AUTHOR=Yan Qiongqiong , Fanning Séamus 

TITLE=Strategies for the Identification and Tracking of Cronobacter Species: An Opportunistic Pathogen of Concern to Neonatal Health

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2015

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2015.00038

DOI=10.3389/fped.2015.00038

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Cronobacter</italic> species are emerging opportunistic food-borne pathogens, which consists of seven species, including <italic>C. sakazakii</italic>, <italic>C. malonaticus</italic>, <italic>C. muytjensii</italic>, <italic>C. turicensis</italic>, <italic>C. dublinensis</italic>, <italic>C. universalis</italic>, and <italic>C. condimenti</italic>. The organism can cause severe clinical infections, including necrotizing enterocolitis, septicemia, and meningitis, predominately among neonates &lt;4 weeks of age. <italic>Cronobacter</italic> species can be isolated from various foods and their surrounding environments; however, powdered infant formula (PIF) is the most frequently implicated food source linked with <italic>Cronobacter</italic> infection. This review aims to provide a summary of laboratory-based strategies that can be used to identify and trace <italic>Cronobacter</italic> species. The identification of <italic>Cronobacter</italic> species using conventional culture method and immuno-based detection protocols were first presented. The molecular detection and identification at genus-, and species-level along with molecular-based serogroup approaches are also described, followed by the molecular sub-typing methods, in particular pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multi-locus sequence typing. Next generation sequence approaches, including whole genome sequencing, DNA microarray, and high-throughput whole-transcriptome sequencing, are also highlighted. Appropriate application of these strategies would contribute to reduce the risk of <italic>Cronobacter</italic> contamination in PIF and production environments, thereby improving food safety and protecting public health.</p>