Investigation of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies and leptospiruria in cats attended to a veterinary teaching hospital in southern Brazil.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis that affects both humans and animals worldwide. Currently, it is known that cats may be susceptible to infection. This study aims to investigate the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies and leptospiruria in cats, using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques, respectively. A total of 76 cats, undergoing comprehensive anamnesis, general physical examination, and complementary exams were included in the investigation. Among the 76 cats tested, 9.2% (7/76) exhibited the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies, while Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in at 1.3% (1/76) of the evaluated urine samples. No significant associations were observed between the serological and molecular diagnostic results and the assessed variables, including clinical data and laboratory results of cats testing positive. This study provides insight into the occurrence of Leptospira spp. infection and leptospiruria in cats treated at a veterinary teaching hospital in southern Brazil.

Ability of Vibrio vulnificus isolated from fish of the Lagoa dos Patos estuary in south Brazil to form biofilms after sublethal stress and bacterial resistance to antibiotics and sanitizers.

The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Vibrio vulnificus in fish captured at the Lagoa dos Patos estuary (RS, Brazil), to establish a correlation between bacterial biofilm formation and sublethal stress, and to assess the resistance of the isolates to antimicrobials and sanitizers. A total of 217 isolates characteristic of Vibrio sp. were analyzed. Isolates were identified and subsequently their ability to form biofilm, the impact of exposure to sublethal stress on their biofilm formation ability, and their resistance to antimicrobial and to sodium hypochlorite and chlorine dioxide sanitizers were evaluated. V. vulnificus was isolated from the fish Paralichthys orbignyanus and Micropogonias furnieri. The bacterial isolates examined were able to form biofilms. Biofilm formation ability of these strains was decreased or inhibited after being exposed to sublethal stress. The isolates were resistant to most antimicrobials. The sanitizer concentrations necessary to eliminate V. vulnificus were higher than those usually used in the fishing industry.

Qualidade microbiológica de produtos de origem animal encaminhados para alimentação escolar / Microbiological quality of animal products sent to school feeding

Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos (DTA) estão associadas ao consumo de alimentos e água contaminados por microrganismos patogênicos, sendo alguns desses grupos utilizados como indicadores dos cuidados higiênico-sanitários e empregados nos produtos de origem animal (POA). O objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária dos POA encaminhados para alimentação escolar no município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas no posto de distribuição da Secretaria de Educação. Foram coletadas cinco amostras de todos os lotes de leite UHT, bebida láctea e filés de frango que deram entrada no período de onze meses, totalizando cinquenta e cinco amostras. Os produtos foram avaliados quanto aos padrões microbiológicos da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Além dessas análises foram realizadas pesquisa da presença de Campylobacter e de Salmonella nos produtos de frango. Foi aplicada uma lista de verificação das boas práticas de armazenamento. Todas as amostras estavam dentro dos padrões microbiológicos admitidos pela ANVISA, entretanto Salmonella foi detectada em quatro amostras de filés de frango. Campylobacter não foi isolado de nenhuma amostra. As condições de armazenamento foram consideradas ruins, apresentando 72,4% de não conformidades, especialmente nos quesitos temperatura e condições de armazenamento. A presença de Salmonella pode oferecer risco à saúde das crianças que venham a consumir filé de frango.(AU)

Foodborne Diseases (FBD) are associated with the consumption of food and water contaminated by pathogenic micro-organisms. Some groups of micro-organisms are used as indicators of employment sanitary hygienic care employees in animal products. The objective was to evaluate the sanitary hygienic quality of animal products sent to school feeding pellets. Samples were collected in the distribution station of the Department of Education in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brasil. Five samples were collected from all batches of UHT milk, milk drinks and chicken fillets which were received in the period of eleven months, reaching fifty-five samples. Products were evaluated for the microbiological standards of the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). In addition to these analyzes were performed for the presence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken products. A checklist of good storage practices was applied. All samples were within the microbiological standards accepted by ANVISA, however Salmonella was detected in four samples of chicken fillet. Campylobacter was not isolated from any sample. The storage conditions were considered bad, presenting 72.4% of nonconformities, especially in the temperature and storage conditions. The presence of Salmonella can pose a risk to the health of children that will consume chicken fillet.(AU)

Qualidade microbiológica de produtos de origem animal encaminhados para alimentação escolar / Microbiological quality of animal products sent to school feeding

Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos (DTA) estão associadas ao consumo de alimentos e água contaminados por microrganismos patogênicos, sendo alguns desses grupos utilizados como indicadores dos cuidados higiênico-sanitários e empregados nos produtos de origem animal (POA). O objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária dos POA encaminhados para alimentação escolar no município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas no posto de distribuição da Secretaria de Educação. Foram coletadas cinco amostras de todos os lotes de leite UHT, bebida láctea e filés de frango que deram entrada no período de onze meses, totalizando cinquenta e cinco amostras. Os produtos foram avaliados quanto aos padrões microbiológicos da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Além dessas análises foram realizadas pesquisa da presença de Campylobacter e de Salmonella nos produtos de frango. Foi aplicada uma lista de verificação das boas práticas de armazenamento. Todas as amostras estavam dentro dos padrões microbiológicos admitidos pela ANVISA, entretanto Salmonella foi detectada em quatro amostras de filés de frango. Campylobacter não foi isolado de nenhuma amostra. As condições de armazenamento foram consideradas ruins, apresentando 72,4% de não conformidades, especialmente nos quesitos temperatura e condições de armazenamento. A presença de Salmonella pode oferecer risco à saúde das crianças que venham a consumir filé de frango.

Foodborne Diseases (FBD) are associated with the consumption of food and water contaminated by pathogenic micro-organisms. Some groups of micro-organisms are used as indicators of employment sanitary hygienic care employees in animal products. The objective was to evaluate the sanitary hygienic quality of animal products sent to school feeding pellets. Samples were collected in the distribution station of the Department of Education in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brasil. Five samples were collected from all batches of UHT milk, milk drinks and chicken fillets which were received in the period of eleven months, reaching fifty-five samples. Products were evaluated for the microbiological standards of the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). In addition to these analyzes were performed for the presence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken products. A checklist of good storage practices was applied. All samples were within the microbiological standards accepted by ANVISA, however Salmonella was detected in four samples of chicken fillet. Campylobacter was not isolated from any sample. The storage conditions were considered bad, presenting 72.4% of nonconformities, especially in the temperature and storage conditions. The presence of Salmonella can pose a risk to the health of children that will consume chicken fillet.