Cellular and soluble components decrease the viable pathogen counts in milk from dairy cows with subclinical mastitis.

The present study was undertaken to clarify the factors that reduce the viable pathogen count in milk collected from the udders of subclinical mastitic cows during preservation. Milk was centrifuged to divide somatic cells (cellular components, precipitates) and antimicrobial peptides (soluble components, supernatants without fat layer); each fraction was cultured with bacteria, and the number of viable bacteria was assessed prior to and after culture. In 28.8% of milk samples, we noted no viable bacteria immediately after collection; this value increased significantly after a 5-hr incubation of milk with cellular components but not with soluble components (48.1 and 28.8%, respectively). After culture with cellular components, the numbers of bacteria (excluding Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis) and yeast decreased dramatically, although the differences were not statistically significant. After cultivation with soluble components, only yeasts showed a tendency toward decreased mean viability, whereas the mean bacterial counts of S. uberis and T. pyogenes tended to increase after 5-hr preservation with soluble components. These results suggest that most pathogens in high somatic cell count (SCC) milk decreased during preservation at 15 to 25°C, due to both the cellular components and antimicrobial components in the milk. Particularly, the cellular components more potently reduced bacterial counts during preservation.

Change in viable bacterial count during preservation of milk derived from dairy cows with subclinical mastitis and its relationship with antimicrobial components in milk.

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the change in the number of viable pathogens during preservation of milk obtained from cows with subclinical mastitis and the association between the decreasing ratio of viable bacteria during preservation and the somatic cell count (SCC) and the values of lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), lactoferrin (LF) and lactoperoxidase (LPO). After preservation of milk at room temperature for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hr, the bacterial colonies in the milk were counted to determine the number of colony forming units (CFUs). Fresh skim milk was used to determine the values of LAP, LPO and LF. Bacteria were not detected in 19.4% of milk samples, and this percentage increased up to 30% after 5 hr of preservation. The number of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis in milk did not change significantly during the 5-hr incubation, whereas significant decreases were observed in the number of coliforms, coagulase-negative staphylococci, yeasts and Corynebacterium bovis. High SCC significantly decreased CFUs of S. aureus and yeast after preservation of milk for 4 to 5 hr. High LF concentration in milk was associated with decrease in CFU of S. aureus during 4-hr preservation. These results suggest that the viable counts of some pathogens in milk decreased during preservation at room temperature after collection, which may be attributed to the leukocytes and antimicrobial components present in milk.

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of superficial temporal artery.

An 83-year-old man reported falling and bumping his right lateral forehead on the ground 3 weeks previously. Physical examination revealed a soft, reddish swelling on the lateral forehead. Computed tomography confirmed a hematoma of the right lateral forehead. On the seventh hospital day, the swelling showed slight enlargement. Re-examination revealed a pulsatile mass with a palpable thrill and systolic bruit. Doppler echo showed pulsation of the swelling, which disappeared with compression of the anterior branch of the superficial temporal artery (STA). Surgical exploration was performed, and the pseudoaneurysm was resected. Pathological findings confirm a pseudoaneurysm.

Treatment of unresectable malignant rhabdoid tumor of the orbit with tandem high-dose chemotherapy and gamma-knife radiosurgery.

Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor that primarily occurs in very young children. We report here a patient with a primary MRT of the orbit who received tandem high-dose chemotherapy and gamma-knife radiosurgery. Although the tumor was not completely removed, and the initial chemotherapy failed, the patient achieved long-term survival after this modality of treatment. This approach may be one to be further considered in patients with MRT.