Determination of pathogens and contamination indicatorsin fresh pork sausages in the state of São Paulo / Determinação de patógenos e indicadores de contaminação em linguiças frescais de origem suína no estado de São Paulo

The highest cost of beef and chicken meat justifies higher consumption of fresh sausage products, especially linguiça, due to their easy preparation and affordability for consumers, making necessary an evaluation of sanitary hygienic conditions of these products. The objective was to investigate the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella spp., coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter spp. in artisanal and inspected fresh pork sausages. It was found that 12% (6/50) of the artisanal sausage samples were contaminated with Salmonellaspp., 58% (29/50) presented coagulase-positive Staphylococcus levels above the acceptable limits for consumption and 76% (38/50) presented thermotolerant coliform levels above the acceptable limits. In sausage samples produced under inspected conditions, 6% (3/50) were contaminated with Salmonella spp., 24% (12/50) presented thermotolerant coliform levels above the acceptable limits, 2% (1/50) presented enteropathogenic E. coli. None samples showed coagulase-positive Staphylococcus counts above the limits, or presence of Campylobacter spp. Sensitizing traders and consumers about the importance of inspection service in food of animal origin is urgent for a sanitary acceptable production, since foodborne diseases continue to be a public health problem.

O alto custo das carnes de frango e bovina justifica maior consumo de produtos embutidos frescais, especialmente a linguiça, devido ao preço acessível ao consumidor e fácil preparo, tornando necessário estudos para avaliar as condições higiênico-sanitárias. Os objetivos foram verificar a presença de Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, coliformes termotolerantes, Escherichia colipatogênicas e Campylobacter spp. em linguiças suínas tipo frescal artesanais e fiscalizadas. Os resultados obtidos em linguiças artesanais foram de 12% (6/50) contaminadas com Salmonella spp., 58% (29/50) de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e 76% (38/50) nas quantificações de coliformes termotolerantes, dados que apresentam níveis de contaminação superiores aos da legislação vigente. Nas linguiças produzidas sob fiscalização detectou-se 6% (3/50) de contaminação por Salmonella spp.; 24% (12/50) de quantificação de coliformes termotolerantes acima dos limites aceitáveis, e 2% (1/50) de E. coli enteropatogênica. Nenhuma amostra apresentou contagens de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva fora dos padrões, ou contaminação por Campylobacter spp. Sensibilizar comerciantes e consumidores sobre a importância do serviço de inspeção em alimentos de origem animal é premente para que haja uma produção sanitária aceitável, pois doenças transmitidas por alimentos continuam sendo um problema à saúde pública.

Causes of equine abortion, stillbirth, and perinatal mortality in Brazil / Causas de abortamento, natimortalidade e mortalidade em equinos no Brasil

Abortion and complications in reproduction are important causes of economic loss in horse breeding. Studies of its causal agents can help to identify the primary pathogens or other factors involved and define appropriate measures to reduce its occurrence. This research aimed to investigate the primary causes of equine abortion, stillbirth, and perinatal mortality in regions of Brazil. Tissue from aborted fetuses, stillbirths, neonates and foals submitted to the Biological Institute of São Paulo, Brazil, from January 2010 to July 2013 were processed for viral and bacterial isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histology, and immunohistochemistry. Bacterial infection was the primary detected cause of abortion, found in 16 of the 53 animals submitted for bacterial analysis followed by viruses analysis in 2 of 105 animals, and noninfectious causes (neonatal isoerythrolysis) in 2 of 105 animals. Fungi were found in a single sample of 53 tested. The most frequent bacteria recovered were Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, combined E. coli and Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. The following agents were each observed in a single sample: Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Actinobacillus spp., and Rhodococcus equi. The predominant identification of fecal and other opportunistic bacteria as opposed to pathogens commonly associated with equine abortion, such as Leptospira spp. and equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), suggests the need of improving hygiene management of breeding mares to prevent bacterial infection that may cause fetal loss, stillbirth, and perinatal mortality.(AU)

Abortamento e complicações na reprodução são importantes causas de perda econômica na equideocultura. Estudos dos agentes causais podem ajudar a identificar patógenos ou outros fatores envolvidos e definir medidas apropriadas para reduzir sua ocorrência. Esta pesquisa investigou as causas primárias de aborto, natimortalidade e mortalidade perinatal em equinos de diversas regiões do Brasil. Tecidos de fetos abortados, natimortos e potros submetidos ao Instituto Biológico de São Paulo, Brasil, no período de janeiro de 2010 a julho de 2013, foram processados por meio de técnicas de isolamento viral e bacteriano, PCR, histologia e imuno-histoquímica. Infecção bacteriana foi a causa mais detectada, encontrada em 16 de 53 amostras submetidas à análise bacteriana, seguida de causa viral em 2 de 105 amostras, e causas não infecciosas (isoeritrólise neonatal) em 2 de 105 amostras. Fungo foi encontrado em uma única amostra de 53 testadas. As bactérias isoladas mais frequentemente foram Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, E. coli associada a Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp. associado a Bacillus spp. Os seguintes agentes foram observados em uma única amostra cada: Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Actinobacillus spp. e Rhodococcus equi. A identificação predominante de bactérias fecais e outras bactérias oportunistas, ao invés de outros patógenos comumente associados a quadros de abortamento equino, tais como Leptospira spp. e Herpesvírus equino tipo 1, sugere a necessidade de maior atenção no manejo higiênico das éguas em reprodução, a fim de prevenir infecções bacterianas que possam causar perda fetal, natimortalidade e mortalidade perinatal.(AU)

Aeromonas hydrophila and Campylobacter jejuni isolated in fresh tuna (Thunnus spp) sold in São Paulo, Brazil / Detecção de Aeromonas hydrophila e Campylobacter jejuni em atum (Thunnus spp) fresco comercializado em São Paulo, Brasil

Aeromonas hydrophila and Campylobacter jejuni are bacteria of emerging importance in public health. However, little has been published about fish contaminated by these pathogens. The present study aimed to verify the presence of Aeromonas hydrophila and Campylobacter jejuni in fresh tuna samples (Thunnus spp.) caught off the coast of Santa Catarina State and distributed in the wholesale market of São Paulo/SP. A total of 85 tuna fillet samples were collected and examined by PCR and bacteriological analyses. Aeromonas spp. was detected in 11/85 (13%) samples, with 10/11 (90.9 %) being confirmed as Aeromonas hydrophila by PCR. Campylobacter spp. was found in 10/85 (11.7%) samples, 10/10 (100%) identified as Campylobacter jejuni by PCR and conventional biochemical analyses. Both pathogens were found in 2/85 (2.3%) samples. This is the first report on the contamination of fresh tuna by Campylobacter jejuni and Aeromonas hydrophila in Brazil. In addition to show that tuna can be a vehicle for transmission of pathogens when consumed raw, it emphasizes the importance of further studies to support the control these pathogens in fish...

Aeromonas hydrophila e Campylobacter jejuni são bactérias de importância emergente em saúde pública, porém com escassos trabalhos publicados na área de pescado. O presente estudo investigou a presença de Aeromonas hydrophila e Campylobacter jejuni em amostras de atum (Thunnus spp.) fresco, capturados no litoral de Santa Catarina e distribuídos no comércio atacadista de São Paulo, SP. Foram colhidas 85 amostras de filé de atum e processadas por análises bacteriológicas e PCR. Do total, 11/85 (13%) amostras foram positivas para Aeromonas spp., sendo 10/11 (90,9%) confirmadas como Aeromonas hydrophila pela PCR. Para Campylobacter spp., 10/85 (11,7%) foram positivas, sendo 10/10 (100%) identificadas como Campylobacter jejuni pelas provas bioquímicas tradicionais e PCR ressaltando-se que duas (2/85 - 2,3%) amostras de atum albergavam ambos os patógenos. Trata-se do primeiro relato no Brasil de contaminação de atum fresco por Campylobacter jejuni e Aeromonas hydrophila, indicando que este alimento ingerido in natura pode ser um veículo de transmissão de agentes patogênicos, ressaltando-se a importância de estudos adicionais que deem suporte ao controle desses microrganismos em pescado consumido cru...

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Brucella ovis em ovinos com histórico de distúrbios reprodutivos no estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Occurrence of antibodies anti-Brucella ovis in ovine with history of reproductive disorders in São Paulo, Brazil

Com base no histórico de distúrbios reprodutivos, foram realizados inquéritos sorológicos e tentativas de isolamento de Brucella ovis em 28 propriedades do estado de São Paulo, totalizando 294 ovinos. Os soros colhidos por ocasião das visitas aos estabelecimentos rurais foram submetidos ao teste de fixação do complemento. Durante os exames clínicos, também foram colhidas amostras de materiais biológicos suspeitos para posterior cultivo bacteriológico em meio Brucella ágar, num total de 16 fetos abortados, um útero, seis secundinas, 13 secreções uterinas, seis zaragatoas de muco vaginal, 17 amostras de sêmen e três zaragatoas prepuciais. A proporção de ovinos com histórico de distúrbios reprodutivos e sororreativos para B. ovis foi de 1,7% (5/294), sendo um macho e quatro fêmeas, com títulos variando de 800 UI a 1.600 UI. Quatro rebanhos dos 28 pesquisados apresentaram animais sororreagentes (14,3%). Todos os cultivos das amostras biológicas foram negativos, inclusive sêmen e órgãos reprodutivos de carneiro da raça Texel, positivo em dois testes de fixação de complemento com intervalo de seis meses. Nos rebanhos de ovinos do estado de São Paulo examinados, não foi possível relacionar os distúrbios reprodutivos à sorologia positiva para B. ovis. No entanto, foi detectada presença de focos, fator de risco para a disseminação da bactéria nos rebanhos.(AU)

Based upon a history of reproductive disorders, a serological survey and attempts to isolate Brucella ovis were performed in 28 farms in the State of São Paulo, in a total of 294 sheep. The sera sampled on the occasion of the visit to the farms were subject to complement fixation. During clinical examination, samples of several suspicious biological materials were collected for further bacterial culture in Brucella agar medium, in a total of 16 aborted foetuses, one uterus, one placenta, 13 uterine discharge, six vaginal swabs, 17 semen samples and three preputial swabs. The proportion of sheep with a history of reproductive disorders and serum reactive for B. ovis was of 1.7% (5/294), including one ram and four ewes, with titres ranging from 800 IU to 1600 IU. Four of the 28 sheep herds surveyed had serum reactive animals (14,3%). All cultures of biological samples were negative, including semen and swabs from the reproductive organs of a Texel ram, positive in two complement fixation tests, six months apart. In the sheep herds surveyed in the State of São Paulo, it was not possible to relate the reproductive disorders to the positive serology for B. ovis, however, foci were detected, representing a risk factor for bacterial dissemination in the herds.(AU)

Detection of CDT toxin genes in Campylobacter spp. strains isolated from broiler carcasses and vegetables in São Paulo, Brazil

Campylobacteriosis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis. One of the main virulence factors related to Campylobacter spp. in animals and humans is the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT), encoded by three adjacent genes (cdtA, cdtB, cdtC). The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in samples of vegetables has not been reported in Brazil yet, and has seldom been described in the international literature. The detection of CDT in these strains has not been reported, either. The objectives of the present study were to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. strains carrying virulence factors in samples of poultry and vegetables (lettuce and spinach) from different points of sale, thus verifying if vegetables are as an important vehicle for potentially virulent Campylobacter spp. strains as poultry. Twenty four strains were identified as Campylobacter jejuni by phenotypic and genotypic methods: 22 from broiler carcasses and two from lettuce samples. Three strains were identified as Campylobacter coli: two from broiler carcasses and one from lettuce. The presence of the cdt genes were detected in 20/24 (83.3%) C. jejuni strains, and 3/3 (100%) C. coli strains. The isolation of Campylobacter spp. strains with the cdt gene cluster in lettuce samples points to a new possible source of contamination, which could have an impact in the vegetable production chain and risk to public health. Results show that potentially virulent C. jejuni and C. coli strains remain viable in samples of broiler carcasses and vegetables at the points of sale.