Assessing the Listeria monocytogenes transference during mechanical slicing of mozzarella cheese.

Listeriosis is a foodborne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes (LM) and has been linked to the consumption of sliced mozzarella cheese. This study aimed to assess the LM transference during mechanical slicing of mozzarella cheese and its growth during refrigerated storage. Mozzarella cheese was contaminated with LM and 100 slices containing approximately 5 log CFU/slice were produced. Next, 100 slices of non-contaminated cheese were sliced using a contaminated blade (3.67log CFU/10 cm2). LM was quantified on the blade and slices right after slicing and after storage at 10 °C for 10 and 15 days. Results demonstrated that increasing counts of LM were transferred to the blade, comparing the first and the fifth slices (2.71 and 3.22log CFU/10 cm2, respectively, p ≤ 0.05), however, transference stabilized after the 50th slice (3.75 CFU/10 cm2). The blade transferred 1.69-2.66 log CFU/g of LM to different slices. At the end of the storage at 10 °C by 10 and 15 days, LM counts increased to 1.51 and 1.69 log CFU/g, respectively, indicating that LM population can increase if the cheese is stored for a long time.

Pet Pyometra: Correlating Bacteria Pathogenicity to Endometrial Histological Changes.

Pyometra is a life-threatening infectious disease that frequently affects bitches and queens. Although histopathological patterns of pyometra have been extensively explored, the microbiological aspects, such as bacteria pathogenicity, have not been correlated to microscopy endometrial lesions so far. In this study, these two pathological aspects of pyometra were analysed and correlated. Uterus fragments and intrauterine content samples were collected from pets diagnosed with pyometra (30) and submitted to histopathology analysis and bacterial culture, respectively. The degree of endometrial histopathological lesions in pyometra cases were classified as mild, moderate and severe. Thirty different bacteria isolates were identified from intrauterine content culture. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was pure isolated in 57.7% and highly related to severe endometrial lesions. Immunohistochemistry assay revealed the adhesion and invasion of this bacteria agent to the injured endometrium. Virulence aspects of these E. coli strains were explored, demonstrating biofilm formation ability and a set of virulence genes in most isolates. These results support the adaptive genetic and phenotypic advantages of E. coli for uterus infection, and justify the high frequency of this agent involved in pyometra cases.

Clinical and microbiological characterization of subclinical bacteriuria and sporadic bacterial cystitis in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism.

Study's aims were to characterize subclinical bacteriuria (SB) and sporadic bacterial cystitis (SBC) in dogs with spontaneous hypercortisolism (HC). Prospective cross-sectional design divided patients as newly diagnosed (n = 27), poorly controlled (n  = 21), well controlled (n  = 34), and controls (n  = 19). Urine culture positive results were identified by MALDI-TOF and submitted to antibiogram. Escherichia coli was the most common microorganism (36%). The majority of positive cultures in HC were SB (12.2%). All 4.1% SBC cases were in well controlled HC cases. Bacteriuria correlated with low urine specific gravity and low lymphocyte count. HC degree of control correlated with leukocyturia. SB/SBC cases were treated based in antimicrobial susceptibility leading to microbiological cure in 75% of HC cases. Persistent infections occurred only in SB cases, all by E. coli which became more resistant. SB/SBC prevalence in canine HC is actually lower. Further evidence for current ISCAID guideline contraindication for SB treatment due to HC were provided.