{"title":"Presence of <i>Listeria</i> spp., including pathogenic <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> and <i>Listeria ivanovii</i>, on fresh vegetables in the markets of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).","authors":"Senaho Fernand Pekoula, Moussan Désirée Francine Aké, Tiemélé Laurent-Simon Amoikon, Josef Deutscher, Alessandro Pagliuso, Eliane Milohanic","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.13881","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.13881","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that can contaminate various food products and is the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe and life-threatening foodborne illness. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Listeria species in fresh vegetables and market garden produce from Côte d'Ivoire. Conducted over a 9-week period, this work analyzed 135 samples of fresh vegetables and market garden produce (including lettuces, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers) collected from 3 major markets in 3 districts of Abidjan. Among the 135 samples, Listeria spp. were found in 11 (8.15%), including Listeria innocua in 8 (5.92%), Listeria ivanovii in 1 (0.74%), and L. monocytogenes in 2 (1.48%). Genetic analysis was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Further characterization of genetic lineages, serotypes, and virulence genes was achieved through polymerase chain reaction. The two L. monocytogenes isolates belong to the genetic lineage I, associated with serogroups 1/2b, 3b, 4b, 4d, 4e, and 7. They harbored key virulence genes from Listeria pathogenicity island-1, such as actA, hly, prfA, and pclB, as well as internalin genes (inlA, inlJ, and inlC), indicating their potential pathogenicity. This study highlights the presence of Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes, in fresh vegetables sold in Abidjan markets, underscoring a potential health risk for consumers.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12947812/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145633562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liliana Rojas Contreras, Gonzalo J Díaz, Artur X Roig-Sagués, Ramón O García-Rico
{"title":"Occurrence of aflatoxins in rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) produced in Colombia.","authors":"Liliana Rojas Contreras, Gonzalo J Díaz, Artur X Roig-Sagués, Ramón O García-Rico","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14298","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In order to investigate the presence of aflatoxins (AFs), a total of 120 samples of paddy rice cultivated by the 'irrigation' and 'rainfed' systems in the main rice-growing regions of Colombia were collected during 2017 and 2018. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists accredited standard method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography, was used to detect and quantify AFs (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2). The results showed that, in 2017, the occurrence of AFs in paddy rice from rainfed systems was 43% (range 2.1 to 119.5 μg/kg), while in the irrigation system, it was 16.7% (range 0.1 to 1.83 μg/kg). By 2018, the occurrence of AFs had decreased to 31% for the rainfed system and 2% for the irrigation system. AFs contamination levels were higher in the rainfed system compared to the irrigated system (p<0.05). No AFG1 or AFG2 was detected, irrespective of the cultivation system used. AFB1 was the most prevalent AF in paddy rice, with a global occurrence of 22.9% in 2017 and 8.62% in 2018. At the national level, the prevalence of AFs in milled rice was 50%. Of the positive samples, 62.5% exceeded the maximum permitted value, with concentrations ranging from 10.3 to 93.9 μg/kg. These findings underscore the critical importance of mycotoxins in the context of food safety, emphasizing the necessity for effective control measures within the rice industry. This study is the first detailed report on the incidence of AFs in paddy rice cultivated in Colombia.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12947811/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145762753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paolo Bonilauri, Alfonso Rosamilia, Stefano Benedetti, Paolo Daminelli, Marina Nadia Losio, Ana Moreno, Matteo Ricchi, Nicola Santini, Giorgio Varisco, Silvia Vianello, Giuseppe Merialdi
{"title":"Can the Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano production process guarantee a reduction in pathogenic microorganisms equivalent to the pasteurization process?","authors":"Paolo Bonilauri, Alfonso Rosamilia, Stefano Benedetti, Paolo Daminelli, Marina Nadia Losio, Ana Moreno, Matteo Ricchi, Nicola Santini, Giorgio Varisco, Silvia Vianello, Giuseppe Merialdi","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14524","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14524","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Italian hard cheeses made in the Pianura Padana area, such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, are traditionally produced from raw milk and undergo extended ripening periods. These processes generate multiple microbiological hurdles that can inactivate pathogens. However, current European regulations do not formally recognize the impact of these hurdles as equivalent to pasteurization, limiting trade opportunities. This extensive literature review evaluated experimental studies published between 2000 and 2025 assessing pathogen reduction during Grana-type cheese production. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and examined Escherichia coli, O157:H7 Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium bovis, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), and avian influenza viruses (H1N1, H5N1). Across trials, high inoculum levels declined by >4 log10 within 24-48 hours, primarily during curd cooking and acidification. MAP and M. bovis were eliminated during ripening, within 90 days, while both influenza viruses were inactivated within 30 days. Calculated F-values were used as comparative indicators of equivalence, allowing the overall reduction achieved through the production process to be compared with the standard pasteurization benchmark (72°C for 15 seconds). F-values exceeded this high-temperature short-time reference, confirming the substantial lethality of the process. Overall, evidence indicates that traditional Grana-type cheese production ensures microbiological safety at least comparable to pasteurization through the synergistic action of multiple hurdles. While European regulations currently treat ripening as an additional measure rather than an equivalent to pasteurization, our findings support reconsideration of this approach and provide a scientific basis for future regulatory evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12903693/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145768100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of the bacteriological contamination of selected street foods in open and closed environments in the city of Lucknow.","authors":"Ruchi Verma, Sunita Mishra","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.13948","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.13948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In developing countries, the urban population's association with street food is significant. Consumers favor street food because of its convenience, affordability, and palatability. Nevertheless, the majority of street foods are detrimental to health. The present study aimed to assess the bacteriological quality of selected street foods in open and closed environments in the city of Lucknow. This study focused on 6 street food samples and 120 vendors' hygiene practices. The 6 food samples were selected from open-air stalls, and the same 6 food samples were selected from indoor shops that were randomly selected from 4 different locations in the city of Lucknow. The results of this study revealed that the samples collected from the open-air stalls were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria ranging from 9.44±0.96 log10 to 6.11±1.06 log10 (p<0.05). According to the questionnaire results, 81% of respondents were unaware of dish towels, hand washing, cutting nails, covering heads, and using gloves, and 94% of vendors were unaware of practices of knife and cutting board contamination. The findings of this study indicate that the street foods from the indoor shops were served under hygienic conditions, whereas the foods from the open-air stalls were served under unhygienic conditions that were not good for human health. However, in order to improve the final quality of these street foods, further strategies are needed, such as the street food makers' training, with the aim of applying good hygienic practices during production.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13003392/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145633482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of the use of \"best before\" in ready-to-eat foods of the retail market.","authors":"Salvatore Forgia, Simona Li Gammari, Filippa Lamberta, Giorgia Sorrentino, Graziella Ziino, Alessandro Giuffrida, Luca Nalbone, Filippo Giarratana","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2026.13506","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2026.13506","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The correct indication of the commercial life of some products, although specifically regulated by Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, could be difficult to apply for the Food Business Operator. The consequence is to attribute a \"date of minimum durability\" (DMD) to some foods, which, being perishable from a microbiological point of view, should carry a \"use by\" date, as they could represent a potential risk for the consumer. This study aims to evaluate the correct use of the \"best before\" date instead of the \"use by\" date in different ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, for which it is conceivable that they perish after that date. The analysis was carried out on 43 RTE products, divided into 26 dairy and 17 meat products (4 raw cured and 13 cooked), which had the term \"best before\" and were characterized by medium perishability, purchasing two sampling units of the same lot to carry out microbiological, chemical-physical, and sensory analyses. The first sampling unit was analyzed at the expiry of the DMD, and the second one 7 days later by storing the sample at 7°C (DMD+7), simulating a condition of thermal abuse at the domestic storage level. The results of the microbiological analysis showed that 13 cooked meat products at DMD 3 (ID 3 - roast turkey; ID 6 - Lyoner; ID 9 - cooked shoulder) and 4 (ID 3 - roast turkey; ID 6 - Lyoner; ID 9 - cooked shoulder; ID 12 - mortadella) at the DMD and DMD+7, respectively, presented \"unsatisfactory\" microbial loads, such as to be considered \"in a state of alteration\" according to the Ce.I.R.S.A guideline. Regarding 26 dairy products, at DMD only one sample (ID 20 - sweet gorgonzola) was to be considered \"in a state of alteration\", while at DMD+7 the samples were 2 (ID 20 - sweet gorgonzola; ID 24 - Brie cheese). Microbiological results were confirmed by the sensory analysis. The state of alteration found in the products examined means that they fully fall within the definition of unsafe food as reported in Regulation (EC) 178/2002, which therefore requires that they be marketed with the \"use by\" date.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12947809/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145965690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Non-typhoidal <i>Salmonella</i> prevalence and risk factors among<i> </i>outpatients at public health facilities in Gondar City, northwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Marew Alemnew, Aschalew Gelaw, Nega Berhane","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2026.14586","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2026.14586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-typhoidal Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne illness, particularly in developing countries where poor hygiene and consumption of unsafe food or water are common, yet data on its prevalence and associated risk factors are limited in the study area. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of non-typhoid Salmonella among diarrheal patients attending health institutions in Gondar City. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to August 2025, involving 432 patients with diarrhea who visited selected public health facilities. Stool samples were tested using standard microbiological and biochemical methods, and data on potential risk factors were collected through a structured questionnaire. Non-typhoid Salmonella was detected in 12 patients (2.8%). Significant predictors of infection included consuming raw vegetables and fruits [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41-16.15], leaving food unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours (AOR=4.00; 95% CI: 1.31-18.46), contact with livestock (AOR=7.00; 95% CI: 1.91-26.90), and limited access to proper toilet facilities (AOR=11.00; 95% CI: 3.55-38.29). On the other hand, access to clean water was associated with a significantly lower risk of infection (AOR=0.12; 95% CI: 0.04-0.39). Although the prevalence was lower than global averages, the presence of multiple risk factors suggests ongoing transmission, indicating the need for improved hygiene, better food safety practices, and regular monitoring of non-typhoid Salmonella in the area.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12969277/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146179892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dairy wholesalers and retailers in Kandahar City, Afghanistan: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ahmadullah Zahir, Hassanullah Irfan, Sayeed Hikmatullah Anis","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14171","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14171","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Food safety in Afghanistan is challenged by limited infrastructure, food insecurity, and the occurrence of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7, creating potential food safety hazards that lead to health complications. These challenges pose serious threats to public health, making it necessary to implement mandatory food safety training and certification programs to improve hygiene standards among dairy wholesalers and retailers in Kandahar City. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 250 dairy wholesalers and retailers from March to April of 2025. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a carefully designed, structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: sociodemographic information, knowledge of food safety, attitudes, and food safety practices. Our results showed that 92% of dairy wholesalers and retailers had a high level of food safety knowledge, and 93.6% agreed that proper cleaning of equipment reduces the risk of food contamination. However, fewer than 20% of the respondents were aware of infectious diseases. The study found a significant link between household income, holding a health certificate, and the level of food safety knowledge. We recommend the implementation of specialized training programs to improve personal and environmental hygiene and ensure better compliance with food safety regulations. Therefore, it is advisable to develop a comprehensive food safety policy within the One Health framework and foster collaborative efforts to raise awareness among all stakeholders involved in food safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13003387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145633525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mycotoxins in European Union Regulations (2023-2025).","authors":"Sara Vitalini, Marcello Iriti, Lisa Vallone","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14096","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.14096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, mainly from the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera, under specific temperature and humidity conditions. They can enter the food chain through contaminated plant-based foods (e.g., cereals, legumes, dried fruits, herbs) and animal-derived products (e.g., meat, dairy, eggs, honey) due to contaminated feed. This study analyzes the current European Union regulatory framework for mycotoxins, focusing on Regulation (EU) No. 915/2023 and subsequent amendments [Regulations (EU) No. 1022/2024, 1038/2024, 1756/2024, 1808/2024, 89/2025, and 691/2025] that define maximum levels and sampling procedures. Regulated mycotoxins include aflatoxins (B1, total B1+B2+G1+G2, M1), ochratoxin A, patulin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, citrinin, and Claviceps spp. alkaloids. The study highlights key updates in legislation, their impact on monitoring and compliance, and the need for ongoing research in the context of climate change to safeguard food safety and protect vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12903694/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145540802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Byron Puga-Torres, Eduardo Aragón, Evelyn Pamela Martínez, Fernanda Buitrón, María José Caizaluisa, Eduardo Gaibor, Melanie Haro, Nathalia López, Daysi Mesa, María Belén Núñez, Luis Núñez
{"title":"Quality and antibiotic residues in raw milk sold informally in Manabí and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador.","authors":"Byron Puga-Torres, Eduardo Aragón, Evelyn Pamela Martínez, Fernanda Buitrón, María José Caizaluisa, Eduardo Gaibor, Melanie Haro, Nathalia López, Daysi Mesa, María Belén Núñez, Luis Núñez","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.13885","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2025.13885","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aims to evaluate the quality and presence of antibiotic residues in raw cow's milk marketed through informal channels in the provinces of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas and Manabí, Ecuador. A total of 406 samples were collected between April 2023 and August 2024. Only 12.32% (50/406) met the requirements established by the Ecuadorian Technical Standard INEN 9, while 87.68% (356/406) failed to comply with at least one quality parameter. The most frequent non-conformities were observed when analyzing pH (72.41%), titratable acidity (68.72%), and protein stability (55.67%), likely reflecting deficient hygienic practices during production and handling. Furthermore, 6.40% (26/406) of the samples tested positive for antibiotic residues. These findings underscore significant shortcomings in milk quality within informal markets and underscore the potential public health risks associated with consuming improperly handled raw milk in these Ecuadorian provinces.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12908622/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145768040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mansoor Aletaha, Siamak Heidarzadeh, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Mohammad Mehdi Soltan Dallal
{"title":"Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of <i>Yersinia</i> <i>enterocolitica</i> isolated from raw chicken meat in Iran: polymerase chain reaction ribotyping insights.","authors":"Mansoor Aletaha, Siamak Heidarzadeh, Abbas Rahimi Foroushani, Mohammad Mehdi Soltan Dallal","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2026.13983","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2026.13983","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Yersinia enterocolitica is a well-known foodborne pathogen that is widely distributed among domestic and wild animals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in raw chicken meat and to characterize the isolates in terms of bio/serotypes, virulence factors, antimicrobial sensitivity, and genetic diversity. In 2021-2023, a total of 622 raw chicken meat samples were collected, from which Y. enterocolitica strains were isolated and confirmed by 16S rRNA detection. Biotype and serotype were identified using biochemical assays and agglutination methods, respectively. Six virulence-associated genes were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed via the disk diffusion, and molecular typing was conducted by PCR ribotyping. The overall prevalence of Y. enterocolitica was 9.3%. A significant relationship was found between seasonal variation and prevalence (p=0.0001). Bio/serotypes 1A/O:8, 1A/O:5, 1A/O:NI, 1B/O:8, and 1B/O:NI were identified, with most isolates belonging to 1A/O:NI and 1A/O:8. A significant relationship was also observed between seasons and biotype distribution (p=0.031). In biotype 1B, the most frequent virulence genes were ystA, myfA, virF, ail, and inv, whereas biotype 1A predominantly harbored ystB and inv. All isolates were susceptible to 14 antibiotics. Ceftazidime and ampicillin resistance, however, was 100%. Notably, there were also notable levels of resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin. Pathogenic strains (IRT1 and IRT2) were grouped independently from non-pathogenic strains (IRT3) using PCR ribotyping. The detection of highly pathogenic Y. enterocolitica (1B/O:8) in Iran may pose a serious public health concern.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12947810/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145959393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}