scholarly journals Insects, Rodents, and Pets as Reservoirs, Vectors, and Sentinels of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Nhamo Chaukura ◽  
Norah Muisa-Zikali ◽  
Charles Teta ◽  
Tendai Musvuugwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Human Health Risks

This paper reviews the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in insects, rodents, and pets. Insects (e.g., houseflies, cockroaches), rodents (rats, mice), and pets (dogs, cats) act as reservoirs of AMR for first-line and last-resort antimicrobial agents. AMR proliferates in insects, rodents, and pets, and their skin and gut systems. Subsequently, insects, rodents, and pets act as vectors that disseminate AMR to humans via direct contact, human food contamination, and horizontal gene transfer. Thus, insects, rodents, and pets might act as sentinels or bioindicators of AMR. Human health risks are discussed, including those unique to low-income countries. Current evidence on human health risks is largely inferential and based on qualitative data, but comprehensive statistics based on quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) are still lacking. Hence, tracing human health risks of AMR to insects, rodents, and pets, remains a challenge. To safeguard human health, mitigation measures are proposed, based on the one-health approach. Future research should include human health risk analysis using QMRA, and the application of in-silico techniques, genomics, network analysis, and ’big data’ analytical tools to understand the role of household insects, rodents, and pets in the persistence, circulation, and health risks of AMR.

scholarly journals Pharmaceuticals in source waters of 95 First Nations in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 112 (S1) ◽  
pp. 133-153
Author(s):  
Harold Schwartz ◽  
Lesya Marushka ◽  
Hing Man Chan ◽  
Malek Batal ◽  
Tonio Sadik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Water Sampling ◽  
Human Health Risks

Abstract Objectives Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants in the environment. Little has been published about the presence of pharmaceuticals in waterbodies nearby or on reserve land of First Nations in Canada. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the level of pharmaceuticals in First Nations’ surface waters, (2) calculate the human health risks of the mixtures found, and (3) measure the exposure to pharmaceuticals in First Nations’ drinking water where source water was highly contaminated. Methods This participatory study measured the levels of 43 pharmaceuticals from surface water samples taken at three water sampling sites chosen by the 95 participating First Nations. The sites were in proximity to recreational areas, fishing areas, drinking water sources, and/or wastewater outflows. When elevated levels of pharmaceutical mixtures were found in samples, drinking water samples were obtained and analyzed for potential pharmaceuticals. Human health risks were calculated by an established protocol. Results In total, 432 samples were collected at 302 water sampling sites (285 surface water, 11 drinking water, and 6 wastewater sites). Quantifiable levels of 35 pharmaceuticals were found in 79 of the 95 (83%) participating First Nations at 193 of the 285 surface water sites (68%). Overall, the levels found were comparable to or lower than those found in other studies in Canada and worldwide. Conclusion In almost all participating First Nations, there is no human health risk from consuming surface water for drinking. However, surface water in the vicinity of major urban centres should not be used as secondary untreated water sources due to the elevated human health risk associated with exposure to the mixtures of multiple pharmaceuticals detected.

scholarly journals Lipid-based nutrient supplements and linear growth in children under 2 years: a review

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 580-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonderayi M. Matsungo ◽  
Herculina S. Kruger ◽  
Cornelius M. Smuts ◽  
Mieke Faber
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Linear Growth ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Growth Faltering ◽  
Nutrient Supplements ◽  
Low And Middle Income

The prevalence of stunting remains high in low- and middle-income countries despite adoption of comprehensive nutrition interventions, particularly in low-income countries. In the present paper, we review current evidence on the acceptability and efficacy of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) on preventing stunting in children under 2 years, discuss the factors that affect their efficacy, highlight the implications of the current findings at pragmatic level and identify research priorities. Although the present paper is not a generic systematic review, we used a systematic approach to select relevant literature. The review showed that there is growing interest in the potential benefits of using SQ-LNS to prevent growth faltering. Acceptability studies showed that SQ-LNS are generally well accepted. However, results on the efficacy of SQ-LNS on improving linear growth or preventing growth faltering in infants and young children are still inconclusive. Factors that may affect efficacy include the duration of the trial, composition and dosage of SQ-LNS given, and baseline demographics and nutritional status of research participants. Future research should focus on controlled and long-term follow-up trials to obtain more conclusive results. In the long term, there will be need for studies to investigate how provision of SQ-LNS can be integrated with existing strategies to prevent stunting in low- and middle-income settings.

Antimicrobial resistance: the 70-year arms race between humans and bacteria

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Laure Bañuls ◽  
Thi Van Ahn Nguyen ◽  
Quang Huy Nguyen ◽  
Thi Ngoc Anh Nguyen ◽  
Hoang Huy Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Drug Resistant Bacteria ◽  
The World

Antimicrobial resistance started to become a human health issue in the 1940s, following the discovery of the first antibiotics. The golden age of antibiotics (the 1950s through 1970s) marked the beginning of the arms race between humans and bacteria. Antimicrobial resistance is now among the greatest threats to human health; occurring in every region of the world and with the potential to affect anyone, anywhere. We describe the main mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, as well as how the bacteria evolve into “superbugs.” We detail the role of human activities on the emergence and spread of highly drug-resistant bacteria. Currently, data to identify the specific causes, and to establish the baseline in low-income countries, are lacking. Because of the continual increase of multidrug resistance, the situation is urgent. The chapter ends with a view to the future, with a discussion of the specific problems of low-income countries and initiatives taken.

scholarly journals Assessment of human health risks associated with heavy metals accumulation in the freshwater fish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Abdullah-hil Maruf ◽  
Nusrat Jahan Punom ◽  
Badhan Saha ◽  
Mohammad Moniruzzaman ◽  
Priyanka Dey Suchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
Fish Feed ◽  
Human Health Risks ◽  
Post Monsoon ◽  
Geochemical Properties

Abstract In this study, pangas and feed samples were analyzed to estimate the levels of metallic elements and to profile the human health risks due to consumption of contaminated fish. This investigation confirmed significant variations in heavy metal concentrations among different tissues of pangas in the order of Ni> Cu> Pb> Cd> Cr in pre-monsoon; and Ni> Cd= Cu> Pb= Cr in post-monsoon. Considerably higher concentrations of Pb, Cu and Cr were estimated in liver; and Cd and Ni were detected in muscle than other organs (p>0.05). Statistically significant higher amount of Cd, Ni, and Cu were observed in pre-monsoon than post-monsoon. Furthermore, three metal pairs showed significant association (Pb-Ni and Pb-Cu involved positively; Cd-Ni acted negatively). In pre-monsoon, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu concentrations of feed significantly differed than pangas contents; whereas only Cu varied during the post-monsoon. Regression analysis revealed the significant effect of Ni content in feed on the Cu deposition of pangas (p-value 0.027, that was <0.05). For the assessment of potential human health risk of the studied metals, estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) indices were calculated. Studied EDI indicated that an average adult ingested a higher amount of Ni and Cu than the recommended intake limit. Nevertheless, only the higher EDI of Ni increases the value of THQ and HI than standard limit indicates adverse non-carcinogenic risk. However, lower CR of Pb confirmed no serious health hazard due to the ingestion of pangas. Factor analysis through principal component and cluster analysis suggested that higher concentrations of Pb and Ni may regulate by the feed used, geochemical properties or rapid industrialization in the study area. A proper monitoring for controlling the quality of fish feed with sustainable planning for industrialization could secure the booming of pangasius aquaculture in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Quantitative analysis of ecological risk and human health risk of potentially toxic elements in farmland soil based on PMF model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Chen Haung ◽  
Li-mei Cai ◽  
Yao-Hui Xu ◽  
Han-Hui Wen ◽  
Jie Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Carcinogenic Risk ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Human Health Risks ◽  
Farmland Soil

In this research, enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were utilized to estimate the features of enrichment and contamination of PTEs in farmland soil. Furthermore, combining the spatial distribution characteristics of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) to distinguish and quantify the sources of PTEs in farmland soil, and then the potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) model based on PMF are applied to quantify the ecological and human health risks from different sources. Taking Puning District as an example, four sources of PTEs in farmland soil were quantitatively allocated. For ecological risk, the study area is at moderate ecological hazard level, and industrial activities were the greatest contributor. The mean E_r^i of Hg were 69.82, reaching medium ecological risk level. For human health risks, both adults and children have no evident non-carcinogenic risk in the study area. And natural source was the largest contributor to non-carcinogenic risk, followed by agricultural activities. With regard to carcinogenic risk, tolerable risks of soil PTEs in the study area were limited not only for adults but also for children. Furthermore, compared with adults, the health risks of children, whether non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic, were higher than those of adults, and the trends in health risks for children and adults were similar. A comprehensive scheme combining source contribution and risk assessment is conducive to quantitatively assess ecological risks, health risks and priority pollution sources, thereupon provide effective suggestions for protecting human health and preventing and controlling pollution.

Antimicrobial Resistance Risk Assessment in Food Safety

2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 2063-2071 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. GREGG CLAYCAMP ◽  
BARRY H. HOOBERMAN
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Resistance Risk ◽  
Human Health Risks

Microbiological risk assessments generally focus on estimating adverse human health risks from exposures to human pathogenic microbes. The assessment of potential human health risks posed by pathogens that have acquired resistance to antimicrobial drugs is a new application of risk assessment that is closely related to microbiological risk assessment. Antimicrobial resistance risk assessment is a risk analytical process that focuses on resistance determinants as hazardous agents that might lead to drug-resistant microbial infections in humans exposed to bacteria carrying the determinants. Antimicrobial-resistant infections could occur directly from actively invading or opportunistic pathogens or indirectly from the transfer of resistance genes to other bacteria. Here, we discuss risk assessment models that might be employed to estimate risks from drug-resistant bacteria in the animal food pathway and the types of models and data that may be used for microbiological risk assessments or antimicrobial resistance risk assessments.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document