Macrolide resistance in porcine streptococci: a human health hazard?

In order to obtain better insights into the possible exchange of resistance genes between human and porcine streptococci, macrolide and lincosamide resistant streptococci from tonsillar and colon swabs from pigs and pork carcass swabs were isolated and their resistance phenotypes and genotypes were determined. The sequences of the erm(B) genes of 21 human streptococci, 22 porcine streptococci and 15 streptococci isolated from pork carcasses were compared. From each of the 33 pigs and from 88 of 99 carcass swabs, at least one resistant streptococcal strain was isolated. The predominant phenotype was the constitutively expressed MLSB phenotype, mostly encoded by the erm(B) gene. Identical erm(B) gene sequences were present in strains from humans, pigs and pork carcasses

MeV neutrinos in double beta decay

The effect of Majorana neutrinos in the MeV mass range on the double beta decay of various isotopes is studied on pure phenomenological arguments. By using only experimental half life data, limits on the mixing parameter $U_{eh}^2$ of the order 10$^{-7}$ can be derived. Also the possible achievements of upcoming experiments and some consequences are outlined.Comment: 7 pages, 6 uudecoded EPS-figure

Macrolide resistance in porcine streptococci: a human health hazard?

In order to obtain better insights into the possible exchange of resistance genes between human and porcine streptococci, macrolide and lincosamide resistant streptococci from tonsillar and colon swabs from pigs and pork carcass swabs were isolated and their resistance phenotypes and genotypes were determined. The sequences of the erm(B) genes of 21 human streptococci, 22 porcine streptococci and 15 streptococci isolated from pork carcasses were compared. From each of the 33 pigs and from 88 of 99 carcass swabs, at least one resistant streptococcal strain was isolated. The predominant phenotype was the constitutively expressed MLSB phenotype, mostly encoded by the erm(B) gene. Identical erm(B) gene sequences were present in strains from humans, pigs and pork carcasses.</p