Salmonella in the wildlife-human interface

A 5′ nuclease duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed and validated with various food products for the specific and fast detection of Salmonella spp. in food. The assay used previously published primers in combination with a newly developed probe targeting the invA gene. An internal amplification control, which is coamplified in a duplex PCR, was included in the assay. The analysis of 1,934 natural food samples with real-time PCR and the cultural method in parallel resulted in a relative accuracy of 100% and 99.84% respectively, depending on the enrichment procedure in which buffered peptone water and selective enrichment in Rappaport–Vassiliadis (RV) broth were employed. The duplex real-time PCR assay has proven to be a specific, sensitive and fast screening method for Salmonella spp. in food. The overall analysis time of the PCR method was approximately 28 h, in contrast to 4 to 5 days with conventional Salmonella diagnostics. The developed assay has been shown to be a reliable diagnostic tool for use in routine analysis. It has been validated thoroughly and has become an official method in Germany for the detection of Salmonella spp. in food.

Validation of a Duplex Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Salmonella spp. in Different Food Products

Antibiotic resistant bacteria as bio-indicator of polluted effluent in the green turtles, Chelonia mydas in Oman

Several studies have shown that migratory birds play an important role in the ecology, circulation and dissemination of pathogenic organisms. In October 2006, a health status evaluation was performed on a large population of migratory birds passing through the territory of Ustica (Italy), an island located on the migration route of many species of birds to Africa, and various laboratory tests were conducted. In total, 218 faecal swabs and the internal organs of 21 subjects found dead in nets were collected for bacteriological and virological examination, including avian influenza and Newcastle disease. In addition, 19 pooled fresh faecal samples were collected for mycological examination. The bacteriological analysis produced 183 strains belonging to 28 different species of the Enterobacteriaceae family. In particular, Salmonella bongori, Yersinia enterocolitica and Klebsiella pneumonia strains were isolated. Almost all of the isolates were susceptible to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprime (99.4%), cefotaxime (98.9%), nalidixic acid (96.7%), chloramphenicol (95.6%), and tetracycline (93.4%). Alternatively, many strains were resistant to ampicillin (42.6%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (42.6%), and streptomycin (43.7%). According to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, all of the samples were negative for the M gene of avian influenza virus. Moreover, isolation tests conducted on specific pathogen free eggs were negative for avian influenza and Newcastle disease. Several hyphomycetes and yeasts belonging to different genera were present in the specimens, and Cryptococcus neoformans was observed in a pooled faecal sample. Antibiotic resistance in wildlife can be monitored to evaluate the impact of anthropic pressure. Furthermore, migratory birds are potential reservoirs of pathogenic agents; thus, they can be regarded as sentinel species and used as environmental health indicators.

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Pathogenic microorganisms carried by migratory birds passing through the territory of the island of Ustica, Sicily (Italy)

Livestock meat and offal contribute significantly to human nutrition as sources of high-quality protein and micronutrients. Livestock products are increasingly in demand, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where economies are growing and meat is increasingly seen as an affordable and desirable food item. Demand is also driving intensification of livestock keeping and processing. An unintended consequence of intensification is increased exposure to zoonotic agents, and a contemporary emerging problem is infection with Campylobacter and Salmonella spp. from livestock (avian and mammalian), which can lead to disease, malabsorption and undernutrition through acute and chronic diarrhoea. This can occur at the farm, in households or through the food chain. Direct infection occurs when handling livestock and through bacteria shed into the environment, on food preparation surfaces or around the house and surroundings. This manuscript critically reviews Campylobacter and Salmonella infections in animals, examines the factors affecting colonization and faecal shedding of bacteria of these two genera as well as risk factors for human acquisition of the infection from infected animals or environment and analyses priority areas for preventive actions with a focus on resource-poor settings.

Infection, colonization and shedding of Campylobacter and Salmonella in animals and their contribution to human disease: A review

Suggested citation for this article: Foti M, Daidone A, Aleo A, Pizzimenti A, Giacopello C, Mammina C. Salmonella bongori 48:z35:– in migratory birds, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2009 Mar [date cited]. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/15/3/502.htm

Salmonella bongori 48:z35:– in Migratory Birds, Italy

The cloacal microbial flora of 49 loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, was evaluated from two cloacal swabs for each individual. The predominant isolates in descending order of frequency were as follows: Escherichia coli (78 isolates), Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris (24 isolates), Citrobacter freundii (15 isolates), Providencia rettgeri (9 isolates) and Enterobacter sakazakii (6 isolates). This study provides data on cloacal microflora of loggerhead sea turtles impacted by hook and line fishery interactions, that may be useful for comparison with healthy sea turtles and with sea turtles affected by other conditions or exposed to other environmental conditions.

Enterobacteriaceae Isolates in Cloacal Swabs from Live-stranded Internally-hooked Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta caretta, in the Central Mediterranean Sea

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women and represents the leading cause of cancer death. Radiation therapy plays a key-role in the treatment of all breast cancer stages. Therefore, the adoption of evidence-based treatments is warranted, to ensure equity of access and standardization of care in clinical practice. Method: This national document on the highest evidence-based available data was developed and endorsed by the Italian Association of Radiation and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) Breast Cancer Group. We analyzed literature data regarding breast radiation therapy, using the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) methodology (www.sign.ac.uk). Updated findings from the literature were examined, including the highest levels of evidence (meta-analyses, randomized trials, and international guidelines) with a significant impact on clinical practice. The document deals with the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of primary breast cancer, local relapse, and metastatic disease, with focus on diagnosis, staging, local and systemic therapies, and follow up. Information is given on indications, techniques, total doses, and fractionations. Results: An extensive literature review from 2013 to 2021 was performed. The work was organized according to a general index of different topics and most chapters included individual questions and, when possible, synoptic and summary tables. Indications for radiation therapy in breast cancer were examined and integrated with other oncological treatments. A total of 50 questions were analyzed and answered. Four large areas of interest were investigated: (1) general strategy (multidisciplinary approach, contraindications, preliminary assessments, staging and management of patients with electronic devices); (2) systemic therapy (primary, adjuvant, in metastatic setting); (3) clinical aspects (invasive, non-invasive and micro-invasive carcinoma; particular situations such as young and elderly patients, breast cancer in males and cancer during pregnancy; follow up with possible acute and late toxicities; loco-regional relapse and metastatic disease); (4) technical aspects (radiation after conservative surgery or mastectomy, indications for boost, lymph node radiotherapy and partial breast irradiation). Appendixes about tumor bed boost and breast and lymph nodes contouring were implemented, including a dedicated web application. The scientific work was reviewed and validated by an expert group of breast cancer key-opinion leaders. Conclusions: Optimal breast cancer management requires a multidisciplinary approach sharing therapeutic strategies with the other involved specialists and the patient, within a coordinated and dedicated clinical path. In recent years, the high-level quality radiation therapy has shown a significant impact on local control and survival of breast cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to offer and guarantee accurate treatments according to the best standards of evidence-based medicine.

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Antonio Daidone

Papers

Salmonella bongori 48:z35:– in Migratory Birds, Italy

Enterobacteriaceae Isolates in Cloacal Swabs from Live-stranded Internally-hooked Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta caretta, in the Central Mediterranean Sea

AIRO Breast Cancer Group Best Clinical Practice 2022 Update