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Singha S, Koop G, Rahman MM, Ceciliani F, Howlader MMR, Boqvist S, Cremonesi P, Hoque MN, Persson Y, Lecchi C. Foodborne bacteria in milk and milk products along the water buffalo milk chain in Bangladesh. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16708. [PMID: 39030251 PMCID: PMC11271598 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67705-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Controlling foodborne pathogens in buffalo milk is crucial for ensuring food safety. This study estimated the prevalence of nine target genes representing seven critical foodborne bacteria in milk and milk products, and identified factors associated with their presence in buffalo milk chain nodes in Bangladesh. One hundred and forty-three milk samples from bulk tank milk (n = 34), middlemen (n = 37), milk collection centers (n = 37), and milk product shops (n = 35) were collected and analyzed using RT-PCR. Escherichia (E.) coli, represented through yccT genes, was the most prevalent throughout the milk chain (81-97%). Chi-squared tests were performed to identify the potential risk factors associated with the presence of foodborne bacteria encoded for different genes. At the middleman level, the prevalence of E. coli was associated with the Mymensingh, Noakhali, and Bhola districts (P = 0.01). The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes, represented through inlA genes, and Yersinia (Y.) enterocolitica, represented through yst genes, were the highest at the farm level (65-79%). The prevalence of both bacteria in bulk milk was associated with the Noakhali and Bhola districts (P < 0.05). The prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in bulk milk was also associated with late autumn and spring (P = 0.01) and was higher in buffalo-cow mixed milk than in pure buffalo milk at the milk collection center level (P < 0.01). The gene stx2 encoding for Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) E. coli was detected in 74% of the milk products. At the middleman level, the prevalence of STEC E. coli was associated with the use of cloths or tissues when drying milk containers (P = 0.01). Salmonella enterica, represented through the presence of invA gene, was most commonly detected (14%) at the milk collection center. The use of plastic milk containers was associated with a higher prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, represented through htrA genes, at milk product shops (P < 0.05). These results suggest that raw milk consumers in Bangladesh are at risk if they purchase and consume unpasteurized milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuvo Singha
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Gerrit Koop
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
- Sustainable Ruminant Health, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CL, The Netherlands
| | - Md Mizanur Rahman
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Fabrizio Ceciliani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Md Matiar Rahman Howlader
- Department of Physiology, Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Sofia Boqvist
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh.
- Department of Animal Biosciences, The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Paola Cremonesi
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - M Nazmul Hoque
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Health, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Ylva Persson
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
- Swedish Veterinary Agency, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Cristina Lecchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Udder Health Bangladesh, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
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Chang SM, Chen JW, Tsai CS, Ko WC, Scaria J, Wang JL. Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli Distribution and Whole-Genome Analysis of Sequence Type 131 Escherichia coli Isolates in Public Restrooms in Taiwan. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:864209. [PMID: 35495726 PMCID: PMC9044074 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.864209] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to public health may originate from public restrooms. To better understand the community burden of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli and sequence type complex 131 E. coli (STc131) in the public restroom, we performed a surveillance in public restrooms in southern Taiwan. Swabs were sampled from randomly selected public restrooms in Tainan, Taiwan in 2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility, phylogenetic grouping, and multiplex PCR were performed for the major ST complex in the B2 phylogenetic group. If STc131 isolates were identified, the whole-genome sequencing was performed. A total of 613 collection sites found 132 sites (21.5%) positive for E. coli. The most common phylogenetic group was A (30.9%) followed by B2 (30.3%). Ceftriaxone-resistant E. coli and extended-spectrum β-lactamases–producing E. coli were found in 2.4 and 1.0% of total public restrooms, respectively. The isolates in rural areas had higher ceftriaxone non-susceptibility than those in the city centers (3.9 vs. 1.2%, P = 0.038). Nine STc131 isolates were found in public restrooms, and most (77.8%) belonged to the subtype fimH41, whereas 22.2% belonged to fimH30. With the inclusion of STc131 isolates from human and dog fecal colonization in Taiwan, whole-genome sequencing was performed in 35 isolates. A large cluster of fimH41 in SNP-tree and GrapeTree was found from different sources (human, dog, and environment) and geographical areas. In conclusion, our surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli showed a higher prevalence of E. coli detected in public restrooms in the rural areas compared to those in city centers. The whole-genome sequence implies that fimH41 STc131 strains are successfully circulated in the community in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szu-Min Chang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jenn-Wei Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Shiang Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou-Liou Branch, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Yunlin, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Ko
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Joy Scaria
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States
| | - Jiun-Ling Wang
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Vardoulakis S, Espinoza Oyarce DA, Donner E. Transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in public washrooms: A systematic review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:149932. [PMID: 34525681 PMCID: PMC8390098 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risk of infectious disease transmission in public washrooms causes concern particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review aims to assess the risk of transmission of viral or bacterial infections through inhalation, surface contact, and faecal-oral routes in public washrooms in healthcare and non-healthcare environments. METHODS We systematically reviewed environmental sampling, laboratory, and epidemiological studies on viral and bacterial infection transmission in washrooms using PubMed and Scopus. The review focused on indoor, publicly accessible washrooms. RESULTS Thirty-eight studies from 13 countries were identified, including 14 studies carried out in healthcare settings, 10 in laboratories or experimental chambers, and 14 studies in restaurants, workplaces, commercial and academic environments. Thirty-three studies involved surface sampling, 15 air sampling, 8 water sampling, and 5 studies were risk assessments or outbreak investigations. Infectious disease transmission was studied in relation with: (a) toilets with flushing mechanisms; (b) hand drying systems; and (c) water taps, sinks and drains. A wide range of enteric, skin and soil bacteria and enteric and respiratory viruses were identified in public washrooms, potentially posing a risk of infection transmission. Studies on COVID-19 transmission only examined washroom contamination in healthcare settings. CONCLUSION Open-lid toilet flushing, ineffective handwashing or hand drying, substandard or infrequent surface cleaning, blocked drains, and uncovered rubbish bins can result in widespread bacterial and/or viral contamination in washrooms. However, only a few cases of infectious diseases mostly related to faecal-oral transmission originating from washrooms in restaurants were reported. Although there is a risk of microbial aerosolisation from toilet flushing and the use of hand drying systems, we found no evidence of airborne transmission of enteric or respiratory pathogens, including COVID-19, in public washrooms. Appropriate hand hygiene, surface cleaning and disinfection, and washroom maintenance and ventilation are likely to minimise the risk of infectious disease transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiris Vardoulakis
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Daniela A Espinoza Oyarce
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Erica Donner
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
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Johnson JR, Johnston BD, Porter S, Thuras P, Aziz M, Price LB. Accessory Traits and Phylogenetic Background Predict Escherichia coli Extraintestinal Virulence Better Than Does Ecological Source. J Infect Dis 2019; 219:121-132. [PMID: 30085181 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The distinguishing characteristics of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains are incompletely defined. Methods We characterized 292 diverse-source human Escherichia coli isolates (116 from fecal specimens, 79 from urine specimens [of which 39 were from patients with cystitis and 40 were from patients with pyelonephritis], and 97 from blood specimens) for phylogenetic group, sequence type complex (STc), and 49 putative extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC)-associated virulence genes. We then assessed these traits and ecological source as predictors of illness severity in a murine sepsis model. Results The study isolates exhibited a broad range of virulence in mice. Most of the studied bacterial characteristics corresponded significantly with experimental virulence, as did ecological source and established molecular definitions of ExPEC and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). Multivariable modeling identified the following bacterial traits as independent predictors of illness severity both overall and among the fecal and clinical (ie, urine and blood) isolates separately: fyuA (yersiniabactin receptor), kpsM K1 (K1 capsule), and kpsM II (group 2 capsules). Molecular UPEC status predicted virulence independently only among fecal isolates. Neither ecological source (ie, clinical vs fecal) nor molecular ExPEC status added predictive power to these traits, which accounted collectively for up to 49% of the observed variation in virulence. Conclusions Among human-source E. coli isolates, specific accessory traits and phylogenetic/clonal backgrounds predict experimental virulence in a murine sepsis model better than does ecological source.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Johnson
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Brian D Johnston
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Stephen Porter
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Paul Thuras
- George Washington University, Washington, D. C
| | - Maliha Aziz
- George Washington University, Washington, D. C
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Pepper IL, Brooks JP, Gerba CP. Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Municipal Wastes: Is There Reason for Concern? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:3949-3959. [PMID: 29505255 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b04360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased concern about the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG), in treated domestic wastewaters, animal manures and municipal biosolids. The concern is whether these additional sources of ARB contribute to antibiotic resistance levels in the environment, that is, "environmental antibiotic resistance." ARB and ARG occur naturally in soil and water, and it remains unclear whether the introduction of ARB in liquid and solid municipal and animal wastes via land application have any significant impact on the background levels of antibiotic resistance in the environment, and whether they affect human exposure to ARB. In this current review, we examine and re-evaluate the incidence of ARB and ARG resulting from land application activities, and offer a new perspective on the threat of antibiotic resistance to public health via exposure from nonclinical environmental sources. Based on inputs of ARBs and ARGs from land application, their fate in soil due to soil microbial ecology principles, and background indigenous levels of ARBs and ARGs already present in soil, we conclude that while antibiotic resistance levels in soil are increased temporally by land application of wastes, their persistence is not guaranteed and is in fact variable, and often contradictory based on application site. Furthermore, the application of wastes may not produce the most direct impact of ARGs and ARB on public health. Further investigation is still warranted in agriculture and public health, including continued scrutiny of antibiotic use in both sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian L Pepper
- Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center (WEST) , The University of Arizona , 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva , Tucson , Arizona 85745 , United States
| | - John P Brooks
- Genetics and Sustainable Agriculture Research Unit, USDA ARS , Mississippi State , Mississippi , 39762 , United States
| | - Charles P Gerba
- Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Center (WEST) , The University of Arizona , 2959 W. Calle Agua Nueva , Tucson , Arizona 85745 , United States
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Phylogenetic Backgrounds and Virulence-Associated Traits of Escherichia coli Isolates from Surface Waters and Diverse Animals in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01329-17. [PMID: 28986372 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01329-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Possible external reservoirs for extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains that cause infections in humans are poorly defined. Because of the tremendous human health importance of ExPEC infections, we assessed surface waters and domesticated and wild animals in Minnesota and Wisconsin as potential reservoirs of ExPEC of human health relevance. We characterized 595 E. coli isolates (obtained from 1999 to 2002; 280 from seven surface water sites, 315 from feces of 13 wild and domesticated animal species) for phylogroup and virulence genotype, including inferred ExPEC status, by using multiplex PCR-based methods. We also compared the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of the isolates with a large private PFGE profile library. We found a predominance of non-ExPEC strains (95% and 93% among water and animal isolates, respectively), which were mainly from phylogroups A and B1, plus a minority of ExPEC strains (5% and 7% among water isolates and animal isolates, respectively), predominantly from phylogroup B2. The ExPEC strains, although significantly associated with cats, dogs, and turkeys, occurred in several additional animal species (goat, horse, chicken, pig) and were distributed broadly across all surface water sites. Virulence gene content among the animal source ExPEC isolates segregated significantly in relation to host species, following established patterns. PFGE analysis indicated that 11 study isolates closely matched (94% to 100% profile similarity) reference human clinical and fecal isolates. These findings imply what probably is a low but non-zero risk to humans from environmental and animal source E. coli isolates, especially those from specific human-associated animal species.IMPORTANCE Our detection of potentially pathogenic strains that may pose a health threat to humans among E. coli isolates from surface waters and wild and domesticated animals suggests a need for heightened attention to these reservoirs as possible sources for human acquisition of disease-causing E. coli Although cats, dogs, and turkeys were especially high-prevalence sources, the presence of such strains in other animal species and at all sampled water sites suggests that this potential risk may be widespread.
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