The role of cattle in the transmission of cystic echinococcosis in a highly endemic area of the Peruvian Andes.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) causes significant losses in Andean livestock production and affects Andean food security. However, more studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of the disease. In addition, the potential contribution of Andean cattle to the transmission of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato needs to be known. This study aimed to determine the CE-prevalence and its association with risk factors, such as age and sex of the animals, the parasite load (number of cysts/organ) of condemned organs, and the viability and fertility of Echinococcus cysts from cattle in the Andes. The prevalence was examined in 348 cattle from an authorized slaughterhouse of Huancayo at 3300 m altitude. Cyst burden was determined by extracting all cysts from the total of the CE-infected organs. Cyst fertility and protoscolices viability were analysed from 90 randomly selected CE-infected organs. The CE prevalence was 35.6% (124/348; 95% CI: 30.6%-40.6%). There was no significant effect of age and sex on CE prevalence. CE was significantly more prevalent (p < 0.05) in lungs than livers, 34.8% (121/348; 95% CI: 29.8%-39.8%) vs 8.9% (31/348; 95% CI: 5.9%-11.9%). Most (75%) infected organs had one to five cysts. The mean cyst burden was significantly (p = 0.018) higher in the lungs than livers, 6.4 ± 4.9 vs 3.7 ± 2.9. Cyst fertility was 1.6% (10/608; 95% CI: 0.6%-2.6%). Despite the high CE prevalence, infected organs from Andean cattle play a minor role in CE transmission to dogs in the central Peruvian Andes.

The Presence of Potentially Pathogenic Protozoa in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Sold in Markets in the Central Peruvian Andes.

Peru is currently one of the world's leading culinary destinations, whose world-renowned cuisine uses vegetables, mainly lettuce, as frequent ingredients. Vegetable consumption is promoted worldwide as a part of a healthy diet. However, vegetables, more frequently lettuce, have been implicated as a vehicle of infection for several foodborne parasites. This study aimed to determine the presence of potentially pathogenic parasites in lettuce marketed in the Central Andes of Peru. A total of 75 lettuce samples were collected from the two largest wholesale markets and the main open-air market in Jauja province, in the central Peruvian Andes. The province of provenance (coast vs. highlands), lettuce variety ("curly-leaf", "iceberg", and "butter"), and type of market were recorded. The samples were microscopically examined for detection of parasitic life forms using standard parasitological methods including direct slide smear, Lugol's iodine staining, and Modified Ziehl−Neelsen staining. The overall positivity of parasitic contamination in lettuces was 45.3% (CI 95%: 34−56.6%). Cryptosporidium spp., Isospora belli, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, and Entamoeba spp. were detected in twenty-six (34.7%), six (8%), four (5.3%), two (2.7%), and two (2.7%) lettuces, respectively. I. belli was found in a significantly (p < 0.01) lower proportion in the "butter" variety, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher contamination with G. lamblia was found in lettuce sold at the open-air market. B. coli, G. lamblia, and E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii were detected only in lettuce from the highlands (Tarma province). This study provides important data for health authorities to develop food safety programs. This information is also of interest to the international community because of the increased visibility that Peru has gained as a tourist destination.

Partial Fat Replacement by Boiled Quinoa on the Quality Characteristics of a Dry-Cured Sausage.

Different approaches have been previously studied in order to reduce the fat content of dry-cured sausages. Among them, the use of polysaccharides, such as fiber, gums, or starch, have been proposed for fat replacing. Although scarcely studied, it is likely that starchy grains and vegetables might also be used as potential fat replacers in those sausages. Quinua is a starchy seed with high nutritive value, which contains substances of technological interest in dry-cured manufacturing. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of replacing fat by quinoa on the quality characteristics of a small diameter dry-cured sausage. Three types of sausages were prepared: a control (C; no fat replacement; 30% of pork back-fat), a quinoa half-fat (50% of fat replacement; 15% of pork back-fat), and a quinoa low-fat (LF; 85% of fat replacement; 4.5% of pork back-fat) sausage. Sausages were analyzed for proximate and microbial composition, volatile compounds, and instrumental texture and color. Descriptive and hedonic sensory analyses were also performed. Fat reduction resulted in higher aw , protein content, hardness, chewiness and redness values and spice-derived volatile levels, and in lower cohesiveness values (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the descriptive sensory analysis showed a higher pungent flavor and lower juiciness in LF sausages than in C sausages (P < 0.05). In spite of those differences, fat reduction did not result in a decreased overall acceptance of the sausages by consumers.

Características fisicoquímicas de la salchicha de cerdo del departamento de Tumbes, Perú / Characterization of a sausage produced in Tumbes, Peru

Este trabajo pretende contribuir a la caracterización de la salchicha tradicional elaborada en Tumbes por pequeños productores. Se ha obtenido información de 12 productores sobre su procedimiento de elaboración y se ha analizado la composición (pH, aw, componentes mayoritarios, ácidos láctico y acético, hidroxiprolina y estado oxidativo) y el color de 16 lotes de salchichas. Además, se ha estudiado en 6 lotes de salchichas la evolución de su composición y el momento de aparición de signos de alteración, durante 9 días de almacenamiento en las condiciones usuales de la zona (con periodos a temperatura ambiente y otros a refrigeración). La salchicha es un embutido fresco, entre húmedo y semiseco, con un contenido graso relativamente bajo y de baja acidificación. Hubo gran variabilidad entre muestras en los contenidos de componentes mayoritarios y pH. La composición cambio poco durante el almacenamiento, pero se evidenció alteración sensorial a partir del tercer día...

The aim of this work was to contribute to the characterization of a sausage produced by small-scale producers in Tumbes (Peru). A total of 12 interviews were conducted with the correspondent producers in order to gather information about the process for producing this sausage, and sixteen sausage samples were analyzed for chemical composition (pH, aw, proximal composition, lactic and acetic acids, hydroxyproline and oxidative state) and colour. Furthermore, during a 9-day storage, the changes in the sausage composition and the moment where the sausage was rejected by a sensorial panel (spoilage in odour, colour and/or texture) were assessed, using 6 branches of sausage û the storage conditions were those usually followed in the area, which included storage periods at room temperature (20-30 ºC) and under refrigeration. The sausage from Tumbes can be defined as a wet or semi-dry, (relatively) lowfat and low-acid sausage. There was observed a great variability in the proximate composition and pH among the samples analyzed. Changes in the composition and color during its storage were scarce. However, some batches of sausage were rejected by the sensory panel after three days of storage...

Caracterización de la crianza no tecnificada de cerdos en el parque porcino del distrito de Villa el Salvador, Lima-Perú / Characterization of non-tech breeding pigs in a pig Park district of Villa El Salvador in Lima-Perú

Identificar las condiciones de manejo e infraestructura en la crianza no tecnificada de cerdos en una zona peri-urbanas de Lima. Metodología: Se encuesto a 51 productores. Se tomaron datos como información demográfica y características del sistema productivo. Resultados y Conclusiones: La edad promedio de los productores fue de 51.3 años (rangos de 19 a 74 años) y el tiempo promedio que dedicaban a la actividad fue de 10.8 años (rangos de 01 a 45 años). Se registró como propiedad un total de 1401 animales (290 marranas, 34 verracos, 622 gorrinos y 455 lechones). El número de lechones nacidos por cada parto fue de 10.1 y la cantidad de nacimientos por año por productor fue de 94. Las principales causas de morbi-mortalidad fueron los problemas diarreicos y el cólera porcino. El 86.3% cocina los alimentos que consumen los animales. El 64.7% no recibe asesoría profesional, el 89.9% aplica vacunación contra el cólera y el 72.5% no lleva ningún tipo de registro. El modo predominante de comercialización de los cerdos es la venta en pie a intermediarios o acopiadores (84%), donde el cálculo del peso se hace visualmente. La condición de los corrales fue considerada buena solo en 2 casos. La madera es el material predominante en cercos, comederos y bebederos. Los pisos son de tierra. El 86.3% obtiene agua del camión cisterna, el 86.3% poseía letrinas y el 57.7% cuenta con servicio eléctrico. Los resultados del estudio permitieron identificar las principales deficiencias de este proceso productivo y a partir de ellas se pueden aplicar estrategias de intervención para superarlas...

To identify management and infrastructure deficiencies in the swine non-technified swine breeding in one suburbs of Lima. Methods: 51 Pig producers were surveyed about characteristics of their productive system. Results and Conclusions: The producers average age was 51.3 years (range between 19 to 74 years) and average time dedicated to the activity was 10.8 years (range between 1 to 45 years). They own 1401 animals (290 sows, 34 boars, 622 suckling pigs and 455 piglets). The number of piglets per litter was 10.1 and the number of births per year per producer was 94. Main causes of morbi-mortality were diarrheic problems and hog cholera. From the total of surveyed producers, 86.3% cook the food for pigs, 64.7% do not receive professional advice, 89.9% vaccinate against hog cholera, and 72.5% do not keep any kind of record. Livestock sale to intermediaries and collectors is the predominant way of trading (84%) and weight approximation is made visually. Pen condition was considered good only in two cases. Predominantly, wood was used for fences, feeders and water trough; and soil for the floor. 86.3% get water from tanker trucks, 86.3% have latrines, and 57.7% have electric service. The results of this study allow us to identify the main deficiencies of this productive process, thus, strategies can be applied in order to overcome them...

Transmission dynamics of Taenia solium and potential for pig-to-pig transmission.

Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is one of few potentially eradicable infectious diseases and is the target of control programs in several countries. The larval stage of this zoonotic cestode invades the human brain and is responsible for most cases of adult-onset epilepsy in the world. Our current understanding of the life cycle implicates humans as the only definitive host and tapeworm carrier, and thus the sole source of infective eggs that are responsible for cysticercosis in both human and pigs through oral-faecal transmission. Here we review transmission dynamics of porcine cysticercosis including an alternative pig-to-pig route of transmission, previously not suspected to exist. Second-hand transmission of T. solium eggs could explain the overdispersed pattern of porcine cysticercosis, with few pigs harbouring heavy parasite burdens and many more harbouring small numbers of parasites.

Short report: secondary transmission in porcine cysticercosis: description and their potential implications for control sustainability.

Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is one of few potentially eradicable infectious diseases and is the target of control programs in several countries. The larval stage of this zoonotic cestode invades the human brain and is responsible for most cases of adult-onset epilepsy in the world. The pig is the natural intermediate host, harboring the larvae or cysticerci. Our current understanding of the life cycle implicates humans as the only definitive host and tapeworm carrier (developing taeniasis) and thus the sole source of infective eggs that are responsible for cysticercosis in both human and pigs through oral-fecal transmission. Here we show evidence of an alternative pig-to-pig route of transmission, previously not suspected to exist. In a series of four experiments, naive sentinel pigs were exposed to pigs that had been infected orally with tapeworm segments (containing infective eggs) and moved to a clean environment. Consistently in all four experiments, at least one of the sentinel pigs became seropositive or infected with parasite cysts with much lower cyst burdens than did primarily infected animals. Second-hand transmission of Taenia solium eggs could explain the overdispersed pattern of porcine cysticercosis, with few pigs harboring heavy parasite burdens and many more harboring small numbers of parasites. This route of transmission opens new avenues for consideration with respect to control strategies.