Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter in Pigs from Swine Producing States in the United States

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella, Campylobacter and generic E. coli (commensal bacteria which may harbor antimicrobial resistance genes) from swine feces collected over one year from the top three swine producing states (Iowa, North Carolina, and Minnesota), which represent 51% of the total pig crop in the U.S, plus Ohio. The prevalence of Salmonella (n=462/4426), Campylobacter (n=994/1184) and E. coli (n=833/845) at the sample level was 10.4%, 98.6% and 83.6%, respectively

Use of heavy metals in swine feed and its association with the co-selection of metal tolerant and multi-drug resistant Salmonella

This study was conducted to characterize the role of chemical interventions, biocides and heavy metal micronutrients, in particular, in swine production systems on the emergence of heavy metal and biocide tolerant Salmonella and its association with antimicrobial resistance. A total of 353 Salmonella isolates with different antimicrobial resistance profiles identified from 36 barns exposed to three different classes of biocides were analyzed. The sources of isolates included feed (n=30), fecal (n=226), and environment (n=97) samples that were systematically selected

Living in several languages: Language, gender and identities

Living in several languages encompasses experiencing and constructing oneself differently in each language. The research study on which this article is based takes an intersectional approach to explore insider accounts of the place of language speaking in individuals’ constructions of self, family relationships and the wider context. Twenty-four research interviews and five published autobiographies were analysed using grounded theory, narrative and discursive analysis. A major finding was that learning a new language inducted individuals into somewhat ‘stereotyped’ gendered discourses and power relations within the new language, while also enabling them to view themselves differently in the context of their first language. This embodied process could be challenging and often required reflection and discursive work to negotiate the dissimilarities, discontinuities and contradictions between languages and cultures. However, the participants generally claimed that their linguistic multiplicity generated creativity. Women and men used their language differences differently to ‘perform their gender’. This was particularly evident in language use within families, which involved gendered differences in the choice of language for parenting – despite the fact that both men and women experience their first languages as conveying intimacy in their relationships with their children. The article argues that the notion of ‘mother tongue’ (rather than ‘first language’) is unhelpful in this process as well as in considering the implications of living in several languages for systemic therapy

Co-Development of a Mealtime Care Training Programme to Support People Living with Dementia in Care Homes

\ua9 2025 The Author(s).Context: People living with dementia are at risk of mealtime difficulties which may impact health and quality of life. In care homes, interaction between carer and resident is key to mealtime care. However, training on mealtime care is variable. Objective: The aim of this study was to co-develop with stakeholders an evidencebased training intervention for care home staff and to support delivery of mealtime care. Methods: Three online workshops informed the development of a prototype training intervention. Across the workshops, 17 people participated including a dietitian, speech and language therapists, community nurses, an educationalist, care home staff, and family carers. Findings: The content of the intervention was distilled into five modules: empowerment and respect; facilitating independence; social interaction; being safe; and careful encouragement, with two cross-cutting themes: tailored care and working as a team. The agreed principles for intervention mode of delivery included ensuring a collaborative two-way experience for trainees and making training applicable to everyday practice. Training outcomes identified as important were staff knowledge, skill and confidence, improved mealtime care, and improved quality of life for residents. Limitations: Although family carers of people with dementia participated in the workshops, people with dementia did not. However, this population did contribute to the evidence base for the study in different ways. In addition, constraints of time and resources had a bearing on some decisions made in the workshops. Implications: Future research will test the implementation and impact of the training intervention on care home staff involved in mealtime care

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in market age pigs on-farm, at slaughter and retail pork

This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in finishing pigs on-farm, at lairage and assess the likelihood of carriage at slaughter and retail levels. A cross-sectional study targeting ten cohorts of commercial swine farms was conducted for carriage of MRSA

Multidrug Resistant and toxigenic Clostridium difficile isolated from commercial swine and humans

This study was conducted to compare C. difficile population in commercial swine with those causing C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) cases in humans. Fecal samples were collected from sows (eight per fam1) and piglets (30 per fam1) in eight farms in North Carolina (n=5) and Ohio (n=3) representing a total of 68 sows and 251 piglets. In addition, 33 C. difficile isolates were collected from CDAD cases in humans from the NC region. C. difficile isolates were tested for their susceptibility to a panel of six antimicrobials. PCR was used to detect genes coding for enterotoxin A (tcdA), cytotoxin B (tcdB) and the binary toxin (COT). We detected significantly higher piglet prevalence in Ohio (87.5%) than North Carolina (64%) (P \u3c 0.001)

Hypervirulent Strains of Clostridium difjicile of Porcine and Human Origin and Risk to Pork Safety

Clostridium diflicile is a gram-posthve spore-forming anaerobic bacillus pathogenic to humans and animals. The role of pork in C. difficile dissemination has not been thoroughly investigated. Specific aims of this project are to investigate whether pigs carry hypervirulent strains of C. diflici/e and to compare phenotypic and genotypic attributes of strains of human and porcine origin. Fecal samples (n=251) were collected from swine farms in Ohio (n=3 farms) and North Carolina [NC] (n= 5 fanns) at farrowing, nursery, and finishing. Bacteriology was done using conventional approaches. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using Epsilometric test for ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, metronidazole, vancomycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin

Association between biocide use and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in swine production environment

Swine are important reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella. The emergence and dissemination of multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica has also become a major concern globally. Studies on the association between biocide usc and emergence and persistence of MDR Salmonella in swine production environment are very limited. The aim of this study was to determine the role of specific classes of biocides (disinfectants) in the emergence and persistence of multidrug resistant Salmonella in swine production environments

Towards a positive cross-cultural lexicography: Enriching our emotional landscape through 216 ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to well-being

Although much attention has been paid to culture-specific psychopathologies, there have been no comparable attempts to chart positive mental states that may be particular to certain cultures. This paper outlines the beginnings of a positive cross-cultural lexicography of ‘untranslatable’ words pertaining to wellbeing, culled from across the world’s languages. A quasi-systematic search uncovered 216 such terms. Using grounded theory, these words were organised into three categories: feelings (comprising positive and complex feelings); relationships (comprising intimacy and pro-sociality); and character (comprising personal resources and spirituality). The paper has two main aims. First, it aims to provide a window onto cultural differences in constructions of wellbeing, thereby enriching our understanding of wellbeing. Second, a more ambitious aim is that this lexicon may help expand the emotional vocabulary of English speakers (and indeed speakers of all languages), and consequently enrich their experiences of wellbeing. The paper concludes by setting out a research agenda to pursue these aims further