Role of biofilms in the oral health of animals

In humans the importance of biofilms in disease processes is now widely recognised together with the difficulties in treating such infections once established. One of the earliest and certainly most studied biofilm in humans is that of dental plaque which is responsible for two of the most prevalent human infections, namely dental caries and periodontal disease. However, comparable studies of dental plaque in animals are relatively limited, despite the fact that similar infections also occur, and in the case of farm animals there is an associated economic impact. In addition, biofilms in the mouths of animals can also be detrimental to human health when transferred by animal bites. As a result, an understanding of both the microbial composition of animal plaque biofilms together with their role in animal diseases is important. Through the use of modern molecular studies, an insight into the oral microflora of animals is now being obtained and, to date, reveals that despite differences in terms of microbial species and relative proportions occurring between humans and animals, similarities do indeed exist. This information can be exploited in our efforts to both manage and treat infections in animals arising from the presence of an oral biofilm. This Chapter describes our current understanding of the microbial composition of animal plaque, its role in disease and how oral hygiene measures can be implemented to reduce subsequent infection.

Minilaparoscopy and sentinel lymph node in uterine cancer

CRSLS MIS Case Reports from SLS.org.

Current situation on the occurrence of mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi in Portugal

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that are toxic for humans and animals in small amounts and that are found worldwide in a large number of agricultural commodities. They are usually ingested involuntarily, when contaminated plant products are consumed, and represent a great risk for public health. Therefore, governments throughout the world have imposed strict legal limits for their levels in food and feed products in order to reduce potential health risks for consumers. Despite of its ubiquity, the mycotoxin problem is mainly dependent on regional factors, such as the mycotoxigenic characteristics of the local mycoflora, the local climate conditions, and the local agricultural practices. For this reason, a constant vigilance from local governmental food safety agencies and from the local researcher community is needed. This communication will review the current situation on the occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi in some Portuguese cultures, such as wine grapes, corn and dried fruits. Particular attention will be given to the incidence of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus strains in those cultures and to the levels of ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid and fumonisin B2 produced. Data will be discussed taking into account the geographical origin of the isolates and the particular climate conditions of each sampling region. An updated review on the levels of the main mycotoxins found in local products and in imported commodities will also be presented.

Enzymes which detoxify ochratoxin A

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites found in some agricultural commodities which are toxic for humans and animals in small amounts. Mycotoxins are a global problem which can be partially controlled through prevention strategies that can be applied along the food and feed chain production. However, when mycotoxin formation can not be avoided and they come to be present in commodities some remediation strategies can also be used to reduce its levels on products, its bioavailability or its toxic effects. Among these remediation strategies, the biological methods are recently holding a relevant position, being widely studied in the last years. As a result, a great number of microorganisms that can degrade or detoxify several mycotoxins and the application of some of them were reported. Moreover, several enzymes which mediate these biological processes were identified, being by themselves studied in order to develop new biotechnological approaches to control the mycotoxin problem on commodities. The main enzymes known to detoxify ochratoxin A, their action and their present application in order to counteract the referred problem are reviewed and critically assessed.