Consumption Of Raw Food Research Articles

Microbiome Responses to Oral Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in a Cohort of Domestic Dogs.

Fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) have been successful at treating digestive and skin conditions in dogs. The degree to which the microbiome is impacted by FMT in a cohort of dogs has not been thoroughly investigated. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we document the changes in the microbiome of fifty-four dogs that took capsules of lyophilized fecal material for their chronic diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation. We found that the relative abundances of five bacterial genera (Butyricicoccus, Faecalibacterium, Fusobacterium, Megamonas, and Sutterella) were higher after FMT than before FMT. Fecal microbiome alpha- and beta-diversity were correlated with kibble and raw food consumption, and prior antibiotic use. On average, 18% of the stool donor's bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) engrafted in the FMT recipient, with certain bacterial taxa like Bacteroides spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Lachnoclostridium spp. engrafting more frequently than others. Lastly, analyses indicated that the degree of overlap between the donor bacteria and the community of microbes already established in the FMT recipient likely impacts engraftment. Collectively, our work provides further insight into the microbiome and engraftment dynamics of dogs before and after taking oral FMTs.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 among diarrheic patients and their cattle in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility, and associated risk factors of STEC O157:H7 among diarrheic patients and their cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted among diarrheic patients and their cattle in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia from December- 2020 to June- 2022. A total of 1,149 diarrheic patients and 229 cattle were included in the study. STEC O157:H7 detection was done using culture, latex agglutination test, and polymerase chain reaction on diarrheic stool samples and recto-anal mucosal swabs of cattle. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using disk diffusion techniques. Risk factors association were identified using binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of STEC O157:H7 in diarrheic patients and their cattle was 11.1% (128/1149) and 14.4% (33/229) respectively. High percentage of the study subjects were found in under-five children (34.5%). Age less than 5 (AOR: 4.02, 95%CI:1.608-10.058,P = 0.003), and greater than 64 years old (AOR:3.36, 95% CI:1.254-8.986, P = 0.016), presence of diarrheic patient in the house (AOR:2.11, 95%CI:1.309-3.390, P = 0.002), availability of cattle in the house (AOR:2.52, 95%CI:1.261-5.049, P = 0.009), and habit of consuming raw foods (AOR:4.35, 95%CI:2.645-7.148, P = 0.000) were risk factors. Antibiotic resistance was shown in 109(85.2%), and 31(93.9%) isolates from diarrheic patients and their cattle respectively. The highest levels of antibiotic resistance were found to tetracycline (54.7%, 69.7%) in diarrheic patients and their cattle respectively. Multiple drug resistance was also observed among 56(43.8%) and 11(33.3%) isolates in diarrheic patients and their cattle respectively. Our study showed high prevalence of STEC O157:H7 in diarrheic patients and their cattle. Therefore, health education should be given to the community on how to care for animals, proper sanitation, and the impact of raw food consumption.

Factorial Validity and Reliability of a Food Behavior Checklist for Japanese Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Background: Dietary education programs for pregnant and postpartum Japanese women are conducted during health check-ups and in childbirth education classes, but there is no tool to evaluate their food behavior. Therefore, this study examined the factorial validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency of the food behavior checklist (FBC) for pregnant and postpartum Japanese women. Subjects and Method: This was a longitudinal study. We screened 4,000 women aged 18–45 years who were either pregnant or nursing an infant aged <1 years and enrolled in Freeasy, a platform with 4.5 million panels. Data were collected from 97 pregnant women and 203 postpartum women through an online survey. They completed the 21-item FBC on a web survey twice at an interval of 3 weeks. After performing principal component analyses, internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach’s α. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa (κ) coefficient were calculated to assess the test–retest reliability. Results: There were 21 items loaded on six factors (fruit and vegetable quantity, vegetable variety, balanced fish and meat intake, sweetened beverages, eating habits, and food consciousness). Cronbach’s α for the total scale was 0.77. ICC for the test–retest reliability of individual items ranged from 0.35 to 0.62, and ICC for the total scale was 0.62. The κ coefficient values ranged from 0.26 to 0.52, indicating fair-to-moderate strength of agreement between the test and retest. Conclusion: The FBC demonstrated factorial validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency, indicating its potential application in evaluating the effects of the dietary education programs on pregnant and postpartum women, which include taking a staple meal, folic acid, and avoiding raw food consumption. This compact tool can be conveniently used by midwives and provide practical guidance during maternal health check-ups. Keywords: pregnant, postpartum, dietary, checklist, reproducibility. Correspondence: Megumi Fujita. Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iida Nishi Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan. Email: f.megumi@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp Mobile: + 81 23-628-5443.

Contamination with Enterococcus spp., strains of lettuces of different species acquired in Cumaná

Lettuce is one of the most common crops in the world, with high index of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Raw food consumption is closely related to foodborne illness, of which Escherichia coli O157:H7, seems to be the prime perpetrator leading to undesirable consequences. However, E. coli is not the only microorganism that can be transmitted, as reports validating the involvement of Aeromonas, Yersinia, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, and Salmonella have surfaced. The objective of this work was to detect the contamination of lettuces of different species acquired in several places of Cumaná, with Enterococcus strains. Of 52 lettuces acquired in food retail centers, 38% were contaminated with Enterococcus spp., strains. The best-selling lettuce was Lactuca sativa L. (25/52), but the most contaminated was Lactuca sativa var. capitata (89%). The highest average for Enterococcus was obtained in lettuces from Municipal Market. The dominant species of Enterococcus were E. faecalis (40%), and E. casseliflavus (30%); and to a lesser extent E. faecium (15%), E. gallinarum (10%), and E. avium (5%). The susceptibility profile showed that there are strains resistant to glycopeptides, fluoroquinolones, ansamycins, macrolides, phenols and tetracyclines. The clonal dissemination of two strains of E. faecalis and one strain of E. faecium by antibiotyping was demonstrated in lettuces from the municipal market. These results demonstrate that the food chain is a route of dissemination of multidrug resistant Enterococcus to the human intestinal microbiota, turning the gastrointestinal tract into a reservoir of intractable bacteria with the available antibiotics.

An overview of human helminthioses in Vietnam: Their prevention, control and lessons learnt

In Vietnam, helminthioses remain a major threat to public health and contribute to the maintenance of poverty in highly endemic regions. Through increased awareness of the damaging effects caused by helminthioses, the Vietnamese government has implemented many national programs over the past 30 years for the prevention and control of the most important helminthioses, such as, lymphatic filariasis, soil transmitted helminths, food borne zoonotic helminths, and others. Various control strategies have been applied to reduce or eliminate these worms, e.g. mass drug administration, economic development, control of vectors or intermediate hosts, public health interventions through education, proper composting procedures for excreta potentially containing helminth eggs, and the expansion of food supply chains and improved technologies for the production and inspection of food products. These control measures have resulted in a significant reduction in the distribution and transmission of helminth infections and have improved the overall living conditions and health outcomes of the Vietnamese citizens. However, the persistence of several helminth diseases continues in some endemic areas, especially where poverty is widespread and local traditions include the consumption of raw foods, especially fish and meats. This manuscript provides an overview of the helminth infection prevention and control programs conducted in Vietnam, their achieved results, learned lessons, and future works.

Cooking methods are associated with inflammatory factors, renal function, and other hormones and nutritional biomarkers in older adults

Evidence of the role of cooking methods on inflammation and metabolic health is scarce due to the paucity of large-size studies. Our aim was to evaluate the association of cooking methods with inflammatory markers, renal function, and other hormones and nutritional biomarkers in a general population of older adults. In a cross sectional analysis with 2467 individuals aged ≥ 65, dietary and cooking information was collected using a validated face-to-face dietary history. Eight cooking methods were considered: raw, boiling, roasting, pan-frying, frying, toasting, sautéing, and stewing. Biomarkers were analyzed in a central laboratory following standard procedures. Marginal effects from generalized linear models were calculated and percentage differences (PD) of the multivariable-adjusted means of biomarkers between extreme sex-specific quintiles (Q) of cooking methods consumption were computed ([Q5 − Q1/Q1] × 100). Participants’ mean age was 71.6 years (53% women). Significant PD for the highest vs lowest quintile of raw food consumption was − 54.7% for high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), − 11.9% for neutrophils, − 11.9% for Growth Differentiation Factor-15, − 25.0% for Interleukin-6 (IL-6), − 12.3% for urinary albumin, and − 10.3% for uric acid. PD for boiling were − 17.8% for hs-CRP, − 12.4% for urinary albumin, and − 11.3% for thyroid-stimulating hormone. Concerning pan-frying, the PD was − 23.2% for hs-CRP, − 11.5% for IL-6, − 16.3% for urinary albumin and 10.9% for serum vitamin D. For frying, the PD was a 25.7% for hs-CRP, and − 12.6% for vitamin D. For toasting, corresponding figures were − 21.4% for hs-CRP, − 11.1% for IL-6 and 10.6% for vitamin D. For stewing, the PD was 13.3% for hs-CRP. Raw, boiling, pan-frying, and toasting were associated with healthy profiles as for inflammatory markers, renal function, thyroid hormones, and serum vitamin D. On the contrary, frying and, to a less extent, stewing showed unhealthier profiles. Cooking methods not including added fats where healthier than those with added fats heated at high temperatures or during longer periods of time.

Cooking Methods and Their Relationship with Anthropometrics and Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Older Spanish Adults.

Food consumption has a prominent role in the occurrence of cardiometabolic diseases, however, little is known about the specific influence of cooking methods. This study examined the association between cooking methods and anthropometrics, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiac damage biomarkers in older adults. Data were taken from 2476 individuals aged ≥65 from the Seniors-ENRICA 2 cohort in Spain and recruited between 2015 and 2017. Eight cooking methods (raw, boiling, roasting, pan-frying, frying, toasting, sautéing, and stewing) were assessed using a face-to-face validated dietary history. Study associations were summarized as adjusted percentage differences (PDs) in anthropometrics, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiac damage biomarkers between extreme sex-specific quintiles ((5th − 1st/1st) × 100) of food consumed with each cooking method, estimated using marginal effects from generalized linear models. After adjusting for potential confounders, including diet quality, PDs corresponding to raw food consumption were −13.4% (p-trend: <0.001) for weight, −12.9% (p-trend: <0.001) for body mass index (BMI), −14.8% (p-trend: <0.001) for triglycerides, and −13.6% (p-trend: <0.115) for insulin. PDs for boiled food consumption were −13.3% (p-trend: <0.001) for weight, −10.0% (p-trend: <0.001) for BMI, and −20.5% (p-trend: <0.001) for insulin. PDs for roasted food consumption were −11.1 (p-trend: <0.001) for weight and −23.3% (p-trend: <0.001) for insulin. PDs for pan-fried food consumption were −18.7% (p-trend: <0.019) for insulin, −15.3% (p-trend: <0.094) for pro-B-type natriuretic peptide amino-terminal, and −10.9% (p-trend: <0.295) for troponin T. No relevant differences were observed for blood pressure nor for other cooking methods. Raw food consumption along with boiling, roasting, and pan-frying were associated with healthier cardiovascular profiles, mainly due to lower weight and insulin levels. Future experimental research should test the effectiveness of these cooking methods for cardiovascular prevention in older adults.

Uncooked rice consumption: Causes, implications, regulation, and interventions

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesUncooked rice is not classified as produce under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of the United States Food and Drug Administration produce safety rule because it is considered a food grain that is typically processed before consumption. However, uncooked rice is eaten by members of the raw food movement, pregnant pica patients, refugees in war zones, and young women as a perceived beauty treatment.FindingsThe consumption of raw rice may pose serious health risks such as foodborne illness, gastrointestinal issues, exposure to lectin and heavy metals, dental problems, and poor nutrition in consumers, especially those with low immunity including children and pregnant women. This review identifies the various circumstances under which raw rice is eaten or may be eaten, the possible health risks associated with raw rice consumption, and interventions that can be made to prevent the consumption of raw rice.ConclusionsMany interventions are available to curb the raw rice consumption problem, including providing alternative sources of energy for cooking, medical interventions like iron therapy and psychological counseling for pica patients, and public education on the risks associated with the consumption of raw foods, and clearly differentiating foods that can be eaten raw from those that should not be eaten raw.Significance and NoveltyThis review raises awareness and provides vital multifaceted interventions that may influence policy changes that lead to a reduction in risk.

Fields of Life and Death: Cholangiocarcinoma, Food Consumption, and Masculinity in Buddhist Rural Thailand

The Mekong region presents a record incidence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). Scientists identify correlations between the development of this aggressive disease and the consumption of raw fish in local dishes. While made aware of these correlations by comprehensive health campaigns, some villagers in Thailand’s notoriously neglected Northeast refuse to cook the fish before consumption: a phenomenon that puzzles medical experts and policy makers. Based on ethnographic data, this paper suggests that practices surrounding the consumption of raw food in the area have become taboo. Rather than disappearing, they now play a key role in bonding rituals where rural masculinities are expressed via spectacles of risk taking that transgress normative ideals of manhood as epitomised by urban men and Buddhist monks.

Effect of Raw Food Consumption on Incidence of Hepatitis A

Abstract: Hepatitis A is an acute infection of the liver caused by hepatitis A virus (VHA). The hepatitis A virus can be transmitted by fecal-oral route from person to person or through consumption of contaminated raw food. This study aimed to determine the effect of raw food consumption on the incidence of hepatitis A. This was a literature review study using three databases, namely Pubmed, ClinicalKey and Google Scholar. The results obtained 10 articles about several types of raw food previously contaminated that could cause hepatitis A inter alia shrimp, fish, meat, vegetables, frozen berries, dates, strawberries, and fresh vegetables. The route of contamination in raw food was most likely in the place of production before harvest as well as during harvest, packaging process, and food processing before serving. It was found that the number of cases exposed to raw food consumption was more than half of the population in almost all literature. Based on the type of raw food, the highest percentage of cases was 96.77% for dates and the lowest percentage of cases was 4.1% for meat. In conclusion, there is an effect of raw food consumption on the incidence of hepatitis AKeywords: raw food; viral contamination; hepatitis A Abstrak: Hepatitis A adalah infeksi akut pada hati yang disebabkan oleh virus hepatitis A (VHA). Virus hepatitis A dapat ditularkan melaui rute fecal-oral dari individu ke individu atau melalui konsumsi makanan mentah yang terkontaminasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui adanya pengaruh konsumsi makanan mentah terhadap kejadian hepatitis A. Jenis penelitian ialah literature review dengan pencarian data menggunakan tiga database yaitu Pubmed, ClinicalKey dan Google Scholar. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan 10 artikel untuk dikaji mengenai jenis makanan mentah yang sebelumnya sudah terkontaminasi dan menyebabkan hepatitis A. Jenis makanan mentah yang ditemukan yaitu udang, ikan, daging, sayuran, buah beri beku, kurma, stroberi dan lalapan. Rute kontaminasi pada makanan mentah kemungkinan besar berasal dari tempat produksi baik sebelum panen maupun saat panen, proses pengepakan, dan pada proses pengolahan makanan sebelum disajikan. Jumlah kasus terpapar karena konsumsi makanan mentah lebih dari setengah jumlah populasi pada hampir semua literatur. Berdasarkan jenis makanan mentah, persentase kasus tertinggi ialah 96,77 % untuk kurma dan persentase kasus terendah ialah 4,1 % untuk daging. Simpulan penelitian ini ialah terdapat pengaruh konsumsi makanan mentah terhadap kejadian hepatitis A.Kata kunci: makanan mentah; kontaminasi virus; hepatitis A

Foodborne Parasitic Diseases in the Neotropics - A Review.

SummaryWithin the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is stated that everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living, which ensures, as well as their family, health and well-being, and food, thereby ensuring adequate nutrition. One of the major threats to overcome this is to ensure food security, which becomes particularly challenging in developing countries due to the high incidence of parasitic diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO), considers it one of the main causes of morbidity, closely linked to poverty and related to inadequate personal hygiene, consumption of raw food, lack of sanitary services, limited access to drinking water and fecal contamination in the environment. It is estimated that more than a fifth of the world’s population is infected by one or several intestinal parasites, and that in many countries of Central and South America the average percentage of infected people is 45%, being Taenia solium, Echinococcus granulosus, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichinella spiralis, Ascaris spp, Trypanosoma cruzi and Fasciola hepatica some of the most important ones in the neotropics. One of the main reasons why these diseases are diffi cult to control is t he ignorance of their lifecycles, as well as symptoms and current epidemiology of the disease, which contributes to a late or erroneous diagnosis. The present work aims to discuss and make public the current knowledge as well as the general characteristics of these diseases to the general audience.

Association of Cooking Patterns with Inflammatory and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Biomarkers.

Diet has been clearly associated with cardiovascular disease, but few studies focus on the influence of cooking and food preservation methods on health. The aim of this study was to describe cooking and food preservation patterns, as well as to examine their association with inflammatory and cardio-metabolic biomarkers in the Spanish adult population. A cross-sectional study of 10,010 individuals, representative of the Spanish population, aged 18 years or over was performed using data from the ENRICA study. Food consumption data were collected through a face-to-face dietary history. Cooking and food preservation patterns were identified by factor analysis with varimax rotation. Linear regression models adjusted for main confounders were built. Four cooking and food preservation patterns were identified. The Spanish traditional pattern (positively correlated with boiling and sautéing, brining, and light frying) tends to be cardio-metabolically beneficial (with a reduction in C-reactive protein (−7.69%)), except for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), insulin levels, and anthropometrics. The health-conscious pattern (negatively correlated with battering, frying, and stewing) tends to improve renal function (with a reduction in urine albumin (−9.60%) and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (−4.82%)). The youth-style pattern (positively correlated with soft drinks and distilled alcoholic drinks and negatively with raw food consumption) tends to be associated with good cardio-metabolic health except, for lower HDL-c (−6.12%), higher insulin (+6.35%), and higher urine albumin (+27.8%) levels. The social business pattern (positively correlated with the consumption of fermented alcoholic drinks, food cured with salt or smoke, and cured cheese) tends to be detrimental for the lipid profile (except HDL-c), renal function (urine albumin +8.04%), diastolic blood pressure (+2.48%), and anthropometrics. Cooking and food preservation patterns showed a relationship with inflammatory and cardio-metabolic health biomarkers. The Spanish traditional pattern and the health-conscious pattern were associated with beneficial effects on health and should be promoted. The youth-style pattern calls attention to some concerns, and the social business pattern was the most detrimental one. These findings support the influence of cooking and preservation patterns on health.

Epidemiological Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Infections in Pavia Province in 2017 Reveals the Presence of Multiple Concurrently Circulating Strains.

Consumption of raw food, especially smoked fish, meat, soft cheeses, and vegetables, contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, which can be invasive in pregnant women, elderly, and immunocompromised and diabetic patients. Through June to November of 2017, 11 patients developed invasive listeriosis in a small area of northern Italy. In the same period, 15 food samples (ready-to-eat seafood, raw vegetables, cheese samples, and salami) collected during the routine screening programs in the same area were found to be contaminated with L. monocytogenes. We characterized the isolates to determine the relatedness of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from patients and isolates from food samples and food-processing plants. Whole genome sequencing analysis showed that multiple L. monocytogenes strains were circulating in the area and no association was found between clinical and food isolates.

Microbiological evaluation of certain fruits and vegetables marketed in the city of Kenitra-Morocco

Fruits and vegetables are essential for human health due to their nutritional qualities, but the consumption of raw foods leads to food safety problems as they are recognized as sources of transmission of infectious diseases. The objective of this work is to assess the microbiological quality of some fruits and vegetables marketed in the Kenitra city. The samples were purchased at the fruit and vegetable markets during the period from April to July 2018.The detection of microorganisms in the samples requires several steps which are weighing, dilution, isolation, enumeration and 'identification. The results of the microbiological analysis of fruits and vegetables studied show significant concentrations of the total aerobic mesophilic flora varies between 2.25 and 8.48 log10 CFU / ml, Concerning total coliforms the contamination rates vary between 1.92 and 8.42 log10UFC / ml, as well as the presence of fecal coliforms between 1.13 and 8.05 log10UFC / ml, in the same samples analyzed, strains such as: Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus and a total absence of salmonella and shegilla. In order to improve the safety and hygienic quality of fruits and vegetables, the application of good hygienic practices as well as continuous microbial quality control is necessary to protect the health of consumers.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis spp. co-infection in Tunisian Merguez, a traditional processed sausage beef meat

With the increase of raw food consumption, there is a growing interest in the risk posed by zoonotic infections to human health. This study was performed to identify in popular processed beef meat-based sausages (Merguez) the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and the zoonotic species of Sarcocystis. A total of 99 samples, collected from four Tunisian regions, were used for molecular analyses. For each sample, DNA was extracted from 4 equal pieces and PCR reactions were performed. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify Sarcocystis species. Prevalences of T. gondii and Sarcocystis spp. DNA in Merguez samples were 47.5% (95% CI: 0.38–0.57) and 52.5% (95% CI: 0.43–0.62), respectively. Important differences between regions were found. The DNA of both parasites was detected in 14.1% of the same samples. For Sarcocystis spp. infection, the percentage of samples having one positive piece was significantly higher than those having two, three or four positive pieces. Whereas, for T. gondii, the majority of tested samples had two positive pieces (16.2%) (p = 0.002). Sequencing showed the presence of Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis cruzi species. Our findings suggest a high prevalence of T. gondii and Sarcocystis spp. in Merguez sausages with a potential high human health risk if the latter are undercooked.

Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay-based detection and prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in childbearing women (Iran).

Toxoplasmosis is a common zoonotic disease, which is of particular importance in women before and during pregnancy. In this study, the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was used to detect Toxoplasma gondii and the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii was investigated among childbearing women in Qom, Iran. In this study, 202 blood samples were collected from childbearing women for evaluation of toxoplasmosis. Serum samples were isolated to determine anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies. Based on findings, the total prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 134 (66.3%) [95% CI 59.6-72.5]. In addition, 133 (65.8%) [95% CI 59.1-72.1], 19 (9.4%) [95% CI 6.1-14.2] and 18 (8.9%) [95% CI 5.7-13.6] samples were IgG-positive, IgM-positive and positive for both antibodies, respectively. The highest infection rate was reported over the age of 35years, and positive lgM antibodies were detected in women below 29years. T. gondii infection showed a significant correlation with age, pregnancy, contact with cats, exposure to soil, and consumption of raw food (P < 0.05). The serological tests revealed that nearly 33.7% [95% CI 27.5-40.4] of women at childbearing age (49.1% [95% CI 36.4-61.9] of pregnant women versus 27.9% [95% CI 21.3-35.6] of non-pregnant women) had no anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. Therefore, this population is more prone to acute infections with Toxoplasma.

Factors that influence the choice and consumption of raw foods

Factors that influence the choice and consumption of raw foods

Oral Stings Caused by Sperm Bags of Squid

With the increasing global popularity of Japanese delicacies made of raw seafood, such as sashimi and sushi, sufficient attention should be paid to the conditions caused by raw-food consumption. It is recognised that in ingesting raw squid, bacterial or planktonic toxin, and anisakid larva often cause food-poisoning and anisakiasis, respectively. Oral stings caused by sperm bag of squid are rare. A 21-year-old female had severe pain in her oral cavity immediately after eating a raw squid (Todarodes pacificus), and consulted the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Oral examination showed several small whitish, club-shaped foreign bodies stuck in the surface of the floor of mouth and left buccal mucosa. Because the removal with forceps was difficult due to the tight attachment to the mucosa, foreign bodies were removed completely using forceps with slight incisions under local anaesthesia. The stings were diagnosed as a sperm bag of squid.

Technical potential and geographic distribution of agricultural residues, co-products and by-products in the European Union

Value waste chain generates a significant amount of different agricultural wastes, co-products and by-products (AWCB) that occur during three major stages of a complex path, from farm to fork. This paper presents stages where and how waste occurs along the path from the ground to the table for a period of 7 years, from 2010 to 2016 in the 28 member countries of the European Union (EU28). Considering the specific conditions of the EU28 community, four different sectors with 26 commodities and waste types that occur in those sectors were analysed: 5 commodities in the Fruit sector, 10 commodities in the Vegetable sector, 7 commodities in the Cereal sector and 4 commodities in the Animal sector. The analysis consists of three stages of waste appearance: production (harvesting, farming), processing and consumption (raw, uncooked food). Production data were taken from Eurostat, import and export data were taken from FAOSTAT. Methodology and calculations consist of relations between specific values. Those specific values for every commodity are the production data, import and export data, and consumption of raw food by the inhabitants of a country. Total consumption of raw food by inhabitant is calculated from the specific consumption per capita and population. The results of the study showed that from 2010 to 2016 in the EU28 the estimated quantity of the AWCB appeared to be around 18.4 billion tonnes, with the sector percentages as follows: Animal ~31%, Vegetable ~44%, Cereal ~22% and Fruit ~2%. In the Animal sector, the most dominant were developed countries, with high population density and high level of industrialisation. The Cereal, Fruit and Vegetable sectors have shown to generate higher AWCB quantities in the countries with more available land area and appropriate climate conditions.

A cross-sectional study of enteric fever among febrile patients at Ambo hospital: prevalence, risk factors, comparison of Widal test and stool culture and antimicrobials susceptibility pattern of isolates

BackgroundEnteric fever is one of the common infectious diseases of humans. The objectives of this study were to:1) estimate the prevalence of enteric fever among febrile patients visiting Ambo hospital; 2) comparison of Widal test and stool culture;3) evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates; and 4) assess potential risk factors to acquire enteric fever infection.MethodsBlood and stool samples were collected from 372 febrile patients with symptoms clinically similar to enteric fever. Widal test was used for testing sera while stool culturing and bacterial identification was done using WHO standard methods. Susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Chi-Square test and Logistic Regression analysis were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe apparent and true prevalence of enteric fever were 56.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.97–61.29%) and 57.52% (95% CI: 52.3–62.6%) respectively, while, the culture prevalence was 2.7% (95% CI: 1.30–4.89%). Isolation rates of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi were 0.8% (95% CI: 0.17–2.34%) and 1.9% (95% CI: 0.76–3.84%) respectively. The isolates showed 100% resistance to amoxicillin, bacitracin, erythromycin, 80%resistance to cefotaxime and streptomycin and 20% for chloramphenicol. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of Widal test was 80.0, 44.5, 3.8 and 98.8% respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.38–4.37; P = 0.002), religion (aOR = 15.57, 95% CI: 3.01–80.64; P = 0.001), level of education (aOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.27–5.28; P = 0.009), source of water (aOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.21–3.98; P = 0.009), raw milk (aOR =2.19, 95% CI:1.16–4.16; P = 0.016) and raw meat consumption (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.07–3.01; P = 0.026) are the predictors of enteric fever seropositivity.ConclusionsPatients were wrongly diagnosed and treated for enteric fever by Widal test. Therefore, rapid tests with better sensitivity and specificity are needed for the diagnosis of enteric fever. Provision of safe water and health education are vital to bring behavioral change towards raw food consumption.