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Background: Gastrointestinal diseases in weaned piglets are a frequent cause of high morbidity and mortality in domestic pigs. The use of antibiotics is problematic due to increasing antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations, for which reason the use of suitable probiotics is highly recommended to maintain animal health and welfare. Results: In this study, 57 strains of biologically safe lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria originating from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pigs were identified and characterized in terms of their probiotic properties for potential use in weaned piglets. These strains were divided into two sets based on their origin – from the GIT of wild boars (n = 41) and from the GIT of domestic pigs (n = 16). Strains obtained from wild boars exhibited greater taxonomic diversity compared to isolates from domestic pigs. While searching for coding sequences (CDS) encoding bacteriocins and bile salt hydrolases (BSH), no significant difference was detected between the two tested groups. On the other hand, CDS encoding adhesinlike factors were more frequent in the dataset isolated from wild boars than in the dataset obtained from domestic pigs. Moreover, more CDS encoding carbohydrateactive enzymes (CAZymes) were carried in the genomes of strains obtained from wild boars. Utilization of important selected carbohydrate substrates, such as starch, D-raffinose, D-mannose, Dcellobiose and gentiobiose, was confirmed by API testing. Antimicrobial activity against at least one of the five tested pathogens was found in 51% of wild boar strains but in none of the isolates from domestic pigs. Conclusion: This suggests that the intestinal microbiota of wild boars could serve as a promising source of probiotics for domestic pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using probiotics represents a potential solution to post-weaning diarrheal diseases in piglets on commercial farms. The gastrointestinal tract of wild boars serves as a promising reservoir of novel lactic acid bacteria with suitable probiotic characteristics. In this study, we isolated eight bacterial strains from the intestinal content of wild boars identified as representatives of the species Bifidobacterium apri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Ligilactobacillus salivarius. These isolates underwent in vitro analysis and characterisation to assess their biological safety and probiotic properties. Analysis of their full genome sequences revealed the absence of horizontally transferrable genes for antibiotic resistance. However, seven out of eight isolates harboured genes encoding various types of bacteriocins in their genomes, and bacteriocin production was further confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Most of the tested strains demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of selected pathogenic bacteria, produce exopolysaccharides, and stimulate the expression of interleukin-10 in porcine macrophages. These characteristics deem the isolates characterised in this study as potential candidates for use as probiotics for piglets during the post-weaning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Restrictions on the use of antibiotics in pigs lead to the continuous search for new probiotics serving as an alternative to antibiotics. One of the key parameters for probiotic bacteria selection is the absence of horizontally transmissible resistance genes. The aim of our study was to determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles in 28 Lactobacillus amylovorus isolates derived from the digestive tract of wild boars and farm pigs by means of the broth microdilution method and whole genome sequencing (WGS). We revealed genetic resistance determinants and examined sequences flanking resistance genes in these strains. Our findings indicate that L. amylovorus strains from domestic pigs are predominantly resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin and ampicillin. WGS analysis of horizontally transmissible genes revealed only three genetic determinants (tetW, ermB and aadE) of which all tetW and ermB genes were present only in strains derived from domestic pigs. Sequence analysis of coding sequences (CDS) in the neighborhood of the tetW gene revealed the presence of site-specific recombinase (xerC/D), site-specific DNA recombinase (spoIVCA) or DNA-binding transcriptional regulator (xre), usually directly downstream of the tetW gene. In the case of ermB, CDS for omega transcriptional repressor or mobilization protein were detected upstream of the ermB gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the Editor: Tuberculosis is a chronic wasting disease in domestic birds (especially hens) and free-ranging birds worldwide (1). Most mycobacterial infections in birds are caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. [...]

Epidemiological data linked to cases of food-borne infection from fresh produce are scarce and usually underestimated. The present study reports the occurrence of food-borne pathogens such as viruses (norovirus, hepatitis A virus) and protozoa (Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium parvum/hominis) in 175 samples of fresh-cut vegetables, frozen vegetables and sprouts that originated in the Czech Republic and in other European countries, as detected using realtime PCR and reverse transcription real-time PCR. In addition, samples were analysed for Escherichia coli as an indicator of fecal contamination and for Staphylococcus aureus as an indicator of possible contamination by food handlers, using conventional culture methods. Norovirus was detected in two samples (1.1 %) of rocket and frozen mixed vegetables. G. intestinalis was detected in two samples (1.1 %) of mixed fresh vegetable salads and mixed frozen vegetables. The occurrence of norovirus did not correlate with E. coli presence. Staph. aureus was detected in 3 samples (1.7 %) but without genes for classical enterotoxins production. Our results highlight the need for microbiological analysis of food of non-animal origin for specific protozoan and viral agents, which are being less frequently monitored in these food category types, but their presence may pose risk for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IS901 RFLP analysis of 36 Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) isolates from 15 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and two goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from four pheasant farms was performed. Using this method, six different 1S901 RFLP types (E, F, G, M, Q, and V) were identified. The distribution of IS901 RFLP profiles was tightly linked to individual flocks. Matching IS901 RFLP profiles observed in the present study indicate MAA transmission between pheasants and goshawks in the same locality. In two flocks, different pheasants within a flock as well as in various organs of five individual pheasants were found to have two distinct IS901 RFLP profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]