Consumption Of Raw Meat Research Articles

Present status of trichinellosis - a neglected zoonosis in India

Trichinellosis is a meat-borne helminthic zoonosis, caused by different species of the genus Trichinella. The disease is cosmopolitan in distribution and affects around 10,000 people annually around the globe. Based on genetic, biochemical and biological variability, 9 valid species (T. britovi, T. murrelli, T. nativa, T. nelsoni, T. papuae, T. patagoniensis, T. pseudospiralis, T. spiralis and T. zimbabwensis) and 3 genotypes (Trichinella T6, T8 and T9) of the parasite have been recognized. These species infect around 100 mammalian species including domestic and wild pigs, horses, game animals and wild carnivores. The infection starts with consumption of raw or undercooked meat or meat products containing encysted muscle larvae of the parasite. Most of the infections or outbreaks have been associated with the consumption of meat or meat products of pigs, wild boars, horses, crocodiles, walruses and dogs. Trichinoscopy is used in the veterinary inspection of pork in slaughterhouses and meat-packing facilities in many countries. It is a rapid process, but low in sensitivity and fails to detect mild infection. The muscle digestion method using HCl-pepsin is more sensitive and thus preferred. Recent outbreak of trichinellosis in Uttarakhand state opened up issues related to rapid diagnosis and lack of consumer awareness regarding safe cooking habits of meat of pig origin. This status report is an attempt to compile the information on Trichinella spp. infection in animals and humans in India at one place to draw the attention of medical and veterinary personnels involved in disease investigation and active research on zoonotic diseases.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and livestock in the mainland of China: a systematic review and hierarchical meta-analysis

Primary Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women may result in abortion, stillbirth, or lifelong disabilities of the unborn child. One of the main transmission routes to humans is consumption of raw or undercooked meat containing T. gondii tissue cysts. We aim to determine and compare the regional distribution of T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women and meat-producing livestock in China through a systematic literature review. A total of 272 eligible publications were identified from Medline, Scopus, Embase and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Apparent and true seroprevalence were analysed by region using a novel Bayesian hierarchical model that allowed incorporating sensitivity and specificity of the applied serological assays. The true seroprevalence of T. gondii in pregnant women was 5.0% or less in seven regions of China. The median of the regional true seroprevalences in pigs (24%) was significantly higher than in cattle (9.5%), but it was not significantly higher than in chickens (20%) and small ruminants (20%). This study represents the first use of a Bayesian hierarchical model to obtain regional true seroprevalence. These results, in combination with meat consumption data, can be used to better understand the contribution of meat-producing animals to human T. gondii infection in China.

Hepatitis E virus in lettuce and water samples: A method-comparison study

The hepatitis E virus (HEV), which is an increasing cause of acute viral hepatitis in Europe, is a zoonotic virus that is mainly transmitted through contaminated water, consumption of raw or undercooked meat from pigs or wild boar, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation. Although the role of HEV transmission through contaminated produce has not been confirmed, the presence of HEV has been reported in irrigation waters and in vegetables. The present study used a World Health Organization (WHO) international standard and clinical samples to evaluate the performance characteristics of three RT-qPCR assays for detection and quantification of HEV. Two of the evaluated assays provided good analytical sensitivity, as 250 international units (IU) per ml could be detected. Then, experiments focused on evaluating the elution conditions suitable for HEV release from vegetables, with the method proposed by the ISO 15216:2017 selected for evaluation in three types of fresh vegetables. The concentration method proposed by the ISO 15216:2017 combined with the RT-qPCR described by Schlosser et al. (2014) resulted in average HEV recoveries of 1.29%, 0.46%, and 3.95% in lettuce, spinach, and pepper, respectively, with an average detection limit of 1.47 × 105 IU/25 g. In naturally contaminated samples, HEV was detected in sewage only (10/14), while no detection was reported in lettuce (0/36) or in irrigation water samples (0/24).

Pork as a source of transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to humans: a parasite burden study in pig tissues after infection with different strains of Toxoplasma gondii as a function of time and different parasite stages

Toxoplasma gondii is an ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite which can infect any warm-blooded animal including humans. Humans and carnivores/omnivores can also become infected by consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat containing muscle cysts. This route of transmission is considered to account for at least 30% of human toxoplasmosis cases. To better assess the role of pork as a source of infection for humans, the parasite burden resulting from experimental infection with different parasite stages and different strains of T. gondii during the acute and chronic phases was studied. The parasite burden in different tissues was measured with a ISO 17025 validated Magnetic Capture-quantitative PCR. A high burden of infection was found in heart and lungs during the acute phase of infection and heart and brain were identified as the most parasitised tissues during the chronic phase of infection, independent of the parasite stage and the strain used. Remarkably, a higher parasite burden was measured in different tissues following infection with oocysts of a type II strain compared with a tissue cyst infection with three strains of either type II or a type I/II. However, these results could have been affected by the use of different strains and euthanasia time points. The parasite burden resulting from a tissue cyst infection was not significantly different between the two strains.

Prevalence of antibodies against Brucella spp. in West Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and East Greenland muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus)

Zoonotic infections transmitted from terrestrial and marine mammals to humans in European Arctic are of unknown significance, despite considerable potential for transmission due to local hunt and a rapidly changing environment. As an example, infection with Brucella bacteria may have significant impact on human health due to consumption of raw meat or otherwise contact with tissues and fluids of infected game species such as muskoxen and polar bears. Here, we present serological results for Baffin Bay polar bears (Ursus maritimus) (n = 96) and North East Greenland muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) (n = 32) for antibodies against Brucella spp. The analysis was a two-step trial initially using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT), followed by confirmative competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of RBT-positive samples. No muskoxen had antibodies against Brucella spp., while antibodies were detected in six polar bears (6.25%) rendering a seroprevalence in line with previous findings in other Arctic regions. Seropositivity was not related to sex, age or biometrics i.e. size and body condition. Whether Brucella spp. antibodies found in polar bears were due to either prey spill over or true recurrent Brucella spp. infections is unknown. Our results therefore highlight the importance of further research into the zoonotic aspects of Brucella spp. infections, and the impact on wildlife and human health in the Arctic region.

Trichinellosis Outbreak Linked to Consumption of Privately Raised Raw Boar Meat - California, 2017.

On January 15, 2017, a hospital physician notified the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) in California of a patient with a suspected diagnosis of trichinellosis, a roundworm disease transmitted by the consumption of raw or undercooked meat containing Trichinella spp. larvae (1). A family member of the initial patient reported that at least three other friends and family members had been evaluated at area hospitals for fever, myalgia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. The patients had attended a celebration on December 28, 2016, at which several pork dishes were served, including larb, a traditional Laotian raw pork dish, leading the hospital physician to suspect a diagnosis of trichinellosis. Although the event hosts did not know the exact number of attendees, ACPHD identified 29 persons who attended the event and seven persons who did not attend the event, but consumed pork taken home from the event by attendees. The event hosts reported that the meat had come from a domesticated wild boar raised and slaughtered on their private family farm in northern California. ACPHD conducted a case investigation that included identification of additional cases, testing of leftover raw meat, and a retrospective cohort study to identify risk factors for infection.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Potentially Zoonotic Helminths in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) Hunted in Central Italy

Abstract Our aim was to evaluate the risk of human toxoplasmosis via meat consumption from wild boars by estimating the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in animals hunted in central Italy. Using a modified agglutination test, 213 sera from wild boars were examined for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies. Diaphragm samples (n=65) from seropositive and seronegative animals were tested by nested-PCR to detect T. gondii DNA. Toxoplasma DNA from diaphragms was genotyped by PCR-RFLP using 12 genetic markers. Moreover, the aim of the study was also to identify helminth infections of wild boars in the selected area and to evaluate their hazard for humans. Examination of sera revealed a seroprevalence of 12.2%. Only one T. gondii strain could be genotyped from a seropositive animal and PCR-RFLP revealed that it belonged to type II. Analysis of 50 samples of faeces and 32 small intestines revealed that 78% and 15.6% of the samples harboured parasites, respectively, with the occurrence of parasites potentially dangerous for humans. These latter included Ascaris suum, Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, Trichuris suis, and Metastrongylus spp. A significant association was found between coprological positivity and male sex. These results indicate that T. gondii infection may be present in wild boar tissues and consumption of undercooked or raw wild boar meat may expose humans to risk of toxoplasmosis in the study area. Furthermore, the study highlights that wild boars are hosts of helminths of veterinary and medical importance transmissible to pigs and humans.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from food of animal origin in Bishoftu town, Central Ethiopia

BackgroundEscherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7) have frequently been associated with food borne illness and are considered as most serious of known food borne pathogens leading to severe illnesses and high mortality rates in humans. Most of outbreaks were traced to raw meat and raw milk consumption, as well as to dairy products such as yogurt and cheese derived from raw milk.ResultsOut of 200 samples examined, 40 (20%) and 7 (3.5%) of the samples were positive to E. coli and E. coli O157:H7 respectively. The highest isolation of E. coli was from cheese (40%), followed by raw milk (32%), yogurt (25.71%), beef (13.84%), and pasteurized milk (0%). Among E. coli O157:H7 isolates, the highest isolation was from raw milk (12%) followed by cheese (5.71%) and meat (3.07%). However, no E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from pasteurized milk and yogurt. Antibiotic susceptibility profile showed that E. coli was resistant for vancomycin (89.74%), ampicillin (76.92%) and streptomycin (69.23%). The analysis showed that, 92.5% of isolates showed multidrug resistance comprising 2–4 antimicrobials.ConclusionThe occurrence of E. coli O157:H7 and its multiple antibiotic resistant profiles shows a risk for public health and food safety as well as animal production. These findings stress the need for an integrated control of E. coli O157:H7 from farm production to consumption of food of animal origin.

Toxoplasma gondii infection and biosecurity levels in fattening pigs and sows: serological and molecular epidemiology in the intensive pig industry (Lombardy, Northern Italy).

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan affecting animals and humans. One of the major routes of human infection is through the consumption of raw or under-cooked meat, particularly of certain animal species, including pigs. Although T. gondii represents an important public health issue, its control at slaughter is not mandatory. Consequently, available information on T. gondii infection in domestic animals destined for human consumption is scarce. Thus, an epidemiologic survey was designed to update information on T. gondii infection in pigs from intensive production. Fattening pigs and sows from conventional farms were sampled. Sera were tested with a commercial ELISA for anti-T. gondii antibodies, whereas molecular analysis by 529bp repetitive element PCR and B1 real-time PCR with subsequent genotyping was performed on heart samples. Statistical analysis was carried out to detect farm management features and sanitary procedures enhancing the risk of infection. At the farm level, 63.6% (7/11) of farms housing sows and 6.7% (1/15) housing fattening pigs scored positive, with individual prevalences of 8.6% (13/151) in sows and 0.5% (1/219) in fattening pigs. T. gondii DNA was detected in eight sows and one fattening pig, and sequencing revealed the presence of all three genotypes (types I, II, and III). Furthermore, the decrease in the biosecurity level enhanced the risk of infection within a farm. The present survey outcomes confirm the spread of T. gondii infection in pig farms in an area of intensive swine production. The application of stricter sanitary procedures may contribute to a further reduction of infection.

Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep and goats in Kashan, Central Iran

AbstractToxoplasmosis is one of the most common meat‐borne parasitic infections worldwide. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat which contains Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts is an important route of human infection. In this study, we investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goat samples in Kashan, Iran, from 2015 to 2016. Serological (IgG antibody) and molecular detections were performed by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction on the sera and heart samples of sheep (n = 90) and goats (n = 90), respectively. T. gondii‐IgG antibody was detected in 12.2% of sheep and 4.4% of goat samples. The parasite's DNA was detected in 17.8 and 8.9% of sheep and goat samples, respectively.Practical applicationsThe results of this study emphasize on the role of the sheep and goat as reservoirs of T. gondii infection. Hence, consumption of adequately cooked meat should be considered for prevention of T. gondii infection in humans.

A sero-epidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infections in high-risk populations in Hangzhou City

To understand the status of Toxoplasma gondii infections and the awareness of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge among high-risk populations in Hangzhou City. The serum anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 100 HIV/AIDS patients, 100 cancer patients, 100 pregnant women and 100 healthy controls, and the awareness of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge was investigated using a questionnaire. The sero-prevalence of T. gondii infection was 31%, 30% and 21% in HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients and pregnant women, which was all significantly higher than in healthy controls (χ2 = 14.68, 13.96 and 7.56, all P values < 0.01). The pregnant women had a high awareness rate of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge, and the healthy controls had a low awareness rate. In addition, the subjects had a low awareness rate regarding the questions including"Do you know the damages of Toxoplasma gondii infections?", "Do you know that consumption of raw or uncooked meat may cause Toxoplasma gondii infections?", and"Do you know that contact with contaminated soil may cause Toxoplasma gondii infections?". The sero-prevalence of T. gondii infection is high among the high-risk populations in Hangzhou City, including the HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients and pregnant women, and these high-risk populations have a low awareness rate of some toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge. Therefore, it is essential to improve the health education of toxoplasmosis prevention and control knowledge among the high-risk populations, so as to effectively prevent and control human T. gondii infections.

A nationwide serosurvey of hepatitis E virus antibodies in the general population of Portugal.

Evidence has shown that Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is autochthonous in industrialized countries due to zoonotic transmission through direct contact or consumption of raw or undercooked meat from domestic swine or wild boar. As there is lack of data on seroprevalence of HEV in the general Portuguese population, a wide survey was conducted as part of the HEPeCONTROL project (60DT2), under EEA grants funding. Sera from a representative sample of the Portuguese population (n = 1656) at different geographic locations (30 territorial units), and age (0-99 years) were collected between July 2015 and February 2016. The sera were tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM by EIA using one of the two most commonly used commercial immunoassays in Europe. The overall HEV IgG seroprevalence was found to be 16.3% increasing with age (P < 0.05) from 0.6% in the 0-9 years group to 30.1% in people older than 70 years. The seroprevalence also varied geographically with generally higher seropositivities (25-30%) in the most rural areas of Portugal. However, the geographical differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Out of 1656 samples, 8 were positive for anti-HEV IgM indicating current of recent HEV infection but no significant differences were found concerning age groups, regions and sex. The present nation-wide survey provides insight in the epidemiology of HEV in Portugal and confirms that HEV is endemic in the Portuguese population.

Intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant bacteria among healthcare professionals in Germany.

Healthcare professionals (HCP) might be at increased risk of acquisition of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB), i.e., methillicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGN) and could be an unidentified source of MDRB transmission.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence as well as risk factors of MDRB colonization among HCP.HCP (n=107) taking part in an antibiotic stewardship program, were voluntarily recruited to perform a rectal swab and to fill in a questionnaire to identify risk factors of MDRB carriage, i.e. being physician, gender, travel abroad within the previous 12 months, vegetarianism, regular consumption of raw meat, contact to domestic animals, household members with contact to livestock, work or fellowship abroad, as well as medical treatment abroad and antibiotic therapy within the previous 12 months. Selective solid media were used to determine the colonization rate with MRSA, VRE and MDRGN. MDRGN were further characterized by molecular analysis of underlying β-lactamases. None of the participants had an intestinal colonization with MRSA or VRE. 3.7% of the participants were colonized with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, predominantly blaCTX-M type. Neither additional flouroquinolone resistance nor carbapenem resistance was detected in any of these isolates. No risk factors were identified to have a significant impact of MDRB carriage among HCP.A colonization rate of 3.7% with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae is of interest, but comparing it to previously published data with similar colonization rates in the healthy population in the same geographic area, it is probably less an occupational risk.

English

This study was conducted to determine the bacteriological quality of retail raw meat. Twenty one raw meat samples were randomly collected from four administrative towns: Bure, Debre-Markos, Dejen and Fenoteselam meat-stalls of Gojjam area. Samples were collected and transported kept in cold sterile screw cap bottles with ice contained icebox. It was cultured on plate count agar and mannitol salt agar plates for enumeration of aerobic and pathogenic staphylococci bacteria respectively. Bacterial isolation was identified by culturing on selective medium and biochemical test. The mean total aerobic plate count (APC) ranged 6.325 to 6.477 log cfu/g was not significantly different (P&lt;0.05); but enumeration of pathogenic Staphylococci ranged 3.588 to 4.251 log cfu/g was significantly different (P&lt;0.05) between places. According to international standards microbial quality acceptability of ready-to-eat food and raw meat aerobic plate and pathogenic staphylococci count of almost all samples were categorized in borderline and unsatisfactory quality. A total of 65 gram positive cocci isolates were identified. The dominant bacterial pathogens isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes in a ratio of 0.86, 0.71 and 0.71 respectively. The high bacteria count and isolates of aerobic plate count and pathogenic Staphylococci is an indication of higher risk for retail raw meat consumption. Hence needs improved hygienic practice at all levels in the raw meat production industry. Key words: Raw meat, aerobic plate count, pathogenic Staphylococci, Gojjama.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in ruminants in selected districts in Bangladesh.

To estimate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and risk factors for seropositivity in sheep, goats and cattle in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sirajganj and Chittagong districts in Bangladesh, 1104 sera samples (552 sheep, 300 goats and 252 cattle) were randomly selected and tested by an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). The overall seroprevalence was 12.2% (135/1104), and was significantly (P=0.008) higher in goats (16.0%) than cattle (8.3%). The odds of seropositivity was 2.09 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-3.67) higher in goats than cattle. In sheep, herd type, district and pregnancy status were significant risk factors. The odds of seropositivity was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.00-4.84), 7.29 (95% CI: 12.71-423.41) and 10.88 (95% CI: 5.42-23.41 times higher in sheep-only flocks, in Mymensingh district and in pregnant sheep than in mixed flocks, Chittagong district and non-pregnant sheep, respectively. In cattle, breeds and district were significant risk factors. The odds of seropositivity was 5.79 (95% CI: 1.13-24.62) and 4.29 (95% CI: 1.38-16.34) times higher in Holstein Friesian cross cattle and in Mymensingh district than in indigenous cattle and Chittagong district, respectively. This study indicates that exposure of sheep, goats and cattle to oocysts of T. gondii is widespread, suggesting that the consumption of raw and undercooked meat of these animals might be a source of human toxoplasmosis. Risk factor information can be used to design control programs to reduce exposure.

Brucella suis as a cause of late prosthetic joint infection: A case report and review of the literature

Human brucellosis has been described as an extremely rare cause of prosthetic joint infection. This case report describes a case of a late prosthetic joint infection caused by Brucella suis and reviews other published cases of Brucella prosthetic joint infection. This is the first reported case of B. suis causing prosthetic joint infection. The patient was treated successfully with a 2-stage surgical approach combined with 2 weeks of IV aminoglycoside and 12 weeks of oral doxycycline and rifampin. This case illustrates the importance of considering Brucella species as an infrequent cause of prosthetic joint infection in areas of disease endemicity. In particular, Brucella should be considered when a history of animal exposure or consumption of raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products is elicited.

Assessment of Meat Consumption Pattern in Mirab Abaya Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

<span style=font-size:11.0pt;font-family: times= new= roman,serif;color:windowtext=>1. Abstract <span style=font-size:11.0pt;font-family: times= new= roman,serif;color:windowtext=> A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 representative people, selected using random sampling technique, in Mirab Abaya Woreda, Southern Ethiopia from December 2017 to June 2017 to investigate the major meat sources, consumption pattern/frequency, importance and challenges of meat consumption in the study area. A semi structured questionnaire survey method was applied to achieves these objectives. The study was showed that all the respondents, 100%, were consumed meat. Among the meat consumed, beef was the most popular one and consumed about 65 % and this followed by chevon and mutton, 18% and 17% respectively. The majority of the respondents’ frequency of meat consumption was once per a month, 72% and few of them consume meat one per a week, 19% and only during the holiday time, 9%. Out of the total respondents, most of the respondents, 86%, replied that their consumption meat purchased from hotel, restaurant, butchery and abattoir whereas some of the respondents were obtained meat for consumption direct from market purchased and fattened in individual house animals slaughtered, 10% and 4% respectively. The respondents were had awareness for the meat importance; most of them they replied that meat could use for disease prevention (46%) and body building (19%) whereas some of them thought for give strength (13%), as source of energy (11%) and protein (9%) and because of its part of holiday (2%). Both the raw and cooked meat eating habit was the dominant (75%) and followed by cooked (21%) and raw (4%) meat eating habit in the study area. But, the challenges of meat availability for consumption were low income capacity (52%), less meat quality (14%) and Cost/high price (13%), health problem due to increase body fat (10%), fasting (7%) and supply shortage (4%). All the respondents were preserved the consume meat to prevent the meat spoilage through different methods, but the principal preservation method was dry salt preservation, 65%. In conclusion, this study identified that the low frequency of meat consumption, the presence of raw meat consumption, better understanding of meat importance and low income of the respondents was considered as the principal challenge of meat availability for consumption. Based on this conclusion, this study recommended that the meat consumption pattern or frequency and awareness raise on zoonotic disease transmission via raw or undercooked meat should be improved in the studied area. 2. Keywords: Beef; Chevon; Consumption Pattern; Mirab Abaya; Mutton; Preference

Hepatitis E – a “new” foodborne disease

Hepatitis E (HE) is a zoonosis caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV). The disease that used to be problematic only in developing regions with inadequate water supplies and poor sanitary conditions is now considered one of the foodborne diseases in industrialized countries as well. According to current knowledge, the main reservoir of the virus is linked to domestic swine and wild boar. Consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat and liver is considered as a risk factor for HE human infection, together with some other sources of infection like blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Although the number of cases has been rising in the last decade, HEV is still a generally unknown virus among the general public. Consumers need to be warned and educated about HEV and its potential sources of contamination within the food supply chain.

High genetic diversity in Toxoplasma gondii isolates from pigs at slaughterhouses in Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil: Circulation of new genotypes and Brazilian clonal lineages

The consumption of raw or undercooked pig meat containing Toxoplasma gondii cysts is an important transmission route of this protozoon to animals and humans. This study aimed to serologically diagnose, isolate and genotype T. gondii from pigs slaughtered for human consumption in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Blood and tissue samples (heart, tongue and brain) were collected from 120 pigs at slaughterhouses in the state of Paraíba. Serological examinations were performed with an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) with a cut-off point of 1:64. Tissues from positive animals were subjected to bioassays in mice to isolate the parasite. A total of 12.5% (15/120) of the animals were positive according to the IFAT, with titres ranging from 64 to 2048. Viable parasites were isolated in 80% (12/15) of the bioassays. The twelve T. gondii isolates obtained in this study and an additional 13 previously described isolates were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using 11 genetic markers. Additionally, microsatellite (MS) analysis was performed using 15 markers. Nineteen of the 25 isolates completely genotyped using PCR-RFLP had 12 different genotypes, six of which were newly identified. One isolate had a mixed infection. The same 18 non-mixed isolates had 16 different genotypes based on the MS analysis. Genotype #13 (Caribbean 1), which is commonly encountered in northeastern Brazil and is probably a clonal lineage circulating in this region, was the most frequent genotype detected through both the PCR-RFLP and MS analyses. These results demonstrate that T. gondii is widespread among pigs slaughtered in the state of Paraíba. The results also confirm that this parasite has high genetic diversity in this region and that non-archetypal genotypes commonly circulate between different hosts and across different regions of Brazil.

Two Outbreaks of Trichinellosis Linked to Consumption of Walrus Meat - Alaska, 2016-2017.

During 1975-2012, CDC surveillance identified 1,680 trichinellosis cases in the United States with implicated food items; among these cases, 1,219 were attributed to consumption of raw or pork products, and 461 were attributed to nonpork products. Although trichinellosis in the United States has historically been associated with consumption of pork, multiple nonporcine species of wild game also are competent hosts for Trichinella spp. and have been collectively implicated in the majority of trichinellosis cases since the late 1990s (1-4) (Figure 1). During July 2016-May 2017, the Alaska Division of Public Health (ADPH) investigated two outbreaks of trichinellosis in the Norton Sound region associated with consumption of raw or undercooked walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) meat; five cases were identified in each of the two outbreaks. These were the first multiple-case outbreaks of walrus-associated trichinellosis in Alaska since 1992 (Figure 2). Health care providers should inquire about consumption of commercially prepared and personally harvested meats when evaluating suspected trichinellosis cases, especially in areas where consumption of wild game is commonplace.