Transmission Of Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria Research Articles

Antibiotics in broilers chicken production: a review of impacts, challenges and potential alternatives

Globally, the use of antibiotic in animal industry was well known in the 20th century. Antibiotics usage as therapeutic and subtherapeutic means of improving growth and feed efficiency in livestock was well documented in literature. However, continuous use of antibiotics in food animals for increased growth and disease prevention has resulted in the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in animals. This has led to disease treatment failure in the affected animals. The problem of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria to human through food chain and contamination of environment is another challenge of antibiotic usage in poultry production. Hence, the ban was placed on antibiotic usage in animal production. The restriction to the use of animal growth promoting antibiotic has gained high compliance in the developed countries. However, in the third world countries, this is still a battle that is on-going. To achieve the 2023 Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance goal, a lot is still left to be done. This review synthesized information on implications of antibiotics use on broiler chickens’ production cost efficiency and profitability; impact of antibiotics mode of action, diseases prevention and treatments of infection in broiler chickens’ production; challenges of antibiotics residual effect on meat quality and safety and alternatives to synthetic antibiotic for broiler chickens’ production.

Antibiotic resistance in livestock, environment and humans: One Health perspective.

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a complex, multifaceted global health issue that poses a serious threat to livestock, humans, and the surrounding environment. It entails several elements and numerous potential transmission routes and vehicles that contribute to its development and spread, making it a challenging issue to address. AR is regarded as an One Health issue, as it has been found that livestock, human, and environmental components, all three domains are interconnected, opening up channels for transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). AR has turned out to be a critical problem mainly because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, with the anticipation of 10 million annual AR-associated deaths by 2050. The fact that infectious diseases induced by ARB are no longer treatable with antibiotics foreshadows an uncertain future in the context of health care. Hence, the One Health approach should be emphasized to reduce the impact of AR on livestock, humans, and the environment, ensuring the longevity of the efficacy of both current and prospective antibiotics.

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria having extended-spectrum β-lactamase phenotypes in polluted irrigation-purpose wastewaters from Indian agro-ecosystems.

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria has emerged as a serious public health threat worldwide. Aquatic environments including irrigation-purpose wastewaters facilitate the emergence and transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes leading to detrimental effects on human health and environment sustainability. Considering the paramount threat of ever-increasing antibiotic resistance to human health, there is an urgent need for continuous environmental monitoring of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater being used for irrigation in Indian agro-ecosystems. In this study, the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from irrigation-purpose wastewater samples from Sirmaur and Solan districts of Himachal Pradesh was determined. Bacterial isolates of genera Escherichia, Enterobacter, Hafnia, Shigella, Citrobacter, and Klebsiella obtained from 11 different geographical locations were found to exhibit resistance against ampicillin, amoxyclav, cefotaxime, co-trimoxazole, tobramycin, cefpodoxime and ceftazidime. However, all the isolates were sensitive to aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin. Enterobacter spp. and Escherichia coli showed predominance among all the isolates. Multidrug-resistance phenotype was observed with isolate AUK-06 (Enterobacter sp.) which exhibited resistant to five antibiotics. Isolate AUK-02 and AUK-09, both E. coli strains showed resistant phenotypes to four antibiotics each. Phenotypic detection revealed that six isolates were positive for extended-spectrum β-lactamases which includes two isolates from Enterobacter spp. and E. coli each and one each from Shigella sp. and Citrobacter sp. Overall, the findings revealed the occurrence of antibiotic resistant and ESBL-positive bacterial isolates in wastewaters utilized for irrigation purpose in the study area and necessitate continuous monitoring and precautionary interventions. The outcomes of the study would be of significant clinical, epidemiological, and agro-environmental importance in designing effective wastewater management and environmental pollution control strategies.

Tracking spatio-temporal distribution and transmission of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments by using ESBL-producing Escherichia coli as an indicator

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play an important role in the production, and transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as a convergence for human, animal, and environmental wastewater. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatio-temporal variation and influencing factors of ARB in different functional areas of the urban WWTP and the connecting rivers for 1-year monitoring using extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) as an indicator bacteria, and to study the transmission patterns of ARB in the aquatic environment. The results showed that ESBL-Ec isolates were identified from the WWTP (n = 219), including influent (n = 53), anaerobiotic tank (n = 40), aerobiotic tank (n = 36), activated sludge tank (n = 31), sludge thickner tank (n = 30), effluent (n = 16), and mudcake storage area (n = 13). The dehydration process can significantly remove the ESBL-Ec isolates; however, ESBL-Ec was still detected in samples collected from the effluent of the WWTP (37.0%). The detection rate of ESBL-Ec was significantly different across seasons (P < 0.05), and ambient temperature was negatively correlated with the detection rate of ESBL-Ec (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a high prevalence of ESBL-Ec isolates (29/187, 15.5%) was detected in samples collected from the river system. These findings emphasize that the high majority of ESBL-Ec in aquatic environments is alarming because it poses a significant threat to public health. Clonal transmission of ESBL-Ec isolates between the WWTP and rivers based on the spatio-temporal scale was observed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis, ST38 and ST69 ESBL-Ec clone were selected as prioritized isolates for antibiotic resistance monitoring in the aquatic environment. Further phylogenetic analysis showed human-associated (feces, blood) E. coli was the main source contributing to the presence of antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments. Longitudinal and targeted monitoring of ESBL-Ec in WWTPs and the development of effective wastewater disinfection strategies before effluent discharge from WWTPs are urgently required, to prevent and control the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.

Contamination by Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on Cell Phones of Vendors in a Peruvian Market.

Background and Objectives. Multiple studies have evaluated the presence of bacterial contamination on cell phones in clinical settings; however, the presence and transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on cell phones in the community have not been adequately elucidated. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics on the cell phones of vendors in a Peruvian market and the associated factors. A sample of 127 vendors was obtained through stratified probabilistic sampling using a data collection form validated by experts. Cell phone samples were cultured using a standard technique, and antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the Kirby-Bauer technique. Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine factors associated with resistance in cell phone cultures. Results. Among the cell phones, 92.1% showed bacterial growth, predominantly Gram-positive bacteria (coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus), and 17% of the cultures showed resistance to at least three antibiotics evaluated. Two strains fell into the category of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and three strains of E. coli had resistance to carbapenems. Conclusions. A short distance between customers and vendors, lack of a cell phone case, and having a cell phone with touchscreen are factors associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria on cell phones.

Carriage of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana: Implications for Food Safety.

Bacteria pathogens constitute a significant proportion of diarrhoea-causing food contaminants. Transmission of antibiotic resistant foodborne pathogens to humans is a major threat to food safety, especially in developing countries where quality hygiene and sanitation facilities are lacking. Factors related to antibiotic use, sanitation and hand hygiene have been associated with the spread of infectious diseases as well as antibiotic resistant bacteria. Proper food handling ensures that food is not contaminated with potential pathogenic bacteria. This study assessed the carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among food handlers who sell ready to eat food in the Tamale metropolis of the Northern Region of Ghana. Food vending stations with huge customer base were randomly selected and the food handlers recruited using written informed consent. Structured questionnaires were used to collect participants sociodemographic details and information on sanitation, hand hygiene practice and antibiotic use. Sterile cotton swabs soaked in phosphate buffered saline was used to swab the palms of participating food handlers for bacteria isolation. All identified bacteria were tested for susceptibility to 12 antibiotics. In all, 406 food handlers participated in this study, the mean (SD) age was 26.5 (2.64) years. Bacteria isolated were predominantly Staphylococci 60 (14.8%) and Escherichia coli 54 (13.3%). All the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic tested. The isolates showed high resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics such as ampicillin (40.0%-75.0%), tetracycline (40.0%-80.0%), amoxiclav (20.0%-80.0%) and chloramphenicol (7.7%-50.0%). Logistic regression model revealed that the carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria by food handlers was significantly associated with age, educational level, years on the job, training in food preparation, hygiene practice, water source, type of toilet facility used and antibiotic use. Street food handlers could be potential sources of food-borne transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

ERIC-PCR-based molecular typing of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from houseflies (Musca domestica) in the environment of milk and meat shops.

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance have become a major global public health concern. A component of this problem is the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Flies move freely between habitats of food-producing animals and human beings and thus have great potential for dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from a contaminated environment to milk and meat markets, posing potential hazards for consumers. During the present study, a total of 150 houseflies were captured from milk and meat shops located in Durg and Raipur city of Chhattisgarh, India. The Escherichia coli were isolated from houseflies and characterized on the basis of cultural and molecular tests. Further, the isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against frequently used antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The antibiotic resistance genes and int1 gene were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 45 E.coli isolates were obtained from the fly samples with an overall prevalence rate of 30·0%. Antibiogram results confirmed that E.coli isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Out of the (45) isolates of E.coli, 17 (37·8%) isolates were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producer and multi-drug-resistant (MDR). Out of the ESBL and MDR E.coli isolates, blaCTX-M (24·4%), blaTEM (11·1%), tetA (28·8%), tetB (26·7%), gyrA (26·7%), parC (31. 1%) and int1 genes (15·5%) were detected but none of the isolates were found positive for blaSHV gene. Findings of the present study confirm that MDR E.coli are widely distributed in houseflies and play an important role in the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from contaminated environments to milk and meat shop environment.

Comparison of FT-IR with whole-genome sequencing for identification of maternal-to‑neonate transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Following a previous study in which we evaluated the carriage rates of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) -producing Enterobacterales (ESBL+ E), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among pregnant women and their neonates, in the current study we used, for the first time, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) in order to determine whether antibiotic-resistant bacteria colonization in neonates has resulted from a vertical transmission from the mothers. To this end, 28 pairs of maternal and neonatal isolates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL+E.coli), ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (ESBL+K. pneumoniae) and MRSA isolates, were subjected to a FT-IR analysis to assess the similarity between maternal and new-born isolates. We compared the FT-IR analysis results with whole genome sequencing of the isolates, in order to define whether FT-IR spectroscopy can be applied for bio-typing of bacteria and for assessment of mother-to‑neonate transmission.The FT-IR analysis showed that all neonatal isolates were similar to their corresponding maternal isolates and belonged to the same cluster. Alignments of the DNA sequences of the maternal and neonatal isolates pairs revealed above 99% identity, thus confirming the FT-IR results. In conclusion, FT-IR spectroscopy can be applied to monitor bacterial transmission and specifically maternal-to‑neonate transmission.

Microbial Load and Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Khebab Sold on a University Campus and Its Environs in Ghana

The demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) foods is handy to busy urban dwellers. Handling, processing, and selling are known to contaminate these foods and cause foodborne outbreaks. This study assessed a load of S. aureus and E. coli in khebabs (beef, chevon, and gizzard) sold on the KNUST campus and its environs and how resistant they are to clinically relevant antimicrobial agents. Thirty-six (36) khebab samples were purchased from vendors at Kotei, Ayeduase, Kentinkrono, Boadi, KNUST campus, and Ayigya. They were analyzed for S. aureus and E. coli and their resistance to clinically relevant antimicrobial agents checked using standard methods. S. aureus and E. coli load ranged from 4.09 to 5.96 CFU/g and 1.79 to 6.12 MPN/g in beef, 4.02 to 6.01 CFU/g and 1.99 to 4.44 MPN/g in chevon, and 5.37 to 6.18 CFU/g and 1.79 to 6.10 MPN/g in gizzard khebabs in the different locations. E. coli (n = 27) were multiresistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, gentamicin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and cotrimoxazole (51.85%) and susceptible to chloramphenicol (100%). S. aureus (n = 36) isolates were multiresistant to penicillin, tetracycline, flucloxacillin, cefuroxime, ampicillin (97.22%), erythromycin (75%), cotrimoxazole (86.11%), and gentamicin (69.44%). It can therefore be concluded that the majority of khebabs from the KNUST campus and its environs were contaminated with S. aureus and E. coli above the acceptable standard limits (≤4 log10 CFU/g and ˂2 log10MPN/g, respectively). Also, the S. aureus and E. coli isolated were multiresistant to the antibiotics tested and could be a medium for the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and therefore expose consumers to a high risk of contracting foodborne infections with drug-resistant strains.

Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterococci Isolated from Goat's Milk.

IntroductionEnterococci are widespread, being part of the bacterial flora of humans and animals. The food chain can be therefore considered as the main route of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria between the animal and human populations. Milk in particular represents a source from which resistant bacteria can enter the human food chain. The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence and resistance to antimicrobial agents of Enterococcus spp. strains isolated from raw goat’s milk samples.Material and MethodsA total of 207 goat’s milk samples were collected. Samples were cultivated on selective media and confirmed as E. faecium or E. faecalis and screened for selected resistance genes by PCR. Drug susceptibility determination was performed by microdilution on Sensititre EU Surveillance Enterococcus EUVENC Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) Plates and Sensititre US National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System Gram Positive CMV3AGPF AST Plates.ResultsEnterococcal strains totalling 196 were isolated, of which 40.8% were E. faecalis and 15.3% were E. faecium. All tested isolates were susceptible to linezolid, penicillin and tigecycline. For most other antimicrobials the prevalence of resistance was 0.5–6.6% while high prevalence of quinupristin/dalfopristin (51.5%), tetracycline (30%) and lincomycin (52%) resistance was observed.ConclusionThis study affords better knowledge concerning the safety of raw goat’s milk in terms of the enterococci possible to isolate from this foodstuff. It seems that enterococci in milk are still mostly susceptible to antimicrobials of major concern as multiply resisted drugs, such as gentamycin and vancomycin. However, the presence of multi-resistant strains in goat milk is cause for apprehension.

Antibiotic Resistance Profiling of Pseudomonas Species Isolated from Cloacal Swab of Domestic Pigeons

Antibiotics are used to treat a number of bacterial infections. However, overuse or misuse of antibiotics has raised serious concerns against antibioticresistance amongst bacteria. Hence, antibiotics are becoming inefficient in treating bacterial infections leading to an increase in mortality rate worldwide. The domestic animals especially birds are a major source of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria in human through excrement and cause bacterial diseases in human. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of different antibiotics prior to their prescription as a measure to prevent antibiotic resistance in bacteria. For this 120 cloacal swab samples were collected from the domestic pigeons of District Narowal to isolate Pseudomonas sp. and assess the efficacy of different antibiotics prior to their prescription as a measure to prevent antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Antibacterial activities were evaluated by performing antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas isolates against 18 commercially available antibiotic discs [Trimethoprime (TMP), Clarithromycin (CLR), Gentamicin (GEN), Chloramphenicol (C), Ampicillin (AM), Streptomycin (S), Kanamycin (K), Nitrofurantoin (F), Amoxicillin (AX), Tazobactam (TPZ), Imipenem (IPM), Meropenem (MEM), Levofloxacin (LEV), Nalidixic acid (NA), Ceftriaxone (CRO), Amikacin (AK), Tetracycline (TE) and Ciprofloxacin (CIP)] by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Amongst these antibiotics, notably Pseudomonas sp. showed highest sensitivity to Clarithromycin (93.94%), Ampicillin (100%), Amikacin (93%) and Nalidixic (100%). This study established a general antibiotic resistance pattern of commercially used different antibiotics for commonly encountered clinical isolates. Moreover, antibiotics susceptibility tests (AST) should be carried out prior to prescribing antibiotics to the patient. Additionally, the antibacterial activities of local clinical isolates and change in bacteriological profile due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics associated with appearance of multiple drug resistant strains should be evaluated. It was concluded that preventive measure and their implementation is quite necessary to control antibiotic resistance and domestic pigeons can be a carrier of Pseudomonas species and can transmit through their fecal material to humans and other animals.

Detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase genes in strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from recreational water and tertiary hospital waste water in Zaria, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria pose a severe health risk globally. This study focused on detecting ESBL genes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from a recreational water source and the waste water from a tertiary hospital in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The isolates (twenty-two) were screened phenotypically for extended spectrum beta lactamase production using the double disk synergy test. Of the isolates, 13 (59.1%) were E. coli, while 9 (40.9%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae; 17 (77.3%) were isolated from the waste water and 5 (22.7%) were isolated from the recreational water. Six (27.2%) of them showed ESBL production phenotypically; however, PCR amplification of the ESBL genes showed that only five of them had at least one of the genes. The presence of ESBL bacteria in hospital waste water and surface waters highlights that water matrices are important routes of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Distribution of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the Livestock Farm Environments

The surroundings of livestock farms, including dairy farms, are known to be a major source of development and transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To control antibioticresistant bacteria in the livestock breeding environment, farms have installed livestock wastewater treatment facilities to treat wastewater before discharging the final effluent in nearby rivers or streams. These facilities have been known to serve as hotspots for inter-bacterial antibiotic-resistance gene transfer and extensively antibiotic-resistant bacteria, owing to the accumulation of various antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the livestock breeding environment. This review discusses antibiotic usage in livestock farming, including dairy farms, livestock wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for antibiotic resistant bacteria, and nonenteric gram-negative bacteria from wastewater treatment plants, and previous findings in literature.

Risk factors for transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales to healthcare personnel gloves and gowns in the USA

Hospitals are sources for acquisition of carbapenem-resistant Entero-bacterales (CRE), and it is believed that the contamination of healthcare personnel (HCP) hands and clothing play a major role in patient-to-patient transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine which HCP types, HCP-patient interactions, and patient characteristics are associated with greater transmission of CRE to HCP gloves and gowns in the hospital. This was a prospective observational cohort study that enrolled patients with recent surveillance or clinical cultures positive for CRE at five hospitals in four states in the USA. HCP gloves and gown were cultured after patient care. Samples were also obtained from patients' stool, perianal area, and skin of the chest and arm to assess bacterial burden. Among 313 CRE-colonized patients and 3070 glove and gown cultures obtained after patient care, HCP gloves and gowns were found to be contaminated with CRE 7.9% and 4.3% of the time, respectively. Contamination of either gloves or gowns occurred in 10.0% of interactions. Contamination was highest (15.3%) among respiratory therapists (odds ratio: 3.79; 95% confidence interval: 1.61-8.94) and when any HCP touched the patient (1.52; 1.10-2.12). Associations were also found between CRE transmission to HCP gloves or gown and: being in the intensive care unit, having a positive clinical culture, and increasing bacterial burden on the patient. CRE transmission to HCP gloves and gown occurred frequently. These findings may inform evidence-based policies about what situations and for which patients contact precautions are most important.

Environmental transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria through waste water run-off in Bangladesh

Environmental transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria through waste water run-off in Bangladesh

Antibiotic resistance fate in the full-scale drinking water and municipal wastewater treatment processes: A review

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been widely identified as emerging pollutants in various aquatic compartments. Concerns have been raised that the antibiotic resistance determinants may occur in treated drinking water and wastewater, weakening the therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics and so posing threat to public health. Most often, laboratory trials are conducted to assess the removal efficiency of ARB and ARGs in individual treatment processes (e.g., disinfection). However, the random variations of microbial distribution and chemical compositions in real-world environments cannot be entirely simulated, presumably leading to false-positive results as a consequence. It is therefore useful to provide a summary of recent advancements regarding the antibiotic resistance attenuation during full-scale water/wastewater treatments, which has not been adequately evaluated so far. In this review, the prevalence, proliferation and transmission of ARB and ARGs in urban water cycle, coupled with corresponding detection methods are presented as a short overview. The fate of ARB and ARGs in the sequential drinking water and wastewater processing units is critically summarized, the aim of which is to provide guidance for improving the current water treatment facilities to further reduce the antibiotic resistance in finished water.

A review on anammox process for the treatment of antibiotic-containing wastewater: Linking effects with corresponding mechanisms

Antibiotic is widely present in the effluent from livestock husbandry and the pharmaceutical industry. Antibiotics in wastewater usually have high biological toxicity and even promote the occurrence and transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. Moreover, most antibiotic-containing wastewatercontains highconcentration of ammonia nitrogen. Improper treatment will lead to high risk to the surrounding environment and even human health. The anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) with great economic benefit and good treatment effect is a promising process to remove nitrogen from antibiotic-containing wastewater. However, antibiotic inhibition has been observed in anammox applications. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of the single and combined effects of various antibiotics on the anammox system is conducted in this review with a focus on nitrogen removal performance, sludge properties, microbial community, antibiotic resistance genes and anammox-involved functional genes. Additionally, the influencing mechanism of antibiotics on anammox consortia is summarized. Remaining problems and future research needs are also proposed based on the presented summary. This review provides a better understanding of the influences of antibiotics on anammox and offers a direction to remove nitrogen from antibiotic-containing wastewater by the anammox process.

SIMULATION ANALYSIS ON COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF SANITARY AND MEDICAL MATERIAL USAGE AT URINARY TRACT INFECTION OUTBREAK CAUSED BY ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA IN UROLOGICAL WARD

(Purpose) The purpose of this study is to compare the costs of active surveillance culture (ASC) and of an environmental cleaner and disinfectant, with the medical costs for inhibiting hospitalized urinary tract infection (UTI) outbreaks in a urology ward over a 3 year 8 months period by simulation calculation. (Methods) We previously reported a UTI outbreak via antibiotic resistant bacteria transmission in 9 hospitalized patients, for which we initiated ASC and introduced a potassium peroxymonosulfate-based product (RUBYSTA® (RST)) as a disinfectant environmental cleaner, then prevented recurrence for 3 years and 8 months. This study compared the actual costs of ASC and RST use to the calculated medical expense for an outbreak leading to urosepsis on the same scale caused by transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria. (Results) Based on our simulation calculation, ASC and disinfectant costs were about 770,000 Japanese yen lower than the medical expense of resolving an outbreak without recurrence for a period of 3 years and 8 months, based on our direct clinical experience. (Conclusion) Even though it is needless to say that education for medical stuffs, patients and their families is the most important as to the measures for prevention of infections, our simulation study suggests that ASC and RST use may reduce medical costs for resolving such outbreaks and preventing their recurrence for an extended period of time.

Review Article. Effects of Antibiotic residues in animal products on human health and environments

Veterinary pharmaceutical products are among the most important components of animal feed production, especially antibiotics. the main use of antibiotics in animals is to treat and prevent diseases, and to promote growth. Antibiotic use in animals can cause residues of antibiotics in foods such as meat., eggs , and milk. These residues can cause numerous side effects such as human transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria, pathological immunological effects, allergies, parasitic mutations, nephropathy (gentamicin), hepatotoxicity, reproductive disorders, toxicity to the bone marrow (chloramphenicol), and even carcinogenic , sulfametazine and oxytetracycline.&#x0D; This analysis offers information important to veterinarians, livestock produces and public safety on the regulation of drug residues in animal products.

Donor Screening for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which has been established as the standard treatment for recurrent &lt;i&gt;Clostroides&lt;/i&gt; difficile infection, may also play a role in the management of other diseases associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. To ensure efficacy and safety of FMT, an appropriate donor screening process is required. The main purpose of donor screening is to check for infectious diseases that could be transmitted to the recipient. The screening process involves a medical history questionnaire, and blood and stool testing. Several randomized clinical trials and large case series on FMT reported no, or few, adverse events related to infection by following this donor screening process. However, there is still concern over the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In addition, a low donor acceptance rate due to rigorous screening makes donor recruitment difficult, and also imposes a significant cost burden. A consensus on the most crucial elements of donor screening is needed for wide application of FMT.