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PubMed2003

Predominance of vanA genotype among vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus isolates from poultry and swine in Costa Rica.

The use of avoparcin as a growth promoter is considered to have selected for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). In Costa Rica, the use of avoparcin for poultry and swine was intensive until the product was withdrawn from the market in 2000. We evaluated the presence of VRE in poultry, swine, and cattle fecal samples obtained during 1998 and 1999. A total of 185 VRE isolates were recovered from 116 out of 893 samples. Enterococcus faecium was the most frequently isolated species (50.8%), being predominant among poultry (71.6%) and swine (37.7%) isolates, but it was not recovered from the bovine samples. The second-most-frequently-isolated species from poultry and swine, respectively, were E. durans (23.2%) and E. faecalis (21.7%). E. casseliflavus was the only species obtained from bovine samples, but it was not found among the avian isolates. An evident predominance of the vanA determinant among vancomycin-resistant enterococcal species from poultry and swine, but not from cattle, was observed and was similar to the situation in European countries before avoparcin was forbidden. The diversity of the vanA determinant in the isolates was assessed by detection of the IS1251 insertion in the vanSH intergenic region and of the IS1476 insertion in the vanXY intergenic region. However, in none of the 154 vanA+ isolates recovered in this study were those insertions detected.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Use of sentinel chickens to evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection procedures in noncommercial poultry operations infected with exotic Newcastle disease virus.

The use of sentinel chickens in establishing the negative status of commercial poultry flocks depopulated due to exotic Newcastle disease (END) is considered to be an economically beneficial process. However, the costs and benefits of using sentinel chickens in noncommercial operations are in question. The objective of this study was to use sentinel chickens to evaluate whether adequate cleaning and disinfection coupled with an appropriate time period without susceptible poultry species on the premises would eliminate END virus from a noncommercial poultry operation and preclude the need for placement of sentinels in previously infected operations before declaring them free of virus. Noncommercial poultry operations were selected from the 2002 to 2003 END outbreak database. Operations included in the study had one or more isolations of END virus (ENDV) from cloacal or oropharyngeal swabs of birds on the premises. A total of 546 birds were placed on 53 premises. All sentinel birds sampled after placements were negative by virus detection methods and serologic tests. Results of this study indicate that time and the application of appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures will adequately mitigate the risk of viable virus persisting in noncommercial poultry operations. In the future, this information may eliminate the need for sentinel bird placement to ensure virus free status of premises before repopulation, thereby decreasing the costs of END eradication.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Risk factors for antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter spp. isolated from raw poultry meat in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: The world-wide increase of foodborne infections with antibiotic resistant pathogens is of growing concern and is designated by the World Health Organization as an emerging public health problem. Thermophilic Campylobacter have been recognised as a major cause of foodborne bacterial gastrointestinal human infections in Switzerland and in many other countries throughout the world. Poultry meat is the most common source for foodborne cases caused by Campylobacter. Because all classes of antibiotics recommended for treatment of human campylobacteriosis are also used in veterinary medicine, in view of food safety, the resistance status of Campylobacter isolated from poultry meat is of special interest. METHODS: Raw poultry meat samples were collected throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein at retail level and examined for Campylobacter spp. One strain from each Campylobacter-positive sample was selected for susceptibility testing with the disc diffusion and the E-test method. Risk factors associated with resistance to the tested antibiotics were analysed by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 91 Campylobacter spp. strains were isolated from 415 raw poultry meat samples. Fifty-one strains (59%) were sensitive to all tested antibiotics. Nineteen strains (22%) were resistant to a single, nine strains to two antibiotics, and eight strains showed at least three antibiotic resistances. Resistance was observed most frequently to ciprofloxacin (28.7%), tetracycline (12.6%), sulphonamide (11.8%), and ampicillin (10.3%). One multiple resistant strain exhibited resistance to five antibiotics including ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and erythromycin. These are the most important antibiotics for treatment of human campylobacteriosis. A significant risk factor associated with multiple resistance in Campylobacter was foreign meat production compared to Swiss meat production (odds ratio = 5.7). CONCLUSION: Compared to the situation in other countries, the data of this study show a favourable resistance situation for Campylobacter strains isolated from raw poultry meat produced in Switzerland. Nevertheless, the prevalence of 19% ciprofloxacin resistant strains is of concern and has to be monitored. "Foreign production vs. Swiss production" was a significant risk factor for multiple resistance in the logistic regression model. Therefore, an adequate resistance-monitoring programme should include meat produced in Switzerland as well as imported meat samples.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Improved diagnostic and real-time pcr in rapid screening for Salmonella in the poultry food chain.

The goal of this study was to improve the diagnostic applicability of genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific PCR systems in screening faecal and caecal samples of poultry, poultry feed and poultrymeat for Salmonella, by keeping the opportunity to obtain Salmonella cultures from positive samples. Peptone broth pre-enrichment cultures of the samples were tested by PCR. In faecal and caecal samples from broiler chicks a strong inhibitory action was frequently observed. This could be reduced markedly by the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) acting as amplification facilitator. The results of testing pre-enrichment cultures from artificially contaminated faecal, poultry feed and poultrymeat samples (using S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium and S. Hadar as contaminants) suggest that the sensitivity of the above systems is 10(1)-10(2) CFU g(-1) sample. The testing of 95 caecal samples from slaughtered chicks resulted in 49% culture-positive and 76% PCR-positive samples. The suitability of a generic real-time PCR for testing faecal samples of poultry was also studied. Its detection limit for these samples was found to be lower than that of the diagnostic PCR system. Both methods reduced the time required for Salmonella detection to 24-30 h, and the advantage of the real-time PCR was its increased sensitivity. We have established a diagnostic and a real-time PCR system for rapid and reliable genus- and serovar- (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium) specific detection of Salmonella for monitoring purposes in the poultry food chain. Sensitivity is equal to, or higher than, that of the standard bacterial culture method, and the method still provides the Salmonella culture if needed.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci on poultry farms established after the ban of avoparcin.

Fecal samples from poultry on farms established after the ban of avoparcin (study farms) and from poultry on farms previously exposed to avoparcin (control farms) were examined for the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The samples were collected during the autumn and winter of 2001-2002. One isolate from each positive sample was selected, identified to species level, and examined for the presence of the vanA gene. The concentration of VRE and generic enterococci in the samples were also determined. In addition, the susceptibility to the ionophoric coccidiostat narasin was examined in a number of enterococcal isolates from poultry and in some enterococci of porcine origin that had not been exposed to narasin. VanA-type VRE was detected in samples from 64% of the study farms and 96% of the control farms. However, the concentration of VRE in the control samples was about six times larger than in the samples from the study farms. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for narasin differed between the poultry (1-4 mg/liter) and the porcine (0.25-0.5 mg/liter) isolates, indicating a decreased susceptibility towards narasin among enterococci from poultry.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1990

Fecal contamination of shanty town toddlers in households with non-corralled poultry, Lima, Peru.

We used direct observer techniques to measure the frequency with which toddler-aged children were contaminated by poultry feces in homes in a peri-urban shanty town in Lima, Peru. The mean number of fowl was 5.4 (SD 3.1), with 10.0 (SD 10.7) poultry defecations per 12 hours. Toddlers' hand contact with poultry feces occurred a mean of 2.9 (SD 3.0) times/12 hours. A mean of 3.9 (SD 4.6) feces-to-mouth episodes per household/12 hours occurred both by direct hand-to-mouth contamination and indirectly by handling soiled objects which were then placed in the mouth. There was a strong correlation between feces-to-hand contamination and feces-to-mouth contamination (r = 0.94). There was also an association between feces-to-mouth contamination and the number of stools deposited in the house (r = 0.66). For each additional chicken stool deposited during the day, there was an average increase of 0.27 in feces-to-mouth episodes. We collected feces from 68 infected chickens and found viable Campylobacter jejuni for up to 48 hours after deposition. Yet, a survey of 108 families demonstrated that free-roaming poultry were often not thought of as a health risk for children. An intervention program to reduce oral-fecal contamination should emphasize that all poultry be corralled and not allowed access into the house.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nitrogen and phosphorus availability in composted and uncomposted poultry litter.

Poultry litter applications to land have been based on crop N requirements, resulting in application of P in excess of plant requirements, which may cause degradation of water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The effect of litter source (the Delmarva Peninsula and Moorefield, West Virginia) and composting of poultry litter on N mineralization and availability of P in two soil types (sandy loam and silt loam) was determined in a controlled environment for 120 d. Nitrogen mineralization (percent total organic N converted to inorganic nitrogen) rates were higher for fresh litter (range of 42 to 64%) than composted litter (range of 1 to 9%). The N mineralization rate of fresh litter from the Delmarva Peninsula was consistently lower than the fresh litter from Moorefield, WV. The N mineralization rate of composted litter from either source was not significantly different for each soil type (7 to 9% in sandy loam and 1 to 5% in silt loam) even though composting conditions were completely different at the two composting facilities. Litter source had a large effect on N mineralization rates of fresh but not composted poultry litter. Composting yielded a more predictable and reliable source of mineralizable N than fresh litter. Water-extractable phosphorus (WEP) was similar in soils amended with composted litter from WV and fresh litter from both sources (approximately 10 to 25 and 2 to 14 mg P kg(-1) for sandy loam and silt loam, respectively). Mehlich 1-extractable phosphorus (MEP) was similar in soils amended with WV fresh litter and composted litter from both sources (approximately 100 to 140 and 60 to 90 mg P kg(-1) for sandy loam and silt loam, respectively). These results suggest that the composting process did not consistently reduce WEP and MEP, and P can be as available in composted poultry litter as in fresh poultry litter.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Poultry litter application to loblolly pine forests: growth and nutrient containment.

Forestland application of poultry manure offers an alternative to the conventional practice of pastureland application. Before such a practice is considered viable, however, it must be demonstrated that the forest ecosystem is capable of absorbing the nutrients contained in poultry manure, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). From the forestry perspective, it must also be demonstrated that tree growth is not diminished. We investigated these questions using loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands growing in central Mississippi in an area of high poultry production. Stockpiled broiler litter was applied to newly thinned, 8-yr-old stands at 0, 4.6, and 18.6 dry Mg ha-1, supplying 0, 200, and 800 kg N ha-1 and 0, 92, and 370 kg P ha-1, respectively. Levels of nitrate in soil water, monitored at a 50-cm depth with porous cup tension lysimeters, exceeded 10 mg N L-1 during the first two years after application in the 18.6 Mg ha-1 rate but only on two occasions in the first year for the lower rate of application. Phosphate was largely absent from lysimeter water in all treatments. Other macronutrients (K, Ca, Mg, S) were elevated in lysimeter water in proportion to litter application rates. Soil extractable nitrate showed similar trends to lysimeter water, with substantial elevation during the first year following application for the 18.6 Mg ha-1 rate. Mehlich III-extractable phosphate peaked in excess of 100 microg P g-1 soil during the third year of the study for the 18.6 Mg ha-1 rate. The 4.6 Mg ha-1 rate did not affect extractable soil P. Tree growth was increased by the poultry litter. Total stem cross-sectional area, or basal area, was approximately 20% greater after 2 yr for both rates of litter application. Overall, the nutrients supplied by the 4.6 Mg ha-1 rate were contained by the pine forest and resulted in favorable increases in tree growth. The higher rate, by contrast, did pose some risk to water quality through the mobilization of nitrate. These results show that, under the conditions of this study, application of poultry litter at moderate rates of approximately 5 Mg ha-1 to young stands of loblolly pine offers an alternative disposal option with minimal impacts to water quality and potential increases in tree growth.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in ready-to-eat foods and raw poultry in Northern Ireland.

Although there have been numerous studies investigating the prevalence of campylobacters in animals and raw meats, there are limited data on the persistence of these organisms in ready-to-eat (RTE) foodstuffs. Although poultry is now well established as a major reservoir of thermophilic campylobacters, it is widely assumed that hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) controls in commercial and industrial settings are effective in eliminating this hazard through thorough cooking of RTE products. Therefore, it was the primary aim of this study to investigate the effectiveness of HACCP controls in eliminating campylobacters in such cooked RTE foods by attempting to isolate viable organisms from product. Concurrently, the results of this study demonstrate that local poultry is highly contaminated with campylobacters. Commercially available RTE foodstuffs (n = 2,030) consisting of 1,061 poultry-related cooked products and 969 other products were analyzed and were not found to contain thermophilic Campylobacter spp. In addition, 107 raw chickens (63 fresh birds and 44 frozen birds) were sampled, and 94% of the fresh birds and 77% of the frozen birds examined were demonstrated to be contaminated with campylobacters, with Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari accounting for 69, 30, and 1% of the contaminating organisms, respectively. In general, commercially available RTE foodstuffs, including cooked poultry, are not commonly contaminated with campylobacters and thus do not appear to represent a significant cause of clinical infection of Campylobacter spp. in Northern Ireland. However, raw poultry produce, including fresh and frozen chicken, frequently tested positive for campylobacters. Implementation of HACCP systems by food processors will help to minimize and/or eliminate the risk posed by this organism to the consumer.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Serial disinfection with heat and chlorine to reduce microorganism populations on poultry transport containers.

A prototype system for the cleaning and decontamination of poultry transport containers was previously developed and evaluated as a means of eliminating foodborne pathogens entering poultry processing plants. While decontamination of the containers once with the use of either hot water (up to 70 degrees C) or sodium hypochlorite (up to 1,000 ppm) resulted in significant reductions in the numbers of coliforms and the elimination of small numbers of Salmonella, complete removal of pathogens was not attained. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine whether repeated decontamination of the same containers could eliminate coliforms and Salmonella consistently. Individual five-tier containers consisting of galvanized steel frames and fiberglass floors were identified (n = 6) and decontaminated once per day for five consecutive days after being used to haul broilers from farms to the processing plant. Two types of containers were tested in this study: one had previously been used for broiler transportation, and the other had new floors. After each transport, the containers were first precleaned with a cleaning agent using a high-pressure jet (6,094 kPa) to remove debris and to loosen biofilms from surfaces. The containers were then immersed in an aqueous solution of 1,000 ppm of sodium hypochlorite at 70 degrees C for 2 min. Samples obtained from the container surfaces before and after each cleaning and decontamination were analyzed to obtain coliform and Salmonella counts. Coliforms were completely eliminated from both types of containers following one decontamination treatment. Because no Salmonella were detected on the containers, the effect of decontamination in the elimination of Salmonella was not determined. Similar treatments on five successive days also resulted in poultry transport containers that were essentially free of Salmonella and coliforms. This decontamination system involving a combination of heat and sodium hypochlorite can be used as a standard method for cleaning poultry transport containers in the poultry industry. It is recommended that such containers be cleaned after each use to avoid the potential risk of a buildup of significantly higher loads of pathogenic microorganisms and their biofilms.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Evidence of organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in Slovenian poultry tissues from 1997 to 1999.

The contamination of poultry tissues by total organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Slovenia was examined from a public health perspective. As part of systematic veterinary and sanitary monitoring of foods of animal origin from 1997 to 1999, 87 samples of fat tissue were examined for the presence of alpha-HCH, lindane, heptachlor, and total DDT (plus DDE and DDD) and 88 samples of fat tissue were examined for the presence of total PCBs (sum of PCB congeners). The levels of poultry tissue contamination in six regions of Slovenia were determined. Levels of OC pesticides were below detection limits in 86.2% of analyses performed. Total PCB levels for most samples (59.1%) of poultry fat tissue were in the 0.002- to 0.02-mg/kg range. The level of contamination with OC pesticides and total PCBs in poultry fat tissue was not influenced by the type of poultry and was the highest in samples from industrial areas, which have been ecologically disturbed. All samples met Slovenian and European Union tolerances.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2001

[Bioavailable fluoride in poultry deboned meat and meat products].

UNLABELLED: Deboned poultry meat (MDOM) consists of meat and fat and may also contain pieces of bones. This type of meat is a raw material used for production of different kinds of sausages. The aim of our investigation was to determine whether MDOM could be the significant source of bioavailable fluorine. Sample of MDOM and poultry meat products were digested in 37 degrees C water bath shaker with pepsin and 0.1 M HCl and then neutralized by adding carbonate and digested with pancreatine. Measurement was performed by ionoselective fluoride electrode. Fluorine determined in prepared samples is potentially ready to be absorbed by organism. Nine kinds of MDOM and eight poultry meat products were investigated. Content of fluorine in MDOM ranged 0.3-2.7 mg/kg of fresh weight but in one sample of turkey meat--7.4 mg/kg, while determined content of fluorine in poultry meat was low--not exceeded 0.2 mg/kg. Sausages prepared from homogenated meat contained fluorine from 0.5 to 0.7 mg/kg. In products prepared from big pieces of meat the content of fluorine was lower. CONCLUSIONS: MDOM is characterized by higher level of bioavailable fluorine than muscle tissue. MDOM in poultry meat products may be a source of higher fluoride content.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[A serological investigation of Legionella infection in eight-species of poultry and domestic animals in Sichuan province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence rates of Legionella infection in poultries and domestic animals in Sichuan province. METHODS: Serological investigation of antibodies against Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 - 14 and Legionella micdadei was carried out, using microagglutination test (MAT) in eight species of poultries and domestic animals. RESULTS: Infections with multiple serogroups were identified. However, each species had its own major serogroup with positive rates of different serogroups ranging from 0.83% to 59.18%. Positive rates of the poultry and domestic animals were accounted for 7.73% and 4.25% respectively. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that poultries and domestic animals were widely infected with Legionella. It is important to carry out epidemiological surveillance in these domestic animals, poultries and environment for a better control program of this disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Health and welfare in organic poultry production.

This review paper deals with the major health and welfare aspects of organic poultry production. The differences between organic and conventional egg and poultry meat production are discussed, with the main emphasis on housing and management requirements, feed composition and the use of veterinary prophylactic and therapeutic drugs. The effects of the legislation and statutes for organic farming on the health and welfare of the birds are also discussed, especially in relation to the biosecurity problems associated with free-range systems, the occurrence of behavioural disturbances in loose housed flocks and the use of veterinary drugs and vaccinations in general. The results from a questionnaire sent out to all Swedish organic egg producers, where questions about the farmer's perception of the birds' health status were included, are presented at the end of the paper. It is concluded that most of the health and welfare problems seen in conventional poultry systems for loose housed or free ranging birds can also been found on organic poultry farms. It is also concluded that there is a need for information about biosecurity, disease detection and disease prevention on organic poultry farms.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1992

[An evaluation of the scope of the circulation of Salmonella among the workers of commercial poultry- and meat-packing enterprises based on serological study data in the PHA test].

Serum samples from 641 workers of large poultry and meat-packing plants were studied in the passive hemagglutination test with the use of Salmonella complex and serogroup diagnostica. A specific increase in the level of anti-Salmonella antibodies in 60.7% of poultry plant workers and in 9.8% of meat-packing plant workers was established. Among the workers of the poultry plants the most pronounced immune shifts were detected in persons having contacts with sick poultry and pathological material and among the employees of the meat-packing plant, in those who ate raw sausage meat. A high level of antibodies in the professional groups under study was observed as early as in the first year of work at the plant and persisted over the whole period of this work. Under the conditions of constant contamination of the workers of poultry and meat-packing plants with small doses of salmonellae specific immunity to this infection was seemingly induced, which inhibited the development of the manifest forms of infection, but did not prevent the formation of chronic carrier state.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Conventional and alternative housing systems for poultry--point of view of infectious disease medicine].

The use of conventional battery cages for hens will be prohibited in Germany in 2007. Only few studies, however, have considered the differences between battery cages and alternative systems with regard to infectious diseases. The existing gaps in the current knowledge need to be closed by research and measures must be developed that will prevent the spread of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections in alternative poultry housing systems. With regard to virus infections, avian influenza requires particular attention. Since wild birds, particularly anseriformes, represent a reservoir for avian influenza viruses, free-ranging poultry is much more at risk of infection than birds in closed hen-houses. Appropriate measures must prevent direct contact with wild birds and transmission via contaminated water, feed, or equipment. Several bacterial infections of poultry represent zoonoses. Salmonella and Campylobacter are considered as particularly important. To avoid a potential increase in the risk of infection for consumers due to poultry keeping systems that might favour infections with bacterial zoonotic agents, there is a special need for research in this area. With regard to parasitic infections, coccidioses may cause problems in alternative poultry housing systems, and lead to considerable economic consequences. The epidemiological situation concerning infections with Histomonas meleagridis needs to be analysed. Since all compounds that had been used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes in the past have been banned, there is a need to develop new drugs which are safe for animals and humans.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1985

Trace element levels in liver and kidney from cattle, swine and poultry slaughtered in Canada.

Levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, mercury and lead were determined in approximately 650 samples of liver and kidney from cattle, swine and poultry slaughtered in Canada during 1979-81. In addition zinc levels were determined in livers and kidneys from swine, and selenium and zinc levels were determined in the livers and kidneys from cattle. Depending on the element several methods of atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to analyze samples including flame, hydride generation, cold vapour generation and graphite furnace atomization. Analyses were also done by plasma emission spectroscopy. Levels of arsenic over 2.0 micrograms/g were detected in 0.9% of swine livers and 0.3% of swine kidneys. Cadmium levels higher than 1.0 micrograms/g were detected in 0.3% of cattle livers, 10.8% of cattle kidneys, 1.8% of swine kidneys, 0.4% of poultry livers and 0.3% of poultry kidneys. Levels of copper over 150 micrograms/g were detected in 0.4% of cattle and swine livers. Levels of lead over 2.0 micrograms/g were detected in 1.4% of poultry livers and 1.6% of poultry kidneys. The highest level of mercury detected in all species was 0.25 micrograms/g and the highest level of selenium was 1.9 micrograms/g. Zinc levels of over 100 micrograms/g were detected in 1.7% of cattle livers, 0.2% of cattle kidneys and 5.0% of swine livers.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

Antibiotic residues in poultry tissues and eggs: human health concerns?

Antibiotics are used by the poultry industry to enhance the health and productivity of flocks. The use of antimicrobials is strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the USDA to warrant their safety and efficacy. Prior to regulatory approval, the pharmacokinetics and tissue tolerances of an antimicrobial are determined to set the proper dosage. To ensure proper use, both the FDA and USDA have research, surveillance, and compliance programs to develop detection methods and monitor poultry tissues for antimicrobials. Unfortunately, there is the perception among many consumers that our food supply contains high concentrations of drug or hormone residues causing significant health concerns or problems. In fact, foods produced in this country (including poultry) are very safe and meet the highest standards to exclude chemical contaminants. An overview will be presented on the federal oversight and monitoring of antimicrobial residues in poultry tissues.

Animals↗