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PubMed1985

The absorption, metabolism and excretion of dimethyl sulfoxide by rhesus monkeys.

The absorption and excretion of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were studied in Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) given daily oral doses of 3 gms DMSO/kg B.W. for 14 days. DMSO and its major metabolite, dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2), were measured in serum, urine and feces by gas-liquid chromatography. DMSO was absorbed rapidly, reached a steady state blood level after 1 day and then was cleared from blood within 72 hrs after ending treatment. Serum DMSO declined in a linear fashion on semilogarithmic coordinates as described by second order kinetics. It had a half-life of 16 hrs. DMSO2 appeared in blood within 2 hrs and reached a steady state concentration after 4 days of treatment. DMSO2 was cleared from blood about 120 hrs after DMSO administration was stopped. Its half-life in blood was calculated to be 38 hrs. Urinary excretion of unmetabolized DMSO and DMSO2 accounted for about 60% and 16%, respectively, of the total ingested dose. Neither DMSO nor DMSO2 was detected in fecal samples. However, when added to fecal samples, DMSO was degraded rapidly. Although dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was not measured, some DMSO was metabolized to this compound because of the particular sweetness of breath of the monkeys. We conclude that the absorption of DMSO by monkeys is similar to that for humans, but that its conversion to DMSO2 and urinary elimination are more rapid in monkeys.

Absorption↗
PubMed2004

Coronavirus infection of spotted hyenas in the Serengeti ecosystem.

Sera from 38 free-ranging spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania, were screened for exposure to coronavirus of antigenic group 1. An immunofluorescence assay indicated high levels of exposure to coronavirus among Serengeti hyenas: 95% when considering sera with titer levels of > or = 1:10 and 74% when considering sera with titer levels of > or = 1:40. Cubs had generally lower mean titer levels than adults. Exposure among Serengeti hyenas to coronavirus was also confirmed by a serum neutralisation assay and an ELISA. Application of RT-PCR to 27 fecal samples revealed viral RNA in three samples (11%). All three positive fecal samples were from the 15 juvenile animals (<24 months of age) sampled, and none from the 12 adults sampled. No viral RNA was detected in tissue samples (lymph node, intestine, lung) from 11 individuals. Sequencing of two amplified products from the S protein gene of a positive sample revealed the presence of coronavirus specific RNA with a sequence homology to canine coronavirus of 76 and 78% and to feline coronavirus type II of 80 and 84%, respectively. Estimation of the phylogenetic relationship among coronavirus isolates indicated considerable divergence of the hyena variant from those in European, American and Japanese domestic cats and dogs. From long-term observations of several hundred known individuals, the only clinical sign in hyenas consistent with those described for coronavirus infections in dogs and cats was diarrhea. There was no evidence that coronavirus infection in hyenas caused clinical signs similar to feline infectious peritonitis in domestic cats or was a direct cause of mortality in hyenas. To our knowledge, this is the first report of coronavirus infection in Hyaenidae.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli isolates obtained from healthy children in Spain.

Antibiotic resistance and mechanisms involved were studied in Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples of healthy children. Fifty fecal samples were analyzed, and one colony per sample was recovered and identified by biochemical and molecular tests. Forty-one E. coli isolates were obtained (82%). MIC testing was performed by agar dilution with 18 antibiotics, and the mechanisms of resistance were analyzed. Ampicillin resistance was detected in 24 isolates (58.5%), and blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaOXA type genes were studied by PCR and sequencing. The following beta-lactamases were detected (number of isolates): TEM (20), SHV-1 (1), and OXA-30 (1). The number of aminoglycoside-resistant isolates detected was as follows: streptomycin (15), tobramycin (1), gentamicin (1), and kanamycin (4). The aac(3)-IV gene was detected in the only gentamicin-resistant isolate. Nine (22%) and 2 (5%) isolates showed nalidixic acid (NALR) and ciprofloxacin resistance (CIPR), respectively. Mutations in GyrA and ParC proteins were shown in both NAL(R)-CIP(R) isolates and were the following: (1) GyrA (S83L + D87N), ParC (S801); and (2) GyrA (S83L + A84P), ParC (S80I + A108V). A single mutation in the S83 codon of the gyrA gene was found in the remaining seven NAL(R)-CIP(S) isolates. Tetracycline resistance was identified in 21 isolates (51%) and the following resistance genes were found (number of isolates): tetA (12), tetB (5), and tetD (1). Chloramphenicol resistance was detected in five isolates (12%). These results show that the intestinal tract of healthy children constitutes a reservoir of resistant bacteria and resistance genes.

4-Quinolones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Purification and breaking techniques for cysts of Giardia spp].

The purpose of this study was to optimize and evaluate the purification techniques, isolation and breaking of cysts of Giardia spp from fecal samples to isolate DNA. Filtrated fecal samples were tested in 3 purification techniques: Telleman solution, sucrose and Telleman plus sucrose. The sucrose solution let us to isolate the cysts with less detritus. The cleaned cysts were splited in 3 techniques to test the breaking: osmotic shock and heat, chemistry degradation and thermic shock, enzymatic action and mechanic effect. Only the last method was successful and showed bands in agarose gel. The result of this study shows a routine and common method which could be used in the previous steps to the PCR technique for the genotypification of these parasites.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin in feces and intestines of calves with diarrhea.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate detection of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) in the feces of calves as a method for implicating E coli in neonatal calf diarrhea. The first experiment evaluated the use of the infant mouse test for detection of ST in the feces of calves with naturally occurring diarrhea. Simultaneous identification of bovine enteropathogenic strains of E coli (EEC) and of other infective agents implicated in neonatal calf diarrhea was attempted in these samples. The ST was detected with certainty in only 7 of 41 samples from calves less than or equal to 3 weeks old. Enteropathogenic E coli, however, was detected in 27 samples. In 23 of these 27 samples, EEC was the only recognizable diarrheagenic agent. In a small percentage of the samples, Salmonella, rotavirus, coronavirus, and cryptosporidium were recognized alone, in combination with each other, or with EEC. In the second experiment, 6 calves were fed colostrum from cows inoculated with the bovine EEC strain B44; 6 were given colostrum from cows vaccinated with non-EEC strain 28F, and 4 were given milk from nonvaccinated heifers. Two of the calves that were given colostrum from cows inoculated with strain B44 were challenge exposed with the non-EEC strain 28F. The remaining calves were challenge exposed with the EEc strain B44. Fecal samples were taken from these calves at intervals and were examined for the presence of ST and of the challenge-exposure organism. The ST was detected in approximately one half of the fecal samples obtained, and it was most often detected in the early stages of the induced diarrhea. Calves were observed to shed the challenge-exposure EEC strain for long periods in the absence of diarrhea or detectable amounts of ST in the feces. The ST was detectable in fecal samples when the diarrhea was severe and when the dry matter content of the fecal samples was low.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in Dutch veal calves and beef cattle].

In 1994 (August-September) and in 1995 (July-October) faeces of Dutch veal calves and adult cattle was examined for the presence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (O157 VTEC). The samples were collected at slaughterhouses. In 1994, O157 VTEC were isolated from three (0.9%) of 365 fecal samples of veal calves. Faeces of adult cattle was not collected. In 1995, O157 VTEC were isolated from one (0.5%) of 18.3 fecal samples of veal calves and from 30 (11.1%) of 270 fecal samples of adult cattle. In 1994, the organisms were isolated by selective plating onto both sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMAC) and SMAC containing tellurite and cefixime (TC-SMAC) following selective enrichment in modified trypton soya broth with acriflavin (mTSB + a). In 1995, the samples were enriched in modified E. coli broth with novobiocin (mEC + n), and in addition to directly plating onto TC-SMAC the enriched cultures were plated after incorporation of an immunomagnetic separation step of E. coli O157. All 30 strains isolated from adult cattle were isolated with the immunomagnetic separation procedure. Four of the 30 samples were determined positive also by directly plating onto TC-SMAC. The sample from the veal calve was determined positive only by directly plating onto TC-SMAC. Plating onto SMAC resulted only in negative results. Characterization of the O157 VTEC isolates showed similarities between isolates of humans and cattle. Additional experiments need to be done concerning this aspect. From this study it appeared that also Dutch cattle are a reservoir of O157 VTEC.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Yeasts in the gastrointestinal tract of preweaned calves and possible involvement of Candida glabrata in neonatal calf diarrhea.

To examine the possibility of a mycotic involvement in neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) the presence of fungi was assessed in (a) the intestinal contents of dead calves and fecal samples submitted for routine laboratory examination, (b) fecal specimens, sampled once in winter and once in summer, of calves raised on 2 farms with different management systems, and (c) mucosal scrapings of various segments of the digestive tract of a diarrheic calf, massively shedding Candida glabrata. C. glabrata was the most prevalent fungal species isolated from the routine samples. It was the only fungus which was shed by the calves on the 2 farms, for continuous, more or less prolonged periods, but exclusively in the winter months. Diarrhea and C. glabrata shedding seemed to be associated. C. glabrata colonized the abomasum (the functional equivalent of the monogastric stomach) but not the other segments of the digestive tract of the euthanized calf. Based on the findings of this study it seems that while some yeast species may be considered as commensals of the digestive tract of calves, and consequently their isolation from intestinal contents or fecal samples has no clinical significance, others, such as C. glabrata may be involved in enteric pathogenic processes. Moreover, characteristics of the culture, previous chemotherapeutic treatments, the animal's age and possibly climatic conditions should be taken into account before deciding on the fungal isolate's clinical relevance. Determination of mycotic involvement in NCD by routine mycological examination of intestinal contents and fecal samples of diarrheic calves may be useful to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful antibacterial therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Microbial source tracking by DNA sequence analysis of the Escherichia coli malate dehydrogenase gene.

Criteria for sub-typing of microbial organisms by DNA sequencing proposed by Olive and Bean were applied to several genes in Escherichia coli to identify targets for the development of microbial source tracking assays. Based on the aforementioned criteria, the icd (isocitrate dehydrogenase), and putP (proline permease) genes were excluded as potential targets due to their high rates of horizontal gene transfer; the rrs (16S rRNA) gene was excluded as a target due to the presence of multiple gene copies, with different sequences in a single genome. Based on the above criteria, the mdh (malate dehydrogenase) gene was selected as a target for development of a microbial source tracking assay. The mdh assay was optimized to analyze a 150 bp fragment corresponding to residues G191 to R240 (helices H10 and H11) of the Mdh catalytic domain. 295 fecal isolates (52 horse, 50 deer, 72 dog, 52 seagull and 69 human isolates) were sequenced and analyzed. Target DNA sequences for isolates from horse, dog plus deer, and seagull formed identifiable groupings. Sequences from human isolates, aside from a low level (ca. 15%) human specific sequence, did not group; nevertheless, other hosts could be distinguished from human. Positive and negative predictive values for two- and three-way host comparisons ranged from 60% to 90% depending on the focus host. False positive rates were below 10%. Multiple E. coli isolates from individual fecal samples exhibited high levels of sequence homogeneity, i.e. typically only one to two mdh sequences were observed per up to five E. coli isolates from a single fecal sample. Among all isolates sequenced from fecal samples from each host, sequence homogeneity decreased in the following order: horse>dog>deer>human and gull. For in-library isolates, blind analysis of fecal isolates (n=12) from four hosts known to contain host specific target sequences was 100% accurate and 100% reproducible for both DNA sequence and host identification. For blind analysis of non-library isolates, 18/19 isolates (94.7%) matched one or more library sequences for the corresponding host. Ten of eleven geographical outlier fecal isolates from Florida had mdh sequences that were identical to in-library sequences for the corresponding host from California. The mdh assay was successfully applied to environmental isolates from an underground telephone vault in California, with 4 of 5 isolates matching sequences in the mdh library. 146 sequences of the 645bp mdh fragment from five host sources were translated into protein sequence and aligned. Seven unique Mdh protein sequences, which contained eight polymorphic sites, were identified. Six of the polymorphic sites were in the NAD+ binding domain and two were in the catalytic domain. All of the polymorphic sites were located in surface exposed regions of the protein. None of the non-silent mutations of the Mdh protein were in the 150bp mdh target. The advantages and disadvantages of the assay compared to established source tracking methods are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms among captive green iguanas and potential public health implications.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms among captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana). DESIGN: Cohort study. ANIMALS: 12 captive green iguanas. PROCEDURE: Iguanas were isolated in an environmental chamber, and fecal samples were collected weekly for 10 consecutive weeks. Samples were incubated aerobically in tetrathionate broth for 18 to 24 hours. Aliquots were then transferred to Hektoen and Salmonella-Shigella agar plates and incubated for an additional 18 to 24 hours. Isolated colonies were subcultured on nutrient agar slants, and Salmonella isolates were serogrouped and serotyped. RESULTS: All 12 iguanas were found to be shedding Salmonella organisms at least once during the study, and multiple serotypes were isolated from 7 of the 12. Salmonella organisms were isolated from 88 of 106 (83%) fecal samples; 21 samples contained multiple Salmonella serotypes. Overall, 11 Salmonella serotypes were identified. In 74 of 100 instances, when a particular Salmonella serotype was isolated from an individual iguana, the same serotype was also isolated from a subsequent fecal sample from that iguana. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Results suggested that most iguanas have a stable mixture of Salmonella serotypes in their intestinal tracts and intermittently or continuously shed Salmonella organisms in their feces. Veterinarians should advise their clients on precautions for reducing the risk of acquiring these organisms from their pets. Public health officials trying to determine whether an iguana is the source of a specific Salmonella serotype that caused infection in human patients should submit at least 3 fecal samples collected from the iguana 1 week apart for bacterial culture.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Specificity of a Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron marker for human feces.

A bacterial primer set, known to produce a 542-bp amplicon specific for Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, generated this product in PCR with 1 ng of extracted DNA from 92% of 25 human fecal samples, 100% of 20 sewage samples, and 16% of 31 dog fecal samples. The marker was not detected in 1 ng of fecal DNA from 61 cows, 35 horses, 44 pigs, 24 chickens, 29 turkeys, and 17 geese.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Disposition and metabolism of rifapentine, a rifamycin antibiotic, in mice, rats, and monkeys.

Rifapentine is a cyclopentyl derivative of rifampin under development for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex infections. These studies were designed to investigate the disposition and biotransformation of single iv and oral doses of 14C-rifapentine in mice, bile duct-cannulated and uncannulated rats, and monkeys. Mass balance studies included 14C analyses of urine, feces, bile, cage wash, carcasses, and cage air collected for up to 120 hr postdose. Separation of radioactive compounds extracted from urine, bile, and feces was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography and radioisotope detection. The mass spectra of selected chromatographic peaks were obtained. Disposition results were similar for all three species. Less than 5% of the radioactive dose of 14C-rifapentine was recovered in urine, indicating that renal excretion is a minor route of elimination in these species. The major route of elimination of radioactivity was into the feces, where more than 75% of the radioactivity was recovered. Biliary excretion was the major route of elimination of radioactivity in bile duct-cannulated rats dosed either po or IV. Radiochromatograms were similar for fecal samples from animals dosed by IV or orally. Ten regions of radioactivity were observed in mouse and rat fecal sample radiochromatograms, and seven regions of radioactivity were observed in monkey fecal sample radiochromatograms. The most abundant compound identified in feces was usually intact rifapentine (27%-41% of dose in mouse, 3%-35% of dose in rat, and 17%-29% of dose in monkey). Other peaks identified or characterized in feces based on liquid chromatography/ultraviolet/14C and/or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods included 25-desacetyl-rifapentine, 3-formyl-25-desacetyl-rifapentine, and 3-formyl-rifapentine. The compounds rifapentine, 25-desacetyl-rifapentine, and 3-formyl-rifapentine were present in rat bile samples. These studies show that the metabolism and disposition of rifapentine in mice, rats, and monkeys were similar.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

An investigation of Escherichia coli O157 contamination of cattle during slaughter at an abattoir.

The extent of contamination with Escherichia coli O157 was determined for 100 cattle during slaughter. Samples from 25 consecutively slaughtered cattle from four unrelated groups were collected from the oral cavity, hide, rumen, feces after evisceration, and pre- and postchill carcass. Ten random fecal samples were collected from the pen where each group of animals was held at the abattoir. E. coli O157 was detected using automated immunomagnetic separation (AIMS), and cell counts were determined using a combination of most probable number (MPN) and AIMS. E. coli O157 was isolated from 87 (14%) of the 606 samples collected, including 24% of 99 oral cavity samples, 44% of 100 hides, 10% of 68 fecal samples collected postevisceration, 6% of 100 prechill carcass swabs, and 15% of 40 fecal samples collected from holding pens. E. coli O157 was not isolated from rumen or postchill carcass samples. E. coli O157 was isolated from at least one sample from each group of cattle tested, and the prevalence in different groups ranged from less than 1 to 41%. The numbers of E. coli O157 differed among the animals groups. The group which contained the highest fecal (7.5 x 10(5) MPN/g) and hide (22 MPN/cm2) counts in any individual animal was the only group in which E. coli O157 was isolated from carcasses, suggesting a link between the numbers of E. coli O157 present and the risk of carcass contamination. Processing practices at this abattoir were adequate for minimizing contamination of carcasses, even when animals were heavily contaminated with E. coli O157.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1992

Isolation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis after oral inoculation in uninfected cattle.

Feces from cows naturally infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was given to 6 uninfected heifers by orogastric intubation, to determine whether ingested organisms could be passively excreted and detected by bacteriologic culture of feces (ie, false-positive result). Heifers were paired, and each pair received a different dose of feces on days 1 and 2. Fecal samples were collected from the heifers 3 times daily. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was detected in fecal samples of all heifers within 18 hours of being given the first dose of feces. The number of colony-forming units peaked on days 3 or 4, and organisms were no longer detected by day 7. The number of colony-forming units in fecal samples from the heifers was approximately proportional to the dose given. On days 15 and 16, the experiment was repeated with feces from a second infected cow. Results were similar to those in the first experiment. All heifers remained seronegative (agar-gel immunodiffusion test and ELISA) and had negative results to the intradermal johnin test throughout the experiment. Lymph node and intestinal tissues were obtained from all 6 heifers at slaughter on day 28. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was not isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes from the ileocecal valve region, but was isolated from ileal mucosal samples from each heifer.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Frequent detection of K-ras mutation in stool samples of colorectal carcinoma patients after improved DNA extraction: comparison with tissue samples.

Fecal occult blood testing is widely used in the clinical screening of colorectal tumors. However, this method has so frequent false-positive results that more accurate screening-strategy should be established. Although the molecular screening using K-ras gene mutation in stools has been attempted to improve the results, the low rate of DNA extraction from stools leaves this measurement under utility value. In this study, we investigated whether or not our applied DNA extraction method from stools could produce enough DNA for the molecular screening of colorectal tumors by K-ras gene mutations in stools. We applied cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) solution to improve human DNA extraction from stools and a mutant-allele-sensitive amplification (MASA) method to detect K-ras mutation within codon 12. We were able to confirm the stool DNA by identifying K-ras fragments in all the 20 patients. Tissue K-ras mutation was identified in 4 (2 cancers and 2 adenomas) of 20 patients. Stool K-ras mutations were found in 6 patients, 3 tissue K-ras mutation positive patients (2 cancers and an adenoma) and 3 tissue K-ras mutation negative patients. These results indicate that it is possible to extract enough DNA from human stool samples of all patients with colorectal tumors for K-ras mutation studies. K-ras mutations are more frequently detected in stools than in resected colorectal tumors. This study indicates that K-ras mutation screening in stools for colorectal cancer may include not only a primary colorectal cancer but also precancerous lesions in all parts of a gastrointestinal tract.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of periparturient dairy cows and contact surfaces as a reservoir of Cryptosporidium parvum for calfhood infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether periparturient cows or contact surfaces to which newborn calves are exposed are reservoirs of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. ANIMALS: Periparturient cows and their calves. PROCEDURE: Using direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) and acid-fast (AF) assays, fecal samples taken before and after calving from periparturient cows were tested for C parvum oocysts. Fecal samples from calves were collected every other day from age 7 to 21 days and were tested by use of the AF assay. Topsoil from close-up and maternity pens and scrapings from wooden walls and floors of calf hutches were tested for C parvum oocysts by use of DFA assay. RESULTS: None of the 384 fecal samples obtained 1 to 21 days before or after calving or on the day of calving from 154 periparturient cows contained detectable C parvum oocysts. Despite this lack of detectable periparturient shedding, the period prevalence of calfhood infection was 92% (123/134) from age 7 to 21 days. Soil samples from the close-up and maternity pens where newborn calves spend the first 12 hours of life also were negative for C parvum oocysts. Wood scrap ings from the outer 2 mm of the walls and floors of empty and cleaned calf hutches that were ready to receive calves were C parvum oocyst-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Conditional on sensitivity of DFA, periparturient cows did not appear to shed detectable C parvum oocysts. In contrast, the floors and walls of wooden calf hutches contained detectable C parvum oocysts on the surface.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Escherichia coli O157:H7 in free-ranging deer in Nebraska.

In order to determine the prevalence and distribution of the human pathogen, Escherichia coli O157:H7, in free-ranging deer, hunters were asked to collect and submit fecal samples from deer harvested during a regular firearm season (14-22 November 1998). Prior to the season, 47% of the hunters with permits in the southeastern Nebraska (USA) study area indicated a willingness to participate in the study. Approximately 25% of successful hunters in the area submitted deer fecal samples. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was cultured from four (0.25%) of 1,608 total samples submitted. All of the fecal samples that were properly identified (1,426) and all that were positive for E. coli O157:H7 were from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We were unable to detect a statistically significant geographic distribution pattern of E. coli O157:H7. The presence of E. coli O157:H7 in the feces of free-ranging deer has implications not only for hunters, consumers of venison, and others in contact with deer or deer feces, but also for the development of strategies aimed at reducing and/or controlling this pathogen in water sources and domestic livestock.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cryptosporidium parvum infection involving novel genotypes in wildlife from lower New York State.

Cryptosporidium, an enteric parasite of humans and a wide range of other mammals, presents numerous challenges to the supply of safe drinking water. We performed a wildlife survey, focusing on white-tailed deer and small mammals, to assess whether they may serve as environmental sources of Cryptosporidium. A PCR-based approach that permitted genetic characterization via sequence analysis was applied to wildlife fecal samples (n = 111) collected from September 1996 to July 1998 from three areas in lower New York State. Southern analysis revealed 22 fecal samples containing Cryptosporidium small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA; these included 10 of 91 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) samples, 3 of 5 chipmunk (Tamias striatus) samples, 1 of 2 white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) samples, 1 of 2 striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) samples, 1 of 5 racoon (Procyon lotor) samples, and 6 of 6 muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) samples. All of the 15 SSU PCR products sequenced were characterized as Cryptosporidium parvum; two were identical to genotype 2 (bovine), whereas the remainder belonged to two novel SSU sequence groups, designated genotypes 3 and 4. Genotype 3 comprised four deer-derived sequences, whereas genotype 4 included nine sequences from deer, mouse, chipmunk, and muskrat samples. PCR analysis was performed on the SSU-positive fecal samples for three other Cryptosporidium loci (dihydrofolate reductase, polythreonine-rich protein, and beta-tubulin), and 8 of 10 cloned PCR products were consistent with C. parvum genotype 2. These data provide evidence that there is sylvatic transmission of C. parvum involving deer and other small mammals. This study affirmed the importance of wildlife as potential sources of Cryptosporidium in the catchments of public water supplies.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Phenotypic characterization of intestinal Escherichia coli of pigs during suckling, postweaning, and fattening periods.

A highly discriminatory and standardized biochemical fingerprinting method was used to monitor the persistence and colonization of intestinal Escherichia coli isolated from the feces of four sows and their litters (four piglets from each) during the suckling, postweaning, and fattening periods. Altogether, 195 fecal samples were collected and 1,827 E. coli strains were tested (mean number of isolates tested per fecal sample per pig, 9.5). Strains were divided into similarity groups on the basis of their biochemical phenotypes (BPTs). The diversity of E. coli strains in each sample was measured with Simpson's index of diversity, and similarity between E. coli floras of piglets was calculated with a population similarity index. Each fecal sample contained several BPTs of E. coli, some of which dominated that population. The intestinal colonization of piglets consisted of successive waves of different E. coli BPTs, the tenure of which varied from a few days to 2 weeks. Most of these BPTs disappeared in the succeeding samples and were not recovered again from the same piglets. On the other hand, some E. coli strains which colonized piglets early during the suckling period persisted for a long period and were referred to as resident BPTs. Each piglet carried more than one resident BPT (mean of 2.4 BPTs per pig), some of which were also found in other piglets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗