*While the full article for this executive summary is currently under peer review, these initial findings are being made available on BeefResearch.org to enable the industry to act on the research, inform the scientific community of ongoing work, and help prevent duplication of research efforts. Once peer review is complete, a link to the published article will be added to this summary.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- An emerging pathogenic threats (EPT) can be defined as a microorganism capable of causing disease in humans that may be bacterial, viral, fungal, or prion in nature.
- An EPT will not likely be an unknown species; rather, it will be a unique strain that has evolved, exchanged genes, or acquired resistance, to better survive or to cause more severe disease.
- Microbial evolution, including horizontal gene transfer (via conjugation, transformation, and/or transduction) and mutation will drive EPTs.
- Interaction with USDA (specifically, FSIS and other international regulatory organizations) to monitor EPTs through systems or frameworks are already in place and beef industry members should continue to utilize HACCP and/or biosecurity plans for mitigation strategies
BACKGROUND
An EPT can be defined as a microorganism capable of causing disease in humans that may be bacterial, viral, fungal, or prion in nature. EPTs may be recently discovered in nature, may or may not be associated with beef currently, may be gaining resistance or enhanced virulence metrics, or may be an international threat that has not reached the U.S. EPTs are of concern to the beef industry and public health, and they may cause economic and public perception harm.
Methodology
A stepwise approach was utilized for analyzing the literature. First, pathogens of concern in the American beef industry, such as
E. coli and
Salmonella, were described. Key characteristics that have ensured their continuing prevalence in the beef industry were highlighted; these characteristics are key indicators to “watch for” in other emerging pathogens. Next, pathogenic threats facing the American pork and poultry industries were analyzed. There are “throughlines” that unite these industries (such as the impact of microorganisms, the opportunities for horizontal gene transfer, modes of production, regulatory oversight, et cetera). Current or emerging threats in one animal production industry may illuminate potential threats in another. EPTs in other bovine species were also discussed, and the interaction of livestock and wildlife (as well as the consumption of game meat), and how this may serve as a vector for pathogen transmission, was described. In the third analysis, general microbiological threats that have impacted or could reasonably impact the beef industry, were described. The 2011
E. coli O104:H4 outbreak was recounted as a case study of “hybrid” strains with enhanced virulence. The emergence of
E. coli strains outside the USDA’s O157/“Big Six” paradigm, ongoing work identifying emergent Shiga toxins (Stx), the proliferation of other genera not commonly associated with beef (e.g.,
Arcobacter,
Aeromonas,
Bacillus,
Brucella,
Leptospira, and group
B Streptococcus), and the rise of antimicrobial resistance were also examined. The relationship of domestic production systems and emerging technologies to EPTs was evaluated. The fourth section of the review described non-bacterial threats with pathogenic potential, including archaea, parasites, viruses, and prions. Policy and issue management was evaluated to identify frameworks suitable for EPT management.
EPTs are likely to occur and should be acknowledged by the beef industry. An EPT will not likely be an unknown species; rather, it will be a unique strain that has evolved, exchanged genes, or acquired resistance, to better survive or to cause more severe disease. Microbial evolution, including horizontal gene transfer (via conjugation, transformation, and/or transduction) and mutation will drive EPTs. Modalities of production may prompt interaction among pathogenic strains and lead to enhanced virulence. AMR continues to be a pressing topic in the public health arena. Responsible stewardship of antibiotic and antimicrobial usage and research into best practices to further reduce this burden will help to mitigate potential risks. Finally, increased capacity to detect, isolate, and identify microorganisms may increase exposure in outbreaks.
Implications
The literature review serves as a roadmap for future research projects. It provides context for current research focuses. It describes frameworks for managing EPTs and it demonstrates the beef industry’s commitment to addressing microbial threats by providing resources to investigate EPTs.