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In the last decade livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (LA-MRSA) has become a public health concern in many parts of the world. Sequence type 398 (ST398) has been the most commonly reported type of LA-MRSA. While many studies have focused on long-term exposure experienced by swine workers, this study focuses on short-term exposures experienced by veterinary students conducting diagnostic investigations. The objectives were to assess the rate of MRSA acquisition and longevity of carriage in students exposed to pork farms and characterize the recovered MRSA isolates. Student nasal swabs were collected immediately before and after farm visits. Pig nasal swabs and environmental sponge samples were also collected. MRSA isolates were identified biochemically and molecularly including spa typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Thirty (30) veterinary students were enrolled and 40 pork farms were visited. MRSA was detected in 30% of the pork farms and in 22% of the students following an exposure to a MRSA-positive pork farm. All students found to be MRSA-positive initially following farm visit were negative for MRSA within 24 hours post visit. Most common spa types recovered were t002 (79%), t034 (16%) and t548 (4%). Spa types found in pork farms closely matched those recovered from students with few exceptions. Resistance levels to antimicrobials varied, but resistance was most commonly seen for spectinomycin, tetracyclines and neomycin. Non-ST398 MRSA isolates were more likely to be resistant to florfenicol and neomycin as well as more likely to be multidrug resistant compared to ST398 MRSA isolates. These findings indicate that MRSA can be recovered from persons visiting contaminated farms. However, the duration of carriage was very brief and most likely represents contamination of nasal passages rather than biological colonization. The most common spa types found in this study were associated with ST5 and expands the range of livestock-associated MRSA types.

Background South American camelids in the United States have rapidly developed into an important agricultural industry in need of veterinary services. Pain management is challenging in camelids because there are no drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in these species. Dosage regimens used for many therapeutic drugs have been extrapolated from other ruminants; however, the pharmacokinetics, in camelids, may differ from those of other species. Studies investigating the pharmacokinetics of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in camelids are deficient in the published literature. Six adult llamas (121- 168 kg) were administered either a 1 mg/kg dose of oral or a 0.5 mg/kg dose of IV meloxicam in a randomized cross-over design with an 11 day washout period between treatments. Plasma samples collected up to 96 hours post-administration were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS) followed by non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Results A mean peak plasma concentration (C MAX ) of 1.314 μg/mL (Range: 0.826 – 1.776 μg/mL) was recorded at 21.4 hours (Range: 12.0 – 24.0 hours) with a half-life (T ½ λ z ) of 22.7 hours (Range: 18.0 – 30.8 hours) after oral meloxicam administration. In comparison, a half-life (T ½ λ z ) of 17.4 hours (Range: 16.2 – 20.7 hours) was demonstrated with IV meloxicam administration. The oral bioavailability (F) of meloxicam (dose normalized) was 76% (Range: 48 – 92%). No adverse effects associated with either treatment modality were observed in the llamas. Conclusions The mean bioavailability (F) of oral meloxicam was 76% indicating a high degree of gastrointestinal absorption. Plasma meloxicam concentrations >0.2 μg/mL were maintained for up to 72 h after oral administration; >0.2 μg/mL is considered to be the concentration of meloxicam required for analgesic effects in other species such as the horse. These data suggest that a single dosage of oral meloxicam at 1 mg/kg could potentially maintain therapeutic concentrations in plasma for up to 3 days in adult llamas.

South American camelids in the United States have rapidly developed into an important agricultural industry in need of veterinary services. Pain management is challenging in camelids because there are no drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in these species. Dosage regimens used for many therapeutic drugs have been extrapolated from other ruminants; however, the pharmacokinetics, in camelids, may differ from those of other species. Studies investigating the pharmacokinetics of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in camelids are deficient in the published literature. Six adult llamas (121- 168 kg) were administered either a 1 mg/kg dose of oral or a 0.5 mg/kg dose of IV meloxicam in a randomized cross-over design with an 11 day washout period between treatments. Plasma samples collected up to 96 hours post-administration were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS) followed by non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. A mean peak plasma concentration (C.sub.MAX) of 1.314 [mu]g/mL (Range: 0.826 - 1.776 [mu]g/mL) was recorded at 21.4 hours (Range: 12.0 - 24.0 hours) with a half-life (T 1/2 [lambda].sub.z) of 22.7 hours (Range: 18.0 - 30.8 hours) after oral meloxicam administration. In comparison, a half-life (T 1/2 [lambda].sub.z) of 17.4 hours (Range: 16.2 - 20.7 hours) was demonstrated with IV meloxicam administration. The oral bioavailability (F) of meloxicam (dose normalized) was 76% (Range: 48 - 92%). No adverse effects associated with either treatment modality were observed in the llamas. The mean bioavailability (F) of oral meloxicam was 76% indicating a high degree of gastrointestinal absorption. Plasma meloxicam concentrations >0.2 [mu]g/mL were maintained for up to 72 h after oral administration; >0.2 [mu]g/mL is considered to be the concentration of meloxicam required for analgesic effects in other species such as the horse. These data suggest that a single dosage of oral meloxicam at 1 mg/kg could potentially maintain therapeutic concentrations in plasma for up to 3 days in adult llamas.

We characterized biota in two unfragmented and two fragmented mangrove-lined tidal creeks on Andros Island, Bahamas, in May 2003, to examine particular effects of tidal creek fragmentation by road blockage. Total number of plant and fish species was significantly different between fragmented and unfragmented creeks, and species composition was significantly different both between unfragmented and fragmented creeks, and between downstream and upstream areas within fragmented creeks. More reef-associated, economically important and ecologically critical plant, macroinvertebrate, and fish species were observed in unfragmented tidal creeks, while fragmented creeks contained: 1) plant species typical of higher elevation estuarine habitat, 2) terrestrial and aquatic macroinvertebrate species typical of upland habitats, 3) macroinvertebrate species adapted to low flow, and 4) temperature-and saline-tolerant macroinvertebrate and fish species. Furthermore, fragmented tidal creeks had different size distributions of common organisms, e.g., smaller sizes of two economically important fish species (Lutjanidae). This study suggests that fragmentation of tidal creeks and the subsequent loss of hydrologic connectivity influences the diversity and composition of aquatic flora and fauna, and may considerably inhibit nursery function and other ecosystem services provided by these coastal systems. These data also provide a baseline with which community- and ecosystem-level responses to restoration of hydrologic connectivity in fragmented tidal creeks will be assessed.