Beren Başaran Kahraman

Effect of rosemary essential oil and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) on meat quality and survival of pathogens in poultry fillets

The effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil (REO) and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the survival of certain pathogens (Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes) in poultry fillets and on their meat quality during 7 days of refrigerated storage were investigated. Because REO at 0.05% and 0.1% had weak antibacterial activity and REO at 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% imparted unacceptable organoleptic properties, only REO at 0.2% was used to treat the poultry meat. The results showed that adding 0.2% REO to poultry fillets did not reduce the size of the population of S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes. However, REO treatment significantly decreased the L* (lightness) value and increased the a* (redness) value of stored fillets, and adding REO in combination with MAP reduced the level of lipid oxidation. In conclusion, in a suitable combination, REO can be applied to improve the quality of meat, but further studies should be conducted to determine the appropriate commercial level for different meat products.

Bacterial species isolated from cats with lower urinary tract infection and their susceptibilities to cefovecin

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the bacterial species recovered from 61 cats with lower urinary tract infection (LUTI), and their susceptibility to cefovecin in vitro.ResultsThe clinical signs and final clinical diagnosis for cats with confirmed LUTI were also reported. After physical examination of the cats, urine samples including ≥5-6 leucocytes in microscopic evaluation were cultured using bacteriological techniques. The isolates were identified by conventional microbiological methods and tested for in vitro susceptibility using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Bacterial growth was observed in 16 of 61 urine samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that 13 of 16 (81%) isolates were susceptible to cefovecin. The most frequently isolated bacterium from cats with signs of lower urinary tract infection, was Escherichia coli.ConclusionCefovecin was found to be effective in cats with LUTI. Because cefovecin is a new antimicrobial agent in veterinary medicine, there are only few studies about urine culture of cats with LUTI. It is the first study on in vitro activity of cefovecin against bacterial isolates from cats with lower urinary infections in Istanbul, Turkey.

Unilateral mastectomy as an alternative treatment for gangrenous mastitis in a Saanen goat

Abstract A four-year-old Saanen goat, weighing 52 kg, was referred to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology clinic with black discoloration of the left mammary gland. The goat’s general condition was not good upon initial examination. The goat was anorexic, lethargic, and febrile (rectal temperature of 40 °C) with a palpably cold left mammary gland on which there was an accumulation of pus. Somatic cell count (SCC) was measured as 820,000/ml in the milk sample collected from the infected gland, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. Gangrenous mastitis was diagnosed on the left mammary gland of the goat based on the clinical findings. To treat the condition, a unilateral mastectomy was performed successfully. The goat was fully recovered a week after surgery. This case aimed to establish a surgical approach of unilateral mastectomy as a treatment option for goats with gangrenous mastitis while allowing the other mammary gland to continue lactation. Thus, it can be concluded that unilateral mastectomy is a viable alternative treatment of goats with gangrenous mastitis.