Publication Abstract

Tracing pathogens in molluscan shellfish production chains

Tracing pathogens in molluscan shellfish production chains

R.J. Lee* and R.E. Rangdale*

Bivalve molluscan shellfish have long been recognised as high-risk products as they are exposed to several potential sources of pathogens in the harvesting area. The chain from harvest to market can also be relatively complex and this provides additional points where contamination may occur and also where bacterial pathogens may grow in the product if adequate temperature control is not maintained. In the past, regulatory controls have concentrated on the use of bacterial indicator organisms to reflect the risk of faecal contamination. This approach is not satisfactory for naturally occurring Vibrio spp. and does not fully address the problems associated with contamination by enteric viruses. The development of molecular-based methods has providing additional tools to detect such pathogens and has led to consideration of the way that these need to be used by regulatory bodies and the industry. In addition, a variety of molecular typing methods may be used to track pathogens from the perspective of illness outbreaks and contamination events.

Reference:

R.J. Lee* and R.E. Rangdale* (2011) Tracing pathogens in molluscan shellfish production chains. pp.  In: Tracing pathogens in the food chain, Part 4 (Brul, S., Fratamico, PM & McMeekin, TA. eds) Woodhead Publishing Limited

http://www.woodheadpublishing.com/en/book.aspx?bookID=1525#sec4

R.J. Lee* and R.E. Rangdale*

pp. In: Tracing pathogens in the food chain, Part 4 (Brul, S., Fratamico, PM & McMeekin, TA. eds) Woodhead Publishing Limited