Assessing the occurrence and transfer dynamics of ESBL/pAmpC-producing Escherichia coli across the broiler production pyramid

Extended-spectrum \u3b2-lactamase (ESBL)- and plasmid mediated AmpC-type cephalosporinase (pAmpC)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL/pAmpC E. coli) in food-producing animals is a major public health concern. This study aimed at quantifying ESBL/pAmpC-E. coli occurrence and transfer in Italy's broiler production pyramid. Three production chains of an integrated broiler company were investigated. Cloacal swabs were taken from parent stock chickens and offspring broiler flocks in four fattening farms per chain. Carcasses from sampled broiler flocks were collected at slaughterhouse. Samples were processed on selective media, and E. coli colonies were screened for ESBL/pAmpC production. ESBL/pAmpC genes and E. coli phylogroups were determined by PCR and sequencing. Average pairwise overlap of ESBL/pAmpC E. coli gene and phylogroup occurrences between subsequent production stages was estimated using the proportional similarity index, modelling uncertainty in a Monte Carlo simulation setting. In total, 820 samples were processed, from which 513 ESBL/pAmpC E. coli isolates were obtained. We found a high prevalence (92.5%, 95%CI 72.1-98.3%) in day-old parent stock chicks, in which blaCMY-2 predominated; prevalence then dropped to 20% (12.9-29.6%) at laying phase. In fattening broilers, prevalence was 69.2% (53.6-81.3%) at the start of production, 54.2% (38.9-68.6%) at slaughter time, and 61.3% (48.1-72.9%) in carcasses. Significantly decreasing and increasing trends for respectively blaCMY-2 and blaCTX-M-1 gene occurrences were found across subsequent production stages. ESBL/pAmpC E. coli genetic background appeared complex and bla-gene/phylogroup associations indicated clonal and horizontal transmission. Modelling revealed that the average transfer of ESBL/pAmpC E. coli genes between subsequent production stages was 47.7% (42.3-53.4%). We concluded that ESBL/pAmpC E. coli in the broiler production pyramid is prevalent, with substantial transfer between subsequent production levels

Campylobacter: Animal Reservoirs, Human Infections, and Options for Control

Campylobacteriosis is a frequently diagnosed disease in humans. Most infections are considered foodborne and are caused by Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli. The animal reservoirs of these Campylobacter species, and the sources and routes of transmission, are described and discussed in this chapter. Most warm-blooded animals can be colonized by Campylobacter, but avian species, and in particular poultry, are preferred hosts. Much of the world’s poultry production is colonized by Campylobacter. Source attribution studies estimate that 20–40% of cases are attributed to the handling and consumption of chicken meat, while up to 80% of cases are due to Campylobacter found in the chicken reservoir. The difference suggests that routes other than through the food chain, i.e., environmental contamination, are important. The epidemiology of infections in humans differs between industrialized and low- and middle-income countries. Thus, the most effective interventions would be targeted to primary production. To date, only improved biosecurity is available. If effectively implemented, strict biosecurity can reduce the number of Campylobacter-positive flocks, but implementation to this level has proved difficult for the poultry industry. Available interventions in chicken processing plants can substantially reduce Campylobacter numbers on carcasses and consequently reduce the risk to humans. Public health strategies therefore utilize control programs, which aim at reducing the level of Campylobacter by measures along the food chain. It is now recognized that commercially acceptable complementary interventions for primary production, such as vaccines and feed additives, are urgently needed. Once Campylobacter in poultry is controlled then other minor sources of Campylobacter including contaminated drinking water, direct contact with (pet) animals, and other food items (e.g., red meat and milk) can be addressed

Growth performance of selected eucalypt hybrid clones for SRWC in central and southern Italy

Eucalypt short-rotation woody crop (SRWC) is becoming an attractive option for energy biomass in Mediterranean dry environments. The present study is aimed at assessing growth performance of selected eucalypt hybrid clones for SRWC in three Italian sites (Massama, Sardinia; Mirto, Calabria; Rome, Latium) compared with Eucalyptus camaldulensis, the most commonly cultivated eucalypt species in Italy. The study identified eucalypt clones with stable and high performance between several alternatives. Results pointed out the declining growth performance observed in the second rotation compared with the first cycle. This is due to the cultivation model, age rotation and harvesting method adopted, which negatively affect the available soil nutrients’ content. The clone/site interaction as for basal area growth at the three investigated sites, suggests a significantly different clones’ performance among sites. Viglio and Velino clones showed the best overall performance and are suggested to be used over the large scale SRWC in central and southern Italy

Distribution of Salmonella enterica isolates from human cases in Italy, 1980 to 2011

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Occupational exposure and risk of colon cancer: a nationwide registry study with emphasis on occupational exposure to zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogens.

Chemical Immunolog

Bacterial and parasitic pathogens as risk factors for cancers in the gastrointestinal tract: a review of current epidemiological knowledge

The oncogenic potential of viral infections is well established and documented for many years already. However, the contribution of (commensal) bacteria and parasites to the development and progression of cancers has only recently gained momentum, resulting in a rapid growth of publications on the topic. Indeed, various bacteria and parasites have been suggested to play a role in the development of gastrointestinal cancer in particular. Therefore, an overview of the current epidemiological knowledge on the association between infections with bacteria and parasites and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract is needed. In this review, we summarized the methodological characteristics and main results of epidemiological studies investigating the association of 10 different bacteria (Bacteroides fragilis, Campylobacter spp., Clostridium spp., Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, non-typhoidal Salmonella, Salmonella Typhi, and Streptococcus spp.) and three parasites (Cryptosporidium spp., Schistosoma spp., and Strongyloides stercoralis) with gastrointestinal cancer. While the large body of studies based on microbiome sequencing provides valuable insights into the relative abundance of different bacterial taxa in cancer patients as compared to individuals with pre-malignant conditions or healthy controls, more research is needed to fulfill Koch's postulates, possibly making use of follow-up data, to assess the complex role of bacterial and parasitic infections in cancer epidemiology. Studies incorporating follow-up time between detection of the bacterium or parasite and cancer diagnosis remain valuable as these allow for estimation of cause-effect relationships.Chemical Immunolog

Risk factors for sporadic campylobacteriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Campylobacter spp. is an important causative agent of diarrheal illness worldwide. The disease is frequently associated with foodborne transmission, but other routes of exposure are increasingly recognized. A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies were performed to determine the main risk factors associated with sporadic campylobacteriosis. Suitable scientific articles published up to March 2017 were identified through a systematic literature search and subject to methodological quality assessment. From each study, odds ratios (OR) as measures of association were extracted or calculated, as well as study characteristics such as study population, design, type of model used and risk factor categorization. Mixed-effects meta-analytical models were adjusted by population type to appropriate data partitions. From 4453 identified references, the quality assessment stage was passed by 71 case-control studies focusing on sporadic campylobacteriosis. The eligible studies were conducted between 1981 and 2012 and provided 1336 ORs for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis identified international travel (pooled OR=4.626), recent use of gastric antacids (pooled OR=2.911), occupational exposure to animals/carcasses (pooled OR=3.022), and food consumption (in particular raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, beef, and dairy) as the main risks factors for sporadic campylobacteriosis in the mixed population. In the child population, the main risk factors concerned environmental/animal transmission routes (e.g. drinking untreated water (pooled OR=3.261), exposure to recreational water (pooled OR=3.156), exposure to farm/rural environment (pooled OR=3.128), contact with farm animals (pooled OR=2.747), person-to-person transmission (pooled OR=2.736) and consumption of raw milk (pooled OR =2.603). The results of this meta-analysis highlight the importance of overlooked routes and vehicles of transmission (environment, animal contact, and other food vehicles) of Campylobacter that should be explored in dedicated studies.The authors would like to thank Anses staff and the members of the Anses Working Group on Source Attribution of Foodborne Diseases: Moez Sanaa, Laurence Watier, Jean Christophe Augustin, Frédéric Carlin, Laurent Guillier, Nathalie Jourdan-Da Silva, Alexandre Leclercq, Anne Thébault, Nicole Pavio, Isabelle Villena. U. Gonzales-Barron and V. Cadavez are grateful to the Foundation for Food Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO ( UID/AGR/00690/2019 ). U. Gonzales-Barron thanks the national funding by FCT , P.I., through the Institutional Scientific Employment Program contract.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing Biosecurity Compliance in Poultry Farms: A Survey in a Densely Populated Poultry Area in North East Italy

Biosecurity in poultry farms represents the first line of defense against the entry and spread of pathogens that may have animal health, food safety, and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to assess biosecurity compliance in poultry farms located in a densely populated poultry area in North East Italy. A total of 259 poultry farms (i.e., broilers, turkeys, and layers) were surveyed between 2018 and 2019 using standardized checklists, and differences in biosecurity compliance between the poultry sectors and years (only for turkey farms) were tested for significance. Among the three sectors, turkey farms showed the highest compliance. Farm hygiene, infrastructure condition, cleaning and disinfection tools, and procedures were the biosecurity measures most complied with. Some deficiencies were observed in the cleanliness of the farm hygiene lock in broiler farms, as well as the presence of the house hygiene lock in broiler and layer farms and an adequate coverage of built-up litter in turkey and broiler farms. In conclusion, this study highlighted a generally high level of biosecurity in the visited poultry farms (probably due to the stringent national regulation and the integration of the poultry industry) and identified some measures that still need to be improved