Aims
The aim of this study was to report on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) Escherichia coli from retail chicken meat samples in the UK, with particular focus on AmpC and extended ...spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL) production and carbapenem resistance.
Methods and Results
Methods from EU protocols were used for selective isolation of AmpC‐/ESBL‐producing E. coli, carbapenem‐resistant E. coli and for performing minimum inhibitory concentrations. Additional work not part of EU protocols included viable counts, detection by PCR of blaCTX‐M, blaOXA,blaSHV and blaTEM genes in ESBL‐phenotype E. coli and screening for mcr plasmid‐mediated colistin resistance. From the 313/309 retail chicken meat samples tested in 2016/2018, carbapenem or mcr plasmid‐mediated colistin‐resistant E. coli were not detected. For 2016/2018 chicken samples, 141/42 (45·0%/13·6%), 90/23 (28·8%/7·4%), 48/16 (15·3%/5·2%) and 3/3 (1·0%/1·0%) were positive for ESBL‐ and/or AmpC‐, ESBL‐ alone AmpC‐ alone and AmpC+ESBL‐phenotype E. coli respectively. ESBL‐producing E. coli were predominantly blaCTX‐M‐1. All AmpC and/or ESBL‐phenotype E. coli were sensitive to colistin, ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem, temocillin and tigecycline, applying epidemiological cut‐off values.
Conclusions
A previous study in 2013/14 showed that 65·4% of retail chicken meat samples tested in the UK were positive for ESBL‐producing (mainly CTX‐M) E. coli. Since then the proportion of samples positive in the UK has dropped significantly to 7·4% in 2018.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Significant reductions in antimicrobials used in the UK poultry meat sector between 2012 and 2016 may be linked to significant reductions in AmpC/ESBL‐phenotype E. coli in retail chicken between 2013/14 and 2018.
•A broth dilution procedure for AST of Brachyspira species is described.•The broth dilution method was validated in a ring trial.•Intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility was good.•New control ...strains are proposed.•Increased MIC corresponded to genomic data indicating decreased susceptibility.
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli cause economically important enteric disease in pigs. Treatment of these infections often includes antimicrobial administration, which can be most effective when therapeutic options are informed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing data. Here we describe a method for broth dilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these bacteria, both of which are difficult to culture in vitro. The protocol was evaluated for its fitness for use in an inter-laboratory ring trial involving eight laboratories from seven countries, and employing eleven test strains (5 Brachyspira hyodysenteriae including the type strain B78T and 6 Brachyspira pilosicoli) and six antibiotics. Overall intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of this method was very good (>90 % MICs at mode +/- 1 log2). Whole genome sequencing revealed good correspondence between reduced susceptibility and the presence of previously defined antimicrobial resistance determinants. Interestingly, lnu(C) was identified in B. pilosicoli isolates with elevated MICs of lincomycin, whilst tva(B) was associated with elevated MICs of pleuromutilins in this species. We designated two new control strains with MICs lying within currently tested ranges, including for the pleuromutilins, in contrast to the control strain B. hyodysenteriae B78T. These were deposited at the DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH. The validation of a standard protocol and identification of new control strains facilitates comparisons between studies, establishment of robust interpretative criteria, and ultimately contributes to rational antimicrobial use when treating infected livestock.
Bovine venereal campylobacter infection, caused by Campylobacter fetus venerealis, is of significant economic importance to the livestock industry. Unfortunately, the successful detection and ...discrimination of C. fetus venerealis from C. fetus fetus continue to be a limitation throughout the world. There are several publications warning of the problem with biotyping methods as well as with recent molecular based assays. In this study, assessed on 1071 isolates, we report on the successful development of two Real Time SYBR® Green PCR assays that will allow for the detection and discrimination of C. fetus fetus and C. fetus venerealis. The sensitivity reported here for the C. fetus (CampF4/R4) and the C. fetus venerealis (CampF7/R7) specific PCR assays are 100% and 98.7% respectively. The specificity for these same PCR assays are 99.6% and 99.8% respectively.
•Produced a real time platform suitable for veterinary diagnostic laboratories•Assessed over 1000 isolates and successfully differentiated between all Cff and Cfv•Successfully discriminated so-called ‘problematic strains’ from New Zealand•Showed that PCR was an invaluable tool in supporting biotyping procedures at AHVLA
Representative portions of pelvic, iliac, bronchial and gastric lymph nodes, spleen, lung, kidney, liver, testis, pelvic muscle and skin wound were fixed in 10 per cent neutral buffered formalin and ...routinely processed for histological examination. Iliac, bronchial and gastric lymph nodes, spleen, lung, kidney, liver and testis showed multifocal to coalescing small to moderate aggregates of epithelioid macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells, which in the case of the lung, effaced 60-70 per cent of the alveolar parenchyma (Fig 2). M bovis has been isolated from other domestic, feral and wild species in the UK (Delahay and others 2007, Defra 2011a), but species other than cattle and badgers are generally considered only to be spillover hosts (Defra 2011b). ...although there is a wide range of species from which the seal pup may have been infected with M bovis, cattle and badgers are the most likely sources. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 53, 1305-1314 Defra ( 2011a ) Incidents of M. bovis infection in non-bovine domestic ani-mals & wild deer in GB confirmed by laboratory culture. http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/tb/documents/tb-otherspecies.pdf Accessed October 31, 2012 Defra ( 2011b ) Bovine TB Eradication Programme for England. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69443/pb13601-bovinetb-eradication-programme-110719.pdf Accessed May 27, 2013 Delahay R. J. Smith G. C. Barlow A. M. Walker N. Harris A. Clifton-Hadley R. S. Cheeseman C. L. ( 2007 ) Bovine tuberculosis in-fection in wild mammals in the South-West region of England: A survey of prevalence and a semi-quantitative assessment of the relative risks to cattle.
We have produced a catalogue of line identifications and equivalent width measurements for all absorption features in eight ultraviolet echelle quasar spectra. These spectra were selected as having ...the highest signal-to-noise ratio among the Hubble Space Telescope/STIS spectra obtained with the E230M grating. We identify 56 metal-line systems towards the eight quasars, and present plots of detected transitions, aligned in velocity space. We found that about 1/4–1/3 of the features in the Lyα forest region, redward of the incidence of the Lyβ forest, are metal lines. High-ionization transitions are common. At the redshift range we study, z < 1.7, we see both O vi and C iv in 88–90 per cent of the metal-line systems for which the spectra cover the expected wavelength. Si iii is seen in 58 per cent, while low-ionization absorption in C ii, Si ii and/or Al ii is detected in 50 per cent of the systems for which they are covered. This catalogue will facilitate future studies of the Lyα forest and of metal-line systems of various types.
Many people find it difficult to come to terms with having had a stroke and the resulting physical disability. This article reports on the setting up and running of psychological therapeutic groups ...to provide emotional and psychological support to patients about six months after their stroke. A flexible approach has allowed different groups to take different approaches to dealing with individuals' situations. Initial evaluations suggested that the groups help patients in the emotional processing of their experience of stroke and in promoting psychological adjustment to their changed circumstances. Group members have identified other gaps in service provision, such as a need for stroke education, and these gaps have been addressed.
Abstract Background Reference ranges for electrocardiogram (ECG) intervals, heart rate, and QRS axis in general use by medical personnel and ECG readers are unrepresentative of true age- and ...sex-related values in large populations and are not based on modern electrocardiographic and ECG reading technology. Methods and Results The results of ECG interpretation by cardiologists using digital technology for viewing and interpreting ECGs were compiled from single, baseline ECGs of 79,743 individuals included in pharmaceutical company–sponsored clinical trials. Women comprised 48% of the total population. Ages ranged from 3 months to 99 years, and the bulk of the population (56%) was aged 40 to 70 years. Striking differences in numerical ECG values based on age and sex were observed. A subgroup of 46,129 individuals with a very low probability of cardiovascular disease was identified. The following were the reference ranges for this subgroup, determined using the 2nd and 98th percentiles: heart rate, 48 to 98 beats/min; PR interval, 113 to 212 milliseconds; QRS interval, 69 to 109 milliseconds; frontal plane QRS axis, −40° to 91°; QT interval, 325 to 452 milliseconds; QTc-Bazett, 361 to 457 milliseconds; and QTc-Fridericia, 359 to 445 milliseconds. There were marked age- and sex-related variations in the reference ranges of this subgroup, and they differ substantially from previously reported norms. Small differences were observed in ECG values obtained using our digital methods as compared with readings done using paper tracings and values computed by 2 commercial computer algorithms. Conclusions We observed large differences in electrocardiographic heart rate, interval, and axis reference ranges in this study compared with those reported previously and with reference ranges in general use. We also observed a large influence of age and sex upon normal values. Very large cohorts are required to fully assess age- and sex-related variation of reference ranges. Electrocardiographic reference ranges should be modernized.
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