scholarly journals Microbiological Air Quality in a Highschool Gym Located in an Urban Area of Southern Poland—Preliminary Research

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Brągoszewska ◽  
Izabela Biedroń ◽  
Anna Mainka
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Respirable Fraction ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Bacterial Aerosol ◽  
Corynebacterium Striatum

The benefits of regular exercise include improved physical and mental health. The school gym is a particular micro-environment where students perform intensive physical training. The question is if there is an increased risk of microbiological contamination. This preliminary work studied the exposure of students to bacterial aerosol (BA) in a highschool gym located in an urban area of Southern Poland. A sampling of BA was undertaken with an Andersen six-stage impactor (ANDI). BA was identified using API (analytical profile index) tests. The BA concentrations were expressed as Colony Forming Units (CFU) per cubic metre of air. The results showed that before gym classes (BGC), the concentration of BA was 4.20 × 102 ± 49.19 CFU/m3, while during gym classes (DGC), the level of BA more than doubled (8.75 × 102 ± 121.39 CFU/m3). There was also an increase in the respirable fraction of BA (particles less than 3.3 µm). Before the start of the sports activities, respirable fraction accounted for 30% of the BA, while during physical education classes, this share increased to over 80%. Identification of BA species showed that the dominant group of bacteria in the indoor air of the gym BGC was Gram-positive rods (61%) and for DGC it was Gram-positive cocci (81%). We detected that one bacteria strain (Corynebacterium striatum) was classified into risk group 2 (RG2) according to Directive 2000/54/EC. Additionally, multi-antibiotic resistance (MAR) showed that among the isolated airborne bacteria, the highest antibiotic resistance was demonstrated by Staphylococcus epidermis (isolated DGC) and Pseudomonas sp. (isolated BGC). The quantitative and qualitative information on microbiological air quality (MIAQ) in the school gym indicates that the actions to improve indoor physical activity spaces are recommended.

scholarly journals Indoor Air Quality and Potential Health Risk Impacts of Exposure to Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in an Office Rooms in Southern Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Brągoszewska ◽  
Izabela Biedroń
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
Bacterial Aerosol ◽  
Office Rooms

The aims of this article are to characterize: the quantity of culturable bacterial aerosol (QCBA) and the quality of culturable bacterial aerosol (QlCBA) in an office building in Southern Poland during the spring. The average concentration of culturable bacterial aerosol (CCBA) in this building ranged from 424 CFU m−3 to 821 CFU m−3, below Polish proposals for threshold limit values. Size distributions were unimodal, with a peak of particle bacterial aerodynamic diameters less than 3.3 μm, increasing potentially adverse health effects due to their inhalation. The spring office exposure dose (SPED) of bacterial aerosol was estimated. The highest value of SPED was in April (218 CFU kg−1), whereas the lowest was in June (113 CFU kg−1). Analysis was undertaken to determine the antibiotic resistance of isolated strains and their ability to form biofilms, which may facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. In the course of the study, it was found that Staphylococcus xylosus had the greatest ability to form biofilms, while the strains with the highest antibiotic resistance were Micrococcus luteus D and Macrococcus equipercicus. Given that mainly antibiotic-sensitive bacteria from bioaerosol were isolated, which transfers resistance genes to their plasmids, this shows the need for increased monitoring of indoor air quality in workplaces.

scholarly journals Microbiological Air Quality and Drug Resistance in Airborne Bacteria Isolated from a Waste Sorting Plant Located in Poland―A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Brągoszewska ◽  
Izabela Biedroń ◽  
Wojciech Hryb
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Environmental Selection ◽  
Manual Sorting ◽  
Bacterial Aerosol

International interests in biological air pollutants have increased rapidly to broaden the pool of knowledge on their identification and health impacts (e.g., infectious, respiratory diseases and allergies). Antibiotic resistance and its wider implications present us with a growing healthcare crisis, and an increased understanding of antibiotic-resistant bacteria populations should enable better interpretation of bioaerosol exposure found in the air. Waste sorting plant (WSP) activities are a source of occupational bacterial exposures that are associated with many health disorders. The objectives of this study were (a) to assess bacterial air quality (BAQ) in two cabins of a WSP: preliminary manual sorting cabin (PSP) and purification manual sorting cabin (quality control) (QCSP), (b) determine the particle size distribution (PSD) of bacterial aerosol (BA) in PSP, QCSP, and in the outdoor air (OUT), and (c) determine the antibiotic resistance of isolated strains of bacteria. Bacterial strains were identified on a Biolog GEN III (Biolog, Hayward, CA, USA), and disc diffusion method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to the Kirby–Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test Protocol. A large share of fecal bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis and Alcaligenes faecalis spp. feacalis, was found in the tested indoor air, which is a potential health hazard to the workers of the monitored WSP. Our results demonstrate the necessity to take into account fecal air pollution levels to avoid making erroneous assumptions regarding the environmental selection of antibiotic resistance. Total elimination of many anthropogenic sources is not possible, but important findings of this study can be used to develop realistic management policies methods to improve BAQ.

scholarly journals Infective Endocarditis Due to Corynebacterium Species: Clinical Features and Antibiotic Resistance

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bläckberg ◽  
Linn Falk ◽  
Karl Oldberg ◽  
Lars Olaison ◽  
Magnus Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Severe Condition ◽  
Ionization Time ◽  
Prosthetic Valves ◽  
Corynebacterium Species ◽  
Corynebacterium Striatum

Abstract Background Corynebacterium species are often dismissed as contaminants in blood cultures, but they can also cause infective endocarditis (IE), which is a severe condition. Antibiotic resistance of corynebacteria is increasing making treatment challenging. Reports on IE caused by Corynebacterium species are scarce and more knowledge is needed. Methods Cases of IE caused by Corynebacterium species were identified through the Swedish Registry of Infective Endocarditis. Isolates were collected for species redetermination by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight and for antibiotic susceptibility testing using Etests. Results Thirty episodes of IE due to Corynebacterium species were identified between 2008 and 2017. The median age of patients was 71 years (interquartile range, 60–76) and 77% were male. Corynebacterium striatum (n = 11) was the most common IE causing pathogen followed by Corynebacterium jeikeium (n = 5). Surgery was performed in 50% and in-hospital mortality rate was 13%. Patients with IE caused by Corynebacterium species were significantly more likely to have prosthetic valve endocarditis (70%), compared with patients with IE due to Staphylococcus aureus or non-beta-hemolytic streptococci (14% and 26%, respectively) (P < .0001). Vancomycin was active towards all Corynebacterium isolates, whereas resistance towards penicillin G was common. Conclusions Corynebacterium species cause IE, where prosthetic valves are mainly affected and surgery is often performed. Corynebacterium striatum is an important causative agent of IE within the genus. Antibiotic resistance of corynebacteria is relatively common but resistance towards vancomycin could not be detected in vitro.

scholarly journals Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Rearing Seawater

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1841
Author(s):  
Thanaporn Chuen-Im ◽  
Korapan Sawetsuwannakun ◽  
Pimmnapar Neesanant ◽  
Nakarin Kitkumthorn
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Bacterial Infection ◽  
High Mortality ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Resistant Isolate ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Increased Risk

Antibiotic resistance of microorganisms is a serious health problem for both humans and animals. Infection of these bacteria may result in therapy failure, leading to high mortality rates. During an early intervention program process, the Sea Turtle Conservation Center of Thailand (STCCT) has faced high mortality rates due to bacterial infection. Previously, investigation of juvenile turtle carcasses found etiological agents in tissue lesions. Further determination of sea water in the turtle holding tanks revealed a prevalence of these causative agents in water samples, implying association of bacterial isolates in rearing water and infection in captive turtles. In this study, we examined the antibiotic resistance of bacteria in seawater from the turtle holding tank for a management plan of juvenile turtles with bacterial infection. The examination was carried out in three periods: 2015 to 2016, 2018, and 2019. The highest isolate numbers were resistant to beta-lactam, whilst low aminoglycoside resistance rates were observed. No gentamicin-resistant isolate was detected. Seventy-nine isolates (71.17%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Consideration of resistant bacterial and antibiotic numbers over three sampling periods indicated increased risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to sea turtle health. Essentially, this study emphasizes the importance of antibiotic-resistant bacterial assessment in rearing seawater for sea turtle husbandry.

scholarly journals Development of the city-scale chemistry transport model CityChem-EPISODE and its application to the city of Hamburg

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Karl
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Temporal Correlation ◽  
Urban Atmosphere ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
Urban Background ◽  
New Model ◽  
The City

Abstract. This paper describes the City-scale Chemistry (CityChem) extension of the urban dispersion model EPISODE with the aim to enable chemistry/transport simulations of multiple reactive pollutants on urban scales. The new model is called CityChem-EPISODE. The primary focus is on the simulation of urban ozone concentrations. Ozone is produced in photochemical reaction cycles involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted by various anthropogenic activities in the urban area. The performance of the new model was evaluated with a series of synthetic tests and with a first application to the air quality situation in the city of Hamburg, Germany. The model performs fairly well for ozone in terms of temporal correlation and bias at the air quality monitoring stations in Hamburg. In summer afternoons, when photochemical activity is highest, modelled median ozone at an inner-city urban background station was about 30 % lower than the observed median ozone. Inaccuracy of the computed photolysis frequency of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the most probable explanation for this. CityChem-EPISODE reproduces the spatial variation of annual mean NO2 concentrations between urban background, traffic and industrial stations. However, the temporal correlation between modelled and observed hourly NO2 concentrations is weak for some of the stations. For daily mean PM10, the performance of CityChem-EPISODE is moderate due to low temporal correlation. The low correlation is linked to uncertainties in the seasonal cycle of the anthropogenic particulate matter (PM) emissions within the urban area. Missing emissions from domestic heating might be an explanation for the too low modelled PM10 in winter months. Four areas of need for improvement have been identified: (1) dry and wet deposition fluxes; (2) treatment of photochemistry in the urban atmosphere; (3) formation of secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA); and (4) formation of biogenic and anthropogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The inclusion of secondary aerosol formation will allow for a better sectorial attribution of observed PM levels. Envisaged applications of the CityChem-EPISODE model are urban air quality studies, environmental impact assessment, sensitivity analysis of sector-specific emission and the assessment of local and regional emission abatement policy options.

scholarly journals Assessment and Antibiotic Resistance Profiling in Vibrio Species Isolated from Wild Birds Captured in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Romania

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 333
Author(s):  
Emöke Páll ◽  
Mihaela Niculae ◽  
Gheorghe F. Brudașcă ◽  
Rustam Kh. Ravilov ◽  
Carmen Dana Șandru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Multidrug Resistance ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Wild Birds ◽  
Vibrio Species ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Danube Delta ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vibrio Spp

Antimicrobial and multidrug-resistant bacteria are a major problem worldwide and, consequently, the surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and assessment of the dissemination routes are essential. We hypothesized that migratory birds, coming from various environments, would carry more numerous Vibrio strains than sedentary species, with increased risk to be passed to their contacts or environment in habitats they transit or nest in. Similarly, we presumed that strains from migratory birds will show multidrug resistance. A total of 170 oral and rectal swabs were collected from wild birds captured in different locations of the Danube Delta (Malic, Sfantu-Gheorghe, Letea Forest) and processed using standardized selective media. V. cholerae strains were confirmed by serology and molecular methods and, subsequently, their susceptibility was evaluated. The prevalence of Vibrio species by host species, habitat type, and location was interpreted. The isolated Vibrio species were identified as Vibrio cholerae 14.33%, V. fluvialis 13.33%, V. alginolyticus 12%, V. mimicus 17.33%, V. vulnificus 10.88%, with V. parahaemolyticus and V. metschnikovii (16%) also being prevalent. Of the 76 Vibrio spp. isolates, 18.42% were resistant towards at least three antimicrobials, and 81.57% demonstrated a multidrug resistance phenotype, including mainly penicillins, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. The results of the present study indicate higher numbers of Vibrio strains in migratory (74.66%) than in sedentary birds (25.33%), confirming our hypothesis. Furthermore, the increased pathogenicity of Vibrio spp. strains, isolated from wild migratory and sedentary birds, was confirmed by their increased multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index (0.09–0.81).

Features of eating behavior and social anxiety in women who negatively assess their appearance

2021 ◽  
pp. 172-181
Author(s):  
Zhanna Robertovna Gardanova ◽  
Svetlana Andreevna Kalina ◽  
Dmitriy Fedorovich Khritinin ◽  
Mikhail Anatolievich Nekrasov ◽  
Evgeniya Vitalievna Dementieva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Ideal Image ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Body Image Disorders ◽  
Seeking Psychological Help

In the conditions of rapid development and increasing the accessibility of the beauty industry, a person forms an ideal image of himself, which must be met. The consequences are expressed by the widespread dissatisfaction in the society with the appearance inherent in people of any age and representing a potential threat to physical and mental health. In order to study the peculiarities of eating behavior in women who negatively assess their appearance, a psychodiagnosis of a sample of 98 women aged 18 to 60 years was conducted with the study of assessing attitudes to their own bodies, assessing eating behavior, and assessing the level of social anxiety. As a result of the data obtained, the importance of timely diagnosis of manifestations of social anxiety for people seeking psychological help with the aim of correcting eating behavior, low self-esteem, dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction with their bodies, non-acceptance of their appearance, and also people who have an increased risk of eating disorders and body image disorders.

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