Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains of swine origin: molecular typing and susceptibility to oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil and maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz) extract.

AIM: The molecular typing and the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains of swine origin to antibiotics, oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil (EO) and Chilean blackberry maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz) extract were determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty S. aureus strains of swine origin were subjected to molecular typing, of which six strains were selected for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The epsilon test (Etest) was used to determine the antibiotic susceptibility. The susceptibility to natural antimicrobials (NAs): oregano EO, maqui extract, thymol (Thy) and carvacrol (Carv), was carried out using the disk diffusion method. The S. aureus strains were genetically diverse. All strains were resistant to at least one class of antibiotic, and two strains were multidrug-resistant. The minimum inhibitory concentration of oregano EO, Thy and Carv was 0·01-0·04%. Maqui extract did not show antistaphylococcal activity. CONCLUSIONS: Natural antimicrobials extracted from oregano have an inhibitory activity against S. aureus strains from swine origin, with no effect using maqui extract. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides information about the characteristics of S. aureus strains of swine origin, and about the potential use of NAs from oregano to enhance the control of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains in the pork supply chain.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from canine pyoderma in North China.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence of carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) among dogs with pyoderma from two small animal hospitals in North China during a 21-month period and to characterize these isolates. METHODS AND RESULTS: Swabs were taken from 260 dogs with pyoderma, and the staphylococcal species isolated and methicillin resistance were confirmed phenotypically and genotypically. The identified MRSP isolates were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), spa typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec typing, testing for susceptibility to nine antimicrobial agents and SmaI-digested pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Thirty-three (12·7%) dogs were positive for MRSP. The most prevalent genotypes detected among MRSP were ST71(MLST)-t06(spa)-II-III(SCCmec) (n = 22, 66·7%), followed by ST5-t19 (n = 8, 24·2%), ST126-III(n = 2, 6·1%) and ST6-t02-V (3·0%). All MRSP isolates showed extended resistance to tested antimicrobial agents. Eight different SmaI patterns were observed in 21 typeable MRSP isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical isolates of MSRP isolated from dogs in North China belonged to two major clonal lineages ST71 and ST5. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is the first report on MRSP from canine pyoderma in China. Further surveillance study is needed to gain more detailed data concerning this major clinical challenge in veterinary medicine.

Effect of Feeding a Postbiotic Derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation as a Preharvest Food Safety Hurdle for Reducing Salmonella Enteritidis in the Ceca of Layer Pullets.

ABSTRACT: Salmonella Enteritidis is responsible for a significant proportion of foodborne salmonellosis in the United States and continues to be attributable to table eggs despite increased federal oversight. Technologies, including feed additives, continue to be evaluated for preharvest application and their potential food safety benefits. Diamond V Original XPC, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation-based postbiotic (SCFP), was evaluated for its effectiveness in reducing Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) colonization in young layer pullets. A total of 40 day-old Hy-Line W-36 layer pullets were equally divided and randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments, with SCFP or without SCFP (PCON), and orally gavaged on day 28 with SE at 106 CFU/mL. Another 20 day-old pullets were fed the same control feed without SCFP and blank inoculated on day 28 with 1 mL of sterile phosphate-buffered saline to serve as a negative control. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of cecal contents for Salmonella were performed for all birds on day 32. The prevalence of SE in the ceca of all directly challenged birds was 100%; however, the SE concentration in birds fed SCFP diet (3.35 log CFU/g) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) than that of the PCON birds not fed SCFP (4.49 log CFU/g). The proportion of birds with enumerable SE concentrations was lower in SCFP-fed pullets (57.9%) than in the PCON pullets (95.0%). These data suggest that inclusion of SCFP in the diet may aid in the reduction of SE within the ceca of commercial laying hens and could serve as an additional preharvest food safety hurdle.

Repeated therapeutic dosing selects macrolide-resistant Campylobacter spp. in a turkey facility.

AIMS: This study assessed the effects of the therapeutic use of Tylan® in a large-scale turkey production facility on the selection of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter. METHODS AND RESULTS: A flock of production turkeys (c. 30,000 birds) was followed from brooding to slaughter, and the effects of macrolide application was assessed in one half of the flock from finishing stage to final product and compared against the control barn where no macrolide was used. Overall, Campylobacter prevalence in turkeys was almost 100% by 4 weeks of age. When Campylobacter prevalence was assessed in relation to treatment, high levels of macrolide resistance were evident in this group following treatment, with Campylobacter coli becoming the dominant strain type. Over time, and in the absence of a selection agent, the population of resistant strains decreased suggesting that there was a fitness cost associated with macrolide resistance carriage and persistence. Macrolide resistance was detected in the control barn at a very low level (four isolates recovered during the study), suggesting that the creation or selection of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter was correlated with the treatment regime used. Molecular analysis of a selection of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter recovered was assessed using PCR, RFLP and sequence analysis of the 23S rRNA. The majority of isolates displaying high-level macrolide resistance (>256 µg ml(-1)) possessed an A2075G transition mutation in the 23S rRNA and the CmeABC efflux pump. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that macrolide resistance can be promoted through the application of treatment during the grow-out phase and once established in a production facility has the potential to persist and be transferred to final product. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study highlights the prudent use of antimicrobials in treatment of disease in poultry. Of significance is the presence of macrolide-resistant Campylobacter in poultry production and finished product as a consequence of macrolide usage.

Characterization of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence genes of Salmonella serovars collected at a commercial turkey processing plant.

AIMS: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, distribution of class 1 integrons, virulence genes and genes encoding resistance to tetracycline (tetA, tetC, tetD and tetE) and streptomycin (strA, strB and aadA1) in Salmonella recovered from turkeys. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antimicrobial susceptibility of 80 isolates was determined using National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. The distribution of resistance genes, class 1 integrons and virulence genes was determined using PCR. Resistances to tetracycline (76 x 3%) and streptomycin (40%) were common. Sixty-two (77 x 5%) isolates displayed resistance against one or more antimicrobials and 33 were multi-drug resistant. tetA was detected in 72 x 5% of the isolates, while tetC, tetD and tetE were not detected. The strA and strB genes were detected in 73 x 8% of the isolates. Two isolates possessed class 1 integrons of 1 kb in size, containing the aadA1 gene conferring resistance to streptomycin and spectinomycin. Fourteen of the virulence genes were detected in over 80% of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that continuous use of tetracycline and streptomycin in poultry production selects for resistant strains. The Salmonella isolates recovered possess significant ability to cause human illness. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Information from this study can be employed in guiding future strategies for the use of antimicrobials in poultry production.

Changes in the prevalence of Salmonella serovars associated swine production and correlations of avian, bovine and swine-associated serovars with human-associated serovars in the United States (1997-2015).

As Salmonella enterica is an important pathogen of food animals, surveillance programmes for S. enterica serovars have existed for many years in the United States. Surveillance programmes serve many purposes, one of which is to evaluate alterations in the prevalence of serovars that may signal changes in the ecology of the target organism. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the proportion of S. enterica serovars isolated from swine over a near 20-year observation period (1997-2015) using four longitudinal data sets from different food animal species. The secondary aim was to evaluate correlations between changes in S. enterica serovars frequently recovered from food animals and changes in S. enterica serovars associated with disease in humans. We found decreasing proportions of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, serovar Derby and serovar Heidelberg and increasing proportions of S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:-, serovar Infantis and serovar Johannesburg in swine over time. We also found positive correlations for the yearly changes in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:-, serovar Anatum and serovar Johannesburg between swine and human data; in S. enterica Worthington between avian and human data; and in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- between bovine and human data. We found negative correlations for the yearly changes in S. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- and serovar Johannesburg between avian and human data.

Cross contamination of turkey carcasses by Salmonella species during defeathering.

Salmonella present on the feathers of live birds could be a source of contamination to carcass skin during defeathering. In this study, the possibility of transfer of Salmonella from the feathers of live turkeys to carcass tissue during the defeathering process at a commercial turkey processing plant was investigated. The contribution of scald water and the fingers of the picker machines to cross contamination were also examined. Over 4 visits, swab samples were collected from 174 randomly selected tagged birds before and after defeathering. Two swab samples from the fingers of the picker machines and a sample of scald water were also collected during each visit. Detection of Salmonella was carried out following standard cultural and identification methods. The DNA fingerprints obtained from pulsed field gel electrophoresis of Salmonella serotypes isolated before and after defeathering, from scald water, and from the fingers of the picker machines were compared to trace cross contamination routes. Salmonella prevalence was similar before and after defeathering during visits 2 and 3 and significantly increased after defeathering during visits 1 and 4. Over the 4 visits, all Salmonella subtypes obtained after defeathering were also isolated before defeathering. The results of this study suggest that Salmonella was transferred from the feathers to carcass skin during each visit. On each visit, the Salmonella subtypes isolated from the fingers of the picker machines were similar to subtypes isolated before and after defeathering, indicating that the fingers facilitate carcass cross contamination during defeathering. Salmonella isolated from scald water during visit 4 was related to isolates obtained before and after defeathering, suggesting that scald water is also a vehicle for cross contamination during defeathering. By using molecular subtyping, this study demonstrated the relationship between Salmonella present on the feathers of live turkeys and carcass skin after defeathering, suggesting that decontamination procedures applied to the external surfaces of live turkeys could reduce Salmonella cross contamination during defeathering.

An evaluation of sampling methods for the detection of Escherichia coli and Salmonella on Turkey carcasses.

The efficacy of rinse, excision, and swab methods for the microbiological analysis of prechill turkey carcasses was investigated. Aerobic plate counts from a 50-cm2 area of the breast sampled by excision and by swabbing were compared. Escherichia coli and Salmonella recoveries were determined from turkeys sampled by a carcass rinse (CR), a modified rinse with the carcass supported in a swing (MCR), a two-site swab of 50 cm2 at the back and thigh (2S), a one-site swab of 50 cm2 beneath the wing (1S), a whole-carcass swab of the inner and outer carcass surface (WS), and excision of 25 g of neck skin tissue (NE). The effect of diluent volume (25, 50, and 100 ml) on E. coli counts from swab samples was also assessed. The aerobic plate count from breast tissue sampled by excision was greater than that by swabbing (P < 0.05). E. coli recoveries by the MCR method were similar to those by CR. E. coli counts from IS and WS samples were higher when swabs were stomached in 50 rather than 25 ml of diluent (P < 0.05). For swabs stomached in 50 ml of diluent, E. coli recoveries by the MCR, 2S, 1S, and WS methods were similar. For swabs stomached in 50 ml of diluent, Salmonella recoveries by the WS and MCR methods were higher than those by the 2S and 1S methods. Excision was more effective than swabbing for obtaining total bacterial counts from reduced turkey carcass areas. Whole-carcass sampling by rinsing or swabbing is necessary for optimum Salmonella recovery. Sampling a reduced area of the carcass is sufficient for E. coli analysis.

Phenomenology of panic attacks: a descriptive study of panic disorder patients' self-reports.

The phenomenology of panic disorder and panic attacks was systematically assessed in 46 consecutive patients. The results suggest that DSM-III criteria include several symptoms that are not frequently present during a panic attack and that DSM-III's characterization of a panic attack is imprecise and misleading. Panic attacks were found to vary in intensity, frequency, spontaneity, and associated symptoms. A panic attack typically presents as a unified symptom complex of psychic anxiety and multiple somatic symptoms in multiple body systems. It occurs in a crescendolike pattern, is self-limited, and often leaves the subject weak or shaken. The temporal course as much as the symptomatic presentation defines a panic attack.

Positive perimenstrual changes: toward a new perspective on the menstrual cycle.

Although many women report negative symptoms, the perimenstrual phase also is associated with enhanced mood and performance among some women. However, research on perimenstrual concomitants reflects a sterotypic negative bias that does not encompass the complexity of the phenomena. This paper tries to redress that balance by documenting the prevalence of positive perimenstrual changes. Overall, about 5-15% of women experience increased excitement, energy, and well-being in the perimenstrual phase. Many women also report increased activity, heightened sexuality, and improved performance on certain types of tasks during the perimenstrual phase. Future research should examine why some women report positive perimenstrual changes, the extent to which individual variations in hormone levels can account for differences in women's perimenstrual experience, and how much women differ in their responsiveness to changing hormone levels. The influence of menstrual-related beliefs and expectations on the changes a woman reports also needs to be clarified.

Yersinia spp. and numbers, with particular reference to Y. enterocolitica bio/serotypes, occurring on Irish meat and meat products, and the influence of alkali treatment on their isolation.

Samples (n = 340) of Irish meat and meat products were examined to determine the incidence and initial numbers of Yersinia spp. present. In cases where no typical Yersinia colonies were observed, samples were cold enriched up to 21 days at 4 degrees C and streaked out on CIN agar with and without post-enrichment alkali treatment. The highest isolation rates of Yersinia were found using post-enrichment alkali treatment and an incubation temperature of 37 degrees C. All Yersinia isolates were identified to species level and Y. enterocolitica isolates were biotyped and serotyped. Pathogenic isolates (biotypes 1B-5) were examined for the presence of a virulence plasmid using dye binding reactions and agglutination tests. The incidence of Yersinia spp. was high on raw (89%) and cooked meats (49%) obtained fromdelicatessen counters but lower in pre-packaged cooked meats (18.8%). Initial numbers of Yersinia were generally < 2.7 log10cfu/g on raw meats and < 0.7 log10cfu/g on cooked.

Antimicrobial resistance of Listeria spp. recovered from processed bison.

AIMS: The current study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of 86 Listeria spp. isolated from processed bison carcasses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Susceptibility to 25 antimicrobial agents was determined using E-test and National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) panels. Most Listeria isolates (88-98%) exhibited resistance to bacitracin, oxacillin, cefotaxime, and fosfomycin. Resistance to tetracycline (18.6%) was also common. Of the 16 tetracycline-resistant Listeria isolates, 15 carried tetM and 2 contained integrase of Tn1545 transposons. Rifampicin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were the most active antimicrobial agents against Listeria spp., with a MIC(90) of 0.38 microg ml(-1). Ampicillin, erythromycin, penicillin, gentamicin, and tobramycin also exhibited good activity against Listeria spp., with MIC(90) not exceeding 1 microg ml(-1). Differences in resistance among Listeria spp. was displayed, as Listeria innocua strains were more resistant than other Listeria species. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that Listeria monocytogenes strains from bison were susceptible to the antibiotics most commonly used to treat human listeriosis. However, the presence of antimicrobial resistance in L. innocua indicates the potential for transfer of resistance and a conjugative transposon to L. monocytogenes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The findings of our study will provide useful information for the development of public health policy in the use of antimicrobials in food animal production.

Characterization of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli isolated from processed bison carcasses.

AIM: To determine the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli from bison carcasses. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The antimicrobial resistance of 138 E. coli isolates recovered from processed bison carcasses was determined by using the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System panels, polymerase chain reaction assays, plasmid analysis and conjugation studies. RESULTS: Resistance to 14 of the 16 antimicrobials was observed. Twenty-three (16.7%) isolates displayed resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. The most prevalent resistances were to tetracycline (13.0%), sulfamethoxazole (7.9%) and streptomycin (5.8%). No resistance was observed to amikacin and ciprofloxacin. Further analysis of 23 antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates showed the presence of resistance genes corresponding to their phenotypic profiles. Results of conjugation studies carried out showed most isolates tested were able to transfer their resistance to recipients. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates are present in bison. However, the resistance rate is lower than that reported in other meat species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The beneficial effects of antimicrobial-free feeding practice in bison may be promoting a reduction in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in commensal flora of bison.

Detection of Iss and Bor on the surface of Escherichia coli.

AIMS: To confirm the presence of Iss and Bor on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli using Western blots of outer membrane protein (OMP) preparations and fluorescence microscopy, and explore the use of fluorescence microscopy for the detection of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and diagnosis of avian colibacillosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Knockout mutants of iss and bor were created using a one-step recombination of target genes with PCR-generated antibiotic resistance cassettes. Anti-Iss monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) that cross-react with Bor protein were used to study the mutants relative to the wild-type organism. These Mabs were used as reagents to study OMP preparations of the mutants with Western blotting and intact E. coli cells with fluorescence microscopy. Iss and Bor were detected in Western blots of OMP preparations of the wild type. Also, Iss was detected on Deltabor mutants, and Bor was detected on Deltaiss mutants. Iss and Bor were also detected on the surface of the intact, wild-type cells and mutants using fluorescence microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that Bor and Iss are exposed on E. coli's outer membrane where they may be recognized by the host's immune system. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To our knowledge, this is the first report confirming Iss' location in the outer membrane of an E. coli isolate. Such surface exposure has implications for the use of these Mabs for APEC detection and colibacillosis control.

Growth studies of plasmid bearing and plasmid cured Yersinia enterocolitica GER O:3 in the presence of cefsulodin, irgasan and novobiocin at 25 and 37 degrees C.

AIM: In this study, the growth characteristics of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4, GER O:3 plasmid bearing (P+) and plasmid cured (P-) strain types were evaluated in brain heart infusion broth supplemented with cefsulodin, irgasan, and novobiocin alone or in combination. METHODS AND RESULTS: Growth curves were obtained for the two strain types in broth supplemented with selective agents at 25 or 37 degrees C for 32 h to obtain data on the lag phase durations and growth rates of the strains. Generally, the lag times and growth rates of the P+ and P- strains were similar for cultures incubated at 25 degrees C regardless of the selective agent added and where plasmid replication and expression were not under any significant burden. However, where the lag times and growth rates of the strains were examined at 37 degrees C, significant differences were observed in the lag phase durations of the plasmid bearing strain type compared the plasmid cured strain, an effect that was due to the burden of the plasmid and the influence of selective agents. Generally, when two or more agents were present, lag phase durations were longer for the plasmid bearing strain. Some exceptions noted where in the presence of irgasan or full selective agent (CIN) the opposite case was observed. When growth rates were compared, the plasmidless strain type was typically faster than the plasmid bearing strain in the presence of most selective agents at 37 degrees C and the growth rates of both strain types at 25 degrees C were similar where the temperature appeared to negate the effects of plasmid. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in these studies suggest that selective agents (in particular irgasan) and incubation temperature play a significant role in influencing the growth characteristics of plasmid bearing and plasmid cured strains of Y. enterocolitica. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This data presented in this study has significant implications for enrichment methods used in the detection or recovery of plasmid bearing Y. enterocolitica strains from food, environmental or clinical samples.

Adding a selective enrichment step to the iQ-Check real-time PCR improves the detection of Salmonella in naturally contaminated retail turkey meat products.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the real-time iQ-Check Salmonella kit (Bio-Rad) with the immunocapture assay RapidCheck Salmonella method, and a conventional culture method (FSIS, USDA) in detecting Salmonella in naturally contaminated turkey meat products. This study was also designed to determine if a selective enrichment step might improve the real-time detection of Salmonella. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the culture method, Salmonella was recovered from 49 out of 99 retail turkey meat samples collected. RapidCheck failed to detect 11 Salmonella samples that were positive by the culture method. The iQ-Check real-time PCR also failed to detect three samples that were positive by the culture method. However, when carried out after a selective enrichment step, the iQ-Check real-time PCR detected all 49 Salmonella samples recovered by the culture method. The iQ-Check real-time PCR detected the presence of Salmonella in some samples that were not recovered by the culture method. CONCLUSIONS: Adding a selective enrichment step to the iQ-Check real-time PCR improves the detection of Salmonella in naturally contaminated turkey meat samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The iQ-Check Salmonella real-time PCR can be used as a rapid method to monitor Salmonella in turkey meat, together with conventional culture methodology.

Studies of steam decontamination of beef inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and its effect on subsequent storage.

AIM: This study was carried out to determine the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and subsequent shelf life of beef subjected to subatmospheric steam at differing temperatures. METHODS AND RESULTS: A specifically built, laboratory scale decontamination apparatus was used in decontamination trials to examine the effect of condensing steam at differing subatmospheric pressures on the survival of E. coli O157:H7 on meat. Beef slices were inoculated with a nontoxigenic E. coli O157:H7 strain and subjected to condensing steam at temperatures of 55, 65 and 75 degrees C. Following treatment, the decontaminated meat was packaged and stored in air or under vacuum at temperatures of 10 or 0 degrees C for up to 42 days. Microbiological analysis of the decontaminated and a control product (not subjected to any heat treatment) was carried out at regular intervals over the storage time of the product. Overall, significant reductions (ca 1.5 log(10) CFU cm(-2)) in pathogen numbers were observed at a steam treatment temperature of 75 degrees C, however, postprocess storage conditions were important in ensuring no re-growth of the pathogen and this was best achieved by storage under vacuum at 0 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Steam had a significant impact in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations, but storage conditions post-treatment were important for ensuring inhibition of the pathogen. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study indicated that subatmospheric steam could have significant application in the decontamination of meat primals postfabrication, immediately prior to packaging thus ensuring a safer product for consumers.

Perimenstrual symptoms: prevalence and risk factors.

This article provides an overview of information on the prevalence of perimenstrual symptoms. Overall, at least 40% of women experience some cyclical perimenstrual symptoms. Although most women rate their symptoms as mild, approximately 2%-10% report severe symptoms. Prospective studies of perimenstrual symptoms indicate that retrospective reports are reasonably accurate among women who experience moderate to severe symptoms. However, among the majority of women with few or minimal symptoms, retrospective reports may amplify the cyclicity of variation in comparison to concurrent reports. A variety of risk factors are associated with patterns of symptom reporting and may provide clues to the etiology of perimenstrual symptoms and help to identify women most vulnerable to them. A woman's age and cycle characteristics are predictors of the type and severity of perimenstrual symptoms she experiences. In addition, a history of affective illness may be associated with increased reporting of perimenstrual symptoms. Future research should focus on developing new diagnostic criteria for subtypes of perimenstrual syndromes, exploring positive symptoms and experiences associated with the menstrual cycle, and formulating holistic treatment approaches that view perimenstrual syndromes as psychosomatic conditions.

A family study of anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

A family study is presented that examines the association between eating disorders and affective illness. 307 relatives of 30 eating disorder patients, of 16 patients with major depression, and of 20 normal controls, were interviewed to determine lifetime histories of psychiatric illness. Using logistic regression analyses, the results supported previous findings of a familial association between eating disorders and major depression. However, there was no evidence that clinical features of eating disorder patients (presence of bulimia or major depression) can be used to predict morbid risk. In addition, the results failed to reveal a familial aggregation of either alcoholism or drug abuse in eating disorder families.