scholarly journals The presence of pathogens and heavy metals in urban peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1741-1751
Author(s):  
Ewelina Pyzik ◽  
Marta Dec ◽  
Dagmara Stępień–Pyśniak ◽  
Agnieszka Marek ◽  
Jose Louis Valverde Piedra ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: Wild birds raised in urban environments may be exposed to many negative factors, including biological and chemical toxic elements. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of bacteria and parasites in wild birds, based on the example of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) as a potential indicator of bacterial drug resistance genes. Toxicological contamination was also analyzed to determine the impact of urbanized areas on this predatory species, in terms of its health, welfare, and survival in urban environments. Materials and Methods: The samples consisted of down feathers and fresh feces obtained from seven falcon chicks (during obligatory veterinary examination) reared in two nests located in the Lublin region (Lublin and Pulawy). Bacteria and parasites were isolated directly from feces by classical microbiological methods, polymerase chain reaction, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS). The down feathers and feces of birds were used for toxicological testing by plasma inductively coupled plasma MS to assess the concentrations of selected heavy metals (cadmium [Cd], lead [Pb], arsenic [As], zinc [Zn], and copper [Cu]). Results: The study revealed the presence of a diverse microbiome in the falcon chicks, among which Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. bacteria and parasites of the genus Caryospora were dominant. The presence of drug resistance genes was also confirmed among the pathogens. The toxicological analysis found high concentrations of toxic heavy metals, including Cd, Pb, As, and Zn, in the downy feathers and feces of peregrine chicks. Conclusion: Predatory free-living birds living in urban environments not only can be infected with various pathogens but may also show contamination with heavy metals, which could influence their natural resistance, condition, and welfare.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getahun E. Agga ◽  
John Kasumba ◽  
John H. Loughrin ◽  
Eric D. Conte

Anaerobic digestion is used for the treatment of animal manure by generating biogas. Heavy metals cause environmental pollutions and co-select for antimicrobial resistance. We evaluated the impact of mesophilic anaerobic digestion of cattle manure (CM), swine manure (SM) and poultry litter (PL) on the concentrations of seven tetracycline [tet(A), tet(B), tet(G), tet(M), tet(O), tet(Q), and tet(W)], macrolide [erm(B)], methicillin (mecA and mecC), copper (copB, pcoA, pcoD, and tcrB) and zinc (czrC) resistance genes, and three bacterial species (E. coli, Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus). The total bacterial population and total abundance of the seven tet genes significantly increased in the three manure types after digestion. Concentration of tet(M) was strongly correlated with that of erm(B) and enterococci. As concentration of tetracyclines declined during anaerobic digestion, that of four tet genes (A, B, Q, and W) and 16S rRNA increased, that of tet(M) decreased, and that of tet(G) and tet(O) did not change. Concentrations of copB and pcoA did not change; while that of pcoD did not change in the PL, it increased in the SM and CM. While the concentration of enterococci remained unchanged in CM, it significantly increased in the PL and SM. Concentrations of tcrB significantly increased in the three manure types. While concentrations of S. aureus significantly increased in the CM and PL, that of SM was not affected. Concentrations of mecC significantly increased in all manure types after digestion; while mecA concentrations did not change in the SM, they significantly increased in CM and PL. While concentration of czrC remained low in the CM, it increased in the PL but declined in the SM. In conclusion, while mesophilic anaerobic digestion of animal manure decreased concentration of tetracyclines, it increased the concentrations of total bacteria, tet genes, E. coli, enterococci and S. aureus and methicillin resistance genes. It did not have any effect on concentrations of heavy metals; concentrations of heavy metal resistance genes either increased or remained unaffected depending on the animal species. This study showed the need for post-digestion treatments of animal manure to remove bacteria, antibiotic resistance genes, heavy metals and their resistance genes.


Author(s):  
V.K. Ilyin ◽  
O.I. Orlov ◽  
Yu.A. Morozova ◽  
M.A. Skedina ◽  
S.K. Vladimirov ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abir Al-Rumhi ◽  
Zainab Al-Hashami ◽  
Salama Al-Hamidhi ◽  
Amal Gadalla ◽  
Raeece Naeem ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Successful malaria control programs have interrupted local malaria transmission in almost all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, a massive influx of imported malaria via migrant workers from endemic areas sustains a threat for the re-introduction of local transmission. Here we examined the origin of imported malaria into one of the GCC countries (Qatar) and assessed the extent of genetic diversity, and carriage of drug resistance genes of imported Plasmodium falciparum and it’s potential to re-introduce the disease. Methods We examined imported malaria reported in Qatar, between 2013 and 2016. We focused on P. falciparum infections and estimated total parasite and gametocyte density using qPCR and qRT-PCR, respectively. In addition, we examined ten neutral microsatellites and four drug resistance genes, Pfmrp1, Pfcrt, Pfmdr1 and Pfkelch13 , to assess the extent of diversity of imported P. falciparum and its potential carriage of drug resistance genotypes respectively. Results The majority of imported malaria comprised P. vivax , while P. falciparum and mixed species infections ( P. falciparum /P. vivax ) were less frequent. The main origin of P. vivax was the Indian subcontinent, while P. falciparum was most apparent among expatriates from Africa. Imported P. falciparum was highly diverse carrying multiple genotypes as well as early and late gametocytes. We observed a high prevalence of SNPs implicated in drug resistance among imported P. falciparum , with some novel SNPs in Pfkelch13 . Conclusions The high influx of genetically diverse P. falciparum, with multiple drug resistance marker gene mutations and high capacity of producing gametocytes, sustains threat for re-introduction of drug resistant malaria into GCC countries. This scenario highlights the impact of current globalisation of movement of humans in reintroducing malaria infections to areas targeted for elimination.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abir Al-Rumhi ◽  
Zainab Al-Hashami ◽  
Salama Al-Hamidhi ◽  
Amal Gadalla ◽  
Raeece Naeem ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Successful malaria control programs have interrupted local malaria transmission in almost all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, a massive influx of imported malaria via migrant workers from endemic areas sustains a threat for the re-introduction of local transmission. Here we examined the origin of imported malaria into one of the GCC countries (Qatar) and assessed the extent of genetic diversity, and carriage of drug resistance genes of imported Plasmodium falciparum and it’s potential to re-introduce the disease. Methods We examined imported malaria reported in Qatar, between 2013 and 2016. We focused on P. falciparum infections and estimated total parasite and gametocyte density using qPCR and qRT-PCR, respectively. In addition, we examined ten neutral microsatellites and four drug resistance genes, Pfmrp1, Pfcrt, Pfmdr1 and Pfkelch13 , to assess the extent of diversity of imported P. falciparum and its potential carriage of drug resistance genotypes respectively. Results The majority of imported malaria comprised P. vivax , while P. falciparum and mixed species infections ( P. falciparum /P. vivax ) were less frequent. The main origin of P. vivax was the Indian subcontinent, while P. falciparum was most apparent among expatriates from Africa. Imported P. falciparum was highly diverse carrying multiple genotypes as well as early and late gametocytes. We observed a high prevalence of SNPs implicated in drug resistance among imported P. falciparum , with some novel SNPs in Pfkelch13 . Conclusions The high influx of genetically diverse P. falciparum, with multiple drug resistance marker gene mutations and high capacity of producing gametocytes, sustains threat for re-introduction of drug resistant malaria into GCC countries. This scenario highlights the impact of current globalisation of movement of humans in reintroducing malaria infections to areas targeted for elimination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Robin M. Sellers ◽  
Stephen Hewitt

Carlisle Museum's Natural History Record Bureau, Britain's first local environmental records centre, collected and collated records, mainly of birds but including also mammals and fishes, from amateur naturalists. It initially covered an area of 80 kilometres around Carlisle, and later from Cumberland, Westmorland and the detached portion of Lancashire north of Morecambe Bay: in effect the modern-day county of Cumbria. At the end of each year, those records which had been accepted were logged in a special “Record Book”, and a summary published. For the first eight years of its ten-year existence (1902–1912), these were printed in the local newspaper, The Carlisle Journal, but from 1908 they also appeared in The Zoologist. Alongside the Record Bureau, the Museum undertook a number of other activities, including a short-lived attempt to establish a bird-ringing project, an investigation into the impact of black-headed gulls ( Chroicocephalus ridibundus) on farming and fisheries interests (an early example of economic ornithology), the setting up of Kingmoor Nature Reserve and the protection of nesting peregrines ( Falco peregrinus), buzzards ( Buteo buteo) and ravens ( Corvus corax). The effectiveness of the Natural History Record Bureau and the reasons for its demise are briefly discussed.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Coy ◽  
A.V. Shuravilin ◽  
O.A. Zakharova

Приведены результаты исследований по изучению влияния промышленной технологии возделывания картофеля на развитие, урожайность и качество продукции. Выявлена положительная реакция растений на подкормку K2SO4 в период посадки. Корреляционно-регрессионный анализ урожайности и качества клубней выявил высокую степень достоверности результатов опыта. Содержание нитратов и тяжелых металлов в клубнях было ниже допустимых величин.The results of studies on the impact of industrial technology of potato cultivation on growth, yield and quality of products. There was a positive response of plants to fertilizer K2SO4 in the period of planting. Correlation and regression analysis of yield and quality of tubers revealed a high degree of reliability of the results of experience. The contents of nitrates and heavy metals in tubers was below the permissible values.


Author(s):  
Е.Н. Ильина ◽  
Е.И. Олехнович ◽  
А.В. Павленко

С течением времени подходы к изучению резистентности к антибиотикам трансформировались от сосредоточения на выделенных в виде чистой культуры патогенных микроорганизмах к исследованию резистентности на уровне микробных сообществ, составляющих биотопы человека и окружающей среды. По мере того, как продвигается изучение устойчивости к антибиотикам, возникает необходимость использования комплексного подхода для улучшения информирования мирового сообщества о наблюдаемых тенденциях в этой области. Все более очевидным становится то, что, хотя не все гены резистентности могут географически и филогенетически распространяться, угроза, которую они представляют, действительно серьезная и требует комплексных междисциплинарных исследований. В настоящее время резистентность к антибиотикам среди патогенов человека стала основной угрозой в современной медицине, и существует значительный интерес к определению ниши, в которых бактерии могут получить гены антибиотикорезистентности, и механизмов их передачи. В данном обзоре мы рассматриваем проблемы, возникшие на фоне широкого использования человечеством антибактериальных препаратов, в свете формирования микрофлорой кишечника резервуара генов резистентности. Over the time, studies of antibiotic resistance have transformed from focusing on pathogenic microorganisms isolated as a pure culture to analysis of resistance at the level of microbial communities that constitute human and environmental biotopes. Advancing studies of antibiotic resistance require an integrated approach to enhance availability of information about observed tendencies in this field to the global community. It becomes increasingly obvious that, even though not all resistance genes can geographically and phylogenetically spread, the threat they pose is indeed serious and requires complex interdisciplinary research. Currently, the antibiotic resistance of human pathogens has become a challenge to modern medicine, which is now focusing on determining a potential source for bacterial genes of drug resistance and mechanisms for the gene transmission. In this review, we discussed problems generated by the widespread use of antibacterial drugs in the light of forming a reservoir of resistance genes by gut microflora.


1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. Angelidis

The impact of the urban effluents of Mytilene (Lesvos island, Greece) on the receiving coastal marine environment, was evaluated by studying the quality of the city effluents (BOD5, COD, SS, heavy metals) and the marine sediments (grain size, organic matter, heavy metals). It was found that the urban effluents of Mytilene contain high organic matter and suspended particle load because of septage discharge into the sewerage network. Furthermore, although the city does not host important industrial activity, its effluents contain appreciable metal load, which is mainly associated with the particulate phase. The city effluents are discharged into the coastal marine environment and their colloidal and particulate matter after flocculation settles to the bottom, where is incorporated into the sediments. Over the years, the accumulation of organic matter and metals into the harbour mud has created a non-point pollution source in the relatively non-polluted coastal marine environment of the island. Copper and Zn were the metals which presented the higher enrichment in the sediments of the inner harbour of Mytilene.


Author(s):  
Gavin H. West ◽  
Laura S. Welch

This chapter describes the hazards for construction workers, with a particular focus on injuries as well as exposures to hazardous chemicals and dusts. A section describes hazardous exposures to lead and other heavy metals. Another section describes noise exposure. The impact of musculoskeletal disorders among construction workers is then discussed. A section on respiratory diseases focuses on asbestosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Exposures known to cause dermatitis and cancer are reviewed. There is a discussion of engineered nanomaterials as a potential emerging hazard. Various approaches to prevention and control, including regulations and health services, are described.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document