Behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in Normal and DFD Beef of an Autochthonous Portuguese Breed.

This study was carried out to identify the behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in Maronesa breed beef with different ultimate pH (pHu) (Normal and DFD), and stored at two different temperatures (4 and 9 °C), during 28 days post mortem (pm). The main objective was to illustrate the problematic feature of dealing with beef showing high pHu and stored at mild abusive temperatures (9 °C). Beef steaks (ms. longissimus dorsi) were inoculated with low levels (2-3 log CFU/g) of those both pathogens and packed in air, vacuum and three gaseous mixtures with decreasing O2 and increasing CO2 concentrations (MAP70/20, MAP50/40 and MAP30/60). At 4 °C, the growth of E. coli O157:H7 presented the same pattern on Normal and DFD meat. On the contrary, the growth of L. monocytogenes was higher in DFD meat, revealing the effect of the pHu and its psychotropic character. At abusive temperatures, both pathogens grew, achieving high levels in DFD meat. In these cases, the MAP with the highest CO2 concentration (60%) was revealed to be more effective against the development of E. coli O157:H7, therefore, not exceeding levels of 5 log CFU/g at the end of storage, while in L. monocytogenes, it reaches 8 log CFU/g under the same conditions.

Systematic review on infection and disease caused by Thelazia callipaeda in Europe: 2001-2020.

Cases of thelaziosis by Thelazia callipaeda have been increasing considerably in Europe throughout the 21st century, with recent emphasis on Eastern Europe. A systematic review was conducted using defined search terms across three major databases and, additionally, with the examination of the references of the 56 articles selected. Available information about epidemiological and clinical features of all cases of thelaziosis by T. callipaeda in companion animals, wildlife and humans was extracted, evaluated and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis. In all cross-sectional studies about dogs, cats and red foxes, males were more frequently infected than females (dogs: p = 0.0365; cats: p = 0.0164; red foxes: p = 0.0082). Adult dogs seem to be more prone to infection (p < 0.0001), as well as large-sized dogs (p < 0.0001), and companion animals that live exclusively outdoors (p < 0.0001). Dogs and red foxes involved in these cross-sectional studies harboured significantly more female than male nematodes (p < 0.0001). Thelaziosis by T. callipaeda is far from controlled in Europe. Only through updated epidemiological data, knowledge improvement and awareness can correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment and prevention be ensured to tackle this zoonosis.

TITLE: Revue systématique de l'infection et de la maladie provoquées par Thelazia callipaeda en Europe (2001­2020). ABSTRACT: Les cas de thélaziose par Thelazia callipaeda ont considérablement augmenté en Europe tout au long du 21e siècle, l'accent étant récemment mis sur l'Europe de l'Est. Une revue systématique a été menée en utilisant des termes de recherche définis dans trois grandes bases de données, et aussi en examinant les références des 56 articles sélectionnés. Les informations disponibles sur les caractéristiques épidémiologiques et cliniques de tous les cas de thélaziose par T. callipaeda chez les animaux de compagnie, la faune et les humains ont été extraites, évaluées et soumises à une analyse qualitative et quantitative. Dans toutes les études transversales sur les chiens, les chats et les renards roux, les mâles étaient plus fréquemment infectés que les femelles (chiens : p = 0,0365; chats : p = 0,0164; renards roux : p = 0,0082). Les chiens adultes semblent être plus sujets aux infections (p < 0,0001), ainsi que les chiens de grande taille (p < 0,0001) et les animaux de compagnie vivant exclusivement à l'extérieur (p < 0,0001). Les chiens et les renards roux impliqués dans ces études transversales abritaient significativement plus de nématodes femelles que de mâles (p < 0,0001). La thélaziose par T. callipaeda est loin d'être contrôlée en Europe. Ce n'est que grâce à des données épidémiologiques mises à jour, à l'amélioration des connaissances et à la sensibilisation que l'on pourra corriger le diagnostic et assurer un traitement et une prévention appropriés pour lutter contre cette zoonose.

Thelaziosis due to Thelazia callipaeda in Europe in the 21st century-A review.

Thelazia callipaeda was first described at the beginning of the 20th century in Asia, but this eyeworm is now frequently reported in Europe in the 21st century. To date, thelaziosis has been described in the following European countries (in order of appearance): Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Austria. The infected vertebrate host species include domestic carnivores (dogs and cats), wild carnivores (red foxes, wolves, beech martens, wildcats and golden jackals), lagomorphs (brown hares and wild European rabbits) and humans. In Europe, 11 cases of human thelaziosis have been reported, the majority of which are autochthonous. However, some of them have been imported, a fact which highlights the importance of surveillance policies to restrict cross-border spread of the parasite. The objectives of this article are to review key aspects of the epidemiology of T. callipaeda, summarise animal and human cases in Europe and emphasise the importance of education and awareness among veterinarians, physicians (particularly ophthalmologists) and animal, in order to owners to tackle this zoonosis.