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Porter L, Sultan O, Mitchell BG, Jenney A, Kiernan M, Brewster DJ, Russo PL. How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A scoping review. J Hosp Infect 2024; 147:25-31. [PMID: 38447803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Healthcare hygiene plays a crucial role in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Patients admitted to a room where the previous occupant had a multi-drug-resistant bacterial infection are at an increased risk of colonization and infection with the same organism. A 2006 systematic review by Kramer et al. found that certain pathogens can survive for months on dry surfaces. The aim of this review is to update Kramer et al.'s previous review and provide contemporary data on the survival of pathogens relevant to the healthcare environment. We systematically searched Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus databases for studies that described the survival time of common nosocomial pathogens in the environment. Pathogens included in the review were bacterial, viral, and fungal. Studies were independently screened against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria by two researchers. Conflicts were resolved by one of two senior researchers. A spreadsheet was developed for the data extraction. The search identified 1736 studies. Following removal of duplicates and application of the search criteria, the synthesis of results from 62 included studies were included. 117 organisms were reported. The longest surviving organism reported was Klebsiella pneumoniae which was found to have persisted for 600 days. Common pathogens of concern to infection prevention and control, can survive or persist on inanimate surfaces for months. This data supports the need for a risk-based approach to cleaning and disinfection practices, accompanied by appropriate training, audit and feedback which are proven to be effective when adopted in a 'bundle' approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Porter
- Department of Nursing Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Australia; School of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - O Sultan
- Department of Nursing Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Australia; School of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - B G Mitchell
- School of Nursing, Avondale University, Wahroonga, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - A Jenney
- Microbiology Unit, Alfred Health, Prahran, Australia
| | - M Kiernan
- Richard Wells Research Centre, University of West London, London, UK
| | - D J Brewster
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Intensive Care Unit, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Australia
| | - P L Russo
- Department of Nursing Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, Australia; School of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; School of Nursing, Avondale University, Wahroonga, Australia.
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Konno A, Okubo T, Enoeda Y, Uno T, Sato T, Yokota SI, Yano R, Yamaguchi H. Human pathogenic bacteria on high-touch dry surfaces can be controlled by warming to human-skin temperature under moderate humidity. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291765. [PMID: 37729194 PMCID: PMC10511134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections have become a major health issue worldwide. One route of transmission of pathogenic bacteria is through contact with "high-touch" dry surfaces, such as handrails. Regular cleaning of surfaces with disinfectant chemicals is insufficient against pathogenic bacteria and alternative control methods are therefore required. We previously showed that warming to human-skin temperature affected the survival of pathogenic bacteria on dry surfaces, but humidity was not considered in that study. Here, we investigated environmental factors that affect the number of live bacteria on dry surfaces in hospitals by principal component analysis of previously-collected data (n = 576, for CFU counts), and experimentally verified the effect of warming to human-skin temperature on the survival of pathogenic bacteria on dry surfaces under humidity control. The results revealed that PCA divided hospital dry surfaces into four groups (Group 1~4) and hospital dry surfaces at low temperature and low humidity (Group 3) had much higher bacterial counts as compared to the others (Group 1 and 4) (p<0.05). Experimentally, warming to human-skin temperature (37°C with 90% humidity) for 18~72h significantly suppressed the survival of pathogenic bacteria on dry surfaces, such as plastic surfaces [p<0.05 vs. 15°C (Escherichia coli DH5α, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and blaNDM-5 E. coli)] or handrails [p<0.05 vs. 15~25°C (E. coli DH5α, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii)], under moderate 55% humidity. Furthermore, intermittent heating to human-skin temperature reduced the survival of spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) (p<0.01 vs. continuous heating to human-skin temperature). NhaA, an Na+/H+ antiporter, was found to regulate the survival of bacteria on dry surfaces, and the inhibitor 2-aminoperimidine enhanced the effect of warming at human-skin temperature on the survival of pathogenic bacteria (E. coli DH5α, S. aureus, A. baumannii) on dry surfaces. Thus, warming to human-skin temperature under moderate humidity is a useful method for impairing live pathogenic bacteria on high-touch surfaces, thereby helping to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayano Konno
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Torahiko Okubo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Enoeda
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uno
- Department of Nursing, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Fundamental Nursing, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toyotaka Sato
- Department of Microbiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
- Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
- One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shin-ichi Yokota
- Department of Microbiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Rika Yano
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Fundamental Nursing, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
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Pei H, Zhu C, Shu F, Lu Z, Wang H, Ma K, Wang J, Lan R, Shang F, Xue T. CodY: An Essential Transcriptional Regulator Involved in Environmental Stress Tolerance in Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus RMSA24. Foods 2023; 12:3166. [PMID: 37685098 PMCID: PMC10486358 DOI: 10.3390/foods12173166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), as the main pathogen in milk and dairy products, usually causes intoxication with vomiting and various kinds of inflammation after entering the human body. CodY, an important transcriptional regulator in S. aureus, plays an important role in regulating metabolism, growth, and virulence. However, little is known about the role of CodY on environmental stress tolerance. In this research, we revealed the role of CodY in environmental stress tolerance in foodborne S. aureus RMSA24. codY mutation significantly reduced the tolerance of S. aureus to desiccation and oxidative, salt, and high-temperature stresses. However, S. aureus was more tolerant to low temperature stress due to mutation of codY. We found that the expressions of two important heat shock proteins-GroEL and DanJ-were significantly down-regulated in the mutant codY. This suggests that CodY may indirectly regulate the high- and low-temperature tolerance of S. aureus by regulating the expressions of groEL and danJ. This study reveals a new mechanism of environmental stress tolerance in S. aureus and provides new insights into controlling the contamination and harm caused by S. aureus in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Pei
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Chengfeng Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Fang Shu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Zhengfei Lu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Kai Ma
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Ranxiang Lan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Fei Shang
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
- Food Procession Research Institute, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
| | - Ting Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China; (H.P.); (C.Z.); (F.S.); (Z.L.); (H.W.); (K.M.); (J.W.); (R.L.); (F.S.)
- Food Procession Research Institute, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
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Nowak J, Visnovsky SB, Pitman AR, Cruz CD, Palmer J, Fletcher GC, Flint S. Biofilm Formation by Listeria monocytogenes 15G01, a Persistent Isolate from a Seafood-Processing Plant, Is Influenced by Inactivation of Multiple Genes Belonging to Different Functional Groups. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e02349-20. [PMID: 33741610 PMCID: PMC8117777 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02349-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous foodborne pathogen that results in a high rate of mortality in sensitive and immunocompromised people. Contamination of food with L. monocytogenes is thought to occur during food processing, most often as a result of the pathogen producing a biofilm that persists in the environment and acting as the source for subsequent dispersal of cells onto food. A survey of seafood-processing plants in New Zealand identified the persistent strain 15G01, which has a high capacity to form biofilms. In this study, a transposon library of L. monocytogenes 15G01 was screened for mutants with altered biofilm formation, assessed by a crystal violet assay, to identify genes involved in biofilm formation. This screen identified 36 transposants that showed a significant change in biofilm formation compared to the wild type. The insertion sites were in 27 genes, 20 of which led to decreased biofilm formation and seven to an increase. Two insertions were in intergenic regions. Annotation of the genes suggested that they are involved in diverse cellular processes, including stress response, autolysis, transporter systems, and cell wall/membrane synthesis. Analysis of the biofilms produced by the transposants using scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy showed notable differences in the structure of the biofilms compared to the wild type. In particular, inactivation of uvrB and mltD produced coccoid-shaped cells and elongated cells in long chains, respectively, and the mgtB mutant produced a unique biofilm with a sandwich structure which was reversed to the wild-type level upon magnesium addition. The mltD transposant was successfully complemented with the wild-type gene, whereas the phenotypes were not or only partially restored for the remaining mutants.IMPORTANCE The major source of contamination of food with Listeria monocytogenes is thought to be due to biofilm formation and/or persistence in food-processing plants. By establishing as a biofilm, L. monocytogenes cells become harder to eradicate due to their increased resistance to environmental threats. Understanding the genes involved in biofilm formation and their influence on biofilm structure will help identify new ways to eliminate harmful biofilms in food processing environments. To date, multiple genes have been identified as being involved in biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes; however, the exact mechanism remains unclear. This study identified four genes associated with biofilm formation by a persistent strain. Extensive microscopic analysis illustrated the effect of the disruption of mgtB, clsA, uvrB, and mltD and the influence of magnesium on the biofilm structure. The results strongly suggest an involvement in biofilm formation for the four genes and provide a basis for further studies to analyze gene regulation to assess the specific role of these biofilm-associated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Nowak
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sandra B Visnovsky
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Andrew R Pitman
- The Foundation for Arable Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Cristina D Cruz
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jon Palmer
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Graham C Fletcher
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Steve Flint
- Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Effect of thermal control of dry fomites on regulating the survival of human pathogenic bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226952. [PMID: 31881059 PMCID: PMC6934310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We monitored the survival of human pathogenic bacteria [Escherichia coli (ATCC), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (Clinical isolate), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-producing E. coli (clinical isolate), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC)] on dry materials (vinyl chloride, aluminum, plastic, stainless steel) at distinct temperatures (room temperature or 15°C–37°C). These bacteria favored a lower temperature for their prolonged survival on the dry fomites, regardless of the material type. Interestingly, when mixed with S. aureus, E. coli survived for a longer time at a lower temperature. Cardiolipin, which can promote the survival of S. aureus in harsh environments, had no effect on maintaining the survival of E. coli. Although the trends remained unchanged, adjusting the humidity from 40% to 60% affected the survival of bacteria on dry surfaces. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed no morphological differences in these bacteria immediately before or after one day of dry conditions. In addition, ATP assessment, a method used to visualize high-touch surfaces in hospitals, was not effective at monitoring bacterial dynamics. A specialized handrail device fitted with a heater, which was maintained at normal human body core temperature, successfully prohibited the prolonged survival of bacteria [Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC), E. coli (ATCC), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC), S. aureus (ATCC), Acinetobacter baumannii (clinical isolate), and Serratia marcescens (clinical isolate)], with the exception of spore-forming Bacillus subtilis (from our laboratory collection) and the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans (from our laboratory collection)] on dry surfaces. Taken together, we concluded that the tested bacteria favor lower temperatures for their survival in dry environments. Therefore, the thermal control of dry fomites has the potential to control bacterial survival on high-touch surfaces in hospitals.
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Morikawa K, Ushijima Y, Ohniwa RL, Miyakoshi M, Takeyasu K. What Happens in the Staphylococcal Nucleoid under Oxidative Stress? Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120631. [PMID: 31795457 PMCID: PMC6956076 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary success of Staphylococcus aureus as an opportunistic human pathogen is largely attributed to its prominent abilities to cope with a variety of stresses and host bactericidal factors. Reactive oxygen species are important weapons in the host arsenal that inactivate phagocytosed pathogens, but S. aureus can survive in phagosomes and escape from phagocytic cells to establish infections. Molecular genetic analyses combined with atomic force microscopy have revealed that the MrgA protein (part of the Dps family of proteins) is induced specifically in response to oxidative stress and converts the nucleoid from the fibrous to the clogged state. This review collates a series of evidences on the staphylococcal nucleoid dynamics under oxidative stress, which is functionally and physically distinct from compacted Escherichia coli nucleoid under stationary phase. In addition, potential new roles of nucleoid clogging in the staphylococcal life cycle will be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuya Morikawa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.M.); (R.L.O.); (K.T.)
| | - Yuri Ushijima
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Ryosuke L. Ohniwa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.M.); (R.L.O.); (K.T.)
| | - Masatoshi Miyakoshi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Kunio Takeyasu
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Correspondence: (K.M.); (R.L.O.); (K.T.)
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Ushijima Y, Ohniwa RL, Morikawa K. Identification of nucleoid associated proteins (NAPs) under oxidative stress in Staphylococcus aureus. BMC Microbiol 2017; 17:207. [PMID: 28969590 PMCID: PMC5625760 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-1114-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial nucleoid consists of genome DNA, RNA, and hundreds of nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs). Escherichia coli nucleoid is compacted towards the stationary phase, replacing most log-phase NAPs with the major stationary-phase nucleoid protein, Dps. In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus nucleoid sustains the fiber structures throughout the growth. Instead, the Dps homologue, MrgA, expresses under oxidative stress conditions to clump the nucleoid, but the composition of the clumped nucleoid was elusive. Results The staphylococcal nucleoid under oxidative stress was isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and the proteins were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We identified 299 proteins in the nucleoid under oxidative stress, including 113 csNAPs (contaminant-subtracted NAPs). Comparison with the previously identified csNAPs in log- and stationary phase indicated that one fifth of the csNAPs under oxidative stress were the constitutive nucleoid components; importantly, several factors including HU, SarA, FabZ, and ribosomes were sustained under oxidative stress. Some factors (e.g. SA1663 and SA0092/SA0093) with unknown functions were included in the csNAPs list specifically under oxidative stress condition. Conclusion Nucleoid constitutively holds Hu, SarA, FabG, and ribosomal proteins even under the oxidative stress, reflecting the active functions of the clumped nucleoid, unlikely to the dormant E. coli nucleoid compacted in the stationary phase or starvation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12866-017-1114-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Ushijima
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan. .,Present address: Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke L Ohniwa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan. .,Center for Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Kazuya Morikawa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8575, Japan
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