Amiata donkey milk chain: animal health evaluation and milk quality

This study presents a investigation into the animal health and quality of Amiata donkey milk for human consumption. Thirty one lactating dairy jennies were examined. The following samples were collected: faecal samples from the rectum of animals for parasitological examination; cervical swabs for the detection of bacteria causing reproductive disorders; and blood samples for serological diagnosis of main zoonotic (Brucella spp., Leptospira spp.) and donkey abortion agents (Brucella spp., Leptospira spp., Salmonella abortus equi, Equine viral arterithis virus, Equine herpesvirus type 1). In addition, individual milk samples were collected and analyzed for mastitis-causing pathogens and milk quality. Regarding animal health, we detected a high prevalence of strongyle parasites in donkeys. It is very important to tackle parasitic diseases correctly. Selective control programmes are preferable in order to reduce anthelmintic drug use. For dairy donkeys, withdrawal periods from anthelmintic drugs need to be carefully managed, in accordance with EU and national regulations. The isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in milk highlights the importance of preventing contamination during milking, by adopting appropriate hygiene and safety practices at a farm level. Amiata donkey milk lysozyme actvity was high compared to cow’s milk, contribuiting to the inhibitory activity against certain bacteria. Donkey milk was characterized by a high lactose content, low caseins, low fat, higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids compared to ruminant milks. Unsaturated fatty acids and omega 3 fatty acids in particular have become known for their beneficial health effect, which is favourable for human diet. These characteristics make it suitable for infants and children affected by food intolerance/allergies to bovine milk proteins and multiple food allergies as well as for adults with dyslipidemias and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Use of donkey milk in infant feeding

There are still few literature about the role of donkey milk (DM) in human nutrition and increasing knowledge is crucial in order to provide practical advice for DM consumption. The aim of this study was to monitor nutritional quality, hygiene and health risks, and the impact of DM in the feeding of children with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA). DM was supplied by a farm located in central Italy, conforming with EU regulation 853/2004. Eighteen pasteurised milk samples (at 65 °C for 30min) were taken monthly. Pasteurised DM showed a total average viable count of 4332.22 CFU/mL (±3046.78), a slightly alkaline pH (7.12±0.17), a lactose percentage of 6.83±0.34, a total protein percentage of 1.63±0.19, while casein was 0.81%±0.11. Fat percentage (0.51±0.52) was lower compared to ruminant milk and about 48% of the total milk fatty acids were unsaturated. In addition, DM contained 7.52±2.49 g/100 g of fat of n3 linolenic acid. Eighty-one children with CMPA referred to the Allergy Unit of the Anna Meyer Children’s Hospital were recruited. They underwent to an allergological work-up including an oral food challenge (OFC) with DM; during the OFC the palatability of the milk was also evaluated. In children ≥3 years of age, DM palatability was assessed with a specific Wong-Baker modified pain scale, while in children <3 years of age it was assessed through the physician’s judgment. The results of the allergological work-up showed that DM did not caused allergic reactions in the 98.7% of patients, in addition, a good palatability of the milk was found. DM was included for six months in nutritional plans for 16 children with IgE-mediate CMPA (mean age of 20±18.4 months at the beginning of the study) and six with Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (mean age of 5.33±1.75 months). The daily dose of DM varied from a maximum of 1000mL to a minimum 200– 250mL according to the age of the children. Given the low fat of DM, the diet of the children was supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVO) according to the age (from a minimum of 1.5 g of EVO and 1.5 g of Medium Chain Triglycerides vegetable oil in each 100mL of milk to a maximum of 8–10mL of EVO added to the daily meals). All the children that underwent to the nutritional plans were monitored twice (at the beginning and at the end of the study) for the auxological parameters. The results showed that DM did not change the normal growth rate of allergic children

Natural history of hepatitis C in thalassemia major: a long-term prospective study

Background: Transfusion-acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains an important problem among patients with thalassemia. In this study, we evaluated the natural history of post-transfusional hepatitis C in thalassemia major, paying special attention to spontaneous viral clearance, to factors influencing the chronicity rate and fibrosis progression. Design and Methods: A prospective study to evaluate the incidence and etiology of transfusion-related hepatitis was started in 1980. In patients who developed hepatitis C, HCV RNA, ALT, and ferritin were measured over time. The correlation between interleukin-28B gene polymorphisms and viral clearance was also analyzed. Results: Seventy-three of 135 patients (62.2%) acquired HCV. An extended follow-up (22 to 30 yr) with HCV RNA assessment was available in 52 patients. Of them, 23 (44.2%) cleared the virus. The proportion of IL-28B genotypes was different between the subjects who cleared the virus and the subjects who did not. Fibrosis progression was similar in HCV RNA-positive and HCV RNA-negative patients. Liver iron was the only factor associated with the fibrosis. Conclusions: In thalassemia patients with HCV infection, liver iron does not play a major role in influencing the chronicity rate, whereas it is significantly associated with the fibrosis

Imatinib and nilotinib off-target effects on human NK cells, monocytes, and M2 macrophages

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are used in the clinical management of hematological neoplasms. Moreover, in solid tumors such as stage 4 neuroblastomas (NB), imatinib showed benefits that might depend on both on-target and immunological off-target effects. We investigated the effects of imatinib and nilotinib on human NK cells, monocytes, and macrophages. High numbers of monocytes died upon exposure to TKI concentrations similar to those achieved in patients. Conversely,NKcells were highly resistant to the TKI cytotoxic effect, were properly activated by immunostimulatory cytokines, and degranulated in the presence of NB cells. In NB, neither drug reduced the expression of ligands for activating NK receptors or upregulated that of HLA class I, B7-H3, PD-L1, and PD-L2, molecules that might limit NK cell function. Interestingly, TKIs modulated the chemokine receptor repertoire of immune cells. Acting at the transcriptional level, they increased the surface expression of CXCR4, an effect observed also in NK cells and monocytes of patients receiving imatinib for chronic myeloid leukemia. Moreover, TKIs reduced the expression of CXCR3 (in NK cells) and CCR1 (in monocytes). Monocytes also decreased the expression of M-CSFR, and low numbers of cells underwent differentiation toward macrophages. M0 and M2 macrophages were highly resistant to TKIs and maintained their phenotypic and functional characteristics. Importantly, also in the presence of TKIs, the M2 immunosuppressive polarization was reverted by TLR engagement, and M1-oriented macrophages fully activated autologous NK cells. Our results contribute to better interpreting the offtarget efficacy of TKIs in tumors and to envisaging strategies aimed at facilitating antitumor immune responses