Eelco Franz

TL;DR: The differential interaction of human pathogenic Salmonella enterica with commercially available lettuce cultivars is described and a tentative route of infection is described that includes plant-microbe factors, enabling further design of preventive strategies.

TL;DR: This review summarizes the knowledge available on the ecology of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica in the primary production chain of leafy green vegetables (in particular lettuce), including manure, manure-amended soil, and crop, and suggests the suggested approach of oligotrophication of agro-ecosystems.

TL;DR: The results indicate that cattle diet and soil management are important factors with respect to the survival of human pathogens in the environment.

TL;DR: The observed presence of the pathogens in lettuce, after thorough surface sterilization, demonstrates the possible presence of human pathogens in locations were they are unlikely to be removed by the actions of consumer washing and therefore pose a serious threat when occurring in field situations.

TL;DR: It is concluded that E. coli O157:H7 populations decline faster under more oligotrophic soil conditions, which can be achieved by the use of organic fertilizer with a relatively high C/N ratio and consequently a relatively low rate of nutrient release.