Children’s residential exposure to selected allergens and microbial indicators: endotoxins and (1→3)-β-D-glucans

Objectives: The study was aimed at assessment of exposure to endotoxins, (1→3)-β-D-glucans and mite, cockroach, cat, dog allergens present in settled dust in premises of children as agents which may be significantly correlated with the occurrence of allergic symptoms and diseases in children. Materials and Methods: The study covered 50 homes of one- or two-year-old children in Poland. Samples of settled dust were taken from the floor and the child's bed. The levels of (1→3)-β-D-glucans (floor), endotoxins (floor) and allergens of mite, cat, dog and cockroach (floor and bed) were analyzed. Results: Average geometric concentrations (geometric standard deviation) of endotoxins, (1→3)-β-D-glucans, Der p1, Fel d1, Can f1 and Bla g1 in children homes were on the floor 42 166.0 EU/g (3.2), 20 478.4 ng/g (2.38), 93.9 ng/g (6.58), 119.8 ng/g (13.0), 288.9 ng/g (3.4), 0.72 U/g (4.4) and in their beds (only allergens) 597.8 ng/g (14.2), 54.1 ng/g (4.4), 158.6 ng/g (3.1) 0.6 U/g (2.9), respectively. When the floor was covered with the carpet, higher concentrations of endotoxins, (1→3)-β-D-glucans and allergens (each type) were found in the settled dust (p < 0.05). The trend was opposite in case of allergens (except dog) analyzed from bed dust and significantly higher concentrations were found in the rooms with smooth floor (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Among the analyzed factors only the type of floor significantly modified both the level of biological indicators and allergens. The results of this study could be the base for verifying a hypothesis that carpeting may have a protective role against high levels of cockroach, dog and cat allergens

Biological agents intentionally used in Poland based on data from the National Register Of Biological Agents

Background Paper presents the intentional use of biological agents for industrial, diagnostic and research purposes in enterprises in Poland. Material and Methods The source of data is the National Register of Biological (in Polish KRCB) – the type of the database that gathers data about the intentional use of biological agents at work in Poland. The analysis includes tabular summaries of the data as of December 2017. Results Notifications were sent by 598 enterprises for: diagnostic – 67.5%, research – 25% and industrial purposes – 75%. Those mostly were hospital diagnostic laboratories – 36%, entities other than hospitals – 32% and higher education and research units – 13%. In total, 4477 workers (91.3% women, 8.7% men) were exposed to biological agents. Agents from 2nd and 3rd group of risk were used in 581 and 106 enterprises, respectively. Escherichia coli bacteria was most frequently used (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) in 504 enterprises (3529 exposed workers), Staphylococcus aureus – 495 enterprises (3464 workers) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa – 459 enterprises (3157 workers). In 58 enterprises, biological agents recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic were used (viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV) – 10 enterprises and 257 workers, hepatitis C virus (HCV) – 10 enterprises and 232 workers, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – 9 enterprises and 227 workers, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) – 8 enterprises and 186 workers, human papilloma virus (HPV) – 3 enterprises and 94 workers, human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) – 3 enterprises and 22 workers, human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) – 1 enterprise and 17 workers; parasites: Schistosoma haematobium – 2 enterprises and 4 workers, Clonorchis viverrini – 1 enterprises and 2 workers, Clonorchis sinensis – 1 enterprises and 2 workers; bacteria: Helicobacter pylori – 10 enterprises and 137 workers). Conclusions The network organization, legal base and central nature cause that the KRCB is a unique database that allows for diagnosis of the situation and tracking of dynamics in the context of occupational exposure to biological agents used intentionally in enterprises in Poland. Med Pr 2018;69(4):413–42

Harmful biological agents intentionally used in enterprises in Poland based on the National Register of Biological Agents

Wstęp: W artykule przedstawiono zamierzone użycie szkodliwych czynników biologicznych na podstawie Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych (KRCB) według stanu na lipiec 2020 r. Materiał i metody: Krajowy Rejestr Czynników Biologicznych jest centralną bazą danych gromadzącą zgłoszenia celowego użycia w procesach pracy czynników biologicznych zaklasyfikowanych do grup zagrożenia 2–4. Wyniki: Zgłoszenia zamierzonego użycia czynników biologicznych otrzymano od 672 zakładów, w tym od 63% w celach diagnostycznych, 30% – naukowo-badawczych i 7% – przemysłowych. Najwięcej zgłoszeń przesłały kliniczno-diagnostyczne laboratoria przyszpitalne (34%), a następnie laboratoria diagnostyczne inne niż przyszpitalne (34%) oraz laboratoria działające w strukturach szkół wyższych i jednostek naukowo-badawczych (15%). Ogółem liczba narażonych pracowników wyniosła 7077 osób, w tym 88% kobiet i 12% mężczyzn. Czynniki z 2 i 3 grupy zagrożenia stosowało, odpowiednio, 98% i 16% zakładów. Najczęściej wykorzystywano bakterie Escherichia coli (z wyjątkiem szczepów niepatogennych), na które były narażone 4394 osoby (62%), Staphylococcus aureus – 4122 osoby (58%) i Pseudomonas aeruginosa, na które było narażonych 3726 osób (53%). Czynniki biologiczne uznane przez Międzynarodową Agencję Badań nad Nowotworami za rakotwórcze stosowano w 107 zakładach (16%), w tym wirusy [wirus zapalenia wątroby typu B (N = 25, 4%), wirus zapalenia wątroby typu C (N = 24, 4%), ludzki wirus nabytego niedoboru odporności typu 1 (N = 18, 3%), wirus Epsteina-Barr (N = 10, 1%), ludzkie wirusy papilloma (N = 5, 1%), ludzki wirus herpes typu 8 (N = 3, <1%), ludzki wirus limfotropowy komórek T typu 1 (N = 3, <1%)], bakterie [Helicobacter pylori (N = 18, 3%)] i pasożyt [Schistosoma haematobium (N = 1, <1%)]. Wnioski: Krajowy Rejestr Czynników Biologicznych jest unikatowym źródłem informacji o czynnikach biologicznych celowo stosowanych w zakładach pracy i stanowi ważne ogniwo w łańcuchu informacji o narażeniu zawodowym w Polsce. Med. Pr. 2021;72(2):131–143Background: This work presents intentional use of harmful biological agents based on the National Register of Biological Agents (in Polish abbreviated as KRCB) as of July 2020. Material and Methods: Generally, KRCB is a central database gathering notifications of intentional use of biological agents classified as risk groups 2–4 at work. Results: Notifications were sent by 672 enterprises, including for diagnostic – 63%, research – 30% and industrial purposes – 7%. The largest number of notifications were sent by hospital-based diagnostic laboratories – 34%, laboratories other than hospital-based – 34%, and higher education and research units – 15%. In total, 7077 workers (88% women, 12% men) were exposed to biological agents intentionally used at work. The following bacteria were most frequently used: Escherichia coli (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) – 4394 (62%) exposed workers, Staphylococcus aureus –4122 (58%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa – 3726 (53%). Biological agents recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic were used in 107 enterprises (16%), including the following viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV) – 25 enterprises (4%), hepatitis C virus (HCV) – 24 (4%), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) – 18 (3%), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) – 10 (1%), human papilloma virus (HPV) – 5 (1%), human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8) – 3 (<1%), human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) – 3 (<1%), as well as bacteria Helicobacter pylori – 18 (3%) and parasites Schistosoma haematobium – 1 (<1%). Conclusions: While KRCB is a unique source of information on biological agents intentionally used in workplaces, it also provides an important link in the chain of information on occupational exposure to harmful agents in Poland

Occupational exposure to Staphylococcus aureus in the wastewater treatment plants environment

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to assess the occupational exposure to Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, including methicillin- resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and other antibiotic-resistant strains in the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) environment.Material and MethodsIn 16 WWTPs in Poland, 33 wastewater and 253 air samples were collected in the spring–summer season. The microbiological analysis was carried out using a chromogenic medium. Species identification was carried out using the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight method, while the antibiotic-resistance analysis was performed with an automatic method.ResultsAmong 2805 bacterial isolates from the air and wastewater, 574 were identified as S. aureus species (20.5%). The presence of S. aureus species was found in 11 WWTPs (69%), among them in 11 WWTPs in raw wastewater and in 1 WWTP additionally in treated wastewater. The concentrations of S. aureus in wastewater ranged 2–1215 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml). In the air, 2 S. aureus isolates were identified in concentrations of 5 and 10 CFU/m3; both samples were collected at the stage of mechanical wastewater treatment. The results revealed the following trend: the higher the outdoor temperature, the bigger the number of WWTPs with confirmed S. aureus presence. Among 149 S. aureus isolates (2 from the air and 147 from wastewater, including 2 MRSA), 100 isolates were resistant only to penicillin, while 34 isolates showed multi-antibiotic resistance (to penicillin and other drugs). It was found that isolated bacteria were resistant almost strictly to critical and highly important antibiotics in veterinary medicine.ConclusionsIn general, WWTPs workers are occupationally exposed to S. aureus, including MRSA, and other antibiotic- and multi-antibiotic-resistant strains. The highest risk of infection concerns the activities carried out in direct contact with wastewater or devices through which wastewater flows, particularly at the stage of mechanical treatment. A significant source of S. aureus seems to be intensive livestock farming located in the area of the WWTPs under analysis. The study confirms the necessity to disinfect the wastewater discharging into WWTPs

Intentional use of harmful biological agents in work processes in Poland based on the National Register of Biological Agents

Background The work presents the intentional use of harmful biological agents based on National Register of Biological Agents (Krajowego Rejestru Czynników Biologicznych – KRCB) collected by June 2023. Material and Methods The KRCB is a central database gathering notifications of the intentional use of biological agents in risk groups 2–4 in the workplace in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Health of December 11, 2020 amending the regulation regarding biological agents. Results with the regulation of the Minister of Health of December 11, 2020 amending the regulation regarding biological agents. Results: Notifications were sent by 712 enterprises for: diagnostic – 62%, research – 31% and industrial purposes – 7%. Notifications were most often sent by hospital and non-hospital clinical and diagnostic laboratories (33% each group) and higher education and research units – 16%. In total, 7352 workers (88% women, 12% men) were exposed to biological agents intentionally used at work. Biological agents from 2 and 3 group risk were used by 98% and 16% enterprises, respectively. The most frequently were used bacteria Escherichia coli (with the exception of non-pathogenic strains) – 5972 (81%) exposed workers, Staphylococcus aureus – respectively 5760 (78%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa – 5155 (70%). Among the total workers, nearly 25% were exposed to at least 1 biological agent carcinogenic to humans, including viruses (hepatitis B virus [HBV] – 1800 workers, 24%; hepatitis C virus [HCV] – respectively, 1767, 24%; human immunodeficiency virus-1 [HIV-1] – 1557, 21%; human gammaherpesvirus type 4 (Epstein-Barr virus) – 199, 3%; Papillomaviridae – 52, <1%; human gammaherpesvirus type 8 [HHV-8] – 16, <1%; human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 [HTLV- 1] – 38, <1%; bacteria Helicobacter pylori – 299, 4%; parasites Schistosoma haematobium – 9, <1%). Conclusions Intentionally used biological agents most often pose a threat to workers of hospital and non-hospital clinical and diagnostic laboratories, but a higher health risk concerns workers of and higher education and research units. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(6):501–11

Occupational exposure to biological agents intentionally used in Polish enterprises

Background: The paper presents the intentional use of biological agents for industrial, diagnostic and research purposes in Polish enterprises. Material and Methods: The National Register of Biological Agents (Krajowy Rejestr Czynników Biologicznych – KRCB) is an online database that collects the data on the intentional use of biological agents at work in Poland. Results: As of December 2013 there were 533 notifications in KRCB, mainly for diagnostic (73%), research (20%) and industrial purposes (7%). Mostly there were hospital diagnostic laboratories (37%), and other laboratories (35%), as well as higher education and research institutions (11%). In total, 4015 workers (91.7% of women, 8.3% of men) were exposed to biological agents. Agents classified in risk group 2 were used in 518 enterprises, and in risk group 3 in 107 enterprises. Of those agents the following bacteria were the most frequently used: Escherichia coli except for non-pathogenic strains (455 enterprises and 3314 exposed workers); Staphylococcus aureus (445 and 3270); and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (406 and 2969, respectively). In 66 enterprises there were used biological agents recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogens. They are viruses: Epstein-Barr (7 enterprises, 181 exposed workers); hepatitis B (16 and 257); hepatitis C virus (15 and 243); human immunodeficiency virus (8 and 107); human papillomaviruses (2 and 4); parasites: Clonorchis viverrini (1 and 2); Clonorchos sinensis (1 and 2); Schistosoma haematobium (1 and 2) and bacteria Helicobacter pylori (15 and 230, respectively). Conclusions: The National Register of Biological Agents at Work permits to evaluate the situation of occupational exposure to biological agents used intentionally in enterprises in Poland. Med Pr 2015;66(1):39–4

FACTORS INFLUENCING BIOSAFETY LEVEL AND LAI AMONG THE STAFF OF MEDICAL LABORATORIES

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the biological risks of medical laboratory employees with particular focus on laboratory acquired infection (LAI), activities having the greatest risk, accidents with biological material, post exposure procedure, preventive measures and workers' knowledge about biological exposure. Materials and Methods: The study involved 9 laboratories. A questionnaire survey was attended by 123 employees and 9 heads of these units with the use of two questionnaires for laboratory workers and the managers. Results: 32.5% of the respondents (40 persons) had an accident at least once. Needlestick or a broken glass injury covered 18.7% respondents (23 persons), while splashing the skin, mucous membranes or conjunctivae related to 22.8% (28 persons). Among the employees who had an accident, only 45% of the respondents (18 persons) reported this to the manager. Microbes dominant in the biological material were known only to 57 respondents (46.3%), less than half could correctly give an example of a disease (57 persons, 46.3%). More than half of the respondents admitted that they do not know all of the possible routes of infection while working in the laboratory (68 persons, 55.3%). Conclusions: In the study population, a high incidence of accidents was observed, usually during blood sampling and transfer of biological material. Condition of the workers' equipment with personal protective measures and laboratory facilities in devices to reduce the risk of infection and procedures for handling the potentially infectious material should be considered as insufficient. Lack of basic knowledge of the employees about biohazards at workplaces was shown. Med Pr 2013;64(4):473–48

Factors influencing biosafety level and lai among the staff of medical laboratories

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the biological risks of medical laboratory employees with particular focus on laboratory acquired infection (LAI), activities having the greatest risk, accidents with biological material, post exposure procedure, preventive measures and workers' knowledge about biological exposure. Materials and Methods: The study involved 9 laboratories. A questionnaire survey was attended by 123 employees and 9 heads of these units with the use of two questionnaires for laboratory workers and the managers. Results: 32.5% of the respondents (40 persons) had an accident at least once. Needlestick or a broken glass injury covered 18.7% respondents (23 persons), while splashing the skin, mucous membranes or conjunctivae related to 22.8% (28 persons). Among the employees who had an accident, only 45% of the respondents (18 persons) reported this to the manager. Microbes dominant in the biological material were known only to 57 respondents (46.3%), less than half could correctly give an example of a disease (57 persons, 46.3%). More than half of the respondents admitted that they do not know all of the possible routes of infection while working in the laboratory (68 persons, 55.3%). Conclusions: In the study population, a high incidence of accidents was observed, usually during blood sampling and transfer of biological material. Condition of the workers' equipment with personal protective measures and laboratory facilities in devices to reduce the risk of infection and procedures for handling the potentially infectious material should be considered as insufficient. Lack of basic knowledge of the employees about biohazards at workplaces was shown. Med Pr 2013;64(4):473–48

The variability of bacterial aerosol in poultry houses depending on selected factors

Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluation of bacterial air contamination in intensive poultry breeding. The evaluation was based on the determined levels of bacterial concentrations and qualitative identification of isolated microorganisms. Materials and Methods: The study covered 5 poultry houses: two hatcheries and three hen houses with the litter bed system. The air was sampled in three measurement series in the central part of the investigated workplace at the height of about 1.5 m over the ground, using portable measuring sets consisting of a GilAir 5 (Sensidyne, USA) pump and a measuring head filled with a glass microfibre filter (Whatman, UK). For the quantitative and qualitative analysis of microorganisms were used appropriate microbiological media. Results: The total concentrations of airborne mesophilic bacteria inside the poultry breeding houses ranged from 4.74×10⁴ cfu/m³ to 1.89×10⁸ cfu/m³. For Gram-negative bacteria, the range comprised the values from 4.33×10² cfu/m³ to 4.29×10⁶ cfu/m³. The concentrations of the cocci of Enterococcus genus ranged from 1.53×10⁴ cfu/m³ to 1.09×10⁷ cfu/m³, whereas those of other Gram-positive bacteria from 3.78×10⁴ cfu/m³ to 6.65×10⁷ cfu/m³. The lowest concentrations of each group of the examined microorganisms were noted in the second measurement series when the air exchange in the breeding houses was over twice higher than in first and third measurement series because the mechanical ventilation was supported by natural ventilation (opened gates in the buildings). The lowest concentrations of total bacteria were obtained in those buildings where one-day old chickens were kept. Gram-positive bacteria of the genera: Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Corynebacterium, Brevibacterium, Micrococcus, Cellulomonas, Bacillus, Aerococcus, and Gram-negative bacteria of the genera: Pseudomonas, Moraxella, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pasteurella, Pantoea were isolated. It was shown that for most of the investigated livestock premises the total bacteria concentrations exceeded the reference value of 1.0×10⁵ cfu/m³. Furthermore, pathogenic microorganisms which are a potential threat to human health (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. ozaenae, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium) were found among the identified bacteria. Conclusions: The results indicate that the hygienic conditions of the working environment connected with litter bed system production of poultry are affected by changes of the efficiency of ventilation and create a direct health risk to employees. They should use personal protective measures to protect their respiratory tract, especially when the gates in the hen houses are closed

Visible fungi growth and dampness assessed using a questionnaire versus airborne fungi, (1→3)-β-d-glucan and fungal spore concentrations in flats

Introduction The study aimed at determination of the usefulness of the subjective assessment of selected signs of fungi growth in flats and microclimate parameters to indicate the actual air contamination with culturable fungi, (1→3)-β-D-glucans and fungal spores. Material and methods This analysis covered 22 flats, the inhabitants of which declared in a questionnaire interview the presence of the developed mycelium on solid surfaces in the flat. Air samples for determination of the culturable fungi, (1→3)-β-D-glucans and (viable and non-viable) fungal spores concentrations indoor and outdoor the flats during the heating period were collected. During bioaerosol sampling microclimate parameters were measured. Predictive models for concentrations of the tested biological agents with regard to various ways to assess fungal contamination of air in a flat (on the basis of a questionnaire or a questionnaire and microclimate measurements) were built. Results The arithmetic means of temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration and air flow velocity in the flats were respectively: 20.5°C, 53%, 1431.6 ppm and 0 m/s. The geometric mean concentrations of airborne fungi, (1→3)-β-D-glucans and fungal spores in these premises amounted to 2.9×102 cfu/m3, 1.6 ng/m3 and 5.7×103 spores/m3, respectively. The subjective assessment of fungi growth signs and microclimate characteristics were moderately useful for evaluation of the actual airborne fungi and (1→3)-β-D-glucan concentrations (maximum percent of explained variance (VE) = 61% and 67%, respectively), and less useful in evaluation of the actual fungal spore concentrations (VE < 29%). In the case of fungi, higher usefulness was indicated of the questionnaire evaluation supported by microclimate measurements (VE = 61.2%), as compared to the evaluation only by means of a questionnaire (VE = 46.9%). Conclusions Subjective evaluation of fungi growth signs in flats, separately or combined with microclimate measurements, appeared to be moderately useful for quantitative evaluation of the actual air contamination with fungi and their derivatives, but more extensive studies are needed to strengthen those findings