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Il libro descrive una ricerca sulla presenza della paratubercolosi in Itlaia.

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

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

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

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

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acid electrolysed oxidizing water (EOW) in reducing contamination by spoilage bacteria in bovine meat in order to determine if the treatment can limit microbial growth and extend the shelf life of fresh meat. Five batches of bovine meat were collected. Samples were treated with EOW, vacuum-packed and analysed to determine the mesophilic microbial load, count of Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Pseudomonas spp. during 20 days of storage at different temperatures (4°, 8°, 12°C). Comparison between data obtained from the analysis of untreated and treated samples showed no significant difference in the samples analysed immediately after treatment and during storage. Treatment by immersion of bovine meat cuts for 45 seconds in EOW has shown to be ineffective in reducing contamination by the bacteria more frequently involved in meat spoilage.

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

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

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiologic agent of paratuberculosis. The disease affects cows and other ruminants and causes high economic losses, mainly for dairy production. MAP may also have a role in the development of Crohn’s disease in humans. Infected animals shed viable MAP with milk and faeces and humans may assume MAP via the consumption of contaminated milk and dairy products. Current methods of milk pasteurization are not sufficient to kill all MAP cells present in milk and MAP has been found in raw or pasteurized milk and isolated from cheese. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge about MAP in dairy production. We analyzed studies on milk contamination, effect of pasteurization and methods for identification of MAP that can be applied to dairy products.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of cleanliness of cattle slaughtered on hide and carcass contamination as indicated by aerobic colony count (ACC) and Enterobacteriaceae count (EC). Cattle in two slaughterhouses were visually inspected and assigned to a category from 1 (very clean) to 5 (very dirty) based on cleanliness. Fifteen animals for each category were randomly selected in each slaugterhouse and the hides and carcasses sampled and analyzed for ACC, EC. Results showed that the increasing dirt of the cattle was associated with higher ACC and EC on the hides and with higher ACC on carcasses in both slaughterhouse. In one slaughterhouse a correlation between hide cleanliness and EC was shown. The different characteristics of the slaughterhouses may influence the transfer of bacteria from hide to carcass. The study supports the conclusion that the pre-slaughter visual evaluation of animal cleanliness and application of corrective actions can be an effective aid to reduce carcass contamination in both slaughterhouses.