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Nolan TM, Sala-Comorera L, Reynolds LJ, Martin NA, Stephens JH, O'Hare GMP, O'Sullivan JJ, Meijer WG. Bacteriophages from faecal contamination are an important reservoir for AMR in aquatic environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165490. [PMID: 37487901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Bacteriophages have been shown to play an important role in harbouring and propagating antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Faecal matter contains high levels of phages, suggesting that faecal contamination of water bodies may lead to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) levels due to increased phage loading in aquatic environments. In this study, we assessed whether faecal pollution of three rivers (Rivers Liffey, Tolka, and Dodder) was responsible for increased levels of ARGs in phage particles using established phage-faecal markers, focusing on four ARGs (blaTEM, tet(O), qnrS, and sul1). We observed all four ARGs in phage fractions in all three rivers, with ARGs more frequently observed in agricultural and urban sampling sites compared to their source. These findings highlight the role of faecal pollution in environmental AMR and the impact of agricultural and urban activities on water quality. Furthermore, our results suggest the importance of including phages as indicators when assessing environmental AMR, as they serve as significant reservoirs of resistance genes in aquatic environments. This study provides important insights into the role of faecal pollution and phages in the prevalence of AMR in the environment and the need for their inclusion in future studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental AMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan M Nolan
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Laura Sala-Comorera
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Liam J Reynolds
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Niamh A Martin
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jayne H Stephens
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Gregory M P O'Hare
- School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - John J O'Sullivan
- UCD School of Civil Engineering, UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research and UCD Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Wim G Meijer
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Earth Institute and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Gouveia P, Felgueiras F, Mourão Z, Fernandes EDO, Moreira A, Gabriel MF. Predicting health risk from exposure to trihalomethanes in an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool among elite swimmers and coaches. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2019; 82:577-590. [PMID: 31262237 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2019.1634383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Disinfection by-products (DBP) such as trihalomethanes (THM) are formed when chlorine and bromine interact with natural organic materials in chlorine-treated swimming pools. Epidemiological evidence demonstrated an association between exposure to swimming pool environment and adverse health effects. Therefore, this study aimed to assess carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of long-term exposure of elite swimmers and their coaches. In an Olympic-size indoor chlorinated swimming pool, THM levels were determined in water (21-69 µg/L), in the boundary layer above the water surface (59-397 µg/m3), and in the air surrounding the pool (28-390 µg/m3). These values were used to predict multi-pathway chronic daily intake (CDI), cancer risk (CR) and hazard index (HI). Oral and dermal CDI for swimmers were 2.4 × 10-6 and 2.0 × 10-8, respectively. The swimmers' inhalation CDI (1.9 × 10-3 mg/kg/day) was estimated to be sixfold higher than levels obtained for coaches (3.3 × 10-4 mg/kg/day). According to guidelines, the HI was acceptable, but CR exceeded the recommended limit for both, coaches (CR: 5.5 × 10-7-8.5 × 10-5; HI: 6.5 × 10-4-1 × 10-1) and swimmers (CR: 1.4 × 10-5-3.6 × 10-4 HI: 1.6 × 10-2-4.3 × 10-1). Our findings provide further support to the need to develop comprehensive guidelines to safeguard the health of individuals involved in elite swimming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Gouveia
- a Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Fátima Felgueiras
- b Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Porto , Portugal
| | - Zenaida Mourão
- b Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Porto , Portugal
| | | | - André Moreira
- a Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto , Porto , Portugal
- d Serviço de Imunoalergologia, Centro Hospitalar São João , Porto , Portugal
- e EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto , Porto , Portugal
| | - Marta Fonseca Gabriel
- b Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , Porto , Portugal
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Mannocci A, La Torre G, Spagnoli A, Solimini AG, Palazzo C, De Giusti M. Is swimming in recreational water associated with the occurrence of respiratory illness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2016; 14:590-599. [PMID: 27441854 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2016.266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study represents the first systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to assess the association between swimming in recreational water and the occurrence of respiratory illness. Most studies focus their attention on gastrointestinal illnesses occurring after exposure to microbial polluted water. Fourteen independent studies that included 50,117 patients with significant heterogeneity (I(2) = 95.3%) were reviewed. The meta-analysis reports that people exposed to recreational water (swimmers/bathers) present a higher risk of respiratory illness compared to non-swimmers/non-bathers [relative risk (RR) = 1.63 (confidence interval at 95% [95% CI]: 1.34-1.98)]. This percentage increases if adjusted RR by age and gender [RR = 2.24 (95% CI: 1.81-2.78)] are considered. A clear association between swimming in recreational water and the occurrence of respiratory illness was found. The surveillance of water quality monitoring systems is crucial not only for gastrointestinal illness, but also for respiratory ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Mannocci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy E-mail:
| | - Giuseppe La Torre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy E-mail: ; Giuseppe La Torre Accademia Romana di Sanità Pubblica, Via Giovanni Nicotera 29, Rome 00195, Italy
| | - Alessandro Spagnoli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy E-mail:
| | - Angelo G Solimini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy E-mail:
| | - Caterina Palazzo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy E-mail:
| | - Maria De Giusti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy E-mail: ; Giuseppe La Torre Accademia Romana di Sanità Pubblica, Via Giovanni Nicotera 29, Rome 00195, Italy
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Domènech-Sánchez A, Juan C, Rullan AJ, Pérez JL, Berrocal CI. Gastroenteritis outbreaks in 2 tourist resorts, Dominican Republic. Emerg Infect Dis 2010; 15:1877-8. [PMID: 19891899 PMCID: PMC2857226 DOI: 10.3201/eid1511.090350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Harhay MO, Horton J, Olliaro PL. Epidemiology and control of human gastrointestinal parasites in children. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2010; 8:219-34. [PMID: 20109051 PMCID: PMC2851163 DOI: 10.1586/eri.09.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Parasites found in the human gastrointestinal tract can be largely categorized into two groups, protozoa and helminths. The soil-transmitted helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura) are the most prevalent, infecting an estimated one-sixth of the global population. Infection rates are highest in children living in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Asia and then Latin America and the Caribbean. The current momentum towards global drug delivery for their control is at a historical high through the efforts of numerous initiatives increasingly acting in coordination with donors, governments and local communities. Together, they have delivered enormous quantities of drugs, especially anthelmintics to children through nationwide annual or biannual mass drug administration largely coordinated through schools. However, a much larger and rapidly growing childhood population in these regions remains untreated and suffering from more than one parasite. Mass drug administration has profound potential for control but is not without considerable challenges and concerns. A principal barrier is funding. Stimulating a research and development pipeline, supporting the necessary clinical trials to refine treatment, in addition to procuring and deploying drugs (and sustaining these supply chains), requires substantial funding and resources that do not presently exist. Limited options for chemotherapy raise concerns about drug resistance developing through overuse, however, satisfactory pharmaco-epidemiology and monitoring for drug resistance requires more developed health infrastructures than are generally available. Further, the limited pharmacopeia does not include any effective second-line options if resistance emerges, and the research and development pipeline is severely depressed. Herein, we discuss the major gastrointestinal protozoa and helminths reviewing their impact on child health, changing epidemiology and how this relates to their control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Harhay
- Graduate Group in Demography, Population Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania, 239 McNeil Building, 3718 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-16298, USA, Tel.: +1 215 898 6441, Fax: +1 215 898 2124,
| | - John Horton
- 24 The Paddock, Hitchin, SG4 9EF, UK, Tel.: +44 146 262 4081, Fax: +44 146 264 8693,
| | - Piero L Olliaro
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford & United Nations Children’s Fund/United Nations Development Programme/World Bank/World Health Organization, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), 20 Avenue Appia, CH-1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland, Tel.: +41 227 913 734, Fax: +41 227 914 774,
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