scholarly journals Identification and safety assessment of Enterococcus thailandicus TC1 isolated from healthy pigs

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254081
Author(s):  
Xiaoying Wu ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Xiue Jin ◽  
Xiliang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Safety Assessment ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Fermented Sausage ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
Subjective Synonym

Enterococci have the dual characteristics of being opportunistic pathogens and promising probiotics. The isolation from patients of CDC PNS-E2, a newly described Enterococcus species Enterococcus sanguinicola, may pose potential hazards. Enterococcus thailandicus from fermented sausage is a senior subjective synonym of E. sanguinicola. In this study, Enterococcus thailandicus TC1 was first isolated in healthy pigs in Tongcheng, China and identified by phenotypic analysis and 16S rRNA-based techniques. To evaluate the strain safety, an approach including virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and animal experiments was adopted. The results show that cylA, gelE, esp, agg, ace, efaAfm, efaAfs, ptsD genes were undetected, and that the strain was sensitive or poorly resistant to some clinically relevant antibiotics. However, the isolated strain demonstrated β-hemolytic activity in rabbit blood agar plates. Analysis of animal experiments revealed that the isolated strain had no adverse effect on translocation and the internal organ indices, though significant differences in histology (villi height, crypts height) of ileum were observed. The data acquired suggest that E. thailandicus TC1 may be associated with a potential health risk.

Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Retail Meat Products: Evaluation of Biofilm Formation Ability, Antibiotic Resistance, and Phylogenetic Group Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-240
Author(s):  
ELENA BARILLI ◽  
ALICE VISMARRA ◽  
VIVIANA FRASCOLLA ◽  
MARTINA REGA ◽  
CRISTINA BACCI
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Phylogenetic Group ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Retail Meat

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous organism capable of forming a biofilm. This is an important virulence factor and is critical in certain diseases and in the development of antibiotic resistance, which is increased by biofilm synthesis. In the present study, the potential health risk associated with handling and consumption of foods of animal origin contaminated with E. coli–producing biofilm was evaluated. We analyzed the ability of 182 E. coli strains isolated from pork, poultry, and beef, purchased in three different supermarkets in the area of the “Italian Food Valley” (Parma, northern Italy), to form biofilms. Positive strains were also tested for the presence of 12 biofilm-associated genes. Moreover, the 182 E. coli were characterized for antibiotic resistance, presence of multidrug resistance, extended-spectrum β-lactamase strains, and phylogenetic diversity through PCR. Twenty-five percent of the isolates produced biofilm. The majority showed weak adherence, five were moderate, and three were strong producers. E. coli with a strong adherence capability (three of three) harbored eight biofilm-associated genes, while weak and moderate producers harbored only five (frequencies ranging from 80 to 100%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 20 biofilm-producing E. coli, and 15 of these belonged to phylogenetic group D. Among nonbiofilm producers, the percentage of strains belonging to phylogenetic groups B2 and D was approximately 40%, highlighting a potential health risk for consumers and people handling contaminated products. The present study underlines the importance of monitoring the prevalence and characteristics of E. coli contaminating retail meat in relation to the potential virulence highlighted here. HIGHLIGHTS

Concentration Level of Heavy Metals in Wheat Grains and the Health Risk Assessment to Local Inhabitants from Baiyin, Gansu, China

2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Peng Dai ◽  
Lei Feng ◽  
Xin Wang Ma ◽  
Ying Mei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
Wheat Grains ◽  
Standard Value

In the present study, concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) in soil and wheat grains of the agricultural areas around Baiyin, a non-ferrous metals mining and smelting base, were detected. Meanwhile, the potential health risk of the heavy metals to adult males, adult females and children was estimated using non-carcinogenic health risk assessment model: Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI). The results showed that only the level of Cd in all soil samples exceeded the permissible limit of the environmental quality standard for soil, and its average level surpassed the standard value by 4 times. In wheat grains, the levels of Pb and Cd were 50 times and 8 times of the limited values of hygienic standard for grain respectively, while Cu and Zn concentrations did not surpass the standard value. The potential health risk due to single heavy metal for all the three investigated populations followed the sequence of HQPb＞HQCd＞HQCu＞HQZn＞1 (assumed the local inhabitants wholly food on wheats), suggesting that each of the four heavy metals were making negative effect on population health, of which the situation of Pb and Cd should be paid more attention due to their significant adverse effect. The total potential health risk due to the four heavy metals followed the sequence of HIchildren＞HImales＞HIfemales＞1 (assumed that the health risk due to the four heavy metals is additive), suggesting that the heavy metals were producing adverse effect on population health, and were especially hazardous for children. According to the research results, the government is suggested to strictly control the quality of irrigation water and remove the heavy metals from agricultural soil in order to ensure the safety of foodcrop production and local inhabitants.

scholarly journals Journey of Women: Puberty to Post-menopause

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shrivastava A ◽  
Deepika MLN
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
Post Menopause

Women are facing several health hazards that have an adverse effect on them and their offspring. In this article, the potential health risk factors and repercussions in women are evaluated so that sustenance of well-being is maintained and appropriate strategic interventions are made at critical stages such as at childhood, adolescence and pregnancy. Weakened and restricted access to public health system for low socio-economic status women and unregulated growth of the private sector in healthcare is leading to a near-total eclipse of availability and accessibility of universal and comprehensive healthcare.

scholarly journals Incidence, Antibiotic Susceptibility and Characterization of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolated from Seafood in Selangor, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vurmila Venggadasamy ◽  
Teng Hern Loh ◽  
Jodi Woan Fei Law ◽  
Hooi-Leng Ser ◽  
Vengadesh Letchumanan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Vibrio Parahaemolyticus ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
Plasmid Profiles ◽  
Toxr Gene

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the major foodborne pathogens owing to its cause of infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis. These diseases are often associated with the consumption of contaminated seafood. This study aims to investigate the presence of V. parahaemolyticus, their virulence, antibiotic profiles, and plasmid profiles from 77 different kinds of shellfish samples collected from wet markets and supermarkets in Selangor, Malaysia. High densities of Vibrio species ( > 5 log CFU/g) were found in 14/16 groups of shellfish. Among 77 presumptive V. parahaemolyticus isolates, 43 (55.8%) were positive for the toxR gene, confirming the identity of the isolates at the species level. However, none of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates harboured the virulence tdh and trh genes. The antibiotic susceptibility of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates revealed that most of them were resistant to ampicillin (95.3%), ampicillin-sulbactam (81.4%), cefotaxime (37.2%) and imipenem (23.3%). The plasmid profiles of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates showed that 41.9% (18/43) possess at least one plasmid. Our results indicate the V. parahaemolyticus isolates are continuously exposed to various antibiotics in the environments, thus consuming the seafood carries a potential health risk to consumers. The antibiotic resistance conferred by the species necessitates an immediate plan to approach the usage of antibiotics differently. 

Incidence of Fungi in Shared-Use Cosmetics Available to the Public

1993 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 430-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip B Mislivec ◽  
Ruth Bandler ◽  
Geraldene Allen
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Cosmetic Products ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Large Share ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
The Public ◽  
Fungal Isolates

Abstract A survey was conducted to assess both the potential health risk from shared-use cosmetics caused by microorganisms and the microbial efficacy of preservatives in cosmetics. Samples of 3027 shared-use cosmetic products were collected from 171 retail establishments nationwide. Fungi were present in 10.4% of the products, and 3.9% contained fungal pathogens or opportunistic pathogens. The 423 fungal isolates identified represented 33 genera and at least 69 species. A disproportionately large share of the fungal isolates were from eye products; fewer were from lip products. Pathogenic or opportunistic pathogens made up 32.2% of the fungal isolates. A slightly lower percentage of samples that contained preservatives had fungi, a fact suggesting that preservatives reduce the incidence of fungi in cosmetics. Results of this survey indicate potential microbiological problems concerning the safety of shareduse cosmetics.

Occurrences of Giardia cysts in beach water

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 73-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. W. Ho ◽  
T.-Y Tam
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Water Sample ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
Potential Health Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beach Water ◽  
Giardia Cysts

A total of 64 beach water samples with various bacteriological quality (Grades 1 to 4) were analysed for their bacteriological and parasitological contents (E coli and Giardia cysts respectively). Results indicated that Giardia cysts were detected in less than 10% of the Grade 1 beach water samples with E coli concentrations of <24/100mL. For Grades 2, 3 & 4 beach water samples, Giardia cysts were found, respectively, in 85, 50 and 64% of the samples. Except for one beach water sample which had an unusually high concentration of Giardia cysts (23 cysts/L), they were generally present at moderate concentrations (<10 cysts/L) in all other beach water samples. Despite moderate levels of Giardia cysts present in beach water of different grades, the potential health risk faced by swimmers bathing in local beach water needs to be carefully assessed as Giardia is known to have a low infectious dose.

scholarly journals Safety Assessment of Bacillus subtilis MB40 for Use in Foods and Dietary Supplements

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 733
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Spears ◽  
Richard Kramer ◽  
Andrey I. Nikiforov ◽  
Marisa O. Rihner ◽  
Elizabeth A. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Safety Assessment ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Strain Identification ◽  
Consumer Safety

With the growing popularity of probiotics in dietary supplements, foods, and beverages, it is important to substantiate not only the health benefits and efficacy of unique strains but also safety. In the interest of consumer safety and product transparency, strain identification should include whole-genome sequencing and safety assessment should include genotypic and phenotypic studies. Bacillus subtilis MB40, a unique strain marketed for use in dietary supplements, and food and beverage, was assessed for safety and tolerability across in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies. MB40 was assessed for the absence of undesirable genetic elements encoding toxins and mobile antibiotic resistance. Tolerability was assessed in both rats and healthy human volunteers. In silico and in vitro testing confirmed the absence of enterotoxin and mobile antibiotic resistance genes of safety concern to humans. In rats, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for MB40 after repeated oral administration for 14 days was determined to be 2000 mg/kg bw/day (equivalent to 3.7 × 1011 CFU/kg bw/day). In a 28 day human tolerability trial, 10 × 109 CFU/day of MB40 was well tolerated. Based on genome sequencing, strain characterization, screening for undesirable attributes and evidence of safety by appropriately designed safety evaluation studies in rats and humans, Bacillus subtilis MB40 does not pose any human health concerns under the conditions tested.

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