Page 135 - AWSAR 2.0

try cooking/heat shock, freezing/cold shock, chemical/preservatives, and antimicrobials to destroy us, but I can adapt to new environment easily and become more resistant.”
S. aureus: “What you said is true, Patlu. I recently heard that the World Health Organization joined their hands with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to plan strategies to fight against antimicrobial resistance in the food chain.”
E. coli: “See! I am immortal superbug, having the power to fight against antimicrobials, heat, cold, and whatnot. I am the center of attraction.”
S. aureus: “Enough, Patlu, don’t boost yourself. The researchers all over the world are working on the motto: Health First, Safe Food Must. Hence, they are innovating newer technologies to eliminate us, such as microwave heating, high-
pressure processing, pulsed
electric field, ozone treatment,
and many more.”
E. coli: “Let them innovate; I will search a new way to escape.”
S. aureus: “Let’s see who will escape from whom.”
E. coli: “By the way, how did you come here, Golu?”
S. aureus: “I just dove into
this colorful pool from the skin of
the person who was preparing
the orange juice. But how did you reach here, Patlu?”
E. coli: “I reached here by the fecal oral route with the help of the same person who hadn’t washed his hands properly.”
S. aureus: “Oh well, the pool is such a sweet and cool place to swim. Let’s enjoy it!”
E. coli: “Wait a minute, Golu, how come you are looking bluish? Are you a chameleon?”
S. aureus: “No, Patlu! Even you are looking bluish. What happened?”
E. coli: “Look, somebody has switched on blue disco lights for us. We are in the limelight now, let’s dance.”
S. aureus: “Yes, Patlu, we can dance. But wait! I am getting a little itchy on my skin. Are
you feeling the same?”
E. coli: “No, Golu. I am not
feeling anything. Oh, friend! See these CSIR–CFTRI researchers are trying to do something with blue light.”
S. aureus: “Really! What can they do with it?”
E. coli: “Golu, I think they are trying to kill us with blue
light.S”. aureus: “How is it possible? Are you joking! Killing with light?!”
E. coli: “Yes, blue light can destroy you with its high energy. I heard about it somewhere.”
S. aureus: “How come? I don’t have anything on me that can absorb light energy and kill me.”
E. coli: “Golu, CSIR-CFTRI researchers are brilliant. See, they are playing Holi with us, pouring yellow color (curcumin from turmeric,
Mrs. M. L. Bhavya
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A conversation between two common foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria), in a swimming pool of orange juice.