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Gigot C, Lowman A, Ceryes CA, Hall DJ, Heaney CD. Industrial Hog Operation Workers' Perspectives on Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens: A Qualitative Pilot Study in North Carolina, USA. New Solut 2024; 33:209-219. [PMID: 38062664 DOI: 10.1177/10482911231217055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Industrial hog operation (IHO) workers face a range of occupational hazards, including exposure to zoonotic pathogens such as livestock-associated antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and swine-origin influenza viruses with epidemic or pandemic potential. To better understand this population's occupational exposure to zoonotic pathogens, we conducted a community-driven qualitative research study in eastern North Carolina. We completed in-depth interviews with ten IHO workers and used thematic analysis to identify and analyze patterns of responses. Workers described direct and indirect occupational contact with hogs, with accompanying potential for dermal, ingestion, and inhalation exposures to zoonotic pathogens. Workers also described potential take-home pathways, wherein they could transfer livestock-associated pathogens and other contaminants from IHOs to their families and communities. Findings warrant future research, and suggest that more restrictive policies on antimicrobials, stronger health and safety regulations, and better policies and practices across all IHOs could afford greater protection against worker and take-home zoonotic pathogen exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Gigot
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Lowman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Caitlin A Ceryes
- Department of Health Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Devon J Hall
- Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help, Warsaw, NC, USA
| | - Christopher D Heaney
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Community Science and Innovation for Environmental Justice Initiative, Center for a Livable Future, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MA, USA
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2
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Wang Y, Zhang P, Wu J, Chen S, Jin Y, Long J, Duan G, Yang H. Transmission of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus between animals, environment, and humans in the farm. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:86521-86539. [PMID: 37418185 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28532-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a fearsome bacterial pathogen that can colonize and infect humans and animals. Depending on the different sources, MRSA is classified as hospital-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA), community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), and livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA). LA-MRSA is initially associated with livestock, and clonal complexes (CCs) were almost always 398. However, the continued development of animal husbandry, globalization, and the widespread use of antibiotics have increased the spread of LA-MRSA among humans, livestock, and the environment, and other clonal complexes such as CC9, CC5, and CC8 have gradually emerged in various countries. This may be due to frequent host switching between humans and animals, as well as between animals. Host-switching is typically followed by subsequent adaptation through acquisition and/or loss of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as phages, pathogenicity islands, and plasmids as well as further host-specific mutations allowing it to expand into new host populations. This review aimed to provide an overview of the transmission characteristics of S. aureus in humans, animals, and farm environments, and also to describe the main prevalent clones of LA-MRSA and the changes in MGEs during host switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Peihua Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shuaiyin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yuefei Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jinzhao Long
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Guangcai Duan
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, No. 100 of Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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3
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Kasela M, Ossowski M, Dzikoń E, Ignatiuk K, Wlazło Ł, Malm A. The Epidemiology of Animal-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1079. [PMID: 37370398 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12061079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains an important etiological factor of human and animal infectious diseases, causing significant economic losses not only in human healthcare but also in the large-scale farming sector. The constantly changing epidemiology of MRSA observed globally affects animal welfare and raises concerns for public health. High MRSA colonization rates in livestock raise questions about the meaning of reservoirs and possible transmission pathways, while the prevalence of MRSA colonization and infection rates among companion animals vary and might affect human health in multiple ways. We present the main findings concerning the circulation of animal-associated MRSA (AA-MRSA) in the environment and factors influencing the direction, mechanisms, and routes of its transmission. Studies have shown it that S. aureus is a multi-host bacterial pathogen; however, its adaptation mechanisms enabling it to colonize and infect both animal and human hosts are still rarely discussed. Finally, we elaborate on the most successful strategies and programs applied limiting the circulation of AA-MRSA among animals and humans. Although MRSA strains colonizing animals rarely infect humans, they undergo host-adaptive evolution enabling them to spread and persist in human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Kasela
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki Street 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Mateusz Ossowski
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewelina Dzikoń
- Student's Scientific Circle, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki Street 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Ignatiuk
- Student's Scientific Circle, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki Street 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Łukasz Wlazło
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Hazards, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Malm
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki Street 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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4
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High Prevalence of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Hungarian Pig Farms and Genomic Evidence for the Spillover of the Pathogen to Humans. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/5540019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Livestock-Associated Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) strains of clonal complex (CC) 398 are widely disseminated in pigs and are considered emerging pathogens in human medicine. To investigate the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of the pathogen in pig production settings, dust samples were collected from 40 pig operations in Hungary, along with nasal swabs of attending veterinarians and other swine professionals (n = 27) in 2019. MRSA isolates were further characterized by performing whole-genome sequencing and susceptibility testing. The whole-genome sequences of 14 human-derived LA-MRSA clinical isolates from the same year were also included in the study. The proportion of positive farms was 83% (33/40), and 70% (19/27) of the swine professionals carried the pathogen. All but one MRSA strain belonged to CC398, including the human clinical isolates. The core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis revealed clusters of closely-related isolates of both environmental and human origin with a pairwise allelic distance of ≤24, and both cgMLST and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses suggest recent transmission events between the farm environment and humans. Four human clinical isolates harboured the immune-evasion gene cluster, of which one was considered to be closely related to farm isolates. Half of the swine-related strains showed decreased susceptibility to eight or more antimicrobials, and along with human isolates, they carried eight different types of multidrug-resistance genes, including cfr. The results showed a dramatic increase in the occurrence of LA-MRSA in the swine industry in Hungary, compared with the 2% prevalence reported by the European Food Safety Authority baseline study in 2008. The wide range of antimicrobial resistance of the strains, accompanied by the emergence of the pathogen in humans — both asymptomatic carriers and diseased — call for revision of the risk posed by LA-MRSA to the public health.
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Khairullah AR, Kurniawan SC, Effendi MH, Sudjarwo SA, Ramandinianto SC, Widodo A, Riwu KHP, Silaen OSM, Rehman S. A review of new emerging livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from pig farms. Vet World 2023; 16:46-58. [PMID: 36855358 PMCID: PMC9967705 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.46-58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a S. aureus strain resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and is often associated with livestock, known as livestock-associated (LA)-MRSA. Using molecular typing with multi-locus sequence typing, MRSA clones have been classified in pigs, including clonal complex 398. Livestock-associated-methicillin-resistant S. aureus was first discovered in pigs in the Netherlands in 2005. Since then, it has been widely detected in pigs in other countries. Livestock-associated-methicillin-resistant S. aureus can be transmitted from pigs to pigs, pigs to humans (zoonosis), and humans to humans. This transmission is enabled by several risk factors involved in the pig trade, including the use of antibiotics and zinc, the size and type of the herd, and the pig pen management system. Although LA-MRSA has little impact on the pigs' health, it can be transmitted from pig to pig or from pig to human. This is a serious concern as people in direct contact with pigs are highly predisposed to acquiring LA-MRSA infection. The measures to control LA-MRSA spread in pig farms include conducting periodic LA-MRSA screening tests on pigs and avoiding certain antibiotics in pigs. This study aimed to review the emerging LA-MRSA strains in pig farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswin Rafif Khairullah
- Doctoral Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Shendy Canadya Kurniawan
- Master Program of Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Specialisation in Molecule, Cell and Organ Functioning, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, Netherlands
| | - Mustofa Helmi Effendi
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia,Corresponding author: Mustofa Helmi Effendi, e-mail: Co-authors: ARK: , SCK: , SAS: , SCR: , AW: , KHPR: , OSMS: , SR:
| | - Sri Agus Sudjarwo
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | | | - Agus Widodo
- Doctoral Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Katty Hendriana Priscilia Riwu
- Doctoral Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Otto Sahat Martua Silaen
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya No. 6 Senen, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Saifur Rehman
- Doctoral Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
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Crespo-Piazuelo D, Lawlor PG. Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) prevalence in humans in close contact with animals and measures to reduce on-farm colonisation. Ir Vet J 2021; 74:21. [PMID: 34362463 PMCID: PMC8348836 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-021-00200-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the 1940s, Staphylococcus aureus has adapted to the use of different antimicrobials to treat infections. Although S. aureus can act as a commensal bacterium, some strains are facultative pathogens and acquiring them can be fatal. In particular, treating infections caused by S. aureus with acquired antimicrobial resistance is problematic, as their treatment is more difficult. Some of these S. aureus variants are methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) with prevalence across the globe in health-care facilities, community settings and on livestock farms. Apart from humans, MRSA can colonise other animal species, and because of this, resistance to new antimicrobials can appear and jump between species. Livestock and companion animals are particularly important in this regard considering the relatively high usage of antimicrobials in these species. There is a risk to humans who come into direct contact with animals acquiring MRSA but there is also the risk of animals acquiring MRSA from colonised humans. In this review, we summarise studies conducted worldwide to characterise the prevalence of MRSA in veterinarians, farmers and other personnel who come into close contact with animals. Finally, alternative treatment, preventive measures and on-farm strategies to reduce MRSA introduction to a farm and carriage within a herd are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Crespo-Piazuelo
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland
| | - Peadar G Lawlor
- Teagasc, Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996, Ireland.
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Chambers ST, Withers A, Dawson K, Anderson T, Williman J, Murdoch D, Scott-Thomas A, Slow S. How safe are gloves and masks used for protection against Legionella longbeachae infection when gardening? Lett Appl Microbiol 2021; 73:616-622. [PMID: 34338345 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Legionella longbeachae has been frequently identified in composted plant material and can cause Legionnaires' disease (LD). We wanted to determine how frequently L. longbeachae DNA was present on gardeners' gloves, and how long L. longbeachae could persist on inoculated gloves and masks. Volunteers completed a survey of gardening practices and their gardening gloves were tested for L. longbeachae DNA by qPCR. The persistence of viable L. longbeachae was assessed by timed subcultures after inoculation of gardening gloves and masks. Gloves but not masks were used regularly. L. longbeachae was detected on 11 (14%; 95% CI 8-24%) gloves. Viable organisms were recovered from 25-50% of inoculated cotton, leather and PU coated gloves but not rubber gloves after 8 h incubation. There was a difference in dose-response curve slopes by glove material (P = 0·001) and time to 50% sterility (P = 0·036). There were differences in persistence of L. longbeachae between mask types from analysis of the slopes and 50% sterility on the decay curves (P = 0·042, P < 0·001 respectively). Gardening gloves and masks may act as a vector for transmission of L. longbeachae during gardening. Washing gardening gloves and prompt disposal of masks could reduce risk of LD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S T Chambers
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - A Withers
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - K Dawson
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - T Anderson
- Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - J Williman
- Population Health, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - D Murdoch
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - A Scott-Thomas
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - S Slow
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Angen Ø, Nielsen MW, Løfstrøm P, Larsen AR, Hendriksen NB. Airborne Spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus From a Swine Farm. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:644729. [PMID: 34150881 PMCID: PMC8211894 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.644729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spread of livestock-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) to farmworkers has been recognized as a risk when working in LA-MRSA positive stables, due to LA-MRSA being present on airborne dust particles. Based on this, airborne spread of LA-MRSA through stable vents is a concern that is addressed in this study. The aim of the investigation was to quantify the airborne spread of LA-MRSA from a MRSA positive swine farm. In order to achieve this, a method for sampling large volumes of air was applied. The results were compared to meteorological data and bacteriological investigation of samples from the air inside the swine barn, soil outside the farm, and nasal samples from the individuals participating in the sampling process. MRSA was detected up to 300 m (the maximal measuring distance) from the swine farm in the air but only at low levels at distances above 50 meters (0.085 CFU/m3 at a distance of 50 m in the wind plume). MRSA was detected in sock samples obtained at the soil surfaces up to 400 m (the maximal measuring distance) from the farm building. The proportion of MRSA positive soil samples decreased from ~80 to 30% with increasing distance from the farm. A total of 25 human nasal samples were sampled after the farm visits after the participants had stayed in the surroundings of the farm for an average of 10.5 h. When leaving the farm, only two of the samples (8%) were LA-MRSA-positive both obtained from one individual who was the one who had sampled the ventilation shafts. In conclusion, airborne spread of MRSA from swine farms does not seem to be an important route for human contamination for individuals staying a whole working day outside a swine farm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øystein Angen
- Department of Bacteriology, Parasitology, and Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Weiss Nielsen
- Department of Microbiology and Production, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Per Løfstrøm
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anders Rhod Larsen
- Department of Bacteriology, Parasitology, and Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Álvarez‐Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover‐Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Argüello H, Berendonk T, Cavaco LM, Gaze W, Schmitt H, Topp E, Guerra B, Liébana E, Stella P, Peixe L. Role played by the environment in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the food chain. EFSA J 2021; 19:e06651. [PMID: 34178158 PMCID: PMC8210462 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of food-producing environments in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in EU plant-based food production, terrestrial animals (poultry, cattle and pigs) and aquaculture was assessed. Among the various sources and transmission routes identified, fertilisers of faecal origin, irrigation and surface water for plant-based food and water for aquaculture were considered of major importance. For terrestrial animal production, potential sources consist of feed, humans, water, air/dust, soil, wildlife, rodents, arthropods and equipment. Among those, evidence was found for introduction with feed and humans, for the other sources, the importance could not be assessed. Several ARB of highest priority for public health, such as carbapenem or extended-spectrum cephalosporin and/or fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacterales (including Salmonella enterica), fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis were identified. Among highest priority ARGs bla CTX -M, bla VIM, bla NDM, bla OXA -48-like, bla OXA -23, mcr, armA, vanA, cfr and optrA were reported. These highest priority bacteria and genes were identified in different sources, at primary and post-harvest level, particularly faeces/manure, soil and water. For all sectors, reducing the occurrence of faecal microbial contamination of fertilisers, water, feed and the production environment and minimising persistence/recycling of ARB within animal production facilities is a priority. Proper implementation of good hygiene practices, biosecurity and food safety management systems is very important. Potential AMR-specific interventions are in the early stages of development. Many data gaps relating to sources and relevance of transmission routes, diversity of ARB and ARGs, effectiveness of mitigation measures were identified. Representative epidemiological and attribution studies on AMR and its effective control in food production environments at EU level, linked to One Health and environmental initiatives, are urgently required.
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Chambers ST, Slow S, Scott-Thomas A, Murdoch DR. Legionellosis Caused by Non- Legionella pneumophila Species, with a Focus on Legionella longbeachae. Microorganisms 2021; 9:291. [PMID: 33572638 PMCID: PMC7910863 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although known as causes of community-acquired pneumonia and Pontiac fever, the global burden of infection caused by Legionella species other than Legionella pneumophila is under-recognised. Non-L. pneumophila legionellae have a worldwide distribution, although common testing strategies for legionellosis favour detection of L. pneumophila over other Legionella species, leading to an inherent diagnostic bias and under-detection of cases. When systematically tested for in Australia and New Zealand, L. longbeachae was shown to be a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Exposure to potting soils and compost is a particular risk for infection from L. longbeachae, and L. longbeachae may be better adapted to soil and composting plant material than other Legionella species. It is possible that the high rate of L. longbeachae reported in Australia and New Zealand is related to the composition of commercial potting soils which, unlike European products, contain pine bark and sawdust. Genetic studies have demonstrated that the Legionella genomes are highly plastic, with areas of the chromosome showing high levels of recombination as well as horizontal gene transfer both within and between species via plasmids. This, combined with various secretion systems and extensive effector repertoires that enable the bacterium to hijack host cell functions and resources, is instrumental in shaping its pathogenesis, survival and growth. Prevention of legionellosis is hampered by surveillance systems that are compromised by ascertainment bias, which limits commitment to an effective public health response. Current prevention strategies in Australia and New Zealand are directed at individual gardeners who use potting soils and compost. This consists of advice to avoid aerosols generated by the use of potting soils and use masks and gloves, but there is little evidence that this is effective. There is a need to better understand the epidemiology of L. longbeachae and other Legionella species in order to develop effective treatment and preventative strategies globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T. Chambers
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand; (S.S.); (A.S.-T.); (D.R.M.)
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11
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Sørensen AIV, Hansen JE, Halasa T. A dynamic model for spread of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on a pig farm, incorporating bacterial load and human exposure through air. J Theor Biol 2020; 505:110402. [PMID: 32663507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is widely distributed in the pig population in many countries, where its presence is undesirable, because as an opportunistic human pathogen, it poses a threat to human health. At present, there is a lack of knowledge regarding successful methods for eradication of LA-MRSA on a pig farm, which does not involve emptying the farm and culling all pigs. Some studies have reported an association between levels of LA-MRSA in the barn air and LA-MRSA carriage among humans entering or working in the pig barns. Therefore, interventions that are able to reduce the amount of LA-MRSA carried by the pigs and/or the concentration of LA-MRSA in the barn air, might be highly relevant if aiming for reducing the spread of LA-MRSA into the general human population. In the present study, an existing agent-based simulation model for spread of LA-MRSA within a pig herd was extended to also include LA-MRSA load and spread through air. This makes it possible to use the model for studying the air exposure to LA-MRSA for humans entering the pig barns. The model was used for simulating various types of interventions in contaminated herds. At present quantitative data for nasal carriage of LA-MRSA in pigs are sparse, and many knowledge gaps regarding spread of LA-MRSA remain. Thus, our goal of building this model was not to provide exact values for risk reduction, but to avail a model that can be used for studying the effect of various types of interventions mechanistically, once more relevant data become available. Collection of more data on the influence of load is crucial for getting a better understanding of which possible interventions strategies, that might still have some potential in countries, where LA-MRSA has already spread to the majority of the pig population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Irene Vedel Sørensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Copenhagen University, Grønnegårdsvej 8, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Julie Elvekjær Hansen
- National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark; DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 221, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tariq Halasa
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Copenhagen University, Grønnegårdsvej 8, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet 204, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark
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12
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Verkola M, Pietola E, Järvinen A, Lindqvist K, Kinnunen PM, Heikinheimo A. Low prevalence of zoonotic multidrug-resistant bacteria in veterinarians in a country with prudent use of antimicrobials in animals. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:667-678. [PMID: 31232511 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of multidrug-resistant zoonotic bacteria in animals has been increasing worldwide. Working in close contact with livestock increases the risk of carriage of these bacteria. We investigated the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmidic AmpC beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL/pAmpC-PE) and livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in Finnish veterinarians (n = 320). In addition to microbiological samples, background information was collected. Bacterial whole genome sequencing was performed to deduce sequence types (STs), spa types and resistance genes of the isolates. In total, 3.0% (9/297) of the veterinarians carried ESBL producing Escherichia coli, with one ESBL producing E. coli isolate producing also AmpC. Seven different STs, sequences of several different plasmid groups as well as several different blaESBL/pAmpC genes existed in different combinations. No carbapenemase or colistin resistance genes were detected. MRSA was detected in 0.3% (1/320) of the samples. The strain belonged to LA-MRSA clonal complex (CC) 398 (ST398, spa type 011, lacking Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes). In conclusion, this study shows low carriage of multidrug-resistant zoonotic bacteria in Finnish veterinarians. However, finding LA-MRSA for the first time in a sample from a veterinarian in a country with prudent use of animal antimicrobials and regarding the recent rise of LA-MRSA on Finnish pig farms, a strong recommendation to protect people working in close contact with animals carrying LA-MRSA CC398 is given. Further studies are needed to explain why the prevalence of LA-MRSA in veterinarians is lower in Finland than in other European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Verkola
- Elintarvikehygienian ja ympäristöterveyden osasto, Eläinlääketieteellinen tiedekunta, Helsingin yliopisto, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva Pietola
- Elintarvikehygienian ja ympäristöterveyden osasto, Eläinlääketieteellinen tiedekunta, Helsingin yliopisto, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Asko Järvinen
- Infektiosairauksien linja, Tulehduskeskus, Helsingin yliopistollinen keskussairaala ja Helsingin yliopisto, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristian Lindqvist
- Yliopistopalvelut, Lähipalvelutiimi Viikki, Helsingin yliopisto, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula M Kinnunen
- Eläinlääketieteellisten biotieteiden osasto, Eläinlääketieteellinen tiedekunta, Helsingin yliopisto, Helsinki, Finland.,Ruokavirasto, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Annamari Heikinheimo
- Elintarvikehygienian ja ympäristöterveyden osasto, Eläinlääketieteellinen tiedekunta, Helsingin yliopisto, Helsinki, Finland.,Ruokavirasto, Helsinki, Finland
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