An update on non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci in cow milk: unveiling the presence of Staphylococcus borealis and Staphylococcus rostri by MALDI-TOF MS.

Non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM) are the microorganisms most frequently isolated from milk. Given their numerosity and complexity, MALDI-TOF MS is one of the preferred species identification approaches. Nevertheless, reference mass spectra for the novel species Staphylococcus borealis were included only recently in the Bruker Biotyper System (MBT) library, and other species of veterinary interest such as S. rostri are still absent. This work provides an updated picture of the NASM species found in milk, gained by retrospectively analyzing the data relating to 21,864 milk samples, of which 6,278 from clinical mastitis (CM), 4,039 from subclinical mastitis (SCM), and 11,547 from herd survey (HS), with a spectrum library including both species. As a result, S. borealis was the second most frequently isolated NASM (17.07%) after S. chromogenes (39.38%) in all sample types, with a slightly higher percentage in CM (21.84%), followed by SCM (17.65%), and HS (14.38%). S. rostri was also present in all sample types (3.34%), reaching 8.43% of all NASM in SCM and showing a significant association (p < 0.01) with this condition. Based on our findings, the presence of S. borealis and S. rostri in milk and their potential association with mastitis might have been overlooked, possibly due to the difficulties in differentiating these species from other closely related NASM. Our results indicate that S. borealis could be a more frequent contributor to bovine udder infections than previously thought and that S. rostri should also not be underestimated considering its significant association with SCM.

Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli in a Dairy Herd: Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles.

This study investigated the presence, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in a dairy herd located in Northern Italy. The feces of clinically healthy calves, their mothers, and the cows treated for mastitis, as well as water, environmental samples, and waste milk were collected and subjected to bacteriological culture on CHROMagarTM ESBL plates. A questionnaire was administered to identify risk factors. The isolates were identified as E. coli by MALDI-TOF MS and subjected to the double-disk synergy test (DDST) and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. As a result, ESBL E. coli was isolated from the feces of 28 of 37 (75.67%) calves, the feces of 2 of 3 (66.67%) treated cows, 8 of 14 (57.15%) environmental samples, and waste milk. All ESBL isolates showed multiple resistances and were categorized as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Several risk factors for ESBL E. coli selection and diffusion were identified, including lack of routine cleaning of calf feeding and housing equipment, administration of waste milk to male calves, and blanket dry cow therapy. In conclusion, this study highlighted the presence of MDR, ESBL E. coli in the feces of most dairy calves, and their association with different sample sources. Accordingly, adding to the prudent use of antibiotics, the adoption of adequate farm hygiene and biosecurity measures might also help prevent the spread and transmission of ESBL E. coli within the herd.

Experimental evidence of the anti-bacterial activity pathway of copper ion treatment on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Copper causes significant damage to the integrity of many bacteria, mainly at the DNA level, through its redox states, as well as its reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating capacity at the cellular level. But whether these mechanisms also apply to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is unknown. In the present study, we have evaluated whether copper ions produce damage at the DNA level of MAP, either through their redox states or through ROS production. MAP-spiked PBS was first supplemented with different copper chelators (2) and ROS antioxidants (3), followed by treatment with copper ions at 942 ppm. MAP DNA integrity (qPCR, magnetic phage separation) was then evaluated. We found that bathocuproine (BCS), as a chelator, and D-mannitol, as an antioxidant of hydroxyl radicals, had a significant protective effect (P < 0.05) on DNA molecules, and that EDTA, as a chelator, and D-mannitol, as an antioxidant had a significant positive effect (P < 0.05) on the viability of this pathogen in contrast to the control and other chelators and anti-oxidants used. In light of the reported findings, it may be concluded that copper ions within MAP cells are directly related to MAP DNA damage.

Evidence of Homeostatic Regulation in Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis as an Adaptive Response to Copper Stress.

BACKGROUND: Bacteria are capable of responding to various stressors, something which has been essential for their adaptation, evolution, and colonization of a wide range of environments. Of the many stressors affecting bacteria, we can highlight heavy metals, and amongst these, copper stands out for its great antibacterial capacity. Using Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as a model, the action of proteins involved in copper homeostasis has been put forward as an explanation for the tolerance or adaptive response of this mycobacteria to the toxic action of copper. Therefore, the aim of this study was to confirm the presence and evaluate the expression of genes involved in copper homeostasis at the transcriptional level after challenging Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculoisis (MAP) with copper ions. METHODOLOGY: Buffer inoculated with MAP was treated with two stressors, the presence of copper homeostasis genes was confirmed by bioinformatics and genomic analysis, and the response of these genes to the stressors was evaluated by gene expression analysis, using qPCR and the comparative ΔΔCt method. RESULTS: Through bioinformatics and genomic analysis, we found that copper homeostasis genes were present in the MAP genome and were overexpressed when treated with copper ions, which was not the case with H2O2 treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that genes in MAP that code for proteins involved in copper homeostasis trigger an adaptive response to copper ions.

Multipotent adult progenitor cell isolation and culture procedures.

We describe methods for isolation of multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) from newborn to 6-week-old mice and rats. The maintenance of these cells, including their culture, media formulas, and quality control procedures, are also explained. Additionally, ways to identify MAPCs including their phenotype and morphology are discussed.

Isoniazid hepatotoxicity among drug users: the role of hepatitis C.

The incidence of and risk factors associated with hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis have not been systematically studied. Therefore, we conducted a prospective study that included former drug users who were treated with isoniazid for latent tuberculosis infection. Of 415 patients, 20 (4.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3-7.4) had hepatotoxicity diagnosed, and 6 (1.4%; 95% CI, 0.5-3.2) developed clinical hepatitis, none of whom had serious symptoms. The only 2 factors independently associated with isoniazid hepatotoxicity were excessive alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR]; 4.2, 95% CI, 1.6-10.8; P=.002) and a high baseline alanine transaminase level (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6-11.4; P=.002). The presence of hepatitis C virus antibodies was associated with hepatotoxicity only on univariate analysis. Treatment with isoniazid in drug users appears to be safe and well tolerated, although frequent asymptomatic elevations in transaminase levels were observed.

Analgesia peridural en el trabajo de parto con dosis única de Bupivacaína

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo sobre el uso de analgesia epidural en trabajo de parto, de octubre a febrero de 1999 en el Hospital HEODRA de León. El estudió abarcó a embarazadas primigestas que tuvieran como mínimo 7 cms. de dilatación y 70 por ciento de borramiento, en bigestas y trigestas de 6 cms. de dilatación y 60 por ceinto de borramiento, que el producto esté en tercer plano de Hogde en primigestas y en segundo plano de Hogde en bigestas y trigestas y que la actividad uterina vaya aumentando entre 120-250 unidades. A todas las pacientes se les aplicó la técnica de anestesia, se les llenó parte del formulario de recolección de datos en la que sobresale el criterio de inclusión y la aceptación del paciente