Bacteriological Studies on Meat Pies and Frozen Prepared Dinners

A bacteriological survey of meat pies, frozen prepared dinners and entrees indicated that their bacterial populations were related to the components, the environment and handling in manufacture. Results were correlated with microbiological examinations of ingredients, line samples and plant environmental samples. Total bacterial counts, coliform counts and Staphylococcus counts of the finished product were low. Coliform organisms found were primarily Aerobacter spp. originating with the frozen vegetables. Enterococci were also found in the frozen vegetables and finished product. Both enterococci and Aerobacter organisms were recovered from the plant environment where they appeared to multiply. Many of the plant personnel carried coagulase-positive staphylococci in the throat or nasal cavity, and this was indicated as a possible source for these organisms found in low numbers in the finished product. Cooking of the products produced sterility except for the survival of some spore forming Bacillus spp. The presence of a poultry slaughtering operation adjacent to the manufacturing area was considered to contribute to microbial contamination of the air in the plant.     

Discrimination of three trachurus species using both mitochondrial- and nuclear-based DNA approaches

A double-DNA approach was developed to discriminate the three Trachurus species that abide in European waters: T. trachurus, T. mediterraneus, and T. picturatus. The analysis aimed at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the cytochrome b gene of mtDNA was followed by restriction analysis with three species-specific enzymes: NlaIII, NciI, and BsmAI. Digestion with these endonucleases yielded species-specific electrophoretic profiles. The universality of the results was verified by screening a large number of individuals from 12 geographical regions covering most of the distribution of the species. Additionally, the nuclear multicopy 5S rRNA gene was selected as an alternative candidate for the discrimination of the three Trachurusspecies. A simple agarose gel electrophoretic analysis of the amplicons proved to be capable of leading to unambiguous identification of the three Trachurus species. Thus, the double-DNA methodology presented here allows the accurate discrimination of Trachurus fish species and the detection of commercial fraud.     

Synergistic interaction between BABA and mancozeb in controlling<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> in potato and tomato and<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudoperonospora cubensis</Emphasis> in cucumber

Spray mixtures consisting of the plant activator BABA (DL-3-aminobutyric acid) and the protectant fungicide mancozeb were significantly more effective than BABA or mancozeb alone in controlling late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in potato and tomato and downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) in cucumber. A mixture composed of 5 parts BABA and 1 part mancozeb (w/w, a.i.) exhibited a higher synergy factor than the 1+1 or the 1+5 (BABA + mancozeb) mixtures. No synergistic interaction was detected between BABA plus mancozeb in controlling sporangial or cystospore germination, nor mycelial growth ofP. infestans in vitro. The results showed enhanced effect of mancozeb in BABA-induced plants, suggesting, therefore, that lower dosages of this fungicide may be sufficient to control late blight or downy mildew under field conditions. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 15, 2003.     

Psoriasiform-lichenoid-like dermatosis in three dogs treated with microemulsified cyclosporine A

Cyclosporine has been reported to be effective for the treatment of various cutaneous autoimmune disorders in dogs. Adverse reactions have generally been limited to gastrointestinal tract disturbances and cutaneous eruptions. The article describes antimicrobial-responsive cutaneous reactions in 3 dogs being treated with microemulsified cyclosporine A because of various dermatologic conditions. Cutaneous reactions in these dogs were similar to psoriasiform-lichenoid dermatitis and may represent an atypical staphylococcal infection.     

Estimated and predicted changes in the cat population of Australian households from 1979 to 2005

OBJECTIVE: To estimate and predict changes in the cat population of Australian households from 1979 to 2005. METHOD: Telephone surveys were used to estimate Australia's total household cat population for each year from 1979 to 1999. A simple mathematical model based on population characteristics in 1995 was used to predict future population changes to 2005. Estimates and predictions for 1996 to 1999 were compared to validate the model. RESULTS: Australia's household cat population increased steadily from 2.23 million in 1979 to peak at 3.24 million in 1988. Since then it has steadily declined to 2.60 million in 1999. The population size predicted from the mathematical model was similar to that from surveys for the years 1996 to 1999. It is predicted that the population will continue to decline to approximately 2.19 million in 2005. The proportion of Australian households owning cats fell from 31.1% in 1994 to 25.8% in 1999, while the average number of cats per cat-owning household remained relatively constant at 1.47. CONCLUSIONS: Australia's household cat population is decreasing, falling by 19% between 1988, when it reached its peak, and 1999. This contrasts with the US where the population increased by 13.9% over the same period. The decline in Australia appears to be due to a decrease in the total number of cat-owning households rather than the number of cats per cat-owning household. It is likely that this trend will continue unless there is a change in household pet ownership preferences in the meantime.     

Genomic sequence and cardiac expression of atrial natriuretic peptide in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in cats and its typical regions of cardiac expression. ANIMALS: 5 healthy adult mixed-breed cats. PROCEDURE: Total RNA was extracted from samples obtained from the left and right atrium, left and right ventricle, and interventricular septum of each cat. The RNA was used to produce cDNA for sequencing and northern blot analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from feline blood samples. Polymerase chain reaction primers designed from consensus sequences of other species were used to clone and sequence the feline ANP gene. RESULTS: The feline ANP gene consists of 1,072 nucleotides. It consists of 3 exons (123, 327, and 12 nucleotides) separated by 2 introns (101 and 509 nucleotides). It has several typical features of eukaryotic genes and a putative steroid-response element located within the second intron. Preprohormone ANP consists of 153 amino acids. The amino acid sequence of the active form of feline ANP (ANP-30) is identical to that of equine, bovine, and ovine ANP-30 and differs from that of human, canine, and porcine ANP-28 only by 2 carboxy-terminal arginine residues. The ANP mRNA was detected only in the left and right atria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The genetic and protein structure and principal regions of cardiac expression of feline ANP are similar to those of other species. Results of this study should be helpful in future studies on the natriuretic response in cats to diseases that affect cardiovascular function.     

Influence of long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide on antibody production in dogs with discoid lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide on antibody production in dogs by measuring postvaccinal serum concentrations of antibodies against canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus. ANIMALS: 10 dogs receiving long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide (treatment group) and 10 healthy dogs (control group). PROCEDURE: The treatment group included 9 dogs with discoid lupus erythematosus and 1 dog with pemphigus foliaceus on long-term treatment (> 12 months) with tetracycline and niacinamide. The control group included 10 healthy dogs with no clinical signs of disease and no administered medications for the past 3 months. Blood samples were obtained from all dogs by jugular venipuncture. Serum antibody titers against canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus antigens were measured, using hemaglutination inhibition and serum neutralization, respectively, and compared between groups. RESULTS: A significant difference in antibody titers between treatment- and control-group dogs was not found. All dogs had protective antibody titers against canine distemper virus, and 8 of 10 dogs from each group had protective titers against canine parvovirus infection. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results provide evidence that long-term treatment with tetracycline and niacinamide does not interfere with routine vaccinations and thus does not seem to influence antibody production in dogs.