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Muriithi B, Wandera EA, Takeuchi R, Mutunga F, Kathiiko C, Wachira M, Tinkoi J, Meiguran M, Akumu P, Ndege V, Mochizuki R, Kaneko S, Morita K, Ouma C, Ichinose Y. Impact of integrated WASH and maternal and child health interventions on diarrhea disease prevalence in a resource-constrained setting in Kenya. Trop Med Health 2024; 52:56. [PMID: 39215357 PMCID: PMC11363663 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00616-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and child health interventions are proven simple and cost-effective strategies for preventing diarrhea and minimizing excess mortality. Individually, they are able to prevent diarrhea though sub-optimally, and their effectiveness when combined may be higher. This study examined the effect of integrated WASH and maternal and child health (MCH) interventions on prevalence of diarrhea, in a resource-limited setting in Kenya. METHODS A controlled intervention was implemented in Narok County. The interventions included WASH interventions integrated with promotion of MCH. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on targeted indicators before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square to establish the impact of the interventions. RESULTS A total of 431and 424 households and 491 and 487 households in intervention and control sites, respectively, participated in the baseline and endline surveys. Following implementation of the interventions, prevalence of diarrhea decreased by 69.1% (95% CI: 49.6-87.1%) and 58.6% (95% CI: 26.6-82.4%) in the intervention and control site, respectively. Treatment of drinking water and animal husbandry practices were significantly associated with diarrhea post-interventions. CONCLUSIONS Integrating WASH interventions with other diarrhea control strategies and contextualizing them to meet site-specific needs may effectively prevent diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Muriithi
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ernest Apondi Wandera
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Rie Takeuchi
- Department of Public Health, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara, Japan
| | - Felix Mutunga
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cyrus Kathiiko
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mary Wachira
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Satoshi Kaneko
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kouichi Morita
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Collins Ouma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - Yoshio Ichinose
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University-Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 19993-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
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Xu C, Lu S, Cidan Y, Wang H, Sun G, Saleem MU, Ataya FS, Zhu Y, Wangdui-Basang, Li K. Microbiome analysis reveals alteration in water microbial communities due to livestock activities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:47298-47314. [PMID: 38995335 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34334-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
The Baihe River, a tributary of the Yellow River located in the Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Northern Sichuan, is surrounded by natural resources suitable for animal development. However, the impact of livestock activities water microbiome in this area remains unexplored. This study collected water samples from areas with captive yaks and sheep (NS and YS) and compared them with water samples from Hongyuan Baihe River. Through amplicon sequencing, we investigated the impact of livestock activities on aquatic microorganisms. Diversity analysis, significance analysis, and microbial phenotype prediction indicated a significant decrease in microbial community diversity and function in the NS and YS groups. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Bacteroidales and Thelebolaceae and antibiotic-resistant bacteria genes such as Flavobacteriales and Burkholderiaceae were significantly higher in livestock breeding areas. Additionally, bacteria adapted to acidification, hypoxia, and eutrophication (e.g., Acidobacteria, Flavobacteriales, Deltaproteobacteria, Rhodobacterales) were more abundant in these areas. Our results demonstrate that livestock activities significantly alter the structure and function of microbial communities in surrounding water bodies, deteriorating water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Sijia Lu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangji Cidan
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, 850009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongzhuang Wang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, 850009, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangming Sun
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, 850009, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Usman Saleem
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 6000, Pakistan
| | - Farid Shokry Ataya
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yanbin Zhu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, 850009, People's Republic of China
| | - Wangdui-Basang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, 850009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China.
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Swarthout J, Mureithi M, Mboya J, Arnold BF, Wolfe MK, Dentz HN, Lin A, Arnold CD, Rao G, Stewart CP, Clasen T, Colford JM, Null C, Pickering AJ. Addressing Fecal Contamination in Rural Kenyan Households: The Roles of Environmental Interventions and Animal Ownership. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9500-9514. [PMID: 38760010 PMCID: PMC11155254 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Combined water, sanitation, and handwashing (WSH) interventions could reduce fecal contamination along more transmission pathways than single interventions alone. We measured Escherichia coli levels in 3909 drinking water samples, 2691 child hand rinses, and 2422 toy ball rinses collected from households enrolled in a 2-year cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating single and combined WSH interventions. Water treatment with chlorine reduced E. coli in drinking water. A combined WSH intervention improved water quality by the same magnitude but did not affect E. coli levels on hands or toys. One potential explanation for the limited impact of the sanitation intervention (upgraded latrines) is failure to address dog and livestock fecal contamination. Small ruminant (goat or sheep) ownership was associated with increased E. coli levels in stored water and on child hands. Cattle and poultry ownership was protective against child stunting, and domesticated animal ownership was not associated with child diarrhea. Our findings do not support restricting household animal ownership to prevent child diarrheal disease or stunting but do support calls for WSH infrastructure that can more effectively reduce household fecal contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna
M. Swarthout
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | | | - John Mboya
- Innovations
for Poverty Action, Nairobi 00200, Kenya
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Benjamin F. Arnold
- Francis
I. Proctor Foundation, Department of Ophthalmology and Institute for
Global Health Sciences, University of California,
San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
| | - Marlene K. Wolfe
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Emory
University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Holly N. Dentz
- Institute
for Global Nutrition, University of California,
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Audrie Lin
- Department
of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States
| | - Charles D. Arnold
- Institute
for Global Nutrition, University of California,
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Gouthami Rao
- Department
of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Christine P. Stewart
- Institute
for Global Nutrition, University of California,
Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Thomas Clasen
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Emory
University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - John M. Colford
- School
of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Clair Null
- Mathematica, Washington, District of
Columbia 20002, United States
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chan
Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, United States
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Legge H, Kazungo K, Muli S, Elson L, Mwongeli J, Halliday KE, Ochwal V, Oswald W, Dreibelbis R, Njomo D, Mwandawiro C, Fillinger U, Pullan R, Kepha S. Identifying Potential Determinants of Faecal Contamination on Domestic Floors in Three Settings in Rural Kenya: A Mixed Methods Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241246454. [PMID: 38737960 PMCID: PMC11088304 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241246454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Observational evidence suggests that household floors may be an important domain for the transmission of enteric and parasitic infections. However, little work has been done to investigate how household floors can become contaminated with human and animal faeces. This study uses a mixed methods approach to postulate the proximal and distal determinants of household floor contamination with faeces in groups of rural villages in 3 counties in Kenya (Bungoma, Kwale and Narok). Quantitative data was collected through a household census and analysed descriptively and using mixed effects logistic regression models. Qualitative data was collected through unstructured observations of daily routines and in-depth interviews. These data were analysed thematically with case memos produced for routine activities that were hypothesised to be determinants of floor contamination. Possible proximal determinants of floor contamination included; (1) animal contact with floors; (2) child faeces disposal, and; (3) floor cleaning routines. Distal determinants are suggested to be rooted in the socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural context in which households were located and included; (1) the type and number of animals owned by households; (2) presence/absence of dedicated shelters for housing animals at night, which impacted whether sleeping or cooking areas were exposed to animals; (3) Accessibility of inside spaces to poultry and other roaming animals; (4) ownership of an improved floor; (5) ability of animals to access neighbours compounds; (6) seasonal changes in weather. These results will be of use in identifying the contexts in which faecal contamination of domestic floors may be contributing towards transmission of enteric and parasitic infections and in designing effective interventions to prevent this exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Legge
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Karisa Kazungo
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sharon Muli
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lynne Elson
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Jacinta Mwongeli
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Victoria Ochwal
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - William Oswald
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Doris Njomo
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ulrike Fillinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Stella Kepha
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
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Gizaw Z, Yalew AW, Bitew BD, Lee J, Bisesi M. Animal Handling Practice Among Rural Households in Northwest Ethiopia Increases the Risk of Childhood Diarrhea and Exposure to Pathogens From Animal Sources. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2024; 18:11786302241245057. [PMID: 38596430 PMCID: PMC11003343 DOI: 10.1177/11786302241245057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Background In Ethiopia, domestic animals and their feces are not properly contained. However, the risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens is not well documented. This study was conducted to assess animal handling practices and the risk of childhood diarrhea among rural households in northwest Ethiopia. Methods This study was done among 403 randomly selected households. Information on animal handling was collected using a questionnaire and spot-check observation. The occurrence of childhood diarrhea in 14 days prior to the survey was assessed based on the reports of female head of households. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the association between animal handling practices and childhood diarrhea. Results All the female head of households had contact with animal feces when preparing fuel disks and plastering the house components with animal dung. Domestic animals shared a corral within the living space of the humans in 20% of the households. Animals entered the human living quarters and accessed foods in 32% of the households. Moreover, 24% of the children aged 24 to 59 months had diarrhea in a 2-week period prior to the survey. Childhood diarrhea was associated with domestic animals sharing the same house as humans (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 8.6), presence of animal excreta in child playing areas (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2, 4.6), contact of domestic animals with stored foods (AOR: 3.5, 95% CI: 2.0, 5.9), trapped dirt under fingernails of female heads (AOR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.9, 7.5), open defecation (AOR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.8, 5.9), and unprotected sources (AOR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.1, 15.3). Conclusion Domestic animals and their excreta are not hygienically contained in the area. Animal handling practices including their excreta and the hygiene behavior of female head of households (eg, handwashing and food handling practices) should be improved to prevent childhood diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemichael Gizaw
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Global One Health Initiative (GOHi), the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Bikes Destaw Bitew
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Food Science and Technology, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael Bisesi
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Uprety S, Ngo I, Maggos M, Dangol B, Sherchan SP, Shisler JL, Amarasiri M, Sano D, Nguyen TH. Multiple pathogen contamination of water, hands, and fomites in rural Nepal and the effect of WaSH interventions. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 257:114341. [PMID: 38442666 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114341] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) interventions are the most effective in reducing diarrheal disease severity and prevalence. However, very few studies have investigated the effectiveness of WaSH intervention in reducing pathogen presence and concentration. In this study, we employed a microfluidic PCR approach to quantify twenty bacterial pathogens in water (n = 360), hands (n = 180), and fomite (n = 540) samples collected in rural households of Nepal to assess the pathogen exposures and the effect of WaSH intervention on contamination and exposure rates. The pathogen load and the exposure pathways for each pathogen in intervention and control villages were compared to understand the effects of WaSH intervention. Pathogens were detected in higher frequency and concentration from fomites samples, toilet handle (21.42%; 5.4,0 95%CI: mean log10 of 4.69, 5.96), utensils (23.5%; 5.47, 95%CI: mean log10 of 4.77, 6.77), and water vessels (22.42%; 5.53, 95%CI: mean log10 of 4.79, 6.60) as compared to cleaning water (14.36%; 5.05, 95%CI: mean log10 of 4.36, 5.89), drinking water (14.26%; 4.37, 85%CI: mean log10 of 4.37, 5.87), and hand rinse samples (16.92%; 5.49, 95%CI: mean log10 of 4.77, 6.39). There was no clear evidence that WaSH intervention reduced overall pathogen contamination in any tested pathway. However, we observed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the prevalence, but not concentration, of some target pathogens, including Enterococcus spp. in the intervention village compared to the control village for water and hands rinse samples. Conversely, no significant reduction in target pathogen concentration was observed for water and hand rinse samples. In swab samples, there was a reduction mostly in pathogen concentration rather than pathogen prevalence, highlighting that a reduction in pathogen prevalence was not always accompanied by a reduction in pathogen concentration. This study provides an understanding of WaSH intervention on microbe concentrations. Such data could help with better planning of intervention activities in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sital Uprety
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development (Sandec), Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Dübendorf, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan.
| | - Isaac Ngo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Marika Maggos
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Bipin Dangol
- Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Kathmandu, Nepal; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA; BioEnvironmental Science Program Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251, USA
| | - Joanna L Shisler
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mohan Amarasiri
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sano
- Department of Frontier Sciences for Advanced Environment, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan
| | - Thanh H Nguyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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7
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Uprety S, Sherchan SP, Narayanan P, Dangol B, Maggos M, Celmer A, Shisler J, Amarasiri M, Sano D, Nguyen TH. Microbial assessment of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) in temporary and permanent settlements two years after Nepal 2015 earthquake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162867. [PMID: 36931512 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Disaster-induced displacement often causes people to live in temporary settlements that have limited infrastructure and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH). Reducing the risk of diarrheal diseases in such situations requires knowing how housing influences the presence of pathogens in water and the interaction between human settlements and exposure to pathogens. A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2017 in two communities hard-hit by the Nepal 2015 earthquake: one recovered with newly reconstructed houses, and one recovered with residents still living in sheet metal temporary shelters constructed after the earthquake. We collected 60 water (30 drinking water and 30 cleaning water), 30 hand rinse, and 90 environmental swab samples (30 toilet handles, 30 utensils, and 30 water vessels) from selected households in each location and quantified 22 bacterial pathogens using microfluidic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (mfqPCR). A total of 59 samples were randomly selected for amplicon-based sequencing of the 16S rRNA, and it identified bacterial community profiles between these two settlements and their association with target genes of pathogenic bacteria. Target genes like uidA of Escherichia coli and the mip gene of Legionella pnuemophila showed significantly high frequency in specific sample types in temporary settlements than in permanent settlements. A significantly high concentration was observed in temporary settlements for Enterococcus spp. and S. typhimurium, specifically in swab samples. There was a sharp distinction of microbial community profiles between water and hand rinse samples with environmental swab samples, with a large abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria in swab samples in both settlements. This observation highlighted that fomite could be an important transmission route for pathogens in rural settings and designing key interventions to target different stages of transmission pathways is essential. Overall findings from this study suggest that the recovered settlement with higher quality housing may be less impacted by fecal contamination than recovering settlements and that interventions should be designed to disrupt multiple transmission pathways to reduce pathogen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sital Uprety
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development (Sandec), Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Dübendorf, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
| | - Samendra P Sherchan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Preeti Narayanan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Bipin Dangol
- Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Marika Maggos
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Alex Celmer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Joanna Shisler
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Mohan Amarasiri
- Department of Health Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sano
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Thanh H Nguyen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Institute of Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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Holcomb DA, Monteiro V, Capone D, António V, Chiluvane M, Cumbane V, Ismael N, Knee J, Kowalsky E, Lai A, Linden Y, Mataveia E, Nala R, Rao G, Ribeiro J, Cumming O, Viegas E, Brown J. Long-term impacts of an urban sanitation intervention on enteric pathogens in children in Maputo city, Mozambique: study protocol for a cross-sectional follow-up to the Maputo Sanitation (MapSan) trial 5 years postintervention. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e067941. [PMID: 37290945 PMCID: PMC10254709 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We previously assessed the effect of an onsite sanitation intervention in informal neighbourhoods of urban Maputo, Mozambique on enteric pathogen detection in children after 2 years of follow-up (Maputo Sanitation (MapSan) trial, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02362932). We found significant reductions in Shigella and Trichuris prevalence but only among children born after the intervention was delivered. In this study, we assess the health impacts of the sanitation intervention after 5 years among children born into study households postintervention. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We are conducting a cross-sectional household study of enteric pathogen detection in child stool and the environment at compounds (household clusters sharing sanitation and outdoor living space) that received the pour-flush toilet and septic tank intervention at least 5 years prior or meet the original criteria for trial control sites. We are enrolling at least 400 children (ages 29 days to 60 months) in each treatment arm. Our primary outcome is the prevalence of 22 bacterial, protozoan, and soil transmitted helminth enteric pathogens in child stool using the pooled prevalence ratio across the outcome set to assess the overall intervention effect. Secondary outcomes include the individual pathogen detection prevalence and gene copy density of 27 enteric pathogens (including viruses); mean height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height z-scores; prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting; and the 7-day period prevalence of caregiver-reported diarrhoea. All analyses are adjusted for prespecified covariates and examined for effect measure modification by age. Environmental samples from study households and the public domain are assessed for pathogens and faecal indicators to explore environmental exposures and monitor disease transmission. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Study protocols have been reviewed and approved by human subjects review boards at the Ministry of Health, Republic of Mozambique and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Deidentified study data will be deposited at https://osf.io/e7pvk/. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN86084138.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Holcomb
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vanessa Monteiro
- Centro de Investigação e Treino em Saúde da Polana Caniço, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Drew Capone
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Virgílio António
- Division of Biotechnology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | - Márcia Chiluvane
- Centro de Investigação e Treino em Saúde da Polana Caniço, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Victória Cumbane
- Centro de Investigação e Treino em Saúde da Polana Caniço, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Nália Ismael
- Division of Biotechnology and Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | - Jackie Knee
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Erin Kowalsky
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amanda Lai
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yarrow Linden
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elly Mataveia
- Centro de Investigação e Treino em Saúde da Polana Caniço, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Rassul Nala
- Division of Parasitology, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Gouthami Rao
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jorge Ribeiro
- Centro de Investigação e Treino em Saúde da Polana Caniço, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Edna Viegas
- Centro de Investigação e Treino em Saúde da Polana Caniço, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Joe Brown
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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9
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Yan K, Wei M, Li F, Wu C, Yi S, Tian J, Liu Y, Lu H. Diffusion and enrichment of high-risk antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via the transmission chain (mulberry leave, guts and feces of silkworm, and soil) in an ecological restoration area of manganese mining, China: Role of heavy metals. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 225:115616. [PMID: 36871940 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the diffusion and enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens via the transmission chain (mulberry leaves - silkworm guts - silkworm feces - soil) near a manganese mine restoration area (RA) and control area (CA, away from RA). Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs was testified by an IncP a-type broad host range plasmid RP4 harboring ARGs (tetA) and conjugative genes (e.g., korB, trbA, and trbB) as an indicator. Compared to leaves, the abundances of ARGs and pathogens in feces after silkworms ingested leaves from RA increased by 10.8% and 52.3%, respectively, whereas their abundance in feces from CA dropped by 17.1% and 97.7%, respectively. The predominant ARG types in feces involved the resistances to β-lactam, quinolone, multidrug, peptide, and rifamycin. Therein, several high-risk ARGs (e.g., qnrB, oqxA, and rpoB) carried by pathogens were more enriched in feces. However, HGT mediated by plasmid RP4 in this transmission chain was not a main factor to promote the enrichment of ARGs due to the harsh survival environment of silkworm guts for the plasmid RP4 host E. coli. Notably, Zn, Mn, and As in feces and guts promoted the enrichment of qnrB and oqxA. Worriedly, the abundance of qnrB and oqxA in soil increased by over 4-fold after feces from RA were added into soil for 30 days regardless of feces with or without E. coli RP4. Overall, ARGs and pathogens could diffuse and enrich in environment via the sericulture transmission chain developed at RA, especially some high-risk ARGs carried by pathogens. Thus, greater attentions should be paid to dispel such high-risk ARGs to support benign development of sericulture industry in the safe utilization of some RAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanxuan Yan
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Ming Wei
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Feng Li
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China.
| | - Chen Wu
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Shengwei Yi
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Jiang Tian
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Yun Liu
- College of Environment Science and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory for High-efficiency Purification Technology and Its Application in Complex Heavy Metal Wastewater Treatment, Xiangtan, 411105, China; Scientific Research Innovation Platform of Environmental Behavior and Control Principle About Novel Pollutants in Hunan Provincial Universities, Xiangtan, 411105, China
| | - Hainan Lu
- State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Urban Soil Contamination Control and Remediation, Shanghai Academy of Environment Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
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10
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Alegbeleye O, Sant'Ana AS. Microbiological quality of irrigation water for cultivation of fruits and vegetables: An overview of available guidelines, water testing strategies and some factors that influence compliance. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:114771. [PMID: 36586712 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Contaminated irrigation water is among many potential vehicles of human pathogens to food plants, constituting significant public health risks especially for the fresh produce category. This review discusses some available guidelines or regulations for microbiological safety of irrigation water, and provides a summary of some common methods used for characterizing microbial contamination. The goal of such exploration is to understand some of the considerations that influence formulation of water testing guidelines, describe priority microbial parameters particularly with respect to food safety risks, and attempt to determine what methods are most suitable for their screening. Furthermore, the review discusses factors that influence the potential for microbiologically polluted irrigation water to pose substantial risks of pathogenic contamination to produce items. Some of these factors include type of water source exploited, irrigation methods, other agro ecosystem features/practices, as well as pathogen traits such as die-off rates. Additionally, the review examines factors such as food safety knowledge, other farmer attitudes or inclinations, level of social exposure and financial circumstances that influence adherence to water testing guidelines and other safe water application practices. A thorough understanding of relevant risk metrics for the application and management of irrigation water is necessary for the development of water testing criteria. To determine sampling and analytical approach for water testing, factors such as agricultural practices (which differ among farms and regionally), as well as environmental factors that modulate how water quality may affect the microbiological safety of produce should be considered. Research and technological advancements that can improve testing approach and the determination of target levels for hazard characterization or description for the many different pollution contexts as well as farmer adherence to testing requirements, are desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwadara Alegbeleye
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Sant'Ana
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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11
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Hornsby G, Ibitoye TD, Keelara S, Harris A. Validation of a modified IDEXX defined-substrate assay for detection of antimicrobial resistant E. coli in environmental reservoirs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:37-43. [PMID: 36562251 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00189f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria has been identified as one of the principal public health threats of the 21st century. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long recognized the threat of AMR bacteria and highlights environmental surveillance as a key step in understanding and combating the global rise of antimicrobial resistance. Here, we modified and validated an IDEXX defined-substrate assay commonly used for recreational water quality monitoring of E. coli to enumerate cefotaxime resistant E. coli in environmental reservoirs. We then applied this method to understand AMR trends in multiple environmental matrices over time. This modified IDEXX assay performed highly similarly to two widely accepted plating methods (TBX and MacConkey agar) for enumerating AMR bacteria in pure culture samples and environmental matrices, indicating it is a valid method for enumerating AMR E. coli in the environment. We detected AMR E. coli in urban surface water (63%, 15/24 samples), surface soil (35%, 8/23), and waterfowl feces (43%, 3/7). Sampling around a heavy rain event also revealed that concentrations of AMR E. coli and total E. coli co-vary over time in both surface water and surface soil. This novel method can reliably be performed outside of a laboratory setting and has very low equipment requirements, meaning it has tremendous potential to bolster global monitoring efforts, particularly in resource-restricted and highly rural settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracie Hornsby
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, College of Engineering, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Temitope D Ibitoye
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, College of Engineering, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Shivaramu Keelara
- College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Angela Harris
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, College of Engineering, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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12
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Swarthout JM, Chan EMG, Garcia D, Nadimpalli ML, Pickering AJ. Human Colonization with Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria from Nonoccupational Exposure to Domesticated Animals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14875-14890. [PMID: 35947446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Data on community-acquired antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are particularly sparse in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Limited surveillance and oversight of antibiotic use in food-producing animals, inadequate access to safe drinking water, and insufficient sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in LMICs could exacerbate the risk of zoonotic antibiotic resistance transmission. This critical review compiles evidence of zoonotic exchange of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) or antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within households and backyard farms in LMICs, as well as assesses transmission mechanisms, risk factors, and environmental transmission pathways. Overall, substantial evidence exists for exchange of antibiotic resistance between domesticated animals and in-contact humans. Whole bacteria transmission and horizontal gene transfer between humans and animals were demonstrated within and between households and backyard farms. Further, we identified water, soil, and animal food products as environmental transmission pathways for exchange of ARB and ARGs between animals and humans, although directionality of transmission is poorly understood. Herein we propose study designs, methods, and topical considerations for priority incorporation into future One Health research to inform effective interventions and policies to disrupt zoonotic antibiotic resistance exchange in low-income communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Swarthout
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Elana M G Chan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Denise Garcia
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Maya L Nadimpalli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
- Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
| | - Amy J Pickering
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Stuart B. Levy Center for Integrated Management of Antimicrobial Resistance, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, United States
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13
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Workman CL, Stoler J, Harris A, Ercumen A, Kearns J, Mapunda KM. Food, water, and sanitation insecurities: Complex linkages and implications for achieving WASH security. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3060-3075. [PMID: 34506263 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1971735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Food, water and sanitation insecurities are complex, multi-dimensional phenomena that entail more than availability and access; food, water, and sanitation resources must be safe and culturally appropriate. Researchers and implementers concerned with these insecurities have demonstrated that there are notable interactions between them resulting in significant psychological and biological outcomes. Recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in Bangladesh, Kenya (WASH Benefits) and Zimbabwe (SHINE) demonstrated no effect from water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions on linear growth, and mixed evidence on enteropathogen burden and risk of diarrhoea in young children. These data suggest a need for a more comprehensive understanding of WASH security. The risks posed by multiple resource insecurities shift depending on the individual, their movement throughout their day, their economically and socially prescribed roles, and ecological features such as seasonality and precipitation. By more fully integrating food, water and sanitation security in interventions and subsequent impact evaluations, we can achieve WASH security-one that addresses myriad transmission pathways and co-occurring diseases-that ultimately would improve health outcomes throughout the world. In this critical review, we outline the complexity of combined resource insecurities as a step towards transformative WASH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Angela Harris
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
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14
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Differential Overlap in Human and Animal Fecal Microbiomes and Resistomes in Rural versus Urban Bangladesh. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0075922. [DOI: 10.1128/aem.00759-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
While the development of antibiotic resistance in animal gut microbiomes and subsequent transmission to humans has been demonstrated in intensive farming environments and high-income countries, evidence of zoonotic exchange of antibiotic resistance in LMIC communities is lacking. This research provides genomic evidence of overlap of antibiotic resistance genes between humans and animals, especially in urban communities, and highlights chickens as important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance.
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15
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Lambrecht NJ, Wilson ML, Bridges D, Eisenberg JNS, Adu B, Baylin A, Folson G, Jones AD. Ruminant-Related Risk Factors are Associated with Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infection in Children in Southern Ghana. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:513-522. [PMID: 34844207 PMCID: PMC8832919 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock can provide benefits to low-income households, yet may expose children to zoonotic enteropathogens that cause illness and negative long-term health outcomes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether livestock-related risk factors, including animal ownership, exposure to animal feces, and consumption of animal-source foods, were associated with bacterial zoonotic enteropathogen infections in children 6-59 months old in Greater Accra, Ghana. Stool samples from 259 children and 156 household chickens were analyzed for atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC), Campylobacter jejuni/coli (C. jejuni/coli), Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). aEPEC, C. jejuni/coli, STEC, and Salmonella were detected in 45.6%, 11.6%, 4.3%, and 0.8% of children's stool samples, respectively. In adjusted logistic regression models, household ownership of goats or sheep was associated with STEC detection in children (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 4.30 [1.32, 14.08]), as were positive detection of STEC in chicken feces (7.85 [2.54, 24.30]) and frequent consumption of fresh cow's milk (3.03 [1.75, 5.24]). No livestock-related risk factors were associated with aEPEC or C. jejuni/coli infection in children. Our findings suggest that ruminant ownership in southern Ghana may expose children to STEC through household fecal contamination and foodborne routes. The lack of association between livestock risk factors and the more commonly detected pathogens, aEPEC and C. jejuni/coli, warrants further research, particularly to help explain how animal-keeping and sanitation practices affect transmission of fecal pathogens that were highly prevalent in chicken feces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie J. Lambrecht
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;,Address correspondence to Nathalie J. Lambrecht, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Public Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. E-mail:
| | - Mark L. Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Dave Bridges
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Joseph N. S. Eisenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Bright Adu
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Ana Baylin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan;,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Gloria Folson
- Department of Nutrition, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Andrew D. Jones
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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16
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Palit P, Das R, Haque MA, Nuzhat S, Khan SS, Siddiqua TJ, Mahfuz M, Faruque ASG, Ahmed T. Risk Factors for Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis Infection and Association with Environmental Enteric Dysfunction and Linear Growth in Children: Results from the MAL-ED Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:915-922. [PMID: 35100563 PMCID: PMC8922507 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite reports of enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) isolation from asymptomatic children, no reports exist regarding the possible association of ETBF with long-term complications such as development of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) and subsequent linear growth faltering in childhood. We aimed to establish a potential association between the burden of asymptomatic ETBF infection and EED and linear growth at 24 months of age using the data collected from 1,715 children enrolled in the multi-country birth cohort study, known as the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health study. Using Poisson regression models, we evaluated the site-specific incidence rate and, subsequently, identified the risk factors and assessed the association between the burden of ETBF infection and EED score and linear growth at 24 months of age. The overall incidence rate of ETBF infections per 100 child-months across all study sites was 10.6%, with the highest and lowest incidence of ETBF infections being reported in Tanzania (19.6%) and Peru (3.6%), respectively. Female gender, longer duration of breastfeeding, and improved water access, sanitation, and hygiene practices, such as improved drinking water source, improved sanitation, and improved floor material in households, along with enhanced maternal education and less crowding in the households were found to be protective against incidences of ETBF infection. The burden of ETBF infections was found to have significant associations with EED and linear growth faltering at 24 months of age across all the study sites. Our findings warrant regular clinical monitoring to reduce the burden of ETBF infections and diminish the burden of enteropathy and linear growth faltering in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parag Palit
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rina Das
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ahshanul Haque
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sharika Nuzhat
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shaila Sharmeen Khan
- Emerging Infections and Parasitology Laboratory, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Towfida Jahan Siddiqua
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mustafa Mahfuz
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Abu Syed Golam Faruque
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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17
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Espira L, Aung T, Han K, Jagger P, Eisenberg JNS. Determinants of Pathogen Contamination of the Environment in the Greater Yangon Area, Myanmar. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:16465-16476. [PMID: 34792323 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent results from water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions highlight the need to better understand environmental influences on enteropathogen transmission. We quantified a range of viral, bacterial, and protozoal pathogens and one indicator, Enterococcus faecalis in soil and water from urban and rural sites in and around Yangon, Myanmar. We found that environmental characteristics associated with contamination differed by pathogens and substrates. In soil, bacterial pathogen gene counts were associated with elevation and drainage ditches (compared to stagnant water) (RR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.93, 0.99 and RR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.18, 2.45, respectively), while viral gene counts were associated with the presence of sanitation facilities within 50 m of the collection point (RR = 3.99, 95% CI 1.12, 14.24). In water, E. faecalis, total pathogen, and bacterial pathogen gene counts were associated with drainage ditches (RR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.27, 2.72, RR = 1.38 95% CI 1.09, 1.74, and RR = 1.38 95% CI 1.07, 1.77, respectively). E. faecalis, total pathogen, bacterial pathogen, and viral gene counts were associated with the presence of uncollected garbage within 50 m of the collection point (RR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.00, 2.47, RR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.16, 2.00, RR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.13, 2.06, and RR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.17, 2.61 respectively). Measuring the environment provides added specificity toward identifying important environmental pathways that require mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Espira
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ther Aung
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, United States
| | - Khin Han
- Department of Geography, West Yangon University, Yangon 13393, Myanmar
| | - Pamela Jagger
- School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Joseph N S Eisenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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18
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Site specific incidence rate of virulence related genes of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and association with enteric inflammation and growth in children. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23178. [PMID: 34848801 PMCID: PMC8632913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a lack of information highlighting the possible association between strain carrying genes of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) and on linear growth during childhood. Strain carrying genes of EAEC from stool samples collected from 1705 children enrolled in the MAL-ED birth cohort were detected by TaqMan Array Cards. We measured site-specific incidence rate by using Poisson regression models, identified the risk factors and estimated the associations of strain carrying genes of EAEC with the composite EED score and linear growth at 24 months of age. Overall highest incidence rate (43.3%) was found among children having infection with the aggR gene, which was the greatest in Tanzania (56.7%). Low maternal education, lack of improved floor, and ownership of domestic cattle were found to be risk factors for EAEC infection. In the multivariate models, after adjusting the potential covariates, strain carrying genes of EAEC showed strong positive associations with the EED scores and with poor linear growth at 24 months of age. Our analyses may lay the cornerstone for a prospective epidemiologic investigation for a potential vaccine development aimed at reducing the burden of EAEC infections and combat childhood malnutrition.
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19
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Biological Indicators for Fecal Pollution Detection and Source Tracking: A Review. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9112058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fecal pollution, commonly detected in untreated or less treated sewage, is associated with health risks (e.g., waterborne diseases and antibiotic resistance dissemination), ecological issues (e.g., release of harmful gases in fecal sludge composting, proliferative bacterial/algal growth due to high nutrient loads) and economy losses (e.g., reduced aqua farm harvesting). Therefore, the discharge of untreated domestic sewage to the environment and its agricultural reuse are growing concerns. The goals of fecal pollution detection include fecal waste source tracking and identifying the presence of pathogens, therefore assessing potential health risks. This review summarizes available biological fecal indicators focusing on host specificity, degree of association with fecal pollution, environmental persistence, and quantification methods in fecal pollution assessment. The development of practical tools is a crucial requirement for the implementation of mitigation strategies that may help confine the types of host-specific pathogens and determine the source control point, such as sourcing fecal wastes from point sources and nonpoint sources. Emerging multidisciplinary bacterial enumeration platforms are also discussed, including individual working mechanisms, applications, advantages, and limitations.
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20
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Chen D, Mechlowitz K, Li X, Schaefer N, Havelaar AH, McKune SL. Benefits and Risks of Smallholder Livestock Production on Child Nutrition in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Front Nutr 2021; 8:751686. [PMID: 34778344 PMCID: PMC8579112 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.751686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock production may improve nutritional outcomes of pregnant women and children by increasing household income, availability of nutrient-dense foods, and women's empowerment. Nevertheless, the relationship is complex, and the nutritional status of children may be impaired by presence of or proximity to livestock and their pathogens. In this paper, we review the benefits and risks of livestock production on child nutrition. Evidence supports the nutritional benefits of livestock farming through income, production, and women's empowerment. Increasing animal source food consumption requires a combination of efforts, including improved animal management so that herd size is adequate to meet household income needs and consumption and addressing sociocultural and gendered norms. Evidence supports the inclusion of behavior change communication strategies into livestock production interventions to facilitate the sustainability of nutritional benefits over time, particularly interventions that engage women and foster dimensions of women's empowerment. In evaluating the risks of livestock production, evidence indicates that a broad range of enteric pathogens may chronically infect the intestines of children and, in combination with dietary deficits, may cause environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a chronic inflammation of the gut. Some of the most important pathogens associated with EED are zoonotic in nature with livestock as their main reservoir. Very few studies have aimed to understand which livestock species contribute most to colonization with these pathogens, or how to reduce transmission. Control at the point of exposure has been investigated in a few studies, but much less effort has been spent on improving animal husbandry practices, which may have additional benefits. There is an urgent need for dedicated and long-term research to understand which livestock species contribute most to exposure of young children to zoonotic enteric pathogens, to test the potential of a wide range of intervention methods, to assess their effectiveness in randomized trials, and to assure their broad adaptation and sustainability. This review highlights the benefits and risks of livestock production on child nutrition. In addition to identifying research gaps, findings support inclusion of poor gut health as an immediate determinant of child undernutrition, expanding the established UNICEF framework which includes only inadequate diet and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehao Chen
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Karah Mechlowitz
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Nancy Schaefer
- Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Arie H. Havelaar
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Institute for Sustainable Food Systems, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sarah L. McKune
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for African Studies, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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21
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Holcomb DA, Knee J, Capone D, Sumner T, Adriano Z, Nalá R, Cumming O, Brown J, Stewart JR. Impacts of an Urban Sanitation Intervention on Fecal Indicators and the Prevalence of Human Fecal Contamination in Mozambique. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:11667-11679. [PMID: 34382777 PMCID: PMC8429117 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fecal source tracking (FST) may be useful to assess pathways of fecal contamination in domestic environments and to estimate the impacts of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in low-income settings. We measured two nonspecific and two human-associated fecal indicators in water, soil, and surfaces before and after a shared latrine intervention from low-income households in Maputo, Mozambique, participating in the Maputo Sanitation (MapSan) trial. Up to a quarter of households were impacted by human fecal contamination, but trends were unaffected by improvements to shared sanitation facilities. The intervention reduced Escherichia coli gene concentrations in soil but did not impact culturable E. coli or the prevalence of human FST markers in a difference-in-differences analysis. Using a novel Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach to account for human marker diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, we revealed a high amount of uncertainty associated with human FST measurements and intervention effect estimates. The field of microbial source tracking would benefit from adding measures of diagnostic accuracy to better interpret findings, particularly when FST analyses convey insufficient information for robust inference. With improved measures, FST could help identify dominant pathways of human and animal fecal contamination in communities and guide the implementation of effective interventions to safeguard health.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Holcomb
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States of America
| | - Jackie Knee
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States of America
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Drew Capone
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States of America
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States of America
| | - Trent Sumner
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States of America
| | | | - Rassul Nalá
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Brown
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States of America
| | - Jill R. Stewart
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States of America
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22
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Kapoor R, Ebdon J, Wadhwa A, Chowdhury G, Wang Y, Raj SJ, Siesel C, Durry SE, Mairinger W, Mukhopadhyay AK, Kanungo S, Dutta S, Moe CL. Evaluation of Low-Cost Phage-Based Microbial Source Tracking Tools for Elucidating Human Fecal Contamination Pathways in Kolkata, India. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:673604. [PMID: 34093494 PMCID: PMC8173070 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.673604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phages, such as those infecting Bacteroides spp., have been proven to be reliable indicators of human fecal contamination in microbial source tracking (MST) studies, and the efficacy of these MST markers found to vary geographically. This study reports the application and evaluation of candidate MST methods (phages infecting previously isolated B. fragilis strain GB-124, newly isolated Bacteroides strains (K10, K29, and K33) and recently isolated Kluyvera intermedia strain ASH-08), along with non-source specific somatic coliphages (SOMCPH infecting strain WG-5) and indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli) for identifying fecal contamination pathways in Kolkata, India. Source specificity of the phage-based methods was first tested using 60 known non-human fecal samples from common animals, before being evaluated with 56 known human samples (municipal sewage) collected during both the rainy and dry season. SOMCPH were present in 40-90% of samples from different animal species and in 100% of sewage samples. Phages infecting Bacteroides strain GB-124 were not detected from the majority (95%) of animal samples (except in three porcine samples) and were present in 93 and 71% of the sewage samples in the rainy and dry season (Mean = 1.42 and 1.83 log10PFU/100mL, respectively), though at lower levels than SOMCPH (Mean = 3.27 and 3.02 log10PFU/100mL, respectively). Phages infecting strain ASH-08 were detected in 89 and 96% of the sewage samples in the rainy and dry season, respectively, but were also present in all animal samples tested (except goats). Strains K10, K29, and K30 were not found to be useful MST markers due to low levels of phages and/or co-presence in non-human sources. GB-124 and SOMCPH were subsequently deployed within two low-income neighborhoods to determine the levels and origin of fecal contamination in 110 environmental samples. E. coli, SOMCPH, and phages of GB-124 were detected in 68, 42, and 28% of the samples, respectively. Analyses of 166 wastewater samples from shared community toilets and 21 samples from sewage pumping stations from the same districts showed that SOMCPH were present in 100% and GB-124 phages in 31% of shared toilet samples (Median = 5.59 and <1 log10 PFU/100 mL, respectively), and both SOMCPH and GB-124 phages were detected in 95% of pumping station samples (Median = 5.82 and 4.04 log10 PFU/100 mL, respectively). Our findings suggest that GB-124 and SOMCPH have utility as low-cost fecal indicator tools which can facilitate environmental surveillance of enteric organisms, elucidate human and non-human fecal exposure pathways, and inform interventions to mitigate exposure to fecal contamination in the residential environment of Kolkata, India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renuka Kapoor
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - James Ebdon
- Environment and Public Health Research and Enterprise Group (EPHREG), University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Ashutosh Wadhwa
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Goutam Chowdhury
- ICMR – National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Yuke Wang
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Suraja J. Raj
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Casey Siesel
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Durry
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Wolfgang Mairinger
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Suman Kanungo
- ICMR – National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Shanta Dutta
- ICMR – National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, India
| | - Christine L. Moe
- Center for Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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23
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Lappan R, Henry R, Chown SL, Luby SP, Higginson EE, Bata L, Jirapanjawat T, Schang C, Openshaw JJ, O'Toole J, Lin A, Tela A, Turagabeci A, Wong THF, French MA, Brown RR, Leder K, Greening C, McCarthy D. Monitoring of diverse enteric pathogens across environmental and host reservoirs with TaqMan array cards and standard qPCR: a methodological comparison study. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e297-e308. [PMID: 33964239 PMCID: PMC8116308 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple bacteria, viruses, protists, and helminths cause enteric infections that greatly impact human health and wellbeing. These enteropathogens are transmited via several pathways through human, animal, and environmental reservoirs. Individual qPCR assays have been extensively used to detect enteropathogens within these types of samples, whereas the TaqMan array card (TAC), which allows simultaneous detection of multiple enteropathogens, has only previously been validated in human clinical samples. METHODS In this methodological comparison study, we compared the performance of a custom 48-singleplex TAC relative to standard qPCR. We established the sensitivity and specificity of each method for the detection of eight enteric targets, by using spiked samples with varying levels of PCR inhibition. We then tested the prevalence and abundance of pathogens in wastewater from Melbourne (Australia), and human, animal, and environmental samples from informal settlements in Suva, Fiji using both TAC and qPCR. FINDINGS Both methods exhibited similarly h specificity (TAC 100%, qPCR 94%), sensitivity (TAC 92%, qPCR 100%), and quantitation accuracy (TAC 91%, qPCR 99%) in non-inhibited sample matrices with spiked gene fragments. PCR inhibitors substantially affected detection via TAC, though this issue was alleviated by ten-fold sample dilution. Among samples from informal settlements, the two techniques performed similarly for detection (89% agreement) and quantitation (R2 0·82) for the eight enteropathogen targets. The TAC additionally included 38 other enteric targets, enabling detection of diverse faecal pathogens and extensive environmental contamination that would be prohibitively labour intensive to assay by standard qPCR. INTERPRETATION The two techniques produced similar results across diverse sample types, with qPCR prioritising greater sensitivity and quantitation accuracy, and TAC trading small reductions in these for a cost-effective larger enteropathogen panel enabling a greater number of enteric pathogens to be analysed concurrently, which is beneficial given the abundance and variety of enteric pathogens in environments such as urban informal settlements. The ability to monitor multiple enteric pathogens across diverse reservoirs could allow better resolution of pathogen exposure pathways, and the design and monitoring of interventions to reduce pathogen load. FUNDING Wellcome Trust Our Planet, Our Health programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Lappan
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebekah Henry
- Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven L Chown
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen P Luby
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ellen E Higginson
- Cambridge Institute for Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lamiya Bata
- Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Thanavit Jirapanjawat
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Christelle Schang
- Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - John J Openshaw
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joanne O'Toole
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Audrie Lin
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Autiko Tela
- School of Public Health, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | | | - Tony H F Wong
- Water Sensitive Cities Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew A French
- Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebekah R Brown
- Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Karin Leder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chris Greening
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - David McCarthy
- Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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24
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Byrne DM, Hamilton KA, Houser SA, Mubasira M, Katende D, Lohman HAC, Trimmer JT, Banadda N, Zerai A, Guest JS. Navigating Data Uncertainty and Modeling Assumptions in Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment in an Informal Settlement in Kampala, Uganda. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:5463-5474. [PMID: 33750111 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Decision-makers in developing communities often lack credible data to inform decisions related to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), which quantifies pathogen-related health risks across exposure routes, can be informative; however, the utility of QMRA for decision-making is often undermined by data gaps. This work integrates QMRA, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, and household surveys in Bwaise, Kampala (Uganda) to characterize the implications of censored data management, identify sources of uncertainty, and incorporate risk perceptions to improve the suitability of QMRA for informal settlements or similar settings. In Bwaise, drinking water, hand rinse, and soil samples were collected from 45 households and supplemented with data from 844 surveys. Quantified pathogen (adenovirus, Campylobacter jejuni, and Shigella spp./EIEC) concentrations were used with QMRA to model infection risks from exposure through drinking water, hand-to-mouth contact, and soil ingestion. Health risks were most sensitive to pathogen data, hand-to-mouth contact frequency, and dose-response models (particularly C. jejuni). When managing censored data, results from upper limits of detection, half of limits of detection, and uniform distributions returned similar results, which deviated from lower limits of detection and maximum likelihood estimation imputation approaches. Finally, risk perceptions (e.g., it is unsafe to drink directly from a water source) were identified to inform risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Byrne
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Kerry A Hamilton
- The School with Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment and The Biodesign Institute Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Stephanie A Houser
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Muwonge Mubasira
- Community Integrated Development Initiatives, P.O. Box 764, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Katende
- Community Integrated Development Initiatives, P.O. Box 764, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hannah A C Lohman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - John T Trimmer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Noble Banadda
- Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Assata Zerai
- Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Jeremy S Guest
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 North Mathews Avenue, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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25
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Lambrecht NJ, Wilson ML, Baylin A, Folson G, Naabah S, Eisenberg JNS, Adu B, Jones AD. Associations between livestock ownership and lower odds of anaemia among children 6-59 months old are not mediated by animal-source food consumption in Ghana. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2021; 17:e13163. [PMID: 33645904 PMCID: PMC8189243 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Livestock ownership may mitigate anaemia among young children by providing access to animal-source foods (ASFs) yet exacerbate anaemia by exposing children to animal-source pathogens. This study aimed to assess the association between household livestock ownership and child anaemia and examine whether this relationship is mediated by child ASF consumption or by child morbidity and inflammation. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 470 children aged 6-59 months in Greater Accra, Ghana. Child blood samples were analysed for haemoglobin concentration, iron status biomarkers and inflammatory biomarkers. Caregivers were asked about the child's frequency of ASF consumption in the past 3 months. Livestock ownership was categorized into five typologies to distinguish households by the number and combinations of species owned. In adjusted logistic regression, children from households in Type 5, owning cattle, small livestock (goats, sheep or pigs) and poultry, had lower odds of anaemia compared with those in Type 1, owning no livestock (OR [95% CI]: 0.32 [0.14, 0.71]). Although children from households that owned poultry were more likely to consume chicken meat, and children from households with cattle were more likely to drink cow's milk, consumption of these ASFs did not mediate the observed association between livestock ownership and child anaemia. There were no associations between livestock ownership and children's symptoms of illness or inflammation. Further research is needed to understand how ownership of certain livestock species, or a greater diversity of livestock species, may be associated with the risk of child anaemia, including the role of dietary and income-based pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie J Lambrecht
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mark L Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ana Baylin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Gloria Folson
- Department of Nutrition, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Joseph N S Eisenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Bright Adu
- Department of Immunology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Andrew D Jones
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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26
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Harvey AP, Fuhrmeister ER, Cantrell ME, Pitol AK, Swarthout JM, Powers JE, Nadimpalli ML, Julian TR, Pickering AJ. Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on High-Touch Surfaces in a Community Setting. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2021; 8:168-175. [PMID: 34192125 PMCID: PMC7927285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Environmental surveillance of surface contamination is an unexplored tool for understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. We conducted longitudinal swab sampling of high-touch non-porous surfaces in a Massachusetts town during a COVID-19 outbreak from April to June 2020. Twenty-nine of 348 (8.3%) surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, including crosswalk buttons, trash can handles, and door handles of essential business entrances (grocery store, liquor store, bank, and gas station). The estimated risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface was low (less than 5 in 10,000) by quantitative microbial risk assessment, suggesting fomites play a minimal role in SARS-CoV-2 community transmission. The weekly percentage of positive samples (out of n = 33 unique surfaces per week) best predicted variation in city-level COVID-19 cases with a 7-day lead time. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on high-touch surfaces may be a useful tool to provide early warning of COVID-19 case trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail P. Harvey
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | | | - Molly E. Cantrell
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Ana K. Pitol
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Jenna M. Swarthout
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Julie E. Powers
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Maya L. Nadimpalli
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Timothy R. Julian
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dubendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel CH-4051, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel CH-4055, Switzerland
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 94720
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27
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Capone D, Bivins A, Knee J, Cumming O, Nalá R, Brown J. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of Pediatric Infections Attributable to Ingestion of Fecally Contaminated Domestic Soils in Low-Income Urban Maputo, Mozambique. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1941-1952. [PMID: 33472364 PMCID: PMC7860170 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Rigorous studies of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) suggest that children are exposed to enteric pathogens via multiple interacting pathways, including soil ingestion. In 30 compounds (household clusters) in low-income urban Maputo, Mozambique, we cultured Escherichia coli and quantified gene targets from soils (E. coli: ybbW, Shigella/enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC): ipaH, Giardia duodenalis: β-giardin) using droplet digital PCR at three compound locations (latrine entrance, solid waste area, dishwashing area). We found that 88% of samples were positive for culturable E. coli (mean = 3.2 log10 CFUs per gram of dry soil), 100% for molecular E. coli (mean = 5.9 log10 gene copies per gram of dry soil), 44% for ipaH (mean = 2.5 log10), and 41% for β-giardin (mean = 2.1 log10). Performing stochastic quantitative microbial risk assessment using soil ingestion parameters from an LMIC setting for children 12-23 months old, we estimated that the median annual infection risk by G. duodenalis was 7100-fold (71% annual infection risk) and by Shigella/EIEC was 4000-fold (40% annual infection risk) greater than the EPA's standard for drinking water. Compounds in Maputo, and similar settings, require contact and source control strategies to reduce the ingestion of contaminated soil and achieve acceptable levels of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Capone
- Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Department
of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public
Health, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Aaron Bivins
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Jackie Knee
- Department
of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Department
of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, U.K.
| | - Rassul Nalá
- Ministério
da Saúde, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Maputo, Maputo 1100, Mozambique
| | - Joe Brown
- Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Department
of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Public
Health, University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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28
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Schiaffino F, Rengifo Trigoso D, Colston JM, Paredes Olortegui M, Shapiama Lopez WV, Garcia Bardales PF, Pisanic N, Davis MF, Penataro Yori P, Kosek MN. Associations among Household Animal Ownership, Infrastructure, and Hygiene Characteristics with Source Attribution of Household Fecal Contamination in Peri-Urban Communities of Iquitos, Peru. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:372-381. [PMID: 33146117 PMCID: PMC7790101 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Using previously validated microbial source tracking markers, we detected and quantified fecal contamination from avian species and avian exposure, dogs, and humans on household cooking tables and floors. The association among contamination, infrastructure, and socioeconomic covariates was assessed using simple and multiple ordinal logistic regressions. The presence of Campylobacter spp. in surface samples was linked to avian markers. Using molecular methods, animal feces were detected in 75.0% and human feces in 20.2% of 104 households. Floors were more contaminated than tables as detected by the avian marker Av4143, dog marker Bactcan, and human marker Bachum. Wood tables were consistently more contaminated than non-wood surfaces, specifically with the mitochondrial avian markers ND5 and CytB, fecal marker Av4143, and canine marker Bactcan. Final multivariable models with socioeconomic and infrastructure characteristics included as covariates indicate that detection of avian feces and avian exposure was associated with the presence of chickens, maternal age, and length of tenancy, whereas detection of human markers was associated with unimproved water source. Detection of Campylobacter in surface samples was associated with the avian fecal marker Av4143. We highlight the critical need to detect and measure the burden of animal fecal waste when evaluating household water, hygiene, and sanitation interventions, and the possibility of decreasing risk of exposure through the modification of surfaces to permit more effective household disinfection practices. Animals may be a more important source of household fecal contamination than humans in many low-resource settings, although interventions have historically focused almost exclusively on managing human waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Schiaffino
- 1Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,2Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Josh M Colston
- 4Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | | | | | | | - Nora Pisanic
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Meghan F Davis
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,6Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Pablo Penataro Yori
- 3Asociacion Benefica Prisma, Iquitos, Peru.,4Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Margaret N Kosek
- 3Asociacion Benefica Prisma, Iquitos, Peru.,4Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
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29
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Rowles LS, Whittaker T, Ward PM, Araiza I, Kirisits MJ, Lawler DF, Saleh NB. A Structural Equation Model to Decipher Relationships among Water, Sanitation, and Health in Colonias-Type Unincorporated Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:16017-16027. [PMID: 33259189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The colonias along the United States-Mexico border are generally self-built neighborhoods of low-income families that lack basic infrastructure. While some government assistance has provided roads and electricity, water and wastewater services are still lacking in many colonias. This research is the first to collect a comprehensive dataset on water, sanitation, health, and living conditions in these unincorporated neighborhoods through collection of water samples and surveys; 114 households in 23 colonias across three geographically diverse Texas counties are studied. Water quality is assessed via traditional microbial indicators, chlorine, and arsenic. This complex dataset requires an advanced statistical tool to disentangle relationships among diverse factors. Structural equation modeling is utilized to identify relationships among surveyed and measured variables. The model reveals that colonias residents with well/hauled water accurately predict their water quality, while those with treated+piped water tend to think that their water is worse than it actually is. Dwelling quality and connection to sanitary sewers influence perceived health risks and household health, respectively. Furthermore, these communities have an overwhelming need and desire for point-of-use water treatment. This model can inform decision making and may be adapted to probe other questions and social dynamics for water and sanitation in unincorporated communities elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis Stetson Rowles
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Tiffany Whittaker
- Educational Psychology Department, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Peter M Ward
- The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Isabel Araiza
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, United States
| | - Mary Jo Kirisits
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Desmond F Lawler
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Navid B Saleh
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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30
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Fuhrmeister ER, Ercumen A, Grembi JA, Islam M, Pickering AJ, Nelson KL. Shared bacterial communities between soil, stored drinking water, and hands in rural Bangladeshi households. WATER RESEARCH X 2020; 9:100056. [PMID: 32529181 PMCID: PMC7276488 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2020.100056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Understanding household-level transmission pathways of fecal pathogens can provide insight for developing effective strategies to reduce diarrheal illness in low- and middle-income countries. We applied whole bacterial community analysis to investigate pathways of bacterial transmission in 50 rural Bangladeshi households. SourceTracker was used to quantify the shared microbial community in household reservoirs (stored drinking water, soil, and hands) and estimate the percentage of fecal-associated bacteria from child and mothers' feces in these reservoirs. Among the reservoirs studied, most bacterial transfer occurred between mothers' and children's hands and between mothers' hands and stored water. The relative percentage of human fecal-associated bacteria in all household reservoirs was low. We also quantified the number of identical amplicon sequence variants within and between individual households to assess bacterial community exchange in the domestic environment. Intra-household sharing of bacteria between mothers' and children's hands and between hands and soil was significantly greater than inter-household sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica R. Fuhrmeister
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27607, United States
| | - Jessica A. Grembi
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States
| | - Mahfuza Islam
- Environmental Intervention Unit, Infectious Disease Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02153, United States
| | - Kara L. Nelson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States
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31
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George CM, Cirhuza LB, Birindwa A, Williams C, Beck S, Julian T, Kuhl J, Coglianese N, Thomas E, Bauler S, François R, Saxton R, Presence AS, Rusanga JCB, Perin J, Mirindi P. Child hand contamination is associated with subsequent pediatric diarrhea in rural Democratic Republic of the Congo (REDUCE Program). Trop Med Int Health 2020; 26:102-110. [PMID: 33151587 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Reducing Enteropathy, Undernutrition, and Contamination in the Environment (REDUCE) program focuses on identifying exposure pathways to faecal pathogens for young children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and on developing scalable interventions to reduce faecal contamination from these pathways. METHODS A prospective cohort study of 690 participants was conducted to investigate the association between hand, food, and environmental faecal contamination and diarrhoeal disease prevalence among young children in Walungu Territory, South Kivu, DRC. A total of 1923 hand rinse, soil, food, object, surface, stored water and water source samples were collected during unannounced spot checks after baseline enrolment and analysed for Escherichia coli. Caregiver reports of diarrhoea were obtained from children < 5 years at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS E.coli was detected in 73% of child and caregiver hand-rinse samples, 69% of soil samples from child play spaces, 54% of child food samples, 38% of objects and surfaces children were observed putting in their mouths, 74% of stored water samples, and 40% of source water samples. Children < 5 years with E. coli on their hands had significantly higher odds of diarrhoea at the 6-month follow-up (odds ratio: 2.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.05, 3.92)). CONCLUSION The cohort study findings from the REDUCE program have shown that child hand contamination is associated with diarrhoeal disease in rural DRC, and that there is high faecal contamination in child plays spaces and food. These findings provide evidence demonstrating the urgent need to provide clean play spaces for young children and interventions targeting hand hygiene to reduce paediatric exposure to faecal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Marie George
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lucien Bisimwa Cirhuza
- Food for the Hungry, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,URF-ECMI, Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa
| | | | - Camille Williams
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sara Beck
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Duebendorf, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Julian
- Food for the Hungry, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Kuhl
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth Thomas
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah Bauler
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Food for the Hungry, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Ruthly François
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ronald Saxton
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Jamie Perin
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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32
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Kwong LH, Ercumen A, Pickering AJ, Arsenault JE, Islam M, Parvez SM, Unicomb L, Rahman M, Davis J, Luby SP. Ingestion of Fecal Bacteria along Multiple Pathways by Young Children in Rural Bangladesh Participating in a Cluster-Randomized Trial of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions (WASH Benefits). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13828-13838. [PMID: 33078615 PMCID: PMC7643345 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying the contribution of individual exposure pathways to a child's total ingestion of fecal matter could help prioritize interventions to reduce environmental enteropathy and diarrhea. This study used data on fecal contamination of drinking water, food, soil, hands, and objects and second-by-second data on children's contacts with these environmental reservoirs in rural Bangladesh to assess the relative contribution of different pathways to children's ingestion of fecal indicator bacteria and if ingestion decreased with the water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions implemented in the WASH Benefits Trial. Our model estimated that rural Bangladeshi children <36 months old consume 3.6-4.9 log10 most probable number E. coli/day. Among children <6 months, placing objects in the mouth accounted for 60% of E. coli ingested. For children 6-35 months old, mouthing their own hands, direct soil ingestion, and ingestion of contaminated food were the primary pathways of E. coli ingestion. The amount of E. coli ingested by children and the predominant pathways of E. coli ingestion were unchanged by the water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. These results highlight contaminated soil, children's hands, food, and objects as primary pathways of E. coli ingestion and emphasize the value of intervening along these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura H. Kwong
- Woods
Institute for the Environment, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- Department
of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Joanne E. Arsenault
- Program
in International Community Nutrition, University
of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Mahfuza Islam
- International
Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Sarker M Parvez
- International
Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Leanne Unicomb
- International
Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbubur Rahman
- International
Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Woods
Institute for the Environment, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Stephen P. Luby
- Woods
Institute for the Environment, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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33
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Poulin C, Peletz R, Ercumen A, Pickering AJ, Marshall K, Boehm AB, Khush R, Delaire C. What Environmental Factors Influence the Concentration of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Groundwater? Insights from Explanatory Modeling in Uganda and Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13566-13578. [PMID: 32975935 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Information about microbial water quality is critical for managing water safety and protecting public health. In low-income countries, monitoring all drinking water supplies is impractical because financial resources and capacity are insufficient. Data sets derived from satellite imagery, census, and hydrological models provide an opportunity to examine relationships between a suite of environmental risk factors and microbial water quality over large geographical scales. We investigated the relationships between groundwater fecal contamination and different environmental parameters in Uganda and Bangladesh. In Uganda, groundwater contamination was associated with high population density (p < 0.001; OR = 1.27), high cropland coverage (p < 0.001; OR = 1.47), high average monthly precipitation (p < 0.001; OR = 1.14), and high surface runoff (p < 0.001; OR = 1.37), while low groundwater contamination was more likely in areas further from cities (p < 0.001; OR = 0.66) and with higher forest coverage (p < 0.001; OR = 0.70). In Bangladesh, contamination was associated with higher weekly precipitation (p < 0.001; OR = 1.44) and higher livestock density (p = 0.05; OR = 1.11), while low contamination was associated with low forest coverage (p < 0.001; OR = 1.23) and high cropland coverage (p < 0.001; OR = 0.80). We developed a groundwater contamination index for each country to help decision-makers identify areas where groundwater is most prone to fecal contamination and prioritize monitoring activities. Our approach demonstrates how to harness satellite-derived data to guide water safety management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Poulin
- The Aquaya Institute, PO Box 21862, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Ayse Ercumen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Amy J Pickering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02153, United States
| | | | - Alexandria B Boehm
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford California 94305-4020, United States
| | - Ranjiv Khush
- The Aquaya Institute, PO Box 21862, Nairobi, Kenya
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34
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An XL, Wang JY, Pu Q, Li H, Pan T, Li HQ, Pan FX, Su JQ. High-throughput diagnosis of human pathogens and fecal contamination in marine recreational water. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:109982. [PMID: 32745749 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Waterborne pathogens and their associated diseases are major threats to public health, and surveillance of pathogens and identification of the sources of pollution are imperative for preventing infections. However, simultaneously quantitative detection of multiple pathogens and pollution sources in water environments is the major challenge. In this study, we developed and validated a highly sensitive (mostly >80%) and highly specific (>99%) high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR) approach, which could simultaneously quantify 68 marker genes of 33 human pathogens and 23 fecal markers of 10 hosts. The HT-qPCR approach was then successfully used to investigate pathogens and fecal pollution in marine recreational water samples of Xiamen, China. Totally, seven pathogenic marker genes were found in 13 beach bathing waters, which targeted Acanthamoeba spp., Clostridium perfringens, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholera/V. parahaemolyticus and Legionella spp.. Fecal markers from human and dog were the most frequently detected, indicating human and dog feces were the main contamination in the recreational waters. Nanopore sequencing of full-length 16S rRNA gene revealed that 28 potential human pathogens were detected and electrical conductivity, salinity, oxidation-reduction potential and dissolved oxygen were significantly correlated with the variation in bacterial community. Our results demonstrated that HT-qPCR approach had the potential rapid quantification of microbial contamination, providing useful data for assessment of microbial pathogen associated health risk and development of management practices to protect human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Li An
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Jia-Ying Wang
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiang Pu
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hu Li
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China
| | - Ting Pan
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huan-Qin Li
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China; College of the Environmental & Ecology, Xiamen University, 361102, China
| | - Fu-Xia Pan
- Jinan Environmental Research Institute, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Jian-Qiang Su
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China.
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35
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Harvey AP, Fuhrmeister ER, Cantrell M, Pitol AK, Swarthout JM, Powers JE, Nadimpalli ML, Julian TR, Pickering AJ. Longitudinal monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on high-touch surfaces in a community setting. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2020:2020.10.27.20220905. [PMID: 33140065 PMCID: PMC7605577 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.27.20220905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Environmental surveillance of surface contamination is an unexplored tool for understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in community settings. We conducted longitudinal swab sampling of high-touch non-porous surfaces in a Massachusetts town during a COVID-19 outbreak from April to June 2020. Twenty-nine of 348 (8.3 %) surface samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2, including crosswalk buttons, trash can handles, and door handles of essential business entrances (grocery store, liquor store, bank, and gas station). The estimated risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface was low (less than 5 in 10,000), suggesting fomites play a minimal role in SARS-CoV-2 community transmission. The weekly percentage of positive samples (out of n=33 unique surfaces per week) best predicted variation in city-level COVID-19 cases using a 7-day lead time. Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on high-touch surfaces could be a useful tool to provide early warning of COVID-19 case trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail P. Harvey
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | | | - Molly Cantrell
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Ana K. Pitol
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenna M. Swarthout
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Julie E. Powers
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Maya L. Nadimpalli
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
| | - Timothy R. Julian
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dubendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley
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36
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Goddard FB, Ban R, Barr DB, Brown J, Cannon J, Colford JM, Eisenberg JNS, Ercumen A, Petach H, Freeman MC, Levy K, Luby SP, Moe C, Pickering AJ, Sarnat JA, Stewart J, Thomas E, Taniuchi M, Clasen T. Measuring Environmental Exposure to Enteric Pathogens in Low-Income Settings: Review and Recommendations of an Interdisciplinary Working Group. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:11673-11691. [PMID: 32813503 PMCID: PMC7547864 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Infections with enteric pathogens impose a heavy disease burden, especially among young children in low-income countries. Recent findings from randomized controlled trials of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions have raised questions about current methods for assessing environmental exposure to enteric pathogens. Approaches for estimating sources and doses of exposure suffer from a number of shortcomings, including reliance on imperfect indicators of fecal contamination instead of actual pathogens and estimating exposure indirectly from imprecise measurements of pathogens in the environment and human interaction therewith. These shortcomings limit the potential for effective surveillance of exposures, identification of important sources and modes of transmission, and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions. In this review, we summarize current and emerging approaches used to characterize enteric pathogen hazards in different environmental media as well as human interaction with those media (external measures of exposure), and review methods that measure human infection with enteric pathogens as a proxy for past exposure (internal measures of exposure). We draw from lessons learned in other areas of environmental health to highlight how external and internal measures of exposure can be used to more comprehensively assess exposure. We conclude by recommending strategies for advancing enteric pathogen exposure assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick
G. B. Goddard
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Radu Ban
- Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington 98109, United States
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Joe Brown
- School of
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Jennifer Cannon
- Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia 30308, United States
| | - John M. Colford
- Division
of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California−Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Joseph N. S. Eisenberg
- Department
of Epidemiology, University of Michigan
School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- Department
of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Helen Petach
- U.S. Agency
for International Development, Washington, DC 20004, United States
| | - Matthew C. Freeman
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Karen Levy
- Department
of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
| | - Stephen P. Luby
- Division
of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, California 94305, United States
| | - Christine Moe
- Center
for
Global Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Rollins School of Public
Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Jeremy A. Sarnat
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jill Stewart
- Department
of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global
Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Evan Thomas
- Mortenson
Center in Global Engineering, University
of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Mami Taniuchi
- Division
of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States
| | - Thomas Clasen
- Gangarosa
Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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37
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Holcomb DA, Stewart JR. Microbial Indicators of Fecal Pollution: Recent Progress and Challenges in Assessing Water Quality. Curr Environ Health Rep 2020; 7:311-324. [PMID: 32542574 PMCID: PMC7458903 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-020-00278-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Fecal contamination of water is a major public health concern. This review summarizes recent developments and advancements in water quality indicators of fecal contamination. RECENT FINDINGS This review highlights a number of trends. First, fecal indicators continue to be a valuable tool to assess water quality and have expanded to include indicators able to detect sources of fecal contamination in water. Second, molecular methods, particularly PCR-based methods, have advanced considerably in their selected targets and rigor, but have added complexity that may prohibit adoption for routine monitoring activities at this time. Third, risk modeling is beginning to better connect indicators and human health risks, with the accuracy of assessments currently tied to the timing and conditions where risk is measured. Research has advanced although challenges remain for the effective use of both traditional and alternative fecal indicators for risk characterization, source attribution and apportionment, and impact evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Holcomb
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7435, USA
| | - Jill R Stewart
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7431, USA.
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38
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Abstract
Rural environmental protection has received increasing attention in recent years. The economic development and population growth of rural areas results in many problems, such as environmental pollution, land degradation, resource depletion, biodiversity loss, income loss, and public health risks. Although much progress has been made, many major challenges to rural environmental management remain to be addressed. The question of how to deal with these problems through sustainable approaches has become an urgent issue in rural areas. This Special Issue, “Rural Sustainable Environmental Management”, was dedicated to the perception of rural, sustainable environmental management based on the integration of economic, environmental, and social considerations. The Special Issue covered the topics about the rural land management and planning, sustainable rural water resources management, integrated simulation and optimization, rural environmental risk assessment and vulnerability analysis, rural water and wastewater treatment, rural environmental policy analysis, rural ecosystem protection and biodiversity recovery, and the characterization of emerging rural environmental problems and related solutions. A total of 24 high-quality papers were accepted after strict and rigorous review. These accepted papers focused on various perspectives of rural sustainable environmental management.
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39
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Kongprajug A, Chyerochana N, Mongkolsuk S, Sirikanchana K. Effect of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Data Analysis Using Sample Amplification Efficiency on Microbial Source Tracking Assay Performance and Source Attribution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:8232-8244. [PMID: 32484662 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The widely used microbial source tracking (MST) technique, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), quantifies host-specific gene abundance in polluted water to identify and prioritize contamination sources. This study characterized the effects of a qPCR data analysis using the sample PCR efficiencies (the LinRegPCR model) on gene abundance and compared them with the standard curve-based method (the mixed model). Five qPCR assays were evaluated: the universal GenBac3, human-specific HF183/BFDrev and CPQ_056, swine-specific Pig-2-Bac, and cattle-specific Bac3qPCR assays. The LinRegPCR model increased the low-copy amplification, especially in the HF183/BFDrev assay, thus lowering the specificity to 0.34. Up to 1.41 log10 copies/g and 0.41 log10 copies/100 mL differences were observed for composite fecal and sewage samples (n = 147) by the LinRegPCR approach, corresponding to an 18.2% increase and 6.4% decrease, respectively. Freshwater samples (n = 48) demonstrated a maximum of 1.95 log10 copies/100 mL difference between the two models. Identical attributing sources by both models were shown in 54.55% of environmental samples; meanwhile, the LinRegPCR approach improved the inability to identify sources by the mixed model in 29.55% of the samples. This study emphasizes the need for a standardized data analysis protocol for qPCR MST assays for interlaboratory consistency and comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akechai Kongprajug
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Natcha Chyerochana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Skorn Mongkolsuk
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Ministry of Education, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Kwanrawee Sirikanchana
- Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Ministry of Education, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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40
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Lowenstein C, Vasco K, Sarzosa S, Salinas L, Torres A, Perry MJ, Simmens SJ, Trueba G, Eisenberg JNS, Graham JP. Determinants of Childhood Zoonotic Enteric Infections in a Semirural Community of Quito, Ecuador. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:1269-1278. [PMID: 32228797 PMCID: PMC7253092 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic animals in the household environment have the potential to affect a child's carriage of zoonotic enteric pathogens and risk of diarrhea. This study examines the risk factors associated with pediatric diarrhea and carriage of zoonotic enteric pathogens among children living in communities where smallholder livestock production is prevalent. We conducted an observational study of children younger than 5 years that included the analysis of child (n = 306) and animal (n = 480) fecal samples for Campylobacter spp., atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia lamblia. Among these seven pathogens, Giardia was the most commonly identified pathogen among children and animals in the same household, most of which was found in child-dog pairs. Campylobacter spp. was also relatively common within households, particularly among child-chicken and child-guinea pig pairs. We used multivariable Poisson regression models to assess risk factors associated with a child being positive for at least one zoonotic enteric pathogen or having diarrhea during the last week. Children who interacted with domestic animals-a behavior reported by nearly three-quarters of households owning animals-were at an increased risk of colonization with at least one zoonotic enteric pathogen (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.00-2.42). The risk of diarrhea in the last seven days was elevated but not statistically significant (PR = 2.27, CI: 0.91, 5.67). Interventions that aim to reduce pediatric exposures to enteric pathogens will likely need to be incorporated with approaches that remove animal fecal contamination from the domestic environment and encourage behavior change aimed at reducing children's contact with animal feces through diverse exposure pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karla Vasco
- Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales, Microbiology Institute, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Soledad Sarzosa
- Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales, Microbiology Institute, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Liseth Salinas
- Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales, Microbiology Institute, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Andrea Torres
- Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales, Microbiology Institute, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Melissa J. Perry
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Samuel J. Simmens
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Gabriel Trueba
- Colegio de Ciencias Biologicas y Ambientales, Microbiology Institute, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Joseph N. S. Eisenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jay P. Graham
- University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, Berkeley, California
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41
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Holcomb DA, Knee J, Sumner T, Adriano Z, de Bruijn E, Nalá R, Cumming O, Brown J, Stewart JR. Human fecal contamination of water, soil, and surfaces in households sharing poor-quality sanitation facilities in Maputo, Mozambique. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 226:113496. [PMID: 32135507 PMCID: PMC7174141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the origin of fecal contamination can support more effective interventions to interrupt enteric pathogen transmission. Microbial source tracking (MST) assays may help to identify environmental routes of pathogen transmission although these assays have performed poorly in highly contaminated domestic settings, highlighting the importance of both diagnostic validation and understanding the context-specific ecological, physical, and sociodemographic factors driving the spread of fecal contamination. We assessed fecal contamination of compounds (clusters of 2-10 households that share sanitation facilities) in low-income neighborhoods of urban Maputo, Mozambique, using a set of MST assays that were validated with animal stool and latrine sludge from study compounds. We sampled five environmental compartments involved in fecal microbe transmission and exposure: compound water source, household stored water and food preparation surfaces, and soil from the entrance to the compound latrine and the entrances to each household. Each sample was analyzed by culture for the general fecal indicator Escherichia coli (cEC) and by real-time PCR for the E. coli molecular marker EC23S857, human-associated markers HF183/BacR287 and Mnif, and GFD, an avian-associated marker. We collected 366 samples from 94 households in 58 compounds. At least one microbial target (indicator organism or marker gene) was detected in 96% of samples (353/366), with both E. coli targets present in the majority of samples (78%). Human targets were frequently detected in soils (59%) and occasionally in stored water (17%) but seldom in source water or on food surfaces. The avian target GFD was rarely detected in any sample type but was most common in soils (4%). To identify risk factors of fecal contamination, we estimated associations with sociodemographic, meteorological, and physical sample characteristics for each microbial target and sample type combination using Bayesian censored regression for target concentration responses and Bayesian logistic regression for target detection status. Associations with risk factors were generally weak and often differed in direction between different targets and sample types, though relationships were somewhat more consistent for physical sample characteristics. Wet soils were associated with elevated concentrations of cEC and EC23S857 and odds of detecting HF183. Water storage container characteristics that expose the contents to potential contact with hands and other objects were weakly associated with human target detection. Our results describe a setting impacted by pervasive domestic fecal contamination, including from human sources, that was largely disconnected from the observed variation in socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. This pattern suggests that in such highly contaminated settings, transformational changes to the community environment may be required before meaningful impacts on fecal contamination can be realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Holcomb
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jackie Knee
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Trent Sumner
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zaida Adriano
- We Consult, Maputo, Mozambique; Departamento de Geografia, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Rassul Nalá
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Brown
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jill R Stewart
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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Fuhrmeister E, Ercumen A, Pickering AJ, Jeanis KM, Crider Y, Ahmed M, Brown S, Alam M, Sen D, Islam S, Kabir MH, Islam M, Rahman M, Kwong LH, Arnold BF, Luby SP, Colford JM, Nelson KL. Effect of Sanitation Improvements on Pathogens and Microbial Source Tracking Markers in the Rural Bangladeshi Household Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4316-4326. [PMID: 32167305 PMCID: PMC7144219 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Diarrheal illnesses from enteric pathogens are a leading cause of death in children under five in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sanitation is one way to reduce the spread of enteric pathogens in the environment; however, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of sanitation in rural LMICs in reducing pathogens in the environment. In this study, we measured the impact of a sanitation intervention (dual-pit latrines, sani-scoops, child potties delivered as part of a randomized control trial, WASH Benefits) in rural Bangladeshi household compounds by assessing prevalence ratios, differences, and changes in the concentration of pathogen genes and host-specific fecal markers. We found no difference in the prevalence of pathogenic Escherichia coli, norovirus, or Giardia genes in the domestic environment in the sanitation and control arms. The prevalence of the human fecal marker was lower on child hands and the concentration of animal fecal marker was lower on mother hands in the sanitation arm in adjusted models, but these associations were not significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. In the subset of households with ≥10 individuals per compound, the prevalence of enterotoxigenic E. coli genes on child hands was lower in the sanitation arm. Incomplete removal of child and animal feces or the compound (versus community-wide) scale of intervention could explain the limited impacts of improved sanitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica
R. Fuhrmeister
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- School
of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Civil
and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02153, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M. Jeanis
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Yoshika Crider
- Energy
and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Mahaa Ahmed
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Sara Brown
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Mahfuja Alam
- Infectious
Disease Division, International Centre for
Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Debashis Sen
- Infectious
Disease Division, International Centre for
Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Sharmin Islam
- Infectious
Disease Division, International Centre for
Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mir Himayet Kabir
- Infectious
Disease Division, International Centre for
Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mahfuza Islam
- Infectious
Disease Division, International Centre for
Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbubur Rahman
- Infectious
Disease Division, International Centre for
Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Laura H. Kwong
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Benjamin F. Arnold
- School
of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Stephen P. Luby
- Woods
Institute for the Environment, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - John M. Colford
- School
of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kara L. Nelson
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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43
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Fuhrmeister ER, Ercumen A, Pickering AJ, Jeanis KM, Ahmed M, Brown S, Arnold BF, Hubbard AE, Alam M, Sen D, Islam S, Kabir MH, Kwong LH, Islam M, Unicomb L, Rahman M, Boehm AB, Luby SP, Colford JM, Nelson KL. Correction to Predictors of Enteric Pathogens in the Domestic Environment from Human and Animal Sources in Rural Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:2560. [PMID: 32027116 PMCID: PMC7031846 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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44
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Hamzah L, Boehm AB, Davis J, Pickering AJ, Wolfe M, Mureithi M, Harris A. Ruminant Fecal Contamination of Drinking Water Introduced Post-Collection in Rural Kenyan Households. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E608. [PMID: 31963600 PMCID: PMC7027003 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, many families travel to collect water and store it in their homes for daily use, presenting an opportunity for the introduction of fecal contamination. One stored and one source water sample were each collected from 45 households in rural Kenya. All 90 samples were analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria (E. coli and enterococci) and species-specific contamination using molecular microbial source tracking assays. Human (HF183), avian (GFD), and ruminant (BacR) contamination were detected in 52, two, and four samples, respectively. Stored water samples had elevated enterococci concentrations (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon matched pairs test) and more frequent BacR detection (89% versus 27%, p < 0.01, McNemar's exact test) relative to source water samples. fsQCA (fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis) was conducted on the subset of households with no source water BacR contamination to highlight combinations of factors associated with the introduction of BacR contamination to stored water supplies. Three combinations were identified: (i) ruminants in the compound, safe water extraction methods, and long storage time, (ii) ruminants, unsafe water extraction methods, and no soap at the household handwashing station, and (iii) long storage time and no soap. This suggests that multiple pathways contribute to the transmission of ruminant fecal contamination in this context, which would have been missed if data were analyzed using standard regression techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latifah Hamzah
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (L.H.); (A.B.B.); (J.D.); (M.W.)
| | - Alexandria B. Boehm
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (L.H.); (A.B.B.); (J.D.); (M.W.)
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jennifer Davis
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (L.H.); (A.B.B.); (J.D.); (M.W.)
- Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amy J. Pickering
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA 01255, USA;
| | - Marlene Wolfe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (L.H.); (A.B.B.); (J.D.); (M.W.)
- Innovations for Poverty Action, Nairobi, Kenya;
| | | | - Angela Harris
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Montealegre MC, Talavera Rodríguez A, Roy S, Hossain MI, Islam MA, Lanza VF, Julian TR. High Genomic Diversity and Heterogenous Origins of Pathogenic and Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Household Settings Represent a Challenge to Reducing Transmission in Low-Income Settings. mSphere 2020; 5:e00704-19. [PMID: 31941809 PMCID: PMC6968650 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00704-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is present in multiple hosts and environmental compartments as a normal inhabitant, temporary or persistent colonizer, and as a pathogen. Transmission of E. coli between hosts and with the environment is considered to occur more often in areas with poor sanitation. We performed whole-genome comparative analyses on 60 E. coli isolates from soils and fecal sources (cattle, chickens, and humans) in households in rural Bangladesh. Isolates from household soils were in multiple branches of the reconstructed phylogeny, intermixed with isolates from fecal sources. Pairwise differences between all strain pairs were large (minimum, 189 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]), suggesting high diversity and heterogeneous origins of the isolates. The presence of multiple virulence and antibiotic resistance genes is indicative of the risk that E. coli from soil and feces represent for the transmission of variants that pose potential harm to people. Analysis of the accessory genomes of the Bangladeshi E. coli relative to E. coli genomes available in NCBI identified a common pool of accessory genes shared among E. coli isolates in this geographic area. Together, these findings indicate that in rural Bangladesh, a high level of E. coli in soil is likely driven by contributions from multiple and diverse E. coli sources (human and animal) that share an accessory gene pool relatively unique to previously published E. coli genomes. Thus, interventions to reduce environmental pathogen or antimicrobial resistance transmission should adopt integrated One Health approaches that consider heterogeneous origins and high diversity to improve effectiveness and reduce prevalence and transmission.IMPORTANCEEscherichia coli is reported in high levels in household soil in low-income settings. When E. coli reaches a soil environment, different mechanisms, including survival, clonal expansion, and genetic exchange, have the potential to either maintain or generate E. coli variants with capabilities of causing harm to people. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing to identify that E. coli isolates collected from rural Bangladeshi household soils, including pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant variants, are diverse and likely originated from multiple diverse sources. In addition, we observed specialization of the accessory genome of this Bangladeshi E. coli compared to E. coli genomes available in current sequence databases. Thus, to address the high level of pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant E. coli transmission in low-income settings, interventions should focus on addressing the heterogeneous origins and high diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Subarna Roy
- Food Microbiology Laboratory, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammed Iqbal Hossain
- Food Microbiology Laboratory, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Aminul Islam
- Food Microbiology Laboratory, Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Val F Lanza
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Timothy R Julian
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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