Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in artisanal cheese in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil

• Published in: International journal of mycobacteriology Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 269 - 272
• Main Authors: Cezar, Renata D.S, Lucena-Silva, Norma, Borges, Jonas M, Santana, Vania L.A, Pinheiro Junior, José W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2016; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Brazil - epidemiology; Cheese; Cheese - microbiology; Food safety; Grocery industry; Infectious Disease; Medical Education; Mycobacterium bovis - genetics; Mycobacterium bovis - isolation & purification; PCR; Prevalence; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tuberculosis; Brazil; Mexico; California; Cheese; Food safety; Tuberculosis; PCR
• ISSN: 2212-5531; 2212-554X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.04.007

Abstract Objective/background The present study was aimed at detecting Mycobacterium bovis in artisanal cheese using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Methods One hundred seven cheese samples (250 g) were purchased in 107 commercial establishments including neighborhood grocery stores, bakeries, and open-air markets from 19 municipalities of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Ten grams of each cheese sample were macerated with sterile saline solution in a sterile bag and DNA was extracted from 20 mg of the macerated material using the Wizard SV Genomic DNA Purification System. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplified a fragment corresponding to the region of difference 4 of M. bovis. Results Of the 107 samples analyzed, three (2.8%) were positive for M. bovis and their identities were confirmed by sequencing. This is perhaps the first report of the presence of M. bovis in artisanal cheese in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Conclusion The results of the present study highlight the need for improving sanitary measures during the production of artisanal cheese to prevent zoonotic tuberculosis in humans, resulting from the consumption of food contaminated with M. bovis.