Enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterohaemorragic (EHEC) and verotoxigenic (VTEC) Escherichia coli in wild cervids.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of enteropathogenic (EPEC), enterohaemorragic (EHEC) and verotoxigenic (VTEC) Escherichia coli strains in free-ranging wild ruminants in Belgium and to characterize the positive isolates (serogroups and virulence-associated factor-encoding genes). METHODS AND RESULTS: Escherichia coli strains isolated from faeces of wild cervids were characterized by PCR targeting genes coding for the main virulence properties of EPEC, EHEC and VTEC strains. The prevalence rate of these pathogenic strains in faecal samples obtained from the wild ruminants was found to be 15%. No pathogenic isolate was found to belong to the O157, O26, O111, O103 or O145 serogroups. Moreover, a new gene, eibH, showing 88% identity with eibG was detected in VTEC strains. CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal that wild ruminants could be considered as a potential source of VTEC and EPEC infection for humans and possibly also for domestic ruminants. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our study suggests the potential risk of transmission of VTEC, EHEC and EPEC strains from wild ruminants to humans via the consumption of venison and to domestic ruminants because of sharing of the same pasture. Indeed, many serogroups other than O157 EHEC have also been shown to be responsible for outbreaks in humans in several countries, and studies focusing solely on O157:H7 EHEC tend to underestimate this risk of transmission.

The Inter-regional Belgian Bank Employee Nutrition Study (IBBENS).

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the dietary intake in different geographical areas in Belgium. DESIGN: Food habits were examined by the 3-day food record with additional intervieW. SETTING: The study was performed in the head offices of one bank situated in seven Dutch-speaking cities (spread over two districts) in the north and one French-speaking city in the south of Belgium. SUBJECTS: 371 male and 192 female healthy employees participated in the survey. RESULTS: The results show a difference in fat consumption between north and south. Men in the French-speaking district consumed on average 18.8 E% (SD = 3.2) of saturated fat, compared to 16.2 (2.8) and 16.7 (2.9) E% for the two Dutch-speaking districts (P < 0.001). For women the respective data are 18.9 (3.2), 16.4 (3.0) and 17.1 (3.1) E% (P < 0.01). The E% of polyunsaturated fat in the three districts equals respectively 5.2 (1.8), 7.2 (2.4) and 6.7 (2.5) (P < 0.001) for men; 4.9 (1.8), 7.2 (2.7) and 6.6 (2.2) (P < 0.001) for women. A significantly lower P/S ratio (P < 0.001, for both sexes) and U/S ratio (P < 0.001, for both sexes) was found in the south. The intake of cholesterol (mg per 4.18 MJ) was significantly higher in the south (P = 0.01, for both sexes). The differences between the Dutch-speaking centres were relatively small. For men significant differences in P/S ratio, 0.48 (0.22) in the east versus 0.43 (0.20) in the west (P < 0.001), and in E% of monounsaturated fat, 15.2 (2.7) versus 16.3 (3.1) (P < 0.01), could be established. CONCLUSION: Differences in fat intake exist between the north and the south of Belgium. Within the north significant differences exist in P/S ratio and in intake of monounsaturated fat.

Repetitive analyses of P-glycoprotein in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

P-glycoprotein, a pump located in the plasma cell membrane, extrudes several clinically important drugs from the cell, and hence causes multidrug resistance. Reversing clinical drug resistance is possible by using agents that inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein. We describe the results of sequential flow cytometric determinations of P-glycoprotein expression and activity in two patients suffering from acute lymphoblastic transformation of chronic myeloid leukaemia. Neither P-glycoprotein expression, nor its activity could be detected in the initial sample of the first patient. In the second patient, no P-glycoprotein expression was found at diagnosis. However, after chemotherapy containing P-glycoprotein substrates, a significant expression was found in both patients and the functional flow cytometric test was positive. In order to achieve an accurate selection of patients that might benefit from the clinical use of P-gp inhibitors, repeated analyses are indicated in each patient suffering from acute leukaemia, during the course of the illness.