Antimicrobial susceptibility rates in gram-positive catalase-negative cocci from sheep and goat genital microbiota.

Gram-positive catalase-negative cocci (GPCNCs) are significant components of the genital microbiota in sheep and goats. However, characterizing them can be difficult due to overlapping culture features and the limited information on their susceptibility to antibiotics. In this study, 97 foreskin and 13 vaginal swabs were investigated using a culturomic approach. Of 110 animals, 76 (69.09 %) hosted GPCNCs, including strains from Streptococcaceae (37, 33.64 %), Aerococcaceae (30, 27.27 %), Enterococcaceae (6, 5.45 %) and other minor species. With increasing antimicrobial resistance rates in livestock, surveillance programs are globally required, so we conducted a pilot study on GPCNCs isolated from the genital mucosa surfaces of sheep and goats using the minimal inhibitory concentration assay (MIC). Due to gaps in interpretative standard breakpoints, normalized resistance interpretation was used for setting epidemiological susceptibility cut-off values (COWTs). Of 57 suitable strains, the majority (80.71 %) showed high COWTs with decrease susceptibility to at least one antimicrobial class, with 22.81 % displaying multiresistant profiles. Of interest, combined resistances to beta-lactams, macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracyclines were detected in strains of Streptococcus plurianimalium. Further combinations, including resistance to beta-lactams, pleuromutilins, aminoglycosides, and lincosamides, were also recorded in both Streptococcus uberis and Enterococcus spp. strains. Being beta-lactams, macrolides, and tetracyclines the most used antibiotics in livestock worldwide, our results highlight the need for their prudent use. Collectively, our findings highlight that small ruminant genital microbiota can serve as reservoirs for opportunistic severe pathogens, often zoonotic, carrying multidrug resistances, thus standing for high risks for both animals and humans.

West Nile Virus Infection in Occupational Settings-A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging mosquito-borne neurotropic virus, belonging to the Flaviviridae family and the Orthoflavivirus genus. The effective control of WNV requires a targeted preventive strategy that also needs the identification of the higher-risk populations. Hence, this study focused on a systematic literature review of WNV-acquired infection in work-related settings and the assessment of the exposure risks among different occupational categories. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted to identify studies until September 2023 in multiple databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science, according to the PRISMA 2020 statement. Risk of bias of collected papers was assessed by the ROB tool of the National Toxicology Program's Office of Health Assessment and Translation handbook. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included in the systematic review, out of which seventeen were observational studies and four were case reports. Workers identified as at higher risk for WNV infection were military workers, veterinarians, agricultural workers, farmers, and laboratory workers with contact with infected fluids or aerosols. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of higher-risk workers could facilitate active surveillance by occupational physicians, which could improve our understanding of the epidemiology of WNV and, in addition, could help tailor appropriate preventive recommendations, reducing the overall burden of disease in high-risk areas.

Assessing Contact Time and Concentration of Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil on Antibacterial Efficacy In Vitro.

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics can pose the risk of spreading mutant strains that show antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with negative impacts on the management of bacterial infections and economic implications for healthcare systems. The research and development of natural antibacterial agents could be a priority in the next years to improve a number of effective antibacterial molecules and to reduce the AMR phenomenon and its development. The present study identified the most effective concentration and contact time of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO) to obtain bactericidal effects in vitro against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Six clinically isolated (wild types) bacterial strains, (Citrobacter freundii, Enterococcus feciorum, Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter cioffi, Pseudomonas putrefaciens and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and two ATCCs (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) were tested after 1 min, 3 min and 5 min of contact with TEO. The preliminary results on S. aureus after 24 h of incubation revealed a TEO concentration of 9.28 mg/mL (w/v) that completely inhibited bacteria growth, keeping cell viability. The total suppression of bacterial growth at all tested contact times was observed for all tested bacterial strains, and the results were confirmed after 48 h of incubation. Bacterial growth suppression was confirmed even with the presence of organic components. These preliminary results showed the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of TEO against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Future studies are necessary to confirm the reproducibility of these results even on other strains and to define the exact molecular mechanisms of EOs in order to consider TEO as a valid alternative to classic antibiotic therapies and subsequently to reduce the occurrence of AMR.

Antibacterial and Biofilm Production Inhibition Activity of Thymus vulgaris L. Essential Oil against Salmonella spp. Isolates from Reptiles.

Salmonellosis is an infectious disease affecting both animals and humans. Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) and biofilm-producing Salmonella spp., frequently detected in reptiles (who can then act as asymptomatic carriers for warm-blooded animals), have developed resistance to biocides; this represents a warning for the emergence of biocide/antimicrobial cross-resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO) in inhibiting bacterial growth and biofilm production of Salmonella spp., which had been isolated from wild reptiles housed in a Zoo in Italy. The resistance profile against different classes of antibiotics showed that all the isolates were susceptible to the tested antibiotics, despite the presence of several AMR genes. All the isolates were also tested with aqueous solutions of TEO at different dilutions (5% to 0.039%). Interestingly, TEO proved effective both in inhibiting bacterial growth at low dilutions, with MIC and MBC values ranging between 0.078% and 0.312%, and in inhibiting biofilm production, with values ranging from 0.039% to 0.156%. TEO demonstrated effective bioactivity against the biofilm producer Salmonella spp., proving to be a valid disinfectant for the prevention of salmonellosis from reptiles, a possible source of infection for humans exposed to the reptiles' environment.

Pilot Study on the Action of Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil in Treating the Most Common Bacterial Contaminants and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Derby in Poultry Litter.

The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in poultry farms is linked to the increase in multi-resistant bacteria. Accordingly, based on the antimicrobial properties of Thyme Essential Oil (TEO), the present study evaluated the effects of TEO on the reduction of common microbial contaminants and Salmonella on poultry litter. A litter bulk sample was collected in a broiler farm and qualitative/quantitative investigations identified Escherichia coli and Mammaliicoccus lentus. The experimental contamination with Salmonella Derby wild strain was also performed. All pathogens showed phenotypic and genotypic resistance to different classes of antibiotics. The litter, split in different units, was treated with aqueous solutions of TEO at different concentrations (5% to 1.25%), demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing the total number of bacteria. The strongest antibacterial action was observed at the lowest concentration against Enterobacteriaceae, with a growth reduction compared to the positive control of 73.3% and 77.8% against E. coli and Salmonella Derby, respectively, while towards M. lentus the reduction was 50%. Our data confirm the antimicrobial activity of TEO and suggest its possible application for the treatment of poultry litter as an effective and natural approach for the prevention of diseases caused by the most common bacteria that colonize poultry farms, counteracting the onset of antibiotic resistance.

Update on canine anorchia: A review.

Abnormalities of the external genitals are an important issue in dog breeding because of the unfavourable qualities and characteristics of breeds, resulting in consistent economic losses. Despite their significance, little scientific attention has been given to these problems. Although there are several reviews on cryptorchidism in dogs, none have described anorchia. Testicular agenesis is a rare reproductive disorder with a congenital origin. Moreover, no author has described the diagnostic procedure for making a definitive diagnosis of anorchia in dogs. It is important to have a well-structured diagnostic scheme to help practical veterinarians make a confirmatory diagnosis. This review article aims to provide an update on canine anorchia diagnosis based on the poor research studies published in recent years. We have also contributed to the pathogenesis of this disorder using human medicine studies. Finally, the review includes therapeutic hypotheses that can be expanded in future studies.

Analgesic comparison between topical irrigation (splash block) versus injection of lidocaine on the ovarian pedicle in canine ovariectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of topical irrigation versus injection of lidocaine on the ovarian pedicle to provide analgesia in bitches ovariectomy. In the current study were monitored: increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate to identify an acute intraoperative nociceptive response. These parameters were registered at six times during the surgical procedure: grasping of the ovary (time 1), dissection of the mesosalpinx (time 2), tightening of the first loop ligature (time 3), tightening of the second loop ligature (time 4), transection of the ovarian pedicle (time 5) and release of the ovary (time 6). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty healthy bitches were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 20) to receive topical irrigation (splash block) of 2% lidocaine (C group) on both ovarian pedicle (2 mg/kg each), or an equal volume of lidocaine was injected at the same sites (R group). RESULTS: The results of the present study suggest that splash block may provide intraoperative analgesic effects equivalent to injection in the ovarian pedicle in dogs that have undergone ovariectomy. The lidocaine improved surgical analgesia during canine ovariectomy in both groups, and this action is not affected by the inoculation technique. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Pain management in veterinary patients is a crucial component of appropriate patient care. Therefore, the need for achieving safer anaesthesia for surgical intervention is gaining much attention. Ovariectomy is a common surgical procedure in bitches with medium level of pain. This study concluded that considering its relative simplicity, low cost, and safety, both techniques could be used in daily clinical practice.

Fentanyl patch versus tramadol for the control of postoperative pain in canine ovariectomy and mastectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of fentanyl patches versus subcutaneous tramadol after canine ovariectomy, with and without unilateral mastectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 female dogs were included in the present study, all of which were domesticated, healthy and 4-12 years of age. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) based on the surgery and the analgesic protocol used: the TO group only underwent ovariectomy, and received postoperative tramadol; the TM group underwent both ovariectomy and mastectomy, and received postoperative tramadol; the FO group only underwent ovariectomy, and received fentanyl patches; and the FM group underwent both ovariectomy and mastectomy, and received fentanyl patches. Postoperative pain was evaluated every 4 h for 24 h using a numeric analogue scale (NAS) and a modified Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Short Form (CMPS-SF). RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that patients in all four groups tolerated postoperative surgical stress well. Analysis of variance for repeated measures did not show significant differences in the NAS scores and in Glasgow CMPS-SF between groups in terms of pain scores or rescue analgesia. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicated that the analgesic effect of the fentanyl patch was similar to that of subcutaneous (SC) tramadol in female dogs after ovariectomy, with and without unilateral mastectomy, suggesting that the fentanyl patch may represent a valid supplementary tool for the control of postoperative pain in animals after surgery.

Use of Spinal Anaesthesia with Anaesthetic Block of Intercostal Nerves Compared to a Continuous Infusion of Sufentanyl to Improve Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Unilateral Mastectomy.

Unilateral mastectomy is a common surgical procedure in feline species and requires postoperative pain management. Our study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of subarachnoid anaesthesia combined with an intercostal nerve block, in comparison with the use of sufentanyl citrate administered as a constant-rate infusion (CRI). Twenty cats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10/group) based on the analgesic protocol used: the first received loco-regional anaesthesia with levobupivacaine (LR group), and the second received a CRI of sufentanyl (SUF group). The evaluation criteria during surgery were the need for a bolus of fentanyl in the event of an increased heart rate or increased blood pressure. In the postoperative period, the levels of comfort/discomfort and pain were used to obtain a score according to the UNESP-Botucatu multimodal scale. Subjects who scored above seven received analgesic drug supplementation. Intraoperative analgesia was satisfactory, with good haemodynamic stability in both groups. Four patients in the LR group required an extra dose of methadone after they achieved the sternal decubitus position, whereas those in the SUF group required many more doses. The analgesia achieved in the LR group was more satisfactory than that in the SUF group.