Unpasteurized Milk Products Research Articles

High-Performance Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in Milk Using Recombinase-Aided Amplification-Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat-Cas13a-Lateral Flow Detection.

Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the microorganism responsible for bovine tuberculosis (bTB), is transferred to people by the ingestion of unpasteurized milk and unprocessed fermented milk products obtained from animals with the infection. The identification of M. bovis in milk samples is of the utmost importance to successfully prevent zoonotic diseases and maintain food safety. This study presents a comprehensive description of a highly efficient molecular test utilizing recombinase-aided amplification (RPA)-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) 13a-lateral flow detection (LFD) for M. bovis detection. In contrast to ELISA, RPA-CRISPR-Cas13a-LFD exhibited greater accuracy and sensitivity in the detection of M. bovis in milk, presenting a detection limit of 2 × 100 copies/μL within a 2 h time frame. The two tests exhibited a moderate level of agreement, as shown by a kappa value of 0.452 (95%CI: 0.287-0.617, p < 0.001). RPA-CRISPR-Cas13a-LFD holds significant potential as a robust platform for pathogen detection in complex samples, thereby enabling the more dependable regulation of food safety examination, epidemiology research, and medical diagnosis.

Microbiological Risks of Traditional Raw Cow's Milk Cheese (Koryciński Cheeses).

Traditional and regional foods have been increasing in popularity among consumers in Poland for many years. The observed trend of searching for natural and authentic taste encourages many producers to craft products from raw milk, including Koryciński cheeses. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological hazards resulting from the presence of pathogenic bacteria in Koryciński cheeses available in retail trade. The tests were carried out using accredited methods, including the detection of the presence of Salmonella spp., the enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes, the enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci, and the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins in food when the number of coagulase-positive staphylococci in the sample exceeded the limit of 105 cfu/g. The research material consisted of 45 Koryciński cheeses. The tests conducted revealed that Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the examined cheeses. However, coagulase-positive staphylococci were present in 68.9% of the samples. In as many as 15 tested cheeses, the level of S. aureus contamination was above 105 cfu/g; therefore, these samples were tested for the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxins. The presence of staphylococcal enterotoxins was found in one Koryciński cheese. In four cheeses, the number of L. monocytogenes exceeded the level of 102 cfu/g, the limit specified in Regulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs. The obtained research results confirm the validity of monitoring the microbiological quality of Koryciński cheeses and the need to increase awareness of ensuring proper hygienic conditions of production, including the increased risk associated with unpasteurized milk products.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis in a rural population: A cross-sectional study

Brucellosis is recognized as a significant global zoonotic infection that disproportionately affects low-income settings. A community cross-sectional survey was carried out in a rural setting of northwest Iran between February and May 2023. Rural individuals were interviewed according to a questionnaire with questions about demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to human brucellosis. We employed descriptive statistics to study knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns. In addition, we applied a multivariable logistic regression model to assess potential predictors of knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to brucellosis using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Among 700 participants, 91.1% were aware of brucellosis, and 85.7% identified cows, sheep, and goats as primary transmission sources. 75.6% and 78.7% recognized transmission risks via unpasteurized and raw milk products. 60.5% understood the benefits of boiling milk and using gloves. Attitudinally, 64.3% perceived higher risk for livestock owners and supported practices like milk pasteurization (70.5%), protective gear (84.4%), handwashing (92.2%), and animal vaccination (71.0%). 90% expressed a need for more information. In practice, 44.8% exclusively consumed boiled and pasteurized milk, 37.8% consumed fresh cheese, and 92.2% solely consumed thoroughly cooked animal meat. Logistic regression revealed that higher education and no prior history of the disease correlated with good knowledge and attitudes, while older participants displayed inappropriate practices compared to their younger counterparts. This study highlights the reasonably high awareness of brucellosis, particularly regarding transmission sources and preventive measures. However, the gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices still exist, with education level emerging as a significant factor. To improve prevention practices, tailored interventions addressing age-related disparities are necessary.

Anadoluda Süt Ürünleri ve Pediatrik Bruselloz

Introduction: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the follow-up and treatment outcomes of pediatric brucellosis cases who presented to our participating centers during the term and were diagnosed with brucellosis. Methods: The study, conducted with the support of participating centers in the Central Anatolia region, was completed in about 2 years. The results of patients diagnosed with brucellosis between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively scanned. During this screening, patients with missing results in the system were excluded from the study. Results: According to the data collected from the participating centers, we included a total of 68 patients in our study who met our criteria after excluding those with incomplete information. These patients were between the ages of 5 and 17, with a mean age of 8.7±3.1 years. Our analysis of the patients' demographics revealed that they mostly resided in rural areas where unpasteurized milk and dairy products were commonly consumed. Although there were some patients from higher socioeconomic backgrounds who purchased organic products from local markets, the vast majority (90%) had a history of consuming unpasteurized milk and its by-products. In addition, a significant proportion (50%) of patients from rural areas had a family history of brucellosis. The most frequently reported symptom among patients was joint pain, which was present in 83% of cases. Elevated liver enzymes were the most common laboratory finding, affecting 32% of patients, while thrombocytopenia was the least common. The preferred treatment regimen for patients was doxycycline and rifampicin. Although aminoglycoside treatment was initially favored for inpatients (80%), it was not commonly prescribed for outpatients. Our analysis of the data revealed that only two patients experienced a relapse of the disease. While the overall treatment outcomes were successful, there was no statistically significant association between treatment preferences and disease recurrence. Conclusion: Every year, thousands of children in our country visit pediatric clinics complaining about joint pain. These patients are usually examined for extensive investigations. It should be remembered that with suspicious patient history and demography, brucellosis may be the answer under the symptoms, accompanied by elevated liver enzymes and cytopenia.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis-Review of the Current Status.

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the arboviral etiological agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), considered to be one of the most important tick-borne viral diseases in Europe and Asia. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of TBE as well as an increasing geographical range of the disease have been noted. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the imposition of restrictions that it necessitated, the incidence of TBE is rising in more than half of the European countries analyzed in recent studies. The virus is transmitted between ticks, animals, and humans. It seems that ticks and small mammals play a role in maintaining TBEV in nature. The disease can also affect dogs, horses, cattle, and small ruminants. Humans are incidental hosts, infected through the bite of an infected tick or by the alimentary route, through the consumption of unpasteurized milk or milk products from TBEV-infected animals. TBEV infections in humans may be asymptomatic, but the symptoms can range from mild flu-like to severe neurological. In Europe, cases of TBE are reported every year. While there is currently no effective treatment for TBE, immunization and protection against tick bites are critical in preventing this disease.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Small Ruminants: Old Problems, and Current Solutions.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis of veterinary importance, with implications for public health. Toxoplasma gondii infection causes abortion or congenital disease in small ruminants. Moreover, the consumption of infected meat, cured meat products, or unpasteurized milk and dairy products can facilitate zoonotic transmission. Serological studies conducted in various European countries have shown the high seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in sheep and goats related to the presence of oocysts in the environment, as well as climatic conditions. This article presents the current status of the detection possibilities for T. gondii infection in small ruminants and their milk. Serological testing is considered the most practical method for diagnosing toxoplasmosis; therefore, many studies have shown that recombinant antigens as single proteins, mixtures of various antigens, or chimeric proteins can be successfully used as an alternative to Toxoplasma lysate antigens (TLA). Several assays based on DNA amplification have been developed as alternative diagnostic methods, which are especially useful when serodiagnosis is not possible, e.g., the detection of intrauterine T. gondii infection when the fetus is not immunocompetent. These techniques employ multicopy sequences highly conserved among different strains of T. gondii in conventional, nested, competitive, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR.

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and analysis of risk factors among the dairy farms in and around Guwahati metropolitan city, India

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis is being reported worldwide. The present work was carried out from December 2020 to November 2021 to assess the prevalence and risk factors of bTB in peri-urban and urban dairy farms of Guwahati, Assam, India. A questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge about bTB on 36 farms, and ten animals per farm were screened by single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test (SICCT) to determine the prevalence of bTB, giving a total of 360 animals. The demographic data of the farmers revealed that 61.1% respondents were illiterate, 66.7% had no awareness about bovine tuberculosis and 41.7% consumed unpasteurised milk and milk products. SICCT showed that 38 cattle from 18 of the farms were positive reactors for bTB, yielding an overall animal level prevalence of 10.55% (95% confidence interval (CI = 7.58–14.2%) and a 50% herd prevalence (95% CI 32.9–67.1%). Animals 5 years and above were found to be more likely to be positive for bTB (17.18%). The study highlighted the widespread prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in peri-urban and urban dairy farms of Guwahati which gives a picture also about other major cities of India. Hence, it is of utmost importance to undertake a comprehensive epidemiological study in such cities for effective control and prevention of bTB in a one health approach.

Presence of Brucella spp. in Milk and Dairy Products: A Comprehensive Review and Its Perspectives

Consuming raw milk and milk-based products that have not been produced under strict control conditions can cause brucellosis, a highly contagious zoonotic disease. It is a significant global public health concern, particularly in regions with poor management and limited resources, such as Latin America, North and East Africa, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia. The study aims to summarize the occurrence of human brucellosis linked to milk and milk products and the presence of Brucella species in dairy foods. To achieve this goal, a meta-analysis was conducted on 69 studies ranging from 2001 to 2022, which were categorized into two groups: the incidence of Brucella species in milk and milk products and the prevalence of human brucellosis resulting from the consumption of contaminated milk. The following milk and milk products showed the highest incidence of Brucella species: cow milk (1.86%–81.7%), buffalo milk (10.4%–61.67%), camel milk (0%–24%), goat milk (0%–88.8%), and cheese (0%–39.1%). Consuming unpasteurized milk and milk products has been identified as the leading cause of human brucellosis, with incidence rates varying from 33.9% to 100%. Several human brucellosis cases have been linked to consuming raw milk and cheese in Spain, Israel, and other countries. Various serological techniques are employed to detect Brucella-specific antibodies in milk. The milk ring test (MRT) and enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) are the two most widely utilized methods for detecting these antibodies in milk. Recently developed dual biosensors are a powerful approach for early diagnosis of Brucella from milk. Real-time PCR can rapidly detect organisms, reducing the risk of lab contamination and false positive results. To prevent and control brucellosis, essential steps include proper pasteurization of milk and dairy products, using the milk ring test (MRT) to detect Brucella in individual and bulk milk, immunization, education, and increasing public awareness of the disease. The consumption of raw milk and milk-made products that are not produced under strictly controlled conditions poses a significant risk to human health, mainly due to the high incidence of Brucella contamination. Therefore, ensuring strict control measures in producing milk and milk-made products is crucial to preventing the spread of this disease and safeguarding human health.

Molecular detection of Stx1 and Stx2 genes of E. coli isolated from sub-clinical bovine mastitis in Mosul city

Subclinical mastitis in cattle is a pathological condition that causes a financial burden on the dairy industry. In addition, it puts the public sector at risk when pathogens of animal origin are present in unpasteurized milk and dairy products that may enter the human food chain and cause serious illnesses. Our study aimed to determine the percentage of pathogenic Escherichia coli causing subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Mosul city by confirming the existence of Stx1 and Stx2 genes. Eighty milk samples were obtained from cows suffering from subclinical mastitis using sterile procedures from November 2018 to October 2019. Escherichia coli was isolated, characterized, and confirmed using culture and PCR. According to our research, the pathogenic Escherichia coli in milk samples was 36.3% (29/80). Moreover, molecular screening for a specific Escherichia coli gene revealed that all isolates 100% carried the uidA gene. PCR revealed that 27/29 (93.1%) isolates had both Stx1 + Stx2 genes, and all the isolates 100% possessed the Stx2 gene. No significant relationship was found between the percentage of pathogenic E. coli and the seasons. Even though there were more isolates in the winter than in the summer, this increase was not statistically significant. This study's findings may help pay attention to one of the leading causes of subclinical mastitis, which benefits the private sector in controlling the disease.

First Expert Elicitation of Knowledge on Possible Drivers of Observed Increasing Human Cases of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in Europe

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease endemic in Eurasia. The virus is mainly transmitted to humans via ticks and occasionally via the consumption of unpasteurized milk products. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported an increase in TBE incidence over the past years in Europe as well as the emergence of the disease in new areas. To better understand this phenomenon, we investigated the drivers of TBE emergence and increase in incidence in humans through an expert knowledge elicitation. We listed 59 possible drivers grouped in eight domains and elicited forty European experts to: (i) allocate a score per driver, (ii) weight this score within each domain, and (iii) weight the different domains and attribute an uncertainty level per domain. An overall weighted score per driver was calculated, and drivers with comparable scores were grouped into three terminal nodes using a regression tree analysis. The drivers with the highest scores were: (i) changes in human behavior/activities; (ii) changes in eating habits or consumer demand; (iii) changes in the landscape; (iv) influence of humidity on the survival and transmission of the pathogen; (v) difficulty to control reservoir(s) and/or vector(s); (vi) influence of temperature on virus survival and transmission; (vii) number of wildlife compartments/groups acting as reservoirs or amplifying hosts; (viii) increase of autochthonous wild mammals; and (ix) number of tick species vectors and their distribution. Our results support researchers in prioritizing studies targeting the most relevant drivers of emergence and increasing TBE incidence.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Foodborne Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Europe, 1980-2021.

Abstract Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection of the central nervous system that occurs in many parts of Europe and Asia. Humans mainly acquire TBE through tick bites, but TBE occasionally is contracted through consuming unpasteurized milk products from viremic livestock. We describe cases of TBE acquired through alimentary transmission in Europe during the past 4 decades. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 410 foodborne TBE cases, mostly from a region in central and eastern Europe. Most cases were reported during the warmer months (April–August) and were associated with ingesting unpasteurized dairy products from goats. The median incubation period was short, 3.5 days, and neuroinvasive disease was common (38.9%). The clinical attack rate was 14% (95% CI 12%–16%), and we noted major heterogeneity. Vaccination programs and public awareness campaigns could reduce the number of persons affected by this potentially severe disease.

Current Epidemiologic Status and Public Health Importance of Listeriosis: A Review

Listeriosis is a bacterial disease caused by different listeria species, among which Listeria monocytogenes are the most pathogenic species of ruminant animals and humans. This paper aimed to review current updates on the epidemiology and public health significance of listeriosis. The disease is an acute central nervous system infection, with associated abortions occurring in pregnant cattle. Reservoirs of infection are the soil and the intestinal tracts of asymptomatic animals, including wild and feral mammals, birds, and fish. Listeria, like other infections, occurs through ingestion as well as inhalation or direct contact and venereal transmission. In animals, listeriosis typically occurs after the consumption of contaminated silage or other feed sources. Consequently, contaminated food sources, such as raw meat and fish, unpasteurized dairy products, and uncooked vegetables, are good sources of infection in humans. The major clinical forms of listeriosis in cattle are encephalitis, abortion, Mastitis, iritis, The major clinical forms of listeriosis in cattle are encephalitis, abortion, mastitis, ophthalmitis, and keratoconjunctivitis ophthalmitis, iritis and keratoconjunctivitis. The disease can be tentatively diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, and its confirmation is achieved through serological tests and blood culture. Listeriosis shares similar clinical signs with other diseases, such as rabies, Coenurosis, and Scrapie. Response to antibiotic therapy may be poor in neural listeriosis. Prolonged high doses of ampicillin or amoxicillin combined with aminoglycosides may effectively prevent listeriosis in animals. Generally, disease prevention heavily depends on the protection of animal feed and vaccination. Moreover, humans are recommended to avoid eating and drinking uncooked meat and unpasteurized milk products.

Çocukluk çağında bruselloz: 37 olgunun retrospektif değerlendirilmesi ve literatürün gözden geçirilmesi

Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics and treatment results of pediatric patients followed up with the diagnosis of brucellosis in our clinic.Methods: Patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of brucellosis in Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic between October 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: A total of 37 patients, 26 (70.3%) male, were included in the study. The mean age of the patients whose ages ranged from 1 to 17 years was 9.3±4.3 years. Unpasteurized milk and/or dairy products were consumed in 86.5% of the patients and 48.6% had a family history of brucellosis. Joint pain (75.7%) was the most common presenting complaint. In the laboratory evaluation, 8.1% of the patients had leukopenia, 2.7% had thrombocytopenia and 21.4% had ALT elevation. Doxycycline plus rifampicin (43.2%) was the most commonly preferred treatment regimen. Addition of aminoglycoside to initial therapy in hospitalized patients was statistically higher than in outpatients (81.2% vs. 23.8%) (p=0.001). During the follow-up, relapse developed in a total of 4 (10.8%) patients, 3 of whom were outpatients. There was no statistical relationship between the initial treatment regimen and relapse (p=0.418).Conclusion: In conclusion, brucellosis should be kept in mind in terms of differential diagnosis in patients who present with joint pain in our country and who have cytopenia and/or isolated aminotransferase elevation in their investigations.Keywords: Child, Brucellosis, Relapse

Brucellosis in Humans with the Approach of Brucella Species Contamination in Unpasteurized Milk and Dairy Products from Hamadan, Iran

Brucellosis in Humans with the Approach of Brucella Species Contamination in Unpasteurized Milk and Dairy Products from Hamadan, Iran

Undercooked Leghorn Chicken is A Source of Campylobacter Jejuni, An Infectious Agent for Causing Prosthetic Joint Infection and Diarrhea

Campylobacter species commonly cause diarrheal illness. As the Campylobacter species are found in chicken and beef, so utilization of contaminated undercook chicken and unpasteurized milk products is a significant reason for diarrhea. This case report describes a rare prosthetic joint infection caused by Campylobacter jejuni. The patient ate the undercook Leghorn chicken wings, and after 12h of the meal, he started suffering from a diarrheal illness that followed the prosthetic joint infection. The patient had undergone arthroplasty seven years ago. He started copious, watery stool output along with experiencing pain in his left hip and leg. After blood culture and synovial fluid culture trials, results revealed C. jejuni, identified by using MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry). The patient recovered after surgery and following a prescription of intravenous and oral ciprofloxacin therapy. This case describes the rare event in medical history that Campylobacter jejuni that may be causing prosthetic joint infection. Therefore, we should focus on destroying such infection-causing strains in a meal before eating chicken and beef

Drivers and hazards of consumption of unpasteurised bovine milk and milk products in high-income countries.

IntroductionThe consumption of dairy products contributes to health, nutrition, and livelihoods globally. However, dairy products do not come without microbiological food safety risks for consumers. Despite this risk, common hygiene measures in high-income countries, particularly pasteurisation, ensures that milk is safe, and is indeed frequently mandated by law. Nevertheless, over the past two decades, there has been a global increase in the number of consumers in high-income developed countries actively seeking out unpasteurised milk in liquid and product forms for perceived nutritional and health benefits, and improved taste. The often-anecdotal claims upon which consumers make such choices are not all supported by scientific evidence; however, some recent research studies have investigated (and in some cases demonstrated) the positive impact of unpasteurised milk consumption on the prevalence of asthma, atopy, rectal cancer and respiratory illness.MethodsTo investigate the significance of unpasteurised milk and milk product consumption for human health in high-income countries, outbreak data between the years 2000 and 2018 were obtained for the United States of America, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, which were then categorized into three World Health Organisation subregions: AMR A, EUR A and WPR A. Outbreak dynamic variables such as pathogens, the place of consumption, numbers of outbreaks and deaths per million capita, the average number of cases per outbreak and regulations were described and analysed using R Studio. To provide an overview of unpasteurised milk-related disease outbreaks, a rapid evidence review was also undertaken to establish an overview of what is known in the current literature about hazards and drivers of consumption.ResultsFoodborne outbreaks associated with unpasteurised dairy consumption have risen in high-income countries over the period 2000 to 2018, with Campylobacter spp. being the most common aetiological agent responsible, followed by Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The most common places of consumption are on farms or in households, indicating individuals choose to drink unpasteurised milk, rather than a widespread distribution of the product, for example, at social events and in schools. Further study is needed to better understand contributing factors, such as cultural differences in the consumption of dairy products.ConclusionThere are several observable health benefits linked to consuming raw milk, but outbreaks associated with unpasteurised milk and milk products are on the rise. It cannot be definitively concluded whether the benefits outweigh the risks, and ultimately the decision lies with the individual consumer. Nevertheless, many countries have regulations in place to protect consumer health, acknowledging the definite risks to human health that unpasteurised dairy foods may pose, particularly from microbial hazards.

Childhood Brucellosis: A Single-Center Experience from the Central Mediterranean Region of Turkey

Abstract Objective Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease in developing countries, which can occur with varying clinical findings and cause complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate cases diagnosed with brucellosis that were followed up in our clinic over the last 10 years. Methods A retrospective evaluation was made of cases diagnosed with brucellosis and then followed up and treated as inpatients or outpatients in our clinic between January 2011 and 2021. Patient data were obtained from the hospital automated records system. Results This study included 81 cases comprising 43 (53.1%) males and 38 (46.9%) females with a mean age of 10.7 ± 4.5 years (range, 13 months–18 years). There was a history of consuming unpasteurized milk and/or dairy products in 69 (85.2%) patients, living in a rural location in 66 (81.3%), and the family keeping livestock in 49 (60.5%) cases; there was a family history of brucellosis in 31 (38.3%) cases. The most common complaint at presentation was joint pain in 71.6%, the most common finding on physical examination was fever (59.3%), and the most common laboratory finding was elevated C-reactive protein (71.6% of cases). Brucella spp. were isolated from 12 of 43 patients who had blood cultures performed. Complications occurred in 33 (40.7%) cases, most commonly involving the osteoarticular system. Conclusion Priority should be given to family education about not consuming raw animal products. Animals should be checked, vaccinated, and treated with a multidisciplinary approach. Until the clinical condition in endemic areas is proven to be due to a different cause, patients should be examined with the suspicion that any clinical finding may be due to brucellosis.

The Use of Unique, Environmental Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains in the Traditional Production of Organic Cheeses from Unpasteurized Cow's Milk.

The aim of this study was to use local LAB cultures for the production of organic acid-rennet cheeses from unpasteurized cow’s milk. Under industrial conditions, three types of cheese were produced, i.e., traditionally with acid whey (AW), with starter culture L. brevis B1, or with starter culture L. plantarum Os2. Strains were previously isolated from traditional Polish cheeses. Chemical composition, physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory studies during 2 months of storage were carried out. As a result of this research, it was found that the basic composition was typical for semi-hard, partially skimmed cheeses. Mainly saturated fatty acids were detected. The cheeses were rich in omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and were characterized by good lipid quality indices (LQI). All of the cheeses were characterized by a high number of lactic acid bacteria, with Enterobacteriaceae, yeast, molds, and staphylococci contaminants, which is typical microbiota for unpasteurized milk products. Water activity, pH, and total acidity were typical. A lower oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of cheeses with the addition of strains and stability of the products during storage were observed. The B1 and Os2 cheeses were lighter, less yellow, had a more intense milk and creamy aroma, were softer, moister, and more elastic than AW cheese. The research results indicate the possibility of using environmental LAB strains in the production of high-quality acid-rennet cheeses, but special attention should be paid to the production process due to the microbiological quality of the cheeses.

Food-Borne Transmission of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus-Spread, Consequences, and Prophylaxis.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common viral neurological disease in Eurasia. It is usually transmitted via tick bites but can also occur through ingestion of TBEV-infected milk and dairy products. The present paper summarises the knowledge of the food-borne TBEV transmission and presents methods for the prevention of its spread. The incidence of milk-borne TBE outbreaks is recorded in central, eastern, and north-eastern Europe, where Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes persulcatus, and/or Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, i.e., the main vectors of TBEV, occur abundantly. The growing occurrence range and population size of these ticks increases the risk of infection of dairy animals, i.e., goats, sheep, and cows, with viruses transmitted by these ticks. Consumers of unpasteurised milk and dairy products purchased from local farms located in TBE endemic areas are the most vulnerable to alimentary TBEV infections. Familial infections with these viruses are frequently recorded, mainly in children. Food-transmitted TBE can be monophasic or biphasic, and some of its neurological and psychiatric symptoms may persist in patients for a long time. Alimentary TBEV infections can be effectively prevented by consumption of pasteurised milk and the use of TBEV vaccines. It is recommended that milk and dairy products should be checked for the presence of TBE viruses prior to distribution. Protection of dairy animals against tick attacks and education of humans regarding the epidemiology and prophylaxis of TBE are equally important.

A Case of Coincidentally Diagnosed Brucellosis in a Patient with COVID-19

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a serious health problem that started in China in December 2019 and spread worldwide as a pandemic. Due to the fact that COVID-19 is a pandemic, it can be associated with many diseases. In particular, high rates of co-infection with other respiratory pathogens, including influenza virus, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, have been described. Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis caused by Brucella spp. that can be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or ingestion of unpasteurized milk or milk products. Brucellosis is endemic in our country, and is still increasing in people who are engaged in animal husbandry and consuming raw milk or milk products. Clinical findings are of brucellosis similar to COVID-19 infection and diagnosis is difficult. In this presentation, a case diagnosed with brucellosis while being followed up in the intensive care unit due to COVID-19.