Cow's Milk Research Articles

Whole genome sequence analysis of multi-drug resistant and biofilm-forming Staphylococcus haemolyticus isolated from bovine milk

BackgroundMilk is an excellent growth medium for microorganisms due to its nutritive composition. Microorganisms have been implicated in bovine mastitis (BM) in dairy cows as well as causing infections in animals and humans. Despite extensive endeavours to manage BM, this condition continues to persist as the most prevalent and economically burdensome problem affecting dairy cattle on a global scale. Non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) species such as Staphylococcus haemolyticus, S. epidermidis, and S. xylosus are currently the predominant microbiological agents identified as the main cause of subclinical udder infections and are also considered opportunistic pathogens in cases of clinical mastitis in dairy cows. Therefore, it is crucial to elucidate the genetic profile of these species. The primary objective of this study was to characterise three phenotypically determined multidrug-resistant NAS environmental strains (NWU MKU1, NWU MKU2, and NWU MKS3) obtained from dairy cows milk via whole-genome sequencing.ResultsThe results confirmed that the three isolates were S. haemolyticus with genome sizes of 2.44, 2.56, and 2.56 Mb and a G + C content of 32.8%. The genomes contained an array of antibiotic resistance genes that may potentially confer resistance to a range of antibiotic classes, such as macrolides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, peptides, and phenicol. Furthermore, all the genomes carried virulence genes, which are responsible for several functions, such as adhesion, enzyme and toxin production. The genomes of these organisms contained signatures encoding mobile genetic elements such as prophages and insertion sequences.ConclusionThese findings indicate there is a need for diligent monitoring with improved management practices and quality control strategies on farms to safeguard milk production systems and human health.

Co-cultivation of selected Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains with starter cultures under osmotic stress increases folate content and enhances product quality in fermented dairy

This study aimed to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with high folate production potential to enhance the folate content in fermented dairy products. From 284 LAB strains sourced from fermented vegetables and dairy, six were selected for their outstanding folate production. Among these, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TXZ2-26 and L. plantarum FJ2-3 demonstrated strong synergistic interactions with the starter culture, resulting in an increased total LAB cell count after co-cultivation. The effects of five different stress conditions on the growth, folate production, and expression of key folate-synthesis genes (folE, folP, folQ, folB, folK) in the two strains were further examined, revealing that the two strains demonstrated increased folate production under 3% NaCl stress. Finally, both unstressed and NaCl-stressed strains were used in the fermentation of goat and cow milk alongside the starter culture. The results revealed that the addition of L. plantarum TXZ2-26 and FJ2-3 significantly boosted the folate content of the fermented dairy products and improved their physicochemical properties, with the stressed strains exhibiting a more pronounced effect. These findings underscore the potential of L. plantarum TXZ2-26 and FJ2-3 as effective probiotics for producing folate-enriched fermented foods.

Spatial distribution and risk assessment of perchlorate in raw cow milk from China

Perchlorate is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant worldwide, recognized as an emerging thyroid toxicant. This study focused on the pollution status, spatial distribution, possible sources of perchlorate in raw cow milk collected from 155 dairy farms in China, as well as the health risk of exposure to perchlorate through dairy products. The results showed that the detection rate of perchlorate in raw milk was 100% with the mean of 15.9 μg/kg, indicating the ubiquitous contamination of perchlorate in raw milk from China. The simulation of spatial distributions indicated that the levels of perchlorate in raw milk were spatially correlated, and relatively high levels of perchlorate exist in certain parts of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, and Zhejiang, suggesting potential environmental perchlorate contamination in these regions. A positive correlation was found between the perchlorate level in milk and the perchlorate level in feed, indicating the transfer process of perchlorate from feed to milk. The hazard quotient (HQ) values of exposure to perchlorate by dairy products ranged between 0 and 2.14, with the mean of 0.0188 and P95 of 0.101, indicating relatively low health risk to perchlorate through dairy products. To our knowledge, this is the first nationwide study on the spatial distribution and risk assessment of perchlorate in raw cow milk from China.

Feeding Cows with Olive Cake Enriched in Polyphenols Improves the Sustainability and Enhances the Nutritional and Organoleptic Features of Fresh Caciocavallo Cheese.

In this study, Caciocavallo, a typical cheese produced in Sicily Island (Italy), was obtained from the milk of dairy cows fed with and without enriched olive cake (ECO and CTR, respectively) in order to evaluate nutritional, microbiological, volatile, and sensory differences in cheeses. ECO cheese showed greater (p < 0.05) MUFA and PUFA and polyphenols content and lower SFA content than CTR cheese. Microbiological analyses revealed the absence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and E. coli O157, and no significant differences in the viable counts of the remaining microbial groups analyzed, between samples. Thermophilic lactococci were more prevalent in ECO cheese. The implementation of a culture-independent method, such as PCR-DGGE analyses, revealed the presence of a more diverse microbial population in both cheeses. Regarding the volatile compounds profile, long-chain free fatty acids were more abundant in the ECO cheese, resulting in a healthier free fatty acid profile. This study also showed that, especially for their appearance and taste, consumers mostly appreciated the ECO cheese. The results show that using enriched olive cake could enhance the sustainability and the quality of Ragusano cheese, improving not only the health of its consumers but also positively influencing tastes and acceptability.

The Efficacy and Safety of Stepwise Oral Food Challenge in Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy

Plain Language SummaryStepwise oral food challenge (OFC) tests begin with low doses of allergens, progressing to full doses. This is one of the strategies used to avoid anaphylactic reactions to the reintroduction of allergens. We previously reported the safety and efficacy of hen egg OFC. In this study, we discuss it for cow’s milk (CM) allergy. We included 927 children (median age, 3.2 years) who underwent CM-OFC between 2017 and 2021. The target challenge dose was classified as low (<10 mL), middle (≥10 mL but <100 mL), or full. When the participants reacted to low doses, they underwent very low-dose OFC using baked milk or <1 mL of CM. Positive reactions developed in 210 cases (22.7%), including 69 anaphylactic reactions (7.4%). A lower target dose resulted in more positive OFC results and anaphylaxis. Multivariate analysis indicated that only in low-dose OFCs, higher CM-specific IgE (CM-sIgE) levels, younger age, and complete CM elimination were associated with positive OFC results. Food ladders, an approach to reintroduce allergens, are becoming increasingly popular. Although we believe that OFC is a safer strategy to reintroduce CM to children with CM allergy, our CM-OFCs appeared to develop more anaphylactic reactions than milk ladders. The stepwise OFC reintroduced small amounts of CM, even in cases with high CM-sIgE levels or a history of anaphylaxis. Performing CM-OFC at a younger age, preferably from infancy, with very low doses, similar to milk ladders, may facilitate the safe reintroduction of CM.

Colchicine can keep the viability of bacteria in mastitic milk by preventing leukocyte phagocytosis in dairy cow and goat.

Despite the occurrence of mastitis, no bacteria were detected in any of the milk samples after culture. This is partially because the neutrophils present in milk phagocytose bacteria during milk preservation. In this study, we investigated whether colchicine inhibited the decrease in viable bacteria in milk by suppressing phagocytosis during preservation. The number of viable bacteria decreased when cow milk was preserved for 5 h. However, the addition of 0.1 and 1% colchicine significantly increased the number of viable bacteria (p < 0.05). The percentage of culture-negative cow's milk increased more than two-fold after 5 h compared to that at 0 h of preservation, however this percentage was significantly reduced by the addition of colchicine (p < 0.05). When goat milk with mastitis was incubated with bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus), the percentage of phagocytosed neutrophils decreased significantly with the addition of colchicine (p < 0.05). These results indicate that colchicine suppressed the decrease in the number of viable bacteria by preventing neutrophil phagocytosis during milk preservation. These findings may help in the identification of mastitis-causing bacteria and the selection of antibiotics for the treatment of mastitis.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus Helps to Reduce the Duration of Bleeding in Breastfed Infants with Allergic Proctocolitis.

Background: Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in infants. The current standard of care (SOC) involves eliminating the allergen from both the infant's and mother's diet for 2-4 weeks. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Ramnoflor) in reducing the duration of bleeding in these infants. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Bahrami Children's Hospital on breastfed infants who were diagnosed with CMPA and had a positive occult blood (OB) test. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control or case groups. All patients received SOC therapy, with the case group receiving Ramnoflor and the control group receiving a placebo. Data were recorded on the checklist, and the children were followed and visited three times during the study, with an OB assessment at each visit. Results: The study enrolled 48 infants. Among the infants in the case group, the OB test was positive in four cases (8.3%) on the fifth day. However, there were no positive cases on the 14th and 30th days. The prevalence of this test was significantly lower in patients who received probiotics compared to the control group on the fifth day (p < 0.001). There were no positive OB tests on the 14th and 30th days in any of the groups, and no significant difference was observed between the groups. Conclusion: The addition of L. rhamnosus to SOC therapy led to a decrease in the duration of rectal bleeding in infants with CMPA compared to the control group.

Preparation of Value Added Cow Milk Lassi Blended with Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Pulp

Lassi was prepared from different proportions of cow milk and custard apple pulp, i.e., 100:0 (T1), 90:10 (T2), 85:15 (T3), and 80:20 (T4). The mean score for the flavour was 8.17, 8.21, 8.32, and 8.27 for lassi prepared under treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The highest score was obtained by treatment T3, while the lowest score was recorded by treatment T1. The result indicated that the lassi prepared with 15 per cent custard apple pulp was superior over 0, 10, and 20, per cent levels. The colour and appearance score of lassi was significantly affected due to the addition of different levels of custard apple pulp. The mean scores for colour and appearance of lassi were T1 (8.43), T2 (8.45), T3 (8.48), and T4 (8.46). The highest score (8.48 out of 9) was obtained from lassi prepared with 15 per cent custard apple pulp as compared to other treatments. The highest score was obtained by treatment T3, while the lowest score was obtained by treatment T1. The body and texture score of lassi was significantly affected due to the addition of different levels of pulp. The significantly highest score (8.40 out of 9) was obtained by lassi prepared with 15 per cent (T3) custard apple pulp, while the lowest score (8.35) was obtained by plain lassi (T1). The sensory scores for overall acceptability of custard apple lassi treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 8.33, 8.35, 8.39, and 8.36, respectively. It was observed that the custard apple lassi prepared from 85 parts cow milk and 15 parts custard apple pulp was most acceptable and ranked between like very much to like extremely. The addition of a higher proportion of pulp in the lassi was scored towards the lower side by a panel of judges.

Scurvy-Anow forgotten previously widespread disease

From the sea voyages of the fifteenth century often lasting for years with provisions only of fish, salted meat and biscuits reports came of fatal health alterations of the seamen which were characterized by prostration, loss of teeth and bad breath.Reports on comparable endemic illnesses soon came from the Netherlands, North Germany, the Baltic area, France, Lorraine, Geneva, Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Swabia and Russia: the so-called land scurvy. The first medical specification was found in aletter from 1541 by Johann Echt to colleges in the area of Lower Germany, which was published four times. One of the first comprehensive considerations was prepared by the English physician James Lind. Scurvy was also mostly published under many local names, such as Skorbut, Scharbock or Scheurbuik.The pathology of scurvy is dominated by gingival necrosis with loss of teeth, hemorrhages with destruction of the cartilage-bone border especially of the ribs and by subperiosteal hemorrhages of the ribs and long bones.For treatment and prevention of scurvy eating green plants as originally Ficaria verna (lesser celandine, pilewort), Chelidonium majus (great celandine, nipplewort, tetterwort) and Cochlearia officinalis (scurvy grass) proved to be effective. Where green plants were missing decoctions of conifer needles and fresh animal innards were used. When the infantile disease originally named "acute rachitis" in England was diagnosed as scurvy (later Möller-Barlow disease) the treatment of cow's milk for baby food became of great interest.Finally, hexuronic acid, later called ascorbic acid or vitaminC, was found to be adrug that could easily dosed for curing and prevention of scurvy.

Are pediatricians aware of the mysterious FPIES? Current diagnostic and treatment options. Case report

The prevalence of food allergies continues to grow steadily, and due to certain difficulties in diagnosing allergies not associated with immunoglobulin E, some conditions are little known. Such diagnosis-challenging diseases include food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), a relatively low-prevalence disease most commonly occurring in early childhood but, in some cases, affecting adults as well. The pathogenesis of FPIES has not been reliably studied. FPIES is associated with elevated serum tryptase and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-17. A characteristic symptom of FPIES is uncontrollable vomiting, which is probably triggered by the serotonin secreted by enterochromaffin cells, which activates the vagus nerve and the vomiting reflex, determining a good response of vomiting relief with ondansetron, a serotonin receptor antagonist. Changes in gut microbiota composition were also reported in FPIES. FPIES can lead to severe complications such as hypovolemic shock due to the rapid progression of symptoms and rapid dehydration, which often requires hospitalization of patients with acute FPIES. The provoking factors usually include products from the "big nine" allergens: cow's milk, eggs, gluten, soy, nuts, peanuts, fish, seafood, and sesame. FPIES can be acute or chronic; the manifestations slightly differ depending on the disease form. Laboratory diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, and the diagnosis is established clinically and confirmed with an oral provocation test. The key treatment for FPIES is to eliminate the trigger protein from the diet, and depending on the severity of the disease, some patients may be allowed to consume a heat-treated allergen. The prognosis of FPIES is favorable: tolerance to the trigger product in most cases is developed within two years. Further studies are required to clarify the pathogenesis, prevalence, and treatment methods, with prospective follow-up of patients with a history of FPIES and the analysis of concurrent and subsequent diseases, including allergic conditions. The article presents two clinical cases of children diagnosed with FPIES.

Unforeseen severity in a case of neonatal cow milk protein allergy: a case report

Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) is one of the most common childhood allergies that manifests with a range of digestive symptoms and skin reactions, which usually resolve with age. In this report, we present the case of a one-month-old male who presented with a rare and severe manifestation of neonatal CMPA. The neonate underwent numerous hospital admissions due to a presentation that closely mimicked symptoms of a metabolic disorder and sepsis. Our primary objective is to highlight the significance of systematically considering or excluding a CMPA diagnosis, irrespective of the severity of presentation. This proactive approach may potentially reduce future complications among the affected paediatric population, thereby preventing prolonged hospitalisation and the associated disease burden, as seen in this case. Keywords: Cow milk protein allergy, Metabolic acidosis, Amino-acid based infant formula, Neonatal food allergy, CMPA.

Draft genome sequencing of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas asiatica strains isolated from dairy cows with clinical mastitis and their farm environment.

We report, for the first time, the draft genomes of four multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas asiatica strains isolated from milk (2M1), feces (2F1 and 2F2), and farm soil (2S1) samples of dairy cows with clinical mastitis. The assembled genomes of these strains were 5.7 Mbp, 62.8% G + C content, and 50× genome coverage.

Microbiological Quality of Raw Cow’s Milk Produced and Marketed System in the Town of Bongor, Chad

Background: Raw cow's Milk, intended for human consumption, is the complete product of the total and uninterrupted Milking of a healthy, well-fed and not overworked dairy cow. However, this raw Milk, even when Milked under adequate hygienic conditions, contains micro-organisms and spoils at room temperature. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the sanitary quality of raw Milk produced and marketed in the town of Bongor in Chad. Methodology: The study was carried out in Bongor, Province of Mayo-Kebbi-Est (Chad). It focused on 30 samples of raw Milk analyzed using the standard microbiology method for counting germs and expressing quality. Results: Total dissatisfaction was determined in our samples for TAMF, Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli β-glucuronidase. The bacterial load of Staphylococcus aureus was abnormally high in 80% of cases, 40% of samples were contaminated with Yeasts and Molds, and 23.30% of RSAs were found to compromise quality. Salmonella spp, which were absent from our cultures, and Bacillus cereus, whose count did not exceed the permitted legal standard, were the only parameters that did not compromise the food quality of the product. Conclusion: In view of these observations, consumers would be exposed to a real danger to their health if nothing is done to improve the microbiological quality of raw Milk.

A young child formula supplemented with a synbiotic mixture of scGOS/lcFOS and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V improves the gut microbiota and iron status in healthy toddlers.

Early-life gut microbiota development depends on a highly synchronized microbial colonization process in which diet is a key regulator. Microbiota transition toward a more adult-like state in toddlerhood goes hand in hand with the transition from a milk-based diet to a family diet. Microbiota development during the first year of life has been extensively researched; however, studies during toddlerhood remain sparse. Young children's requirement for micronutrients, such as dietary iron, is higher than adults. However, their intake is usually sub-optimal based on regular dietary consumption. The Child Health and Residence Microbes (CHaRM) study, conducted as an adjunct to the GUMLi (Growing Up Milk "Lite") trial, was a double-blind randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects on body composition of toddler milk compared to unfortified standard cow's milk in healthy children between 1 and 2 years of age in Brisbane (Australia). In this trial, fortified milk with reduced protein content and added synbiotics [Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, short-chain galactooligosaccharides, and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (ratio 9:1)] and micronutrients were compared to standard unfortified cow's milk. In the present study, the effects of the intervention on the gut microbiota and its relationship with iron status in toddlers were investigated in a subset of 29 children (18 in the Active group and 11 in the Control group) who completed the CHaRM study. The toddler microbiota consisted mainly of members of the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota. The abundance of the B. breve species was quantified and was found to be lower in the Control group than in the Active group. Analysis of blood iron markers showed an improved iron status in the Active group. We observed a positive correlation between Bifidobacterium abundance and blood iron status. PICRUSt, a predictive functionality algorithm based on 16S ribosomal gene sequencing, was used to correlate potential microbial functions with iron status measurements. This analysis showed that the abundance of predicted genes encoding for enterobactin, a class of siderophores specific to Enterobacteriaceae, is inversely correlated with the relative abundance of members of the genus Bifidobacterium. These findings suggest that healthy children who consume a young child formula fortified with synbiotics as part of a healthy diet have improved iron availability and absorption in the gut and an increased abundance of Bifidobacterium in their gut microbiome.

Plant-based milk substitutes as probiotic vehicles: Health effect and survival, a review

The use of plant extracts or nondairy milk alternatives as a substitute for Cow's milk in the formulation of foods that function as vehicles for the consumption of probiotics has become popular. This substitution aims to formulate food products without lactose, low in fat, and, therefore, low in calories. Additionally, they can enter vegan or vegetarian markets. The use of these vegetable extracts has been explored for the development of probiotic foods that confer health benefits without cow milk allergy. However, few studies support that replacing Cow's milk in these foods allows probiotics to remain viable during storage, survive the digestive tract sufficiently, and reach their colonization site. Additionally, even fewer clinical studies in human or animal model assays have analyzed the impact of probiotic foods formulated with plant extracts.

Evaluation of methods for detection of Campylobacter in raw milk: A multi-country study

Raw milk is considered a high-risk source of Campylobacter due to faecal contamination from healthy cattle and farm environments, thus linking raw milk consumption to global outbreaks. Detection of Campylobacter in raw milk poses challenges due to low contamination levels and antibacterial properties of the milk. Culture-based protocols for Campylobacter detection in milk vary, mainly with regard to pH adjustment and the choice of enrichment broth.This European collaborative study was organised by the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Campylobacter together with eight EU National Reference Laboratories (NRL) for Campylobacter with the purpose to evaluate methods for culture-based detection of Campylobacter in raw cow's milk. The study was divided into two parts, an interlaboratory part and an intralaboratory part, both organised around the same two protocols. The aim of protocol 1 was to evaluate the impact of pH adjustment and storage of the milk on the culturability of Campylobacter over time. Aliquots of the spiked milk were adjusted either to pH 7.0 or pH 7.6 or left unadjusted. The milk was stored up to 48 h at refrigerated temperature and Campylobacter was quantified according to ISO 10272-2 on day 0, 1 and 2. The aim of protocol 2 was to evaluate which enrichment broth, Bolton broth (BB) or Preston broth (PB), showed highest sensitivity in detection of Campylobacter. The spiked milk was enriched in BB and PB as described in ISO 10272-1:2017 or ISO 10272-1:2017/Amd1.2023. In the interlaboratory part, each milk batch was collected locally by each participating NRL/EURL and inoculated with the same Campylobacter strain. In the follow-up intralaboratory part, the EURL-Campylobacter repeated the tests in protocol 1 and 2 but used different Campylobacter strains and strains subjected to thermal stress prior to inoculation.The results show that pH adjustment of raw milk has a negligible impact on culture-based detection of Campylobacter, regardless of strain and level of environmental stress. The composition of milk and properties of the inoculated strain influence culture-based detection of Campylobacter over storage time, and strains subjected to additional stress prior to inoculation in milk are reduced in culturability much faster than the same strains prepared under normal conditions.Finally, the study showed that PB without Campylobacter growth supplement is less effective than BB in detecting Campylobacter in raw milk.

Impact of diferent types of selection on the milk productivity of Kostroma breed cows

The article studies the influence of homogeneous and heterogeneous selection on the milk productivity of first-calf cows (milk yield, fat and protein content in milk). The object of research is cattle of the Kostroma breed. The research methods were zootechnical, population-genetic and analytical using computer programs IAS “SELEX” Multifarm and BON-MilkRegion. The modern cattle breeding base in the Kostroma region is represented by three breeding plants and two breeding reproducers. In 2022, the Karavaevo Breeding Farm JSC received 9,297 kg of milk per cow, the Minskoe LLC pedigree reproducer received 7,371 kg of milk, and the Rodina collective farm, Gridino and Agrofirma Planet LLC received more 6000 kg of milk. Record milk yields reach 15,000 kg of milk or more in 305 days of lactation. The following lines have been identified as promising in the Kostroma breed: lines Ladka 2537 and Kursa 3722, related groups Master 106902, Meridian 90927 and Concentrate 106157. To improve the productive qualities of dairy cattle, it is necessary to use both intraline selection and cross-lines, taking into account their compatibility. In breeding farms, using homogeneous selection, high productivity indicators were obtained: in terms of milk yield - from first-calf heifers of the related groups Laird, Concentrate and Meridian, in terms of fat and protein content in milk - Laird and Ladka. With heterogeneous selection, the best combinations were identified across farms.

The mammary glands of cows abundantly display receptors for circulating avian H5 viruses.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) from the H5N1 2.3.4.4b clade are circulating in dairy farms in the USA.; ruminants were presumed not to be hosts for IAVs. Previously, IAV-positive mammalian species were hunters and scavengers, possibly getting infected while feeding on infected birds. It is now recognized that H5N1 viruses that circulate in US dairy cattle transmit through a mammary gland route, in contrast to transmission by aerosols via the respiratory tract. The sialome in the cow mammary and respiratory tract is so far solely defined using plant lectins. Here, we used recombinant HA proteins representing current circulating and classical H5 viruses to determine the distribution of IAV receptors in the respiratory and mammary tract tissues of cows. We complemented our study by mapping the glycan distribution of the upper and lower respiratory tracts of horses and pigs. Most of the sialome of the cow respiratory tract is lined with sialic acid modifications, such as N-glycolyl and O-acetyl, which are not bound by IAV. Interestingly, the H5 protein representing the cow isolates is bound significantly in the mammary gland, whereas classical H5 proteins failed to do so. Furthermore, whereas the 9-O-acetyl modification is prominent in all tissues tested, the 5-N-glycolyl modification is not, resulting in the display of receptors for avian IAV hemagglutinins. This could explain the high levels of virus found in these tissues and milk, adding supporting data to this virus transmission route.IMPORTANCEH5N1 influenza viruses, which usually affect birds, have been found on dairy farms in the USA. Surprisingly, these viruses are spreading among dairy cows, and there is a possibility that they do not spread through the air but through their milk glands. To understand this better, we studied how the virus attaches to tissues in the cow's respiratory tract and mammary glands using specific viral proteins. We found that the cow-associated virus binds strongly to the mammary glands, unlike older versions infecting birds. This might explain why the virus is found in cow's milk, suggesting a new way the virus could be spreading.

Enhanced Effect of β-Lactoglobulin Immunization in Mice with Mild Intestinal Deterioration Caused by Low-Dose Dextran Sulphate Sodium: A New Experimental Approach to Allergy Studies.

Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children, and its pathomechanism is still under investigation. Recently, an increasing number of studies have linked food allergy to intestinal barrier dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate changes in the intestinal microenvironment during the development of β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) allergy under conditions of early intestinal dysfunction. BALB/c mice received intraperitoneal β-lg with Freund's adjuvant, followed by oral β-lg while receiving dextran sulphate sodium salt (DSS) in their drinking water (0.2% w/v). The immunized group without DSS and the groups receiving saline, oral β-lg, or DSS served as controls. The study showed that the immunization effect was greater in mice with mild intestinal barrier dysfunction. Although DSS did not affect the mice's humoral response to β-lg, in combination with β-lg, it significantly altered their cellular response, affecting the induction and distribution of T cells in the inductive and peripheral tissues and the activation of immune mediators. Administration of β-lg to sensitized mice receiving DSS increased disease activity index (DAI) scores and pro-inflammatory cytokine activity, altered the distribution of claudins and zonulin 1 (ZO-1) in the colonic tissue, and negatively affected the balance and activity of the gut microbiota. The research model used appears attractive for studying food allergen sensitization, particularly in relation to the initial events leading to mucosal inflammation and the development of food hypersensitivity.

THE EFFECT OF PACKAGING METHODS AND STORAGE TEMPERATURES ON THE ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF MALATYA CHEESE

This study analyzed the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of traditionally produced Malatya cheeses made from cow's milk. Cheeses were ripened either in brine using plastic drums or in dry salted polyethylene bags at 7 and 20°C for 120 days. Results showed that cheeses ripened in polyethylene had higher TPC and antioxidant activity compared to those in plastic drums. The highest TPC and antioxidant activity were found in water-soluble extracts from the dry salted samples ripened at 20°C for 120 days, while the lowest were in cheeses ripened in brine at 7°C for just 2 days. The antimicrobial activity was tested against two bacteria using an agar well diffusion technique, but no antimicrobial effects were observed. Overall, the findings suggest that salting methods, ripening times, and temperatures significantly influence the TPC and antioxidant activity of Malatya cheeses.