The environmental estrogen, zearalenone (ZEA), is found in the food supply from Fusarium fungal contamination in grains and sometimes used as a growth promoter for beef cattle. Long-term exposure to ZEA and its metabolites may present health risk due to higher estrogenic activity. Serum ZEA metabolites were measured to determine the exposure and the association with food intake in 48 overweight/obese women (52 ± 9 years). The free and conjugated ZEA indicated the highest detection rate of all the metabolites. Conjugated ZEA and total ZEA metabolites were lower (p = 0.02) in overweight/obese than normal weight women, and free metabolites were either the same or showed a trend to be higher. In addition, those with highest (280-480 g/d) compared those with lowest (<115 g/d) meat consumption had higher conjugated serum ZEA metabolite concentrations (p < 0.05). Intakes of other food groups (i.e., dairy, cereal, etc.) were not associated with ZEA metabolites. These findings indicate that ZEA and its metabolites are detectable in nearly all women and concentrations are associated with greater meat intake, and influenced by body mass index. Determining how the food supply influences human concentrations of ZEA metabolites is warranted, as well as determining vulnerable populations.

In dogs with leptospirosis, doxycycline therapy is recommended as the preferred therapy for its ability to eliminate the organism from all tissues, including the renal tubules. Elimination of organisms from the renal tubules terminates leptospiruria and prevents transmission of the organism. This report describes the discovery of persistent leptospiruria in the face of therapy with doxycycline in four dogs and enrofloxacin in one dog. Leptospiruria was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing for pathogenic leptospires in all five dogs. In two dogs, leptospiruria resolved after a change in therapy to enrofloxacin. In three dogs, doxycycline and/or enrofloxacin were ineffective at eliminating leptospiruria, which then resolved after therapy with clarithromycin. Pet owners could be at risk as persistent leptospiruria poses a potential zoonotic risk. The potential reasons for persistent leptospiruria as demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction testing are discussed.

The environmental estrogen, zearalenone (ZEA), is found in the food supply from Fusarium contamination in grains and zeranol is sometimes used as a growth promoter in beef cattle. Circulating concentrations of Z metabolites [ZEA, a‐zearalenol, zeranol, b‐zearalenol, b‐zearalanol and zearalanone] have not been previously examined in adults and could have an estrogenic effect. Our goal was to characterize the free and total Z metabolite concentrations in human serum and fasting urine samples.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis in 48 women (31‐65 years, body mass index of 25 ± 5 kg/m2). We used HPLC/MS/MS to analyze for Z metabolites and a 24‐hour food diary to assess intake.ResultsThe total (free and conjugated) Z metabolite concentration (pg/mL) was 4.34 ± 0.372x104 for urine (corrected for specific gravity) and 1.26 ± 0.875x103 for serum. The detection of urinary Z metabolites ranged from 13‐88% for free and 46‐100% for total metabolites. In serum, detection ranged from 2‐92% and 17‐100% for free and total, respectively. ZEA showed the highest detection rate of all the Z metabolites. We also examined within subject variability and found consistent values 6 weeks apart in 3 subjects. Women with highest vs lowest meat intake (10‐17 oz/d vs 0‐4 oz/d) had higher total serum Z metabolite concentrations (2.03 ± 0.930x103) compared to those with low intakes (1.09 ± 0.840x103) (p<0.05).ConclusionThere is a wide range of Z metabolites present in the serum and urine and total serum concentrations are associated with meat intake. Support:NIEHS P30ES005022 (Shapses/Buckley).

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