Detection of E. Coli O157:H7

The overall goal of this protocol is to synthesize functional nanosensors for the portable, cost-effective, and rapid detection of specifically targeted pathogenic bacteria through a combination of magnetic relaxation and fluorescence emission modalities.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been linked to both waterborne and foodborne illnesses, and remains a threat despite the food- and ...

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.

Fecal-oral transmission of acute gastroenteritis occurs from time to time, especially when people who handled food and water are infected by Salmonella spp./Shigella spp. The gold standard method for the detection of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp. is direct culture but this is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Here, we describe a high-throughput platform for Salmonella spp./Shigella spp. screening, using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with guided culture. There are two major stages: real-time PCR and the guided culture. For the first stage (real-time PCR), we explain each step of the method: sample collection, pre-enrichment, DNA extraction and real-time PCR. If the real-time PCR result is positive, then the second stage (guided culture) is performed: selective culture, biochemical identification and serological characterization. We also illustrate representative results generated from it. The protocol described here would be a valuable platform for the rapid, specific, sensitive and high-throughput screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.

A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.

Salmonella spp./Shigella spp. are common pathogens attributed to diarrhea. Here, we describe a high-throughput platform for the screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp. using real-time PCR combined with guided culture.

Fecal-oral transmission of acute gastroenteritis occurs from time to time, especially when people who handled food and water are infected by Salmonella ...

Colorimetric Detection of Bacteria Using Litmus Test

There are increasing demands for simple but still effective methods that can be used to detect specific pathogens for point-of-care or field applications. Such methods need to be user-friendly and produce reliable results that can be easily interpreted by both specialists and non-professionals. The litmus test for pH is simple, quick, and effective as it reports the pH of a test sample via a simple color change. We have developed an approach to take advantage of the litmus test for bacterial detection. The method exploits a bacterium-specific RNA-cleaving DNAzyme to achieve two functions: recognizing a bacterium of interest and providing a mechanism to control the activity of urease. Through the use of magnetic beads immobilized with a DNAzyme-urease conjugate, the presence of bacteria in a test sample is relayed to the release of urease from beads to solution. The released urease is transferred to a test solution to hydrolyze urea into ammonia, resulting in an increase of pH that can be visualized using the classic litmus test.

We describe a protocol for colorimetric detection of E. coli using a modified litmus test that takes advantage of an RNA-cleaving DNAzyme, urease, and magnetic beads.

There are increasing demands for simple but still effective methods that can be used to detect specific pathogens for point-of-care or field applications. ...

Biology

Oral Bacterial Infection and Shedding in Drosophila melanogaster

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the best developed model systems of infection and innate immunity. While most work has focused on systemic infections, there has been a recent increase of interest in the mechanisms of gut immunocompetence to pathogens, which require methods to orally infect flies. Here we present a protocol to orally expose individual flies to an opportunistic bacterial pathogen (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a natural bacterial pathogen of D. melanogaster (Pseudomonas entomophila). The goal of this protocol is to provide a robust method to expose male and female flies to these pathogens. We provide representative results showing survival phenotypes, microbe loads, and bacterial shedding, which is relevant for the study of heterogeneity in pathogen transmission. Finally, we confirm that Dcy mutants (lacking the protective peritrophic matrix in the gut epithelium) and Relish mutants (lacking a functional immune deficiency (IMD) pathway), show increased susceptibility to bacterial oral infection. This protocol, therefore, describes a robust method to infect flies using the oral route of infection, which can be extended to the study of a variety genetic and environmental sources of variation in gut infection outcomes and bacterial transmission.

Oral Bacterial Infection and Shedding in Drosophila melanogaster

This protocol describes methods to orally expose and infect the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster with bacterial pathogens, and to measure the number of infectious bacteria shed following gut infection. We further describe the effect of immune mutants on fly survival following oral bacterial infection.

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the best developed model systems of infection and innate immunity. While most work has focused on systemic ...

The Mushing, Sieving, and Floating Method for Detecting Fruit Fly Larvae

Sieving Fruit Pulp to Detect Immature Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Field

Fruit flies of the Tephritidae family are among the most destructive and invasive agricultural pests in the world. Many countries undertake expensive eradication programs to eliminate incipient populations. During eradication programs, a concerted effort is made to detect larvae, as this strongly indicates a breeding population and helps establish the spatial extent of the infestation. The detection of immature life stages triggers additional control and regulatory actions to contain and prevent any further spread of the pest. Traditionally, larval detection is accomplished by cutting individual host fruits and examining them visually. This method is labor intensive, as only a limited number of fruit can be processed, and the probability of missing a larva is high. An extraction technique that combines i) mushing host fruit in a plastic bag, ii) straining pulp through a series of sieves, iii) placing retained pulp in a brown sugar water solution, and iv) collecting larvae that float to the surface was tested. The method was evaluated in Florida with field-collected guava naturally infested by Anastrepha suspensa. To mimic low populations more representative of a fruit fly eradication program, mangos and papaya in Hawaii were infested with a known, low number of Bactrocera dorsalis larvae. The applicability of the method was tested in the field on guava naturally infested by B. dorsalis to evaluate the method under conditions experienced by workers during an emergency fruit fly program. In both field and laboratory trials, mushing and sieving the pulp was more efficient (required less time) and more sensitive (more larvae found) than cutting fruit. Floating the pulp in brown sugar water solution helped detect earlier instar larvae. Mushing and sieving fruit pulp of important tephritid hosts may increase the probability of detecting larvae during emergency programs.

Author Spotlight: Sieving Fruit Pulp to Detect Immature Tephritid Fruit Flies in the Field  

Increasing the detection of immature tephritid fruit flies in the field can trigger timely efforts to eliminate populations of these destructive pests. Detecting late instar larvae is faster and more accurate when mushing host fruit in a bag and passing the pulp through a series of sieves than hand cutting and visual inspection.

Fruit flies of the Tephritidae family are among the most destructive and invasive agricultural pests in the world. Many countries undertake expensive ...

Detection of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens from Individual Filth Flies

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