Confirmation of a Campylobacteriosis Outbreak Associated with Chicken Liver Pâté Using PFGE and WGS

In May 2012, an outbreak of campylobacteriosis occurred in southern Sweden at a wedding reception affecting 44 persons. A total of 17 cases were notified (13 were culture positive for Campylobacter spp.). Epidemiological investigation suspected chicken liver pâté as the source of infection. The liver pâté had been deliberately undercooked, lightly fried to keep the right texture and mixed with spices. Campylobacter isolates from six cases as well as three Campylobacter isolates from chicken flocks previously raised by the producer delivering the liver were subtyped using pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and whole‐genome sequencing. Indistinguishable PFGE profiles were identified among five human and one chicken C. jejuni isolates as well among the two C. coli isolates, one from a human case and one from a chicken. WGS supported the PFGE findings; the six C. jejuni isolates belonged to one cluster. All these six isolates were of MLST type ST 50 (ST‐CC 21). This study highlights the importance of a combination of strict biosecurity at the flock‐level as well as adequate cooking of chicken liver to prevent transmission of Campylobacter to humans.     

A caprine experimental model for studies on inflammation

A new experimental model forin vivo studies on local inflammation in the goat is presented. The teat and udder cisterns were separated by a surgical procedure, resulting in the teat cistern being an isolated pouch which is easily accessible through the teat canal and suitable for experimental studies. The surgery was consistently successful in closing the passage and no post-surgical complications were observed.The model was applied to a study of the inflammatory response induced by infusion ofSalmonella endotoxin. A marked response was observed as measured by the accumulation of leukocytes, serum albumin andN-acetyl--d-glucosaminidase (NAGase) in the test cistern. An initial increase in serum albumin, indicating an increase in the epithelial permeability, was observed from 1.5 h after endotoxin infusion. Approximately 0.5 h later, the cell count started to increase, reaching its peak level 3 h after infusion. The NAGase concentration was closely correlated with the cell count.The model provides new possibilities forin vivo studies on local inflammation and fulfils many of the requirements of an inflammatory model; for example, it allows non-traumatic repeated samplings from the same animal. The goat is a suitable experimental animal for many studies and, as each goat has two teats, intra-goat comparisons can be performeed.Abbreviations LPS lipopolysaccharide - FreeNAG NAGase in cell-free sample - NAGase N-acetyl--d-glucosaminidase; saline, sterile 0.9% (w/v) NaCl - TotNAG NAGase in cell-containing samples     

Inclusion of intensively manipulated silage in total mixed ration to growing pigs – influence on silage consumption,nutrient digestibility and pig behaviour

ABSTRACT

This study investigated how intensively manipulated grass/clover silage (finer structure than chopped silage) fed in total mixed ration (TMR), influenced feed consumption, total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and pig behaviour. Ten Yorkshire x Hampshire (YH) pigs were included in a digestibility experiment and 64 YH pigs in a behaviour experiment. Pigs received TMR with 20% dry matter inclusion of either intensively manipulated (SI) or chopped silage (SC). Behaviour was registered with instantaneous and continuous sampling. SI pigs consumed more silage (p?=?0.001) and spent more time eating from the through (p?<?0.01), however no significant difference in TTAD was found (p?>?0.05). Less social interactions prior to feeding (p?=?0.029) and less rooting after feeding (p?<?0.05) were found among SI pigs, indicating SI pigs being more satisfied for a longer time after feeding. We conclude that TMR with intensively manipulated silage benefits feed consumption and increases the opportunities for pigs perform feed-related behaviours.     

Evaporation from a Clay Soil Covered with a Surface Mulch - Three Lysimeter Studies

Cultivation systems with mulching have been successfully tested in spring cereals for several years in Sweden. The water conserving effect of the mulch was considered to be important in these field experiments. Three experiments with lysimeters were conducted in this study to investigate the effect on evaporation of a) different amounts of mulch, b) different types of mulch and c) different frequencies of rain in combination with mulching. The lysimeters contained undisturbed soil cores from a heavy clay soil. The protection against evaporation was largest at the beginning of soil drying. It increased with increasing amounts of mulch, but there were no differences in protection between the various kinds of mulch tested. Accumulated evaporation was 12, 14 and 30% lower in the mulched compared to bare soil after 28 days with no rain, infrequent rain and frequent rain respectively. The implications for designing a cultivation system with mulching are discussed as well as its potential in different weathers.     

Application of aggregate genotype in beef cattle breeding

Abstract

When developing total merit indices (TMI's), estimated breeding values (EBV's) may be lacking for several traits. Methodology exists to address these challenges, calculating index weights using economic values and genetic (co)variances between traits included in the TMI and aggregate genotype. TMI's including production and functional traits were developed for beef breeds in the Norwegian breeding scheme, and potential for genetic gain was evaluated. Selection based on the TMI developed in this study was found to improve growth and carcass quality, while genetic deterioration was expected for calving difficulty. Alternative selection indices were applied to avoid these effects, but reduced the genetic gain for production traits. The results of our study show that is possible to achieve genetic gain in most economically important traits for beef cattle by using a TMI. When additional EBV's and genetic correlations become available, these should be included into the TMI for further improvement.     

Rate of gastric evacuation in brown trout (Salmo trutta l.) in acidified and non-acidified water

Gastric evacuation rate in brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) was studied in water qualities characteristic of non-acidified and acidified waters. The level of plasma chloride was reduced and hematocrit increased in the group exposed to acid water. The gastric evacuation rate was described by an exponential function. Instantaneous rates of gastric evacuation were not significantly different between the two groups. In both of the groups the rates were lower than observed in corresponding studies of brown trout. This was most likely caused by handling stress during the experiment.