Pet treats containing dried beef may be contaminated with the foodborne pathogen, Salmonella enterica, and could infect humans say researchers from Canada and Nebraska. Their findings appear in the October 2003 issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
In the study, strains of S. enterica were collected from five Canadian patients suffering from salmonella infections and compared to a strain isolated from a commercial pet treat found on the property of one of the patients. The human and pet treat salmonella were found to be "highly related," suggesting that the patients may have contracted an infection when handing their pet a treat.
"This study is the first to implicate the transfer of multidrug-resistant Salmonella species through the handling of commercial pet treats containing animal products," say the researchers. "Therefore, the association between animals, humans, and the handling of pet treats containing animal products, which are available in pet shops and retail stores, could play a role in the increasing prevalence of AmpC-producing S. enterica stereotype Newport infections observed in the United States and Alberta."
(J.D.D. Pitout, M.D. Reisbig, M. Mulvey, L. Chui, M. Louie, L. Crowe, D.L. Church, S. Elsayed, D. Gregson, R. Ahmed, P. Tilley, N. Hanson. 2003. Association between handling of pet treats and infection with Salmonella enterica serotype newport expressing the AmpC B-Lactamase, CMY-2. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 41. 10: 4578-4582.)
NEW METHOD OF TREATMENT MAY REDUCE CONTAMINATION OF RETAIL POULTRY
Viruses may be an effective strategy to reduce the number of chicken products contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni say researchers from the United Kingdom. Their findings appear in the October 2003 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Since the 1970's, campylobacters have been recognized as one of the leading sources of gastrointestinal disease in humans. One current method of reducing contamination in chicken products involves washing the carcasses in scald water containing hyperchlorite followed by emersion in chilled water tanks, however studies have shown this treatment is not very effective in reducing the presence of human pathogens.
In the study, samples of chicken skin were contaminated with both C. jejuni and bacteriophage, viruses that specifically infect and kill bacteria but are harmless to humans, while a control group received only the bacterium. The samples were stored at fresh and freezing temperatures for ten days. Daily testing results showed significantly less contamination in the bacteriophage samples, especially those kept at temperatures below freezing.
"The fact that phage are able to survive on the surface of chicken skin for a period of at least 10 days when stored under either fresh or frozen conditions is important when considering the potential efficacy and environmental impact of phage therapy on animals that carry campylobacter," say the researchers. "Phage of campylobacter along with their hosts can potentially survive on the retail product until well after its shelf life."
(R.J. Atterbury, P.L. Connerton, C.E.R. Dodd, C.E.D. Rees, I.F. Connerton. 2003. Application of host-specific bacteriophages to the surface of chicken skin leads to a reduction in recovery of Campylobacter jejuni. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 69. 10: 6302-6306.)
GUM DISEASE CONTRIBUTES TO HEART DISEASE
Periodontitis may be a contributing factor in the development of heart disease say researchers from Boston University and Harvard Medical School. Their findings appear in the October 2003 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity.
In the study, rabbits were fed a high-fat diet, one of the main factors contributing to the buildup of cholesterol deposits in the aorta, for 13 weeks. The periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, was administered to half the group to induce periodontitis. Researchers found the infected rabbits had significantly greater amounts of cholesterol accumulation in the aorta.
"The results provide direct evidence that periodontitis may be a risk factor and may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis," say the researchers. "The data support the concept that infections at remote locations can modulate atherosclerotic events distantly."
(A. Jain, E.L. Batista, Jr., C. Serhan, G.L. Stahl, T.E. Van Dyke. 2003. Role for periodontitis in the progression of lipid deposition in an animal model. Infection and Immunity, 71. 10: 6012-6018.)