Polineuropatía periférica y síndrome de Churg-Strauss / Peripheral polyneuropathy and Churg-Strauss syndrome

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The effect of different isolation protocols on detection and molecular characterization of Campylobacter from poultry.

We determined whether different methods to isolate Campylobacter (including the ISO standard 10272:2006-1) affected the genotypes detectable from poultry, at three points during slaughter: caecal content, neck skin and meat. Carcasses from 28 independent flocks were thus sampled (subset A). In addition, ten neck skin samples from four flocks, ten caecal samples from ten different flocks and ten unrelated meat samples obtained from local supermarkets were collected (subset B). Campylobacter was isolated using eight different protocols: with and without enrichment using Bolton broth, Preston broth or Campyfood broth (CFB), followed by culture on either modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate Agar (mCCDA) or Campyfood agar (CFA). All obtained isolates were genotyped for flaA-SVR, and over half of the isolates were also typed by MLST. The strain richness, as a measure of number of detected fla-genotypes, obtained from subset A neck skin and caecal samples was higher than that of meat samples. In half of the cases, within a flock, at least one identical fla-genotype was obtained at all three slaughter stages, suggestive of autologous contamination of carcasses. Enrichment reduced the observed richness of isolates, while CFA plates increased richness compared to mCCDA plates, irrespective of inclusion of an enrichment step. Because the isolation protocol used influences both the yield and the fla-genotype richness obtained from poultry, this variable should be taken into account when different studies are being compared.

Assessment of virulence factors characteristic of human Escherichia coli pathotypes and antimicrobial resistance in O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 isolates from livestock in Spain.

The distribution of virulence factors (VFs) typical of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles were assessed in 780 isolates from healthy pigs, broilers, and cattle from Spain. VF distribution was broader than expected, although at low prevalence for most genes, with AMR being linked mainly to host species.

Enfermedad de Crohn con marcadores serológicos de enfermedad celíaca positivos / Chrohn’s disease with positive serological markers for coeliac disease

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Evaluation of four protocols for the detection and isolation of thermophilic Campylobacter from different matrices.

AIMS: To identify the optimal method for detection of thermophilic Campylobacter at various stages in the food chain, three culture-dependent (direct plating, Bolton and Preston enrichment) and one molecular method (qPCR) were compared for three matrices: poultry faeces (n = 38), neck skin (n = 38) and packed fresh meat (n = 38). METHODS AND RESULTS: Direct plating was compared to enrichment with either Bolton broth (ISO 10272:2006-1) or Preston broth, followed by culture on two selective agars: modified charcoal cefoperazone desoxycholate agar (mCCDA) and Campyfood agar (CFA). Direct plating on CFA provided the highest number of positive samples for faeces and neck skin samples. Enrichment of meat samples in Preston followed by plating on mCCDA gave significantly higher number of positives than the recommended ISO method. Real-time qPCR yielded the highest number of positive samples. CONCLUSION: Direct plating on CFA is optimal for Campylobacter isolation from highly contaminated samples such as faeces or neck skin. When enrichment is required for less-contaminated samples such as poultry meat, Preston broth is the best choice. The maximum of detectable cells predicted by qPCR is a sensitive and powerful evaluation tool. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The recommended ISO protocol had the least sensitivity, and application of this method could result in underreporting. We detected a high prevalence of Campylobacter on packed meat to be distributed, which suggests this is still a significant risk for consumers.

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Iberian pigs.

AIMS: Iberian pigs are bred in Spain for the production of high-value dry-cured products, whose export volumes are increasing. Animals are typically reared outdoors, although indoor farming is becoming popular. We compared carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Iberian pigs, raised indoors and outdoors, with intensively farmed Standard White pigs. METHODS AND RESULTS: From June 2007 to February 2008, 106 skin swabs were taken from Iberian pigs and 157 samples from SWP at slaughterhouses in Spain. We found that Iberian pigs carried MRSA, although with a significantly lower prevalence (30/106; 28%) than SWP (130/157; 83%). A higher prevalence of indoor Iberian pigs compared with animals reared under outdoor conditions was not significant; however, all but one positive indoor Iberian pig samples were detected from one slaughterhouse. Overall, 16 different spa types were identified, with t011 predominating in all three animal populations. A subset of isolates was characterized by MLST. Most of these belonged to ST398. MRSA isolates from Iberian pigs presented a higher susceptibility to antibiotics than those isolated from SWP. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited contact with humans, pigs raised outdoors are colonized by an MRSA population that genetically overlaps with that of intensively farmed pigs, although antimicrobial resistance is lower. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our knowledge, this is the first detection of MRSA in food animals raised in free-range conditions.

La genética del suicidio / Genetics of suicidal behaviour

Los autores realizan un recuente de las diversas investigaciones que han abordado los aspectos genéticos que intentan explicar la etiología del comportamiento suicida, desde los estudios epidemiológicos hasta los genéticos moleculares

The authors do a survey about the genetics researches which are involved in the aetiology of suicidal behavior, since epidemiologic studies until genetics moleculars researches

Las investigaciones biológicas del suicidio. Aspectos históricos / Biological studies in suicide. Historical features

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Experimental measurement of corneal haze after excimer laser keratectomy.

We developed a model of corneal haze following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in Iber Braun hens and studied optical properties. The animals underwent PRK for -9.0 diopters of myopia and were divided into groups based on treatment with different wound-healing modulators. At different time points postoperatively, we evaluated haze by slit-lamp microscopy. An experimental device was developed to measure transmittance spatial maps and forward scattering of He-Ne laser light in the excised corneas. Subjective and objective haze measures were compared for each group at the different times. Keratocyte densities were determined by optical microscopy and keratocyte sizes by electron microscopy. The agreement between experimental results and a simple numerical model of scattering suggests that increases in stromal keratocyte density after PRK might explain the degree of corneal haze.

Actitudes hacia el suicidio en adolescentes / Adolescents attitudes towards suicide

Se investigan las actitudes hacia el suicidio en 100 adolescentes de la enseñanza preuniversitaria, utilizando el cuestionario de actitudes hacia el suicidio (SUIATT), desarrollado por R. F. W. Diekstra y A. J. F. M. Kerkhof en 1985. Se concluye que el 21 por ciento y 28 por ciento de los adolescentes consideran el suicidio como un derecho propio o de cualquier individuo; el 6 por ciento y 3 por ciento ayudaría a otros a cometer suicidio, ya se tratase de un familiar o cualquier sujeto; el 63 por ciento está a favor de la prevención del suicidio y el 52 por ciento consideró al que intenta el suicidio como una persona que trata de demostrar a otros cuan grandes son sus problemas.(AU)