Antimicrobial Resistance Creates Threat to Chimpanzee Health and Conservation in the Wild

Infectious disease is recognized as the greatest threat to the endangered chimpanzees made famous by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jane Goodall at Gombe National Park (GNP), Tanzania. The permeable boundary of this small protected area allows for regular wildlife–human and wildlife–domestic animal overlap, which may facilitate cross-species transmission of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Few studies have examined the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in wild ape populations. We used molecular techniques to investigate the presence of genes conferring resistance to sulfonamides (often used to treat diarrheal illness in human settings in this region) and tetracycline (used in the past—though much less so now) in fecal specimens from humans, domestic animals, chimpanzees, and baboons in and around GNP. We also tested stream water used by these groups. Sulfonamide resistance was common in humans (74%), non-human primates (43%), and domestic animals (17%). Tetracycline resistance was less common in all groups: humans (14%), non-human primates (3%), and domestic animals (6%). Sul resistance genes were detected from 4/22 (18%) of streams sampled. Differences in sul gene frequencies did not vary by location in humans nor in chimpanzees.

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Metagenomic Quantification of Genes with Internal Standards

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.03173-20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emily Crossette ◽

Jordan Gumm ◽

Kathryn Langenfeld ◽

Lutgarde Raskin ◽

Melissa Duhaime ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Tetracycline Resistance ◽

Dairy Manure ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Gene Copy ◽

Gene Quantification ◽

Gene Copies ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

Metagenomic Approach

ABSTRACT We demonstrate that an assembly-independent and spike-in facilitated metagenomic quantification approach can be used to screen and quantify over 2,000 genes simultaneously, while delivering absolute gene concentrations comparable to those for quantitative PCR (qPCR). DNA extracted from dairy manure slurry, digestate, and compost was spiked with genomic DNA from a marine bacterium and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq4000. We compared gene copy concentrations, in gene copies per mass of sample, of five antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) generated with (i) our quantitative metagenomic approach, (ii) targeted qPCR, and (iii) a hybrid quantification approach involving metagenomics and qPCR-based 16S rRNA gene quantification. Although qPCR achieved lower quantification limits, the metagenomic method avoided biases caused by primer specificity inherent to qPCR-based methods and was able to detect orders of magnitude more genes than is possible with qPCR assays. We used the approach to simultaneously quantify ARGs in the Comprehensive Antimicrobial Resistance Database (CARD). We observed that the total abundance of tetracycline resistance genes was consistent across different stages of manure treatment on three farms, but different samples were dominated by different tetracycline resistance gene families. IMPORTANCE qPCR and metagenomics are central molecular techniques that have offered insights into biological processes for decades, from monitoring spatial and temporal gene dynamics to tracking ARGs or pathogens. Still needed is a tool that can quantify thousands of relevant genes in a sample as gene copies per sample mass or volume. We compare a quantitative metagenomic approach with traditional qPCR approaches in the quantification of ARG targets in dairy manure samples. By leveraging the benefits of nontargeted community genomics, we demonstrate high-throughput absolute gene quantification of all known ARG sequences in environmental samples.

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The Mycobacterium avium complex.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews ◽

10.1128/cmr.6.3.266 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 266-310 ◽

Cited By ~ 424

Author(s):

C B Inderlied ◽

C A Kemper ◽

L E Bermudez

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Mycobacterium Avium ◽

Mycobacterium Avium Complex ◽

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Laboratory Diagnosis ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Critical Threshold ◽

Therapeutic Modalities ◽

The Past

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease emerged early in the epidemic of AIDS as one of the common opportunistic infections afflicting human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. However, only over the past few years has a consensus developed about its significance to the morbidity and mortality of AIDS. M. avium was well known to mycobacteriologists decades before AIDS, and the MAC was known to cause disease, albeit uncommon, in humans and animals. The early interest in the MAC provided a basis for an explosion of studies over the past 10 years largely in response to the role of the MAC in AIDS opportunistic infection. Molecular techniques have been applied to the epidemiology of MAC disease as well as to a better understanding of the genetics of antimicrobial resistance. The interaction of the MAC with the immune system is complex, and putative MAC virulence factors appear to have a direct effect on the components of cellular immunity, including the regulation of cytokine expression and function. There now is compelling evidence that disseminated MAC disease in humans contributes to both a decrease in the quality of life and survival. Disseminated disease most commonly develops late in the course of AIDS as the CD4 cells are depleted below a critical threshold, but new therapies for prophylaxis and treatment offer considerable promise. These new therapeutic modalities are likely to be useful in the treatment of other forms of MAC disease in patients without AIDS. The laboratory diagnosis of MAC disease has focused on the detection of mycobacteria in the blood and tissues, and although the existing methods are largely adequate, there is need for improvement. Indeed, the successful treatment of MAC disease clearly will require an early and rapid detection of the MAC in clinical specimens long before the establishment of the characteristic overwhelming infection of bone marrow, liver, spleen, and other tissue. Also, a standard method of susceptibility testing is of increasing interest and importance as new effective antimicrobial agents are identified and evaluated. Antimicrobial resistance has already emerged as an important problem, and methods for circumventing resistance that use combination therapies are now being studied.

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Translating Molecular Profiling of Soft Tissue Sarcomas into Daily Clinical Practice

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11030512 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 512

Author(s):

Celine Jacobs ◽

Lore Lapeire

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Soft Tissue Sarcomas ◽

Molecular Profiling ◽

Point Of View ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Mesenchymal Tumors ◽

The Past ◽

Cancer Types ◽

Sarcoma Treatment

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare mesenchymal tumors with more than 70 subtypes described. Treatment of these subtypes in an advanced setting is mainly according to a one-size-fits-all strategy indicating a high unmet need of new and more targeted therapeutic options in order to optimize survival. The introduction of advanced molecular techniques in cancer has led to better diagnostics and identification of new therapeutic targets, leading to more personalized treatment and improved prognosis for several cancer types. In sarcoma, a likewise evolution is seen, albeit at a slower pace. This manuscript describes how in the past years advanced molecular profiling in soft tissue sarcomas was able to identify specific and often pathognomonic aberrations, deferring standard sarcoma treatment in favor of more targeted treatment from an oncologist’s point of view.

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Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistances of Salmonella spp. Isolated from Wild Boars in Liguria Region, Italy

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10050568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 568

Author(s):

Elisabetta Razzuoli ◽

Valeria Listorti ◽

Isabella Martini ◽

Laura Migone ◽

Lucia Decastelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Wild Boar ◽

Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Salmonella Enterica ◽

Intestinal Tract ◽

Wild Boar Population ◽

Salmonella Spp ◽

Wild Boars ◽

In The Wild

Salmonella spp. is an important zoonotic agent. Wild boars might host this pathogen in the intestinal tract and might represent a risk for Salmonella spp. transmission to humans. Wild boars are widely spread in Liguria, due to the environmental characteristics of the region. The aim of the study was the isolation, typing, and investigation of antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated strains of Salmonella spp. During the 2013–2017 hunting seasons, 4335 livers of wild boars were collected and analyzed for the presence of Salmonella spp. A total of 260 strains of Salmonella spp. were isolated and characterized, with a prevalence of 6%. The isolated strains belonged to all six Salmonella enterica subspecies. Most of them were identified as Salmonella enterica subs. enterica of which 31 different serotypes were identified. The dominating serotype identified was S. Enteritidis. The antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolated strains were analyzed against sixteen molecules. Of the isolated strains, 94.6% were resistant to at least one of the tested antimicrobials. This study showed the circulation of resistant Salmonella spp. strains in the wild boar population living in this area of Italy, underling the potential risk for these animals to disseminate this pathogen and its antimicrobial resistances.

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Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Arcobacter spp. Recovered from Aquatic Environments

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10030288 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 288

Author(s):

Sonia Sciortino ◽

Pietro Arculeo ◽

Vincenzina Alio ◽

Cinzia Cardamone ◽

Luisa Nicastro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Tetracycline Resistance ◽

Multi Drug Resistance ◽

Genetic Determinants ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Resistance Profile ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile ◽

Drug Resistance Profile ◽

Arcobacter Butzleri ◽

Seawater Samples

Arcobacter spp. are emerging waterborne and foodborne zoonotic pathogens responsible for gastroenteritis in humans. In this work, we evaluated the occurrence and the antimicrobial resistance profile of Arcobacter isolates recovered from different aquatic sources. Besides, we searched for Arcobacter spp. in seaweeds and the corresponding seawater samples. Bacteriological and molecular methods applied to 100 samples led to the isolation of 28 Arcobacter isolates from 27 samples. The highest prevalence was detected in rivers followed by artificial ponds, streams, well waters, and spring waters. Seaweeds contained a higher percentage of Arcobacter than the corresponding seawater samples. The isolates were identified as Arcobacter butzleri (96.4%) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (3.6%). All the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance profile, being resistant to at least three different classes of antibiotics. Molecular analysis of genetic determinants responsible for tetracycline resistance in nine randomly chosen isolates revealed the presence of tetO and/or tetW. This work confirms the occurrence and the continuous emergence of antibiotic-resistant Arcobacter strains in environmental samples; also, the presence of quinolone-resistant Arcobacter spp. in aquatic sources used for water supply and irrigation represents a potential risk for human health.

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Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus Complex (SBSEC) Isolated from Korean Domestic Ruminants

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9010098 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 98

Author(s):

Seon Young Park ◽

Mingyung Lee ◽

Se Ra Lim ◽

Hyemin Kwon ◽

Ye Seul Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Tetracycline Resistance ◽

Current Status ◽

Streptococcus Bovis ◽

Limited Information ◽

Phenotypic Resistance ◽

Domestic Ruminants ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

Acid Producing Bacteria

S. bovis/S. equinus complex (SBSEC) includes lactic acid-producing bacteria considered as the causative agent associated with acute rumen lactic acidosis in intensive ruminants. Considering the limited information on the detailed characteristics and diversity of SBSEC in Korea and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we investigated the diversity of SBSEC from domestic ruminants and verified the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) against several antimicrobials with their phenotypic resistance. Among 51 SBSEC isolates collected, two SBSEC members (S. equinus and S. lutetiensis) were identified; sodA-based phylogenetic analyses and comparisons of overall genome relatedness revealed potential plasticity and diversity. The AMR rates of these SBSEC against erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline were relatively lower than those of other SBSEC isolates of a clinical origin. An investigation of the ARGs against those antimicrobials indicated that tetracycline resistance of SBSECs generally correlated with the presence of tet(M)-possessing Tn916-like transposon. However, no correlation between the presence of ARGs and phenotypic resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was observed. Although a limited number of animals and their SBSEC isolates were examined, this study provides insights into the potential intraspecies biodiversity of ruminant-origin SBSEC and the current status on antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria in the Korean livestock industry.

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

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci5040092 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 92 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

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.

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Relationships between Schistosomes and their Molluscan Hosts in Africa

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x00021040 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 40 (3-4) ◽

pp. 403-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

C. A. Wright

Keyword(s):

Domestic Animals ◽

The Past

Some years ago I suggested that a medical malacologist must not only learn to think like a population of snails but that he must also try to see those snails through the eye-spots of populations of trematode miracidia. For the past ten years I have been attempting to perform this unlikely combined feat. As time passes my tendency has been to concentrate on the second part of the contortion, partly because as a helminthologist it is natural to take a worm's-eye view of life and partly because it is very easy to become absorbed in the biology of the snails for their own sake. We should remember that if molluscs were not essential hosts to some parasites of man and domestic animals there would be no justification for a symposium on medical malacology.

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Where have all the susceptible gonococci gone? A historical review of changes in MIC distribution over the past 75 years

10.21203/rs.2.13785/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Chris Kenyon ◽

Jolein Laumen ◽

Dorien Van Den Bossche ◽

Christophe Van Dijck

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

South Africa ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Historical Analysis ◽

Historical Review ◽

The United States ◽

Antimicrobial Consumption ◽

The Past ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Loss Of Susceptibility

Abstract Background Does the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae include the erasure of highly susceptible strains or does it merely involve a stretching of the MIC distribution? If it was the former this would be important to know as it would increase the probability that the loss of susceptibility is irreversible.Methods We conducted a historical analysis based on a literature review of changes of N. gonorrhoeae MIC distribution over the past 75 years for 3 antimicrobials (benzylpenicillin, ceftriaxone and azithromycin) in five countries (Denmark, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States).Results Changes in MIC distribution were most marked for benzylpenicillin and showed evidence of a right shifting of MIC distribution that was associated with a reduction/elimination of susceptible strains in all countries. In the case of ceftriaxone and azithromycin, where only more recent data was available, right shifting was also found in all countries but the extent of right shifting varied and the evidence for the elimination of susceptible strains was more mixed.Conclusions The finding of right shifting of MIC distribution combined with reduction/elimination of susceptible strains is concerning since it suggests that this shifting may not be reversible. Since excess antimicrobial consumption is likely to be responsible for this right shifting, this insight provides additional impetus to promote antimicrobial stewardship.

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A Tutela do Animal Doméstico no Âmbito das Constituições Federais Brasileiras de 1824 a 1988

Revista de Ciências Jurídicas e Empresariais ◽

10.17921/2448-2129.2019v20n1p2-11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 2-11

Author(s):

Nilsen Aparecida Vieira Marcondes

Keyword(s):

Human Life ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Domestic Animal ◽

Point Of View ◽

Continuous Development ◽

Exotic Animals ◽

Socially Constructed ◽

Federal Constitution ◽

The Subject ◽

The Way

Objetiva-se discutir neste breve intróito retrospectivo de revisão de normatizações constitucionais pátrias a tutela do animal doméstico. Esta síntese reflexiva sobre a tutela do animal doméstico brasileiro no âmbito constitucional se apresenta quanto à forma de abordagem do assunto, como qualitativo, no que tange a modalidade investigativa como básico, do ponto de vista de seus objetivos, como descritivo, com relação aos procedimentos técnicos, qualifica-se como documental e bibliográfico. Conclui-se que os delineamentos, os limites, bem como os avanços na conquista da tutela animal e consequentemente do animal doméstico demonstram o quanto o reconhecimento de tal questão é socialmente construído. Além disso, a expansão, a solidificação e o desenvolvimento contínuo também da vida humana e da sociedade implicam necessariamente na preservação e na ampliação de acesso um direito fundamental nominalmente reconhecido pela Constituição Federal de 1988 como direito ao ambiente ecologicamente equilibrado no qual se insere evidentemente a fauna, ou seja, os animais domésticos, domesticados, silvestres e exóticos. Palavras-chave: Animal Doméstico. Tutela. Constituições Federais. Brasil. AbstractThe objective of this brief retrospective introjective review of constitutional norms is to discuss the protection of domestic animals. This reflexive synthesis about the protection of the Brazilian domestic animal in the constitutional scope presents itself as to the way of approaching the subject, as qualitative, in what refers to the research modality as basic, from the point of view of its objectives, as descriptive, with respect to the procedures technicians, qualifies as documentary and bibliographical. It is concluded that the delineations, the limits, as well as the advances in the conquest of the animal guardianship and consequently of the domestic animal demonstrate how much the recognition of such question is socially constructed. In addition, the expansion, solidification and continuous development of human life and society necessarily imply the preservation and expansion of access to a fundamental right nominally recognized by the Federal Constitution of 1988 as a right to an environmentally balanced environment in which the animal, domesticated, wild and exotic animals. Keywords: Domestic Animals. Guardianship. Federal Constitutions. Brasil.

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