The transfer of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from a contaminated environment into the food chain is a serious consumer safety problem. As part of the Polish National Surveillance Program of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in food of animal origin, a concentration of PCDD/Fs of 4.61 ± 0.75 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat was determined in a sample of free-range eggs, which exceeded the permitted limit of 2.5 pg WHO-TEQ/g. The aim of the study was to investigate the source of the egg contamination and the risk for the eggs’ consumers. Eggs, muscles, feed and soil from the place where backyard waste burning had been carried out in the past and ash from a household stove tipped onto the paddock were analysed using the isotope dilution technique with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The concentration in ash was low at 0.20 pg WHO-TEQ/g and the congener profile did not indicate the source of contamination. The dioxin content in soil from the backyard waste-burning site was 2.53 pg WHO-TEQ/g dry matter (d.m.) and the soil’s profile of PCDD/F congeners matched the profile of the contaminated eggs. By reason of the congener profile similarity, the investigation concluded, that the cause of the contamination was the backyard waste-burning site soil which the animals had access to. Frequent consumption of contaminated eggs from the analysed farm could pose a health risk due to chronic exposure, especially for vulnerable consumers.

Differing conditions in captive breeding and in the wild have impact on the mineral profile of the pheasant carcass and its heavy metal contents. This may be an indicator of environmental contamination. The study evaluated the nutritional composition and selected macro- and trace element contents (heavy metals in particular) in usable sections of pheasant breast and thigh muscles originating from captive breeding and wild birds. The tests were performed on the breast and thigh muscles of 20 wild and 20 farm bred birds from around Lublin, Poland, with equal sex representation. The nutrient and lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel contents were determined using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The farmed pheasants had a higher proportion of breast muscle. The thigh muscles of all birds had a higher fat content than the breast muscles (5.1 g vs. 3.4 g per kg of natural weight). The macroelement level depended on the muscle type and bird origin. The trace element content also did and gender dependence was also evident. The wild birds contained more cadmium in the breast muscles and lead in both muscles than the farm-raised ones. The high quality and usefulness of wild and farmed pheasant meat is confirmed. It has advantageous macro- and trace element contents and permissible heavy metal contents except for lead in wild birds. The heavy metal level can be a bioindicator of their environmental occurrence. In wild birds, the lead level may also reflect birdshot remnants.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of an avirulent Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in preventing proliferative enteropathy in weanling foals. Animals: 12 healthy weanling foals. Procedures: Foals were randomly assigned to a vaccinated, nonvaccinated, or control group. Vaccinated foals received an avirulent porcine L intracellularis frozen-thawed vaccine intrarectally 60 and 30 days prior to experimental challenge. On day 1, vaccinated and nonvaccinated foals were challenged via nasogastric intubation with a virulent heterologous isolate of L intracellularis. Control foals were not challenged. Clinical observation and ultrasonographic evaluation of the small intestine were performed, and body weight, serum concentration of total solids, fecal excretion of L intracellularis, and seroconversion were measured for each foal until day 56. Diseased foals were treated with antimicrobials and supportive are. Results: None of the 4 vaccinated foals developed clinical disease following challenge with virulent L intracellularis. Three of 4 nonvaccinated foals developed moderate to severe clinical signs compatible with proliferative enteropathy, hypoproteinemia, and thickened small intestinal loops. Vaccinated foals had significantly less fecal shedding of L intracellularis than nonvaccinated foals. Serologic responses between vaccinated and nonvaccinated foals after challenge were similar. Control foals remained clinically unaffected with no evidence of fecal shedding and seroconversion. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Intrarectal administration of a commercial avirulent porcine vaccine against L intracellularis resulted in complete protection against proliferative enteropathy in the foals in this study and may also reduce environmental contamination with the organism on endemic farms.

This is the first extensive survey of metazoan parasites (particularly of the roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis) from the intestines of raccoons in British Columbia. The sample collected in 1997-1998 consisted of 82 raccoons that had been sick or had been killed accidentally by automobiles. Fifteen parasite taxa were found: 3 nematodes, 9 digenetic trematodes, 2 acanthocephalans and 1 cestode. Ten of these parasites constitute new host records for raccoons, including 4 digenetic trematodes that have been reported in marine birds and mammals on the Pacific Coast of North America. Baylisascaris procyonis infected 61% of the raccoons with a mean intensity of 27. The high rate of infection indicates a large potential for environmental contamination and, thus, human and animal exposure to infectious eggs. Prevention of larva migrans is discussed, particularly for people in contact with raccoons in wildlife rehabilitation centers.

This study was conducted to determine the pollution index of some heavy metals in Temsah Lake water to assess their transfer into Tilapia zillii tissues using bioaccumulation factors as well as evaluate their associated health risks. Results showed that Pb, Cd, and Cu levels increased significantly during spring, summer, and both spring and summer, respectively. The pollution index of heavy metals in the Temsah Lake revealed that Fe had a moderate effect in winter and a strong effect in the other seasons. Pb had a serious impact on aquatic life in the spring and autumn, while Cd had a serious impact in the summer and autumn. Water temperature is strongly correlated with Cu in the liver, Pb in the musculature, and Cd in the water and liver. Conversely, it negatively correlated with fish weight, length, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the musculature. Fish length showed an inverse relationship with water Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cd. The histopathological examination revealed hydropic degeneration, fatty changes, and interstitial and focal infiltration of immunocompetent cells. Muscular tissue revealed degenerative changes manifested by atrophy and fragmentation of muscular fibers in some specimens. The bioaccumulation factor of heavy metals in Tilapia zilli musculature and liver was found to be highest during winter. Fish musculature was safe for Pb, Cd, and Cu and might represent potential risks for Fe and Zn. In conclusion, warm seasons have the highest integrated biomarker response (IBRv2) scores for the detected heavy metals, also the sum of IBRv2 of the heavy metals content is the highest in musculature followed by livers then water samples. Herein, TCR results for Pb and Cd in Tilapia zilli are within the permissible range (10−4 to 10−6).

Heavy metals are toxic residues that exert harmful effects because of their accumulation in the biological tissues. This study aimed to investigate the fitness of chicken breast meat, gizzard and liver for the human consumption in relation to their heavy metal residues. In addition, biodegradable effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on the heavy metals concentrations in chicken fillet samples was assessed. Lead, cadmium and arsenic concentrations were investigated in a total of ninety random samples of raw chilled chicken meat, gizzard and liver (30 of each), which were collected from poultry slaughter shops in Benha city, Qalubiya governorate, Egypt by the atomic absorption technique. Furthermore, in vivo degradable effect of L. rhamnosus on heavy metal residues in chicken fillet was investigated during refrigeration storage. Liver samples had significant higher levels of heavy metals than gizzard and meat, with the incidences of 56.7%, 46.7% and 16.7% for lead, cadmium and arsenic, respectively. Moreover, 28.9%, 24.4% and 28.9% of the examined samples were unfit for human consumption based on their heavy metal contents, and in accordance with the respective Egyptian standards. In addition, L. rhamnosus had a significant reduction effect on arsenic, cadmium and lead with the reduction (%) of 56, 71.5 and 82.6% at the end of the experiment, respectively. Accordingly, regular investigation of heavy metals levels in commercial meat products and their feed stuffs is recommended. Furthermore, L. rhamnosus showed promising diminishing effect on heavy metal accumulation in meat products, where advanced research on its effect on the environment is recommended.

In Europe, bird populations have been threatened for several decades. The authors consulted the indices available to the public from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS), a project that collects data on European common bird species from national monitoring schemes and calculates European common bird indices and indicators to help demonstrate that common birds are decreasing in Europe.  According to the PECBMS, between 1980 and 2019, common bird species declined by 18%, agricultural birds by 59%, and forest birds by 7%. Although some bird species have recovered in number and even came back from the break of extinction (e.g., Red Kite, Milvus milvus), not the species that were considered common in the last decades. Many factors are associated with this decline as pesticides or the destruction of habitats. Measures are being taken in many countries to reduce this decline. However, information and education of the public could be crucial to saving the decline of common birds

Objective-To compare Salmonella isolates cultured from feedyard and nonfeedyard (control) playas (ie, temporary shallow lakes) of the Southern High Plains. Sample Population-Water and muck (sediment) samples were obtained from 7 feedyard playas and 3 nonfeedyard playas in the winter and summer. Procedure-Each water and muck sample was enriched with sulfur-brilliant-green broth and incubated in a shaker at 37°C for 24 hours. A sample (100 mL) of the incubated bacterial-enriched broth was then mixed with 100 mL of fresh sulfur-brilliant-green enrichment broth and incubated in a shaker at 37°C for 24 hours. After the second incubation, a swab sample was streaked on differential media. Suspect Salmonella isolates were further identified by use of biochemical tests, and Salmonella isolates were confirmed and serovar determinations made. Results-Salmonella isolates were not recovered from the 3 control playas. Seven Salmonella enterica serovars were isolated from 5 of 7 feedyard playas in the summer, and 13 S enterica serovars were isolated from 7 of 7 feedyard playas in the winter. In the summer, 296 isolates were cultured, and 47 were Salmonella organisms. In the winter, 288 isolates were cultured, and 171 were Salmonella organisms. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results indicated that feedyard playas are frequently contaminated with many Salmonella serovars. These pathogens should be considered whenever feedyard managers contemplate the use of water from these playas. Water from feedyard playas should not be used to cool cattle in the summer or for dust abatement.