Ömer Akineden

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae , particularly carbapenem-resistant strains, represents a major clinical challenge worldwide. Data on the molecular characteristics of MDR K. pneumoniae in central Türkiye remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial resistance profiles and molecular features of MDR- K. pneumoniae isolates recovered from hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital in central Türkiye. A total of 1,560 clinical specimens collected from intensive care unit (ICU) patients between November 2024 and June 2025 were analyzed. Thirty-three non-duplicate MDR- K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from 26 patients were included. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the VITEK®2 system. ESBL genes ( bla _TEM , bla _SHV , bla _CTX-M groups), carbapenemase genes ( bla _KPC , bla _OXA-48 , bla _NDM-1 ), virulence-associated genes ( iucA , rmpA2 ), and efflux pump genes ( acrAB , tolC ) were investigated by PCR. Clonal relatedness was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). All isolates were resistant to multiple β -lactams and ciprofloxacin. Resistance to meropenem and amikacin was observed in 97.0% of isolates, while 94.0% were resistant to gentamicin. Colistin and ceftazidime-avibactam resistance rates were 27.3 and 18.2%, respectively. The most prevalent genes were bla _SHV (90.9%), bla _CTX-M-1 (81.8%), and bla _OXA-48 (66.7%), whereas bla _TEM , bla _KPC and bla _NDM-1 were detected in 36.4, 21.2 and 3.0% of isolates, respectively. None of the isolates carried iucA or rmpA2 . PFGE revealed substantial genetic diversity with multiple pulsotypes and no dominant epidemic clone. These findings demonstrate the dissemination of genetically diverse MDR K. pneumoniae lineages carrying ESBL and OXA-48 carbapenemase genes in an ICU setting in central Türkiye. Despite occasional hypermucoviscosity, no molecular evidence of hypervirulence was detected, highlighting the need for continuous molecular surveillance and effective infection-control measures.

This study investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial residues in bulk tank milk (BTM) from dairy herds in the Thrace region of Türkiye. A total of 122 samples were analysed using a broad-spectrum microbiological inhibition assay (BRT hi-sense) and a commonly used end-point screening test (Bioeasy 2IN1 BT) targeting β-lactams and tetracyclines. BRT-positive samples were further analysed using a Bioeasy 16IN1 multi-residue test. Antimicrobial residues were detected in 13 samples (11%) by BRT hi-sense, whereas no β-lactam or tetracycline residues were identified by the Bioeasy 2IN1 BT test. The 16IN1 test identified antimicrobial classes in 9 positive samples, with macrolides (n = 7) and sulfonamides (n = 4) most frequently detected. Two samples showed multiple antimicrobial residues. LC-MS/MS confirmed macrolide residues above maximum residue limits in selected two samples. These findings indicate limitations of mandatory end-point–based residue screening conducted at dairy plants in Türkiye and highlight the need for broader-spectrum screening to improve residue surveillance and milk safety.

The present study aimed to formulate novel labneh variants containing freeze-dried fruit pieces or fruit flavour and to evaluate their influence on physicochemical properties, microbiological quality, and sensory acceptance during storage. For...

The increasing production and consumption of meat globally have raised serious concerns about environmental pollution, land and water requirements, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and human health. Ensuring adequate protein requirement is one of the biggest challenges to food security. Therefore, new-generation meat and dairy analogues from a wide range of novel protein sources, such as upcycled plant materials, cultured cells, fermentation processes, fungi, algae and edible insects, have gained significant interest from both researchers and consumers. This study aims to review alternative proteins, meat and dairy analogues, and assesses their potential for an affordable, health-conscious and environmentally responsible and sustainable food future for humanity. The findings revealed that for the fourth industrial revolution in food production to successfully drive a protein transition, consumers must be engaged from the outset — including in the marketing of new products — to prevent rejection and resistance to dietary change. Clear and compelling communication is also needed to explain why and how novel meat and dairy alternatives surpass direct plant-based options, which have long offered significant benefits and remain a reliable and satisfying food choice.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and genetic characteristics of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. and the risk factors associated with a high total bacterial count in bulk tank milk samples of dairy farms in three municipalities of the Antioquia Department, Colombia. Fifteen samples were positive for E. coli and Klebsiella spp. Subsequent analysis of the 16 S rRNA gene sequences confirmed these isolates included E. coli (n = 3), K. oxytoca (n = 11), and K. pneumoniae (n = 1). None of the isolates was positive for ESBL identification by phenotypic methods, but the only the isolate of K. pneumoniae was positive for the blaSHV61 gene by sequence analysis. The antibiotic susceptibility evaluation for all Klebsiella spp. isolates identified resistance to fosfomycin (50%; 6/12) and ampicillin (100%; 12/12). While most of the herds maintain adequate hygienic quality, specific risk factors such as having more than 60 milking cows, frequent changes in milkers, milking in paddocks, and using a chlorinated product for pre-dipping have been identified as associated with a high total bacterial count > 100,000 CFU/mL in bulk tank milk. However, certain variables including the milker being the owner of the animals and the proper washing and disinfection of the milking machine contribute to maintain a high level of hygiene and quality in the raw milk stored in the tanks. In conclusion, the frequency of ESBL producers was relatively low, with only K. pneumoniae testing positive for the blaSHV ESBL type. The presence of these bacteria in milk tanks represents a potential risk to public health for consumers of raw milk and its derivatives.

This study investigated several food safety criteria in 38 different commercial products of processed cereal‐based foods (PCF) from the German market. Microbiological assessment, followed by 16S RNA gene sequencing of suspect colonies, included aerobic mesophilic bacteria, moulds, Enterobacteriaceae , Cronobacter spp., and presumptive Bacillus cereus . Mycotoxin analyses were performed by enzyme immunoassays for deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), T‐2/HT‐2 toxins (T‐2/HT‐2; oat containing products only), ergot alkaloids (EA), and alternariol (AOH). No violative result above existing European Union regulations or international guidelines was obtained. Most samples had very low aerobic mesophilic cell counts (1 CFU/g), the maximum was 9.6 × 10 ² CFU/g. A few samples contained low numbers of opportunistic pathogens, most notably Cronobacter sakazakii , Acinetobacter spp., Pantoea spp., and enterotoxigenic Bacillus wiedmannii . Levels of mycotoxin contamination were very low, well below European Union maximum limits. DON was found in 10 samples, at levels of 9–35 µg/kg. T‐2/HT‐2 were found in all 15 oat‐based products (1–8 µg/kg). All samples were negative for ZEN and EA. A high number ( n  = 25) of samples yielded weakly positive results for the nonregulated AOH (0.4–2 µg/kg), but just three samples exceeded a level of 1 µg/kg. No relationship between cereal composition and analytical findings for microbiological parameters and mycotoxins could be found. As long as PCF meals are freshly prepared and consumed immediately after preparation, the risk from sporadically occurring opportunistic bacteria appears to be minimal.

A total of 63 brined cheeses (30 white pickled cheeses, 33 Tulum cheeses) were ­randomly collected from informal market places such as weekly street markets in the province Ankara during a seven-month period, and quantitatively analysed for ­Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. S. aureus isolates obtained from these samples were analysed for staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes by PCR, selected isolates were tested for SEA-SEE production by enzyme immunoassay. S. aureus was found in ­eleven (17.0 %) of cheese samples at levels between 9.5 × 102 and 5.0 × 106 cfu/g. All 22 S. aureus isolates were positive by PCR for one or more toxin genes (sea, sed, seg, sei, selj, sem, sen, seo, sep, ser and selu), forming three distinct toxin profiles. SEA or SED production was found for isolates from five samples, by enzyme immunoassay. Further characterization of isolates by macrorestriction analysis yielded three different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles which corresponded well with SE gene profiles. Identical PFGE profiles were obtained for isolates from several alleged unique cheeses, purchased from different vendors in different markets, indicating a common source of production and disproving the claimed originality. These findings highlight the existence of health hazards related to consumption of traditional cheeses originating from such underregulated markets and the need to implement more intensive hygiene control measures.