Sostanze organiche volatili nel salame Varzi

Organic volatile substances which are present in "Varzi" dry salami have been determined and 101 compounds have been identified (grouped in 9 categories). Their percentages are: ketones (28%), terpenes (24.5%), sulfurated compounds (10%), carboxylic acid (10.7%), aldehydes (7%), alcohols (6%) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (3%). Their use for dry salami typifying has been proposed

Evaluation of the House Fly Musca domestica as a Mechanical Vector for an Anthrax

Anthrax is a disease of human beings and animals caused by the encapsulated, spore-forming, Bacillus anthracis. The potential role of insects in the spread of B. anthracis to humans and domestic animals during an anthrax outbreak has been confirmed by many studies. Among insect vectors, the house fly Musca domestica is considered a potential agent for disease transmission. In this study, laboratory-bred specimens of Musca domestica were infected by feeding on anthrax-infected rabbit carcass or anthrax contaminated blood, and the presence of anthrax spores in their spots (faeces and vomitus) was microbiologically monitored. It was also evaluated if the anthrax spores were able to germinate and replicate in the gut content of insects. These results confirmed the role of insects in spreading anthrax infection. This role, although not major, given the huge size of fly populations often associated with anthrax epidemics in domestic animals, cannot be neglected from an epidemiological point of view and suggest that fly control should be considered as part of anthrax contro

Number of CFU/ml of <i>B. anthracis</i> detected in fly spots.

<p>Flies were brought into contact with an anthrax-infected rabbit carcass for 2 h (Group A), 4 h (Group B), 6 h (Group C,) and 8 h (Group D), respectively. Spots were examined every 2 h, for 24 h after the infective feed. Data are means of 4 independent experiments.</p