Cattle Hides Research Articles

Production of anti-rM14 and anti-rM42 antibodies and their application in the stidy of expression of metalloproteases M14 and M42 of keratinolytic strain of Bacillus paralicheniformis

In the present study, two metalloproteases M14 and M42 from a Kazakh strain of Bacillus paralicheniformis T7 with high proteolytic activity were successfully cloned, expressed and purified. Protease genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers selected on the basis of full genome sequencing data of B. paralicheniformis strain N7 (GenBank accession #CP124861). The amplified fragments were cloned in the expression vector pET-28c(+). Recombinant analogs of the metalloproteases M14 and M42 were obtained by plasmid expression in Escherichia coli cells of the strain ArcticExpressRP(DE3). Using metal affinity chromatography, rM14 and rM42 proteins were purified and polyclonal antibodies were produced by immunization of rabbits. Using anti-rM14 and anti-rM42 antibodies, the expression level of native metalloproteases M14 and M42 in cell lysate and culture fluid of B. paralicheniformis T7 strain was examined after culturing the strain on keratin-containing media: chicken feather, horn, hoof, hide and wool of cattle. Substrate-dependent expression of metalloprotease genes of B. paralicheniformis strain T7 was established. The obtained results indicate the prospective use B. paralicheniformis strain T7 as a producer of metalloproteases M14 and M42.

New Bacillus paralicheniformis strain with high proteolytic and keratinolytic activity.

Bacillus paralicheniformis T7, which exhibits high proteolytic and keratinolytic activities, was isolated from soil in Kazakhstan. Its secreted proteases were thermostable and alkaline, demonstrating maximum activity at 70°C and pH 9.0. The proteases and keratinases of this strain were sensitive to Ni2+, Co2+, Mn2+, and Cd2+, with Cu2+, Co2+ and Cd2+ negatively affecting keratinolytic activity, and Fe3+ ions have a strong inhibitory effect on proteolytic and keratinolytic activity. Seven proteases were identified in the enzymatic extract of B. paralicheniformis T7: four from the serine peptidase family and three from the metallopeptidase family. The proteases hydrolyzed 1mg of casein, hemoglobin, gelatin, ovalbumin, bovine serum albumin, or keratin within 15s to 30min. The high keratinolytic activity of this strain was confirmed through the degradation of chicken feathers, horns, hooves, wool, and cattle hide. Chicken feathers were hydrolyzed in 4 days, and the degrees of hydrolysis for cattle hide, wool, hoof, and horn after 7 days of cultivation were 97.2, 34.5, 29.6, and 3.6%, respectively. During submerged fermentation with feather medium in a laboratory bioreactor, the strain secreted enzymes with 249.20 ± 7.88 U/mL protease activity after 24h. Thus, B. paralicheniformis T7 can be used to produce proteolytic and keratinolytic enzymes for application in processing proteinaceous raw materials and keratinous animal waste.

184 Effects of cattle hide color and changing environmental conditions at northern latitudes on feeder cattle performance and behavior

Abstract While suitable research has been done on the influence of climatic conditions on feeder cattle welfare, we have seen limited work done that assesses the relationship of hide color and cattle thermoregulation in response to extreme environmental changes, particularly of those seen at northern latitudes. Specifically, there is limited research on the effects of environmental stressors and cattle hide color on performance and intake. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate feeder cattle performance in response to environmental conditions and hide color. Angus-based yearling steers [n = 40; average body weight (BW) = 409.28 kg were stratified by BW and hide color (red, white, and black) and were randomized into 10 pens at the Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, MT. Steers were on trial from 20 February 2023 to 11 July 2023 (141 d) and fitted with an electronic ear tag and adapted to the Vytelle system (Vytelle, Lenexa, KS) for 14 d prior to the start of the study. All 10 pens consisted of two electronic feed bunks equipped with an antenna to detect animal presence, load cells to measure feed disappearance and wireless transfer to a data-acquisition computer. Finishing diet (8.6% CP, 75% TDN) consisted of 69% corn, 21% corn silage, 10% wheat straw, and 0.45 kgּ animal-1ּ d-1 of beef grower pellet with a fortified mineral and vitamin package. Initial and final unshrunk BW were obtained on two consecutive days and averaged. Every 28 d during the experiment, steers were weighed prior to feeding and a measurement of coat depth was taken. Animal surface temperature was recorded via a FLIR E5xt thermal imaging camera on the same day of every week at 0730 h (prior to feeding) and 1330 h (6 h post feeding), for 20 wk. There was no difference in hair depth between the white hided steers and other treatments (P ≥ 0.26). However, there was a treatment effect (P = 0.01) of hide color on cattle surface temperature, with black and red hided steers averaging 2.85°C greater than white hided steers. There was no effect of treatment on average daily gain (P = 0.55) averaging 1.34 kg/d. Additionally, there was no treatment effect on average daily intake (P = 0.36), averaging 10.76 kg per day. There was a treatment effect on gain to feed efficiency (P = 0.05); however, post hoc means separation analysis showed no difference between treatments. In summary, although there were treatment effects on animal surface temperature, they were not reflected in animal performance.

Sample Type and Processing Plant Differences in the Proportion of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 and Non-O157 Serogroups in Feces and on Hides of Cull Dairy Cattle at Slaughter.

The study was conducted to determine the proportion and concentration of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 and six non-O157 (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) serogroups and identify seasonal and processing plant differences in feces and on hides of cull dairy cattle processed in commercial slaughterhouses in the United States. Approximately 60 rectal and 60 hide-on samples from matched carcasses were collected in each of three processing plants, in two periods; summer of 2017 and spring of 2018. Samples before enrichment were spiral plated to quantify EHEC, and postenriched samples underwent culture methods that included immuno-magnetic separation, plating on selective media, and PCR assays for identification and serogroup confirmation of putative isolates. An isolate was considered EHEC O157 positive if it harbored serogroup-specific (rfbE), Shiga toxin (stx1 and/or stx2), and intimin (eae) genes and EHEC non-O157 positive if at least one of the non-O157 serogroup-specific, stx1 and/or stx2, and eae genes was identified. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted to estimate overall proportion of positives for EHEC O157 and non-O157 EHEC serogroups, as well as seasonal and processing plant differences in fecal and hide-on proportion of positives. The fecal EHEC proportion at the sample level was 1.8% (95% CI = 0.0-92.2%) and 4.2% (95% CI = 0.0-100.0%) for EHEC O157 and EHEC non-O157, respectively. Hide sample level proportion of positives was 3.0% (95% CI = 0.0-99.9%) for EHEC O157 and 1.6% (95% CI = 0.0-100.0%) for EHEC non-O157. The proportion of EHEC O157 and non-O157 significantly differed by processing plant and sample type (hide vs. feces), but not by season. The association between proportion of EHEC serogroups in feces with the proportion on hides collected from matched cattle was 7.8% (95% CI = 0.6-53.3%) and 3.8% (95% CI = 0.3-30.8%) for EHEC O157 and non-O157, respectively. Taken together, our findings provide evidence of a low proportion of EHEC serogroups in the feces and on hides of cull dairy cattle and that their proportion varies across processing plants.

Emerging of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O177:H11 and O177:H25 from cattle at slaughter in Italy

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are zoonotic pathogens frequently carried by cattle, responsible in humans of mild to bloody diarrhoea, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and even death. In 2023–2024, a study on STEC contamination of hide and carcasses of dairy cattle at slaughter was planned in Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). When the study was still in progress and 60 animals were sampled, the detection of STEC O177 isolates reached high rates and gained our attention. A total of five O177 STEC strains were detected, namely four from three carcasses (5.0 %) and one from a hide sample (1.7 %). The isolates were typed by WGS as following: 1) STEC O177:H11 sequence type (ST) 765 (stx2a+, eae+), detected from one carcass; 2) STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) detected from three carcasses and one hide sample. One carcass was contaminated by both STEC serotypes. The isolates carried other virulence determinants often found in STEC strains associated with HUS, namely the exha, astA and espP genes, together with genes for adhesion to the epithelial cells of the gut (lpfA, fdeC, fimH) and non-Locus for Enterocyte Effacement (LEE) effector protein genes (nleA, nleB). The STEC O177:H11 isolate harboured antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to β-lactams (blaTEM-1A), aminoglycosides (aadA1, aph(3″)-Ib, aph(6)-Id), trimethoprim (dfrA1), sulphonamides (sul1, sul2), tetracyclines (tetA), (tetB), streptothricin (sat2), and quaternary ammonium compounds (qacEdelta1). On the contrary, the STEC O177:H25 isolates carried no AMR genes. Persistent carriage of STEC O177:H25 ST659 (stx2c+, eae+) at farm level was assessed by testing animals of the same herd sent to slaughter.Interestingly, the colonies of STEC O177:H11 and STEC O177:H25 had different morphology on CHROMagar™ STEC plates, being mauve and colourless, respectively. Since mauve is the colour STEC colonies commonly have on the CHROMagar™ STEC medium, our findings can help microbiologists in the selection of uncommon serotypes.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of STEC O177 from carcasses and hides of dairy cattle at slaughter. Noteworthy, the STEC-positive hide was classified as “very dirty” thus stressing the need of clean animals entering the slaughter chain, as required by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. Since STEC O177 has been responsible of HUS in Europe, our data could add information on the source of uncommon serogroups in human infections.

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible cattle hides in Enugu State, Nigeria

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible cattle hides in Enugu State, Nigeria

Tradition Unveiled: A Comparative Exploration of Kelantan and Shaanxi Shadow Puppet Craftsmanship

This study intricately examines the craftsmanship of Kelantan, Malaysia, and Shaanxi, China’s shadow puppets, highlighting how their unique making processes contribute to distinct visual characteristics. Kelantan artisans meticulously treat cattle hide, emphasizing sunlight exposure for drying, intricate chiselling techniques, and vibrant coloration. In contrast, Shaanxi craftsmen employ a moist carving process, with detailed motifs influenced by traditional Chinese mural paintings. The comparative analysis exposes fundamental disparities: Kelantan emphasizes dry leather, producing flat colours and detailed chiselling, while Shaanxi relies on moist leather for vibrant, translucent hues. The study further explores variations in carving techniques and movable parts, providing insight into the rich cultural tapestry woven into the artistry of Kelantan and Shaanxi shadow puppet craftsmanship.

Isolation of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria from Raw Hides, Salted Hides, and Tannery Wastewater and Their Heavy Metal (Cr) Tolerance

Numerous leather products are created from cattle hides and skins. However, the processing of these products can release toxic heavy metals, including chromium into the environment, leading to health hazards and environmental pollution. This study aims to isolate and identify multidrug-resistant bacteria from rawhide, salted hides, and tanneries in different areas of the Savar region in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. The secondary objective is to determine the heavy metal tolerance and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Cr against all isolated bacteria. The study found 206 bacterial isolates from three areas: Polashbari Kathaltola, Polashbari Bazar, and Savar Hemaythpur. Rawhide yielded 100 (48.54%) bacterial isolates, salted hide yielded 80(38.83%) isolates, and tannery wastewater yielded only 26 (12.62%) isolates. Further, Bacillus spp. (60) was the most common isolated bacteria. The other identified bacteria were Pseudomonas spp. (46), Staphylococcus spp. (40), Proteus spp. (40), and Escherichia coli (20). The isolated strains showed multidrug resistance, with Staphylococcus spp. Being highly resistant to Erythromycin (100%), followed by Trimethoprim (95%) and Tetracycline (88%). Pseudomonas spp. Were highly resistant to Azithromycin (100%) and Gentamycin (100%). The MIC and the MIC breakpoint determined the screening and evaluation of Cr tolerance against bacteria, and among the isolated bacterial isolates, Bacillus spp. showed a MIC breakpoint of 600 ppm (11.52mM) for Cr tolerance. The isolated heavy metal-resistant bacteria are useful in the bioremediation process and can aid in recovering and removing heavy metals from environmental effluents, thus preventing adverse effects on humans and animals. The government and leather companies should take legal responsibility for proper leather processing to ensure a preventative approach for safe public health. Otherwise, carcinogenic heavy metals can cause cancer in humans.

Validation of a Bacteriophage Hide Application to Reduce STEC in the Lairage Area of Commercial Beef Cattle Operations.

Finalyse, a T4 bacteriophage, is a pre-harvest intervention that utilizes a combination of bacteriophages to reduce incoming Escherichia coli O157:H7 prevalence by destroying the bacteria on the hides of harvest-ready cattle entering commercial abattoirs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Finalyse, as a pre-harvest intervention, on the reduction in pathogens, specifically E. coli O157:H7, on the cattle hides and lairage environment to overall reduce incoming pathogen loads. Over 5 sampling events, a total of 300 composite hide samples were taken using 25 mL pre-hydrated Buffered Peptone Water (BPW) swabs, collected before and after the hide wash intervention, throughout the beginning, middle, and end of the production day (n = 10 swabs/sampling point/timepoint). A total of 171 boot swab samples were also simultaneously taken at the end of the production day by walking from the front to the back of the pen in a pre-determined 'Z' pattern to monitor the pen floor environment from 3 different locations in the lairage area. The prevalence of pathogens was analyzed using the BAX® System Real-Time PCR Assay. There were no significant reductions observed for Salmonella and/or any Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) on the hides after the bacteriophage application (p > 0.05). Escherichia coli O157:H7 and O111 hide prevalence was very low throughout the study; therefore, no further analysis was conducted. However, boot swab monitoring showed a significant reduction in E. coli O157:H7, O26, and O45 in the pen floor environment (p < 0.05). While using Finalyse as a pre-harvest intervention in the lairage areas of commercial beef processing facilities, this bacteriophage failed to reduce E. coli O157:H7 on the hides of beef cattle, as prevalence was low; however, some STECs were reduced in the lairage environment, where the bacteriophage was applied. Overall, an absolute conclusion was not formed on the effectiveness of Finalyse and its ability to reduce E. coli O157:H7 on the hides of beef cattle, as prevalence on the hides was low.

Present scenario of cattle hides price at some selected areas in Bangladesh

The study was carried out to investigate the present market price of cattle hide and socio-economic status of slaughterer at three selected areas of Bangladesh. Data was gathered from one hundred and fifty randomly selected respondents from three areas where twenty household from each area who slaughtered cattle during Eid-al-Adha, twenty slaughterers from each area and thirty tannery from Hemayetpur, Savar through a structured questionnaire, from December, 2022 to April, 2023. During survey the considered parameters were the current cattle hide price at different level, respondent gender, age, literacy, family size, housing, source of income, monthly income and working experience. Result from the study revealed that all slaughterers were male and the average aged in Savar, Dhaka South City Corporation &amp; Mymensingh City Corporation were 50.00, 37.16 &amp; 43.61 respectively. For literacy rate of slaughterers it was found that about 36.11% had primary level education, 59.33% had secondary level education, 4.56% had higher secondary level education and no graduate were found. Their average family size were 5.75 and about 75.39% slaughterer lived on rent house and 24.61% on own house. About 94.40% slaughterer solely depend on meat processing but along with meat processing 5.60% were engaged with business. Average income of selected slaughterers were 40468.75 TK/month. Maximum slaughterer (42.00%) have been involved in this profession for 8-16 years. Major sources of hides were household (who slaughtered animal during Eid-al-Adha and for ceremonial purposes) slaughterhouse, meat processing industries etc. In household, slaughterer and tannery small size hides selling price were 245.00 and 295.00 Tk/piece respectively, for medium size 518.00 and 561.00 TK/piece respectively. In case of large size hide market price was 744.00 and 885.00 TK/piece respectively. In tannery, buying price of small, medium and large size hides were 443.00, 758.00 and 1515.00 TK/piece and 28.00, 32.00, 43.00 TK/sq. ft. respectively. The main reason for the rapid decline in the price of hide was low demand of hide and also flay defect.

Toxic Metals Contamination of Cattle Hide Singed With Scrap Tyres

Processed cattle hide popularly known as “Ganda” in Nigeria is widely eaten as a substitute for meat but the commercial method of processing this food delicacy through singeing with scrap tyres has become a source of concern due to possible heavy metals contamination. This study evaluates the presence and levels of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn in the cattle hide samples obtained by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The hide samples analyzed were obtained from seven states across the three geopolitical zones in northern Nigeria. Cd was not detected in most of the samples, notably from Niger, Zamfara, Adamawa and Plateau states, while concentrations of 0.0001±5.77E-5, 0.0005±4.71E-5, and 0.009±0.001 mg/kg detected from Kano, Kaduna, and Taraba, respectively, were lower than the maximum permissible level of 0.05 mg/kg set by the reference limits. Pb concentrations in all the samples analyzed were 1.080±0.072 to 1.760±0.160 mg/kg which surpassed the maximum permissible level of 0.1 mg/kg set by the reference limits, while other heavy metals were below the safe limits. The high levels of Pb introduced to the singed hide beyond the reference limits could be linked to the use of scrap tyres in the burning hairs of the hide, and it could be of great concern after consumption. In view of the above possible health implications that might arise, a detailed and proper health risk assessment technique needs to be employed in future research.

An Experimental Field Trial Investigating the Use of Bacteriophage and Manure Slurry Applications in Beef Cattle Feedlot Pens for Salmonella Mitigation.

Post-harvest Salmonella mitigation techniques are insufficient at addressing Salmonella harbored in cattle lymph nodes, necessitating the exploration of pre-harvest alternatives that reduce Salmonella prior to dissemination to the lymph nodes. A 2 × 2, unbalanced experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of pre-harvest treatments applied to the pen surface for Salmonella mitigation in cattle. Treatments included manure slurry intended to mimic pen run-off water (n = 4 pens), a bacteriophage cocktail (n = 4), a combination of both treatments (n = 5), and a control group (n = 5) that received no treatment. Environment samples from 18 feedlot pens and fecal grabs, hide swabs, and subiliac lymph nodes from 178 cattle were collected and selectively enriched for Salmonella, and Salmonella isolates were sequenced. The combination treatment was most effective at reducing Salmonella, and the prevalence was significantly lower compared with the control group for rump swabs on Days 14 and 21. The treatment impact on Salmonella in the lymph nodes could not be determined due to low prevalence. The reduction on cattle hides suggests that bacteriophage or water treatments applied to the feedlot pen surface may reduce Salmonella populations in cattle during the pre-harvest period, resulting in reduced contamination during slaughter and processing.

Evaluation of gelatin characterization of Bali cattle hide based on the FTIR approach and molecular weight

Evaluation of gelatin characterization of Bali cattle hide based on the FTIR approach and molecular weight

A cleaner leather chemical from feather waste for reducing ammonia-nitrogen pollution and improving biological treatment efficiency of tannery wastewater

Feather waste is produced in millions of tons globally every year, resulting in a waste of biomass resources and even environmental pollution. A sustainable strategy for utilizing feather waste was proposed by preparing a clean deliming agent for ammonia-nitrogen (NH3–N) reduction in leather manufacture and biological treatment efficiency improvement of tannery wastewater. Briefly, chicken feather wastes were deeply hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid, and the optimized keratin hydrolysate (KHopt) that contained 53.6% crude protein and 41.2% amino acids, such as glutamic acid, serine, proline, leucine, phenylalanine, glycine, valine, and arginine, was obtained and used to delime limed cattle hides. The appropriate ratio of amino acids in KHopt gave KHopt a great pH-buffering capacity and maintained a stable float pH of approximately 9 throughout the deliming process. The isoelectric points of KHopt (3.8) and the limed hide (6.3) were both lower than the float pH, thereby bringing about an electrostatic repulsion between the KHopt and the hide surface, which is helpful for KHopt to penetrate and deswell the limed hide rapidly. Moreover, the KHopt deliming effectively removed calcium from the limed hide and achieved leather comparable to conventional leather for commercial applications. KHopt reduced the NH3–N concentrations of deliming effluent and tannery wastewater by 91.1% and 80.6%, respectively, compared with the conventional deliming agent (ammonium sulfate), and dramatically increased the biological treatment efficiency of tannery wastewater. The results showed that efficient and high-value use of feather waste was made by preparing KHopt for sustainable leather manufacturing.

The efficiency of boric acid as an alternate to NaCl for the preservation of cattle hides.

The fresh buffalo hides (n = 6) were cut into two equal parts and categorized into three equal groups. The first group was treated with 50% NaCl; the second group hides were treated with 5% of boric acid (BA), and the third group hides were with NaCl + BA (10:1). Hair loss was seen at the sample margins of hides treated with 50% NaCl, with a slight odor. In the second group, there was neither hair loss nor a pungent smell was felt. The nitrogen content of the preserved hide was measured at different durations during the experimental period, i.e., 0h, 24h on day 7th, and day 14th. The nitrogen level reduced significantly (P < 0.05) from 0h to day 14th of the experiment in hides treated with 50% of NaCl and 5% of boric acid, while this trend was found non-significant (P > 0.05) in hides treated with the combination of NaCl + BA. At 0h, the moisture content for 50% of NaCl-treated hides was 64.82 ± 0.38% moisture content for 5% of boric acid was 63.89 ± 0.59, while for the NaCl + BA combination 61.69 ± 1.09 was observed. Moisture content for 50% of NaCl on day 14th was 38.87 ± 0.42; for boric acid, it was 37.76 ± 1.12, and for the combination of both, the moisture content was 34.56 ± 0.41%. A similar decreasing trend of moisture contents was found in hides treated with different preservatives. After 14days of treatment, the bacterial count for 50% of NaCl was 2 × 109; for boric acid, it was 1 × 109, and for the combination of both, the bacterial count was 3 × 109. The lowest pollution load was observed hides treated with the combination of NaCl + BA (10:1). Total solids (TS) were 21.69 ± 0.57 while total dissolved solids (TDS) were 21.10 ± 0.57, and total suspended solids were 0.60 ± 0.57mg/l. It is concluded from the present study that boric acid alone or in combination with NaCl efficiently reduced nitrogen content and bacterial count and can reduce water pollution in tannery and hence could be used as a preservative for the hide in the tannery industry.

An Application of Pareto Analysis and Cause-and-Effect Diagram in Raw Hide and Skin Defects Minimization in Ethiopia: Selected Case Dire Dawa City Slaughterhouse (Ethiopia)

According to the reports of CSA (Central Statistics Agency) 2020 Ethiopia is the 10th in the world and 1st in Africa by cattle production. Furthermore, the leather sector is the priority sector in Ethiopia. Leather industries are facing challenges in improving productivity and quality in the competitive market nowadays. The input materials for leather industries are goat and sheep skin, and cattle hide in Ethiopia. However, there are raw hide and skin defects due to preslaughter, during slaughter and post-slaughter process. This study focuses on the minimization of the major defects in preslaughter and during the slaughter of raw hide and skin process by application of Pareto analysis and fishbone diagram in Ethiopia in the case of Dire Dawa city. The Pareto analysis reveals that priority should be given to solving the problems of pre-slaughter and during-slaughter defects of raw hide and skin. Based on cause-and-effect diagram analysis, the main causes are: machine, material, environment, man, measures and management, root causes, heated metal shape for brand mark, during diseases different action is taken, hit animal using different steel, grass used for food, animals home making material, drinking water, stick, topography, hot area, old area, lack of awareness about hide and skin outputs, traditional methods of water in forage for the animals during farming, traditional methods used for medications for raw hide and defects identified. Finally, a few recommendations are made to reduce raw hide and skin defects.

Core Genome Sequencing Analysis of E. coli O157:H7 Unravelling Genetic Relatedness among Strains from Cattle, Beef, and Humans in Bishoftu, Ethiopia

E. coli O157:H7 is a known Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), causing foodborne disease globally. Cattle are the main reservoir and consumption of beef and beef products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 is an important source of STEC infections in humans. To emphasize the cattle-to-human transmission through the consumption of contaminated beef in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on E. coli O157 strains isolated from three sources (cattle, beef, and humans). Forty-four E. coli O157:H7 isolates originating from 23 cattle rectal contents, three cattle hides, five beef carcasses, seven beef cuts at retail shops, and six human stools in Bishoftu between June 2017 and May 2019 were included. This study identified six clusters of closely related E. coli O157:H7 isolates based on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) by targeting 2513 loci. A genetic linkage was observed among the isolate genomes from the cattle rectal contents, cattle hides, beef carcasses at slaughterhouses, beef at retail shops, and human stool within a time frame of 20 months. All the strains carried practically the same repertoire of virulence genes except for the stx2 gene, which was present in all but eight of the closely related isolates. All the strains carried the mdfA gene, encoding for the MdfA multi-drug efflux pump. CgMLST analysis revealed genetically linked E. coli O157:H7 isolates circulating in the area, with a potential transmission from cattle to humans through the consumption of contaminated beef and beef products.

Local hemostatic biomaterial based on native collagen

The article presents the results of obtaining a neutral biomaterial in the form of a sponge based on the aqueous mass of collagen isolated from the hide of cattle while maintaining the original fibrous structure. It has been established that at a concentration of water mass of collagen of 5-6%, a high porosity of the biomaterial is observed. With an increase in the porosity of the biomaterial, its sorption capacity increases. It is shown that the biomaterial “Hemogubka” with a porosity of 87% has a pronounced hemostatic effect in rabbits with increased bleeding, and also reduces the time of parenchymal bleeding of the liver, kidneys, and spleen in rabbits by 48-73%, respectively, and is superior in efficiency to the action of a hemostatic sponge and hemostatic gauze 1.2-1.5 times.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Residues in Hides of animals Singed with Tyres, and Public Health Implications Associated with such Practice in Lokoja Metropolis

The safety of food has been an issue of concern in developing countries like Nigeria where the processing method can pose some environmental health challenge. The use of scrap automobile tires to singe meat has been reported to possess some toxic materials that can pose health challenge to humans. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metals in meat singed with fire wood and scrap tires in Lokoja, Nigeria. Samples of cattle hides singed with firewood and scrap tires were collected from four (4) different abattoirs and analyzed for the concentration of Cu, Pb, Fe and Zn using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. There was significant increase in the concentration of Cu, Zn and Pb of the cattle hides singed with firewood and scrap tires when compared to the unsinged. The concentration of heavy metals for firewood singed cattle hide is within recommended Maximum Permissible Levels (MPLs) of the European Commission Regulations while the concentration of scrap tires is above the recommended Maximum Permissible Levels (MPLs) of the European Commission Regulations for Cu, Zn and Fe. Though there was increase in the concentration of Fe it is within the recommended Maximum Permissible Levels. The presence of heavy metals concentration above the permissible levels in cattle hides singed with scrap tires makes it unsafe for human consumption hence safer method should be adopted by the abattoirs.

Zoonotic Pathogens Detected in Ticks in Kenyan Game Reserves

Little is known on tick-borne pathogens and their role in disease in game reserves in Kenya. Ticks were collected by sterile forceps from restrained cattle hide and placed into labeled falcon tubes. Ticks were screened for pathogens by High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis and sequencing of specific RT-PCR products of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species. A total of 317 ticks (281 adult ticks and 36 nymphs) comprising seven species were collected around the Tsavo National Reserve (TNR) in Taita Taveta County with Amblyomma gemma being the most commonly collected species (n = 135, 42.6%). From near Shimba Hill game reserve (SHNR), a total of 240 adult’s ticks were sampled, representing eight species, with again Amblyomma gemma being the most sampled species (n = 156, 65%). From Tsavo, a total of three pools of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were positive for Theileria parva, two pools of Rhipicephaline evertsi for Anaplasma platys and one pool of Amblyomma variegatum nymphs for Rickettsia africae. Rickettsia africae, which causes African tick-bite fever, was detected in two pools of Am. variegatum and one pool of Amblyomma gemma collected near Shimba Hill game reserve. Rickettsia sp. and Anaplasma sp. were detected in Am. gemma and Rh. evertsi respectively. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in a pool of Am. gemma. These findings highlight the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans in regions with high human-wildlife interfaces. Of specific importance, we provide evidence of R. aeschlimannii in A. gemma for the first time, representing a potential new R. aeschlimannii vectors.