Occurrence of Bovine Cysticercosis in Two Regions of the State of Tocantins-Brazil and the Importance of Pathogen Identification

Bovine cysticercosis, caused by Taenia saginata metacestodes, is the cause of significant economic losses to the meat production chain by condemnation and downgrading of infected carcasses. It is also a public health issue causing human taeniasis. This study evaluated the occurrence of bovine cysticercosis at the meat inspection procedures in slaughterhouses of south and north regions of the Tocantins State in Brazil. Specimens identified as cysts of T. saginata were collected and analyzed by molecular (PCR) and histopathological techniques. The cysts were collected from March to December of 2010 in slaughterhouses located in the cities of Alvorada (South) and Araguaína (North). The frequency of cystic lesions during the study was 0.033% (53/164,091) with 69.81% of calcified lesions and 30.9% of live cysts at meat inspection. From 14 samples submitted to molecular analysis, 28.57% (4/14) were positive for T. saginata. The histopathological analysis of the non-T. saginata samples showed lesions suggestive of granuloma and hydatid disease. The results indicated that the identification of the etiological agent is difficult by macroscopic inspection, emphasizing the need to associate specific diagnostic methods at meat inspection in abattoirs. In addition, species-specific PCR would be an effective tool for diagnosis, monitoring, and identifying cysticercosis, assisting the conventional tests.

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Classification of Vertebral Osteomyelitis and Associated Judgment Applied during Post-Mortem Inspection of Swine Carcasses in Portugal

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9101502 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1502

Author(s):

Madalena Vieira-Pinto ◽

Joana Azevedo ◽

Patrícia Poeta ◽

Isabel Pires ◽

Lüppo Ellebroek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Classification Scheme ◽

Vertebral Osteomyelitis ◽

Meat Inspection ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Histopathological Analysis ◽

Microbiological Analysis ◽

Finishing Pigs ◽

The Eu

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) it is often a suppurative lesion that, in Portugal, represents the main cause of total condemnation of slaughtered finishing pigs. Based on the EU Meat Inspection legislation, meat from generalized VO cases presenting signs of pyemia should be declared unfit for human consumption. For that reason, the main objective of this study is to establish a classification scheme to differentiate between localized and generalized VO cases using macroscopic findings and validate it based on the presence of pyemia. To assist in, a combination of macroscopic characteristics of gross lesions (e.g., presence of pyaemia-related lesions (PRL), acute/chronic characteristics of VO) was used to create a classification scheme to differentiate between localized and generalized VO cases. The scheme was applied to 40 VO cases that had been totally condemned in an undifferentiated way. In those 40 cases, histopathological analysis was used to validate acute/chronic macro-criteria, and microbiological analysis was performed to identify the pyemia cases. From the 40 selected VO cases, 20 were macroscopically classified as chronic and 20 as acute. Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ = 0.80; p < 0.001), revealed a substantial agreement between macroscopic and histopathology classification. Microbiological analyses identified 13 pyemia cases (13/40; 32.5%). Among those, 12 were macroscopically classified as acute, this association being highly significant (p < 0.001). By using the proposed VO classification scheme, 14 possible cases out of 40 could have been spared from total condemnation. This scheme can be used to harmonize the classification of VO and meat inspection decisions in Portuguese abattoirs. The output would lead to avoidance of unnecessary carcasses condemnation (food waste/economic losses), under an evidence-based approach, without compromising food safety and public health as demanded by the EU Meat Inspection legislation.

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An outbreak of oropharyngeal tularaemia linked to natural spring water

Journal of Medical Microbiology ◽

10.1099/jmm.0.002279-0 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 112-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

A. Willke ◽

M. Meric ◽

R. Grunow ◽

M. Sayan ◽

E. J. Finke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Control Study ◽

Spring Water ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Microagglutination Test ◽

Natural Spring Water ◽

Natural Spring ◽

Species Specific ◽

Water Springs ◽

Control Study

A tularaemia outbreak was investigated involving 188 suspected cases in the Kocaeli region of Turkey between December 2004 and April 2005. A case–control study comprising 135 laboratory-confirmed cases and 55 controls was undertaken to identify risk factors for the development of the outbreak and to evaluate laboratory diagnostic methods. Tularaemia was confirmed by a microagglutination test (MAT) titre of ≥1 : 160 in 90 of the patients. In MAT-negative sera, 23/44 (52 %) were positive by ELISA with Francisella tularensis LPS and 1/9 (11 %) by Western blotting with this antigen. A species-specific PCR was positive in 16/25 (64 %) throat swabs and 8/13 (62 %) lymph node aspirates. Multivariate analysis showed that drinking natural spring water was the leading risk factor for the development of tularaemia (P=0.0001, odds ratio 0.165, 95 % CI 0.790–0.346). The outbreak ceased after abandonment of the suspected natural water springs.

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Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Salmonella typhimurium and Enteritidis Strains Isolated from Human, Food, and Environmental Samples of Broiler Meat Production Chain in Punjab

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology ◽

10.17957/ijab/15.1833 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (02) ◽

pp. 263-269

Author(s):

Shakera Sadiq

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Meat Production ◽

Salmonella Enterica Serovar Enteritidis ◽

Broiler Meat ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Production Chain ◽

Resistance Patterns ◽

High Level

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health issue worldwide due to extensive use in agriculture, food, and veterinary medicine. The rate of antimicrobial resistance varies with different antibiotics and serotypes but Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of the most widespread serotypes which is comparatively more susceptible to antimicrobial resistance followed by S. Typhimurium. A total of 71 Salmonella strains (S. Typhimurium, n=45; S. Enteritidis, n=26) isolated from humans, food and the environment were used in the study. Both isolates were confirmed through PCR by targeting their specific spy and sdf genes respectively. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility against 10 antibiotics used. An exponentially high level of resistance was found in S. Typhimurium strains. The highest level of resistance was found against amoxicillin (97.78%) followed by tetracycline (95.56%), gentamicin (93.33%), trimethoprim (86.67%), streptomycin (84.44%), nalidixic acid (77.78%), sulphafurazole (64.44%), ampicillin (62.22%), chloramphenicol (46.67%) and least resistance was found against ciprofloxacin (31.11%). Four penta MDR (ACSSuT) and two tetra MDR (ASSuT) resistance patterns were found S. Typhimurium strains. In S. Enteritidis strains, a high level of resistance was found against sulphonamides and streptomycin (92.31%) with the least resistance against ciprofloxacin (11.54%). Two penta MDR (ACSSuT) and six tetra MDR (ASSuT) resistance patterns were found. The presence of high antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic S. Typhimurium and Enteritidis in the broiler meat production chain is alarming. Immediate action and appropriate measures are required to control over the counter and irrational use of antibiotics both in poultry and humans. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

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Genetic group and horns presence in injuries and economic losses of bovine carcasses

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n6p4265 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 4265 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Fábio Souza Mendonça ◽

Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ◽

Willian Silveira Leal ◽

João Restle ◽

Leonir Luiz Pascoal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Loss ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Meat Production ◽

Production Chain ◽

Genetic Groups ◽

Individual Assessment ◽

Breed Group ◽

Taurine Cattle ◽

The Individual ◽

Degree Of Severity

Assessment of carcass bruises in steers and cull females, classified during truck unloading at the slaughterhouse according to genetic dominance in zebu and taurine cattle, and the presence of horns, including polled, horned and mixed batches. We considered horned the batches that included more than 20% of horned animals and mixed the batches that included less than 20% horned animals. The data were collected in a commercial slaughterhouse and included 93 batches, with a total of 2,520 animals, from different regions of South Brazil. After evisceration, the bruises were identified and recorded in the different carcass regions: hip, round, ribs, forequarter and loin area per animal and batch. The weights of the removed tissue due to bruising was based on the average weights of various samples of bruises according to their degree of severity. Regarding the number of bruises per animal, no differences (P> 0.05) were observed between genetic groups, however, when comparing the total bruises per batch, differences were observed in all carcass regions, except for the forequarter, with more number of injuries in zebu than in taurine carcasses. The individual assessment showed 86.2% (P<.05) more bruises in the ribs region in horned than in polled animals carcasses. Horned batches had higher bruises mean (P<.05) compared to the polled, with increases of 65.1; 131.7 e 132.8 % in total bruises in the carcass, ribs and forequarter, respectively. The mixed batches did not differ from polled and horned batches. Zebu animals were responsible for higher industry loss totaling 1.21 kg, resulting in a economic loss of R $ 15.48 per carcass. The presence of horns resulted in greater carcass loss, 1.131 kg, with economic loss of R $ 16.11 per carcass. The bruises on carcasses are affected by the breed group and presence of horns, with zebu and horned groups causing major economic losses for the meat production chain.

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Evaluation of faecal flotation methods followed by species-specific PCR for detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in the definitive hosts

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.2478/s11686-014-0248-9 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Zoltán Széll ◽

Zsuzsanna Sréter-Lancz ◽

Tamás Sréter

Keyword(s):

Northern Hemisphere ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Arctic Region ◽

Human Infection ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Zoonotic Parasites ◽

Species Specific ◽

Flotation Solution

AbstractEchinococcus multilocularis is one of the most pathogenic zoonotic parasites in the temperate and arctic region of the Northern Hemisphere. For estimating the potential risk of human infection in endemic areas, reliable antemortem methods are needed to detect the parasite in carnivore definitive hosts. The sensitivity of routine flotation techniques for detection of E. multilocularis eggs was found to be low (3–33%) depending on the flotation solution used (specific gravities = 1.3–1.4). An improved faecal flotation followed by a species-specific PCR is described with a sensitivity of 74% (95% CI = 62–84%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI = 94–100%). These parameters are similar to those of the intestinal scraping technique (sensitivity = 78%, specificity = 100%). The sensitivity of the improved flotation was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that of routine flotation techniques. The costs of the method are similar or lower than those of other antemortem diagnostic methods. Based on these data, the method is suitable for surveys of domesticated and wild carnivores.

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First Report of Mango Malformation Disease Caused by Fusarium mangiferae in Sri Lanka

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-09-12-0877-pdn ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 97 (3) ◽

pp. 427-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

G. D. Sinniah ◽

N. K. B. Adikaram ◽

I. S. K. Vithanage ◽

C. L. Abayasekara ◽

M. Maymon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Aerial Mycelium ◽

Pcr Primers ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Fusarium Spp ◽

First Report ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Species Specific ◽

Mango Malformation

Mango malformation disease (MMD) is one of the most devastating diseases causing severe economic losses to this crop worldwide. MMD has not been reported in Sri Lanka although the disease was reported in neighboring India over a century ago. Abnormal, thick, and fleshy mango panicles (40%) and proliferating stunted shoots (<1%) showing characteristic malformation symptoms were observed in Peradeniya-Kandy area (7°17'4.15” N, 80°38′14.08” E). Malformed inflorescences and vegetative shoots were collected during January to March and September to November, in 2008 through 2012. Pieces of malformed tissues were surface sterilized in 1% sodium hypochlorite and transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA). The plates were incubated at 26 ± 2°C for 7 days. Monoconidial cultures of 41 isolates that resembled Fusarium spp. were obtained. Colonies showed white sparse aerial mycelium and magenta-dark purple pigmentation on the underside. Growth rate of the isolates averaged 3.67 mm/day in the dark at 25°C on PDA. To stimulate conidia development, Fusarium isolates were transferred to carnation leaf agar (CLA). Sympodially branched conidiophores bearing mono- and polyphialides with 2 to 3 conidiogenus openings originated erect and prostrate on aerial mycelium. Oval to allontoid, abundant microconidia were produced in false heads on mono- and polyphialides. Dimensions of aseptate conidia were 2.5 to 12.5 (6.47) × 1.25 to 3.8 (2.29) μm. Macroconidia were long and slender, 3 to 5 celled and 27.5 to 47.5 (38.59) × 2.5 to 5 (2.94) μm. Chlamydospores were absent. These characters are consistent for F. mangiferae. DNA was extracted from 30 monoconidial Fusarium isolates (1) and amplified with species-specific PCR primers 1-3F/R (forward: 5′-TGCAGATAATGAGGGTCTGC-3′; reverse: 5′-GGAACATTGGGCAAAACTAC-3′) (3). Eight isolates from malformed inflorescences (I6, I13, I15, and I16) and malformed vegetative tissues (V1, V2, V3, and V4), were identified as F. mangiferae based on a 608-bp species-specific amplified DNA fragment. Pathogenicity of F. mangiferae isolates, I15 and V2, was tested on 1-year-old seedlings cv. Willard planted in 10-liter plastic pots. Conidia suspensions (107 conidia/ml of 0.1% water agar) were obtained from 10-day-old monoconidial cultures. Each isolate was inoculated onto 15 apical buds by placing drops (20 μl) of conidia (2). Both F. mangiferae isolates, I15 and V2, on artificial inoculation produced typical floral malformation symptoms in 40% of the buds, up to 10 weeks after inoculation. The Fusarium isolates recovered were identical in colony and mycelia morphology and conidia dimensions to the original F. mangiferae isolates. No Fusarium species were recovered from control flower buds. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MMD in the inflorescence and the vegetative shoots caused by F. mangiferae in Sri Lanka. Isolation of other Fusarium spp. that were not identified as F. mangiferae in this study suggests that additional Fusarium spp. may be associated with the MMD in Sri Lanka. Further studies are needed to confirm the identity of these Fusarium isolates, their role in MMD, and the distribution over the island. Since the disease is likely to drastically reduce productivity, measures will be required to protect 12,160 ha of mango cultivation from this devastating disease. References: (1) S. Freeman et al. Exp. Mycol. 17:309, 1993. (2) S. Freeman et al. Phytopathology 89:456, 1999. (3) Q. I. Zheng and R. C. Ploetz. Plant Pathol. 51:208, 2002.

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Distribution of Meloidogyne species in carrot in Brazil

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20200552 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Tiago Garcia da Cunha ◽

Liliane Evangelista Visôtto ◽

Letícia Mendes Pinheiro ◽

Pedro Ivo Vieira Good God ◽

Juliana Magrinelli Osório Rosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meloidogyne Incognita ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Meloidogyne Spp ◽

Mixed Populations ◽

Species Specific ◽

Meloidogyne Species ◽

Esterase Phenotypes

ABSTRACT: Root-knot nematodes (RKN - Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most serious threats to carrot production worldwide. In Brazil, carrots are grown throughout the year, and economic losses due to RKN are reported. Since little is known on the distribution of RKN species in carrot fields in Brazil, we collected plant and soil samples from 35 fields across six states. Based on the morphology of perineal patterns, esterase phenotypes and species-specific PCR, three Meloidogyne species were identified: 60% of the fields were infested with Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica was reported in 42.9% of the areas, whereas M. hapla was detected in 17.1% of carrot fields. Mixed populations were reported in 20% of the areas with a predominance of M. incognita + M. javanica. The combination of morphological, biochemical, and molecular techniques is a useful approach to identify RKN species.

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