Factors influencing the fate of human pathogens in the plant environment

Fresh fruits and vegetables contaminated with human pathogenic bacteria can cause illnesses. As foodborne outbreaks associated with fresh produce are a growing concern, there is a need to further analyse the dissemination of human pathogens to plants and their persistence in the plant environment. The factors influencing survival need to be better understood aiming at optimisation of agricultural practices and possibly reducing outbreaks of produce associated illnesses.