Search

Fungi are a typical part of the microbiome of poultry houses, but some of the genera can be pathogenic for poultry and humans. An investigation was conducted on 200 duck eggs from 10 flocks to determine total fungal contamination on the eggshells. The colony types were identified morphologically and microscopically, and a representative group was identified using PCR. The resistance profiles for all obtained Aspergillus isolates were conducted. The dominating genera on eggshells were Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus and the number of fungal colonies ranged from 0 to 7100. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from 9.5% eggshells, and all isolates were obtained from three flocks. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for A. fumigatus isolates ranged from 0.094–32 μg/mL for amphotericin B (MIC 50 1 mg/L and MIC 90 32 μg/mL), 0.125–32 μg/mL for caspofungin (MIC 50 0.38 μg/mL and MIC 90 32 μg/mL), 0.19–32 μg/mL for itraconazole (MIC 50 1.5 μg/mL and MIC 90 32 μg/mL), 0.047–12 μg/mL for posaconazole (MIC 50 0.5 μg/mL and MIC 90 8 μg/mL) and 0.023–32 μg/mL for voriconazole (MIC 50 0.19 μg/mL and MIC 90 32 μg/mL). A total of 73.7% of the isolates were resistant to posaconazole and 68.4% to itraconazole. Nearly half of the strains (47.4%) showed resistance to amphotericin B and 31.6% to voriconazole. Because of the lack of antifungals registered for poultry, hygiene and the regular disinfection of litter in particular are needed to prevent the contamination of the eggs by fungi for both animal and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundMethodsResultsConclusionEnvironmental contamination with Opisthorchis viverrini eggs significantly impacts on opisthorchiasis transmission and disease control. This study assessed O. viverrini egg contamination in underwater sediments from canals and aimed to reduce O. viverrini transmission in egg–positive and downstream communities by controlling human opisthorchiasis in endemic area of Northeast Thailand.Sediment samples from 14 sites in UdonThani municipality were determined for O. viverrini eggs. Human fecal samples and fish were examined for opisthorchiasis and metacercaria infection, respectively. Water samples were analysed for faecal coliforms bacteria. From 2017 to 2023, transmission control efforts were evaluated by monitoring changes in human and fish infection rates.In 2017 and 2018, O. viverrini eggs were found in canal sediments at 153 and 86 eggs/liter, respectively. Human opisthorchiasis prevalence was 5.3%, with cyprinoid fish showing a 25.0% infection rate (11.6 cysts/infected fish) and significant fecal contamination (>5,500 CFU/100 ml). Conversely, egg–negative sites showed a 0.5% human infection rate and no metacercariae were found. After health interventions (2019 to 2023), O. viverrini eggs were not detected in sediments from canals, resulting in a significant reduction in human opisthorchiasis prevalence to 0.9% at the previously egg–positive site and from 12.2% to 1.7% in downstream communities (p < 0.001). Additionally, the prevalence of metacercariae in cyprinoid fish decreased from 11.4% (7.6 cysts/infected fish) to 4.5% (2.4 cysts/infected fish), indicating reduced transmission.The presence of O. viverrini eggs in sediment was associated to human opisthorchiasis transmission and demonstrated the significant effectiveness of health interventions in controlling the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes colibacillosis in poultry; this type of bacteria is an extraintestinal pathogen E. coli. Unlike other E. coli pathogen groups, the characteristics of APECs cannot be identified by a single group. Serotyping and biotyping are frequently performed for isolates found in colibacillosis infections. The establishment, transmission, and persistence of this pathogenic strain in chicken populations are determined by the intricate interactions of multiple elements that make up the epidemiology of APEC. APEC employs many virulence and pathogenesis factors or mechanisms to infect chickens with colibacillosis. These factors include invasives, protectins, adhesins, iron acquisition, and toxins. In addition, the pathogenicity of APEC strains can be evaluated in 2-4 week-old chicks. The impact of unfavorable environmental conditions has also been documented, despite direct contact being demonstrated to be a significant element in transmission in APEC. Chickens are immunized against colibacillosis using a variety of vaccines. Nevertheless, commercially available vaccinations do not offer sufficient immunity to protect birds from APEC strains. Hatching egg contamination is one of the main ways that APECs spread throughout chicken flocks. Farmers also need to be mindful of storing discarded materials near the manure-watering area, removing them when necessary, and replacing wet materials with dry materials when needed. This review aimed to explain the characteristics, epidemiology, virulence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, pathophysiology, transmission, vaccination, and control of APEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are one of the superior value natural sources of protein and other nutrients, at the same time, they are vastly perishable. Consumers' concern about egg contamination and transmission of pathogens, especially salmonella, increased the desire to use safe and packaged eggs. The environmental hazards of synthetic polymers as packaging materials have become a global problem, for this reason, their replacement with biodegradable ones has been developed. To overcome some physical and mechanical weaknesses as well as increase bio-polymers performance, they are combined (composite) and/or reinforcing agents and natural agents are used in their fabrication. A variety of plant essential oils and extracts are widely used in active packaging materials. The results of the studies showed that the barrier and functional properties of active biopolymers are improved due to their hydrophobic nature, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of polyphenols content of essential oils and extracts. Egg packaging with these active biopolymers preserves internal quality during storage and ultimately extends its shelf life. In this article, an attempt has been made to review the use of plant chemical compounds (phytochemical) in active biopolymers for egg packaging based on polysaccharide, protein and aliphatic polyester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSNontyphoidal serovars of Salmonella enterica subsp enterica frequently colonize the intestinal tracts of chickens, creating risks of contamination of meat and egg food products. These serovars seldom cause disease in chickens over 3 weeks of age. Colonization is generally transient but can continue to circulate in a flock for many months. Vaccination of breeders and layers is the most effective method of control of infections with serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium, and the development of these vaccines or other preventative treatments requires challenge studies to demonstrate efficacy. However, establishing a successful challenge model where the control birds are colonized to a sufficient extent to be able to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction from the vaccine or treatment is problematic. A meta-analysis of published S. Enteritidis challenge studies was performed to pursue the best challenge model conditions that provide consistent control colonization outcomes. Challenge at sexual maturity was significantly more effective in achieving at least 80% colonization of control hens.Salmonella challenge chicken models do not always achieve high colonization levels in controls.The age of hen is important in achieving good caecal colonization.Challenge around sexual maturity provides the best control colonization outcome.A challenge dose rate of 105 CFU/ bird is adequate in birds under 30 weeks of age.Salmonella challenge chicken models do not always achieve high colonization levels in controls.The age of hen is important in achieving good caecal colonization.Challenge around sexual maturity provides the best control colonization outcome.A challenge dose rate of 105 CFU/ bird is adequate in birds under 30 weeks of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are ubiquitous in the environment. The main route of human exposure is through food consumption. Soil contamination can be problematic for sanitary safety depending on the usage of the soil, such as farming. In case of environmental soil contamination with PCDD/Fs, hen's eggs may be contaminated due to soil ingestion by hens. For this reason, it is important to understand the parameters that influence eggs' contamination when hens are raised in contaminated areas. After the discovery of a contaminated area in Lausanne (Switzerland), we collected hens' eggs from ten domestic-produced eggs and one farm. Based on PCDD/F measurements of eggs and soil, and a toxicokinetic model, we estimated individual hen's soil intake levels and highlighted appropriate parameters to predict the dose ingested. Recommended weekly consumption for home-produced eggs was calculated based on the tolerable weekly intake proposed by EFSA in 2018. The most important parameter to assess the soil ingestion does not seem to be the soil coverage by vegetation but rather the hen's pecking behaviour, the latter being difficult to estimate objectively. For this reason, we recommend using a realistic soil ingestion interval to assess the distribution of egg PCDD/F concentration from free-range hens reared on contaminated soil. The addition of soil contamination in the toxicokinetic model can then be used to recommend to the general population weekly consumption of eggs. The consumption by adults of free-range eggs produced on land with soil containing >90 ng toxic-equivalent (TEQ)/kg dry soil should be avoided. Even with a low level of soil contamination (1–5 ng TEQ/kg dry soil), we would recommend consuming not more than 5 eggs per week for adults and no more than 2 eggs for children below 4 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cuticle covering the outer surface of an eggshell functions as both a physical and chemical barrier against invading microorganisms. Contamination of eggs by microbial pathogens progresses in four stages: bacterial attachment to the egg surface, penetration through the cuticle and eggshell, multiplication within the underlying membranes, and the final stage of contaminating the egg contents. Therefore, it is important to study bacterial count at the first point of contact, i.e., on the surface of the eggs. In this study, we have evaluated the impact of differences in cuticle quality (due to egg washing and hen age) on bacterial load. We compared bacterial adherence on the eggshell surface of white eggs which were either washed (graded) or unwashed (ungraded), collected from Lohmann laying hens of different ages: early (24–28 weeks), mid-lay (44–48 weeks), and late (66–70 weeks). We aimed to determine the impact of hen age and egg washing on differences in cuticle quality and bacterial adherence. Our results indicate that hen age (up to 70 weeks) and commercial egg washing do not significantly impact bacterial adherence on eggshell surfaces. We have developed a novel method using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Salmonella typhimurium to estimate adherence of bacteria to the eggshell surface, with independent measurement of autofluorescence to quantitate cuticle deposition. S. typhimurium were localized, adhering to cracks visible on the outer cuticle in ungraded eggs, indicating that egg-associated pathogens usually enter the egg interior either through respiratory pores in eggshells or through shell micro-cracks. The results of this study can be utilized to optimize innovative methods for predictive microbiology in order to achieve egg safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of fennel essential oil on Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and mung bean seeds. For this purpose, fennel oil was diluted and 6 different concentrations of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 20 µL/L were prepared. In addition, mung bean seeds with different levels of contamination with the eggs of the pest were used. The experiments were continued until all insects emerged from the seeds. Sprout lengths of germinated seeds according to different contamination levels were found to be 6.77 cm for clean seed, 6.42 cm for 1-3 egg contamination, 5.99 cm for 4-6 egg contamination, 5.68 cm for clean seed, 6.59 cm for 1-3 egg contamination and 6.02 cm for 4-6 egg contamination. According to the results obtained in this study, fennel oil may have an effect on the increase of the pest population. Research on the extraction of essential oils in pure form and their subsequent use against stored product pests will increase the potential for the use of essential oils in pest control. In addition, more research should be conducted to determine whether essential oils of plant origin have adverse effects on the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chick performance and hatchability are adversely affected by microbial contamination of hatching eggs. Egg disinfection is therefore crucial to limiting bacterial numbers and optimizing production. The present study was applied to detect the effect of hatching eggs spraying (nest and floor) with two commercial disinfectants: A (H2O2, peracetic and acetic acid) and B (glutraldehyde and Benzalkonium chloride) on hatching parameters and eggshell microbial counts. Hatching eggs were collected from broiler breeder flocks at different ages (37, 47 and 57 weeks). The obtained results indicated that both disinfectants reduced the levels of bacteria in similar ways, but there were no significant differences between them. Concerning the hatching parameters; hatchability percentages (total and true) were lower than standard in both nest and floor eggs, and higher hatchability percentages were found in eggs sanitized with disinfectant A. However, the lowest values were reported in eggs of 57 weeks old breeders with both disinfectants. Conclusively, disinfectants A and B reduced the microbial load of hatching eggs of different ages, and some hatchability parameters were affected with flock age and the used disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the role of enzymes in the food industry, specifically focusing on their use in fermentation processes, rational design, and applications. Enzymes act as catalysts in the food industry, improving production processes, enhancing food quality, and increasing efficiency. Recent advancements in enzyme engineering, particularly through rational design and modification, have led to improvements in enzyme properties such as thermostability and activity, expanding their potential industrial applications. The article highlights several studies that demonstrate the impact of enzymes in food fermentation, immobilization application, and the future use of rational design in the food industry. These advancements in enzyme technology have the potential to streamline processes, reduce costs, and contribute to more sustainable and efficient food production. [Extracted from the article]

Eggs are a high-quality, nutrient-dense source of protein that is available at a relatively low price and the contamination of eggs by heavy metals is an important issue in public health. This review aimed to assess the risk of heavy metal pollutants in Iranian hen eggs. Original full-text available studies in Iran, detecting levels of Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in whole or part of the egg, and published between January 2000 and March 2023 were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled concentrations of Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in Iranian eggs in meta-analysis. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and the target hazard quotient (THQ) were estimated by both calculation and Monte Carlo simulations to determine the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of egg consumption, respectively. The pooled concentrations of heavy metals in Iranian hen eggs from nine articles (11 datasets: 10 studies on Pb, 7 on Cd, and 5 on As and Hg concentrations) were Pb 0.29 (95% CI 0.20–0.39) mg kg−1, Cd 0.04 (95% CI 0.03–0.06) mg kg−1, As 0.05 (95% CI 0.03–0.07) mg kg−1, and Hg 0.03 (95% CI 0.02–0.04) mg kg−1. THQ did not show the non-carcinogenic risk; however, the ILCR for Pb concentration showed the threshold carcinogenic risk (mean ILCR = 8.94e − 4 and 9.0E − 4 by calculation and Monte Carlo simulations, respectively), with the greater risk for Cd (mean ILCR = 2.02e − 2). The carcinogenic risk of Pb and Cd concentration in Iranian hen eggs shows the urgent need for programs and policies to lower the risk for consumers by providing healthier feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2013, loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta, Linnaeus 1758) nesting has been observed further north along the Italian coast, reaching the Tuscan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea). The four nesting events that occurred in Tuscany in the summer of 2019 spurred the scientific community to monitor these occurrences more carefully, following them from egg deposition to hatching. This provided an opportunity to collect samples for conducting multidisciplinary investigations, including the toxicological investigations of the biological material collected from the four nests. The aim of this study was to conduct an initial assessment of persistent organic pollutants in the eggs laid in Tuscany, aiming to establish a baseline on this topic for subsequent nesting events that have occurred until today. Organochlorine compounds (OCs), specifically polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), were analyzed and detected in unhatched eggs, embryos, and chorio-allantoic membranes (CAMs). OCs were detected in all samples, with PCBs > DDTs » HCB. A significant spatial variation in pollutant levels and profiles among sea turtle nesting locations was found. Embryos showed higher levels of contamination than egg contents regardless of the developmental stages. Depth of the laying chamber and egg mass were not significant factors in OC bioaccumulation. For the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, this study assessed the role of CAM in the transfer of contaminants to the embryo. Overall, the OC levels found were lower compared to the results from other studies conducted worldwide on loggerhead sea turtle biological material. This was the first assessment of nest biological material for the North-Western coast of Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intestinal parasites not only lead to poor goat health and productivity but can also affect human health. We investigated the distribution of zoonotic intestinal parasites among goats in southern Thailand to assess the human health risks. Materials and Methods: Overall, 561 fecal samples were collected randomly from goats in farms (55) in Songkhla, Satun, Pattalung, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces between January 2020 to January 2022. Parasite eggs were detected via the standard protocol formalin ether concentration technique (FECT). Results: Samples containing one or more intestinal parasites accounted for 97.33% (543/561) of the total samples, and the percentage of zoonotic parasite was 80.04% (449/561). Among the positive samples, two types of zoonotic helminths were identified, Strongylid egg type (79.32%) and Fasciola spp. (2.14%). Strongylid egg type was highly abundant in samples from Satun (84.62%), Songkhla (82.74%), Pattalung (79.31%), and Yala (77.27%). Fasciola spp. was mostly found in samples form Pattalung (13.79%) and Songkhla (1.12%). Eimeria spp. was the mostly identified protozoa 25.67%. It was mostly identified in samples from Narathiwat (75%), Pattani (41.9%), and Songkhla (31.41%). Mixed infections accounted for 40.82% of the total with 33 patterns. It was found that Strongylid egg types occurred in 28 patterns (84.85%). Strongylid egg types—Eimeria spp.—pattern was the most commonly found. Conclusion: Based on the results, zoonotic helminth infection was found together with widespread and high diversity of intestinal parasites infection in meat goats, which affect animal health and may pose a risk to human health. Mass deworming programs with a proper anthelmintic drugs and good agricultural practices need to be encouraged by the government so that people who contact with goats should practice good hygiene behavior. Farm management should be applied by intensive goat raising with pasture circulating to reduce parasite egg contamination. Moreover, fresh fertilizers from goat faces should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus causes foodborne disease in eggs. It is characteristic of pathogenicity and harmful to human health if contaminated eggs and products are contaminated from pre-production at the manufacturer until post-production. S. aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium normally present in the skin and mucosa of humans and other animals. Methicillinresistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a strain of S. aureus that is resistant to several types of antibiotics, including tetracycline, amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, beta-lactam, and azithromycin. Impure S. aureus infections in eggs and processed egg products have been reported in Indonesia for for 5 years. However, only a limited number of cases have been reported. Based on the Indonesian National Standard, S. aureus contamination in fresh poultry eggs is limited to <1×102 colony forming unit/g, eggs processed from salty eggs as much as <1 × 101 colonies/g, and food processed from base eggs, e.g., custard a must negative/gram. One Health is an approach to collaborative cross-recognized sector linkages between human health, animal health, and the environment, which should be managed holistically. It is expected that one health approach will be able to prevent and control the risk of S. aureus contamination in eggs and processed egg proucts. This review describes the incidence of S. aureus and MRSA in Indonesia compared with other countries. This review provides information on the One Health approach for preventing and controlling S. aureus contamination of eggs in Indonesia so that it can be adopted elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne disease worldwide, usually related to contaminated poultry or poultry products, such as eggs. Since egg contamination with Salmonella depends on multiple factors that make it challenging to control, consumers' knowledge about food safety and the proper handling of eggs is crucial. The aims of the study were (1) to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in eggs from conventional and alternative production systems, (2) to characterize the Salmonella isolates according to phenotypic-genotypic and antimicrobial-resistant traits, and (3) to understand how consumers manage the hazards related to egg contamination in the household. A total of 426 egg samples were analyzed (conventional systems = 240; alternative systems = 186). Culture-based and molecular microbiological methods were used to identify Salmonella and bioinformatics analysis of whole genome sequences was used to determine the serotype and antimicrobial-resistant genes. Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was detected only in eggs from alternative systems (1.1%, 2/186). Isolates showed resistance to nalidixic acid (100%, 2/2), and the aac(6′)-Iaa gene and a mutation in the gyrA gene were identified in both isolates. Overall, consumers demonstrated knowledge regarding food safety; however, many still engage in practices that pose a risk of acquiring foodborne illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of the domestic cat as definitive host for Echinococcus multilocularis and thus in environmental contamination with eggs has not yet been entirely resolved. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of E. multilocularis and other gastrointestinal parasites in Swiss domestic cats and to compare the diagnostic sensitivity of different methods for the detection of intestinal taeniid infection. Methods: Faecal samples from 146 cats were included in the study. Faecal samples only were available from 55 cats; for the other 91 cats, necropsy was performed in addition to faecal sample testing. All (n = 146) faecal samples were analysed by a combined sedimentation/flotation technique (44% ZnCl2) and by the sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) sedimentation technique; when sufficient material was available (n = 121 samples) the Baermann-Wetzel technique was also used. Additionally, all samples were analysed by two coproantigen (copro)-quantitative PCRs (qPCR): (i) a multiplex qPCR able to detect and differentiate between E. multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Taenia spp./other cestodes (CEST-qPCR) and (ii) an E. multilocularis-specific qPCR (EM-qPCR). Finally, the intestines were examined macroscopically and microscopically for parasite stages at necropsy (n = 91) and using an intestinal scraping technique (IST) (n = 64). Results: Of the 146 cats examined, 24 (17.1%) were infected by intestinal parasites, namely Hydatigera (syn. Taenia) taeniaeformis (8.9%), Toxocara cati (6.1%), Capillaria sp. (3.4%), hookworms (3.4%), Mesocestoides litteratus (1.4%), Giardia sp. (1.4%), Cystoisospora rivolta (1.4%), Cystoisospora felis (0.7%), Toxoplasma gondii (0.7%), Hammondia hammondi (0.7%) and Strongyloides sp. (0.7%). Necropsy and the IST revealed adult H. taeniaeformis in 12 animals, of which eight faecal samples were positive by the CEST-qPCR (sensitivity = 67%) and six samples by the sedimentation/flotation technique (sensitivity = 50%). No E. multilocularis infection was detected in the sampled cats. Using Bayesian latent class analysis, the mean posterior prevalence probability was 0.0% (95% confidence interval 0–0.83%) for E. multilocularis. Conclusions: There was no evidence of E. multilocularis infection among the 146 cats examined, suggesting that the prevalence of this parasite is low (< 1%) in the Swiss domestic cat population. Nonetheless, some of the sampled cats were infected by parasites that have rodents as intermediate hosts, demonstrating successful predation by these cats, and some were infected with zoonotic parasites. Cats therefore should not be disregarded as potential hosts for E. multilocularis and other zoonotic parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are the most nutrient‐rich and protein‐dense food that is affordable and consumed by most of the population. But cracks on the eggshells can pave the way for microbial contamination of the eggs posing threat to the health of the consumers. Therefore, it is crucial for the egg industries to check for the quality of eggs before reaching consumers to avoid outbreaks. Automatic visual inspection is one of the techniques that has gained popularity in the field of eggshell crack identification because of the advancements in hardware and deep learning. However, due to the limited training data, classifying eggs using eggshell crack images is challenging. Therefore, deep transfer learning was employed in this study using a pre‐trained DenseNet121 architecture in three ways—fine‐tuning (FT), feature extraction, and training deep features on machine learning classifiers. The results revealed that the FT technique performed best among the three approaches with 98.38% accuracy. Practical Applications: Deep transfer learning‐based techniques in food quality assessments are seeing a rise in the food industry. Eggshell crack detection is one of the challenges that can be addressed using the transfer learning approach. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different transfer learning approaches in classifying the image patches extracted from egg images and determine the most effective technique to identify cracks on eggs, despite the difficulty of the classification task using a small data set of egg images. These results can promote the application of transfer learning in non‐destructive egg quality evaluation in the egg processing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of table eggs produced in battery and floor production systems. Storage of table eggs in refrigerator is a popular practise; it may lead to increase the risks of eggs contamination. A total of 100 table eggs were collected from battery and floor farms in Sharkia province and then stored in refrigerator at 4°C. The collected eggs were divided into two groups (50 of each). Each group was divided into five sub-groups for examination: at laying time, the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days. They were subjected to physical, chemical, and microbiological examination of eggshells and internal contents. The results of the current study indicated that the storage had a major effect on the egg quality parameters including eggs, albumen, and yolk weights and internal contents pH, in both battery and floor eggs. In addition, the microbiological examination showed that the eggshells, particularly in the floor system, were higher in bacterial contamination with E. coli and Salmonella than the internal contents. The egg quality traits that were done by this study help to protect consumers against foodborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the associations between the faecal egg count for strongylids and the clinical parameters in lactating dairy ewes. In addition, the agreement of three raters regarding the clinical examination was assessed. For this purpose, a total of 1195 dairy ewes from 16 farms were included. FAMACHA©, BCS and dag scores were determined and a Mini-FLOTAC was performed on individual samples, which were then pooled for larval culture at the farm level according to the number of lactations. Trichostrongylids were found in 95% of the investigated samples. The BCS was negatively correlated with the faecal egg count, while the FAMACHA© score showed a slightly positive correlation. The dag score did not show significant associations. A minority (25%) of the flock shed the majority of eggs (47% to 84%). It was concluded that clinical scoring does not allow us to extrapolate to faecal egg excretion. The agreement was moderate to good between different raters, showing that training on clinical parameters is recommended for assessment in sheep. From a clinical perspective, both faecal egg counts and clinical parameters should be used simultaneously as separate tools to detect major egg shedders (contaminating the pasture) and sheep suffering from strongylidosis. Gastrointestinal nematodes, most notably trichostrongylids, are known to cause significant losses in sheep production. Previous studies have shown that monitoring parameters (e.g., FAMACHA©, BCS, dag score) change with increasing egg excretion. These parameters are well known and frequently used for targeted selective treatment. Based on the willingness to participate in this study (based on a previous questionnaire distribution among sheep farmers in Austria) we investigated the associations between faecal egg counts and the FAMACHA©, BCS, and dag scores of 1195 dairy ewes. Faecal samples were analysed using the Mini-FLOTAC technique I and larval culture. Three raters assessed the FAMACHA©, BCS, and dag scores in sheep to calculate the inter-rater agreement and intraclass correlation coefficient. The responses to the questionnaire of 23 farms were used for the evaluation, of which 16 farms were visited. Trichostrongylid eggs were detected in 95% of the faecal samples. The BCS was negatively correlated with the eggs per gram of faeces (EpG) (r = −0.156; p < 0.001) and the FAMACHA© score was slightly positively correlated with EpG (r = 0.196; p < 0.001). A small proportion of sheep (25%) shed the majority of eggs (47% to 84%). A moderate to good agreement for the parameters was found between the raters. In conclusion, the clinical parameters showed only weak correlations with faecal egg counts, and we confirmed that a minority of the flock is responsible for the majority of the pasture contamination with trichostrongylid eggs. Clinical raters should be trained before a study to increase the agreement between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella serotypes are considered as one of the most important foodborne pathogens. Eggs are a main source of the contamination caused by these pathogens and diseases in humans and the prevalence of the salmonellosis. This study was aimed to isolate Salmonella enteritidis from industrial eggs collected from different areas of Qazvin city, Iran in the year 2020.In this cross-sectional study, 200 eggs were collected randomly (including 100 industrial packaged eggs and 100 industrial tray eggs) from the retail and stores located in Qazvin city, Iran. After culturing of eggshells and egg contents according to the classic methods, suspected colonies were confirmed by PCR assay. Salmonella was detected in 10% (4/40) among the egg samples. Salmonella was isolated from 0% (0/40) and 10% (4/40) of eggshells and egg contents, respectively. Isolates from positive egg samples were characterized as S. Typhimurium. Salmonella Typhimurium is the most prevalent serotype of egg contamination in Qazvin city, Iran. It can be regarded as the risk evaluation of possible human foodborne diseases associated with the consumption of contaminated eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria continues to be a persistent foodborne pathogen that is responsible for human cases of listeriosis when contaminated food products are consumed. Human subjects considered to be most susceptible include the elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant women. Listeria is characterized as a saprophytic organism with the capability of responding and adapting to constantly changing environments because it possesses multiple stress response mechanisms to overcome varying temperatures, salt concentrations, and pH, among others. Primary foods and food products associated with listeriosis include dairy products and ready-to-eat meats such as turkey products. Historically, chicken eggs have not been identified as a primary source of Listeria, but the potential for contamination during egg production and processing does exist. Listeria species have been isolated from egg-processing plant equipment and are presumed to occur in egg-processing plant environments. Whether Listeria is consistently disseminated onto eggs beyond the egg-processing plant is a risk factor that remains to be determined. However, research has been conducted over the years to develop egg wash solutions that generate combinations of pH and other properties that would be considered inhibitory to Listeria. Even less is known regarding the association of Listeria with alternative egg production systems, but Listeria has been isolated from pasture flock broilers, so it is conceivable, given the nature of the outdoor environments, that layer birds under these conditions would also be exposed to Listeria and their eggs become contaminated. This review focuses on the possibility of Listeria occurring in conventional and alternative egg-laying production and processing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased meat and egg production leads to concomitant changes in poultry practices, including the indiscriminate use of formaldehyde to sanitize hatching eggs. Although this sanitizer aids in the increase in poultry production, its toxic potential for man and for avian embryos represents an obstacle to its long-term use. This review assesses whether essential oils fit into the context of hatching egg contamination, reviewing their antimicrobial efficiency, toxicity to poultry embryos and chicks, and their sanitizing effects on poultry production parameters. Studies have indicated that, because they are safer, most of the essential oils studied can be a potential substitute for formaldehyde for minimizing microbial exposure of hatching eggs and embryos. However, complementary studies on the microbiological profile of embryos and chicks hatched from eggs sanitized with essential oils need to be carried out and the economic feasibility of the candidate products should also be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study is to evaluate a new proposal for a coating based on corn starch (CS) enriched with basil essential oil (BEO) to overcome the rapid deterioration of quail eggs under nonrefrigerated conditions. One hundred and seventy-one quail eggs were divided into treatments of uncoated eggs (control), eggs coated with CS, and eggs coated with CS/BEO, and analyzed over four weeks at room temperature. The CS/BEO coating reduced the growth of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, molds, and yeasts on the surface of eggshells to <2 log10 CFU/mL compared to the control treatment at week four storage. The average Haugh unit (HU) of the four weeks of storage of the CS/BEO treatment was notably higher compared to the control. There was no significant difference between the sensory parameter scores of coated eggs and control treatment. Based on the findings, the CS/BEO coating can be used to mitigate the contamination of quail eggs and preserve their internal quality when stored in an environment without temperature and humidity control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A promising composite material is proposed to reduce the endogenous and exogenous contamination of chicken eggs with pathogenic microflora during their formation and storage. It is based on hybrid biocompatible and biodegradable silica/ polyacrylamide nanocarriers containing small silver nanoparticles (dav=2.4±1.0 nm) that are orally administered to laying hens with drinking water. The features of the formation of nanosilver in hybrid carriers by borohydride reduction of a silver salt at its various concentrations in an aqueous solution have been studied. An interesting effect of the sharp appearance of the second surface plasmon resonance band in the UV-Vis spectra of a silver salt/hybrid mixture at a high salt concentration was found. T is was explained by sharp structural changes in the hybrid carriers caused by the simultaneous growth of many AgNPs in them. It was assumed that the intensive growth of many AgNPs in one hybrid particle was accompanied by detachment of the grafted PAAm chains from the SiO2 surface due to the breaking of hydrogen bonds. The change in the state of the composite material under the influence of the pH of the solution, the concentration of nanoparticles, the presence of NaCl (as in a "physiological solution"), and visible light was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, and TEM. Nanosilver in carriers showed high stability with respect to most of these factors. The influence of the composite material on the clinical state of laying hens and important parameters of their eggs and blood was studied when it was administered orally with drinking water three times every 10 days at doses of 0.2 and 0.4 mg per chicken per day. A striking effect of selective endogenous accumulation of silver in eggshells has been revealed. This confirmed the penetration of the nanosilver composite into the circulatory system of chickens by passing through the digestive tract, absorption through the intestinal epithelium and further transport into the tissues of the chickens, including the oviducts, where protein and eggshell are formed. Such penetration did not cause a toxic effect on the body of laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Because of the steep shortage in freshwater supply in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, raw wastewater (RWW) has been widely used to irrigate vegetable crops. This study aims to detect the effects of irrigation with raw wastewater on crops cultivated in Wadi Al-Far'a, Palestine. Method A total of 300 soil, crop, and RWW samples were randomly collected from Wadi al-Far'a, an area with a long history of irrigating crops with raw wastewater. A survey questionnaire was also used to collect data on the parasitesinfected farmer. Results Results showed that percentages of contaminated vegetables, soil, and RWW samples were 10.2%, 27.0%, and 47.5%, respectively. Crops leave indicate contamination with parasite eggs depending on their contact with surface soil, e.g., contamination of zucchini (leaves rest on surface soil) and mallow (upright plant stand) was 19.0% and 2.0%, respectively. The highest and lowest soil contamination with parasites eggs pertained to A. lumbricoides (30.0%) and T. trichiurid (19.2%). Conclusion Certain mitigation measures should be used to limit the danger of farmers becoming infected with common parasites, particularly Ascaris lumbricoides. Farmers' awareness of the manner of parasite transmission and adherence to safety regulations should be among them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-range hens spend most of their lives outdoors, resulting in their heavy exposure to environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs), and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs). We present a case of contamination of free-range eggs that is previously unreported in the literature. The aim of our study was a source investigation after finding a high level of PCDD/Fs in samples of eggs from one of the inspected farms. Samples of hens' eggs, muscles, and livers and the feeds and soils were analyzed. The results showed that the soil samples taken from the paddock contained high concentrations of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs expressed as toxic equivalents (TEQ) (72.9 ± 18.2 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 dry mas (d.m.)) and a high concentration of NDL-PCBs (207 ± 46.9 ng g−1 d.m.). The investigation found that the cause of the soil contamination was oil leaking from the farm's tractor engine. The oil contained very high concentrations of PCDD/F and DL-PCBs (1013 ± 253 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 oil) and 5644 ng g−1 of NDL-PCBs. The source of the contamination was confirmed by the similarity of the PCDD/F and PCB profiles in the hen eggs and the soil contaminated by engine oil. The dietary intake of toxins resulting from consumption of the eggs is provided. For children, the consumption of contaminated eggs would result in an intake of double the tolerable weekly intake (TWI), while for adults, it would be approx. 60–70% of TWI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review summarized the processes and mechanisms of deterioration in different components of eggs during storage. The mechanisms linked to reduced glycosylation, structural decay, and ovomucin degradation during egg-white thinning were elucidated, along with the weakening of lysozyme-ovomucin interactions. The degradation and S-conformation transformation of ovalbumin were studied, and the potential application of solubility-viscosity theory in egg-white thinning was discussed. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipids and glycerolipids during lipid hydrolysis in egg yolk were scrutinized, and the mechanism of fatty acid auto-oxidation was concluded. The review also delineated the mechanism of cuticle thinning and the impact of preservation strategies on cuticle quality. The reproductive and adaptive strategies of dominant bacteria during egg spoilage were addressed, summarizing the microbial perspective. Lastly, methods for assessing egg freshness were reviewed, encompassing both traditional destructive testing methods and advanced photoelectric nondestructive testing techniques. [Display omitted] • Egg spoilage include egg white, yolk, eggshell deterioration and microbial infection. • Egg protein structure and interaction is key factor affecting egg white thinning. • Lipid oxidation and hydrolysis are important factors in egg yolk deterioration. • Non-destructive testing of egg are efficient testing methods in food industrial. • Interdisciplinary integration will be a hot topic in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clomiphene or clomifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used in therapeutic to enhance the fertility of women. As the drug can influence testosterone circulating concentrations, clomiphene is prohibited at all times under the world anti-doping agency prohibited list in the class S4.2 (hormones and metabolic modulators). Clomiphene can also be administered to animals, particularly hens, due to its fertility-enhancing effect. As a consequence, there is a potential risk of contamination for athletes eating egg products which has already been noticed by sport authorities. The authors report the case of a male athlete who returned an adverse analytical finding for clomiphene with very low concentrations in urine (estimated to be 0.15 and 0.01 ng/mL for clomiphene and 4-OH-clomiphene, respectively). As the athlete challenged the anti-doping rule violation, a hair specimen (black in colour and 6.5 cm in length) was collected about 14 weeks after the urine collection and tested for clomiphene by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry using a previously described method. Clomiphene was identified at 185, 170 and 125 pg/mg in 3 × 2 cm hair segments, demonstrating repetitive exposures to the drug over the last 6 months. The athlete submitted an egg powder (albumin) used for many months to the laboratory, and this product returned positive for clomiphene at 230 ng/g. Given a daily intake of 20 g, the subject was exposed to 4.6 μg of clomiphene per day that was found consistent to produce the positive signal in urine, in relation with a very long elimination half-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of paraformaldehyde levels on the disinfection of fertile eggs from breeders intended for vaccine production. A total of 4,368 fertile eggs were divided into seven treatment groups: nondisinfected eggs and eggs disinfected with 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 g/m³ of paraformaldehyde. Disinfection was carried out by fumigation, followed by incubation. On the 10th day of incubation, various parameters were measured, including egg mass loss, absolute and relative weights of the embryo and yolk sac, embryo length, embryonic mortality, and fertility. Bacterial counts were also assessed at three points: before disinfection, one hour after disinfection, and on the 10th day of incubation. Results showed that eggs disinfected with paraformaldehyde had significantly lower bacterial counts compared to nondisinfected eggs. One hour after disinfection, treatments without fumigation or those with fumigation without paraformaldehyde exhibited 100% of bacterial counts exceeding 300 CFU, while the treatment with 2 g/m³ of paraformaldehyde had 83.33% of bacterial counts exceeding 300 CFU. Higher paraformaldehyde levels significantly reduced bacterial counts, with the treatment of 3 g/m³ being the most effective, where only 8.33% of samples had bacterial counts exceeding 300 CFU. The optimal concentration for achieving the lowest bacterial counts was estimated to be 6.07 g/m³. In terms of egg mass, nondisinfected eggs experienced greater mass loss compared to fumigated eggs. Additionally, the best embryo length was observed at a concentration of 2.67 g/m³ of paraformaldehyde. Based on these findings, it is recommended to use 6.07 g/m³ of paraformaldehyde to effectively reduce bacterial contamination in fertile eggs used for vaccine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella Reading ( S. Reading) recently emerged as a foodborne pathogen causing extensive human outbreaks in North America from consuming contaminated poultry products, mostly from turkeys. Understanding the transmission dynamics of this pathogen is crucial for preventing future outbreaks. This study investigated the ability of S. Reading to colonize the tissues and contaminate eggs of broiler breeders. We utilized 2 S. Reading strains, marked with bioluminescence gene: the outbreak strain RS330 and a reference strain RS326. We used 32 commercially sourced broiler breeder hens, 34 wk of age, randomly assigned to the 2 treatments (16 hens per strain). Each hen was intravaginally inoculated with 108 CFU of the respective strain on d 1 and was rechallenged on d 4. Eggs were collected daily postchallenge to recover bioluminescent S. Reading strains from the external eggshell surface and internal egg contents. On d 7 postchallenge, 10 hens from each treatment group were euthanized. Ovaries, oviducts, and ceca were aseptically collected to detect S. Reading colonization. Results showed that 70.5% (36 of 51) and 34.5% (19 of 55) of external eggshell surfaces, and 4.0% (2 of 50) and 1.8% (1 of 54) of the internal egg contents tested positive for the outbreak and nonoutbreak strains. Additionally, 40.0% of ovaries, 70.0% of oviduct, and 70.0% of ceca samples from the outbreak strain group, and 20.0% of ovaries, 70.0% of oviduct, and 80.0% of ceca samples from nonoutbreak strain group were positive. No significant difference (P = 0.05) was observed in all the findings among the strains except for the eggshell surface contamination. These findings suggest that S. Reading can effectively colonize reproductive tissues, translocate to the ceca, and contaminate the eggs of hens. Future research is needed to determine whether S. Reading can remain viable within the eggs throughout incubation and until hatching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are important protozoan parasites with worldwide distribution among warm-blooded animals. Moreover, T. gondii is a zoonotic parasite that infects humans. Poultries are important intermediated hosts of T. gondii and N. caninum. However, little is known about the contamination of poultry eggs with these parasites. We aimed to investigate the molecular frequency of T. gondii and N. caninum among the eggs of chicken, domestic duck, and quail from three different geographic regions of Iran. T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by PCR targeting the RE and Nc5 genes, respectively. Findings: Overall contamination rates with T. gondii and N. caninum were 10.7 and 5.9%, respectively. The overall contamination rates of T. gondii among chicken, duck, and quail were 12.2, 15.5, and 4.4%, respectively; while N. caninum was detected in 11.1, 3.3, and 1.1% of the same samples, respectively. The contamination rates were increased with increasing humidity across three different regions. Conclusions: Taken together, this study indicates the contamination of poultry eggs with T. gondii and N. caninum. The possibility of egg-born transmission of T. gondii should not be neglected by consuming raw soft-boiled eggs. Furthermore, contamination of poultry eggs could be an indicator for environmental contamination by these parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) can cause localized and systemic diseases in poultry, threatening human health via meat or egg contamination and resulting in considerable economic losses to the poultry industry globally. Increasing evidence shows circRNAs were widely involved in various biological processes. However, the role of circRNAs in the host response against APEC infection, especially correlated with the regulation of RIP2, remains unclear. Herein, the RNAseq technology was used to identify the circRNA expression profiles in the overexpression of RIP2 macrophages with or without APEC infection. A total of 256 and 287 differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs were identified in the overexpression of RIP2 group (oeRIP2) vs. the wild-type group (WT) and oeRIP2 + APEC vs. APEC, respectively, whose parental genes were involved in MAPK signalling pathway, Wnt signalling pathway, focal adhesion, tight junction, and VEGF signalling pathways. Specifically, the key circRNAs, such as 5:814443-825127, 10:18922360-18928461, 2:8746306-8750639, and 2:124177751-124184063 might play a critical role in APEC infection and the regulation of RIP2. As a whole, these findings will facilitate understanding the molecular mechanism underlying circRNAs, especially related to the regulation of the RIP2 gene. Meanwhile, the study may offer new ideas to improve host immune and inflammatory response against APEC infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Soil-transmitted helminth infections are a serious public health problem. The soil is an important reservoir for several helminth species. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of soil contamination with zoonotic soiltransmitted helminths. Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected on the grounds of 19 temples in Ratchasan and Bang Khla districts, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, between June 2021 and February 2022. A total of 190 soil samples were collected from ten different areas on the grounds of each temple, of which 31 (16.3%) were contaminated. The samples were analyzed by a centrifugal flotation technique using a saturated sodium nitrate solution. Results: Six genera of helminths were recovered from the soil samples, of which five genera were identified as helminth eggs and two genera were identified as helminth larvae. The prevalence of soil contamination with helminth eggs was as follows: Toxocara spp. 15.8% (30/190), hookworm/strongylid 12.1% (23/190), Trichuris spp. 6.8% (13/190), Taenia spp. 2.1% (4/190), Ascaris spp. 1.6% (3/190), and unidentified helminth eggs 5.8% (11/190). Moreover, nematode larvae consisted of 8.4% (16/190) hookworm/strongylid, 3.7% (7/190) of Strongyloides spp., and 4.2% (8/190) unidentified nematode larvae. The rates of soil-transmitted helminth contamination were not significantly different between Ratchasan and Bang Khla districts (p = 0.878). Conclusion: Soil-transmitted helminth contamination was found in the soil environment of the community temples with a high probability of spreading intestinal helminthiasis to the local residents. Therefore, public awareness campaigns should be conducted targeting people in the community to increase their knowledge and understanding about animal healthcare to prevent and control the spread of soil-transmitted helminthiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fipronil is one of the most important pesticides used in agriculture and domestic animals. At very low concentrations used for controlling target species, it is also toxic to nontarget species including bees and numerous aquatic and terrestrial macroinvertebrates. Laboratory and field studies have shown that both fipronil, and its degradation products, at relevant environmental concentrations are sufficient to endanger numerous taxa in the aquatic community, including fish. In this review, ecotoxicology studies are described that show significant impact on non-target species that have been instrumental to ban fipronil for agriculture in the European Union since 2013 and restricting many uses in the United States. In Colombia, at least 60 fipronil-based products continue to be registered and since August 2021 its use has been prohibited in avocado, coffee, citrus and ornamental flower plantations. In 2017, following the widespread contamination of eggs with fipronil across Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted several risk assessments for the consumption of eggs and chicken meat contaminated with fipronil residues. The conclusion was that the consumption of fipronil at the concentrations detected in eggs and meat did not exceed levels expected to pose health hazard for humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The presence of parasite eggs in the environment represents an alarming threat for human health. In particular, the accidental ingestion of tapeworm eggs can cause severe and disabling illness in humans. Cystic Echinococcosis (CE), caused by infection from the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, gives rise to great concern for its medical and economic burden. CE transmission to humans mostly occurs through the consumption of water or food contaminated by feces of infected dogs. In the present study, we collected soil, fecal and water samples in the city of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, to detect parasite contamination in the environment. We evidenced that the urban and semi-urban areas of Ibadan are highly contaminated with E. granulosus s.l. eggs, emphasising the need for appropriate measures to control CE. These findings suggest that prevention strategies should consider the control of stray dogs, the establishment of deworming programs and the promotion of public education. Environmental contamination with parasite eggs poses a serious risk to public health. This study aimed to assess the presence of taeniid eggs and, in particular, E. granulosus s.l., in environmental samples in the city of Ibadan, South West Nigeria. To this purpose, soil (n = 200), fecal (n = 200) and water samples (n = 50) were examined by microscopic observation and the multiplex PCR method. The influence of specific environmental factors on E. granulosus s.l. egg dispersion was also evaluated. Taeniid eggs were microscopically found in 11.5%, 25.5% and 8.0% of soil, fecal and water samples, respectively. PCR analyses evidenced the presence of E. granulosus s.l. in 8.0%, 24.0% and 2.0% of soil, fecal and water samples, respectively. The proximity to slaughterhouses, the level of urbanisation and the local government area of belonging did not seem to affect E. granulosus s.l. egg dissemination patterns. Our results have clearly demonstrated that both urban and semi-urban areas of the city of Ibadan in Nigeria are highly contaminated by taeniid eggs and we recommend the adoption of appropriate measures to control E. granulosus s.l. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg contamination by Salmonella enteritidis is one of the most important causes of foodborne gastroenteritis throughout the world and the common method which can be used to inactivate this bacteria is pasteurization. In this study, the pasteurization of intact egg was mathematically modelled using a CFD technique. The results were compared with experimental data and it was found that the model could reasonably forecast the temperature of egg during pasteurization (R²>0.98). The model showed that in order to predict the temperature variation of the slowest heating zone (SHZ) with higher accuracy, it is necessary to to incorporate the influence of natural convection currents induced by the hot eggshell walls in the pasteurization process. Results indicated that the SHZ keeps moving during pasteurization and eventually stays in a region that is about 25% of the egg height from the bottom after 300 s of heating. These results also show that the time required to reduce the Salmonella enteritidis population in cold point of eggs to 5D is approximately 28 minutes. This model could serve as an important tool in better understanding of the pasteurization process, choosing the best process parameters and facilitate process optimization of intact egg pasteurization towards industrial implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinaria is the property of University of Sarajevo, Veterinary Faculty and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Residues of antibiotics applied in chicken husbandry can be found in eggs for human consumption. To prevent this issue and avoid adverse effects on consumers' health, such as allergies and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), maximum residue limits (LMR) have been established by the European Commission. The aim of this study was to develop a method to extract, detect and quantify antibiotics in eggs, using UHPLC-TOF-MS for semi-quantitative screening and UHPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS for quantitative confirmation, following the performance criteria established by Commission Regulation (EU) Nº 2021/808 for analytical method validation. Different extraction methods were analyzed, with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) based on acetonitrile (ACN) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), proving to be the most efficient method for extraction of antibiotic residues from eggs. UHPLC-TOF-MS and UHPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS were validated for 46 compounds, including penicillin, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, quinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, and other antibiotics. After validation, robustness of both methods was evaluated by analyzing ten egg samples from backyard production and supermarkets. Erythromycin residues were detected in two eggs from backyard production; residues of up to seven antibiotics were detected in two samples of supermarket eggs. Nonetheless, all positive samples were below the established MRL. The developed methods will be a useful tool to monitor possible contamination in eggs, as they allow the simultaneous detection of several molecules. Furthermore, this methodology can be optimized to reduce the relative matrix effect, extended to a larger group of molecules, include other types of drugs, and be validated for other matrices of animal origin. • Screening and confirmation methods were developed for 46 antibiotics. • Performance criteria complied to European guidelines. • Residues of up to seven antibiotics detected in backyard and supermarket samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calcitic avian eggshell provides physical protection for the embryo during its development, but also regulates water and gaseous exchange, and is a calcium source for bone mineralization. The calcified eggshell has been extensively investigated in the chicken. It is characterized by an inventory of more than 900 matrix proteins. In addition to proteins involved in shell mineralization and regulation of its microstructure, the shell also contains numerous antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs) including lectin-like proteins, Bacterial Permeability Increasing/Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein/PLUNC family proteins, defensins, antiproteases, and chelators, which contribute to the innate immune protection of the egg. In parallel, some of these proteins are thought to be crucial determinants of the eggshell texture and its resulting mechanical properties. During the progressive solubilization of the inner mineralized eggshell during embryonic development (to provide calcium to the embryo), some antimicrobials may be released simultaneously to reinforce egg defense and protect the egg from contamination by external pathogens, through a weakened eggshell. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diversity of avian eggshell AMPPs, their three-dimensional structures and their mechanism of antimicrobial activity. The published chicken eggshell proteome databases are integrated for a comprehensive inventory of its AMPPs. Their biochemical features, potential dual function as antimicrobials and as regulators of eggshell biomineralization, and their phylogenetic evolution will be described and discussed with regard to their threedimensional structural characteristics. Finally, the repertoire of chicken eggshell AMPPs are compared to orthologs identified in other avian and non-avian eggshells. This approach sheds light on the similarities and differences exhibited by AMPPs, depending on bird species, and leads to a better understanding of their sequential or dual role in biomineralization and innate immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterobius vermicularis, also known as pinworm or threadworm, is a large intestinal nematode which has a high prevalence among children and peripubertal age in our country. Transmission usually occurs by autoinfection like finger contamination of the embryonated eggs deposited by the gravid female worm on the perianal and perineal region. Globally, only a few reports are there regarding the isolation of the parasite from extra-intestinal sites. These are two rare case reports of ocular enterobiasis. The first case was a middle-aged female and the second one was a 14-year-old girl, both of whom were referred from other tertiary care hospitals to Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and who presented with discharge of live motile worms from their eyes (conjunctiva). In both the cases, identification was done by saline wet mount and direct microscopy of a gravid female worm. Plano-convex embryonated eggs were also observed. The oval embryonated eggs, plano-convex in shape, and the gravid female, with its cervical alae near the anterior end and straight thin pointed tail, were identified under the microscope. Although E. vermicularis is a very common large intestinal parasitic infestation of children and adolescents, it can also rarely be isolated from unusual sites, which should be taken into account for effective diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry is a cheap source of animal protein and constituent of diets in Africa. Poultry can serve as a reservoir for Salmonella and cause food-borne infections in humans. This review describes Salmonella contamination of food, poultry, and the farming environment, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and serotypes of Salmonella, as well as the farming systems, antimicrobial use (AMU), hygiene, and husbandry conditions used to rear poultry in Africa. Using the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases were searched using a set of predefined keywords. Full-length research articles in English were examined for the period 2010–2020 and relevant information extracted for the narrative synthesis. Of the articles that met the inclusion criteria, 63.1% were conducted on farms and among households, while 36.9% were undertaken at government-controlled laboratories, which quarantine imported birds, processing plants, and retail outlets. The farming systems were intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive. AMU was described in 11.5% of the studies and varied within and across countries. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella isolates were detected in 30 studies and the prevalence ranged from 12.1% in Zimbabwe to 100% in Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa. A total of 226 different Salmonella serotypes were reported. Twenty-four (19.7%) of the studies reported food-borne Salmonella contamination in eggs, poultry, and poultry products at retail outlets and processing plants. The apparent extensive use of antimicrobials and circulation of MDR Salmonella isolates of various serotypes in Africa is a concern. It is important to implement stricter biosecurity measures on farms, regulate the use of antimicrobials and implement surveillance systems, in addition to food safety measures to monitor the quality of poultry and poultry products for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mucosa of the intestine and oviduct of hens are susceptible to pathogens. Pathogenic infections in the mucosal tissues of laying hens lead to worsened health of the host animal, decreased egg production, and bacterial contamination of eggs. Therefore, better understanding of the mechanisms underlying mucosal barrier function is needed to prevent infection by pathogens. In addition, pathogen infection in the mucosal tissue generally causes mucosal inflammation. Recently, it has been shown that inflammation in the oviduct and intestinal tissue caused by disruption of the mucosal barrier function, can affect egg production. Therefore, it is vitla to understand the relationship between mucosal barrier function and egg production to improve poultry egg production. This paper reviews the studies on (1) oviductal mucosal immune function and egg production, (2) intestinal inflammation and egg production, and (3) improvement of mucosal immune function by probiotics. The findings introduced in this review will contribute to the understanding of the mucosal barrier function of the intestine and oviduct and improve poultry egg production in laying hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contaminant levels and trends have been monitored in the eggs of seabirds from the Canadian Arctic since 1975. Nearly 50 years of monitoring have provided key information regarding the temporal and spatial variation of various contaminant classes in different seabird species. However, previous work has primarily assessed individual or related contaminant classes in isolation. There is therefore a need to collectively consider all of the contaminants monitored in seabird eggs to determine where monitoring has been successful, to find areas for improvement, and to identify opportunities for future research. In this review, we evaluated monitoring data for the major legacy and emerging contaminants of concern in five seabird species from three High Arctic and three Low Arctic colonies in Canada. We review the history of Canada's Arctic seabird egg monitoring program and discuss how monitoring efforts have changed over time; we summarize temporal, spatial, and interspecies variations in Arctic seabird egg contamination and identify important knowledge gaps; and, we discuss future directions for ecotoxicology research using seabird eggs in Arctic Canada. Ultimately, this paper provides a high-level overview of the egg contaminant monitoring program and underscores the importance of long-term and continued seabird contaminant monitoring in Arctic Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the impact of genotype and storage conditions (temperature and time) on microbiological contamination and eggshell quality. There were four genotypes of laying hens used, Czech Golden Spotted (CGS), Greenleg Partridge (GP), White Leghorn (WL) and commercial hybrid (CH) hens were included. After collection, the eggs were divided equally into five groups according to the storage time (0, 14, 28 days) and temperature (5 and 20°C). The microbiological analysis included counting of colonies forming units (CFU) of Escherichia coli (EC), Enterococcus (ENT) and total number of microorganisms (TNM) on eggshell surface, eggshell membranes and in thin albumen. The analysis of eggshell quality included the determination of eggshell proportion (SP), thickness (ST), strength (SST), index (SI) and surface (SS). Moreover, egg weight (EW) and egg weight loss (EWL) were determined. The significant effect of genotype was found in contamination of eggshell by EC, ENT and TNM, eggshell membranes by TNM and albumen by EC (all P≤0.05). The significantly lowest contamination of eggshell from EC was in eggs from the WL hens (4.42 log CFU/eggshell), while from ENT was in eggs from the CGS hens (1.22 log CFU/eggshell) and from the WL hens (1.40 log CFU/eggshell). The lowest incidence of TNM was also detected in eggs from the WL hens (5.03 log CFU/eggshell). Statistically the lowest contamination of eggshell membranes by TNM was found in eggs from the WL (0.12 log CFU/eggshell membranes) and CH hens (0.15 log CFU/eggshell membranes). Regarding the effect of genotype, the GP (not detected) and WL (not detected) hens had eggs with statistically the lowest occurrence of EC bacteria in albumen. Regarding the EW and eggshell quality, all the parameters were significantly affected by the genotype (P≤0.0001). Also EWL was significantly (P≤0.05) affected by genotype (after 14, 21 and 28 days of storage). There were found to be significant differences of microbial contamination of egg surface among observed hen genotypes. The penetration of selected microorganisms was also significant in contamination of eggshell membranes by TNM and in contamination of albumen by EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical UV filters are increasingly used in cosmetics to protect skin from UV radiation. As a consequence, they are released into the aquatic environment via recreational activities and wastewaters. In aquatic ecosystems, fish eggs in contact with sediment can be affected by organic and lipophilic pollutants such as UV filters. The present study aims to evaluate the toxicity of six individual UV filters, diethylhexyl butamido triazone (DBT), diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), ethylhexyl triazone (ET), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), homosalate (HS), and octocrylene (OC), in the embryo-larval stages of zebrafish Danio rerio. Contamination of fish eggs and larvae with UV filters occurred through contact with spiked sediment for 96 h at a concentration of 10 μg g−1. Among the six UV filters tested, OC delayed hatching success, whereas ES significantly increased the heartbeat rate of embryo–larvae after sediment exposure, probably as a stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Human salmonellosis with non-typhoidal Salmonella remains a global public health concern related to the consumption of contaminated eggs and egg-based products. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Salmonella, antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella, and egg antibiotic residues concerning risk factors associated with Salmonella contamination in eggs, the layer farming environment, and laying hens kept in battery-cage closed-housing systems. Materials and Methods: This study used a repeated cross-sectional design to collect 488 samples from eggs, laying hens, and the farm environment on one laying farm for Salmonella detection according to ISO 6579:2002/AMD 1:2007. Salmonella-positive samples were further tested for serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion test. The layer farm contact person was interviewed at the sampling time to evaluate the risk factors associated with Salmonella contamination using logistic regression analysis. For each month, 24 eggs (144 eggs in total) were also randomly sampled from the collection egg area at the farm for antibiotic residue detection using the European Four Plate Test. Results: The highest Salmonella prevalence rates were in the samples from the layer pen floors, followed by the egg sizing machine (ESM) and eggshells at 65.5%, 52.5%, and 15%, respectively. Salmonella enterica serovar Corvallis was the dominant serovar (48.38%), followed by Mbandaka (37.76%), Braenderup (14.29%), and Typhimurium (4.08%). Rodent presence at the farm and the frequency of changing the disinfectant foot dip were significant factors related to Salmonella contamination on the pen floors (odds ratio [OR]=22.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.11-240.48, p=0.01; OR=24, 95% CI=2.78-206.96, p=0.004, respectively). Hand-washing before sorting and cleaning the ESM were the significant factors (OR=13, 95% CI=1.2-140.73, p=0.04). The most resistant Salmonella isolates were resistant to oxytetracycline. One isolate of S. enterica Typhimurium was resistant to cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, and oxytetracycline. The antibiotic residues in the egg yolks were streptomycin, enrofloxacin, and tetracycline at prevalence rates of 36.11%, 11.81%, and 7.64%, respectively. Streptomycin was the most abundant residue in the albumen and yolk, followed by tetracycline. Conclusion: Salmonella prevalence in layer farming with a closed-housing system is related to effective biosecurity and hygiene issues, such as rodent control, clean farm equipment, and good worker hygiene. In addition, eggs’ antibiotic residues may be related to treating antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella isolates and medicated feed with inappropriate antibiotic withdrawal time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cleidoic eggs possess very efficient and orchestrated systems to protect the embryo from external microbes until hatch. The cuticle is a proteinaceous layer on the shell surface in many bird and some reptile species. An intact cuticle forms a pore plug to occlude respiratory pores and is an effective physical and chemical barrier against microbial penetration. The interior of the egg is assumed to be normally sterile, while the outer eggshell cuticle hosts microbes. The diversity of the eggshell microbiome is derived from both maternal microbiota and those of the nesting environment. The surface characteristics of the egg, outer moisture layer and the presence of antimicrobial molecules composing the cuticle dictate constituents of the microbial communities on the eggshell surface. The avian cuticle affects eggshell wettability, water vapor conductance and regulates ultraviolet reflectance in various ground-nesting species; moreover, its composition, thickness and degree of coverage are dependent on species, hen age, and physiological stressors. Studies in domestic avian species have demonstrated that changes in the cuticle affect the food safety of eggs with respect to the risk of contamination by bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Moreover, preventing contamination of internal egg components is crucial to optimize hatching success in bird species. In chickens there is moderate heritability (38%) of cuticle deposition with a potential for genetic improvement. However, much less is known about other bird or reptile cuticles. This review synthesizes current knowledge of eggshell cuticle and provides insight into its evolution in the clade reptilia. The origin, composition and regulation of the eggshell microbiome and the potential function of the cuticle as the first barrier of egg defense are discussed in detail. We evaluate how changes in the cuticle affect the food safety of table eggs and vertical transmission of pathogens in the production chain with respect to the risk of contamination. Thus, this review provides insight into the physiological and microbiological characteristics of eggshell cuticle in relation to its protective function (innate immunity) in egg-laying birds and reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]