Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hannah Joan Jorgensen, Mette Valheim, Camilla Sekse, Bjarne Asbjorn Bergsjo, Helene Wisloff, Simen Foyn Norstebo, Ellen Skancke, Karin Lagesen, Anita Haug Haaland, Sabrina Rodriguez-Campos, Siri Kulberg Sjurseth, Merete Hofshagen, Jorun Jarp, Ole-Herman Tronerud, Gro Skoien Johannessen, Monica Heggelund, Sasja Rygg, Ellen Christensen, Mette Boye, Britt Gjerset, Morten Sandvik, Eiril Moen Soltvedt, Cecilia Wolff
Summary: In 2019, Norwegian veterinary authorities conducted an official outbreak investigation to determine the cause of dogs suffering from acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea (AHD). The investigation pointed towards Providencia alcalifaciens as a potential cause, with whole genome sequencing showing the bacterial strains from the affected dogs were almost identical. Further studies are needed to understand the pathogenic potential of P. alcalifaciens in dogs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Munazzah Tasleem, Wesam M. M. Hussein, Abdel-Aziz A. A. El-Sayed, Abdulwahed Alrehaily
Summary: Seawater desalination is the main source of freshwater in Saudi Arabia, but groundwater in Madinah is contaminated with toxic heavy metals, including Chromium (Cr). Biological remediation systems, such as using Providencia bacteria, have become the focus due to their higher efficiency and lower cost in removing heavy metals. This study investigates the role of potential active site residues in bioengineering the chromate reductase (ChrR) enzyme from Providencia alcalifaciens to reduce Cr toxicity, providing valuable insights for Cr bioremediation.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xiao Wei, Yan Li, Shan Jiang, Hua Shi, Rongtao Zhao, Zhengquan Yuan, Ying Bai, Yan Li, Qunling Feng, Xiangna Zhao
Summary: A highly specific and sensitive LAMP detection method for the cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC genes produced by P. alcalifaciens was established, with a detection threshold of 3.13 pg/μl within 40 minutes.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Seung Hun Lee, Sangmi Lee, Sang Hun Park, Ok Kyung Koo
Summary: In this study, a Listeria monocytogenes strain responsible for a foodborne outbreak in South Korea was characterized. The strain exhibited specific characteristics in antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. These findings will contribute to assessing the characteristics of CC224 strains in South Korea that have the potential to cause listeriosis outbreaks.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gaspard Grouteau, Cedric Mignonat, Bruno Marchou, Guillaume Martin-Blondel, Olivier Glass, Claire Roubaud-Baudron, Pauline Lansalot-Matras, Simon Alik, Laurent Balardy, Thomas De Nadai, Lucie Benejat, Quentin Jehanne, Alain Le Coustumier, Philippe Lehours
Summary: In June 2021, a cluster of seven cases of Campylobacter fetus infections occurred in a rehabilitation center and caused significant morbidity in elderly patients, including five with bacteremia and two with osteoarticular medical device infections. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that the different strains of Campylobacter fetus had a common source, indicating a foodborne outbreak likely caused by the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, such as raw milk cheese from a farm-to-fork strategy.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Qinxi Chen, Zhengli Yu, Xin Xu, Jun Ji, Lunguang Yao, Yunchao Kan, Yingzuo Bi, Qingmei Xie
Summary: In June 2020, a highly acute disease known as visceral gout broke out in Muscovy ducklings in Henan province, China, with a mortality rate of up to 61%. The novel goose astrovirus (GoAstV) was identified as the pathogenic agent, with the HNNY0620 strain showing genetic similarities to TAstV-2 and DHV-3. Special mutations were observed in both duck-origin GoAstVs and the HNNY0620 strain, indicating a potential impact on other waterfowl species.
Article
Microbiology
Maria Shaka, Aranzazu Arias-Rojas, Alexandra Hrdina, Dagmar Frahm, Igor Iatsenko
Summary: We identified the major defense mechanisms of fruit flies against Providencia alcalifaciens, a human and fruit fly pathogen, and the corresponding bacterial mechanisms to combat these immune responses. Fruit flies use antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as defense mechanisms, while the pathogen's ability to resist these immune molecules is its major virulence mechanism.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tigist Bacha, Ermias Abebaw, Ayalew Moges, Amsalu Bekele, Afework Tamiru, Ishmael Shemsedin, Dawd S. Siraj, Daddi Jima, Wondwossen Amogne
Summary: This report describes the first confirmed cases of botulism in Ethiopia, caused by accidental ingestion of botulinum toxin in commonly consumed homemade foods. Among the 10 patients identified, 5 deaths occurred, indicating a high mortality rate associated with botulism.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Angelo Romano, Simona Carrella, Sara Rezza, Yacine Nia, Jacques Antoine Hennekinne, Daniela Manila Bianchi, Francesca Martucci, Fabio Zuccon, Margherita Gulino, Carmela Di Mari, Teresa Zaccaria, Lucia Decastelli
Summary: Staphylococcal food poisoning occurs when food is contaminated with staphylococcal enterotoxins. In a case involving six children who consumed doner kebab from a takeaway restaurant, symptoms of vomiting and nausea were observed. Microbiological analysis and genome sequencing confirmed the presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci and staphylococcal enterotoxins in the contaminated food.
Article
Immunology
Daniela Michlmayr, Luis Alves de Sousa, Luise Muller, Pikka Jokelainen, Steen Ethelberg, Lasse Skafte Vestergaard, Susanne Schjorring, Sarah Mikkelsen, Carl Widstrup Jensen, Lasse Dam Rasmussen, Christen Rune Stensvold
Summary: Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified as the cause of a foodborne outbreak of diarrhea affecting >70 individuals. The outbreak was associated with consuming food from a workplace canteen, with symptoms including diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal pain. The study highlights the importance of investigating E. bieneusi in foodborne outbreak investigations.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Abhijit Rana, Anup Kumar Misra
Summary: An acidic pentasaccharide repeating unit of Providencia alcalifaciens O45:H25 strain has been synthesized using multi-step stereoselective glycosylation. The p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) group was used as an in situ removable protecting group, and the D-glucuronic acid moiety was installed by selective oxidation. Thioglycoside donors were used for glycosylation with good stereochemistry and yields.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tingting Li, Qinpei Zou, Cheng Chen, Qin Li, Shuquan Luo, Zhifeng Li, Chuan Yang, Di Yang, Zhi Huang, Huadong Zhang, Wenge Tang, Li Qi
Summary: This study investigated an outbreak of acute gastrointestinal illness caused by Bacillus cereus-contaminated rice noodles in two middle schools in a rural region of Chongqing, China in 2021. The findings showed a significant association between the outbreak and rice noodles provided by a nearby food manufacturer. Enhancing food safety surveillance and promoting health measures among schools and food manufacturers in rural areas is crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Article
Microbiology
Maria Shaka, Aranzazu Arias-Rojas, Alexandra Hrdina, Dagmar Frahm, Igor Iatsenko
Summary: This study investigated the virulence mechanisms and corresponding insect host defenses of Providencia bacteria. The study revealed that Providencia uses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated resistance to antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and avoidance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to evade host immune responses.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
David Hendrickx, Carmen Varela Martinez, Matthias Contzen, Christiane Wagner-Wiening, Karl-Heinz Janke, Pablo Hernando Jimenez, Susanne Massing, Jeanette Pichler, Petra Tichaczek-Dischinger, Florian Burckhardt, Klaus Stark, Katharina Katz, Annette Jurke, Sebastian Thole, Rosa Carbo, Mariam Pascual del Pobil Ferre, Milagros Nieto, Maria Jesus Zamora, Ana Siso, Pilar Pallares Garcia, Sylvia Valdezate, Lars Schaade, Sylvia Worbs, Brigitte Gertrud Dorner, Christina Frank, Martin Bernhard Dorner
Summary: Botulism outbreaks due to commercial products are extremely rare in the European Union. The first international outbreak of foodborne botulism caused by commercial salt-cured, dried roach was documented in Germany and Spain. The outbreak involved persons of Russian and Kazakh backgrounds who consumed unheated salt-cured, dried roach, which is popular in Eastern European countries. Multiple Clostridium botulinum strains and toxin variants were identified even from a single patient's sample. International outbreaks are very rare in foodborne botulism and timely public health action is crucial.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Erin Jenkins, Ifueko Gardenhire, Brooke M. Whitney, Krystalyn B. Martin, Colin Schwensohn, Laura Gieraltowski, Molly M. Leeper, Vivien McCurdy, Monica McClure, Allison Wellman, Arthur Pightling, Michelle Smith, Angela Swinford, Lisa Hainstock, Alvin J. Crosby, Michael C. Bazaco, Stelios Viazis
Summary: In 2020, there was an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections in the United States linked to melons from southwest Indiana, resulting in 80 ill persons and 18 hospitalizations reported across 15 states. The investigation was unable to determine whether the vehicle for the infections was cantaloupe alone or both cantaloupe and watermelons. This outbreak highlights the need for further efforts to identify the source and extent of environmental contamination in the melon growing region and promote farm practices to reduce pathogen contamination of melons.
Article
Immunology
Winnie C. Mutai, Marianne W. Mureithi, Omu Anzala, Gunturu Revathi, Brian Kullin, Magdaline Burugu, Cecilia Kyany'a, Erick Odoyo, Peter Otieno, Lillian Musila
Summary: This study found that multidrug-resistant C. difficile strains were a significant cause of healthcare facility-onset C. difficile infections in patients with prior antimicrobial exposure in a Kenyan hospital.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Catherine Wawira Muriuki, Lilian Adhiambo Ogonda, Cecilia Kyanya, Daniel Matano, Clement Masakhwe, Erick Odoyo, Lillian Musila
Summary: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPECs) in Kenya have a 24% occurrence of ESBL production, with predominant genes being bla(CTX-M), bla(TEM), and bla(SHV). These UPECs primarily belong to phylogenetic groups B2 and D.
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peter S. Larson, Carina Gronlund, Lyke Thompson, Natalie Sampson, Ramona Washington, Jamie Steis Thorsby, Natalie Lyon, Carol Miller
Summary: Household flooding has significant social, economic, and public health impacts on people in resource-poor communities. Factors such as housing conditions and neighborhood characteristics influence the risk of recurrent home flooding, which is associated with asthma cases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Carina J. Gronlund, Kaan Cem Ketenci, Tony G. Reames, Peter S. Larson, Justin Schott, Zachary Rowe, Quinton S. Jenkins, Mario O. Sanca, Troy Tournat, Ketlyne Sol, Don'aa Williams, Emma Gijsbers, Marie S. O'Neill
Summary: The burden of temperature on health outcomes, especially in low-income households, is significant. In a study of low-income residents in Detroit, indoor temperature fluctuations were found to affect cognitive function and sleepiness. High and low indoor temperatures may influence health, but no detrimental effects of higher temperatures were observed.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Peter S. Larson, Joseph N. S. Eisenberg, Veronica J. Berrocal, Don P. Mathanga, Mark L. Wilson
Summary: The urban-rural designation is an important risk factor in infectious disease epidemiology, but relying on politically determined dichotomization may not capture the full complexity of driving factors. A continuous composite measure of urbanicity showed better predictive power for malaria risk compared to traditional rural/urban or population density variables. This method can provide a clearer mechanistic understanding and can be applied to other infectious disease processes in rapidly urbanizing contexts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peter S. Larson, Leon Espira, Bailey E. Glenn, Miles C. Larson, Christopher S. Crowe, Seoyeon Jang, Marie S. O'Neill
Summary: This research, using data from Kenya and PM2.5 concentration data, found that long-term exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 may increase the risk of acute respiratory problems in young children.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bailey E. Glenn, Leon M. Espira, Miles C. Larson, Peter S. Larson
Summary: Research on NCRDs and ambient air pollutant exposures in Sub-Saharan Africa is limited and primarily focused on a few countries. Most studies are cross-sectional and primarily involve schoolchildren, with measurements of air pollution using spectrometry and chromatography. While capacity to measure air quality in SSA is high, studies should focus on the impact of outdoor air pollution on health outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Martin Georges, Erick Odoyo, Daniel Matano, Fredrick Tiria, Cecilia Kyany'a, Daniel Mbwika, Winnie C. Mutai, Lillian Musila
Summary: This study reveals the high antibiotic resistance, diversity of virulence genes, and their association with drug resistance in Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium isolates. It is of great importance for understanding the pathogenic success of these enterococci and guiding future research.
JOURNAL OF PATHOGENS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Erick Odoyo, Daniel Matano, Fredrick Tiria, Martin Georges, Cecilia Kyanya, Samuel Wahome, Winnie Mutai, Lillian Musila
Summary: This study found the presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in high-touch environments of Kenyan hospitals. A. baumannii, K. pneumoniae, and Enterobacter species showed higher contamination rates, especially in the newborn, surgical, and maternity departments. This highlights the gaps in infection prevention practices and the threat of non-susceptibility to last-line antibiotics.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Mamadu Baldeh, Flavia K. Bawa, Faiza U. Bawah, Martin Chamai, Francis Dzabeng, Waleed M. A. Jebreel, Jean-Bertin B. Kabuya, Shola K. Molemodile Dele-Olowu, Erick Odoyo, Dimbintsoa Rakotomalala Robinson, Aubrey J. Cunnington
Summary: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have important implications for the selection of point-of-care molecular diagnostics in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of the REASSURED criteria has been validated, but adjustments are needed based on the specific context.
EXPERT REVIEW OF MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Peter S. Larson, Rachel S. Bergmans
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic had mixed impacts on suicide, alcohol-related liver failure, and overdose deaths, with variations in mortality rates among different demographic groups.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2022)
Review
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Alexandra M. Peirce, Leon M. Espira, Peter S. Larson
Summary: Climate change-induced extreme precipitation events disproportionately impact urban populations, increasing the risk of non-communicable respiratory diseases. A systematic review of scientific literature reveals a significant association between severe weather events and respiratory diseases.
Article
Tropical Medicine
Peter S. Larson, Morris Ndemwa, Aleksandra F. Thomas, Noriko Tamari, Paul Diela, Mwatasa Changoma, Abdullatif Mohamed, Miles C. Larson, Kaan Cem Ketenci, Kensuke Goto, Satoshi Kaneko
Summary: This study investigated snakebite incidence and treatment-seeking behaviors in two regions of Kenya. It found that deaths from snakebites were rare, but there were variations in treatment-seeking patterns. Delay in seeking treatment was associated with severe outcomes.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ayako Hyuga, Peter S. Larson, Morris Ndemwa, Sheru W. Muuo, Mwatasa Changoma, Mohamed Karama, Kensuke Goto, Satoshi Kaneko
Summary: This study examines the geographic distribution and contributing factors of tungiasis cases in a rural area along the Southern Kenyan Coast. Household and environmental factors, such as the number of children and soil condition, were found to affect the risk of tungiasis. However, even after adjusting for these factors, spatial heterogeneity in tungiasis risk remained.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Tropical Medicine
Peter S. Larson, Masanobu Ono, Mwatasa Changoma, Kensuke Goto, Satoshi Kaneko, Kazuhiko Moji, Noboru Minakawa
Summary: This research examined animal and environmental risk factors for tungiasis in an area near a wildlife reserve in Kwale, Kenya. Presence of dogs around the home and proximity to the park were associated with increased risk for tungiasis infestation in humans. Tungiasis is a complex disease associated with both domesticated and wild animals.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HEALTH
(2021)
