Livestock-associated MRSA colonization of occupational exposed workers and households in Europe: a review

The worldwide escalation in antibiotic resistant microorganisms has sustained the increasing concerns regarding antibiotics extensive use in animal food industry, which can result in a selection pressure that is driving the emergence of strains such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Human MRSA infections are a well-known cause of numerous hospitalizations and deaths associated with extremely high mortality rates for invasive infections. Both animals and humans can become bacterial reservoirs of Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) in which colonization predisposes to staphylococcal acquisition in clinical settings and to transfer the infection to others including household members. Biomonitoring of occupational exposed individuals which spend several hours per day in direct contact with MRSA-positive animals and thus are irrefutably exposed to a high risk of nasal colonization is imperative in order to develop effective preventive strategies. Here we performed an extensive review regarding the prevalence of LA- MRSA colonization in both occupational exposed individuals and their house-holds in a European context.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Persistence of Livestock Associated MRSA CC398 in Humans Is Dependent on Intensity of Animal Contact

INTRODUCTION: The presence of Livestock Associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) in humans is associated with intensity of animal contact. It is unknown whether the presence of LA-MRSA is a result of carriage or retention of MRSA-contaminated dust. We conducted a longitudinal study among 155 veal farmers in which repeated nasal and throat swabs were taken for MRSA detection. Periods with and without animal exposure were covered. METHODS: Randomly, 51 veal calf farms were visited from June-December 2008. Participants were asked to fill in questionnaires (n = 155) to identify potential risk factors for MRSA colonisation. Nasal and throat swabs were repeatedly taken from each participant for approximately 2 months. Swabs were analysed for MRSA and MSSA by selective bacteriological culturing. Spa-types of the isolates were identified and a ST398 specific PCR was performed. Data were analyzed using generalized estimation equations (GEE) to allow for correlated observations within individuals. RESULTS: Mean MRSA prevalence was 38% in farmers and 16% in family members. Presence of MRSA in farmers was strongly related to duration of animal contact and was strongly reduced in periods with absence of animal contact (-58%). Family members, especially children, were more often carriers when the farmer was a carrier (OR = 2,

Programs for special classes for children with complex violations of the development of special educational institutions for visually impaired children. Labor training. Preparatory, grades 1-4

Метою трудового навчання є розвиток особистості зі складними вадами розвитку через залучення до різних видів доступної праці, засвоєння знань про властивості оброблюваних матеріалів, вивчення засобів праці, формування відповідального ставлення до вирішення трудових завдань і навчання безпеки праці. У процесі трудової діяльності з різноманітними предметами та матеріалами, змінюючи під час обробки їх форму, конфігурацію, розміри, величину, об’єм, вагу, поверхню, учні оволодівають прийомами і способами проведення обстежувальних дій, предметної і просторової орієнтації, збагачують власні уявлення про навколишню дійсність, знаходять особисто значущі для них об’єкти праці, тобто такі, що найкраще забезпечують реалізацію їхніх творчих можливостей. Мета і завдання предмета реалізуються на основі змісту кількох основних напрямків життєдіяльності: природа, людина, техніка, естетичне довкілля. За структурою програма складається з трьох колонок: зміст навчального матеріалу; навчальні досягнення учнів; спрямованість корекційно-розвивальної роботи.Целью трудового обучения является развитие личности со сложными нарушениями в развитии путем привлечения к различным видам доступного труда, усвоение знаний о свойствах обрабатываемых материалов, изучение средств труда, формирование ответственного отношения к решению трудовых задач и обучения безопасности труда. В процессе трудовой деятельности с различными предметами и материалами, изменяя при обработке их форму, конфигурацию, размеры, величину, объем, вес, поверхность, учащиеся овладевают приемами и способами проведения обследовательских действий, предметной и пространственной ориентации, обогащают собственные представления об окружающей действительности, находят лично значимые для них объекты труда, то есть такие, которые лучше всего обеспечивают реализацию их творческих возможностей. Цель и задачи предмета реализуются на основе содержания нескольких направлений жизнедеятельности: природа, человек, техника, эстетика окружающей среды. По структуре программа состоит из трех колонок: содержание учебного материала; учебные достижения учащихся; направленность коррекционно-развивающей работы.The purpose of labor training is the development of a person with complex defects through the involvement in various types of accessible labor, the acquisition of knowledge about the properties of processed materials, the study of means of labor, the formation of responsible attitude to solving labor problems and training in labor safety. In the process of work with various objects and materials, changing their shape, configuration, size, size, volume, weight, surface, and size, size, size, volume, weight, surface, students acquire techniques and methods of conducting exploratory actions, subject and spatial orientation, enriching their own ideas about the surrounding reality, find objects of labor that are personally meaningful to them, that is, those that best ensure the realization of their creative abilities. The purpose and tasks of the subject are realized on the basis of the content of several key areas of life: nature, man, technique, aesthetic environment. The structure of the program consists of three columns: the content of the training material; educational achievements of students; the direction of correction and development work

Risk factors for persistence of livestock-associated MRSA and environmental exposure in veal calf farmers and their family members: an observational longitudinal study

Objectives: Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) emergence is a major public health concern. This study was aimed at assessing risk factors for persistently carrying MRSA in veal calf farmers and their family members. We also evaluate the dynamics of MRSA environmental load during the veal-calf production cycle. Design: Observational, longitudinal, repeated cross-sectional study. Setting: 52 veal calf farms in the Netherlands. Participants: From the end of 2010 to the end of 2011, a total of 211 farmers, family members and employees were included in the study. Primary outcome and secondary outcome measures: Nasal swabs were taken from participants on days 0, 4, 7 and week 12. A persistent MRSA carrier was defined as a person positive for MRSA on days 0, 4 and 7. Participants filled in an extensive questionnaire to identify potential risk factors and confounders. For estimation of MRSA prevalence in calves and environmental contamination, animal nasal swabs and Electrostatic Dust Collectors were taken on day 0 and week 12. Results: The presence of potential animal reservoirs (free-ranging farm cats and sheep) and the level of contact with veal calves was positively associated with persistent MRSA carriage. Interestingly, at the end of the study (week 12), there was a twofold rise in animal prevalence and a significantly higher MRSA environmental load in the stables was found on farms with MRSA carriers. Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that environmental contamination with MRSA plays a role in the acquisition of MRSA in farmers and their household members and suggests that other animal species should also be targeted to implement effective control strategies

Гибридная интегральная схема для обработки звукового сигнала

Разработана гибридная интегральная схема с номинальным напряжением питания 1,4 В, током потребления 0,7 мА и габаритными размерами 8x4x3 мм для обработки звукового сигнала в автономной аппаратуре.Розроблена гібридна інтегральна схема з номінальною напругою живлення 1,4 В, струмом споживання 0,7 мА і габаритними розмірами 8x4x3 мм забезпечує багатофункціональну обробку звуковою сигналу в аналоговій мікроелектронній апаратурі. Наведено її конструкторсько-технологічні та електричні параметри.Developed hybrid integrated circuit with rated supply voltage of 1,4 V, current consumption 0,7 mA and overall dimensions 8x4x3 mm provides soft processing of the audio signal in analog microelectronic equipment. Given its design, technological and electrical parameters

A metapopulation model to assess the capacity of spread of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in humans.

The emergence of the livestock-associated clone of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST398 is a serious public health issue throughout Europe. In The Netherlands a stringent 'search-and-destroy' policy has been adopted, keeping low the level of MRSA prevalence. However, reports have recently emerged of transmission events between humans showing no links to livestock, contradicting belief that MRSA ST398 is poorly transmissible in humans. The question regarding the transmissibility of MRSA ST398 in humans therefore remains of great interest. Here, we investigated the capacity of MRSA ST398 to spread into an entirely susceptible human population subject to the effect of a single MRSA-positive commercial pig farm. Using a stochastic, discrete-time metapopulation model, we explored the effect of varying both the probability of persistent carriage and that of acquiring MRSA due to contact with pigs on the transmission dynamics of MRSA ST398 in humans. In particular, we assessed the value and key determinants of the basic reproduction ratio (R(0)) for MRSA ST398. Simulations showed that the presence of recurrent exposures with pigs in risky populations allows MRSA ST398 to persist in the metapopulation and transmission events to occur beyond the farming community, even when the probability of persistent carriage is low. We further showed that persistent carriage should occur in less than 10% of the time for MRSA ST398 to conserve epidemiological characteristics similar to what has been previously reported. These results indicate that implementing control policy that only targets human carriers may not be sufficient to control MRSA ST398 in the community if it remains in pigs. We argue that farm-level control measures should be implemented if an eradication programme is to be considered

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398 in Veal Calf Farming: Human MRSA Carriage Related with Animal Antimicrobial Usage and Farm Hygiene

Introduction Recently a specific MRSA sequence type, ST398, emerged in food production animals and farmers. Risk factors for carrying MRSA ST398 in both animals and humans have not been fully evaluated. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated factors associated with MRSA colonization in veal calves and humans working and living on these farms. Methods A sample of 102 veal calf farms were randomly selected and visited from March 2007–February 2008. Participating farmers were asked to fill in a questionnaire (n = 390) to identify potential risk factors. A nasal swab was taken from each participant. Furthermore, nasal swabs were taken from calves (n = 2151). Swabs were analysed for MRSA by selective enrichment and suspected colonies were confirmed as MRSA by using slide coagulase test and PCR for presence of the mecA-gene. Spa types were identified and a random selection of each spa type was tested with ST398 specific PCR. The Sequence Type of non ST398 strains was determined. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results Human MRSA carriage was strongly associated with intensity of animal contact and with the number of MRSA positive animals on the farm. Calves were more often carrier when treated with antibiotics, while farm hygiene was associated with a lower prevalence of MRSA. Conclusion This is the first study showing direct associations between animal and human carriage of ST398. The direct associations between animal and human MRSA carriage and the association between MRSA and antimicrobial use in calves implicate prudent use of antibiotics in farm animals

Adapting to climate change in The Netherlands: an inventory of climate adaptation options and ranking of alternatives

In many countries around the world impacts of climate change are assessed and adaptation options identified. We describe an approach for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of adaptation options to respond to climate change in the Netherlands. The study introduces an inventory and ranking of adaptation options based on stakeholder analysis and expert judgement, and presents some estimates of incremental costs and benefits. The qualitative assessment focuses on ranking and prioritisation of adaptation options. Options are selected and identified and discussed by stakeholders on the basis of a sectoral approach, and assessed with respect to their importance, urgency and other characteristics by experts. The preliminary quantitative assessment identifies incremental costs and benefits of adaptation options. Priority ranking based on a weighted sum of criteria reveals that in the Netherlands integrated nature and water management and risk based policies rank high, followed by policies aiming at 'climate proof' housing and infrastructure