Dispersal and molecular characterisation of the Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786) complex isolated from various intermediate hosts in the Calabria region, southern Italy

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Presence of Mycobacterium bovis in slaughterhouses and risks for workers

An investigation was carried out to detect the presence of Mycobacterium bovis in slaughterhouses where intradermal tuberculin test positive cattle were slaughtered, and to evaluate the risk of contamination by M. bovis among exposed slaughterhouse workers. Swabs were taken from the carcasses of slaughtered animals showing autoptic signs of non-generalized forms of tuberculosis, thus authorized for free consumption. Swabs were also taken from the hands and clothes of the staff employed in the butchery production line. Environmental samplings were conducted on the slaughterhouse air using filters and air aspiration devices, and on water used to wash the carcasses after slaughter. Samples from the carcasses of healthy animals were also taken on a following slaughtering session. The swabs were analysed by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction for the detection of mycobacteria. M. bovis was detected on meats, on the hands of one worker, and in the washing water. The results obtained from this study confirm that workers are highly exposed to infection by zoonotic tuberculosis, and that cleaning procedures were ineffective in our setting

Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profile of isolates causing clinical mastitis in dairy animals

Mastitis is the most frequent and costly disease of lactating animals and is associated with a significant reduction in milk yield, increased cost and culling. Early and specific antibiotic based treatment reduces the severity of the disease. Over the years the extensive use of antimicrobials has led to increase antimicrobial resistance. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of microorganisms responsible for mastitis and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. A total of 282 milk samples were collected from different animal species (sheep, cows and goats) with clinical mastitis. Antimicrobial resistance was evaluated for Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. In cow samples Streptococcus spp. represented the most frequently isolated genus (33.84%), while Staphylococcus spp. was the most prevalent genus in sheep and goat samples (44.4 and 73.86%, respectively). Gentamicin and chloramphenicol were found to be the most effective drugs against the tested isolates, while the highest resistance rates were observed for amoxicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Genetic Characterization of African Swine Fever Italian Clusters in the 2022–2023 Epidemic Wave by a Multi-Gene Approach

The first report of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II in Italy in 2022 marked the beginning of a significant invasion in at least eight Italian regions with different infection clusters. In this study, we used the multi-gene approach to investigate the epidemiological associations between ASFV strains causing cases and outbreaks in wild boar and pigs in Italy from January 2022 to the end of 2023. Our results confirm that all the tested ASFV-positive Italian samples belonged to genotype II and show high homology with genotype II ASFV sequences previously collected in Eurasian countries. Molecular characterization revealed the presence of four genetic groups in Italy. The majority of African swine fever (ASF) samples analyzed in the current study (72%) belonged to genetic group 3, which was the most representative in Europe. The results also provide evidence of the prevalence of genetic group 19 (15.9%). In addition, we identified new putative genetic groups, genetic group 25 (9.1%) and genetic group 26 (3.0%), which have never been described before. This is the first detailed report on the molecular characterization of more than 130 ASFV strains circulating in Italy

Fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans: a review of mechanisms.

Antifungal agents have greatly contributed to the improvement of public health. Nevertheless, antifungal resistant pathogens have increased during the past decade, becoming a serious concern. Candida albicans has been the most extensively studied pathogen in antifungal resistance because of their morbidity and mortality associated with infections in immunocompromised patients. This review describes the antifungal mechanims of the azole fluconazole widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of candidal infections. The specific molecular pathways occurring in fluconazole-resistance of C. albicans and some issues about new antifungal agents are also discussed

Fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans: A review of mechanisms

Antifungal agents have greatly contributed to the improvement of public health. Nevertheless, antifungal resistant pathogens have increased during the past decade, becoming a serious concern. Candida albicans has been the most extensively studied pathogen in antifungal resistance because of their morbidity and mortality associated with infections in immunocompromised patients. This review describes the antifungal mechanims of the azole fluconazole widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of candidal infections. The specific molecular pathways occurring in fluconazole-resistance of C. albicans and some issues about new antifungal agents are also discussed

Contamination of bovine, sheep and goat meat with Brucella spp.

A study was conducted in order to evaluate the contamination by <em>Brucella</em> spp. of meat from animals slaughtered because they had resulted positive for brucellosis at some time during their life. After slaughter and before delivery to market outlets, swab samples were taken from 307 carcasses of infected animals: 40 cattle, 60 sheep and 207 goats. The swabs were subsequently analysed by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. In addition, bacteriological tests were carried out on the lymph nodes and internal organs of the same animals. <em>Brucella</em> spp. was detected by means of PCR in 25/307 carcasses (8%): 1 bovine (2.5%), 9 sheep (15%) and 15 goats (7.2%) and was isolated by means of a cultural method in 136/307 carcasses (44%). Moreover, additional analysis, performed on lymph nodes from the same carcasses that had proved positive by PCR, allowed highlighting type 3 <em>Brucella abortus</em> in the bovine carcass and type 3 <em>Brucella melitensis</em> in the sheep and goat carcasses. The study shows that cattle, sheep and goats meat of animals slaughtered because they had tested positive for brucellosis may be contaminated by <em>Brucella</em> spp. As this could constitute a real risk of transmission to both butchery personnel and consumers, the meat of animals infected by <em>Brucella</em> spp. should be analysed before being marketed. In this respect, PCR technique performed on swabs proved to be more useful, practical and faster than the traditional bacteriological method

Isolation of Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) from artisanal mozzarella

<em>Cronobacter</em> spp. (<em>Enterobacter sakazakii</em>) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen capable of causing disease and even fatalities in newborn infants within the first weeks of life if consumed as part of the diet. Premature and immunocompromised newborn infants are at particular risk. The microorganism has been isolated from a variety of foods including contaminated infant milk formula powder and milk powder substitute. The study aimed to evaluate the level of microbiological contamination in 47 samples of mozzarella cheese made with cow’s milk collected from artisan cheese producers in Southern Italy. Samples were collected from commercial sales points and underwent qualitative and quantitative microbiological analyses to test for the bacterial contaminants most commonly found in milk and cheese products. The 47 samples underwent qualitative and quantitative microbiological tests according to ISO UNI EN standards. Analyses focused on <em>Staphylococcus aures</em>, <em>Salmonella</em> spp.,<em> Listeria monocytogenes</em>, <em>Pseudomonas</em> spp., <em>E. coli</em>, <em>Yersinia</em> spp., total coliforms and <em>Cronobacter sakazakii</em>. The ISO/TS 22964:2006 method was used to investigate possible contamination by <em>C. sakazakii</em>. Biochemical identification was carried out using an automated system for identification and susceptibility tests. None of the samples examined resulted positive for <em>Salmonella</em> spp. or <em>Listeria</em> spp. Only one sample resulted positive for <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>. Pseudomonas spp. was isolated in 10 (21%) of 47 samples. High levels of total coliforms were found in 10 of 47 samples. <em>Cronobacter</em> spp. (<em>Enterobacter sakazakii</em>) was isolated in one sample. This is the first study to confirm isolation of <em>C. sakazakii</em> in artisan mozzarella cheese made from cow’s milk. The presence of<em> C. sakazakii</em> could be related to external contamination during the phases of production or to the use of contaminated milk. Since mozzarella is recommended in the diet of children and adults of all ages, this present study helps define it as a potential vehicle for <em>C. sakazakii</em> in subjects at particular risk

Fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans: a review of mechanisms.

Antifungal agents have greatly contributed to the improvement of public health. Nevertheless, antifungal resistant pathogens have increased during the past decade, becoming a serious concern. Candida albicans has been the most extensively studied pathogen in antifungal resistance because of their morbidity and mortality associated with infections in immunocompromised patients. This review describes the antifungal mechanims of the azole fluconazole widely used for the prophylaxis and treatment of candidal infections. The specific molecular pathways occurring in fluconazole-resistance of C. albicans and some issues about new antifungal agents are also discussed

Microbiological and chemical contamination in different types of food of non-European origin

In the markets of the European Union (EU) the presence of food imported from non-European countries such as Asia, Africa and America is increasingly more widespread. Non-European countries, indeed, are much more competitive in terms of prices compared to European countries. For these reasons, EU has issued important laws. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of these regulations, estimating the levels of microbiological and chemical contamination of food samples of 91 different matrices imported from third countries. The microbiological methods used are those required by the UNI EN ISO, while for the determination of chemical parameters validated methods according to the Standard UNI EN ISO 16140:2003 were used. Our investigation revealed qualitative or quantitative microbial contamination in 23 out of 91 samples analysed (25.2%). We found high total microbial loads in alimentary conserves, multiple bacterial contamination (<em>Salmonella thiphymurium</em>, <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Vibrio alginolyticus</em>) and viral contamination (<em>Norovirus</em>) in shellfish of the species <em>Cassostrea gigas</em>, and the presence of other pathogens in various products such as hamburgers (<em>Yersinia enterocolitica</em>), frozen fish (<em>Listeria monocytogenes</em>) and honey (<em>Bacillus cereus</em>). With regard to chemical contamination, 24 samples of different food products were analysed. In 9 samples (37.5%), the levels of the following substances exceeded the permitted limits: histamine (fish conserves), mercury (crab meat), cadmium (crab meat and fish conserves), lead (cheese and honey) and polyphosphates (chicken meat). Despite the limited number of samples analysed, these data prompt reflection on the need to implement a more detailed and rigorous activity of monitoring and control in order to guarantee adequate levels of safety with regard to the consumption of foodstuffs imported into the EU from non-European countries