Microbiological Status of Venous Leg Ulcers and Its Predictors: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Venous leg ulcers are frequently colonized by microbes. This can be particularly devastating if the ulcer is infected with alert pathogens, i.e., highly virulent microorganisms with well-developed mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. We analyzed the microbiological status of venous leg ulcers and identified the clinicodemographic predictors of culture-positive ulcers, especially in ulcers with colonization by alert pathogens. Methods: This study included 754 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Material for microbiological analysis was collected by swabbing only from patients who did not receive any antibiotic treatment. Results: A total of 636 (84.3%) patients presented with culture-positive ulcers. Alert pathogens, primarily Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were detected in 28.6% of the positive cultures. In a logistic regression model, culture-positive ulcers were predicted independently by age > 65 years, current ulcer duration > 12 months, and ulceration area greater than 8.25 cm2. Two of these factors, duration of current ulcer > 12 months and ulceration area > 8.25 cm2, were also identified as the independent predictors of colonization by alert pathogens. Conclusions: Colonization/infection is particularly likely in older persons with chronic and/or large ulcers. Concomitant atherosclerosis was an independent predictor of culture-negative ulcers.

Efficacy of Norway Spruce Ointments and Bacterial and Fungal Alterations in the Treatment of Castration Wounds in Piglets

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Norway spruce ointments on wound healing of castration wounds in piglets. This study included 95 male pigs randomly divided into five treatment groups: Norway spruce balm (Vulpuran), Norway spruce resin (Abilar), pork lard (ointment base of Vulpuran), no treatment (negative control) and antibiotic blue spray (Cyclo spray, positive control). Wound healing parameters (such as healing time, wound size, reddening of wound edges and surrounding, swelling, secretion and wound contamination), microbiological status and the haptoglobin level as an inflammation parameter were investigated. In the Norway spruce groups, some positive effects on wound healing parameters were found. In the first 6 days of treatment, Abilar or Vulpuran showed the smallest means of wound areas, and at the end of the study (day 15 + 17), the highest rates of completely closed wounds compared to the other groups. Vulpuran treatment led to significantly lower wound secretion (p = 0.003) and wound contamination (p = 0.015) than the untreated control did. Furthermore, the microbiological status was determined using MALDI-TOF-MS and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing at different days of treatment. A comparison of the five treatment groups on day 3 revealed that Norway spruce led to the lowest rate of wounds colonised with fungi, mainly classified into genus Candida, (Abilar 77%, Vulpuran 70%) in comparison with blue spray (89%), lard (100%) and untreated control (100%). Fungi could only be detected in one of the 13 samples treated with Vulpuran on day 8, which nearly reached significance (p = 0.055).

Nutrition of the High-Yielding Dairy Cow

In addition to genetics, health status and housing management, the milk yield of the dairy cow is also significantly determined by the feeding regime. In addition to the energy and nutrient supply, the dry matter (DM) intake plays a decisive role. This is influenced by many factors, such as the palatability of the feed, the energy density, the quality of the roughage (silage quality, microbiological status, contamination with mycotoxins) or the ration design in total. Water supply of cows is often forgotten, although it has a significant influence on the feed intake and thus the performance of the cows. This article deals with those factors, gives the latest recommendations and points out possible sources of error against the background of feeding not only according to the species-specific requirements but also according to their energy and nutrient needs, as required by the Animal Welfare Act.

Antimicrobial activity of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oils against Listeria monocytogenes in fermented sausages

The aim of this study was to investigate antibacterial effects of oregano and thyme essential oils on Listeria monocytogenes in fermented sausages and their effect on the sensory characteristics of these sausages. For testing purposes, sausages contaminated with L. monocytogenes were produced. Changes in the microbiological status of fermented sausages and physicochemical properties were monitored during ripening. Essential oils exhibited antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes, and in the groups with a high concentration (0.6%) of oregano or thyme essential oils (KLO2 and KLT2), the number of L. monocytogenes was below the detection threshold on day 14 of ripening, with a stronger effect of oregano. In groups with 0.3% essential oil of oregano or thyme added, the number of L. monocytogenes was reduced to below the detection threshold on day 21 of ripening. During the ripening, the aw and pH of all test groups of fermented sausages decreased. Experimental sausages with 0.3% thyme essential oil had acceptable smell and taste, while in other experimental groups, sausage smell and taste were very intense, uncharacteristic and unacceptable.

Review of microbiological analysis of water in meat, milk and fish production in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia & Herzegovina) in the period 2018-2020

Water is essential for life, and a satisfactory supply must be available to all. Improving access to safe drinking water can result in tangible benefits to health. This study analysed samples of water from meat, milk and fish production from Republic of Srpska (Bosnia & Herzegovina) sampled in the period 2018-2020. A total of 390 samples were examined. The aim of the study was to determine the microbiological status of water used in meat, milk and fish production in the republic, in order to identify the risks to food safety. Microbiological testing used methods BAS EN ISO 6222, BAS EN ISO 7899-2 and BAS EN ISO 9308-1/A1. The microbiological status of water used in the production of meat, milk and fish in the Republic of Srpska in the period 2018-2020 has significantly improved compared to previous years. It is important that the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the water is at a low level. However, there are concerns that almost one-fifth of the water comes from wells, which are not under constant surveillance. This is especially important given the possibility of well water contamination and consequent food contamination.

Radiant catalytic ionization improves the microbiological status of rodent facilities without affecting the prooxidative status of mice

The main microbial contaminants of rooms in which laboratory rodents are housed are bacteria and fungi. Restriction of microbial growth to below threshold levels requires the application of various sophisticated antimicrobial techniques that must be effective and safe for the animals. Some of the most commonly used techniques, including chemical disinfection, ventilation, filtration, sterilization and radiation, are not always sufficiently effective. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a modern technique (i.e. radiant catalytic ionization (RCI)) on the microbiological status of an animal care facility, and the health of the mice housed therein. The experiment, conducted over seven days, compared an experimental room with an RCI system permanently turned on with a negative control room. At the completion of the experiment, the number of bacteria in the RCI room air and on its walls was lower than that in the control room ( p < 0.01 in both cases). Values of the basic prooxidative parameter, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration, in tissues of mice from the RCI room were within allowed boundaries. Hence, application of an RCI system proved to be an ideal technique to ensure high hygienic standards in animal rooms without any adverse effects on the animals housed therein.

Microbiological Status and Quality Traits of Ready-to-Eat Minimally Processed Vegetables Sold in Córdoba, Argentina

Background: The changes and the availability of processed foods have increased the demand for ready-to-eat foods, such as Minimally Processed Vegetables (MPVs). The purpose of this work was to evaluate the microbiological status and quality traits of the MPVs obtained from retail outlets of Córdoba, Argentina. Methods: Totally, 60 MPVs of 12 brands (30 single-ingredient salads and 30 mixed salad trays) were randomly sampled from different retail outlets of Córdoba, Argentina. The samples were analyzed according to international standards for Total Coliforms (TC), Fecal Coliforms (FC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Yeast and Molds (YM). The quality traits (respect to physical and sensory properties) of the MPVs were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed with InfoStat. Results: All 60 MPV samples were positive for TC, ranging from 1.32 to 3.38 log Most Probable Number (MPN)/g. FC counts ranged from 0.30 to 1.95 log MPN/g. Out of 60 samples, 15 (25%) were positive for E. coli. Three brands of mixed trays were positive for S. aureus. Regarding sensory characteristics, the parameters such as freshness, turgid, normal color, decay, and dehydration were compliance in 42 out of 60 (70%) samples. Conclusion: Some MPVs sampled from Córdoba, Argentina showed low microbiological quality and imperfect quality traits.

Physico-chemical properties and microbiological status of admixture and single-hive honey produced in Ghana

Honey is commonly used as a food sweetener in Ghana and it is one of the most important food products with enormous nutritive benefits. In recent times, the increasing concern about sugar related diseases such as diabetes has led to increased consumption of honey in Ghana. This study assessed the physico-chemical properties and microbiological quality of honey collected from supermarkets and apiaries across six major agro-ecological zones of Ghana. In all, 57 honey samples were analyzed for pH, colour, solid sugars and moisture contents, whereas 46 samples were assessed for their microbiological status. The results showed that honey produced in Ghana had significantly wider variations in pH, moisture (p=0.000), solid sugar (0.000) and RI (0.000) within and across the six agro-ecological zones. Similarly, wider variations of these indices occurred between honey harvested from single hives and the admixtures. The results also showed that most of the honey produced in Ghana are characteristically amber in colour, while fewer samples appear black. Honey from the Northern region had the widest variation in colour, ranging from light amber to black. Most of the honeys studied (66.7% of samples) contained solid sugar contents which is either below the CODEX Alimentarius recommendation of 80 %, while 33.3% of the samples contained levels within the recommended ranges. Moreover, the admixture had higher solid sugar contents than single hive honey. About 66% of the honey studied had moisture content above the 20% recommended by USDA and Codex Alimentarius. In addition, the single hive honeys had higher moisture contents than the admixture honeys. The results also revealed that admixtures possess higher RIs than single hive honey. The honey samples assessed in this study were contaminated with bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Providencia rettgeri, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis) and fungi genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Mucor. Further, 45% of the total samples were above the USDA acceptable limits of microorganisms considered safe for foods and honey. Moreover, significant levels of bacterial and fungal contamination of honey samples; significantly high means of bacterial counts were observed in honey from both admixture and apiaries than fungi. Interestingly, Clostridium botulinum was isolated from a few samples of honey. Only 7% of the total honey samples from Greater Accra, Western, Volta, Eastern and Northern regions contained Clostridium botulinum and this was the first time this organism is being reported in the country. However, contamination levels were below USDA acceptable limits of 1 x 104 CFU per gram for detected samples. Therefore, the honey studied can be considered safe for consumption. This notwithstanding, the study has demonstrated the need for monitoring the quality of honey produced in the country to ensure the safety of consumers.

Features of patients with tuberculosis from endangered contingents and high risk groups

Detection consists in the use of measures for the early identifi cation of suspects and requires radiological examination of the chest in patients from the high-risk groups, endangered contingents and groups designed by the pneumophthisiologists. The aim was to compare the particularities of patients from endangered contingents and high risk groups to optimize the early detection of tuberculosis. A retrospective, selective research was conducted on 166 patients distributed in the study group which included 48 cases from endangered contingents and the comparative group with 118 patients from high risk groups registered in Chisinau in 2018. Peculiarities of patients from endangered contingents was age younger 34 years, urban residence, completed level of the education, favorable socio-economic particularities, negative microbiological state and of those from high-risk groups: age older 45 years, social vulnerability, behaviors with risk, epidemiological factors, administrative barriers in accessing healthcare and positive microbiological status. Conclusion: despite the standard manmanagement, the patients from the endangered contingents have been successfully treated compared to the high risk groups, which demonstrates the need for a personalized approach to patients with aggravating characteristics.