Feeding raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) to companion animals has become increasingly popular. Since these diets may be contaminated with bacteria and parasites, they may pose a risk to both animal and ...human health. The purpose of this study was to test for the presence of zoonotic bacterial and parasitic pathogens in Dutch commercial RMBDs. We analysed 35 commercial frozen RMBDs from eight different brands. Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 was isolated from eight products (23 per cent) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing E coli was found in 28 products (80 per cent). Listeria monocytogenes was present in 19 products (54 per cent), other Listeria species in 15 products (43 per cent) and Salmonella species in seven products (20 per cent). Concerning parasites, four products (11 per cent) contained Sarcocystis cruzi and another four (11 per cent) S tenella. In two products (6 per cent) Toxoplasma gondii was found. The results of this study demonstrate the presence of potential zoonotic pathogens in frozen RMBDs that may be a possible source of bacterial infections in pet animals and if transmitted pose a risk for human beings. If non-frozen meat is fed, parasitic infections are also possible. Pet owners should therefore be informed about the risks associated with feeding their animals RMBDs.
RMBD (acronym of Raw Meat Based Diet) and BARF diets (acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) account dietary regimens based on raw ingredients (including raw meat), ...popular in pet feeding. Animal tissues and organs as well as other uncooked ingredients are more and more popularly used by pet owners to feed household pets. However, the increased risk of exposure to microbiological and parasitic agents poses the question as to whether such diets may be recommendable to be handled and offered to domestic cats and dogs co-living in domestic and urban environment. Above all, the threat of human and animal infections by parasites from raw meat fed to pets is not sufficiently explored and tracked, meanwhile deserving particular surveillance, instead. At this regard, raw meat feeding to pets may represent a route of exposure to the increased risk of environmental load. In fact, some parasites typically found in rural environment can be given the chance to complete their life-cycle, for the closeness between definitive and intermediate hosts. This is of particular concern, as potentially infected pets serving as definitive hosts can become a continuous source of environmental diffusion of parasites, both at domestic and urban level. The handling of raw meat requires adequate knowledge and awareness of the hygienic principles to prevent the onset of disorders related to both manipulation by pet owners and uncooked food consumption by the pet. This review aimed to shed a comprehensive overview of the hygienic aspects related to raw pet feeding, as to handling of raw meat in domestic environment, with special emphasis on parasitic agents and related zoonotic hazards.
•BMImBARF has non-coordinating anion (steric and electrostatic interactions only).•Solutions of BMImBARF in alkyl carbonates have been studied.•BMImBARF forms nanoaggregates in alkyl carbonates at ...low concentrations.•Nanoaggregates are not formed at high concentration (> 10%).•Lower IL dissociation occurs for alkyl carbonate with higher dielectric constants.
Solutions of weakly coordinating ionic liquids (ILs) in alkyl carbonates are gaining growing attention, as the latter are “green” solvents with high solvation power, but the phase behavior and structure of ILs in organic polar solvents are still poorly understood. Here, we study the interactions and nanoscale structure of 1‑butyl‑3-methylimidazolium tetrakis3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenylborate, BMImBARF, in three symmetrical alkyl carbonate solvents with increasing alkyl chain-length. Electrical conductivity and nuclear magnetic resonance measurements showed that BMImBARF was mostly undissociated in these solvents, especially at lower IL concentration. Small angle X-ray scattering patterns evidenced the presence of rod-like nanostructures in the IL/solvent mixtures. At higher IL concentration, BMImBARF is increasingly more dissociated in solvents with lower dielectric constant, as confirmed by analysis of the solvents’ carbonyl stretching band via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This trend is opposite to that exhibited by BMIm ILs with less bulky counterions. The bulky BARF− is weakly coordinating and has no ability to give strong H-bonding, thus short-range anisotropic van der Waals forces are likely key in the interaction of the ion pairs. The slower self-diffusion of the ions in alkyl carbonates with lower dielectric constants might partially hinder close contact needed for self-assembly into local nano-sized structures. Overall, our results shed light on interactions and self-organization in imidazolium salt-alkyl carbonate mixtures, with potential impact in applicative fields spanning from batteries, catalysis and extraction, up to bio-applications (antimicrobial and bioengineering).
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BackgroundBiologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet is becoming more and more popular among pet owners in Europe. However, there are documented microbiological risks associated with raw feeding, ...and this study aimed to determine the presence of human pathogens in commercially frozen BARF products sold in Italy.Methods Salmonella species, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter species were identified. The general microbiological quality of BARF products and hygiene were also evaluated. Sample size was limited and therefore the study may not be representative of a larger sample.ResultsNone of the tested samples showed total bacterial count (TBC) higher than the limit set to consider a sample unacceptable. However, 14 out of 21 samples showed TBC higher than the limit set to consider a sample marginally acceptable. A high percentage of samples were contaminated by the aforementioned pathogens, highlighting the need for pet owners to be aware of the risks of this feeding strategy both to themselves and to their pets.ConclusionsConsidering that BARF diet meals can be prepared at home using the hands, as well as tools and spaces that could be shared, guidelines on safer handling of these pet food products should be recommended by veterinarians and nutritionists.
Raw meat-based diets for pet nutrition are becoming increasingly popular. The percentage of meat content, composition of nutrients, and amount of additives started to play an important role in the ...recipe of a given food. However, the use of healthier and unprocessed food must also be balanced with the animal's specific needs based on its anatomy, physiology, and behavior. There are many potential advantages and disadvantages of a biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet, and all of them should be considered before switching to this approach. Raw meat is considered a diet closest to nature and least processed. However, raw diets threaten pet health because of the potential for nutrient imbalances. The choice of raw meat in pets' everyday diet should be supported by the veterinarian's medical decision and preferably also with nutritionist help. Growing animals require a specific Ca:P ratio in their diet, which may be improper in raw meat. For cats, taurine levels must be carefully checked. In addition, an imbalanced raw-meat diet can be the cause of poor semen quality in males. Females are prone to inhibition of the estrus cycle, especially due to hyperthyroidism. Exogenous thyroid hormone intake is a real concern when feeding a neck/head meat with thyroid glands. There is also a possibility of bacterial or parasitic presence in raw meat. The present paper aims to summarize the current state of knowledge about the benefits and threats of eating a raw meat diet for the health concerns of companion animals.
Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
are an emerging problem in veterinary and human medicine. Our study concentrated on the estimation of the prevalence and factors associated with the ...carriage of ESBL-producing
in dogs who visited a veterinary clinic in northern Germany in 2017. For this reason, 1000 patients (healthy and sick dogs) were tested, resulting in 1000 samples originating from rectal swabs. Additional data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire that was completed by the dog owner. Factors associated with ESBL carriage were considered for further modeling if
< 0.05 using a two-sided Fisher test. Using a backward elimination procedure, the variables for the final multivariable logistic regression model were identified. In total, 8.9% of the dogs tested were positive for carriage of ESBL-producing
. Seven factors were associated with the colonization of dogs with ESBL-
within the multivariable model, namely husbandry system (
= 0.0019, OR = 3.00; 95% CI: 1.50-6.00), contact with puppies (
= 0.0044, OR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.32-4.46), feeding of raw meat (
= 0.011, OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.21-4.31), food residues (
= 0.0151, OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.18-4.53) and food supplements (
= 0.0487, OR = 0.426; 95% CI: 0.18-0.96), and antibiotic treatments of dogs (
= 0.0005, OR = 3.030; 95% CI: 1.62-5.68) or owners (
= 0.041, OR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.04-7.19) prior to the study. These factors refer to the animals themselves as well as to the owners and their habits or medical treatments. Although the causality and direction of transmission from owners to their dogs cannot be proven, the factor of antibiotic treatment of the owner is clearly associated with the dog's status.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Raw food diets are popular among some dog owners, even though there are concerns regarding the infectious disease risk and public health implications. Hence, the two aims of this study were to ...investigate the hygiene quality of raw food diets for dogs in the Swedish market and if Escherichia coli with transferable resistance to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESC) was present in such products.
Samples of raw food diets were suspended and further diluted in 0.9% saline. Appropriate dilutions were 1) cultured on Petrifilm™SEC to quantify the amount of E. coli in the samples and 2) mixed with cefotaxime to a final concentration of 1 mg/L and cultured on Petrifilm™SEC to quantify the amount of ESC-resistant E. coli in the samples. Furthermore, undiluted suspensions were mixed 1:1 with double strength MacConkey broth with cefotaxime, enriched overnight and finally cultured on MacConkey agar with cefotaxime (1 mg/L). Suspected ESC-resistant E. coli were screened by PCR for genes encoding extended spectrum beta lactamases and plasmid-mediated AmpC and their susceptibility to a panel of antimicrobials was performed by broth microdilution using VetMIC GN-mo.
Escherichia coli was isolated from all samples (n=39) and ESC-resistant E. coli was isolated from nine samples (23%). All ESC-resistant E. coli were PCR-positive for the bla
CMY-2
group and only one of them was also resistant to a non-beta-lactam antibiotic.
The results of this study indicate that raw food diets could be a source of ESC-resistant E. coli to dogs and highlight the need for maintaining good hygiene when handling these products to prevent infection.
This creative writing piece explores relationships and the traces they leave passing through the land. Corrine Fitzpatrick and Eileen Myles chronicle their friendship in and around New York City, ...with material and virtual stops in Seattle, San Diego, Iceland, and San Francisco. This is a conversation.
This preliminary study assessed the presence of Salmonella spp. in a bones and raw food (BARF) diet and in the stools of dogs consuming it. Salmonella was isolated from 80% of the BARF diet samples ...(P < 0.001) and from 30% of the stool samples from dogs fed the diet (P = 0.105). Dogs fed raw chicken may therefore be a source of environmental contamination.
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