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PubMed2002

Dry preparation for virtual CT colonography with fecal tagging using water-soluble contrast medium: initial results.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a dry bowel preparation, i.e. without laxative fluids, for virtual CT colonography (VCTC), and its impact on patient acceptance compared with conventional colonoscopy (CC). A randomly chosen patient population scheduled for CC ( n=11) was first submitted to VCTC after a dry preparation, consisting of low-residue meals combined with a small amount of a iodinated water-soluble contrast medium during each meal 3 days before VCTC. In different colon segments and between different persons, the degree of tagging in VCTC was evaluated and graded. Patient acceptance and future preference were assessed for both preparations as well as for both investigations. The mixing of the contrast with the intestinal content results in contrast impregnated stool, the tagged feces. The degree of fecal tagging was good in the majority of the patients and the colonic segments, especially in the descending colon and sigmoid. Furthermore, patient acceptance and preference were clearly in favour of VCTC compared with CC merely because of the non-invasiveness of the dry preparation. Dry bowel preparation and VCTC is a promising approach towards a patient-friendly colon cancer-screening setup.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetic considerations of dexamethasone-induced developmental toxicity in rats.

Dexamethasone (DEX) has been shown to elicit growth stunting and cleft palate in rat fetuses. This investigation characterized DEX dosimetry as various pharmacokinetic parameters and evaluated their impact on developmental toxicity endpoints. DEX pharmacokinetics was evaluated as a single dose on either gestation day (GD) 9 or 14, as well as on GD 14 after multiple daily dosing from GD 9 to GD 14. An additional set of pregnant rats was dosed with DEX on GD 9 through GD 14, pharmacokinetic evaluation was conducted on GD 14 through GD 16, and teratological evaluation was conducted following sacrifice on GD 20. For all pharmacokinetic evaluations, a subcutaneous (sc) injection of 0.8 mg DEX/kg body weight together with 50 microCi 3H-DEX was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood, urine, and feces were collected for 24 or 48 h. At GD 20 sacrifice, maternal tissues as well as fetal brain and liver samples were collected as part of the laparotomy. All samples were assayed using scintillation spectrometry. DEX pharmacokinetic parameters remained similar whether dosing occurred early (GD 9) or late (GD 14) in organogenesis, or dosing occurred on multiple sequential days (GD 9-14). DEX produced maternal and fetal weight loss, fetal lethality, and cleft palate. DEX a-half-life was positively correlated with the percentage of implants affected [(number of non-live + number with cleft palate)/number of implants]/litter. Neither the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), the maximum maternal plasma concentration (Cmax), nor the terminal phase beta-half-life correlated with any fetal outcome parameters. The correlation between the percentage of the litter that was affected and half-life was improved if AUC was added in a stepwise multiple regression. These data suggest that the length of time that DEX is present in the maternal plasma at a sufficiently high concentration (i.e., slower tissue distribution of DEX) appears to be important in determining the risk of an adverse outcome in the offspring.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed2001

Campylobacter contamination in French chicken production from farm to consumers. Use of a PCR assay for detection and identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli.

AIMS: Campylobacter contamination in French chicken production from the farm to the consumer was determined using a PCR assay for bacteria detection and identification. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples were bird droppings from poultry houses, neck skins, livers, hearts, gizzards, wings, legs and escalopes from slaughterhouses and gizzards, legs, drumstick, breast and escalopes from a supermarket. Bacterial DNA extraction was performed after an enrichment step in a broth and was followed by PCR. An internal control (IC) was used for both DNA extraction and PCR. Campylobacter were detected in 79.2% of poultry houses. Of the 303 samples, 201 were Campylobacter-positive (i.e. 66.3%) including 43.2% faecal samples, 5.6% slaughterhouse samples and 17.5% supermarket samples. There was no significant difference between the molecular method and the conventional culture technique for Campylobacter detection whatever the samples. The sensitivity was 5 UFC g(-1) of samples and 1.5 x 10(3) UFC ml(-1) of enrichment broth. The use of IC revealed PCR inhibition in 13 samples and problems in the DNA extraction in five samples. CONCLUSION: Significant Campylobacter contamination affects all stages of French chicken production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The understanding of Campylobacter contamination at different levels of chicken production and the determination of the best place(s) for intervention are important for significantly decreasing Campylobacteriosis. Our technique is rapid and can be used on different chicken samples for Campylobacter detection and identification.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2001

Antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococci isolated from the faeces of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the staphylococcal flora associated with wild turkey populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Faecal samples obtained from 26 wild turkeys over a 16-month period were inoculated onto mannitol salt agar plates to select for staphylococci. Fifty-seven randomly chosen isolates were identified as Staphylococcus lentus and their susceptibility determined against clindamycin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, oxacillin, penicillin G, rifampin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin. Resistance was minimal as only 3 isolates showed resistance to clindamycin, 3 isolates were resistant to oxacillin, 3 isolates were resistant to penicillin G, and 1 isolate was resistant to erythromycin. Multiple antibiotic resistance was also minimal. CONCLUSIONS: S. lentus is the predominant staphylococcal species associated with wild turkey faeces and antibiotic resistance in these organisms is not problematic. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: S. lentus has been shown as a potential causative agent of inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract. Due to increased numbers of wild turkeys and more frequent human exposure, surveys to monitor microbial populations are warranted.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Nosocomial rotavirus in a pediatric hospital.

We describe a nosocomial rotavirus outbreak among pediatric cardiology patients and the impact of a prospective, laboratory-based surveillance program for rotavirus in our university-affiliated, quartenary-care pediatric hospital in New York City. Improved compliance with infection control and case-finding among patients and healthcare workers halted the outbreak.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Interaction between coprophilous fungi and its impact on its natural substrate degradation].

Six species of coprophilous fungi were isolated from cow dung. Each species, or a combination of two or more, were inoculated on dung and their capacity of degradation of the substrate was measured as dry weight loss, endoglucanase activity and loss of cellulose. Degradation of CMC agar medium was also established. As a result of their interespecific relationship, a minor degradative capacity was observed when more than one species were cultured except for one combination.

Ecology↗

PubMed2000

Relationships between vitamin A, iron status and helminthiasis in Bangladeshi school children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationships between biochemical indicators of vitamin A and iron status and the intestinal helminths Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm in primary school children. SETTING: Two rural governmental schools in northwestern Bangladesh. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 164 children in grades 3-5. METHODS: Serum retinol and beta-carotene (by high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC), haemoglobin (HemoCue), ferritin (enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, ELIZA) and height and weight were measured. Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and faecal analyses were done using Stoll's egg-count technique. RESULTS: The mean serum retinol was 26.8 microg dl(-1) and 20% had a level of < 20 microg dl(-1), the cut-off value for low vitamin A status. There was a strong positive association between serum beta-carotene and serum retinol (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), suggesting those with higher retinol levels had a higher carotene intake. Thirty-one per cent were anaemic (Hb < 11.5 g dl(-1)), 30% had iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 12.0 microg l(-1)) and 14% were suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. Children with a serum retinol level of 20 microg dl(-1) had significantly lower ferritin (14.0 compared to 26.0 microg l(-1), P = 0.005) and Hb levels (11.7 compared to 12.4 g dl(-1), P = 0.005) than those with higher levels. The proportion of iron deficiency anaemia was significantly greater among children with hookworm. Our data suggest that hookworm exerts its impact on iron status independently of the vitamin A status of the host. CONCLUSIONS: Programmes to improve iron status should consider including both vitamin A prevention programmes and deworming.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

PubMed2003

Laboratory heating studies with Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli in organic matter, with a view to decontamination of poultry houses.

AIMS: To determine a temperature-humidity-time treatment that eliminates Salmonella and Escherichia coli in substrates representing organic matter in poorly cleaned poultry houses, i.e. worst case scenario laboratory tests. METHODS AND RESULTS: Organic matter (poultry faeces and feed) in a 2.5-cm layer was inoculated with 2 x 10(5)-3 x 10(6) Salmonella g(-1), left undried or dried at ca. 30% relative humidity (RH) during a 10-day period, and temperature increased at 1 degrees C h(-)1 to the final heating temperature of 50, 55, 60, 65 or 70 degrees C and held at 16-30 or 100% RH. All samples were tested for Salmonella according to predetermined sampling time schedules and faecal samples were also tested for naturally occurring E. coli. Overall, humidity was an important factor in the elimination of Salmonella and E. coli. Results for recovery of Salmonella and E. coli were highly associated. CONCLUSIONS: The application of >/=60 degrees C and 100% RH during a 24-h period eliminated Salmonella and E. coli in all samples. Escherichia coli could be used as an indicator bacterium for the elimination of Salmonella. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results from worst case scenario laboratory tests could be applied in steam heating of persistently Salmonella-infected poultry houses. The use of E. coli as an indicator bacterium for the validation of Salmonella results should be considered.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of PCR for detection of Campylobacter in a national broiler surveillance programme in Denmark.

AIMS: To develop and evaluate a rapid and sensitive PCR method for detection of Campylobacter spp. directly from chicken faeces. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA was isolated from faecal swabs using magnetic beads followed by PCR using a prealiquoted PCR mixture, which had been stored in the freezer. The result could be obtained in <6 h. The method was evaluated on 1282 samples from the Danish surveillance programme for Campylobacter in broilers by comparing with conventional culture. The diagnostic specificity was calculated to be 0.99. The detection limits of the PCR method and of the conventional culture were compared using spiked control material. For both methods the detection limit was 36 CFU ml-1. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the PCR proved useful for detection of Campylobacter in pooled cloacal swabs from broilers. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: By taking cloacal samples in the broiler flocks the technique can be used as an important tool for planning and directing the broiler slaughtering process. This will be a great help in minimizing the risk of contaminating Campylobacter-free flocks at the abattoir.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2002

Magnetic resonance colonography with fecal tagging: an innovative approach without bowel cleansing.

To date, virtual colonography mandates bowel cleansing in a manner similar to colonoscopy. Because more than half of patients undergoing bowel preparation complain about negative side effects, patient acceptance is negatively impacted. To assure high patient acceptance of MR colonography, bowel cleansing needs to be eliminated. This can be accomplished by fecal tagging, a concept based on altering the signal intensity of stool by adding contrast-modifying substances to regular meals. This article describes different fecal tagging approaches and points out both advantages and limitations of these strategies.

Barium Sulfate↗

PubMed2006

Carriage, quantification, and predominance of methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria in faecal samples.

AIMS: To determine carriage rates and densities of methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria in adults and children using molecular methods, and to also determine if a reciprocal relationship exists between these organisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Real-time PCR was used to detect and quantify methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Real-time PCR was more sensitive than breath methane measurements. Real-time PCR assays were applied to faecal DNA samples collected from 40 children and 12 adults. Methanogens were present in 25% of the children and 42% of the adults studied, and sulfate-reducing bacteria were detected in 15% of the children and 58% of the adults. High levels of sulfate-reducing bacteria were found in two methanogenic adults. CONCLUSIONS: Carriage rates and densities of methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria are greater in adults than in children. Competition does not necessarily lead to the predominance of one group in the faecal microflora. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study describes sensitive, molecular assays that could be used to monitor these organisms in gastrointestinal disease. Therapeutic exclusion of one group from the bowel would not necessarily lead to the expansion of the other, as there does not appear to be a reciprocal relationship between these groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus faecium in sludge evaluated by real-time PCR and culture methods.

AIMS: This study evaluates the behaviour in spiked sludge of a pathogenic bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, by cultural and molecular techniques, and compares its survival with the one of a faecal indicator, Enterococcus faecium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Listeria monocytogenes strain Scott A and E. faecium(T) were followed for 17 days after inoculation in sludge. Kinetics of survival depended on the bacteria and on the technique used [most probable number method, direct plate count or real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR)]. The concentration of L. monocytogenes decreased rapidly regardless of the technique, but the decrease was much more dramatic with culture techniques than with qPCR. On the contrary, the concentrations of culturable E. faecium(T) were stable. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the cells of L. monocytogenes strain Scott A might have entered a viable, but nonculturable (VBNC) status, whereas cells of the indicator bacteria, E. faecium(T), maintained themselves better and stayed culturable. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The difference of survival kinetics in the sludge of a faecal indicator (E. faecium) and a pathogenic bacterium (L. monocytogenes) may be linked to the fact that they either enter or do not enter into a VBNC status.

Bacterial Toxins↗

PubMed2005

Mediterranean diet or extended fasting's influence on changing the intestinal microflora, immunoglobulin A secretion and clinical outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in the intestinal bacterial flora are believed to be contributing factors to many chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases including rheumatic diseases. While microbiological fecal culture analysis is now increasingly used, little is known about the relationship of changes in intestinal flora, dietary patterns and clinical outcome in specific diseases. To clarify the role of microbiological culture analysis we aimed to evaluate whether in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or fibromyalgia (FM) a Mediterranean diet or an 8-day fasting period are associated with changes in fecal flora and whether changes in fecal flora are associated with clinical outcome. METHODS: During a two-months-period 51 consecutive patients from an Integrative Medicine hospital department with an established diagnosis of RA (n = 16) or FM (n = 35) were included in the study. According to predefined clinical criteria and the subjects' choice the patients received a mostly vegetarian Mediterranean diet (n = 21; mean age 50.9 +/-13.3 y) or participated in an intermittent modified 8-day fasting therapy (n = 30; mean age 53.7 +/- 9.4 y). Quantitative aerob and anaerob bacterial flora, stool pH and concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were analysed from stool samples at the beginning, at the end of the 2-week hospital stay and at a 3-months follow-up. Clinical outcome was assessed with the DAS 28 for RA patients and with a disease severity rating scale in FM patients. RESULTS: We found no significant changes in the fecal bacterial counts following the two dietary interventions within and between groups, nor were significant differences found in the analysis of sIgA and stool ph. Clinical improvement at the end of the hospital stay tended to be greater in fasting vs. non-fasting patients with RA (p = 0.09). Clinical outcome was not related to alterations in the intestinal flora. CONCLUSION: Neither Mediterranean diet nor fasting treatments affect the microbiologically assessed intestinal flora and sIgA levels in patients with RA and FM. The impact of dietary interventions on the human intestinal flora and the role of the fecal flora in rheumatic diseases have to be clarified with newer molecular analysis techniques. The potential benefit of fasting treatment in RA and FM should be further tested in randomised trials.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed2001

Water quality in cattle feedyard playas in winter and summer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of feedyards on endotoxin concentration, fecal coliform count, and other water quality measurements during winter and summer in feedyard playas (shallow lakes). SAMPLE POPULATION: Water samples obtained from 7 feedyard playas and 3 nonfeedyard control playas. PROCEDURE: Surface water samples were collected from each playa and at various depths from 3 feedyard playas. Endotoxin concentrations, 22 water quality variables, and fecal coliform counts were determined in samples collected in summer and winter from various combinations of playas. RESULTS: Cattle numbers per feedyard ranged from 40,000 to 175,000 head/y. Mean endotoxin concentrations were significantly lower in control playas than in feedyard playas in winter and summer. Endotoxin concentration appeared to be homogenous at various water depths. Values for 20 of 22 water quality variables were higher in the feedyard playas than in control playas in winter and summer. In winter only, mean total fecal coliform concentration in feedyard playas was significantly greater than in control playas. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that feedyards have the potential to impact water quality in playas, and cattle should not be allowed access to them. Feedyard playa water should not be used under high pressure to settle dust in pens with cattle or to cool cattle, because aerosols containing pathogens and high concentrations of endotoxin are a health hazard for humans and cattle?

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Observations on strongyloidiasis in Queensland aboriginal communities.

OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence and distribution of infections with the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Queensland. DESIGN: A 20-year retrospective survey of computerised data and selected files from the former Aboriginal Health Programme (AHP) of the State Health Department of Queensland, based on cases diagnosed by the microscopic examination of preserved faecal specimens. Findings were compared with figures published in annual reports. STUDY POPULATION: Children under 15 years of age from 122 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. RESULTS: Numbers of specimens examined varied widely according to time and place, as did detected infection rates. In 32,145 faecal samples examined by AHP microscopists during 1972-1991 the overall infection prevalence was 1.97%. Strongyloides larvae were found in only 52 of 122 communities. The parasite was absent from many small, southern inland communities, and the prevalence of infection increased in northern regions with summer wet seasons. On average, it was highest in Doomadgee (12%), where a peak prevalence of 27.5% (92/334 children examined) was detected in a wet season survey. Some infections resolved spontaneously, while others persisted for more than four years. At Gununa (Mornington Island), the prevalence fell from 26.2% to below 7% after thiabendazole treatment of most infected children, and remained at this level for at least four years. Single stool examinations by experienced microscopists may have failed to diagnose at least 26% of infected cases. The records give no indication of the clinical impact of strongyloidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Strongyloidiasis is well established in many Aboriginal communities of north-eastern Australia. Children appear to be the major reservoirs of infection; the prevalence in adults is probably much lower. Failing improvements in community sanitation and hygiene, it may be possible to reduce significantly, if not eradicate, the infection by selectively treating diagnosed children with thiabendazole.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Bioavailability and mass balance studies of a commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether mixture in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are common flame retardants used in polyurethane foam, high impact polystyrene, and textiles which appear to be increasing in the environment and biota. Two PBDE congeners that are particularly prominent in environmental samples are 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) and 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99). These two congeners are major components in penta-BDE formulations which constitute a minor percentage of the commercial PBDE market. In order to determine the bioavailability and bioconcentration potential of these PBDEs, we have conducted a feeding experiment in rats, dosing with low amounts of a commercial penta-BDE mixture for 21 days to mimic an environmental exposure. The carcasses, livers, and feces from control and dosed rats were quantitated for PBDEs by a high resolution GC-MS isotope dilution method. Between 25% and 50% of each of the dosed congeners was retained in the rats with the liver being a minor depot (<1% of the dose). Fecal excretion accounted for 4-12% of the dosed congeners. A large percent of the dose (40-60%) was not recovered indicating that metabolic transformations may have occurred in the rats. Hydroxylated metabolites were qualitatively identified in the feces and carcass by GC-MS. The relative congener distribution in each tissue was nearly identical to the congener distribution of the commercial mixture. Conclusions from the study suggest that the tetra- to hexa-BDEs present in commercial penta-BDE formulations are largely bioavailable, that bioavailability in the rat is not dependent on the degree of bromination, and that metabolism may occur to a large extent during a chronic exposure.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The impact of zoonotic diseases transmitted by pets on human health and the economy.

In the context of all causes of human morbidity and mortality, or even within the context of all infectious diseases affecting the public health, pet-associated zoonotic infections are of moderate importance. The data documented in Table 1, however, indicate that they do exact significant human health and economic costs. If complete data were available for all of the infections shown in Table 1, the costs would be considerably higher. Moreover, most of these diseases are preventable through educating the public, particularly pet owners, of the zoonotic potential of these diseases, so that they may take precautions to minimize the risks leading to infection. These measures include appropriate health care of pets to eliminate infectious agents, reducing the number of uncontrolled, ownerless pets as well as unwanted or poorly supervised pets, preventing pets from soiling public places with their feces, excluding animals from areas where children play, enforcing leash laws, and promoting responsible pet ownership. Veterinarians, physicians, and public health agencies can aid in these efforts; ultimately, however, the responsibility lies with the pet owner.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Confirmatory analysis of 17beta-boldenone, 17alpha-boldenone and androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione in bovine urine, faeces, feed and skin swab samples by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry.

The origin, i.e. natural occurrence or illegal treatment, of findings of 17alpha-boldenone (alpha-Bol) and 17beta-boldenone (beta-Bol) in urine and faeces of cattle is under debate within the European Union. A liquid chromatographic positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method is presented for the confirmatory analysis of 17beta-boldenone, 17alpha-boldenone and an important metabolite/precursor androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD), using deuterium-labelled 17beta-boldenone (beta-Bol-d3) as internal standard. Detailed sample preparation procedures were developed for a variety of sample matrices such as bovine urine, faeces, feed and skin swab samples. The method was validated as a quantitative confirmatory method according to the latest EU guidelines and shows good precision, linearity and accuracy data, and CCalpha and CCbeta values of 0.1-0.3 and 0.4-1.0 ng/ml, respectively. Currently, the method has been successfully applied to suspect urine samples for more than a year, and occasionally to faeces, feed and swab samples as well. Results obtained from untreated and treated animals are given and their impact on the debate about the origin of residues of 17beta-boldenone is critically discussed. Finally, preliminary data about the degree of conjugation of boldenone residues are presented and a simple procedure for discrimination between residues from abuse versus natural origin is proposed.

Anabolic Agents↗