Citizen-science surveillance of triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in UK residential garden soils

Compost is an ecological niche for Aspergillus fumigatus due to its role as a decomposer of organic matter and its ability to survive the high temperatures associated with the composting process. Subsequently, composting facilities are associated with high levels of A. fumigatus spores that are aerosolised from compost and cause respiratory illness in workers. In the UK, gardening is an activity enjoyed by individuals of all ages and it is likely that they are being exposed to A. fumigatus spores when handling commercial compost or compost they have produced themselves. In this study, 246 citizen scientists collected 509 soil samples from locations in their garden in the UK, from which were cultured 5,174 A. fumigatus isolates. Of these isolates, 736 (14%) were resistant to tebuconazole: the third most-sprayed triazole fungicide in the UK, which confers cross-resistance to the medical triazoles used to treat A. fumigatus lung infections in humans. These isolates were found to contain the common resistance mechanisms in the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene TR 34 /L98H or TR 46 /Y121F/T289A, and less common resistance mechanisms TR 34 , TR 53 , TR 46 /Y121F/T289A/S363P/I364V/G448S and (TR 46 ) 2 /Y121F/M172I/T289A/G448S. Regression analyses found that soil samples containing compost were significantly more likely to grow susceptible and tebuconazole-resistant A. fumigatus than those that did not, and that compost samples grew significantly higher numbers of A. fumigatus than other samples. Importance These findings highlight compost as a potential health hazard to individuals with pre-disposing factors to A. fumigatus lung infections, and a potential health hazard to immunocompetent individuals who could be exposed to sufficiently high numbers of spores to develop infection. Furthermore, this study found that 14% of A. fumigatus isolates in garden soils were resistant to an agricultural triazole, which confers cross-resistance to medical triazoles used to treat A. fumigatus lung infections. This raises the question of whether compost bags should carry additional health warnings regarding inhalation of A. fumigatus spores, whether individuals should be advised to wear facemasks whilst handling compost or whether commercial producers should be responsible for sterilising compost before shipping. The findings support increasing public awareness of the hazard posed by compost and investigating measures that can be taken to reduce the exposure risk.

The seeking medical attention in the urban adult population prior and during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

Introduction. The appeal of the population for medical care in the conditions of a pandemic and strict quarantine measures has not been sufficiently analyzed in the scientific medical literature to date. The purpose of the work. Analysis of the urban adult population’s access to medical care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. Based on the materials of the consolidated statistical reports of Krasnoyarsk, the indicators of the appeal and morbidity of the adult population for 2017-2020 were studied. The obtained information was analyzed using absolute and relative values. Results. The analysis of the adult population’s appeal indicators in the pre-pandemic period and the COVID-19 pandemic period showed a decrease of 43.8%. The decrease in the population’s treatment for preventive purposes occurred in all points, except for points Z20-Z29 (potential health hazard associated with infectious diseases), the indicators of which increased by 67.4% or 11.4%. The decrease in the overall morbidity rate during the pandemic was due to a decrease in the frequency of referrals with previously known diseases by 80.4%. The primary morbidity rate increased by 64.3%. Discussion. The indicators of the incidence of the adult population of COVID-19 obtained by us have differences but do not contradict the data obtained by other researchers. As our study showed, the measures taken did not lead to a significant decrease in the population’s appeal to medical institutions. Conclusion. The comparative data obtained allows assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing anti-epidemic measures on the treatment and morbidity of the adult population.

Characterisation of trocar associated gas leaks during laparoscopic surgery

Background During laparoscopy, the abdominal cavity is insufflated with carbon dioxide (CO2) that could become contaminated with viruses and surgical smoke. Medical staff is potentially exposed when this gas leaks into the operating room through the instruments and past trocar valves. No detailed studies currently exist that have quantified these leakage pathways. Therefore, the goal of this study was to quantify the gas leakages through trocars and instruments, during minimally invasive procedures. Methods A model of the surgical environment was created, consisting of a rigid container with an interface for airtight clamping of laparoscopic equipment such as trocars and surgical instruments. The model was insufflated to 15 mm Hg using a pressure generator and a pneumotachograph measured the equipment gas leak. A protocol of several use cases was designed to simulate the motions and forces the surgeon exerts on the trocar during surgery. Results Twenty-three individual trocars and twenty-six laparoscopic instruments were measured for leakage under the different conditions of the protocol. Trocar leakages varied between 0 L/min and more than 30 L/min, the instruments revealed a range of leakages between 0 L/min and 5.5 L/min. The results showed that leakage performance varied widely between trocars and instruments and that the performance and location of the valves influenced trocar leakage. Conclusions We propose trocar redesigns to overcome specific causes of gas leaks. Moreover, an international testing standard for CO2 leakage for all new trocars and instruments is needed so surgical teams can avoid this potential health hazard when selecting new equipment.

Willingness to bear economic costs of measures against SARS-CoV-2 in Germany

Background The aim of this study was to assess the willingness of the general population in Germany to bear the economic costs of measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Methods Repeated cross-sectional data were taken from three waves of a nationally representative survey of individuals aged 18 to 74 years (wave 8: 21–22 April 2020, N = 976; wave 16: 7–8 July 2020, N = 977; wave 38: 9–10 March 2021). The willingness to accept a reduction of annual household income in order to bear the economic costs of the measures against SARS-CoV-2 served as outcome measure. Two-part models were used including explanatory variables on sociodemographic and (subjectively assessed) potential health hazard caused by COVID-19. Results 65.5% (61.6%; 56.9%) of respondents in wave 8 (wave 16; wave 38) were willing to accept a reduction of income, with the likelihood for accepting a reduction of income being positively associated with higher affect (i.e. emotional reaction) and presumed severity regarding COVID-19 in all three waves. The mean maximum percentage of income participants were willing to give up was 3.3% (95% CI: 2.9 to 3.7%) in wave 8, 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5 to 3.3%) in wave 16 and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.6 to 5.0%) in wave 38, with presumed severity of COVID-19 being positively associated with this percentage in all three waves. Conclusions The majority of respondents indicated willingness to sacrifice income in order to bear the costs of measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2, with the potential health hazard caused by COVID-19 being consistently associated with this willingness. However, the proportion of individuals who were willing to give up income slightly decreased throughout the pandemic.

Adsorption Mechanism of Patulin from Apple Juice by Inactivated Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Kefir Grains

In the food industry, microbiological safety is a major concern. Mycotoxin patulin represents a potential health hazard, as it is heat-resistant and may develop at any stage during the food chain, especially in apple-based products, leading to severe effects on human health, poor quality products, and profit reductions. The target of the study was to identify and characterize an excellent adsorbent to remove patulin from apple juice efficiently and to assess its adsorption mechanism. To prevent juice fermentation and/or contamination, autoclaving was involved to inactivate bacteria before the adsorption process. The HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) outcome proved that all isolated strains from kefir grains could reduce patulin from apple juice. A high removal of 93% was found for juice having a 4.6 pH, 15° Brix, and patulin concentration of 100 μg/L by Lactobacillus kefiranofacien, named JKSP109, which was morphologically the smoothest and biggest of all isolates in terms of cell wall volume and surface area characterized by SEM (Scanning electron microscopy) and TEM (transmission electron microscopy). C=O, OH, C–H, and N–O were the main functional groups engaged in patulin adsorption indicated by FTIR (Fourier transform–infrared). E-nose (electronic nose) was performed to evaluate the aroma quality of the juices. PCA (Principal component analysis) results showed that no significant changes occurred between control and treated juice.

Mineral composition of raw and marinated-cooked arms from Pacific giant squid (Dosidicus gigas).

Background/aim: Shellfish consumption is often perceived as a potential health hazard due to the accumulation of toxic metals. The mineral content was investigated in marinated-cooked giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) arms from three Eastern Pacific fisheries (Peru, Chile and Benthic) to elucidate their contribution to daily recommended intakes and possible presence of pollutants. Material and methods: Thirty macro- and microminerals were analysed in the raw material, marination solution, cooking broth and cooked product. Results: Both raw and marinated-cooked squid arms contained nutritionally relevant quantities of essential macro- (Na and Mg) and microminerals (Cr, Zn, Mn and Se). Fishery origin led to minor variations in the mineral composition of raw arms, while marinated-cooked arms of Benthic origin had a higher retention of Na and juice likely due to their greater size. Levels of Pb, Hg, Zn or As found in the ready-to-eat product were below tolerable upper intake levels. Conclusion: The mineral content found in the raw squid arms suggests that the Pacific fisheries concerned are not affected by human polluting activities. Marinated-cooked squid arms cover a part of the dietary requirements for minerals and can be consumed without apparent negative nutritional implications.

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Vibrio spp. in finfish sold in Tripoli fish markets, Libya

Background: The occurrence of Vibrio spp. in raw fish is common, especially from temperate climates regions, in both natural and farm environments, and in all kinds of fish. Whereas, limited data have been reported on antibiotic resistance strains of Vibrio spp. Aim: The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Vibrio spp. including antibiotic resistance strains in fresh finfish samples as well as evaluation of their antibiogram. Material and methods: Samples of 122 fresh finfish were purchased from two main fish markets in Tripoli, Libya. Samples were examined for the presence of Vibrio spp. and its antibiogram. Results: A total of 68 Vibrios belonging to six different species were isolated, the most predominant species were V. fluvialis 45(66.2%), followed by V. alginolyticus 10(14.7%), V. cholera 9(13.2%), V. parahemolyticus 2(2.9%), V. vulnificus and V. hollisae 1(1.5%). All of the isolates showed different degrees of resistance toward tested antibiotics. The isolates showed high resistance to cloxacillin, amoxicillin, vancomycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, oxytetracyline, cephalothin, while for streptomycin the resistance rate was the lowest. Conclusion: The results demonstrated a high incidence of Vibrio spp. in raw finfish samples and this finding suggests that, fish sold in Tripoli fish markets could be a source of potential health hazard. This is because some of the isolated strains were resistant to the most popular antibiotics used in human and aquaculture treatments. Besides, study results indicated that, antibiotic resistance strains are common in raw finfish sold in both markets. Improvements in handling and processing are needed to minimize the prevalence of such pathogenic bacteria. Keywords: Vibrio spp., Finfish, Mullet, Sardine, Antibiotic Resistance.