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Simple Summary: Weaning is a key moment in the pig's life that is often fraught with stress and immunosuppression. Poor handling of piglets during weaning compromises their health and performance, potentially resulting in increased expenditure on veterinary medicines. Therefore, the aim of this work is to design a quick scan calculator, a multi-criteria assessment tool, built upon ten indices based on hygienic and handling measures. These indices encompass pre-weaning handling, batch management, biosecurity, water and feed management, health programs, stockmen training, temperature, ventilation, and floor conditions and density. Each index receives a maximum score of 10, and the cumulative score reflects the degree of adequacy of on-farm management, with a perfect score being 100. Field testing across 23 farms unveiled the highest scores for floor conditions and density, along with pre-weaning handling and health programs. Conversely, temperature, ventilation, water management, and stockmen training scored lower. The average farm score stood at 56.12 out of 100. Importantly, the calculator's score correlated significantly with key post-weaning piglet health and productivity parameters. By focusing on the indices with lower scores, farms can improve management, hygiene practices, and preventive measures, ultimately reducing medication use and enhancing overall piglet welfare. Weaned piglets, being immature, demand careful handling to mitigate post-weaning stress in order to avoid immunosuppression and the use of antimicrobials to palliate the effects of disease outbreaks due to poor management. The objective of this work is to design a quick scan calculator or multi-criteria evaluation model of management for weaned piglets, founded on 10 critical indices covering post-weaning management aspects based on hygienic measures and management of facilities and animals. These include pre-weaning handling, batch management, biosecurity, water management, feed management, health program, stockmen training, temperature, ventilation, and floor conditions and density to relate handling and hygiene practices with farm performance and the consumption of veterinary medication. Each index carries a maximum score of ten, with evaluations derived from different management factors that make up each index (from three to eight factors were evaluated per index). Their cumulative score reflects the degree of adequacy of on-farm management. Therefore, a perfectly managed farm would achieve 100 points. The calculator underwent testing on 23 intensive farms with a total population of close to 16,000 sows and more than 400,000 weaned piglets, revealing the highest mean scores in floor conditions and density (8.03 out of 10) and pre-weaning handling and health programs (6.87 and 6.28, respectively). Conversely, the lowest scores corresponded to temperature, ventilation, water management, and stockmen training (4.08, 4.32, 4.81, and 4.93, respectively). The assessed farms averaged a global score of 56.12 out of 100 (from 37.65 to 76.76). The calculator's global score correlated with key post-weaning productivity and piglet health indicators, such as the feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, and piglet production cost, with r values of −0.442, −0.437, and −0.435, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, it negatively correlated with medication costs per piglet (r = −0.414; p < 0.05) and positively with annual farm productivity (r = 0.592; p < 0.01). To enhance management, hygiene, and prevention, farms should prioritize addressing indices with the lowest scores, thereby reducing medication consumption and enhancing productivity and health outcomes. Additionally, this quick scan calculator can be used for benchmarking purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weaned piglets, being immature, demand careful handling to mitigate post-weaning stress in order to avoid immunosuppression and the use of antimicrobials to palliate the effects of disease outbreaks due to poor management. The objective of this work is to design a quick scan calculator or multi-criteria evaluation model of management for weaned piglets, founded on 10 critical indices covering post-weaning management aspects based on hygienic measures and management of facilities and animals. These include pre-weaning handling, batch management, biosecurity, water management, feed management, health program, stockmen training, temperature, ventilation, and floor conditions and density to relate handling and hygiene practices with farm performance and the consumption of veterinary medication. Each index carries a maximum score of ten, with evaluations derived from different management factors that make up each index (from three to eight factors were evaluated per index). Their cumulative score reflects the degree of adequacy of on-farm management. Therefore, a perfectly managed farm would achieve 100 points. The calculator underwent testing on 23 intensive farms with a total population of close to 16,000 sows and more than 400,000 weaned piglets, revealing the highest mean scores in floor conditions and density (8.03 out of 10) and pre-weaning handling and health programs (6.87 and 6.28, respectively). Conversely, the lowest scores corresponded to temperature, ventilation, water management, and stockmen training (4.08, 4.32, 4.81, and 4.93, respectively). The assessed farms averaged a global score of 56.12 out of 100 (from 37.65 to 76.76). The calculator’s global score correlated with key post-weaning productivity and piglet health indicators, such as the feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, and piglet production cost, with r values of −0.442, −0.437, and −0.435, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, it negatively correlated with medication costs per piglet (r = −0.414; p < 0.05) and positively with annual farm productivity (r = 0.592; p < 0.01). To enhance management, hygiene, and prevention, farms should prioritize addressing indices with the lowest scores, thereby reducing medication consumption and enhancing productivity and health outcomes. Additionally, this quick scan calculator can be used for benchmarking purposes.

Finding a feasible alternative to reduce the use of conventional polymers in the plastic sector has become a top priority, since industrially generated plastic waste, mostly traditional food packaging, has turned into a global environmental disaster. The aim of the study was the preparation and characterization of biodegradable films based on whey protein isolate, functionalized with green synthesized nanoparticles. Green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using cinnamon extract as both capping and reducing agent. Biodegradable nanocomposite blend films based on silver nanoparticles and whey protein isolate (WPI) were made by casting denatured WPI film solutions incorporated with green synthesized silver nanoparticles. The film thickness and water vapor permeability (WVP) of both control and AgNPs were determined. The biodegradable films based on whey and (1%) green synthesized nanoparticles have potential application as active food packaging in the cheese industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over time, many studies have been developed to describe microbial communities and to understand the dynamics and the role of these organisms during milk processing and during production of different types of cheese. For an evaluation of the microbiology of milk and cheese, a comparative study was carried out on 5 samples of whole cow's milk and 5 samples of Telemea-type cheeses in terms of identification and morphological characterization of milk microorganisms as raw material and cheese, as a finished product obtained, by correlating their microbiological characteristics in relation to the identified physico-chemical characteristics. The results obtained for the milk and cheese samples corresponded to those mentioned in the product-specific standards. Microbiologically, for the milk samples, the median value was 6.1 x 103 CFU/mL for milk and for the telemea cheese the CFU of samples was 4.3 x 103 CFU/g product. Microscopic analysis revealed a total of 9 colonies: 7 colonies of yeast and 2 colonies of bacteria, to which was added a mold (Fusarium spp.). The final results showed that there may be a certain degree of contamination, due to factors such as sanitary-veterinary hygiene and resistance increasing degree of microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infrastructural design of an animal farm can significantly motivate or discourage adopting biosecurity measures in the daily routines. Proper planning and collaboration between architects, farmers and veterinarians is critical in the prevention of serious biosecurity issues, possible financial and animal losses. The consistent use of a uniform nomenclature that encompasses both, construction-functional and veterinary-epidemiological terms is therefore essential. We developed a conceptual framework for key constructional elements in terms of biosecurity and characterize key concepts from both disciplines, architecture and veterinary epidemiology. From an epidemiological point of view, we focus on pathogens and vectors, and from a constructional perspective on biosecurity areas, barriers and locks. The central aspect of the framework is the capability of barriers and locks to prevent (uncontrolled) movement of vectors between different biosecurity areas, thus interrupting pathways of pathogen transmission. Concepts are abstracted and aggregated in such a way that they can be applied to any animal husbandry system, regardless of species or size, and independently of a particular disease. The aim is providing a common basis of terminology that facilitates cross-sectoral cooperation.

Exposure to bioaerosol in hospitals is associated with health effects but in the field of veterinary hospitals there are limited articles on bioaerosol concentration especially in Southeast Asia. This investigation of aerosol bacteria (crosssectional study) was conducted in two veterinary teaching hospitals located in Thailand. Airborne bacteria were collected from air samples in four room types (reception hall, intensive care unit, out-patient department and in-patient hospital department) in each hospital using a sieve impactor air sampler at different periods (8:00-10:00, 10:00-12.00 and 13:00-15:00). The results revealed high bacterial contamination in all collected air samples. The average levels of total viable bacteria count were >500 colony forming units (CFU)/m³ in all rooms but at some periods aerosol bacteria were <500 CFU/m³. Also, in the late morning and afternoon period, aerosol bacteria increased from early morning period. Further investigation on the experimental efficacy of two different types of air purifier (also called cleaners in some of the literature) was tested to identify an alternative apparatus requiring limited space and competent for a high concentration of odor and animal fur. The non-ionized air purifier for animate space and the ozone generator air purifier for inanimate space significantly (p<0.05) reduced the aerosol bacterial concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are present in both human and veterinary hospitals with data for each. There is no surveillance into the numbers and types of HAIs in veterinary establishments, but studies have found that they are a problem. This article discusses some of the more common HAIs that can occur in the veterinary establishment as well as patient risk factors and ways of minimising them so that HAIs and their consequences can be kept to a minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sports horse lives a large part of the time inside the pen in constant contact with the bedding. Therefore the bedding material can deeply affect the welfare and health of horses kept in pens. The materials have to ensure the realization of a double aim: to create a comfortable and soft surface on which the animal can stand and relax; to give appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions. Other important factors influence the choice, such as: the material must not be appetizing for the horse; the litter has to maintain a proper level of moisture, so that the hoof is kept healthy, elastic and hydrated. Also the costs for material and litter management have to be taken into account. In the present study, different organic materials are compared: wood chips, hemp, rice, flax and coconut. The trials took place in five box stalls, with square plan of 3 x 3 m. Environmental data were collected during the trials (air temperature and humidity, ammonia concentration, litter moisture). Management data were also collected, regarding the use of bedding materials, working time, costs. In the paper the main results of the comparison between the different litter materials used in horses pens are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corpse removal is a hygienic behaviour involved in reducing the spread of parasites and disease. It is found in social insects such as honeybees, wasps, ants and termites, insect societies that experience high populations and dense living conditions that are ideal for the spread of contagion. Previous studies on corpse removal have focused on perennial species that produce thousands of workers, a life history that may incur a greater need for hygienic behaviours. However, whether and how corpse removal occurs in annual species of social insect, which may experience different selection pressures for this behaviour, remains largely unknown. Here the corpse removal behaviour of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris was investigated by artificially adding larval and adult corpses into colonies. Larvae were removed more rapidly than adults, with adult corpses eliciting significantly more antennating and biting behaviours. Workers that removed larval corpses were significantly more specialized than the worker population at large, but this was not the case for workers that removed adult corpses. Workers that were previously observed spending more time inactive were slightly, but significantly less likely to perform corpse removal. Size did not affect whether a worker removed corpses, but workers that removed larvae were significantly larger than those that removed adult corpses. Finally, infecting larvae with the virulent parasite Nosema bombi did not elicit prophylactic removal. Our results provide the first quantification of corpse removal in an annual social insect and set the scene for comparative analyses of this important behaviour across social insect life histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This field study aimed to establish a risk-orientated hygiene analysis on two broiler farms in Northwestern Germany for the practical use in broiler housing to evaluate the success of disinfection procedures for eradicating S. Java. The risk-orientated hygiene analysis enables fast, reproducible and cost-effective testing of broiler farms and in turn helps minimize the public health risk ensuing from S. Java. Farms were tested before and after cleaning as well as after disinfection according to a risk-orientated hygiene analysis for the presence of Salmonella DNA with qPCR. Positive PCR samples were confirmed by classical microbiology. Before cleaning, all checkpoints were tested positive for Salmonella DNA. Salmonella reduction of ca 66% of the sampled points could be achieved by intensive cleaning. A first disinfection on farm A and B failed to completely eradicate S. Java. A second disinfection followed and finally achieved a Salmonella-free status of the barns. During nine rearing periods, farms were tested weekly with boot swabs for Salmonella and at slaughter carcasses were tested for Salmonella status. No Salmonella were detected in these examinations. The two studied broiler farms have, to date, remained free of Salmonella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of microbial aerosols on ducks’ welfare and provide information on which to establish microbial aerosol concentration standards for poultry.A total of 1800 1-d-old Cherry Valley ducks were randomly divided into 5 groups (A, B, C, D and E) with 360 ducks in each. To obtain objective data, each group had three replications. Different microbial aerosol concentrations in different groups were created by controlling ventilation and bedding cleaning frequency. Group A was the control group and hygienic conditions deteriorated progressively from group B to E.A 6-stage Andersen impactor was used to detect the aerosol concentration of aerobes, fungi, gram-negative bacteria and an AGI-30 microbial air sampler detected endotoxins. Physiological stress was evaluated in the ducks by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) values in serum.To assess the effects of bioaerosol factors, welfare indicators including fluctuating asymmetry (FA), appearance and gait as well as the Lactobacillus caecal concentration were evaluated.The data showed group D had already reached the highest limit of concentration of airborne aerobic bacteria, airborne fungi, airborne gram-negative bacteria and airborne endotoxin. The ducks in this group had significantly increased serum ACTH values and significantly decreased caecal lactobacilli concentration. Furthermore, appearance and gait scores, wing length and overall FA and caecal Lactobacillus concentration in this group were significantly increased at 6 and 8 weeks of age.In conclusion, high concentrations of microbial aerosol adversely affected the welfare of meat ducks. The microbial aerosol values in group D suggest a preliminary upper limit concentration of bioaerosols in ambient air for healthy meat ducks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents Bull semen production centres ( SPC) generally present satisfactory quality control for sperm processing, but non-standardized hygiene procedures. This study describes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points ( HACCP) system developed for bull SPC and subsequently implemented in a commercial SPC. After the identification of hazards at each step of semen processing and the determination of their risk and severity, monitoring and corrective procedures were designed to assess the system's efficiency. The HACCP system identified six microbiological hazards, 10 physical hazards, four chemical hazards and three critical control points. After the establishment of Good Processing Practices, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Sanitizing Operating Procedures, the system was validated through an audit, to identify eventual failures and to define measures to correct them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study was to identify compost bedding characteristics associated with mastitis epidemiologic indexes, cow cleanliness, and concentration of selected bacterial populations found in bulk tank milk. Secondary objectives were to monitor the occurrence of environmental mastitis outbreaks, and to describe the profile of pathogens isolated from mastitis cases of cows housed in the CBP system. Three dairies were visited monthly during 1 year. On each visit day, milk samples were collected from the bulk tank and from a sample of mammary quarters for microbiological examination. Milk samples were collected from all cases of clinical mastitis. Flank, leg, udder, and teat cleanliness were assessed using a score chart based on a 4-point scale (1=clean to 4=very dirty). Bedding samples were collected to estimate concentrations of total bacteria, streptococci, and coliforms, moisture, organic matter, carbon–nitrogen ratio, pH, and density. Mixed models were used to identify factors associated with incidence and prevalence of mastitis, and cow cleanliness. Except for farm A, on which contagious pathogens caused most cases, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and environmental streptococci were the most frequent pathogens isolated from clinical mastitis cases. Corynebacterium bovis was the most frequent pathogen isolated from subclinical cases of farms B (17.6) and C (26.0%). Environmental pathogens were isolated from 17.2%, 10.1%, and 14.8% of all subclinical cases of farms, A, B, and C, respectively. No outbreaks of environmental mastitis were observed during the course of the study. Bedding moisture, carbon–nitrogen ratio, pH, and dry density were unconditionally associated with the incidence of environmental clinical mastitis. Nonetheless, bedding moisture remained as a sole predictor in the final model. The odds of a case of environmental clinical mastitis increased 5.7% for each one-unit increase in bedding moisture. The odds of a new case of subclinical mastitis, and of a cow having SCC ≥200,000 cells/mL increased 32% and 16% for each one-unit increase in leg cleanliness score, respectively. Overall means for udder, teat, flank, and leg hygiene scores were less than 2.1 for all farms and did not vary among seasons of the year. Bedding wet density was positively associated with all cleanliness scores and bulk milk concentration of total bacteria. Results suggest that managing bedding to remain dry and loose will result in cleaner animals with decreased risk of mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The causes of differences in Campylobacter and Escherichia coli concentrations on broiler chicken carcasses after chilling between slaughterhouses are not fully identified. Therefore, it is a challenge for slaughterhouses to comply with Process Hygiene Criteria for broiler meat. The aim of the study was to identify which processing steps contribute to increases or decreases in Campylobacter and E. coli concentrations within and between two slaughterhouses. Identifying the processing steps with variable performance could explain the differences in bacterial concentrations after chilling between slaughterhouses. Thermotolerant Campylobacter and E. coli concentrations on carcasses during broiler processing were measured during the summer period in 21 trials after bleeding, scalding, defeathering, evisceration and chilling. In two slaughterhouses with comparable Campylobacter and E. coli concentrations in the incoming batches (after bleeding), the mean log 10 concentrations are found to be significantly different after chilling. Campylobacter concentrations decreased by 1.40 log 10 in Slaughterhouse 1 and by 1.86 log 10 in Slaughterhouse 2, whereas E. coli decreased by 2.19 log 10 in Slaughterhouse 1 and by 2.84 log 10 in Slaughterhouse 2. Higher concentrations of Campylobacter and E. coli on carcasses after chilling were observed in Slaughterhouse 1 in which an increase in concentrations was observed after evisceration. The effect of processing on Campylobacter and E. coli concentrations in Slaughterhouse 1 did not differ between batches. In Slaughterhouse 2, the effect of processing on the concentrations of both bacteria varied over batches. Changes in E. coli concentration levels during processing were similar to Campylobacter except for defeathering. E. coli concentration significantly decreased after defeathering in both slaughterhouses, whereas Campylobacter increased in Slaughterhouse 2 and in Slaughterhouse 1 no significant changes were observed. The patterns of increases and decreases in bacterial concentrations during processing are specific for each slaughterhouse. Inhomogeneous patterns potentially explain the differences in concentrations after chilling between slaughterhouses. Critical processing steps should be validated in each slaughterhouse by longitudinal studies and potentially based on E. coli . E. coli has a potential to be used as an indicator of processing hygiene, because the impact of most of the studied processing steps was similar as for Campylobacter . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hygiene is a common problem on outdoor runs of growing organic pigs. Manure and urine are mainly excreted outdoors and tend to spread all over the run. Reducing the soiled surface area may be beneficial to animal welfare, hygiene, ammonia emissions and labour, not only in organic but also in conventional systems. The objective was to reduce the soiled surface area in the pen and to make the outdoor run more attractive for pigs. Introduction of a rooting area and drinker in the outdoor run was tested in a 2 × 2 factorial design. In total, four replicates were studied in a room with two rows of four pens containing 14 pigs each. More pigs went outdoors in pens with rooting area access than in pens without a rooting area (11.2 vs . 8.5%, P = 0.003). This was due to more pigs entering the rooting area and an adjacent slatted floor. Addition of a drinker did not attract more pigs outdoors ( P = 0.53). The rooting area improved the cleanliness of the whole pen ( P < 0.001). However, in some cases the rooting area was also used as a dunging area. The area around the additional outdoor drinker was cleaner, but on the whole, pens were dirtier ( P = 0.011). Introduction of an outdoor drinker resulted in more indoor pen fouling, especially around the indoor drinker ( P < 0.001). An outdoor rooting area makes the outdoor run more attractive for pigs and reduces the dunging area. This study contributes to the knowledge base on how to reduce the dunging surface in pens for organic pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing hazard of joint mycotoxin exposure of animals/humans and the significance of masked mycotoxins in foods or feeds and their respective contributions to the development of some food born mycotoxicoses is briefly reviewed. The importance of joint mycotoxin interaction in the complex etiology of some foodborn mycotoxicoses is covered in depth. The toxicity of low contamination levels of some combinations of mycotoxins ingested often by farm animals was carefully studied. The appropriate hygiene control and the necessary risk assessment in regard to mycotoxin contamination of foods and feeds are briefly analyzed and some useful prophylactic measures and management of the risk of mycotoxin contamination, in addition to tolerable daily intakes are also described. A reference is also made to the most suitable methods of veterinary hygiene control in some practical situations in order to prevent mycotoxins contaminating commercial food commodities and endangering public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integral veterinary hygiene survey in a farm rearing stock layers, 4 months of age, has been performed to throw light on the unknown etiology of sporadic osteopetrosis outbreaks. Observations (ethological and anatomical) were conducted to evidence the development of the disease. The welfare of affected birds was assessed as poor after detailed analysis of all elements of housing environment. This was the cause for the development of the severe illness regardless of the fact that birds were preliminary vaccinated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hand hygiene is considered one of the most important infection control measures in human healthcare settings, but there is little information available regarding hand hygiene frequency and technique used in veterinary clinics. The objectives of this study were to describe hand hygiene practices associated with routine appointments in companion animal clinics in Ontario, and the effectiveness of a poster campaign to improve hand hygiene compliance. Results Observation of hand hygiene practices was performed in 51 clinics for approximately 3 weeks each using 2 small wireless surveillance cameras: one in an exam room, and one in the most likely location for hand hygiene to be performed outside the exam room following an appointment. Data from 38 clinics were included in the final analysis, including 449 individuals, 1139 appointments before and after the poster intervention, and 10894 hand hygiene opportunities. Overall hand hygiene compliance was 14% (1473/10894), while before and after patient contact compliance was 3% (123/4377) and 26% (1145/4377), respectively. Soap and water was used for 87% (1182/1353) of observed hand hygiene attempts with a mean contact time of 4 s (median 2 s, range 1-49 s), while alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) was used for 7% (98/1353) of attempts with a mean contact time of 8 s (median 7 s, range 1-30 s). The presence of the posters had no significant effect on compliance, although some staff reported that they felt the posters did increase their personal awareness of the need to perform hand hygiene, and the posters had some effect on product contact times. Conclusions Overall hand hygiene compliance in veterinary clinics in this study was low, and contact time with hand hygiene products was frequently below current recommendations. Use of ABHR was low despite its advantages over hand washing and availability in the majority of clinics. The poster campaign had a limited effect on its own, but could still be used as a component of a multimodal hand hygiene campaign. Improving the infection control culture in veterinary medicine would facilitate future campaigns and studies in this area, as well as overall patient and staff safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonhuman animals are part of the dynamism that typifies cities, yet prior research has obscured this condition by focusing upon a limited subset of animals and the privatized spaces that contain them. Consequently, previous research provides little guidance in developing a post-human conception of cities. This paper redresses this deficiency by redefining conceptions of "the public" and analyzing data from San Diego's Dead Animal Removal Program (DARP). Commensurate with modern political conceptions, "the public" is defined simultaneously as a spatial formation and (akin to democracies) a quantitative body of bodies. The DARP data indicate the pervasive presence of nonhuman animals in urban environments and the difficulties they face. As a nexus, the DARP illustrates bow urban practices and bureaucratic systems reinstantiate "the public" in humanized form through the death and disposal of nonhumans. These hybrid relations challenge geographic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Catching crew members can heavily contaminate their hands with organic material. They can act as mechanical vector and spread diseases between farms. Hand hygiene is an important issue for the industry as a whole and for human health by reducing contamination risks. Many studies, in human medicine, tend to make hand rub a standard for hand hygiene. However, few studies have tested the effectiveness of hand hygiene products on visibly contaminated hands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of practical hand sanitization protocols: water and soap, degreasing cream and hand wipes, all combined with alcohol-based hand gel. The use of alcohol-based gel alone was also evaluated. For the reduction of coliforms after washing, there was no statistically significant difference between protocols when the initial level of bacterial contamination was low to moderate. When hands were highly contaminated, the alcohol-based gel alone was less effective than the degreasing cream combined with the alcohol-based gel (p =0.002). As for the reduction in total aerobic bacteria counts, there was no difference between protocols when the initial level of bacterial contamination was low. The water, soap and alcohol-based gel protocol was more effective than the scrubbing wipes and alcohol-based gel protocol when hands were moderately (p =0.002) and highly contaminated (p =0.001). All protocols were effective in neutralizing Salmonella on hands. Reducing the level of bacterial contamination on hands before using an alcohol-based gel seems important to ensure effective hand sanitation for highly and moderately contaminated hands. This can be done by using a degreasing cream or water and soap. Based on the survey, catching crew members preferred using warm water and soap compared to a degreasing cream. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the importance of hand hygiene for the veterinarians to avoid acquired diseases and surgical site infections. It highlights the prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) infections in the veterinary practices. It cites the use of alcohol as alternative to the traditional aqueous based antiseptic solutions for sanitation.

The article offers information on the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program in San Diego, California that provides veterinary care to bottle-nosed dolphins and California sea lions, which are used by the Navy for various tasks. The program's animal care team includes animal health care experts and National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF) veterinarians. The program's veterinarians give stress on preventive medicine, routine diagnostic testing, and maintaining healthy environmental conditions.

The aim of this study was to show the comparative results of chemical and microbiological investigation of two freshwater fish species, pangasius, which, in recent years, occupies a leading position on the market, and carp, as the most common fish in the national aquaculture and two species of marine fish, hake and mackerel. Microbiological testing included Salmonella species, coagulase-positive staphylococci, sulphite-reducing clostridia, E. coli and total aerobic mesophilic bacteria. Of chemical contaminants, the presence of the following organochlorine pesticides (OClP) was investigated: gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH), i.e. lindane, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, cis-and trans-heptachlor epoxide, p, p'-DDT (dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane), pp'-DDE (dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane), pp'-DDD dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane), endrin, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha-and gamma-chlordane. In the same samples congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), IUPAK no. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180, were determined as well and the heavy metals lead, cadmium and mercury. The presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci, sulphite reducing clostridia, Salmonella spp. and E. coli was not established in the tested samples. The total count of aerobic bacteria was the highest in carp samples (3.40 + 0.57), but did not exceed the recommended limit of acceptability or S. 69 log cfu/g. Amounts of dieldrin, HCH, HCB and chlordane were lower than the detection limit (0.001 mg/kg) in samples of all four fish species. For pangasius samples, the total amount of DDT ranged from detection limit (0.001 mg/kg) to 0,005 mg/kg, while the values of pesticides in samples of mackerel were in the range of the detection limit (0.001 mg kg) to 0.019 mg/kg. The sum of heptachlor quantities and heptachlorepoxide in samples of pangasius ranged from the detection limit to 0.009 mg/kg, and in samples of carp from the detection limit to 0.019 mg/kg. In samples of pangasius, mackerel and hake the content of lindane was below the detection limit (0.001 mg/kg), while in the carp samples ranged from the detection limit to 0.017 mg/kg. The content of polychlorinated biphenyls ranged from the detection limit (0.001 mg/kg) to 0.030 mg/ kg, for the samples of pangasius and to 0.089 mg/kg for carp samples. In samples of mackerel, sum of aldrin and dieldrin ranged from the detection limit to 0.010 mg/kg, while in samples of pangasius, carp and hake its value was below the detection limit (0.001 mg / kg). Amounts of heavy metals (Hg, Pb and Cd) were also below the maximum residue limits (MRL). Lead content was the highest in pangasius samples, 0.21 mg/kg, while the highest content of cadmium, 0.049 mg/kg, was detected in samples of hake. Samples of mackerel had the highest mercury content, which amounted to 0.162 mg/ kg. In respect to food safety, samples of fish were of good quality, with the concentration of chemical contaminants below the maximum residue limits and with no increase in the number of microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Space allowance for housed farm animals is a contentious animal welfare issue for producers, policy makers and the public. A recent European Food Standards Agency report () proposed an increase in space allowance for growing pigs. Reduced stocking rates per building cost producers in terms of reduced throughput, but might be in part compensated by improved productivity or pen hygiene. To investigate this we compared three different space allowances (0.67m2/pig, 0.73m2/pig and 0.79m2/pig), for groups of 14 finishing pigs (from 32.01kg to 91.25kg) over 65±10 days on two commercial pig farms (91–92 pens of each size, 7672 pigs). The lowest space allowance (0.67m2/pig) was close to the current EU recommended minimum space allowances of 0.65m2/pig. Wet feed was provided in long troughs with 34cm per pig of feeder space and all pens were part-slatted (1/3 solid floor). There were non-significant tendencies for improved daily gain (p=0.07) and a higher gross margin per pig (p=0.06) at the two larger space allowances. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency, lean meat, or mortality (which was very low). There was also no effect of increasing space allowance on pen hygiene in either the solid-floored lying area or the activity area in the middle of the pens. The percentage of pens with faecal soiling all over the lying area or the number of pens in need of daily cleaning, was not affected by increasing the space allowance from 0.67m2/pig to either 0.73m2/pig, or 0.79m2/pig. Pen hygiene deteriorated as pigs aged, since soiling on the solid floor and wallowing behaviour was most prevalent in the late growing period. In conclusion, there was no evidence that productivity or pen hygiene were improved by increasing the space allowance of finishing pigs from 0.67m2/pig to 0.79m2/pig in well-managed commercial pig systems, suggesting that such an increase would be costly to producers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Poor dairy cow hygiene has been consistently associated with elevated somatic cell count (SCC) and the risk of subclinical mastitis. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between dairy cow standing and lying behavior, barn hygiene, cow hygiene, and the risk of experiencing elevated SCC. Lactating Holstein dairy cows (n = 69; 86 ± 51 DIM; parity: 2.0 ± 1.2; means ± SD), kept in 1 of 2 groups, were monitored over a 4-mo period. Each group contained 61 ± 1 (mean ± SD) cows over the study period; complete data were obtained from 37 and 32 animals within each respective group. Cows were housed in a sand-bedded, freestall barn with 2 symmetrical pens, each with a free cow traffic automatic milking system. To vary barn hygiene, in 4 consecutive 28-d periods, alley manure scrapers in each of the 2 pens were randomly assigned to frequencies of operation of 3, 6, 12, and 24 times per day. During the last 7 d of each period, cow hygiene (upper leg/flank, lower legs, and udder; scale of 1 = very clean to 4 = very dirty) and stall hygiene (number of 0.15 × 0.15-m squares contaminated with manure in a 1.20 × 1.65-m grid) were recorded. Standing and lying behavior of the cows were collected during those days using data loggers. Individual-cow SCC was recorded at the beginning and end of each 28-d period. Elevated SCC was used as an indicator of subclinical mastitis; incidence of elevated SCC was defined as having a SCC >200,000 cells/mL at the end of each 28-d period, when SCC was <100,000 cells/mL at the beginning of the period. Less frequent scraping of the barn alleys was associated with cows having poorer hygiene. Poor udder hygiene was associated with poor stall hygiene. Longer lying duration was associated with poor hygiene of the upper legs/flank and udder. Greater premilking standing duration was associated with poor udder hygiene and decreased frequency of lying bouts was associated with poor hygiene of the lower legs. Higher milk yield was associated with poor hygiene of the udder and lower legs; multiparous cows had poorer hygiene of the upper legs/flank and udder. Over the study period, 24 new cases of elevated SCC were detected. No associations existed for the risk of experiencing an elevated SCC with alley scraping frequency or cow behavior patterns. However, increased odds of occurrence of elevated SCC were noted for cows of lower milk yield as well as for multiparous cows. In summary, these results show that cow hygiene is affected by the standing and lying behavior of cows and by the cleanliness of the cow's environment. These findings emphasize the need for cows to be provided clean standing and lying environments. The results also show that frequent cleaning of barn alley floors will help improve cow hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of litter provision and linings used for nests and pecking and scratching areas on cage hygiene, laying location, and egg quality. Research was carried out in furnished cages, each housing 60 beak-trimmed ISA Brown hens. Four different treatments were compared in a factorial arrangement, including 2 different nest linings (artificial turf vs. plastic mesh), either used alone or combined with the use of litter (wheat bran) spread over the rubber mat in the pecking and scratching area (PSA). An additional treatment, using artificial turf mat in the PSA and nests (as commonly used in commercial flocks), was used to compare the effect of PSA lining in the other treatments. We observed laying location, the number of dirty and broken eggs, the microbiological contamination of eggshells according to laying location, and general cage hygiene. The use of nests for laying decreased when they were lined with plastic mesh. Eggs laid outside the nest were of lower quality than those laid inside it, and this was particularly true for eggs laid in the PSA. Although hygiene was low on artificial turf mats, eggs laid on PSA covered with a rubber mat were dirtier and had a higher count of mesophilic bacteria on the eggshell than those laid on PSA covered with an artificial turf mat. Rubber mats in PSA were rapidly destroyed and proved to be unsuitable. The provision of litter had no effect on cage hygiene but substantially increased wear on mats. This study shows nest lining and litter provision methods to be key factors that need to be taken into account to encourage the use of nest boxes for laying, and hence, to ensure good egg quality. Further research into new linings for PSA is needed for the future improvement of egg-laying conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to open water is considered good for the welfare of Pekin ducks. These studies investigated the effect that the type of water resource, provided over either straw bedding or a rubber mesh, had on measures of duck health. Pekin strain ducklings (n = 2,600) were managed in pens of 100 on straw over a solid concrete floor. In study 1, one of two water resources (nipple, n = 5 pens; wide-lip bell drinker, n = 5 pens), was located directly over the straw. In study 2, one of three water resources (narrow lip bell drinker, n = 6 pens; trough, n = 5 pens; and bath, n = 5 pens) was located over a rubber mesh. On d 16, 24, 29, 35, and 43, (study 1) or d 21, 29, 35, and 43 posthatch (study 2), 10 birds were selected from each pen and weighed, and then feather hygiene, footpad dermatitis, eye health, gait score, and nostril condition scores were taken. Treatment had no effect on BW in either study, but in study 2, ducks in the open water treatments had higher scores (P < 0.001) than those in the narrow-lip bell drinker treatment by d 43. In study 1, treatment had no effect on hygiene scores, but scores increased over time (P < 0.001). In study 2, ducks in the narrow-lip bell drinker treatment were dirtier than those in the bath treatment (P = 0.01), with those in the trough treatment being intermediate. In both studies, ducks with bell drinkers had worse gait scores than those in the other treatments (study 1, P < 0.01; study 2, P < 0.05). Treatment had no effect on eye health scores. However, ducks were less likely to have dirty nostrils when provided with more open water resources in both studies (P < 0.01), or were less likely to have blocked nostrils in the trough and bath treatments than in the narrow-lip bell drinker treatment in study 2 (P = 0.01). Provision of open water, particularly over a properly constructed drainage area, improved some aspects of duck health (improved feather hygiene and BW, and fewer dirty and blocked nostrils). However, further work is needed to investigate these treatments on a commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of total reduced sulphur (TRS) compounds, emitted from faeces, may be an indicator of hygiene in slaughterhouses. The aim of this study was to measure the concentrations of TRS compounds in the air at various locations and times in pig and cattle slaughterhouses. The data was then reviewed to see if there was any pattern associated with location in the slaughterhouses or any changes associated with activities or events. TRS concentration was lowest in chillers that are away from the slaughter area. Gut bursts generally led to increases in TRS but the level of increase was variable. In one slaughterhouse, ventilation fans were used during part of the day and this corresponded with falls in the TRS concentration. These variations in TRS concentration negate its use as a reliable indicator of slaughterhouse hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Prostaglandins (PG) are bioactive lipids derived from the metabolism of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and play important roles in a number of biological processes including cell division, immune responses and wound healing. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the key enzyme in PG synthesis from arachidonic acid. The hypothesis of the present study was that expression of COX-2 in porcine intestine was dependent on the microbial load and the age of piglets. Piglets were obtained from sows raised either on outdoor free-range farms or on indoor commercial farms, and littermates were divided into three treatments: One group of piglets suckled the sow, a second group was put into an isolator and fed a milk formula, and a third group was put into the isolator fed milk formula and injected with broad spectrum antibiotics. Samples were collected from the 75% level of the small intestine at day 5, 28 and 56 of age. Tissue section from four piglets from each of these six treatment groups was analysed by immunofluorescence for COX-2 and type-IV collagen (basement membrane, defining lamina propria (LP)). Image analysis was used to determine the number of positive pixels expressing LP and epithelial COX-2. COX-2 expressing cells were observed in LP and epithelium in all porcine intestinal samples. When analysing images obtained on day 28, injection of antibiotics seemed to reduce the COX-2 expression in intestinal samples of piglets when compared to other treatments (P =0.053). No significant effect of farm, treatments or age of piglets was observed on COX-2 expressing data when analysing all data of images obtained at day 28 and 56. By double-labelling experiments, COX-2 was found not to be expressed on cell co-expressing CD45, CD16, CD163 or CD2, thus indicating that mucosal leukocytes, including dendritic cells, macrophages and NK cells did not express COX-2. Future research should investigate the role of COX-2 expression in the digestive tract in relation to pig health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our objective was to determine the risk factors associated with bacteriological quality of bulk tank milk. Bulk tank milk samples were collected from all Prince Edward Island dairy herds (n =235) from March 2005 to March 2007. Biweekly total bacterial, preliminary incubation, laboratory pasteurization, and coliform counts were conducted using a Petrifilm culture system. Data for on-farm risk factors were collected via a mail-out survey which consisted of 4 main sections: (1) general farm demographics and management, (2) cow cleanliness and hygiene, (3) milking procedures and mastitis control, and (4) equipment maintenance and cleaning. Of 235 producers, 153 completed the mail-out survey giving a response rate of 65%. Both total aerobic and preliminary incubation counts were positively associated with the amount of soiling on the teats prior to udder preparation, manual cleaning of the bulk tank, and the use of a specific type of detergent. Additionally, various methods of premilking udder preparation were important, with pre-dip followed by drying being superior to other methods in reducing the bacterial counts. The laboratory pasteurization count was positively associated with the presence of a plate cooler and inadequate frequency of acid wash, whereas having a water purification system was negatively associated with laboratory pasteurization count. Finally, coliform count was negatively associated with clipping udder hair and automated washing of the bulk tank, whereas increasing herd size and inadequate frequency of acid wash were risk factors. Season was a significant predictor for all bacterial counts with the lowest counts tending to occur in winter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biocides are frequently applied in animal houses for veterinary hygiene or pest control. Thus, they may reach liquid manure tanks. Biocides that are not transformed during manure storage enter soil by the application of manure as organic fertilizer. Due to this environmentally relevant entry route, biocidal substances and products undergo a regulatory fate monitoring in liquid manure and soil. According to this, a novel concept was developed investigating the biocide imazalil as an example. For this purpose, excrements of test animals individually kept in experimental animal houses under standard nutrition were sampled. After matrix characterization, bovine and pig reference manures of defined dry substance contents were prepared. They were used for long-term transformation tests of 14C-imazalil under strictly anaerobic conditions typical for manure storage in tanks. During the 177-d incubation period, however, imazalil was not substantially transformed. Furthermore, test manures with 7-d aged 14C-imazalil residues were applied to study aerobic transformation and sorption in manured soil. Both concentration determining processes in soil were affected by the manure matrices. Comparing disappearance times (DT50) and sorption coefficients (K OC) after standard application (DT50: 83d; K OC: 4059Lkg−1), 14C-imazalil disappeared more rapidly after test manure application. DT50 values were 29 or 48d depending on whether bovine or pig test manure was applied. Mobility was slightly enhanced revealed by K OC of 1852 and 1385Lkg−1, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]