ARS | Publication request: BEHAVIOR OF HUMAN PATHOGENS ON PRODUCE

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book/Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: October 1, 2005
Publication Date: January 1, 2006
Citation: Solomon, E.B., Brandl, M., Mandrell, R.E. 2006. Behavior of human pathogens on produce. In: Matthews, K.R., editor. Emerging Issues in Food Safety: Microbiology of Fresh Produce. Washington, D.C.:ASM Press. p. 55-83.

Technical Abstract: The goal of this chapter is to review the attachment to and localization of human pathogens on the surfaces of plants. We first describe the physicochemical environment of plant surfaces to which bacteria must attach to survive and proliferate, and then summarize the major known mechanisms of attachment of bacteria to plants, with special reference to the similarities between the cell surface moieties of plant associated bacteria and human pathogens. We also discuss the research that has been conducted on the localization of human pathogenic bacteria on plant surfaces. Finally, we present experimental evidence for the internalization of human pathogens in plants, as well as for their persistence on/in field-grown crops.