Recovery of Hafnia alvei from diseased brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and healthy noble crayfish, Astacus astacus (L.), in Bulgaria.

Hafnia alvei was isolated in Bulgaria from healthy noble crayfish, Astacus astacus (L.), and then from farmed diseased brown trout, Salmo trutta L., with signs of haemorrhagic septicaemia. The isolates were identified initially with conventional phenotyping and commercial Merlin Micronaut and API 20E rapid identification systems, followed by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Hafnia alvei Bt1, Bt2 and Aa4 were of low virulence to rainbow trout and brown trout, although cytotoxicity was demonstrated by Bt1 and Bt2, but not by Aa4.

Microbiological quality changes in the intestine of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis aureus) in fresh and frozen storage condition.

AIMS: The goal of this study was to monitor the quantitative and qualitative bacterial flora in the intestine of hybrid tilapia in fresh fish and fish kept in frozen storage conditions for 1 year. METHODS AND RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the bacterial flora associated with the intestine of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus x Oreochromis aureus) in fresh fish and fish kept in frozen storage conditions for 1 year were carried out. In fresh and frozen fish, aerobic plate count (APC) ranged from 1.6 +/- 1.2 x 10(8) to 1.5 +/- 0.9 x 10(5) CFU g(-1) in the intestine of tilapia collected from pond 1, 8.7 +/- 2.3 x 10(7) to 6.5 +/- 3.8 x 10(4) CFU g(-1) in the intestine of tilapia from pond 2, and 1.9 +/- 2.9 x 10(8) to 6.2 +/- 2.8 x 10(4) CFU g(-1) in the intestine of tilapia from pond 3. APC for all the groups of fish decreased c. 2-log cycles after 1 months frozen storage; thereafter, counts slowly declined during frozen storage for 1 year. Altogether, 16 bacterial genera were identified: Gram-negative rods (67%) dominated. Both in fresh and frozen conditions, four bacterial species viz. Shewanella putrefaciens, Corynebacterium urealyticum, Aeromonas hydrophila and Flavobacterium sp. were always present, with a prevalence of 10% in most cases. Shewanella putrefaciens was the most dominant organism (15% of the total isolates) throughout the studied period. During frozen storage some of the bacteria were not recovered, but most of the bacteria survived after prolonged freezing. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the aerobic heterotrophic microflora found in the intestine of fresh and frozen tilapia. The unique aspect of this study concerns the data revealing the micro-organisms, which are viable after prolonged freezing. Contamination of edible portions of fish could originate from gastrointestinal sources. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present results may enhance knowledge in controlling the storage life of fish, and fish product quality. Bacterial activity is by far the most important factor influencing fish quality, so bacterial numbers can be used as an index of quality. Storage of frozen tilapia without evisceration could be avoided.

Parental perceptions of fever in children.

BACKGROUND: Fever is a common medical problem in children which often prompts parents to seek immediate medical care. The objective of this study was to survey parents about their knowledge and attitude concerning fever in their children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved the random selection of Saudi parents who brought their febrile children to the emergency rooms or walk-in clinics of four hospitals in Riyadh. Parents of 560 febrile children were interviewed using a standard questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic information and current knowledge of fever. Approximately 70% of the respondents were female, and the ages of the most were in the range of 20-40 years. More than 80% of the parents had two or more children. RESULTS: More than 70% of parents demonstrated a poor understanding of the definition of fever, high fever, maximum temperature of untreated fever, and threshold temperature warranting antipyresis. About 25% of parents considered temperatures less than 38.0 o C to be fever, another 25% did not know the definition of fever, 64% felt that temperatures of less than 40.0 o C could be dangerous to a child, and 25% could not define high fever. Another 23% believed that if left untreated, temperatures could rise to 42.0 o C or higher, but 37% could not provide an answer, and 62% did not know the minimum temperature for administering antipyretics. Approximately 95% of parents demonstrated undue fear of consequent body damage from fever, including convulsion, brain damage or stroke, coma, serious vague illness, blindness, and even death. CONCLUSION: Parental misconceptions about fever reflect the lack of active health education in our community. Health professionals have apparently not done enough to educate parents on the condition of fever and its consequences, a common problem.