Food hypersensitivity and feline hyperaesthesia syndrome (FHS): A case report | N Ruiz-Suarez, SFM Bhatti, M Hermans, CB da Silva, M Hesta | Agricultural Journals

Dromedary camels raised under semi-extensive management can act as One Health sentinels for environmental exposures and food chain surveillance, yet serum reference information remains scarce. Our objective was to provide the most comprehensive assessment to date of physiological and toxicological serum profiles in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from the Canary Islands. We included 114 clinically healthy animals of different sex, age, and reproductive status. Serum samples were analyzed for essential, toxic, and potentially toxic elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, a high-throughput multi-residue method based on QuEChERS extraction followed by UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS was used to screen for 360 organic compounds, including pesticides, veterinary drugs, human pharmaceuticals, and persistent organic pollutants. Essential elements showed biologically consistent variations according to sex, age group, and pregnancy status. Males had higher levels of selenium and copper, while calves showed elevated concentrations of manganese and zinc. Pregnant females exhibited lower iron, zinc, and selenium levels, consistent with increased fetal demand. These results provide preliminary reference values for healthy camels, stratified by physiological status. In contrast, classical toxic elements such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium were found at very low or undetectable concentrations. Several potentially toxic elements, including barium, strontium, and rare earth elements, were detected sporadically but without toxicological concern. Only 13 organic compounds (3.6%) were detected in any sample, and concentrations were consistently low. The most prevalent was the PAH acenaphthene (55.3%), followed by the fungicide procymidone and the PAH fluorene. Notably, no residues of the usually detected 4,4′-DDE or PCB congeners were found in any sample. These findings confirm the low environmental and dietary exposure of camels under low-intensity farming systems and highlight their value as sentinel species for food safety and environmental monitoring.

White storks (Ciconia ciconia) are recognized as effective bioindicators of environmental contamination due to their wide distribution and trophic flexibility. In this study, we analyzed blood concentrations of 47 essential, toxic, and potentially toxic elements in 189 white storks from central Spain, assessing the influence of age, health status, and anthropogenic pressure on metal accumulation. Birds were grouped into chicks, fledglings, and adults. Statistical comparisons were performed using non-parametric tests and general linear models (GLMs), depending on data distribution. Our findings indicate that age significantly affects metal accumulation, with fledglings exhibiting higher concentrations of lead (Pb, p = 0.0024), arsenic (As, p = 0.0012), cadmium (Cd, p = 0.0476), and manganese (Mn, p = 0.0467) compared to adults, suggesting increased exposure through parental feeding and trophic transfer. Health status was also a critical determinant: sick individuals showed significantly elevated levels of Cd (p < 0.0001), Pb (p < 0.0001), and As (p = 0.0166), supporting the role of metal toxicity in avian morbidity. In terms of anthropogenic exposure, storks sampled within 30 km of landfills exhibited significantly higher concentrations of As (p = 0.0002), Cd (p = 0.0118), and Hg (p = 0.0412). Individuals with foreign materials in the digestive tract also showed increased Pb (p = 0.0007) and Cd (p = 0.0008) levels. Conversely, no significant differences were found between individuals from areas of high versus low human population density. These results highlight the impact of environmental pollution on metal bioaccumulation in white storks and demonstrate the influence of landfill proximity and trophic exposure on contaminant burdens. Given their role as a sentinel species, our findings underscore the need for stricter waste management policies and continued biomonitoring efforts to mitigate toxic metal exposure in wildlife.

Adipose tissue, in addition to serving as energy storage, can store lipophilic substances, some of which may pose a health risk if massively mobilized during rapid weight loss. This study aimed to biomonitor inorganic elements in obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery and analyze the role of sociodemographic factors. ICP-MS was employed to quantify 55 elements, including elements identified from the ATSDR’s Substance Priority List and rare-earth elements, in serum samples of 58 obese patients before and after bariatric surgery. A total of 39 out of 55 elements were detected, either before or after surgery, in at least one patient. Serum concentrations of gold, copper, mercury, platinum, and selenium significantly decreased after surgery. Serum concentrations of iron and zinc were significantly lower before surgery. Age, sex, diabetes status, arterial hypertension, and family history of obesity were demographic factors associated with the concentration of elements. Correlation analyses showed significant associations between elements and total lipid concentration or body mass index. Our findings indicate a complex interplay between inorganic elements and body fat and provide relevant information regarding the biomonitoring of these chemical elements in a specific and understudied population.

At the local scale, environmental surveillance often overlooks diet-related exposures. In this study, we examined whether community cats managed through Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs could serve as effective sentinels of human-relevant chemical mixtures shaped by local food environments. Intraoperative whole blood samples from 205 free-roaming cats were collected on two islands of the Canary archipelago, La Graciosa (n = 107) and Gran Canaria (n = 98), and analyzed for 55 elements and >360 organic contaminants using validated ICP-MS and micro-QuEChERS LC/GC-MS/MS workflows. The islands displayed distinct chemical profiles. La Graciosa exhibited a coherent "marine/leftovers" signature, with elevated Hg, As, Se, and Sr, and higher composite burdens of persistent organics (ΣPOPs) and polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons (ΣPAHs). In contrast, Gran Canaria showed higher concentrations of rare-earth and technology-related elements (ΣREEs), and other urban/industrial tracers, whereas Pb and Cd remained low in both cohorts. Although compound-level detections were limited for many organic contaminants, the summed metrics clearly differentiated the two islands and minimized zero-inflation. Fipronil and its metabolite fipronil-sulfide were detected at both sites, consistent with ectoparasiticide use during handling. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides were identified exclusively in Gran Canaria, consistent with their routine application in urban pest control. Integrating minimally invasive sampling within routine TNR programs yielded standardized chemical profiles without additional captures, providing a concise indicator panel (Hg, As, Se, Sr, ΣPOPs, ΣPAHs, and ΣREEs) suitable for cross-site screening. Overall, TNR-managed community cats provide practical sentinel signals of diet-linked chemical exposures at the local scale. Because cross-species toxicokinetic differences preclude direct quantitative translation to humans, these results are interpreted as sentinel signals to prioritize follow-up rather than as evidence of human risk. The strength and internal consistency of the La Graciosa signal support targeted human biomonitoring on the island, prioritizing methylmercury and arsenic speciation together with focused dietary and source-apportionment surveys. Broader adoption of this TNR-based framework could enable One Health chemical surveillance across municipalities and seasons.