Fumonisins and zearalenone fed at low levels can persist several days in the liver of turkeys and broiler chickens after exposure to the contaminated diet was stopped.

Previous studies using zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisins (FB) revealed alpha-zearalanol (α-ZOL) and FB1 in the liver of turkeys and chickens with no sign of toxicity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether contamination persists after distribution of a mycotoxin-free diet for several days. Turkeys and broilers were fed for 14 days with a diet containing respectively, 7.5 and 0.6 mg/kg of FB and ZEN, then fed for 0, 2 or 4 days with a mycotoxin-free diet. FB1 and total α-ZOL were the most abundant metabolites found, and their concentration decreased with time. The decrease was linear for FB1 (P < 0.001) and exponential for α-ZOL. Mean concentrations of FB1 on days 0, 2, and 4 were respectively, 4.9, 4, and 2.9 ng/g in turkeys, and respectively, 5, 2.3, and 1.3 ng/g in chickens. The decrease in concentration of FB1 with time was modeled by linear regression (P < 0.001). Mean concentrations of α-ZOL on days 0, 2 and 4, were respectively, 4.8, 0.8, and 0.5 ng/g in turkeys, whereas α-ZOL was only quantified in chickens on day 0 at 0.3 ng/g. A strong correlation was found between α-ZOL and ß-zearalenol (P < 0.001).

Assessment of Chlamydia psittaci Shedding and Environmental Contamination as Potential Sources of Worker Exposure throughout the Mule Duck Breeding Process.

Chlamydia psittaci is an obligate intracellular bacterium responsible for avian chlamydiosis, otherwise known as psittacosis, a zoonotic disease that may lead to severe atypical pneumonia. This study was conducted on seven mule duck flocks harboring asymptomatic birds to explore the circulation and persistence of C. psittaci during the entire breeding process and assess the potential sources of worker exposure. Cloacal swabs and air samples were taken on each occasion requiring humans to handle the birds. In parallel, environmental samples, including dust, water, and soil, were collected. Specific real-time PCR analyses revealed the presence of C. psittaci in all flocks but with three different shedding patterns involving ducks about the age of 4, 8, and 12 weeks with heavy, moderate, and low excretion levels, respectively. Air samples were only positive in flocks harboring heavy shedders. Dust in flocks with heavy or moderate shedders carried chlamydial loads strongly associated with the loads detected in avian and soil samples. Environmental contamination, significantly correlated with shedding dynamics, was considered to be the most probable source of exposure. The high prevalence of bacteriophage Chp1 in all flocks, mostly jointly present with chlamydia, suggests an important factor in C. psittaci persistence, thus creating a greater risk for humans. A survey conducted in these flocks regarding farming practices and activities showed that disinfection seems to be the most promising practice for reducing C. psittaci prevalence in ducks and that the place and the duration of action during operations seem to be potential risk factors. Strict adherence to good practices is strongly recommended.

Status and origin of Haemonchinae (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) in deer: a survey conducted in France from 1985 to 1998.

During our investigations on helminthofauna in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in France (1985-1998) we isolated nematodes not only of the genus Haemonchus Cobb, 1898 but also of the genus Ashworthius Le Roux 1930, both of which belong to the same subfamily of Haemonchinae. The prevalence of Ashworthius was 22% (65/294) in roe deer and 40% (10/25) in red deer. H. contortus was not found in red deer, whereas its prevalence was only 3% (9/294) in roe deer. These data contrast with those observed in other European countries. The presence of A. sidemi in red and roe deers in France suggests a case of parasitism imported via sika deer. A hypothesis of their spread is proposed.