Archives

Page No. : 43-51

ABSTRACT

Foodborne pathogens are microorganisms that contaminate food and pose significant risks to human health. These pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, are responsible for a substantial burden of disease globally, resulting in millions of cases of illness and thousands of deaths annually. Molecular characterization plays a pivotal role in understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of foodborne pathogens. By examining the genetic makeup of these microorganisms, researchers can identify virulence genes, resistance mechanisms, and evolutionary patterns. Advanced techniques such as Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and the detection of virulence and resistance genes to study microbial properties and behaviours. NGS provides high-throughput sequencing capabilities that enable comprehensive genetic analysis, offering rapid and detailed insights into microbial genomes. This technology facilitates the identification of genetic variations, mutations, and specific genes responsible for various functions and traits, making it a cornerstone in modern microbial research. In addition, the characterization of virulence and resistance genes is crucial for understanding pathogenic mechanisms and antibiotic resistance profiles. Tools like ResFinder, CARD (Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database), and VFDB (Virulence Factors Database) are employed to detect these genes, aiding in the analysis of pathogenicity and resistance mechanisms. These molecular techniques offer numerous benefits, including high sensitivity and specificity, rapid analysis, comprehensive information, detection of non-culturable microbes, understanding genetic diversity, quantification of microbes, identification of virulence and resistance genes, support for epidemiological studies, and insights into microbial function. Furthermore, they support the standardization and automation for high-throughput testing, enhancing the precision and efficiency of microbial studies. The integration of these methods significantly contributes to fields such as disease diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance monitoring, biotechnology, environmental microbiology, epidemiology, and food safety. Molecular characterization thus plays a critical role in advancing our understanding of microbial diversity, function, and impact on health, industry, and the environment.

Keywords: AMR, CARD, characterization, foodborne illness, NGS, RAPD, RFLP, VFDB