Complete genome sequence of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium strain Bnaya isolated from a dairy calf in Israel.

This manuscript reports the complete genome sequence of a Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium strain (designated "Bnaya"), isolated from a dead dairy calf with severe diarrhea in Israel. The isolate exhibited multi-drug resistance, which is highly unusual in bovine Salmonella spp. in Israel, prompting further investigation.

Resistant Bacteria in Broiler Litter Used as Ruminant Feed: Effect of Biotic Treatment.

The use of antimicrobial drugs and coccidiostats in poultry farming is widespread, with a significant proportion of these drugs being excreted and released into the environment. The residues of such drugs in poultry litter (PL) can result in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The impact of different biotic treatments (aerobic, anaerobic, and stacking) on broiler litter (BL) before its use as animal feed has not been studied extensively, nor have the differences between antimicrobial-dependent and independent broiler farms been investigated. This study aimed to determine the resistant bacteria in BL used as ruminant feed before and after litter treatment. The results show that the most resistant bacteria before BL treatment were the Enterococcus species. This study also found that the quantity of amoxicillin-resistant Enterococcus detected in samples from antimicrobial-dependent farms was significantly higher than in those from antimicrobial-independent farms. Additionally, 14% of bacteria were multi-resistant to tetracycline, sulfafurazole, and erythromycin in antimicrobial-independent farm litters, significantly lower than those measured in antimicrobial-dependent broiler farm litter. This study highlights the importance of better understanding, regulating, managing, and using animal waste appropriately to reduce the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and minimize the use of antimicrobials that carry high risks for animals, humans, and the environment.

Evaluation of acoustic pulse technology as a non-antibiotic therapy for bovine intramammary infections: Assessing bacterial cure vs. recovery from inflammation.

Introduction: The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to human and animal health. Therefore, new solutions are needed to prevent returning to a world without effective antibiotics. Mastitis in dairy cows is a major reason for antimicrobial use in food animal production, and mastitis-causing bacteria have the potential to develop AMR. In this study, acoustic pulse technology (APT) was explored as an alternative to antimicrobials for the treatment of mastitis in dairy cows. APT involves the local transmission of mechanical energy through soundwaves which stimulate anti-inflammatory and angiogenic responses in the udder. These responses promote udder recovery and enhance resistance to bacterial infections. Methods: We examined 129 Israeli dairy cows with mastitis in this prospective, controlled study to assess the efficiency of APT treatment on cure and recovery rates. An accurate diagnosis of suspected or confirmed infectious mastitis was made from cows having clinical signs of mastitis and/or somatic cell count (SCC) of above 400,000 cells/mL. The cows were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 29), cows with no bacterial findings (NBF); Group 2 (n = 82), cows with clinical signs of mastitis or SCC >400,000 cells/mL in the most recent test; and Group 3 (n = 18), cows with chronic mastitis (two or more tests with SCC >400,000 cells/mL within 3 months). All the cows received APT treatment, which involved 400 pulses on two sides of the infected quarter, delivered in three phases over 3 days. The cure for the mammary gland was indicated by the absence of bacterial growth in post-treatment cultures and recovery by a decrease in SCC to < 250,000 cells/mL in two of three post-treatment tests. Results and discussion: In Group 2, cure and recovery rates were 67.1 and 64.6%, respectively, and were not significantly different between Gram-negative and Gram-positive infections. A similar recovery rate was found in NBF cows. However, in cows with chronic mastitis, both the cure and recovery rates were significantly lower (22.2 and 27.8%, respectively). These results have important implications for dairy farmers, as APT treatment could lead to substantial savings of up to $15,106/year in a 100-cow herd, considering the national estimated prevalence of mastitis and the cost of individual treatment. APT should be further investigated as a viable and sustainable alternative to antimicrobial therapy for mastitis, offering economic benefits to dairy producers and the possibility of preventing AMR.

What Is Hiding in the Israeli Mediterranean Seawater and Beach Sand.

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the presence of fungi that may affect human health in sand and water on Israeli Mediterranean Sea coast beaches. METHODS: The study included screening of the sand and water of six urban beaches from north to south on the Israeli Mediterranean coast. Sand samples were extracted with water, and the water wash was cultured and quantitated. Water samples were quantitated as well. MALDI-TOF MS analysis and ITS sequencing identified the fungi. RESULTS: The study considered several parameters: 1. Presence of fecal-contamination-related fungi; 2. Presence of dermal-infection-related fungi. 3. Presence of allergy-related fungi; 4. Presence of fungi posing risk for immunocompromised individuals. The screen revealed that about 80% of the isolates were molds and about 20% yeasts. The mold species included opportunistic pathogens and potential allergens: Aspergillus fumigatus and other Aspergillus species, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Mucorales species. Yeast isolates included Candida-including the human commensals Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis-Cryptococcus, and Rhodotorula species. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that beaches should be monitored for fungi for safer use, better management, and the benefit of public health.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation from dog grooming products used by private owners or by professional pet grooming salons: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly isolated bacterium from skin lesions of dogs with post-grooming furunculosis (PGF). It is frequently found in human hair and skin care products, and may pose a health risk to consumers. Information regarding the prevalence of P. aeruginosa contamination of dog grooming products is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of P. aeruginosa contamination in nonmedicated dog grooming products after either home or professional use in pet grooming salons, and to identify risk factors that may be associated with contamination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 117 bottles of grooming products sampled for bacterial culture, 97 were used by pet grooming salons and 20 were used by private individuals. The following suspected risk factors were recorded: bottle size, relative remaining volume, content dilution, expiration date and ingredient list. RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 14 of 117 samples [11.97%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.97-19.3%]. Diluted products were contaminated significantly more often compared to undiluted products (odds ratio = 15.5, 95%CI 2.05-117.23; P < 0.01). None of the other variables was significantly associated with P. aeruginosa contamination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of dog grooming shampoos and conditioners was significantly associated with product dilution. Contaminated grooming products may predispose dogs to severe bacterial skin infections such as PGF.

Contexte - Pseudomonas aeruginosa est la bactérie la plus couramment isolée des lésions cutanées des chiens atteints de furonculose post-toilettage (PGF). On la trouve fréquemment dans les cheveux humains et les produits de soin de la peau et peut présenter un risque pour la santé des consommateurs. Les informations concernant la prévalence de la contamination par P. aeruginosa des produits de toilettage pour chiens font défaut. Objectifs - Étudier la prévalence de la contamination par P. aeruginosa des produits de toilettage pour chiens non médicamenteux après un usage domestique ou professionnel dans les salons de toilettage pour animaux de compagnie, et identifier les facteurs de risque pouvant être associés à la contamination. Matériels et méthodes - Sur 117 flacons de produits de toilettage prélevés pour culture bactérienne, 97 étaient utilisés par des salons de toilettage et 20 par des particuliers. Les facteurs de risque suspectés suivants ont été enregistrés : taille de la bouteille, volume restant relatif, dilution du contenu, date de péremption et liste des ingrédients. Résultats - Pseudomonas aeruginosa a été isolé dans 14 des 117 échantillons [11,97 %, intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95 % 6,97-19,3 %]. Les produits dilués étaient significativement plus souvent contaminés que les produits non dilués (odds ratio = 15,5, IC à 95 % 2,05-117,23 ; P < 0,01). Aucune des autres variables n'était significativement associée à la contamination par P. aeruginosa. Conclusions et pertinence clinique - La contamination par Pseudomonas aeruginosa des shampoings et après shampoings pour chiens était significativement associée à la dilution du produit. Les produits de toilettage contaminés peuvent prédisposer les chiens à de graves infections cutanées bactériennes telles que la PGF.

Introducción- Pseudomonas aeruginosa es la bacteria más comúnmente aislada de las lesiones cutáneas de perros con furunculosis posterior al aseado (PGF). Se encuentra con frecuencia en productos para el cuidado de la piel y el cabello humano, y puede representar un riesgo para la salud de los consumidores. Falta información sobre la prevalencia de la contaminación por P. aeruginosa en los productos de aseo para perros. Objetivos- investigar la prevalencia de la contaminación por P. aeruginosa en productos de aseo canino no medicados después del uso doméstico o profesional en salones de aseo de mascotas, e identificar los factores de riesgo que pueden estar asociados con la contaminación. Materiales y métodos- de 117 botellas de productos de aseo muestreados para cultivo bacteriano, 97 fueron utilizados por salones de aseo de mascotas y 20 fueron utilizados por particulares. Se registraron los siguientes factores de riesgo sospechosos: tamaño de la botella, volumen restante relativo, dilución del contenido, fecha de caducidad y lista de ingredientes. Resultados- se aisló Pseudomonas aeruginosa en 14 de 117 muestras [11,97 %, intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95 %: 6,97-19,3 %]. Los productos diluidos se contaminaron significativamente más a menudo en comparación con los productos sin diluir (odds ratio = 15,5, IC del 95 %: 2,05-117,23; P < 0,01). Ninguna de las otras variables se asoció significativamente con la contaminación por P. aeruginosa. Conclusiones y relevancia clínica- la contaminación por Pseudomonas aeruginosa de los champús y acondicionadores de aseo para perros se asoció significativamente con la dilución del producto. Los productos de aseo contaminados pueden predisponer a los perros a infecciones cutáneas bacterianas graves como la PGF.

Contexto - Pseudomonas aeruginosa é a bactéria mais frequentemente isolada de lesões cutâneas de cães com furunculose pós-banho (FPB). É frequentemente encontrada em cabelos humanos e cosméticos e pode causar malefícios à saúde dos consumidores. Informações sobre a prevalência de contaminação de produtos de banho caninos por P. aeruginosa são escassas. Objetivos - Investigar a prevalência de contaminação de cosméticos de banho não medicamentosos para cães por P. aeruginosa após uso caseiro ou profissional em pet shops, e identificar os fatores de risco que podem estar associados à contaminação. Materiais e métodos - Dos 117 frascos de cosméticos testados por cultura bacteriana, 97 foram utilizados por pet shops e 20 foram de uso doméstico individual. Os seguintes fatores de risco foram registrados: tamanho do frasco, volume remanescente relativo, diluição do conteúdo, data de validade e lista de ingredientes. Resultados - Pseudomonas aeruginosa foi isolada de 14 das 117 amostras [11,97%, 95% intervalo de confiança (IC) 6,97-19,3%]. Produtos diluídos apresentaram contaminação significativamente mais frequentemente, comparado a produtos não diluídos (odds ratio = 15,5; 95% IC 2,05-117,23; P < 0,01). Nenhuma das outras variáveis foi significativamente associada à contaminação por P.aeruginosa. Conclusões e relevância clínica - A contaminação de shampoos e condicionadores caninos por Pseudomonas aeruginosa foi significativamente associada à diluição do produto. Cosméticos veterinários contaminados podem predispor cães a infecções cutâneas bacterianas como a FPB.

Protein Biomarker Identification for the Discrimination of Brucella melitensis Field Isolates From the Brucella melitensis Rev.1 Vaccine Strain by MALDI-TOF MS.

Brucella melitensis Rev.1 is a live attenuated vaccine strain that is widely used to control brucellosis in small ruminants. For successful surveillance and control programs, rapid identification and characterization of Brucella isolates and reliable differentiation of vaccinated and naturally infected animals are essential prerequisites. Although MALDI-TOF MS is increasingly applied in clinical microbiology laboratories for the diagnosis of brucellosis, species or even strain differentiation by this method remains a challenge. To detect biomarkers, which enable to distinguish the B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine strain from B. melitensis field isolates, we initially searched for unique marker proteins by in silico comparison of the B. melitensis Rev.1 and 16M proteomes. We found 113 protein sequences of B. melitensis 16M that revealed a homologous sequence in the B. melitensis Rev.1 annotation and 17 of these sequences yielded potential biomarker pairs. MALDI-TOF MS spectra of 18 B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine and 183 Israeli B. melitensis field isolates were subsequently analyzed to validate the identified marker candidates. This approach detected two genus-wide unique biomarkers with properties most similar to the ribosomal proteins L24 and S12. These two proteins clearly discriminated B. melitensis Rev.1 from the closely related B. melitensis 16M and the Israeli B. melitensis field isolates. In addition, we verified their discriminatory power using a set of B. melitensis strains from various origins and of different MLVA types. Based on our results, we propose MALDI-TOF MS profiling as a rapid, cost-effective alternative to the traditional, time-consuming approach to differentiate certain B. melitensis isolates on strain level.

Fungi in sands of Mediterranean Sea beaches of Israel-Potential relevance to human health and well-being.

BACKGROUND: Sand of sea harbour bacteria that may cause enteric and other infections in humans, and are controlled by regulatory measures. Data on fungi in sea sand are scarce. Thus, an international group of mycologists was formed to explore fungal flora in sand of various waterbodies. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to explore fungal sand contamination in beaches of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea Coast, regarding possible impact on human health in three aspects: (a) faecal contamination, as judged by presence of the human enteric fungi; (b) contamination by fungi, causing dermal infections; (c) and the presence of moulds, causing respiratory allergies and pose a risk for infection in immunocompromised individuals. METHODS: The study included sand screen of six urban beaches from north to south of the Israeli Mediterranean Coast. Sand samples were extracted by water, and the water wash was cultured and quantitated. The fungi were identified phenotypically, by MALDI-TOF MS system and ITS sequencing. RESULTS: The screen revealed that about 80% of the isolates were moulds and about 20% yeasts. The mould species included opportunistic pathogens and potential allergens: Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium and Mucorales species. Yeast isolates included Candida, Cryptococcus and Rhodotorula species. CONCLUSIONS: (a) Fungi are contaminating Israeli Mediterranean sand beaches; (b) the contaminating fungi include various yeast and mould species; (c) some of the yeasts and mould species found in sand are known opportunistic pathogens, or respiratory allergens; (d) the data could serve as basis for initiating regulatory measures to control fungal contamination of sand for the benefit of public health.

Towards modernizing the taxonomy of Mediterranean Culicoides using classical morphology, mtDNA barcoding, and MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling.

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are a highly successful group of small (1-3 mm) hematophagous flies, infamous for the role they play as biological vectors for numerous pathogens of veterinary significance. The principal aim of the national animal disease surveillance program of Israel is to be able to rapidly sort and identify live field-captured insects including Culicoides for arbovirus screening. In this exploratory study, three identification methods-classical morphology, DNA barcoding, and MALDI-TOF MS-were applied simultaneously to individuals of 10 Culicoides species that commonly attack livestock in Israel. The strengths and limitations of the three methods are compared and evaluated. In essence, the CO1 barcoding and MALDI-TOF MS results closely matched those of classical morphology. Furthermore, at a higher level and in strong accordance with recognized subgenera, the 10 species, in the reconstructed phylogenies, coalesced into multiple deeper-branched monophyletic clades. However, some discrepancies between the molecular and protein profiling results did occur and proved difficult to assess in terms of taxonomic significance. This difficulty underscores how tricky it is to establish clear species limits when methods involving borderline cutoff values and similarity indices are used as a taxonomic aid. An added shortcoming of the pluralistic triple-method approach is that a significant percentage of the species-level depositions in the GenBank and BOLD databases are misidentified, hindering structured comparison and interpretation of the morphological and molecular results obtained. Aspects of the unresolved taxonomy of various biting midge assemblages within the Mediterranean basin, including minor changes to the Israeli Culicoides checklist, are discussed in light of the methods applied. It is observed that the direct access that classical morphology provides to the external environment (or species niche) is indispensable to the full and correct interpretation (and application) of concomitant molecular and protein profiling results. The Culicoides taxonomy of the future ought to be fully integrative, during which the assimilation of modern methodological advances should strengthen-rather than undermine-the morphological foundations laid down during the 260-year Linnaean epoch.