Raw Meat Research Articles

Microstructural evolution and mechanics behavior of postmortem meat subjected to resonance

The tenderness of meat is determined by muscle components, mainly including myofibrillar and connective tissues. In the present study, the microstructures evolution and mechanics behavior of yak postmortem muscle subjected to resonance vibration treatment was investigated by experimental and numerical investigation, in order to illustrate the resonance tenderization mechanism and the mechanical relationship of muscle components. The results show that there are three orders of natural frequencies of the raw yak meat, and the resonance frequency is determined as 26 Hz. By vibration treatment at this frequency, the shear force and MFI of the vibrated meat is 35.70 N and 62, respectively, exhibiting remarkable tenderizing effect compared with the raw sample and other frequencies treated samples. The microstructures and vibration modal simulation have revealed that the stress concentration happens in the junction of muscle fibers and extracellular matrix (collagenous connective tissues), leading to the detachment of endomysium connective tissues from muscle fibers and the disappearance of M-bands in myofibrils, thus resulting the significant tenderization. The resonance also causes the stress-strain behaviors of meat transiting from plastic deformation to elastic deformation. The experimental and numerical results reveal that the physical destruction of the cross-linkings or interactions between muscle fibers and endomysium connective tissues induced by resonance, plays a crucial role in the detachment of muscle components, transformation of stress-strain behavior and the significant tenderization effect.

Molecular detection of integrons in Escherichia coli isolates obtained from raw chicken meat

Molecular detection of integrons in Escherichia coli isolates obtained from raw chicken meat

Evaluation of bacterial contamination and heavy metals in cow and camel meat

Abstract This study examined 75 samples of raw meat from cows and camels sold in local marketplaces in the governorate of Najaf/ Iraq, for bacterial load and heavy metal contamination. The culture results were classified into 10 types involving E. coli (36–90%) (31–88.5%), Enterobacter spp. (7–17.5%) (3–8.5%), Pseudomonas spp. (10–25%) (8–22.8%), Klebsiella spp. (3–7.5%) (4–11.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (4–10%) (5–14.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (5–12.5%) (5–14.2%), Proteus spp. (5–12.5%) (6–17.1%), E. coli O157 (6–15%) (2–5.7%), Yersinia enterocolitica (3–7.5%) (4–11.2%), and Salmonella spp. (3–7.5%) (4–11.2%), from cows and camels respectively. The averages of heavy metals concentrations in cow meat samples were 0.54±0.25, 0.50±0.18, 0.33±0.22, 0.22±2.5, 1.0±0.25 mg/kg; however, in camel meat samples were 0.27±0.20, 0.31±0.12, 0.26±0.11, 0.17±1.5 and 0.5±0.15 mg/kg for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) respectively. The presence of significant levels of pathogenic microorganisms and metals in the meat samples indicates poor sanitation and hygiene practices during dealing with meat through steps of production, packaging, transportation, and storage, and the high amounts of heavy metal contamination in the environment, which will have an impact on the meat and milk animal products.

An overview of the first human case of Bubonic plague detected in Bugat settlement, Gobi-Altai province in Mongolia

On June 27th, 2023, Mongolia registered its first case of bubonic plague in the Bugat settlement, Gobi-Altai province. Cases in this outbreak are widespread throughout the country with multiple close contacts identified and monitored. Environmental surveillance, including the testing of marmots, picked up the presence of Yersinia Pestis in many samples prior to the beginning of the outbreak. Marmots are seen as a delicacy in Mongolia which presents a challenge when preventing animal to human transmission of bubonic plague via the consumption of raw undercooked marmot meat. Although bubonic plague is endemic in Mongolia, cases are often sporadic and mostly registered in the western provinces of the region however, one case was recorded in the capital city of Ulan Bator on the eastern side of the country. The nature of this outbreak highlights the importance of effective preventive measures such as, PPE, awareness campaigns, health literacy and safe food handling practices.

Comparative Analysis of Consumer Preferences and Nutritional Composition of Wild and Farmed African Giant Rat. (Cricetomys gambianus) in Mampong Ashanti of Ghana

The African giant rat is one of Ghana's most common animals sought after as a source of meat (game). Local hunters use unhealthy means to hunt these animals, so attempts have been made to domesticate African giant rats in Ghana. Nevertheless, certain local consumers have articulated concerns, suggesting that wild giant rats' meat is more tender and leaner than those domestically farmed. The study was carried out to investigate consumer preference, sensory attributes, proximate composition, and acceptability of meats from wild and farmed African giant rats in Mampong Ashanti municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study was conducted from November to December 2023. A survey was carried out among the residents of Asante Mampong using a structured questionnaire, with 500 individuals aged 20 years and older randomly selected to participate. Twenty (20) animals comprising ten (10) wild and ten (10) farmed African giant rats were used for the sensory and proximate analyses in a completely randomised design. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software was used for data analysis. Most participants (57%) preferred meat from wild African giant rats to their farmed counterparts, while only 7% indicated an equal fondness for both. Respondents with Islamic faith showed a preference for the meat of farmed African giant rats because of halal slaughter. The proximate composition of the raw giant rat meat was not affected by the sex since the values were very similar. However, wild African giant rat meat showed significantly (P =0.05) better proximate composition than the farmed ones. Except for meat colour and tenderness, meat from wild giant rats showed significantly (P = 0.05) better sensory properties than the meat from the farmed animals. This study concludes that meat sourced from giant African rats raised on farms is safer, has an impressive protein content, and has moderate fat levels.

Evaluation of the quality and nutritional value of meat snacks

Preservation of health has ceased to be the sphere of attention of only medicine. This problem has become one with household ones. This determines the direction, priorities and development of the latest food technologies. Nutrition directly affects the human body all along life. In the beginning it was enough to simply follow the principles of healthy eating. Today it has become clear that striving for an ideal creates false interpretations with negative results (nutrient deficiencies) due to excessive food restriction. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the indicators of quality and nutritional value of meat snacks, as products of deep processing, which are a source of important nutrients, which will refute the critical attitude of consumers. Physico-chemical, microbiological, and organoleptic research methods were used for its implementation. Experiments were conducted using chicken meat as a raw material and meat snacks based on it. According to the results of the physical and chemical analysis, it was established that the nutritional value of the product increases after the technological processing of the raw materials – the protein content in the snacks increases by 40.18 %. A decrease in fat by 1.41 % indicates the dietary characteristics of ready to eat meat snacks. But the high salt content (2.11 %) significantly limits their consumption due to the risk of oversaturation of the body with sodium. During the organoleptic evaluation, it was established that all the studied samples had a dry, clean surface, uniform color, no foreign, unnatural shades, a pleasant smell with the aroma of spices, but a fragile texture. Microbiological analysis of the samples showed that mostly pathogenic microflora was absent, except for sulfite-reducing clostridia, which were detected at 1∙101 in 0.01 g. The obtained results practically make it possible to evaluate the useful and dietary properties of meat snacks and the reasons for choosing this product during the formation of a personal diet in accordance with individual preferences and beliefs regarding the principles of clean, healthy nutrition. In addition, a critical control point has been determined, according to which consumers should control the amount of meat snacks consumed, and manufacturers should improve the recipe in order to reduce the salt content in the product.

Prevalence, Genotypic Characteristics, and Antibiotic Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes From Retail Foods in Huzhou, China

Listeria monocytogenes are considered to be the major foodborne pathogen worldwide. To understand the prevalence and potential risk of L. monocytogenes in retail foods, a total of 1243 retail foods in 12 food categories were sampled and screened for L. monocytogenes from 2020 to 2022 in Huzhou, China. A total of 46 out of 1234 samples were confirmed to be L. monocytogenes positive with a total rate of 3.7%. The contamination rate of seasoned raw meat (15.2%) was the highest, followed by raw poultry meat and raw livestock meat (9.9%) and salmon sashimi (9.5%). The L. monocytogenes isolates belonged to four serotypes, 1/2a,1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b, with the most prevalent serotype being 1/2a (47.9%). All isolates were grouped into 15 sequence types (STs) belonging to 14 clonal complexes (CCs) via multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The most prevalent ST was ST9/CC9 (23.9%), followed by ST3/CC3 (19.6%) and ST121/CC121 (17.4%). Notably, 11 STs were detected from ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, some of them have been verified to be strongly associated with clinical origin listeriosis cases, such as ST3, ST2, ST5, ST8, and ST87. Listeria pathogenicity islands 1 (LIPI-1) and LIPI-2 were detected in approximately all L. monocytogenes isolates, whereas the distribution of both LIPI-3 genes and LIPI-4 genes exhibited association with specific ST, with LIPI-3 in ST3 and ST288, and LIPI-4 in ST87. The strains carrying LIPI-3 and LIPI-4 virulence genes in this study were all isolated from RTE foods. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that >90% of isolates were susceptible to PEN, AMP, ERY, CIP, SXT, VAN, CHL, and GEN, indicating the antibiotic treatment might be still efficient for most of the L. monocytogenes strains. However, for the three clinical first-line antibiotics (PEN, AMP, and GEN), we also observed three and four strains showing MIC values greater than the susceptibility standards for PEN and AMP, respectively, and one strain showing resistance to GEN.

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among pregnant women in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxoplasmosis is a serious endemic zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma infection during pregnancy can result in congenital transmission and serious fetal and neonatal complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and its determinants among pregnant women in African countries. All articles reporting the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in African countries and published from 2010 to 2023 were searched using various databases. The pooled prevalence of toxoplasmosis was calculated using a random-effect model. The variation between the included studies was assessed using a funnel plot and I2 heterogeneity statistics. To identify the sources of heterogeneity, sub-group analysis was further conducted by country, diagnostic method, and sub-African region. The association of prevalence rates with the socio-economic level and geoclimatic parameters was also explored. In total, 29,383 pregnant women from 60 articles were included for analysis. The pooled T. gondii seroprevalence was 42.89% with high heterogeneity (I2 = 99.4%, P < 0.001). Sub-group analysis revealed variation by country (ranging from 2.62% in Namibia to 80.28% in Congo), diagnostic method used (from 8.66% in studies using a rapid diagnostic test to 55.69% in those using an agglutination test), and sub-African region (from 4.14% in regions of Southern Africa to 53.96 in Central Africa). Cat ownership (OR = 1.58) and the consumption of raw meat (OR = 1.50) and raw vegetables (OR = 1.48) had a statistically significant combined effect on T. gondii seroprevalence. No association was found between T. gondii prevalence and the level of income of the country or geoclimatic parameters. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection among pregnant women in Africa is high, particularly in Central and Eastern Africa. The determinants of prevalence are multifactorial. Therefore, efforts should be made to increase the awareness of women concerning the risk factors for toxoplasmosis.

Exploring rearing factors to predict potential sensory quality of heifer meat throughout the farm-to-fork continuum

Sensory beef qualities could be impacted throughout the farm-to-fork continuum. The aim of this work was to predict the sensory quality classes of Longissimus muscle established from three sensory descriptors: tenderness, juiciness and flavour intensity. The extreme classes of meat quality were: Q + class including the highest scores for tenderness and juiciness, and an intermediate score for flavour intensity and Q − class including low scores for tenderness, juiciness and flavour intensity. To predict the extreme quality classes, seven decision trees were performed using the individual data related to rearing factors (p = 50), carcase traits (p = 13) and/or aged meat traits (p = 9) of 100 Charolais heifers. The decision trees established from rearing factors and carcass trait data (RF-CARCA-Tree) allowed the highest accuracy of prediction (79.7%) with 90.7% and 66.7% of correctly classified individuals, respectively. Our results showed that different combinations of factors could produce Q + class. Three rearing factors (i.e. the calculated average of concentrates’ net energy content in the diet during the pasture period of pre-weaning period (PWP); the number of days concentrates were offered in calf diet during PWP; and the calculated average of concentrates’ crude protein content in the fattening diet) and the conformation score could be considered as action levers to improve meat quality. These three rearing factors were related to the pre-weaning and fattening periods of the heifer, slowing a possible management of the potential beef quality from rearing factors throughout the life of the heifer. Highlights Beef quality can be improved throughout the heifer’s life by rearing factors related to concentrate in the diet. Sensory beef quality classes could be managed from rearing factors and carcass traits. Raw aged meat data did not allow to improve the prediction of sensory beef quality classes.

Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic and wild guinea pigs (Cavia spp.) from the Marangani district in Cuzco, Peru

Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, and transmitted to humans by eating raw or undercooked meat, mainly. Poultry, beef, and pork are the main meats consumed in Peru; despite this, guinea pig meat is also widely consumed. For this reason, the objective of this study was to molecularly detect T. gondii in domestic and wild guinea pigs from the Marangani district in Cuzco, Peru, and identify some risk factors associated with this pathogen. DNA was extracted from the brain tissue samples of guinea pigs (30 domestic and 30 wild), and PCR protocols were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region and a 529 bp fragment from the T. gondii genome. T. gondii DNA was detected in 14 (23.3%) guinea pigs. T. gondii frequency was 33.3% in domestic guinea pigs and 13.3% in wild guinea pigs. Our results demonstrated that guinea pigs represent an important source for T. gondii infection in human populations in this locality.

Predilection Site for the Meat Lover Trichinella spp Larvae and its Pathogenesis and Potency in Human Host

Aims: To revisited carefully previously published articles available in the internet regarding predilection site of Trichinella spp larvae including their pathogenesis and its potency. Discussion: By carefully reviewing previously published literature available in the internet regarding the parasite Trichinella tropism to its host’s striated muscle, the author briefly withdraw some important keypoint to be revealed. The nematode Trichinella spp causes serious zoonosis called trichinellosis, a disease affecting striated or skeletal muscles which consider as one of tropical disease. Even though its natural host varied, but infection among live stocks, such as pigs and other animals, which are raising public health concern. Human infection occurs after consumption of raw or undercooked meat or meat products contain muscle larvae of T. spiralis. The tropism of the parasite for individual striated muscles and/or striated muscle groups varies significantly. Trichinella spp. has a direct life cycle where all three life cycle stages (the infective muscle larvae, adult, and new born larvae) happen serially in one host only. Intestine-dwelling adults of Trichinella produce newborn larvae that bypass the enterocyte, enter the bloodstream and colonize skeletal muscle. The muscle larvae assemble excretory-secretory products which play crucial role in establishing and maintaining persistent parasitism and the host’s immune modulation and evasion. It turns out that excretory-secretory products from muscle larvae and mature worm also have hidden medical potential that can be used to treat allergic problems, inflammation-based diseases, autoimmunity and even malignancy. Conclusion: Trichinellosis is a serious and potentially fatal zoonosis which transmitted through consuming raw or uncooked contaminated meat or its comestibles. Its primary tropism is to the host’s striated muscle and infection can persist for a long time facilitated by several reciprocities of its product (e.g., excretory-secretory) with the host’s cell and immune system. Fortunately, there are several promising potency in the field of therapeutic and prevention medicine which should be explored intensely.

Sources and Prevention of Contamination of Raw Chicken Meat in a Poultry Slaughterhouse in Qalyubia, Egypt.

Sources and Prevention of Contamination of Raw Chicken Meat in a Poultry Slaughterhouse in Qalyubia, Egypt.

Properties of coaxial polycaprolactone cinnamaldehyde chitosan nanoparticles electrospun membrane and its effect on the shelf life of meat

Chilled meat is tender and juicy, with good nutritional content. In recent years, with the increasing demand for food quality, chilled meat has gradually replaced frozen meat as the mainstream choice for raw meat due to its nutritional value and freshness. However, chilled meat is highly susceptible to microbial infection and oxidative rancidity during storage. Chilled meat packaging can significantly extend the shelf life of chilled meat, which is of great significance for the development of the chilled meat industry and market. In this study, a sustainable electrospun membrane based on polycaprolactone mixed with cinnamaldehyde chitosan nanoparticles has been developed as a promising antibacterial fresh-keeping packaging membrane. Bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses are inhibited by cinnamaldehyde, an antimicrobial compound obtained from cinnamon essential oil. Chitosan nanoparticles can be used to wrap cinnamaldehyde essential oil to minimize the loss of this highly volatile oil during high-pressure spinning. Furthermore, its physical properties, antibacterial activity, and shelf life impact on pork were studied. In addition, the electrospinning film significantly reduced the microbial content, thiobapitur, pH value and volatile salt-based nitrogen content of chilled pork stockpiled at 4 °C for 12 days, prolonging the shelf life.

Detection and antibiogram profile of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from two abattoir settings in northwest Ethiopia: a one health perspective

BackgroundDiarrheagenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a zoonotic pathogen that contaminates abattoir workers, slaughter environments, slaughter equipment, and carcasses during abattoir processing. Infection with E. coli is associated with the consumption of contaminated food and water, and it is a potential threat to the health and welfare of both humans and animals. Hence, this study aimed to detect diarrheagenic E. coli and assess its antibiogram profile in two abattoir settings, in one health lens.MethodsA cross-sectional study in one health approach was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021. A total of 384 samples from abattoir workers’ hands, carcasses, knives, cattle feces, abattoir water and effluents were collected. Bacterial culture and biochemical tests were conducted to isolate E. coli, while conventional polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify virulence genes. The antibiogram of diarrheagenic E. coli was tested against nine antimicrobials using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method.ResultsA total of 115 (29.95%) E. coli were isolated from the 384 samples, and from these isolates, about 17 (14.8%) were confirmed to be diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). Among the DEC pathotypes, nine (52.94%), five (29.4%), and three (17.65%) were Shiga toxin-producing, enterohemorrhagic, and enterotoxigenic E. coli, respectively. While 14 (82.35%) DEC isolates harbored the stx2 gene, five (29.41%) the eae gene, five (29.41%) the hlyA gene and three (17.65%) harbored the st gene. All the DEC isolates were resistant to erythromycin and vancomycin; whereas, they were susceptible to ampicillin, nalidixic acid and norfloxacin. Furthermore, 64.7% of DEC isolates showed resistance to both ceftazidime and kanamycin and 88.24% of the isolates showed multidrug resistance.ConclusionThis study detected DEC isolates having different virulence genes, which showed single and multiple antimicrobial resistance. Given the existing poor hygienic and sanitary practices along the abattoir-to-table food chain, coupled with the habit of raw meat consumption, this result indicates a potential public and animal health risk from the pathogen and antimicrobial resistance.

Prevalence, associated factors and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella and Shigella species among diarrheic under five children in Sultan Sheik Hassan Yabere referral Hospital, Jigjiga, Eastern Ethiopia

BackgroundDiarrhea caused by Salmonella and Shigella species are the leading cause of illness especially in developing countries. These infections are considered as the main public health problems in children, including Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, associated factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella and Shigella species in Sheik Hassan Yabere Referral Hospital Jigjiga, Eastern Ethiopia from August 05 to November 15, 2022.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted among 239 under-five children with diarrhea selected through a convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect associated factors. A stool sample was collected and processed for the identification of Salmonella and Shigella species using MacConkey adar, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar (Oxoid Ltd) and Biochemical tests. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolates was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. The data was entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to the statistical package of social science version 22 for analysis. The association between outcome and independent variables was assessed using bivariate, multivariable, and chi-square and P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significance.ResultOverall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species was 6.3% (95% CI, 5.7–6.9%), of which 3.8% (95 CI, 3.2–4.4%) were Salmonella species and 2.5% (95% CI, 1.95-3%) were Shigella species. Unimproved water source (AOR = 5.08, 95% CI = 1.45, 17.25), open field (AOR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.3, 5.03), rural residence (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4, 7.5), Hand-washing practice (p = 0.001), and raw meat consumption (p = 0.002) were associated with occurrence of Salmonella and Shigella species. Salmonella and Shigella isolates were resistant to Ampicilin (100%). However, Salmonella isolates was sensitive to Norfloxacin (100%). About 22.2% and 16.7% of Salmonella and Shigella isolates were multi-drug resistant, respectively.ConclusionPrevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species were lower than most studies done in Ethiopia. Hand-washing habit, water source type, Open field waste disposal habit, raw meat consumption and rural residence were associated with Salmonellosis and shigellosis. All isolated Salmonella were sensitive to norfloxacin. The evidence from this study underscores the need for improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) system and the imperative to implement drug susceptibility tests for the treatment of Salmonella and Shigella infection.

Factors influencing inflammatory diseases in the bitch and the survival of her offsprings

Feeding raw meat is becoming increasingly common among dog owners. This feeding practice can pose a hygienic risk and can lead to health risks for dogs and their owners. Hygienically sound food rations, that are balanced in terms of all nutrients and energy, must be feed to breeding dogs. The aim of this study was to record the influence of raw feeding on the occurrence of mastitis, metritis and the survival of puppies. An online questionnaire was sent to kennel club registered dog breeders in Germany and Switzerland. A total of 531 litters were recorded and evaluated. Mastitis and/or metritis were present in 9,2 % and 2,8 % (n = 49 and n = 15, respectively) of the breeding bitches. 29 % (n = 154) of the breeders reported loss of puppies in the litter. The most common cause were stillbirths (n = 105 litters with 187 stillborn puppies), and/or early mortality (n = 50 litters with 73 puppies that died in the first 48 hours). The occurrence of puppy losses in the litter and/or a higher proportion of puppy losses in the litter was favored by increased body weight of the bitch in larger dog breeds, existing previous illnesses, previously reported gestation or postpartum problems, increasing length of the parturition phase and/or a cesarean section. A higher total number of surviving puppies was associated with increased weight and anamnestic reported health of the bitch and the use of milk powder instead of other milk substitutes. A relationship between raw feeding and the occurrence of mastitis, metritis, the total number of surviving puppies and/or the occurrence or proportion of pup losses in the litter and was not found in this study. However very few breeders in this cohort fed their bitches raw, which in turn was due to the random selection of breeders. Many years of breeding experience and the increasing parity of the bitch had a clearly positive influence on the health of the bitch.

Analisis Keterampilan Inovasi Produk Oleh Pelaku Usaha Kuliner Nagari Pasia Laweh Kecamatan Palupuh

One of the pillars of a region's economic strength is the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Seeing the phenomenon of MSME in Nagari Pasia Laweh which creates jobs and makes an important contribution to trade, especially for micro businesses operating in the culinary sector. In creating a good business, innovation is needed that can improve the performance of business actors, but there are still business actors who have not innovated their products. Culinary business actors who have innovated their products certainly experience several problems and obstacles. The aim of this research is to find out and analyze the product innovation skills of culinary business actors and to find out the obstacles or constraints in innovating culinary business products in Nagari Pasia Laweh, Palupuh District. The research method used is a qualitative descriptive method. Data obtained through observation, interviews and documentation. The results of this research are that 10 out of 12 business actors have carried out product innovations in the form of adding menu variants. The obstacles experienced during product innovation were 2 business actors being constrained by a lack of facilities and infrastructure, 3 business actors experiencing a lack of labor which resulted in a long time for the production process, 3 business actors being constrained by the distance to the location of purchasing complete raw materials and meat grinding for the actors. businesses that need it and 10 out of 12 business actors who have carried out product innovation are constrained by costs because they have to buy additional equipment and raw materials for the production process.

Discrimination of three commercial tuna species through species-specific peptides: From high-resolution mass spectrometry discovery to MRM validation

The risk of tuna adulteration is high driven by economic benefits. The authenticity of tuna is required to protect both consumers and tuna stocks. Given this, the study is designed to identify species-specific peptides for distinguishing three commercial tropical tuna species. The peptides derived from trypsin digestion were separated and detected using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) in data-dependent acquisition (DDA) mode. Venn analysis showed that there were differences in peptide composition among the three tested tuna species. The biological specificity screening through the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (NCBI BLAST) revealed that 93 peptides could serve as potential species-specific peptides. Finally, the detection specificity of species-specific peptides of raw meats and processed products was carried out by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode based on a Q-Trap mass spectrometer. The results showed that three, one and two peptides of Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus obesus and Thunnus albacores, respectively could serve as species-specific peptides.

Epidemiologic Features and Risk Factors for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Dhi Qar Province, Iraq.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is endemic in Iraq, where recurrent epidemics have been constantly observed during the last five years. The present study aimed to determine the factors associated with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases in Dhi Qar province during the year 2022. A test-negative case-control design was used to analyze 621 CCHF patients, of which 162 were confirmed and 459 were suspected cases. To identify the confirmed and suspected cases, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used. Suspected patients whose PCR test results were negative were selected as the control group. Data on potential risk factors for CCHF were collected as existing data for previous years for the same geographical locations in Dhi Qar province. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between probable risk factors and confirmed CCHF cases. The incidence rate of CCHF was 6.8% per 100,000 people. The total number of deaths was 48 for patients with a case fatality rate of 7.7%. The patients' ages ranged from one year to 65 years, with an overall mean ± SD of 36.08 ± 18.29 years. A total of 98.2% of the patients were between 15 and 65 years of age; 58% of the reported patients were male, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1. Additionally, contact with raw meat, animal contact, and tick bite had the highest percentages for CCHF positivity cases. Male gender, high-risk jobs like housewives, health staff, shepherds, butchers, animal dealers, slaughterhouse workers, veterinary staff, and farmers, tick bites, and contact with raw meat were statistically significant predictors for increasing CCHF incidence in Dhi Qar province during the year 2022.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii in Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Cross Sectional Study.

The protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been linked to several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies and risk factors associated with seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. This seroepidemiological study assessed 196 participants, divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 98 schizophrenic patients and was matched with 98 healthy blood donors. A questionnaire was used to gather information regarding potential risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence. Results revealed a higher seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in schizophrenic patients (69.39%, 68/98) when compared to healthy controls (51.02%, 50/98) (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.21-3.9; p = 0.01). Patients with schizophrenia who consumed raw or undercooked meat (80.65%, 25/31) (OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 1.25-11.21, p = 0.02) and those with a lower educational level (77.59%, 45/58) (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.59-7.54, p = 0.002) presented increased T. gondii seropositivity rates versus their control counterparts. Our findings indicate a high T. gondii IgG seroprevalence in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to healthy blood donors. Factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence were consumption of raw or uncooked meat and a lower educational attainment. This study provided the first data regarding the potential risk factors for toxoplasmosis in Romanian patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and may serve as a foundation for future research and the development of preventive strategies.