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Foods of animal origin are controlled for antibiotic and coccidiostat residues. The rapid residue detection is possible using reliable broad-spectrum screening tests. This study’s objective using four microbial inhibition tests for the detection and identification of antibiotic and coccidiostat residues in different foods of animal origin: Premi®Test, EXP Ampulle test, Milchtest and Screening Test for Antibiotic Residues (STAR). Four hundred and thirty (430) food samples (165 animal tissues, 152 raw cow’s milk and 113 eggs) were randomly collected and screened. Using the Premi®Test, 18 samples were positive and 6 samples dubious. Using the EXP Ampulle test, 31 samples were positive and 2 samples dubious. Using the Milchtest, 15 samples were positive and 12 samples dubious. Using the STAR, 65 samples were positive with 62 samples positive on plates specific for beta-lactams and sulphonamides, 4 samples on plates specific for aminoglycosides, 8 samples on plates specific for macrolides and beta-lactams; and 7 samples on the plates specific for tetracyclines. Retesting using penicillinase and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) to confirm the presence of beta-lactams or sulphonamides all potentially positive tube test samples revealed 21 samples positive for beta-lactams and 27 samples positive for sulphonamides. Further testing of sulphonamide positive chicken samples revealed the positivity for coccidiostat salinomycin which was confirmed by testing with PABA, which counteracting salinomycin inhibition. Three hundred and sixty six (366) animal food samples were negative for antibiotic and coccidiostat residues. Microbial inhibition tests are preferred for initial antibiotic screening and have also proven useful for coccidiostat screening and post-screening.HIGHLIGHTS Foodstuffs of animal origin are subject to controls on antibiotic and coccidiostat residues. Microbial inhibition tests are still the preferred choice for the initial screening of antibiotic residues in food matrices and could become a useful tool for the screening of coccidiostat residues also. More specific post-screening analysis with PABA proved unexpectedly to be a reliable tool in the preliminary detection of coccidiostat residues in poultry meat and eggs.

Babesia gibsoni is a tick-borne protozoal blood parasite that may cause hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy, and/or splenomegaly in dogs. Many drugs have been used in management of canine babesiosis such as monotherapy or combined treatment, including diminazene aceturate, imidocarb dipropionate, atovaquone, and antibiotics. This report examines the effectiveness and safety of Malarone®, azithromycin (AZM) and artesunate (ART) combination for the treatment of babesiosis in dogs naturally infected with Babesia gibsoni. Twelve American Pit Bull Terriers were included in the experiment. Examined dogs underwent clinical and laboratory analysis including hematology and biochemistry profile and serum protein electrophoresis. After diagnosis, the dogs received combined therapy with Malarone® (13.5 mg/kg PO q24 h), azithromycin (10 mg/kg PO q24 h) and artesunate (12.5 mg/kg PO q24 h) for 10 days. The combined treatment improved hematology and biochemical parameters to the reference range gradually during the first 14 days already, resulting in the stable values until day 56 after treatment. No clinically apparent adverse effects were reported during treatment and monitoring. No relapses of parasitemia were detected in control days 180, 360, 540 and 720 in all dogs. Results of the study indicate that the combined treatment leads to successful elimination of parasitemia in chronically infected dogs with B. gibsoni.

Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related digital ischaemia is a major cause of morbidity, resulting from a combination of microvascular and digital artery disease. Photoacoustic imaging offers a newly available, non-invasive method of imaging digital artery structure and oxygenation. The aim of this study was to establish whether photoacoustic imaging could detect and measure vasculopathy in digital arteries, including the level of oxygenation, in patients with SSc and healthy controls. 22 patients with SSc and 32 healthy controls (HC) underwent photoacoustic imaging of the fingers. Vascular volume and oxygenation were assessed across eight fingers at the middle phalanx. In addition, oxygenation change during finger occlusion was measured at the non-dominant ring finger and the vascular network was imaged along the length of one finger for qualitative assessment. There was no statistically significant difference in vascular volume between patients with SSc and HC (mean of eight fingers; SSc, median 118.6 IQR [95.0–130.5] vs. HC 115.6 [97.8–158.9]) mm3. However, baseline oxygenation (mean 8 fingers) was lower in SSc vs. HC (0.373 [0.361–0.381] vs. 0.381 [0.373–0.385] arbitrary sO2 units respectively; p = 0.03). Hyperaemic oxygenation response following occlusion release was significantly lower in SSc compared to HC (0.379 [0.376–0.381] vs. 0.382 [0.377–0.385]; p = 0.03). Whilst vascular volume was similar between groups, digital artery oxygenation was decreased in patients with SSc as compared to HC, indicative of functional deficit. Photoacoustic imaging offers an exciting new method to image the vascular network in patients with SSc and the possibility to capture oxygenation as a functional measure.