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Use of a newly developed rapid microbial ATP bioluminescence assay to detect microbial contamination on poultry carcasses.

A newly developed rapid microbial ATP bioluminescence test (R-mATP) was shown to be an adequate means to assay the microbial load of poultry carcasses. This assay utilizes differential extraction and filtration to separate somatic from microbial ATP in a very rapid timeframe. The assay requires approximately 5 min to complete; approximately 3.5 min to sample and 90 s analytical time. Correlation coefficient (r) between aerobic colony counts and R-mATP test results (n=329) was 0.82. Post-test probabilities to correctly classify carcasses with different levels of microbial contamination were as high as 98% for samples of > or = 3.5 log aerobic CFU per ml. Given the rapidity of this assay, the R-mATP holds potential for monitoring the microbial load of carcasses at poultry-processing critical control points. Other potential applications of this new version of the microbial ATP bioluminescence test are discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Illnesses and injuries reported by Latino poultry workers in western North Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Poultry processing is the largest sector of the meat products industry. Many workers are immigrants; few data exist on their illness and injury rates and the impact of workplace safety environment. METHODS: Survey interviews were conducted with a representative sample of 200 Latino poultry workers employed by three different companies in western North Carolina; topics included symptoms, work-related illnesses and injuries, and plant safety climate. RESULTS: Most respondents were <35 years of age and had been in the US <10 years. Frequency of self-reported symptoms was high, particularly for musculoskeletal symptoms. Despite symptoms, workers reported not missing work or seeking medical care. Occupational injuries and illnesses and symptoms varied by company. Between-company differences in injury and illness rates were consistent with perceived safety and company provision of personal protective equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms reported exceeded rates reported by other community, clinical, and occupational samples. Findings suggest policy changes and research are needed to reduce the high rates of occupational illnesses and injuries in this vulnerable population.

Adult↗

Food-group consumption and colon cancer in the Adelaide Case-Control Study. II. Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy foods and eggs.

We conducted a case-control study in Australia, comparing 220 persons with histologically confirmed incident adenocarcinoma of the colon with 438 age- and gender-matched controls. Cases were identified via the South Australian Cancer Registry (1979-80); controls were randomly selected from the electoral roll. All participants completed a 141-item food-frequency questionnaire and were interviewed regarding demographic and other information. Consumption of 8 groups of foods from animal sources was investigated. Odds ratios (OR) for quartiles of consumption were obtained using conditional logistic regression. All analyses were conducted separately for females and males. The most striking finding was a positive association for egg consumption in females, with an unadjusted OR of 2.4 (1.1-5.3) for consumption in the uppermost quartile. The uppermost septile of egg consumption was associated with an unadjusted OR of 6.3 (1.5-26.1) and a dose-response pattern was suggested. Intakes of red meat, liver, seafood, and dairy foods were also weakly positively associated with risk in females. In males, intakes of red meat and poultry were weakly positively associated with risk with unadjusted ORs of 1.5 (0.8-2.8) and 1.4 (0.7-2.6) respectively. The ratio of intake of red meat to poultry and seafood was also positively associated with risk in males, with an unadjusted OR of 1.4 (0.8-2.6). Interpretation of analyses stratified by colon cancer subsite was limited by the low number of subjects in each sub-site stratum, yet the results were somewhat supportive of a stronger risk associated with animal foods in the proximal than in the distal colon. The results for egg consumption suggest a role for cholesterol in the etiology of colon cancer, particularly in proximal cancer for females. Results for vegetable and fruit consumption are presented in a companion report.

Animals↗

Efficacy and food safety considerations of poultry competitive exclusion products.

Competitive exclusion (CE) products are anaerobic cultures of bacteria that are applied to poultry hatchlings to establish a protective enteric microbiota that excludes intestinal colonization by human food-borne pathogens. For safety of the poultry flock and human consumers, the identities of bacteria in CE products need to be known. A CE product is a culture of intestinal contents from adult chickens. It may be microbiologically defined by analysis of bacteria isolated from the culture, but many bacteria are hard to reliably isolate, identify, and characterize with conventional techniques. Sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes may be more reliable than conventional techniques to identify CE bacteria. Bacteria in CE products may contain antimicrobial drug resistance and virulence mechanisms that could be transferred to the enteric bacteria of the food animal and to the human consumer. Detection methods for specific antimicrobial drug resistance and virulence genes and the integrase genes of conjugative transposons, mostly utilizing PCR technology, are being developed that can be applied to assess these risks in CE bacteria. With improvements in efficacy, bacterial identification, and detection and control of the possible risks of gene transfer, CE product technology can be made a more effective food safety tool.

Animals↗

A mycological and bacteriological survey on feed ingredients and mixed poultry feeds in Reunion island.

A survey was carried out in Reunion island to obtain data on the occurrence of fungi, aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxins, total aerobic bacteria and salmonellae of 150 samples of mixed poultry feeds and raw materials. These were collected at five farms over a 3-month period during the warm rainy season. White corn and Braizlian soybean meal seemed to present a better microbiological quality than yellow corn and US soybean meal. Mixed poultry feeds presented a high total mold count reflecting the mold flora of raw materials. The most frequent and abundant fungi were Aspergillus flavus. A. glaucus group, Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp., A. candidus, Mucor spp., A. restrictus, Scopulariopsis spp., Cladosporium spp. and A. versicolor. Of the 118 A. flavus strains screened, 42 (35.6%) were aflatoxigenic. Yellow corn samples were the most frequently contaminated with aflatoxigenic strains (54.5%), followed by mixed feeds (44%). Of the 66 samples tested, 24 (36%) contained aflatoxins (traces to 22 ng/g). A good correlation seemed to exist between presence of at least one aflatoxigenic strain per sample and presence of aflatoxins.

Aflatoxins↗

[Arsenic residues in livers of swine, lamb and poultry and in eggs].

The arsenic content of 3651 swine-, 180 lamb livers, 420 egg samples and poultry livers from 175 poultry farms were determined colorimetrically. The analysed samples were all derived from bavarian farms. According to the proposed legal standards (3), 1.23% of the swine liver samples and 1.67% of the egg samples were above the tolerated values of 0.5 resp. 0.1 mg/kg.

Animals↗

A microbiological screening method for the indication of irradiation of frozen poultry meat.

A microbiological screening method for the detection of irradiation of frozen poultry meat was developed on the basis of the combined use of total cell count by the direct epifluorescent filter technique (DEFT) and viable cell count by the aerobic plate count method (APC). Samples of ground, deboned poultry leg were irradiated or not with dose levels of 3, 5 and 7 kGy using an electron beam accelerator. All samples were frozen before the irradiation treatment. The average values of the differences between DEFT and APC counts in control samples and those irradiated with doses of 3, 5 and 7 kGy were 1.14 log units for control samples, and 3.16, 3.68 and 3.79 log units for the irradiated samples. A difference of at least 2 log units can therefore be considered as a limit value indicating probable irradiation treatment necessitating further investigations.

Aerobiosis↗

Phoretic association between Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acari: Macrochelidae) and flies inhabiting poultry manure in Peninsular Malaysia.

The phoretic association between Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and flies that inhabited poultry manure in a poultry farm in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia was studied. The effects of temperature, relative humidity and fly abundance on phoretic rates also were investigated. The most abundant fly species found was Musca domestica; Musca sorbens, Chrysomyia megacephala and Ophyra chalcogaster were present in relatively large numbers. Representatives of ten families of mites were found on collected Mu. domestica. The most common mite was Ma. muscaedomesticae (Macrochelidae), found on all four species of flies mentioned above. The highest infestation (2.0%) occurred on O. chalcogaster but Mu. domestica had the highest average number infested (5.7). The ventral part of the housefly's abdomen was the most common site of mite attachment. Usually only one mite was found attached per fly. The highest phoretic rate recorded was 64.4 Ma. muscaedomesticae per 1000 Mu. domestica. There was no correlation between phoretic rates and Ma. muscaedomesticae abundance, nor was relative humidity a factor. However, a positive correlation was recorded in this host species between phoretic rates and temperature.

Animals↗

[Lung function and symptoms in employees of poultry farms].

Environmental measurements were made in different types of poultry confinement buildings. Levels of total dust 1.6 meters above the ground averaged 5.0 mg/m3. Ammonia levels averaged about 13 ppm with peak values of about 50 ppm. To study possible respiratory problems of the people working in these confinement buildings, the ventilatory lung function was measured and an interrogation concerning respiratory symptoms was carried out by 26 (7 females, 19 males) poultry farmers. A very high prevalence (10 of 26) of obstructive ventilatory lung function changes was found. The FEV1 values of the exposed men were significantly lower than the predicted normal values (ECCS). An association between duration of exposure and pulmonary function exists.

Adult↗

Comparison of immunity and resistance to diseases in male and female poultry breeders in Lebanon.

The immune responses following vaccination and resistance to diseases were compared in male and female meat poultry breeders of the same flock. Female poultry breeders maintained antibody titres to Newcastle disease virus and infectious bronchitis virus up to the fifty-fifth day following vaccination, whereas those of the males declined significantly over the same period of time (P < 0.05). In the same flock, outbreaks of Gumboro disease (60 to 62 days of age), coccidiosis (68 to 74 days of age) and aortic rupture (99 to 112 days of age) produced significantly higher losses in males. Following vaccination against fowl pox by the wing web method, 96.7% of females had a vaccine reaction (vaccine take) compared to none of the males. Immune injuries, following vaccination, were observed in 85% of the males compared to none of the females. The immune injuries included appearance of facial papules, vesicles, and reddish brown to black scabs.

Animals↗

Livestock production in central Mali: ownership, management and productivity of poultry in the traditional sector.

A survey of small-scale poultry production in an urban and two agropastoral systems covered 381 households. Less detailed information was also obtained from a small sample in a transhumant pastoral system. More households owned poultry in the rice (89.5%) than in the millet (81.1%) or urban (57.1%) systems. Domestic fowl were commonest in all systems followed by pigeons, Guinea fowl and then ducks, although the last were absent from the millet zone. Most families kept only one species but there was more diversification in the rice system. Flock sizes were largest in the rice system for fowls, Guinea fowl and pigeons while duck flocks averaged more birds in the urban area. Females predominated in all species except pigeons where sex ratios were about equal. Management practices in relation to housing, feeding, health care and consumption and marketing are described. Productivity figures relating to egg production, egg size, hatchability, growth and mortality are provided.

Animal Husbandry↗

Investigation of the parasitic nematode Ascaridia galli (Shrank 1788) as a potential vector for Salmonella enterica dissemination in poultry.

During recent years, the level of organically farmed poultry in Denmark has increased. Subsequent investigations have demonstrated an incidence of 64% of Ascaridia galli infections in layers established in organic farming systems. Studies to determine the interaction of Salmonella enterica with the parasitic nematode A. galli associated with poultry were undertaken to establish the significance of A. galli in the dissemination of S. enterica. A. galli was isolated from 40-week-old Lohmann Brown Salmonella-free layers. Worms were subsequently maintained in vitro and exposed to S. e. serovar Typhimurium at concentrations of 10(5)-10(6) colony forming units/ml for varying times (24-144 h). Eggs were harvested aseptically from the worms and the associations of S. e. Typhimurium in relation both to the eggs and to structures on the surface of the worm were studied, using immunofluorescence, viable counts and in situ hybridisation. Results show attachment of S. e. Typhimurium to the outer coating of the eggs and possible internalisation. Evidence of association of the bacteria with the nematode eggs was further substantiated by establishing Salmonella infection in day-old chicks after dosing them with eggs harvested from parasitic worms infected in vitro with Salmonella.

Animals↗

Mycobiota in poultry feeds and natural occurrence of aflatoxins, fumonisins and zearalenone in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.

The intake of mycotoxin-contaminated feeds can lead to nutrient losses and may have adverse effects on animal health and on productivity. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the mycobiota present in poultry feed samples, and (2) to evaluate the natural occurrence of aflatoxin B(1), fumonisin B(1) and zearalenone. Fungal counts were similar between all culture media tested (10(3 )CFU g(-1)). The most frequent genus isolated was Penicillium spp. (41.26%) followed by Aspergillus spp. (33.33%) and Fusarium spp. (20.63%). High precision liquid chromatography was applied to quantify aflatoxin B(1) and fumonisin B(1). Thin layer chromatography was used to determine zearalenone levels. Aflatoxin B(1 )values ranged between 1.2 and 17.5 microg kg(-1). Fumonisin B(1) levels ranged between 1.5 and 5.5 microg g(-1). Zearalenone levels ranged between 0.1 and 7 microg g(-1). The present study shows the simultaneous occurrence of two carcinogenic mycotoxins, aflatoxin B(1) and fumonisin B(1), together with another Fusarium mycotoxin (zearalenone) in feed intended for poultry consumption. Many samples contained AFB(1 )levels near the permissible maximum and it could affect young animals. A synergistic toxic response is possible in animals under simultaneous exposure.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Cryopreservation of poultry sperm: the enigma of glycerol.

This review summarizes recent data for cryopreservation of poultry sperm and data establishing the contraceptive effect of glycerol. Successful cryopreservation protocols for bovine sperm are compared to the requirements for rooster sperm, with emphasis on glycerol-induced alterations in avian reproductive systems. It has been shown that molar concentrations of glycerol can affect (a) physical features of the cytoplasm (cytoplasmic organization and viscosity), (b) permeability and stability of the membrane bilayer(s), and (c) noncovalent attachment of proteins to the sperm surface. Perturbing effects of glycerol on sperm metabolism and the essentiality of maintaining bioenergetic balance during the temperature changes associated with any cryopreservation protocol are discussed. Emphasis is placed on the processes in avian reproduction that may be altered by interactions with glycerol. Finally, we discuss the potential value of using available genetic models (lines of roosters differing in the capacity of their sperm to survive a freeze-thaw cycle) to clarify and overcome damage to poultry sperm induced by cryopreservation.

Animals↗

A disc ELISA for the detection of Salmonella group D antibodies in poultry.

An ELISA using lipopolysaccharide antigens prepared from Salmonella gallinarum and S enteritidis was developed for the serological diagnosis of fowl typhoid and S enteritidis infection in poultry. There was good agreement between the results of the ELISA and conventional serological tests when samples from naturally infected birds and S enteritidis immunised birds were tested. Some cross reactions were observed when serum samples from S typhimurium infected birds were tested by ELISA. Subsequently a disc ELISA, using filter paper discs, was developed to facilitate sampling and testing of poultry. There was good correlation between the results of the disc and serum ELISAs and the test is recommended for the field testing of birds.

Agglutination Tests↗

Pathogenicity of Salmonella enteritidis in poultry.

Salmonella enteritidis is a common pathogen of all species of mammals and fowls. The recent increase in the number of outbreaks of food poisoning due to S. enteritidis in man was epidemiologically analysed, and it was considered that contaminated eggs or egg products were the major source of this infection. To assist in prevention and eradication of human food poisoning many investigators have studied the pathogenicity of S. enteritidis in poultry. Gross pathological observations after natural and experimental infections with S. enteritidis in poultry revealed that this organism may cause systemic infection in chicks and laying hens accompanied by prolonged faecal shedding. Some variations in the mortality rates, clinical symptoms, faecal shedding and frequency of production of contaminated eggs were observed in the chicks and hens experimentally infected with S. enteritidis isolates. Choice of bacterial strain, phage type, age of bird and inoculum size may affect the outcome of an infection. Moreover, isolation of the organisms from the ovaries, oviducts and egg contents indicates the possibility of transovarian infection of S. enteritidis in chickens. Some virulence factors associated with S. enteritidis are also reviewed in the present paper.

Animals↗

Detection of Newcastle disease virus in poultry vaccines using the polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of amplified cDNA.

In order to develop an in vitro method for the control of poultry vaccines for identity and the absence of extraneous agents, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied for the detection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV). NDV vaccines were employed for the establishment of the method, using two primer pairs spanning the cleavage site of the F0 fusion protein coding sequence. Amplification of a specific cDNA segment was possible from live and inactivated, oil-adjuvanted NDV vaccines without prior treatment. The cDNA was characterized by restriction endonuclease digestion as well as by direct nucleotide sequencing. The RT-PCR was able to detect between 5 x 10(2) EID50 (in live vaccine preparations) and 10(5) EID50 or 0.056 haemagglutinating units of NDV (in inactivated vaccine preparations). In addition, live vaccine preparations were inactivated with beta-propiolactone (beta-PL). Amplified cDNA was obtained after treatment with 0.1% beta-PL, whereas at a concentration of 1% or 10% no specific bands were visible in the agarose gel. These results demonstrate the applicability of the method for the control of poultry vaccines for identity and for the absence of extraneous agents, and additionally allow a rapid characterization of the respective NDV strain.

Animals↗

Aflatoxin distribution in edible oil-extracting plants and in poultry feedmills.

The occurrence and distribution of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in the raw materials and products of three plants for extracting edible oils and in two poultry feedmills in which by-products of the oil extraction were used for feed formulation were investigated. While levels of aflatoxins were high in the products and by-products from the three extraction plants, the levels in the poultry feeds produced in the feedmills were found to be relatively low. The latter finding may reflect the proportion of pellets included in the feedstock formulation, while the climatic differences in the areas in which the extraction plants were situated were a possible factor in the differing levels of aflatoxin found in the samples from the three extraction plants.

Aflatoxins↗