Technical note: Residues of gaseous air pollutants in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) tissues

[EN] The modern consumer is concerned not only for meat quality, but also about animal welfare and the environment. Studies were conducted to determine the concentration of gaseous residues in the tissues of rabbits. For this purpose, gaseous air pollutants were measured at the height of rabbit cages. Immediately after slaughter, samples were taken for analysis to determine the level of residual pollutants in the tissues (blood, perirenal fat and lung). Headspace gas chromatography was performed on the tissue samples to test for volatile toxic substances. Gas residues of 11 compounds were determined in the samples of blood, perirenal fat and lungs. The same chemicals were present in the air of the farm and the animal tissues, which may indicate their capacity for bioaccumulation. 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Wpływ stosowania antybiotykoterapii na mikrobiotę grzybiczą jamy ustnej ludzi – badania wstępne

The aim of this study was to show the relationship between the use of antibiotic therapy and the fungal composition of the human mouth. Studies have been conducted to show a correlation between the use of antibiotic therapy and a change in the number of fungi within the oral mucosa. Microbiological analyzes confirmed that the use of antibiotics causes a significant increase in the number of Candida fungi in the oral cavity, predisposing to candidiasis.Celem niniejszej pracy było wykazanie zależności pomiędzy stosowaniem antybiotykoterapii a składem grzybiczym jamy ustnej człowieka. Przeprowadzono badania mające na celu wykazanie korelacji między stosowaniem antybiotykoterapii a zmianą liczebności grzybów w obrębie błony śluzowej jamy ustnej. Analizy mikrobiologiczne potwierdziły, iż stosowanie antybiotyków powoduje znaczny wzrost liczebności grzybów drożdżopodobnych z rodzaju Candida w obrębie jamy ustnej, predysponując do występowania kandydoz

The Prevalence of Virulence Determinants and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns in Methicillin—Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Nursing Home in Poland

Nursing homes (NH) contribute to the regional spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Moreover, residents are vulnerable to the colonization and subsequent infection of MRSA etiology. We aimed at investigating the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of 21 MRSA collected from the residents and personnel in an NH (Lublin, Poland) during 2018. All MRSA were screened for 20 genes encoding virulence determinants (sea-see, eta, etb, tst, lukS-F-PV, eno, cna, ebpS, fib, bbp, fnbA, fnbB, icaADBC) and for resistance to 18 antimicrobials. To establish the relatedness and clonal complexes of MRSA in NH we applied multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat fingerprinting (MLVF), pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing. We identified four sequence types (ST) among two clonal complexes (CC): ST (CC22) known as EMRSA-15 as well as three novel STs—ST6295 (CC8), ST6293 (CC8) and ST6294. All tested MRSA were negative for sec, eta, etb, lukS-F-PV, bbp and ebpS genes. The most prevalent gene encoding toxin was sed (52.4%; n = 11/21), and adhesins were eno and fnbA (100%). Only 9.5% (n = 2/21) of MRSA were classified as multidrug-resistant. The emergence of novel MRSA with a unique virulence and the presence of epidemic clone EMRSA-15 creates challenges for controlling the spread of MRSA in NH

Effectiveness of removal of sulphur compounds from the air after 3 years of biofiltration with a mixture of compost soil, peat, coconut fibre and oak bark

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the duration of the use of a biofiltration bed on the efficiency of biofiltration of sulphur compounds and on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the bed. The study was carried out at an animal waste treatment plant. Two biofiltration chambers (beds A and B) filled with different organic mixtures (compost soil, peat, coconut fibre and oak bark) were used in the biofilter. Chromatographic analysis showed a very high rate of effectiveness in the first study period, irrespective of the packaging material used. The best effects were obtained for inorganic sulphur compounds (above 99%). The duration of use of the bed material was shown to affect the efficiency of biofiltration. After 3 years of operation, thiol degradation efficiency fell below 50%. The biological decomposition of inorganic compounds (H2S + SO2) was 73% and 59.6% in beds A and B, respectively. Analysis of the biofiltration material indicated stabilization of its physicochemical parameters. Numbers of bacteria were not found to be depend on the duration of use or the type of filtering media

Effect of Fermented Rapeseed Meal in Diets for Piglets on Blood Biochemical Parameters and the Microbial Composition of the Feed and Faeces

The study assessed the influence of rapeseed meal (RSM) fermented using Bacillus subtilis 87Y on the feed microbiota, intestinal microbiota, blood biochemical parameters, and content of minerals in the blood plasma and faeces of piglets. Modulation of the microbial composition of feed containing fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM) and of the faeces of pigs consuming it was observed. There was a significant increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and a decrease in the total number of coliforms and Clostridium perfringens in the faeces of animals from the experimental groups. FRSM in the diet of piglets was shown to improve the mineral balance by increasing the levels of P, Ca, and Mg in the blood plasma and reducing their amount in the faeces. A beneficial effect on parameters of protein and lipid metabolism was also noted, resulting in an increase in the levels of total protein (TP) and albumins (ALB) and a reduction in triacylglycerols (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood plasma of the piglets. The research results indicate that the presence of FRSM in the diet of weaners can be a preventive factor in intestinal dysbiosis and support the maintenance of homeostasis

Estimation of ammonia emissions from a dairy farm using a computer program

Ammonia emission tests were carried out on a dairy cow farm (100 large production units) with a slatted-floor system. The air for the tests was collected into gas washing bottles. Ammonia emissions were modeled using Operat FB software. The enthalpy of the process and the molar mass of the oxidized substance were used to calculate the calorific value of gases on the farm. The highest ammonia concentrations on the farm were obtained in the autumn and winter and amounted to 11.2 mg/m3. The highest mass of this gas in the modelling, defined as the maximum emission, was 0.85 kg/h. The annual emission was estimated at 2.78 Mg/year. These results were the basis for estimating the amount of energy (0.85 kg/h) obtainable from ammonia on the farm. The modeling of ammonia emissions applied in the study can be used to calculate the potential degree of pollution introduced into the environment and to estimate the degree of pollutants reduction.Ammonia from the farm, together with the methane emitted, can be catalytically oxidized as a potential energy source

Concentrations of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in natural animal feed additives

The study aimed to assess the concentration of dioxins, furans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in natural feed additives used in animal nutrition. The research material consisted of four natural sorbents used as feed additives registered in the EU. The samples were analysed for the content of six octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (OCDDs) congeners, nine octachlorodibenzofurans (OCDFs) and fourteen dL-PCBs, and seven PCB congeners. Detailed analysis was performed using gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Analysing the results of congeners of individual sorbents, it was found that they were below the limit of detection or quantification and can be used as feed additives