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E Olsson Engvall

Publications and source records attributed to E Olsson Engvall.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Distribution of Campylobacter genotypes on broilers during slaughter.

The highly discriminatory genotyping methods now available for Campylobacter have enabled investigation of the diversity, origin, and route of transmission of this organism. In this study, we investigated the frequency of several genotypes of Campylobacter on chicken carcasses postchilling and on neck skin and cloacal swabs taken at slaughter. Campylobacter isolates recovered with and without enrichment from carcasses were subtyped by macrorestriction profiling. Subtyping 199 Campylobacter isolates from 36 carcasses revealed an average of 1.5 genotypes per carcass. The genotypes present on carcasses were, in most cases, also found in the cloacal samples taken at the beginning of the slaughter process. However, genotypes present on carcasses were, in some cases, not found in the corresponding cloacal samples but in cloacal samples of the preceding slaughter group and, in one case, from the preceding day. The genotypes present in cloacal samples were, with one exception, also found on the corresponding carcasses, indicating that most genotypes survive processing. In most cases, there was a difference of several bands between genotypes present in the same slaughter group, indicating different origins of the isolates rather than the occurrence of a recombination event. However, in two cases, a recombination event could have generated the difference in band patterns seen for two pairs of isolates with nearly identical band patterns, even after cleavage with a second restriction enzyme. The results indicate that individual Campylobacter-positive Swedish chicken carcasses, as well as whole carcass groups, are, in general, contaminated by one or two different genotypes.

Abattoirs↗

Transmission of Campylobacter spp. to chickens during transport to slaughter.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of Campylobacter-contaminated transport crates and to determine whether contaminated crates represent a risk for contamination of chickens during transport to slaughter. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples were collected from cleaned transport crates before they were dispatched to the farms. Chicken groups were sampled within 24 h before transport to slaughter and at the slaughterhouse. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 69 of 122 (57%) sampled batches of transport crates. Twenty-six slaughter groups, negative at farm level, were transported in batches of crates from which Campylobacter spp. had been isolated. In 11 (42%) of these 26 slaughter groups, Campylobacter spp. were found in samples taken at slaughter. The corresponding figure for at-farm-negative slaughter groups transported in negative crates was four (15%) testing positive at slaughterhouse of 27 slaughter groups [relative risk (RR) = 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-7.3]. In four of 11 slaughter groups, genetic subtyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was able to support the hypothesis of contamination from crates to chickens during transport to slaughter. CONCLUSIONS: Despite washing and disinfection, crates were frequently contaminated with Campylobacter and it could have contaminated chickens during transport to slaughter. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Campylobacter-positive crates are a risk factor for chickens testing campylobacter-positive at slaughter.

Abattoirs↗

Surveillance programme for Campylobacter species in Swedish broilers, July 2001 to June 2002.

A total of 20,599 samples from 4133 slaughter groups representing about 71 million broilers slaughtered between July 1,2001 and June 30, 2002 were tested for Campylobacter species. From each slaughter group, 40 cloacal samples and 10 samples of neck skin were taken from the carcases on the slaughter line and the samples were pooled, 10 to a pool. Campylobacter species were detected in cloacal samples from 17 per cent of the slaughter groups and in neck skin samples from 22 per cent of the groups, and the monthly prevalence figures ranged from 6 to 32 per cent. In most of the infected groups all four pooled cloacal samples were positive, but 18 per cent of the infected groups had only one or two positive samples. More than 90 per cent of the Campylobacter-positive slaughter groups were delivered by half the producers, and one in four of the producers delivered no Campylobacter-positive slaughter groups.

Abattoirs↗

Genetic characterization and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter jejuni isolated from meats, water, and humans in Sweden.

The incidence of Campylobacter jejuni has increased during the last decade, and today it is the leading cause of bacterial enteritis in most developed countries. Still, there is a lack of knowledge about infection routes and to what extent identified sources are responsible for spreading the bacterium to humans. The major objective of this work was to explore the genetic similarity between C. jejuni isolated from different sources. C. jejuni isolated from patients (n = 95), five types of meat (n = 71), and raw water (n = 11) during the year 2000 were subtyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The pulsotypes obtained after digestion with SmaI revealed not only that C. jejuni is genetically diverse but also that specific pulsotypes occur frequently. Five clusters comprising 88 of the 162 SmaI-digested isolates were obtained. After digestion with KpnI most isolates in four of the five clusters were still indistinguishable, while the fifth cluster was strongly dissolved. The clusters comprised high frequencies of human and meat isolates, while only one of nine water isolates belonged to a cluster. The largest cluster comprised 21 human isolates, one raw water isolate, and seven chicken meat isolates, originating from at least six different broiler flocks. Low frequencies of antibiotic resistance were revealed when the meat and water isolates were tested for sensitivity to six antibiotics. Interestingly, the five isolates resistant to quinolones displayed similar or identical pulsotypes. The results showed that PFGE has proved useful in identifying clones and will be used in future work focusing on identification and eradication of the major reservoirs for common clones.

Animals↗

Survey of Campylobacter species, VTEC O157 and Salmonella species in Swedish wildlife.

Samples collected from 791 wild animals (Canada geese, roe deer, hares, moose, wild boar and gulls) shot during hunting were examined for verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157, and thermophilic Campylobacter and Salmonella species. With the exception of one positive isolate from a wild boar, VTEC O157 was not isolated from any of the animals. Salmonella species were isolated only from the gulls, of which 4 per cent were estimated to be positive. Thermophilic Campylobacter species were commonly isolated from all the species except deer.

Animals↗

Leptospira in slaughtered fattening pigs in southern Vietnam: presence of the bacteria in the kidneys and association with morphological findings.

One kidney was collected from each of 32 fattening pigs at an abattoir in southern Vietnam in 2001 in order to demonstrate infecting Leptospira serovar and to associate renal macro- and microscopic findings with the presence of renal leptospires. Leptospires were demonstrated in 22 (69%) of the investigated kidneys by immunofluorescence. Multifocal interstitial nephritis (MFIN) and gross renal lesions (white spots) were each demonstrated in 24 (75%) kidneys. Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava was isolated from one kidney. There was no association between presence of leptospires and MFIN (P=0.19), respectively and white spots (P=0.98), respectively. These data suggest that Leptospira infection is common among fattening pigs in the study area and that these animals may be considered as an occupational human health hazard. It is also suggested that the presence of white spots is an unreliable indicator of the presence of renal leptospires.

Agglutination Tests↗

Animal- and herd-level risk factors for leptospiral seropositivity among sows in the Mekong delta, Vietnam.

In 1998, a total of 424 sows had sera collected in the Mekong delta in Vietnam. Of these, 283 sows were from 151 small-scale family farms in 19 villages, and 141 from seven large-scale state farms. The sera were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for antibodies to 13 Leptospira serovars. The overall leptospiral seroprevalence for titres > or =1:100 and > or =1:400, was 73 and 29%, respectively, and was higher (P=0.001) at small- than at large-scale farms. The highest seroprevalence was recorded for Leptospira interrogans serovar (sv) bratislava (52%). At small-scale farms, higher prevalences were found to serovars L. interrogans sv icterohaemorrhagiae (P=0.04) and L. interrogans sv pomona (P=0.02). Epidemiological information (at the individual-animal and herd-levels) was collected with a questionnaire. The data were analysed using logistic multiple regression. At the animal-level, sows seropositive for L. interrogans sv australis and sv autumnalis had less direct contact with sows in neighbouring pens (odds ratio (OR)=0.3 and 0.4, respectively) and sows seronegative for L. interrogans sv bratislava were of lower age (OR=0.1 for seropositivity). Also, sows seropositive for L. interrogans sv icterohaemorrhagiae had higher odds (OR=5.8) if they had not been born on the farm (had been introduced to it as gilts). Herds seropositive for sv javanica showed association with farms not taking measures to control the local rodent population (OR=7.8). Serovar pomona was also linked to the use of artificial insemination (AI), as opposed to natural-breeding services (OR=11.2). These results indicate that housing and management could affect the seroprevalence of Leptospira infection in pigs.

Age Factors↗

Early manifestations of granulocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs inoculated experimentally with a Swedish Ehrlichia species isolate.

Seven beagles were inoculated experimentally with a Swedish canine Ehrlichia species isolate to study its pathogenicity. With respect to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the isolate was identical to the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent and closely related to both Ehrlichia equi and E phagocytophila. After an incubation period of four to 11 days, the most prominent clinical signs were high fever for two to five days and depression. All the dogs developed profound thrombocytopenia, moderate leukopenia and a strong serological antibody response. Ehrlichial inclusions were detected in blood neutrophils from four to 14 days after inoculation for four to eight days. Ehrlichial DNA could be detected by polymerase chain reaction during the parasitaemic stage and a few days before and after microscopic inclusions were visible. Postmortem, the dogs showed reactive splenic hyperplasia and non-specific mononuclear reactive hepatitis.

Agranulocytosis↗

Aerobic bacterial flora of semen and stallion reproductive tract and its relation to fertility under field conditions.

This study was initiated in order to investigate the bacterial flora of the stallion genital tract by taking consecutive samples from normal stallions in regular use. The objective was to determine whether any growth of potential pathogens, particularly P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae, in fresh semen and urethra was associated with the presence of inflammatory cells in the semen and whether bacterial growth had any effect on sperm morphology and pregnancy results. Sixteen stallions, only used for A.I., housed at 3 different commercial stud farms, were used. A wide variety of microorganisms was found in almost all samples from fresh semen (total 115 samples). P. aeruginosa was isolated from 46/115 (40%) of the samples and from 12 of the 16 stallions. K. pneumoniae was isolated from the semen of one stallion. Samples taken from the distal urethra after ejaculation contained fewer microorganisms than samples from fresh semen. No bacteria were found in 51% of the extended semen samples. Most of the stallions had an acceptable sperm morphology, and very few of the ejaculates contained inflammatory cells. Pregnancy results among the stallions varied, but were acceptable for most of them. There was no correlation between the frequency of samples testing positive for P. aeruginosa in raw semen and pregnancy results.

Animals↗

Experimental infection of lambs with an equine granulocytic Ehrlichia species resembling the agent that causes human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE).

Five lambs were inoculated with a granulocytic Ehrlichia species originally isolated from a Swedish horse with granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the Swedish Ehrlichia sp. causing EGE was identical to the sequence of the agent causing human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE). After the inoculation, infected neutrophils and a low serologic response were seen in all lambs, but no clinical symptoms were observed. In one lamb 17% of the neutrophils were infected without a corresponding fever. Six weeks later the lambs were inoculated with an ovine isolate of E. phagocytophila. After challenge with E. phagocytophila the lambs reacted with fever and infected granulocytes. The results presented herein show that the equine Ehrlichia isolate was infective for lambs but generated weak immune response and no distinctive protection from subsequent challenge with E. phagocytophila.

Animals↗