Alimentary Route Research Articles

Analysis of the zoonotic tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in raw milk and dairy products in mountain pastures of the Lombardy region, Italy.

Over the last few decades, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has become a growing public health problem in Europe. The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a zoonotic virus that affects the central nervous system (CNS). TBEV has been detected in 27 European countries, and the rise in TBE cases is mainly due to environmental and ecological factors, and factors that increase the risk of human exposure to infected ticks. The infection via the alimentary route is the second most common means of TBEV transmission to humans. Raw milk from infected goats, sheep, or cows has been identified as a source of human food-borne infections. This study aims to gather new information on the prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in raw goat's and cow's milk and related raw products in the Lombard Alps (Italy). This is important due to the close proximity of Lombardy to the Triveneto region, where TBE is endemic, and southern Switzerland, where numerous TBEV-positive mammals have been found. Throughout 2023, a passive monitoring plan was implemented on samples delivered for TBEV analyses from the Alpine pastures. In total, 248 specimens including raw milk, raw milk cheese, and butter were tested. This is the first monitoring of food at risk of TBEV transmission in a non-endemic region with evidence of TBEV circulation. Despite testing a wide range of dairy products, no sample tested positive for RNA-TBEV by real-time RT-PCR. Preliminary results suggest that raw milk and raw dairy products do not pose a significant risk of TBEV transmission to humans in the territory of Lombardy.

Mapping resistance-associated anthelmintic interactions in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Parasitic nematodes infect billions of people and are mainly controlled by anthelmintic mass drug administration (MDA). While there are growing efforts to better understand mechanisms of anthelmintic resistance in human and animal populations, it is unclear how resistance mechanisms that alter susceptibility to one drug affect the interactions and efficacy of drugs used in combination. Mutations that alter drug permeability across primary nematode barriers have been identified as potential resistance mechanisms using the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We leveraged high-throughput assays in this model system to measure altered anthelmintic susceptibility in response to genetic perturbations of potential cuticular, amphidial, and alimentary routes of drug entry. Mutations in genes associated with these tissue barriers differentially altered susceptibility to the major anthelmintic classes (macrocyclic lactones, benzimidazoles, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists) as measured by animal development. We investigated two-way anthelmintic interactions across C. elegans genetic backgrounds that confer resistance or hypersensitivity to one or more drugs. We observe that genetic perturbations that alter susceptibility to a single drug can shift the drug interaction landscape and lead to the appearance of novel synergistic and antagonistic interactions. This work establishes a framework for investigating combinatorial therapies in model nematodes that can potentially be translated to amenable parasite species.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis-Review of the Current Status.

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the arboviral etiological agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), considered to be one of the most important tick-borne viral diseases in Europe and Asia. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of TBE as well as an increasing geographical range of the disease have been noted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of restrictions that it necessitated, the incidence of TBE is rising in more than half of the European countries analyzed in recent studies. The virus is transmitted between ticks, animals, and humans. It seems that ticks and small mammals play a role in maintaining TBEV in nature. The disease can also affect dogs, horses, cattle, and small ruminants. Humans are incidental hosts, infected through the bite of an infected tick or by the alimentary route, through the consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products from TBEV-infected animals. TBEV infections in humans may be asymptomatic, but the symptoms can range from mild flu-like to severe neurological. In Europe, cases of TBE are reported every year. While there is currently no effective treatment for TBE, immunization and protection against tick bites are critical in preventing this disease.

The study the effectiveness of the combined enterosorbent based on calcium hydroxyapatite in eimeriosis treatment

Introduction. Protozoal intestinal infections are quite common in the modern world. They cause severe clinical manifestations, and in some cases, more often, in countries with a hot climate, lead to death. This is due to the ability of the pathogen to enter the human body through water, fecal-oral or alimentary routes. In this regard, the development of a new safe and effective enterosorbent for protozoal diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract is relevant.Aim: To study the effectiveness of the combined enterosorbent based on hydroxyapatite and compare the effectiveness of its use with colloidal silicon dioxide (Polysorb) in relation to protozoa (eimeria) in an experiment on rabbits.Material and Methods. The development of a combined enterosorbent based on calcium hydroxyapatite and experimental treatment of laboratory animals (rabbits - 40 animals) infected with protozoal disease - eimeriosis was carried out. Four groups were formed: healthy control, infected control, infected experimental group, infected comparison group (comparison drug – Polysorb). The therapy was carried out for 5 days. The drugs were administered orally.Results. It is shown that the use of a combined enterosorbent based on calcium hydroxyapatite in a daily dose of 0.05 g per 1 kg of body weight led to a decrease in the intensity of invasion of the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits by oocysts by 80% compared with the control, and the use of colloidal silicon dioxide in a daily dose of 0.1-0.2 g per 1 kg of body weight by 49% compared with control.Conclusion. The combined preparation based on calcium hydroxyapatite effectively reduces the intensity of invasion by oocysts of the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits in the experiment. Its intensity efficiency exceeds the intensity of colloidal silicon dioxide by 31%.

Chapter 7: TBE in special clinical situations

TBE often takes a severe clinical course in immuno-suppressed patients. In transplant patients TBE usually takes a fatal course. TBE vaccination in immuno-suppressed patients can be non-effective TBE in pregnancy has rarely been reported; from recent cases there is no evidence of transplacental infection of the offspring. The alimentary route of infection of TBE is still common in some European countries resulting in a high clinical manifestation index. TBEV can be infectious in milk and milk products for up to 14 days under optimal environmental conditions. TBE is an important travel-related disease. Increasing numbers of non-endemic countries report imported cases. Imported TBE cases in non-endemic areas pose challenges regarding the diagnosis of TBE.

Chapter 7: TBE in special situations

TBE often takes a severe clinical course in immuno-suppressed patients. In transplant patients TBE usually takes a fatal course. TBE vaccination in immuno-suppressed patients can be non-effective. TBE in pregnancy has rarely been reported; from recent cases there is no evidence of transplacental infection of the offspring. The alimentary route of infection of TBE is still common in some European countries resulting in a high clinical manifestation index. TBEV can be infectious in milk and milk products for up to 14 days under optimal environmental conditions. TBE is an important travel-related disease. Increasing numbers of non-endemic countries report imported cases. Imported TBE cases in non-endemic areas pose challenges regarding the diagnosis of TBE.

ОСТРЫЕ КИШЕЧНЫЕ ИНФЕКЦИИ У ДЕТЕЙ В ДОПАНДЕМИЧЕСКИЙ ПЕРИОД И В ПЕРИОД ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19 В г. ЯКУТСКЕ

Humanity has faced an infection caused by a new strain of human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The infection is characterized by a variety of clinical symptoms with damage not only to the respiratory tract, but also to other organs and systems. Against the background of the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection, the widespread introduction of anti-epidemic measures has led to a change in the situation with other infectious diseases. The purpose of this work was to analyze the incidence of acute intestinal infections among children in the city of Yakutsk. Acute intestinal infections (AII) refer to diseases that are transmitted by the alimentary route. In the Russian Federation, from the very beginning of the epidemic manifestations of COVID-19, a course has been taken to implement the “advanced response” strategy, in accordance with which all anti-epidemic measures have been and are being carried out. The restrictive measures introduced as part of the fight against the spread of COVID-19 have had a beneficial effect on the epidemiological situation with many other infections. Many countries have implemented social distancing as a measure to “flatten the curve” of the ongoing epidemic. The results obtained by us coincide with the data obtained in other regions during similar studies. The decrease in the number of cases of most infectious diseases is a fact common to countries where anti-epidemic measures have been taken. We analyzed data on hospitalized patients with AII in the Children’s Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital in Yakutsk for 2018, 2019, and 2020. We identified some features of the dynamics of the incidence of acute intestinal infections in children in the pre-pandemic period and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of anti-epidemic measures against the background of a new coronavirus infection led to a significant decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases in general and to a significant decrease in the number of acute intestinal infections in children.

Nickel allergic contact dermatitis

The article provides basic information about nickel-associated allergic contact dermatitis (NACD). Nickel is a common metal that is commonly used in alloys for jewelry, accessories and household items. Contact with this metal often leads to the development of allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. The prevalence of NACD among the population is high: up to 19% among adults and about 10% among children and adolescents. It is noted that in female’s sensitization to nickel is observed several times more often than in males. On the risk of developing an allergic reaction to nickel, the integrity of the skin barrier, the frequency of contacts with nickel-containing household items, the presence of piercings, high humidity and hyperhidrosis are of decisive importance. Nickel ions entering the body through the alimentary route are capable of both sensitizing the body and forming tolerance to it. The pathogenesis of NACD is based on the classic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. The main clinical forms of this allergic dermatosis, as well as the characteristic features of the course of the disease are presented. The features of the course of NACD in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are analyzed in detail. The presented data clearly demonstrate that contact allergy to nickel can not only maintain, but also significantly aggravate the course of AD. The main criteria for the differential diagnosis between simple contact and allergic contact dermatitis are shown schematically. The need for early identification and termination of contact with nickel-containing household items is noted as the initial stage of NACD treatment. The main treatment for NACD is local therapy with topical glucocorticosteroids.

Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus is a tick-borne encephalitis virus adapted to muskrat through host-jumping.

Omsk hemorrhagic fever was first described in the early 1940s and is a natural focal infection, spread exclusively in four regions of Western Siberia, and associated with muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). The etiological agent of this disease is the Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV) which is closely related to the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and its range entirely lies within the TBEV area. OHFV belongs to the mammalian tick-borne flaviviruses and the ecological group of arboviruses. The problem concerning the origin of OHFV remains unresolved to date. This study analyzed all nucleotide sequences of the OHFV genome obtained in the present study and available in GenBank, including the E gene fragment and the amino acid sequences of the surface glycoprotein encoded by it. The conclusions, based on the clusteron approach, suggest that OHFV originated directly from the TBEV of the Far Eastern subtype due to the host-jump phenomenon, that is, through a rapid change from an arthropod host, Ixodes persulcatus, to a rodent, O. zibethicus. The muskrat was introduced to Western Siberia in the second half of the 1930s. The peculiarities of the biology and ecology of the muskrat in the new habitat became the reason for the TBEV cross-species transmission. Calculations show that host-jumping occurred between 1931 and 1947 and accompanied a cascade of adaptive amino acid substitutions in protein E. As a result, the virus changed its transmission to contact, alimentary, and airborne routes. Based on the data obtained, OHFV would be more correctly attributed to zoonotic viruses transmitted by rodents and, accordingly, to the ecological group of roboviruses.

Alimentary Infections by Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes serious the neurological disease, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). TBEV can be transmitted to humans by ticks as well as by the alimentary route, which is mediated through the consumption of raw milk products from infected ruminants such as sheep, goats, and cows. The alimentary route of TBEV was recognized in the early 1950s and many important experimental studies were performed shortly thereafter. Nowadays, alimentary TBEV infections are recognized as a relevant factor contributing to the overall increase in TBE incidences in Europe. This review aims to summarize the history and current extent of alimentary TBEV infections across Europe, to analyze experimental data on virus secretion in milk, and to review possible alimentary infection preventive measures.

Worlding Appetite: Colonialism, Modernism, and the Gustatory in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness

ABSTRACT As a sceptical re-engagement with recent criticism's ingestive incorporation of canonical modernists into a postcolonial frame, this essay's focus on ingestive moments in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is a useful entry point into exploring the connection between a devouring colonialism and a consuming modernism. The modernist savouring of the new intersects disturbingly with colonialism's brutal practices of ingestion, if Heart of Darkness be one's test case. With objects disappearing with alarming rapidity down Kurtz's gut, this essay takes the alimentary route to examine how covetousness in Heart of Darkness shifts from the colonialist to the modernist axis. Guts, bowels, entrails - even as Conrad's novella portrays a landscape ravaged by the ravenous, it also inaugurates modernism in establishing Kurtz and Marlow as connoisseurs and curators of souvenirs recovered from a downward journey into the subterranean. The complex interplay between gustation and gestation examined here is by way of intervening in the conversation that has built up around opening up the (modernist) canon, by shifting focus to how canonical texts wrestle with or are even betrayed by their own subtexts and how that might complicate any sanguine understanding of intersectionality vis-à-vis modernism and postcolonialism.

Chapter 7: TBE in special situations

TBE often takes a severe clinical course in immuno-suppressed patients. In transplant patients TBE usually takes a fatal course. TBE vaccination in immuno-suppressed patients can be non-effective TBE in pregnancy has rarely been reported; from recent cases there is no evidence of transplacental infection of the offspring. The alimentary route of infection of TBE is still common in some European countries resulting in a high clinical manifestation index. TBEV can be infectious in milk and milk products for up to 14 days under optimal environmental conditions. TBE is an important travel-related disease. Increasing numbers of non-endemic countries report imported cases. Imported TBE cases in non-endemic areas pose challenges regarding the diagnosis of TBE.

Physiciansʼ awareness level assessment of the epidemiology and diagnosis features of nosocomial infection caused by Clostridium difficile in a multidisciplinary hospitals

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile has an important place among healthcare associated infections pathogens, mainly due to the widespread and inappropriate antibiotics use. Over the past 10 years an incidence of this infection has increased in the USA and European countries. Unfortunately, C. difficile infection cases in the Russian Federation are almost not register, probably due to the lack of physicians awareness and underestimation of the pathogen role in the etiology of nosocomial infections.
 AIM: Is to study the different specialties physicians awareness of C. difficile infection development in multidisciplinary hospitals.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey of 115 physicians of two multidisciplinary hospitals in Kazan was carried out. The questionnaire included 15 questions related to etiology, transmission mechanism, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention of C. difficile infection. Statistical data processing was carried out in MS Excel. We used Fishers exact test for comparisons questionnaire responses indicators. P-values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
 RESULTS: A low level of physicians awareness on this issue was revealed. 92.2% of physicians did not have any C. difficile infection cases in their practice. 31.3% of respondents underestimate the role of antibiotic use as the main risk factor for the development of the disease; at the same time, there are frequent cases of unreasonable prescription of antibiotics. 32.2% of the respondents are poorly informed about diagnosis methods of clostridiosis. 20% of physicians deny the role of bacteria carriers as a source of infection. 77.4% of respondents indicated the alimentary route as the main route of infection transmission. Only 38.2% of respondents noted the hospital environment objects as a possible factor in the transmission of C. difficile.
 CONCLUSIONS: There is no alertness regarding antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by C. difficile infection among multidisciplinary hospital physicians. Insufficient knowledge of epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory diagnostics of C. difficile infection are factors that determine the low frequency of its detection and, accordingly, impede the implementation of required anti-epidemic measures. There is a need to include C. difficile infection issues in professional development programs for medical workers. It is advisable to develop and implement C. difficile infection control.

Elderly Patient Care: A New Reality of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

Poland is among the European countries currently facing the second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A lot of studies confirm the mortality rate of COVID-19 increases with age. Considering the particularly adverse outcomes of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, preventing infections should be the priority for public health professionals. One method for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections among eldery people may involve implementing procedures for limiting the spread of the pathogen, and providing education to medical staff, so as to bridge any gaps in knowledge on virus spread and post-infection or post-exposure management. Three residential medical centers in Poland were selected for evaluation of existing medical procedures to identify any errors in the current procedures applied for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 spread in the facility. The project involved 4 steps: (1) Audit of the existing medical procedures; (2) Knowledge evaluation for the staff (n=185) in the senior- and disabled care facilities, administration of a knowledge test developed by the authors to assess knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 prevention; (3) Training for medical staff; (4) Updates and implementation of procedures. The knowledge test conducted revealed a lack of knowledge of medical personnel about SARS-CoV-2. The deficiencies of the surveyed group varied depending on the place of employment. Almost half of the surveyed medical centers (center No. 1 (52%) vs. center No. 2 (44%) vs. center No. 3(59%)) believed that elderly people usually do not show symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the facility No. 1, 70% of respondents did know that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via the alimentary route compared to center No. 2 and No. 3 where knowledge about it showed only 28,9% and 24,8% responders, respectively. Also, in facility No. 1, the least among the studied group (67%) knew that people with comorbidities were at risk of covid-19 compared to respondents from facility No. 2 and 3, where, respectively, 100% and 93% had such knowledge. Only 33.3% of the staff of facility No. 1 knew how to deal with a patient who will present symptoms such as temp >38 degrees with coughing or dyspnea while in institution No. 2 and 3, this knowledge was slightly higher at 44% and 60% respectively. The audit of the existing hygiene procedures used to limit the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spread demonstrated a number of shortcomings. Employees at the residential medical care centers included in the study had gaps in knowledge on the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The training sessions implemented at the next stage improved knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 infections. Additionally, decisions were made to modify certain procedures and introduce new ones to better prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Parasite risks from raw meat-based diets for companion animals

In industrialised countries, dogs and cats are more often fed raw meat-based diets. There are microbial hazards associated with raw meat and these can introduce the risk of insufficient nutrition, as a result of nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. A literature review has been carried out to evaluate the risks of parasite infections in companion animals resulting from raw meat-based diets. Parasites present in raw meat use dogs and cats as part of their life cycle, these include protozoa such as Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, Cystoisospora, Neospora and Hammondia; the nematodes Toxocara spp. and Trichinella; and the tapeworms Taenia spp., Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. Because of the lack of prevalence data, a valuable risk analysis is difficult. However, the life cycles demonstrate that eating raw meat-based diets and prey animals, can be a route of infection. Such agents can also be present in slaughtered animals. Infections can induce disease in intermediate hosts, but also in humans and other animal species, as an environment can be contaminated with oocysts or eggs. Several parasites can be transmitted via the alimentary route when raw meat-based diets are fed to companion animals. The best prevention method is to feed your companion animals commercial food or to cook meat and organs before feeding.

Management plan of a paediatric outpatient department during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.

With the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection outbreak and spread, serious cases of infection and neonatal infection have been reported. Moreover, children show milder cases and a better prognosis than adults. The outpatient Department of Paediatrics has played a crucial role in the prevention and control of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in children. Based on previous experience and existing diagnosis and treatment guidelines, we present the relevant strategies of this particular paediatric outpatient department when responding to the epidemic. Conclusion: Concurrently, we hope that this article can act as a reference in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further modifications will be made in the future with the increase in clinical experience and changes in the disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the Situation on Anthrax in 2019, the Forecast for 2020

The results of the analysis of epidemiological and epizootiological situation on anthrax in the Russian Federation and in the world in 2019 are presented in the paper. The forecast of morbidity rates in the Russian Federation for 2020 is made. In 2019, five cases of cutaneous anthrax were registered in the Russian Federation in two regions of the North Caucasian Federal District – Republic of Dagestan (4) and Stavropol Territory (1), which is two cases plus as compared to 2018. Outbreaks of infection among livestock animals and humans were recorded in such neighboring countries as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The unfavorable epizootiological situation on anthrax was observed almost everywhere. The highest incidence rates among wild and livestock animals were found in a number of countries in Asia and Africa. Anthrax among people was registered mainly in African countries, infection occurred mainly by alimentary route, less often – through contact with carcasses, meat of animals. Anthrax morbidity rates among animals and humans in the Russian Federation in 2020 will be largely determined by the completeness of registration and coverage with specific immunization of livestock animals and groups of people under professional risk of infection and, if measures are fully implemented, incidence will not exceed single cases.

Chapter 7: TBE in special situations

TBE often takes a severe clinical course in immuno-suppressed patients. In transplant patients TBE usually takes a fatal course. TBE vaccination in immuno-suppressed patients can be non-effective TBE in pregnancy has rarely been reported; from recent cases there is no evidence of transplacental infection of the offspring. The alimentary route of infection of TBE is still common in some European countries resulting in a high clinical manifestation index. TBEV can be infectious in milk and milk products for up to 14 days under optimal environmental conditions. TBE is an important travel-related disease. Increasing numbers of non-endemic countries report imported cases. Imported TBE cases in non-endemic areas pose challenges regarding the diagnosis of TBE.

On senecavirus transmission pathways and mechanism

Senecavirus infection is manifested by vesicular lesions of the skin of the distal parts of the limbs, patch and mammary gland in adult pigs and epizootic transient neonatal disease of newborn piglets. According to clinical signs and pathological changes, vesicular senecavirus infection in fattening pigs and adult pigs is indistinguishable from foot and mouth disease, porcine vesicular disease, porcine vesicular exanthema and vesicular stomatitis. The causative agent of senecavirus infection is a small, non-enveloped virus containing RNA coated with a protein capsid. Возбудитель относится к семейству Picornaviridae, роду Senecavirus. According to the data of 2019 senecavirus infection has been reported in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam. There is a tendency to widespread senecavirus. A number of researchers believe that in the US, senecavirus infection has become endemic. Outbreaks of senecavirus infection in the Heilujiang province of China represent the greatest threat to pig breeding in the Russian Federation, since this province borders with Primorsky, Khabarovsk, the Jewish Autonomous and Amur regions. Experimentally proved the possibility of infection of pigs with senecavirus by alimentary route. It has been established that certain food ingredients are risk factors for the movement of viruses, including senecavirus, across the country and around the world. These results indicate a great risk of introducing senecavirus into Russia with feed ingredients. Isolation of senecavirus from samples of the lungs of sick pigs indicates a possible infection of animals by an aerogenous route. Senecavirus is excreted from the mouth out of the body of pigs, as well as with feces within 28 days.

Fur and faeces – Routes of mercury elimination in the Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus grypus)

This study focused on evaluating the elimination of Hg by Baltic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus grypus) via faeces and pelage. In addition, we investigated the potential for ecosystem contamination via these routes. Faeces and fur were collected in 2014–2017 from captive adult grey seals and their pups. The concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) were measured in the samples. The amount of mercury eliminated in a labile form (the sum of the bioavailable Hg(II) and methylmercury) was also determined. An adult seal removed about 46% of mercury supplied with food via the faeces, of which only 17% was MeHg. Considering that mercury is mainly supplied to the body as MeHg, it can be assumed that mercury excreted along with faeces has undergone transformation inside the animal body. Despite the much higher THg and MeHg concentrations measured in fur, the incorporation of mercury into newly formed fur is a less effective method of Hg elimination removing just 4% of mercury entering the body via the alimentary route. The presence of mercury in lanugo is evidence of maternal transfer. First droppings of the pups were characterised by the highest content of MeHg and a low THg concentration. Then, despite the limited supply of mercury with food, and the rapid growth of the pup, the concentration of THg increased, suggesting that mercury started to be transformed into less toxic forms.It was estimated that faeces and fur expelled by seals could deliver about 800 g of mercury to the Baltic Sea. For both faeces and fur, most of the mercury (>95% for excrements and >85% for fur) was expelled in a labile form that can be quickly recycled.