The Prevalence of Aflatoxinogenic Aspergillus parasiticus in Jordan

Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens and produced by almost all Aspergillus parasiticus isolates and about 35% of Aspergillus flavus isolates. Chemical methods are used for detection of aflatoxins in food and feed. These methods cannot detect aflatoxinogenic fungi in samples, which contain undetectable amounts of aflatoxins. The objective of this research work was to ascertain the importance of molecular and microbiological methods in detection of aflatoxinogenic fungus A. parasiticus in food and feed samples in Jordan. Specific media for the detection of aflatoxins showed the prevalence of A. parasiticus (6–22%) in contaminated food and feed samples. HPLC method confirmed the presence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in food sample contaminated with A. parasiticus. Primer set OmtBII-F and OmtBII-R amplified DNA fragment of 611 base pairs from genomic DNA of aflatoxinogenic A. parasiticus isolated from food and feed samples but could not amplify DNA fragment of nonaflatoxinogenic A. flavus. The results of this study showed the prevalence of aflatoxinogenic A. parasiticus in food and feed samples in Jordan and give further evidence of suitability of microbiological and molecular methods in detection of aflatoxins, which are reliable low-cost approach to determine food and feed biosafety

Cartoon folder cover - back page (in Arabic)

This is the Arabic version of the back cover page for a series of cartoons about the development and promotion of biological and chemical security education in the Higher Education sector

Antimicrobial tolerance changes in biocide-passaged biofilm cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

The aim of this study was to develop a novel process for the passaging of biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa towards tolerance to a group of selected antimicrobial agents (biocides). The combination of both a traditional passage approach coupled with a suitable biofilm model, for the production of large numbers of adherent cells, yielded evidence of a development of phenotypic tolerance in Ps. aeruginosa towards selected biocides (zinc pyrithione (ZnPT), sodium pyrithione (NaPT), Cetrimide & Benzisothiazolone (BIT)). The results indicate a step-wise increase in minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) over a series of ten consecutive passages in the presence of increasing concentrations of biocide. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a complex internal structure to the biofilms grown using this model. Results indicate that it is possible to passage cultures of Ps. aeruginosa towards phenotypic tolerance to selected antimicrobial agents. Results also indicate that such tolerance is partially reversible and that some residual tolerance remains in the absence of biocide. Thus, indicating that the tolerance is partially due to phenotypic changes within biofilm cells. This study describes a novel technique for the induction of phenotypic tolerance towards antimicrobial agents in biofilm situations. The model used here may be adapted to other areas of biofilm work, where clonal selection of phenotypic traits may be desirable

Transboundary determinants of avian zoonotic infectious diseases: challenges for strengthening research capacity and connecting surveillance networks

As the climate changes, global systems have become increasingly unstable and unpredictable. This is particularly true for many disease systems, including subtypes of highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAIs) that are circulating the world. Ecological patterns once thought stable are changing, bringing new populations and organisms into contact with one another. Wild birds continue to be hosts and reservoirs for numerous zoonotic pathogens, and strains of HPAI and other pathogens have been introduced into new regions via migrating birds and transboundary trade of wild birds. With these expanding environmental changes, it is even more crucial that regions or counties that previously did not have surveillance programs develop the appropriate skills to sample wild birds and add to the understanding of pathogens in migratory and breeding birds through research. For example, little is known about wild bird infectious diseases and migration along the Mediterranean and Black Sea Flyway (MBSF), which connects Europe, Asia, and Africa. Focusing on avian influenza and the microbiome in migratory wild birds along the MBSF, this project seeks to understand the determinants of transboundary disease propagation and coinfection in regions that are connected by this flyway. Through the creation of a threat reduction network for avian diseases (Avian Zoonotic Disease Network, AZDN) in three countries along the MBSF (Georgia, Ukraine, and Jordan), this project is strengthening capacities for disease diagnostics; microbiomes; ecoimmunology; field biosafety; proper wildlife capture and handling; experimental design; statistical analysis; and vector sampling and biology. Here, we cover what is required to build a wild bird infectious disease research and surveillance program, which includes learning skills in proper bird capture and handling; biosafety and biosecurity; permits; next generation sequencing; leading-edge bioinformatics and statistical analyses; and vector and environmental sampling. Creating connected networks for avian influenzas and other pathogen surveillance will increase coordination and strengthen biosurveillance globally in wild birds

Climate change and human health in the Eastern Mediterranean and middle east: Literature review, research priorities and policy suggestions

Human health is linked to climatic factors in complex ways, and climate change can have profound direct and indirect impacts on the health status of any given region. Susceptibility to climate change is modulated by biological, ecological and socio-political factors such as age, gender, geographic location, socio-economic status, occupation, health status and housing conditions, among other. In the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME), climatic factors known to affect human health include extreme heat, water shortages and air pollution. Furthermore, the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and the health consequences of population displacement are also influenced by climate change in this region. To inform future policies for adaptation and mitigation measures, and based on an extensive review of the available knowledge, we recommend several research priorities for the region. These include the generation of more empirical evidence on exposure-response functions involving climate change and specific health outcomes, the development of appropriate methodologies to evaluate the physical and psychological effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, determining how climate change alters the ecological determinants of human health, improving our understanding of the effects of long-term exposure to heat stress and air pollution, and evaluating the interactions between adaptation and mitigation strategies. Because national boundaries do not limit most climate-related factors expected to impact human health, we propose that adaptation/mitigation policies must have a regional scope, and therefore require collaborative efforts among EMME nations. Policy suggestions include a decisive region-wide decarbonisation, the integration of environmentally driven morbidity and mortality data throughout the region, advancing the development and widespread use of affordable technologies for the production and management of drinking water by non-traditional means, the development of comprehensive strategies to improve the health status of displaced populations, and fostering regional networks for monitoring and controlling the spread of infectious diseases and disease vectors.This project received funding from the Cyprus Institute's Core funds and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 856612 and the Cyprus Government. All authors are members of the Task Force on Health of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Climate Change Initiative (EMME-CCI).Peer reviewe

Greywater Management in the North Eastern Badia of Jordan

This chapter looks at the feasibility of adopting non-conventional GW management policies for small, rural communities in the north-eastern Badia of Jordan. The north-eastern Badia comprises 33 small clusters (communities), all of which lack public sewerage networks. The most common wastewater collection method is the use of pit latrines and unlined cesspools. About two-thirds of the population separate GW from blackwater, but use the GW for irrigation in an uncontrolled manner and without any treatment. A local stakeholder committee (LSC) formed of and including community members and officials was engaged in all project activities, including field visits to wastewater/GW treatment-and-use projects as well as a training workshop on public participation concepts and participatory rapid (or rural) appraisal (PRA) tools and methodologies. Relevant social, economic, and environmental data and information were collected utilizing PRA tools as well as formal surveys. One of the clusters – Rawdat Al-Amir Ali – was appointed as a research site based on specific criteria set by the research team and the LSC. Greywater quality and quantities generated from different fixtures of six households at the research site were investigated during the period March–August 2005. Different cost-effective and technologically-sound alternative treatment options were assessed, taking into consideration potential reuse opportunities. Two different treatment options were considered: 1) septic tank followed by intermittent sand filter; 2) up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). Two pilot plants were designed, installed and operated in two households at the research site

Cartoon 5: Integration - page 2 (in Arabic)

This cartoon - the second of two - is about the wider promotion of an institutional research process in biological and chemical security education in the Higher Education sector

Cartoon 5: Integration - page 1 (in Arabic)

This cartoon - the first of two - is about the wider promotion of an institutional research process in biological and chemical security education in the Higher Education sector

Cartoon 1: Preventing biological weapons - page 2 (2021) (in Arabic)

This is the second cartoon (of 2) within project on "Informing Policymakers of the Progress in Strengthening the Chemical and Biological Weapons Non-Proliferation Regime"