Isolamento di agenti mastitogeni e riflessi ambientali sull'allevamento bufalino

The milk is universally recognized a complete diet due to its chemical-nutritional characteristics and can be considered one of the most important human food. However, its quality can worse after mastitis occurrence in both dairy cattle and buffalo. Mastitis are largely widespread in dairy herds and cause severe milk yield and quality losses, paid directly by milk producers and indirectly by consumers. Both cattle and buffalo are susceptible to mastitis, in particular in developing countries, resulting in health hazards: in fact, pathogens bacteria that cause mastitis can be conveyed through milk and be responsible of diseases in humans (zoonosis). The clinical mastitis is an individual problem and it is characterized by changes in udder and milk. On the contrary, subclinical mastitis can be considered a herd problem, since the animals become healthy carriers of pathogens that can spread in the herd. The purpose of the research carried out during the PhD was to detect: a) The seasonality of the mammary gland health status in buffaloes undergone milk recording; b) The frequency of isolation of the main germs isolated from the milk of clinically healthy buffaloes or buffaloes with clinical/subclinical mastitis, according to the seasonality. Furthermore, the antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria was tested over a period of six years (2010-2015); c) The timing and the histo-pathological modifications of the mammary gland following mastitis by specific agents. Experiment 1. In the first phase of the trial a statistical analysis was carried out on about 700,000 specimens, collected from about 100,000 buffaloes recorded by the National Association of Buffalo Breeders (ANASB) during the last 10 years. Milk yield and somatic cell count measured by Milkoscan were recorded. Experiment 2. A total of 3,585 milk samples (1745 positive to mastitis agents) were collected and cultured on different media for isolation and identification of bacterial species. The cultural and colony characteristics of the growing bacteria were examined and isolated bacteria were tested for sensitivity to antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer’s method. Experiment 3. In order to assess the hystopathological damages of the mammary gland and the pathogens involved, a trial was carried out in a farm located in Foggia province. Buffaloes with more than 300,000 somatic cells and without a history of clinical mastitis, were selected and slaughtered in three periods: February, May and July. Mammary glands were collected and swabs were carried out for each quarter for microbiological examination. The swabs were processed for infectious bacteria, zoonotic agents and environmental or other opportunists germs. The isolated colonies underwent biochemical, enzymatic and serological tests. A statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square test. Experiment 1. Data recorded over a period of 10 years from 100,000 buffaloes undergone milk recording clearly showed the results regarding the application of the “out of season breeding mating” (OBSM) technique. In fact, a drastic reduction of milk production was recorded in primiparous buffaloes from August/September, while a less severe reduction was observed in pluriparous counterparts. It is also worth pointing out that milk production recorded in primiparous animals was about 10% lower than that recorded in pluriparous. The application of the OBSM technique is also highlighted by somatic cell count, that was affected by milk yield and days in milk. In fact somatic cell count was constant and lower than 300,000 (limit of MD 882/2004) throughout the year, except in December, when a higher incidence of both subjects at the end of lactation and subjects at the beginning of lactation is recorded, compared to the other months. In any case, the level lower of 300,000 somatic cells suggests that health of the udder. Experiment 2. The most common bacteria isolated in milk samples positive to mastitis agents were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus aglactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli. Experiment 3. An analysis of the udders recovered at the slaughterhouse from buffaloes with more than 300,000 somatic cells revealed no signs due to acute mastitis after a macroscopic examination. However, in some cases, a teat and milk ducts thickening was observed, together a significant fibrosis. The microbiological examination revealed the presence of different Gram positive and negative bacteria examined. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated in 100% of the samples, it was possible to identify S. aureus in over 23% of cases (7/30): this bacterium is widely recognized as one of the main mastitis agents in both in cattle and buffalo. Clear signs of mastitis were observed by the histological analysis in 18/19 samples of udders collected in February and May (94.5%): in 12 of these (63.2%) significant lesions in the mammary gland ducts, interstitium and teats were assessed. In 10/11 mammary glands collected in July (90.1%) marked interstitial lesions characterized by lymphoplasmocytic infiltration and fibrosis, together with teats lesions were highlighted. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence investigations, showed the presence of CD8 positive lymphocytes in the interstices and in the epithelium. Mastitis is one of the main diseases found buffalo species. The data reported in this study can be a wake-up call if the somatic cell count is considered. In fact higher values than those considered pathological for bovine were observed in more than 20% of the samples analyzed from the population subjected to milk recording. Further studies are needed to debug a preventive approach for mastitis control and their diffusion in the herd. Furthermore, the analysis of mammary gland samples revealed no signs of acute mastitis. Only in some cases a thickening was visible, localized especially in the teats and milk ducts, where a significant fibrosis was appreciated and the microbiological examination revealed the presence of both Gram positive and negative bacteria. Finally, major attention would be paid to the agronomic and climatic conditions of the region, variations in socio-cultural practices, milk market, feeding and management, which can be considered critical points in increasing the incidence of subclinical mastitis

Effect of spray application of Lactobacillus plantarum on in vivo performance, caecal fermentations and haematological traits of suckling rabbits

Two days before kindling, 228 New Zealand White rabbit does were homogeneously divided into two groups (114 does per group) and fed the same diet. After delivery, the litters were equalized to 8 pups. From 1 to 35 days of age (weaning), the control group (CONT) did not receive any treatment while in the experimental group (LAC) the nests were sprayed with a commercial product containing lyophilized Lactobacillus plantarum dissolved in water (12 g/L). L. plantarum was sprayed on the litters (5 mL per rabbit) once a day during seven consecutive days after delivery. After one week of rest, the treatment was repeated for another week according to the same experimental protocol. Mortality rate, recorded on all the litters (912 rabbits per group) was significantly lower in the LAC group (9.9 vs 17.2%; P<0.05). There were no significant differences in in vivo performance of the 24 litters per group, and rabbits of both groups reached a similar weight at weaning (938 vs 932 g for LAC and CONT groups, respectively). Rabbits from the LAC group showed fermentative activity of caecal microflora (total volatile fatty acids 24.8 vs 14.5 mmol/L; P<0.01) and higher percentage of lymphocytes (73.7 vs 63.9% of total white blood cells; P<0.05). Among the microflora population of rabbit caecal content from the LAC group, it was possible to identify L. plantarum (1.25x106 CFU/g). It might be supposed that the changes in caecal microflora can affect our results and improve the sanitary status of Lactobacillus-sprayed rabbits in the period 1-35 days of age

Use of mannan oligosaccharides during "post-weaning enteric syndrome" in rabbits: effect on in vivo performance from 35 to 60 days

Four groups, each consisting of 684 weaned (35 days) hybrid Hyla rabbits were fed ad libitum the same commercial concentrate supplemented, respectively, with antibiotics (AGP group: colistin sulphate 144 mg/kg; tylosin 100m g/kg and oxytetracyclin 1000 mg/kg) or with mannan oligosac- charides (MOS) at 0.5 (group MOS_0.5), 1.0 (group MOS_1.0) and 1.5 g/kg (group MOS_1.5). Up to 60 days, mortality rate was recorded daily. For each group, 64 rabbits were controlled weekly for live weight to calculate daily weight gain (DWG). Feed intake (and, by consequence, feed conversion ratio) was measured, weekly, per group. No differences were observed for live weight during the trial, while DWG showed an alternate trend, in general, significantly lower for AGP group, exclusive of the third week (49- 56 days). Exclusive of the first week of the trial feed intake was higher for AGP than the other groups and the feed conversion ratio was more favourable for MOS groups. Mortality rate was significantly higher (34.2%) in AGP groups. The lowest mortality was recorded in MOS_1.0 group (7.75%)

An update on microbiological causes of canine otitis externa in Campania Region – Italy.

Objective: To update the recent knowledge of the microbiological causes of canine otitis externa in Campania Region (Italy) and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolated strains. Methods: A total of 122 dogs were examined by otoscopy, and auricular swab samples were collected from both ears in 74 dogs presenting clinical bilateral otitis and from single ears in 48 dogs displaying clinical unilateral otitis. Cytological examination, bacteriological analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. Results: Thirty-one out of 122 dogs were positive for yeast species (25.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 18.2%–34.2%) with a higher prevalence of Malassezia pachydermatis (21/31 isolates, 67.7%, CI: 48.5%–82.7%), and a total of 91 out of 122 dogs were positive for bacterial species (74.6%; CI: 65.8%–81.8%) with a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (45/143 isolates, 31.5%, CI: 24.1%–39.8%). These results are the first description of Streptococcus agalactiae-associated otitis. The yeasts isolated showed high levels of susceptibility to all antifungal agents tested; on the contrary all the isolated bacterial strains were highly resistant to at least four out of ten antimicrobial classes. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria showed high resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate and kanamycin hence they are not recommended as initial empirical therapy for the otitis treatment. Conclusions: This update illustrates an increase in antibiotic resistances providing an insight into the current knowledge of the therapeutic procedures followed on canine otitis externa in Italy. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the results of the microbiological and sensitivity tests to decide on an appropriate antibiotic therapy

Colecistectomía laparoscópica. La experiencia de un centro privado

Antecedentes: La colecistectomía laparoscópica(CL) es la intervención estándar para tratar la litiasisvesicular y sus complicaciones; su correcta realizaciónsupone ventajas y desventajas.Material y Métodos: 130 casos consecutivos deCL realizadas en un año fueron seleccionados paraun estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo con el propósitode estudiar las características demográficas, lasindicaciones de la cirugía, los inconvenientes técnicosy los resultados inmediatos.Resultados: La serie comprende 89 mujeres y 41hombres. La edad media fue de 48 años (r 16- 87).Veinte y cuatro pacientes padecían de hipertensiónarterial, 5 de diabetes mellitus y 7 de la combinaciónde ambas; asma bronquial 6 y alergia a medicamentos5. Ochenta y seis CL fueron realizadas porcolecistitis crónicas y 44 por colecistitis agudas (38litiásicas y 6 alitiásicas).Dos CL fueron convertidas: una por hemorragia– cirrosis e hipertensión portal – y otra por imposibilidadde identificar las estructuras, consecuencia deun proceso inflamatorio agudo con plastrón vesicular.Un paciente desarrolló un ACV durante el actooperatorio. Sesenta y tres pacientes fueron dados dealta en 24 horas, 47 en 2 días y los restantes antes del5º día. Dos pacientes presentaron litiasis residual,resuelta por papilotomía endoscópica.Conclusión: la CL constituye un método seguroy eficaz para el tratamiento de la litiasis vesicular;la coexistencia de afecciones sistémicas crónicas noparece modificar los resultados

Conjunctival cytological examination, bacteriological culture, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of healthy Mediterranean buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Southern Italy

Objective: To assess normal conjunctival cytological and bacteriological/fungal flora features in the Mediterranean buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Methods: Swabs were taken from the inferior conjunctival sac of both eyes of 57 healthy female buffaloes aged 24–36 months, with no evidence of ocular disease, farmed in Campania region (Southern Italy), for microbiological analysis. Conjunctival eye specimens of both eyes were subsequently obtained by a cyto-brush, for cytological analysis. The antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates was also determined using the disk-diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar plates. Results: Cytological examination of conjunctival swab specimens (114 eyes) revealed epithelial cells (basal, intermediate, columnar and superficial) in all samples, whereas neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells were present in 70%, 10% and 2% of samples, respectively. Microorganisms, for a total of 261 aerobic bacteria and 6 fungi, were isolated from 112/114 conjunctival samples [98.25%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 93.18–99.70]. Only two conjunctival swabs did not yield bacteria and/or fungi (2/114, 1.75%; 95% CI: 0.30–6.82). Gram-positive aerobes were most commonly cultured (181/261, 69.35%; 95% CI: 63.31–74.81), with Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus lentus predominating. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated as Gram-negative bacteria (80/261, 30.65%; 95% CI: 25.19–36.69). The antimicrobial resistance patterns of the isolated bacteria showed amoxycillin/clavulanic acid and cephalothin as the least sensitive antibiotics for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions: These results provided first information on normal conjunctival ocular microflora and cytological features in Mediterranean buffalo

Pratos e mais pratos: louças domésticas, divisões culturais e limites sociais no Rio de Janeiro, século XIX

Reply to ten comments on a paper published in the last issue of this journal. The discussion follows along six main lines: History museums, identity, ideology and the category of nation; the need of material collections and their modalities: patrimonial, operational, virtual; theater versus laboratory; visitors and their ambiguities; Public History: the museum and the academy.Resposta aos comentários de dez especialistas que contribuíram no debate de texto publicado no último número desta revista. A discussão orientou-se segundo seis tópicos principais: museus históricos, identidade, ideologia e a categoria de nação; a necessidade de acervos materiais e suas modalidades: acervo patrimonial, operacional, virtual; teatro versus laboratório; o público e suas ambigüidades; História Pública: o museu e a Academia