Cause and Effect Analysis between Influencing Factors Related to Environmental Conditions, Hunting and Handling Practices and the Initial Microbial Load of Game Carcasses.

Environmental, hunting and handling factors affect the microbial load of hunted game and the resulting meat products. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the influence of several factors on the initial microbial load (IML) of game carcasses during the early hunting chain. Eviscerated roe deer body cavities (n = 24) were investigated in terms of total viable count and the levels of Pseudomonas spp., Lactobacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Furthermore, a risk analysis based on the obtained original IML data, literature search and a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was performed. The IML could be explained in a regression model by factors including the higher body weight (BW), damaged gastrointestinal tract by the shot, ambient temperature or rain. The levels of Lactobacillus spp. (p = 0.0472), Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.0070) and E. coli (p = 0.0015) were lower on the belly flap surface when gloves were used during evisceration. The literature search revealed that studies examining influencing factors (IF) on the IML of game carcasses found contradictory effects of the comparable IF on IML. Potential handling failures may lead to a higher IML of game carcasses during the early hunting chain ranked by FMEA. Several handling practices for game carcasses are recommended, such as ensuring efficient cooling of heavier BW carcasses to limit bacterial growth or eviscerating heavier carcasses before lighter ones.

Standardised Sampling Approach for Investigating Pathogens or Environmental Chemicals in Wild Game at Community Hunts.

Wildlife may host pathogens and chemicals of veterinary and public health relevance, as well as pathogens with significant economic relevance for domestic livestock. In conducting research on the occurrence and distribution of these agents in wildlife, a major challenge is the acquisition of a sufficient number of samples coupled with efficient use of manpower and time. The aim of this article is to present the methodology and output of a sampling approach for game animals, which was implemented from 2017/18 to 2020/21 at drive hunts in Brandenburg, Germany. The central element was a framework agreement with the BImA, whereby federal forest officials and other hunters collected most of the samples during field dressing. Further samples of game carcasses were obtained by scientists during subsequent gathering at a collection point. Altogether, 3185 samples from 938 wild ungulates of four species were obtained for various studies analysing-in this case-food-borne agents in game animals. Sampling was representative and reflected the proportional distribution of ungulate species hunted in Brandenburg. Hunting district and hunting season strongly influenced hunting bag and hence sampling success. This sampling approach was demonstrated to be a suitable basis for monitoring programs, that can be adapted to other regions.

Clinical evaluation of the treatment of multiple gingival recessions with connective tissue graft or concentrated growth factor using tunnel technique: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the combination of tunnel technique (TT) and concentrated growth factor (CGF) for root coverage in treating multiple gingival recessions (GR) and compare with the connective tissue graft (CTG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with Miller Class I and II maxillary or mandibular GR were randomly divided into two groups as follows: TT + CTG and TT + CGF. The results at baseline and 6 months were evaluated for the following clinical parameters: complete root coverage (CRC), mean root coverage (MRC), gingival thickness (GT), gingival recession width (RW), gingival recession depth (RD), and keratinized tissue width (KTW). RESULTS: At 6 months, a statistically significant difference was found in RD, RW, MRC, CRC, KTW, and GT compared with the baseline (p < 0.05). MRC was determined 89.52±16.36% in the TT + CTG and 76.60±24.10% in the TT + CGF (p < 0.05). CRC was achieved in 66.7% of the TT + CTG and 47.4% of the TT + CGF (p < 0.05). The increase in KTW and GT was significantly better in the TT + CTG group compared to the TT + CGF (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that TT + CGF did not improve the results as much as TT + CTG in the treatment of Miller Class I and II GR. However, this finding is not sufficient to advocate the true clinical effects of CGF on GR treatment with TT. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CGF could not serve as a direct alternative biomaterial to the gold standard CTG. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identification Number: NCT04561947.