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Expression of rpoS, ompA and hfq genes of Cronobacter sakazakii strain Yrt2a during stress and viable but nonculturable state

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Abstract

Cronobacter spp. in powdered infant formula has been etiologically linked to meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in certain groups of infants. This study aimed to determine whether C. sakazakii Yrt2a strain experiencing desiccation stress could enter viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state as well as to examine the expression of genes associated with stress and virulence during the above states. Stress and VBNC conditions were determined based on viability and culturability assays. Expression of genes related to stress (rpoS) and virulence (hfq and ompA) was evaluated by real-time PCR. The results showed that C. sakazakii Yrt2a entered VBNC 24 days post exposure to 2 h of desiccation treatment. The expression of rpoS, hfq and ompA genes was up-regulated during stress conditions, suggesting that Cronobacter successfully managed stress to maintain its culturability while maintaining its virulence. The expression of the target genes decreased at VBNC state but remained higher than that of a normal state. These findings reinforce the assumption that C. sakazakii undergoing VBNC state maintains its pathogenicity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Directorate General of Higher Education Ministry of Education and Culture, Republic of Indonesia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Bogor Agricultural University, IPB Dramaga, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia

    Maryam Jameelah, Ratih Dewanti-Hariyadi & Siti Nurjanah

  2. Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology Center, Bogor Agricultural University, Jl. Puspa Lingkar Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia

    Ratih Dewanti-Hariyadi & Siti Nurjanah

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  1. Maryam Jameelah
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  2. Ratih Dewanti-Hariyadi
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  3. Siti Nurjanah
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Correspondence to Ratih Dewanti-Hariyadi.

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Jameelah, M., Dewanti-Hariyadi, R. & Nurjanah, S. Expression of rpoS, ompA and hfq genes of Cronobacter sakazakii strain Yrt2a during stress and viable but nonculturable state. Food Sci Biotechnol 27, 915–920 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-018-0313-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-018-0313-5

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