An exposé of Frappellian Motion.

Contrary to the well-recognised role of an abstract in helping to summarise the main points of the following article, this abstract takes its influence from Peter B. Frappell ('Frapps') and, therefore, is distracted from its key purpose. While the abstract was supposed to discuss the serious phenomenon of 'Frappellian Motion' (FM), someone just passed along some gossip that is heaps more exciting, so "let's go grab a beer and I'll talk at you".

Fecal shedding of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli among feral pigs in Texas.

The population and range of feral pigs in the United States are rapidly expanding, yet key knowledge gaps exist regarding their role in the ecology and transmission of foodborne pathogens. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli shedding among feral pigs throughout Texas and to identify risk factors for positive status. Faecal samples were collected from feral pigs in Texas from February 2014 through May 2015, and target organisms were detected using PCR assays. The prevalence of C. jejuni shedding was 1.6% (6/370), and the prevalence of C. coli shedding was 3.5% (13/370). C. coli shedding was significantly more common (p = .008) among female pigs than among male pigs. Feral pigs may represent a source of human campylobacteriosis.

Opportunistic Invasive Cutaneous Fungal Infections Associated with Administration of Cyclosporine to Dogs with Immune-mediated Disease.

BACKGROUND: Opportunistic invasive fungal infections (OIFIs) occur in dogs administered immunosuppressive medications. However, the epidemiology of OIFIs among dogs undergoing immunosuppressive treatment is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to (1) estimate the incidence of OIFIs among dogs diagnosed with certain immune-mediated diseases and treated with immunosuppressive drugs, and (2) determine if administration of particular drug(s) was a risk factor for OIFIs. HYPOTHESIS: Dogs receiving cyclosporine treatment (alone or as part of a multidrug protocol) are at higher risk of developing OIFIs. ANIMALS: One hundred and thirteen client-owned dogs diagnosed with select immune-mediated diseases: 42 with IMHA, 29 with ITP, 34 with IMPA, and 8 with Evans syndrome. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Medical records of dogs presenting to the Texas A&M University, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between January 2008 and December 2015, and treated for 1 or more of IMHA, IMPA, ITP, or Evans syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. Dogs that did not develop an OIFI were excluded if they died, were euthanized, or were lost to follow-up within 120 days of initiation of immunosuppressive treatment. RESULTS: Fifteen dogs of 113 (13%) were diagnosed with an OIFI based on 1 or more of cytology, culture, or histopathology. The odds of developing an OIFI were greater among dogs that were treated with cyclosporine (OR = 7.1, P = 0.017; 95% CI, 1.5-34.4) and among male dogs (OR = 5.1, P = 0.018; 95% CI, 1.4-17.9). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: OIFIs were significantly more likely in male dogs and those receiving cyclosporine. It is important to consider OIFIs as a potential complication of immunosuppressive treatment, particularly cyclosporine.

Prevalence of Salmonella among waterfowl along the Texas Gulf coast.

Migratory waterfowl may play a role in the ecology and transmission of zoonotic pathogens, given their ability to travel long distances and their use of varied habitats. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella among waterfowl along the Texas Gulf coast and to characterize the isolates. Faecal samples were collected from hunter-harvested waterfowl at four wildlife management areas from September through November, 2016. Standard bacteriologic culture methods were used to isolate Salmonella from samples, and isolates were characterized by serotyping and anti-microbial susceptibility testing. The apparent prevalence of faecal Salmonella shedding was 0.5% (2/375). Serotypes identified were Thompson and Braenderup, and both isolates were susceptible to all anti-microbial agents tested. Although faecal contamination of agricultural fields or surface waters could serve as a potential source of zoonotic Salmonella transmission, waterfowl along the Gulf coast during the fall hunting season appear to pose minimal risk.

Faecal Campylobacter shedding among dogs in animal shelters across Texas.

Epidemiologic studies on faecal Campylobacter shedding among dogs in the United States have been limited, despite evidence that the incidence of human campylobacteriosis has increased over the last decade. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of faecal Campylobacter shedding among shelter dogs in Texas, to estimate the specific prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli shedding, and to identify risk factors for Campylobacter-positive status. Using a cross-sectional study design, we collected faecal samples from dogs in six animal shelters across Texas between May and December, 2014. Quantitative PCR protocols were used to detect Campylobacter in samples and to specifically identify C. jejuni and C. coli. The prevalence of faecal Campylobacter shedding among sampled dogs was 75.7% (140/185). Prevalence varied significantly by shelter (p = .03), ranging from 57% to 93%. There was a marginal association (p = .06) between abnormal faecal consistency and positive Campylobacter status, after controlling for shelter as a random effect. However, approximately 70% of Campylobacter-positive dogs had grossly normal faeces. Campylobacter prevalence did not vary significantly by age group or sex. The prevalence of C. jejuni-positive samples was 5.4% (10/185), but C. coli was not detected in any samples. Dogs are a potential source of zoonotic Campylobacter transmission.

Identification of a Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Gene in Salmonella Isolates from Texas Dairy Farm Environmental Samples.

A recent increase in plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) has been detected among Salmonella isolated from humans in the United States, and it is necessary to determine the sources of human infection. We had previously isolated Salmonella from dairy farm environmental samples collected in Texas, and isolates were tested for anti-microbial susceptibility. Two isolates, serotyped as Salmonella Muenster, showed the discordant pattern of nalidixic acid susceptibility and intermediate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. For this project, whole-genome sequencing of both isolates was performed to detect genes associated with quinolone resistance. The plasmid-mediated qnrB19 gene and IncR plasmid type were identified in both isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PMQR in Salmonella isolated from food animals or agricultural environments in the United States.

Evaluation of Faecal Salmonella Shedding Among Dogs at Seven Animal Shelters across Texas.

Estimates of prevalence of faecal Salmonella shedding among dogs in the United States have varied widely. Surveillance among shelter dogs has been limited, although dogs in animal shelters may be at elevated risk of Salmonella infection because of their previous exposure history as well as factors inherent to shelter environments. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella shedding among shelter dogs across Texas, to identify risk factors for shedding and to characterize the isolates. Using a repeated cross-sectional study design, we collected faecal samples from dogs on two or three visits to each of seven Texas animal shelters between May 2013 and December 2014. Standard bacteriologic culture methods were used to isolate Salmonella from samples, and isolates were characterized via serotyping and anti-microbial susceptibility testing. The prevalence of faecal Salmonella shedding among sampled dogs was 4.9% (27/554), and within-shelter prevalence ranged from 1.9% to 8.3%. There was a marginal association (P = 0.09) between watery faecal samples and positive Salmonella status, as estimated by a logistic regression model that controlled for shelter as a random effect. However, over 60% of Salmonella-positive dogs had grossly normal faeces. Salmonella prevalence did not vary significantly by age group or sex. The most common serovars were Newport (22%) and Javiana (15%), both of which were widespread among shelters. Resistance to anti-microbial agents was uncommon. The prevalence of faecal Salmonella shedding among shelter dogs in Texas appears to be comparable to that seen among pet dogs in general.

Prevalence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Feral Pigs Throughout Texas.

Feral pigs are one of the most abundant free-roaming ungulates in the United States, yet their role in the ecology and transmission of foodborne pathogens is poorly understood. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella shedding among feral pigs throughout Texas, to identify risk factors for infection, and to characterize the isolates. Faecal samples were collected from feral pigs in Texas from June 2013 through May 2015. Standard bacteriologic culture methods were used to isolate Salmonella from samples, and isolates were characterized via serotyping and anti-microbial susceptibility testing. The prevalence of faecal Salmonella shedding among sampled pigs was 43.9% (194/442), with positive pigs originating from 50 counties. Pigs sampled during fall and summer were significantly more likely to be shedding Salmonella than pigs sampled during winter. High serovar diversity was evident among the isolates, and many of the detected serovars are leading causes of human salmonellosis. The most common serovars were Montevideo (10.0%), Newport (9.1%), and Give (8.2%). Resistance to anti-microbial agents was rare. The burgeoning feral pig population in the United States may represent an emerging threat to food safety.

Effect of heifer-raising practices on E. coli antimicrobial resistance and Salmonella prevalence in heifer raisers.

Although cattle movement and commingling play an important role in the inter-herd transmission of pathogens, little is known about the effect of commingling of heifers at raising operations. The objective of this study was to compare the resistance of E. coli and prevalence of Salmonella from pooled faecal pats of heifers raised off-farm at multi-source raisers (MULTI) that raised heifers from at least two farms compared with on-farm raisers (HOME), with heifers from only that farm. MULTI faecal pat samples were collected from pens with animals that had arrived at the farm within the previous 2 months (AP) and from animals that would be departing the heifer raiser in 2-3 months (DP). Corresponding age sampling was conducted at HOME raisers. Odds of ampicillin resistance were 3·0 times greater in E. coli collected from MULTI compared to HOME raisers. E. coli from AP pens had significantly (P < 0·05) higher odds of resistance to ampicillin, neomycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline compared to DP pens. Salmonella recovery was not significantly different between heifer-raising systems (P = 0·3). Heifer-raising system did not have a major overall impact on selection of resistant E. coli, which was strongly affected by the age of the animals sampled.

Subtype analysis of Salmonella isolated from subclinically infected dairy cattle and dairy farm environments reveals the presence of both human- and bovine-associated subtypes.

While it is well established that clinically ill livestock represent a reservoir of Salmonella, the importance of subclinical shedders as sources of human salmonellosis is less well defined. The aims of this study were to assess the subtype diversity of Salmonella in healthy dairy cattle and farm environments and to compare the subtypes isolated from these sources with the Salmonella subtypes associated with clinical human cases in the same geographic area. A total of 1349 Salmonella isolates from subclinical dairy cattle and farm environments (46 farms) were initially characterized by traditional or molecular serotyping and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. A set of 381 representative isolates was selected for further characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE); these isolates represented unique combinations of sampling date, serovar, antimicrobial resistance pattern, farm of origin, and source, to avoid overrepresentation of subtypes that were re-isolated from a given source. These 381 isolates represented 26 Salmonella serovars; the most common serovars were Cerro [(38.8%, 148/381) isolated from 21 farms], Kentucky [16.3%; 10 farms], Typhimurium [9.4%; 7 farms], Newport [7.6%; 8 farms], and Anatum [6.3%; 6 farms]. Among the 381 isolates, 90 (23.6%) were resistant to between 1 and 11 antimicrobial agents, representing 50 different antimicrobial resistance patterns. Overall, 61 XbaI-PFGE types were detected among these 381 isolates, indicating considerable Salmonella diversity on dairy farms. Fourteen PFGE types, representing 12 serovars, exactly matched PFGE types from human isolates, suggesting that subclinically infected dairy cattle could be sources of human disease-associated Salmonella.

Occupational sensitization to soy allergens in workers at a processing facility.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to soy antigens has been associated with asthma in community outbreaks and in some workplaces. Recently, 135 soy flake processing workers (SPWs) in a Tennessee facility were evaluated for immune reactivity to soy. Allergic sensitization to soy was common and was five times more prevalent than in health care worker controls (HCWs) with no known soy exposure. OBJECTIVE: To characterize sensitization to soy allergens in SPWs. METHODS: Sera that were positive to soy ImmunoCAP (n=27) were tested in IgE immunoblots. Wild-type (WT) and transgenic (TG) antigens were sequenced using nanoscale Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (nanoUPLC MS/MS). IgE reactivity towards 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (CP4-EPSP), a protein found in TG soy, was additionally investigated. De-identified sera from 50 HCWs were used as a control. RESULTS: Immunoblotting of WT and TG soy flake extracts revealed IgE against multiple soy antigens with reactivity towards 48, 54, and 62 kDa bands being the most common. The prominent proteins that bound SPW IgE were identified by nanoUPLC MS/MS analysis to be the high molecular weight soybean storage proteins, ß-conglycinin (Gly m 5), and Glycinin (Gly m 6). No specific IgE reactivity could be detected to lower molecular weight soy allergens, Gly m 1 and Gly m 2, in soybean hull (SH) extracts. IgE reactivity was comparable between WT and TG extracts; however, IgE antibodies to CP4-EPSP could not be detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SPWs with specific IgE to soy reacted most commonly with higher molecular weight soybean storage proteins compared with the lower molecular weight SH allergens identified in community asthma studies. IgE reactivity was comparable between WT and TG soy extracts, while no IgE reactivity to CP4-EPSP was observed. High molecular weight soybean storage allergens, Gly m 5 and Gly m 6, may be respiratory sensitizers in occupational exposed SPWs.

Salmonella Cerro isolated over the past twenty years from various sources in the US represent a single predominant pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type.

Salmonella Cerro prevalence in US dairy cattle has increased significantly during the past decade. Comparison of 237 Salmonella isolates collected from various human and animal sources between 1986 and 2009 using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, antimicrobial resistance typing, and spvA screening, showed very limited genetic diversity, indicating clonality of this serotype. Improved subtyping methods are clearly needed to analyze the potential emergence of this serotype. Our results thus emphasize the critical importance of population-based pathogen surveillance for the detection and characterization of potentially emerging pathogens, and caution to critically evaluate the adequacy of diagnostic tests for a given study population and diagnostic application.

The prevalence of multidrug resistance is higher among bovine than human Salmonella enterica serotype Newport, Typhimurium, and 4,5,12:i:- isolates in the United States but differs by serotype and geographic region.

Salmonella represents an important zoonotic pathogen worldwide, but the transmission dynamics between humans and animals as well as within animal populations are incompletely understood. We characterized Salmonella isolates from cattle and humans in two geographic regions of the United States, the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast, using three common subtyping methods (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE], multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis [MLVA], and multilocus sequence typing [MLST]). In addition, we analyzed the distribution of antimicrobial resistance among human and cattle Salmonella isolates from the two study areas and characterized Salmonella persistence on individual dairy farms. For both Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotypes Newport and Typhimurium, we found multidrug resistance to be significantly associated with bovine origin of isolates, with the odds of multidrug resistance for Newport isolates from cattle approximately 18 times higher than for Newport isolates from humans. Isolates from the Northwest were significantly more likely to be multidrug resistant than those from the Northeast, and susceptible and resistant isolates appeared to represent distinct Salmonella subtypes. We detected evidence for strain diversification during Salmonella persistence on farms, which included changes in antimicrobial resistance as well as genetic changes manifested in PFGE and MLVA pattern shifts. While discriminatory power was serotype dependent, the combination of PFGE data with either MLVA or resistance typing data consistently allowed for improved subtype discrimination. Our results are consistent with the idea that cattle are an important reservoir of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infections in humans. In addition, the study provides evidence for the value of including antimicrobial resistance data in epidemiological investigations and highlights the benefits and potential problems of combining subtyping methods.

Adverse respiratory outcomes associated with occupational exposures at a soy processing plant.

This study aimed to characterise the relationship between adverse health outcomes and occupational risk factors among workers at a soy processing plant. A questionnaire, spirometry, methacholine challenge, immune testing and air sampling for dust and soy were offered. Prevalence ratios (PRs) of respiratory problems from comparisons with the US adult population were calculated. Soy-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgE among participants and healthcare worker controls were compared. Associations between health outcomes and potential explanatory variables were examined using logistic regression. 147 (52%) out of 281 employees, including 66 (70%) out of 94 production workers, participated. PRs were significantly elevated for wheeze, sinusitis, ever-asthma and current asthma. Participants had significantly higher mean concentrations of soy-specific IgG (97.9 mg·L(-1) versus 1.5 mg·L(-1)) and prevalence of soy-specific IgE (21% versus 4%) than controls. Participants with soy-specific IgE had three-fold greater odds of current asthma or asthma-like symptoms, and six-fold greater odds of work-related asthma-like symptoms; the latter additionally was associated with production work and higher peak dust exposures. Airways obstruction was associated with higher peak dust. Work-related sinusitis, nasal allergies and rash were associated with reported workplace mould exposure. Asthma and symptoms of asthma, but not other respiratory problems, were associated with immune reactivity to soy.

The duration of fecal Salmonella shedding following clinical disease among dairy cattle in the northeastern USA.

The objectives of this study were to determine the duration of fecal Salmonella shedding among dairy cattle in the northeastern United States following laboratory-confirmed clinical disease and to evaluate whether age group or serotype was associated with either shedding period or mortality. Study farms included 22 dairy herds that had at least two previous salmonellosis cases confirmed by fecal culture. Veterinarians continued to submit culture samples from clinical suspects following herd enrollment, and fecal samples from positive cattle were collected monthly until three sequential negative results were obtained or until loss to follow-up. There were 357 culture-positive clinical cases that each involved a single serotype during the shedding period. The Kaplan-Meier median duration of fecal Salmonella shedding was 50 days, and the maximum was 391 days. S. Newport was the predominant serotype, accounting for 51% of the cases. Age group and serotype were not significant predictors of Salmonella shedding duration in a Cox proportional hazards model, when stratifying by herd. However, the proportion of adult cows shedding for at least two consecutive monthly samples was significantly greater than the proportion of female calves shedding for this duration (Fisher's exact test p-value<0.01). Age group was also associated with mortality in this study; calves with salmonellosis were more likely to die than cows as estimated by a logistic regression model which controlled for herd as a random effect (p-value=0.04).

The incidence of salmonellosis among dairy herds in the northeastern United States.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the incidence of salmonellosis among a large sample of dairy herds in the northeastern United States (both at the animal level and the herd level), to describe the serotypes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the positive samples, and to determine whether various herd-level factors were important predictors of incidence. Participating veterinarians enrolled 831 dairy herds and submitted fecal samples from 2,565 female dairy cattle for Salmonella culture because of suspicion of clinical disease. Estimates of animal-level incidence rates were calculated for each age group as the number of cases per animal time at risk, and an estimate of herd-level incidence rate was calculated as the number of positive herds per herd time at risk. Descriptive analysis of serotype data and level of antimicrobial resistance was performed, and Poisson regression analysis was used to study associations between the within-herd incidence of salmonellosis and certain predictor variables (herd size, housing type, vaccination status, and prior history of Salmonella infection). Salmonella was isolated from 576 (22.5%) samples representing 93 herds. The animal-level incidence rates for preweaned female calves, heifers, and adult cows were 8.1, 0.04, and 1.8 cases per 1,000 animal-years, respectively. The herd-level incidence rate was 8.6 positive herds per 100 herd-years. Salmonella Newport was the predominant serotype, accounting for 41% of the cases, followed by Salmonella Typhimurium. Over 68% of all isolates were resistant to 5 or more antimicrobial agents. Herd size was the only significant predictor of the incidence of salmonellosis in a multivariable model; herds with at least 400 female dairy cattle had a higher incidence rate than smaller herds. Our results shed light on the impact of salmonellosis on the dairy industry in the northeastern United States, and they help clarify the role of dairy cattle as a source of Salmonella serotypes that are also important human pathogens.

Targeted disruption of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide gene results in early postnatal death associated with dysfunction of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a hormone belonging to the glucagon superfamily of hormones. These hormones are known to play important roles in metabolism and growth. PACAP is a neuropeptide that causes accumulation of cAMP in a number of tissues and affects the secretion of other hormones, vasodilation, neural and immune functions, as well as the cell cycle. To determine whether PACAP is essential for survival and to evaluate its function(s), we have generated mice lacking the PACAP gene via homologous recombination. We found that most PACAP null mice died in the second postnatal week in a wasted state with microvesicular fat accumulation in liver, skeletal muscle, and heart. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that fatty acid beta-oxidation in liver mitochondria of PACAP(-/-) mice was not blocked based on the distribution of 3-hydroxy-fatty acids (C6-16) in the plasma. Instead, increased metabolic flux through the beta-oxidation pathway was suggested by the presence of ketosis. Also, serum triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly higher (2- to 3-fold) in PACAP null mice than littermates. In the fed state, both serum insulin and blood glucose were normal in 5-d-old null mice compared with their littermates. In contrast, fasted PACAP null pups had a significant increase in insulin, but a decrease in blood glucose compared with littermates. Glycogen in the liver was reduced. These results suggest PACAP is a critical hormonal regulator of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Interferon and ribavirin vs interferon alone in the re-treatment of chronic hepatitis C previously nonresponsive to interferon: A meta-analysis of randomized trials.

CONTEXT: Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. Several trials have found that interferon and ribavirin combination therapy is more efficacious than interferon monotherapy for previously untreated patients and those who relapsed after prior interferon monotherapy, but its effectiveness for nonresponders to prior interferon monotherapy is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of interferon and ribavirin vs interferon alone for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C who previously did not respond to interferon monotherapy. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE and the Science Citation Index for publications from 1966 to December 1999. A manual reference search and a manual review of relevant specialty journals also were performed, and input from clinical hepatology experts was sought. STUDY SELECTION: Included studies were randomized, controlled clinical trials comparing interferon and ribavirin with interferon alone and reporting virological and biochemical outcomes after a follow-up period. Of 50 identified studies, 12 trials (941 patients) were included in the analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Two investigators reviewed trials independently for methods, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcomes. Disagreements were resolved by discussion. Abstracted data included study and patient characteristics and virological, biochemical, and histological outcomes. A quality evaluation questionnaire was used to score studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: The pooled virological response rate for combination therapy was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11%-17%), with a risk difference favoring combination therapy of 7% (95% CI, 2%-13%). Use of interferon alfa-2a/2b and ribavirin, 1000 to 1200 mg/d, was associated with a pooled virological response rate of 18% and a risk difference of 16% (95% CI, 11%-21%). When interferon alfa-n/n3 and a lower dosage of ribavirin (600-800 mg/d) were used, the risk difference was 0% (95% CI, -7% to 7%). Combination therapy was associated with more adverse effects and an increased rate of discontinuation of treatment compared with interferon monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: For chronic hepatitis C that is nonresponsive to prior interferon monotherapy, combination therapy is more effective than re-treatment with interferon alone. Response rates remain less than 20% even in the most responsive subgroups, demonstrating a need for better therapeutic options.

Speech audibility for listeners with high-frequency hearing loss.

This study investigated whether there are limitations on the benefit of providing audible speech information to listeners with high-frequency hearing loss. In a group of 10 listeners with various degrees of high-frequency hearing loss, speech recognition was tested across a wide range of presentation levels. For each of these listeners with hearing loss, recognition performance reached an asymptote of < 100%. When the spectrum of the speech for this asymptotic performance level was compared with the listener's pure-tone thresholds, it was seen that providing audible speech to high-frequency regions (> or = 3000 Hz), where hearing loss exceeds 55 dB HL, tended to produce little or no improvement in recognition scores. In contrast, providing audible speech to lower frequency regions for a listener with a flat, severe-to-profound hearing loss did show improvement with increasing speech audibility, despite this listener's thresholds being greater than 55 dB HL. The present study adds further support to the idea that attempting to provide amplification to regions with severe high-frequency hearing loss (> or = 3000 Hz) may not necessarily benefit many individuals with hearing loss.