Transfer of microorganisms and respiratory viruses through food.

Main Article Content

Paul Dawson

Abstract

A major focus of food safety is on the contamination by microorganisms which occur during multiple stages along the food production and supply chain process. The microorganisms associated with foodborne illness are well-studied but normally do not include human nosocomial pathogens, particularly human respiratory diseases transmitted via mucosal droplets. A generally accepted mode of transmission for respiratory diseases include touching contaminated fomites followed by self-inoculation with fingers and hands by touching the face.  Based on the existing modes of disease transfer, there is also the potential to spread these respiratory diseases through food. Several possible examples of direct transfer include sharing foods such as drinks, dipping sauces and popcorn while foods could also be indirectly contaminated by hands and utensils. Thus person to person transfer of disease agents seems likely by direct or indirect contact with food just prior to or during consumption.

Article Details

How to Cite
DAWSON, Paul. Transfer of microorganisms and respiratory viruses through food.. Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 8, n. 5, may 2020. ISSN 2375-1924. Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/2105>. Date accessed: 21 nov. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v8i5.2105.
Section
Research Articles

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks, United States, 2017, Annual Report. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, 2019.

Food and Drug Administration, https://www.fda.gov/food/recalls-outbreaks-emergencies/outbreaks-foodborne-illness#:~:text=When%20two%20or%20more%20people,from%20happening%20in%20the%20future. Accessed 3-28-2020.

Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/fdoss/index.html. Accessed 3-28-2020.

Goldman D. Transmission of viral respiratory infections in the home. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2000; 19(10, S97-102.

Yellow Fever and Malaria in the Canal. Available from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/panama-fever/ [Accessed March 23rd, 2020]

Kutter JS, Spronken MI, Fraaij PL, Fouchier RAM, Herfst S. Transmission routes of respiratory viruses among humans. Current Opinions in Virology, 2018; 28, 142-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coviro.2018.01.011

Douwes J, Thorne P, Pearce N, Heederik D. Bioaerosol health effects and exposure assessment: Progress and prospects. Annals of Occupational Hygiene. 2003; 3, 187-200. https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/meg032

Xu Z, Shen F, Li X, Wu Y, Chen Q, Jie X, Yao M. Molecular and microscopic analysis of bacteria and viruses in exhaled breath collected using a simple impaction and condensing method. Plos One. 2012; 7(7), 1-8. Published online www.plosone.org
Flugge C. Die verbreitung der phthise durch staubförmiges sputum und durch beim husten verspritzte tröpfchen. Zeitschrift fur Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten, 1899; 30(1), 107-124. http://dx/.doi.org/10.1007/BF02198683

Hutchison RF. (1901). Die verbreitung von keimen durch gewöhnliche luftströme. Zeitschrift fur Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten, 1901; 36(1), 223-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02141226

Winslow CEA. An investigation of the extent of the bacterial pollution of the atmosphere by mouth spray. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1910; 7(1),17-37. http://dx/doi.org/10.1093/infdis/7.1.17

Strausz W. Versuche über beim sprechen verschleuderte tröpfchen. Zeitschrift fur Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten, 1922; 96(1), 27-47 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02183834

Lange B, Nowoselsky W. Experimentelle untersuchungen über die bedeutung der staubinfektion bei der tuberkulose. Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 1925; 104(1-2), 286-307. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02175004

Hamburger M. Studies on the transmission of hemolytic Streptococcus infections: I Cross infection in army hospital wards. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1944; 75(1), 58-70. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/575.1.58

Duguid JP. The size and the duration of air-carriage of respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei. Epidemiology and Infection, 1946;44(6), 471-479 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022172400019288

Wan GH, Wu CL, Chen YF, Huang SH, Wang YL, et al. Particle Size Concentration Distribution and Influences on Exhaled Breath Particles in Mechanically Ventilated Patients. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9(1), e87088. http://doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0087088

Xu Z, Wu Y, Shen F, Chen Q, Tan M, Yao M. Bioaerosol science, technology, and engineering: past, present, and future. Aerosol Science and Technology, 2011; 45, 1337-1349. https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2011.593591

Chao CYH, Wan MP, Morawska L, Johnson GR, Ristovski ZD, et al. Characterization of expiration air jets and droplet size distributions immediately at the mouth opening .J Aerosol Sci., 2009; 40(2),122-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2008.10.003

Madigan MT, Martinko JM, Dunlap PV, Clark D, Brock P. Biology of Microorganisms, 12th ed. San Francisco: Pearson. 2009; pp.1061.

Qian J, Hospodsky D, Yamamoto N, Nazaroff WW, Peccia J. Size resolved emission rates of airborne bacteria and fungi in an occupied classroom. Indoor Air, 2012; http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2012.00769.

Frey A.A True and Authentic Account of Andrwe Frey. 1753; https://books.google.com/books?id=VIoUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA15&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false

Dawson P, Han I, Lynn D, Lackey J, Baker J, Martinez-Dawson R. Bacterial transfer associated with blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Journal of Food Research, 2017; 6(4), 1-5. http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jfr/article/view/67217

Couch R, Knight V, Gerone P, Cate T, Douglas R. Factors influencing response of volunteers to inoculation with Coxsackie virus A type 21. American Review of Respiratory Disease, 1969; 99, 24-30. http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/arrd.1969.99.1.24#readcube-epdf

Knight V. Airborne transmission and pulmonary deposition of respiratory viruses. In: Hers JF, Winkles KC, editors. Airborne transmission and airborne infections. VIth Int. Symp. on Aerobiology. New York, NY: Wiley, 1973; pp. 175-182.

Obeng CS. Personal cleanliness activities in preschool classrooms. Early Childhood Education Journal, 2008; 36, 93-99. http://doi.org/10.1007/s.10643-008.0253.4

Houk VN. Spread of tuberculosis via recirculated air in a naval vessel: the Byrd study. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1980; 353, 10-24. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1980.tb18901.x

Loosli C, Hertweck M, Hockwald R. Airborne influenza PR8-A virus infections in actively immunized mice. Archives of Environmental Health, 1970; 21, 332-346. https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1970.10667248

Weber TP, Stilianakis NI. Inactivation of influenza A viruses in the environment and modes of transmission: a critical review. Journal of Infection, 2008; 57,361-373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2008.08.013

Wein LM, Atkinson MP. Assessing infection control measures for pandemic influenza. Risk Analysis, 2009; 29,949-962. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01232.x

Tellier R. Aerosol transmission of influenza A virus: a review of new studies. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. Published online, 2009; 1-8. http://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0302.focus

Stelzer-Braid S, Oliver BG, Blazey AJ, Argent E, Newsome TP, et al. Exhalation of respiratory viruses by breathing, coughing, and talking. Journal of Medical Virology, 2009; 81,1674-1679. http://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.21556

Fabian P, McDevitt JJ, DeHaan WH, Fung ROP, Cowling BJ, et al. Influenza virus in human exhaled breath: an observational study. PLoS ONE, 2008; 3,e2691. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002691

Lindsley WG, Blachere FM, Thewlis RE, Vishnu A, Davis KA, et al. Measurements of airborne influenza virus in aerosol particles from human coughs. PLoS ONE, 2010; 5: e15100. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0015100 .

Fennelly KP, Martyny JW, Fulton KE, Orme IM, Cave DM. et al. Cough-generated aerosols of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a new method to study infectiousness. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2004; 169 (5),604-609. http://dx/doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200308-1101OC

Yu IT, Li Y, Wong TW, Tam W, Phil M, et al. Evidence of airborne transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus. New England Journal of Medicine, 2004; 351, 1731-1739. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa032867

Baker K, Han I, Bailey J, Johnson L, Jones E, et al. Bacterial transfer from hands while eating popcorn. Food and Nutrition Science, 2015; 6:1333-1338. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Huynh KN, Oliver G, Stelzer S, Rawlinson WD, Tovey ER. A new method for sampling and detection of exhaled respiratory virus aerosols. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2008; 46,93-95. https://doi.org/10.1086/523000

Dawson P, Trevino J, Ballieu B, Yost R, Danna S, et al. Effect of double-dipping chips on the bacterial count of the dipping solution. Journal of Food Safety, 2009; 29:37-48.

Dawson P, Thorson H, Hooton K, Runey J, Hughes D, et al. Bacterial transfer to cups and water by drinking. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 2018, 9(12) 1386-1390. https://doi.org/10.4236/fns.2018.912100

National Hockey League News, 2009. https://www.nhl.com/news/athletes-warned-against-sharing-water-bottles-to-stop-swine-flu-spread/c-503902 accessed 3-29-2020.

Anders HS. Infection by Communion Cups. Public Health, 1897; April 3, 662

Anders, H.S. The Progress of the Individual Cup Movement, Especially Among Churches. Proceedings from the Forty-eighth Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association, held at Philadelphia, June 1-4, Journal of the American Medical Association 1897; 29,789-94.

Burrows W, Hemmons ES, Survival of Bacteria on the Silver Communion Cup. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1943; 73,180-190. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/73.3.180

Gregory KF, Carpenter JA, Bending GC. Infection Hazards of the Common Communion Cup. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 1967; 58, 305-310. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41984817

Furlow TC, Dougherty MJ. Bacteria on the Communion Cup. Annals of Internal Medicine, 1993; 118, 572-573. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-118-7-199304010-00027

Chiller K, Selkin BA, Murakawa, G.J. Skin microflora and bacterial infections of the skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings, 2001; 6, 170-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.0022-202x.2001.00043.x

Pittet D, Allegranzi B, Sax H, Dharan S, Pessoa CL, et al. Evidence-based model for hand transmission during patient care and the role of improved practices. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2006; 6, 641-652. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(06)70600-4

Boyce JM, Pittet D. Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings. Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2001; 51, 1-45.

Larson E. Hygiene of the Skin: When is clean too clean? Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2001; 7, 225-339. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid0702.010215

Thomas Y, Boquete-Suter P, Koch D, Pittet D, Kaiser L. Survival of influenza virus on human fingers. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2014; O58-O64.

Dawson, P.L., Purohit, C. and Han. I.Y. Bacterial transfer during eating Subtitle: Transfer of bacteria from mouth to different utensils and from utensils to food. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG, Dudweiler Landstr. 2010; 99, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.

Dawson P, Han I, Lynn D, Bailey C, Taylor A. Bacterial transfer to beverages during drinking games: “beer pong.” International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, 2015; 5(2), 151-161.

Dawson P, Buyukyavuz A, Aljeddawi W, Martinez-Dawson R, Downs, R. et al. Transfer of Escherichia coli to lemon slices and ice during handling. Journal of Food Research, 2017; 6 (4): 111-120. https://doi.org/10.5539/jfr.v6n4p111

Dickens DL, DuPont HL, & Johnson PC. Survival of bacterial enteropathogens in the ice of popular drinks. Journal of the American Medical Association, 1985; 253(21):3141-3143. http://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1985.03350450113034

Saknimit M, Inatsuki I, Sugiyama Y, Yagami K. Virucidal efficacy of physico-chemical treatments against coronaviruses and parvoviruses of laboratory animals. Jikken Dobutsu Exp Anim 1988; 37:341e5.

Rabenau HF, Kampf G, Cinatl J, Doerr HW. Efficacy of various disinfectants against SARS coronavirus. J Hosp Infect 2005;61:107e11.

Hirai Y. Survival of bacteria under dry conditions from a viewpoint of nosocomial infection. Journal of Hospital Infection, 1991; 19,191-200.

Firquet S, Beaujard S, Lobert P-E, Sane F, Caloone D, et al. Survival of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses on inanimate surfaces. Microbes and Environments, 2015; 30(2), 140-144.

Rangel-Frausto MS, Houston AK, Bale MJ, Fu C, Wenzel RP. An experimental model for study of Candida survival and transmission in human volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 1994; 13, 590-595.

Weber DJ, Rutala WA. The emerging nosocomial pathogens Cryptosporidium, Escherichia coli, O157:H7, Helicobacter pylori, and hepatitis C: epidemiology, environmental survival, efficacy of disinfection, and control measures. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2001; 22,306-315.

Neely AN, Maley MP. Survival of enterococci and staphylococci on hospital fabrics and plastic. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2000; 38(2), 724-726.

Milling A, Kehr R, Wulf A, Smalla K. Survival of bacteria on wood and plastic particles: Dependence on wood species and environmental conditions. Holzforschung, 2005; 59(1), 72-81.

Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E. Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal of Hospital Infection, 2020; 104, (3), 246-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022

Lai MY, Cheng P, Lim W. Survival of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2005; 41(7):e67-e71. https://doi.org/10.1086/433186

Otter JA, Donsksey C, Yezil S, Douthwaite S, Goldenberg SD, Weber DJ. Transmission of SARS and MERS coronaviruses and influenza virus in healthcare settings: the possible role of dry surface contamination. Journal of Hospital Infection, 2016; 92, 235-250.

McFarland LV, Stamm WE. Review of Clostridium difficile-associated diseases. American Journal of Infection Control, 1986; 14,99-109.

Wilks SA, Michels H, Keevil CW. The survival of Escherichia coli O157 on a range of metal surfaces. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 2005; 105,445-454.

Abrishami SH, Tall BD, Bruursems TJ, Epstein PS, Shah DB. Bacterial adherence and viability on cutting board surfaces. Journal of Food Safety, 1994; 14,153-172.

Neely AN. A survey of gram-negative bacteria survival on hospital fabrics and plastics. Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation, 2000; 21, 523-527.

Mitscherlich E, Marth EH. Microbial survival in the environment. Berlin, Springer, 1984.

Helke DM, Wong ACL. Survival and growth characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium on stainless steel and Buna-N rubber. Journal of Food Protection, 1994; 57, 963-968.

Duan SM, Zhao XS, Wen RF, Huang JJ, Pi GH, et al. Stability of SARS coronavirus in human specimens and environment and its sensitivity to heating and UV radiation. Biomedical and Environmental Science, 2003; 16, 246-255.

Lai MY, Cheng PK, Lim WW. Survival of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2005; 42, e67-71.

Chan KH, Peiris JS, Lam SY, Poon LL, Yuen KY, Seto WH. The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the viability of SARS coronavirus. Advances in Virology, 2011; 734690, 7 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/734690

Warnes SL, Little ZR, Keevil CW. Human coronavirus 229E remains infective on common touch surface materials, mBIO, 2015; 6,e)1697-15.


Sizun J, Yu MW, Talbot PJ. Survival of human coronavirus 229E and OC43 in suspension and after drying on surfaces: a possible source of hospital-acquired infections. Journal of Hospital Infection, 2000;46,55-60.

Bean B, Moore BH, Sterner B, Peterson LR, Gerding DN, Balfour HH. Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces. Journal of Hospital Infection, 1982;146, 47-51.

Pirtle EC, Beran GW. Virus survival in the environment. Revue Scientifique et Technique, 1991;10,733-748.

Mattison K, Karthikeyan K, Abebe M, Malik N, Sattar SA, et al. Survival of calicivirus in foods and on surfaces: Experiments with feline calicivirus as a surrogate for norovirus. Journal of Food Protection, 2007; 70(2),500-503.

D’Souza DH, Williams K, Jean J, Sair A, Jaykus L. Persistence of Norwalk virus on environmental surfaces and its transfer to food: Washington, D.C. American Society of Microbiology, 2003.

Rangel-Frausto MS, Houston AK, Bale MJ, Fu C, Wenzel RP. An experimental model for study of Candida survival and transmission in human volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 1994;13,590-595.

Traore O, Springthorpe VS, Sattar SA. A quantitative study of the survival of two species of Candida on porous and non-porous environmental surfaces and hands. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2002; 92, 549-555.

Green L, Selman C, Banerjee A, Marcus R, Medus C, et al. Food service workers’ self-reported food preparation practices: an EHS-Net study. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2005; 208(1), 27-35.

Olsen SJ, MacKinnon L, Goulding J, Bean NH, Slutsker L. Surveillance for foodborne-disease outbreaks: United States, 1993–1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report CDC Surveillance Summary, 2000; 49(SS-1):1–62.

Redmond EC, Griffith CJ. Consumer food handling in the home: a review of food safety studies. Journal of Food Protection, 2003; 66(1), 130-161.

WHO. The World Health Surveillance Programme for Control of Foodborne Infections and Intoxications in Europe: 7th Report (1993-1998), 22 December, 2000; www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/foodborne_disease/dec2000/en/

Centers for Disease Control. Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks United States, 2017: Annual Report. https://www.cdc.gov/fdoss/pdf/2017_FoodBorneOutbreaks_508.pdf

Griffith CJ, Cooper RA, Gilmore J, Davies C, & Lewis M. An evaluation of hospital cleaning regimes and standards. Journal of Hospital Infection, 2000; 45(1), 19-28.

Taku A, Gulati BR, Allwood PB, Palazzi K, Hedberg CW, & Goyal SM. Concentration and detection of caliciviruses from food contact surfaces. Journal of Food Protection, 2002; 65(6), 999-1004.

Wheeler C, Vogt T, Armstrong G, Vaughn G, & Weltman A. An outbreak of Hepatitis A associated with green onions. New England Journal of Medicine, 2005; 353,890-897.

Alsallaiy I, Han I, Martinez-Dawson R, Dawson P. Recovery, survival and transfer of bacteria on restaurant menus. Journal of Food Safety, 2015; 36(1): 52-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.12212

Schreck S. Bacteria on the Menu? Food Poison Journal. 2009;
http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/food-poisoning-watch/bacteria-on-the-menu/#.WVvZ1YWcHIW accessed 7-4-2017.

Bartz, M., Buyukyavuz, A*., Dawson, E., Diener, M., Gates, R., et al. Transfer of Escherichia coli while using salad tongs. Journal of Food Microbiology, Safety and Hygiene. 2016; 1(2): 112
Leavitt JW. Typhoid Mary: Captive to the Public's Health. Boston: Beacon Press, 1996.
Fiore A. Hepatitis A transmitted by food. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2004; 38, 705-715.

Tellier R. Aerosol transmission of influenza A virus. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2006; 12, 1657-1662.
Brankston G, Getterman L, Hirji Z, Lemieux C, Gardam M. Transmission of influenza A in human beings. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2007; 7, 257-265.

Thomas Y, Boquete-Suter P, Koch D, Pittet D, Kaiser L. Survival of influenza virus on human fingers. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2014; 20, O58-O64.

Jefferson T, Dal MC, Dooley L, Ferroni E, Al-Ansary LA. Physical intervention to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses: systematic review. BMJ, 2009; 339, b3675.

Hendley JO. Transmission of experimental rhinovirus infection by contaminated surfaces. American Journal of Epidemiology, 1982; 116 (5), 828-833. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113473