Isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from pastoral ecosystems of Uganda: Public Health significance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa at the human-environment-livestock-wildlife interface has recently received increased attention. NTM are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Recent studies in pastoral ecosystems of Uganda detected NTM in humans with cervical lymphadenitis and cattle with lesions compatible with bovine tuberculosis. However, little is known about the source of these mycobacteria in Uganda. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify NTM in the environment of pastoral communities in Uganda, as well as assess the potential risk factors and the public health significance of NTM in these ecosystems.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A total of 310 samples (soil, water and faecal from cattle and pigs) were examined for mycobacteria. Isolates were identified by the INNO-Lipa test and by 16S rDNA sequencing. Additionally, a questionnaire survey involving 231 pastoralists was conducted during sample collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics followed by a multivariable logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-eight isolates of NTM were detected; 25.3% of soil samples, 11.8% of water and 9.1% from animal faecal samples contained mycobacteria. Soils around water sources were the most contaminated with NTM (29.8%). Of these samples, <it>M. fortuitum-peregrinum </it>complex, <it>M. avium </it>complex, <it>M. gordonae</it>, and <it>M. nonchromogenicum </it>were the most frequently detected mycobacteria. Drinking untreated compared to treated water (OR = 33), use of valley dam versus stream water for drinking and other domestic use (OR = 20), sharing of water sources with wild primates compared to antelopes (OR = 4.6), sharing of water sources with domestic animals (OR = 5.3), and close contact with cattle or other domestic animals (OR = 13.8) were the most plausible risk factors for humans to come in contact with NTM in the environment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study detected a wide range of potentially pathogenic NTM from the environment around the pastoral communities in Uganda. Drinking untreated water and living in close contact with cattle or other domestic animals may be risk factors associated with the possibility of humans and animals acquiring NTM infections from these ecosystems.</p

Multiple identification of most important waterborne protozoa in surface water used for irrigation purposes by 18S rRNA amplicon-based metagenomics

[EN] Understanding waterborne protozoan parasites (WPPs) diversity has important implications in public health. In this study, we evaluated a NGS-based method as a detection approach to identify simultaneously most important WPPs using 18S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. A set of primers to target the V4 18S rRNA region of WPPs such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia sp., Blastocystis sp., Entamoeba spp, Toxoplasma sp. and free-living amoebae (FLA) was designed. In order to optimize PCR conditions before sequencing, both a mock community with a defined composition of representative WPPs and a real water sample inoculated with specific WPPs DNA were prepared. Using the method proposed in this study, we have detected the presence of Giardia intestinalis, Acanthamoeba castellanii, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica and Blastocystis sp. at species level in real irrigation water samples. Our results showed that untreated surface irrigation water in open fields can provide an important source of WPPs. Therefore, the methodology proposed in this study can establish a basis for an accurate and effective diagnostic of WPPs to provide a better understanding of the risk associated to irrigation water.This work was supported through the project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) in the frame of the collaborative international consortium JPIW2013-095-C03-02 of the Water Challenges for a Changing World Joint Programming Initiative (Water JPI) Pilot Call. R. Perez acknowledges support from MINECO program "Promocion de Empleo Joven e Implantacion de la Garantia Juvenil en I + D + i".Moreno Trigos, MY.; Moreno-Mesonero, L.; Amoros, I.; Pérez-Santonja, R.; Morillo, J.; Alonso Molina, JL. (2018). Multiple identification of most important waterborne protozoa in surface water used for irrigation purposes by 18S rRNA amplicon-based metagenomics. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 221(1):102-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2017.10.008S102111221

From Traditional to Electric Free-Floating Car Sharing: Application and Case Study in the City of Milan in Italy

The main goal of the research is to analyze the benefits of Free-Floating Car Sharing (FFCS) combined with the benefits of electric mobility in an Italian metropolitan city like Milan. Milan, in fact, is among the European cities with the highest level of vehicular traffic and therefore congestion. In this perspective the work aims at defining and comparing two different scenarios: a current one, analyzing the data of the existing FFCS in Milan, and an evolutionary one, that foresees the renewal of the entire fleet of available cars with electric cars. The work represents a useful decision support tool for the planning and design of electric mobility in cities. The case study analyzed can be used as a starting point and extended to other contexts. Finally, using GIS tools, some evaluations are performed on the location of charging stations for vehicles

Antimicrobial power of Cu/Zn mixed oxide nanoparticles to Escherichia coli

The antimicrobial power of a Cu/Zn mixed oxide was probed by viability study against E. coli. A facile, environment friendly synthesis of CuO, ZnO and Cu0.73Zn0.27O nanoparticles was carried out via hydroxycarbonate precursors and the samples characterized by several techniques. The antimicrobial efficacy of the nanoparticles was, then, probed by two independent growth inhibition essays, the culture methods and the optical density after 4 h, 8 h and 24 h contact time and shows both a time and concentration dependency. Remarkably the Cu0.73Zn0.27O mixed oxide exhibits the highest antimicrobial activity, with 90% growth inhibition already after 8 h for a dose of 200 μg/mL whereas CuO reaches the same performance only after 24 h and ZnO has, comparatively, only a limited activity

Ecologia delle amebe a vita libera

Ecologia delle amebe a vita liber

A study on the microbial quality of sealed products for feminine hygiene

Introduction. Sanitary tampons have been in existence for over 60 years. Their use may present certain health risks, potentially associated with an abnormal change of microbial flora in the vagina (e.g., toxic shock syndrome). Tampon production and marketing are regulated differently in different countries. In Australia, Canada and the USA, tampons are classified as Class-II medical devices and their marketing requires pre-clinical and clinical studies, including microbiological trials. In Europe, tampons are considered consumer products and safety-related data are provided only if the manufacturer deems them to be useful. Sterility of these products is not requested by law; thus they may represent a potential vehicle for microorganisms. Due to the lack of data on microbial characteristics of tampons, an analytical investigation was carried out to characterize and quantify the microbial flora present on sealed tampons of various brands present on the market in Italy. Methods. Traditional cultural methods were used to characterize and quantify bacteria and fungi. Identification of colonies was performed with biochemical techniques. Results. Results showed low microbial concentrations in 93% of the positive samples. A rare presence of opportunistic pathogens was detected and a few samples (6%) were characterized by bacterial species of human origin. Conclusions. In the light of these data, the examined tampons were found to have good hygienic quality. Nevertheless, to minimize the microbial risks linked to the use of these products, strict hygienic rules during their production and manipulation have to be adopted

Behavior of pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterobacter aerogenes in water from filter jugs

Careless use conditions of filter jugs were applied to simulate and evaluate the behavior of two ubiquitous aquatic bacterial species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter aerogenes. According to a reference protocol, nine different jugs of popular brands sold in the Italian market were used for the test. Separately, a suspension of the two bacteria was spiked in water used for filling the jugs. The concentration of the test organisms and total aerobic microbial count (TAMC) was measured daily in the filtered water along a period corresponding to the cartridge lifetime. Results showed a different trend of bacterial behavior. E. aerogenes was detectable exclusively on the first day after jug filling, while P. aeruginosa confirmed its persistence over time in all the jugs and its ability to potentially colonize surfaces and cartridges. The TAMC was detected at a concentration range from 102 to 107 CFU/100 mL in all the tests, high values that were not far from those raised in bottled flat natural mineral water weeks after bottling

Comparison of simple DNA extraction procedures to detect protozoa in a water sample by real-time PCR

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are parasitic protozoa responsible for enteritis in man, often severe in children and in immunocompromised patients. Their transmissive stages, cysts and oocysts, voided in large number with the faeces of infected hosts, may contaminate sewage effluents and surface water. Detection of these microorganisms in water environmental samples is a critical issue. Conventional methods for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Molecular detection methods based on amplification techniques have been applied for water quality management, but require a previous protozoa enrichment step by filtration and elution. Direct environmental DNA extraction plays a key role, but is limited by copurification of polymerase inhibitors. We have compared lysis and DNA isolation methods for protozoa detection by real-time per. The molecular approach provides a promising and effective tool for flanking the traditional optical microscopy based assays