Abattoir Workers Research Articles

Detection of spatial and spatio-temporal Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Typhimurium human case clusters focused around licensed abattoirs in Ontario in 2015, and their potential relation to known outbreaks.

Salmonellosis is one of several zoonotic diseases for which individuals with occupational animal contact, including abattoir workers, are at an increased risk. If meat is contaminated during slaughter, this can increase the risk of enteric illness for consumers. In this study, we investigated whether reported cases of Salmonella Heidelberg and Typhimurium were clustered around abattoirs in Ontario in 2015 and whether there was any evidence (laboratory/exposure) to suggest an abattoir at the centre of a cluster might be the source of exposure. Data for each reported case of S.Heidelberg and S.Typhimurium in Ontario in 2015 were collected. Multi-focused and non-focused spatial and space-time cluster detection tests were performed for each serotype, with and without cases linked to known outbreaks, using Poisson and space-time permutation models. Focused tests included the location of abattoirs operational in all or part of 2015. Laboratory data and exposure information were used to explore the relatedness of cases within identified clusters. Focused spatial tests identified clusters of S.Heidelberg and S.Typhimurium around abattoirs. Focused space-time permutation tests identified 2 significant space-time clusters of S.Heidelberg; one cluster (n=11 cases) included 8 of 9 cases associated with a known outbreak and the other cluster (n=18 cases) was not part of a previously identified outbreak. Review of laboratory and risk factor information suggested that cases within each cluster shared a common exposure. Cases were not asked about goat or sheep meat consumption. The focused cluster test, particularly with the space-time permutation model, could assist in identifying outbreaks associated with a particular physical location, such as an abattoir. Improvements to the current case investigation process, such as consistent collection and reporting of high-risk occupation information and more detailed food consumption history, could assist in outbreak identification when coupled with this statistic.

A survey of sheep dicrocoeliosis in Sulaymaniyah slaughterhouse, northern Iraq in 2013-2014.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum is a helminth which lives in the bile ducts and gall bladder of mammalian definitive hosts. Dicrocoeliosis is thought to be endemic in some countries and it has an increasing prevalence in Northern Iraq, potentially due to increased importation of infected animals, particularly sheep, in high numbers from neighboring countries. The parasite's ability to infect rodents, wild animals, livestock and humans means this parasite is of significant interest in veterinary and human medicine. While D. dendriticum causes relatively mild clinical disease in animals, infection leads to liver condemnation at slaughter and subsequent economic losses to farmers. In this study, the livers of 91,486 sheep slaughtered at Sulaymaniyah New Slaughterhouse (Northern Iraq) were visually inspected for D. dendriticum infection between November 2013 and March 2014, with 1269 livers rejected due to D. dendriticum in this period, representing 29.4% of all condemned livers. The highest rate of rejection due to D. dendriticum infection was seen in December, possibly linked to increased numbers of intermediate host snails during the wet season. Routine inspection of condemned livers revealed adult flukes of D. dendriticum and eggs were seen in the faeces of imported sheep, indicating these animals may be a vector for introduction of D. dendriticum to this region. Due to the complex life cycle and wide range of animals which it infects, we cannot establish the exact route of introduction into Iraq; however, our study suggests that slaughterhouse workers, farmers and local health authorities should be aware of the presence of D. dendriticum, and the potential risks it represents to both human and animal health. Our data also suggest that some level of quarantine or border checks may be useful to prevent further introduction of D. dendriticum or other pathogens into Iraq, although this may prove difficult until accurate diagnostic assays are developed.

Cutting force measurement: Hand tool instrumentation used in slaughterhouses - a systematic review.

Workers' intensive use of hand tool cutting in the meat packing industry is a risk factor for occupational health, mainly by mechanical compression of tissues in the upper limbs, which can cause Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). This systematic review aimed to identify the characteristics and measured variables of instrumented knives and determine how they should be designed. The review process and article extractions occurred through an analysis of the (article) titles, keywords and abstracts, followed by reading the full texts by two reviewers independently. Searches were conducted in Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Ebsco and Engineering Village for articles published in peer-reviewed journals from January 2000 to March 2019, in the English language. The result of (the) search included 1289 potentially eligible studies, with 894 duplicated/triplicated/quadruplicated articles that were excluded, resulting in 404 remaining articles of which 33 were considered eligible, with 36 additional articles, totaling 69 evaluated full texts. After the review, none of the 14 analyzed studies, were rated as having good methodological quality. In addition, four types of instrumented knives were used. Data acquisition was performed in both laboratory and meat processing plants. It is noteworthy that only one knife was submitted to a validation process and that the articles did not provide complete technical information about the knives. The result demonstrated that the cutting force varies within and between subjects, tasks, plants and blade finishings. All knives used some type of electrical connection via cable or wires. Of the articles found, none considered the influences that the workers are subject to when they do not use the same tool daily for data acquisition. Therefore, the development of different types of instrumented knives, with wireless data transmission and more rigorous studies are necessary to expand the knowledge of the cutting force and development of WMSD in slaughterhouse workers who perform meat cutting.

Occupational exposure and challenges in tackling M. bovis at human-animal interface: a narrative review.

Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has increasingly gathered attention as a public health risk, particularly in developing countries with higher disease prevalence. M. bovis is capable of infecting multiple hosts encompassing a number of domestic animals, in particular cattle as well as a broad range of wildlife reservoirs. Humans are the incidental hosts of M. bovis whereby its transmission to humans is primarily through the consumption of cattle products such as unpasteurized milk or raw meat products that have been contaminated with M. bovis or the transmission could be due to close contact with infected cattle. Also, the transmission could occur through aerosol inhalation of infective droplets or infected body fluids or tissues in the presence of wound from infected animals. The zoonotic risk of M. bovis in humans exemplified by miscellaneous studies across different countries suggested the risk of occupational exposure towards M. bovis infection, especially those animal handlers that have close and unreserved contact with cattle and wildlife populations These animal handlers comprising of livestock farmers, abattoir workers, veterinarians and their assistants, hunters, wildlife workers as well as other animal handlers are at different risk of contracting M. bovis infection, depending on the nature of their jobs and how close is their interaction with infected animals. It is crucial to identify the underlying transmission risk factors and probable transmission pathways involved in the zoonotic transmission of M. bovis from animals to humans for better designation and development of specific preventive measures and guidelines that could reduce the risk of transmission and to protect these different occupational-related/populations at risk. Effective control and disease management of zoonotic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in humans are also hindered by various challenges and factors involved at animal–human interface. A closer look into factors affecting proper disease control and management of M. bovis are therefore warranted. Hence, in this narrative review, we have gathered a number of different studies to highlight the risk of occupational exposure to M. bovis infection and addressed the limitations and challenges underlying this context. This review also shed lights on various components and approaches in tackling M. bovis infection at animal–human interface.

The Safety of Slaughterhouse Workers during the Pandemic Crisis.

The working conditions in a slaughterhouse are difficult because of the low temperatures, high humidity, and little natural light. Therefore, in these facilities, there is a high demand in the maintenance of strict hygiene rules. Lately, the new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic situation has brought new challenges in the meat industry, as this sector has to maintain its operability to supply the meat and meat products demanded by the consumers. In this challenging period, the safety of the workers is as important as keeping the high demands for the safety of the meat and meat products along with consumer confidence. This paper aims to give an overview of the risks associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission between the workers in slaughterhouses and to evaluate the stability and infectivity in the working environment of these facilities. Considering the persistence of this virus on different surfaces and the environmental conditions affecting its stability (temperature, relative humidity, and natural light), in the study we proposed several short-, medium-, and long-term preventive measures for minimizing the potential threats of the actual pandemic.

Gambaran Profil dan Infeksi Cacing Usus pada Pekerja di Tiga Rumah Potong Hewan Provinsi Riau

Background: Intestinal worm infestation is still a health problem in Indonesia that is often neglected. This disease is chronic in nature and is strongly influenced by factors of environmental hygiene and sanitation. Slaughterhouses are places where animals in the form of cows, goat/ sheep and pigs are slaughtered to be distributed to meat sellers or to reataurants. This study aims to determine the profil description and incidence of intestinal worm infestations in workers in three slaughterhouses in Riau Province.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study in August – October 2020 in three slaughterhouses in Riau Province ( Pekanbaru, Duri and Dumai city). Stool examination was carried out using the Kato Katz Method at the Parasitology Laboratory Medical Faculty, Universitas Riau. Result: Do A total 37 workers who were examined found 35 men, age range 21 – 30 yo as much as 38% with latest education 46% was high school, length of work 1 – 5 years as much as 57% and as much as 41% have normal nutriotional status. Six workers found positive for intestinal worm infections (16%), there were three hookworm infections and one each to Trichuris trichiura, Oxyuris vermicularis and Hymenolepis diminuta.Conclusion : There were still intestinal worm infections among workers in the three slaughterhouses. Intestinal worm infection usually occurs in children and rarely occurs in adults and if it occurs in adults this may be due to poor hygiene and sanitation of the slaughterhouse workers.

Q Fever: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors in Slaughter Livestock and Genotypes of Coxiella burnetii in South Africa.

Q fever is a neglected zoonosis in South Africa, causing significant losses in livestock and game animals through reproductive disorders. However, there are limited studies on the extent of Coxiella burnetii infections in livestock in South Africa. Further, there is also lack of knowledge about the types of C. burnetii strains that are currently circulating in the country. Therefore, a cross-sectional, abattoir-based study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of C. burnetii and associated risk factors, and to characterize C. burnetii strains from slaughter livestock at red meat abattoirs in Gauteng, South Africa. Of the 507 animals tested, 6.9% (95% CI: 4.9–9.5%) were positive for antibodies against C. burnetii. The seroprevalence was 9.4% (31/331) in cattle, 4.3% (3/69) in sheep, and 0.9% (1/107) in pigs. Out of the 63 tissue samples from 35 seropositive animals including material from two sheep aborted fetuses from Mangaung district (Free State province), 12.7% (8/63) tested positive by IS1111 PCR. Genotyping of the eight PCR-positive tissues from eight animals by MLVA revealed two novel genotypes, not available in Coxiella MLVA databases. It is concluded that slaughter animals pose a risk of exposing abattoir and farm workers to C. burnetii in South Africa.

There and Back Again: A Commentary on Social Welfare Policy in the Wake of 2020

There and Back Again: A Commentary on Social Welfare Policy in the Wake of 2020

High exposure to pathogenic leptospires by the population residing in dairy farms in Hidalgo, Mexico.

Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease of unknown magnitude that has been overlooked and underreported, influenced by complex interactions established among humans, animals, and the environment; certain occupations, such as working with livestock, have an increased risk of exposure. We conducted a cross trans-sectional study in 374 serum samples obtained from workers and residents of dairy farms in the Tizayuca Basin, Hidalgo, Mexico, to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira antibody and the risk factors associated to this type of environment. The determination of anti-Leptospira antibodies was obtained by microscopic agglutination test. Seropositivity was defined from titles > 1:100. Seropositivity of anti-Leptospira antibodies among the population was 46.8% (176/374) (95% Cl 41.9-52.1). Thirty-nine percent (146/74) of the analyzed serum reacted to the Hardjo serovar (Sejröe serogroup). Eighty-eight percent (8/9) slaughterhouse workers tested were seropositive. Those who belonged to an ethnic group had OR 1.78 (IC 1.02-3.11, P = 0.041). Seropositivity was associated with having a secondary school level or lower, with OR 1.79 (IC 0.97-3.29, P = 0.058). Exposure to Leptospira in a dairy production farm is a risk factor for humans. Our findings can contribute to strengthening the intervention of the Public Health System to prevent this zoonosis that prevails in dairy farm environments.

Pattern of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever related high risk behaviors among Iranian butchers and its relation to perceived self-efficacy

BackgroundCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is highly fatal to humans and an acute viral disease. The CCHF disease has been reported in occupations such as butchers, slaughterhouse butchers and workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of CCHF related high risk behaviors among butchers and determine the effects of perceived self-efficacy of the participants on their membership in latent classes.MethodsThe participants of this cross-sectional study were recruited from all the meat distribution centers in Ardabil Province in 2019–2020. The LCA approach was used to observe the CCFH related high risk behaviors patterns.ResultsThe statistical significance level was assigned at P-value < 0.05 in all the analyses. Three latent classes were identified; namely, 1) low risk (16.1%), 2) high risk (53.6%), and 3) very high risk (30.2%). After adjusting for other possible confounders higher score of perceived self-efficacy significantly decrease the odds of membership in high risk class (OR = 0.74) and very high risk class (OR = 0.62) compared to the low risk class. Also, age (OR = 1.07) and experience (OR = 0.91) associate with very high risk class.ConclusionsThis study revealed the co-occurrence of CCHF related high risk behaviors in the majority of workers in the livestock and meat industry. It is necessary to provide butchers and slaughterhouse workers with general education, force them to use protective equipment and investigate the rate of tick bites in risky occupations.

Metagenomics-Based Approach to Source-Attribution of Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants - Identification of Reservoir Resistome Signatures.

Metagenomics can unveil the genetic content of the total microbiota in different environments, such as food products and the guts of humans and livestock. It is therefore considered of great potential to investigate the transmission of foodborne hazards as part of source-attribution studies. Source-attribution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has traditionally relied on pathogen isolation, while metagenomics allows investigating the full span of AMR determinants. In this study, we hypothesized that the relative abundance of fecal resistome components can be associated with specific reservoirs, and that resistomes can be used for AMR source-attribution. We used shotgun-sequences from fecal samples of pigs, broilers, turkeys- and veal calves collected across Europe, and fecal samples from humans occupationally exposed to livestock in one country (pig slaughterhouse workers, pig and broiler farmers). We applied both hierarchical and flat forms of the supervised classification ensemble algorithm Random Forests to classify resistomes into corresponding reservoir classes. We identified country-specific and -independent AMR determinants, and assessed the impact of country-specific determinants when attributing AMR resistance in humans. Additionally, we performed a similarity percentage analysis with the full spectrum of AMR determinants to identify resistome signatures for the different reservoirs. We showed that the number of AMR determinants necessary to attribute a resistome into the correct reservoir increases with a larger reservoir heterogeneity, and that the impact of country-specific resistome signatures on prediction varies between countries. We predicted a higher occupational exposure to AMR determinants among workers exposed to pigs than among those exposed to broilers. Additionally, results suggested that AMR exposure on pig farms was higher than in pig slaughterhouses. Human resistomes were more similar to pig and veal calves’ resistomes than to those of broilers and turkeys, and the majority of these resistome dissimilarities can be explained by a small set of AMR determinants. We identified resistome signatures for each individual reservoir, which include AMR determinants significantly associated with on-farm antimicrobial use. We attributed human resistomes to different livestock reservoirs using Random Forests, which allowed identifying pigs as a potential source of AMR in humans. This study thus demonstrates that it is possible to apply metagenomics in AMR source-attribution.

Assessment of the work conditions of small slaughterhouses in the Thi-Qar governorate in Iraq.

Background: Working conditions have a vital role to play in determining health and disability. So, the objective of this study was to assess the work conditions of small slaughterhouses in the Thi-Qar governorate in Iraq.Design and methods: This study is a cross-sectional field survey. A total of twenty-six (26) small slaughterhouses were included as a sample size from the Thi-Qar governorate. The data collection was done by observations of the authors using a questionnaire and specific questions were also directed to the slaughterhouse workers if needed. It was conducted between February and April 2018. The study was planned to demonstrate the current status of small slaughterhouses in terms of water supply facilities, quality of small slaughterhouses building, sanitation practices.Results: All of the small slaughterhouses had a water supply and all they had hot and cold water. Most of the small slaughterhouses had water tanks and put water pipes away from slaughter sites. The proportions ranged from 76.9 to 96.0 for the quality of small slaughterhouses building. With regard to fire safety measures, 96.2% of buildings are supplied with mobile fire extinguishing equipment according to safety and security requirements. Concerning rodent and insects’ control, sixteen (61.5%) of small slaughterhouses use insecticides and pesticides and only six (23.1%) of them use traps for rodents. Most of the small slaughterhouses’ windows (88.5%) were covered with a thin net to prevent the insects from entering.Conclusions: The finding of this study indicated that work conditions of small slaughterhouses were generally adequate in terms of water supply facilities, sanitation practices, ventilation, fire safety measures, and rodents and insects’ control.Significance for public healthGiven the lack of researches that has been conducted in this field in Iraq, it was important to highlight the most significant the work conditions in the small slaughter houses, because unsafe and inadequate working conditions at slaughterhouses can result in contamination of meat, spread of disease, environmental hazards, and occupational hazards to workers so work must be done to provide a safe work environment for workers and raise efficiency of preventive measures and their use to reduce occupational, environmental risks, injuries and diseases resulting from them .

The effect of different work-rest schedules on ergonomic risk in poultry slaughterhouse workers.

BACKGROUND:Rest breaks are an organizational measure to reduce the high risk of upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UL-WMSDs) to which slaughterhouse workers are subject.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of different work-rest schedules on ergonomic risk in poultry slaughterhouse workers.METHODS:A total of 36 repetitive tasks was selected in a Brazilian slaughterhouse. Using the Occupational Repetitive Action (OCRA) Checklist, the level of exposure of workers to risk factors of UL-WMSDs in two work-rest schedules was evaluated. In the real condition, 6 rest breaks of 10 minutes were performed, and in the simulated condition, 3 rest breaks of 20 minutes.RESULTS:The right side of the body presented a higher score on the OCRA Checklist (72%of the tasks) than the left side (p = 0.037) in the real condition. Additionally, the OCRA score (18.3±2.5) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than the simulated condition (21.9±3.0). It was verified that the risk level in simulated condition remained the same in 13 (36%) tasks, while in 23 (64%) tasks there was an increase in the risk level.CONCLUSIONS:Work-rest schedule of 6 breaks of 10 minutes was better than 3 breaks of 20 minutes to reduce the risk of UL-WMSDs in poultry slaughterhouse workers.

Seroprevalence of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Brucella&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Antibodies and Risk Factors Associated with Human Brucellosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups of the Noun Division in the West Region of Cameroon

Brucellosis is an anthropozoonotic disease with an important public health impact. Although the transmission of Brucella from animals to humans can occur in different epidemiological settings of sub-Saharan African countries, little data has been published on human brucellosis. This study aimed to detect Brucella antibodies and the risk factors associated to brucellosis among high-risk occupational groups of people in the Noun Division of Cameroon. For this study, a structured questionnaire was used to assess risk factors associated with human brucellosis. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from high-risk occupational groups of people in four villages. Plasma was extracted from each sample and Brucella antibodies were detected using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (i-ELISA). Of the 273 participants enrolled, the overall seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies was 12.45% with RBPT and 10.26% with i-ELISA test. This seroprevalence was significantly (P = 0.04; X2 = 9.73) higher among livestock herdsmen (15.8%), slaughterhouse workers (9.8%), butchers (4.8%), participants having no educational level (14.3%) and those experiencing above 5 years of risky activity (15%). Raw milk consumption (OR: 4.8; P = 0.001), no formal education (OR: 6.4; P = 0.03) and assistance of animal during parturition (OR: 7.2; P < 0.0001) appeared as factors that may increase the risk of Brucella infections. The detection of Brucella antibodies indicates the risk of human brucellosis in some groups of people of the Noun division. Consuming unpasteurized milk, participating in parturition and lacking knowledge on brucellosis appeared as risk factors associated with human brucellosis in western Cameroon. It raises the need of developing and implementing control measures for human and animal brucellosis.

The Contagion of Slow Violence: The Slaughterhouse and COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought to the fore the violence faced by slaughterhouse workers and those they are charged with slaughtering. This article argues that COVID-19 has wrought an acceleration of the slow violence of state organized race crime (Nixon, Ward), in spreading rapidly through the slaughterhouse and to surrounding racialized communities. We show that zoonotic pandemics are the result of state organized race crime, and that abattoirs are locations of inseparable animal and racial violence. We then analyse how the law and state institutions have positioned slaughterhouse work as essential, contra workers’ claims and general knowledge that meat is an inessential ‘item’. We argue that this demonstrates the mechanics of state organized race crime and accelerates the speed of slow violence, while maintaining its insidious and routine nature. We then consider the #Boycottmeat movement which includes slaughterhouse workers, whom despite having a vested interest in this industry, have advocated for meat boycotts and a transition to plant-based diets as a matter of personal and collective safety.

Work-related increases in titer of Campylobacter jejuni antibody among workers at a chicken processing plant in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan, independent of individual ingestion of edible raw chicken meat.

Workers in poultry abattoirs may be frequently exposed to Campylobacter jejuni, which is a leading cause of bacterial food poisoning in Japan. The present study was conducted to measure the titers of IgG and IgA antibodies against C. jejuni among 104 female workers in a chicken processing plant in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. Information regarding habitual ingestion of raw chicken meat and potential occupational risk factors was collected using a questionnaire. Acid extracts of four C. jejuni strains representing the genotypes most dominant in Miyazaki were used as antigens. The levels of both immunoglobulins measured by ELISA were not correlated with ingestion of edible raw chicken meat, the amount consumed in one sitting, or its frequency. Although age was correlated with antibody levels, the length of employment was not. Furthermore, the IgG and IgA levels in workers at the evisceration step were significantly higher than those at other locations in the plant. To identify the bacterial proteins recognized by the workers’ IgG and IgA antibodies, Western blotting followed by LC/MS was conducted. Flagellin was identified as the common protein recognized in the sera of workers for whom ELISA demonstrated both the highest and lowest antibody levels. We concluded that the titers of IgG and IgA against C. jejuni in workers at the processing plant had been increased by occupational exposure to Campylobacter, regardless of raw chicken meat ingestion.

Rest Break Frequency and Duration: Self-Reported Preference of Brazilian Poultry Slaughterhouse Workers

ABSTRACT The work pace in poultry slaughterhouses is high and the risk of developing upper limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders is moderate to high. Thus, through risk management and the use of technical, organizational, and administrative means, the employer should ensure the well-being of workers, as well as safe and healthy working environments and conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the self-reported preference of poultry slaughterhouse workers regarding rest break frequency and duration, and to verify the reasons for their choice. The participants in the study included 311 workers from four poultry slaughterhouses. The workers were asked what rest break schemes they preferred: 6x10 min, 3x20 min, 4x15 min or another schedule, as well as the reasons for their selection. According to the workers’ opinions, 3x20 min was the best break schedule (90.7%), mainly because it allowed time to rest (64.5%), as they had more time to carry out their activities calmly. Unanimously, these workers responded that a 10-min break is very short, which only allows one to reach the rest area or the bathroom and return, no time to rest. Only 8.7% of workers wanted to have a higher rest break frequency (6 or 4 times per day) to leave the sector more, go to the bathroom often, have shorter work intervals, in addition to warming up the body and resting more. This paper provides guidelines for slaughterhouse managers to determine the best rest break schedules for their workers to promote health and safety.

High Carrying Rate of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Enterobacteriaceae by Slaughterhouse Workers in Lomé, Togo in 2019

Introduction: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL) represent a real public health concern because of their spread. The role of agri-food chains in transmitting of digestive ESBL-producing bacterial strains in the community, was demonstrated but little work was done in our settings (Togo, west Africa). The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of digestive carrying ESBL producing enterobacteriacae in slaughterhouse workers in Lomé, Togo.&#x0D; Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in three slaughterhouses in Lomé. Fresh stools of 60 slaughterhouse workers and socio-demographic data were collected during the period of September to October 2019 after obtaining the consent of each participant.&#x0D; The bacterial strains of interest were isolated on the selective medium Purple Bromocresol + Ceftazidime at 6µg/l. UriselectÒ and API 20E media were used for identification. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed in Mueller-Hinton agar plate diffusion method (Kirby Bauer technic) and according to CASFM-EUCAST recommendations.&#x0D; Results: The digestive carriage rate of ESBL producing enterobacteriacae among professionals of three slaughterhouses of Lomé was 80% (n=48/60). Escherichia coli was the main bacteria 78.2% (n = 43/55) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 16.4% (n = 9/55) and Enterobacter cloacae 5.4% (n = 3/55). The antibiotic profile of ESBL producing enterobacteriacae showed resistance to Amoxycillin + Clavulanic Acid (26%), Ticarcillin + Clavulanic Acid (86%), Piperacillin + Tazobactam (14%), Cefoxitin (7%) Ciprofloxacin (63%), Levofloxacin (49%), Nalidixic Acid (42%), Chloramphenicol (33%), Gentamicin (21%), Sulfamethoxazole-Trimetoprim (93%). These bacteria were 100% sensitive to Imipenem, Ertapenem, Amikacin and Fosfomycin.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study revealed a very high carriage rate of ESBL producing Enterobacteriacae among Slaughterhouse Workers in Lomé. It confirmed the major potential role of the agri-food chains in the spread of ESBL producing bacteria in the Community.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Brucellosis in Livestock and Residents of New Valley Governorate, Egypt

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease which is now considered endemic in most parts of Egypt. A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2018 to February 2020 to investigate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans and livestock residing in two regions located in New Valley Governorate, Egypt. A total of 1254 animals (673 cattle, 348 sheep, and 233 goats) and 523 human serum samples were examined for brucellosis using Rose Bengal test (RBT) and then randomly selected sera (15 from cattle, 7 from sheep, 3 from goats, and 45 from humans) were further analyzed by complement fixation test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to compare and detect the sensitivity and specificity of RBT. The prevalence of brucellosis was 0% in cattle, sheep, and goats while it was 23.9% in humans using RBT. Concerning humans, there was a higher percentage of infection in EL Kharga (33.6%). The prevalence of this infection was also at a higher level among individuals aged above 40 years (28.57%). Furthermore, men (26.11%) were more inclined to be inflicted, compared to women (22.5%) with no significant difference. Considering the human occupation, abattoir workers were the most predominant group of people at risk (33.3%), followed by farmers (31.25%) and animal keepers (20.6%) while the lowest prevalence was demonstrated in the housewives where the prevalence was 18.8 %. As a result, risk factors of the age range, locality, time of infection, contact with animals, and occupational groups could significantly affect the prevalence of human brucellosis in the New Valley Governorate. In conclusion, brucellosis is an alarming problem among residents of the New Valley Governorate. Thus, reducing the prevalence in humans and animals in the region of study may include restriction of the marketing the raw milk and enhancing public health awareness.

COVID 19 - Possible interrelations with respiratory comorbidities caused by occupational exposure to various hazardous bioaerosols. Part I. Occurrence, epidemiology and presumed origin of the pandemic.

The occupational bioaerosols containing viruses, bacteria, fungi, microbial toxins and plant or animal particles, may evoke infectious, allergic or immunotoxic diseases which may co-exist as comorbidities with COVID-19 and exacerbate the course of disease. They include hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused mostly by bacteria, fungi, and particles containing animal proteins, and immunotoxic diseases such as organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) and byssinosis, caused mostly by bacterial and fungal toxins. The two most probable scenarios of possible interrelations between these three comorbidities (CM) and COVID-19 are: 1) 'Triggering' - when infection with SARS-CoV-2 triggers severe CM after bioaerosol exposure; 2) 'Reverse triggering' when exposure to bioaerosol exacerbates a symptomless or mild course of COVID-19, and evokes a severe disease. The occupations mostly endangered by COVID-19 as the result of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosol, or to other bioaerosols which may exacerbate this disease, include: health care workers, social workers, breeders of fur animals, slaughterhouse workers, workers engaged in the processing and selling of seafood, and probably also agricultural workers, mainly in the developing countries. The authors present a hypothesis for the origin of the present pandemic. It assumes that a mild form of the present SARS-CoV-2 that is supposedly circulating among the Chinese population in the eastern part of the country, mutated under the influence of as yet unknown factor(s) present in the Chinese seafood markets, probably component(s) of bioaerosols, into the virulent and highly contagious form, known as the present SARS-CoV-2, under a scenario similar to that the authors have named 'Reverse triggering'.