| Titles | Abstract | Indexed Keywords | Author Keywords |
| High-Resolution Genotyping Unveils Identical Ampicillin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Strains in Different Sources and Countries: A One Health Approach | Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus faecium (Efm) infections continue to increase world-wide, although epidemiological studies remain scarce in lower middle-income countries. We aimed to explore which strains circulate in E. faecium causing human infections in Tunisian healthcare institutions in order to compare them with strains from non-human sources of the same country and finally to position them within the global E. faecium epidemiology by genomic analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed and transfer of vancomycin-vanA and ampicillin-pbp5 resistance was performed by conjugation. WGS-Illumina was performed on Tunisian strains, and these genomes were compared with Efm genomes from other regions present in the GenBank/NCBI database (n = 10,701 Efm genomes available May 2021). A comparison of phenotypes with those predicted by the recent ResFinder 4.1-CGE webtool unveiled a concordance of 88%, with discordant cases being discussed. cgMLST revealed three clusters [ST18/CT222 (n = 13), ST17/CT948 strains (n = 6), and ST203/CT184 (n = 3)], including isolates from clinical, healthy-human, retail meat, and/or environmental sources in different countries over large time spans (10–12 years). Isolates within each cluster showed similar antibiotic resistance, bacteriocin, and virulence genetic patterns. pbp5-AmpR was transferred by VanA-AmpR-ST80 (clinical) and AmpR-ST17-Efm (bovine meat). Identical chromosomal pbp5-platforms carrying metabolic/virulence genes were identified between ST17/ST18 strains of clinical, farm animal, and retail meat sources. The overall results emphasize the role of high-resolution genotyping as provided by WGS in depicting the dispersal of MDR-Efm strains carrying relevant adaptive traits across different hosts/regions and the need of a One Health task force to curtail their spread. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Ampicillin resistance; Enterococcus faecium; Genomics; Hospital; One Health; Surveillance |
| Catch-22: War, Refugees, COVID-19, and the Scourge of Antimicrobial Resistance | Wars have hidden repercussions beyond the immediate losses of life, well-being, and prosperity. Those that flee wars and seek refuge in safer locations are not immune to the tragic impacts. Of particular concern is the susceptibility of the refugee populations to infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. This poses a detrimental risk to these disenfranchised populations, who often have limited access to medical care, sanitation, and nutritious and safe food. Furthermore, antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in refugees can be both transmitted to and acquired from their hosting communities. The latter is particularly problematic when the host countries suffer from serious challenges such as limited resources, pollution, and widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we discuss AMR in refugees of the ongoing Syrian war, a conflict that resulted in the largest population displacement in recent history. We argue that Syrian refugees and their hosting communities are at an elevated risk of complicated and life-threatening AMR infections. We also call on the international community to address this grievous problem that threatens the disenfranchised refugee populations and can spill over across geographic borders to affect multiple countries. Copyright © 2022 Osman, Cummings, El Omari and Kassem. | antibiotic resistance; Article; community; conflict; coronavirus disease 2019; displacement (people); economic aspect; global disease burden; health care access; history; human; infection; Lebanon; One Health; public health; refugee; Syrian; war | antimicrobial resistance; armed conflict; civil war; COVID-19; displaced populations; infectious diseases; one health; refugees |
| The Human Health Implications of Antibiotic Resistance in Environmental Isolates from Two Nebraska Watersheds | One Health field-based approaches are needed to connect the occurrence of antibiotics present in the environment with the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Gram-negative bacteria that confer resistance to antibiotics important in for both veterinary and human health. Water samples from two Nebraska watersheds influenced by wastewater effluent and agricultural runoff were tested for the presence of antibiotics used in veterinary and human medicine. The water samples were also cultured to identify the bacteria present. Of those bacteria isolated, the Gram-negative rods capable of causing human infections had antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) performed to identify ARGs present. Of the 211 bacterial isolates identified, 37 belonged to pathogenic genera known to cause human infections. Genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, fosfomycins, and quinolones were the most frequently detected ARGs associated with horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the watersheds. WGS also suggest recent HGT events involving ARGs transferred between watershed isolates and bacteria of human and animal origins. The results of this study demonstrate the linkage of antibiotics and bacterial ARGs present in the environment with potential human and/or veterinary health impacts. IMPORTANCE One health is a transdisciplinary approach to achieve optimal health for humans, animals, plants and their shared environment, recognizing the interconnected nature of health in these domains. Field based research is needed to connect the occurrence of antibiotics used in veterinary medicine and human health with the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, the presence of antibiotics, bacteria and ARGs was determined in two watersheds in Nebraska, one with agricultural inputs and the other with both agricultural and wastewater inputs. The results presented in this study provide evidence of transfer of highly mobile ARG between environment, clinical, and animal-associated bacteria. Copyright © 2022 Donner et al. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Genes, Bacterial; Humans; Nebraska; Waste Water; Water; aminoglycoside antibiotic agent; antibiotic agent; beta lactam antibiotic; carbamic acid; fosfomycin; lincosamide; penicillin derivative; pyrimidine; quinoline derived antiinfective agent; sulfonamide; tetracycline; water; antiinfective agent; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic resistance gene; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterium culture; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; controlled study; effluent; gene; gene identification; Gram negative bacterium; horizontal gene transfer; human; infectious agent; Nebraska; nonhuman; One Health; runoff; wastewater; water sampling; watershed; whole genome sequencing; animal; antibiotic resistance; bacterial gene; bacterium; genetics; Nebraska; wastewater | antibiotic resistance; antibiotics; watersheds |
| A Rapid Review of Environmental Health Gaps in Antimicrobial Resistance and Water-Related Research from 1990–2020 | Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pervasive global health threat linked to human an-timicrobial misuse and abuse, food production, and broader environmental contamination. While global agencies promote a multi-sectoral One Health system approach to equitably combat human, animal, and environmental health AMR risks, it is widely acknowledged that the human and animal sectors dominate discussions. Given this disproportionate focus, identification of critical research gaps is needed to develop stewardship plans that equitably address One Health AMR threats. This review used natural language processing and term frequency algorithms to classify 12,638 records from 1990–2020 thematically in order to highlight sectoral prioritization and gaps. It also specifically assessed water-related gaps as water is recognized as both a primary environmental dissemination pathway and key means of intervention. Drawing from systemic health and integrated water management lenses, this review found that themes related to plant, wildlife, and environmental-related AMR threats—in particular, the role that environmental (ambient) waters play in AMR development, transmission, and spread—are under-prioritized as compared to human and food animal health concerns regardless of geographic region or income level. Further prioritization of these themes is needed to strengthen the environmental dimension of One Health AMR responses and systemically protect global health. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Environmental Health; Water; antiinfective agent; water; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial activity; environmental assessment; environmental research; food security; global perspective; health monitoring; health status; research work; risk assessment; sanitation; water management; water supply; algorithm; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; Article; cleaning; drug use; environmental health; food safety; food security; human; income; infection control; infection prevention; natural language processing; nonhuman; One Health; pollution; systematic review; trend study; wastewater; water supply; animal; environmental health | antimicrobial resistance (AMR); food security; One Health; water security; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) |
| SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant of concern detected in a pet dog and cat after exposure to a person with COVID-19, USA | As part of a longitudinal household transmission study of pets living with persons with COVID-19 in Texas, two pets were confirmed to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant of concern (VOC). The pets were a dog and a cat from the same household, sampled two days after their owner tested positive for COVID-19. The oral, nasal and fur swabs for both pets tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by qRT-PCR and consensus whole-genome sequences from the dog and cat were 100% identical and matched the B.1.1.7 VOC. Virus was isolated from the cat’s nasal swab. One month after initial detection of infection, the pets were re-tested twice at which time only the fur swabs (both pets) and oral swab (dog only) remained positive, and neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 were present in both animals. Sneezing by both pets was noted by the owner in the weeks between initial and follow-up testing. This study documents the first detection of B.1.1.7. in companion animals in the United States, and the first genome recovery and isolation of B.1.1.7 variant of concern globally in any animal. © 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH. | Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; COVID-19; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Texas; neutralizing antibody; animal experiment; animal tissue; Article; cat; coronavirus disease 2019; dog; follow up; fur; gene mutation; gene sequence; Labrador retriever; myocarditis; nonhuman; nose smear; open reading frame; oral swab; real time polymerase chain reaction; rectal swab; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; SARS-CoV-2 Alpha; sequence alignment; shorthair cat; single nucleotide polymorphism; sleep; sneezing; United States; virus detection; virus isolation; virus neutralization test; virus transmission; whole genome sequencing; animal; cat; cat disease; dog; dog disease; human; Texas; veterinary medicine | cat; COVID-19; dog; one health; SARS-CoV-2; spillback; variant of concern |
| Bacterial Isolates and Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolated from Fresh Poultry Excreta Used for Vegetable Farming in Freetown, Sierra Leone | The transfer of antibiotic resistance from animals to humans is of concern in recent times. One potential source of such transfer is the untreated poultry excreta used as manure in farming. We aim to identify bacterial isolates and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli in poultry excreta in Sierra Leone. This was a cross-sectional study of fresh poultry excreta samples collected from four commercial poultry sites in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from June–September 2021. Bacterial isolates were tested against eight antibiotics using established standards. Of 100 samples, 93 showed Escherichia coli (93%): of those, eight isolates also had Salmonella (8%). E. coli was 100% resistant to all three ‘Watch’ drugs (erythromycin, cefoxitin and streptomycin) and tetracycline. E. coli was least resistant to ampicillin (12%), followed by chloramphenicol (35%). The prevalence of multidrug resistance was 95.6%. Multiple antibiotic resistance index ranged from 0.5–0.7 (optimal < 0.2), indicating high prior exposure to antibiotics in these poultries. Such high levels of resistance in E. coli isolated from poultry excreta could pose a serious threat to humans. We recommend (i) routine surveillance to monitor antibiotic resistance in poultry excreta, (ii) using poultry excreta as manure only after treatment and (iii) restricting the use of antibiotics as prophylactics and growth promoters in poultry feeds. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Farms; Manure; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Poultry; Sierra Leone; Vegetables; Sierra Leone; ampicillin; cefoxitin; chloramphenicol; erythromycin; penicillin derivative; streptomycin; tetracycline; antiinfective agent; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial activity; coliform bacterium; manure; poultry; sensitivity analysis; antibiotic prophylaxis; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterium isolate; controlled study; cross-sectional study; Escherichia coli; geographic distribution; horticulture; information processing; multidrug resistance; nonhuman; One Health; poultry manure; prevalence; Salmonella; Sierra Leone; vegetable; agricultural land; animal; antibiotic resistance; epidemiology; Escherichia coli infection; manure; microbial sensitivity test; poultry; Sierra Leone; vegetable | antimicrobial resistance; bacterial isolates; Escherichia coli; microbial sensitivity tests; one health; operational research; poultry excreta; Sierra Leone; SORT IT; surveillance |
| Advances in animal health research and one-health discovery | [No abstract available] | Animals; Disease Models, Animal; One Health; animal; disease model; One Health |
| Trichinella britovi outbreak in Piedmont, North-West Italy, 2019–2020: Clinical and epidemiological insights in the one health perspective | Background: Trichinellosis, a foodborne zoonosis due to nematodes of the genus Trichinella, occurs in the form of outbreaks following meat consumption. North Italy has been rarely involved. We report here the most significant wildlife derived trichinellosis outbreak ever registered in the Piedmont region. Method: We retrospectively included 96 outpatients referred to our institution (December 20th, 2019–January 15th, 2020) 2020 after consuming raw sausages prepared from a single wild boar hunted in the Susa Valley, 59 km away from Torino, in November 2019. Results: We confirmed 35 cases and found additional 10 probable/suspected cases. Our cohort found that 47% of patients were symptomatic, with a median time from symptoms to presentation at clinic and serology testing of 14 days. Peripheral blood eosinophilia >500/μl and CK alterations were common. Further qualitative and quantitative analysis at the International Trichinella Reference Center c/o ISS, Rome identified T. britovi as the causative agent. Conclusions: No autochthonous human case has ever been detected in Torino province, and a single wild boar has tested positive for Trichinella since active surveillance was implemented in 2013. This outbreak should raise attention on the preventive role of veterinary surveillance and the need to optimize sampling procedures and targeted health education. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd | Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Italy; Meat; One Health; Retrospective Studies; Sus scrofa; Swine; Trichinella; Trichinellosis; creatine kinase; active surveillance; adult; Article; cohort analysis; eosinophilia; epidemic; epidemic curve; European wild boar; female; food intake; human; Italy; major clinical study; male; meat; middle aged; nonhuman; patient referral; qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis; raw food; retrospective study; serology; Trichinella britovi; trichinosis; animal; epidemic; Italy; One Health; pig; Trichinella; trichinosis | Epidemic; Surveillance; Trichinellosis; Wild boar |
| Staphylococcus aureus Causing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Companion Animals: Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Clonal Lineages | Staphylococcus aureus is a relevant agent of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in animals. Fifty-five S. aureus comprising all SSTI-related isolates in companion animals, collected between 1999 and 2018 (Lab 1) or 2017 and 2018 (Lab 2), were characterized regarding susceptibility to antibiotics and heavy metals and carriage of antimicrobial resistance determinants. Clonal lineages were established by PFGE, MLST and agr typing. Over half of the isolates (56.4%, 31/55) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and 14.5% showed a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. Resistance was most frequently observed for beta-lactams (81.8%, related to blaZ and/or mecA), fluoroquinolones (56.4%) and macrolides/lincosamides (14.5%, related to erm(A) or erm(C)). The distributions of heavy-metal MICs allowed the detection of non-wild-type populations associated with several resistance genes. The collection showed genetic diversity, with prevalence of clonal lineage ST22-agrI (45.5%, 25/55), comprising only MRSA isolates, and several less frequently detected clones, including ST5-agrII (14.6%, 8/55), ST398-agrI (9.1%, 5/55) and ST72-agrI (7.3%, 4/55). This work highlights the high frequency of SSTI-related MRSA strains that reflect the clonal lineages circulating both in companion animals and humans in Portugal, reinforcing the need for a One Health approach when studying staphylococci causing infections in companion animals. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | amikacin; antibiotic agent; bacitracin; beta lactam; biocide; cadmium; chloramphenicol; clindamycin; cotrimoxazole; dalfopristin plus quinupristin; enrofloxacin; erythromycin; fusidic acid; gentamicin; heavy metal; kanamycin; lincosamide; linezolid; macrolide; moxifloxacin; penicillin derivative; pradofloxacin; rifampicin; tetracycline; tobramycin; zinc; zinc chloride; animal experiment; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterial growth; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; controlled study; disk diffusion; DNA extraction; dog; genetic variability; human; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; minimum inhibitory concentration; molecular typing; multidrug resistance; nonhuman; One Health; pet animal; phenotype; phylogenetic tree; polymerase chain reaction; Portugal; prevalence; pulsed field gel electrophoresis; skin infection; soft tissue infection; Staphylococcus aureus; veterinary medicine; zone of inhibition | antimicrobial resistance; clonal lineages; companion animals; heavy metals; MRSA; One Health; Staphylococcus aureus |
| One Health: A new definition for a sustainable and healthy future | [No abstract available] | Forecasting; One Health; animal welfare; antibiotic resistance; Article; biodiversity; community; disaster preparedness; ecology; energy; environmental health; food; food and agriculture organization; futurology; governmental organization; health care; health care access; health care delivery; health care organization; health care policy; health equity; health promotion; human; knowledge; leadership; legal service; nonhuman; One Health; One Health high level expert panel; parity; practice guideline; public health; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; sustainable development; United Nations environment programme; World Health Organization; world organisation for animal health; zoonosis; forecasting |
| Implications of Veterinary Medicine in the comprehension and stewardship of antimicrobial resistance phenomenon. From the origin till nowadays. | Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined by the entire scientific community as the major threat for human health and it is responsible for an increase in morbidity and mortality rates. The reasons behind this phenomenon are complex and the solution is achievable only considering the One Health approach, that encompasses the integration and implementation of human health, veterinary medicine and environmental status. Authors aimed to write this review to summarize to readers the three milestones of One-Health, underlying the most important topics in which veterinary medicine is mostly involved. Therefore, a short introduction about the history of AMR in veterinary medicine is provided, then more detailed aspects about the impact of AMR related to pets, food producing animals, wild animals and environment are discussed. Finally, some critical aspects about current and future issues are considered. © 2022 The Authors | antibiotic resistance; article; comprehension; exotic animal; human; morbidity; mortality rate; nonhuman; One Health; pet animal; veterinary medicine; wild animal | Antimicrobial resistance; Companion animals; Exotic animals; Food producing animals; One Health approach |
| Seroepidemiology of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever among cattle in Cameroon: Implications from a One Health perspective | Background Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral zoonotic disease distributed across several continents and recognized as an ongoing health threat. In humans, the infection can progress to a severe disease with high fatality, raising public health concerns due to the limited prophylactic and therapeutic options available. Animal species, clinically unaffected by the virus, serve as viral reservoirs and amplifier hosts, and can be a valuable tool for surveillance. Little is known about the occurrence and prevalence of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) in Cameroon. Knowledge on CCHFV exposure and the factors associated with its presence in sentinel species are a valuable resource to better understand transmission dynamics and assess local risks for zoonotic disease emergence. Methods and findings We conducted a CCHFV serological survey and risk factor analysis for animal level seropositivity in pastoral and dairy cattle in the North West Region (NWR) and the Vina Division (VD) of the Adamawa Region in Cameroon. Seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for sampling design-effects and test performance. In addition, explanatory multivariable logistic regression mixed-effects models were fit to estimate the effect of animal characteristics, husbandry practices, risk contacts and ecological features on the serological status of pastoral cattle. The overall seroprevalence was 56.0% (95% CI 53.5–58.6) and 6.7% (95% CI 2.6–16.1) among pastoral and dairy cattle, respectively. Animals going on transhumance had twice the odds of being seropositive (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8), indicating that animal movements could be implicated in disease expansion. From an ecological perspective, absolute humidity (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9) and shrub density (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2) were associated with seropositivity, which suggests an underlying viral dynamic connecting vertebrate host and ticks in a complex transmission network. Conclusions This study demonstrated high seroprevalence levels of CCHFV antibodies in cattle in Cameroon indicating a potential risk to human populations. However, current understanding of the underlying dynamics of CCHFV locally and the real risk for human populations is incomplete. Further studies designed using a One Health approach are required to improve local knowledge of the disease, host interactions and environmental risk factors. This information is crucial to better project the risks for human populations located in CCHFV-suitable ecological niches. © 2022 González Gordon et al. | Animals; Cameroon; Cattle; Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean; One Health; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Ticks; Zoonoses; immunoglobulin G; absolute humidity; adult; agricultural worker; animal experiment; animal model; antibody titer; Article; bovine; Cameroon; central venous pressure; climate change; Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever; ecological niche; environmental risk; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; host interaction; human; nonhuman; questionnaire; risk assessment; risk factor; rural population; sentinel species; seroepidemiology; seroprevalence; species distribution; structured questionnaire; task performance; trematodiasis; vaccination; vapor pressure; virus transmission; zoonosis; animal; Cameroon; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus; One Health; seroepidemiology; tick; veterinary medicine; zoonosis |
| Transmission of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus spp. from Infected Dogs to the Home Environment and Owners | Dogs with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MRS) infections often undergo treatment in their homes, interacting with their owners and surroundings. This close contact between dogs and owners may facilitate the interspecies transmission of MRS. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the transmission of MRS from infected dogs to their owners and home environments. Seven households with dogs that had been diagnosed with methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) and one household with a dog with methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) participated in the study. Dogs, owners, and the home environments were screened for the presence of clinical MRS. A selection of 36 staphylococcal isolates were whole-genome sequenced and screened for resistance genes and virulence genes. Clinical MRS were primarily identified from the dogs and their immediate surroundings, but these were also detected in locations that were out of reach for the dogs, indicating indirect transmission. Two of eight owners carried clinical MRS in their nostrils, while one owner carried methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP). All clinical MRS were multi-resistant, and several possessed resistance genes that were not expressed phenotypically. Clinical MRSP persisted in the home environment for a prolonged period, despite infection recovery and one dog being euthanized. Regardless of the stable presence of MRSP in the surroundings, the owners in these homes remained negative, but tested positive for MSSP on three occasions. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | aminoglycoside; beta lactam; catalase; cefoxitin; chloramphenicol; clindamycin; coagulase; cotrimoxazole; enrofloxacin; erythromycin; folic acid; fusidic acid; gentamicin; lincosamide; macrolide; mikamycin B; oxacillin; steroid; tetracycline; adhesion; adhesion gene; adult; animal experiment; animal model; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterium contamination; bacterium isolation; biofilm; chromosome aberration; contact dog; controlled study; dermatitis; disease transmission; disk diffusion; DNA extraction; ebpS gene; female; follow up; furunculosis; genetic analysis; genotype phenotype correlation; gyrA gene; home environment; household; human-animal bond; male; mastitis; matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry; mecA gene; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis; mouth infection; multilocus sequence typing; nonhuman; nose infection; organismal interaction; paired end sequencing; Perineum infection; pharyngitis; polymerase chain reaction; sec3 gene; spsG gene; spsM gene; staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec; surgical infection; toxin encoding gene; virulence gene; whole genome sequencing | antimicrobial resistance; methicillin-resistance; one health; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Staphylococcus pseudintermedius |
| Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Related Coronaviruses Circulating in Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) Confiscated From the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Viet Nam | Despite the discovery of several closely related viruses in bats, the direct evolutionary progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 has not yet been identified. In this study, we investigated potential animal sources of SARS-related coronaviruses using archived specimens from Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) and Chinese pangolins (Manis pentadactyla) confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, and from common palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) raised on wildlife farms in Viet Nam. A total of 696 pangolin and civet specimens were screened for the presence of viral RNA from five zoonotic viral families and from Sarbecoviruses using primers specifically designed for pangolin coronaviruses. We also performed a curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, to illustrate the global pangolin supply chain in the context of Viet Nam where the trade confiscated pangolins were sampled for this study. All specimens from pangolins and civets sampled along the wildlife supply chains between February 2017 and July 2018, in Viet Nam and tested with conventional PCR assays designed to detect flavivirus, paramyxovirus, filovirus, coronavirus, and orthomyxovirus RNA were negative. Civet samples were also negative for Sarbecoviruses, but 12 specimens from seven live pangolins confiscated in Hung Yen province, northern Viet Nam, in 2018 were positive for Sarbecoviruses. Our phylogenetic trees based on two fragments of the RdRp gene revealed that the Sarbecoviruses identified in these pangolins were closely related to pangolin coronaviruses detected in pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, China. Our curated data collection of media reports of wildlife confiscation events involving pangolins in Viet Nam between January 2016 and December 2020, reflected what is known about pangolin trafficking globally. Pangolins confiscated in Viet Nam were largely in transit, moving toward downstream consumers in China. Confiscations included pangolin scales sourced originally from Africa (and African species of pangolins), or pangolin carcasses and live pangolins native to Southeast Asia (predominately the Sunda pangolin) sourced from neighboring range countries and moving through Viet Nam toward provinces bordering China. Copyright © 2022 Nga, Latinne, Thuy, Long, Ngoc, Anh, Thai, Phuong, Thai, Hai, Long, Phuong, Hung, Quang, Lan, Hoa, Johnson, Mazet, Roberton, Walzer, Olson and Fine. | Animals; Animals, Wild; China; COVID-19; Humans; Pangolins; Phylogeny; SARS-CoV-2; Vietnam; animal; China; epidemiology; human; Pholidota (animal); phylogeny; Viet Nam; wild animal | coronavirus; EID; one health; pangolin; SARS-CoV-2; spillover; trafficking; wildlife trade |
| Veterinary Knowledge in One Health Movement: Key to Healthier Environment | One Health approach is the most relevant global initiative to achieve an optimal health for human, animals, and the environment on this planet as of now. With the recent devastating Covid-19 pandemic, all of us are aware that more global predictions and disease informatics are needed pointing out the etiology of major emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases being either vector-borne, or zoonoticdiseases originating from domestic animals or wildlife. Hence, it has become very critical and apparent that a veterinary Knowledge is the key for initiating the one health strategy sooner than later worldwide. This is being more so after the recent SARS, Nipah and SARS Cov-2 pandemics affecting the human populations inhabiting the entire globe during the recent past.Hence, it is essential to understand the importance of the veterinary knowledge that was imbibed to the undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral students of the veterinary medicine and their potential applications for the one health movement. By education, research, nature of work and practice, majority of the veterinarians are poised to treat and handle many of the disease situations of man and animals in a holistic approach considering the common platform of environment existing for both species. This proves that the One Health mindset is already an inherent part of a veterinarian through his education, practice and experience. With this background, the veterinarians from core animal health academics to clinical practitioners to free lancing veterinary consultants and to Animal husbandry extension specialists are already being an integral part of multi-disciplinary strategies that have typical perspectives of a One health approach without realizing it in their day-to-day activities. Let us take this concept forward and replicate to achieve the safer and healthier world. © 2022 Indian Veterinary Assocaition | animal husbandry; Article; coronavirus disease 2019; doctoral education; environment; human; nonhuman; One Health; pandemic; postgraduate education; severe acute respiratory syndrome; undergraduate education; vector borne disease; veterinarian; veterinary medicine; wildlife; zoonosis | animals; environment; healthier man; One health movement; veterinary knowledge |
| Effectiveness of One Health approach for control of Kyasanur Forest Disease in Wayanad, Kerala, India | Background & objectives: Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a vector borne haemorrhagic fever that is endemic in the Wayanad region located in Northern part of Kerala, India. The region is managing the outbreak well ever since the major epidemic of 2015. This was because of the successful implementation of One Health (OH) initiative concentrating on multisectoral collaboration between regional institutions involved in public, animal and environmental health domains. The article presents how OH was implemented for the first time in the district in the year 2015 and evaluates the degree OH-ness of the Initiative. Methods: The OH approach involved trans-disciplinary stakeholder meetings and reviews, outbreak management and integrated surveillance targeting ticks, monkeys and humans. The degree of OH-ness used for addressing KFD during the year 2015 was evaluated following the protocol developed by the Network for Evaluation of One Health (NEOH). In detail, we (i) described the OH initiative and its system (Aim, stakeholders, action strategy) and (ii) scored different aspects of this initiative (i.e., OH-thinking, -planning, -working, -sharing, -learning, -organization), with values from 0 (=no OH approach) to 1 (=perfect OH approach). Results: We obtained a median score for each aspect evaluated. We reached high scores for OH systemic organization (1.0), OH thinking (0.83) and OH working (0.83). Lower scores were attributed to OH planning (0.58), OH sharing (0.50) and OH learning (0.33). The OH index was 0.36 and OH ratio was 0.95, indicating a balance between the OH operations and supporting infrastructures. Interpretation & conclusion: With this we could high-light some critical issues related to communication on sharing data as well as learning gaps for consideration to control future outbreaks. The strengths and weaknesses detected may be used to refine the initiative, aiming to provide a basis for the development of shared recommendations in a more OH-oriented perspective. This model of evaluation criteria will serve to create a database of OH success stories in India that will in turn help to institutionalize the approach at ministerial level. Future India is moving towards implementing a One Health, hence, this study data will provide an ideal opportunity for all sectors to control any vector borne diseases. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved. | Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Vectors; India; Kyasanur Forest Disease; One Health; Article; disease management; disease surveillance; epidemic; health care planning; health care system; health education; human; India; infection control; information dissemination; Kyasanur Forest disease; Kyasanur Forest disease virus; One Health; practice guideline; stakeholder engagement; animal; disease carrier; epidemic; Kyasanur Forest disease |
| From policy to practice: An assessment of biosecurity practices in cattle, sheep and goats production, marketing and slaughter in Baringo County, Kenya | Globally, biosecurity is instrumental in prevention, control and management of livestock diseases and protection of human health. It is defined, prescribed, adopted and enforced through global, regional and national frameworks, laws, policies and strategies. There is more biosecurity practice research conducted in developed countries than developing ones. Consequently, the gap between the ideals recommended in biosecurity frameworks and what is practical in under-resourced rural settings is poorly understood. This anthropological study sought to assess adoption of biosecurity practices across a cattle, sheep and goat value chains continuum to demonstrate where risks lie. The cross-sectional mixed-methods study took place in Baringo County, Kenya. Qualitatively, it utilized 26 focus group discussions with community members and 10 observational interviews with slaughter facility workers. Quantitatively, it included a household survey with 560 community members and a separate survey with 231 livestock traders. Results show that producers, traders and slaughter facility workers did observe some biosecurity practices but not others due but not limited to personal preference, limitations in veterinary service delivery and enforcement of some biosecurity measures, and lack of requisite infrastructure. The study concludes that the implementation of biosecurity measures in rural settings is more complex than envisioned in biosecurity policies and frameworks. It can be hampered by resource limitations, poor enforcement, and contestations with cultural practices. The study recommends that further studies on willingness to adopt biosecurity measures targeting community members in under-resourced settings be conducted to identify possible critical points of intervention at county and national levels. Copyright: © 2022 Mutua et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | Animal Husbandry; Animals; Biosecurity; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Goats; Humans; Kenya; Livestock; Marketing; Policy; Sheep; Surveys and Questionnaires; abattoir worker; adult; aged; Article; biosecurity; bovine; community sample; controlled study; cross-sectional study; female; goat; health care delivery; household; human; interview; Kenya; livestock; male; marketing; nonhuman; observational study; One Health; qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis; questionnaire; risk assessment; rural area; sheep; slaughtering; veterinary medicine; animal; animal husbandry; bovine; cattle disease; marketing; policy; sheep |
| Application of shotgun metagenomics sequencing and targeted sequence capture to detect circulating porcine viruses in the Dutch–German border region | Porcine viruses have been emerging in recent decades, threatening animal and human health, as well as economic stability for pig farmers worldwide. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can detect and characterize known and unknown viruses but has limited sensitivity when an unbiased approach, such as shotgun metagenomics sequencing, is used. To increase the sensitivity of NGS for the detection of viruses, we applied and evaluated a broad viral targeted sequence capture (TSC) panel and compared it to an unbiased shotgun metagenomic approach. A cohort of 36 pooled porcine nasal swab and blood serum samples collected from both sides of the Dutch–German border region were evaluated. Overall, we detected 46 different viral species using TSC, compared to 40 viral species with a shotgun metagenomics approach. Furthermore, we performed phylogenetic analysis on recovered influenza A virus (FLUAV) genomes from Germany and revealed a close similarity to a zoonotic influenza strain previously detected in the Netherlands. Although TSC introduced coverage bias within the detected viruses, it improved sensitivity, genome sequence depth and contig length. In-depth characterization of the swine virome, coupled with developing new enrichment techniques, can play a crucial role in the surveillance of circulating porcine viruses and emerging zoonotic pathogens. © 2021 The Authors. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. | Animals; Genome, Viral; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Metagenome; Metagenomics; Phylogeny; Swine; Viruses; Article; blood sampling; circulating porcine virus; cohort analysis; high throughput sequencing; infectious agent; Influenza A virus; Influenza A virus (H1N1); nonhuman; phylogeny; pig; real time polymerase chain reaction; sensitivity analysis; shotgun sequencing; viral metagenomics; viral targeted sequence capture; virome; virus; virus detection; virus genome; animal; genetics; human; metagenome; metagenomics; procedures; veterinary medicine | influenza A virus; one health; porcine virome; shotgun metagenomics sequencing; surveillance; targeted sequence capture |
| One Health compartmental analysis of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli on Reunion Island reveals partitioning between humans and livestock | Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) is a major cause of infections worldwide. An understanding of the reservoirs and modes of transmission of these pathogens is essential, to tackle their increasing frequency. Objectives: We investigated the contributions of various compartments (humans, animals, environment), to human colonization or infection with ESBL-Ec over a 3 year period, on an island. Methods: The study was performed on Reunion Island (Southwest Indian Ocean). We collected ESBL-Ec isolates prospectively from humans, wastewater and livestock between April 2015 and December 2018. Human specimens were recovered from a regional surveillance system representative of the island’s health facilities. These isolates were compared with those from livestock and urban/rural wastewater, by whole-genome sequencing. Results: We collected 410 ESBL-Ec isolates: 161 from humans, 161 from wastewater and 88 from animals. Phylogenomic analysis demonstrated high diversity (100 STs), with different STs predominating among isolates from humans (ST131, ST38, ST10) and animals (ST57, ST156). The large majority (90%) of the STs, including ST131, were principally associated with a single compartment. The CTX-M-15, CTX-M-27 and CTX-M-14 enzymes were most common in humans/human wastewater, whereas CTX-M-1 predominated in animals. Isolates of human and animal origin had different plasmids carrying blaCTX-M genes, with the exception of a conserved IncI1-ST3 blaCTX-M-1 plasmid. Conclusions: These molecular data suggest that, despite their high level of contamination, animals are not a major source of the ESBL-Ec found in humans living on this densely populated high-income island. Public health policies should therefore focus primarily on human-to-human transmission, to prevent human infections with ESBL-Ec. © 2022 The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Humans; Livestock; Multilocus Sequence Typing; One Health; Plasmids; Reunion; Waste Water; antiinfective agent; beta lactamase; animal experiment; animal model; article; bacterial colonization; contamination; controlled study; extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia coli; health care facility; highest income group; horizontal disease transmission; human; Indian Ocean; livestock; nonhuman; One Health; plasmid; prevention; public health; Reunion; wastewater; whole genome sequencing; animal; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli infection; genetics; livestock; multilocus sequence typing; Reunion; veterinary medicine |
| Nucleic Acid Preservation Card Surveillance Is Effective for Monitoring Arbovirus Transmission on Crocodile Farms and Provides a One Health Benefit to Northern Australia | The Kunjin strain of West Nile virus (WNVKUN) is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus that can infect farmed saltwater crocodiles in Australia and cause skin lesions that devalue the hides of harvested animals. We implemented a surveillance system using honey-baited nucleic acid preservation cards to monitor WNVKUN and another endemic flavivirus pathogen, Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), on crocodile farms in northern Australia. The traps were set between February 2018 and July 2020 on three crocodile farms in Darwin (Northern Territory) and one in Cairns (North Queensland) at fortnightly intervals with reduced trapping during the winter months. WNVKUN RNA was detected on all three crocodile farms near Darwin, predominantly between March and May of each year. Two of the NT crocodile farms also yielded the detection of MVE viral RNA sporadically spread between April and November in 2018 and 2020. In contrast, no viral RNA was detected on crocodile farms in Cairns during the entire trapping period. The detection of WNVKUN and MVEV transmission by FTA™ cards on farms in the Northern Territory generally correlated with the detection of their transmission to sentinel chicken flocks in nearby localities around Darwin as part of a separate public health surveillance program. While no isolates of WNVKUN or MVEV were obtained from mosquitoes collected on Darwin crocodile farms immediately following the FTA™ card detections, we did isolate another flavivirus, Kokobera virus (KOKV), from Culex annulirostris mosquitoes. Our studies support the use of the FTA™ card system as a sensitive and accurate method to monitor the transmission of WNVKUN and other arboviruses on crocodile farms to enable the timely implementation of mosquito control measures. Our detection of MVEV transmission and isolation of KOKV from mosquitoes also warrants further investigation of their potential role in causing diseases in crocodiles and highlights a “One Health” issue concerning arbovirus transmission to crocodile farm workers. In this context, the introduction of FTA™ cards onto crocodile farms appears to provide an additional surveillance tool to detect arbovirus transmission in the Darwin region, allowing for a more timely intervention of vector control by relevant authorities. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Alligators and Crocodiles; Animals; Arboviruses; Culicidae; Encephalitis Virus, Murray Valley; Farms; Flavivirus; Mosquito Vectors; Northern Territory; Nucleic Acids; One Health; RNA, Viral; West Nile virus; nucleic acid; virus RNA; Aedes kochi; Aedes vigilax; animal experiment; Anopheles; Arbovirus; Article; Australia; biosurveillance; Coquillettidia xanthogaster; crocodile; Culex; Culex bitaeniorhynchus; Culex hilli; Culex pullus; Culex quinquefasciatus; Culex squamosus; Culex vishnui group; disease surveillance; farm animal; Glossina palpalis; health program; Mansonia uniformis; mosquito; Murray Valley encephalitis virus; nonhuman; One Health; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; Sanger sequencing; Uranotaenia albescens; Uranotaenia lateralis; Uranotaenia nivipes; virology; virus transmission; West Nile virus; agricultural land; animal; crocodilian; Flavivirus; genetics; mosquito; mosquito vector; Murray Valley encephalitis virus; Northern Territory | flaviviruses; FTA™ cards; Kunjin virus; mosquitoes; saltwater crocodile; sentinel chickens; surveillance; virus isolation |
| Identification of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis in captive primates from a zoo in Brazil | Wild nonhuman primates (NHP) are considered natural hosts of a protozoan parasite from the genus Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. It is important to study the population of this infectious agent in zoo animals to establish surveillance and control mechanisms in Sorocaba through the application of a One Health approach, this is where human–animal–environment health and disease interface and can aid in the protection of endangered species. This study aimed to identify Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis in NHP living in a city where leishmaniasis is endemic. DNA was extracted from 48 NHP and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction primers that are specific for the species L. infantum and L. braziliensis. The results of our research revealed the first report of L. infantum and L. braziliensis naturally infecting primates at Sorocaba zoo. One primate from the species Plecturocebus vieirai was positive for L. infantum and five primates (four Alouatta caraya and one Ateles chamek) were positive for L. braziliensis. This indicates a possible role of these animals on the maintenance of these parasites. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. | Animals; Brazil; Leishmania braziliensis; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis; Primates; captive population; identification method; polymerase chain reaction; primate; animal; Brazil; epidemiology; genetics; Leishmania braziliensis; Leishmania infantum; leishmaniasis; parasitology; primate | leishmaniasis; monkey; one health; PCR; zoonosis |
| Subcutaneous dirofilariosis in Italy: a diagnostic hypothesis to remind when the anamnesis is misleading | Subcutaneous parasitic infections are possible matches in routine pathology and can be detected not only in patients coming from or travelling in tropical countries, but also when the anamnesis does not suggest at first worm infestations. Here we report tine case of a young man from the nortti-west of Italy, with a negative anamnesis for travels but tine presence of dogs at home, wtio presented a subcutaneous nodule showing a nematode surrounded by a fibrous capsule; the morphology was suggestive for Dirofilaria repens. Dirofilariosis is a zoonosis caused by D. repens or D. immitis, wtiich can be acquired by dogs and cats through mosquitos bites; the disease is widespread in developing countries, but it is also emerging in Western countries, becoming an important public healtti issue. © Copyright by Società Italiana di Anatomia Fatologica e Citopatologia Diagnostica, Divisione Italiana della International Acadetry of Pathology | case report | Dirofiaria repens; Dirofilariasis; one health; subcutaneous nodules; zoonosis |
| Acacia Fiber Protects the Gut from Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli Colonization Enabled by Antibiotics | Novel approaches to combating antibiotic resistance are needed given the ever-continuing rise of antibiotic resistance and the scarce discovery of new antibiotics. Little is known about the colonization dynamics and the role of intrinsic plant-food characteristics in this process. We sought to determine whether plant fiber could alter colonization dynamics by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut. We determined that ingestion of antibiotics in mice markedly enhanced gut colonization by a pathogenic extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli strain of human origin, E. coli JJ1886 (ST131-H30Rx). Furthermore, ingestion of soluble acacia fiber before and after antibiotic exposure significantly reduced pathogenic E. coli colonization. 16S rRNA analysis and ex vivo cocultures demonstrated that fiber protected the microbiome by serving as a prebiotic, which induced native gut E. coli to inhibit pathogenic E. coli via colicin M. Fiber may be a useful prebiotic with which to administer antibiotics to protect human and livestock gut microbiomes against colonization from antibiotic-resistant, pathogenic bacteria. © 2022 Maeusli et al | Acacia; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Escherichia coli; Mammals; Mice; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; ciprofloxacin; clindamycin; colicin; prebiotic agent; antiinfective agent; beta lactamase; RNA 16S; Acacia; animal experiment; animal model; antibacterial activity; antibiosis; antibiotic resistance; Article; bacterial colonization; bacterial growth; controlled study; dietary fiber; drug exposure; dysbiosis; Escherichia coli infection; extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Escherichia coli; female; intestine; intestine flora; lettuce; mouse; nonhuman; animal; Escherichia coli; genetics; mammal | antibiotic resistance; colicin; ESBL; Escherichia coli; fiber; gut microbiome; host-pathogen interactions; infectious disease; One Health |
| Genomic and Temporal Trends in Canine ExPEC Reflect Those of Human ExPEC | Companion animals and humans are known to share extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), but the extent of E. coli sequence types (STs) that cause extraintestinal diseases in dogs is not well understood. Here, we generated whole-genome sequences of 377 ExPEC collected by the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital from dogs over an 11-year period from 2007 to 2017. Isolates were predominantly from urogenital tract infections (219, 58.1%), but isolates from gastrointestinal specimens (51, 13.5%), general infections (72, 19.1%), and soft tissue infections (34, 9%) were also represented. A diverse collection of 53 STs were identified, with 18 of these including at least five sequences. The five most prevalent STs were ST372 (69, 18.3%), ST73 (31, 8.2%), ST127 (22, 5.8%), ST80 (19, 5.0%), and ST58 (14, 3.7%). Apart from ST372, all of these are prominent human ExPEC STs. Other common ExPEC STs identified included ST12, ST131, ST95, ST141, ST963, ST1193, ST88, and ST38. Virulence gene profiles, antimicrobial resistance carriage, and trends in plasmid carriage for specific STs were generally reflective of those seen in humans. Many of the prominent STs were observed repetitively over an 11-year time span, indicating their persistence in the dogs in the community, which is most likely driven by household sharing of E. coli between humans and their pets. The case of ST372 as a dominant canine lineage observed sporadically in humans is flagged for further investigation. IMPORTANCE Pathogenic E. coli that causes extraintestinal infections (ExPEC) in humans and canines represents a significant burden in hospital and veterinary settings. Despite the obvious interrelationship between dogs and humans favoring both zoonotic and anthropozoonotic infections, whole-genome sequencing projects examining large numbers of canine-origin ExPEC are lacking. In support of anthropozoonosis, we found that most STs from canine infections are dominant human ExPEC STs (e.g., ST73, ST127, ST131) with similar genomic traits, such as plasmid carriage and virulence gene burden. In contrast, we identified ST372 as the dominant canine ST and a sporadic cause of infection in humans, supporting zoonotic transfer. Furthermore, we highlight that, as is the case in humans, STs in canine disease are consistent over time, implicating the gastrointestinal tract as the major community reservoir, which is likely augmented by exposure to human E. coli via shared diet and proximity. Copyright © 2022 Elankumaran et al. | Animals; Dogs; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli; Genomics; Humans; Phylogeny; Urinary Tract Infections; antibiotic resistance; Article; dog; extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli; genetic epidemiology; genomics; human; multilocus sequence typing; nonhuman; One Health; pet animal; soft tissue infection; time; trend study; urogenital tract infection; whole genome sequencing; animal; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli infection; phylogeny; urinary tract infection; veterinary medicine | antimicrobial resistance; canine; dogs; Escherichia coli; ExPEC; genomic epidemiology; infections; one health; ST372; virulence; whole-genome sequencing |
| First Complete Cytochrome B Sequences and Molecular Taxonomy of Bat Species from Sri Lanka | This is the first report on the molecular identification and phylogeny of the Rousettus leschenaultii Desmarest, 1810, Rhinolophus rouxii Temminck, 1835, Hipposideros speoris Schneider, 1800, Hipposideros lankadiva Kelaart, 1850, and Miniopterus fuliginosus Kuhl, 1817, bat species in Sri Lanka, inferred from analyses by mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b gene sequences. Recent research has indicated that bats show enormous cryptic genetic diversity. Moreover, even within the same species, the acoustic properties of echolocation calls and morphological features such as fur color could vary in different populations. Therefore, we have used molecular taxonomy for the accurate identification of five bat species recorded in one of the largest cave populations in Sri Lanka. The bats were caught using a hand net, and saliva samples were collected non-invasively from each bat by using a sterile oral swab. Nucleic acids were extracted from the oral swab samples, and mitochondrial DNA was amplified by using primers targeting the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b gene. This study reports the first molecular evidence for the identification of five bat species in Sri Lanka. Our findings will contribute to future conservation and systematic studies of bats in Sri Lanka. This study will also provide the basis for a genetic database of Sri Lankan bats which will contribute significantly to the investigation of potentially zoonotic bat viruses. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | cytochrome b; mitochondrial DNA; Article; bat; data analysis; DNA extraction; DNA sequence; gene amplification; gene sequence; genetic database; morphometry; nonhuman; nucleotide sequence; oral swab; phylogenetic tree; phylogeny; population; Rhinolophus hipposideros; Rhinolophus sinicus; Rousettus; Sanger sequencing; sequence analysis; Sri Lanka; taxonomy; viral zoonosis; virus detection | bat phylogeny; cryptic species; molecular identification of bats; molecular phylogeny; molecular taxonomy; One Health; Sri Lankan bats |
| Prevalence and Characterisation of Multiresistant Bacterial Strains Isolated in Pigs from the Island of Tenerife | Background: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can circulate among human and animal populations through direct contact with animals, as well as via food and the environment. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and characterisation of multiresistant bacteria in pig samples. Methods: 224 samples of pig livestock were taken at the slaughterhouse on the island of Tenerife. A nasal and a rectal sample were collected from each pig. The presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus coagulase-negative (MRCoNS), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (BLEE), carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE), and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was investigated. The resistance genes of the isolated bacteria were characterised by specific PCRs depending on the microorganism to be studied, and in vitro antimicrobial resistance was determined using the broth microdilution method (Vitek®2 system bioMérieux®, Nurtingen, Germany). Results: MRSA prevalence was 73.21% (164 isolates). MRCoNS prevalence was 9.8% (22 isolates), S. sciuri being the prevalent species. Six isolates presented a 2.7% prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (BLEE) in the CTX-M-1 group. No vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), or colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were isolated. Conclusion: we found a high presence of multiresistant bacteria, suggesting the need for increased control and surveillance of this type of strains in pig livestock and a better understanding of the possible transmission routes of these microorganisms through livestock products. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | antibiotic resistance; Article; bacterial strain; bacterium examination; bacterium isolation; broth dilution; carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae; extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae; in vitro study; livestock; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; multidrug resistant bacterium; nonhuman; pig; polymerase chain reaction; prevalence; slaughterhouse; vancomycin resistant Enterococcus | antimicrobial resistance; one-health; pig livestock |
| Effect of Zeolite Supplementation on Gene Expression in the Intestinal Mucosa in the Context of Immunosafety Support in Poultry | Zeolite is an effective and non-toxic silicate mineral. Its properties are widely used in industry due to its sorption and ion exchange properties. Due to its excellent chemical properties, it has also great potential in poultry production as a food additive or supplement to bedding. This is of great importance for the biosafety and hygiene of production. The study aimed to analyse the effects of simultaneous application of zeolite to feed and bedding on production parameters and expression of genes related to intestinal tightness, organism defence, and immune response. Male Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in the experiment. In the experimental group, an external factor in the form of a powdery zeolite was used for feed and pelleted bedding. On the day of slaughter, the caecal mucosa was collected for gene expression analysis. We showed no significant changes in the tissue composition of the carcasses, but zeolite had a beneficial effect on the carcass yield. The analysis of the immune gene panel showed a significant increase in the expression of the interleukins and interferons genes. We have demonstrated the effect of zeolite on the improvement of the intestinal barrier and increasing the tightness of the intestines. There were no changes in gene expression related to the host’s defence against infections; therefore, based on the obtained results, it was concluded that zeolite can be considered an immunomodulating factor of the immune system. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Animal Feed; Animals; Chickens; Dietary Supplements; Gene Expression; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Poultry; Zeolites; aluminum; aluminum oxide; calcium oxide; iron oxide; magnesium oxide; potassium oxide; silicon; silicon dioxide; unclassified drug; zeolite; zeolite; agar gel electrophoresis; animal cell; animal tissue; Article; body weight gain; broiler; controlled study; false discovery rate; feed conversion ratio; gene expression; gene ontology; immune response; immunomodulation; intestine mucosa; ion exchange; male; nonhuman; poultry; protein analysis; protein expression; protein function; RNA isolation; animal; animal food; chicken; dietary supplement; gene expression; genetics; intestine mucosa; metabolism | aluminosilicate; cecum; immune response; one health; poultry |
| Earth System’s Gatekeeping of “One Health” Approach to Manage Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases | Global response to climate-sensitive infectious diseases has been uncertain and slow. The understanding of the underlying vulnerabilities which forms part of changes created by forces within the Earth system has never before been critical until the coronavirus disease 2019, “COVID-19” pandemic with the initial developmental phase linked to weather elements and climate change. Hence, the heightened interest in climate-sensitive infectious diseases and GeoHealth, evident in the renewed calls for “One Health” approach to disease management. “One Health” explains the commonality of human and animal medicine, and links to the bio-geophysical environment, yet are at crossroads with how forces within the Earth system shape etiologies, incidences, and transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Hence, the paper explores how these forces, which are multistage and driven by climate change impacts on ecosystems affect emerging infectious diseases, leading to the question “what drive the drivers of diseases?” Three questions that challenge broad theories of Earth system science on boundaries and connectivity emerged to guide study designs to further interrogating disease surveillance and health early warning systems. This is because, climate change (a) drives prevailing biological health hazards as part of forces within the Earth system, (b) shifts disease control services of ecosystems and functioning to effectively regulate disease incidence, and (c) modifies pathogen—species hosts relationships. Hence, the need to rethink pluralistic concepts of climate-sensitive diseases in their infection and management from a GeoHealth perspective, which “One Health” potentially conveys, and to also maintain ecosystem health. © 2022 The Authors. GeoHealth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Geophysical Union. | biodiversity; climate change; early warning; Earth observation; ecosystem services; One Health |
| Strengthening preparedness against global health threats: A paradigm shift based on One Health approaches | The implementation of preparedness strategies to prevent and mitigate the impact of global health threats poses several challenges. It should promptly identify cross-cutting drivers of pandemic threats, assess context-specific risks, engage multiple stakeholders, and translate complex data from multiple sources into accessible information for action. This requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary and multisectoral effort engaging systems that, most of the time, work in isolation. The One Health (OH) approach promotes the collaboration and communication among different disciplines and sectors, and could be applied across the preparedness phases at national and international level. We discuss here gaps and needs in preparedness strategies, which can benefit from the OH approach, and a set of actionable recommendations, as shared with the G20–2021 with a dedicated Policy Brief. The discussion adds to the current debate about OH operationalization and promotes a paradigm shift towards coordinated prevention and preparedness strategies for early assessment and management of global health threats. © 2022 The Authors | Article; global health; health care policy; human; interpersonal communication; isolation; multidisciplinary team; threat | Emerging infectious diseases; One Health; Preparedness; Prevention |
| Situating zoonotic diseases in peacebuilding and development theories: Prioritizing zoonoses in Jordan | Zoonotic diseases are projected to be a serious public threat in the coming decades. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that Jordan prioritize their list of zoonoses, partially in response to the influx of Syrian refugees. We write this paper to expand the One Health framework by situating zoonotic diseases in peacebuilding and development theories in order to prioritize zoonotic diseases in Jordan. We employ an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to create a modified version of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) tool. We use an integrative literature review to develop a list of zoonoses to be prioritized. We expand the One Health framework by arguing health inequity is a form of violence, and thus promotion of health equity is a form of peacebuilding. We undertake thematic and statistical analyses to assess the 12 previously published OHZDP tools to evaluate necessity for change to the process given COVID-19 and the refugee situation in Jordan. In these analyses we use drivers of health indicators as measurements for peacebuilding and development, given these drivers are related to health inequities, to guide weighting of the criteria in our tool for Jordan. We apply our modified OHZDP tool to prioritize our disease list. We find it necessary to give socioeconomic factors greater consideration and to distribute weighting more evenly among all criteria within the tool when prioritizing zoonotic diseases in better reflect the Jordanian context and incorporate the refugee population. We find the priority zoonoses within Jordan to be bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, and COVID-19, with most having a disproportionately negative impact on refugees. In Jordan’s case, zoonotic diseases represent an area where promoting social equity for individuals is essential to the larger society. In this sense managing zoonoses is an area uniquely suited for peacebuilding. © 2022 McAlester, Kanazawa. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | Animals; Armed Conflicts; Cost of Illness; Health Priorities; Humans; Jordan; Models, Theoretical; Patient Acuity; Refugees; Socioeconomic Factors; Zoonoses; Article; bovine tuberculosis; brucellosis; coronavirus disease 2019; development theory; health care planning; health disparity; health equity; high risk population; human; Jordan; needs assessment; One Health; One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool; peacebuilding; refugee; social aspects and related phenomena; social environment; social equity; socioeconomics; sociological theory; Syrian; thematic analysis; violence; zoonosis; animal; cost of illness; health care planning; patient acuity; prevention and control; theoretical model; war; zoonosis |
| The White Meat Industry in Dubai through a One Health Lens | White meat is one of the most commonly consumed animal-source foods in the Emirate of Dubai and is one of 21 main foods listed in the National Food Security Strategy of UAE and the Emirate of Dubai. Although fresh white meat is produced locally, the quantities are very limited, so, to meet market needs, chilled and frozen white meat is imported. The aim of this chapter is to examine the existing white meat supply networks and market in Dubai and understand the flow of fresh chickens from the local market and the shipment dynamics for imported frozen chickens under the One Health concept. Data from documents, publications and surveys of the Dubai Government, representatives of the Food Safety Department and Veterinary Service Section (via focus group discussions) and direct interviews with local small farmers, food importers, food manufacturers and retailers and animal feed manufacturers and retailers were used to describe the value chain for white meat in the Emirate of Dubai. The data were collected through detailed questionnaires in the interview with the focus groups and interviews of groups of stakeholders selected by the Food Safety Department in Dubai Municipality. Data from government strategies and reports were collected and analysed to understand the government’s position and the size of the white meat sector. The data provided by representatives of local small farmers, food importers, food manufacturers and retailers and animal feed manufacturers and retailers were used to understand the value chain of white meat from the private sector perspective. After studying the value chain and the results of this research, areas were identified in the value chain of the white meat sector at the level of the Emirate of Dubai that can be improved, for example, the need for better marketing of local products. Some areas are already strong such as the inclusion of white meat products in the Dubai strategy for Food Security approved at the level of the Emirate of Dubai. The results of this chapter highlight critical opportunities for changes in policies and best practices that if implemented by the Dubai Government would ensure that the white meat industry is able to meet local market demands. Recommendations to the Dubai Government are presented in support of enhancing Dubai’s economic sustainability and efficient contributions to food and nutrition security. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Dubai [United Arab Emirates]; United Arab Emirates; food industry; food safety; food security; governance approach; marketing; meat; private sector | Food Safety Department in Dubai Municipality; One Health; white meat; white meat in Dubai |
| Assessment of multidrug-resistant Listeria monocytogenes in milk and milk product and One Health perspective | The occurrence and the antibiogram signatures of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) recovered from 65 milk samples and its products within the Eastern Cape province were examined. The EN ISO 11290:2017 procedures Parts 1 and 2 described by the International Organization for Standardization for the enumeration and isolation of Lm was adopted for the study. Lm was detected in 18.46% of all the samples examined, and the strains recovered from the samples belong to serotypes 4b and 1/2b. The virulence determinants including prfA, plcA, plcB, inlA, inlC, hly, mpl, actA, inlJ and inlB were detected in all the isolates. About 95.24% of the studied Lm isolates demonstrated potential capacity for biofilm formation. The antibiogram profile revealed high resistance against sulfamethoxazole (71.43%), trimethoprim (52.86%); erythromycin, cefotetan and oxytetracycline (42.86% respectively). About 85.71% exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes against the test antibiotics. The resistance determinants encoding resistance against the β-lactamase antibiotics [such as the blaTEM, blaSHV, blaTEM variants (TEM-1 and TEM-2) and the blaZ], the tetracycline resistance genes (including tetA, tetD, tetG and tetM and tetK) were detected among resistant isolates. In addition, the aminoglycoside resistance gene aph (3)-IIa (aphA2)a was detected only in one isolate. Finally, the sulfonamide resistance genes including the sul2 and the sul1 genes were the most frequently observed among Lm isolates. Generally, 71.43% of all Lm isolates recovered from the samples investigated harboured one or more resistance genes encoding resistance against various antibiotics. The antibiogram signatures of Lm isolates observed in this study is an indication that empirical treatment of listeriosis may be challenging in the future as the pathogen may obliterate the success of antibiotics. We, therefore, advocate for the recognition of the One Health approach to ensuring food safety and curbing the spread of antimicrobial resistance in food. © 2022 Kayode, Okoh. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Food Microbiology; Listeria monocytogenes; Milk; One Health; beta lactamase; beta lactamase TEM 1; cefotetan; erythromycin; oxytetracycline; protein beta lactamase TEM 2; sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim; unclassified drug; antiinfective agent; actA gene; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterial count; bacterial gene; bacterial virulence; bacterium detection; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; blaSHV gene; blaTEM gene; clinical assessment; clinical evaluation; controlled study; dairy product; DNA extraction; drug screening; food safety; genetic resistance; genetic variability; hly gene; inlA gene; inlB gene; inlC gene; inlJ gene; Listeria monocytogenes; listeriosis; mpl gene; nonhuman; One Health; phenotype; plcA gene; plcB gene; prevalence; prfA gene; serotype; serotyping; South Africa; sul1 gene; sul2 gene; tetA gene; tetD gene; tetG gene; tetK gene; tetM gene; animal; food control; Listeria monocytogenes; milk |
| Milk Quality and Safety in a One Health Perspective: Results of a Prevalence Study on Dairy Herds in Lombardy (Italy) | Mastitis is one of the major diseases of dairy cows that affects milk quality and quantity and increases the potential risk for the presence of antimicrobial residues (AR) in milk, which could lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among human pathogens. Even if the presence of AR in milk and milk products is low in many countries, the threat is not negligible and cannot be ignored. These problems may be investigated by applying a One Health approach, and this prevalence study aimed to estimate the risks for human health related to milk production applied to dairy herds in Lombardy. Three hundred thirty-one bulk tank milk samples were randomly collected and analyzed by CombiFoss 7 and MilkoScan 7 (milk quality, bacteria, and somatic cell count), an HPLC system coupled to a Q-Exactive Orbitrap (AR), and qPCR (contagious pathogens). The data were analyzed by a generalized linear model. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of contagious pathogens (S. aureus 28.1%; Str. agalactiae 7.3%; M. bovis 3%), which primarily affect milk nutritional components decreasing mainly milk fat content (range 1%–2.5%), but did not show them to be associated to an increase of the risk of antimicrobial residues. These latter ones were recovered only in 7/331 samples at concentrations far below official MLRs. The results support currently active surveillance programs’ efficacy in reducing AR risks, which may be further improved by prioritizing them based on geographical area characteristics. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | antimicrobial residues; dairy herds; milk quality; one health approach |
| Presence and Virulence Characteristics of Shiga Toxin Escherichia coli and Non-Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 in Products from Animal Protein Supply Chain Enterprises in South Africa | Consumption of food that is contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has been linked to serious foodborne disease outbreaks. Our aim was to provide a descriptive study on the presence and virulence factors of STEC and non-STEC O157 isolates recovered from 2017 diverse meat and meat product samples from all provinces of South Africa (n = 1758) and imported meat from South Africa’s major ports of entry (n = 259). A cross-sectional study was undertaken to analyze raw intact meat, raw processed (nonintact) meat, and ready-to-eat (RTE) meat from cattle, game, sheep, pork, and poultry. Isolation was performed using International Organization for Standardization-based microbiological techniques, while detection and characterization were performed using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and conventional PCR targeting the stx1, stx2, eae, and ehxA genes. A total of 28 of 1758 (1.59%; confidence interval [CI] 1.1-2) samples from the domestic market tested positive (n = 10 Escherichia coli O157:H7; n = 14 Escherichia coli O157: non-H7; and n = 4 non-O157 STEC), while 4/259 (1.54%; CI 0.4-4) samples from ports of entry tested positive for Escherichia coli O157:H7 based on RT-PCR. On average, diverse samples from domestic meat and meat products from cattle showed the highest number of positive samples (22/1758; 1.3%; CI 0.8-2). RT-PCR detected more positive samples (n = 32) compared with culture (n = 17). Sixteen different virulence factor combinations were observed. Our findings demonstrate a relatively low presence of diverse STEC strains along the meat value chain. To our knowledge, this is the first extensive report in South Africa to analyze STEC and non-STEC O157 from local and imported samples from many animal species. This is important as it reveals virulence factors in STEC strains circulating in meat and meat products in South Africa, which contribute to the risk of infection. © Evelyn Madoroba et al. 2022; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. | Animals; Cattle; Cross-Sectional Studies; Escherichia coli Infections; Escherichia coli Proteins; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sheep; Shiga Toxin; Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli; South Africa; Virulence; Virulence Factors; animal protein; virulence factor; Escherichia coli protein; Shiga toxin; agar gel electrophoresis; Article; bacterial virulence; bacterium contamination; bacterium isolate; controlled study; cross-sectional study; Escherichia coli O157; foodborne pathogen; gastroenteritis; International Organization for Standardization; latex agglutination test; meat industry; microbiological examination; nonhuman; prevalence; quality control; real time polymerase chain reaction; Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli; South Africa; animal; bovine; Escherichia coli infection; genetics; metabolism; sheep; veterinary medicine; virulence | Conventional and RT-PCR; Culture methods; Food safety; Meat and meat products; One Health; STEC and non-STEC O157 |
| Concentrations of Ciprofloxacin in the World’s Rivers Are Associated with the Prevalence of Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Escherichia coli: A Global Ecological Analysis | Background: Extremely low concentrations of ciprofloxacin may select for antimicrobial resistance. A recent global survey found that ciprofloxacin concentrations exceeded safe levels at 64 sites. In this study, I assessed if national median ciprofloxacin concentrations in rivers were associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli. Methods: Spearman’s regression was used to assess the country-level association between the national prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli and the median ciprofloxacin concentration in the country’s rivers. Results: The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in E. coli was positively correlated with the concentration of ciprofloxacin in rivers (ρ = 0.36; p = 0.011; n = 48). Discussion: Steps to reducing the concentrations of fluoroquinolones in rivers may help prevent the emergence of resistance in E. coli and other bacterial species. © 2022 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | ciprofloxacin; quinolone derivative; analytical research; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; controlled study; ecology; Escherichia coli; fluoroquinolone resistance; limit of detection; liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; nonhuman; prevalence; river; short survey; tandem mass spectrometry | AMR; antimicrobial resistance; E. coli; fluoroquinolones; one health; rivers |
| Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) during the COVID-19 pandemic | The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically tested healthcare systems around the world, with serious repercussions on the measures of prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Among HAIs, Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) represents one of the most important global public health threats. Although the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CDI remains undetermined, depending on the development of the pandemic in the coming months, in this review literature studies of the last three years have been considered in order to depict the current situation, and make some considerations about possible future developments. If on the one hand, a general reduction in CDI incidence has been reported in several settings, mainly due to the extraordinary reinforcement of infection prevention measures, on the other hand, the critical circumstances experienced in many hospitals have limited the effectiveness of these measures, particularly in the intensive care units (ICUs), increasing the possibility of the occurrence of hospital-acquired CDI (HA-CDI). New concerns have arisen from the decrease in C. difficile testing and the increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics reported during the pandemic. In particular, overuse of antibiotics and disinfectants may lead to a selection of resistant C. difficile strains not only in hospitals but also in the community. Furthermore, patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and patients that have survived COVID-19 may represent a new group of frail patients potentially at a higher risk of CDI, a group that could potentially increase in size due to SARS-CoV-2 evolution. In the dramatic COVID-19 era, the multifactorial nature of CDI has emerged more clearly than before, highlighting the necessity of a strong refocus on efforts to improve prevention strategies and to integrate CDI surveillance in a One Health prospective in order to curtail the public health threat posed by this infection in the next future. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd | Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; COVID-19; Cross Infection; Humans; Pandemics; Prospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; antiinfective agent; antibiotic resistance; Article; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium difficile infection; coronavirus disease 2019; disease surveillance; hospital infection; hospitalization; human; incidence; infection prevention; infection risk; intensive care unit; multidrug resistance; One Health; pandemic; prediction; prevalence; public health; review; risk factor; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Clostridium infection; cross infection; pandemic; prospective study | Antibiotic resistance; C. difficile; CDI; Coronavirus; COVID-19; HAIs; SARS-CoV-2 |
| One Health Une santé:Chronic wasting disease – A prion disease through a One Health lens | [No abstract available] | Animals; Deer; One Health; Prion Diseases; Wasting Disease, Chronic; isoprotein; prion protein; Article; astrocytosis; ataxia; body weight loss; bovine spongiform encephalopathy; brain spongiosis; chronic wasting disease; genetic polymorphism; germline mutation; human; hypersalivation; One Health; pneumonia; polydipsia; polyuria; prion disease; animal; chronic wasting disease; deer; prion disease; veterinary medicine |
| Investigation of the probiotic and metabolic potential of Fructobacillus tropaeoli and Apilactobacillus kunkeei from apiaries | Honeybee products have been among important consumer products throughout history. Microbiota has attracted attention in recent years due to both their probiotic value and industrial potential. Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), whose field of study has been expanding rapidly in the last 20 years, are among the groups that can be isolated from the bee gut. This study aimed to isolate FLAB from the honeybees of two different geographic regions in Turkey and investigate their probiotic, metabolic and anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) potential. Metabolic properties were investigated based on fructose toleration and acid and diacetyl production while the probiotic properties of the isolates were determined by examining pH, pepsin, pancreatin resistance, antimicrobial susceptibility, and antimicrobial activity. Anti-QS activities were also evaluated with the Chromobacterium violaceum biosensor strain. Two FLAB members were isolated and identified by the 16S rRNA analysis as Fructobacillus tropaeoli and Apilactobacillus kunkeei, which were found to be tolerant to high fructose, low pH, pepsin, pancreatin, and bile salt environments. Both isolates showed anti-QS activity against the C. violaceum biosensor strain and no diacetyl production. The daily supernatants of the isolates inhibited the growth of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 among the selected pathogens. The isolates were found resistant to kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, and clindamycin. In the evaluation of the probiotic potential of these species, the negative effect of antibiotics and other chemicals to which honeybees are directly or indirectly exposed draws attention within the scope of the “One Health” approach. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bees; Fructose; Lactobacillales; Lactobacillus; Leuconostocaceae; Pancreatin; Pepsin A; Probiotics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; 2,3 butanedione; acetic acid; ampicillin; bile salt; butyric acid; chloramphenicol; clindamycin; erythromycin; fructose; gentamicin; kanamycin; lactic acid; pancreatin; pepsin A; probiotic agent; RNA 16S; streptomycin; tetracycline; vancomycin; antiinfective agent; probiotic agent; RNA 16S; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Apilactobacillus kunkeei; Article; bacterial strain; bacteriostatic activity; bacterium isolate; Chromobacterium violaceum; controlled study; Enterococcus faecalis; Escherichia coli; Fructobacillus tropaeoli; honeybee; Klebsiella pneumoniae; lactic acid bacterium; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; metabolism; nonhuman; pH; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; quorum sensing; RNA analysis; Staphylococcus aureus; supernatant; Turkey (republic); animal; bee; genetics; Lactobacillales; Lactobacillus; Leuconostocaceae; metabolism | Anti-quorum sensing; Antimicrobial resistance; Fructophilic bacteria; One Health |
| Healthy planet healthy people | One Health is a cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach that emphasizes the fundamental ways in which the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, fungi, plants, microbes, and natural and built ecosystems are interdependent. One Health approaches recognize the links between human health and a range of environmental concerns including biodiversity, climate, freshwater, food, harmful chemicals, and healthy oceans. Yet the conservation community and its broad interest in biodiversity and the natural world has been notably lacking in discussions about One Health. Partly as a result, both policy and practice have been narrowly focused on one or a few links between human and other healths, such as the human and wildlife health nexus. We provide a set of principles and components that will balance existing discussions by including the natural world and biodiversity and provide a framework for more active involvement by the conservation community. Incorporating these principles and components will enable One Health practice to guide inclusive, multidisciplinary, and cross-sectoral efforts that consider the shared costs and benefits of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health and help readjust humanity’s pursuit of a green, just, and equitable sustainability pathway. © 2022 The Authors. Conservation Letters published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. | domestic animal health; human health; One Health; wildlife health |
| Does having a cat in your house increase your risk of catching COVID-19? | Due to the zoonotic origin of SARS-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the potential for its transmission from humans back to animals and the possibility that it might establish ongoing infection pathways in other animal species has been discussed. Cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and were shown experimentally to transmit the virus to other cats. Infection of cats has been widely reported. Domestic cats in COVID-19-positive households could therefore be a part of a human to animal to human transmission pathway. Here, we report the results of a qualitative risk assessment focusing on the potential of cat to human transmission in such settings. The assessment was based on evidence available by October 2021. After the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 to a household by a human, cats may become infected and infected cats may pose an additional infection risk for other members of the household. In order to assess this additional risk qualitatively, expert opinion was elicited within the framework of a modified Delphi procedure. The conclusion was that the additional risk of infection of an additional person in a household associated with keeping a domestic cat is very low to negligible, depending on the intensity of cat-to-human interactions. The separation of cats from humans suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection should contribute to preventing further transmission. © 2022 The Authors | Article; cat; coronavirus disease 2019; Delphi study; domestic animal; droplet transmission; fomite transmission; infection risk; nonhuman; personal hygiene; probability; risk assessment; risk factor; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; zoonotic transmission | Cat; Delphi; One health; Risk assessment; SARS-CoV-2; Zoonosis |
| Occurrence of emerging multiresistant pathogens in the production chain of artisanal goat coalho cheese in Brazil | Sanitary-hygienic failures in cheese making can pose health risks to consumers. This study aimed to identify multiresistant pathogens in different production stages of artisanal goat coalho cheese in Brazil and characterize their phenotypic and genotypic resistance. Eleven properties in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, participated in the study. Samples were obtained from different stages of production and the humans involved. The samples obtained were submitted to microbiological culture, then all the isolated microorganisms were submitted to the Matrix Associated Laser Desorption-Ionization – Time of Flight technique for the microbiological identification of the species. Subsequently, Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp. and Macrococcus caseolyticus were subjected to polymerase chain reaction to search for resistance genes and disc diffusion technique to evaluate the resistance profile. A total of 111 isolates were obtained and 31 species were identified, with the frequency of Staphylococcus spp. (62.20%; 69/111), Enterococcus spp. (11.60%; 13/111), Macrococcus caseolyticus (10%; 11/111), Bacillus spp. (3.60%; 4/111), Enterobacter spp. (3.60%; 4/111), Aureobasidium pullulans (1.80%; 2/111), Corynebacterium camporealensis (1.80%; 2/111), Issatchenkia occidentalis (1.80%; 2/111), Kocuria kristinae (1.80%; 2/111), Aerococcus viridans (0.90%; 1/111) and Filifactor villosus (0.90%; 1/111). Phenotypic and genotypic resistance was also detected with the occurrence of 15.90% (7/44) of the mecA gene, 4% (1/25) vanA, and 4% (1/25) vanB in Staphylococcus spp. and 20% (2/10) vanB in and Enterococcus spp. Emerging multiresistant pathogens are present in the production chain of artisanal goat cheese and humans, who exert an important role in disseminating these bacteria with imminent risks to human health. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd | Animals; Brazil; Cheese; Enterococcus; Goats; Staphylococcaceae; Staphylococcus; amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; cefoxitin; enrofloxacin; erythromycin; gentamicin; linezolid; neomycin; oxacillin; penicillin binding protein 2a; penicillin G; rifampicin; tetracycline; vancomycin; Aerococcus viridans; antibiotic resistome; Article; artisanal production; Aureobasidium pullulans; bacterial gene; bacterial transmission; bacterium contamination; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; Brazil; cheesemaking; controlled study; Corynebacterium; Corynebacterium camporealensis; disk diffusion; Enterobacter; Enterococcus; Filifactor villosus; food contamination; food handling; food safety; genotype; goat; health hazard; infectious agent; Issatchenkia occidentalis; Kocuria; Kocuria kristinae; Macrococcus caseolyticus; matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry; mecA gene; microbiological examination; multidrug resistant bacterium; nonhuman; One Health; phenotype; polymerase chain reaction; Staphylococcus; vanB gene; animal; cheese; epidemiology; genetics; goat; microbiology; Staphylococcaceae | Contamination; Handling; MALDI-TOF; Multidrug resistance; One health |
| A large cluster of human infections of Streptococcus suis in Bali, Indonesia | A cluster of 18 inpatients and 21 outpatients with a major complaint of meningitis and a history of sharing traditional delicacies of raw pork and pig blood in a village festival led to the suspicion of Streptococcus suis (S. suis) meningitis in Sibang Kaja Village, Badung, Bali, Indonesia. We conducted an investigation and case finding to prevent human fatalities. Demography and laboratory examinations of the inpatients were recorded. Bacterial culture, identification, and sensitivity tests were conducted using a VITEK 2 Compact machine (Biomeriuex®) with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood from the inpatients. The bacterial species were confirmed via PCR. A subsequent investigation was also conducted to identify the source of the meat, the presence of S. suis in slaughtered pigs, and the zoosanitary measures at pig farms and slaughterhouses. The five most common clinical signs were fever (92.3%), myalgia (46.1%), neck stiffness (25.6%), headache (23.1%), and nausea/vomiting (20.5%). S. suis was confirmed in two CSF and one blood specimens. All inpatients recovered following intravenous treatment with ceftriaxone every 12 h for 14 days and dexamethasone every 6 h for 4 days, while the outpatients were treated with 500 mg of amoxicillin three times daily for 7 days. The veterinary and environmental investigation identified the source of the pork for the festival, confirmed the presence of S. suis in the slaughtered pigs, and elucidated the sanitary measures applied at the pig farms and slaughterhouses. We conclude that infections of S. suis in humans can spread in cluster phenomena following the sharing of high-risk food. A prompt and early response, as well as early treatment of patients, is paramount in case finding to enable a favourable outcome of full recovery. Additionally, the implementation of the “One Health” approach provides a comprehensive picture of the management of S. suis infection in humans. © 2022 The Authors | amoxicillin; ceftriaxone; dexamethasone; adult; aged; Article; bacterial meningitis; bacterial transmission; bacterium culture; bacterium identification; blood; blood analysis; case finding; cerebrospinal fluid analysis; clinical article; controlled study; female; fever; headache; hospital patient; human; incidence; Indonesia; male; myalgia; nausea and vomiting; One Health; outpatient; pig; polymerase chain reaction; pork; raw food; retrospective study; sanitation; stiff neck; Streptococcus infection; Streptococcus suis; vegetable | Bali, Indonesia; Cluster; High-risk food; Meningitis; Streptococcus suis |
| Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance: Development and Implementation of the Ghanaian National Action Plan (2017–2021) | In recent years, Ghana has been recognised as a leading player in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Africa. However, based on our literature review, we could not ascertain whether the core elements of the national action plan (NAP) were implemented in practice. In this paper, we present a qualitative analysis of the development of AMR-related policies in Ghana, including the NAP. We conducted 13 semi-structured expert interviews to obtain at a more thorough understanding of the implementation process for the AMR NAP and to highlight its accomplishments and shortcomings. The results show that AMR policies, as embodied in the NAP, have led to an extended network of cooperation between stakeholders in many political fields. Broadly, limited allocation of financial resources from the government and from international cooperation have been deplored. Furthermore, the opportunity for using the NAP in mainstreaming the response to the threat of AMR has not been seized. To the general public, this remained hidden behind a number of other relevant health topics such as infection prevention, veterinary services and pharmaceutical regulation. As a One Health (OH) challenge, developing countries could integrate AMR NAPs into other health and environmental programmes to improve its implementation in practice. © 2022 by the authors. | antibiotic resistance; article; awareness; developing country; finance; Ghana; government; human; infection prevention; international cooperation; interview; One Health; politics; qualitative analysis; veterinary medicine | AMR politics; antimicrobial resistance; awareness; governance; implementation; mobilizing finance; monitoring and evaluation; national action plan; One Health; transparency |
| Strengthening the global one health workforce: Veterinarians in CDC-supported field epidemiology training programs | Background: Effective prevention, detection, and response to disease threats at the human-animal-environment interface rely on a multisectoral, One Health workforce. Since 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has supported Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) to train veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs) alongside their human health counterparts in the principles of epidemiology, disease surveillance, and outbreak investigations. We aim to describe and evaluate characteristics of CDC-supported FETPs enrolling veterinarians/VPPs to understand these programs contribution to the strengthening of the global One Health workforce. Methods: We surveyed staff from CDC-supported FETPs that enroll veterinarians and VPPs regarding cohort demographics, graduate retention, and veterinary and One Health relevant curriculum inclusion. Descriptive data was analyzed using R Version 3.5.1. Results: Forty-seven FETPs reported veterinarian/VPP trainees, 68% responded to our questionnaire, and 64% reported veterinary/VPP graduates in 2017. The veterinary/VPP graduates in 2017 made up 12% of cohorts. Programs reported 74% of graduated veterinarians/VPPs retained employment within national ministries of agriculture. Common veterinary and One Health curriculum topics were specimen collection and submission (93%), zoonotic disease (90%) and biosafety practices (83%); least covered included animal/livestock production and health promotion (23%) and transboundary animal diseases (27%). Less than half (41%) of programs reported the curriculum being sufficient for veterinarians/VPPs to perform animal health specific job functions, despite most programs being linked to the ministry of agriculture (75%) and providing veterinary-specific mentorship (63%). Conclusions: Our results indicate that FETPs provide valuable training opportunities for animal health sector professionals, strengthening the epidemiology capacity within the ministries retaining them. While veterinary/VPP trainees could benefit from the inclusion of animal-specific curricula needed to fulfill their job functions, at present, FETPs continue to serve as multisectoral, competency-based, in-service training important in strengthening the global One Health workforce by jointly training the animal and human health sectors. © 2022 | animal health; Article; biosafety; cohort analysis; education program; field epidemiology training program; health promotion; health workforce; human; medical education; One Health; paraveterinary worker; public health service; questionnaire; sampling; veterinarian; zoonosis | Field epidemiology training program; Global health security; One health; One health workforce; Veterinary epidemiology |
| One Health Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotypes in Selected Communities in Thailand | Integrated surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using the One Health approach that includes humans, animals, food, and the environment has been recommended by responsible international organizations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of AMR phenotypes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species isolated from humans, pigs, chickens, and wild rodents in five communities in northern Thailand. Rectal swabs from 269 pigs and 318 chickens; intestinal contents of 196 wild rodents; and stool samples from 69 pig farmers, 155 chicken farmers, and 61 non-farmers were cultured for E. coli and Klebsiella species, which were then tested for resistance to ceftriaxone, colistin, and meropenem. The prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant E. coli and Klebsiella species in pigs, chickens, rodents, pig farmers, chicken farmers, and non-farmers was 64.3%, 12.9%, 4.1%, 55.1%, 38.7%, and 36.1%, respectively. Colistin resistance in pigs, chickens, rodents, pig farmers, chicken farmers, and non-farmers was 41.3%, 9.8%, 4.6%, 34.8%, 31.6%, and 24.6%, respectively. Meropenem resistance was not detected. The observed high prevalence of AMR, especially colistin resistance, in study food animals/humans is worrisome. Further studies to identify factors that contribute to AMR, strengthened reinforcement of existing regulations on antimicrobial use, and more appropriate interventions to minimize AMR in communities are urgently needed. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | ceftriaxone; colistin; meropenem; adult; agar dilution; agricultural worker; animal experiment; antibiotic resistance; Article; bacterium culture; chicken; Escherichia coli; feces analysis; human; human experiment; Klebsiella; middle aged; minimum inhibitory concentration; monitoring; nonhuman; One Health; phenotype; pig; prevalence; rectal swab; rodent; Thailand | antimicrobial resistance phenotype; community; One Health surveillance; Thailand |
| COVID-19 and zoonoses in Brazil: Environmental scan of one health preparedness and response | The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the central role of the One Health (OH) approach, as a multisectoral and multidisciplinary perspective, to tackle health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. This study assessed Brazilian preparedness and response to COVID-19 and zoonoses with a focus on the OH approach and equity dimensions. We conducted an environmental scan using a protocol developed as part of a multi-country study. The article selection process resulted in 45 documents: 79 files and 112 references on OH; 41 files and 81 references on equity. The OH and equity aspects are poorly represented in the official documents regarding the COVID-19 response, either at the federal and state levels. Brazil has a governance infrastructure that allows for the response to infectious diseases, including zoonoses, as well as the fight against antimicrobial resistance through the OH approach. However, the response to the pandemic did not fully utilize the resources of the Brazilian state, due to the lack of central coordination and articulation among the sectors involved. Brazil is considered an area of high risk for emergence of zoonoses mainly due to climate change, large-scale deforestation and urbanization, high wildlife biodiversity, wide dry frontier, and poor control of wild animals’ traffic. Therefore, encouraging existing mechanisms for collaboration across sectors and disciplines, with the inclusion of vulnerable populations, is required for making a multisectoral OH approach successful in the country. © 2022 The Authors | antibiotic resistance; Article; biodiversity; Brazil; climate change; coronavirus disease 2019; deforestation; documentation; government; human; maternal mortality; nonhuman; population research; prevalence; real time polymerase chain reaction; risk factor; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; systematic review; urbanization; wildlife; zoonosis | COVID-19; Equity; One health; Zoonoses; Zoonotic infectious diseases |
| Strengthening the Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance in India Using Integrative Technologies | Background: The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation in India is alarming. In the absence of newer antibiotics, the best possible approach is to efficiently use the existing antimicrobials through surveillance of resistance. The data generated by AMR surveillance across the country has immense potential to drive policy decisions. However, this data is available in a variety of sources. It is imperative to have tools to integrate the data generated across the country into a single data repository. Methods: An ensemble of tools (i-AMRSS, i-DIA, and i-AMRIT) have been designed and developed by the data management team at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to strengthen surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in India. Results: The i-AMRSS is a web-based ICMR’s AMR surveillance system, collecting data from tertiary care centers across the country and sending it to the one-stop data repository. The i-DIA is a web-based API that simplifies the AMR data interoperability by seamlessly importing most of the LIS / HIS data from CSV files into a central, one-stop data repository. The i-AMRIT is a standalone ICMR’s AMR surveillance system using integrative technologies, collecting data from all the labs across the country and sending the lab-specific cumulative data to the one-stop data repository. Discussion: The tools are being used in ICMR’s AMR Network and have collected over 0.4 million patient records to date. The complete system is presently being used to capture human susceptibility testing data and can be extended for capturing data using the ‘One Health’ approach. The authors plan to make the system compliant with FHIR standards to enable interoperability with other countries. Copyright © 2022 Kaur, Kaur, Dhama, Jindal, Walia and Singh. | Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; India; One Health; antiinfective agent; antibiotic resistance; epidemiology; human; India; One Health | antimicrobial resistance; infectious disease; interoperability; public health; surveillance; women |
| Drug resistant parasites and fungi from a one-health perspective: A global concern that needs transdisciplinary stewardship programs | Antimicrobials including antibiotics, antiparasitic, and antifungals, are subjected to resistance. In this context, Public Health Organizations called for a One Health approach because antimicrobials used to treat different infectious diseases in animals and plants may be the same than those used in humans. Whereas mechanisms of resistance transmission from animals or environment to humans should be considered differently if related to prokaryotic or eukaryotic pathogens, their impact can be considered as a whole. In that respect, we discussed the use of anti-parasitic in animals including anticoccidials, anthelmintics, and insecticides-acaricides, and the use of azoles in the environment that may both favor the development of drug resistance in humans. In light of the current situation, there is an urgent need for a transdisciplinary approach through anti-parasitic and antifungal stewardship programs in humans, animals, and environment, especially in the era of COVID-19 pandemic that will probably aggravate antimicrobial resistance. © 2021 | acaricide; anthelmintic agent; antibiotic agent; antifungal agent; insecticide; pyrrole derivative; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial stewardship; Article; communicable disease; coronavirus disease 2019; drug resistant fungus; drug resistant parasite; environment; fungus; human; infectious agent; interdisciplinary research; mycosis; nonhuman; One Health; pandemic; parasite; parasitosis; public health service | Animal; Drug; Fungi; Human; Parasites; Plant; Resistance; Stewardship |
| An assessment of scenarios for future pig production using a One Health approach | One Health is an approach to achieve better health and well-being outcomes for people, farmed organisms and their shared environment. The One Health approach was used to analyse the impacts on the environment, people and organisms (including the pigs) of three scenarios for future pig production to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses when compared with a Reference case reflecting today’s pig production. The scenarios were: Business as usual scenario (AsUsual), Sustainable Feed scenario (SusFeed), and Sustainable Feed and Pigs bred for feed efficiency and better animal welfare scenario (SusFeedPig). In SusFeed, the pig diets were without soybean meal but with locally produced feed ingredients including yeast protein. The pigs had access to an outdoor veranda, silage and straw for enrichment, and were selected using today’s breeding goal. In SusFeedPig, pigs had the same feed as in SusFeed, had access to pasture during summer and were selected using an alternative to today’s breeding goal with focus on overall feed efficiency and improved animal welfare. In AsUsual, pigs were fed current diets including soybean meal, had no access to a veranda and silage, and pigs were bred based on today’s breeding goals. The different scenarios were assessed using a One Health framework with 13 success metrics. The selection and scoring of indicators for success metrics may be subjective because they depend on individual assessments that can be variable. SusFeed performed better than the Reference case on nine success metrics, SusFeedPig on eight and AsUsual on six. Sustainability in all the future scenarios was improved when compared to the Reference case but SusFeed with the alternative breeding goal was the most preferable scenario due to reduced negative effects for the environment, people and farmed organisms. © 2022 | animal food; animal welfare; Article; breeding; controlled study; environmental enrichment; feed efficiency; food composition; intermethod comparison; One Health; pasture; pig farming; silage; soybean meal; summer | Environment; Future pig production; One Health approach; Pig breeding; Silage; Yeast protein |
| Guinea worm eradication: the need for sustained surveillance using One Health approach amidst COVID-19 pandemic and worsening armed conflicts in Nigeria | Pockets of cases of guinea worm disease exist globally, despite several deadlines set for eradication. Previously, Nigeria was known to be endemic for guinea worm disease, until 2008 when it recorded zero case. In the past, guinea worm was thought to be an exclusive human disease. However, recent evidences have implicated animals. Hence, there is need for the use of novel methods of surveillance that integrates human, animal and environmental health as one. Guinea worm may find its way back into our midst as Nigeria faced numerous security challenges in addition to COVID-19 pandemic capable of negatively impacting surveillance efforts. Hence, multidisciplinary approach using one health should be employed to sustain the gains made in guinea worm eradication efforts. © Yahaya Mohammed et al. | armed banditry; COVID-19; dracunculiasis; Guinea worm; Nigeria; One Health; surveillance |
| Maderas Rainforest Conservancy: A One Health approach to conservation | Maderas Rainforest Conservancy (MRC) was incorporated as a conservation nonprofit organization in 2008, and manages two sites where biological field courses have been offered since the 1990s: La Suerte Biological Research Station in Costa Rica, and Ometepe Biological Research Station in Nicaragua. MRC employs a One Health approach to conservation education, and can serve as a model for other biological field sites. The Nicaraguan Molina family, who owns the sites, partnered with primatologist Paul Garber in 1994 to develop a primate field course aimed at introducing university students to field research. Through using their land to further conservation education and research, the Molina family has preserved the forest and engaged the local communities near their sites. Eight graduate theses and 46 refereed publications have been completed since 2010 based on research undertaken at MRC sites. While primate field courses have been offered at least once annually since 1994 and remain popular, a range of other ecological courses are now additionally offered. MRC operates from a One Health perspective, engaging in forest restoration and ecological monitoring projects, and has gradually expanded community outreach initiatives. MRC now conducts regular medical and veterinary missions in the communities surrounding the research stations which provide health care to local people and limit the population growth of domestic animals, thereby increasing the survival of wild animals. MRC is also active in ESL-teaching and conservation education, and funds Proyecto Jade, which empowers local women to make and sell organic jewelry. Through these programs, MRC works to help the local communities live more sustainably with the environment around them. MRC’s support of research, commitment to education, medical and veterinary missions, and outreach initiatives to the local community all work together for the well-being of both the people and the environment, thus exemplifying the One Health perspective. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. | Animals; Costa Rica; Female; Humans; One Health; Primates; Rainforest; Costa Rica; conservation; field survey; nonprofit organization; rainforest; animal; Costa Rica; female; human; One Health; primate; rain forest | biological field school; community outreach; Costa Rica; Nicaragua; One Health; veterinary mission |
| Prevalence and Characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae from Freshwater Fish and Pork in Hong Kong Wet Markets | We report the antimicrobial resistance of 191 fish and 61 pork Group B Streptococcus (GBS) procured from Hong Kong wet markets. Two-hundred-and-fifty-two GBS strains were isolated from 992 freshwater fish and 361 pig offal during 2016–2019. The strains were isolated from homogenised samples and plated on selective media, followed by identification through MALDI-TOF-MS. Molecular characterisation, an antibiotic susceptibility test, and biofilm formation were performed on the strains. The isolation rates of the fish GBS and pig GBS were 19.3% (191 strains from 992 freshwater fish) and 16.9% (61 strains from 361 pig organs), respectively. The fish GBS was predominantly serotype Ia, ST7, while pig GBS was serotype III, ST651 (45 strains). An antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that the fish GBS were mostly antibiotic-sensitive, while the pig GBS were multidrug-resistant. A biofilm formation experiment showed that over 71% of fish GBS and all pig GBS had moderate biofilm formation ability. In general, the prevalence rate of GBS in animals and the multidrug resistance phenotype presented in the strains raise concerns about its zoonotic potential and effects on public health. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). | aminoglycoside antibiotic agent; beta hemolysin; chloramphenicol; ciprofloxacin; clindamycin; crystal violet; doxycycline; erythromycin; gentamicin; hyaluronidase; laminin binding protein; levofloxacin; lincosamide; linezolid; macrolide; membrane protein; minocycline; oxacillin; penicillin derivative; pilus island 1 protein; pilus island 2 protein; polypeptide antibiotic agent; regulator protein; sialic acid; tetracycline; toxic substance; trimethoprim; unclassified drug; vancomycin; virulence factor; animal experiment; animal tissue; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterial strain; bacterial virulence; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; biofilm; broth dilution; controlled study; DNA extraction; downstream processing; freshwater fish; genome analysis; Hong Kong; immune evasion; mean seasonal temperature; MIC90; minimum inhibitory concentration; multidrug resistance; multiplex polymerase chain reaction; nonhuman; phenotype; physical parameters; polymerase chain reaction; pork; prevalence; relative humidity; seasonal rainfall; serotype; sessile species; species invasion; Streptococcus agalactiae; tissue culture cell; wet market; whole genome sequencing; zoonosis | antimicrobial resistance; aquaculture; freshwater fish; Group B Streptococcus; multidrug resistance; One Health; pig; Streptococcus agalactiae; WGS |
| From Open Access to Circular Health: Ilaria Capua’s Journey through Science and Politics | This paper highlights the career of an exceptional woman virologist, Dr. Ilaria Capua. It recollects her major achievements, awards and noteworthy events that have shaped her scientific and political career. It retraces Dr. Capua’s major contributions to the study of viral zoonoses, in particular influenza virus, and her strong commitment to an open, more ethical science at the service of society in its broadest sense. It describes how she became the long-term champion of “Open Access” and “Data Sharing” for virus genetic sequences and introduces her new concept of “Circular Health”, where health becomes a circular system that represents a central and vital connection hub between humans and nature. This paper features Dr. Capua’s value as a role model for young women scientists and their empowerment. © 2022 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Access to Information; Animals; Awards and Prizes; Female; Humans; Information Dissemination; Politics; influenza vaccine; achievement; antibiotic resistance; Article; avian influenza; avian influenza (H5N1); avian influenza virus; awards and prizes; awareness; career; empowerment; environmental health; influenza; Influenza virus; Newcastle disease; One Health; open access publishing; politics; scientific literature; sequence analysis; vaccination; veterinarian; viral zoonosis; virologist; zoonosis; access to information; animal; awards and prizes; female; human; information dissemination | circular health; Ilaria Capua; influenza virus; one health; open access |
| Development and validation of novel PCR primers for identification of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (mcr) genes in various environmental settings | Antibiotic resistance is considered one of the biggest threats to public health and has become a major concern for governments and international organizations. Combating this problem starts with improving global surveillance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and applying standardized protocols, both in a clinical and environmental context, in agreement with the One Health approach. Exceptional efforts should be directed to controlling ARGs conferring resistance to Critically Important Antimicrobials (CIA). In this study, a systematic literature review to synthesize data on the identification of mcr genes using a PCR technique was performed. Additionally, a novel set of PCR primers for mcr-1 – mcr-9 genes detection was proposed. The developed primers were in silico and experimentally validated by comparison with mcr-specific PCR primers reported in the literature. This validation, besides being a proof-of-concept for primers’ usefulness, provided insight into the distribution of mcr genes in municipal wastewater, clay and river sediments, glacier moraine, manure, seagulls and auks feces and daphnids from four countries. This analysis proved that commonly used primers may deliver false results, and some mcr genes may be overlooked in tested samples. Newly-developed PCR primers turned out to be relevant for the screening of mcr genes in various environments. © 2021 The Authors | Anti-Bacterial Agents; Colistin; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Plasmids; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Antibiotics; Fertilizers; Genes; Health; Manures; Polymerase chain reaction; colistin; environmental DNA; antiinfective agent; colistin; Antibiotic resistance genes; Antibiotics resistance; Colistin; Government organizations; International organizations; Mediated colistin resistance gene; One health; PCR primers; Resistance genes; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial activity; gene expression; identification method; model validation; plasmid; polymerase chain reaction; wastewater treatment; Article; bacterial gene; bacterium identification; colistin resistance; comparative study; consensus sequence; DNA extraction; false negative result; glacier; human; mcr 1 gene; mcr 2 gene; mcr 3 gene; mcr 4 gene; mcr 5 gene; mcr 6 gene; mcr 7 gene; mcr 8 gene; mcr 9 gene; Medline; melting temperature; municipal wastewater; nonhuman; polymerase chain reaction; proof of concept; systematic review; waste water treatment plant; water supply; zooplankton; antibiotic resistance; genetics; plasmid; polymerase chain reaction; Health risks | Antibiotic resistance gene; Colistin; mcr gene; One health; PCR primer |
| Joint assessment of temporal segmentation, time unit and detection algorithms in syndromic surveillance | The choice of the aggregation that defines the temporal unit of epidemiological surveillance is part of the more theoretical framework of the modifiable temporal unit problem (MTUP). It has been demonstrated that this choice influences temporal cluster detection and may lead to false-positive results and poor estimation of regression model parameters. In syndromic surveillance (SyS), despite the choice of which temporal aggregation to use being crucial, it has not yet been addressed in the literature. In most SyS systems, this choice is driven by the frequency of the data collection and/or human resources available, although neither the temporal unit’s influence on the performance of anomaly detection algorithms nor on the efficiency of the SyS are known.The main objective of our study was to analyze the influence of the temporal aggregation unit on the performances of SyS detection algorithms used routinely, according to the characteristics of specific syndromes and outbreaks. Simulating daily time series of various syndromes, we tested three different time series aggregation methods. For each of four anomaly detection algorithms and their variants, we calculated seven performance indicators and multi-criteria scores to guide epidemiologists in their choice of which temporal aggregation of surveillance to use. From 19,200 analyzed time series, we observed an effect of temporal aggregation on the performance of the detection algorithms tested. Results also showed that the time aggregation unit was linked to the detection algorithm used, and that strong aggregation-algorithm interactions need to be taken into account when deciding on which aggregation-algorithm pair to use. Using theoretical data, our study also showed that no one ideal aggregation-algorithm pair exists for all contexts when deciding on which temporal unit of surveillance to use, and that the choice depends on several parameters.Our results can help public health practitioners choose the most appropriate time series aggregation and algorithm according to their specific needs. Finally, the present work enabled us to develop recommendations for a One Health project where the same time aggregation type and detection method could be used for both human and animal syndromic surveillance data. © 2022 Elsevier B.V. | article; detection algorithm; epidemiologist; human; One Health; outlier detection; performance indicator; physician; public health; theoretical study; time series analysis | Detection algorithm; Modifiable temporal unit problem; One health; Syndromic surveillance |
| Operationalizing “One Health” as “One Digital Health” Through a Global Framework That Emphasizes Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits From the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Related Digital Technologies | The operationalization of One Health (OH) through digitalization is a means to deploy digital technologies (including Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data and related digital technologies) to better capacitate us to deal with growing climate exigency and related threats to human, animal and plant health. With reference to the concept of One Digital Health (ODH), this paper considers how digital capabilities can help to overcome ‘operational brakes’ in OH through new and deeper insights, better predictions, and more targeted or precise preventive strategies and public health countermeasures. However, the data landscape is fragmented and access to certain types of data is increasingly restrictive as individuals, communities and countries seek to assert greater control over data taken from them. This paper proposes for a dedicated global ODH framework—centered on fairness and equity—to be established to promote data-sharing across all the key knowledge domains of OH and to devise data-driven solutions to challenges in the human-animal-ecosystems interface. It first considers the data landscape in relation to: (1) Human and population health; (2) Pathogens; (3) Animal and plant health; and (4) Ecosystems and biodiversity. The complexification from the application of advance genetic sequencing technology is then considered, with focus on current debates over whether certain types of data like digital (genetic) sequencing information (DSI) should remain openly and freely accessible. The proposed ODH framework must augment the existing access and benefit sharing (ABS) framework currently prescribed under the Nagoya Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in at least three different ways. First, the ODH framework should apply to all genetic resources and data, including DSI, whether from humans or non-humans. Second, the FAIRER principles should be implemented, with focus on fair and equitable benefit-sharing. Third, the ODH framework should adopt multilateral approaches to data sharing (such as through federated data systems) and to ABS. By operationalizing OH as ODH, we are more likely to be able to protect and restore natural habitats, secure the health and well-being of all living things, and thereby realize the goals set out in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the CBD. Copyright © 2022 Ho. | Artificial Intelligence; Biodiversity; Digital Technology; Ecosystem; One Health; artificial intelligence; biodiversity; ecosystem; One Health | artificial intelligence; benefit sharing; Convention on Biological Diversity; data sharing; digital; FAIR; International Health Regulations; One Health |
| Genetic support of carbapenemases: a One Health systematic review and meta-analysis of current trends in Africa | Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health threat globally. Carbapenems are β-lactam antibiotics used as last-resort agents for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) play an important role in the dissemination and expression of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including the mobilization of ARGs within and between species. The presence of MGEs around carbapenem-hydrolyzing enzymes, called carbapenemases, in bacterial isolates in Africa is concerning. The association between MGEs and carbapenemases is described herein. Specific plasmid replicons, integrons, transposons, and insertion sequences were found flanking specific and different carbapenemases across the same and different clones and species isolated from humans, animals, and the environment. Notably, similar genetic contexts have been reported in non-African countries, supporting the importance of MGEs in driving the intra- and interclonal and species transmission of carbapenemases in Africa and globally. Technical and budgetary limitations remain challenges for epidemiological analysis of carbapenemases in Africa, as studies undertaken with whole-genome sequencing remained relatively few. Characterization of MGEs in antibiotic-resistant infections can deepen our understanding of carbapenemase epidemiology and facilitate the control of AMR in Africa. Investment in genomic epidemiology will facilitate faster clinical interventions and containment of outbreaks. © 2021 New York Academy of Sciences. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Proteins; beta-Lactamases; Carbapenems; Humans; One Health; Plasmids; carbapenem; carbapenem derivative; carbapenemase; extended spectrum beta lactamase; hydrolase; metallo beta lactamase; antiinfective agent; bacterial protein; beta lactamase; carbapenem derivative; carbapenemase; Africa; animal; antibiotic resistance; Article; bacterial gene; bacterial infection; bacterial strain; bacterial transmission; bacterium isolate; carbapenem resistance; clone; environment; gene insertion sequence; genetic association; horizontal gene transfer; human; integron; mobile genetic element; nonhuman; One Health; plasmid; prevalence; replicon; species; systematic review; transposon; trend study; whole genome sequencing; genetics; meta analysis | Africa; antimicrobial resistance; carbapenemase; horizontal gene transfer; mobile genetic elements; One Health |
| Staff perceptions of COVID-19 impacts on wildlife conservation at a zoological institution | Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted virtually all aspects of a global society. By using a transdisciplinary team and methodology, our study highlights the importance of utilizing a One Health approach to address global health and conservation challenges in tandem. We examined how conservation conducted by an accredited zoological institution was altered by the pandemic. In July 2020, we surveyed a select subset of Saint Louis Zoo employees to understand how these staff members perceived their conservation work to be affected during this time. Additionally, in November and December 2020, seven survey respondents were interviewed virtually for qualitative data. Our hypothesis was that lack of funding, reduced ability to travel, and shifting priorities among conservation professionals, as well as their respective institutions, would be significant barriers to conservation efforts. Our survey results revealed that the top three perceived challenges to conservation projects at the Saint Louis Zoo due to the COVID-19 pandemic were lack of funding (83.9%), reductions in Zoo visitors (56.3%), and inability/lack of ability to access field sites and laboratories (55.2%). Respondents also indicated that the top three most important Zoo conservation activities before the COVID-19 pandemic were (1) local/national/global wildlife management and recovery programs, (tie 2) caring for animals in the Zoo’s collection, and (tie 2) genetic breeding programs. At least half of respondents indicated that the pandemic had significantly or slightly decreased the ability of staff to perform all three activities. Results supported our hypothesis that reduced funding, limited travel, and shifting priorities were challenges to zoological conservation at this institution. Although travel restrictions will likely persist, continual funding will be critical for maintaining conservation. Our results also indicate that reductions in Zoo visitors were another perceived barrier to conservation and that staff needed to find novel ways to connect with the public. Results from this study may help zoos and aquariums better understand the unique pandemic-associated challenges that threaten conservation at their institutions and may be helpful in designing programs and projects in a post-pandemic world. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. | Animals; Animals, Wild; Animals, Zoo; Conservation of Natural Resources; COVID-19; Pandemics; animal; environmental protection; epidemiology; pandemic; procedures; wild animal; zoo animal | conservation medicine; conservation perspectives; One Health; pandemic; social science; zoo visitation; zoonotic |
| Coexistence of tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 in ST6775 Escherichia coli Isolates of Animal Origin in China | Emergence of pathogens harboring multiple resistance genes incurs great concerns. Cooccurrence of mobile resistance genes conferring resistance to tigecycline, colistin, and carbapenems in Escherichia coli has not been investigated. This study aimed to characterize three E. coli isolates coharboring tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5. Isolates coharboring tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 were identified and characterized by PCR, Sanger sequencing, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation assays, Illumina sequencing, nanopore sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. Three E. coli isolates carrying tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 were identified from pigeons in China. They were resistant to almost all antimicrobials except enrofloxacin. tet(X4) and blaNDM-5 could be conjugated into E. coli C600, but mcr-1 was nontransferable in three isolates. Three isolates belonged to sequence type 6775 (ST6775), and clonal dissemination of isolates carrying tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 existed in the pigeon farm. Genetic analysis revealed that mcr-1 mediated by the Tn6330 was located on the chromosome, tet(X4) was located on the IncFII plasmid, and blaNDM-5 was located on the IncX3 plasmid. We first characterized the E. coli isolates carrying tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 simultaneously. Relevant measures should be taken to decrease the prevalence of pathogens carrying tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5. IMPORTANCE Tigecycline and colistin are regarded as vital antimicrobials to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, such as that caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE). Cooccurrence of mobile resistance genes conferring resistance to last-resort antimicrobials in E. coli remains unknown. Here, we characterized E. coli strains coharboring tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 phenotypically and genetically. Resistance genes tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 were located on transposons or plasmids that were mobile genetic elements related to the capture, accumulation, and dissemination of such important resistance genes. The emergence of E. coli isolates carrying tet(X4), mcr-1, and blaNDM-5 highlights the importance of monitoring the coexistence of novel mobile resistance genes in different settings with a One Health approach. Risk of transmission of such MDR pathogens from animals to humans should be evaluated comprehensively. Copyright © 2022 Lu et al. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Colistin; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Escherichia coli Proteins; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plasmids; Tigecycline; amoxicillin; ampicillin; colistin; doxycycline; enrofloxacin; florfenicol; kanamycin; meropenem; oxytetracycline; streptomycin; tetracycline; tigecycline; antiinfective agent; beta lactamase; Escherichia coli protein; MCR-1 protein, E coli; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; assay; bacterial gene; bacterial transmission; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; bioinformatics; blaNDM 5 gene; China; Columbidae; conjugation assay; Escherichia coli; gene structure; genetic analysis; illumina sequencing; mcr 1 gene; mobile genetic element; nanopore sequencing; nonhuman; nucleotide sequence; nucleotide sequence; One Health; plasmid; polymerase chain reaction; prevalence; risk; Sanger sequencing; tet X4 gene; transposon; whole genome sequencing; animal; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli infection; genetics; microbial sensitivity test; microbiology; veterinary medicine | bla<sub>NDM-5</sub>; coexistence; Escherichia coli; mcr-1; ST6775; tet(X4) |
| Human perceptions and practices related to the squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in a forest area of Pernambuco, Brazil | In the 1980s, squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) apprehended during an operation to combat animal trafficking in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil, were released into the Atlantic Forest of the Reserva Biológica de Saltinho (REBio Saltinho). As this is an exotic species, which is rapidly disseminated throughout the area, it is necessary to understand the perceptions and attitudes of the reserve residents, workers, and visitors in order to identify potential interactions, conflicts and social factors that may influence the relationship between people and monkeys. Thus, between April and October 2019, three human groups answered semi-structured questionnaires about their perceptions of the squirrel monkey and their attitudes towards primates. Altogether, 70 people were interviewed, of which 94.3% claimed to know of the squirrel monkey. While residents of the surrounding areas of REBio Saltinho described the squirrel monkey using mainly morphological and behavioral characteristics (65%), workers and visitors related their descriptions to the fact that these animals are invasive in 46% and 40% of responses, respectively. Most respondents (80%) were not bothered by the presence of these monkeys, and 86% denied interacting with the animal, while the remaining 14% admitted to trying to interact with the monkeys in some way, usually through offering food. This research will contribute to the improvement and promotion of the actions of environmental management by REBio Saltinho. © 2023 Multidisciplinary Science Journal. All rights reserved. | Cebidae; conservation unit; ethnoprimatology; exotic species; one health |
| Environmental Contamination by Echinococcus spp. Eggs as a Risk for Human Health in Educational Farms of Sardinia, Italy | Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a severe zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. These parasites are naturally transmitted between canid definitive hosts that harbour the adult stage in the intestine, and mainly ungulate intermediate hosts, with larval cysts developing in their internal organs. The close coexistence between dog and sheep with incorrect hygiene management are the most important factors for the persistence of this parasitic pathology. The Educational Farms (EF) are farms and agritourisms suitably equipped to carry out training activities for people interested in farm practices and agricultural processing, in particular student groups. Public attendance of farms represents a new potential risk factor for the zoonoses transmission. Consumption of contaminated food and water in combination with contact or playing with domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are possible routes of zoonoses human infection. In fact, Echinococcus spp. eggs may persist in the environment up to several months at low temperatures and moist conditions, having the chance of contaminating different matrices and surfaces. The aim of this investigation was to study environmental contamination by parasitic elements as a risk for zoonoses, such as Echinococcus spp. A total of 116 samples (35 of water, 33 of soil, 23 of vegetables, 25 of dog faeces) were collected in 30 EF in Sardinia. Samples were subjected to biomolecular investigation for the research of specific gene sequences of Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis and Taenia spp. The study allowed to identify eight positive EF due to the presence of Echinococcus granulosus in eight dog faeces samples and one positive EF due to the presence of Taenia spp. in a water sample. The work has allowed to develop and harmonise the diagnostic methods and operating protocols essential for controlling the spread of the CE to create “One Health” intervention plans in high endemic areas through the implementation of SOP (standard operating procedures) for monitoring the pathology in animals, humans and environment. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | adult; agricultural land; Article; cestode; contamination; controlled study; diagnostic procedure; Echinococcus granulosus; Echinococcus multilocularis; educational farm; environmental contamination; feces analysis; gene sequence; health hazard; human; intermediate host; intestine parasite; Italy; nonhuman; parasitic zoonosis; pathology; protocol compliance; risk factor; soil; Taenia; tourism; training; vegetable; water sampling; worm egg | Echinococcus granulosus; educational farm; environmental contamination; one health approach |
| One Health Index (OHI) applied to Curitiba, the ninth-largest metropolitan area of Brazil, with concomitant assessment of animal, environmental, and human health indicators | One Health has been defined as a comprehensive approach to human, animal, and environmental health, but unsuccessful in providing a specific index for city, state, or country assessment. Accordingly, the present study aimed to calculate the One Health Index (OHI) in 29 cities of the Curitiba metropolitan area, the ninth largest in Brazil. Animal and Environmental health indicators were obtained from the city secretary of environment. The social vulnerability index (SVI) was used as the overall human health indicator. The indicators were parameterized following a binary logic Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in association with city population, per capita income, and distance from the capital Curitiba. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) was applied using the three first coefficients of the principal components obtained from Principal Component Analysis Plot (PCA) and exploring a pairwise comparison between the scenario ranges. A value of p less than 0.05 was considered significant. Overall, a higher OHI was associated with a higher city population and income, and shorter distance from the capital, and tendency of low-income cities to present lower OHI compared to higher-income cities. In conclusion, the OHI proposed herein portrays a holistic representation of a city’s overall health. Moreover, animal issues should be considered part of local to global sustainability, considering OHI to calculate sustainability indexes. © 2022 | article; Brazil; city; controlled study; environmental health; human; logic; lowest income group; multivariate analysis of variance; One Health; principal component analysis; Social Vulnerability Index; urban population | Epidemiology; One Health; Social vulnerability; Sustainability |
| A Survey of Current Activities and Technologies Used to Detect Carbapenem Resistance in Bacteria Isolated from Companion Animals at Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories—United States, 2020 | Carbapenems are antimicrobial drugs reserved for the treatment of severe multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) are an urgent public health threat and have been made reportable to public health authorities in many jurisdictions. Recent reports of CROs in companion animals and veterinary settings suggest that CROs are a One Health problem. However, standard practices of U.S. veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) to detect CROs are unknown. We assessed the capacity of VDLs to characterize carbapenem resistance in isolates from companion animals. Among 74 VDLs surveyed in 42 states, 23 laboratories (31%) from 22 states responded. Most (22/23, 96%) included $1 carbapenem on their primary antimicrobial susceptibility testing panel, and approximately one-third (9/23, 39%) performed phenotypic carbapenemase production testing or molecular identification of carbapenemase genes. Overall, 35% (8/23) of VDLs across eight states reported they would notify public health if a CRO was detected. Most (17/21, 81%) VDLs were not aware of CRO reporting mandates, and some expressed uncertainty about whether the scope of known mandates included CROs from veterinary sources. Although nearly all surveyed VDLs tested for carbapenem resistance, fewer had the capacity for mechanism testing or awareness of public health reporting requirements. Addressing these gaps is critical to monitoring CRO incidence and trends in veterinary medicine, preventing spread in veterinary settings, and mounting an effective One Health response. Improved collaboration and communication between public health and veterinary medicine is critical to inform infection control practices in veterinary settings and conduct a public health response when resistant isolates are detected. © 2022 American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Proteins; beta-Lactamases; Carbapenems; Humans; Laboratories; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pets; United States; antiinfective agent; bacterial protein; beta lactamase; carbapenem derivative; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; awareness; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; carbapenem resistance; incidence; laboratory; monitoring; nonhuman; One Health; public health; technology; trend study; uncertainty; United States; animal; bacterium; genetics; human; microbial sensitivity test; pet animal | carbapenems; veterinary diagnostic laboratory; veterinary epidemiology |
| Understanding transmission pathways and integrated digital surveillance potential of antimicrobial resistance in Ethiopia in a One Health approach: a mixed-method study protocol | Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has a critical global impact, mostly affecting low- and middle-income countries. A major knowledge gap exists in understanding the transmission pathway of the gut colonisation with AMR bacteria between healthy humans and their animals in addition to the presence of those AMR bacteria in the surrounding environment. A One Health (OH) approach is necessary to address this multisectoral problem. Methods and analysis This cross-sectional, mixed-method OH study design will use both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Quantitative methods will be carried out to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant enterococci in humans, animals (cattle) and the environment. The focus will be on cattle rearing as an exposure risk for AMR among humans. The assessment of AMR in the population of Jimma, Ethiopia with or without exposure to cattle will reinforce the importance of OH research to identify the impending exchange of resistance profile between humans and animals as well as its ultimate dissemination in the surrounding environment. The targeted semistructured key stakeholder interviews will aid to strengthen the OH-AMR surveillance in Ethiopia by understanding the acceptability of an integrated AMR surveillance platform based on the District Health Information Software-2 and the feasibility of its context-specific establishment. Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Regional Ethics Committee, Norway, and the Institutional Review Board of Jimma University, Ethiopia. The study’s data will be stored on a secure server known as Services for Sensitive Data hosted by the University of Oslo. In addition, the new European Union Global Data Protection Guidelines for data sharing, storage and protection will be followed. We will publish the results in peer-reviewed journals and present the findings at national and international conferences. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cattle; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Ethiopia; Humans; One Health; antiinfective agent; antibiotic resistance; article; bovine; clinical assessment; data protection; Ethiopia; European Union; feasibility study; human; institutional review; interview; medical information; medical research; microbiology; multidrug resistant Gram negative bacterium; nonhuman; Norway; One Health; practice guideline; prevalence; preventive medicine; public health; qualitative analysis; qualitative research; quantitative analysis; rearing; risk factor; software; vancomycin resistant Enterococcus; animal; cross-sectional study; epidemiology; Ethiopia | Epidemiology; MICROBIOLOGY; PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; Protocols & guidelines; PUBLIC HEALTH; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH |
| Antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles of Enterobacterales isolated from two-finger and three-finger sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus variegatus) of Costa Rica | Background: Wildlife has been recently recognized as an environmental reservoir for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, less information on this topic is available in animals released back into the wild after rehabilitation in wildlife facilities, compared with studies performed exclusively in captive or free-ranging wildlife. This study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of captivity and/or treatment while in captivity of wild sloths on the AMR and virulence profiles of sloths’ Enterobacterales. Methods: Oral and rectal swab samples were collected from 39 two-finger (Choloepus hoffmanni) and three-finger sloths (Bradypus variegatus) of Costa Rica (n = 78) and analyzed using conventional bacteriological techniques. A generalized linear mixed model was applied to estimate the isolates’ multiple antimicrobial resistance and virulence indices as a function of animal status. Results: A considerable level of resistance was detected, especially for Citrobacter youngae and Escherichia coli, with 17.5% of isolates classified as multidrug-resistant. Virulence indices of isolates from rehabilitated sloths were significantly higher than the ones from sloths being hand-reared for shorter periods. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first description of sloths’ antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales, suggesting that sloths’ rehabilitation and consequent exposure to humans, may promote the selection of bacteria with higher virulence. Ultimately, these bacteria may represent a threat to human and animal health due to their zoonotic potential and AMR and virulence profiles. © 2022 Fernandes et al. | agar; amikacin; amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; bile acid; catalase; cefalexin; cefepime; ceftazidime; chloramphenicol; ciprofloxacin; deoxyribonuclease; enrofloxacin; gelatin; gelatinase; gentamicin; hemolysin; imipenem; indole; meropenem; methyl green; methyl red; olive oil; oxidoreductase; peptone; phospholipase; polysorbate 80; sodium chloride; tetracycline; water; Aeromonas hydrophila; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; antibiotic resistance; antimicrobial therapy; Article; biofilm; colony forming unit; disk diffusion; egg yolk; Enterobacterales; Escherichia coli; Gram staining; incubation time; inoculation; microscopy; milk powder; multidrug resistance; nonhuman; oral swab; phenotype; precipitation; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; quality control; rectal swab; skim milk; sloth; Staphylococcus aureus; virulence; whole genome sequencing; wildlife | Antimicrobial resistance; Bacterial virulence factors; Bradypus variegatus; Choloepus hoffmanni; One health; Wildlife bacteria |
| Woman-Sensitive One Health Perspective in Four Tribes of Indigenous People From Latin America: Arhuaco, Wayuú, Nahua, and Kamëntsá | [No abstract available] | Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Indigenous Peoples; Latin America; One Health; ethnicity; female; human; One Health; South and Central America | ecohealth approach; ethnic; gender; Latin America; sustainable development goal (SDG); transdisciplinary collaboration |
| Spatial and Seasonal Drinking Water Quality Assessment in a Sub‐Saharan Country (Guinea‐Bissau) | The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal target 6.1 calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. Worldwide, about 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water, and millions of people suffer from waterborne pathogens each year, representing the most pressing situation in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the drinking water quality dynamics across an endemic cholera sub‐Saharan country (Guinea‐Bissau), and understand its implications for public health. Microbiological and physical– chemical quality parameters of 252 major water sources spread all over the country were seasonally surveyed. These comprised hand‐dug shallow wells and boreholes, fitted with a bucket or a pump to retrieve water. The results showed that the majority of water sources available to the population were grossly polluted with faecal material (80%), being unsuitable for consumption, with significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels during the wet season. Hand‐dug wells revealed the highest contamination levels. The chemical contamination was less relevant, although 83% of the water sources were acidic (pH < 6.5). This study highlights the potential health risk associated with the lack of potable drinking water, reinforcing the evidence for water monitoring, and the need to improve WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) infrastructure and water management in West African countries. In addition, the authors suggest easy‐to‐implement interventions that can have a dramatic impact in the water quality, assisting to reduce the associated waterborne diseases rise. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Bissau; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Developing countries; Health; Health risks; Water management; Water quality; Drinking-water qualities; Guinea‐bissau; One health; Sub-saharan africa; Sub-Saharan countries; Water quality assessments; Water sanitation; Water source; Water, sanitation, and hygiene; Water-borne disease; cholera; drinking water; health risk; infrastructure; Sustainable Development Goal; water management; water quality; waterborne disease; Potable water | drinking water; Guinea‐Bissau; One Health; sub‐Saharan Africa; WASH; water quality; waterborne diseases |
| Whole-Genome Characterisation of ESBL-Producing E. coli Isolated from Drinking Water and Dog Faeces from Rural Andean Households in Peru | E. coli that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are major multidrug-resistant bacteria. In Peru, only a few reports have characterised the whole genome of ESBL enterobacteria. We aimed to confirm the identity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile of two ESBL isolates from dog faeces and drinking water of rural Andean households and determine serotype, phylogroup, sequence type (ST)/clonal complex (CC), pathogenicity, virulence genes, ESBL genes, and their plasmids. To confirm the identity and AMR profiles, we used the VITEK®2 system. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and bioinformatics analysis were performed subsequently. Both isolates were identified as E. coli, with serotypes-:H46 and O9:H10, phylogroups E and A, and ST/CC 5259/-and 227/10, respectively. The isolates were ESBL-producing, carbapenem-resistant, and not harbouring carbapenemase-encoding genes. Isolate 1143 ST5259 harboured the astA gene, encoding the EAST1 heat-stable toxin. Both genomes carried ESBL genes (blaEC-15, blaCTX-M-8, and blaCTX-M-55 ). Nine plasmids were detected, namely IncR, IncFIC(FII), IncI, IncFIB(AP001918), Col(pHAD28), IncFII, IncFII(pHN7A8), IncI1, and IncFIB(AP001918). Finding these potentially pathogenic bacteria is worrisome given their sources and highlights the importance of One-Health research efforts in remote Andean communities. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | amikacin; carbapenem; cefazolin; cefepime; cefotaxime; ceftazidime; cefuroxime; cephalosporin; ciprofloxacin; colistin; drinking water; ertapenem; extended spectrum beta lactamase; fosfomycin; gentamicin; imipenem; long untranslated RNA; meropenem; piperacillin plus tazobactam; quinolone; sultamicillin; tigecycline; trimethoprim; uvomorulin; vimentin; animal experiment; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bioinformatics; bla shv gene; bla tem gene; blactx m 10 gene; blactx m 2; blactx m 3 gene; blaoxa gene; cell invasion; controlled study; disk diffusion; dog; Escherichia coli; feces analysis; gene; genetic transfection; human; microbiological examination; minimum inhibitory concentration; nonhuman; Peru; prevalence; quality control; RNA extraction; rural area; transwell assay; Western blotting; whole genome sequencing | carbapenem resistance; ESBL-producing E. coli; one health; phylogenomic analysis; whole-genome sequencing |
| WHO Critical Priority Escherichia coli as One Health Challenge for a Post-Pandemic Scenario: Genomic Surveillance and Analysis of Current Trends in Brazil | The dissemination of carbapenem-resistant and third generation cephalosporin-resistant pathogens is a critical issue that is no longer restricted to hospital settings. The rapid spread of critical priority pathogens in Brazil is notably worrying, considering its continental dimension, the diversity of international trade, livestock production, and human travel. We conducted a nationwide genomic investigation under a One Health perspective that included Escherichia coli strains isolated from humans and nonhuman sources, over 45 years (1974-2019). One hundred sixty-seven genomes were analyzed extracting clinically relevant information (i.e., resistome, virulome, mobilome, sequence types [STs], and phylogenomic). The endemic status of extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)-positive strains carrying a wide diversity of blaCTX-M variants, and the growing number of colistin-resistant isolates carrying mcr-type genes was associated with the successful expansion of international ST10, ST38, ST115, ST131, ST354, ST410, ST648, ST517, and ST711 clones; phylogenetically related and shared between human and nonhuman hosts, and polluted aquatic environments. Otherwise, carbapenem-resistant ST48, ST90, ST155, ST167, ST224, ST349, ST457, ST648, ST707, ST744, ST774, and ST2509 clones from human host harbored blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1 genes. A broad resistome to other clinically relevant antibiotics, hazardous heavy metals, disinfectants, and pesticides was further predicted. Wide virulome associated with invasion/adherence, exotoxin and siderophore production was related to phylogroup B2. The convergence of wide resistome and virulome has contributed to the persistence and rapid spread of international high-risk clones of critical priority E. coli at the human-animal-environmental interface, which must be considered a One Health challenge for a post-pandemic scenario. IMPORTANCE A One Health approach for antimicrobial resistance must integrate whole-genome sequencing surveillance data of critical priority pathogens from human, animal and environmental sources to track hot spots and routes of transmission and developing effective prevention and control strategies. As part of the Grand Challenges Explorations: New Approaches to Characterize the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance Program, we present genomic data of WHO critical priority carbapenemase-resistant, ESBL-producing, and/or colistin-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from humans and nonhuman sources in Brazil, a country with continental proportions and high levels of antimicrobial resistance. The present study provided evidence of epidemiological and clinical interest, highlighting that the convergence of wide virulome and resistome has contributed to the persistence and rapid spread of international high-risk clones of E. coli at the human-animal-environmental interface, which must be considered a One Health threat that requires coordinated actions to reduce its incidence in humans and nonhuman hosts. Copyright © 2022 Fuga et al. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Brazil; Carbapenems; Colistin; Commerce; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Genomics; Internationality; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; One Health; Pandemics; World Health Organization; aminoglycoside; amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; aztreonam; carbapenemase; cefepime; cefotaxime; cefoxitin; ceftazidime; ceftiofur; ceftriaxone; cephalosporin; colistin; cotrimoxazole; exotoxin; extended spectrum beta lactamase; fosfomycin; genomic DNA; heavy metal; pesticide; quinoline derived antiinfective agent; quinolone derivative; rifampicin; siderophore; tetracycline; trimethoprim; antiinfective agent; beta lactamase; carbapenem derivative; animal experiment; antibiotic resistome; aquatic environment; Article; bacterial virulence; bacterium adherence; bacterium isolate; Brazil; carbapenem resistance; colistin resistance; controlled study; Escherichia coli; genomic surveillance; geographic distribution; human; livestock; monitoring; multidrug resistance; multilocus sequence typing; nonhuman; One Health; pandemic; phenotype; phylogenetic tree; phylogenomics; phylogeny; plasmid; population density; serotyping; single nucleotide polymorphism; trend study; whole genome sequencing; World Health Organization; animal; commercial phenomena; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli infection; genetics; genomics; international cooperation; microbial sensitivity test; pandemic | carbapenemases; carbapenems; colistin; Enterobacterales; ESBL; genomic surveillance; high-risk clones; MCR; multidrug resistance; One Health; resistome; South America; virulome |
| One Health and reconciliation: media portrayals of dogs and Indigenous communities in Canada | This qualitative media analysis explores how the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) portrayed ‘dog problems’ and their solutions in Indigenous communities in Canada from 2008 through 2018. We apply a One Health framework to demonstrate how human, animal, and the socio-environmental health are interconnected, which aligns more explicitly with Indigenous worldviews. Through this analysis, we respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action, specifically Action 19 (health inequity) and Action 84 (media). We found that the CBC portrayed dogs as “strays”and focused mainly on the removal of dogs, whether rehoming by animal rescue groups or through culling, and that rescue groups were portrayed as ‘animal lovers’. Meanwhile, journalists sometimes mentioned the lack of policies to support community-driven dog population control and veterinary services, but these policy deficits did not receive emphasis. The CBC coverage did not highlight systemic injustices that can impact dog health and welfare in Indigenous communities. This media analysis outlines ways forward for reconciliation with Indigenous communities when the media reports on dogs; we recommend journalists (i) focus on lack of veterinary services in communities and the impacts rather than the removal of dogs, (ii) discuss broader systemic structures and policies that limit access to veterinary services in Indigenous communities and (iii) how such resource constraints impact human and animal health. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. | Animals; Canada; Dogs; Health Services, Indigenous; Humans; One Health; Population Groups; animal experiment; animal health; article; Canada; controlled study; dog; health care policy; health disparity; indigenous health care; journalism; mass medium; nonhuman; One Health; population dynamics; telecommunication; veterinary medicine; animal; Canada; dog; human; population group | dogs; health policy; Indigenous health services; mass media; One Health |
| Seasonality and Ecological Suitability Modelling for Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) in Western Africa | Anthrax is hyper-endemic in West Africa affecting wildlife, livestock and humans. Prediction is difficult due to the lack of accurate outbreak data. However, predicting the risk of infection is important for public health, wildlife conservation and livestock economies. In this study, the seasonality of anthrax outbreaks in West Africa was investigated using climate time series and ecological niche modeling to identify environmental factors related to anthrax occurrence, develop geospatial risk maps and identify seasonal patterns. Outbreak data in livestock, wildlife and humans between 2010 and 2018 were compiled from different sources and analyzed against monthly rates of change in precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature. Maximum Entropy was used to predict and map the environmental suitability of anthrax occurrence. The findings showed that: (i) Anthrax outbreaks significantly (99%) increased with incremental changes in monthly precipitation and vegetation growth and decremental changes in monthly temperature during January–June. This explains the occurrence of the anthrax peak during the early wet season in West Africa. (ii) Livestock density, precipitation seasonality, NDVI and alkaline soils were the main predictors of anthrax suitability. (iii) Our approach optimized the use of limited and heterogeneous datasets and ecological niche modeling, demonstrating the value of integrated disease notification data and outbreak reports to generate risk maps. Our findings can inform public, animal and environmental health and enhance national and regional One Health disease control strategies. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Africa; anthrax; Article; Bacillus anthracis; climate change; disease simulation; ecological niche; ecology; environmental factor; livestock; maximum entropy model; nonhuman; One Health; prediction; rainy season; seasonal variation; soil | anthrax; climate variability; ecological niche modeling; seasonality; time series analysis; West Africa |
| Phylogeographical Landscape of Citrobacter portucalensis Carrying Clinically Relevant Resistomes | During a surveillance study conducted to assess the occurrence and genomic landscape of critical priority pathogens circulating at the human-animal-environment interface in Brazil, as part of the Grand Challenges Explorations-New Approaches to Characterize the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance program, two multidrug-resistant (MDR) Citrobacter portucalensis carrying blaCTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes, isolated from green sea turtles, were characterized. Genomic and phylogeographical analysis of C. portucalensis genomes available in public databases revealed the intercontinental dissemination of clades carrying different arrays of clinically relevant genes conferring resistance to carbapenems, broad-spectrum cephalosporins, cephamycins, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones, disinfectants, and heavy metals. Our observations suggest that C. portucalensis could be emerging as critical priority bacteria of both public and One Health importance worldwide. Copyright © 2022 Sellera et al. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Citrobacter; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; aminoglycoside antibiotic agent; amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; arsenic; aztreonam; beta lactam antibiotic; carbapenem derivative; cefepime; cefotaxime; cefoxitin; ceftazidime; ceftriaxone; cephalosporin derivative; cephamycin derivative; chloramphenicol; ciprofloxacin; colistin; cotrimoxazole; disinfectant agent; ertapenem; fosfomycin; gentamicin; glyphosate; heavy metal; imipenem; mercury; meropenem; nalidixic acid; quaternary ammonium derivative; quinoline derived antiinfective agent; quinolone derivative; silver; sulfonamide; tellurium; tetracycline derivative; trimethoprim; antiinfective agent; beta lactamase; antibiotic resistome; Article; bacterial gene; bacterium isolate; Brazil; Chelonia; Citrobacter; Citrobacter portucalensis; cladistics; Enterobacterales; genomics; human; multidrug resistant bacterium; nonhuman; One Health; phylogeography; public health; South America; animal; genetics; microbial sensitivity test; multidrug resistance | critical priority; emerging pathogens; Enterobacterales; genomic surveillance; international clade; multidrug-resistant; One Health |
| Implementing a new emergency medical triage tool in one health region in Norway: some lessons learned | BACKGROUND: Acutely sick or injured patients depend on ambulance and emergency department personnel performing an accurate initial assessment and prioritisation (triage) to effectively identify patients in need of immediate treatment. Triage also ensures that each patient receives fair initial assessment. To improve the patient safety, quality of care, and communication about a patient’s medical condition, we implemented a new triage tool (the South African Triage Scale Norway (SATS-N) in all the ambulance services and emergency departments in one health region in Norway. This article describes the lessons we learnt during this implementation process. METHODS: The main framework in this quality improvement (QI) work was the plan-do-study-act cycle. Additional process sources were ‘The Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for improvement’ and the Norwegian Patient Safety Programme. RESULTS: Based on the QI process as a whole, we defined subjects influencing this work to be successful, such as identifying areas for improvement, establishing multidisciplinary teams, coaching, implementing measurements and securing sustainability. After these subjects were connected to the relevant challenges and desired effects, we described the lessons we learnt during this comprehensive QI process. CONCLUSION: We learnt the importance of following a structured framework for QI process during the implementation of the SATS-N triage tool. Furthermore, securing anchoring at all levels, from the managements to the medical professionals in direct patient-orientated work, was relevant important. Moreover, establishing multidisciplinary teams with ambulance personnel, emergency department nurses and doctors with various medical specialties provided ownership to the participants. Meanwhile, coaching provided necessary security for the staff directly involved in caring for patients. Keeping the spirit and perseverance high were important factors in completing the implementation. Establishment of the regional network group was found to be important for sustainability and further improvements. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. | Humans; Norway; One Health; Physicians; Quality Improvement; Triage; emergency health service; human; Norway; One Health; physician; total quality management | Emergency department; Healthcare quality improvement; Prehospital care |
| Designing a rabies control mobile application for a community-based rabies surveillance system during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bali, Indonesia | Background and Aim: Rabies remains a public health concern in Indonesia, and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has stymied rabies prevention and control efforts. There is a need to transform the rabies program to be adaptable to pandemic situations to improve program coverage on dog vaccination and rabies surveillance. This study aimed to create a rabies control (RaCon) mobile application for a community-based rabies surveillance system during COVID-19 in Bali, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: We employ the Design Science Research methodology. Surveillance officers, veterinarians, community leaders, outreach workers, and dog owners participated in a series of offline in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The RaCon prototype was evaluated using the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) framework, which included the system s usefulness, information quality, and interface quality. In this study, we used both a qualitative (n=50) and quantitative (n=342) approach. Results: According to the findings of this study, integrating public health and animal health into the rabies surveillance system are critical to supporting the One Health approach and encouraging community engagement in rabies programs. The RaCon prototype is expected to include features such as pet ownership, case report, news and announcements, nearest vet, health information, outbreak radar, emergency call, and app feedback. The RaCon prototype passed both qualitative and quantitative evaluations, indicating that it could be used to support the rabies surveillance system, particularly in the COVID-19 situation. Conclusion: The RaCon prototype was accepted by the users and got positive feedback in terms of the system s usefulness, information quality, and interface quality dimension. As a result, this prototype has the potential to be integrated into the rabies surveillance system in Bali, particularly to strengthen the community-based rabies surveillance system. Even though this prototype received positive feedback, this study focuses solely on the design development and evaluation of its user interface. As a result, further development is required before incorporating RaCon into the rabies prevention and control program. © 2022 Veterinary World. All rights reserved. | adult; Article; community based surveillance; controlled study; coronavirus disease 2019; female; human; human experiment; human-animal bond; Indonesia; Likert scale; major clinical study; male; middle aged; mobile application; pandemic; post study system usability questionnaire; public health; questionnaire; rabies; stray dog; telecommunication; vaccination; veterinarian; veterinary clinic; workflow; zoonosis | community-based intervention; One Health; post-study system usability questionnaire; rabies; surveillance system. |
| Surveillance of Coxiella burnetii Shedding in Three Naturally Infected Dairy Goat Herds after Vaccination, Focusing on Bulk Tank Milk and Dust Swabs | Q fever outbreaks on three dairy goat farms (A–C) were monitored after the animals had been vaccinated with an inactivated Coxiella burnetii phase I vaccine. The antibody response was measured before vaccination by serum samples with two C. burnetii phase-specific ELISAs to characterize the disease status. Shedding was determined by vaginal swabs during three kidding seasons and monthly bulk tank milk (BTM) samples. Dust swabs from one windowsill of each barn and from the milking parlors were collected monthly to evaluate the indoor exposure. These samples were analyzed by qPCR. The phase-specific serology revealed an acute Q fever infection in herd A, whereas herds B and C had an ongoing and past infection, respectively. In all three herds, vaginal shedders were present during three kidding seasons. In total, 50%, 69%, and 15% of all collected BTM samples were C. burnetii positive in herds A, B, and C, respectively. Barn dust contained C. burnetii DNA in 71%, 45%, and 50% of examined swabs collected from farms A, B, and C, respectively. The largest number of C. burnetii positive samples was obtained from the milking parlor (A: 91%, B: 72%, C: 73%), indicating a high risk for humans to acquire Q fever during milking activity. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Q fever vaccine; animal husbandry; antibody response; Article; bacterial shedding; bacterium detection; blood sampling; bulk tank milk; controlled study; Coxiella burnetii; dairy goat; disease surveillance; dust swab; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; food analysis; goat farming; herd; infection risk; milk; nonhuman; polymerase chain reaction; Q fever; serodiagnosis; swabbing; vaccination; vagina smear; zoonosis | Bulk tank milk; Dust swab; Goat; Longitudinal study; Milking parlor; One Health; Phase-specific serology; Q fever; Vaccination; Zoonosis |
| How COVID-19 pandemic is affecting achieved food security in Bangladesh: A perspective with required policy interventions | The COVID-19, also known as a coronavirus, is currently wreaking havoc on livelihood, food security, and nutrition security around the world. In developing countries like Bangladesh the situation is far worse. The purpose of this perspective is to highlight the current state and changes of food security in Bangladesh in the context of COVID-19. During the COVID-19 period, the income of a certain set of people fell, which may have contributed to the growth in the poverty rate. It also had an impact on the agro-food systems, supply-value chain, and market levels as a result of the lockdown, movement and social gathering restrictions. The COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on the total food consumption status of the entire country, affecting all segments of the population. To obtain a greater understanding, our analysis identifies current gaps and the pandemic’s potential impact from previously published works and reports. © 2021 The Authors | COVID-19; Food access; Food security; Nutrition security; One health; Policy intervention |
| Co-Administration of Adjuvanted Recombinant Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 Vaccines Confer Protection against Natural Challenge in A Bovine Onchocerca ochengi Infection Model of Human Onchocerciasis | Onchocerciasis (river blindness), caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected tropical disease mainly of sub-Saharan Africa. Worldwide, an estimated 20.9 million individuals live with infection and a further 205 million are at risk of disease. Current control methods rely on mass drug administration of ivermectin to kill microfilariae and inhibit female worm fecundity. The identification and development of efficacious vaccines as complementary preventive tools to support ongoing elimination efforts are therefore an important objective of onchocerciasis research. We evaluated the protective effects of co-administering leading O. volvulus-derived recombinant vaccine candidates (Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2) with subsequent natural exposure to the closely related cattle parasite Onchocerca ochengi. Over a 24-month exposure period, vaccinated calves (n = 11) were shown to acquire infection and microfilaridermia at a significantly lower rate compared to unvaccinated control animals (n = 10). Furthermore, adult female worm burdens were negatively correlated with anti-Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 IgG1 and IgG2 responses. Peptide arrays identified several Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2-specific epitopes homologous to those identified as human B-cell and helper T-cell epitope candidates and by naturally-infected human subjects in previous studies. Overall, this study demonstrates co-administration of Ov-103 and Ov-RAL-2 with Montanide™ ISA 206 VG is highly immunogenic in cattle, conferring partial protection against natural challenge with O. ochengi. The strong, antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2 responses associated with vaccine-induced protection are highly suggestive of a mixed Th1/Th2 associated antibody responses. Collectively, this evidence suggests vaccine formulations for human onchocerciasis should aim to elicit similarly balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | adjuvant; advax 2; aluminum oxide; balanced salt solution; cpg oligodendronucleotide; epitope; immunoglobulin G; immunoglobulin G1; immunoglobulin G2; inulin delta; isa 206 vg; ov 103 vaccine; ov ral 2 vaccine; recombinant vaccine; tris buffered saline; unclassified drug; anaplasmosis; animal experiment; animal model; antibody response; Article; B lymphocyte; Bradford assay; calf (bovine); cell proliferation assay; cellular immunity; controlled study; drug efficacy; entomology; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; epitope mapping; female; fibrinous pleuritis; helminthiasis; hemolytic anemia; immobilized metal affinity chromatography; immunity; immunization; male; microbiological parameters; microfilarial burden; MTT assay; nematodiasis; nonhuman; ocular onchocerciasis; Onchocerca ochengi infection; Onchocerca volvulus; onchocerciasis; parasite load; peptide microarray; peripheral blood mononuclear cell; piroplasmosis; pneumonia; polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; protein purification; protein structure; respiratory tract inflammation; tensor fascia lata muscle; Th1 cell; Th2 cell; transmission potential; trypanosomiasis | immunity; NTDs; onchocerciasis; One Health; river blindness; vaccine |
| One Health and Cattle Genetic Resources: Mining More than 500 Cattle Genomes to Identify Variants in Candidate Genes Potentially Affecting Coronavirus Infections | Epidemiological and biological characteristics of coronaviruses and their ability to cross species barriers are a matter of increasing concerns for these zoonotic agents. To prevent their spread, One Health approaches should be designed to include the host (animal) genome variability as a potential risk factor that might confer genetic resistance or susceptibility to coronavirus infections. At present, there is no example that considers cattle genetic resources for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the variability of six genes (ACE2, ANPEP, CEACAM1 and DPP4 encoding for host receptors of coronaviruses; FURIN and TMPRSS2 encoding for host proteases involved in coronavirus infection) by mining whole genome sequencing datasets from more than 500 cattle of 34 Bos taurus breeds and three related species. We identified a total of 180 protein variants (44 already known from the ARS-UCD1.2 reference genome). Some of them determine altered protein functions or the virus–host interaction and the related virus entry processes. The results obtained in this study constitute a first step towards the definition of a One Health strategy that includes cattle genetic resources as reservoirs of host gene variability useful to design conservation and selection programs to increase resistance to coronavirus diseases. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | angiotensin converting enzyme 2; carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule 1; dipeptidyl peptidase IV; furin; microsomal aminopeptidase; protein variant; transmembrane protease serine 2; amino acid sequence; Article; copy number variation; Coronavirus infection; gene mutation; genetic analysis; genetic polymorphism; genetic resistance; genetic variability; genome analysis; glycosylation; human; livestock; mining; nonhuman; One Health; RNA splicing; sequence homology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; single nucleotide polymorphism; taurine cattle; virus cell interaction; whole genome sequencing | Bos taurus; breed; genetic variability; infectious disease; livestock; mutation; SARS-CoV-2; single amino acid polymorphism; zoonosis |
| Mec‐Positive Staphylococcus Healthcare‐Associated Infections Presenting High Transmission Risks for Antimicrobial‐ Resistant Strains in an Equine Hospital | Healthcare‐associated infections caused by Staphylococcus, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, represent a high risk for human and animal health. Staphylococcus can be easily transmitted through direct contact with individual carriers or fomites, such as medical and non‐medical equipment. The risk increases if S. aureus strains carry antibiotic resistance genes and show a phenotypic multidrug resistance behavior. The aim of the study was to identify and characterize methicillin resistant coagulase‐positive staphylococci (MRSA) and coagulase‐negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) in equine patients and environmental sources in an equine hospital to evaluate the genetic presence of multidrug resistance and to understand the dissemination risks within the hospital setting. We explored 978 samples for MRSA and MRCoNS using Oxacillin Screen Agar in an equine hospital for racehorses in Chile, which included monthly samples (n = 61‐ 70) from equine patients (246) and hospital environments (732) in a one‐year period. All isolates were PCR‐assessed for the presence of methicillin resistance gene mecA and/or mecC. Additionally, we explored the epidemiological relatedness by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) in MRSA isolates. Phenotypic antibiotic resistance was evaluated using the Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion method. We estimated the unadjusted and adjusted risk of acquiring drug‐resistant Staphylococcus strains by employing logistic regression analyses. We identified 16 MRSA isolates and 36 MRCoNS isolates. For MRSA, we detected mecA and mecC in 100% and 87.5 % of the isolates, respectively. For MRCoNS, mecA was detected among 94% of the isolates and mecC among 86%. MRSA and MRCoNS were isolated from eight and 13 equine patients, respectively, either from colonized areas or compromised wounds. MRSA strains showed six different pulse types (i.e., A1–A3, B1–B2, C) isolated from different highly transited areas of the hospital, suggesting potential transmission risks for other patients and hospital staff. The risk of acquiring drug‐resistant Staphylococcus species is considerably greater for patients from the surgery, equipment, and exterior areas posing higher transmission risks. Tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using a One Health perspective should be advocated, including a wider control over antimicrobial consumption and reducing the exposure to AMR reservoirs in animals, to avoid cross‐transmission of AMR Staphylococcus within equine hospitals. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | antiinfective agent; animal experiment; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterial load; bacterial strain; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; coagulase positive Staphylococcus; controlled study; disk diffusion; healthcare associated infection; hospitalization; human; logistic regression analysis; methicillin resistance; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus; methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection; multidrug resistance; multilocus sequence typing; nonhuman; phylogeny; pulsed field gel electrophoresis; risk assessment; risk factor; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; univariate analysis | antimicrobial‐resistance; healthcare‐associated infections; methicillin‐resistance; one health; Staphylococcus |
| Future perspectives of emerging infectious diseases control: A One Health approach | Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, global efforts to respond to and control COVID-19 have varied widely with some countries, including Australia, successfully containing local transmission, and minimising negative impacts to health and economies. Over this time, global awareness of climate variability due to climate change and the risk factors for emerging infectious diseases transmission has increased alongside an understanding of the inextricable relationship between the health of the environment, humans, and animals. Overall, the global response to the current pandemic suggests there is an urgent need for a One Health approach in controlling and preventing future pandemics, through developing integrated, dynamic, spatiotemporal early warning systems based on a One Health approach for emerging infectious diseases. © 2022 | Article; Australia; awareness; climate change; coronavirus disease 2019; disease transmission; environmental impact; environmental stress; epidemiological surveillance; health care system; health hazard; human; infection control; nonhuman; One Health; pandemic; public health; risk factor; risk reduction; zoonosis | Animals; Climate variability; COVID-19; Early warning systems; Emerging infectious diseases; One health |
| Pet Owners’ Perceptions of COVID-19, Zoonotic Disease, and Veterinary Medicine: The Impact of Demographic Characteristics | This study aimed to investigate the impact of sociodemographic characteristics on pet owners’ concern about the transmission of zoonotic disease and SARS-CoV-2, and to describe owners’ perceptions of veterinarians and physicians as resources for zoonoses information. Between September and October 2020, 1154 individuals completed an online survey via Qualtrics. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between owner demographics and perceptions of zoonoses and SARS-CoV-2. Most participants were minimally concerned about their pets contracting or transmitting zoonotic diseases or SARS-CoV-2, although perceptions of risk differed based on age, race, and education. Older participants were typically less concerned about the transmission of zoonotic diseases and SARS-CoV-2. Considering where participants obtained information about zoonoses, pet owners were more likely to contact their veterinarian for advice (43%) than their physician (17%). However, 17% of pet owners struggled to access veterinary care, and 51% said their access to veterinary care had become more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight a need for further education about zoonoses and SARS-CoV-2, and suggest veterinarians may play a key role in these communications. The results also emphasize the need to address access to care issues in veterinary medicine. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | adult; age; Article; coronavirus disease 2019; disease transmission; educational status; female; household income; human; male; middle aged; miscellaneous named groups; pandemic; perception; pet owner; physician; race; risk factor; social status; veterinarian; veterinary medicine; zoonosis | access to care; COVID-19; human–animal interactions; one health; public health; SARS-CoV-2; zoonoses |
| Assessment of the Transmission Dynamics of Clostridioides difficile in a Farm Environment Reveals the Presence of a New Toxigenic Strain Connected to Swine Production | The recent increase in community-acquired Clostridioides difficile infections discloses the shift in this bacterium epidemiology. This study aimed at establishing a transmission network involving One Health components, as well as assessing the zoonotic potential and genomic features of dominant clones. Samples were collected from different compartments of animal, human and environmental origin, from an animal production unit. C. difficile isolates were characterized for toxigenic profile by multiplex-PCR, while genetic diversity was evaluated by PCR-ribotyping and whole genome-based analysis. The overall C. difficile prevalence was 37.2% (70/188), and included samples from environmental (58.3%, 35/60) and animal (31.5%, 35/111) compartments; human samples (n = 17) taken from healthy workers were negative. A predominant clone from RT033 was found in almost 90% of the positive samples, including samples from all compartments connected to the pig production unit, with core-genome single nucleotide variant (SNV)-based Analysis supporting a clonal transmission between them (mean distance of 0.1 ± 0.1 core-SNVs). The isolates from this clone (herein designated PT RT033) were positive for all C. difficile toxin genes (tcdA, tcdB, cdtA/cdtB). The phyloGenetic positioning of this clone was clearly distinct from the classical RT033 cluster, suggesting a different evolutionary route. This new clone shares genomic features with several RTs from the clade 5 Sequence Type (ST) 11, including a complete pathogenicity locus (PaLoc) that is more similar to the one found in toxigenic strains and contrasting to the less virulent classical RT033 (tcdA-, tcdB-, cdtA + /cdtB +). The presence of a tcdA gene truncated into two ORFs, not previously described, requires further evaluation concerning toxin functionality. We hypothesize that the unique combination of genetic elements found in the PT RT033 clone may contribute to host tropism and environmental dissemination and maintenance. This study constitutes the first report of a toxigenic RT033 clone and adds to the overall knowledge on Clade 5 sequence type 11, considered the C. difficile evolutionary lineage with the highest zoonotic potential. The presence of this clone in all compartments associated with the pig production unit suggests a transmission chain involving these animals and contributes to unveil the role played by animal and environmental reservoirs in this pathogen epidemiology. Copyright © 2022 Alves, Nunes, Castro, Sequeira, Moreira, Matias, Rodrigues, Silveira, Gomes and Oleastro. | animal experiment; animal model; antibiotic sensitivity; Article; bacterial gene; bacterial strain; bacterial transmission; bacterium isolate; bacterium isolation; cladistics; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium difficile infection; controlled study; CRISPR Cas system; disk diffusion; gene locus; genetic variability; high throughput sequencing; matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry; multiplex polymerase chain reaction; nonhuman; open reading frame; phylogeny; pig; polymerase chain reaction; prevalence; quality control; ribotyping; single nucleotide polymorphism; whole genome sequencing | Clostridioides difficile; environment; One Health; PaLoc; Pig; RT033; transmission dynamics |
| How are large-scale One Health initiatives targeting infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance evaluated? A scoping review | While One Health initiatives are gaining in popularity, it is unclear if and how they are evaluated when implementation at scale is intended. The main purpose of this scoping review was to describe how One Health initiatives targeting infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance at a large scale are evaluated. Secondary objectives included identifying the main facilitators and barriers to the implementation and success of these initiatives, and how their impacts were assessed. Twenty-three studies evaluating One Health initiatives were eligible. Most studies included the human (n = 22) and animal (n = 15) sectors; only four included the environment sector. The types of evaluated initiative (non-exclusive) included governance (n = 5), knowledge (n = 6), protection (n = 17), promotion (n = 16), prevention (n = 9), care (n = 8), advocacy (n = 10) and capacity (n = 10). Studies used normative (n = 4) and evaluative (n = 20) approaches to assess the One Health initiatives, the latter including impact (n = 19), implementation (n = 8), and performance (n = 7) analyses. Structural and economic, social, political, communication and coordination-related factors, as well as ontological factors, were identified as both facilitators and barriers for successful One Health initiatives. These results identified a wide range of evaluation methods and indicators used to demonstrate One Health’s added values, strengths, and limitations: the inherent complexity of the One Health approach leads to the use of multiple types of evaluation. The strengths and remaining gaps in the evaluation of such initiative highlight the relevance of comprehensive, mixed-method, context-sensitive evaluation frameworks to inform and support the implementation of One Health initiatives by stakeholders in different governance settings. © 2022 The Authors | antibiotic resistance; Article; attitude to health; communicable disease; economic aspect; global health; health care; health care planning; health promotion; human; infection prevention; nonhuman; One Health; ontology; participatory management; patient advocacy; politics; protection; social aspect; stakeholder engagement; systematic review | Evaluation; Global health; Infectious diseases; Multisectoral; One health; Participatory |
| Predicting pharmacotherapeutic outcomes for type 2 diabetes: An evaluation of three approaches to leveraging electronic health record data from multiple sources | Electronic health record (EHR) data are increasingly used to develop prediction models to support clinical care, including the care of patients with common chronic conditions. A key challenge for individual healthcare systems in developing such models is that they may not be able to achieve the desired degree of robustness using only their own data. A potential solution—combining data from multiple sources—faces barriers such as the need for data normalization and concerns about sharing patient information across institutions. To address these challenges, we evaluated three alternative approaches to using EHR data from multiple healthcare systems in predicting the outcome of pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Two of the three approaches, named Selecting Better (SB) and Weighted Average (WA), allowed the data to remain within institutional boundaries by using pre-built prediction models; the third, named Combining Data (CD), aggregated raw patient data into a single dataset. The prediction performance and prediction coverage of the resulting models were compared to single-institution models to help judge the relative value of adding external data and to determine the best method to generate optimal models for clinical decision support. The results showed that models using WA and CD achieved higher prediction performance than single-institution models for common treatment patterns. CD outperformed the other two approaches in prediction coverage, which we defined as the number of treatment patterns predicted with an Area Under Curve of 0.70 or more. We concluded that 1) WA is an effective option for improving prediction performance for common treatment patterns when data cannot be shared across institutional boundaries and 2) CD is the most effective approach when such sharing is possible, especially for increasing the range of treatment patterns that can be predicted to support clinical decision making. © 2022 The Author(s) | Artificial intelligence; Decision making; Decision support systems; Diseases; eHealth; Hospital data processing; Information management; Interoperability; Records management; 2,4 thiazolidinedione derivative; dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor; glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonist; hemoglobin A1c; insulin; metformin; sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor; sulfonylurea; Chronic disease; Clinical decision support systems; Disease management; Electronic health; Health information interoperability; Health informations; Health records; Information interoperability; Prediction performance; Weighted averages; adult; Article; body mass; combining data method; data analysis; diastolic blood pressure; drug therapy; electronic health record; estimated glomerular filtration rate; fasting blood glucose level; female; health care system; human; hypertension; indiana network for patient care; logistic regression analysis; low density lipoprotein cholesterol level; male; medical information system; middle aged; non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; One Health; predictive model; predictive value; receiver operating characteristic; sodium blood level; support vector machine; systolic blood pressure; treatment outcome; triacylglycerol blood level; university of utah health; weighted average method; Forecasting | Artificial intelligence; Chronic disease; Clinical decision support system; Disease management; Health information interoperability |
| First report of human Thelazia callipaeda infection in Portugal | The zoonotic parasitic nematode Thelazia callipaeda, also known as the oriental eye worm, is endemic in several European countries, including Portugal. Infections may result in ocular disease in domestic and wild animals as well as humans, with more or less severe manifestations. We report the first human case of ocular thelaziosis by T. callipaeda in Portugal, a country where the parasite had already been found to infect dogs, cats, red foxes, wild rabbits and a beech marten. An 80-year-old patient from east-central Portugal, who had been suffering from tearing for a few years, had whitish filiform fragments removed from the left eye. Polymerase chain reaction of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and 18S small subunit rRNA genes followed by bidirectional sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed T. callipaeda haplotype 1, the only haplotype previously reported in Europe. The endemicity of T. callipaeda in domestic and wild animals in east-central Portugal makes it very likely that infection of the human patient had occurred locally. In east-central and other geographical areas of Portugal, veterinarians and physicians, especially ophthalmologists, should regard T. callipaeda as a cause of ocular pathology in animals and humans. © 2022 | Animals; Animals, Wild; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Foxes; Humans; Portugal; Rabbits; Spirurida Infections; Thelazioidea; Portugal; cytochrome c oxidase; ivermectin; protein cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1; RNA 18S; unclassified drug; eye disease; gene; nematode; parasite; parasitic disease; pathology; public health; aged; Article; case report; cataract extraction; clinical article; endemic disease; filamentary keratitis; human; nonhuman; nucleic acid amplification techniques; polymerase chain reaction; Portugal; Thelazia callipaeda; thelaziasis; treatment duration; very elderly; animal; dog; dog disease; fox; genetics; Leporidae; parasitology; spirurid infection; Thelazioidea; veterinary medicine; wild animal | Eyeworm; Human; One health; Portugal; Thelazia callipaeda; Zoonosis |
| Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Heidelberg Infections Linked to Dairy Calf Exposure, United States, 2015-2018 | In August 2016, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg infections in people who reported contact with dairy calves. Federal and state partners investigated this to identify the source and scope of the outbreak and to prevent further illnesses. Cases were defined as human Salmonella Heidelberg infection caused by a strain that had one of seven pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns or was related by whole genome sequencing (WGS), with illness onset from January 1, 2015, through July 2, 2018. Patient exposure and calf purchase information was collected and analyzed; calves were traced back from the point of purchase. Isolates obtained from animal and environmental samples collected on-farm were supplied by veterinary diagnostic laboratories and compared with patient isolates using PFGE and WGS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by standardized broth microdilution was performed. Sixty-eight patients from 17 states were identified. Forty (63%) of 64 patients noted cattle contact before illness. Thirteen (33%) of 40 patients with exposure to calves reported that calves were sick or had died. Seven individuals purchased calves from a single Wisconsin livestock market. One hundred forty cattle from 14 states were infected with the outbreak strain. WGS indicated that human, cattle, and environmental isolates from the livestock market were genetically closely related. Most isolates (88%) had resistance or reduced susceptibility to antibiotics of ≥5 antibiotic classes. This resistance profile included first-line antibiotic treatments for patients with severe salmonellosis, including ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin. In this outbreak, MDR Salmonella Heidelberg likely spread from sick calves to humans, emphasizing the importance of illness surveillance in animal populations to prevent future spillover of this zoonotic disease. © 2022 Mary Ann Liebert Inc. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cattle; Disease Outbreaks; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Salmonella; Salmonella enterica; United States; amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; ampicillin; azithromycin; beta lactamase; beta lactamase CMY 2; cefoxitin; ceftriaxone; chloramphenicol; ciprofloxacin; cotrimoxazole; fosfomycin; gentamicin; kanamycin; meropenem; streptomycin; sulfafurazole; tetracycline; unclassified drug; antiinfective agent; aada1 gene; adolescent; adult; aged; ampicillin resistance; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; aph(3′) gene; Article; bacterial gene; bacterial strain; bacterium culture; bacterium isolate; broth dilution; child; chloramphenicol resistance; ciprofloxacin resistance; dairy cattle; dfrA34 gene; epidemic; epidemic curve; floR gene; fosA7 gene; genetic association; genetic similarity; gentamicin resistance; human; infant; infection rate; kanamycin resistance; livestock market; major clinical study; middle aged; multidrug resistant bacterium; nonhuman; pulsed field gel electrophoresis; qnrB19 gene; Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg; salmonellosis; strA gene; strB gene; streptomycin resistance; sul1 gene; sul2 gene; tet(A) gene; tet(B) gene; tet(O) gene; tetracycline resistance; whole genome sequencing; zoonotic transmission; animal; bovine; epidemic; epidemiology; microbial sensitivity test; multidrug resistance; Salmonella; Salmonella enterica; United States; veterinary medicine | antimicrobial resistance; calves; food safety; One Health; Salmonella; zoonotic disease |
| The Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Human-to-Pets Transmission in Household Settings in Bosnia and Herzegovina | The infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus in cats and dogs raised issue of human-to-animal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic pets in close contacts with their owners. Our study was designed to research this in the framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using ELISA, AFIAS fluorescent immunoassay, RT-qPCR and WGS on Nanopore MinION platform with ARTIC Network Amplicon sequencing protocol for SARS-CoV-2, we showed that three out of thirteen dogs and one out of five cats from the households with confirmed human cases of COVID-19 in Bosnia-Herzegovina were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The high viral RNA load was detected in samples collected from a 4-year-old male Havanese (Ct = 12.52), a 6-year-old German Shepherd (Ct = 21.36) and a 9-year-old female American Staffordshire terrier (Ct = 25.74). The antibody response in dogs and one cat was observed. The viral genetic sequences from dogs were identical to the sequences detected in the owners suggesting the human-to-animal transmission of the virus. These findings, especially the low initial Ct values detected, from the public health perspective additionally stress the need for precautionary measures to protect both humans and animals. Copyright © 2022 Goletic, Goletic, Softic, Zahirovic, Rukavina, Kavazovic, Omeragic, Umihanic and Hukic. | adult; amplicon; animal experiment; animal model; antibody response; Article; bioinformatics; Bosnia and Herzegovina; cat; controlled study; coronavirus disease 2019; dog; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; German shepherd; household; human; immunoassay; immunofluorescence assay; male; nonhuman; nose smear; oropharyngeal swab; phylogenetic tree; public health; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; sneezing; virus genome; virus transmission; whole genome sequencing; zoonotic transmission | ELISA; one health approach; pets; SARS-CoV-2; whole genome sequencing |
| Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Free-Ranging Black-Tailed Marmoset (Mico melanurus) from an Urban Area in Mid-West Brazil | The emergence of spillover pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 is a risk to vulnerable human populations. We report natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in a free-ranging adult female black-tailed marmoset (Mico melanurus) from an urban area of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The animal was found after a motor vehicle collision without previous clinical history. Necropsy confirmed polytrauma. Severe multifocal to coalescent haemorrhage and mild multifocal peribronchial lymphocytic hyperplasia were seen in lung sections. The alveolar septa were multifocally expanded by a few lymphocytes. Mild lymphocytic periportal hepatitis and interstitial nephritis were found. The lymphoid nodules of the large intestine showed marked lymphocytic hyperplasia. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 was established by viral RNA detection in a pool of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs and liver samples. Immunohistochemistry detected the viral nucleocapsid protein in sections of lung, liver, spleen, lymph nodes and large intestine, and spike protein antigen in lung tissue. This is the first report of naturally occurring SARS-CoV-2 infection in a New World monkey. Platyrrhine species should be included as potential hosts of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd | Animals; Brazil; Callithrix; Callitrichinae; COVID-19; Female; Hyperplasia; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus nucleocapsid protein; coronavirus spike glycoprotein; virus RNA; adult; animal tissue; Article; autopsy; bleeding; Brazil; Callitrichinae; coronavirus disease 2019; female; hepatitis; immunohistochemistry; infection; interstitial nephritis; large intestine; liver; lung; lung alveolus; lymph node; lymphocyte; Mico melanurus; multiple trauma; nasopharyngeal swab; natural infection; nonhuman; oropharyngeal swab; spleen; traffic accident; urban area; virus detection; animal; Callithrix; Callitrichinae; hyperplasia; veterinary medicine | COVID-19; New World monkey; One Health; platyrrhines; SARS-CoV-2 |
| Influenza A viruses are likely highly prevalent in South African swine farms | Growth in pork production during the last decade in South Africa has escalated the risk of zoonotic pathogen emergence. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate evidence for transmission of influenza A virus between pigs and swine workers. Between February and October 2018, samples from swine workers and pigs were collected from three farms in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Workers nasal washes and serum samples, and swine oral secretion samples (rope sampling method) were studied for evidence of swine influenza A virus infection using molecular and serological methods. Among 84 human nasal washes and 51 swine oral secretion specimens, 44 (52.4%) and 6 (11.8%) had molecular evidence of influenza A virus. Microneutralization assays with enrolled workers’ sera against swine H1N1 and H3N2 viruses revealed a high prevalence of elevated antibodies. Multivariate risk factor analysis showed that male workers from the age-group quartile 23–32 years, who self-reported a recent history of exposure to someone with influenza disease and seldom use of personal protective equipment were at highest risk of molecular detection of influenza A virus. These pilot study data suggest that influenza A viruses are likely highly prevalent in South African swine farms. South Africa would benefit from periodic surveillance for novel influenza viruses in swine farms as well as education and seasonal influenza vaccine programmes for swine workers. © 2021 The Authors. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. | Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Cross-Sectional Studies; Farms; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Male; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Pilot Projects; South Africa; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses; antibody; hemagglutinin; monoclonal antibody; nucleoprotein; sialidase; virus antibody; adult; aged; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; antibody titer; Article; assay; cross-sectional study; cycle threshold value; demographics; DNA microarray; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; farm animal; female; fluid intake; human; human experiment; Influenza A virus; Influenza A virus (H3N2); male; microneutralization assay; neutralization test; nonhuman; phylogenetic tree; phylogeny; pig; pilot study; prevalence; questionnaire; real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; RNA extraction; sequence analysis; South Africa; TCID50; virus isolation; virus transmission; whole genome sequencing; zoonosis; agricultural land; animal; influenza; Influenza A virus (H1N1); orthomyxovirus infection; swine disease; veterinary medicine; zoonosis | epidemiology; influenza A virus; one health; swine influenza; zoonoses |
| A rare case of zoonotic infection in human-Emphasising the one health concept | The One Health concept recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. A 21-year-old female patient presented with several nodular and cystic swellings on the front and sides of her neck for the past 2 years. Histopathology showed sulfur granules surrounded by neutrophils in an area of granulation tissue with filamentous Gram-negative bacilli in the granules. She was a regular cattle handler since her childhood, and one of her cows on the farm had died from a similar sort of illness 2 years back at the same period when her disease began. We made a provisional diagnosis of actinobacillus infection and started the patient on doxycycline 100 mg twice daily. With this treatment, the patient showed an excellent clinical response and her condition healed with resultant scarring within 7 weeks of treatment. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved. | antibiotic agent; doxycycline; tuberculostatic agent; Actinobacillus; actinomycosis; adult; Article; case report; clinical article; female; fine needle aspiration biopsy; Gram negative bacterium; Gram staining; granulation tissue; histiocyte; histopathology; human; human tissue; hyperpigmentation; lymphocyte; macrophage; neck swelling; neutrophil; scar formation; scrofuloderma; skin cyst; skin disease; skin nodule; young adult; zoonosis | Actinobacillus; one health concept; zoonotic infection |
| One Health Genomic Analysis of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- Producing Salmonella enterica, Canada, 2012-2016 | Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) confer resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, a major class of clinical antimicrobial drugs. We used genomic analysis to investigate whether domestic food animals, retail meat, and pets were reservoirs of ESBL-producing Salmonella for human infection in Canada. Of 30,303 Salmonella isolates tested during 2012-2016, we detected 95 ESBL producers. ESBL serotypes and alleles were mostly different between humans (n = 54) and animals/ meat (n = 41). Two exceptions were blaSHV-2 and blaCTX-M-1 IncI1 plasmids, which were found in both sources. A subclade of S. enterica serovar Heidelberg isolates carrying the same IncI1-blaSHV-2 plasmid differed by only 1-7 single nucleotide variants. The most common ESBL producer in humans was Salmonella Infantis carrying blaCTX-M-65, which has since emerged in poultry in other countries. There were few instances of similar isolates and plasmids, suggesting that domestic animals and retail meat might have been minor reservoirs of ESBL-producing Salmonella for human infection. © 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Chickens; Genomics; One Health; Plasmids; Salmonella; Salmonella enterica; amoxicillin; ampicillin; antiinfective agent; azithromycin; cefotaxime; cefoxitin; ceftazidime; ceftriaxone; cephalosporin; chloramphenicol; ciprofloxacin; clavulanic acid; extended spectrum beta lactamase; gentamicin; Iprofloxacin; nalidixic acid; streptomycin; sulfafurazole; tetracycline; trimethoprim; unclassified drug; antiinfective agent; beta lactamase; allele; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic sensitivity; antimicrobial activity; Article; bacterium identification; bacterium isolate; broth dilution; controlled study; DNA sequence; domestic animal; drug sensitivity; genetic analysis; human; minimum inhibitory concentration; nonhuman; One Health; phylogenetic tree; phylogenomics; phylogeny; plasmid; poultry; prevalence; Salmonella enterica; Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis; sequence alignment; serotype; single nucleotide polymorphism; whole genome sequencing; animal; chicken; genetics; genomics; Salmonella |
| Comparing the Effectiveness of Different Approaches to Raise Awareness About Antimicrobial Resistance in Farmers and Veterinarians of India | Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the animal health sector contributes to increasing rates of AMR and studies involving dairy farmers in India have found knowledge levels regarding antibiotics and AMR to be very low. The purpose of this study was to assess different methods to raise awareness and knowledge about AMR and antibiotic use among dairy farmers, paravets (veterinary assistants), and veterinarians. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in September-December of 2018 in some parts of Haryana, Assam, Karnataka, and West Bengal. It had two parts: an intervention meeting (September–October 2018) which consisted of focus group discussions (FGD) with farmers, key informant interviews (KII) with veterinary professionals along with distribution of information packages, and then a follow-up survey (November–December 2018). The villages were randomly allocated to either one of the four intervention approaches (1-FGD/KII and information package on AMR; 2-FGD/KI and information on animal health; 3- FGD/KII and information package on animal health plus information on AMR; or 4- only the FGD/KII). A follow-up survey was done to assess the effect of interventions. Results: In total, 274 dairy farmers and 51 veterinary professionals (21 veterinarians and 30 paravets) participated in the follow-up survey. Many of the farmers and veterinary professionals who participated in the follow-up survey had been part of the intervention meetings. The average knowledge score of farmers was 7.8. It was found that the knowledge score was higher amongst farmers who had participated in the intervention meetings (p < 0.05), had received intervention approach 2 (p = 0.03) or approach 3 (p = 0.01), and amongst female farmers (p = 0.03) compared to male. The veterinary professionals had good knowledge but lacked interest in training the farmers about antimicrobial resistance. Conclusion: Our research demonstrated that a higher percentage of farmers and veterinary professionals who attended the intervention meeting had improved knowledge. Dairy farmers should be regularly educated on antibiotic usage and how to avoid misusing them. Also, veterinary experts should be provided with tools and strategies to educate farmers on the use of antimicrobials. Copyright © 2022 Sharma, Mutua, Deka, Shome, Bandyopadhyay, Shome, Kumar, Grace, Dey and Lindahl. | Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Farmers; Female; Humans; India; Male; Veterinarians; antiinfective agent; agricultural worker; animal; antibiotic resistance; female; human; India; male; veterinarian | animal health; antibiotic use; antimicrobial resistance; dairy farmers; intervention; one health; veterinarians |
| Incorporating the Gut Microbiome in the Risk Assessment of Xenobiotics and Identifying Beneficial Components for One Health | Three areas of relevance to the gut microbiome in the context of One Health were explored; the incorporation of the microbiome in food safety risk assessment of xenobiotics; the identification and application of beneficial microbial components to various areas under One Health, and; specifically, in the context of antimicrobial resistance. Although challenging, focusing on the microbiota resilience, function and active components is critical for advancing the incorporation of microbiome data in the risk assessment of xenobiotics. Moreover, the human microbiota may be a promising source of beneficial components, with the potential to metabolize xenobiotics. These may have possible applications in several areas, e.g., in animals or plants for detoxification or in the environment for biodegradation. This approach would be of particular interest for antimicrobials, with the potential to ameliorate antimicrobial resistance development. Finally, the concept of resistance to xenobiotics in the context of the gut microbiome may deserve further investigation. Copyright © 2022 Ampatzoglou, Gruszecka-Kosowska, Torres-Sánchez, López-Moreno, Cerk, Ortiz, Monteoliva-Sánchez and Aguilera. | xenobiotic agent; antibiotic resistance; Article; bioremediation; feces microflora; gastrointestinal tract; human; intestine flora; nonhuman; One Health; public health; risk assessment; risk management | antimicrobial resistance; gut microbiome; microbiota disrupting chemicals; next-generation probiotics; next-generation risk assessment; one health; xenobiotics |
| Assessment of the Costs Related to West Nile Virus Monitoring in Lombardy Region (Italy) between 2014 and 2018 | In Italy, the West Nile Virus surveillance plan considers a multidisciplinary approach to identify the presence of the virus in the environment (entomological, ornithological, and equine surveillance) and to determine the risk of infections through potentially infected donors (blood and organ donors). The costs associated with the surveillance program for the Lombardy Region between 2014 and 2018 were estimated. The costs of the program were compared with a scenario in which the program was not implemented, requiring individual blood donation nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) to detect the presence of WNV in human samples throughout the seasonal period of vector presence. Considering the five-year period, the application of the environmental/veterinary surveillance program allowed a reduction in costs incurred in the Lombardy Region of 7.7 million EUR. An integrated surveillance system, including birds, mosquito vectors, and dead-end hosts such as horses and humans, can prevent viral transmission to the human population, as well as anticipate the detection of WNV using NAT in blood and organ donors. The surveillance program within a One Health context has given the possibility to both document the expansion of the endemic area of WNV in northern Italy and avoid most of the NAT-related costs. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | Animals; Birds; Culicidae; Horses; Italy; Mosquito Vectors; One Health; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus; Italy; Lombardy; blood; cost analysis; horse; mosquito; nucleic acid analysis; West Nile virus; adult; animal experiment; article; bird; blood donor; controlled study; female; horse; human; Italy; male; mosquito; mosquito vector; nonhuman; nucleic acid amplification techniques; One Health; organ donor; prevention; veterinary medicine; virus transmission; West Nile virus; animal; horse; Italy; One Health; West Nile fever | blood donors; horses; human; mosquitoes; NAT; surveillance |
| Continued Failure of Rabies Elimination—Consideration of Challenges in Applying the One Health Approach | [No abstract available] | Article; coronavirus disease 2019; disease burden; disease elimination; health care policy; health data; health legislation; human; intersectoral collaboration; nonhuman; One Health; pandemic; personal experience; rabies; treatment failure; World Health Organization | collaboration; disease prevention and control; One Health approach; rabies; United Against Rabies |
| Whole health for life is one health for all | [No abstract available] | Humans; One Health; Quality of Life; fertilizer; fossil fuel; pesticide; Article; climate change; coronavirus disease 2019; cultural anthropology; drought; empowerment; evolution; health promotion; human; knowledge; mindfulness; mindfulness meditation; natural resource; One Health; self care; skill; soil pollution; stress management; water contamination; water supply; quality of life |
| When One Health Meets the United Nations Ocean Decade: Global Agendas as a Pathway to Promote Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research on Human-Nature Relationships | Strong evidence shows that exposure and engagement with the natural world not only improve human wellbeing but can also help promote environmentally friendly behaviors. Human-nature relationships are at the heart of global agendas promoted by international organizations including the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “One Health” and the United Nations (UN) “Ocean Decade.” These agendas demand collaborative multisector interdisciplinary efforts at local, national, and global levels. However, while global agendas highlight global goals for a sustainable world, developing science that directly addresses these agendas from design through to delivery and outputs does not come without its challenges. In this article, we present the outcomes of international meetings between researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers from the United Kingdom and Brazil. We propose a model for interdisciplinary work under such global agendas, particularly the interface between One Health and the UN Ocean Decade and identify three priority research areas closely linked to each other: human-nature connection, conservation-human behavior, and implementation strategies (bringing stakeholders together). We also discuss a number of recommendations for moving forward. Copyright © 2022 Masterson-Algar, Jenkins, Windle, Morris-Webb, Takahashi, Burke, Rosa, Martinez, Torres-Mattos, Taddei, Morrison, Kasten, Bryning, Cruz de Oliveira, Gonçalves, Skov, Beynon-Davies, Bumbeer, Saldiva, Leão and Christofoletti. | co-design; global agendas; interdisciplinary; Ocean Decade; One Health |
| Urban capuchin monkeys Sapajus nigritus (Goldfuss, 1809) (Primates, Cebidae) as environmental bioindicators of leishmaniasis | The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Leishmania sp. DNA and anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in free-ranging Sapajus nigritus from an urban forest located in a city in the North Central region of the state of Paraná. For the indirect diagnosis, the direct agglutination test was used with promastigote forms of Leishmania (V.) braziliensis, where it was possible to detect the agglutination reaction in 53.33% of the S. nigritus blood samples. For direct diagnosis, the samples were submitted to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which confirmed the presence of Leishmania spp. DNA in 26.66% of the tested samples. It reinforces the importance of considering the concept of One Health in the face of diseases with high prevalence, such as leishmaniasis and the need for health education measures. This result shows that the animals in the present study have a role as environmental bioindicators for leishmaniasis. © 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH. | Animals; Brazil; Cebidae; Cebus; Environmental Biomarkers; Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; Sapajus; environmental marker; tiletamine plus zolazepam; xylazine; environmental marker; agglutination test; animal experiment; antigen antibody reaction; Article; Cebidae; Cebus; controlled study; endemic disease; Leishmania; Leishmania braziliensis; leishmaniasis; nonhuman; Parana (state); promastigote; real time polymerase chain reaction; Sapajus; sapajus nigritus; urban area; animal; Brazil; Cebus; genetics; Leishmania; leishmaniasis; Sapajus; veterinary medicine | environmental biondicators; leishmaniasis; One Health; urban area; zoonosis |
| Factors Limiting the Appropriate Use of Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis by Health Professionals in Brazil | Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is necessary to prevent the fatal onset of rabies but requires optimization to avoid overuse in populations at risk of rabies. In Brazil, the incidence of dog bites remains high, with almost half of dog-bite patients not receiving the PEP recommended by the Ministry of Health guidelines between 2008 and 2017. In this study, we aimed to identify the factors that limit the appropriate prescribing of PEP by interviewing health professionals responsible for PEP administration and completion of the ‘Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration’ (SINAN) form reporting human anti-rabies care for patients seeking health care after a dog bite. We conducted 147 questionnaires (45 questions each) in three Brazilian states (i.e., Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Norte) including questions related to the criteria used by professionals to classify a dog as “suspect” or “rabid”, knowledge on PEP prescription guidelines, SINAN and communication with veterinarians. Our analyses showed that most health professionals delivering PEP in these three states struggle to identify a rabies “suspect” dog according to the Ministry of Health guidelines, and to indicate the adequate PEP regimen, with only 11% of professionals prescribing the appropriate PEP under various dog-bite patient scenarios. PEP knowledge score was higher among professionals trained on PEP guidelines and working in facilities with the highest incidence of dog bites. In contrast, PEP knowledge scores did not vary significantly between states, and were not correlated to the professional’s level of experience, the number of colleagues available at the health unit or the professional’s confidence on prescribing appropriate PEP. Our results suggest that knowledge gaps in PEP administration among health professionals of Brazil can be reduced by implementing training programs to differentiate among rabies risk scenarios, prescribe the corresponding appropriate PEP and improve communication between health and veterinary authorities. Copyright © 2022 da Silva, Megid, Hampson, Campos, Higashi, Medeiros, Pereira and Benavides. | Article; dog bite; epidemiological surveillance; health practitioner; help seeking behavior; human; interpersonal communication; medical information system; One Health; post exposure prophylaxis; precribing guideline; professional knowledge; public health service; questionnaire; rabies; Rio Grande do Norte; Rio Grande do Sul; risk factor; Santa Catarina (state); treatment indication; veterinarian; work experience | bites; dogs; Latin America; One Health; PEP; questionnaires; surveillance |
| The Urinary Resistome of Clinically Healthy Companion Dogs: Potential One Health Implications | An interdisciplinary approach to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is essential to effectively address what is projected to soon become a public health disaster. Veterinary medicine accounts for a majority of antimicrobial use, and mainly in support of industrial food animal production (IFAP), which has significant exposure implications for human and nonhuman animals. Companion dogs live in close proximity to humans and share environmental exposures, including food sources. This study aimed to elucidate the AMR-gene presence in microorganisms recovered from urine from clinically healthy dogs to highlight public health considerations in the context of a species-spanning framework. Urine was collected through cystocentesis from 50 companion dogs in Southern California, and microbial DNA was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Thirteen AMR genes in urine from 48% of the dogs {n=} were detected. The most common AMR genes were aph(3′)Ia, and ermB, which confer resistance to aminoglycosides and MLS (macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins) antibiotics, respectively. Antibiotic-resistance profiles based on the AMR genes detected, and the intrinsic resistance profiles of bacterial species, were inferred in 24% of the samples {n=} for 57 species, with most belonging to Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium genera. The presence of AMR genes that confer resistance to medically important antibiotics suggests that dogs may serve as reservoirs of clinically relevant resistomes, which is likely rooted in excessive IFAP antimicrobial use. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. | amikacin; aminoglycoside; amoxicillin; amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid; ampicillin; azithromycin; beta lactam; cefadroxil; cefalexin; cefalotin; cefazolin; cefovecin; cefoxitin; cefpodoxime; ceftazidime; ceftiofur; chloramphenicol; ciprofloxacin; clindamycin; doxycycline; enrofloxacin; florfenicol; gentamicin; imipenem; levofloxacin; lincomycin; lincosamide; macrolide; marbofloxacin; metronidazole; minocycline; mupirocin; neomycin; orbifloxacin; oxacillin; penicillin G; piperacillin; pradofloxacin; quinolone; rifampicin; sulfonamide; tetracycline; ticarcillin; timentin; tobramycin; trimethoprim; amplicon sequence variant; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic resistome; Article; bacterial gene; bacterial microbiome; Bifidobacterium longum; Campylobacter upsaliensis; controlled study; Corynebacterium; DNA extraction; DNA structure; dog; high throughput sequencing; intestine flora; microbiome; nonhuman; One Health; pet animal; polymerase chain reaction; Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; Streptococcus; urinalysis; urinary tract; urine sampling | antimicrobial resistance; dog; microbiome; resistome; species-spanning; urine |
