Browsing by Author "Moreira, Sílvia"
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- Bioburden assessment in Lisbon groceriesPublication . Moreira, Sílvia; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Viegas, CarlaObjective: This study aims to characterize the occupational exposure to the bioburden of groceries workers and to identify the most critical workstations. Background To our knowledge, this is the first study performed in Portugal that intends to characterize microbial contamination in this specific setting. Method: This study was conducted between November and December of 2020 in fifteen groceries stores (M) located in the municipality of Cascais. Passive sampling methods (Electrostatic dust cloths—EDC) and surface swabs were used at three different locations (checkout, fruits/vegetables, and warehouse/dispenser areas). EDC and surface swabs were inoculated in four standard culture media, namely, malt extract agar (MEA), dichloran glycerol (DG18), tryptic soy agar (TSA), and violet red bile agar (VRBA) for further characterization. Results: The prevalence of bacterial contamination was higher than fungal contamination in both sampling methods. The highest prevalence was in the fruits/vegetable area regarding fungal and bacterial contamination. Conclusion: The sampling methods employed effectively identified the most critical workplaces regarding microbial contamination. Application This study will be useful for industrial hygienists since it is the first held in small grocery shops focusing on the occupational exposure assessment of microbiological contamination.
- Microbial contamination in grocery stores from Portugal and Spain: the neglected indoor environment to be tackled in the scope of the One Health approachPublication . Viegas, Carla; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Moreira, Sílvia; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Cañas, Lídia; Pozdniakova, Sofya; Borràs, Sílvia; Viegas, SusanaMicrobial contamination in grocery shops (GS) should be evaluated since food commodities are commonly handled by workers and customers increasing the risk of food contamination and disease transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial contamination in Portuguese and Spanish GS with a multi-approach protocol using passive (electrostatic dust cloths and surface swabs) sampling methods. The molecular detection of Aspergillus sections, mycotoxin analysis, screening of azole resistance as well as cytotoxicity measurement was conducted to better estimate the potential health risks of exposure and to identify possible relations between the risk factors studied. The fruits/vegetables sampling location was the one identified as being the most contaminated (bacteria and fungi) area in GS from both countries. Aspergillus section Fumigati and Fusarium species were observed in samples from Portuguese groceries with reduced susceptibilities to azoles commonly used in the clinical treatment of fungal infections. Fumonisin B2 has been detected in Portuguese GS possibly unveiling this emergent threat concerning occupational exposure and food safety. Overall, the results obtained raise concerns regarding human health and food safety and must be surveilled by applying a One Health approach.
- Portuguese groceries: a comprehensive occupational exposure assessment to fungal contaminationPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Gomes, Bianca; Moreira, Sílvia; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twaruzek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaTo our knowledge, there has been no research on the occupational exposure of grocery employees. This study aimed to characterize the microbial contamination in 15 grocery stores in Cascais, Portugal, by passive sampling. The molecular detection of Aspergillus sections, as well as mycotoxin analysis, screening of azole resistance, and cytotoxicity measurement was also conducted to better estimate the health risks of exposure and to identify possible relations between the risk factors. Electrostatic dust cloths (EDC) and surface swabs were used on 3 sampling sites: checkout, fruits/vegetable, and warehouse/dispenser. Fungal contamination was characterized by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05 %) and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18). Screening of azole resistance was performed by inoculation of EDC extracts' in azole-supplemented Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media, according to EUCAST guidelines. A total of 39 samples were screened for mycotoxins contamination. EDC’s cytotoxicity (IC50) was assessed in lung epithelial (A549) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) human cells, in the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The highest fungal contamination was obtained from fruits/vegetables in swabs (76 % MEA; 71% DG18). Cladosporium sp. (54% MEA) was the most prevalent genera in swabs. Regarding EDC, besides Penicillium sp. (63%) the most prevalent were Aspergillus sections Circumdati (25%) and Aspergilli (35%). Penicillium sp. was highly prevalent in the checkout (61% SDA; 87% voriconazole), and warehouse/dispenser sectors (73% voriconazole; 52% posaconazole). Circumdati and Fumigati were the most prevalent Aspergillus sections in fruits/vegetables (73% and 64% in voriconazole, respectively). Four mycotoxins (fumonisin B1, B2, B3) were detected simultaneously in most 36 samples. Two out of 39 EDC samples exhibited an IC50 of 10 mm2/ml: one (M7F/L) in A549 cells, and another (M8A) in HepG2 cells. Identifying the variables that influence the fungal and mycotoxins contamination of groceries environment is of utmost importance to prevent human exposure (workers and consumers) to these risk factors when using a One Health approach.