Toxicity of the 13 priority pollutant metals to Vibrio fisheri in the Microtox chronic toxicity test.

The Microtox Acute Toxicity Test has been successfully used to measure the toxicity of metals and other pollutants at high concentrations (ppm) in selected environmental samples. However, metals and other toxicants are often found in much lower concentrations (ppb) in many municipal wastewaters and receiving waters. In order to assess the toxicity of these pollutants in these samples, a more sensitive toxicity assay is needed.

Fate of Selected Bacterial Pathogens and Indicators in Fractionated Poultry Litter During Storage.

A study of broiler litter re-utilization potential was conducted with the goal of determining if storage of litter significantly reduced potential pathogens to levels safe for re-utilization. Litter from four broiler houses was separated into a fine fraction for fertilizer use and a coarse fraction for use as a supplement to wood shavings in growing subsequent flocks of birds. Fractions and whole litter were stored in indoor piles for four months with periodic analysis for culturable pathogenic and indicator bacteria.

Bacterial Pathogens and Indicators in Catfish and Pond Environments.

Channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) fed a diet containing 26 or 38% protein with restricted and satiety feeding methods were examined for microorganisms on the fish surface and viscera. Water, sediment, and fish samples from the ponds were tested for fecal streptococci, fecal coliforms, Aeromonas hydrophila , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , while fish samples were also analyzed for presumptive Listeria spp. (count on m-VJ agar) and psychrotrophic bacteria.

Cytotoxicity and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Aeromonas hydrophila Isolates From a Broiler Processing Operation.

The cytotoxicity and antibiotic resistance profiles of Aeromonas hydrophila isolates recovered from broiler carcasses and chill water samples taken from a Georgia processing plant were determined. Carcasses were sampled at pre- and post-evisceration locations, immediately after immersion chilling, and after being boxed, iced and refrigerated for 48 h. Grab samples of chill water were randomly selected for A.

Prevalence of Salmonella enteritidis and Other Serovars in Ovaries of Layer Hens at Time of Slaughter.

Ovaries aseptically collected from commercial layer hens at time of slaughter were assayed for Salmonella as an indication of systemic infection of birds within a flock. Birds were randomly selected at the time of slaughter from 42 flocks from seven southeastern states and Pennsylvania. Ovaries were pooled, four per pool, mascerated, and Salmonella , isolates were recovered by conventional methods.

Recovery of Aeromonas hydrophila from Carcasses and Processing Water in a Broiler Processing Operation.

Aeromonas hydrophila , a potential pathogen associated with cases of human diarrhea, was enumerated using a rinse method on broiler carcasses and in processing water at selected locations in a commercial processing plant. A. hydrophila was detected on 98% of all carcasses tested, and 92% of all chill water samples; scald and rinse water samples were negative for this organism.