The contamination of the surface water of lagoons is a common problem in developing countries, and can affect fishing activities. A case study was conducted on water quality and microbiological contamination of the fishing marketing chain in the Peruvian Amazon (Laguna de Yarinacocha). The microbiological, physical–chemical and parasitological parameters of the surface water were evaluated in three points of the lagoon near the landing stage; and microbiological parameters of facilities, handlers and three species of fish (Prochilodus nigricans, Mylossoma duriventre and Siluriforme spp.). In the water, there were coliform counts ≥ 23 (Most probable number—MPN)/100 mL, Escherichia coli ≥ 3.6 MPN/100 mL, and Pseudomona spp. up to 2.2 MPN/100 mL; high turbidity and variable amounts of parasites. In facilities and handlers, high levels of coliforms, mainly Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were found in M. duriventre meat. A poor quality of the surface water of the lagoon is concluded that compromises part of the fishing marketing chain, mainly facilities and manipulators. Furthermore, the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in fish meat show poor handling practices and possible risk of contamination by water sources.

Peru is currently one of the world’s leading culinary destinations, whose world-renowned cuisine uses vegetables, mainly lettuce, as frequent ingredients. Vegetable consumption is promoted worldwide as a part of a healthy diet. However, vegetables, more frequently lettuce, have been implicated as a vehicle of infection for several foodborne parasites. This study aimed to determine the presence of potentially pathogenic parasites in lettuce marketed in the Central Andes of Peru. A total of 75 lettuce samples were collected from the two largest wholesale markets and the main open-air market in Jauja province, in the central Peruvian Andes. The province of provenance (coast vs. highlands), lettuce variety (“curly-leaf”, “iceberg”, and “butter”), and type of market were recorded. The samples were microscopically examined for detection of parasitic life forms using standard parasitological methods including direct slide smear, Lugol’s iodine staining, and Modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining. The overall positivity of parasitic contamination in lettuces was 45.3% (CI 95%: 34–56.6%). Cryptosporidium spp., Isospora belli, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, and Entamoeba spp. were detected in twenty-six (34.7%), six (8%), four (5.3%), two (2.7%), and two (2.7%) lettuces, respectively. I. belli was found in a significantly (p < 0.01) lower proportion in the “butter” variety, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher contamination with G. lamblia was found in lettuce sold at the open-air market. B. coli, G. lamblia, and E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii were detected only in lettuce from the highlands (Tarma province). This study provides important data for health authorities to develop food safety programs. This information is also of interest to the international community because of the increased visibility that Peru has gained as a tourist destination.

The aim of this study was to determine the profile of antibiotic resistance of isolated Salmonella enterica strains during the slaughtering process of pigs in a slaughterhouse in Lima. Strains of Salmonella enterica (n=148) isolated from stool samples and mesenteric ganglia of pigs were used. The evaluation of antibiotic resistance was performed by the disc diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer). Thirteen antibiotics of frequent use in human medicine were considered, of which most of them are also used in pigs as prophylactic and growth promoters. All strains showed resistance to tetracycline and all showed sensitivity to ciprofloxacin. Likewise, all strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic.

A total of 96 samples (3 scalding water, 3 final washing water, 30 non-eviscerated, 30 eviscerated and 30 cecal content) from three small-scale broiler slaughterhouses were evaluated. Bacteriological test was performed with mCCDA medium and positive samples were confirmed by PCR assays using 16S rDNA, hipO and asp primers to Campylobacter spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli respectively. Bacteriological test showed the presence of Campylobacter spp. in 60 samples. However, according to the PCR assays, only 19 samples were confirmed as positive. Non-eviscerated and eviscerated carcasses had fewer numbers of samples positive for Campylobacter spp. (63 and 50%, respectively) than the cecal content samples (77%). No positive were found in the scalding and the final washing water samples. No differences (P>0.05) were observed between PCR and biochemical tests for Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli identification. Chicken meats from small-scale slaughterhouses in Lima, Peru are potential reservoirs of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli and this contamination was associated to some deficiencies in slaughter process, principally during the evisceration process. The method presented in this paper has shown to be suitable determination of Campylobacter species in faecal, meat and water samples.

El objetivo del estudio fue detectar genes de resistencia a β-lactámicos de espectro extendido (BLEE) procedentes de enterobacterias aisladas en muestras de carne de pollo obtenidas en mercados de abasto del distrito de Santiago de Surco, Lima, Perú. Se obtuvieron 34 muestras para el procedimiento microbiológico. El aislamiento se realizó utilizando agar EMB y TSA. Para la caracterización bioquímica de género y especie se utilizó el kit EnteroPluri-Test® Liofilchem. El análisis de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana se realizó con el método Kirby-Bauer como cribado y el método de Jarlier para la confirmación. Las enterobacterias confirmadas fueron evaluadas mediante diagnóstico molecular para genes de resistencia a β-lactámicos de espectro extendido. El PCR en punto final se utilizó para la amplificación de genes CTX-M-1, CTX-M-2 y CTX-M-9, y un PCR dúplex en punto final para la amplificación de genes TEM y SHV. Se identificaron 34 cepas de enterobacterias, siendo 20/34 sospechosas de producir enzimas BLEE bajo el método Kirby-Bauer, y 12/34 cepas confirmadas de producir BLEE bajo el método de Jarlier. Las enterobacterias fueron Salmonella choleraesuis (n=1), Escherichia coli (n=8), Serratia odorifera (n=1) y Klebsiella ozaenae (n=2). La identificación de cepas multidrogoresistentes (MDR) fue de 13/34, siendo E. coli (n=8), Klebsiella ozaenae (n=3), Serratia odorifera (n=1) y Salmonella choleraesuis (n=1). Todas (12/12) las cepas fenotípicamente resistentes para BLEE fueron positivas a la detección de genes BLEE. La mayor frecuencia correspondió al gen CTX-M-1 (12/12), seguido del gen TEM (10/12) y el gen CTX-M-9 (2/12). No se detectaron genes CTX-M-2 ni SHV_. Se concluye que la carne de pollo vendida por mercados de abasto del distrito de Santiago de Surco contiene enterobacterias (BLEE) con al menos un gen de resistencia.

This study evaluates the effects of dietary lipid levels on growth performance, hematological health, and muscle composition of juvenile Arapaima gigas. We tested five isonitrogenous diets (451.7 g kg⁻¹ of crude protein) with increasing lipid levels (6%, 10%, 14%, 18%, and 22%). A total of 600 juvenile A. gigas (80.0 ± 10.5 g; 21.8 ± 1.0 cm) were distributed into 20 tanks (500 L; n = 4; 30 fish per tank) in an indoor open system. The fish were fed to apparent satiety four times daily for 60 days. As dietary lipid levels increased, all growth parameters and lipid content in both the whole body and muscle declined. The diet containing 6% lipids resulted in the maximum final weight, weight gain, feed intake, and the lowest feed conversion rate. However, a maximum lipid level of up to 10.26%, with a gross energy-to-protein ratio of 10.15 kcal g⁻¹ in the diet, as determined through polynomial regression analysis, can be used for juvenile A. gigas without significantly affecting weight gain. Diets with high lipid content (18% and 22% lipids) resulted in the lowest survival rates, highest feed conversion rates, lowest condition factor, visible skeletal protrusions, scale depigmentation, and impaired blood biochemistry. The content of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, n-3, and the n-3:n-6 ratio increased in the muscle lipid fraction (mg g⁻¹ of total lipids) in response to higher dietary lipid levels; however, this does not represent an overall improvement in the meat quality, since the total lipid content in the muscle (g of lipid per 100 g of muscle) was reduced due to impaired growth in fish fed high-lipid diets. Notably, the experimental diets also differed in fatty acid composition, which may have influenced some of the physiological and compositional responses observed. Diets with 6% lipids are recommended to provide optimal growth performance, and a maximum dietary lipid level of up to 10.26% is advised to ensure successful A. gigas farming without impairing weight gain.