Canine echinococcosis in northwest Libya: assessment of coproantigen ELISA, and a survey of infection with analysis of risk-factors

In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for canine echinococcosis in different endemic localities in the Tripoli area of northwest Libya, stray dogs were examined post-mortem, and owned dogs screened for Echinococcus granulosus infection using a standardised genus specific coproantigen ELISA. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection at necropsy in stray-dogs was 25.8% (15/58, 95% CI 15.3–39.0%), and 21.6% (72/334, 95% CI 17.3–26.4%) of owned dogs tested were positive by coproantigen ELISA. Sheepdogs appeared to have a significantly higher copro-positive prevalence (19/19 positive, p = 0.003), compared to 23.6% of other dog classes (e.g. 52/220 guard dogs and household pets). Worm burdens in necropsied dogs ranged from 29 to 2900 (mean 1064) and were positively correlated to coproantigen ELISA OD values (r_s = 0.87, p < 0.001), but negatively correlated with dog age (r_s = −0.69, p = 0.001). Dog age was a significant factor in copro-prevalence as there was an increasing coproantigen-positive tendency in younger dogs (≤5 years, p = 0.04). A total of 45/132 (34%, 95% CI 25.9–42.1%) of farms/homestead had at least one dog that was coproantigen positive. Overall copro-prevalence in dogs by locality varied, with Alkhums (Leptis-Magna) district having the highest copro-prevalence at 38.7% (24/62, 95% CI 26.6–50.8%) (p = 0.001). Coproantigen testing of a cohort of owned dogs before and approximately 15 months after praziquantel treatment showed a significant decrease in the coproantigen positive rate from 21.6% (72/334) to 9% (21/233) post-treatment. The overall E. granulosus coproantigen positive rate (‘re-infection rate’) within the same cohort of dogs was 22 % (10/45) by 15 months post-treatment. Significant risk factors for a copro-positive owned dog were associated with non-restraint of dogs, and owners that did not de-worm their dogs. Home slaughtering of livestock and lack of knowledge about E. granulosus transmission were also significant risk factors for a canine coproantigen positive result.     

Phenotypic and genotypic traits of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from pig carcasses

A total of 142 S. aureus strains isolated from pig carcasses from abattoirs A (n = 98) and B (n = 44) were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic traits. Phenotypically, 96% showed yellow-pigmented colonies, 63% β/δ hemolysis, 85% were egg yolk-positive and 99% were positive for clumping factor/protein A. Only 25% of the strains were resistant to the antimicrobials tested (abattoir A: 19%; abattoir B: 39%), especially to penicillin and ampicillin. None of the strains harbored the mecA gene, which is conserved in methicillin-resistant S. aureus. The biofilm associated genes icaA, icaD and bap were present in 100%, 100% and 0% of the strains. Genes for staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) were detected in 51% (abattoir A) and 14% of the strains (abattoir B). Among strains harboring SE genes (n = 56), 63%, 31%, 4% and 2% tested positive for seg/sei, seg, sei and sec, respectively. The amplification of the 3′ end of the coagulase gene (coa) yielded amplicons of 400, 436, 602, 682 or 776 bp. Coa restriction profile (CRP) analysis using HaeIII resulted in seven patterns (a–d, e1–e3). CRP (c) was detected most frequently at both abattoirs, whereas CRP (a) was restricted to abattoir A and CRP (e3) to abattoir B. In the slaughter process (abattoir B), (i) two CRPs (b and d) were only found before dehairing/singeing, and (ii) four CRPs (c, e1–e3) were identified throughout the process. The genotyping revealed a remarkable homogeneity in S. aureus strains from the two different abattoirs and the slaughter process stages. These results may be explained by the distribution of a limited number of S. aureus genotypes in the pig population. Moreover, as the predominant CRPs (c, e1–e3) persisted throughout the slaughter process in abattoir B, it may be hypothesized that these types are characterized by colonization advantages.     

新疆地区腹泻仔猪源大肠杆菌的分群、血清型鉴定及耐药性分析

旨在了解新疆地区腹泻仔猪源大肠杆菌的系统进化分群、血清型及耐药性。本研究对154份腹泻仔猪粪便样品进行大肠杆菌的分离鉴定,采用多重PCR方法对分离株进行系统进化分群和O血清型鉴定,通过K-B纸片法对其进行药物敏感性检测并通过PCR方法进行耐药基因检测。结果显示：共分离到154株大肠杆菌,包括ETEC(n=24)、STEC(n=21)、EPEC(n=1)、EPEC/STEC(n=2)、ETEC/STEC(n=1)和ETEC/EPEC(n=1),其他104株。系统进化分群显示,多数菌株属于B1(37%)和A群(31%)。定型菌株44株,分别属于10种血清型,以O154、O12、O8、O141和O175为主要流行血清型。151株(98%)为多重耐药菌,对复方新诺明、四环素、氨苄西林、链霉素和氯霉素的耐药率为81%～100%,对阿莫西林/克拉维酸、头孢噻肟、庆大霉素、头孢曲松、环丙沙星和阿米卡星的耐药率为31%～66%,对左氧氟沙星、多黏菌素B、头孢他啶、头孢吡肟、氨苄西林-舒巴坦、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦和亚胺培南的耐药率为1%～19%。耐药基因tetA(88%)、tetG(60%)和cmlA(4...     

Canine intestinal helminths in Finland: prevalence, risk factors and endoparasite control practices

In this survey, the prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminths in Finland was investigated by coprological examination (n = 541) and possible risk factors for helminth infections in dogs were analysed. In addition, the dog owners (n = 296) completed a questionnaire about use of anthelmintics, sources of information about parasites and antiparasitic treatments and reasons for choosing the drugs.

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was 5.9%. Eggs from four different species were identified in the faecal samples. Toxocara canis eggs were present in 17 dogs (3.1%), Uncinaria stenocephala eggs in 14 dogs (2.6%) and Diphyllobothrium latum eggs in 2 dogs (0.4%). Moreover, one sample contained eggs of Trichuris vulpis (0.2%). Kennel housing and visits abroad were identified as risk factors for T. canis and U. stenocephala infections.

Most dogs (86.0%) received anthelmintic treatment at least once a year. Hunting dogs were dewormed least; one-third was treated less than once a year. Approximately, half of the owners occasionally changed the anthelmintic used. The most important trait of the anthelmintic was its broad spectrum, fenbendazole being the most commonly chosen. Veterinarians, dog magazines and dog breeders were the predominant sources of information concerning parasites and deworming strategies.     

广东鹅场大肠杆菌耐药状况及blaCTX-M基因的传播特征

为揭示广东地区鹅场动物和环境源大肠杆菌的耐药情况及超广谱β-内酰胺酶CTX-M的流行与传播特征,本研究从广东省江门及阳江市共10处鹅场采集鹅及环境样品199份,采用MALDI-TOF-MS法分离鉴定大肠杆菌。采用琼脂稀释法对菌株进行耐药性分析,采用PCR法检测头孢噻肟耐药菌中bla_CTX-M基因及其基因环境,采用脉冲场凝胶电泳（PFGE）、接合转移和质粒复制子分型等方法探究bla_CTX-M基因的传播特征。结果显示,共获得196株大肠杆菌,对氨苄西林、多西环素、氟苯尼考和链霉素耐药率均超过50%,第三代头孢菌素耐药率为10%~25%,其中头孢噻肟耐药菌有49株（24.6%）。阳江地区大肠杆菌对受试药物的耐药率高于江门,且动物源高于环境源,尤其是头孢噻肟和头孢噻呋均存在显著差异（P<0.05）。头孢噻肟耐药菌中共检出19株携带bla_CTX-M基因,包括bla_CTX-M-55（n=17）、bla_CTX-M-27（n=1）和bla_CTX-M-65（n=1）,且bla_CTX-M基因阳性菌均可对5~11种药物耐药,呈现多重耐药的表型。bla_CTX-M-55基因环境均为ISEcp1-bla_CTX-M-55-orf477,且在ISEcp1与bla_CTX-M基因之间有3种长度的间隔序列;而bla_CTX-M-27和bla_CTX-M-65的基因环境均为ISEcp1-bla_CTX-M-27/65-IS903。19株bla_CTX-M基因阳性菌呈现10种PFGE谱型,存在一种主要流行的谱型（47.4%）,其包括多种来源菌株,暗示存在克隆传播现象。12株（63.2%）bla_CTX-M基因阳性大肠杆菌中bla_CTX-M基因转移成功,bla_CTX-M基因阳性接合子携带的复制子型为IncFⅡ（n=10）和IncHⅠ2（n=2）,且存在多西环素和氟苯尼考耐药表型与bla_CTX-M基因共转移现象。研究发现,阳江鹅场大肠杆菌耐药情况较为严重,bla_CTX-M基因存在一定的流行性且以bla_CTX-M-55亚型为主,bla_CTX-M基因阳性菌的克隆传播和质粒及插入序列ISEcp1介导的水平传播是导致该基因在鹅场大肠杆菌中扩散的主要原因,应引起高度重视。     

陕西地区羊源致病性大肠杆菌耐药性分析与毒力基因检测

旨在了解陕西省部分地区腹泻羊源致病性大肠杆菌(E. coli)耐药性及毒力基因携带情况,本研究从10个养殖场采集54份腹泻羊拭子样品,经分离纯化、生化鉴定及16S rRNA基因序列分析,共分离得到50株E. coli,对分离菌进行药敏试验、耐药基因及毒力基因检测。结果显示,分离菌对氨苄西林、氟苯尼考和磺胺异噁唑耐药率达90%以上,且98%(49/50)为多重耐药菌,对8~11种抗生素耐药的菌株占68%(34/50),仅对美罗培南敏感。所有菌株均携带1~6种不同的耐药基因,其中,Sul1(64%)、TetA(34%)、bla_CTX-M(32%)携带率较高,未检测到bla_SHV。有5株产ESBLs的E. coli携带mcr-1耐药基因。毒力基因检测结果显示,98%(49/50)的菌株携带毒力基因,其中,etrA检出率最高,为80%(40/50)。综上表明,陕西省羊源E. coli多重耐药情况严峻,β-内酰胺类耐药基因与耐药表型不符,提示可能存在其他耐药机制,同时,分离菌具有复杂的毒力谱。本研究为陕西省羊源致病性E. coli感染的防控提供科学依据。     

Seroepidemiology of canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis in a hospital population

Canine ehrlichiosis and babesiosis have a worldwide distribution with geographic variation in prevalence and main clinical manifestations. We prospectively determined seroprevalence of canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis, and risk factors for seropositivity. Three hundred and eighty-one dogs were randomly selected to represent the canine population at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in south Brazil (latitude 23° S). Dogs were tested with a point-of-care ELISA for Ehrlichia canis antibodies and IFA to confirm previous exposure to Babesia vogeli. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then used to estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals. One hundred and thirty-six (36%) dogs were seropositive for B. vogeli antibodies, whereas 87 (23%) dogs were seropositive to E. canis antibodies. Fifty-four (14%) dogs seroreacted to both agents. Adult dogs previously infested with ticks were more likely to seroreact to B. vogeli or E. canis. Superficial bleeding (OR = 12.4) was more common in dogs exposed to B. vogeli, whereas neurological signs (OR = 7.7) were more common in dogs seropositive to E. canis. Neurological signs (OR = 12.0) and lameness (OR = 12.8) were more prevalent in dogs that seroreacted to both organisms. Owners of dogs with ticks were more likely to have been exposed to ticks themselves (OR = 3.2). Canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis appear to be highly prevalent in this hospital population. Clinical signs differed from the most common signs in other regions with bleeding occurring more in dogs seropositive to babesiosis, but not ehrlichiosis; neurologic signs in dogs with E. canis antibodies; and lameness in dogs that seroreacted to both organisms.     

西藏那曲市羊源大肠杆菌分离鉴定及耐药性研究

为了解西藏那曲市羊大肠杆菌的耐药情况，指导临床进行合理用药，本试验从那曲市采集羊新鲜无污染腹泻物92份，进行大肠杆菌显色培养基分离、革兰氏染色镜检、生化鉴定、分子生物学鉴定、致泻性大肠杆菌生化鉴定、药敏试验及耐药基因检测。结果显示，分离菌株在大肠杆菌显色培养基上呈蓝色菌落、革兰氏染色为粉红色的短杆菌，通过生化鉴定及23S rRNA的PCR检测得到26株羊源大肠杆菌，分离率为28.3%；其中25株符合致泻性大肠杆菌生化特性，致泻菌株分离率为27.2%。药敏试验结果显示，所得25株羊源大肠杆菌对氨苄西林的耐药性较高，耐药率为24.0%；对羧苄西林、卡那霉素的耐药性次之，耐药率为8%；对哌拉西林、头孢呋辛、庆大霉素、四环素、米诺霉素等药物耐药率为4%；对诺氟沙星、氧氟沙星、环丙沙星等药物极为敏感，可作为临床用药。5种耐药基因检测结果显示，bla_TEM基因检出率为100%，表明分离菌均含有相应的耐药基因。以上结果表明，西藏那曲市羊源大肠杆菌对多种药物耐药，提示在临床实践过程中应注重合理用药、联合用药，减缓大肠杆菌耐药性的产生。     

西藏牦牛、绵羊棘球蚴病病原的分子鉴定

本研究旨在对西藏自治区那曲地区和拉萨市牦牛、绵羊体内棘球蚴病原进行分子生物学鉴定并分析其遗传变异规律。对2016年11月底采自西藏拉萨市当雄县和那曲地区嘉黎县的5只绵羊体内的5个棘球蚴包囊、15头牦牛体内的18个棘球蚴包囊分别分离棘球蚴原头蚴或生发层组织，提取基因组DNA，应用PCR方法扩增nad1基因，通过测序获得nad1全基因序列。运用DNAStar MegAlign软件对序列进行同源性分析。以GenBank中已公布的棘球属的nad1全基因序列为比对对象，采用最大似然法（ML）构建系统发育树。结果显示，所测定的牦牛和绵羊的23个棘球蚴病原nad1基因序列与GenBank登录的细粒棘球蚴狭义种（G1基因型）nad1基因序列高度同源，同源性为99.6%~99.8%，23条nad1基因的遗传距离为0~0.0022447。同源基因的碱基变异率为0.2%~0.4%；与棘球属其他棘球绦虫同源基因的碱基变异率为14.9%~19.8%。有5个样本的nad1基因在不同位点发生碱基突变，变异位点发生序列转换。以上结果表明，本研究所采集牦牛和绵羊的棘球蚴为细粒棘球绦虫G1基因型，其nad1基因变异小，序列一致性高。     

The coccidia of sheep and goats in Senegal

A survey of the coccidia in domestic sheep and goats was undertaken to ascertain the type of Eimeria species and the number of different coccidial species in individual faecal samples. Simultaneously the prevalence and the oocyst output was investigated in 2234 sheep and 577 goats during a 12-month period. Eight Eimeria species were encountered in sheep: E. ahsata, E. crandallis, E. faurei, E. intricata, E. ovina, E. ovinoidalis, E. pallida and E. parva.

In goats the following species were found: E. ahsata, E. arloingi, E. christenseni, E. crandallis, E. faurei, E. intricata, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. parva.

The prevalence in sheep was 94% and in goats 85%, multiple parasitism was the rule. No seasonal fluctuation was observed in the prevalence or oocyst output. The sheep and goats' oocyst output was moderate, the mean for both being in the range of 1000–5000 oocysts/g of faeces.     

Use of PCR-RFLP to identify Leishmania species in naturally-infected dogs

Tissue imprints on Giemsa stained slides from dogs were used to investigate the presence of Leishmania amastigotes by either optical microscopy (OM) or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of DNA. Samples from skin, spleen, lymph node, liver and bone marrow from a Leishmaniasis endemic area dogs where Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis are sympatric were studied. Dogs were initially diagnosed by Indirect Immunofluorescence (IIF), as which 39 were IIF positive (≥1:40) and 16 negative. The IIF positive dogs were clinically grouped as symptomatic (n = 15), oligosymptomatic (n = 12) and asymptomatic (n = 12). Although PCR positivity was higher in symptomatic dogs, specially their skin samples, there was no significant difference among clinical groups or organs examined. Ten (62.5%) out of 16 IIF and OM negative animals were positive for PCR in at least one organ. Forty-eight positive PCR amplicons were further submitted to RFLP for Leishmania identification. All dogs were infected with L. (L.) chagasi except one, infected with L. (V.) braziliensis. PCR was more efficient than IIF and OM to diagnose canine visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL), regardless of the organ examined and the clinical form present. The use of PCR together with serology helps determining the extension of sub clinical infection in CVL endemic areas and provides a better estimate of the number of dogs to be targeted for control measures. In conclusion, our data reinforce the need for a specific diagnosis of canine infection in areas where diverse Leishmania species are sympatric and demonstrate that PCR–RFLP can be used to identify Leishmania species in dog tissue imprint stained slides.     

Ehrlichia ruminantium seroprevalence in domestic ruminants in Ghana; I. Longitudinal survey in the Greater Accra Region

Serum samples collected monthly over a 34-month period from cattle, sheep and goats in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana were tested for antibodies to Ehrlichia (previously Cowdria) ruminantium, the causative agent of heartwater, by polyclonal competitive ELISA (PC-ELISA). Maternal antibodies, detected in about half of animals followed from under 1 month old, declined to negative levels within 2–4 months. Amblyomma variegatum tick vectors were present on livestock in rural areas throughout the year, and first seroconversion occurred at any age, although the majority of calves seroconverted between 1 and 10 months old, sheep by 11 months, and goats by 7 months. All the cattle in the study became seropositive by 20 months of age, except one animal which subsequently died of heartwater. Following seroconversion, 25% of bovine sera tested negative in the PC-ELISA. Just over half the sheep in the survey seroconverted before or during the study period; following seroconversion, less than 3% of ovine sera became PC-ELISA negative. About a quarter of the goats seroconverted, and 34% of their post-seroconversion sera tested negative in the PC-ELISA. Overall, the serology indicated that virtually all cattle on the survey farms were exposed to E. ruminantium without suffering disease, but that a substantial proportion of sheep and goats escaped exposure and thus formed a susceptible population. E. ruminantium was detected in brains of 14, 36 and 4% of cattle, sheep and goats submitted for post mortem at the Accra Veterinary Laboratory, indicating that sheep were most at risk from heartwater disease.     

绵羊MyoG基因内含子Ⅱ多态性及其与生长性状的关联分析

【目的】 分析肌细胞生成素(myogenin,MyoG)基因内含子Ⅱ的多态性及其对绵羊生长性状的影响,筛选对绵羊生长发育有显著影响的分子标记,以期为绵羊的分子育种提供参考。【方法】 选取大尾寒羊、小尾寒羊、豫西脂尾羊、湖羊、杜泊羊5种绵羊为研究对象,采用PCR-RFLP技术对MyoG基因内含子Ⅱ(Eco72 Ⅰ)进行基因分型,利用PopGene32软件计算绵羊MyoG基因内含子Ⅱ的群体遗传多样性,利用SPSS 17.0软件对不同基因型与绵羊生长性状进行关联分析。【结果】 小尾寒羊、杜泊羊、湖羊群体中MyoG基因内含子Ⅱ均存在3种基因型:AA(368/540 bp)、AB(908/368/540 bp)和BB(908 bp);大尾寒羊和豫西脂尾羊群体中仅检测到2种基因型:AB(908/368/540 bp)和BB(908 bp)。大尾寒羊、小尾寒羊、豫西脂尾羊、湖羊、杜泊羊的AB基因型频率分别为0.845、0.633、0.917、0.706和0.811,BB基因型频率分别为0.155、0.033、0.083、0.176和0.054,AA基因型频率分别为0、0.333、0、0.118和0.135。小尾寒羊的杂合度最低(0.455),杜泊羊的杂合度最高(0.497),表明杜泊羊的遗传多样性要高于其他群体;5个群体多态信息含量(PIC)均为中度多态(0.25<PIC<0.5)。关联分析发现,小尾寒羊MyoG基因内含子Ⅱ BB基因型个体胸围、胸宽、头长、颈长均显著低于AA、AB基因型(P<0.05)。【结论】 MyoG基因内含子Ⅱ Eco72 Ⅰ位点可作为影响绵羊生长性状的分子标记,结果可为今后绵羊生长性状的分子标记辅助选择提供参考。     

Experimental alveolar echinococcosis in pigs, lesion development and serological follow up

Liver lesions were found in 6/6 pigs 7 months after oral inoculation with 5000 or 35,000 Echinococcus multilocularis eggs. However, lesion morphology differed considerably among the animals. The largest lesions (3–8 mm in diameter) were found in a single pig and smaller lesions (1.5–3 mm) in three pigs. These lesions were clearly circumscribed and had pronounced central necroses and dystrophic calcifications. In contrast, most of the smallest (usually <1.5 mm in diameter) found in two other pigs, had small compact fibrotic areas and blurred borders with obvious fibrous infiltrations into the interlobular tissues. E. multilocularis specific DNA was detected by PCR in all lesion types, but metacestode viability, as assessed by in vivo intraperitoneal inoculations in jirds, could not be demonstrated. Within 1 month post inoculation, all pigs developed specific IgG antibody responses against a battery of different antigens (metacestode, cyst fluid, and protoscoleces-derived native E. multilocularis and E. granulosus antigens, affinity purified Em2G11 antigen, antigen B, recombinant Em II/3–10 antigen). Two different reaction patterns were recorded. In the two pigs with the small lesions, pronounced reactions against all crude antigens with peaks 3–5 months p.i. and clearly elevated levels until the end of the experiment were noted. In all other pigs, antibody reactions remained low in all cases. In conclusion, we demonstrated two types of E. multilocularis metacestode development in pigs with distinct immunological response patterns.     

新疆牛、羊和骆驼源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌的系统进化分群、血清群与毒力基因及耐药性分析

旨在了解新疆牛、羊和骆驼源产志贺毒素大肠埃希菌（Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli,STEC）的系统进化分群、血清群、毒力基因、耐药性及其遗传多样性,本研究采用PCR方法对牛、羊和骆驼源STEC进行了系统发育分群、血清群和毒力基因stx₁、stx₂（包括亚型）、eaeA、hlyA检测,通过K-B纸片法对分离株进行药物敏感性检测,并对其进行ERIC-PCR基因分型。结果表明：94株非O157 STEC以B1群为主,含9个血清群,包括O146（n=14）、O22（n=7）、O3（n=4）、O168（n=4）、O8（n=3）、O167（n=2）、O88（n=1）、O112ab （n=1）和O147（n=1）。毒力基因检测显示,46.8%（44/94）仅携带stx₁,6.4%（6/94）仅携带stx₂,46.8%（44/94）同时携带stx₁+stx₂。羊源STEC以携带stx₁+hlyA为主（68.0%）;牛源STEC以携带stx₁+stx₂+hlyA为主（57.9%）;骆驼源STEC以携带stx₁+hlyA为主（25.0%）。stx_1a主要分布于牛源STEC,stx_1c主要分布于羊源STEC。14株（14.9%）为耐药菌,对头孢他啶、四环素、头孢噻肟、氨苄西林和氨曲南的耐药率为3.2%~5.3%,对复方新诺明、头孢吡肟、哌拉西林-他唑巴坦、氨苄西林-舒巴坦、阿莫西林-克拉维酸和多黏菌素B的耐药率为1.1%~2.1%。ERIC-PCR结果显示牛、羊和骆驼源STEC亲缘关系较近。牛、羊和骆驼携带多种已知血清群STEC,贮存丰富的毒力基因,存在感染人类的风险,应在屠宰加工过程中予以预防和控制。     

A stochastic model to estimate the prevalence of scrapie in Great Britain using the results of an abattoir-based survey

In 1997/1998, an abattoir survey was conducted to determine the likely exposure of the human population to transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) infection in sheep submitted for slaughter in Great Britain. The survey examined brain material from 2809 sheep processed through British abattoirs. Sampling was targeted by age: 45% of animals tested were ≥15 months old. All samples of adequate quality (98%) were tested for signs of scrapie infection using histopathology and scrapie-associated fibril (SAF) detection and 500 were tested using immunohistochemistry (IHC). No conclusive positive animals were found using either histology or IHC. Ten animals were positive by SAF. Standard statistical analyses suggest (with 95% confidence) that the prevalence of detectable (by histopathology) infection in the slaughter population was ≤0.11%. However, the incubation period of scrapie is long (usually around 2–3 years) and none of the tests used in the survey is capable of detecting scrapie infection in the early stages of infection. We present an age-structured stochastic model incorporating parameters for the incubation period of scrapie, prevalence of infection by age and test sensitivity. Using the model, we demonstrate that the negative results obtained for all samples using IHC and histopathology are consistent with a true prevalence of infection in the slaughter population of up to 11%. This suggests that up to 300 of the animals tested might have been infected but the infection was not sufficiently advanced in these animals to be detectable by IHC or histopathology. The survey was designed to detect a prevalence of 1% with a precision of ±0.5% and a confidence level of 95% in each age group assuming that diagnostic tests were 100% specific and sensitive from a known stage in the incubation period. The results of the model demonstrate that to estimate a true prevalence of scrapie infection of 1% with an accuracy of ±0.5% would have required a far larger sample size. An accurate estimate of the required sample size is complicated by uncertainty about test sensitivity and the underlying infection dynamics of scrapie. A pre-requisite for any future abattoir survey is validation of the diagnostic tests used in relation to both stage of incubation and genotype. Sampling in the <15-month age group was of no value in this survey because the diagnostic tests used were thought to be ineffective in most of the animals in this age group.     

Dog slaughtering in Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries with special consideration of the Munich area]

In the 19th century professional dog slaughter and also the public sale of dog flesh arose. These slaughter and the sale was mainly practised by horse butchers. In Germany dogs had been mostly slaughtered in Sachsen, Schlesien, Anhalt and Bayern. From 1905 to 1940 the meat of 235.144 dogs was inspected. But the true number of slaughtered dogs was certainly larger. Yet in the fifties dogs were professionally slaughtered. After 1960 the slaughter dropped. Sporadically dog flesh was used as human food until 1985. The annual number of slaughtered dogs depended on economic factors like wages, prices of meat, availability of meat and dog tax. Dogs had been also slaughtered to produce dog fat for remedy. Slaughter of dogs has been already discussed in the 19th century. After 1930 it was called for abolishing the inspection order for dogs or for the prohibition of dog slaughter. After four bills of the years 1954, 1963 and 1985 the slaughter of dogs to produce human food was finally prohibited in 1986.     

土鸡屠宰过程中大肠杆菌毒力基因检测及耐药性分析

为了解土鸡屠宰过程中大肠杆菌污染、毒力基因携带及耐药情况，2018年9月-2019年1月在重庆万州、开州、巫溪、奉节4个区县的12个土鸡屠宰地点采集了319份样品，通过菌落形态及显微镜观察、生化鉴定、PCR、药敏试验等方法鉴定分离的大肠杆菌，检测其毒力基因携带和耐药性情况。结果表明：大肠杆菌分离率为22.57%（72/319），其中餐馆、活禽宰杀铺和定点屠宰点分离率依次为29.73%（22/74）、25.00%（24/96）和17.45%（26/149），污水、地面、羽毛、用具和胴体分离率依次为75.00%（18/24）、21.62%（8/37）、20.54%（23/112）、17.65%（6/34）和15.18%（17/112）；11种毒力基因中除estA、estB、elt外均被检出，检出率为58.33%（42/72），共检出14种组合型，有4株分离株4种毒力基因同时存在；分离株对阿米卡星、头孢噻肟最敏感，多重耐药比为90.28%（65/72），以7~10重耐药居多。土鸡屠宰过程中致病性大肠杆菌污染风险高，多重耐药现象严重，应重视养殖合理用药及屠宰卫生环境。     

Use of avilamycin for growth promotion and avilamycin-resistance among Enterococcus faecium from broilers in a matched case-control study in France

We assessed the putative link between avilamycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium carriage and avilamycin consumption in broilers. As part of the French programme of monitoring for antimicrobial resistance, broilers sampled at slaughterhouse in 1999 and 2000 and carrying avilamycin-resistant E. faecium were matched by slaughterhouse, slaughter month and production type (free-range, standard, light) with control broilers carrying avilamycin-susceptible strains. History of antibiotics consumption (either for growth promotion or therapeutic purpose) in the broiler flocks sampled was collected from the monitoring programme and consumption of each antibiotic class was screened as a potential risk factor. Avilamycin was a risk factor for avilamycin-resistant E. faecium carriage: OR = 2.3.     

细粒棘球绦虫BAG3和EB1基因的克隆、表达及其在原头蚴细胞凋亡中的作用

旨在探究细粒棘球绦虫BAG3(Eg-BAG3)和EB1(Eg-EB1)的分子特征及在原头蚴细胞凋亡过程中的作用,采用原核表达方法获得重组Eg-BAG3和Eg-EB1,利用生物信息学、蛋白免疫印迹及免疫荧光定位方法对Eg-BAG3和Eg-EB1的分子特征进行了初步探究,随后利用10 mmol·L^-1H₂O₂诱导原头蚴细胞凋亡,qRT-PCR方法检测Eg-BAG3和Eg-EB1的转录水平,并通过RNA干扰技术进一步探究二者与原头蚴细胞凋亡之间的关系。结果显示,Eg-BAG3含有BAG蛋白家族特征性的BAG结构域,Eg-EB1含有内吞蛋白家族特征性的BAR结构域,二者分别属于典型的BAG蛋白和内吞蛋白。免疫荧光定位结果显示Eg-BAG3广泛分布于细粒棘球绦虫的各个发育时期,Eg-EB1主要定位于原头蚴皮层、吸盘及顶突和包囊生发层,而在成虫未见特异性分布。H₂O₂可以成功诱导原头蚴细胞凋亡,且原头蚴中Eg-BAG3和Eg-EB1的相对转录水平都随着H₂O₂处理时间的延长而显著上升,在8 h后的相对转录水平与0 h相比具有显著性差异(P<0.05)。RNA干扰结果显示,Eg-BAG3干扰组原头蚴细胞凋亡率显著高于未干扰组(P<0.05),而Eg-EB1干扰组原头蚴细胞凋亡率低于未干扰组(P<0.05),表明Eg-BAG3在H₂O₂诱导的原头蚴细胞凋亡过程中起到抗凋亡作用,而Eg-EB1起到促凋亡作用。Eg-BAG3可以抑制氧化应激诱导的原头蚴细胞凋亡而Eg-EB1促进细胞凋亡,且二者可能参与调控不育囊的形成。