Abstract

Background and Objective: Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite causing diarrheal cryptosporidiosis. Numerous outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been reported worldwide.  The transmission via milk, water and raw animal products is one of the important ways. The aim of this study was the identification of hsp70 gene in Cryptosporidium parvum in raw cow’s milk samples.

Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 38 raw cow’s milk samples of bulk tank were randomly collected from traditional and semi industrial cattle farms in Isfahan.  To identify the protozoa in milk samples, the extracted DNA was evaluated by Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Based on Nested polymerase chain reaction, 2 samples (5.26%) were infected to Cryptosporidium parvum.

Conclusions: The contamination of milk with Cryptosporidium Parvum is less than that of the other foodstuffs. Thus, it is necessary to reduce food contamination and to have appropriate health education programs.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium Parvum, Milk; Polymerase Chain Reaction.

ABSTRACT

      Background and Objective: Ochratoxin is a fungal toxin produced by Penicillium verrucosum and some Aspergillus species. Ochratoxin is usually found in grains, cereal products and also animal feed of livestock. The aim of this study was to measure the level of Ochratoxin in pasteurized milk samples of Golestan Province, Iran.

      Methods: Overall, 38 milk samples were collected from East and West of the Golestan province in accordance with standards 326 and 419 of the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. The level of Ochratoxin was measured by ELISA method.

      Results: The mean level of Ochratoxin A in 20 raw milk samples collected from the West of the Province was 3.32 ± 3.76 ng/ml. The mean level of Ochratoxin A in 18 raw milk samples collected from the East was 6.02 ± 4.42 ng/ml. Ochratoxin A levels in most samples were higher than the limits established by the European standards.

      Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, Ochratoxin level of 84.2% and 52.6% of the samples from the West and East of the province are higher than the allowed limits (2 ng/ml), respectively.

      

ABSTRACT
           Background and Objectives: Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of gastritis and ulcer worldwide. Treatment of such infections may lead to failure due to drug resistance. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of bacteria present in camel milk on the growth of drug-resistant clinical isolates of H. pylori.
           Methods: In this cross-sectional study, biopsy samples from 75 patients with digestive symptoms were transferred to laboratory in transport medium containing homogeneous compounds. In order to isolate H. pylori, urease-positive biopsies were promptly cultured in brucella agar enriched with defibrinated sheep blood and fetal calf serum. Disk diffusion agar test was used to evaluate antibiotic susceptibility and agar well diffusion method was applied to study the antagonistic effect of probiotics isolated from camel milk on the H. pylori isolates.
           Results: The frequency of H. pylori isolates was 42.7%. The highest rate of resistance was observed against metronidazole (56.3%). In addition, the rate of resistant to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and clarithromycin and tetracycline was 31.3%, 18.8%, 15.6%, respectively. Lactobacillus plantarum (59.3%) was more frequent than other Lactobacillus species. L. plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus casei showed favorable inhibitory effects against the H. pylori isolates, but L. plantarum (with inhibition zone diameter of 20.3 mm) showed the highest inhibitory effect.
           Conclusion: Considering the increasing rate of drug resistance and the inhibitory effect of probiotics isolated from milk, health providers recommend that promoting consumption of probiotic food seems beneficial for the general population and those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders.
           Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Drug resistance, Camel, milk, Probiotics.

ABSTRACT
           Background and Objectives: Local cheese made from raw milk is one of the most commonly consumed dairy products in the world. Mycotoxin contamination of foodstuff and its transmission to consumers are extremely important public health issues. The purpose of this survey was to determine the level of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) residues in Koupeh cheese, a traditional fermented Iranian cheese produced in spring and summer.
           Methods: We randomly collected 48 local cheese samples produced in Mahabad (northwest of Iran) during spring and summer. The level of AFM1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay using commercial kits and a microplate reader.
           Results: All samples contained measurable amounts of AFM1. Cow milk cheese samples contained higher level of AFM1 compared to sheep milk cheese samples. The level of AFM1 in the samples from both animals was lower in summer. There was no significant difference between the mean level of AFM1 in summer and spring. Moreover, 33.3% of cow milk cheese samples collected in spring and 16.6% of the samples collected in summer contained toxin levels higher than the maximum allowed concentration set by the European Commission (250 ng/Kg) and by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (200 ng/Kg).
           Conclusion: The results of this study show that the level of AFM1in Koupeh cheese is influenced by the livestock type and production season, in a way that the level of contamination is higher in spring.
           Keywords: Cheese, Cultured Milk Products, Aflatoxin M1, ELISA.

Background and objective: Human breast milk is the primary food for newborns that possess all essential nutrients for their growth and health. However, breast milk can be contaminated with various toxins including aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 formed in the liver and excreted into the breast milk. This toxin can have immunosuppressive, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the level of AFM1 in human breast milk samples from Jiroft (Kerman Province), Iran.
     Methods: A total of 84 human breast milk samples were collected from lactating mothers who were referred to number one clinic in Jiroft from April 2016 to January 2017. The level of AFM1 was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
      Results: Aflatoxin M1 was detected in all (100%) human breast milk samples within the interval values of 3.2 to 8.8 ng/L (mean, 4.1±0.7 ng/L). The level of AFM1 in all samples was lower than the maximum tolerable limit (25 ng/L) suggested by the EU and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
      Conclusion: Although AFM1 is present in all human breast milk samples from the city of Jiroft, the level of this toxin is within the tolerable limit. Therefore, it seems that infants are not at risk.