An Additional Asset for the FLOTAC Technique: Detection of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Vegetables.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal parasites are considered amongst the most important threats to veterinary and human health worldwide. The transmission of these parasitic diseases usually involves the accidental ingestion of oocysts, cysts, eggs, and larvae, whose detection is generally achieved by classical coproparasitological methods, based on sedimentation and/or flotation techniques. These procedures might be inefficient or display a low sensitivity when performed on food matrices. This study aimed to assess the value of the FLOTAC technique for the detection of different parasitic stages of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic animals in fresh lettuce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples (n = 100) were purchased from public markets located in the metropolitan region of Recife (Brazil). RESULTS: A total of 79% scored positive for eggs and/or cysts of gastrointestinal parasites. Protozoa and nematodes were detected in 32% (32/100) and 64% (64/100) of samples, respectively, with cysts of the genus Entamoeba (32%) and eggs of nematodes of the order Strongylida (30%) being the most frequently diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings herein reported demonstrate that the FLOTAC technique can be successfully applied for recovering food-borne parasites of medical and veterinary concern in food matrices.

Intestinal parasites among employees of restaurants and cafeterias in a city of Brazil / Parásitos intestinales entre los empleados de restaurantes y cafeterías en una ciudad de Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites in employees of restaurants and cafeterias located in the Commercial Center of São Mateus, Espírito Santo, one of the oldest cities of Brazil. Material and Methods Between August 2013 and February 2014, 42 fecal samples were collected and analyzed by spontaneous sedimentation method in the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the Federal University of Espírito Santo, São Mateus Campus. Results The results were positive in 19 % of the samples. The commensal Entamoeba coli (75 %) was the most common followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (37.5 %) and Giardia lamblia (12.5 %). Conclusions Implementing health education measures in the city of São Mateus is suggested by providing permanent health education, as well as conducting parasitological examinations. Such actions will contribute to the improvement of health conditions of the population.(AU)

RESUMEN Objetivo Investigar la frecuencia de parásitos intestinales en empleados de restaurantes y cafeterías ubicadas en el Centro Comercial de São Mateus, Espírito Santo, una de las ciudades más antiguas de Brasil. Materiales y Métodos Entre agosto de 2013 y febrero de 2014, 42 muestras fecales fueron recolectadas y analizadas por el método de Sedimentación Espontánea en el Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos de la Universidad Federal de Espírito Santo, campus de São Mateus. Resultados Los resultados fueron positivos en el 19 % de las muestras, y el comensal más frecuente fue Entamoeba coli (75 %), seguido de los parásitos Entamoeba his-tolytica/dispar (37,5 %) y Giardia lamblia (12,5 %). Conclusión Se sugiere la necesidad de adoptar medidas de educación sanitaria para la ciudad de São Mateus, dando charlas permanentes sobre orientación sanitaria y realizando exámenes parasitológicos. Estas acciones contribuirán a la mejora de las condiciones de salud de la población.(AU)

Quality Control of Trichinella Testing at the Slaughterhouse Laboratory: Evaluation of the Use of a 400-Micrometer-Mesh-Size Sieve in the Magnetic Stirrer Method.

The performance of a 400-µm-mesh-size sieve (sieve400) has not previously been compared with that of a 180-µm-mesh-size sieve (sieve180). Using pork samples spiked with 0 to 10 Trichinella muscle larvae and an artificial digestion method, sieve performance was evaluated for control of Trichinella in meat-producing animals. The use of a sieve400 resulted in 12% lower larval counts, 147% more debris, and 28% longer counting times compared with the use of a sieve180. Although no false-negative results were obtained, prolonged counting times with the sieve400 may have an impact on performance in a high-throughput environment such as a slaughterhouse laboratory. Based on our results, the sieve180 remains the sieve of choice for Trichinella control in meat in slaughterhouse laboratories, according to the European Union reference method (European Commission regulation 2075/2005). Furthermore, the results of the present study contribute to the discussion of harmonization of meat inspection requirements among countries.

Detection of Adult Beetles Inside the Stored Wheat Mass Based on Their Acoustic Emissions.

The efficacy of bioacoustics in detecting the presence of adult beetles inside the grain mass was evaluated in the laboratory. A piezoelectric sensor and a portable acoustic emission amplifier connected with a computer were used. Adults of the most common beetle pests of stored wheat have been detected in varying population densities (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 adults per kilogram of wheat). The verification of the presence of the insect individuals was achieved through automated signal parameterization and classification. We tried out two different ways to detect impulses: 1) by applying a Hilbert transform on the audio recording and 2) by subtracting a noise estimation of the recording from the spectral content of the recording, thus allowing the frequency content of possible impulses to emerge. Prediction for infestation was rated falsely negative in 60-74%, 48-60%, 0-28%, and 0-4% of the cases when actual population density was 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 adults per kilogram, respectively, irrespective of pest species. No significant differences were recorded in positive predictions among different species in almost all cases. The system was very accurate (72-100%) in detecting 1 or 2 insects per kilogram of hard wheat grain, which is the standard threshold for classifying a grain mass "clean" or "infested." Our findings are discussed on the basis of enhancing the use of bioacoustics in stored-product IPM framework.

Efficacy of wash solutions in recovering Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Toxoplasma gondii from basil.

Parasitic diseases can be acquired by ingestion of contaminated raw or minimally processed fresh produce (herbs and fruits). The sensitivity of methods used to detect parasites on fresh produce depends in part on the efficacy of wash solutions in removing them from suspect samples. In this study, six wash solutions (sterile E-Pure water, 3% levulinic acid-3% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 1 M glycine, 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline, 0.1% Alconox, and 1% HCl-pepsin) were evaluated for their effectiveness in removing Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Toxoplasma gondii from basil. One hundred or 1,000 oocysts of these parasites were inoculated onto the adaxial surfaces of 25 g of basil leaves, placed in stomacher bags, and stored for 1 h at 21°C or 24 h at 4°C. Leaves were hand washed in each wash solution for 1 min. DNA was extracted from the wash solutions and amplified using PCR for the detection of all parasites. Oocysts inoculated at a concentration of 1,000 oocysts per 25 g of basil were detected in all wash solutions. At an inoculum concentration of 100 oocysts per 25 g, oocysts were detected in 18.5 to 92.6% of the wash solutions. The lowest variability in recovering oocysts from basil inoculated with 100 oocysts was observed in 1% HCl-pepsin wash solution. Oocyst recovery rates were higher at 1 h than at 24 h postinoculation. Unlike most bacteria, parasites cannot be enriched; therefore, an optimal recovery process for oocysts from suspected foods is critical. The observations in this study provide guidance concerning the selection of wash solutions giving the highest retrieval of parasite oocysts.