Status of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in Veterinary Research Facilities in Nigeria

A Situation Analysis of the Capacity of Laboratories in Faith-Based Hospitals in Zambia to Conduct Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance: Opportunities to Improve Diagnostic Stewardship

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and the inadequate capacity of laboratories to conduct AMR surveillance. This study assessed the capacity of laboratories in seven faith-based hospitals to conduct AMR testing and surveillance in Zambia. This multi-facility, cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from February 2024 to April 2024. We collected and analysed data using the self-scoring Laboratory Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance Testing Capacity (LAARC) tool. This study found an average score of 39%, indicating a low capacity of laboratories to conduct AMR surveillance. The highest capacity score was 47%, while the lowest was 25%. Only one hospital had a full capacity (100%) to utilise a laboratory information system (LIS). Three hospitals had a satisfactory capacity to perform data management with scores of 83%, 85%, and 95%. Only one hospital had a full capacity (100%) to process specimens, and only one hospital had good safety requirements for a microbiology laboratory, with a score of 89%. This study demonstrates that all the assessed hospitals had a low capacity to conduct AMR surveillance, which could affect diagnostic stewardship. Therefore, there is an urgent need to strengthen the microbiology capacity of laboratories to enhance AMR surveillance in Zambia.

Knowledge and self-reported food safety practices among meat consumers in Ilorin, Nigeria

As an imperative source of protein to man, meat could also serve as a source of infections when processed poorly. This research studied consumers' knowledge and self-reported food safety practices among 869 meat consumers of different socioeconomic statuses. We summarized the data obtained using descriptive and inferential statistics. Two outcome variables were developed to determine satisfactory knowledge and practices. The knowledge and practice scores were determined through a numeric scoring system based on the respondents' correct responses to knowledge and practices questions. These outcome variables were further categorized into binary variables based on a cut-off point (mean + 1 SD of the scores) with scores greater and lower than the cut-off points considered satisfactory (acceptable/appropriate) and unsatisfactory, respectively. The respondents are predominantly female (54.9%) within the age range of 19-25 years (54.2%) and were unmarried (71.1%). Less than half (46.4% and 40.0%) of the respondents have adequate knowledge and practice levels of food safety. Most meat consumers have identified various challenges to food safety and hazards related to unsafe food safety practices. Important socioeconomic variables of the meat consumers such as occupation, age, and marital status, were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with food safety knowledge. Meat consumers with higher age categories and educational levels were more likely to have good food safety knowledge than those of the 15-18 years age category and primary educational level, respectively. Respondents with higher levels of education were more likely to demonstrate satisfactory food safety practices than those of primary education status, while males (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.76; p = 0.043) were significantly more likely to report satisfactory food safety practices. In conclusion, this study emphasized the need for an improvement in consumers' food safety practices.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Risk Perception of Broiler Grow-Out Farmers on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Oyo State, Nigeria

Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception of Nigerian broiler grow-out farmers (n = 152) to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with a five sectional purposive-structured-questionnaire: demographics; knowledge; attitudes; risk-perception; and response to regulation of antimicrobial practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Respondents’ knowledge score, in total, was lower than average, with all (100%) respondents having the understanding that antibiotics kill/reduce bacteria, most participants (>73%) believing that feeding antibiotics to broiler chickens is a necessity for weight gain, and many (>69%) thinking that no negative side-effects exist with the use of antibiotics. Poor attitude towards antimicrobial usage was prevalent (>63%) with unsatisfactory performance in most instruments: >60% of farmers reported using antimicrobials every week and still use antimicrobials when birds appear sick, and most (>84%) arbitrarily increase the drug dosages when used. However, a satisfactory performance score was reported (68%) in risk perception of AMR with >63% perceiving that inappropriate use of antibiotics is the main factor causing the emergence of resistant bacteria; >65.8% expressed that AMR in broiler chickens is not essential for public health, that AMR cannot develop from broiler bacteria diseases, that increasing the frequency of antimicrobial use cannot increase AMR in future, and that usage cannot lead to antibiotic residue in broiler-meat products leading to AMR development in human. None of the respondents were aware of any regulation for monitoring antimicrobial use. Significant factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and risk perception of antimicrobial use and resistance among broiler grow-out farmers include marital status, farm category, education, educational specialization, sales target, growth duration/cycle, broiler stocking batch, and feed source. Identified gaps exist in AMR awareness among Nigerian broiler farmers and should be targeted through stakeholders’ participation in combatting AMR threats.

Knowledge and perception of veterinary students on One Health: A first nationwide multi-institutional survey in Nepal

Background and Aim: One Health (OH) is a collaborative, multisectoral, and holistic approach for the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases affecting animals and humans. In Nepal, the OH concept remains rudimentary. However, the recently formed "One Health Strategy" is a ray of hope. Veterinary students are the future of animal health, a major component of OH. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and perception of Nepalese veterinary students toward OH. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among veterinary students in all four veterinary colleges in Nepal to obtain knowledge on OH and zoonotic disease and understand the perception of the benefits of OH obtained using an online survey tool through a convenience sampling technique. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics, Chi-Square test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 333 participants, including recent graduates (mean age: 22.3±2.2 years) participated in this study. The mean knowledge score was 19.8±3.8 and about half of the respondents, 185 (55.6%) demonstrated satisfactory scores on OH. Most of the respondents have a positive perception of the benefits of OH as participants largely agreed that the OH approach needs to become a regular, routine, and institutionalized process at the project, program, and policy levels; is useful in addressing complex challenges that threaten human and animal health, food security, poverty, and the environments where diseases flourish; and it creates added value in terms of human and animal health, financial savings or social and environmental benefits from closer professional cooperation. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that age, educational, and academic levels were significant factors influencing satisfactory knowledge on OH among respondents. Conclusion: Nepalese veterinary students demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of OH and a good level of perception of the benefits of OH. An apprehensive understanding of the current status of the OH approach in Nepal through studies like this is crucial for the future improvement of public and animal health.

Occupation-Related Biological Health Hazards and Infection Control Practices among Indian Veterinarians

Veterinarians experience different types of health hazards from their occupation. Studies on the prevalence and occurrence of biological health hazards in veterinary medicine in India are scant and probably underreported. Thus, we sought to assess the biological health hazards and infection control practices (ICPs) among veterinarians from the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterinarians (n = 562) from Gujarat and Maharashtra states in India to identify biological health hazards and ICPs for the prevention of occupational health hazards during 2016–2017 by personally contacting them. Responses regarding a biological hazard and ICPs were recorded. Descriptive analysis was attempted, and continuous variables are presented as the mean ± SD. Categorical variables are reported as counts and percentages (%). Most of the veterinarians (49.3%) worked in the field and were continuously exposed to different types of biological health hazards, especially zoonoses, ranging from mild and self-limiting to fatal diseases (e.g., brucellosis (subclinical and clinical form) and rabies (fatal)) without common prophylactic vaccinations, such as rabies and tetanus. While inquiring medical health status of the veterinarians, only 35.8% of the total respondents underwent a routine medical health checkup within the past year, and 56.9% did not receive a routine dose of an anthelmintic for deworming. Forty-nine percent of the respondents took all necessary precautions, including wearing an apron, facemask, and gloves. In contrast, 10.2% of the respondents wore only an apron, and 8.4% of respondents did not take any precautions while performing their day-to-day work. In total, 40.2% of the respondents followed the proper method of handwashing, that is, washing hands between patient examinations. In contrast, 27.9% of the respondents washed their hands once after completing the work. The majority of the respondents (87.7%) reported an urgent need for occupational hazards and safety (OHS) training in continued veterinary education (CVE) programs. The present study demonstrates that veterinarians in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in India pay less attention to their own health that may increase the risk of occupation-related biological health hazards. These results suggest that safety and ICPs are not prioritized, which are serious concerns. These findings may be useful for developing policies to prevent occupationally related biological health hazards among veterinarians in India.

Laboratory diagnosis and management of COVID-19 cases: creating a safe testing environment

Background

COVID-19 disease has had a profound impact worldwide since it was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Laboratory testing is crucial to prompt identification of positive cases, initiation of treatment and management strategies. However, medical scientists are vulnerable to infection due to the risk of exposure in the laboratory and the community. This study sought to determine the awareness of laboratory safety measures, assess the personal efforts of medical scientists in creating a safe laboratory environment for testing and examine the laboratory safety enabling factors.

Methods

The data used for the study were generated among medical scientists in Nigeria through an internet-broadcasted questionnaire and were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25).

Results

The majority of the respondents had a high awareness of laboratory safety measures (60.3%) and demonstrated good personal efforts in creating a safe laboratory testing environment (63%). The level of awareness of laboratory safety measures was significantly associated with respondents’ level of education (χ² = 6.143; p = 0.046) and influences respondents’ efforts in creating a safe laboratory testing environment (p = 0.007). However, just a few respondents could convincingly attest to the availability of adequate and appropriate PPE with proper utilization training (45.1%), adequate rest and other welfare packages (45.8%) as well as access to appropriate Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) and other essential equipment in their laboratories (48.8%). Furthermore, a significant association existed between the availability of laboratory safety enabling factors and respondents’ efforts in creating a safe environment for testing with the p-value ranging between < 0.0001 and 0.003.

Conclusion

This study revealed that despite the high awareness of safety measures and good personal efforts of the study participants in creating a safe laboratory-testing environment, there was poor availability of safety facilities, equipment, support and welfare packages required to enhance their safety. It is, therefore, crucial to provide necessary laboratory biosafety equipment and PPE in order not to compromise medical scientists’ safety as they perform their duties in COVID-19 pandemic response.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06806-0.

Analysis of Bio-Risk Management System Implementation in Indonesian Higher Education Laboratory

Developing countries face various challenges in implementing bio-risk management systems in the laboratory. In addition, educational settings are considered as workplaces with biohazard risks. Every activity in a laboratory facility carries many potential hazards that can impact human health and the environment and may cause laboratory incidents, including Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs). In an effort to minimize the impact and occurrence of these incidents, it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of a bio-risk management system in every activity that involves handling biological agents. This study was conducted in an Indonesian higher-education institution, herein coded as University Y. This is a descriptive, semi-quantitative study aimed at analysing and evaluating the implementation of the bio-risk management systems used in laboratories by analysing the achievements obtained by each laboratory. The study used primary data that were collected using a checklist which referred to ISO 35001:2019 on Laboratory Bio-risk Management. The checklist consisted of 202 items forming seven main elements. In addition, secondary data obtained from literature and document review were also used. The results show that out of 11 laboratories examined, only 2 laboratories met 50% of the requirements, which were Laboratory A and B, achieving good performance. Regarding the clauses of standards, a gap analysis identified leadership, performance evaluation, and support as elements with the lowest achievement. Therefore, corrective action should be developed by enhancing the commitment from management as well as improving documentation, policy, education and training.

Assessment of the Biorisk Status of Veterinary Laboratories in Southwest Nigeria: Application of the Food and Agriculture Organization Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module

Introduction

Because of the nature of work conducted in veterinary laboratories and potential exposures to pathogenic microorganisms, good laboratory practices, risk assessments, biosafety, and biosecurity capacity is becoming vital. In this study, the Food and Agriculture Organization Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module was applied to demonstrate its practical implementation in the assessment of biosafety and biosecurity statuses of veterinary laboratories in Nigeria.

Methods

The Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module, a standardized questionnaire, systematically and semiquantitatively gathered data on 98 subcategories covering 4 areas of biosafety and biosecurity capabilities: administrative, operational, engineering, and personal protective equipment.

Results

Overall, the various areas and categories covered by the Laboratory Mapping Tool-Safety Module were weak across the board, with a mean performance of 19.5% (95% confidence interval, 14.0%-25.1%; range, 0.8%-29.6%). The weakest functionality was in emergency preparedness (0.8%; ie, emergency responses and exercises such as fire drills, spill cleanup, and biological spill kit availability). Also, many laboratories were deficient in metrology procedures, biosafety cabinets, chemical hazard containment, regular maintenance and external calibration procedures for laboratory equipment, and personnel health and safety. However, a few functionalities within individual laboratories scored above average (50%), for example, a university microbiology laboratory animal facility (100%). Interlaboratory comparison indicated that biosafety and biosecurity performance was similar across laboratories (P = .07) and did not vary by location (P = .37).

Conclusions

Significant biosafety and biosecurity improvements are needed to guarantee the health and safety of workers and the global community, efficient responses to infectious disease containment, and compliance with the Global Health Security Agenda.

Reasons for and barriers to biosafety and biosecurity training in health-related organizations in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia: findings from GIBACHT training needs assessments 2018-2019

Introduction

the Global-Partnership-Initiated-Biosecurity-Academia for Controlling Health Threats (GIBACHT) consortium conducts a biosafety and biosecurity training for fellows from Africa, the Middle East and Asia. To achieve a multiplier effect, fellows conduct trainings in their own organizations. It was during such trainings that training needs assessments were done assessing reasons for and barriers to biosafety and biosecurity training.

Methods

this was a cross sectional assessment. Trainings were conducted from April to July 2018 and April to June 2019. In 2018, training needs were explored using a structured tool. Responses were coded using manifest content analysis and key issues identified. In 2019, respondents quantified the identified key issues using a Likert scale. Proportions of those who strongly agreed, agreed, neither agreed nor disagreed, disagreed or strongly disagreed were calculated and results presented in tables and charts.

Results

in 2018 and 2019, there were 183 and 191 respondents respectively. About 96% of respondents in 2018 supported training in biosafety and biosecurity citing individual, community and global benefits. Barriers highlighted included governance, financial, human resource, information and infrastructure challenges. In 2019, majority of respondents indicated inadequate guidelines dissemination, lack of financial resources, inadequate personnel, lack of equipped laboratories and lack of instructional materials among major barriers.

Conclusion

support for biosafety and biosecurity training was high though systemic barriers exist. Improving human resource capacity and provision of instructional materials can be achieved through training programs. However, systemic assessments need to be done before each training as different organizations have different barriers.

Knowledge of Antimicrobial Resistance among Veterinary Students and Their Personal Antibiotic Use Practices: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

The challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is grave in developing countries. Antimicrobials are misused yet stakeholders' contribution to antimicrobial stewardship is low. Veterinary students are future prescribers and their knowledge could influence progress in combating AMR; hence, there is a need to assess their knowledge, attitude, and awareness of AMR. A multi-institutional questionnaire was administered to undergraduates in Nigerian veterinary schools. It comprised demographics, own personal antibiotic usage, and knowledge, attitude, and awareness of AMR in humans and animals. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for analyses. Of the 426 respondents, 39.2% reported personal antimicrobial use in the previous six months. Over 60% received knowledge scores lower than average and >87% requested more education on clinical use and prescriptions pre-graduation, monitored dispensing of antimicrobials, conducting AMR research, and confirmed link among human, animal, and environmental health. Less than 25% of respondents were aware of antimicrobial stewardship and global efforts/organizations for AMR. Final year students have 9-fold and 14-fold more satisfactory knowledge on antimicrobials in humans and animals compared with other students, respectively (p = 0.001). Final year students also have more knowledge (13×) and awareness of contributory factors (3×) on AMR (p = 0.001) than other students. Unsatisfactory knowledge on AMR issues exists among veterinary students yet willingness to improve was observed. Identified knowledge, attitude, and gaps in AMR awareness should be targeted by veterinary schools in Nigeria.

Staphylococcus aureus in two municipal abattoirs in Nigeria: Risk perception, spread and public health implications

Staphylococcus aureus is a zoonotic pathogen of significant public health concern. Information on the prevalence and risk factors facilitating bacterial colonization and spread under abattoir settings in Nigeria are scarce. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine prevalence of S. aureus as well as risk factors on knowledge and practices facilitating pathogen carriage among workers and slaughter animals in two municipal abattoirs of Ilorin and Ibadan, Nigeria. Swab samples (n = 1671) from nostrils of cattle, goats, pigs and abattoir workers, and from meat tables and abattoir walls were collected for detection of S. aureus. A questionnaire was administered to 275 workers to elucidate risk factors of pathogen carriage applying a logistic regression model. S. aureus prevalence was 6.5%. In total, MSSA and MRSA were detected at a frequency of 5.4% and 1.1%. Molecular analysis of the isolates revealed 19 different spa types, including a novel spa type (t16751). Gender, marital status, occupation and abattoir location were factors influencing worker's practices in relation to pathogen carriage and spread in the abattoir setting. This present study detected not only low MSSA and MRSA prevalence, in both abattoirs but also low risk perception and hygiene practices employed by abattoir workers. Good practices among workers at Nigerian abattoirs are needed to mitigate S. aureus carriage. Further studies expounding the antibiotic resistance and relationships of MSSA and MRSA strains detected in this study are needed to complement understanding of the spread of S. aureus in the abattoir food chain.

Laboratory Focus on Improving the Culture of Biosafety: Statewide Risk Assessment of Clinical Laboratories That Process Specimens for Microbiologic Analysis

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene challenged Wisconsin laboratories to examine their biosafety practices and improve their culture of biosafety. One hundred three clinical and public health laboratories completed a questionnaire-based, microbiology-focused biosafety risk assessment. Greater than 96% of the respondents performed activities related to specimen processing, direct microscopic examination, and rapid nonmolecular testing, while approximately 60% performed culture interpretation. Although they are important to the assessment of risk, data specific to patient occupation, symptoms, and travel history were often unavailable to the laboratory and, therefore, less contributory to a microbiology-focused biosafety risk assessment than information on the specimen source and test requisition. Over 88% of the respondents complied with more than three-quarters of the mitigation control measures listed in the survey. Facility assessment revealed that subsets of laboratories that claim biosafety level 1, 2, or 3 status did not possess all of the biosafety elements considered minimally standard for their respective classifications. Many laboratories reported being able to quickly correct the minor deficiencies identified. Task assessment identified deficiencies that trended higher within the general (not microbiology-specific) laboratory for core activities, such as packaging and shipping, direct microscopic examination, and culture modalities solely involving screens for organism growth. For traditional microbiology departments, opportunities for improvement in the cultivation and management of highly infectious agents, such as acid-fast bacilli and systemic fungi, were revealed. These results derived from a survey of a large cohort of small- and large-scale laboratories suggest the necessity for continued microbiology-based understanding of biosafety practices, vigilance toward biosafety, and enforcement of biosafety practices throughout the laboratory setting.