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Las imágenes por resonancia magnética han mostrado ser de gran utilidad en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de múltiples enfermedades que afectan el sistema nervioso central. El gadolinio se ha utilizado ampliamente a nivel mundial. Se estima que desde su introducción se han administrado más de doscientos millones de dosis de MCBG en el mundo. Los medios de contraste basados en Gadolinio (MCBG) fueron considerados por mucho tiempo medicamentos con un alto perfil de seguridad, la literatura reporta incidencia de efectos adversos inmediatos como cefalea, mareo y alteración del sentido del gusto. Estudios realizados pocos años después de la introducción de los MCBG mostraron que había depósitos de gadolinio en los tejidos, pero no se conocía su significancia clínica Fue hasta 2006 cuando se publicaron los primeros reportes que asociaban el depósito tisular del ion gadolinio proveniente de los MCBG con una entidad inflamatoria sistémica del tejido conectivo similar a la escleroderma conocida como Fibrosis Sistémica Nefrogénica (FSN) en pacientes con falla renal crónica. En 2013 se describió por primera vez la asociación entre el uso de los MCBG y el aumento progresivo de la intensidad de señal del núcleo dentado y los globos pálidos en las imágenes de RM ponderadas en T1 sin medio de contraste. En esta revisión se describen los aspectos más relevantes de la fisiopatología de estos hallazgos considerando su diagnóstico diferencial. Magnetic resonance imaging has been shown to be very useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple diseases affecting the central nervous system. Gadolinium has been used extensively worldwide. It has been estimated that since its introduction more than two hundred million doses of GBCA have been administered globally. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) were long considered medicines with a high safety profile, the literature reports incidences of immediate adverse effects such as headache, dizziness, and altered sense of taste. Studies performed a few years after the introduction of GBCA showed that there were gadolinium deposits in the tissues but their clinical significance was not known. It wasn’t until 2006 when the first reports were published that associated the gadolinium ion tissue deposits from GBCA with a systemic inflammatory entity of the connective tissue similar to scleroderma known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), in patients with chronic renal failure. In 2013, the association between the use of GBCAs and the progressive increase in the signal intensity of the dentate nucleus and the globus pallidus in T1-weighted MRI images without contrast medium, was described for the first time. This review describes the most relevant aspects of the pathophysiology of these findings taking into account their differential diagnosis.

The aflatoxins are ubiquitous contaminants of food and feed produced by some Aspergillus spp. The effects of these toxins vary from acute, including rapid death, to chronic, like hepatocellular carcinoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aflatoxin B1 in Group I carcinogens. They also affect animal health and productions and cause economic losses in agriculture industry. In this first part of the review we discuss the aflatoxins issue: synthesis, absorption, elimination and carry-over of aflatoxins, mechanisms of toxicity and cases of aflatoxicosis worldwide. The second part of the review (to be published in the next issue of Tecnica Molitoria) will analyse the major sources of exposure to aflatoxins and the contamination of food and feed, dedicating a specific chapter to the prevention methods.

This study investigated the presence of Arcobacter species in two cheese factories; a total of twentytwo environmental samples and ten food samples were collected from an artisanal and an industrial cheese factory; Arcobacter species were isolated after enrichment, and isolates were identified at species level by multiplex-polymerase chain reaction assay. In the artisanal cheese factory Arcobacter spp. were isolated from several environmental samples, cow and water buffalo raw milk and ricotta cheese. In the industrial plant Arcobacter spp. were isolated from surfaces not in contact with food and from a cleaned surface in contact with food; no Arcobacter spp. was isolated from food. All isolates were identified as A. butzleri. To our knowledge this is a first report of the presence of A. butzleri in a ready to eat cheese produced for retail and, in addition, the isolation of A. butzleri in food processing surfaces in the two cheese factories could be assessed as a source of potential contamination for cheeses.

La paratubercolosi colpisce i ruminanti in tutto il mondo. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis potrebbe avere un ruolo nell sviluppo di malattie nell’uomo, come il morbo di Crohn, ma la correlazione non è ancora stata dimostrata con certezza. Alcuni paesi extra UE stanno cominciando a richiedere l’importazione di prodotti MAP-free. L’Italia non ha ancora messo in atto un programma di controllo della malattia e la diffusione dell’infezione è ancora sconosciuta nelle regioni del Sud e del Centro Italia. Questo studio è stato effettuato con lo scopo di valutare la prevalenza dell’infezione in cinque regioni del Sud e Centro Italia. Campioni di latte di massa e filtri dell’impianto di mungitura sono stati raccolti da 780 allevamenti di bovini da latte e rispettivamente analizzati tramite ELISA e real-time PCR. In totale 155 dei 780 allevamenti (19,9%) sono risultati positivi al test ELISA e/o alla real-time PCR. Campioni di latte individuale sono quindi stati raccolti da tutti gli animale in produzione di ogni allevamento positivo e da una selezione random di allevamenti negativi aventi un numero di capi equiparabile a quello delle stalle positive. La prevalenza stimata varia da regione a regione tra il 2,8% e il 5,5%. I nostri risultati indicano che la malattia è ampiamente diffusa nelle cinque regioni. La prevalenza osservata potrebbe essere sottostimata

Il richiamo o ritiro degli alimenti è uno strumento fondamentale per la gestione dei rischi e diversi Paesi hanno previsto nel proprio ordinamento giuridico un “Sistema” di richiamo degli alimenti a rischio. L'obiettivo principale dei “sistemi” analizzati è comune e consiste nella protezione della salute del consumatore attraverso l'azione di vigilanza e l'impegno da parte dell'operatore del settore alimentare di essere in grado di richiamare rapidamente dal mercato un alimento a rischio per la salute pubblica. L'analisi comparativa dei sistemi nazionali presi in esame, nella fattispecie quelli: dell'Unione Europea (U.E), Australia, Canada, Stati Uniti (U.S.A) e Cina, ha messo in evidenza differenze sul piano terminologico e giuridico. L'utilizzo dei termini Ritiro e/o Richiamo ha significati diversi nell'ordinamento giuridico europeo rispetto agli altri paesi extracomunitari analizzati. Sul piano giuridico si distinguono due “sistemi”: l'uno obbligatorio (U.E. e Cina) e l'altro volontario (U.S.A, Canada e Australia). Diverse sono le sfumature che caratterizzano invece il ruolo e le funzioni delle autorità competenti nei diversi modelli, tutti ispirati al principio della collaborazione.

Il presente studio ha valutato la presenza di specie di Arcobacter in due caseifici; ventidue campioni ambientali e dieci campioni alimentari sono stati raccolti presso un caseificio artigianale ed uno industriale; la ricerca di Arcobacter spp. è stata effettuata tramite arricchimento e gli isolati sono stati identificati mediante multiplex-PCR. Ceppi di Arcobacter spp. sono stati isolati, nel caseificio artigianale, in numerosi campioni ambientali, di latte crudo vaccino e bufalino e ricotta mentre, nello stabilimento industriale, in alcuni campioni di superfici a contatto e non a contatto con alimenti; nessun Arcobacter spp. è stato rilevato in campioni alimentari. Tutti gli isolati sono stati identificati come A. butzleri. Il presente studio è il primo report della presenza di A. butzleri in un formaggio pronto per la vendita al dettaglio; l'isolamento di A. butzleri in superfici di lavorazione di entrambi i caseifici potrebbe essere una potenziale fonte di contaminazione per la produzione di formaggi.

The aflatoxins are ubiquitous contaminants of food and feed produced by some Aspergillus spp.. The effects of these toxins vary from acute, including rapid death, to chronic, like hepatocellular carcinoma. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aflatoxin B1 in Group I carcinogens. They also affect animal health and productions and cause economic losses in agriculture industry. In this review we discuss the aflatoxins issue: synthesis, absorption, elimination and carry-over of aflatoxins, mechanisms of toxicity and cases of aflatoxicosis worldwide. The review analyses the major sources of exposure to aflatoxins and the contamination of food and feed, dedicating a specific chapter to the prevention methods.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 alfalfa hays differing in undigested neutral detergent fiber content and digestibility used as the main forage source in diets fed to high producing cows for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese production. Diets were designed to have 2 different amounts of undigestible NDF [high (Hu) and low (Lu)], as determined by 240-h in vitro analysis (uNDF240). Alfalfa hay in vitro digestibility [% of amylase- and sodium sulfite-treated NDF with ash correction (aNDFom)] at 24 and 240 h was 40.2 and 31.2% and 53.6 and 45.7% for low- (LD) and high-digestibility (HD) hays, respectively. The 4 experimental diets (Hu-HD, Lu-HD, Hu-LD, and Lu-LD) contained 46.8, 36.8, 38.8, and 30.1% of alfalfa hay, respectively, 8.6% wheat straw, and 35.3% corn (50% flake and 50% meal; DM basis). Soy hulls and soybean meal were used to replace hay to balance protein and energy among diets. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (average milk production = 46.0 ± 5.2 kg/d, 101 ± 38 d in milk, and 662 ± 42 kg of average body weight) were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, with 2 wk of adaptation and a 1-wk collection period. Dry matter and water intake, rumination time, ruminal pH, and milk production and composition were measured. Diets and feces were analyzed for NDF on an organic matter basis (aNDFom), acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, and uNDF240 to estimate total-tract fiber digestibility. Dry matter intake and rumination times were higher in HD diets compared with LD diets, regardless of forage amount. Rumination time was constant per unit of dry matter intake but differed when expressed as a function of uNDF240, aNDFom, or physically effective NDF intake. No differences were found among treatments on average ruminal pH, but the amount of time with pH

Long-term in vitro fermentation (240 h) evaluating amylase-treated, ash-corrected neutral detergent fiber, with addition of sodium sulfite (aNDFom) digestibility is required to quantify the indigestible fiber fraction. It is commonly accepted to inoculate rumen fluid more than one time during such fermentations, every 96 h or at 120 h. However, no studies have been conducted to verify if the reinoculation is actually required to properly carry out the fermentation process. The current study aims to evaluate the effects of these procedures on aNDFom digestibility at 240 h. The study was conducted on a total of 24 forage samples (8 alfalfa hays, 8 grass hays, and 8 corn silages). Samples were digested in triplicate at 240 h in vitro. Rumen fluid was added twice (at 96 and 192 h) in treatment 1, after 120 h in treatment 2, whereas no addition was made in treatment 3. At the end of the fermentations, residual aNDFom was quantified to calculate digestibility. Among treatments, no difference was found in digestibility of aNDFom. Moreover, treatment 1 resulted in higher variability compared with other treatments. Results obtained in the current study show that subsequent addition of rumen fluid is not necessary for a proper estimation of aNDFom digestibility, and can be avoided.

Forage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content and particle size are important factors that affect rumen function. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects on rumen health, NDF digestibility, and animal performance of pelleting a forage-based diet. Eight Holstein heifers (age 336 ± 30 d, body weight 346 ± 35 kg) were randomly assigned to a repeated crossover design. Animals were housed in tie-stalls and fed for ad libitum intake. The study included 4 periods of 3 wk, the first 2 wk for adaptation to the diet and the last wk for data collection. Diets had the same ingredients but had a different physical form: total mixed ration (TMR) and pellet (diameter = 8 mm). The physically effective NDF (peNDF) differed between the 2 treatments (39.8 and 11.8% of NDF in the TMR and pellet diets, respectively). During the trial, dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, rumination time, rumen temperature, and pH were evaluated daily. Fecal samples were collected in wk 3 of each period to determine total-tract digestibility of the potential digestible (pd)NDF. Average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated at the end of each period. With the pellet diet, DMI, DMI/body weight, and water consumption were higher. We observed no significant difference in average daily gain or feed conversion ratio. Rumination time was lower for the pellet diet than for the TMR diet (241 vs. 507 min/d, respectively). Diet had no effect on rumen temperature or rumen pH. The total-tract digestibility of the pdNDF was greater with the TMR diet than with the pellet diet (90.25 vs. 86.82% pdNDF, respectively). The results of the current study suggest that a complete-feed pellet diet was well accepted by the animals, as demonstrated by higher DMI. Rumination time was reduced with the pellet diet, but rumen pH was not different. The pdNDF digestibility was high for both diets, but significantly higher for the TMR diet. Given that animal performance was similar between the 2 diets, although they differed with respect to DMI and fiber digestion, we hypothesize that the 2 diets had different retention times, related to their physical form. A complete-feed pellet diet formulated to provide a sufficient level of NDF from forages could be fed to growing ruminants without apparent negative effects on rumen health and animal productivity, at least for a short period. More research over a longer growing period is needed before recommending this feeding strategy for growing heifer

The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional and dietetic effects, rumen pH and rumination time of a pelleted forage based diet fed to growing heifers compared to TMR one. Eight tie-stall heifers (age 336±30d, BW 346±35 kg), were used in a 12 weeks study (4 periods of 3 weeks: 2 adaptive and 1 for data collection). Diets had the same ingredients (hay 41.8%, barley straw 27.4%, sunflower 13.7%, grain 16.4%, salt 0.7%), but fed in two different physical forms: TMR and PELLET (∅=8mm), thus differing in fiber particle size (pef= 38,73% and 66.12% respectively). The animals, divided in two groups, were fed ad libitum with the two diets to alternate periods, and dry matter intake (DMI), DMI/BW (%), water intake, rumination time, rumen temperature and pH (average, pH area

The objective of this study was to analyse over time the evolution of E. coli O157:H7 faecal shedding in a dairy herd producing raw milk for direct human consumption. The study was performed between October 2012 and September 2013 in an average size Italian dairy farm where animals are housed inside the barn all over the year. The farm housed about 140 animals during the study – 70 cows and 70 calves and heifers. Twenty-six animals were randomly selected from both the cows and young animals group, and faecal sampling was performed rectally six times two months apart in each animal. Eleven animals were culled during the study and a total of 285 faecal samples were collected. At each faecal sampling, three trough water samples and two trough feed samples were also collected for a total of 36 water samples and 24 feed samples. Samples were analysed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and culture. Overall, 16 (5.6%) faecal samples were positive for E. coli O157 by RT-PCR. Cultural examination found 9 (3.1%) samples positive for E. coli O157; all the isolates were positive for stx1, stx 2 and eae genes. One (4.1%) feed sample was positive for E. coli O157 by RT-PCR; none of the water samples was positive for E. coli O157. The model highlighted a general significant reduction of the number of positive samples observed during the study from the first to the sixth sampling (P=0.000) and a positive relation between the presence of positive samples and average environmental temperature (P=0.003). The results of the study showed that in an Italian dairy farm housing animals all year, faecal shedding of E. coli O157 followed the same temporal trend reported for other types of farming. The enhanced faecal shedding during warmer months may have a significant impact on environmental contamination and the safety of raw milk and its byproducts.

Lo scopo della ricerca è stato quello di valutare, tramite uno studio longitudinale, le modifiche temporali nella eliminazione fecale di E. coli O157:H7 in un allevamento di bovine da latte che commercializza latte crudo per il consumo umano diretto. Lo studio è stato effettuato tra ottobre 2012 e settembre 2013 in una tipica stalle di medie dimensioni. L’allevamento era costituito da circa 140 animali (70 capi adulti e 70 giovani). Ventisei animali di ciascuno dei due gruppi (adulti e giovani) sono stati scelti casualmente e sono stati effettuati da ciascun animale 6 campionamenti di feci a distanza di 2 mesi l’uno dall’altro (in totale 284). A ogni campionamento sono stati effettuati, per ciascun gruppo, 3 campioni di acqua (in totale 36) dagli abbeveratoi e 2 campioni di mangime dalla greppia (in totale 24). I campioni sono stati analizzati tramite real time PCT (RTPCR) ed esame colturale. In totale 16 (5,6%) campioni di feci sono risultati positivi tramite RT-PCR e 9 tramite esame colturale. In tutti gli isolati è stata dimostrata la presenza dei geni stx1, stx 2 e eae. Un campione di mangime è risultato positivo tramite RT-PCR; nessun campione di acqua è risultato positivo. L’elaborazione dei dati ha evidenziato in generale una riduzione del numero di campioni positivi nel corso dello studio e una relazione tra la prevalenza dei campioni positivi e la temperatura media ambientale. I risultati dello studio dimostrano che, in una tipica azionda di bovini da latte Italiana, l’eliminazione fecale di E. coli O157:H7 segue il medesimo andamento osservato in altre situazioni; l’aumento della eliminazione fecale nel periodo estivo ha un impatto significativo sulla contaminazione ambientale e e sulla sicurezza dei prodotti alimentari in particolare il latte venduto e consumato crudo

The objective of this study was to carry out a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) survival in pasteurized milk produced by industrial dairy plants. Data were collected in three dairy plants (A, B and C) located in three different Italian regions and processing 38.75 (plant A), 89.29 (plant B) and 190.56 million litres (Plant C) of milk yearly. Plants A and plant C produce pasteurized milk, soft and hard industrial cheeses and yogurt; plant B produces only pasteurized milk. In-line milk filter (ILMF) samples and/or bulk milk samples were collected from all 569 herds delivering milk to the three dairy plants. Samples were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The QRA considered the presence of MAP in ILMF and in bulk milk of all the dairy herds delivering milk to the three investigated dairy plants, estimating MAP concentration in raw milk on the basis of these data, the dilution effect due to mixing milk in collecting trucks and in plant silos, and the effect of pasteurization in reducing the MAP load. The expected fraction of litres of pasteurized milk with 0 MAP would be 99.02%, 99.45% and 99.12%, in plants A, B and C respectively, and an overall percentage 0.55 % to 0.98% of pasteurized milk having a MAP contamination > 0 colony forming units (CFU)/l and 0.04% – 0.11% of pasteurized litres with a MAP contamination > 100 CFU/l was predicted. A daily variation was observed in the proportion of MAP-contaminated litres of milk. The study demonstrated that milk in the dairy plants investigated may be a source of MAP exposure for humans. The between-herd and within-herd MAP apparent prevalence in the investigated areas are likely comparable to those in other areas in Italy, Europe and North America, and the results are applicable to other geographical areas.

Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiological agent of paratuberculosis, a chronic contagious bacterial disease primarily affecting dairy cattle. Paratuberculosis represents a dual problem for the milk production chain: in addition to economic losses to affected herds, MAP may have zoonotic potential. Infected herds must be identified in order to implement programs designed to reduce the incidence of disease within and between herds and to prevent MAP from entering the food chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a screening sampling plan (SSP) to detect MAP-positive dairy herds by repetitive analysis of bulk tank milk (BTM) samples by ELISA and in-line milk filter (ILMF) samples by PCR. Samples from BTM and ILMF were collected twice from 569 dairy herds in southern Italy. Additionally, 12,016 individual milk samples were collected: 9,509 from 102 SSP-positive herds (SSP MAP-positive) and 2,507 from 21 randomly selected SSP-negative herds (SSP MAP-negative). There was a total of 126 SSP MAP-positive herds (i.e., 21.3% SSP MAP-positive herds; 95% confidence interval=18.0–24.9); the within-herd apparent prevalence (AP) ranged between 0.00 and 22.73% (mean 6.07%). A significant difference in within-herd AP was shown between SSP MAP-positive herds and SSP MAP-negative herds. A highly significant association was shown between the median AP herd status (>5%) and positivity to at least one ILMF or BTM sample. The SSP detected a minimum of 56.25% of low AP herds (AP ≤2.0%) up to a maximum of 100% of herds with a within-herd AP ≥8.0%. Overall, the SSP detected 85.57% of herds in which at least one individual milk sample was positive by ELISA. The proposed SSP was an inexpensive and useful tool to detect MAP-positive herds with a higher risk of infection diffusion and milk contamination. Although the SSP cannot be used for MAP-free certification of herds, it could be useful to prioritize appropriate control measures aimed at reducing the prevalence of infection in dairy herds and milk contamination.

Food recall and withdrawal is a fundamental tool for risk management and different countries stated the mandatory application of a system for food; the present work is an analysis of different systems applied in different countries. The main objective of analysed systems is the consumer’s health protection through an audit system and the application of system to rapidly recall/withdraw food on the part of producers. The comparative analysis of different national systems [i.e. European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, US and China] shows differences both of the terminological and legal aspects; the words recall and withdrawal have different meaning in EU legislation than in other counties’ legislations; from a legal point of view, two main recall/withdrawal systems could be identified: a mandatory one (EU and China) and a voluntary one (USA, Canada and Australia); all the investigated systems have a co-operative approach between authority and food business operator, but different functions on their respective roles could be identified.

Paratuberculosis affects all ruminants worldwide. Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) could have a role in human diseases like Crohn’s. Some extra European Union (EU) countries request importation of MAP-free products. Italy has not yet actualised a control programme and the diffusion of the infection is still unknown in Southern Italy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the infection in five regions of Southern Italy. Bulk tank milk and in-line milk filters were sampled in 780 dairy cattle herds and respectively analysed by ELISA and real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred and 55 out of 780 herds (19.9%) were found positive by ELISA and/or real time PCR. Individual milk samples were then collected from all the producing animals of positive herds and from a selection of negative herds. The estimated prevalence varies from region to region between 2.8 and 5.5%. Our results indicate that the disease is widespread in the five regions. The observed prevalence could be underestimated.

Several studies are available on microbiological characteristics of fresh meat and on pork sausages; on the contrary few studies on sausages made with meat of other species were published in literature. The objective of this study was to report an investigation on the microbiological characteristics of sausages made by beef meat. The sausages considered in the study were: salami, salted and dried beef (bresaola), smoked beef meat, bologna, and beef bacon. Sausages were bought at retail Emilia Romagna Region and analyzed for the determination of aerobic plate count, count of Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Pseudomonas spp.; sample were also investigated for the presence of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes; pH and aw were also determined. .At all the microbiological results show that sausage are made by productive processes able to limit contaminations by Enterobacteriaceae and pathogenic micro-organisms. The detection of L. monocytogenes in one salami sample show a criticality in the process of this product, but the limited count of L. monocytogenes and the pH e aw values detected do not allow conclusive considerations on the conformity of the investigated salami. In non fermented seasoned sausages (bresaola and smoked beef meat) the more represented spoilage microbial populations are lactic acid bacteria; on the contrary in bologna and beef bacon B. thermosphacta is more represented