Potentially pathogenic bacteria in the plastisphere from water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tropical coastal lagoon: An assessment and management proposal.

Microplastics in aquatic ecosystems harbor numerous microorganisms, including pathogenic species. The ingestion of these microplastics by commercial fish poses a threat to the ecosystem and human livelihood. Coastal lagoons are highly vulnerable to microplastic and microbiological pollution, yet limited understanding of the risks complicates management. Here, we present the main bacterial groups, including potentially pathogenic species, identified on microplastics in waters, sediments, and commercial fish from Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM), the largest coastal lagoon in Colombia. DNA metabarcoding allowed identifying 1760 bacterial genera on microplastics, with Aeromonas and Acinetobacter as the most frequent and present in all three matrices. The greatest bacterial richness and diversity were recorded on microplastics from sediments, followed by waters and fish. Biochemical analyses yielded 19 species of potentially pathogenic culturable bacteria on microplastics. Aeromonas caviae was the most frequent and, along with Pantoea sp., was found on microplastics in all three matrices. Enterobacter roggenkampii and Pseudomonas fluorescens were also found on microplastics from waters and fish. We propose management strategies for an Early Warning System against microbiological and microplastic pollution risks in coastal lagoons, illustrated by CGSM. This includes forming inter-institutional alliances for research and monitoring, accompanied by strengthening governance and health infrastructures.

Riesgo microbiológico de caries y factores predisponentes en mujeres gestantes / Microbiological caries risk and predisposing factors in pregnant women

La caries es una enfermedad multifactorial que afecta los tejidos duros del diente, con la evaluación del riesgo de caries es posible determinar la probabilidad de su incidencia durante un determinado periodo de tiempo. El objetivo consistió en determinar el estado de salud bucal en mujeres gestantes y su relación con factores de riesgo de caries. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional clínico. La población estuvo constituida por mujeres gestantes que concurrieron al Hospital Ángela Llano de la cuidad de Corrientes para su atención. Se confeccionó una historia clínica y se determinó el estado de salud bucal y de riesgo de caries según protocolo CAMBRA. Para la carac- terización y descripción de los datos se utilizaron estadísticas univariadas. Los resultados alcanzados fueron: Índice de Caries de 4.5 a 6.5, en el índice de Placa la media ± DS 56,8% ± 39,9% Min: 28,5%/ Max: 90,9%. Respecto al valor de pH de 7,11 ±0,43, Min.: 7,00, Max.: 8,67. Flujo salival: media ± DS: 0,58ml/m ± 0,28 ml/m Min.:0,2 ml/m Max.: 0,62 ml/m; Edad promedio: 22años. Min.:18 Max.: 33 años. Recuento de Strepto- coccus mutans (SM) con periodo gestacional 1° y 2° trimestre, el conteo de bacterias: 2.3x105 +/- 3.2x 105 UFC/ml de saliva y 3° Trimestre el conteo de 1.2x 106 +/-2.02 x 106 UFC/ml de saliva. La presencia de SM puede aumentar considerable- mente el riesgo de caries, si los mecanismos de defen- sa del huésped no anulan la bacteria (AU)

Caries is a multifactorial disease that affects the hard tissues of the tooth. By evaluating the risk of caries, it is possible to determine the probability of its incidence during a certain period of time. The objective was to determine the oral health status of pregnant women and its relationship with caries risk factors. A clinical observational descriptive study was carried out. The population was made up of pregnant women who attended the Ángela Llano Hospital in the city of Corrientes for care. A clinical history was prepared, and the oral health status and caries risk were determined according to the CAMBRA protocol. Univariate statistics were used to characterize and describe the data. The results achieved were Caries Index from 4.5 to 6.5, in the Plaque index the mean ± SD 56.8% ± 39.9% Min: 28.5%/ Max: 90.9%. Regarding the pH value of 7.11 ±0.43, Min.: 7.00, Max.: 8.67. Salivary flow: mean ± SD: 0.58 ml/m ± 0.28 ml/m Min.: 0.2 ml/m Max.: 0.62 ml/m; Average age: 22 years. Min.:18 Max.: 33 years. Streptococcus mutans (SM) count with gestational period 1st and 2nd trimester, bacteria count: 2.3x105 +/- 3.2x 105 CFU/ml of saliva and 3rd Trimester count 1.2x 106 +/- 2.02 x 106 CFU/ml of saliva. The presence of SM can considerably increase the risk of caries, if the host defense mechanisms do not override the bacteria (AU)

Analysis of scenarios to reduce the probability of acquiring hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with beef consumption.

The objective of this study was to develop a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model to evaluate potential risk mitigation strategies to reduce the probability of acquiring hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) associated with beef consumption in Argentina. Five scenarios were simulated to evaluate the effect of interventions on the probability of acquiring HUS from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)-contaminated ground beef and commercial hamburger consumption. These control strategies were chosen based on previous results of the sensitivity analysis of a baseline QMRA model. The application of improvement actions in abattoirs not applying Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) for STEC would result 7.6 times lower in the probability that consumers acquired HUS from ground beef consumption, while the implementation of improvements in butcher shops would lead to a smaller reduction. In abattoirs applying HACCP for STEC, the risk of acquiring HUS from commercial hamburger consumption was significantly reduced. Treatment with 2% lactic acid, hot water and irradiation reduced 4.5, 3.5 and 93.1 times the risk of HUS, respectively. The most efficient interventions, in terms of case reduction, being those that are applied in the initial stages of the meat chain.

Considerações sobre os valores máximos permitidos (VMP) de E. coli em águas cinza, visando ao reúso por meio de avaliação quantitativa de riscos microbiológicos (AQRM) / Considerations on the maximum permitted values (VMP) of E. coli for grey water reuse by means of quantitative risk assessment of microbiology (QRMA)

RESUMO O presente trabalho teve como objetivo aplicar a ferramenta de avaliação quantitativa de riscos microbiológicos (AQRM) para avaliação do reúso de águas cinza, a fim de definir uma faixa de valores máximos permitidos (VMP) para Escherichia coli por meio do conceito de riscos aceitáveis 10-3 e 10-6 por pessoa por ano (pppa), para as diversas finalidades de reúso. Para tal, foram avaliadas a exposição, a dose-resposta e a probabilidade de infecção para diferentes finalidades de reúso. O modelo de Beta-Poisson foi empregado para a avaliação da probabilidade de infecção. Os dados de entrada para AQRM foram avaliados mediante a compilação sistemática de dados da literatura. Os maiores riscos de infecção decorrem das culturas alimentares e da balneabilidade com águas cinza misturadas, resultando em VMP de 5,25 a 105 Número Mais Provável (NMP)/100 mL e de 3,95 a 39,5 NMP/100 mL respectivamente, para risco aceitável de 10-3 e 0,00 a 0,10 NMP/100 mL e 0,00 a 0,04 NMP/100 mL, simultaneamente, para risco de 10-6 pppa. Já o menor risco de infecção decorre do reúso de águas cinza de lavatório para lavagem de pisos, proporcionando VMP de 21,4 × 101 a 2,14 × 103 NMP/100 mL para risco aceitável de 10-3 e 0,71 a 14,3 NMP/100 mL, sucessivamente, para risco de 10-6 pppa. A AQRM com riscos aceitáveis de 10-3 pppa mostra-se uma potencial ferramenta para avaliação dos VMP em água cinza bruta, visando sua reutilização, e pode subsidiar decisões normativas nacionais.

ABSTRACT The current study had the objective to apply the tool of quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) to evaluate the reuse of greywater in order to define a range of maximum value allowed (MVA) to Escherichia coli by means of the concept of acceptable risk 10-3 and 10-6 per person per year (pppy), for the various purposes of reuse. For that, the following criteria were evaluated: the exposure, the dose-response and the probability of infection for different purposes of reuse. The Beta-Poisson model was used to assess the probability of infection. The input data for QMRA were evaluated from a systematic compilation of literature data. The greatest risks of infection resulted from food crops and balneability in mixed greywaters, resulting in MVA from 5.25 to 105 MPN/100 mL and from 3.95 to 39.5 MPN/100 mL respectively, to an acceptable risk of 10-3 and 0.00 to 0.10 NMP/100 mL and from 0.00 to 0.04 MPN/100 mL, simultaneously, to a risk of 10-6 pppy. Yet, the lowest risk of infection was due to the reuse of greywater from lavatories for washing floors, providing MVA from 21.4 × 101 to 2.14 × 103 MPN/100 mL to an acceptable risk of 10-3 and 0.71 to 14.3 MPN/100 mL, for a risk of 10-6 pppy. The QMRA with acceptable risk of 10-3 pppy has been a potential tool for the assessment of MVA in crude greywater aiming the reuse and the possibility of support in national policy decisions.

Occurrence and quantitative microbial risk assessment of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in soil and air samples.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts can be transmitted by the fecal-oral route and may cause gastrointestinal parasitic zoonoses. These zoonoses are common in rural zones due to the parasites being harbored in fecally contaminated soil. This study assessed the risk of illness (giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis) from inhaling and/or ingesting soil and/or airborne dust in Potam, Mexico. METHODS: To assess the risk of infection, Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) was employed, with the following steps: (1) hazard identification, (2) hazard exposure, (3) dose-response, and (4) risk characterization. RESULTS: Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were observed in 52% and 57%, respectively, of total soil samples (n=21), and in 60% and 80%, respectively, of air samples (n=12). The calculated annual risks were higher than 9.9 × 10(-1) for both parasites in both types of sample. CONCLUSIONS: Soil and air inhalation and/or ingestion are important vehicles for these parasites. To our knowledge, the results obtained in the present study represent the first QMRAs for cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis due to soil and air inhalation/ingestion in Mexico. In addition, this is the first evidence of the microbial air quality around these parasites in rural zones.

Condições físicas e higiênicosanitárias dos matadouros municipais da região oeste do rio grande do norte, brasil

ABSTRACT The conditions of the county slaughterhouses of the western region of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, were evaluated taken into account hygienic-sanitary aspects, the physical conditions of the facilities, the slaughter procedures, staff hygiene, atmosphere, equipment and utensils. Visits were made to each of 15 municipal slaughterhouses, where an epidemiological questionnaire was completed and an interview was made with the person in charge of the establishment. It was observed that 66.7% of the slaughterhouses were located in urban areas. In 80% of the establishments there was no routine sanitary inspection. The slaughterhouses did not follow the recommendations for humane slaughter. The whole slaughter procedure (stunning, bleeding, skinning and evisceration) was carried out on the floor of the slaughterhouses. In light of the findings, it was perceived that the hygienic-sanitary conditions were extremely precarious, and the physical facilities were inappropriate. The handlers of the meats did not comply with the minimum demands of hygiene. An important and neglectful problem of public health was evidenced, indicating that corrective measures should be implemented urgently by the relevant agencies and by the people in charge of the establishments.

RESUMO Foram avaliadas as condições dos matadouros municipais da região oeste do Rio Grande do Norte, sendo levado em consideração seus aspectos higiênico-sanitários, as condições físicas das instalações, os procedimentos de matança, higiene de pessoal, ambiente, equipamentos e utensílios. Foram visitados 15 abatedouros municipais nos quais foi aplicado questionário epidemiológico e realizada entrevista com o responsável pelo estabelecimento. Foi observado que 66,7% dos matadouros estavam construídos em zona urbana. Em 80% dos estabelecimentos não havia inspeção sanitária de rotina. Os matadouros não seguiam a recomendação do abate humanitário. Todo o procedimento de abate (insensibilização, sangria, esfola e evisceração) era realizado no chão dos matadouros. Diante do exposto, foi percebido que as condições higiênicosanitárias eram extremamente precárias, as instalações físicas estavam impróprias e os manipuladores das carnes não atendiam às exigências mínimas de higiene. Portanto, um importante e negligenciado problema de saúde pública foi evidenciado, necessitando que providências sejam urgentemente tomadas por órgãos competentes e responsáveis pelos estabelecimentos.

Avaliação do risco de contaminação microbiológica no setor peixaria, em supermercados localizados na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ / Risk evaluation of microbiological contamination in the fish in supermarkets located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ

O pescado, dentre os produtos de origem animal, é o mais suscetível aos processos de deterioração devido ao pH próximo da neutralidade, à elevada atividade de água nos tecidos, aos processos de rancificação e ao elevado teor de nutrientes facilmente utilizáveis pelos microrganismos em sua superfície. O setor peixaria em empresas que comercializam alimentos torna-se muitas vezes extremamente crítico, sendo necessário um controle através de ferramentas de gerenciamento da qualidade. Neste trabalho, realizaram-se quatro visitas técnicas no setor peixaria em três supermercados localizados na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A metodologia empregada seguiu as normas técnicas estabelecidas pela Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada (RDC) n°275, de 21 de outubro de 2002, ANVISA, que determina a Lista de Verificação das Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF) para estabelecimentos produtores e industrializadores de alimentos. Os supermercados identificados como I, II e III apresentaram, respectivamente, 63 por cento, 57 por cento e 51 por cento do total de conformidades. Neste sentido, verificaram-se falhas com relação à implementação do manual de Boas Práticas de Fabricação nos supermercados avaliados, demonstrando a importância do adequado acompanhamento das condições higiênico-sanitárias a fim de evitar a veiculação de doenças pelo consumo de pescado contaminado por microrganismos patogênicos.(AU)

The seafood, compared the products of animal origin, is the most susceptible to the processes of deteriorationdue to pH almost neutral, the raised activity of water in tissues, to the rancification processes and to the raisedlevel of easily usable nutrients for the microorganism in its surface. The sector fish market in companies who commercialize foods becomes many times extremely critical being necessary a control through tools of managementof the quality. In this work, four visits techniques had been made in the sector fish market in three supermarketsin the Rio de Janeiro city. The methodology used the norms techniques established for the Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada (RDC) nº275, of October 21, 2002, ANVISA, that determines the Check-List of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for establishments and industries of foods. The supermarkets identified as I, II and III had presented, respectively, 63%, 57% and 51%of total of conformity. Imperfections with relation to implementation of Manual for Good Manufacturing Practices had been verified in the supermarkets, demonstrating the importance ofthe accompaniment of the hygienical sanitary conditions in order to prevent the propagation of illnesses for the consumption of fished contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms. (AU)

Avaliação quantitativa do risco de doença, causada por Vibrio arahaemolyticus, associado ao consumo de ostras (Crassostrea brasiliana) cruas cultivadas e comercializadas no Estado de São Paulo / Quantitative risk assessment of illness, caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, associated with the consumption of raw oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) farmed and commercialized in the State of São Paulo

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) é uma bactéria naturalmente presente em regiões estuarinas, sendo a principal causa de gastrenterite de origem bacteriana associada a pescados, principalmente ostras cruas. Nesta pesquisa, foi desenvolvida uma avaliação quantitativa de risco para avaliar a probabilidade de Vp causar doença após o consumo de ostra crua, produzida e comercializada no Estado de São Paulo. O estudo incluiu a identificação e caracterização do perigo, a avaliação da exposição e a caracterização do risco. Um modelo matemático foi desenvolvido. Este modelo leva em consideração o comportamento de Vp em ostras na cadeia produtiva, em cada estação do ano, além da relação entre a dose de Vp ingerida e a probabilidade de desenvolver a doença. A avaliação da exposição foi desenvolvida em três etapas: cultivo, pós-coleta e consumo. Na etapa de cultivo foram considerados os fatores que influenciam a prevalência e o número de Vp em ostras no momento da coleta. Na etapa pós-coleta, foram descritas as práticas da indústria e foram considerados os fatores associados ao processamento, transporte e manipulação. Já na etapa de consumo foram considerados os fatores como a quantidade de ostras consumidas por porção, o peso médio por ostra consumida e a população de Vp patogênico no momento do consumo. O resultado do modelo quantitativo da avaliação da exposição foi, então, integrado ao modelo dose-resposta, Beta-Poisson, para se obter uma estimativa do risco. Esta estimativa expressa o impacto da exposição humana a Vp, sobre a saúde pública, associada ao consumo de ostras. A simulação de Monte Carlo foi utilizada para avaliar o efeito da variabilidade e incerteza das variáveis do modelo sobre a estimativa do risco. O modelo prediz uma probabilidade de ocorrência de doença de 4,6x10-4, por porção de ostra, consumida ao longo do ano. As variáveis que possuem maior influência sobre o risco de ocorrência de doença são a população de Vp em ostras no cultivo, a temperatura de transporte das ostras até o varejo e a porcentagem de Vp patogênico em ostra, no momento do seu consumo. O modelo evidencia que uma das maneiras de reduzir o risco de ocorrência de doença seria intervir nas condições de transporte de ostras até o varejo por meio da sua refrigeração. Com o modelo é possível identificar fatores e simular cenários para avaliar o comportamento de V. parahaemolytícus como um perigo microbiológico, ao longo da cadeia produtiva de ostra até o momento do seu consumo. Também é possível avaliar o impacto de medidas de intervenção na cadeia produtiva. As suposições adotadas limitam a aplicabilidade do modelo. Portanto, é necessário que o modelo seja validado, particularmente com relação ao número de casos de doença causados por Vp, cujos dados de vigilância epidemiológica inexistem no Brasil

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is naturally present in estuarine regions and is the main cause of gastroenteritis associated with the consumption of bivalve molluscan shellfish, specially raw oysters. In this research, a quantitative risk assessment was developed to evaluate the probability of Vp causing disease after consumption of raw oyster, produced and commercialized in the state of Sao Paulo. The study included the identification and characterization of the hazard, exposure assessment and risk characterization. A mathematical model was developed. This model takes into account the behavior of Vp in oysters in the productive chain, for each season of the year, besides the relationship between the number of cells of Vp ingested and the probability of developing the disease. The exposure assessment was done in three steps: farming, after harvesting and consumption. At the farming step, the factors that influence the prevalence and the population of Vp at the time of harvesting were considered. At the after harvesting step, the factors associated with transportation, handling and processing were considered. At the consumption step, factors related to the amount of oysters and the average weight per oyster consumed and the density of pathogenic Vp at the time of consumption were considered. Then, the quantitative model of exposure assessment was integrated to the dose-response model, BetaPoisson, in order to obtain a risk estimate. This calculation expresses the impact of the human exposure to Vp associated with the consumption of oysters on public health. The Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the effect of variability and uncertainty of variables of the model in the risk estimation. The model predicts a probability of occurrence of the disease of 4,6x10-4 per serving of oyster consumed during one year. The variables showing the greatest influence on the risk of occurrence of disease are the density of Vp in oyster in the farming step, the temperature during transportation of oysters to the retail market and the percentage of pathogenic Vp strains in oysters,' at the moment of consumption. The model indicates that the use of refrigeration during transportation of oysters to retail could reduce the risk of disease. The model allows the identification of factors and the simulation of scenarios in order to evaluate the behavior of V. parahaemolyticus, as a microbiologícal hazard, in the productive chain of oyster to the consumption. It is also possible to evaluate the impact of intervention measures in the productive chain. The assumptions Iimit the application of the model. Therefore, it is necessary to validate the model, particularly in relation to the number of cases of dísease caused by V. parahaemolyticus of which the data on epidemiologic surveillance do not exist in Brazil