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PubMed1975

Chromatographic methods for the analysis of hexachlorobenzene and possible metabolites in monkey fecal samples.

The separation and identification of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorobenzene (QCB), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) by thin layer, high-pressure liquid, and gas chromatography are reported. Satisfactory results were obtained with reverse phase thin layer and high-pressure liquid chromatography. The 2 gas chromatographic columns tested gave adequate separation of HCB and QCB. A PCP methylation process using dimethyl sulfate was attempted. Procedures are presented for extraction, cleanup, separation, and identification of HCB and possible metabolites from feces of a rhesus monkey treated with 14C-HCB. Recovery of radioactivity in excess of 96% was attained in extracts from feces by these methods. Preliminary evidence suggests the formation of PCP and possibly other polar metabolites from HCB in the rhesus monkey.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of 2 fast methods for the detection of rotaviruses in fecal samples].

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is one of the major causes of acute gastroenteritis in childhood. Several rapid methods for rotavirus detection are currently available, although their efficacy have a great variability. We performed a prospective study to evaluate two rapid tests for detection of rotavirus antigens in faeces. METHODS: Using electron microscopy as the reference method, we compared two techniques for diagnosis of rotavirus infection: a monoclonal ELISA (Rotaclone, Cambridge Bioscencer, Worcester) and a policlonal latex agglutination (Diarlex, Orion Diagnostics, Finland). We tested, in parallel, 192 stools samples received in our laboratory to investigate rotavirus. RESULTS: ELISA showed significantly better sensitivity than latex (100 vs 66.6%), while both methods had similar specificity (98.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Of the tested methods, ELISA was superior due to the high sensibility and specificity, good reproductibility and easy interpretation. It also permits the simultaneous performance of several tests.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed2004

Effect of food protein supplements on Salmonella enteritidis infection and prevention in laying hens.

Reduction of intestinal colonization of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) during the grow-out period is crucial to provide safer eggs, minimize economic losses, and reduce the spread of human salmonellosis. In the search for novel elimination and prevention methods based on feed supplementation, the effects of feed supplemented with nonimmunized egg yolk powder (did not contain anti-S. enteritidis antibodies), immunized egg yolk powder (with anti-S. enteritidis antibodies), egg yolk proteins, egg white, and skim milk powder were examined on laying hens. In the elimination study, the chickens were orally infected with SE then given a supplemented feed of 5, 10, or 15% (wt/wt) of each of the test samples. Fecal samples tested weekly showed an absence of SE after the first week of feeding nonimmunized egg yolk powder and a gradual decrease with the other samples. In the prevention study, Salmonella-free chickens were fed the supplemented feed for 4 wk and then infected orally. Fecal samples tested for 4 wk showed that SE was prevented from colonizing the intestinal tract throughout the test period by nonimmunized egg yolk powder, whereas the other samples only delayed the colonization. None of the fed supplements disrupted the balance of the intestinal microflora, and the counts in the feces remained constant. These results show that the administration of only 5.0% (wt/wt) of nonimmunized egg yolk powder can eliminate and prevent SE colonization in laying hens with no adverse effects. Furthermore, the present results indicate that hen egg yolk contains novel anti-adhesive or immunomodulatory components that may act to prevent SE infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

An epidemiological survey of Clostridium perfringens-associated enterotoxemia at an army veterinary treatment facility.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of Clostridium perfringens-associated vomiting and diarrhea in canine and feline patients at the Okinawa Branch Veterinary Service and to establish a relationship between dietary indiscretion and the presence of clostridial enterotoxemia. Stool samples were obtained from 38 control animals and 44 animals with vomiting and diarrhea during a 3-month period. For each sample, fecal cytology were examined for the presence of C. perfringens, white blood cells, and red blood cells. A survey was also completed by the animal's owner, which provided the researcher with information on the owner's pet feeding practices. After the data were analyzed, 27% of animals with vomiting and diarrhea were found to have C. perfringens upon examination of their fecal samples (p < 0.05), compared with 11% for control animals. Results of our survey revealed that when owners were questioned regarding their feeding practices, 45% of the animals with C. perfringens-positive fecal samples and with clinical signs of vomiting and/or diarrhea had an episode of dietary indiscretion soon before the illness (p < 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that C. perfringens is an important cause of vomiting and diarrhea in our patient population and that a causal relationship may exist between dietary indiscretion and C. perfringens-associated intestinal disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Development of methods for the recovery of Escherichia coil O157:H7 and Salmonella from beef carcass sponge samples and bovine fecal and hide samples.

Culture methods were developed for the concurrent recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from bovine carcass, hide, and fecal samples. Several enrichment conditions were tested for the overall growth of pure cultures; tryptic soy broth for 2 h at 25 degrees C and then for 6 h at 42 degrees C was the protocol selected for use. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) was incorporated for sensitivity and selectivity, along with a post-IMS enrichment for the recovery of Salmonella as recommended by the manufacturer. Selective agars for plating after IMS were chosen on the basis of ease of target colony identification. Sorbitol MacConkey agar supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite and Rainbow agar supplemented with novobiocin and potassium tellurite were chosen for the recovery of E. coli O157:H7. Brilliant green agar with sulfadiazine and Hektoen enteric agar supplemented with novobiocin were selected for the recovery of Salmonella. The resulting methods were evaluated along with standard or previously used methods for the recovery of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from bovine hide and fecal samples and carcass sponge samples. The Meats Research Unit (MRU) methods performed at least as well as the established methods, except that a secondary enrichment in tetrathionate (TT) broth prior to IMS was required for the optimal recovery of Salmonella from feces. Thus, the MRU and MRU-TT methods are effective in the recovery of both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from a single bovine carcass, hide, or fecal sample.

Agar↗
PubMed2004

The distribution of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in the environment surrounding Minnesota dairy farms.

The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Map) in the environment of infected and uninfected Minnesota dairy farms. Eighty herds known to be infected from Minnesota's Johne's Disease Control Program (JDCP) and 28 herds known to be uninfected from Minnesota Voluntary Johne's Disease Herd Status Program (VJDHSP) were sampled. Fecal samples from up to 100 cows in each herd were cultured in pools of 5 cows. Two environmental samples were obtained from each farm from various locations. All samples were tested using bacterial culture for Map. Eighty percent of the JDCP herds had at least one positive pool. Environmental samples were cultured positive in 78% of the JDCP herds. Two (7%) of the VJDHSP herds had one positive pool, and one herd had one positive environmental sample. Environmental samples were cultured positive in cow alleyways (77% of the herds), manure storage (68%), calving area (21%), sick cow pen (18%), water runoff (6%), and postweaned calves areas (3%). There was an association between maximum level of colonies per tube from cow alleyways and manure storage and fecal pool prevalence. Herds with both areas cultured negative were estimated to have 0.3 to 4% fecal pool prevalence. Herds with both areas having a heavy load of bacteria were estimated to have 53 to 73% fecal pool prevalence. The study results indicate that targeted sampling of cow alleyways and manure storage areas appears to be an alternative strategy for herd screening and Johne's infection status assessment and for estimating herd fecal prevalence.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Comparison of sampling techniques for measuring the antimicrobial susceptibility of enteric Escherichia coli recovered from feedlot cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of various sampling techniques for determining antimicrobial resistance patterns in Escherichia coli isolated from feces of feedlot cattle. SAMPLE POPULATION: Fecal samples obtained from 328 beef steers and 6 feedlot pens in which the cattle resided. PROCEDURE: Single fecal samples were collected from the rectum of each steer and from floors of pens in which the cattle resided. Fecal material from each single sample was combined into pools containing 5 and 10 samples. Five isolates of Escherichia coli from each single sample and each pooled sample were tested for susceptibility to 17 antimicrobials. RESULTS: Patterns of antimicrobial resistance for fecal samples obtained from the rectum of cattle did not differ from fecal samples obtained from pen floors. Resistance patterns from pooled samples differed from patterns observed for single fecal samples. Little pen-to-pen variation in resistance prevalence was observed. Clustering of resistance phenotypes within samples was detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Studies of antimicrobial resistance in feedlot cattle can rely on fecal samples obtained from pen floors, thus avoiding the cost and effort of obtaining fecal samples from the rectum of cattle. Pooled fecal samples yielded resistance patterns that were consistent with those of single fecal samples when the prevalence of resistance to an antimicrobial was > 2%. Pooling may be a practical altemative when investigating patterns of resistance that are not rare. Apparent clustering of resistance phenotypes within samples argues for examining fewer isolates per fecal sample and more fecal samples per pen.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Nonbreeding season pairing behavior and the annual cycle of testosterone in male and female downy woodpeckers, Picoides pubescens.

Studies in birds show that testosterone (T) concentrations vary over the annual cycle depending on mating system and life history traits. Socially monogamous species show pairing behavior throughout the year and low levels of male-male aggression and are underrepresented in these studies, yet the function of testosterone could be particularly important for sexual and social interactions occurring outside the breeding season. We measured fecal T concentrations over the annual cycle and the frequency of interactions between male and female downy woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens) from late fall through early spring. We validated the fecal assay by collecting blood in conjunction with a subsample of our fecal samples: fecal T correlated with circulating levels in the blood. The annual peak level of T in males was relatively low and short-lived, similar to that of other bird species with low levels of male-male aggression and high paternal care. The annual cycle of female T resembled the male pattern, and the ratio of male T to female T was close to 1.0. Likewise, the frequency of aggression among females was similar to the frequency among males. Overall, testosterone levels in both sexes were variable, even in winter. In other bird species, sexual behavior during nonbreeding periods correlates with circulating levels of T in males. Based on this observation, we tested the hypothesis that T in winter was positively related to the frequency of interaction between mated downy woodpeckers. The results showed no such relationship. We discuss this finding and further relate the annual cycle of T in both males and females to behaviors that appear to facilitate mate choice and retention of the pair bond during conspecific challenge.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Use of antibiotic susceptibility patterns and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to compare historic and contemporary isolates of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Newport.

Recently, multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Newport reemerged as a public and animal health problem. The antibiotic resistance of 198 isolates and the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns (PFGE) of 139 isolates were determined. Serovar Newport isolates collected between 1988 and 2001 were included in the study. One hundred seventy-eight isolates were collected from the San Joaquin valley in California and came from dairy cattle clinical samples, human clinical samples, bulk tank milk samples, fecal samples from preweaned calves, and waterways. Twenty clinical isolates from humans from various regions of the United States were also included in the study. Resistance to 18 antibiotics was determined using a disk diffusion assay. PFGE patterns were determined using a single enzyme (XbaI). The PFGE and antibiogram patterns were described using cluster analysis. Although the antibiotic resistance patterns of historic (1988 to 1995) and contemporary (1999 to 2001) isolates were similar, the contemporary isolates differed from the historic isolates by being resistant to cephalosporins and florfenicol and in their general sensitivity to kanamycin and neomycin. With few exceptions, the contemporary isolates clustered together and were clearly separated from the historic isolates. One PFGE-antibiogram cluster combination was predominant for the recent isolates, which were taken from human samples from all parts of the United States, as well as in the isolates from California, indicating a rapid dissemination of this phenotypic strain. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the reemergence of MDR serovar Newport is not simply an acquisition of further antibiotic resistance genes by the historic isolates but reflects a different genetic lineage.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intravenous iron administration to very-low-birth-weight newborns receiving total and partial parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous iron supplements are not routinely administered to very-low-birth-weight newborns receiving total parenteral nutrition because of the possible increased risk of infection and because iron needs may be met with blood transfusions. METHODS: To assess the benefits of a prudent IV iron supplement (200 to 250 micrograms/kg/d), 26 very-low-birth-weight newborns (birth weight, 1005 +/- 302 g; gestational age, 28 +/- 2.3 weeks; mean +/- SD) were randomly allocated to receive total parenteral nutrition without iron (No-Iron) or with iron supplied as iron dextran (Iron). These newborns were followed at baseline (2 to 3 days after birth) and at weeks 1 to 4 thereafter. At each sampling time, urine samples, fecal samples (rarely), unused total parenteral nutrition solutions, blood products, and a blood sample (1 mL) were collected. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in anthropometric measurements, hematologic or biochemical parameters, number or amount of blood transfusions (2.3 +/- 1.9), amount of blood removed for diagnostic purposes (44 +/- 16 mL), or number of septic events (n = 16). There was no difference between the groups for the total iron excreted; however, the Iron group retained more iron. Iron balance was negative for all but 10 newborns (No-Iron, 3; Iron, 7) throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: A total iron intake of 400 micrograms/kg/d, half of which was provided by IV iron, is not sufficient to maintain iron balance or to meet fetal accretion rates (1000 micrograms/kg/d) in very-low-birth-weight newborns receiving total parenteral nutrition. Furthermore, endogenous iron from blood transfusions does not provide an adequate supply of iron.

Anthropometry↗