Contamination Level of Staphylococcus spp. in Raw Goat Milk and Associated Risk Factors

This study was aimed to investigate the presence of pathogenic bacteria in raw goat milk by using Staphylococcus spp. as indicator bacteria, and also to evaluate the potential risk factors associated with them. Information regarding potential risk factors was collected by questionnaire. The conventional bacteriological method for bacterial isolation and the indirect test (California Mastitis Test (CMT)) for determining udder inflammation status were employed. A sample size of 300 udder halves milk samples from three commercial dairy goat farms in the Bogor District, West Java Province, Indonesia were investigated for counts and prevalence of indicator bacteria. Ten potential risk factors were also evaluated in relation to counts and prevalence of indicator bacteria. The results showed that the median value of indicator bacterial count from overall udder-half milk samples was 3.00 log cfu/ml. The indicator bacterial count from udder-half milk samples was significantly different (P < 0.05) among farms. Overall prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. was 78.7%. As one of potential risk factors, udder inflammation status was found to be risk factor for Staphylococcus spp. contamination in milk. Udders with inflammation had significant association and a higher chance of having contaminated samples by Staphylococcus spp. as compared to udders without inflammation. Additionally, according to these study results, CMT can be used as an effective, reliable, cheap and “farm and farmer friendly test" for screening test of intramammary infection (IMI) or sub clinical mastitis in dairy goats. Key words: goat milk, Staphylococcus spp., prevalence, risk factor, California Mastitis Tes

Keys to good knowledge, attitude and practice on rabies prevention in disease-free communities

Many developing countries have recently faced public health challenges due to outbreaks of human rabies, while some areas have remained free from outbreaks of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify keys to good knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) in rabies-free areas of Thailand to provide a functional model for rabies prevention in endemic zones. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire in conjunction with interviews that were designed to elicit relevant information. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and content analysis were used to interpret the data obtained from the questionnaire and interviews, respectively. The results gathered from 1,392 respondents and 36 interviewees indicated that age, education and the residential area of the subjects were associated with knowledge and practice, but not with attitude. Late midlife subjects reported good knowledge and practice scores due to some form of personal encounter with rabies and attendance at rabies meetings and campaigns, while secondary education levels or above were associated with higher knowledge and practice scores due to the inclusion of a rabies course in the secondary school curriculum. Moreover, the findings showed that a community using a form of public communication known as wired broadcasting had greater knowledge, and a community organizing comprehensive participatory activities had better practice. Ultimately, it was not only age, education and residential area, but also the integration of appropriate interventions and control measures by the authorities that proved beneficial in making good knowledge and practice more uniform throughout the communities included in the study

One Health perspectives on sustainable rabies prevention in Thailand: a qualitative interview study

Rabies is a challenging human and animal health concern that requires a multisectoral and interdisciplinary strategy for prevention and control. The aim of this study was to investigate One Health perspectives on long-term rabies prevention in disease-free subdistricts of Chiang Mai, Thailand. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was carried out in three rabies-free communities with diverse demographics, and the results were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings were gathered from 36 interviews with equal proportions of urban, suburban, and rural populations. Although none of the participants mentioned the term “One Health”, the majority of them comprehended that rather than a one-dimensional approach, a multi-dimensional approach to rabies prevention would be effective. The main theme from the interview analysis was multisectoral collaboration. The role of the local government in collaboration, the involvement of the medical and veterinary branches, and intersectoral action with community engagement were all sub-themes. Community leaders and village health volunteers collaborated with local authorities to connect community members. The use of wired broadcasting as a method of public communication was critical to increasing rabies knowledge and awareness. Human and animal health agencies provided support for rabies vaccine and medical equipment, as well as staff skills and practice training. Community participation in rabies activities contributed to preventing, detecting, and responding to the disease. The One Health concept must be developed and implemented in practice at all levels of all key sectors, particularly among the general population in rabies-endemic areas throughout the country

Microbiological Quality of Raw Goat Milk in Bogor, Indonesia

Milk samples were investigated for counts and prevalence of indicator bacteria, which were TPC, coliforms, coagulase positive Staphylococci (CPS), and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS). Ten potential risk factors were also evaluated in relation to the prevalence of indicator bacteria. The results showed that the median values of indicator bacterial counts from overall udder-half milk samples were 3.74, 0.70, 1.70, and 2.52 log cfu/ml and from bulk milk samples were 5.69, 2.98, 3.66 and 3.32 log cfu/ml for TPC, coliforms, CPS, and CNS, respectively. None of the median values of overall udder-half milk samples exceeded the maximum limit of the standards for all indicator bacteria. However, in the bulk milk samples only the median value of TPC below the maximum limit of the standards. Overall prevalence of coliforms, CPS and CNS from udder-half milk samples were 46.3%, 37.7%, and 66.0%, respectively, and from bulk milk samples were 86.7%, 76.7%, and 86.7%, respectively. Saanen crossbreed, fifth parity and udders with inflammation were found to be risk factors. This study results indicated that the hygienic practices in the dairy goat farms are still need to be increased.  To increase the hygienic level of the milk, the identified significant risk factors must be controlled

Occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli in broiler farm workers and the farm environment in Chiang Mai-Lamphun, Thailand

Antimicrobial resistance has become a major global public health threat. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli appears as an emergence cause of treatment failure and increase mortality due to limited available effective antimicrobial agents. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of ESBL producing E. coli in broilers, farm workers and environment in broiler farms in Chiang Mai-Lamphun, Thailand. The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli in the broiler farms was 60.4% (29/48). The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli from boot swabs, farm worker’s rectal swabs, feed and water samples were 43.8%, 55.7%, 12.5% and 2.1%, respectively. All isolates showed susceptible to imipenem and, in contrast, resistant to ampicillin. The results demonstrated high antimicrobial resistant rate to streptomycin (94.3%), gentamicin (86.8%), tetracycline (77.4%), chloramphenicol (66.0%), nalidixic acid (58.5%), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (56.6%). High percentage (96.2%) of isolates was classified as multidrug resistance (MDR). Thirty-five antimicrobial resistance profiles were identified with AMP-GEN-SXT-NAL-TET-CHL-STR, AMP-GEN-SXT-TET-CHL-STR (14.3%) as the 2 most prevalent profiles. The common resistance profiles between farm workers and broilers was demonstrated. These findings are suggestive for possible transmission between poultry and humans in broiler farms, most likely via close contact. Antimicrobial usage should be strictly controlled together with increase awareness on hygiene practices in broiler farms

Development and validation of the Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire for adults

Background Eating self-regulatory capacity can help individuals to cope with the obesogenic environment and achieve, as well as maintain, a healthy weight and diet. At present, there is no comprehensive, reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing this capacity and measuring change in response to self-regulation interventions in adults. This paper reports the development of the Self-regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (SREBQ) for use in UK adults, and presents evidence for its reliability and construct validity. The development of the SREBQ involved generation of an item pool, followed by two pilot studies (Samples 1 and 2) and a test of the questionnaire’s underlying factor structure (Sample 3). The final version of the SREBQ was then assessed for reliability and construct validity (Sample 4). Results Development of the SREBQ resulted in a 5-item questionnaire. The face validity was satisfactory, as assessed by the pilot studies. The factor structure analysis (Sample 3) suggested that it has a single underlying factor, which was confirmed in a second sample (Sample 4). The SREBQ had strong construct validity, showing a positive correlation with general measures of self-regulation. It was also positively correlated with motivation and behavioural automaticity, and negatively correlated with food responsiveness and emotional over-eating (p < 0.001). It showed good discriminant validity, as it was only weakly associated with satiety responsiveness, food fussiness and slowness in eating. Conclusions The SREBQ is a reliable and valid measure for assessment of eating self-regulatory capacity in the general UK adult population

Design of a randomized controlled trial for multiple cancer risk behaviors among Spanish-speaking Mexican-origin smokers

Background: Smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity account for as much as 60% of cancer risk. Latinos experience profound disparities in health behaviors, as well as the cancers associated with them. Currently, there is a dearth of controlled trials addressing these health behaviors among Latinos. Further, to the best of our knowledge, no studies address all three behaviors simultaneously, are culturally sensitive, and are guided by formative work with the target population. Latinos represent 14% of the U. S. population and are the fastest growing minority group in the country. Efforts to intervene on these important lifestyle factors among Latinos may accelerate the elimination of cancer-related health disparities

Role of fruit juice in achieving the 5-a-day recommendation for fruit and vegetable intake

Although there is strong evidence that consumption of fruit and vegetables is associatedwith a reduced rate of all-cause mortality, only a minority of the population consumes5 servings a day, and campaigns to increase intake have had limited success.This review examines whether encouraging the consumption of fruit juice might offera step toward the 5-a-day target. Reasons given for not consuming whole fruit involvepracticalities, inconvenience, and the effort required. Psychologically, what isimportant is not only basic information about health, but how individuals interprettheir ability to implement that information. It has been argued that fruit juice avoidsthe problems that commonly prevent fruit consumption and thus provides a practicalmeans of increasing intake and benefitting health through an approach with whichthe population can readily engage. Those arguing against consuming fruit juice emphasizethat it is a source of sugar lacking fiber, yet juice provides nutrients such asvitamin C, carotenoids, and polyphenols that offer health-related benefits. Actively encouragingthe daily consumption of fruit juice in public health policy could help populationsachieve the 5-a-day recommendation for fruit and vegetable intake

Einsatz von Antibiotika in 60 Milchrinderbetrieben in Norddeutschland und Charakterisierung von Methicillin-resistenten Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) und Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase produzierenden Escherichia coli (ESBL produzierende E. coli)

The objectives of this study were to gain insight into the usage of antimicrobials on dairy farms in Germany and into the presence of MRSA and ESBLs-producing E. coli in bulk tank milk samples. To this end a questionnaire was performed among herd managers of 60 farms (herd size from 25 to 3,000 animals) in Northern Germany, who were participating in the study on a voluntary basis. Bulk tank milk samples were obtained at a single occasion and analysed for the presence of MRSA and ESBLs-producing E. coli. In addition MRSA isolates from milk from the strain collection of the National Reference Laboratory for coagulase positive staphylococci incl. S. aureus (NRL Staph) were characterized by multiplex PCR, SCCmec typing, spa typing, and DNA micro array analysis. Herd managers reported that lameness, metritis and mastitis were regarded as the most important health problems of cows. Neonatal calf diarrhea and the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) were reported as the most important disorders in calves. Betalactams, tetracyclines, macrolides, sulfonamides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, phenicols, and polypeptides were the antimicrobial drug classes that were administered to diseased animals on the dairy farms. A third generation cephalosporin – ceftiofur – which is registered for use in digital phlegmona was the antimicrobial most frequently administered to lame cows. Amoxicillin, tetracyclines and ceftiofur were preferentially used in the treatment of metritis. BRD in calves was mostly treated with florfenicol or macrolides, whereas fluoroquinolones were most frequently administered to diarrheic calves. The herd managers reported that on average 2.8% of their cows were treated for clinical mastitis per month. Milk samples were sent for bacteriological examination in case of clinical mastitis, or, less frequently, from cows with elevated somatic cell counts (SCC). The most frequently mentioned antimicrobial agents that have been used in the treatment of cows with mastitis were cefquinome, penicillin, and the fixed drug combination cefalexin+kanamycin and ampicillin+cloxacillin. On the majority of farms (85% of the farms) a routine procedure at drying off is applied, which includes the intra mammary administration of antimicrobials. Cloxacillin and cefquinome and the fixed drug combination penethamate hydriodide + benethamine penicillin + framycetinsulfate were the antimicrobial drugs mainly used for dry cow therapy. In total 36 MRSA isolates from bovine milk were characterized. Five isolates originated from the bulk tank samples obtained during the farm visits and 31 isolates originated from the strain collection of the NRL Staph. All isolates were confirmed to be MRSA by multiplex PCR and DNA micro array analysis. Two different spa types were identified, namely t011 (22 isolates) and t034 (14 isolates). Among those, 33 carried SCCmec type V, 2 strains had SCCmec type III, and only one strain had SCCmec type IVa. All MRSA strains were phenotypically resistant to oxacillin and tetracyclines. None of the strains was resistant to mupirocin, vancomycin, or linezolid. In total 16 resistance patterns were detected, and the most common resistance pattern was TET-OXA alone. Multidrug resistance (MDR) to a range of three to seven antimicrobial agents was found in 72.2% of the isolates. The most predominant multidrug resistance pattern was TET-ERYCLI- OXA-QUI/DAL. All MRSA strains carried more than one antimicrobial resistance gene, and 18 different antimicrobial resistance gene patterns were identified. The most common genotypic resistance patterns were mecA-blaZ-blaI-blaR-tetM- tetEfflux-tetK and mecAblaZ-blaI-blaR-tetM-tetEfflux-ermA. All 36 MRSA strains carried the genes mecA, tetM, and tetEfflux, and tested negative for vanA, vanB, vanZ (vancomycin), msrA, mefA, mpbBM (macrolides), linA, cfr (lincosamides), vatA, vatB, vga, vgb (streptogramin), aphA (aminoglycoside), dfrA (trimethoprim), and cat (chloramphenicol). In the present study, all strains were tested negative for genes encoding for enterotoxins, genes encoding for toxic shock syndrome toxins (tst1, tst-RF122), Pantone-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), leukocidins (lukM/lukF-P83, lukD, lukE, lukY-var2), and hemolysin Beta (hlb). In addition, all strains harbored lukX and lukY-var1 (leukocidins/haemolysin toxin family protein), hla (haemolysin alpha), un- truncated hlb (haemolysin beta), hld (haemolysin delta), and lukF, lukS, hlgA (haemolysin gamma). ESBLs-producing E. coli were isolated from bulk tank milk samples from 30% of the farms. Detection of ESBLs-producing E. coli was associated with the occurrence of metritis and dystocia on the farms. The use of antimicrobials in the treatment of cows following dystocia and in the treatment of umbilical infections and arthritis in calves was also associated with the presence of ESBLs-producing E. coli in bulk tank milk. All ESBLsproducing E. coli strains were resistant to ampicillin, cephalothin, ticarcillin, piperacillin, ceftiofur, and cefpodoxime. None of the strains were found resistant to florfenicol, spectinomycin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, and cefoxitin. In conclusion, the results of the questionnaire demonstrate that fluoroquinolones, oxacillin and cloxacillin as well as 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins are administered to milking cows and their offspring as initial treatment for the most frequently occurring diseases on dairy farms. Testing bulk tank milk seems a suitable tool to monitor the presence of MRSA and ESBLs-producing E. coli in milk. The presence of the latter bacteria in milk underlines the need to heat treat milk before consumption.Das Ziel der Studie war, Informationen über den Einsatz von Antibiotika in deutschen Milchkuhherden zu sammeln. Zudem sollte auf das Vorkommen von MRSA und ESBL-produzierenden E. coli in Tankmilchproben untersucht werden. Fragebögen wurden unter den Herdenmanagern von 60 norddeutschen Betrieben (Herdengröße von 25 bis 3000 Tiere) verteilt, die auf freiwilliger Basis an den Untersuchungen teilnahmen. Tankmilchproben wurden in den Betrieben einmalig entnommen und auf das Vorkommen von MRSA und ESBL-produzierenden E. coli untersucht. Zusätzlich wurden MRSA-Isolate aus Milch aus der Stammsammlung des Nationalen Referenzlabors für koagulase-positive Staphylokokken (inklusive S. aureus) (NRL Staph) mittels Multiplex PCR, Sccmec-Typisierung, spa-Typisierung und einem DNA-Microarray analysiert. Die Herdenmanager benannten Lahmheiten, Metritiden und Mastitiden als häufigste Krankheitsprobleme der Kühe ihrer Betriebe. Neonataler Kälberdurchfall und der Kälbergrippekomplex (BRD) wurden als Hauptprobleme bei Kälbern angegeben. Beta-Lactame, Tetrazykline, Makrolide, Sulfonamide, Fluoroquinolone, Aminoglykoside, Phenikole und Polypeptide waren die für erkrankte Tiere eingesetzten Antibiotikaklassen auf den Betrieben. Ein Cephalosporin der dritten Generation – Ceftiofur –, das zur Behandlung der Unterfußphlegmone (Panaritium) zugelassen ist, war das zur Behandlung von Lahmheiten der Kühe meist genutzte Antibiotikum. Amoxicillin, Tetrazykline und Ceftiofur wurden bevorzugt zur Behandlung von Metritiden eingesetzt. BRD bei Kälbern wurde zumeist mit Florfenicol or Makroliden behandelt, während Fluoroquinolone die Mittel der Wahl bei Durchfallkälbern waren. Nach Angaben der Herdenmanager wurden monatlich im Durchschnitt 2.5% der Kühe aufgrund einer klinischen Mastitis behandelt. In solchen Fällen wurden routinemässig Milchproben zur bakteriologischen Untersuchung eingeschickt, seltener Proben von Kühen mit erhöhten somatischen Zellzahlen. Für die Behandlung von Mastitiden wurden Cefquinom, Penizillin und die Kombinationen Cefalexin+Kanamycin und Ampicillin+Cloxacillin als häufigste genutzte Antibiotika angegeben. Die meisten der untersuchten Betriebe (85% der Betriebe) wenden Routineverfahren zum Trockenstellen an. Dies beeinhaltet eine intramammäre Applikation von Antibiotika. Cloxacillin und Cefquinom und die Kombination von Penethamathydrojodid + Benethamin-Penizillin + Framycetinsulfat wurden am häufigsten zum Trockenstellen eingesetzt. Insgesamt wurden 36 MRSA-Isolate aus Kuhmilch charakterisiert. Fünf Isolate wurden dabei aus Tankmilchproben, die während der Betriebsbesichtigungen genommen wurden, gewonnen. 31 Isolate stammten aus der Stammsammlung des NRL Staph. Die Zuordnung der Isolate zu MRSA wurde Mithilfe einer Multiplex PCR und DNAMicroarrayanalysen verifiziert. Zwei verschiedene spa-Typen konnten ermittelt werden: t011 (22 Isolate) und t034 (14 Isolate). Dabei konnten 33 Stämme dem SCCmec Typ V, 2 Stämme dem SCCmec Typ III und nur ein Stamm dem SCCmec Typ IVa zugeordnet werden. Alle MRSA-Stämme zeigten im Phänotyp Resistenzen gegenüber Oxacillin und Tetrazyklinen. Kein Stamm zeigte Resistenzen gegenüber Mupirocin, Vancomycin oder Linezolid. Insgesamt wurden 16 Resistenzmuster detektiert. Das häufigste Resistenzmuster war TET-OXA. Mehrfachresistenzen (multidrug resistance-MDR) gegenüber drei bis sieben Antibiotika konnten in 72,2% der Isolate nachgewiesen werden. Das häufigste Mehrfachresistenzmuster war dabei TET-ERY- CLI-OXA-QUI/DAL. Alle MRSA-Stämme trugen mehr als ein Antibiotikaresistenzgen. 18 verschiedene Antibiotikaresistenz-Genmuster wurden identifiziert. Die häufigsten Antibiotikaresistenz-Genmuster waren mecA-blaZ-blaI-blaR-tetM- tetEfflux-tetK und mecA-blaZ-blaI-blaRtetM-tetEfflux-ermA. Alle 36 MRSA trugen die Gene mecA, tetM und tetEfflux, jedoch konnten keine vanA, vanB, vanZ (Vancomycin), msrA, mefA, mpbBM (Macrolide), linA, cfr (Lincosamide), vatA, vatB, vga, vgb (Streptogramin), aphA (Aminoglycoside), dfrA (Trimethoprim) und cat (Chloramphenicol) nachgewiesen werden. In der vorgelegten Studie konnten in keinem Stamm Enterotoxin-Gene bzw. Gene, die toxische-Schock-Syndrom-Toxine (tst1, tst-RF122), Panton-Valentin Leukozidin (PVL), Leukozidine (lukM/lukF-P83, lukD, lukE, lukY-var2), und Hämolysin Beta (hlb) kodieren, nachgewiesen werden. Alle Stämmen trugen lukX und lukY-var1 (Leukozidine/haemolysin toxin family protein), hla (Hämolysin Alpha), un- truncated hlb (Hämolysin Beta), hld (Hämolysin Delta) und lukF, lukS, hlgA (Hämolysin Gamma). ESBL-produzierende E. coli wurden in Tankmilchproben von 30% der Betriebe nachgewiesen. Der Nachweis von ESBL-produzierenden E. coli ging mit dem Auftreten von Metritis und Dystokie in den entsprechenden Betrieben einher. Der Einsatz von Antibiotika nach Schwergeburten sowie die Behandlung von Kälbern mit Nabelinfektionen und Arthritis konnten mit dem Auftreten von ESBL-produzierenden E. coli in Tankmilch assoziiert werden. Alle ESBL-produzierenden E. coli waren resistent gegenüber Ampicillin, Cephalothin, Ticarcillin, Piperacillin, Ceftiofur und Cefpodoxim. Kein Stamm zeigte Resistenzen gegenüber Florfenicol, Spectinomycin, Amoxicillin + Clavulansäure, Ceftazidim und Cefoxitin. Zusammengefasst zeigen die Daten der Fragebögen, dass Fluorchinolone, Oxacillin, Cloxacillin und Cephalosporine der 3. und 4. Generation zur initialen Behandlung der häufigsten Erkrankungen bei Milchkühen und Kälbern eingesetzt werden. Die Untersuchung von Tankmilch ist ein geeignetes Verfahren zur Überprüfung des Vorkommens von MRSA und ESBL- produzierenden E. coli in Milch. Das Vorkommen von ESBL-produzierenden E. coli in Tankmilch unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit, Milch vor dem Verzehr zu erhitzen