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PubMed1984

Excretion of (sulfated) steroids in the urine and excretion of cholesterol sulfate in the feces of boys with recessive X-linked ichthyosis.

The excretion of sulfated steroids was investigated in the urine and feces of six boys aged 9 months to 7 years and 10 months who had recessive X-linked ichthyosis. Profiles of urinary total steroids as well as sulfated steroids were normal. Cholesterol sulfate excretion in the urine was not elevated. In the feces 2-20% of total cholesterol was cholesterol sulfate, whereas in the feces of 28 healthy children no cholesterol sulfate was demonstrable. In the 6 patients total cholesterol excretion (500-2,500 mumol/kg feces) was also elevated in comparison with the 28 healthy controls (150-700 mumol/kg feces, mean 365 mumol/kg feces).

Child↗
PubMed1994

Immunochemical detection of human lactoferrin in feces as a new marker for inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders and colon cancer.

We have developed a new immunochemical test for fecal lactoferrin (LF) utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ELISA had a sensitivity of about 10 micrograms/L of lactoferrin and the measurable range was 10.0-1000.0 micrograms/L (1.0-100.0 micrograms LF/g feces). The stability of lactoferrin in feces was greater than that of myeloperoxidase and leucocyte elastase. The fecal concentration of lactoferrin (mean +/- SD) in 35 normal subjects was 0.75 +/- 0.83 microgram/g feces, whereas that in 24 patients with colon cancer was 74.4 +/- 88.3 micrograms/g feces. The fecal lactoferrin concentration of 38 patient with active ulcerative colitis was 307.4 +/- 233.9 micrograms/g feces, and that in 36 patients with active Crohn's disease was 191.7 +/- 231.1 micrograms/g feces. The ELISA for human fecal lactoferrin might be useful in the diagnosis of colon disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of an automated system for non-radiometric detection of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in bovine feces.

Cultivation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) from feces remains the most reliable method to detect infected animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a broth-based automated system used for cultivation of mycobacteria such as M. tuberculosis from human hosts, for the detection of M. paratuberculosis in bovine feces. Bovine feces was spiked with tenfold serial dilutions of M. paratuberculosis (5x10(5) to 5x10(-1) organisms), then processed with a double-centrifugation technique that included disinfection prior to inoculation into broth tubes. The same pathogen dilution series was also inoculated directly into broth and broth with uninfected processed feces. All of the system signal-positive bottles were identified within 30 days, with the highest concentration of M. paratuberculosis detected by the system in as few as 8 days. The presence of the pathogen was confirmed with acid-fast staining and an IS900-based PCR assay when growth of M. paratuberculosis was indicated by the system. However, some of the signal-negative cultures inoculated with the equivalent of 0.5 organisms tested PCR-positive 56 days post-inoculation, indicating that longer culture periods may lead to detection of small quantities of the organisms. Additionally, it was indicated that the processing step had a detrimental effect on detection of the organism. Comparison of the broth- and Herrold's egg yolk medium (HEYM) solid media-based culture methods with defined check test specimens corroborated the experimental evaluation of this system, indicating that broth-based detection could provide a more rapid assay for M. paratuberculosis. These results suggest that this automated system could be used to detect this organism in bovine feces, but that new approaches to processing the feces for culture should be explored.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Phosphorus composition of sheep feces and changes in the field determined by 31P NMR spectroscopy and XRPD.

Information on the P species in sheep feces is lacking. Such information is required to understand P-cycling in grazed ecosystems. The P composition of feces from sheep grazing grass in Scotland was assessed on freeze-dried samples by 31P MAS (magic angle spinning) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and XRPD (X-ray powder diffraction). The 31P MAS NMR spectrum showed resonances and sidebands consistent with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (brushite) and ammonium magnesium phosphate hexahydrate (struvite). XRPD confirmed the result and allowed quantification of these minerals, which accounted for 63% of the P. To determine transformations in the field, sheep feces were collected and reapplied to sheep-free pasture in synthetic patches during late summer. The dry weight decreased with time and the feces disappeared between 84 and 112 days following heavy rainfall. The concentration of P in the feces recovered at intervals up to 84 days changed little with time but the contribution from brushite and struvite decreased and within 1 week <50% remained indicating conversion into other forms. Solution-phase 31P NMR spectra of NaOH/EDTA extracts of the feces were dominated by the inorganic orthophosphate with minor amounts of organic P that were attributed to phosphate esters and polyphosphates.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Failure to produce conditioning with low-dose trimethylthiazoline or cat feces as unconditioned stimuli.

Trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a derivative of fox feces, has been reported to fail to produce aversive conditioning as an unconditioned stimulus (UCS) when presented in large amounts (I. S. McGregor, L. Schrama, P. Ambermoon, & R. A. Dielenberg, 2002). Experiment I evaluated very low TMT levels that nonetheless produced defensive behaviors in rats during exposure. Although each level (0.01, 0.05, and 0.10 microl TMT) produced significant change in defensiveness, none resulted in significant changes the following day in the absence of TMT. Experiment 2 evaluated cat urine, cat feces, and cat fur/skin odor against a no-odor control. Urine produced no significant changes, but feces and fur/skin odors elicited virtually identical changes in defensive behaviors during exposure. When tested the next day in the absence of odor, the fur/skin odor-exposed group showed significant differences on the same behaviors as during exposure, but the feces-exposed group showed no differences on any measure. Results suggest that lack of conditioning to TMT may relate to the type of predator odor rather than the amount, predator species, or possible lack of odor components in TMT that are present in natural feces. Predator feces may also be less effective as a UCS because they are poorly predictive of the actual presence of the predator, suggesting the need for a reevaluation of UCS functions in aversive conditioning.

Animals↗
PubMed1970

The Toxoplasma gondii oocyst from cat feces.

Coccidian oocysts resembling those of Isospora bigemina were excreted by cats fed Toxoplasma. In order to identify these oocysts with Toxoplasma infectivity a number of critical comparisons were made. The appearance of oocysts and Toxoplasma infectivity was simultaneous in the feces of 23 of 24 adult cats, 3-5 days after feeding of Toxoplasma cysts; in the feces of 4 out of 9 cats, 7-10 days after feeding of trophozoites; and in 8 out of 17 cats, 20-24 days after feeding of cat feces containing oocysts. Oocysts and infectivity were present in similar numbers, and they disappeared simultaneously from the feces of cats. Oocysts and infectivity were also observed simultaneously in the feces of 9 kittens, 1-2 days old, fed Toxoplasma cysts. Oocysts could not be separated from infectivity by filtration, by continuous particle electrophoresis, or by density gradient centrifugation. Excystation of oocysts was followed by an increase in titer of Toxoplasma infectivity. Unsporulated oocysts in fresh cat feces were noninfectious to mice, but oocyst sporulation was associated quantitatively with the development of infectivity at different temperatures and conditions of oxygenation. Maximum oocyst sporulation at 48 hr correlated with the development of maximum Toxoplasma infectivity. 1 and 2% sulfuric acid, and 2.5% potassium dichromate were found to be the best preservatives for sporulation of oocysts and for the development of Toxoplasma infectivity. Low sporulation rates in 0.1% formalin, 20% ethanol, and in water were associated with low infectivity in these reagents. Neither Toxoplasma infectivity nor oocysts developed in 0.3% formalin, 1% ammonium hydroxide, or 1% iodine in 20% ethanol. Oocysts, sporocysts, and sporozoites were stained specifically with Toxoplasma antibody in the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Typical coccidian stages, schizonts, and male and female gametocytes were found in the epithelium of the small intestine of kittens fed Toxoplasma cysts. The classification of T. gondii is discussed in relation to that of other isosporan coccidia of cats and dogs. The term "Toxoplasma oocyst" is introduced and Toxoplasma is classified in the family Toxoplasmidae of the suborder Eimeriina. The species Isospora bigemina is restricted to dogs, and I. cati to cats. I. felis and so-called I. rivolta from cats were noninfectious to dogs, and did not confer immunity to subsequent infection with I. canis and I. rivolta from dogs.

Air↗
PubMed1979

Nonuniform distribution of occult blood in feces.

Inhibition of anti-Rh29 by erythrocytic stroma in feces was devised as a specific test for fecal occult blood. The sensitivity of this test was equivalent to that of a standard Hemoccult test, namely, 10(8) erythrocytes/g feces. Comparison of results of this test with results of Hemoccult tests of random stool specimens and of stools following ingestion of autologous blood revealed nonuniform distribution of occult blood in feces. The extent of nonuniformity was determined by testing samples of stool specimens following ingestion of 51Cr-labeled autologous blood. This allowed comparison of Hemoccult, inhibition of anti-Rh, and radioactivity, and showed that the three labels could separate in the feces and that some single small samples of feces could be relatively free of blood while blood was readily demonstrable in other portions. The variability of standard Hemoccult test was somewhat reduced by dispersing the feces in distilled water before performing the test.

Chromium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1978

Deodorization of pig feces by actinomycetes.

Peg feces, a malodorous substance causing environmental pollution, were completely deodorized within 2 days by Streptomyces. The optimum conditions for deodorization were as follows: pH, 8.6 to 10; temperature, 35 to 40 degrees C; moisture content, 42 to 63%; and minimum amount of inoculum, 2 g of seed culture per 10 g of fresh feces. Many kinds of microorganisms were isolated from the deodorized feces, of which only actinomycetes were found to have the ability to deodorize. Two strains with strong deodorizing activity were identified as Streptomyces griseus and Streptomyces antibioticus. The low-molecular-weight fatty acids, which are the specific malodorous agents of pig feces, scarcely could be found in feces deodorized by the isolated strains. Chemical analysis showed that the deodorized feces are useful as manure.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Fate of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in bovine feces.

Dairy cattle have been identified as a principal reservoir of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The fate of this pathogen in bovine feces at 5, 22, and 37 degrees C was determined. Two levels of inocula (10(3) and 10(5) CFU/g) of a mixture of five nalidixic acid-resistant E. coli O157:H7 strains were used. E. coli O157:H7 survived at 37 degrees C for 42 and 49 days with low and high inocula, respectively, and at 22 degrees C for 49 and 56 days with low and high inocula, respectively. Fecal samples at both temperatures had low moisture contents (about 10%) and water activities ( < 0.5) near the end of the study. E. coli O157:H7 at 5 degrees C survived for 63 to 70 days, with the moisture content (74%) of feces remaining high through the study. Chromosomal DNA fingerprinting of E. coli O157:H7 isolates surviving near the completion of the study revealed that the human isolate strain 932 was the only surviving strain at 22 or 37 degrees C. All five strains were isolated near the end of incubation from feces held at 5 degrees C. Isolates at each temperature were still capable of producing both verotoxin 1 and verotoxin 2. Results indicate that E. coli O157:H7 can survive in feces for a long period of time and retain its ability to produce verotoxins. Hence, bovine feces are a potential vehicle for transmitting E. coli O157:H7 to cattle, food, and the environment. Appropriate handling of bovine feces is important to control the spread of this pathogen.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Use of PCR for direct detection of Campylobacter species in bovine feces.

This study reports on the use of PCR to directly detect and distinguish Campylobacter species in bovine feces without enrichment. Inhibitors present in feces are a major obstacle to using PCR to detect microorganisms. The QIAamp DNA stool minikit was found to be an efficacious extraction method, as determined by the positive amplification of internal control DNA added to bovine feces before extraction. With nested or seminested multiplex PCR, Campylobacter coli, C. fetus, C. hyointestinalis, and C. jejuni were detected in all fecal samples inoculated at approximately 10(4) CFU g(-1), and 50 to 83% of the samples inoculated at approximately 10(3) CFU g(-1) were positive. At approximately 10(2) CFU g(-1), C. fetus, C. hyointestinalis, and C. jejuni (17 to 50% of the samples) but not C. coli were detected by PCR. From uninoculated bovine feces, a total of 198 arbitrarily selected isolates of Campylobacter were recovered on four commonly used isolation media incubated at three temperatures. The most frequently isolated taxa were C. jejuni (152 isolates) and C. lanienae (42 isolates), but isolates of C. fetus subsp. fetus, Arcobacter butzleri, and A. skirrowii also were recovered (</=2 isolates per taxon). Considerable variability was observed in the frequency of isolation of campylobacters among the four media and three incubation temperatures tested. With genus-specific primers, Campylobacter DNA was detected in 75% of the fecal samples, representing an 8% increase in sensitivity relative to that obtained with microbiological isolation across the four media and three incubation temperatures tested. With nested primers, C. jejuni and C. lanienae were detected in 25 and 67% of the samples, respectively. In no instance was DNA from either C. coli, C. fetus, or C. hyointestinalis detected in uninoculated bovine feces. PCR was more sensitive than isolation on microbiological media for detecting C. lanienae (17%) but not C. jejuni. Campylobacters are a diverse and fastidious group of bacteria, and the development of direct PCR not only will increase the understanding of Campylobacter species diversity and their frequency of occurrence in feces but also will enhance the knowledge of their role in the gastrointestinal tract of livestock and of the factors that influence shedding.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Effects of amplification facilitators on diagnostic PCR in the presence of blood, feces, and meat.

The full potential of diagnostic PCR is limited, in part, by the presence of inhibitors in complex biological samples that reduce the amplification efficiency. Therefore, different pre-PCR treatments are being used to reduce the effects of PCR inhibitors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 16 amplification facilitators to enhance DNA amplification in the presence of blood, feces, or meat. Different concentrations of amplification facilitators and inhibitory samples were added to PCR mixtures containing rTth or Taq DNA polymerase. The addition of 0.6% (wt/vol) bovine serum albumin to reaction mixtures containing Taq DNA polymerase reduced the inhibitory effect of blood and allowed DNA amplification in the presence of 2% instead of 0.2% (vol/vol) blood. Furthermore, the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to reaction mixtures containing feces or meat enhanced the amplification capacities of both polymerases. Taq DNA polymerase was able to amplify DNA in the presence of 4% instead of 0.4% (vol/vol) feces and 4% instead of 0.2% (vol/vol) meat, and rTth was able to amplify DNA in the presence of 4% instead of 0.4% (vol/vol) feces and 20% instead of 2% (vol/vol) meat. The single-stranded DNA binding T4 gene 32 protein (gp32) had a relieving effect similar to that of BSA, except when it was added to PCR mixtures of rTth containing meat and of Taq DNA polymerase containing feces. The relieving effects of betaine and a cocktail of proteinase inhibitors were more sample specific. The addition of 11.7% (wt/vol) betaine allowed Taq DNA polymerase to amplify DNA in the presence of 2% (vol/vol) blood, while the addition of proteinase inhibitors allowed DNA amplification by both polymerases in the presence of 4% (vol/vol) feces. When various combinations of betaine, BSA, gp32, and proteinase inhibitors were tested, no synergistic or additive effects were observed. The effects of facilitators on real-time DNA synthesis instead of conventional PCR were also studied.

Blood↗
PubMed1986

Colonic formation of soft feces in rabbits: a role for endogenous prostaglandins.

Rabbits produce hard and soft feces in a circadian rhythm. The motor activity of the haustrated proximal colon is inhibited during the formation of soft feces, whereas the spiking activity of the distal colon is stimulated. A potential role for endogenous prostaglandins (PG) in the control of the soft-feces elaboration by the rabbit colon was investigated in conscious animals by using PGE2 and PGF2 alpha and by inhibiting them with indomethacin. The infusion of both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha induced typical electromechanical events consisting of inhibition of the proximal and stimulation of the distal colon and was followed by soft-pellet defecation. Rabbits accustomed to be fed twice daily produced soft feces at fixed intervals of 252 +/- 32 min after the evening meal, with a soft-to-hard feces ratio of 1.45. After indomethacin treatment, this ratio was significantly (P less than 0.01) reduced to 0.92. These results are consistent with the concept that endogenous prostaglandins play a major role in the motor function involved in soft-feces formation by the rabbit.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Overexpression of apolipoprotein A-I promotes reverse transport of cholesterol from macrophages to feces in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Abundant data indicate that overexpression of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in mice inhibits atherosclerosis. One mechanism is believed to be promotion of reverse cholesterol transport, but no direct proof of this concept exists. We developed a novel approach to trace reverse transport of labeled cholesterol specifically from macrophages to the liver and feces in vivo and have applied this approach to investigate the ability of apoA-I overexpression to promote macrophage-specific reverse cholesterol transport. METHOD AND RESULTS: J774 macrophages were loaded with cholesterol by incubation with acetylated LDL, labeled with 3H-cholesterol, and then injected intraperitoneally into mice. Plasma and feces were collected at 24 hours and 48 hours, when mice were exsanguinated, tissues were harvested, and all were analyzed for tracer counts. 3H-cholesterol was found in the plasma, liver, and feces. For apoA-I overexpression, mice were injected intravenously with apoA-I adenovirus (1011 particles per animal) 3 days before labeled macrophages were injected. ApoA-I overexpression led to significantly higher 3H-cholesterol in plasma, liver, and feces. The amount of 3H-tracer in the liver was 35% higher (P<0.05) and the 3H-tracer excreted into feces over 48 hours was 63% higher (P<0.05) in apoA-I-expressing mice than in control mice. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of 3H-cholesterol-labeled macrophage foam cells is a method of measuring reverse cholesterol transport specifically from macrophages to feces in vivo, and apoA-I overexpression promotes macrophage-specific reverse cholesterol transport.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in equine feces using the polymerase chain reaction and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers.

Salmonella was identified in feces from horses, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genus-specific oligonucleotide primers. Feces from healthy horses were determined to be culture negative and PCR negative for Salmonella. Fecal samples were inoculated with known numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) of S. enteritidis. The fecal samples were enriched overnight in tetrathionate broth, and then DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR using genus-specific primers. Sensitivity of the assay extended to 10 degrees CFU Salmonella enteritidis/g feces; sensitivity of microbiologic culture with enrichment extended to 10 degrees CFU Salmonella enteritidis/g feces. Feces that were not inoculated with S. enteritidis were negative by the PCR. Detection of salmonellae in feces was possible using the PCR within 24 hours from the time of submission of samples. Because samples were enriched, isolates were available for determining antibiograms and serologic grouping or typing.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Excretion of hexachlorobenzene and metabolites in feces in a highly exposed human population.

A set of 53 individuals from a population highly exposed to airborne hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were selected to study the elimination kinetics of this chemical in humans. The volunteers provided blood, 24-hr urine, and feces samples for analysis of HCB and metabolites. The serum HCB concentrations ranged from 2.4 to 1,485 ng/mL (mean +/- SD, 124 +/- 278), confirming that this human population has the highest HCB blood levels ever reported. All analyzed feces samples contained unchanged HCB (range, 11-3,025 ng/g dry weight; mean +/- SD, 395 +/- 629). The HCB concentration in feces strongly correlated with HCB in serum (r = 0.85; p < 0.001), suggesting an equilibrium in feces/serum that is compatible with a main pulmonary entrance of the chemical and low intestinal excretion of nonabsorbed foodborne HCB. The equilibrium is also compatible with a nonbiliary passive transfer of the chemical to the intestinal lumen. Two HCB main metabolites, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and pentachlorobenzenethiol (PCBT), were detected in 51% and 54% of feces samples, respectively. All urine samples contained PCP and PCBT, confirming the conclusions of a previous study [Environ Health Perspect 105:78-83 (1997)]. The comparison between feces and urine showed that whereas daily urinary elimination of metabolites may account for 3% of total HCB in blood, intestinal excretion of unchanged HCB may account for about 6%, thus showing the importance of metabolism in the overall elimination of HCB. The elimination of HCB and metabolites by both routes, however, appears to be very small (< 0.05%/day) as compared to the estimated HCB adipose depots. Features of HCB kinetics that we present in this study, i.e., nonsaturated intestinal elimination of HCB and excretion in feces and urine of inert glutathione derivatives, may explain, in part, the absence of porphyria cutanea in this human population heavily exposed to HCB.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Measurement of gestagen concentration in feces using a bovine milk progesterone quantitative test EIA kit and its application to early pregnancy diagnosis in the sow.

We attempted to measure the gestagen concentration in the feces of pigs by using a commercial bovine milk progesterone quantitative test EIA kit, and investigated the possibility of applying of this method of gestagen concentration measurement to early pregnancy diagnosis in the sow. Feces were collected from the rectum of the pig, and 0.5 g of the feces was placed in 20 ml of distilled water, stirred, and centrifuged. The supernatant was used as the fecal solution for measurement of gestagen. The procedure used for measuring gestagen in feces was the same as that for the measurement of progesterone in milk, except that a standard fecal gestagen solution (0.5-30.0 ng/ml) was prepared by the authors in the laboratory. The sensitivity of measurement using this method was 0.80 ng/ml, or 32.0 ng/g of fecal weight. The recovery was 105.2-105.6%. Intra-assay coeffecients of variation (CVs) were 2.8-8.5%. The interassay CVs were 7.4-10.2%. Gestagen concentrations in feces measured by the present method and progesterone concentrations in peripheral plasma, collected at the same time as the feces were highly correlated (r = 0.98, p < 0.001). The criteria for diagnosis of pregnancy based on the fecal gestagen level was positive for a gestagen level of > or = 200 ng/g and negative for a gestagen level of < 200 ng/g. When fecal gestagen measurements were applied to early pregnancy diagnosis in 149 sows, the accuracy of diagnosis from day 21 to day 25 after the last mating was 96.2% for positive cases (102/106) and 95.3% for negative cases (41/43). Thus, the results of this study show the quantitative measurement of the fecal gestagen concentration in the sow using a bovine milk quantitative test EIA kit is a practical method for early pregnancy diagnosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Basic examination on the energization of experimental animal feces by methane fermentation (author's transl)].

Basic experiments of methane fermentation of livestock excreta have been reported by many investigators, yet there has been no report of experiments of methane fermentation of experimental animal feces. We considered that it would be feasible to gasiby experimental animal feces by methane fermentation. In this report, methane gas fermentation of rat feces is studied. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Methane fermentation of rat feces yielded, under the conditions described, 220-4231 of gas per kg of organic matter. 2. Decomposition ratio of BOD removal volume in organic matter was 50-60% when the fermentation condition was optimum. 3. The volume of gas from BOD removal volume in organic matter was 500-600ml/g. 4 Methane gas contents in the gas generated from the feces ranged from about 55-60%. 5. COD removal ratio was above 80%, and BOD removal ratio above 90%. From these data, the authors conclude that under the optimum conditions, described sufficient methane gas can be obtained from rat feces by methane fermentation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Coprophagy in rabbits: autoingestion of hard feces.

The rabbit is a representative animal species that conducts coprophagy, i. e. the production and reingestion of soft feces. We, however, encountered a maternal rabbit eating its own hard feces. A detailed investigation was performed on coprophagy in the rabbit to elucidate whether rabbits actually reingest their own hard feces. It was found that young adult Japanese White rabbits reingested their hard, as well as soft, feces directly from the anus. It has been reported that rabbits reingest only soft feces because of their high nutritive content, but the present study demonstrates that rabbits also reingest their hard feces despite their low nutritive content. It seems possible that coprophagy may be initiated by the colonic or rectal wall expanding effects of the fecal material itself.

Animals↗