Comparative tests of quality of bacteriological investigation with Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolation

The results of comparative experimental studies of identification of nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae strain by three different commercial laboratories are presented. A typical nontoxigenic strain of C. diphtheriae biovar mitis was used. For the studies, three lines of ten-fold dilutions of bacterial culture were prepared, followed by control planting on the medium and counting CFU/ml. In the experiment, tampons were pooled with a 24-hour bacterial culture of a nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae strain. Tampons were provided from three different laboratories - ∑-Transwab® with Ames liquid medium (from the first and second laboratories) and a viscose tampon with coal medium (from the third laboratory). After pooled, tampons were delivered to commercial laboratories. And as a result of the experiment, Corynebacterium spp. was identified in first laboratory (103 CFU/tamp), S. epidermidis (102 CFU/ml) - in second laboratory and nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae biovar gravis - in third laboratory. The study indicates that there is a need to the supervision of bacteriological investigations conducted in various laboratories. This will improve the quality of investigations on diphtheria infection and identify of diphtheria carrier, which is a reservoir of the causative agent of diphtheria, and will contribute to the maintenance of sanitary and epidemiological well-being in our country.

Airborne Spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus From a Swine Farm

Spread of livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) to farmworkers has been recognized as a risk when working in LA-MRSA positive stables, due to LA-MRSA being present on airborne dust particles. Based on this, airborne spread of LA-MRSA through stable vents is a concern that is addressed in this study. The aim of the investigation was to quantify the airborne spread of LA-MRSA from a MRSA positive swine farm. In order to achieve this, a method for sampling large volumes of air was applied. The results were compared to meteorological data and bacteriological investigation of samples from the air inside the swine barn, soil outside the farm, and nasal samples from the individuals participating in the sampling process. MRSA was detected up to 300 m (the maximal measuring distance) from the swine farm in the air but only at low levels at distances above 50 meters (0.085 CFU/m3 at a distance of 50 m in the wind plume). MRSA was detected in sock samples obtained at the soil surfaces up to 400 m (the maximal measuring distance) from the farm building. The proportion of MRSA positive soil samples decreased from ~80 to 30% with increasing distance from the farm. A total of 25 human nasal samples were sampled after the farm visits after the participants had stayed in the surroundings of the farm for an average of 10.5 h. When leaving the farm, only two of the samples (8%) were LA-MRSA-positive both obtained from one individual who was the one who had sampled the ventilation shafts. In conclusion, airborne spread of MRSA from swine farms does not seem to be an important route for human contamination for individuals staying a whole working day outside a swine farm.

Retrospective analysis of the control and prevention of tuberculosis among cattle in Ukraine in the period 1994–2020

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) – is a chronic infectious disease, the causative agent of which affects many species of mammals. It is a zoonosis caused by various types of mycobacteria in the complex Mycobacterium tuberculosis family Mycobacteriaceae. The most important etiological agent of bTB in cattle is M. bovis, which has been isolated from tuberculosis infected cattle for centuries. Livestock and species of the Bovidae family are the most susceptible to this pathogen and are the main reservoir species for animals and humans. In Ukraine, the main methods of diagnosing tuberculosis in animal husbandry are lifetime (clinical examination, allergic intradermal test with tuberculin), and postmortem techniques (pathological changes, bacteriological investigation). The authors performed a retrospective analysis of the epizootic situation of tuberculosis among cattle in Ukraine for the period 1994–2020 and conducted a critical assessment of the work done to prevent and control this disease. In total, over the last 27 years, 219 088 head of cattle with tuberculosis and 933 affected locations have been identified in Ukraine. The results of this work showed that in our country the epizootic situation of bovine tuberculosis on farms of various forms of ownership is fully controlled. The most active fight against tuberculosis was carried out during 1995–2015. In 1994–1997, the largest number of affected locations was registered, from 90 to 144, respectively, and the largest number of animals with tuberculosis – 21 395–33 474. In 1994–1995, the largest number of sick animals per one affected point was registered (371.9 and 471.7 head, respectively). Currently, official statistics show that many farms, especially in Vinnytska, Cherkaska and Kyivska regions, continue to show positive allergic reactions to tuberculin (46 898 reactions for the last 12 years). Applying diagnostic methods of research in complex (bacteriological, bioassay, molecular), excludes affection of cattle by pathogenic mycobacteria. This study showed that for the last 5 years no farms with confirmed pathological diagnosis by bacteriological methods have been registered and no culture of the pathogen from animals has been detected. Besides the scurpulous work of the veterinary service, in our opinion, the catastrophic decline in the number of cattle in Ukraine also had a significant impact on improving the epizootic situation regarding tuberculosis.

Trueperella pyogenes Induced Cerebral Abscess in a West Highland White Terrier

Cerebral abscesses are occasionally seen in animals, however are rare in dogs. Among the pyogenic bacteria causing cerebral abscesses Trueperella pyogenes is relatively scarce. In this report, a case of T. pyogenes induced cerebral abscess in a West Highland White Terrier was presented with histopathological and bacteriological findings. Two foci of cerebral abscesses located at the level of the thalamus, and the frontal and temporal lobes were described on necropsy. Severe suppurative meningoencephalitis and ventriculitis were noted on microscopic view. T. pyogenes was isolated and identified in bacteriological investigation. This report states that T. pyogenes can be a causative agent of cerebral abscesses in dogs.

Bacteriological investigation of sheep and goats milk for brucellosis in government farms in Northern Nigeria

Bacteriological investigations of sheep and goats brucellosis were carried out in Northern Nigeria. Seven government or quasi-government farms were investigated. A total of 418 sheep and goats milk samples were examined culturally. Investigation revealed a 34.75 percent and 15.88 percent rate of infection in goats and sheep by milk ring test. Of 277 sheep and 141 goats milk samples examined culturally brucellae were isolated from four sheep and six goats giving a total of ten isolates. Biochemical and serological studies of the isolates revealed that they were Br. melitensis indicating Br. melitensis as probably the common cause of brucellosis in sleep and goals in the areas surveyed. The results show that there was greater chance of isolating Brucella from milk which were strongly positive than from those which were weakly positive. The economic importance and public health significance of brucellosis in sheep and goats are discussed.

Нelicobacter pylori as etiological factor of acute pancreatitis and marker of its purulent-septic complications development

Objective. Studying of role of Нelicobacter pylori as etiological factor of acute pancreatitis and marker of development of its purulent-septic complications. Маterials and methods. Screening investigation was performed in all 124 patients, suffering acute pancreatitis and admitted to hospital; then a screening investigation of Нelicobacter pylori in feces and the blood serological investigation was conducted. In 39 (31.5%) patients bacteriological investigation of biological material for revealing of Нelicobacter pylori was conducted. The patients were distributed into two groups: the main - 66 patients with severe and with a middle severity course of acute pancreatitis and a control one - 58 patients with light course of acute pancreatitis. Results. Positive results of fecal express-test were obtained in 105 (84.7%) patients. In accordance to the blood serological investigations results in 24 h from the admittance to hospital moment in a control group a positive result was obtained in 8 (13.8%) patients, and in the main - in 23 (34.8%); while in 7 days - in 9 (15.5%) and 42 (63.6%) patients, accordingly. Аntibiotics, which are applied for therapy in purulent-septic complications of acute pancreatitis, guarantee the efficacy of eradication of Нelicobacter pylori in 94.9% patients. Conclusion. The enhancement of quantity of the blood positive serological investigations by 28.8% (р < 0.001) in patients of the main group in 7 days from the admittance to the hospital date trusts, that Нelicobacter pylori constitutes not the only one etiological factor in acute pancreatitis, but a possible marker of development of its purulent-septic complications as well.

Eclampsia bacillus and its relation to the origin of eclampsia in women in labor

Having cited the scarce data available in the literature on this issue, the author proceeds to present the results of his pathological, anatomical and bacteriological investigation of one case of severe, fatal eclampsia.

Results of Epizootiological Survey along the Border Areas of Kharkhira-Turgensky Natural Plague Focus between Russia and Mongolia in 2019

Objective of the study was to assess the current epizootic settings along the border part of KharkhiraTurgensky natural plague focus betweenRussia andMongolia.Materials and methods. Epizootiological survey covered 2715.5 km2. 213 samples of field material were tested (90 specimens of mammals, 102 specimens of ectoparasites, 17 samples of leftover food of predatory birds and dry skeletal remnants of marmots, 4 regurgitates of birds of prey). Laboratory works were carried out in “Microbiological laboratory for express diagnostics” mounted on the platform of the minibus “GAZelle”. Tests of field material were performed using immune-chromatographic (IC) assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR and IC positive samples were further investigated applying bacteriological method. Epizootiological surveyed deployed GIS instruments. All the results obtained were plotted on the electronic maps using QGIS 2.18.26 software.Results and discussion. Capsular antigen (F1) of Yersinia pestis was detected in three (1.4 %) studied samples (n=213), DNA of plague microbe – in eight samples (3.7 %). Bacteriological investigation of positive samples revealed one sample (leftover food of predatory birds – Mongolian marmot) from which plague agent culture was isolated. The culture belonged to Y. pestis of the main subspecies. Geographical positioning of the epizootiological survey sites was conducted, as well as positive findings of immunological and molecular-genetic assays. Results of epizootiological survey are indicative of active phase of plague agent circulation (main subspecies) in Kharkhira-Turgensky natural focus in Mongolia.

FRI0433 HAS THE PROFILE OF INFECTIOUS SPONDYLODISCITIS CHANGED IN 20 YEARS?

Background:Infectious spondylodiscitis represents 2 to 4% of osteoarticular infections. Their incidence is constantly increasing. Early microbiological diagnosis and targeted multidisciplinary management are the main prognostic factors for infectious spondylodiscitis.Objectives:To compare the epidemiological, clinical, biological, radiological, bacteriological profile as well as the management and prognosis of spondylodiscitis over the last 20 years.Methods:Retrospective study including 113 patients hospitalized in our department between 1999 and 2018. The diagnosis was based on clinical, biological, radiological and bacteriological data. Spondylodiscitis were divided into two groups: spondylodiscitis occurring between 1998 and 2008 (1stdecade) and those between 2009 and 2018 (2nddecade).Results:Of the 113 identified patients, 54 (47.8%) occurred between 1998 and 2008, with male predominance in both groups (50.2 and 59.3% respectively; p=0.3). The average age was 55 years (p=0.7). Diabetes was more frequent in the 1stdecade but without a statistically significant difference (p=0.1). On the other hand, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products was more frequent during the 2nddecade (p<0.001) as well as the presence of intercurrent infection (p=0.01).The estimated delay between symptom onset and diagnosis was longer between 1998 and 2008 (5.6 months and 3.2 months respectively, p=0.005). The presence of neurological signs was more frequent between 2009 and 2018 (p=0.001), especially radiculalgia (p=0.02). The sedimentation rate was higher in the 1stdecade (93mm and 72mm respectively, p=0.002).We found no statistically significant difference in the location of spondylodiscitis (p=0.4) and the multifocal involvement (p=0.5).Radiographic signs were significantly more prevalent in the 1stdecade (p=0.002), in particular disc space narrowing (p=0.03) and irregularity of the intervertebral plates (p=0.01). Computed tomography was more often performed during the 1stdecade (p = 0.008), unlike magnetic resonance imaging, performed in 88.1% of cases during the 2nddecade (p <0.001). In contrast, the frequency of para-vertebral abscesses, epiduritis and spinal cord compressions were similar in the two groups (p = 0.6; p = 0.9 and p = 0.3, respectively).Tuberculosis was more frequent in the 1stdecade (p=0.009). Disco-vertebral biopsy was more often performed in the 1stdecade (p=0.04), but its efficiency was similar between the two groups (p=0.1). For pyogenic spondylodiscitis, blood cultures were more often positive in the 2nddecade but without a statistically significant difference (p=0.6). On the other hand, the anatomopathological aspect was more frequently suggestive of a pyogenic germ in the 2nddecade (p=0.04).A surgical procedure was more frequently performed between 2009 and 2018 but with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.2). All patients received antibiotic therapy. A change in treatment was made in 23.7% of cases between 2009 and 2018 (p = 0.01). The prognosis was better during the 1stdecade (p = 0.01). On the other hand, the occurrence of immediate complication during tuberculous spondylodiscitis was more frequent during the 2nddecade (p = 0.03), in particular the toxicity of anti-tuberculosis treatment (p = 0.04).Conclusion:In the last decade, the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis has been made earlier. However, these are more severe forms with an increased frequency of neurological complications, probably due to an increase in the proportion of virulent germs. Moreover, the effectiveness of the bacteriological investigation does not differ between the two periods studied.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Bacteriological investigation of pyometra of Black Bengal goats obtained at slaughter

Nine uteri of Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) affected with pyometra were collected from three slaughterhouses at Kishoreganj district of Bangladesh. Both horns of each uterus were washed with phosphate buffered saline for isolation and identification of bacteria and its load. The bacterial loads in the uterus were high, ranging between 1 × 107 and 2.8 × 107. Six different bacterial species were identified and confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). There were five Escherichia coli, six Streptococcus sp., five Staphylococcus sp, one Salmonella sp., one Pasteurella sp. and one Bacillus sp. All had mixed infections containing two or three types of bacterial pathogens. Further studies are needed for the virulence determination and antibiogram profiles. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 1-7