Cronobacter and what we know in Australia (#125)
The genus Cronobacter is a reclassification of the enterobacterial microorganism previously known as Enterobacter sakazakii. It currently contains seven species which have been found in a wide range of environments and foods. Cronobacter can cause serious illness in adults although it is mostly associated with neonates where it can cause meningitis, bacteraemia and other life-threatening infections. No cases have been reported in Australia. However, Cronobacter has been isolated in Australia from the environment, dairy factories and milk powders. In one study, it was found in the processing and non-processing environments of all five factories investigated. Three species were isolated from the factories in milk powder processing and other processing areas as well as areas external to the factories. Typing of the Cronobacter isolates using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis determined that most strains were unique to each factory. The same strains were found in different locations within factories and could be isolated from the same location on more than one occasion. In a collaborative overseas study, a selection of the isolates was categorised using multilocus sequence typing. This typing has previously found that the ST4 clonal complex in C. sakazakii is correlated with meningitis in neonates. This clonal complex is present in the Australian isolates. Although no publicised illnesses have happened in Australia, there is potential for this to occur. This signifies the importance of continued testing and vigilance by Australian dairy companies.