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The clinical role of Acinetobacter baumannii has been highlighted in numerous infectious syndromes with a high mortality rate, due to the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. The treatment and eradication of this pathogen is hindered by biofilm-formation, providing protection from noxious environmental factors and antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to assess the antibiotic susceptibility, antiseptic susceptibility and biofilm-forming capacity using phenotypic methods in environmental A. baumannii isolates. One hundred and fourteen (n = 114) isolates were collected, originating from various environmental sources and geographical regions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the disk diffusion method, while antiseptic susceptibility was performed using the agar dilution method. Determination of biofilm-forming capacity was carried out using a microtiter-plate based method. Resistance in environmental A. baumannii isolates were highest for ciprofloxacin (64.03%, n = 73), levofloxacin (62.18%, n = 71) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (61.40%, n = 70), while lowest for colistin (1.75%, n = 2). Efflux pump overexpression was seen in 48.25% of isolates (n = 55), 49.12% (n = 56) were classified as MDR. 6.14% (n = 7), 9.65% (n = 11), 24.65% (n = 28) and 59.65% (n = 68) of isolates were non-biofilm producers, weak, medium, and strong biofilm producers, respectively. No significant differences were observed between non-MDR vs. MDR isolates regarding their distribution of biofilm-producers (P = 0.655). The MIC ranges for the tested antiseptics were as follows: benzalkonium chloride 16-128 μg mL-1, chlorhexidine digluconate 4-128 μg mL-1, formaldehyde 64-256 μg mL-1 and triclosan 2-16 μg mL-1, respectively. The conscientious use of antiseptics, together with periodic surveillance, is essential to curb the spread of these bacteria, and to maintain current infection prevention capabilities.

Traditional selection has led to remarkable differences in allele frequencies among various chicken breeds. Indigenous and broiler-type chicken populations were genotyped for polymorphisms in thyroid hormone responsive Spot14α, prolactin (PRL), IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2), and somatostatin (SST) genes in order to determine potential utilisation type-associated allele frequencies. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were detected between Hungarian Yellow and broiler populations for Spot14α, PRL, and IGFBP2 allele frequencies, whereas the same SST allele (A) was fixed in both groups. In this study, the most significant associations (P < 0.05) were found between the IGFBP2 genotypes and the measured traits (body weight, carcass weight, breast muscle weight with or without skin, breast muscle weight as a percentage of carcass weight) in the broiler population. The results can be applied for the evaluation of polymorphism effects in the analysed populations; however, contradictory allele effects in different breeds and hybrids indicate the need for cautious marker utilisation in selection programmes.

The authors studied in Káposztásmegyer belonging to the IVth district of Budapest the way of feeding and the frequency of skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms suggesting allergic disease in the first year of life of 405 infants born in 1993. It was analyzed whether the frequency of symptoms was related to the duration of breast feeding and the first introduction of cow's milk protein. In the 53 infants with symptoms the duration of breast feeding was significantly shorter (mean 12.5 weeks) than in the symptomless ones (20.2 weeks, p < 0.01). The first introduction of cow's milk was also significantly earlier in the infants with symptoms (mean 6.2 weeks) than in the healthy ones (11.8 weeks, p < 0.01). Cow's milk protein was more frequently introduced before the age of one months in infants with suspected cow's milk protein allergy (56%), than in the symptomless infants (34%, p < 0.01). It can be concluded that the shorter duration of breast feeding and the earlier exposure of cow's milk protein may increase the prevalence of allergic symptoms in infancy.