Use Of Biocides Research Articles

Effects of the Use of Biocides on the Properties of Ceramic Products

Effects of the Use of Biocides on the Properties of Ceramic Products

Effectiveness of the Modification of Sewers to Reduce the Reproduction of Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus in Barcelona, Spain.

Mosquitoes breeding in urban sewage infrastructure are both a source of nuisance to the local population and a public health risk, given that biting mosquitoes can transmit pathogenic organisms to humans. The increasing presence of the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in European cities has further exacerbated the problems already caused by native Culex pipiens. We tested the effectiveness of modifications to sewage structures as an alternative to the use of biocides to prevent mosquito breeding. The placing of a layer of concrete at the bottom of sand sewers to prevent water accumulation completely eliminated mosquito reproduction, and so eliminates the need for biocides in modified structures. Sewer modification is thus a valid low-cost alternative for mosquito control.

The Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Status of Carbapenemase-Producing Pathogens.

The serious challenge of antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten public health and lingers in the era of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), declared pandemic by the World Health Organization. While the pandemic has triggered the importance of infection control practices and preventive measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, travel reduction and quarantine, the ongoing alarm of antimicrobial resistance seems to accompany the pandemic too. Antimicrobial resistance has been fostered during COVID-19, possibly due to high rate of empirical antibiotic utilization in COVID-19 patients, increased use of biocides, and the disruption of proper healthcare for other conditions. Specifically, carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria have shown to cause secondary bacterial infections in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Clinical and microbiological evidence of such infections is accumulating in different parts of the world. With the resilient nature of carbapenemases, their association with mortality, and the limited treatment options available, concerns regarding this group of antibiotic-hydrolyzing enzymes during the pandemic are expected to upsurge. While the additional burden carbapenemases exert on healthcare is worrisome, it remains hidden or abandoned among the various health consequences of the pandemic. The purpose of this minireview is to shed a light on carbapenemase-associated infections during such unprecedented time of COVID-19. A focused insight shall be made into carbapenemases, their implications for COVID-19 patients, and the features and consequences of co-infection, with a review of available evidence from pertinent literature. The importance of increased surveillance for carbapenemase-producers and optimizing their management in relation to the pandemic, shall be addressed as well.

Wood distillate as an alternative bio-based product against lichens on sandstone

The use of traditional biocides to halt or reduce biodeterioration is increasingly deterred, due to risks for human health and the environment, as well as for potential interference with stone materials. Alternative and eco-friendly substances are needed to limit these issues. Here we aim to evaluate the devitalization of lichens by a new bio-based product: wood distillate (also known as pyroligneous acid), a by-product of the use of plant biomass to produce bioenergy by pyrolysis without the addition of synthetic chemicals. We compared cellulose poultice applications of wood distillate at a concentration of 10% and two common chemical biocides against four epilithic lichen species on Pietra Serena, a sandstone widely used in Europe. The efficiency of devitalization was measured in terms of lichen vitality expressed by chlorophyll a fluorescence emission FV/FM and F0. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of wood distillate on physical properties of the stone material of relevance for its conservation, including colour, resistance to dissolution, and surface hardness. Wood distillate was as effective as chemical biocides in devitalizing the thalli and did not cause any relevant interference with the assayed sandstone, although a limited dissolution of its calcite cement was detected.

Biocide Use in the Beverage Industry: Consumers’ Knowledge and Label Preferences Relating to the Need and Usefulness of Biocides with Particular Reference to Dairy Beverage Products in New Zealand and China

Biocides, in the form of sanitisers and disinfectants, are used extensively to reduce the risk of microbial contamination to beverage products and to ensure the safety of potable water used in processing. To better understand consumers’ perceptions of biocide use and to explore messaging strategies regarding their importance to ensure product safety, eight focus groups were conducted in New Zealand (n = 4) and China (n = 4). Consumers generally did not understand why or how biocides were used. In both countries, their most trustworthy source of information on biocide use was government sources. New Zealand and Chinese participants did not like the word “biocide” mentioned on labels due to its perceived negative connotations. Interestingly, acceptance for the word was higher if the phrase “environmentally friendly” was simultaneously communicated. The findings from this study have provided the beverage industry with guidance on how best to initiate conversations with consumers on the use of biocides.

THE EFFICIENCY OF EARTHWORMS AS A BIOMARKER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Pollution from various sources is currently regarded as one of the most severe issues everywhere. However, certain biological indicators can detect a variety of contaminants, and each one is used to identify a specific pollutant or a group of pollutants. The use of molecular and biochemical biomarkers is one of the ecotoxicological approaches in assessing pollutant bioavailability and sublethal effects. One of the most rapidly growing fields in ecotoxicological research is biomarkers in soil invertebrates, such as earthworms. Due to the widespread use of biocides and fertilizers in agriculture, industrial operations, urban trash, and air deposition, soil contamination has risen in recent decades. Earthworms serve as an excellent bio indicator for monitoring soil pollution. There are a variety of biomarkers of toxic substances in earthworm ecotoxicology. The present review is focused on the use of earthworms as a biomarker to analyze the impact of toxicological substances.

How Does COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Incidence of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Exacerbation of Its Gastrointestinal Symptoms?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread all over the world with a very high rate of mortality. Different symptoms developed by COVID-19 infection and its impacts on various organs of the human body have highlighted the importance of both coinfections and superinfections with other pathogens. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is vulnerable to infection with COVID-19 and can be exploited as an alternative transmission route and target for virus entry and pathogenesis. The GI manifestations of COVID-19 disease are associated with severe disease outcomes and death in all age groups, in particular, elderly patients. Empiric antibiotic treatments for microbial infections in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in addition to experimental antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs may increase the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Alterations of gut microbiota are associated with depletion of beneficial commensals and enrichment of opportunistic pathogens such as C. difficile. Hence, the main purpose of this review is to explain the likely risk factors contributing to higher incidence of CDI in patients with COVID-19. In addition to lung involvement, common symptoms observed in COVID-19 and CDI such as diarrhea, highlight the significance of bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. In particular, hospitalized elderly patients who are receiving antibiotics might be more prone to CDI. Indeed, widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin, cephalosporins, penicillin, and fluoroquinolones can affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota of patients with COVID-19, leading to reduced colonization resistance capacity against opportunistic pathogens such as C. difficile, and subsequently develop CDI. Moreover, patients with CDI possibly may have facilitated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in their feces for approximately one month, even though the nasopharyngeal test turned negative. This coinfection may increase the potential transmissibility of both SARS-CoV-2 and C. difficile by fecal materials. Also, CDI can complicate the outcome of COVID-19 patients, especially in the presence of comorbidities or for those patients with prior exposure to the healthcare setting. Finally, physicians should remain vigilant for possible SARS-CoV-2 and CDI coinfection during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the excessive use of antimicrobials and biocides.

4.E. Workshop: Climate change influence in the exposure to several risk factors: One Health approach as a solution?

Abstract Climate change (CC), considered by IPCC as unequivocal, is associated with significant changes in long-term weather characteristics and short-term weather extremes in different regions of the globe. The increasing of exposure to several risk factors within the human, animal and environmental dimensions is one of the effects of CC. Considering that the persistence and mobility of chemicals/toxins are influenced by weather conditions, we can predict that human exposure will be affected. Additionally, changes in biota are also predicted as an adaptation to the CC scenario and due to the increased use of biocides. Additionally, the need for other agriculture regions due to CC will increase the contact with wildlife leading to “spill overs” and increasing the risk of occurring new pandemics. Several aspects still need to be targeted for future research projects aiming to understand the variability in exposure that can be promoted by CC and the impact on human health. Considering that CC affects not only human health, but also the environment and consequently the animal health, the One Health perspective is considered an adequate approach to tackle the foreseen effects. One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach, aiming to achieve optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between humans, animals, and their shared environment. This workshop aims to give an overview of the potential effects of CC regarding the increased exposure to several risk factors and the contribution of One Health as a multidisciplinary approach to tackle these issues. Five interlinked presentations will bring to the table several facets: CC, One Health, exposure to chemicals/toxins and biota. The workshop will focus mainly the impact of CC on public health and presenting some ways forward, namely in what regards to a multi-sectorial regulatory approach as a way of protecting human health. The workshop includes a first presentation by Joana Lobo Vicente from European Environment Agency to give an overview of climate change and the effects on environment, at European level, and with a special focus on exposure to chemicals. Further on, three presentations held by Ricardo Assunção, Carla Martins and Carla Viegas, researchers from academic Portuguese institutions, will shed a light on the exposure to chemicals, toxins and biota in Europe, the expected consequences and the associated burden of disease, and the azoles resistance by fungi. Lastly, the presentation of Susana Viegas will give an overview of the relevance of the One Health approach to tackle the CC impacts and how science can support a multi-sectorial policy action. Altogether, these presentations will highlight the need for a multi-sectorial intervention under the One Health to maximize the co-benefits in the three domains. The establishment of preventive measures is characterized by several challenges, but it is expected to allow Public Health achievements. Key messages CC will have extensive negative impacts on the exposure to different risk factors. The lack of studies focused on the assessment of the indirect effectsof the CC.

Biocide resistance

The pandemic COVID-19 that the world are facing today has led to high usage of disinfectants and routinely used in the community. However, the extensive usage of biocides for disinfection could lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobial resistance has become the major caused that contributes increase in morbidity and mortality rate. The wide scale use of biocides creates selective stress that will favor bacteria in expressing resistance mechanisms and their dissemination. Some biocides have the potential to create cross resistance with the antibiotics and developing co-resistance to spread the Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this review, the author will discuss on the potential threat in the healthcare caused by the biocides that could drive the AMR to become worse.

Molecular Screening of bla-TEM-68 Gene for TEM-68 ESBLs Resistant K. pneumoniae and C. freundii from Hospital Waste in Adamawa state Specialist Hospital, Yola

Resistant strains of K. pneumoniae and C. freundii due to under use and over use of antibiotics and biocides has contributed to economic burden due to nosocomial infections. This study focuses on screening hospital wastes for antibacterial and biocide resistant K. pneumoniae and C. freundii in Adamawa state specialist hospital, Yola. One hundred and twenty (120) hospital wastes samples were analysed. Samples were cultured on appropriate media and incubated at 37 oC for 24h. Biochemically identified isolates were molecularly confirmed and sequenced. K. pneumoniae being 93% identical to strain KPNIH48 and C. freundii being 99% identical to complex sp CFNH4 were confirmed. Resistant K. pneumonia and C. freundii were subjected to phenotypic ESBLs test, then DDS test was carried out to confirm ESBLs production. Phenotypically ESBLs positive K. pneumoniae were positive for DDST but negative for C. freundii. The DDST positive isolates were then screened for bla-TEM-68 gene. All the DDST positive K. pneumoniae harboured the bla-TEM-68 gene but none in C. freundii. The isolates carrying bla-TEM-68 gene were cured using 10 % SDS and the results showed that the ESBLs genes were plasmid and/or chromosomally encoded. The presence of K. pneumoniae carrying bla-TEM-68 gene indicates a possibility for increased nosocomial infections in Adamawa state and Nigeria at large and so relevant preventive recommendations were made.

Influence of natural weathering on the ignition and relative burning rate of selected softwoods

In recent decades, coniferous façade boards from untreated wood have been used extensively without the use of biocides, flame retardants and weather protection coating systems. This work is focused on testing selected properties of 4 untreated softwoods - spruce, larch, pine and Douglas fir - exposed outdoors for 3, 6, 12 and 24 months during direct flame exposure. When exposed to outdoor conditions, all of the wood species significantly changed colour to grey shades, while the highest roughness changes were observed in spruce. FTIR analyses confirmed a significant decrease in lignin in surface layers due to weathering. After 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of weathering, all of these measured characteristics had no significant effect on changes in ignition and relative burning rate of the tested wood. The tests confirmed the higher effect of the wood species compared to density influence, wherein pine had significantly higher mass losses and burning rate compared to Douglas fir, spruce and larch. According to the results of the work, the ignition and burning rate of wooden façades without surface treatment and flame retardants do not change significantly during long-term exposure due to weathering, whereas the used wood species do have a significant impact.

Rapid spread of critical priority carbapenemase-producing pathogens in companion animals: a One Health challenge for a post-pandemic world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased relationships and interactions between human and companion animals, supported by widespread social distancing and isolation measures. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an exponential growth in antibiotic and biocide use worldwide, possibly inducing further pressure, contributing to the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including WHO critical priority pathogens. While data from global surveillance studies reveal a linear trend of increasing carbapenem resistance among Gram-negative pathogens from companion animals, the acquisition of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales through direct contact with colonized hosts and contaminated veterinary hospital environments has been documented. This article highlights the rapid spread of WHO critical priority carbapenemase-producing pathogens in companion animals, which is a One Health challenge for a post-pandemic world.

Mobile Oxazolidinone Resistance Genes in Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Seven mobile oxazolidinone resistance genes, including cfr, cfr(B), cfr(C), cfr(D), cfr(E), optrA, and poxtA, have been identified to date. The cfr genes code for 23S rRNA methylases, which confer a multiresistance phenotype that includes resistance to phenicols, lincosamides, oxazolidinones, pleuromutilins, and streptogramin A compounds. The optrA and poxtA genes code for ABC-F proteins that protect the bacterial ribosomes from the inhibitory effects of oxazolidinones. The optrA gene confers resistance to oxazolidinones and phenicols, while the poxtA gene confers elevated MICs or resistance to oxazolidinones, phenicols, and tetracycline. These oxazolidinone resistance genes are most frequently found on plasmids, but they are also located on transposons, integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), genomic islands, and prophages. In these mobile genetic elements (MGEs), insertion sequences (IS) most often flanked the cfr, optrA, and poxtA genes and were able to generate translocatable units (TUs) that comprise the oxazolidinone resistance genes and occasionally also other genes. MGEs and TUs play an important role in the dissemination of oxazolidinone resistance genes across strain, species, and genus boundaries. Most frequently, these MGEs also harbor genes that mediate resistance not only to antimicrobial agents of other classes, but also to metals and biocides. Direct selection pressure by the use of antimicrobial agents to which the oxazolidinone resistance genes confer resistance, but also indirect selection pressure by the use of antimicrobial agents, metals, or biocides (the respective resistance genes against which are colocated on cfr-, optrA-, or poxtA-carrying MGEs) may play a role in the coselection and persistence of oxazolidinone resistance genes.

Genomic analysis and phylogenetic position of the complex IncC plasmid found in the Spanish monophasic clone of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

pUO-STmRV1 is an IncC plasmid discovered in the Spanish clone of the emergent monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, which has probably contributed to its epidemiological success. The sequence of the entire plasmid determined herein revealed a largely degenerated backbone with accessory DNA incorporated at four different locations. The acquired DNA constitutes more than two-thirds of the pUO-STmRV1 genome and originates from plasmids of different incompatibility groups, including IncF (such as R100 and pSLT, the virulence plasmid specific of S. Typhimurium), IncN and IncI, from the integrative element GIsul2, or from yet unknown sources. In addition to pSLT virulence genes, the plasmid carries genes conferring resistance to widely-used antibiotics and heavy metals, together with a wealth of genetic elements involved in DNA mobility. The latter comprise class 1 integrons, transposons, pseudo-transposons, and insertion sequences, strikingly with 14 copies of IS26, which could have played a crucial role in the assembly of the complex plasmid. Typing of pUO-STmRV1 revealed backbone features characteristically associated with type 1 and type 2 IncC plasmids and could therefore be regarded as a hybrid plasmid. However, a rooted phylogenetic tree based on core genes indicates that it rather belongs to an ancient lineage which diverged at an early stage from the branch leading to most extant IncC plasmids detected so far. pUO-STmRV1 may have evolved at a time when uncontrolled use of antibiotics and biocides favored the accumulation of multiple resistance genes within an IncC backbone. The resulting plasmid thus allowed the Spanish clone to withstand a wide variety of adverse conditions, while simultaneously promoting its own propagation through vertical transmission.

Evaluation of the impact of adaptation of Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates to benzalkonium chloride on biofilm formation

BackgroundThe percentage of the multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates is increasing worldwide. The excessive exposure of K. pneumoniae isolates to sublethal concentrations of biocides like benzalkonium chloride (BAC) in health care settings and communities could be one of the causes contributing in the global spread of antibiotic resistance.ResultsWe collected 50 K. pneumoniae isolates and these isolates were daily exposed to gradually increasing sublethal concentrations of BAC. The consequence of adaptation to BAC on the cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and biofilm formation of K. pneumoniae isolates was explored. Remarkably, 16% of the tested isolates showed an increase in the cell surface hydrophobicity and 26% displayed an enhanced biofilm formation. To evaluate whether the influence of BAC adaptation on the biofilm formation was demonstrated at the transcriptional level, the RT-PCR was employed. Noteworthy, we found that 60% of the tested isolates exhibited an overexpression of the biofilm gene (bssS). After sequencing of this gene in K. pneumoniae isolates before and after BAC adaptation and performing pairwise alignment, 100% identity was detected; a finding that means the absence of mutation after adaptation to BAC.ConclusionThis study suggests that the widespread and increased use of biocides like BAC at sublethal concentrations has led to an increase biofilm formation by K. pneumoniae isolates. Enhanced biofilm formation could result in treatment failure of the infections generated by this pathogen.

Modern approach to antibacterial therapy in the practice of a surgeon

Relevance.Currently, all over the world, antibacterial therapy is widely used as a prophylaxis after surgical interventions. Currently, some data indicate the benefits of a short course, while others, in turn, indicate the benefits of a long course of antibacterial drugs as a prevention of postoperative complications. The problem of pan-resistance of bacterial strains in relation to almost all available groups of antibacterial drugs forces us to look for ways to overcome resistance, to look for new potential bases for the creation of antimicrobial drugs. New antibacterial drugs: odilorhabdins, tridecapeptins and malacidins, arilomycins and others will help to overcome the existing difficulties.The purpose of this studyis to analyze the domestic and foreign literature for the period 2017–2021 in order to study the current approach to antibacterial therapy in surgical practice.Material and methods. In the course of this study, publications were selected according to the topic for the period from 2017 to 2021. The information was obtained from foreign and domestic sources: the Russian scientific electronic library, integrated with the Russian Science Citation Index (eLibrary.ru), Medline database (via Pubmed.gov), Scopus database, ScienceDirect database.Results.One of the significant difficulties in the treatment of wounds with antibacterial drugs of various localizations is the persistence of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In the studied studies, the high effectiveness of tedizolide phosphate in the treatment of this type of infection was noted. It is also possible to use other new drugs as epmiric therapy in the presence of risk factors for MRSA infection: daptomycin (lipopeptides), ceftaroline (cephalosporins), tigecycline (glycylcyclines), telavancin (glycopeptides)[41]. The use of biocides in the treatment of prostheses for hernioplasty as an antibacterial prophylaxis significantly reduces the adhesion of staphylococci and prevents postoperative complications. Suture material with antimicrobial activity, which would allow to fully reduce the risk of infections in the field of surgical intervention, is not yet available on the pharmaceutical market, but the increasing attention of scientists is attracted by chitosan, a derivative of the natural polymer chitin. The combined use of bacteriophages with low doses of antibiotics leads to better results in the treatment of surgical soft tissue infection. Bacteriophages are one of the ways to overcome antibiotic resistance.Conclusions.The modern approach to antibacterial therapy in surgical practice involves the correct and timely appointment of starting therapy, taking into account the sensitivity of microorganisms, the use of antibacterial preoperative prevention, determining the optimal duration of use and dose selection of an antibiotic, the use of sensitive bacteriophages together with them, overcoming antibiotic resistance due to the competent use of new antibacterial drugs based on peptides, a comprehensive approach to the treatment of surgical infection.

Biocidal Resistance in Clinically Relevant Microbial Species: A Major Public Health Risk.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest dangers to public health of the 21st century, threatening the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases globally. Disinfection, the elimination of microbial species via the application of biocidal chemicals, is essential to control infectious diseases and safeguard animal and human health. In an era of antimicrobial resistance and emerging disease, the effective application of biocidal control measures is vital to protect public health. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of the increasing demand for effective biocidal solutions to reduce and eliminate disease transmission. However, there is increasing recognition into the relationship between biocide use and the proliferation of Antimicrobial Resistance species, particularly multidrug-resistant pathogens. The One Health approach and WHO action plan to combat AMR require active surveillance and monitoring of AMR species; however, biocidal resistance is often overlooked. ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens and numerous fungal species have demonstrated drug and biocidal resistance where increased patient mortality is a risk. Currently, there is a lack of information on the impact of biocide application on environmental habitats and ecosystems. Undoubtedly, the excessive application of disinfectants and AMR will merge to result in secondary disasters relating to soil infertility, loss of biodiversity and destruction of ecosystems.

Slime control in paper mill using biological agents as biocides

Abstract The environmental conditions of paper mills are suitable for the growth of slime-forming microorganisms due to the supply of nutrients, favorable temperature, and moisture. The slime formation causes the spoilage of raw materials & additives, breaks in the paper during papermaking, loss of production, reduces the hygienic quality of the end products, produces off-spec and rejected products, creates microbiological corrosion, and produces harmful gases. The main microorganisms are Bacteria (mainly Bacillus spp., Achromobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Clostridium, etc.), Fungi (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Saccharomyces, etc.), and Algae. Besides the use of conventional toxic chemical biocides or slimicides, slime formation can also be controlled in an eco-friendly way using enzymes, bacteriophages, biodispersants, and biocontrol agents alone or along with biocides to remove the slime. Enzymes have shown their effectiveness over conventional chemicals due to nontoxic and biodegradable nature to provide clean and sustainable technology. Globally enzymes are being used at some of the paper mills and many enzymatic products are presently being prepared and under the trail at laboratory scale. The specificity of enzymes to degrade a specific substrate is the main drawback of controlling the mixed population of microorganisms present in slime. The enzyme has the potential to provide the chemical biocide-free solution as a useful alternative in the future with the development of new technologies. Microorganisms control in the paper mill may appear as a costly offer but the cost of uncontrolled microbial growth can be much higher leading to slime production and large economic drain.

In Vitro Antibacterial, Antifungal, Nematocidal and Growth Promoting Activities of Trichoderma hamatum FB10 and Its Secondary Metabolites.

Microbial natural biocides have attracted much more attention in recent years in order to avoid the unrestricted use of chemical biocides in the environment. The aim of this study is to analyze the antibacterial and antifungal activities of secondary metabolites and growth promoting, nematicidal, and soil enzyme activity mediated by Trichoderma hamatum FB10. The bactericidal and fungicidal activities were performed using cell-free extract. Results revealed that the selected strain exert antibacterial activity against Acidovorax avenae, Erutimacarafavora, and Xanthomonas campestris. The selected fungal strain FB10 showed antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens such as, S. sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria radicina, Alternaria citri, and Alternaria dauci. Among the bacterial pathogens, A. avenae showed least MIC (30 ± 2.5 µg/mL) and MBC (70 ± 1.25 µg/mL) values. T. hamatum FB10 strain synthesized bioactive volatile secondary metabolite, which effectively inhibited the growth of bacteria and fungi and indicated the presence of 6-pentyl-alpha-pyrone as the major compound (67.05%). The secondary metabolite synthesized by T. hamatum FB10 showed nematicidal activity against M. incognita eggs. Egg hatch inhibition was 78 ± 2.6% and juvenile stage mortality rate was 89 ± 2.5% when the strain FB10 was treated with nematode. The cell free extract of T. hamatum FB10 showed protease, amylase, cellulase, chitinase, glucanase activities. T. hamatum FB10 inoculated with green gram increased 11% plant height, compared to the control. The fresh weight of the experimental group inoculated with T. hamatum FB10 increased 33.6% more compared to the control group. The green gram seedlings inoculated with T. hamatum FB10 increased 18% more dry weight than control group. Soil enzymes such as, urease, phosphatase, catalase and saccharase were improved in the soil inoculated with T. hamatum FB10. These biochemical components play potent role in soil fertility, energy conversion, and in soil organic matter conversion.

Should the Increased Awareness of the One Health Approach Brought by the COVID-19 Pandemic Be Used to Further Tackle the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance?

Several experts have expressed their concerns regarding the potential increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during the COVID-19 pandemic as a consequence of the increase in antimicrobial and biocide use in humans globally. However, the impact of the pandemic on antimicrobial use (AMU) and AMR in animals has yet to be discussed and evaluated. Indeed, veterinary practices have been hugely impacted by the pandemic and its restrictive measures around the world. In this perspective, we call for more research to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on AMU and AMR in both humans and animals, as well as on the environment, in coherence with the One Health approach. In addition, we argue that the current pandemic is an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of a One Health approach to tackle the AMR crisis at the global scale. Indeed, the momentum created by the increased general awareness of both the public and decision-makers for the development and maintenance of effective drugs to treat human infections, as well as for the importance of a One Health approach to prevent the emergence of infectious diseases, should be used as a lever to implement global collaborative and sustainable solutions to the complex challenges of AMR.