The current study aimed to evaluate aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in a total number of 240 samples collected during four consecutive seasons (from January to November 2022) from two western Iranian provinces (Ilam and Lorestan). AFM1 was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector after the toxin extraction with immunoaffinity columns. The results showed 100% of AFM1 contamination in all the surveyed matrices. Considering the seasonal variability, AFM1 mean values in milk, cheese, and yoghurt samples collected during the summer were significantly higher than those detected in samples from other seasons (p < 0.01), and the lowest concentrations were observed in samples collected during the winter. AFM1 levels in cheese samples appeared safe, but an alarming rate of 46.6% of milk samples and 100% of the yoghurt samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit set by the European Union (50 ng/kg). Moreover, while the deterministic risk assessment demonstrated no risk of developing liver cancer in adults through the consumption of these dairy products, it showed significant concerns for children consuming milk and yoghurt (hazard index above 1). Overall, the results of this research indicate the necessity of a periodical monitoring program for AFM1 in milk and other dairy products.
Purpose: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in naturally diseased Dromedary camels in Dammam, Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The detection of Trypanosoma evansi was performed using the parasitological, serological, and molecular diagnosis and a comparison between such methods were analyzed. In addition, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of selected antitrypanosomal drugs, cymelarsan and quinapyrmine (aquin-1.5), was trialed for treatment of diagnosed infected cases.
Methods: A total 350 randomly selected camels were evaluated using thin blood smear (TBS), RoTat1.2 PCR and CATT/T. evansi techniques.
Results: The total prevalence was 6.9%, 7.7%, and 32.8% by TBS, RoTat1.2 PCR and CATT/T. evansi techniques. respectively. Although PCR detect T. evansi in more samples than TBS, the agreement was good (K = 0.9). Among the CATT/T. evansi results, PCR detect T. evansi in 12 and 15 CATT positive and negative camels, respectively, with low agreement (Kappa = 0.1). The use of cymelarsan and quinapyramine sulfate in the treatment of naturally infected cases demonstrated a very efficient therapeutic response.
Conclusion: It was found that
Keywords: Trypanosoma evansi, RoTat 1.2VSG PCR, CATT/T. evansi, Cymelarsan
