Suitability of Slower Growing Commercial Turkey Strains for Organic Husbandry in Terms of Animal Welfare and Performance.

Intensive turkey production with fast growing strains is often critically discussed regarding animal welfare problems. Studies evaluating the welfare status of both organic and less intensive selected turkey strains are limited, except in the slightly slower growing Kelly Broad Breast Bronze (Kelly). The aim of this study was to assess the welfare of turkeys from two strains with further decreased growth rate, Hockenhull Large Bronze (HoBr) and Hockenhull Black (HoBl), in comparison to Kelly under commercial organic conditions with 100% organic feed.

Developing an Automatic Color Determination Procedure for the Quality Assessment of Mangos () Using a CCD Camera and Color Standards.

Color is one of the key sensory characteristics in the evaluation of the quality of mangos () especially with regard to determining the optimal level of ripeness. However, an objective color determination of entire fruits can be a challenging task. Conventional evaluation methods such as colorimetric or spectrophotometric procedures are primarily limited to a homogenous distribution of the color.

Occurrence of selected zoonotic food-borne parasites and first molecular identification of Alaria alata in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Italy.

Wild boar is a source of human infections with zoonotic pathogens, including food-borne parasites. With the aim of a characterization of the human exposure risk, a survey on wild boars intended for human consumption was planned, selecting three pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii, Alaria alata, and Trichinella spp., as markers of meat infection.

Alaria spp. mesocercariae in Eurasian badger (Meles meles) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) from the Białowieża Forest, north-eastern Poland.

Alaria spp. mesocercariae are commonly found in wild boar and other omnivorous mammals. In Europe, the number of cases presenting Alaria mesocercariae infections has been on the rise in the last years.

Slaughter of pregnant cattle in German abattoirs--current situation and prevalence: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The slaughter of pregnant cattle and the fate of the foetuses are relatively new subjects in the field of animal welfare. The Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health (SCVPH), however, does not believe this topic to be a critical issue because of the hitherto supposed rare occurrence of this practice. Some previous studies though, contradict this assessment, emphasising its relevance to animal welfare.

Effect of temperature on the survival of Alaria alata mesocercariae.

Recent findings of Alaria alata mesocercariae in wild boars and other animals in Europe reinforced the concern about the public health risk posed by this parasite especially if the game meat is insufficiently heated during preparation. Cooking and freezing are effective methods for the inactivation of parasites in meat whereas refrigeration is considered as an essential part of the Good Hygiene Practice. Additionally, microwave dielectric heating may represent an equally effective tool for parasite inactivation.

Effects of in vitro conditions on the survival of Alaria alata mesocercariae.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of table salt (NaCl) and ethanol (v/v) solutions on the viability of Alaria alata mesocercariae. Furthermore, the survival of A. alata mesocercariae during simulated human gastric digestion was evaluated.

Assessing laboratory performance in Trichinella ring trials.

Trichinosis (Trichinellosis) is a zoonotic disease acquired by eating raw or not adequately processed pork or wild game infected with the larvae of the roundworm genus Trichinella. According to European regulations, animals susceptible to Trichinella have to be examined for infestation. To evaluate the performance of laboratories in Germany, inter-laboratory comparisons known as "ring trials" were introduced by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in 2004.

Tenacity of Alaria alata mesocercariae in homemade German meat products.

A renewed interest in the pathogenic potential of Alaria alata mesocercariae emerged over the last 10years as a result of increased findings of this parasite in feral pigs during official examination for Trichinella spp. Cases of food associated human alariosis in North America suggest that a risk associated with the consumption of traditional raw cured products from infected wild boar meat cannot be neglected because the commonly applied preservation techniques may not necessarily kill the mesocercariae. In addition, changes in consumer behavior and new preparation methods for game meat (e.

Alaria alata mesocercariae in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Germany.

Alaria alata is a trematode of carnivores from Europe. The mesocercarial stage was recently identified in wild boar meat from Europe. Previous histopathologic studies showed the presence of unidentified parasitic cysts within the tongues of raccoons from northern Germany.

First interlaboratory test for the detection of Alaria spp. mesocercariae in meat samples using the Alaria spp. mesocercariae migration technique (AMT).

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases affect both public and animal health and require the development and contemporary implementation of suitable detection methods. A growing number of findings of the mesocercarial stage of the digenean trematode Alaria alata in game inhabiting wetlands have necessitated the development of a specific detection method. With the Alaria spp.

Trichinella detection: identification and statistical evaluation of sources of error in the magnetic stirrer method for pooled sample digestion.

Proficiency testing (PT) is the use of inter-laboratory comparisons to determine the performance of individual laboratories for specific tests or measurements, and to monitor a laboratory's performance. Participation in proficiency testing provides laboratories with an objective means of assessing and demonstrating the reliability of the data they are producing. To ensure the reliability of Trichinella detection and meat hygiene within the European Union and afford optimal protection to the consumer, PT is conducted under the direction of the European National Reference Laboratories for Trichinella.

Alaria alata in wild boars (Sus scrofa, Linnaeus, 1758) in the eastern parts of Germany.

Over the last decade, incidental findings of Alaria alata in stocks of German wild boar during the official Trichinella inspection have been increased. As early as 2006, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment pointed out the possible health risk to the consumer posed by this trematode. However, at that time, reliable data concerning the prevalence of the parasite in German wild boars and feral pigs were lacking especially because no appropriate detection method was available.

Development of a PCR approach for differentiation of Alaria spp. mesocercariae.

To date classification and differentiation of Alaria spp. are based largely on external characteristics and comparative morphology of adult flukes. The accurate differentiation between various Alaria spp.

A novel detection method for Alaria alata mesocercariae in meat.

Distomum musculorum suis (DMS), the mesocercarial stage of the trematode Alaria alata, can cause severe damages within their hosts, and since several reports about cases of human larval alariosis have been published, it became apparent that infected game animals and in particular wild boars are a potential source of infection for both humans and animals. A final statement concerning the health risks for consumers could not be given due to the lack of information about both the prevalence of DMS and the suitability of Trichinella inspection methods to detect this parasite in wild boar meat. Our studies concentrate on (1) the verification of suitability of the official digestion methods for Trichinella spp.