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[Relationship between the concentration of different bioaerosol components and the general hygienic condition in two pig fattening houses].

In the study presented here the relationship between the hygienic condition and the concentration of different air contaminants in two pig fattening houses was investigated. Deficiencies in routine cleaning, which were characterized by an increased soiling of animals and stable surfaces with faeces, led to increased concentrations of airborne dust, airborne endotoxins as well as increased numbers of total airborne bacteria and airborne gram-negative bacteria. However these deficiencies were not reflected by the concentration of airborne Clostridium perfringens which were earlier postulated as an indicator of faecal pollution in the air of cattle barns. Furthermore the results of this study were used to discuss advantages and disadvantages of impingement and impaction for the sampling of airborne microorganisms in animal houses.

Air↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains in pigs in the United States.

Yersinia enterocolitica is considered an important food-borne pathogen impacting the pork production and processing industry in the United States. Since this bacterium is a commensal of swine, the primary goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in pigs in the United States using feces as the sample source. A total of 2,793 fecal samples were tested for its presence in swine. Fecal samples were collected from late finisher pigs from 77 production sites in the 15 eastern and midwestern pork-producing states over a period of 27 weeks (6 September 2000 to 20 March 2001). The prevalence of ail-positive Y. enterocolitica was determined in samples using both a fluorogenic 5' nuclease PCR assay and a culture method. The mean prevalence was 13.10% (366 of 2,793 fecal samples tested) when both PCR- and culture-positive results were combined. Forty-one of 77 premises (53.25%) contained at least one fecal sample positive for the ail sequence. The PCR assay indicated a contamination rate of 12.35% (345/2,793) compared to 4.08% (114/2,793) by the culture method. Of the 345 PCR-positive samples, 252 were culture negative, while of the 114 culture-positive samples, 21 were PCR negative. Among 77 premises, the PCR assay revealed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage (46.75%, n = 36 sites) of samples positive for the pathogen (ail sequence) than the culture method (22.08%, n = 17 sites). Thus, higher sensitivity, with respect to number of samples and sites identified as positive for the PCR method compared with the culture method for detecting pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, was demonstrated in this study. The results support the hypothesis that swine are a reservoir for Y. enterocolitica strains potentially pathogenic for humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Direct quantification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lanienae in feces of cattle by real-time quantitative PCR.

Campylobacter species are fastidious to culture, and the ability to directly quantify biomass in microbiologically complex substrates using real-time quantitative (RTQ) PCR may enhance our understanding of their biology and facilitate the development of efficacious mitigation strategies. This study reports the use of nested RTQ-PCR to directly quantify Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter lanienae in cattle feces. For C. jejuni, the single-copy mapA gene was selected. For C. lanienae, the three-copy 16S rRNA gene was targeted. RTQ-PCR primers were tested alone or they were nested with species-specific primers, and amplification products were detected using the intercalating dye SYBR Green. Nesting did not increase the specificity or sensitivity of C. jejuni quantification, and the limit of quantification was 19 to 25 genome copies ( approximately 3 x 10(3) CFU/g of feces). In contrast, nested RTQ-PCR was necessary to confer specificity on C. lanienae by targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The limit of quantification was 1.8 genome copies ( approximately 250 CFU/g of feces), and there was no discernible difference between the two C. lanienae secondary primer sets evaluated. Detection and quantification of C. jejuni in naturally infested cattle feces by RTQ-PCR were comparable to the results of culture-based methods. In contrast, culturing did not detect C. lanienae in 6 of 10 fecal samples positive for the bacterium and substantially underestimated cell densities relative to nested RTQ-PCR. The results of this study illustrate that RTQ-PCR can be used to directly quantify campylobacters, including very fastidious species, in a microbiologically and chemically complex substrate. Furthermore, targeting of a multicopy universal gene provided highly sensitive quantification of C. lanienae, but nested RTQ-PCR was necessary to confer specificity. This method will facilitate subsequent studies to elucidate the impact of this group of bacteria within the gastrointestinal tracts of livestock and studies of the factors that influence colonization success and shedding.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

An educational intervention for altering water-sanitation behaviors to reduce childhood diarrhea in urban Bangladesh. II. A randomized trial to assess the impact of the intervention on hygienic behaviors and rates of diarrhea.

An educational intervention was designed to improve three water-sanitation behaviors empirically shown to be associated with high rates of childhood diarrhea in Dhaka, Bangladesh: lack of handwashing before preparing food, open defecation by children in the family compound, and inattention to proper disposal of garbage and feces, increasing the opportunity for young children to place waste products in their mouth. Fifty-one communities, each comprising 38 families, were randomized either to receive (n = 25) or not to receive (n = 26) the intervention. During the six months after the intervention, the rate of diarrhea (per 100 person-weeks) in children under six years of age was 4.3 in the intervention communities and 5.8 in the control communities (26% protective efficacy; p less than 0.0001). A corresponding improvement in handwashing practices before preparing food was noted, although no improvement was observed for defecation and waste disposal practices. These data suggest that educational interventions for water-sanitation practices can have an important beneficial effect upon childhood diarrhea in developing countries, particularly when the interventions are designed in a simple way to promote naturally occurring salutory behaviors that are empirically associated with lower rates of childhood diarrhea.

Bangladesh↗
PubMed2002

A dynamic model of N metabolism in the lactating dairy cow and an assessment of impact of N excretion on the environment.

Improving N utilization in dairy cows and especially reducing N output in excreta is desirable due to global concerns of agricultural contribution of N to environmental pollution, particularly as ammonia. Data from five N balance experiments were used to develop a dynamic model that was evaluated with independent data. Model predictions of feces, urine, and milk outputs were close to observed values. Statistical analysis showed that 96% of mean square prediction error for feces and urine N output predictions was due to random variation. However, the model tends to overpredict milk N output, especially at higher N intake levels. Evaluation of model predictions for independent experimental observations from Agricultural Development Advisory Service at Bridgets (U.K.) showed good agreement between predicted and observed urine N output (95% due to random variation). However, there was a slight underprediction for fecal N output (14% mean square prediction error due to bias) and overprediction of milk N output (22% of mean square prediction error due to bias). The model predictions of N outputs in excreta were sensitive to changes in energy concentration of the diet. Dietary protein degradability had only a small influence on predicted fecal N output. However, the model was sensitive in its predictions of urine N when protein degradability was varied. Application of the model to assess reduction in ammonia emissions from dairy cows showed that increasing the energy concentration could potentially reduce ammonia emissions by up to 25% per cow. Similarly, reducing CP concentration in the diet to about 16% could reduce ammonia production by 20% and lower degradability of CP to match microbial requirement by 19% per cow. The model is a first step toward a mechanistic approach of nutrient modeling, and it is a valuable method for predicting N excretions and estimating N emissions from dairy systems.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2005

The smell of danger: a behavioral and neural analysis of predator odor-induced fear.

The odors of predators used in animal models provide, in addition to electric footshock, an important means to investigate the neurobiology of fear. Studies indicate that cat odor and trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a synthetic compound isolated from fox feces, are often presented to rodents to induce fear-related responses including freezing, avoidance, stress hormone and, in some tests, risk assessment behavior. Furthermore, we report that different amounts of cat odor impregnated on small-, medium-, or large-sized cloths impact the display of fear-related behavior when presented to rats. That is, rats exposed to a large cat odor containing cloth exhibit an increase in fear behavior, particularly freezing, which remains at high levels in habituation tests administered over a period of 7 days. The large cloth also induces a long-lasting increase in avoidance behavior during repeated habituation and extinction tests. A review of the brain regions involved in predator odor-induced fear behavior indicates a modulatory role of the medial amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and dorsal premammillary nucleus. In addition, the basolateral amygdala is involved in fear behavior induced by cat odor but not TMT, and the central amygdala does not appear to play a major behavioral role in predator odor-induced fear. Future research involving the use of predator odor is likely to rapidly expand knowledge on the neurobiology of fear, which has implications for understanding fear-related psychopathology.

Amygdala↗
PubMed2001

Persistence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Aujeszky's Disease virus and Blue Eye Disease virus in ensilages based on the solid fraction of pig faeces.

AIMS: This study was carried out to determine the survival time of Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Aujeszky's Disease virus and Blue Eye Disease virus in ensilages based on the solid fraction of pig faeces. METHODS AND RESULTS: The four micro-organisms were inoculated into microsilos based on the solid fraction of pig faeces, sorghum and molasses. They were left for 0, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days, after which the state of each microsilo was evaluated, and isolation of the inoculated agents was attempted. The four inoculated agents were isolated only on day 0 of ensilage. The viral agents were identified through the cytopathic effect and fluorescence. CONCLUSIONS, SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: It is concluded that ensilages based on the solid fraction of pig faeces appear to reduce the risk of the transmission of the agents inoculated in this study and help to reduce the environmental impact by using the solid in animal feed.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Diverse class 2 integrons in bacteria from beef cattle sources.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the diversity of class 2 integrons in bacteria isolated from beef cattle sources. METHODS: The variable regions of a subset of 11 class 2 integron-containing bacteria were analysed by PCR and DNA sequencing for the presence of novel rearrangements. RESULTS: A total of six different class 2 integron arrays were identified and four of these were fully characterized. Three of the four arrays characterized have been previously described; however the remaining array is unlike previously described class 2 integrons. The novel class 2 integron was found in Providencia stuartii and contains an apparently functional class 2 integrase. Examination of the variable region of the P. stuartii integron identified nine open reading frames, mostly of unknown function, and represents the first report of a class 2 integron without inserted antibiotic resistance gene cassettes. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified a novel class 2 integron found in P. stuartii that contains an apparently functional naturally occurring class 2 integrase. Further investigation of this novel class 2 integron is required to determine the impact of a functional class 2 integrase upon the evolution of class 2 integrons.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The effect of environmental pH on the physiology and surface structures of Salmonella serotype enteritidis phage type 4.

The incidence of food-poisoning caused by Salmonella serotype Enteritidis PT4 has increased. Implicated food products display pH levels between 4 and 9. Accordingly, the effect of growth at extremes of pH on the presence of surface structures and the carriage of a 38-MDa plasmid was determined by growing a clinical isolate of Enteritidis PT4 in a chemostat. Steady-state growth was possible over the pH range 4.35-9.45, corresponding to the pH extremes associated with key reservoirs implicated in outbreaks. Without pH control, cultures stabilised at pH 7.10. Growth at extremes of pH had significant effects on the distribution of cell surface structures; at pH 9.45, only 3% of cells were fimbriate compared with 52% at pH 7.10 and 20% at pH 4.35. The proportion of motile cells and the presence of flagella was also reduced at extremes of pH. A 38-MDa plasmid was present in cells grown in the chemostat at pH 7.10, but not in cells grown at pH 4.35 or pH 9.45. Thus, environmental pH may have a significant impact on the virulence potential of Enteritidis PT4.

Bacteriophage Typing↗
PubMed2000

[The occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum as regards meat hygiene].

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are phenotypically and phylogenetically closely related cyst-forming coccidia, both of which may cause abortion in livestock animals. T. gondii exhibits also zoonotic potential by causing diaplacental infections in the human fetus and harmful infections in immunosuppressed individuals. Humans get infected either by consuming inappropriately prepared cyst-containing meat or by ingesting oocysts originating from cat feces. Therefore, in order to assess infection risk we need to have knowledge on the prevalence of the parasite in consumable meat and thus slaughtered animals. So far, no data indicate any zoonotic potential for N. caninum. Due to its high economic impact in the bovine production in Switzerland, we included this parasite in the present study as well. The prevalence of both parasite species were investigated by PCR in muscle and brain samples of slaughtered bovines, sheep, pigs and horses. Comparatively, a serum sample from each animal was simultaneously tested serologically by a Toxoplasma-P30-ELISA and a Neospora-SA-ELISA. The prevalences determined by the T. gondii-PCR were the followings: adult cows 3%, young bulls 2%, young cows prior to gravidity 6%, calves 1%, sheep 6%, horses and pigs each 0%. For N. caninum, the PCR-prevalence was 2% for adult cows and 0% for all other animal groups. Conversely, the seroprevalences were much higher for both parasite species and all animal groups, with the exception of the fattening pigs. However, as T. gondii was principally detectable in bovine (cows and calves) as well as in sheep meat, the consumption of this meat harbours a potential infection risk for humans. In contrast, the lack of any parasite detectability in fattening pig and horse meat allows to consider this infection source as neglectable when compared to bovine and ovine meat.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Schistosomiasis japonica in Barrio San Antonio, Basey, Samar , The Philippines. I. Epidemiology and morbidity.

Barrio San Antonio is a coastal settlement on the San Juanico straits in the municipality of Basey on the island of Samar, the Philippines. It has a population of approximately 1,900 in 320 households. Initially, 851 residents (45%) of 240 households participated in this survey to determine the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma japonicum infection, and morbidity as indicated by associated hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. As a result of an initial single stool examination of 1 ml by a modified formalin concentration technique, 40% of this population was found to be infected. On subsequent examinations, with the addition of serologic techniques and recording the history of therapy, approximately 70% of this population was found to be infected with S. japonicum after the age of 10 years. If judged by the number of eggs produced per milliliter of feces, infection intensity in this population might be considered to be low. However, 25% (73 of 391 positives on single examination) exhibited schistosomal hepatomegaly or hepato-splenomegaly and had a mean egg count of 10.9. Those infected but without hepatomegaly had a slightly lower mean egg count of 8.4. Of the infected males with hepatomegaly, 75% were 19 years of age or less and 45% of these were producing less than 10 eggs/ml of stool. Of infected females with hepatomegaly, only 28% were 19 years of age or less, and 68% of these were producing less than 10 eggs/ml. Abdominal pain, distress, diarrhea, and dysentery were significantly more frequent in the infected than uninfected persons, and this frequency was related to egg output. The heights and weights of these infected individuals were less than those of the uninfected members of this population and significantly less than the Filipino norm. The small percentage of the infected population (6.6%) that were producing 51% of the eggs had a mean egg count of approximately 260 with a mean age of 33.7. In this group, 7 of the 22 individuals were in the age group 10--14 years and 15 were above 20 years of age. Although some individuals of Barrio San Antonio have sought therapy, this population and area have been largely unstudied and have not up to the present been involved in control or mass chemotherapy programs. The findings of this survey give an opportunity to determine the impact of such programs when they are instituted in this area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Preclinical pharmacology of the natural product anticancer agent 10-hydroxycamptothecin, an inhibitor of topoisomerase I.

PURPOSE: 10-Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) is an indole alkaloid isolated from a Chinese tree, Camptotheca acuminata, and has a wide spectrum of anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo mainly through inhibitory effects on topoisomerase I. HCPT has been shown to be more potent and less toxic than camptothecin and has recently undergone clinical trials. To determine how HCPT might be best used as an anticancer agent, preclinical studies of the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, metabolism and elimination of HCPT in rats were undertaken. METHODS: HCPT was administered to rats by i.v. bolus injection at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg body weight. HCPT (lactone and carboxylate) and its metabolites in plasma, urine, feces, and various tissues were quantitated by reversed-phase HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were then estimated. RESULTS: Following i.v. administration at doses of 3 or 10 mg/kg, the plasma concentration-time profile for lactone HCPT could be best described by a three-compartment model, with terminal elimination half-lives of 140.4 and 428.6 min, respectively. A two-compartment model was used to fit the plasma concentration-time curve at 1 mg/kg, with a terminal elimination half-life of 30.5 min. Carboxylate HCPT had a longer half-life than the lactone form of HCPT. During the initial 6 h after dosing, urinary excretion was the major route of elimination, and fecal excretion became the major route of elimination thereafter. HCPT was widely distributed to various tissues including the enterohepatic system, kidney, and bone marrow. The lactone form of HCPT was detectable in various tissues examined up to 72 h after dosing at all the three test doses. HCPT glucuronides were present in plasma, urine, feces and various tissues. No significant toxicity was observed at doses of 1 or 3 mg/kg. Polyuria and hematuria were observed only during the initial 3 h after dosing at 10 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged elimination of HCPT in vivo may have a significant impact on its therapeutic effects. HCPT is metabolized to its carboxylate form and glucuronides. Dose-dependent toxicity was observed with i.v. administration of HCPT. The results of this study should be useful in the design of future human trials with this anticancer drug.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Effects of plant stanol esters supplied in a fat free milieu by pastilles on cholesterol metabolism in colectomized human subjects.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nutritional products containing fat-soluble phytosterol esters for serum cholesterol lowering have traditionally been oil-based. Their cholesterol-lowering efficacy when provided by low-fat vehicles with a diet of normal fat content is questionable. The aims of the present study were to find out whether 1-week consumption of plant stanol esters in pastilles alters absorption percentage of labeled esterified and free cholesterol and fecal elimination of sterols, including phytosterols (n = 9), and to define the impact of dietary fat on intestinal sterol ester hydrolysis (n = 8) in colectomized human subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Levels of lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerols, non-cholesterol sterols and squalene in serum, neutral sterols, non-cholesterol sterols, fat and bile acids in feces, cholesterol absorption efficiency and cholesterol synthesis were analyzed at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Analyses of esterified and free cholesterol and phytosterols were performed during diets with normal and low-fat content. Serum levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased by 9% and 14%, respectively (P < 0.01 for both), and absorption of 3H-esterified and 14C-free cholesterol decreased in proportion to baseline values (r = -0.58, P < 0.05) by over 40% (P < 0.01) in colectomized patients with stanol ester pastilles. Fecal elimination of cholesterol was increased by about 35% and almost 60% of campestanol and sitostanol esters were hydrolyzed during their transit in gastrointestinal tract when consumed with a normal fat diet (mean daily fat 93 +/- 13g ) for 1 week. The hydrolysis of plant stanol esters was more pronounced with a normal than with a low-fat diet (70% versus 40%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that plant stanol esters provided in fat free milieu exert favourable effects on serum lipid profile by decreasing absorption of cholesterol in colectomized human subjects, even though the intestinal hydrolysis of plant stanol esters is weaker on low than normal fat diet.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of pilot control trial of intestinal schistosomiasis in the Finchaa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia.

Intestinal schistosomiasis is undergoing a rapid increase in magnitude in Finchaa Sugar Estate in Ethiopia. A pilot control trial of intestinal schistosomiasis was instituted in 1995 to reduce the magnitude of the disease and introduce sustainable schistosomiasis control approaches in the Sugar Estate. Following initial parasitological survey of all the camps in the Sugar Project area in 1995 using Kato method, mass chemotherapy of the heavily infected residents of Camp 7 and selective treatment of lightly infected residents of other camps were made using praziquantel. Endod (type 44) was applied to transmission sites along Fekerie stream in Camp 7 on quarterly basis whenever Biomphalaria pfeifferi was detected. Other inputs to the project as parts of capacity building included transplantation of Endod cuttings (type 44), training and health education. Cross sectional parasitological surveys were made in 1998 to assess the impact of the pilot control trial. The results of stool examination showed that the prevalence of schistosomiasis was reduced from 30% in 1995 to 26% in 1998 among residents of Camp 7 and the intensity of infection from 198 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) in 1995 to 85 EPG in 1998. Similarly, the prevalence of infection among children in Finchaa Valley Elementary School was reduced from 78% in 1994 to 56% in 1998 and the reduction in respective intensity of infection was from 283 EPG to 114 EPG. Although significant reduction in the magnitude of the disease was not achieved, the control activities were taken over by the Sugar Project Polyclinic to ensure sustainability. In addition to chemotherapy and snail control using Endod, other disease non-specific methods such as health education should be used to get maximum benefit from such facilities as latrines, and ensure participation of the community in order to sustain the control activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Depletion of host-derived cyanide in the gut of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum.

Using a colorimetric procedure, we assessed the HCN-p of black cherry leaves (Prunus serotina) ingested by the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, and the cyanide content of the bolus as it passed thorough the caterpillar's digestive tract and into the detritus pool. The mean HCN-p of leaves in our study area was 1902 +/- 174 (SE) ppm. Young leaves found at the tips of growing branches, which the caterpillars preferred, had a significantly higher HCN-p (3032 +/- 258 ppm) than older leaves found at the middle (1542 +/- 243 ppm) or base of the shoot (1131 +/- 159 ppm). Following a bout of overnight feeding on young leaves, the cyanide content of the foregut and midgut boluses of early sixth-instar caterpillars averaged 631 +/- 161 ppm, and 14 +/- 3 ppm, respectively, indicating that host-derived cyanide is rapidly depleted as the bolus transits the gut. Some cyanide, however, remains. In three studies, the mean cyanide content of fresh fecal pellets ranged from approximately 20 to 38 ppm, while the dried, compacted pellets ranged from 63 to 85 ppm. Food in the foreguts of mature caterpillars dispersing over the ground in search of pupation sites had 417 +/- 99 ppm cyanide. The potential impact of this egested and caterpillar-transported cyanide on the consumer and detritivore communities is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

On incorporating diffusion and viscosity concepts into compartmental models for analysing faecal marker excretion patterns in ruminants.

Deterministic mathematical equations are derived to describe the pattern of marker excretion in the faeces of ruminants under steady-state conditions when diffusion and viscosity concepts are introduced into a simple two-compartment scheme of the gastrointestinal tract. The basic scheme comprises a pure-mixing pool obeying first-order kinetics and a second compartment exhibiting streamline flow. Introduction of a velocity gradient, longitudinal diffusion or both into the second compartment, even with various simplifying assumptions, yields analytically insoluble equations. The impact of these mechanisms is to be investigated numerically rather than analytically in future work.

Animals↗