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In a research study, published in the January 2019 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases a team of scientists at the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety used more than a thousand genomes to develop a machine-learning approach that could lead to quicker identification of the animal source of certain Salmonella outbreaks. The study used an algorithm (Random Forest), and data from <1,300 S. Typhimurium genomes from known sources (CDC’s PulseNet network, the FDA’s GenomeTrakr database of sources in the United States, Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa and retail meat isolates from the FDA arm of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System). The system predicted the animal source of the S. Typhimurium with 83% accuracy. The algorithm performed best in predicting poultry and swine sources, followed by bovine and wild bird sources. The machine also detects whether its prediction is precise or imprecise. When the prediction was precise, the machine was accurate about 92 percent of the time. Frank Yiannas, deputy commissioner of the FDA, called the machine learning of whole genome sequences project “a new era of smarter food safety and epidemiology.”@ https://www.technologynetworks.com/informatics/news/machine-learning-helps-id-the-source-of-salmonella-315287
Reference: Al, S. Z. et. (n.d.). Zoonotic Source Attribution of Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium Using Genomic Surveillance Data, United States – Volume 25, Number 1—January 2019 – Emerging Infectious Diseases journal – CDC. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2501.180835

A paper was recently published in Nature Communications (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-08438-0) show the results of the discovery of potentially new antibiotics from Streptomyces living in insects. With antibiotic resistance as a major global crisis and very few new antibiotics coming to market, this is an important discovery. Streptomyces isolated from insects inhibited antimicrobial-resistant pathogens more than isolates from soil and can be the source of new promising antibiotics. They are especially effective against gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Cyphomycin is an example of new chemistry from this innovative source. This new source for antimicrobial compounds can invigorate the stagnant antimicrobial pipeline. The new compound has low toxicity to animals.

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The FDA is alerting consumers of potential Salmonella Tennessee contamination of Soom Foods Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. This product is individually packaged in 1 oz. (30 ML) pouches in purple laminated paper packets with a tear-away tab on one end. In response to an investigation of the Salmonella concord outbreak, the FDA analyzed retained product samples of Soom Foods Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. The analysis of the samples found that the product contained Salmonella Tennessee. While Soom Foods was notified of the Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread product testing positive for Salmonella Tennessee result, it has not yet acted by recalling the product. Currently, the FDA is not aware of any illnesses related to consumption of these individually-packed halva spread. @ https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm631190.htm