Seminars of the NRL for Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes

The “Seminars of the National Reference laboratories for Campylobacter (LNRCa) and Listeria monocytogenes (LNRLm)” have been held at the International Centre for Veterinary Training and Information "Francesco Gramenzi" of the IZSAM in Teramo from 11 to 13 December. The seminar was attended by the representatives of the Veterinary Epidemiology Centres and stood as the occasion top share the latest acquisitions on Campylobacter spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, also describing the main ongoing activities and future perspectives of the two National Reference Laboratories.  

Among others, the speakers included Dr. Loredana Baffoni and Dr. Francesca Gaggia of the University of Bologna, Dr. Benjamin Felix of the European Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes, Prof. Mirella Pontello of the University of Milan, dr. Monica Gianfranceschi and dr. Luca Busani of the Higher Institute for Health.

During the two first days several contributions by the NRLCa researchers described the outcomes of the European research (EMIDA CamChain) on the use of prebiotics and probiotics as animal feeding to prevent Campylobacter infections and on the outcomes of the latest ongoing researches focused on campylobacteriosis and on yersiniosis. Lastly, the different activities of the NRLCa on the National and International level have been shared, and the results of the last 2012 proficiency test was presented, as the audience included many representatives of participating laboratories.

The most recent focus research and management activities carried out by the NRLLm have been presented during the second and third day. The topics dealt with ranged from the role played by molecular epidemiology on the Italian and European level in the study of epidemiology of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from food and humans, to the effects of listeriosis in humans, to the activities of the new laboratory of experimental transformations of the IZSAM. Information on the activities of the European working group to which the NRLLm participates have also been provided, especially on the updates of the technical guide on challenge test and on the outcomes of the last European workshop held in the European Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes.