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Campylobacter is responsible for human bacterial enteritis and poultry meat is recognised as a primary source of infection. In slaughterhouses, cleaning and disinfection procedures are performed daily, and it has been suggested that disinfectant molecules might select for antibiotic resistant strains if shared targets or combined resistance mechanisms were involved. The aim of the study was to investigate if cleaning and disinfection procedures in poultry slaughterhouses select for antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli and to determine the genotypes of isolates collected after cleaning and disinfection. Nine sampling visits were made to four French slaughterhouses. Samples were collected from transport crates and equipment surfaces, before and after cleaning and disinfection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of the recovered C. jejuni and C. coli isolates to six antibiotics and two disinfectants were measured. The C. jejuni isolates collected from equipment surfaces after cleaning and disinfection were subjected to PCR-RFLP typing. Twenty-five C. jejuni isolates and 1 C. coli were recovered from equipment surfaces after cleaning and disinfection during five visits to three different slaughterhouses. Those isolates did not show an increased resistance to the tested antibiotics compared to isolates collected before cleaning and disinfection. Only one or two genotypes were recovered after cleaning and disinfection during single visits to each slaughterhouse. This observation suggests that such genotypes may be particularly adapted to survive cleaning and disinfection stress. Understanding the survival mechanisms of Campylobacter should facilitate the implementation of better-targeted strategies and reduce the public health burden associated with Campylobacter infection.

A proficiency test for the determination of nitrofuran metabolites in shrimp tissue was organized in the first half of 2003. This test was intended to allow the participants to use their routine method and to assess their competence on this specific analysis. The participation in this proficiency test was offered to all the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of the European Union (EU) in charge of the analysis of nitrofurans, to Official Laboratories of the then 10 Candidate Countries for entry in EU and to some countries exporting food to the EU. The participants (20) analysed nitrofuran metabolites in eight randomly coded frozen samples including three blank samples. All participants performed a confirmatory method using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to detect total nitrofuran metabolite residues. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the results were investigated. Qualitatively, 16 laboratories out of 20 gave the correct interpretation of the results in term of compliant/non-compliant sample. Quantitatively, laboratory performance was evaluated by calculating the z-scores.

Dear Sir, Our papers [1, 2] reporting detection of toxic compounds in shellfish extracts, published as Parts I and II, were written to support a strategy using cell-based assays coupled with chromatographic fractionation to characterize toxic compound(s) involved in atypical toxic incidents, for example that reported in Arcachon Bay (France). Atypical toxic incidents can be revealed when positive mouse bioassays are not corroborated by LC–MS–MS for known phycotoxins or by phytoplankton observations. To implement a strategy to detect toxic compounds, we decided to work on three different cell lines with three wellknown lipophilic phycotoxins. Screening using multiple cell lines has previously been used to identify the cytotoxicity of chemicals [3]. We proposed a methodological approach implemented for the first time as a collaborative study, built up a decision tree for checking the validity of the assays, and defined data-analysis procedures. The results from this first step were presented in Part I [1]. We chose to study known lipophilic toxins because

International audience; BACKGROUND: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe chronic parasitic disease which behaves like a slow-growing liver cancer. Clinical observations suggest that the parasite, Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) influences liver homeostasis and hepatic cell metabolism. However, this has never been analyzed during the time course of infection in the common model of secondary echinococcosis in experimental mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Gene expression profiles were assessed using DNA microarray analysis, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after injection of E. multilocularis metacestode in the liver of susceptible mice. Data were collected at different time points to monitor the dynamic behavior of gene expression. 557 differentially expressed genes were identified at one or more time points, including 351 up-regulated and 228 down-regulated genes. Time-course analysis indicated, at the initial stage of E. multilocularis infection (month 1-2), that most of up-regulated pathways were related to immune processes and cell trafficking such as chemokine-, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and down-regulated pathways were related to xenobiotic metabolism; at the middle stage (month 3), MAPK signaling pathway was maintained and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway emerged; at the late stage (month 6), most of up-regulated pathways were related to PPAR signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, while down-regulated pathways were related to metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of a random selection of 19 genes confirmed the reliability of the microarray data. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was increased in the liver of E. multilocularis infected mice from 2 months to 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: E. multilocularis metacestode definitely exerts a deep influence on liver homeostasis, by modifying a number of gene expression and metabolic pathways. It especially promotes hepatic cell proliferation, as evidenced by the increased PCNA constantly found in all the experimental time-points we studied and by an increased gene expression of key metabolic pathways.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is an important opportunistic pathogen of companion animals, especially dogs. Since 2006 there has been a significant emergence of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) mainly due to clonal spread. This article reviews research on MRSP with a focus on occurrence, methods used for identification, risk factors for colonization and infection, zoonotic potential and control options. Potential areas for future research are also discussed.

International audience; Antibiotiques et biocides désinfectants de l’eau font-ils toujours bon ménage ?

Aquatic food accounts for over 40% of global animal food products, and the potential contamination with toxins of algal origin – marine biotoxins – poses a health threat for consumers. The gold standards to assess toxins in aquatic food have traditionally been in vivo methods, i.e., the mouse as well as the rat bioassay. Besides ethical concerns, there is also a need for more reliable test methods because of low inter-species comparability, high intra-species variability, the high number of false positive and negative results as well as questionable extrapolation of quantitative risk to humans. For this reason, a transatlantic group of experts in the field of marine biotoxins was convened from academia and regulatory safety authorities to discuss future approaches to marine biotoxin testing. In this report they provide a background on the toxin classes, on their chemical characterization, the epidemiology, on risk assessment and management, as well as on their assumed mode of action. Most importantly, physiological functional assays such as in vitro bioassays and also analytical techniques, e.g., liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry (LC-MS), as substitutes for the rodent bioassay are reviewed. This forms the basis for recommendations on methodologies for hazard monitoring and risk assessment, establishment of causality of intoxications in human cases, a roadmap for research and development of human-relevant functional assays, as well as new approaches for a consumer directed safety concept. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Dans le cadre de la procédure d’évaluation des substances prévue par le Règlement REACH n°1907/2006 (articles 44 à 48), les États Membres évaluent chaque année des substances jugées prioritaires, dans le but de clarifier une ou des préoccupation(s) émanant de la fabrication et/ou de l’utilisation de ces substances et qui pourrai(en)t entrainer un risque pour la santé humaine et/ou pour l’environnement. Ces substances sont inscrites sur le plan d’action continu communautaire (CoRAP), publié sur le site internet de l’Agence européenne des produits chimiques (ECHA) avec une courte description des préoccupations initialement identifiées pour chacune des substances. Dans la majorité des cas, ces préoccupations initiales sont liées aux propriétés de danger potentiel, en combinaison avec une utilisation susceptible de conduire à une dispersion environnementale ou des usages générant une exposition pour les consommateurs.Chaque année, les États membres de l’Union européenne et des pays de l’Espace économique européen (à savoir la Norvège, l'Islande et le Liechtenstein) évaluent les substances inscrites au CoRAP dans le but de clarifier la ou les préoccupation(s) initiale(s) émanant de la fabrication et/ou l’utilisation de ces substances et qui pourraient représenter un risque pour la santé humaine et/ou pour l’environnement. Le CoRAP en 2018 incluait deux substances dont l’évaluation a été confiée à l’Anses.Les États membres peuvent cibler leur évaluation sur la préoccupation initiale, mais peuvent aussi l’élargir à tout ou partie des propriétés de la substance. A l’issue des 12 mois d'évaluation, l’État membre évaluateur peut demander des informations supplémentaires aux déclarants des substances, si ces données additionnelles sont jugées nécessaires pour clarifier une ou des préoccupation(s). Dans ce cas, un projet de décision est soumis aux États membres et aux déclarants pour commentaires, puis ce projet de décision peut être discuté au Comité des États Membres (CEM) de l’ECHA en cas d’avis divergents entre les États membres. Alternativement, il peut être conclu qu'aucune donnée supplémentaire n'est nécessaire pour clarifier le risque. Dans ce cas, un document de conclusion est rédigé. Le cas échéant, si des préoccupations sont confirmées, la rédaction d’une analyse de la meilleure option de gestion des risques (RMOA) peut être proposée.Les deux substances évaluées en 2018 par la France ont été les suivantes: - trichlorure de n-butylétain (n°CAS 1118-46-3) - dioxyde de titane (n°CAS 13463-67-7)(reproduction d'un tableau non intégré sur cette notice)Ces deux substances sont enregistrées auprès de l’ECHA dans le cadre de l’application du règlement REACH, ce qui signifie que des industriels ont déposé des dossiers d’enregistrement contenant les données requises en fonction de leur bande de tonnage de production et/ou d’importation.Le présent avis a pour objet de résumer les principales étapes de l’analyse des deux substances évaluées par l’Anses en 2018 et les décisions ou conclusions issues de cette expertise.

The French surveillance system for Salmonella is based on a national system which can be traced back to 1947 for human cases and to the late 1980s for the main animal reservoirs. This system has evolved with regard to both European regulations and changes in the observed prevalence of Salmonella. European regulations establish a solid foundation on which to build an active harmonised surveillance system at the production level and for integrating data from the whole food chain. There are also passive surveillance networks in the agri-food and veterinary sectors and these allow complementary information to be obtained from other sectors or sources. The main strengths and weaknesses of these systems are described and a comparison of the different approaches is presented using a grid analysis. The results show that passive systems are very useful for detecting emerging or unusual events and for early warning of outbreaks. They also produce time series of cases or can determine the number of strains that should be used to assess the impact of interventions. Active surveillance data, due to their representativeness and reliability, are key elements in the application of risk analysis tools such as quantitative risk assessment or attribution. Thus, although data is collected and analysed by various organisations, these organisations all collaborate at a national level. Furthermore, their implication in European and international projects is effective and the main objectives of a surveillance system can be met.

International audience; The transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) between animals, their environment, food and humans is a complex issue. Previous pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) models indicate that extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) resistant bacterial populations may be self-sustaining through horizontal and vertical gene transfer, even in the absence of antimicrobial pressure. However, models focusing purely on the biochemical aspects fail to incorporate the complicated host population dynamics which occur within a farm environment. Models of disease transmission within commercial farm environments can provide further insight to the on-farm transmission dynamics of AMR between animals and their environment, as well as predict the effect of various on-farm interventions. Here, we present a risk assessment which predicts the likelihood that slaughter-aged pigs would carry resistant bacteria after a single introduction of ESBL E. coli on commercial pig farms. We incorporate outputs from a PKPD model which explores the complex host/gastrointestinal bacteria interplay after antimicrobial treatment; with an on-farm model of bacterial transmission. The risk assessment is designed to be adaptable for the simultaneous transmission of multiple bacteria and resistant strains. We predicted that after introduction onto a pig farm, ESBL E. coli bacteria are likely to persist on the farm for more than a year, leading to a high batch prevalence (39.4% slaughter pigs, 5th and 95th percentiles: 0.0–57.5) and high faecal shedding. A comparison of different farm management types suggested that all-in-all-out housing was a protective measure for both prevalence in slaughter-aged pigs and faecal shedding rates. We applied two main interventions at the farm level, an enhanced cleaning and disinfectant (C&D) protocol and isolation of pigs in sick pens for the duration of their antibiotic treatment. Both interventions were able to reduce the number of pigs shedding more than 2 log10 ESBL E. coli from 18.7% (5th and 95th percentiles: 5.9–30.4) in the baseline scenario, to 7.2% (5th and 95th percentiles: 0.0–21.5) when an enhanced C&D protocol was applied, 0.1% (5th and 95th percentiles: 0.0–0.3) when sick pens were used and 0.1% (5th and 95th percentiles: 0.0–0.3) when a combination of enhanced C&D plus sick pens was used. Both scenarios also reduced the prevalence in batches of pigs going to slaughter. This effect was largest when sick pens were used, where 75% of batches had 0% positive pigs. The results suggest that a single introductory event is sufficient to cause a substantial risk of carriage in slaughter-aged pigs. Further quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRA) are needed to consider the onwards risk posed to later parts of the food chain.