The close contact between dogs and humans creates the best bridge for interspecies transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The surveillance of its resistance including the detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Escherichia coli as indicator bacteria is an important tool to control the use of antimicrobials. The aim of this research was to evaluate the E. coli resistance in strains by phenotypic methods, isolated from pet and stray dogs of La Plata city, Argentina. Faecal samples were collected using rectal swabs from 50 dogs with owners (home dogs&#x2009;&#x3d;&#x2009;HD) and 50 homeless dogs (stray dogs&#x2009;&#x3d;&#x2009;SD). They were cultured in 3 MacConkey agar plates, with and without antibiotics (ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime). 197 strains were isolated, of which only 95 strains were biochemically identified as E. coli, 46 strains were from HD, and 49 were from SD. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby&#x2013;Bauer disk diffusion method. The most prevalent resistance was for tetracycline, streptomycin, and ampicillin. In both groups, the level of resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins was high, and there were multiresistant strains. There was a higher level of antimicrobial resistance in strains from SD compared to HD. There were 8&#x0025; of strains suspected of being ESBLs among samples of HD and 36&#x0025; of SD. One (2&#x0025;) of the strains isolated from HD and 11 (22&#x0025;) from SD were phenotypically confirmed as ESBL. Pets and stray dogs are a potential source of E. coli antibiotic resistance in Argentina; therefore, its surveillance must be guaranteed.

Laura Marchetti

Daniel Buldain

Lihuel Gortari Castillo

Andrea Buchamer

Manuel Chirino&#x2010;Trejo

Nora Mestorino

Pet and Stray Dogs as Reservoirs of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli

Objective. Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) coinfection increases the incidence of end-stage liver disease which is more severe in immune-compromised HIV-infected patients than HCV infection alone. The aim of this study was to assess HCV infection and the associated risk factors among HIV/AIDS patients attending Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 249 HIV-infected adults selected by a systematic random sampling technique from January to March 2018. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and risk factor data. Moreover, the blood specimen was collected and tested for CD4 count and anti-HCV antibody detection according to standard operating procedures. The data obtained were entered into SPSS version 20, and descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.0498209pt" id="M1" height="8.68572pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 8.15071 8.68572" width="8.15071pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-81" d="M600 480C600 590 528 650 384 650H143L137 622C222 614 225 607 210 531L130 127C113 41 106 36 23 28L17 0H294L300 28C204 36 195 42 212 127L243 284L314 263C327 263 339 263 352 264C465 271 600 337 600 480ZM508 481C508 351 402 304 329 304C289 304 265 311 250 317L295 559C302 594 310 606 323 611C335 616 350 619 367 619C455 619 508 573 508 481Z"/></g></svg> value ≤0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval was considered as statistically significant. Result. Of a total of 249 HIV-infected study subjects, 120 (48.2%) were male and 129 (51.8%) were females, while the mean (±SD) age and CD4+ cells/mm3 were 39.10 (±11.507) years and 316.08 + 290.607 cells/mm3, respectively. 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Age group of &gt;50 years of age (AOR = 9.070, 95% CI: 1.578, 52.117, <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" id="M4" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g></svg><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.182pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 28.182 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-52"/></g></svg>), longer duration of HIV treatment (AOR = 5.490, 95% CI: 1.341, 34.458, <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" id="M5" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g></svg><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.182pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 28.182 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g 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transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-53"/></g></svg>), previous history of hospitalization (AOR = 10.234, 95% CI: 2.049, 51.118, <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" id="M7" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g></svg><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.182pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 28.182 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.605,0)"><path id="g113-54" d="M153 550H386L412 615L406 623H120L82 318C104 327 142 338 184 338C294 338 347 275 347 187C347 112 305 39 221 39C160 39 119 71 97 89C88 97 80 96 71 90C59 80 50 67 49 57C48 45 52 36 66 23C80 9 123 -12 169 -12C221 -11 288 15 342 59C403 109 431 165 431 225C431 308 366 395 238 395C212 395 165 379 127 364L153 550Z"/></g></svg>), tooth extraction (AOR = 6.016, 95% CI: 1.137, 36.837, <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" id="M8" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g></svg><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.182pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 28.182 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-53"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-57"/></g></svg>), and liver disease (AOR = 11.398, 95% CI: 1.275, 101.930, <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" id="M9" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g></svg><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.182pt" style="vertical-align:-0.2064009pt" height="8.8423pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 28.182 8.8423"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><path id="g113-51" d="M412 140C382 77 369 73 315 73H129L270 222C362 320 402 379 402 466C402 571 322 635 234 635C177 635 130 609 99 576L42 495L64 475C90 514 133 568 201 568C274 568 318 519 318 435C318 349 255 267 193 193C144 135 87 78 32 23V0H405C417 45 427 89 440 131L412 140Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.605,0)"><path id="g113-58" d="M244 635C114 635 38 519 38 422C38 317 111 240 217 240C236 240 255 244 277 256L345 292C311 140 203 39 59 15L64 -15C89 -15 150 -5 204 17C339 72 440 202 440 386C440 521 368 635 244 635ZM228 602C326 602 352 479 352 390C352 370 351 347 348 324C327 308 293 296 258 296C174 296 124 369 124 458C124 517 152 602 228 602Z"/></g></svg>) were statistically significant predictors of HCV infection. Conclusion. The prevalence of HCV infection is still higher and causes concern. Therefore, screening of these high-risk groups should be critical to reduce mortality and to improve clinical outcomes.

Alemu Gedefie

Aderaw Adamu

Ermiyas Alemayehu

Yeshimebet Kassa

Melaku Ashagrie Belete

Hepatitis C Virus Infection among HIV-Infected Patients Attending Dessie Referral Hospital, Northeastern Ethiopia

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of Q fever in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the frequency of C. burnetii in milk samples of dairy animals (goats, sheep, and cattle) in some selected regions in Iran, where there is no information about prevalence of C. burnetii. In this study, 162 individual milk samples were collected from 43 farms in three provinces (Tehran, Hamadan, and Mazandaran). Real-time PCR was used for the detection of IS1111a element of C. burnetii. In total, 23 of 162 samples (14.2&#x0025;, 95&#x0025; con&#xfb01;dence interval (CI): 9.65&#x2013;20.2&#x0025;) were positive for C. burnetii by real-time PCR. C. burnetii was detected in 10.17&#x0025; (95&#x0025; CI: 4.74&#x2013;20.46) of goat milk samples. In sheep milk samples, 18.6&#x0025; (95&#x0025; CI: 9.74&#x2013;32.62) were positive, and C. burnetii was detected in 15&#x0025; (95&#x0025; CI: 8.1&#x2013;26.11) of cattle milk samples. Molecular evidence of the presence of C. burnetii was seen in milk samples of dairy animals in all the studied regions. These findings demonstrated that C. burnetii infection, especially in raw milk samples, deserves more attention from the health care system and veterinary organization in Iran.

Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez

Ehsan Mostafavi

Mohammad Khalili

Saber Esmaeili

Identification of Coxiella burnetii in Raw Milk of Livestock Animal in Iran

Background. Cryptococcosis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection. High morbidity and mortality are frequently observed among hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients, particularly having CD4 count ≤100 cells/μl. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of cryptococcal antigenemia and associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients. Methods. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 HIV/AIDS patients. A cryptococcal antigen test was performed for all patients along with medical chart and laboratory registration book review. Cryptococcal antigen was detected from serum by using Remel Cryptococcal Antigen Test Kit. Data related to possible associated factors were extracted from patients’ charts and laboratory registration book. Data were coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression analysis was done to see the association between dependent and independent variables. A <svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.0498209pt" id="M1" height="8.68572pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 8.15071 8.68572" width="8.15071pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-81" d="M600 480C600 590 528 650 384 650H143L137 622C222 614 225 607 210 531L130 127C113 41 106 36 23 28L17 0H294L300 28C204 36 195 42 212 127L243 284L314 263C327 263 339 263 352 264C465 271 600 337 600 480ZM508 481C508 351 402 304 329 304C289 304 265 311 250 317L295 559C302 594 310 606 323 611C335 616 350 619 367 619C455 619 508 573 508 481Z"/></g></svg> value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Finally, data were presented in the form of texts, figures, and tables. Result. Among 140 serum cryptococcal antigenemia-tested study subjects, 16 (11.43%) were positive for serum cryptococcal antigen. Of them, 43.8% (7/16) were pulmonary tuberculosis coinfected, 31.2% (5/16) were extrapulmonary tuberculosis positive, and 25% (4/16) had bacterial bloodstream infections. In addition, 68.7% (11/16) had CD4 count less than 100 cells/μl, 18.7% (3/16) had CD4 count 100–150 cells/μl, 50% (8/16) were antiretroviral therapy defaulters, and 31.3% (5/16) were naïve. In this study, the majority, 75% (12/16), of the serum cryptococcal antigen-positive subjects were clinical stage IV. Of the assessed associated factors, tuberculosis coinfection (AOR: 0.04; 95% CI [0.005–0.25]) and antiretroviral therapy status (AOR: 0.02; 95% CI [0.001–0.5]) were significantly associated factors enhancing serum cryptococcal antigenemia. Conclusion. In this study, the high rate of cryptococcal antigenemia was observed among hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients, and it is alarming and highlights the need for improving CD4 status, expanding serum cryptococcal antigen screening, and strengthening regular cryptococcal antigenemia surveillance systems.

Mohabaw Jemal

Teshiwal Deress

Teshome Belachew

Yesuf Adem

Prevalence of Cryptococcal Antigenemia and Associated Factors among HIV/AIDS Patients at Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia

Background and Aims. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are one of the most frequently observed hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). We sought to describe the epidemiology and drug resistance secondary Enterobacterales BSIs in surgical patients and check for any correlation with the type of hospital ward. Materials and Methods. This multicenter (13 hospitals in southern Poland) laboratory-based retrospective study evaluated adults diagnosed with BSI secondary to surgical site infection (SSI) hospitalized in 2015&#x2013;2018; 121 Enterobacterales strains were collected. The drug resistance was tested according to the EUCAST recommendations. Tests confirming the presence of extended-spectrum &#x3b2;-lactamases (ESBLs) and bla resistance genes were carried out. The occurrence of possible clonal epidemics among K. pneumoniae strains was examined. Results. The prevalence of Enterobacterales in secondary BSI was 12.1&#x0025;; the most common strains were E. coli (n&#x2009;&#x3d;&#x2009;74, 61.2&#x0025;) and Klebsiella spp. (n&#x2009;&#x3d;&#x2009;33, 27.2&#x0025;). High resistance involved ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam (92, 8&#x2013;100&#x0025;), fluoroquinolones (48&#x2013;73&#x0025;), and most cephalosporins (29&#x2013;50&#x0025;). Carbapenems were the antimicrobials with the susceptibility at 98&#x0025;. The prevalence of ESBL strains was 37.2&#x0025; (n&#x2009;&#x3d;&#x2009;45). All the ESBL strains had blaCTX-M gene, 26.7&#x0025; had the blaSHV gene, and 24.4&#x0025; had blaTEM gene. The diversity of Klebsiella strains was relatively high. Only 4 strains belonged to one clone. Conclusions. What is particularly worrying is the high prevalence of Enterobacterales in BSI, as well as the high resistance to antimicrobial agents often used in the empirical therapy. To improve the effectiveness of empirical treatment in surgical departments, we need to know the epidemiology of both surgical site infection and BSI, secondary to SSI. We were surprised to note high heterogeneity among K. pneumoniae strains, which was different from our previous experience.

M. K&#x142;os

M. Pomorska-Weso&#x142;owska

D. Romaniszyn

J. W&#xf3;jkowska-Mach

A. Chmielarczyk

Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterobacterales Bacilli Isolated from Bloodstream Infection in Surgical Patients of Polish Hospitals

Introduction. Cancer patients being immunosuppressed are vulnerable to develop infections. Knowledge of the changing epidemiology of infections has a pivotal role in its management. Aims and Objectives. The study is undertaken to assess the types of bacterial infections in cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatment, the associated bacterial pathogens, and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Materials and Methods. A retrospective surveillance study was undertaken in our center. Positive culture reports and other clinical details of cancer patients diagnosed with infection during a stay in the tertiary care center from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2016 were analysed by descriptive statistical methods chi-square test and odds ratio to study the association. Results. Out of 638 cancer patients diagnosed with infections in the 2-year period, 140 patients had positive cultures, representing 272 specimens and 306 isolates. Common specimens sent for culture were blood sputum, urine, and pus. 214 isolates (69.9&#x0025;) were gram-negative bacilli, and 92 (30.1&#x0025;) were gram-positive cocci. The most common isolates were Klebsiella spp. (18.30&#x0025;), Pseudomonas spp. (17.65&#x0025;), and Escherichia coli (14.71&#x0025;) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (13.72&#x0025;). Among the gram-negative organisms, the antibiotic resistance rates reported to fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and third-generation cephalosporins were 45.13&#x0025;, 39.20&#x0025;, and 48.58&#x0025;, respectively. 26.92&#x0025; of the organisms are resistant to all three antibiotics. 50.4&#x0025; of Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli were ESBL producers. Gram-negative organisms showed 11.63&#x0025; resistance to &#x3b2;-lactam/&#x3b2;-lactamase inhibitor combination, and 22.22&#x0025; of gram-negative organisms are resistant to carbapenems. 50&#x0025; of the Staphylococcus spp. were methicillin resistant, but all were sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusion. The surge in the number of gram-negative infections emphasizes the need for broad-spectrum empirical therapy targeting the same. Rate of resistance of the isolated gram-negative organisms to the routinely used empirical therapy is alarming. Prudent use of antibiotics, based on culture reports wherever possible, is of utmost importance to save the lives of infected patients and prevent further development of antibiotic resistance.

Sevitha Bhat

Shruthi Muthunatarajan

Shalini Shenoy Mulki

K. Archana Bhat

K. Himani Kotian

Bacterial Infection among Cancer Patients: Analysis of Isolates and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern

Evaluation of resistant profiles and detection of antimicrobial-resistant genes of bacterial pathogens in the nonclinical milieu is imperative to assess the probable risk of dissemination of resistant genes in the environment. This paper sought to identify antibiotic-resistant genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from nonclinical sources in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, and evaluate its public health implications. Samples collected from abattoir wastewater and aquatic environment were processed by membrane filtration and cultured on CHROMagarTM Pseudomonas medium. Species identification was performed by autoSCAN-4 (Dade Behring Inc., IL). Molecular characterization of the isolates was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (rPCR) and selected isolates were further screened for the possibility of harboring antimicrobial resistance genes. Fifty-one Pseudomonas species were recovered from abattoir wastewater and surface water samples, out of which thirty-six strains were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (70.6&#x0025;). The P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated resistance to aztreonam (86.1&#x0025;), ceftazidime (63.9&#x0025;), piperacillin (58.3&#x0025;), cefepime (55.6&#x0025;), imipenem (50&#x0025;), piperacillin/tazobactam (47.2&#x0025;), meropenem (41.7&#x0025;), and levofloxacin (30.6&#x0025;). Twenty out of thirty-six P. aeruginosa displayed multidrug resistance profiles and were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) (55.6&#x0025;). Most of the bacterial isolates exhibited a high Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) Index ranging from 0.08 to 0.69 with a mean MAR index of 0.38. In the rPCR analysis of fifteen P. aeruginosa isolates, 14 isolates (93.3&#x0025;) were detected harboring blaSHV, six isolates (40&#x0025;) harbored blaTEM, and three isolates (20&#x0025;) harbored blaCTX-M, being the least occurring ESBL. Results of the current study revealed that P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from nonclinical milieu are resistant to frontline clinically relevant antipseudomonal drugs. This is concerning as it poses a risk to the environment and constitutes a public health threat. Given the public health relevance, the paper recommends monitoring of multidrug-resistant pathogens in effluent environments.

Mojisola Clara Hosu

Sandeep Vasaikar

Grace Emily Okuthe

Teke Apalata

Molecular Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Nonclinical Environment: Public Health Implications in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Fresh-produce consumers may be at risk of pathogen infection due to fecal contamination of the agricultural environment. Indicators of fecal contamination may be used as a proxy to evaluate the potential presence of human pathogens, such as norovirus and hepatitis A, on agricultural samples. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether the presence of human norovirus or hepatitis A was associated with microbial indicators in agricultural samples including fresh produce, equipment surfaces, and hands. Four databases (Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Agricola) were systematically searched and fifteen articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria. After data extraction, individual indicator-pathogen relationships were assessed using Cohen&#x2019;s Kappa coefficient. The level of agreement between norovirus with adenovirus was 0.09 (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;16, 95&#x0025;&#x2009;CI &#x2212;0.05, 0.23), indicating poor agreement using Landis and Koch&#x2019;s criterion. Similarly, the Kappa coefficient between norovirus with E. coli (&#x03BA;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.04, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;14, 95&#x0025; CI &#x2212;0.05, 0.49) or total coliforms (&#x03BA;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.03, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;4, 95&#x0025; CI &#x2212;0.01, 0.02) was also poor. The level of agreement between hepatitis A with adenovirus (&#x03BA;&#x2009;=&#x2009;&#x2212;0.03, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;3, 95&#x0025; CI &#x2212;0.06, 0.01) or fecal coliforms (&#x03BA;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1, 95&#x0025;&#x2009;CI 0, 0) was also poor. There were moderate relationships between hepatitis A with E. coli (&#x03BA;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.49, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;3, 95&#x0025; CI 0.28, 0.70) and total coliforms (&#x03BA;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.47, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, 95&#x0025; CI 0.47, 0.47). Based on these limited results, common indicator organisms are not strong predictors of the presence of norovirus and hepatitis A virus in the agricultural environment.

Courtney P. Victor

Karen Ellis

Frederica Lamar

Juan S. Leon

Agricultural Detection of Norovirus and Hepatitis A Using Fecal Indicators: A Systematic Review

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International Journal of Microbiology publishes papers on microorganisms and their interaction with hosts and the environment. The journal covers all microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa.

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International Journal of Microbiology - Table of contents 2021

International Journal of Microbiology | Hindawi

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International Journal of Microbiology publishes papers on microorganisms and their interaction with hosts and the environment. The journal covers all microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa.

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