Enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic cows.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of mastitis in cows. The ability of S. aureus strains to produce one or more enterotoxins in milk and dairy products is linked to staphylococcal food poisoning. To determine whether staphylococci causing bovine mastitis could cause human foodborne intoxication, the production of staphylococcal enterotoxins A through D (SEA, SEB, SEC, and SED) by 160 S. aureus isolates was evaluated with the use of a reverse passive latex agglutination enterotoxin kit. All S. aureus strains were isolated over a 9-month period from 2,343 routine submissions of a composite quarter collection of individual mastitic cows at 18 dairy farms in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Prior to enterotoxin detection, isolates were grown by a method that enhances the in vitro synthesis of enterotoxin. Twenty-two of 160 S. aureus isolates produced enterotoxin. Seven produced SEC, 12 produced SED, and 3 produced both SEC and SED. None of the isolates produced SEA or SEB

Effects of UV irradiation in a continuous turbulent flow UV reactor on microbiological and sensory characteristics of cow's milk.

The dairy industry under current pasteurization conditions (15 s at 72°C) and sanitary standards achieves a safe product with excellent quality. In an ever-competitive market there is still a need to improve product quality and extend shelf life of dairy products to increase competitiveness and open up new markets. In an attempt to test the effect of UV irradiation on microbiota of fluid milk, a continuous flow UV system at 254 nm was used to treat 3.5 and 2% fat milk at two UV doses (880 and 1,760 J liter(-1)). Milk was obtained from three processors, and two lots from each processor were assessed. To assess the impact on the most descriptive native microbiota in pasteurized milk after UV illumination, the product was held at two storage temperatures (4 and 7°C) and tested weekly for 5 weeks for aerobic plate counts (psychrotrophic and mesophilic bacteria), laboratory pasteurization counts, aerobic sporeformers, coliform organisms, and titratable acidity. Microbial counts for all tested microorganisms were lower in UV-treated milk when compared with control throughout storage at 4 and 7°C in both 3.5 and 2% fat milk. Sensory analysis indicated that there is a sensory defect associated with UV treatment at the wavelength used

A one health framework to advance food safety and security: An on-farm case study in the Rwandan dairy sector.

In Rwanda, cattle and milk hold a cultural and historical significance, providing an opportunity for pro-dairy governmental policies aimed to alleviate food insecurity, malnutrition, and improve livelihoods. The government of Rwanda has identified strategies to grow the dairy sector through strategic investment to achieve these goals. It is estimated two-thirds of lactating cows in Rwanda have clinical or subclinical mastitis, which reduces milk production and increases the risk of milk as a source for zoonotic disease if the milk is consumed undercooked or unpasteurized. This case study outlines the implementation of a One Health framework that integrates education, research, and outreach in Rwanda to improve food safety and food security, for the social, economic, and health benefit of Rwandans and their livestock. Twenty-five Rwandan Extension Specialists participated in the Dairy Dynamic Management education, research, and outreach program. Once trained, the extension specialists supported 30 small holder dairy farmers in performing proper husbandry and animal health practices for mastitis control and reduction of bacterial counts in the udder. Over the 16-week program, 30 small holder dairy farmers and 100 dairy cows were surveyed weekly for animal husbandry, animal health, and mastitis indicators. Outcomes were evaluated by monitoring animal health, foodborne pathogens in milk, and compliance to animal husbandry protocols. Quarter milk samples were collected weekly and evaluated for the presence of bacteria that are common causes of mastitis. We found a statistically significant reduction of mean total bacterial counts and prevalence of bacterial species in quarters over the 16-week training (P ≤ .01). Smallholders were monitored through observing farmers performing hygienic milking protocols. Farmers conducted the protocol correctly greater than 90% of the time by the end of the 16-week program for 5 of 7 steps for proper hygienic milking procedures, indicating farmers were eager to learn and adopt the procedures. However, follow-up and retraining with Extension Specialists is vital to continued success. We demonstrate that an integrative One Health education, research, and outreach program can be successful in improving animal health, food safety, and food security and this framework can be applied to other agricultural sectors and geographic regions

PCR and antibody methods: Research compares two cattle feed tests that detect bovine byproduct contaminants

Preventing the spread of mad cow disease through contaminated cattle feed is a major concern of beef and dairy producers, regulators and consumers around the world. Routine testing of cattle feeds for the presence of banned substances is a critical control point in assuring animal health and food safety. We compared the results of two test procedures (a real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay and a commercially available ruminant antibody detection kit) on five cattle rations spiked with bovine meat-and-bone meal, or with bovine dried blood. The real-time PCR consistently detected these contaminants at lower levels in each of these diverse cattle rations

A one health framework to advance food safety and security: An on-farm case study in the Rwandan dairy sector

In Rwanda, cattle and milk hold a cultural and historical significance, providing an opportunity for pro-dairy governmental policies aimed to alleviate food insecurity, malnutrition, and improve livelihoods. The government of Rwanda has identified strategies to grow the dairy sector through strategic investment to achieve these goals. It is estimated two-thirds of lactating cows in Rwanda have clinical or subclinical mastitis, which reduces milk production and increases the risk of milk as a source for zoonotic disease if the milk is consumed undercooked or unpasteurized. This case study outlines the implementation of a One Health framework that integrates education, research, and outreach in Rwanda to improve food safety and food security, for the social, economic, and health benefit of Rwandans and their livestock. Twenty-five Rwandan Extension Specialists participated in the Dairy Dynamic Management education, research, and outreach program. Once trained, the extension specialists supported 30 small holder dairy farmers in performing proper husbandry and animal health practices for mastitis control and reduction of bacterial counts in the udder. Over the 16-week program, 30 small holder dairy farmers and 100 dairy cows were surveyed weekly for animal husbandry, animal health, and mastitis indicators. Outcomes were evaluated by monitoring animal health, foodborne pathogens in milk, and compliance to animal husbandry protocols. Quarter milk samples were collected weekly and evaluated for the presence of bacteria that are common causes of mastitis. We found a statistically significant reduction of mean total bacterial counts and prevalence of bacterial species in quarters over the 16-week training (P ≤ .01). Smallholders were monitored through observing farmers performing hygienic milking protocols. Farmers conducted the protocol correctly greater than 90% of the time by the end of the 16-week program for 5 of 7 steps for proper hygienic milking procedures, indicating farmers were eager to learn and adopt the procedures. However, follow-up and retraining with Extension Specialists is vital to continued success. We demonstrate that an integrative One Health education, research, and outreach program can be successful in improving animal health, food safety, and food security and this framework can be applied to other agricultural sectors and geographic regions

Toxoplasma in animals, food, and humans : an old parasite of new concern

All hosts, including humans, can be infected by any one of the three forms of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that correspond to three morphological stages: tachyzoite, bradyzoite, and sporozoite form. Felids are definitive hosts for T. gondii, which is an intracellular pathogen that infects a wide range of warm-blooded intermediate hosts. Toxoplasmosis is a disease where the interest of the diverse medical and veterinary specialties converge. Awareness needs to be increased that toxoplasmosis can induce clinical disease not only in immunocompromised patients or through congenital infections, but also in healthy patients. This is a review article that aims at illustrating why toxoplasmosis should be regarded a veterinary public health issue and how veterinary practitioners can contribute in controlling the infection.http://www.liebertpub.com/products/product.aspx?pid=108mn201