Pathogenic Microbiology Commons^™

Poultry Performance And Food Safety Impacts Of Selected Organic Acids And Probiotics, Anita Menconi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Improving production parameters and controlling foodborne pathogens have been challenges to the poultry industry. Salmonella has been the most common bacterial pathogen in laboratory confirmed foodborne illness cases, and contaminated poultry and poultry products have been identified as the most important source of transmission of Salmonella to humans. Therefore, research on effective interventions to reduce Salmonella transmission at the poultry production level has gained attention. Initially, a series of studies was conducted to evaluate the use of selected organic acids in controlling foodborne pathogens and improving poultry performance. Then, the characterization and application of lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus spp. …

Qcm Aptasensor For Rapid And Specific Detection Of Avian Influenza Virus, Luke Brockman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There has been a need for rapid detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N1 due to it being a potential pandemic threat. Most of the current methods, including culture isolation and PCR, are very sensitive and specific but require specialized laboratories and trained personnel in order to complete the tests and are time-consuming. The goal of this study was to design a biosensor that would be able to rapidly detect AIV H5N1 using aptamers as biosensing material and a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for transducing method. Specific DNA aptamers against AIV H5N1 were immobilized, through biotin and streptavidin conjugation, onto …

Development Of A Predictive Modeling System For Validation Of The Cumulative Mirobial Inactivation Of The Salmonellae In Pepperoni Utilizing A Non-Pathogenic Surrogate Microorganism (Enterococcus Faecalis), Scott Donald Stillwell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Salmonellosis is the most frequently occurring bacterial foodborne illness in the United States and the human case rate has not improved for the past two decades. The federal agency responsible for oversight of meat and poultry processors has announced the intent to extend existing pathogen reduction performance standards for Salmonella spp. to cover all classes of products including fermented sausages that are currently produced under HACCP plans that are validated for control of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The proposed regulatory modifications will require processors to revalidate HACCP plan controls to achieve either a 6.5 or a 7.0 log10 inactivation of the …

Proteomic Studies Of The Influenza Virus-Human Cell Interactions: The Responses Of Host Cell Protein Expression To Viral Infection And The Novel Host Proteins That Interact With Virus Protein Ns1, Yimeng Wang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) continue to be a threat to human health. Despite extensive studies, the mechanisms underlying the IAVs-host interactions during IAV infection remain elusive. We employed quantitative proteomic methods to systematically explore the host cell protein expression responses to IAV infection and examine the function of a critical IAV protein called NS1 by identifying its host binding partners. Specifically, we used a 2-dimentional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) based proteomic method to screen host proteins whose expression was substantially altered by IAV. One critical protein named IκB kinase-gamma (IKKγ) was found to be significantly down-regulated during IAV infection. Functional studies …

Utilization Of Natural Green Tea And Grape Seed Extracts And Nisin To Reduce Conventional Chemical Preservatives And To Inhibit The The Growth Of Listeria Monocytogenes In Ready To Eat Low And High Fat Chicken And Turkey Hotdogs, Amara Venkata Sunil Perumalla

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ready-to-eat meat (RTE) products such as hotdogs represent a popular segment in convenience food purchases. Increased demand has led the processors to extend the shelf life by minimizing lipid oxidation and post-processing contaminants such as Listeria monocytogenes. There is a growing interest in the food processors and consumers regarding the use of natural alternatives in place of synthetic food additives to control the growth of foodborne pathogens and (or) lipid oxidation. In recent years, green tea (GTE) and grape seed extracts (GSE) are increasing choices as they have demonstrated antioxidant as well as antimicrobial properties in various food applications. …

Role Of Lactic Acid Bacteria As A Bio-Sanitizer To Prevent Attachment Of Listeria Monocytogenes On Deli Slicer Contact Surfaces, And The Influence Of Listeria Innocua On The Attachment Of L. Monocytogenes On Selected Materials Located In The Food-Processing Environment, Jean Baptiste Ndahetuye

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes an important foodborne pathogen that continues to be a serious problem for the food industry. This pathogen contaminates food primarily during post-harvest in the food-processing environment. Its ecology in the food-processing environment is not well understood but previous research has demonstrated the ability of L. monocytogenes to survive on food contact surfaces after cleaning and disinfection. The current study explored the attachment of three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, Lactobacillus animalis , Lb. amylovorus and Pediococcus acidilactici , their combination in a cocktail, and their influence to prevent the attachment of L. monocytogenes at room temperature by examining …

Genome-Wide Identification Of Conditionally Essential Genes In Salmonella Typhimurium Using Tn-Seq Method, Anita Khatiwara

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

As more whole genome sequences become available, there is an increasing need for high-throughput methods that link genes to phenotypes and facilitate discovery of new gene functions. The objective of this study was to develop a high-throughput method to study gene functions in bacteria and use this method to study gene functions of S. enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) under various environmental conditions encountered during its life cycle. Chapter I of this dissertation reviews the history and evolution of functional genomics in bacteria with focus on Salmonella, along with the recent techniques available. Chapter II, deals with the development …

Letter From The Dean, Lalit Verma

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Design Of A Bioreactor To Study The Role Of Red Blood Cells In The Transport Of Nitric Oxide In The Microcirculation, Nupura Bhise, Mahendra Kavdia

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in physiological functions like vasodilation, neurotransmission, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. The endothelium-derived NO diffuses into the vascular lumen where it interacts with flowing blood as well as the smooth muscles where it modulates vascular tone. However, uncertainty exists on how NO escapes the rapid scavenging by hemoglobin (Hb) and reaches smooth muscles. Several proposed hypotheses include 1) a reduced reaction rate of NO with Hb contained inside red blood cells (RBCs) and 2) NO preservation in the bound form of s-nitrosohemoglobin or nitrite. The mechanism and magnitude of reduction of NO reaction …

Transcriptional Control Of The Opp Operon In Clostridium Difficile, S. Lindsey Davis

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

As a serious expense for both the hospital and the patient, nosocomial infections create a burden on the health care industry that is not easily overcome. Among the infections commonly contracted in the hospital environment, those associated with the Clostridium difficile bacterium account for millions of cases each year. Largely due to the nature of C. difficile infection as a response to the disruption of the normal flora of the colon caused by antibiotic activity, no completely effective treatment for this condition has been identified. It is this problem that forms the foundation for research devoted to the development of …

In Vitro Growth Characteristics Of Two Cryptococcus Neoformans Isolates, Kristy L. Jones, Juneann W. Murphy

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic pathogen which attacks individuals with weakened immune systems. Two C. neoformans isolates, 184A and NU-2, were examined to determine characteristics that contribute to their difference in virulence. Both isolates were grown under tissue culture conditions, and different characteristics were tested at timed intervals. Isolate 184A was found to grow at a faster rate than isolate NU-2, with doubling times of 4 and 12 hours respectively. The polysaccharide capsule of isolate NU-2 doubled in size in four hours, while that of isolate 184A stayed approximately the same. The NU-2 yeast cell diameter without the polysaccharide capsule …

Distribution Of Naegleria Fowleri In Selected Northeast Arkansas Lakes, Robert Dean Evans, Lawrence W. Hinck

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Seven northeast Arkansas recreational lakes were examined for the presence of pathogenic and nonpathogenic Naegleria fowleri. Cultural differentiation and microscopic morphology were used as species determining tests, while mouse pathogenicity tests were conducted to determine virulence. Only one isolate met all criteria utilized for definite identification of Naegleria fowleri, although Naegleria type organisms were found in all of the lakes. None of the isolates were pathogenic in mice.