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- Bighiu, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Assessing microbial contamination and antibiotic resistant bacteria using zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha)
- 2019
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In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 650, s. 2141-2149
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aquatic pollution with faecal bacteria and subsequent consumption of contaminated water or food is a worldwide issue that causes severe health effects (e.g. meningitis, salmonellosis, dysentery). In addition, the excessive use of antibiotics in animal husbandry and human medicine has enhanced the selective pressure on pathogenic bacteria, further increasing human health risks and detrimental effects on natural microbial communities. This urges the need to monitor faecal contamination using a time-integrated approach, as grab water samples can miss pathogen peaks. We tested the ability of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to take up and depurate faecal indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci. Furthermore, we quantified the frequency of antibiotic resistant bacteria in water and mussels both in controlled laboratory tests and under in situ conditions downstream of a sewage treatment plant (STP). Laboratory results show that bacterial indicators in mussels were 132 times higher than their concentration in water, and that mussels retained bacteria up to 2 days after pulse exposure. Field results show decreasing bacterial concentrations in both water and mussels downstream the STP, with maximum E. coli concentrations ranging 173-9 cfu mL(-1) in water and 2970-330 cfu g(-1) in mussels. Similarly, enterococci ranged 59-4 cfu mL(-1) and 1450-240 cfu g(-1) in water and mussels, respectively. High proportions of antibiotic resistant E. coli were found in mussels (72%) and water (65%), and slightly lower proportion of resistant enterococci was found in mussels (47%) and in water (34%). Moreover, 33% of the bacteria isolated from mussels were resistant to multiple antibiotics, which emphasizes that resistance is a common feature in surface waters and highlights the need for safe water management. Our results show that zebra mussels provide an efficient, time-integrating tool for quantifying faecal indicators, including resistant and multidrug resistant bacteria. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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- Bjermo, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Design, Methods, and Participation in Riksmaten Young Children - A Swedish National Dietary Survey
- 2024
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In: CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN NUTRITION. - 2475-2991. ; 8:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: National dietary surveys provide essential data for risk bene fi t assessments of foods and nutrients, for management and policy development. Physical activity measurement and biomonitoring can provide important complementary data but are less commonly included. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the study design and methods of the cross-sectional Swedish national dietary survey Riksmaten Young Children (Riksmaten sm & aring;barn), of children aged 9 mo, 18 mo, and 4 y. Participation/dropout rates for the 2 older age groups are also presented. The impact of different recruitment strategies is discussed. Methods: Children ( N = 16,655) were randomly selected from the population register; invitations to guardians were sent by post and where possible, followed up by telephone. Food intake was assessed by a 2-d food diary and/or questionnaire. Height and weight were reported after measurement. Physical activity (accelerometery, 7 d) and stool, blood, and urine samples were assessed in subgroups. Results: Food consumption data were collected in 1828 children (11% of the invited; 18 mo: n = 1078, and 4 y: n = 750). Of participants also in subgroups, 71% provided physical activity data ( n = 1307), 60% stool samples ( n = 630), and 51% blood and/or urine samples ( n = 593). The study population represented all geographic regions and types of municipalities in Sweden, but participating households had both higher education level and higher income than the target population. Only minor differences were seen in participation rates between recruitment via post and telephone compared with those through post only (12% compared with 10%). Repeated contact attempts were needed for the majority of participants (65%). Despite the low-participation rate, 99% of the participants completed the study once started. Conclusions: Although it was a challenge to recruit participants, Riksmaten Young Children provides a substantial amount of information at national level, representative in terms of sex, geography, and family structure. The underrepresentation of households with lower socioeconomic must be considered when results.
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- Cars, Otto, et al.
(author)
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Building bridges to operationalise one health : A Sino-Swedish collaboration to tackle antibiotic resistance
- 2016
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In: One Health. - : Elsevier. - 2352-7714. ; 2, s. 139-143
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Antibiotic resistance is a complex global health challenge. The recent Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance highlights the importance of adopting One Health approaches that can cross traditional disciplinary boundaries. We report on the early experiences of a multisectoral Sino-Swedish research project that aims to address gaps in our current knowledge and seeks to improve the situation through system-wide interventions. Our research project is investigating antibiotic use and resistance in a rural area of China through a combination of epidemiological, health systems and laboratory investigations. We reflect here on the challenges inherent in conducting long distance cross-disciplinary collaborations, having now completed data and sample collection for a baseline situation analysis. In particular, we recognise the importance of investing in aspects such as effective communication, shared conceptual frameworks and leadership. We suggest that our experiences will be instructive to others planning to develop similar international One Health collaborations.
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| 7. |
- Chi, Xiaohui, et al.
(author)
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Characterization of Clinically Relevant Strains of Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Occurring in Environmental Sources in a Rural Area of China by Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-302X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen, and a common cause of healthcare-associated infections such as pneumonia, septicemia, and urinary tract infection. The purpose of this study was to survey the occurrence of and characterize K. pneumoniae in different environmental sources in a rural area of Shandong province, China. Two hundred and thirty-one samples from different environmental sources in 12 villages were screened for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-(ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae, and 14 (6%) samples were positive. All isolates were multidrug-resistant and a few of them belonged to clinically relevant strains which are known to cause hospital outbreaks worldwide. Serotypes, virulence genes, serum survival, and phagocytosis survival were analyzed and the results showed the presence of virulence factors associated with highly virulent clones and a high degree of phagocytosis survivability, indicating the potential virulence of these isolates. These results emphasize the need for further studies designed to elucidate the role of the environment in transmission and dissemination of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae and the potential risk posed to human and environmental health.
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| 8. |
- Chi, Xiaohui, et al.
(author)
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Characterization of Clinically Relevant Strains of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Occurring in Environmental Sources in a Rural Area of China by Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-302X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen, and a common cause of healthcare-associated infections such as pneumonia, septicemia, and urinary tract infection. The purpose of this study was to survey the occurrence of and characterize K. pneumoniae in different environmental sources in a rural area of Shandong province, China. Two hundred and thirty-one samples from different environmental sources in 12 villages were screened for extended-spectrum β-lactamase-(ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae, and 14 (6%) samples were positive. All isolates were multidrug-resistant and a few of them belonged to clinically relevant strains which are known to cause hospital outbreaks worldwide. Serotypes, virulence genes, serum survival, and phagocytosis survival were analyzed and the results showed the presence of virulence factors associated with highly virulent clones and a high degree of phagocytosis survivability, indicating the potential virulence of these isolates. These results emphasize the need for further studies designed to elucidate the role of the environment in transmission and dissemination of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae and the potential risk posed to human and environmental health.
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| 9. |
- Collentine, Dennis, et al.
(author)
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Consequences of future nutrient load scenarios on multiple benefits of agricultural production
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Nutrient load rates to the Baltic Sea need to be reduced. Agricultural land is regarded as the most significant contributor to the loads, and measures to reduce losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads have been proposed, both for the near and far future. Agricultural production was to a large extent considered in these scenarios, whereas effects on other ecosystem services were not evaluated. The question to be answered by this report is whether the measures adopted to reduce N and P losses improve or impair multiple benefits of agriculture. The question is answered for a specific catchment (Svärtaån) located in Sweden, but the method is thoroughly described to provide a potential method to also evaluate other catchments. This work was performed as a part of the Baltic Compass project (2013). The answer to the main question of whether the measures adopted to reduce N and P losses from agricultural fields improved or impaired multiple benefits of agriculture, seems to be that they improved. Most of the BAP measures had a positive influence on most of the MB-categories, the clearest exception being liming in tile drains which only improved the cost effectiveness. Except for water protection, the biosecurity MB-category was positively influenced by the most measures (6 out of 9) and with soil quality the next highest (5 out of 9). It is less clear how the absolute values evaluated for the MB index, can be compared among MB-categories. Among the BAP-measures, structural liming was the most positive measure (summing up the indices of all MB-categories), followed by buffer-zones and spring cultivation the next, although the cost effectiveness of these latter measures was evaluated to decrease. In the “unavoidable” future (Future scenarios) GHG emissions strongly increased. The only measure that mitigated that effect was reduced N fertilisation, providing more arguments for applying reduced fertilisation than only to reduce leaching.
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| 10. |
- Elving, Josefine, et al.
(author)
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Composting for avian influenza virus elimination
- 2012
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In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 0099-2240 .- 1098-5336. ; 78, s. 3280-3285
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Effective sanitization is important in viral epizootic outbreaks to avoid further spread of the pathogen. This study examined thermal inactivation as a sanitizing treatment for manure inoculated with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 and bacteriophages MS2 and phi 6. Rapid inactivation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H7N1 was achieved at both mesophilic (35 degrees C) and thermophilic (45 and 55 degrees C) temperatures. Similar inactivation rates were observed for bacteriophage phi 6, while bacteriophage MS2 proved too thermoresistant to be considered a valuable indicator organism for avian influenza virus during thermal treatments. Guidelines for treatment of litter in the event of emergency composting can be formulated based on the inactivation rates obtained in the study.
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