Only Low Effects of Water Filters on the Enteric Carriage of Gastrointestinal Pathogen DNA in Colombian Indigenous People.

Water filtration is a common strategy of water sanitation in resource-poor tropical settings. Here, we assessed the intermediate term effect of this preventive procedure including specific filter-related as well as general hygiene training on the molecular detection of enteric pathogens in stool samples from Colombian Indigenous people. From a total of 89 individuals from an Indigenous tribe called Wiwa, stool samples were assessed by real-time PCR for enteropathogenic microorganisms prior to the implementation of water filtration-based infection prevention. Three years after the onset of the preventive strategy, a follow-up assessment was performed. A significantly beneficial effect of water filtration could be shown for Ascaris spp. only (p = 0.035) and a tendency (p = 0.059) for Hymenolepis nana. No hints for effects on the gastrointestinal shedding of Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium spp., Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp./enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, Necator americanus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura, and Taenia spp. were seen. In conclusion, the study indicates that water filtration can only be an element of a multi-modal hygiene concept to reduce enteric pathogen carriage in inhabitants of resource-poor tropical settings in spite of tendencies of beneficial effects.

Detección molecular de patógenos entéricos en niños con diarrea en un hospital centinela de vigilancia de rotavirus en Chile / Molecular detection of gastrointestinal pathogens among children under 5 years old with diarrhea in a hospital center for rotavirus sentinel surveillance in Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las diarreas de causa infecciosa son un problema de salud pública, especialmente en niños bajo los cinco años. La identificación de los agentes etiológicos puede ser relevante para el manejo del cuadro clínico y, desde el punto de vista epidemiológico, para la implementación de medidas de control. OBJETIVO: Determinar la presencia de patógenos entéricos en niños bajo los cinco años que se hospitalizaron por diarrea aguda en uno de los centros centinelas de la red de vigilancia de rotavirus en Chile. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional en niños menores de cinco años que se internaron por cuadros de diarrea en el Hospital Dr. Luis Calvo Mackenna, durante diciembre del 2015 a diciembre del 2019, el que forma parte de la red de vigilancia de rotavirus del Ministerio de Salud de Chile. Las muestras fecales se analizaron mediante un test molecular, FilmArray GI® panel, que permite la detección de 22 patógenos entéricos virales, bacterianos y parasitarios. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 493 muestras fecales de niños con episodios de diarrea infecciosa, detectando al menos un patógeno en 427 muestras (87%). De estas muestras positivas, se detectó solo un patógeno en 174 muestras (41%) y dos o más patógenos en 253 muestras (59%). En el grupo de niños bajo un año y el grupo entre uno y cuatro años hubo un predominio de infecciones causadas por virus gastroentéricos, siendo rotavirus y norovirus los virus más detectados en ambos grupos de edad. Las bacterias más frecuentes fueron EPEC (27%), C. difficile (17%), EAEC (14%) y Campylobacter (9%). Respecto a los parásitos, se identificó Giardia lamblia y Cryptosporidium, en el 3 y 1% del total de las muestras, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: La detección molecular utilizada permitió detectar un alto número de enteropatógenos en niños bajo los cinco años. La información generada por este tipo de vigilancia, podría ayudar a caracterizar en la población los episodios de diarrea causados por los principales patógenos entéricos y podría ser una herramienta para asesorar técnicamente a las autoridades en la toma de decisión para la implementación de medidas de control contra estos patógenos.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diarrhea is still a major problem in public health, especially in children under 5 years of age. The identification of the etiologic agent is important for the clinical management of the diarrhea episode and, from the epidemiological point of view, to implement control measures. AIM: To determine the presence of gastrointestinal pathogens in children under five years of age with diarrhea in a Chilean rotavirus surveillance center. METHODS: Observational study in children under five years of age who were hospitalized for diarrhea at the Dr. Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital from December 2015 to December 2019. Molecular detection was performed using the FilmArray gastrointestinal (FilmArray GI®) panel. RESULTS: We analyzed 493 diarrheal stool samples of children, 427 samples (87%) were positive and 66 samples (13%) were negative. Of positive samples, 174 samples (41%) and 253 samples (59%) were positive for one or more pathogen, respectively. In children under one year and the group between one and four years there was a predominance of infections caused by enteric virus. Rotavirus and norovirus were the most common virus in both age groups. The most frequent bacteria were EPEC (27%), C. difficile (17%), EAEC (14%) and Campylobacter (9%). In parasites, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium were identified, in 3% and 1% of the total samples, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular detection system used allowed an increase in the detection of enteropathogens in children under five years of age. The information generated by this type of surveillance could help to characterize the episodes of diarrhea in the population and might be a tool to technically advise the authorities in the decision-making process for the implementation of control measures.

Rural blackwater treatment by a full-scale Brazilian Biodigester Septic Tank: microbial indicators and pathogen removal efficiency.

The Brazilian Biodigester Septic Tank (BBST) is an on-site appropriate technology for blackwater treatment, which was developed to yield an effluent suitable for agricultural use. Although several studies have proven its efficacy for secondary blackwater treatment, there are few published studies about the microbiological quality of its effluent, and most of them focus on the quantification of total or thermotolerant coliforms. This study evaluates the performance of a BBST for the removal of human adenovirus (HAdV), Enterococcus spp., Salmonella sp., and Escherichia coli. The results further clarify the safety and risks associated with the reuse of the obtained effluent. The full-scale system consists of three 1.2 m3 interconnected reactors, with a blackwater input of 0.045 m3/day, and hydraulic retention time of 80 days. Six sample campaigns were performed at different stages of the monthly operating cycle. The system presented an average removal efficiency of 5.09 log10 for E. coli, 3.22 log10 for Enterococcus spp., 1.2 log10 for Salmonella sp., and 3.0 log10 for HAdV. According to the World Health Organization standards, the obtained effluent is suitable for subsurface irrigation, and for use in crops that develop distant from the soil or highly mechanized crop systems.

Prevalence of Enteropathogens and Virulence Traits in Brazilian Children With and Without Diarrhea.

The use of molecular diagnostics for pathogen detection in epidemiological studies have allowed us to get a wider view of the pathogens associated with diarrhea, but the presence of enteropathogens in asymptomatic individuals has raised several challenges in understanding the etiology of diarrhea, and the use of these platforms in clinical diagnosis as well. To characterize the presence of the most relevant bacterial enteropathogens in diarrheal episodes, we evaluated here the prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, Salmonella spp., and Yersinia enterocolitica in stool samples of children with and without diarrhea using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). We found that the presence of genetic markers associated with bacterial pathogens was significantly higher in stool samples from the diarrhea group compared to the control (P < 0.001). Bacterial loads in samples positive for eae and aggR markers were also determined. Compared to samples from asymptomatic children, a significantly higher number of copies of the eae gene were found in diarrhea samples. Also, the presence of genetic markers associated with STEC strains with clinical significance was evaluated in eae-positive samples by high-throughput real-time PCR. The data presented herein demonstrated that asymptomatic children of an urban area in Brazil might be enteropathogen reservoirs, especially for STEC.

Enteric parasitic infection disturbs bacterial structure in Mexican children with autoantibodies for type 1 diabetes and/or celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal bacterial dysbiosis and increased gut permeability are associated with higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) or celiac disease (CD). There is a lack of information on parasitism involved in gut disturbance of predisposed children. We evaluated the effect of enteropathogenic parasites (Cryptosporidium spp., Cyclospora spp. G. lamblia, and Blastocystis spp.) on the bacterial structure of feces from children with autoantibodies for T1D or CD. Participants included 37 children under 18 years of age, from whom stools were analyzed for enteric parasites by qPCR and 22/37 for bacterial profile by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16s rRNA gene. Dietary, clinical, and socioeconomic data was recorded. RESULTS: Pathogens parasitized 28/37 participants, Cryptosporidium spp. was the most prevalent (62.2%), followed by both Cyclospora cayetanensis and Blastocystis spp (37.8%). There were no dietary differences (p > 0.05) attributable to parasitism. Co-infected participants with Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora did not differ (p = 0.064) from non-infected participants in bacterial alpha phylogenetic diversity. The same parasites' co-infection was associated with a decreased abundance of the Ruminococaceae (p = 0.04) and Verrucomicrobioceae families, of the Akkermansia genus (p = 0.009). There was a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (p = 0.02) in infected than in uninfected participants. CONCLUSIONS: Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora affected the bacterial structure at family and genus levels, decreasing the ratio between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in children with auto-antibodies for T1D or CD, which could increase the risk of illness onset.

Prevalence of enteropathogens and virulence traits in Brazilian children with and without diarrhea

The use of molecular diagnostics for pathogen detection in epidemiological studies have allowed us to get a wider view of the pathogens associated with diarrhea, but the presence of enteropathogens in asymptomatic individuals has raised several challenges in understanding the etiology of diarrhea, and the use of these platforms in clinical diagnosis as well. To characterize the presence of the most relevant bacterial enteropathogens in diarrheal episodes, we evaluated here the prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes, Salmonella spp., and Yersinia enterocolitica in stool samples of children with and without diarrhea using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). We found that the presence of genetic markers associated with bacterial pathogens was significantly higher in stool samples from the diarrhea group compared to the control (P < 0.001). Bacterial loads in samples positive for eae and aggR markers were also determined. Compared to samples from asymptomatic children, a significantly higher number of copies of the eae gene were found in diarrhea samples. Also, the presence of genetic markers associated with STEC strains with clinical significance was evaluated in eae-positive samples by high-throughput real-time PCR. The data presented herein demonstrated that asymptomatic children of an urban area in Brazil might be enteropathogen reservoirs, especially for STEC.

Prevalencia de patógenos causantes de enfermedad diarreica aguda en el área Metropolitana de Asunción y Central

Introducción: Las enfermedades diarreicas agudas (EDA) constituyen un problema de salud pública y son una de las causas más importantes de mortalidad y morbilidad en niños a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de enteropatógenos causantes de EDA en el área metropolitana de Asunción y Central. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transverso. Se analizaron 743 muestras de heces diarreicas, en las cuales se investigó la presencia de Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli diarreigénicas y Rotavirus, utilizando técnicas de referencia. Resultados: En el 31,2% (232/743) de las muestras fue posible identificar al menos uno de los patógenos entéricos investigados, siendo las E. coli diarreigénicas fueron las bacterias identificadas con mayor frecuencia, seguido por Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. y en último lugar, Salmonella spp. Conclusión: La población más afectada corresponde a niños menores de 5 años. El principal patógeno identificado como agente causal de diarreas fueron las E. coli diarreigénicas en primer lugar, seguido por Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. y Salmonella spp. En algunas muestras se detectaron más de un patógeno entérico, encontrando incluso casos de coinfección con hasta cuatro patógenos diferentes.

Introduction: Acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) constitute a public health problem and are one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in children worldwide. Objective: To determine the prevalence of enteropathogens causing ADD in the metropolitan area of ​​Asunción and Central. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. 743 samples of diarrheic feces were analyzed, in which the presence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli diarreigenic and Rotavirus was investigated, using reference techniques. Results: In 31.2% (232/743) of the samples it was possible to identify at least one of the enteric pathogens investigated, being the diarrhenetic E. coli were the most frequently identified bacteria, followed by Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. and lastly, Salmonella spp. Conclusion: The most affected population corresponds to children under 5 years of age. The main pathogen identified as the causative agent of diarrhea was diarrigenic E. coli, followed by Rotavirus, Campylobacter spp., Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. In some samples more than one enteric pathogen was detected, even finding cases of coinfection with up to four different pathogens.

Frequency of Enteroparasites and Bacteria in the Leafy Vegetables Sold in Brazilian Public Wholesale Markets.

The consumption of raw vegetables is related to health benefits. However, these foods might be source of foodborne diseases. The objective of the present study was to perform a microbiological and parasitological evaluation of the leafy vegetables commercially sold in five regions of Brazil at public wholesale markets. The 12 types of leafy vegetables (144 samples) were curly lettuce, looseleaf lettuce, red lettuce, chives, coriander, kale, basil, arugula, parsley, iceberg lettuce, chicory, and bean sprouts. The prevalences of total coliforms (88 to 100%) and thermotolerant coliforms (37 to 100%) were high, but Salmonella was not detected in any of the analyzed samples. All open markets sold vegetables contaminated with enteroparasites, mainly Entamoeba sp., Balantidium coli, Strongyloides sp., Ascaris sp., Enterobius vermicularis, and Ancylostomidae. Contamination was detected in all the regions (north, northeast, central west, southeast, and south) and types of vegetables, with higher prevalences in the northeast region, mainly in basil, lettuce, and chives. Contamination of vegetables by potentially pathogenic microorganisms is a national problem, and the distribution centers should improve quality control of these commercial vegetables. Considering the high frequency of enteroparasites and bacteria and the potential risk of disease transmitted by vegetables, we suggest greater enforcement of the sanitary surveillance of food offered to the public.

The incidence of Clostridioides difficile and Clostridium perfringens netF-positive strains in diarrheic dogs.

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of Clostridioides (previously Clostridium) difficile and Clostridium perfringens in the feces of diarrheic and non-diarrheic dogs. Also, the presence of other common canine enteropathogens was examined. Toxigenic C. difficile and C. perfringens positive for the NetF-encoding gene (netF) were detected in 11 (11.9%) and seven (7.6%) diarrheic dogs, respectively. Three dogs were diagnosed simultaneously with toxigenic C. difficile and netF-positive C. perfringens. Among other enteropathogens, Giardia sp. was the most common agent detected in dogs positive for toxigenic C. difficile or netF-positive C. perfringens. The results suggest that C. difficile and C. perfringens occur more frequently as a primary cause of diarrhea.

Vaccines for viral and bacterial pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis: Part I: Overview, vaccines for enteric viruses and Vibrio cholerae.

Efforts to develop vaccines for prevention of acute diarrhea have been going on for more than 40 y with partial success. The myriad of pathogens, more than 20, that have been identified as a cause of acute diarrhea throughout the years pose a significant challenge for selecting and further developing the most relevant vaccine candidates. Based on pathogen distribution as identified in epidemiological studies performed mostly in low-resource countries, rotavirus, Cryptosporidium, Shigella, diarrheogenic E. coli and V. cholerae are predominant, and thus the main targets for vaccine development and implementation. Vaccination against norovirus is most relevant in middle/high-income countries and possibly in resource-deprived countries, pending a more precise characterization of disease impact. Only a few licensed vaccines are currently available, of which rotavirus vaccines have been the most outstanding in demonstrating a significant impact in a short time period. This is a comprehensive review, divided into 2 articles, of nearly 50 vaccine candidates against the most relevant viral and bacterial pathogens that cause acute gastroenteritis. In order to facilitate reading, sections for each pathogen are organized as follows: i) a discussion of the main epidemiological and pathogenic features; and ii) a discussion of vaccines based on their stage of development, moving from current licensed vaccines to vaccines in advanced stage of development (in phase IIb or III trials) to vaccines in early stages of clinical development (in phase I/II) or preclinical development in animal models. In this first article we discuss rotavirus, norovirus and Vibrio cholerae. In the following article we will discuss Shigella, Salmonella (non-typhoidal), diarrheogenic E. coli (enterotoxigenic and enterohemorragic), and Campylobacter jejuni.

Vaccines for viral and bacterial pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis: Part II: Vaccines for Shigella, Salmonella, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) enterohemorragic E. coli (EHEC) and Campylobacter jejuni.

In Part II we discuss the following bacterial pathogens: Shigella, Salmonella (non-typhoidal), diarrheogenic E. coli (enterotoxigenic and enterohemorragic) and Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast to the enteric viruses and Vibrio cholerae discussed in Part I of this series, for the bacterial pathogens described here there is only one licensed vaccine, developed primarily for Vibrio cholerae and which provides moderate protection against enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) (Dukoral(®)), as well as a few additional candidates in advanced stages of development for ETEC and one candidate for Shigella spp. Numerous vaccine candidates in earlier stages of development are discussed.

The Role of Maternal Breast Milk in Preventing Infantile Diarrhea in the Developing World.

Multiple interventions have been designed to decrease mortality and disability in children. Among these, breastfeeding is the most cost effective intervention for protecting children against diarrhea and all causes of mortality. Human milk is uniquely suited to the human infant, both in its nutritional composition and in the nonnutritive bioactive factors that promote survival and healthy development. Suboptimal breastfeeding has been linked with numerous adverse child health outcomes including increased incidence of diarrhea and pneumonia. This review provides an update regarding recent studies on the effect of breastfeeding on diarrhea morbidity and mortality in children in developing countries, describes major human milk components responsible for this protective effect (oligosaccharides, secretory immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, bacterial microbiota, etc.), and highlights areas for future research in this topic. Breastfeeding promotion remains an intervention of enormous public health potential to decrease global mortality and promote better growth and neurodevelopment in children.

Identification of pathogens and virulence profile of Rhodococcus equi and Escherichia coli strains obtained from sand of parks.

The identification of pathogens of viral (Rotavirus, Coronavirus), parasitic (Toxocara spp.) and bacterial (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Rhodococcus equi) origin shed in feces, and the virulence profile of R. equi and E. coli isolates were investigated in 200 samples of sand obtained from 40 parks, located in central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using different diagnostic methods. From 200 samples analyzed, 23 (11.5%) strains of R. equi were isolated. None of the R. equi isolates showed a virulent (vapA gene) or intermediately virulent (vapB gene) profiles. Sixty-three (31.5%) strains of E. coli were identified. The following genes encoding virulence factors were identified in E. coli: eae, bfp, saa, iucD, papGI, sfa and hly. Phylogenetic classification showed that 63 E. coli isolates belonged to groups B1 (52.4%), A (25.4%) and B2 (22.2%). No E. coli serotype O157:H7 was identified. Eggs of Toxocara sp. were found in three parks and genetic material of bovine Coronavirus was identified in one sample of one park. No Salmonella spp. and Rotavirus isolates were identified in the samples of sand. The presence of R. equi, Toxocara sp, bovine Coronavirus and virulent E. coli isolates in the environment of parks indicates that the sanitary conditions of the sand should be improved in order to reduce the risks of fecal transmission of pathogens of zoonotic potential to humans in these places.

Identification of pathogens and virulence profile of Rhodococcus equi and Escherichia coli strains obtained from sand of parks

The identification of pathogens of viral (Rotavirus, Coronavirus), parasitic (Toxocara spp.) and bacterial (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Rhodococcus equi) origin shed in feces, and the virulence profile of R. equi and E. coli isolates were investigated in 200 samples of sand obtained from 40 parks, located in central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using different diagnostic methods. From 200 samples analyzed, 23 (11.5%) strains of R. equi were isolated. None of the R. equi isolates showed a virulent (vapA gene) or intermediately virulent (vapB gene) profiles. Sixty-three (31.5%) strains of E. coli were identified. The following genes encoding virulence factors were identified in E. coli: eae, bfp, saa, iucD, papGI, sfa and hly. Phylogenetic classification showed that 63 E. coli isolates belonged to groups B1 (52.4%), A (25.4%) and B2 (22.2%). No E. coli serotype O157:H7 was identified. Eggs of Toxocara sp. were found in three parks and genetic material of bovine Coronavirus was identified in one sample of one park. No Salmonella spp. and Rotavirus isolates were identified in the samples of sand. The presence of R. equi, Toxocara sp, bovine Coronavirus and virulent E. coli isolates in the environment of parks indicates that the sanitary conditions of the sand should be improved in order to reduce the risks of fecal transmission of pathogens of zoonotic potential to humans in these places.(AU)

Identification of pathogens and virulence profile of Rhodococcus equi and Escherichia coli strains obtained from sand of parks

The identification of pathogens of viral (Rotavirus, Coronavirus), parasitic (Toxocara spp.) and bacterial (Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Rhodococcus equi) origin shed in feces, and the virulence profile of R. equi and E. coli isolates were investigated in 200 samples of sand obtained from 40 parks, located in central region of state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, using different diagnostic methods. From 200 samples analyzed, 23 (11.5%) strains of R. equi were isolated. None of the R. equi isolates showed a virulent (vapA gene) or intermediately virulent (vapB gene) profiles. Sixty-three (31.5%) strains of E. coli were identified. The following genes encoding virulence factors were identified in E. coli: eae, bfp, saa, iucD, papGI, sfa and hly. Phylogenetic classification showed that 63 E. coli isolates belonged to groups B1 (52.4%), A (25.4%) and B2 (22.2%). No E. coli serotype O157:H7 was identified. Eggs of Toxocara sp. were found in three parks and genetic material of bovine Coronavirus was identified in one sample of one park. No Salmonella spp. and Rotavirus isolates were identified in the samples of sand. The presence of R. equi, Toxocara sp, bovine Coronavirus and virulent E. coli isolates in the environment of parks indicates that the sanitary conditions of the sand should be improved in order to reduce the risks of fecal transmission of pathogens of zoonotic potential to humans in these places.

Ocorrência de espécies da família Enterobacteriaceae em espetinhos de queijos comercializados nas praias de São Luís -MA / Occurrence of species of Enterobacteriaceae in cheese sold on the beaches of Sao Luis MA

O queijo é um importante derivado do leite, apreciado tanto pelo seu valor nutritivo como pelo seu sabor, que atende aos mais exigentes paladares. No entanto, as condições de processamento, armazenamento e comercialização podem comprometer suas características organolépticas, bem como torná-lo impróprio para o consumo, em virtude da contaminação por micro-organismos responsáveis por toxinfecções alimentares. O presente estudo investigou a presença de bactérias pertencentes à família Enterobacteriaceae em espetinhos de queijos comercializados por ambulantes nas praias de São Marcos, Calhau em KOlho no município de São Luís-MA. Foram analisadas quarenta amostras no decorrer dos meses de janeiro e fevereiro de 2007. Os resultados revelaram elevada contaminação das amostras por vários gêneros pertencentes à família Enterobacteriaceae com predominância de isolamento de: Escherichia coli (39,13%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16,52%), Citrobacter diversus (8,69%), Edwarsiella tarda (7,28%), e Salmonella bongori (3,47%). A presença desses patógenos entéricos nos espetinhos de queijo indica condições inadequadas de manipulação e armazenamento, caracterizando dessa forma um risco potencial para saúde pública.(AU)

The cheese is an important milk drifted, appreciate as much by its nutritional value as by its taste, which attend to the most demand tastes. However, the conditions of processing, storage and sale can compromiseits organoleptic characteristics, and became it unsuitable for the consumption, because of the contaminationby microorganisms responsible for food drug infections. This study investigated the presence of bacteriabelong to the family Enterobacteriaceae on cheese stake sold by itinerant salesman on the São Marco,Calhau and K'Olho beach in the city of São Luís - MA. Were analyzed forty samples during January andFebruary months 2007. The results revealed high contamination of the samples by many gender belong tothe family Enterobacteriaceae with predominance of isolation of: Escherichia coli (39,13%), Klebsiellapneumoniae (16,52%), Citrobacter diversus (8,69%), Edwarsiella tarda (7,28%) e Salmonella bongori(3,47%). The presence of these enteric pathogens on the cheese stake indicate inadequate conditions ofhandling and storage, characterizing in this way a potential risk for the public health. (AU)

Análise microbiológica de salame tipo alemão vendido em feiras-livres / Microbiological analysis of german salami sold in free markets

Os alimentos são passíveis de contaminação por diferentes agente etiológicos, tanto microrganismo como suas toxinas. O presente estudo objetivou analisar microbiologicamente amostras de salames do tipo alemão produzidos artesanalmente e comercializados nas feiras livres da cidade de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Esta cidade conta com 12 feiras livres cadastradas na Prefeitura e distribuídas em diferentes locais sendo que a realização de cada uma ocorre semanalmente. Os salames foram adquiridos aleatoriamente em cada uma das feiras e a análise microbiológica foi realizada no Laboratório de Microbiologia do Instituto de Biologia da UFPel, sendo a metodologia realizada conforme legislação em vigor da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária –ANVISA. O alimento foi encontrado em dez (83,3%) feiras, totalizando dez amostras. Após a análise, observou-se que em somente uma (10%) amostra isolou-se Staphylococcus coagulase positiva. Quanto à Salmonella sp. e Coliformes a 45ºC não houve isolamento em nenhuma amostra. Esta análise microbiológica demonstrou que as amostras de salame “alemão” comercializadas nas feiras livres de Pelotas estão livres de contaminação pelos microrganismos entéricos patogênicos Salmonella sp e Coliformes a 45ºC, o que representa um aspecto positivo para este comércio. Entretanto, a presença de Staphylococus coagulase positiva, em uma das amostras, evidencia risco de intoxicação alimentar.(AU)

Foods are susceptible to contamination for different etiologic agents, as microorganisms as their toxins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate microbiologically samples of homemade German-type salamis commercializedin free markets from the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. This city has 12free markets registered in the city counciland they are distributed in different places and happen weekly. The salamis were randomly acquired in each free market and the microbiological analysis was carried out in the Laboratory of Bacteriology from the Biology Institute at the UFPel, according to the present legislation of the Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).The food was found in ten (83,3%) free markets, totalizing ten samples. After the analysis, it was observed that just in one (10%) sample it was isolated coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. Regarding to Salmonella sp. and Coliforms at 45°C there was no isolating in any sample. This microbiological analysis demonstrated that the German-type salamis' samples sold in free markets of Pelotas are free of contamination by the enteric pathogens Salmonella sp. and Coliforms at 45°C, which represents a positive aspect for this commerce. Nevertheless, the presence of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, in one of these samples, suggests the risk of food intoxication. (AU)

Probióticos em avicultura

During the latest years human enteric diseases were associated to the ingestion of poultry products contaminated by bacteria, suggesting that foods produced with meat from contaminated animals could transport bacteria to humans. These observations, and the restrictions imposed by the market to the use of antimicrobials in meat production, increased the interest on probiotics all around the world. This review shows the advances and the current situation of probiotics in the poultry industry.

Durante os últimos anos, o incremento de toxinfecções alimentares em humanos pela ingestão de produtos avícolas contaminados com bactérias, sugeriu que produtos oriundos de aves portadoras dessas bactérias podem veiculá-las ao consumidor, provocando doenças entéricas em humanos. Essas observações e a restrição, por parte do mercado consumidor, ao uso de antimicrobianos na produção animal, aumentaram o interesse mundial pelos probióticos e, conseqüentemente, o número de pesquisas realizadas. Esta revisão mostra os avanços e a situação em que se encontram os probióticos em relação à indústria avícola.

Probióticos em avicultura

During the latest years human enteric diseases were associated to the ingestion of poultry products contaminated by bacteria, suggesting that foods produced with meat from contaminated animals could transport bacteria to humans. These observations, and the restrictions imposed by the market to the use of antimicrobials in meat production, increased the interest on probiotics all around the world. This review shows the advances and the current situation of probiotics in the poultry industry.

Durante os últimos anos, o incremento de toxinfecções alimentares em humanos pela ingestão de produtos avícolas contaminados com bactérias, sugeriu que produtos oriundos de aves portadoras dessas bactérias podem veiculá-las ao consumidor, provocando doenças entéricas em humanos. Essas observações e a restrição, por parte do mercado consumidor, ao uso de antimicrobianos na produção animal, aumentaram o interesse mundial pelos probióticos e, conseqüentemente, o número de pesquisas realizadas. Esta revisão mostra os avanços e a situação em que se encontram os probióticos em relação à indústria avícola.