Helena Fagundes

Infecções intramamárias causadas por Staphylococcus aureus e suas implicações em paúde pública

This article presents the main problems derived from the mammary infections (mastitis) caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and the consequences of the presence of its toxins in milk for human health. S. aureus is one of the most important microorganisms that can be transmitted through the food products. Hence, the possibility of transmission of stafilococal gastroenteritis by consumption of raw milk and heat-treated milk, containing heat-resistant enterotoxins, is discussed. Some aspects regarding the toxigenic potential of S. aureus strains and the main characteristics of stafilococal entorotoxins are presented. Taking into account that S. aureus is also one of the most prevalent agents of mastitis, considerations are made on the methods for the controlling of stafilococal infections in dairy cattle, in order to prevent the occurrence of toxins in milk and milk products.

Occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk produced in dairy farms in São Paulo state, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus in milk produced in 37 farms located in the regions of Ribeirao Preto and Sao Carlos, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Two-hundred and eight samples of milk from individual cows showing subclinical mastitis, and 37 samples of bulk tank milk were analyzed. S. aureus strains were detected in 18 (7.3%) milk samples: 14 (6.7%) from samples of individual cows, and 4 (10.8%) from bulk tank milk. Two individual milk samples (14.3%) and two bulk milk samples contained enterotoxigenic S. aureus. PFGE analysis revealed the genetic heterogeneity of the strains isolated from raw milk, which presented to 13 S. aureus patterns. Results confirmed the potential transmission of staphylococcal food poisoning to consumers via milk of cows affected by subclinical mastitis, mainly when raw milk is ingested.

Aspectos relacionados à ocorrência e mecanismo de ação de fumonisinas

Fumonisins are micotoxins produced by a fungus of the genera Fusarium, one of the main fitopathogens that occur in maize. Isolated in 1988, from moudly corn samples in a high incidence area of esophageal cancer in Africa, fumonisins are related with several diseases including equine leucoencephalomalacia and porcine pulmonary edema and hydrothorax. The present review approaches the natural occurrence of fumonisins in maize, its physical and quimical molecular characteristics and toxicological effects in horses, porcine, poultry and cattle. This review also discusses the micotoxins pathophisiology.

Aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid in feed and milk from dairy farms in São Paulo, Brazil

The occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) B1, B2, G1, G2 and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in feeds, and AFM1 and CPA in milk was determined in dairy farms located in the northeastern region of São Paulo state, Brazil, between October 2005 and February 2006. AF and CPA determinations were performed by HPLC. AFB1 was found in 42% of feed at levels of 1.0–26.4 µg kg−1 (mean: 7.1 ± 7.2 µg kg−1). The concentrations of AFM1 in raw milk varied between 0.010 and 0.645 µg l−1 (mean: 0.104 ± 0.138 µg l−1). Only one sample was above the tolerance limit adopted in Brazil (0.50 µg l−1) for AFM1 in milk. Regarding CPA in feed, six (12%) samples showed concentrations of 12.5–153.3 µg kg−1 (mean: 57.6 ± 48.7 µg kg−1). CPA was detected in only three milk samples (6%) at levels of 6.4, 8.8 and 9.1 µg l−1. Concentrations of aflatoxins and CPA in feed and milk were relatively low, although the high frequency of both mycotoxins indicates the necessity to continuously monitor dairy farms to prevent contamination of feed ingredients.

Teores plasmáticos de hormônios, produção e composição do leite em sala de espera climatizada

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of acclimatization of the milking ambient (ventilation and ventilation + water spraying) on milk production, milk composition (fat, protein, lactose) and plasma concentration of cortisol, T3 and T4. The experiment was conducted from August to October during 90 days. Twenty-one lactating dairy cows with milk yield around 21 kg d-1 were allocated three random treatments. The tested treatments were: 1) waiting room without climatization (CONTR); 2) waiting room with ventilation (V) and 3) waiting room with ventilation + water spraying (VA). Milk production data were collected daily and for milk composition, samples were collected once a week. Blood samples for hormone determination were collected weekly, from the coccigea vein. Data were analyzed by computer program SAS PROC ANOVA. Results showed no significant differences among treatments for milk production; the treatment ventilation had higher fat content; and the control group had higher concentrations of cortisol, T3 and T4 followed by treatments 2 and 3. The treatment VA although increased animal comfort it was insufficient to improve milk production, probably because of short time exposure (30 min).

Respostas fisiológicas de vacas em lactação à ventilação e aspersão na sala de espera

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of climatization (ventilation or ventilation plus sprinkler) inside a holding pen in a milking parlor on environmental and physiological parameters. The experiment was conducted from August to October during 90 consecutive days. Twenty-one lactating dairy cows with an average milk yield of 21kg.d-1 were randomly allocated in three treatments. The treatments were: holding pen without cooling (control); holding pen with ventilation (V) and holding pen with ventilation plus sprinkler (VS). The physiological parameters measured were respiratory rate (RR), body temperature (BT) and skin temperature (head, flank and mammary gland). These measurements were taken before and after each treatment. The data on the environmental parameters dry bulb temperature (DBT), black globe temperature (BGT) and relative humidity (RH) were collected both from each treatment session and from a meteorological station at a nearby site three times a day. Results showed that VS reduced DBT (6.4°C) and BGT (6.5°C); and increased the RH. Both V and VS reduced significantly respiratory rate. The skin temperature, with VS showed a decrease of 4.2°C for the head and 2.8°C for the flank. Hence, VS improved the environmental condition and physiological responses and increased heat losses of the dairy cows.

Determinação de aflatoxina B1 em rações e aflatoxina M1 no leite de propriedades do Estado de São Paulo

The occurrence of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) in animal feed and aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) in raw milk was evaluated in dairy farms located in the Northeast region of Sao Paulo state, Brazil, from October 2005 to February 2006. The Aflatoxin analysis was performed using immunoaffinity clean-up with high performance liquid chromatography for quantification. AFB 1 was found in 40% of the animal feeds at the levels of 1.0 to 19.5 µg.kg –1 . The concentration of AFM1 in raw milk (36.7%) ranged from 0.010 to 0.645 µg.L –1 . Only one single sample of raw milk presented values above the tolerance limit adopted in Brazil (0.5 µg.L –1 ) for AFM 1 . In conclusion, the concentrations of aflatoxins in the animal feed and milk samples studied were relatively low although the high frequency of mycotoxins in the both analysed samples indicates the necessity of continuous monitoring in order to prevent mycotoxin contamination of animal feed ingredients for dairy cattle.

Milk hygienic practices and occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in small-scale dairy farms in São Paulo, Brazil

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between somatic cell counts (SCC), the use of different milking practices, and the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in 42 small-scale dairy farms located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 were isolated in the milk from dairy cows with low ( 200,000 cells/ml), although no effect of SCC (p > 0.05) was observed on the incidence of the bacteria in raw milk. The use of disposable gloves during milking reduced S. aureus counts in milk (p < 0.05), but did not affect the occurrence of E. coli O157:H7. The other milking practices evaluated (closed milking system, use of pre- and post-dipping, mastitis diagnosis by strip cup test, and disinfection of teat cups) did not affect (p < 0.05) the occurrence of S. aureus or E. coli O157:H7 in raw milk. Results indicate the need for effective educational programs addressed to prevent the contamination of milk with S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 in Brazilian small-scale dairy farms.