Detection of tetracycline and other antimicrobial residues in milk from cows with clinical mastitis treated by combination therapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine tetracycline and other antimicrobial residues in milk from dairy cows treated for clinical mastitis. Data on cow health and drugs used were obtained from the farm veterinarians. A milk sample from each affected udder quarter of each cow was taken for bacterial identification before treatment. All 35 cows in the study were treated with an intramammary product containing tetracycline, neomycin, bacitracin, and prednisolone (tetracycline injector) and also simultaneously with other drugs via the intramammary or parenteral route. The withhold period of the 'tetracycline product' was eight milkings but, in all cases, longer withhold periods were prescribed due to off-label application of additional combinations of drugs. Milk samples from treated udder quarters, taken two milkings before and two after the prescribed withhold period, were analysed for antimicrobial residues. Additionally, milk samples were taken from untreated healthy udder quarters to check if any crossover of drugs had occurred. Three screening tests were used for antimicrobial detection. In 15 (42·9%) cows the milk samples from the treated infected quarters contained tetracycline residues above the maximum residue limit (MRL) after the prescribed withhold period and, in two cases (5·7%) the same was true for neomycin and cefquinome residues. Cephalexin above the MRL was detected in only one case (2·9%). Beta-lactams did not exceed the MRL after the prescribed withhold period. Antimicrobial residues were not detected in milk samples from untreated quarters. Cow condition including parity, decreased milk production and severity of mastitis significantly influenced the excretion of antimicrobials in milk (P ≤ 0·05). No significant differences were found between the tetracycline positive and tetracycline negative cows regarding the bacteria involved, combination antimicrobial therapy, or treatment interval and duration.

Feed additives diclazuril and nicarbazin in egg and liver samples from Croatian farms.

In total 307 egg and 275 liver samples were examined for nicarbazin and 365 eggs for diclazuril over a 30-month period. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods used for quantification were validated according to European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Non-compliant samples were confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Mean diclazuril concentrations in egg samples were 0.31 µg kg⁻¹, which is below the MRL. In only one egg sample, 2.26 µg kg⁻¹ was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, although confirmation by LC-MS/MS gave a value of 1.6 µg kg(-1). Mean nicarbazin levels determined were 1.85 µg kg⁻¹ in egg and 21.1 µg kg⁻¹ in liver samples. Four samples, one egg and three livers, yielded elevated concentrations of nicarbazin, but only in the egg sample the LC-MS/MS method confirmed nicarbazin (106 µg kg⁻¹) above the MRL value.

Preparation, Characterization and Crystal Structure of [Cu2(O2CH)4(nicotinamide)2].

The novel copper(II) coordination compound, [Cu2(O2CH)4(nia)2] (nia = nicotinamide), was isolated from the reaction mixture containing Cu2(OH)2CO3, nicotinamide, methanoic acid and ethanol. The new complex was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction and other standard physico-chemical methods. The structure contains binuclear centrosymmetric molecules in which two central atoms are bridged by four methanoate bridges forming a paddle-wheel structure type. The fifth coordination site completing the distorted square pyramid around copper is occupied by aromatic nitrogen of nicotinamide. The molecules pack together via hydrogen bonds resulting in a formation of extended supramolecular sheets. The results of other physical measurements are also in a complete agreement with the obtained structure.