Post-fundoplication symptoms and complications: Diagnostic approach and treatment. / Síntomas y complicaciones posfunduplicatura: abordaje diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is currently considered the surgical treatment of choice for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its long-term effectiveness is above 90%. Adequate patient selection and the experience of the surgeon are among the predictive factors of good clinical response. However, there can be new, persistent, and recurrent symptoms after the antireflux procedure in up to 30% of the cases. There are numerous causes, but in general, they are due to one or more anatomic abnormalities and esophageal and gastric function alterations. When there are persistent symptoms after the surgical procedure, the surgery should be described as "failed". In the case of a patient that initially manifests symptom control, but the symptoms then reappear, the term "dysfunction" could be used. When symptoms worsen, or when symptoms or clinical situations appear that did not exist before the surgery, this should be considered a "complication". Postoperative dysphagia and dyspeptic symptoms are very frequent and require an integrated approach to determine the best possible treatment. This review details the pathophysiologic aspects, diagnostic approach, and treatment of the symptoms and complications after fundoplication for the management of GERD.

Early tissue responses in psoriasis to the antitumour necrosis factor-α biologic etanercept suggest reduced interleukin-17 receptor expression and signalling.

BACKGROUND: Antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-α therapy has made a significant impact on the treatment of psoriasis. Despite these agents being designed to neutralize TNF-α activity, their mechanism of action in the resolution of psoriasis remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To understand better the mechanism of action of etanercept by examining very early changes in the lesional skin of patients with psoriasis responding to etanercept. METHODS: Twenty patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled and received etanercept 50 mg twice weekly. Skin biopsies were obtained before treatment and on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-treatment. Skin mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and microarray; cytokine and phosphoprotein levels were assessed using multiplexed bead arrays. RESULTS: In etanercept responders, we observed no significant changes in interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22 or interferon-γ mRNA or protein in the first week of treatment; however, there was a 2·5-fold downregulation of IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC) mRNA (P < 0·05) after day 1, accompanied by decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 phosphorylation. Transcriptional analysis revealed that genes suppressed by etanercept significantly overlapped with IL-17A-induced genes, and a marked overlap was also observed between the genes suppressed by etanercept and by the anti-IL-17A agent ixekizumab. Finally we show that TNF-α enhances the expression of IL-17RC, and short hairpin RNA inhibition of IL-17R expression abrogates synergistic gene induction by TNF and IL-17A. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the early responses of psoriasis plaques to etanercept may be due to decreased tissue responsiveness to IL-17A due to suppressed IL-17RC expression in keratinocytes, blunting the strong synergy between TNF-α and IL-17, which contributes to the maintenance of psoriasis lesions.

Inhibitory effects of sucrose fatty acid esters on survival of Yersinia enterocolitica on eggshell surface and use of blue lake as indicator of bacterial penetration into eggs.

AIMS: To determine the effectiveness of sucrose monolaurate (SML) and sucrose monocaprate (SMC), alone and in combination with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), propionic acid (PA) or citric acid (CA) in reducing mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB) and Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 populations on eggshells and their damage potential on the microstructure of shell cuticle. METHODS AND RESULTS: Uninoculated eggs and eggs submerged in a solution of Y. enterocolitica were immersed in solutions of the various treatments. MAB and Y. enterocolitica counts on the surface of the eggs were carried out before and after treatment. MAB counts decreased less than 2 logs on uninoculated eggshells irrespective of treatment and reductions of 3.2 and 3.0 logs of Y. enterocolitica were obtained with 1000 microg ml(-1) SML plus 0.1% CA or 1000 microg ml(-1) SML plus 600 microg ml(-1) EDTA solutions, respectively. Y. enterocolitica 2/O:9 was recovered from natural microflora. Use of blue lake staining revealed minimal damage to the shells from the washing treatments. CONCLUSIONS: SML and SMC at 1000 microg ml(-1) combined with CA or EDTA could be effective in reducing Y. enterocolitica on eggshells with a minimal risk of later bacterial recontamination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Eggs are a recognized vehicle for transmission of Y enterocolitica although a prevalence of only 2.7% was detected in this study. Washing eggs in solutions containing SML or SMC could eliminate Y. enterocolitica contamination of egg shells.

High-performance subambient radiative cooling enabled by optically selective and thermally insulating polyethylene aerogel.

Recent progress in passive radiative cooling technologies has substantially improved cooling performance under direct sunlight. Yet, experimental demonstrations of daytime radiative cooling still severely underperform in comparison with the theoretical potential due to considerable solar absorption and poor thermal insulation at the emitter. In this work, we developed polyethylene aerogel (PEA)-a solar-reflecting (92.2% solar weighted reflectance at 6 mm thick), infrared-transparent (79.9% transmittance between 8 and 13 µm at 6 mm thick), and low-thermal-conductivity (k PEA = 28 mW/mK) material that can be integrated with existing emitters to address these challenges. Using an experimental setup that includes the custom-fabricated PEA, we demonstrate a daytime ambient temperature cooling power of 96 W/m2 and passive cooling up to 13°C below ambient temperature around solar noon. This work could greatly improve the performance of existing passive radiative coolers for air conditioning and portable refrigeration applications.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of pain in patients with pancreatic cancer is a difficult topic for the patients and their physicians. There are different treatment modalities with variable results. Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is a technique with good previous results using fluoroscopy, CT guidance and recently, guided by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The aim of this study is to report the experience of EUS guided CPN (EUS CPN) for treatment of abdominal pain in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer diagnosed by CT, MRI and/or EUS were included. The measurement of pain was made with a visual analog pain scale applied before and after the procedure. Follow up was made at weeks 2 and 4 after the procedure. The use of morphine before and after EUS CPN was evaluated. Complications related to the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: Eleven patients (five men and six women) underwent to the procedure, the mean age was 59 years (range 43-82). In follow-up at four weeks after the procedure, pain scores were reduced by at least 5 points of visual analog pain scale in 9 (72.2%) patients. At least a fifty percent reduction in pain or more was documented in 7 (63.6%) patients. Five patients substantially reduced their pain medication. No complications were seen in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The EUS NPC is an efficient and safe method for pain treatment in those patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy versus chromoendoscopy for the detection of precancerous gastric lesions and early gastric cancer in subjects at average risk for gastric cancer. / Aplicación de la endoscopia sistemática alfanumérica codificada más cromoendoscopia para la detección de lesiones precancerosas gástricas y cáncer gástrico temprano en sujetos con riesgo promedio de cáncer gástrico.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Gastric cancer is one of the main causes of cancer worldwide, but there is currently no global screening strategy for the disease. Endoscopy is the screening method of choice in some Asian countries, but no standardized technique has been recognized. Systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy can increase gastric lesion detection. The aim of the present article was to compare the usefulness of systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy with conventional endoscopy for the detection of premalignant lesions and early gastric cancer in subjects at average risk for gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, comparative, prospective, randomized study was conducted on patients at average risk for gastric cancer (40-50 years of age, no history of H. pylori infection, intestinal metaplasia, gastric atrophy, or gastrointestinal surgery). Before undergoing endoscopy, the patients had gastric preparation (200mg of oral acetylcysteine or 50mg of oral dimethicone). Conventional chromoendoscopy was performed with indigo carmine dye for contrast enhancement. RESULTS: Fifty consecutive cases (mean age 44.4 ± 3.34 years, 60% women, BMI 27.6 ± 5.82 kg/m2) were evaluated. Endoscopic imaging quality was satisfactory in all the cases, with no differences between methods (p = 0.817). The detection rate of premalignant lesions and early gastric cancer was 14% (6 cases of intestinal metaplasia and one case of gastric adenocarcinoma). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 100, 95, 80, 100 and 96%, respectively, for systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy, and 100, 45, 20, 100, and 52%, respectively, for conventional endoscopy. Lesion detection through systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy was superior to that of conventional endoscopy (p = 0.003; OR = 12). CONCLUSION: Both techniques were effective, but systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy significantly reduced the false positive rate.

Resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and natural microflora against acidic conditions and freezing-thawing in fresh sausages.

The resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and natural microflora against lactic acid (LA), ascorbic acid (AA), and freezing-thawing in noninoculated and inoculated fresh sausages was studied. Samples were stored at -18 degrees C for 28 days and thawed in microwave (MW), at room temperature (RT), in refrigerator (R) and under flowing of tap water (F) on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Plate Count Agar (PCA), Sorbitol Mac Conkey agar (SMC) and Mac Conkey agar (MC) were used for microbial counts. A maximal reduction of 1.57 log in mesophilic aerobes and no significant changes in total and fecal coliform levels with respect to the initial counts in natural microflora were observed along storage. In inoculated fresh sausages, reductions of 1.37 log on PCA and 2.17 log on SMC were obtained in E. coli O157:H7 populations as compared to the control groups on day 0. Similarly, reductions of 1.69 log on PCA and 2.79 log on MC as compared to the initial level were observed in counts of Y. enterocolitica inoculated samples. Salmonella Anatum, P. aeruginosa, Y. enterocolitica B1A O:7,8-8-8,19 and E. coli non O157:H7 strains were recovered from the natural microflora by enrichment techniques. Thawing in refrigerator was more frequently related to the best reductions of total mesophilic aerobe, E. coli O157:H7 and Y. enterocolitica O:9 counts than the other thawing methods. Reductions of microbial populations observed in LA treated samples were similar to those observed in AA treated samples. Although the acidic and freezing treatments might reduce the microbial levels in natural microflora of fresh sausages, they appeared to be ineffective in the total elimination of high inocula of pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 and Y. enterocolitica O:9.

Antibacterial effects of different food-related phosphates using Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila is considered to be an emergent food-related bacterium. Phosphates are used as additives, mainly in meat products, to improve the quality of these foods. The antibacterial properties of phosphates are also well known. In this work, two A. hydrophila strains in early exponential phase were used: (A) A. hydrophila ATCC 7965 and (B) A. hydrophila derived from food, isolated in our laboratory. MIC and MBC studies were performed to assess the antibacterial effects of four phosphates assayed in brain heart infusion broth (BHI) and modified complete defined synthetic medium (mCDS) as compared to cooked ground meat medium (CM). The MBC values of the phosphates in CM were significantly higher than MIC values in BHI broth and mCDS medium (P < 0.05). In the two latter media, the growth of both A. hydrophila strains was totally inhibited by concentrations between 0.5 and 3.0%. Although all the assayed phosphates proved to have bactericidal effects on A. hydrophila, 0.5% sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) exhibited greater effects in both strains and was selected for subsequent experiments. The bacteriolytic effect of SAPP was spectrophotometrically determined (260 nm of absorbance) by means of the leakage of intracellular nucleotides and microscopically confirmed by the presence of massive gelatinous aggregates. These were identified by enzymes (RNase, DNase, and proteinase) that hydrolyzed the nucleotides and proteins released during cellular lysis in the presence of SAPP. It was concluded that 0.5% SAPP can have bactericidal and bacteriolytic effects in early exponential phase A. hydrophila cells.

Effect of chlorine, sodium chloride, trisodium phosphate, and ultraviolet radiation on the reduction of Yersinia enterocolitica and mesophilic aerobic bacteria from eggshell surface.

Eggshell sanitizing practices are necessary to improve microbiological safety of fresh hen eggs and their products. In this work, the effects of 100 mg/liter free chlorine (chl), 3% sodium chloride (NaCl), 1, 5, and 12% trisodium phosphate (TSP) in wash solutions, and UVR (ultraviolet radiation; 4.573 microW/cm2) were studied at different times on uninoculated and Yersinia enterocolitica-inoculated eggs. On uninoculated eggs, the best results were obtained with 100 mg/liter chlorine and UV exposure for >25 min, with reductions of 1.28 and 1.60 log cycles, respectively, compared to the average bacterial count (4.55 log CFU/egg) on the control (untreated eggs). On Y. enterocolitica-inoculated eggs, highest reductions of the average bacterial count (7.35 log CFU/egg) were obtained with 5 and 12% TSP and 100 mg/liter chl. The decrease obtained with 12% TSP (3.74-log reduction) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those obtained with the remaining treatments. Y. enterocolitica was more resistant to UVR than the eggshell natural mesophilic aerobic microflora, except when low inoculum (4.39 log CFU/egg) was assayed. Changes in eggshell microstructure were measured by the blue lake staining method. The presence of Yersinia and Salmonella in eggshell natural flora was also investigated.

Survival of Yersinia enterocolitica and mesophilic aerobic bacteria on eggshell after washing with hypochlorite and organic acid solutions.

Populations of Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9 and mesophilic aerobic bacteria on the shell of fresh chicken eggs were assessed prior and after washing with 0.75%, 1%, and 3% acetic and lactic acids, 50, 100, and 200 mg/liter (ppm) of chlorine, and water. Highest reductions of mesophilic aerobic bacterial populations (normal flora) on trypticase soy agar were 1.28 and 2.15 log10 cycles with 100 and 200 mg/liter of chlorine, 0.28 and 0.36 log10 cycles with 1% and 3% acetic acid, and 0.70 and 0.71 log10 cycles with 1% and 3% lactic acid, respectively, as compared to the control group. No Salmonella or Yersinia were detected among the natural flora of the eggs. On Y. enterocolitica O:9-inoculated eggs, reductions of 2.66, 2.77, and 2.92 log10 cycles by 50, 100, and 200 mg/liter of chlorine, of 2.47, 2.48, and 2.49 log10 cycles by 0.75%, 1%, and 3% of acetic acid, and of 2.48 and 2.72 log10 cycles with 1% and 3% of lactic acid, respectively, were observed with respect to the control. Organic acids at 3% caused detachment of the surface cuticle of the eggshell. Y. enterocolitica was more sensitive to the wash treatments than the natural microflora. The absence of potentially pathogenic Y. enterocolitica, observed for other fresh foods, should be a norm for fresh eggs sold in retail stores.

Survival of Aeromonas hydrophila in fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) stored at different temperatures and treated with chlorine.

This study examines the survival of two Aeromonas hydrophila strains (A. hydrophila ATCC 7965 [strain A] and A. hydrophila isolated from food [strain B] on the surface and core tissue of fresh tomatoes stored at different temperatures and the efficacy of chlorine treatment on their survival. Counts of A. hydrophila on the surface of tomatoes stored at 25 and 35 degrees C were significantly higher between days 1 and 4 for both strains as compared to results obtained at 6 degrees C. Core tissue counts of A. hydrophila cells on tomatoes dipped in a cellular suspension at 25 degrees C and stored at 25 degrees C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than counts obtained with dip suspensions at 6 or 35 degrees C. In chopped tomatoes stored at 25 and 35 degrees C, populations of aerobic mesophiles showed significant increases after 96 and 70 h, respectively. The populations of both A. hydrophila strains in chopped tomatoes stored at 6 degrees C increased significantly after 96 h, while at 25 and 35 degrees C the counts increased in the first hours of incubation. Viable counts of A. hydrophila on the surface and central tissue of tomatoes significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when the samples were dipped for 2 min in chlorine at a concentration of 50 ppm (50 microgram/ml). The results suggest that tomatoes should be kept at low temperatures during storage, shipping, and retail stocking and that chlorine at a concentration of 50 ppm should be used to reduce the levels of A. hydrophila.

Effectiveness of various disinfectants in the elimination of Yersinia enterocolitica on fresh lettuce.

The effectiveness of various disinfectants against two potentially pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains (Y. enterocolitica W1024 O:9 [strain A] and Y. enterocolitica B O:5 Lis Xz [strain B]) on shredded lettuce was examined. Dip-wash treatments using 25, 100, and 300 ppm of chlorine at 4 and 22 degrees C, 0.2% Orenco Peel 40, 0.1% Tergitol, 0.5% acetic acid, and 0.5% lactic acid at 22 degrees C were performed. Surfactants and organic acids were also tested in combination with 100 ppm of chlorine. Reductions of Y. enterocolitica counts with 100 ppm (2.68 log10 for strain A and 2.36 log10 for strain B at 22 degrees C) and 300 ppm of chlorine (3.15 log10 for strain A and 2.55 log10 for strain B at 4 degrees C) were observed after 10 min. Inhibitory effect of different chlorine solutions was not significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by temperature. Surfactants in combination with chlorine were more effective than surfactants alone. Treatment with 0.2% Orenco Peel 40 plus 100 ppm of chlorine resulted in reductions of 2.69 log10 CFU/g for strain A and 3.18 1og10 CFU/g for strain B at 10 min. Dip solutions containing 0.1% Tergitol plus 100 ppm of chlorine produced a significant reduction of 2.73 log10 CFU/g in strain A (P < 0.05). With the 0.5% lactic acid plus 100 ppm of chlorine combination, inactivation of Y. enterocolitica was >6 log10. The bactericidal effect of disinfectants was related to the concentration, exposure time, combination with chlorine (surfactants and organic acids), and susceptibility of each strain. Since the presence of pathogenic Y. enterocolitica on ready-to-use vegetables represents a health hazard, treatments as effective as 0.5% lactic acid plus 100 ppm of chlorine are recommended for washing of fresh lettuce.

Protective immunity induced by a Yersinia enterocolitica serovar 0:8 cellular extract.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective power of a cellular extract (CE) from Y. enterocolitica 0:8 grown in condition of expression of chromosomal antigens. Mice were immunized by s.c. route and challenged with: 0 LD50 (1 x 10(4) CFU/ml). Immunoblotting showed that CE-specific serum reacted with several CE antigens. Prominent bands, of molecular weights 60 and 35.5, were present in cytoplasmic and membrane fraction, respectively. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was detected in CE. These findings suggest that chromosomally-encoded antigens present in CE may induce protection against Y. enterocolitica infection. Both humoral and cellular immune response contribute to protection in mice.

Yersinia ssp. in surface water in San Luis, Argentina.

Yersinia spp. was examined in three rivers and two lakes located in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, over a 1-year period. Water samples were concentrated either by Moore's gauze technique or by filtering through diatomaceous earth. Five enrichment media: yeast extract--Bengal rose broth (YER) with bile-oxalate-sorbose broth (BOS); 67 mmol/L phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.6; PBS); PBS enriched with a 1% mannitol and 1% peptone (PBSMP); PBS with lyzed 0.5% sheep blood (PBSB); Wauters broth (W); and five plating media: Mac Conkey agar (MC); Salmonella--Shigella agar (SS); 5% sheep blood agar (BA); lactose-sucrose-urea agar (LSU) and irgasan-novobiocin agar (IN) were used. The following strains were isolated: Y. intermedia B1 O:4,32-4,33 Lis Xz (four strains), Y. intermedia B1 O:57 Lis Xo (one strain), Y. intermedia B2 O:57 Lis Xo (one strain), Y. enterocolitica B1 O:10-34 Lis Xz (one strain), and Y. frederiksenii undetermined biovar, O:16-16,29 Lis Xz (two strains). The incidence of isolation of Yersinia spp. was 7.14%. YER-BOS proved to be the best enrichment method since it allowed the highest recovering Yersinia spp. strains. Among plating media, the best results were obtained with MC. Apparently, the isolation of Yersinia spp. can be related to environmental variables such as temperature differences between cold and warm seasons. Negative results obtained during virulence assays suggest that isolated strains lack the pathogenic potential against man.

Arthritogenicity of Yersinia enterocolitica O:8 in hamsters: analysis of the immune response.

An animal model, hamster, was used for the study of Yersinia-induced arthritis. The development of arthritis, estimated by measuring the inflammation on hind paws after infection, was correlated with the kinetics of the immune response. Histological and immunofluorescence (IFI) studies and serum antibody measurements were performed. Two inflammatory peaks were observed: an acute one on day 11 post-infection (p.i.) and a chronic one on days 26-35 p.i. Joint cultures were positive until day 14 p.i. IFI was used to demonstrate the deposit of bacterial antigens in the joint. A persistent response of cellular extract-specific IgG antibodies was observed until day 94. Lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG was statistically significant on day 26 p.i. Antibodies against bands 66 and 54 were observed by immunoblotting. Polyclonal activation was detected during reactive arthritis. It is shown that Y. enterocolitica is arthritogenic in hamsters, immune mechanisms participating in the development of this disease.

Effectiveness of chlorine, organic acids and UV treatments in reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Yersinia enterocolitica on apples.

This study assessed the effectiveness of 200 and 500 ppm of chlorine and organic acids (0.5% lactic acid and 0.5% citric acid) in wash solutions, and UV radiation for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Yersinia enterocolitica on apples contaminated by two different methods. Residual levels of these pathogens after different treatments were compared. On dip inoculated apples, Y. enterocolitica reductions of 2.66 and 2.77 logs were obtained with 200 and 500 ppm chlorine combined with 0.5% lactic acid, respectively. The E. coli O157:H7 population decreased 3.35 log with 0.5% lactic acid wash solution, and 2.72 and 2.62 logs after 500 ppm chlorine and 500 ppm chlorine plus 0.5% lactic acid treatments, respectively. Similar reductions were obtained with UV radiation. On spot inoculated apples, significant (p < 0.05) decreases of 4.67 and 4.58 logs were observed in E. coli O157:H7 and Y. enterocolitica levels, respectively, after 500 ppm chlorine plus 0.5% lactic acid treatment as compared with the control. In sectioned apples, microorganisms infiltrated in inner core region and pulp were not significantly (p < 0.05) affected by disinfection treatments. No pathogens were detected in the natural microflora on apples. Reductions such as those obtained with 500 ppm chlorine plus 0.5% lactic acid solution were very proximal to the 5-log score required by FDA for apple disinfection.

Elimination of Yersinia enterocolitica by chlorine on fresh tomatoes.

The effect of temperature throughout 18 day-storage and the efficacy of different free chlorine concentrations in washing solutions upon the survival of Yersinia enterocolitica on surface of inoculated fresh tomatoes were studied. Two virulence plasmid-bearing strains. A. Y. enterocolitica W1024 0:9--a reference strain--and B. Y. enterocolitica B1 0:5 Lis Xz--a strain isolated from food in San Luis, Argentina, were assayed. Counts of both strains at 6 degrees C did not present significant changes during the first 4 days, but increased until day 15. Both strains were able to grow on tomatoes stored at 22 degrees C and 35 degrees C. At 22 degrees C maximum values were obtained on days 3 and 4, with a subsequent significant decrease. Highest counts were obtained at 37 degrees C. No detectable levels of viable cells were observed by using 500 ppm free chlorine washing solution. Non-inoculated tomatoes were analyzed for Y. enterocolitica with negative results. Zero tolerance for pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strains has been recommended for ready-to-use vegetables. Therefore, sanitary measures should be taken in the manipulation and storage of fresh tomatoes.

[Bacteria of the genus Yersinia in chickens for human consumption and in balanced bird food]. / Investigación de bacterias del género Yersinia en pollos destinados al consumo y en alimento balanceado para aves.

Yersinia was investigated in 50 skin samples of chicken carcasses from retail shops and 65 samples of balanced food for domestic fowl. Enrichments were performed in saline phosphate buffer 0.067 M, pH 7.6 and post-enriched in 0.5% KOH. Subcultures were performed in Salmonella-Shigella agar and MacConkey agar. Isolates were identified through biochemical, serological and lysotyping methods. The following biovar (B), serovar (O) and phagovar (Lis) were isolated from chickens: Y. enterocolitica (five strains) B:1:O:6,47;Lis Xz; B:1;O:6:Lis Xz; B:1:O:5,Lis Xz; Y.intermedia (two strains) B:1;O:52;Lis Xz; B:1;O:52,53,54;Lis Xz (NRA, nitrate reductase type A); Y. frederiksenii (two strains) O:10,K1,25,35,38,46:Lis Xz; (citrate): O:10,K1,25,35,38,46:Lis Xz (ONPG-: citrate +); Y. kristensenii (one strain) does not agglutinate; Lis Xo. Yersinia were not isolated from balanced food for domestic fowl. Virulence tests (calcium dependency and autoagglutination at 37 degrees C) were negative in all instances. It is concluded from this study that Yersinia isolated from chickens are without pathogenic importance.

[Evaluation of the hygienico-sanitary quality of fresh noodles]. / Determinación de la calidad higiénico-sanitaria de fideos frescos.

Total mesophyllic aerobes (MT), total coliforms (CT), fecal coliforms (CF), Escherichia coli (EC), molds and yeasts (HyL) and Salmonella were studied in 50 samples of fresh noodles (32 to 35% water) prepared with dried or with liquid egg. Values obtained were: (in parenthesis number of positive samples) MT, 10(4) to 10(6) CFU/g (48%). HyL, 10(2) to 10(4) CFU/g (76%). CT, 4 to 100/g (32%) and 460/g (2%). CF, 3 to 10/g (14%) and 21/g (6%). For EC only two samples were positive with 4 and 9/g respectively. The same serovar of Salmonella (S. oranienburg) was detected in 88% of the samples.

[Serologic survey of brucellosis in the personnel of an abattoir in San Luis, Argentina]. / Encuesta serológica de brucelosis en personal de un frigorífico de San Luis, Argentina.

Blood samples obtained from 256 workers of an abattoir were tested for brucellosis antibodies and 11.7% were found reactive. The highest rate was 44.2% among those who had contact with blood and viscera, and 26.1% among workers at slaughter section. Four tests were used: plaque agglutination (PA), tube agglutination (TA), card test (CT) and complement fixation (CF). The highest number of positive reactions was obtained by the PA and TA tests, with a complete coincidence in both results. When both test titers were the same or less than 50 IU, CF and CT yielded less percentage of positive results. When titers were higher than 50 IU, CT but CF showed concordance between the results.