scholarly journals Do domestic animals contribute to bacterial contamination of infant transmission pathways? Formative evidence from Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Budge ◽  
Paul Hutchings ◽  
Alison Parker ◽  
Sean Tyrrel ◽  
Tizita Tulu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Bacterial Transmission ◽  
Animal Exposure ◽  
Transmission Pathways ◽  
Floor Surfaces

Abstract Child stunting is associated with poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), partly due to the effect of infection on intestinal nutrient absorption. WASH interventions, however, show little effect on growth. A hypothesis is that bacterial contamination of hands and floors from domestic animals and their faeces, and subsequent ingestion via infant hand-to-mouth behaviours, may explain this. This formative study used microbial testing and survey and observational data from 20 households in Ethiopia to characterise principle bacterial transmission pathways to infants, considering WASH facilities and practices, infant behaviours and animal exposure. Microbial swabbing showed the contamination of hands and floor surfaces from thermotolerant coliform bacteria. Animal husbandry practices, such as keeping animals inside, contributed significantly (all p < 0.005). There was no evidence that latrine facilities mitigated contamination across infant (p = 0.76) or maternal (p = 0.86) hands or floor surfaces (p = 0.36). This small study contributes to the evidence that animal faeces are an important source of domestic bacterial contamination. The results imply that interventions aiming to reduce pathogen transmission to infants should think beyond improving WASH and also consider the need to separate infants and animals in the home. Intervention studies will be required to determine whether this reduces infant infection and improves linear growth.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities Developing Mathematical Models of Shared Pathogens of Domestic and Wild Animals

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Huyvaert ◽  
Robin Russell ◽  
Kelly Patyk ◽  
Meggan Craft ◽  
Paul Cross ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Transmission Pathways ◽  
And Control

Diseases that affect both wild and domestic animals can be particularly difficult to prevent, predict, mitigate, and control. Such multi-host diseases can have devastating economic impacts on domestic animal producers and can present significant challenges to wildlife populations, particularly for populations of conservation concern. Few mathematical models exist that capture the complexities of these multi-host pathogens, yet the development of such models would allow us to estimate and compare the potential effectiveness of management actions for mitigating or suppressing disease in wildlife and/or livestock host populations. We conducted a workshop in March 2014 to identify the challenges associated with developing models of pathogen transmission across the wildlife-livestock interface. The development of mathematical models of pathogen transmission at this interface is hampered by the difficulties associated with describing the host-pathogen systems, including: (1) the identity of wildlife hosts, their distributions, and movement patterns; (2) the pathogen transmission pathways between wildlife and domestic animals; (3) the effects of the disease and concomitant mitigation efforts on wild and domestic animal populations; and (4) barriers to communication between sectors. To promote the development of mathematical models of transmission at this interface, we recommend further integration of modern quantitative techniques and improvement of communication among wildlife biologists, mathematical modelers, veterinary medicine professionals, producers, and other stakeholders concerned with the consequences of pathogen transmission at this important, yet poorly understood, interface.

scholarly journals Prevalence of coliform bacterial contamination in cat drinking water in households in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-726
Author(s):  
Suttiporn Srikullabutr ◽  
Panpicha Sattasathuchana ◽  
Anusak Kerdsin ◽  
Naris Thengchaisri
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Gastrointestinal Infections ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Water Container ◽  
Age Range

Background and Aim: Bacterial contamination of drinking water is a leading cause of gastrointestinal infections. Cats may be at risk of water contamination from feces due to poor sanitation and hygiene. The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate the prevalence of coliform bacteria in cat drinking water and (2) identify possible risk factors leading to contamination. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five drinking water samples were collected from water containers used by cats (median age [range]: 5 years [8 months-15 years]) at their home. Using a sterile syringe, 50 mL water was collected directly from water containers. The water samples were stored in coliform enhancement media for 24 h and then submitted for bacterial culture. Results: The prevalence of fecal coliform contamination of cat drinking water was 67.27% (37/55; 95% confidence interval: 53.29-79.32%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of coliform bacterial contamination of drinking water by age or gender of the cat or by water container type. However, bacterial contamination differed significantly between shorthaired cats and longhaired cats when comparing Escherichia coli (9/44 [20.45%] vs. 8/11 [72.72%], p<0.001) and Enterobacter spp. (16/44 [36.36%] vs. 9/11 [81.82%], p=0.007). For water that had been in a container longer than 12 h, there were significantly more contaminated tap water samples (16/19 [84.21%]) than contaminated processed water samples (9/17 [52.94%], p=0.047). Conclusion: Coliform contamination in cat drinking water is common and occurs more often in households with longhaired cats. Drinking water for cats should be changed every 12 h, especially for households using tap water.

scholarly journals Operating Room Fomites as Potential Sources for Microbial Transmission in Burns Theatres

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mariam Rela ◽  
Sophia Opel ◽  
Sarah Williams ◽  
Declan P. Collins ◽  
Kevin Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Enterobacter Cloacae ◽  
Operating Table ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Burn Patients ◽  
Degree Of Contamination ◽  
First Case ◽  
Bacterial Transmission ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Background: Burn patients are susceptible to healthcare-associated infections. Contaminated surfaces play a role in microbial transmission. This study aimed to quantify the degree of contamination of burns theatre fomites during routine clinical use. Methods: The Patslide Patient Transfer Board (PAT slide) and operating table were investigated using two methods—bacterial swabs to culture viable organisms and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) swabs to measure biological material. Both items were sampled four times a day: before the first case, immediately after a case, immediately before the next case after cleaning and after the terminal clean. Results: Among 82 bacterial samples, four organisms were isolated, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) x2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), all from the PAT slide. The E. cloacae persisted after cleaning. In 9/82 swabs, the ATP count was >10 relative light units (RLU). In all cases where an organism was identified, the ATP count was >10 RLU. Hence the sensitivity and specificity of ATP > 10 RLU in detecting an organism were 100% and 94% respectively. Conclusions: Within burns theatres, there are instances of bacterial contamination on surfaces that persist despite cleaning. ATP luminometers as a point-of-care device may have a role in determining the cleanliness of surfaces, potentially minimizing onwards-bacterial transmission.

scholarly journals Widespread detection of antibodies to Leptospira in feral swine in the United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
pp. 2131-2136 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. PEDERSEN ◽  
K. L. PABILONIA ◽  
T. D. ANDERSON ◽  
S. N. BEVINS ◽  
C. R. HICKS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Geographical Range ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Feral Swine ◽  
Livestock Predation

SUMMARYAs feral swine continue to expand their geographical range and distribution across the United States, their involvement in crop damage, livestock predation, and pathogen transmission is likely to increase. Despite the relatively recent discovery of feral swine involvement in the aetiology of a variety of pathogens, their propensity to transmit and carry a wide variety of pathogens is disconcerting. We examined sera from 2055 feral swine for antibody presence to six serovars of Leptospira that can also infect humans, livestock or domestic animals. About 13% of all samples tested positive for at least one serovar, suggesting that Leptospira infection is common in feral swine. Further studies to identify the proportion of actively infected animals are needed to more fully understand the risk they pose.

scholarly journals Animals in the legal culture of Prussian towns (the 13th–16th centuries): An overview

2019 ◽  
pp. 171-182
Author(s):  
Paweł Mateusz Modrzyński
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Legal Culture ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Animal Waste ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Household Appliances

Animals were a permanent element in the landscape of medieval towns. Many residents of the then urban centres lived of animal husbandry. In addition to farm animals (e.g. pigs), they kept domestic animals (e.g. dogs and cats) as well as wild animals. The latter often sought food in garbage and suburbs. Such animals were also kept for entertainment. Authorities of Prussian towns regulated many issues related to the functioning of towns, including those concerning animal husbandry. Animals could pose a threat to the health and life of residents. They were also considered to be pests that destroy crops, orchards, and household appliances. The legislation of the period was focused on determining guilt for crimes and offenses committed by animals. Either an animal, treated as an entity responsible for the harmful act, or its owner was blamed for the misconducts. The presence of animals, especially livestock, was considered to be the cause of considerable sanitary problems in towns, mainly due to animal waste. Town authorities regulated issues concerning cattle herding and grazing. The care over the herd was entrusted to urban shepherds whose service was regulated by town legislation. The problem of the perception of animals by the society of that time was also significant. Although seemingly unwanted, they were the only source of income for many residents. For some, animals were pests, and for others, a guarantee of fragile existence. It was also a time when people began to wonder what exactly an animal is, what role it should play in human life, and how to treat it.

scholarly journals Unidirectional animal-to-human transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in pig farming; evidence from a surveillance study in southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mattia Pirolo ◽  
Daniela Visaggio ◽  
Angela Gioffrè ◽  
Irene Artuso ◽  
Monica Gherardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Swine Farm ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Enterotoxin Genes ◽  
Animal Contact ◽  
Animal Exposure

Abstract Background Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belonging to clonal complex 398 is recognized as an occupational hazard for workers employed in intensive animal husbandry, especially in the swine-breeding chain. In this study, we compared the prevalence and epidemiological type of MRSA isolates from swine and farm workers in a large area of southern Italy. Methods Between January and March 2018, 88 workers from 32 farms where we had previously performed a survey for MRSA colonization of farmed pigs, were sampled by nasal swabbing. A follow-up investigation was conducted on seven workers 1 year after primary screening. MRSA isolates were characterized by MLST, spa and SCCmec typing, and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials. Epidemiological correlations between human and swine MRSA isolates were supported by Rep-MP3 and RAPD PCR fingerprinting, and whole-genome sequencing. Results The overall colonization rate of MRSA in swine farm workers was 21.6%, being significantly higher in intensive farms and in workers with direct animal contact. All human MRSA isolates were multi-drug resistant, belonged to the ST398 livestock clade, and did not carry Panton-Valentine leukocidin and enterotoxin genes. Notably, 94.1% of human MRSA isolates belonged to the same epidemiological type as swine MRSA isolates from the corresponding farm. Persistent MRSA carriage was documented in some workers 1 year after primary sampling. Conclusions We report a high prevalence of MRSA among swine farm workers, with higher colonization rates associated with intensive breeding and animal exposure. Our findings suggest unidirectional animal-to-human transmission of LA-MRSA and denote the high zoonotic transmissibility of the ST398 livestock clade.

scholarly journals ToxigenicVibrio choleraeevolution and establishment of reservoirs in aquatic ecosystems

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (14) ◽  
pp. 7897-7904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Mavian ◽  
Taylor K. Paisie ◽  
Meer T. Alam ◽  
Cameron Browne ◽  
Valery Madsen Beau De Rochars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Population Bottlenecks ◽  
Direct Transmission ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Bacterial Transmission ◽  
Transmission Pathways ◽  
Robust Evidence

The spread of cholera in the midst of an epidemic is largely driven by direct transmission from person to person, although it is well-recognized thatVibrio choleraeis also capable of growth and long-term survival in aquatic ecosystems. While prior studies have shown that aquatic reservoirs are important in the persistence of the disease on the Indian subcontinent, an epidemiological view postulating that locally evolving environmentalV. choleraecontributes to outbreaks outside Asia remains debated. The single-source introduction of toxigenicV. choleraeO1 in Haiti, one of the largest outbreaks occurring this century, with 812,586 suspected cases and 9,606 deaths reported through July 2018, provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the role of aquatic reservoirs and assess bacterial transmission dynamics across environmental boundaries. To this end, we investigated the phylogeography of both clinical and aquatic toxigenicV. choleraeO1 isolates and show robust evidence of the establishment of aquatic reservoirs as well as ongoing evolution ofV. choleraeisolates from aquatic sites. Novel environmental lineages emerged from sequential population bottlenecks, carrying mutations potentially involved in adaptation to the aquatic ecosystem. Based on such empirical data, we developed a mixed-transmission dynamic model ofV. cholerae, where aquatic reservoirs actively contribute to genetic diversification and epidemic emergence, which underscores the complexity of transmission pathways in epidemics and endemic settings and the need for long-term investments in cholera control at both human and environmental levels.

scholarly journals Ward floors and other surfaces as reservoirs of hospital infection

1967 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. J. Ayliffe ◽  
B. J. Collins ◽  
E. J. L. Lowbury ◽  
J. R. Babb ◽  
H. A. Lilly
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Hospital Infection ◽  
Staph Aureus ◽  
Air Movement ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Equilibrium Level ◽  
Rapid Accumulation ◽  
Floor Surfaces ◽  
Contaminated Area

Impression plates from initially clean horizontal surfaces and floor areas in surgical wards showed a rapid accumulation of bacteria, mainly micrococci, which reached a fluctuating equilibrium after about 24 h. A later increase in bacterial contamination (mainly with aerobic sporing bacilli) to a higher equilibrium level after about 14 days occurred on uncleaned areas. Walls, even if left unwashed, acquired very few bacteria, but many were deposited locally when the wall was touched by a subject whose skin carried large numbers of staphylococci; moist exposed plaster was also heavily contaminated.Regular use of a disinfectant (‘Sudol’ 1 in 100) in cleaning a ward floor did not reduce the equilibrium level of bacteria on the floor.The transfer of staphylococci from contaminated to clean areas on the soles of shoes was demonstrated; the use of tacky and disinfectant mats did not appreciably reduce the transfer of bacteria by this route.Staphylococci deposited on a wall by a disperser were shown to be transferred from the contaminated area of wall to the hands of another subject who did not previously carry the organism; this subject was shown to transfer the staphylo-coccus to a wall which he touched.Attempts to redisperse by air movementStaph. aureuswhich had been shed by a disperser or by a contaminated blanket on to the floor surfaces had little effect; neither blowing with a hair dryer nor brisk exercise appeared to lift any of the staphylococci from a vinyl surface, and only small numbers were lifted by these measures from a terrazzo surface.The hazards of infection from the inanimate environment are discussed.

scholarly journals Bacterial contamination of reusable bottled drinking water in Ecuador

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Mills ◽  
James Golden ◽  
Alyssa Bilinski ◽  
Adam L. Beckman ◽  
Katherine McDaniel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Coliform Bacteria ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Treatment Facilities ◽  
Water Companies

Abstract In northern coastal Ecuador, water is routinely sold in 20 L reusable bottles for household consumption. These bottles are filled at central treatment facilities and distributed by private water companies. Similar bottled water markets are found in countries around the world. Commercially available bottled water offers an alternative source of drinking water in locations where piped infrastructure may be unsafe or non-existent. In this study we found that 73% (n = 94/128) of water sold in reusable containers in the Esmeraldas province of Ecuador was contaminated with coliform bacteria. In comparison, 25% (n = 9/36) of non-reusable bottles and 9% (n = 2/22) of water samples taken directly from the water treatment system contained coliform, suggesting that most observed bacterial contamination occurred due to inadequate cleaning of reusable bottles between use. The coliform contamination may pose a health risk to the Esmeraldas population. The present study may be indicative of similar situations in low- and middle-income countries around the world, given the widespread use of reusable bottles for water.

Healthcare Personnel Attire and Devices as Fomites: A Systematic Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1367-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Haun ◽  
Christopher Hooper-Lane ◽  
Nasia Safdar
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Clinical Infection ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUNDTransmission of pathogens within the hospital environment remains a hazard for hospitalized patients. Healthcare personnel clothing and devices carried by them may harbor pathogens and contribute to the risk of pathogen transmission.OBJECTIVETo examine bacterial contamination of healthcare personnel attire and commonly used devices.METHODSSystematic review.RESULTSOf 1,175 studies screened, 72 individual studies assessed contamination of a variety of items, including white coats, neckties, stethoscopes, and mobile electronic devices, with varied pathogens includingStaphylococcus aureus,including methicillin-resistantS. aureus, gram-negative rods, and enterococci. Contamination rates varied significantly across studies and by device but in general ranged from 0 to 32% for methicillin-resistantS. aureusand gram-negative rods.Enterococcuswas a less common contaminant. Few studies explicitly evaluated for the presence ofClostridium difficile.Sampling and microbiologic techniques varied significantly across studies. Four studies evaluated for possible connection between healthcare personnel contaminants and clinical isolates with no unequivocally direct link identified.CONCLUSIONSFurther studies to explore the relationship between healthcare personnel attire and devices and clinical infection are needed.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2016;1–7

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