Work

Clostridioides difficile in raw mechanically separated poultry meat and pasteurized product made from contaminated meat

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Clostridioides difficile ( C. difficile ) is an important foodborne pathogen found in a wide range of products. This study investigated the occurrence of C. difficile in mechanically separated chicken and turkey meat (MSM) and in pasteurized products made from contaminated MSM. The presence of C . difficile was analysed in 56 MSM samples (32 from turkey and 24 from chicken) and in six pasteurized meat products made from raw meats previously identified as C. difficile -positive. After enrichment, detection was performed by real-time PCR, and culture on selective media for C. difficile . The isolated strains were then characterized by PCR-ribotyping, toxinotyping, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). C . difficile was detected in 16.1 % of MSM samples via real-time PCR, with a 10.7 % isolation rate. One pasteurized product also tested positive. The six isolates obtained displayed diverse PCR-ribotypes, five of which were toxigenic. Notably, the PCR-ribotypes and sequence types in the pasteurized product differed from those identified in the raw meat used for its production. The presence of C . difficile in raw and subsequently pasteurized meat product indicates that the pathogen can survive the pasteurization process and may be present in such products. • Mechanically separated poultry meat tested positive for Clostridioides difficile in 10.7 %. • Diverse PCR-ribotypes and sequence types were obtained from raw meat. • C. difficile was isolated from pasteurized poultry meat product. • C. difficile isolates in pasteurized product and raw meat genetically differed. • Presence of C. difficile in a pasteurized meat product indicates the survival of the pasteurization.

Source: Anaerobe

DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2025.102946

Authors: Majda Biasizzo, Urška Henigman, Jana Avberšek, Urška Jamnikar-Ciglenečki, Stanka Vadnjal

Institution: University of Ljubljana

Language: English

Topic: Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350