Examinando por Autor "Benavides, Julio A."
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Ítem Can Stray Cats Be Reservoirs of Antimicrobial Resistance?(MDPI, 2022-11) Gargano, Valeria; Gambino, Delia; Orefice, Tiziana; Cirincione, Roberta; Castelli, Germano; Bruno, Federica; Interrante, Paolo; Pizzo, Mariangela; Spada, Eva; Proverbio, Daniela; Vicari, Domenico; Salgado-Caxito, Marília; Benavides, Julio A.; Cassata, GiovanniThe emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem that requires a One Health approach. Despite several studies have reported the role of companion animals as reservoirs of AMR, limited information is available regarding the role of cats in the circulation of AMR. In this study, we evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic profile of 75 Escherichia coli isolated from rectal swabs and fecal samples of 75 stray cats (living in solitary or in a colony) sampled in Palermo (Sicily, Italy), to determine whether these animals may participate in the spread of AMR. Susceptibility to 8 antibiotics was tested using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assays, while the presence of the common antibiotic resistance genes blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tet(A), and tet(B) was investigated by PCR. From the 75 E. coli isolates analyzed, 43% were resistant to at least one of the eight antibiotics tested, with 31% of the isolates resistant to ampicillin, 23% to cefotaxime, 21% to tetracycline, 20% to cefazolin, and 17% to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Most isolates harbored the blaTEM gene (29%), followed by blaCTX-M (23%), tet(A) (21%), and tet(B) (20%). Our results confirm the fecal carriage of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and clinically relevant resistance genes in stray cats. This study highlights the potential role of stray cats in the spread of AMR in urban environments, emphasising the need to better understand their role in AMR circulation when planning strategies to combat it. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Ítem Can stray cats be reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance?(MDPI, 2022-11) Gargano, Valeria; Gambino, Delia; Orefice, Tiziana; Cirincione, Roberta; Castelli, Germano; Bruno, Federica; Interrante, Paolo; Pizzo, Mariangela; Spada, Eva; Proverbio, Daniela; Vicari, Domenico; Salgado-Caxito, Marília; Benavides, Julio A.; Cassata, GiovanniThe emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem that requires a One Health approach. Despite several studies have reported the role of companion animals as reservoirs of AMR, limited information is available regarding the role of cats in the circulation of AMR. In this study, we evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic profile of 75 Escherichia coli isolated from rectal swabs and fecal samples of 75 stray cats (living in solitary or in a colony) sampled in Palermo (Sicily, Italy), to determine whether these animals may participate in the spread of AMR. Susceptibility to 8 antibiotics was tested using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assays, while the presence of the common antibiotic resistance genes blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tet(A), and tet(B) was investigated by PCR. From the 75 E. coli isolates analyzed, 43% were resistant to at least one of the eight antibiotics tested, with 31% of the isolates resistant to ampicillin, 23% to cefotaxime, 21% to tetracycline, 20% to cefazolin, and 17% to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Most isolates harbored the blaTEM gene (29%), followed by blaCTX-M (23%), tet(A) (21%), and tet(B) (20%). Our results confirm the fecal carriage of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and clinically relevant resistance genes in stray cats. This study highlights the potential role of stray cats in the spread of AMR in urban environments, emphasising the need to better understand their role in AMR circulation when planning strategies to combat it.Ítem Defining New Pathways to Manage the Ongoing Emergence of Bat Rabies in Latin America(MDPI AG, 2020-09) Benavides, Julio A.; Valderrama, William; Recuenco, Sergio; Uieda, Wilson; Suzán, Gerardo; Avila-Flores, Rafael; Velasco-Villa, Andres; Almeida, Marilene; de Andrade, Fernanda A.G.; Molina-Flores, Baldomero; Marco Antonio Natal; Pompei, Julio Cesar AugustoRabies transmitted by common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) has been known since the early 1900s but continues to expand geographically and in the range of species and environments affected. In this review, we present current knowledge of the epidemiology and management of rabies in D. rotundus and argue that it can be reasonably considered an emerging public health threat. We identify knowledge gaps related to the landscape determinants of the bat reservoir, reduction in bites on humans and livestock, and social barriers to prevention. We discuss how new technologies including autonomously-spreading vaccines and reproductive suppressants targeting bats might manage both rabies and undesirable growth of D. rotundus populations. Finally, we highlight widespread under-reporting of human and animal mortality and the scarcity of studies that quantify the efficacy of control measures such as bat culling. Collaborations between researchers and managers will be crucial to implement the next generation of rabies management in Latin America. © 2020 by the authors.Ítem Detection of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales ininsectivorous bats from Chile(Royal Society Publishing, 2023-11-08) Esperanza Rojas-Sereno, Zulma; Streicker, Daniel G.; Suarez-Yana, Tania; Lineros, Michelle; Yung, Verónica; Godreuil, Sylvain; Benavides, Julio A.Enterobacterales of clinical importance for humans and domestic animals are now commonly detected among wildlife worldwide. However, few studies have investigated their prevalence among bats, particularly in bat species living near humans. In this study, we assessed the occurrence of Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) and carbapenemase-resistant (CR) Enterobacterales in rectal swabs of bats submitted to the Chilean national rabies surveillance program from 2021 to 2022. From the 307 swabs screened, 47 (15%) harboured cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacterales. Bats carrying these bacteria originated from 9 out of the 14 Chilean regions. Most positive samples were obtained from Tadarida brasiliensis (n = 42), but also Lasiurus varius, L. cinereus and Histiotus macrotus. No Enterobacterales were resistant to imipenem. All ESBL-Enterobacterales were confirmed as Rahnella aquatilis by MALDI-TOF. No other ESBL or CR Enterobacterales were detected. To our knowledge, this is the first screening of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wild bats of Chile, showing the bat faecal carriage of R. aquatilis naturally resistant to cephalosporins, but also including acquired resistance to important antibiotics for public health such as amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. Our results suggest unknown selective pressures on R. aquatilis, but low or no carriage of ESBL or CR Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Future studies should assess the zoonotic and environmental implications of R. aquatilis, which are likely present in the guano left by bats roosting in human infrastructures.Ítem Drivers of Spatial Expansions of Vampire Bat Rabies in Colombia(MDPI, 2022-11) Rojas Sereno, Zulma E.; Streicker, Daniel G.; Medina Rodríguez, Andrea Tatiana; Benavides, Julio A.Spatial expansions of vampire bat-transmitted rabies (VBR) are increasing the risk of lethal infections in livestock and humans in Latin America. Identifying the drivers of these expansions could improve current approaches to surveillance and prevention. We aimed to identify if VBR spatial expansions are occurring in Colombia and test factors associated with these expansions. We analyzed 2336 VBR outbreaks in livestock reported to the National Animal Health Agency (Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario—ICA) affecting 297 municipalities from 2000–2019. The area affected by VBR changed through time and was correlated to the reported number of outbreaks each year. Consistent with spatial expansions, some municipalities reported VBR outbreaks for the first time each year and nearly half of the estimated infected area in 2010–2019 did not report outbreaks in the previous decade. However, the number of newly infected municipalities decreased between 2000–2019, suggesting decelerating spatial expansions. Municipalities infected later had lower cattle populations and were located further from the local reporting offices of the ICA. Reducing the VBR burden in Colombia requires improving vaccination coverage in both endemic and newly infected areas while improving surveillance capacity in increasingly remote areas with lower cattle populations where rabies is emerging. © 2022 by the authors.Ítem ESBL-producing escherichia coli carrying CTX-M genes circulating among livestock, dogs, and wild mammals in small-scale farms of central Chile(MDPI AG, 2021-05) Benavides, Julio A.; Salgado-Caxito, Marília; Opazo-Capurro, Andrés; Muñoz, Paulina González; Piñeiro, Ana; Medina, Macarena Otto; Rivas, Lina; Munita, Jose; Munita J.; Millán, JavierAntibiotic-resistant bacteria of critical importance for global health such as extendedspectrum beta-lactamases-producing (ESBL)-Escherichia coli have been detected in livestock, dogs, and wildlife worldwide. However, the dynamics of ESBL-E. coli between these animals remains poorly understood, particularly in small-scale farms of low and middle-income countries where contact between species can be frequent. We compared the prevalence of fecal carriage of ESBL-E. coli among 332 livestock (207 cows, 15 pigs, 60 horses, 40 sheep, 6 goats, 4 chickens), 82 dogs, and wildlife including 131 European rabbits, 30 rodents, and 12 Andean foxes sharing territory in peri-urban localities of central Chile. The prevalence was lower in livestock (3.0%) and wildlife (0.5%) compared to dogs (24%). Among 47 ESBL-E. coli isolates recovered, CTX-M-group 1 was the main ESBL genotype identified, followed by CTX-M-groups 2, 9, 8, and 25. ERIC-PCR showed no cluster of E. coli clones by either host species nor locality. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ESBL-E. coli among sheep, cattle, dogs, and rodents of Chile, confirming their fecal carriage among domestic and wild animals in small-scale farms. The high prevalence of ESBL-E. coli in dogs encourages further investigation on their role as potential reservoirs of this bacteria in agricultural settings.Ítem Factors Limiting the Appropriate Use of Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis by Health Professionals in Brazil(Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-05) da Silva, Ramiro M.; Megid, Jane; Hampson, Katie; Campos, Aline Alves Scarpellini; Higashi, Cintia S.; Medeiros, Fabíola S.; Pereira, Alexandra S.; Benavides, Julio A.Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is necessary to prevent the fatal onset of rabies but requires optimization to avoid overuse in populations at risk of rabies. In Brazil, the incidence of dog bites remains high, with almost half of dog-bite patients not receiving the PEP recommended by the Ministry of Health guidelines between 2008 and 2017. In this study, we aimed to identify the factors that limit the appropriate prescribing of PEP by interviewing health professionals responsible for PEP administration and completion of the ‘Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration’ (SINAN) form reporting human anti-rabies care for patients seeking health care after a dog bite. We conducted 147 questionnaires (45 questions each) in three Brazilian states (i.e., Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Norte) including questions related to the criteria used by professionals to classify a dog as “suspect” or “rabid”, knowledge on PEP prescription guidelines, SINAN and communication with veterinarians. Our analyses showed that most health professionals delivering PEP in these three states struggle to identify a rabies “suspect” dog according to the Ministry of Health guidelines, and to indicate the adequate PEP regimen, with only 11% of professionals prescribing the appropriate PEP under various dog-bite patient scenarios. PEP knowledge score was higher among professionals trained on PEP guidelines and working in facilities with the highest incidence of dog bites. In contrast, PEP knowledge scores did not vary significantly between states, and were not correlated to the professional's level of experience, the number of colleagues available at the health unit or the professional's confidence on prescribing appropriate PEP. Our results suggest that knowledge gaps in PEP administration among health professionals of Brazil can be reduced by implementing training programs to differentiate among rabies risk scenarios, prescribe the corresponding appropriate PEP and improve communication between health and veterinary authorities. Copyright © 2022 da Silva, Megid, Hampson, Campos, Higashi, Medeiros, Pereira and Benavides.Ítem Higher prevalence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant enterobacterales in dogs attended for enteric viruses in brazil before and after treatment with cephalosporins(MDPI AG, 2021-02) Salgado-Caxito, Marília; Moreno-Switt, Andrea I.; Paes, Antonio Carlos; Shiva, Carlos; Munita, Jose M.; Rivas, Lina; Benavides, Julio A.The extensive use of antibiotics is a leading cause for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among dogs. However, the impact of using antibiotics to treat viral infections on AMR remains unknown. In this study, we compared the prevalence of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCR-E) between dogs with a suspected infection of canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine distemper (CDV) before and after treatment with third-generation cephalosporins. We found a higher prevalence of ESCR-E faecal carriage in dogs suspected of CPV (37%) and CDV (15%) compared to dogs with noninfectious pathologies (9%) even prior to the start of their treatment. A 7-day course of ceftriaxone or ceftiofur administrated to CPV and CDV-suspected dogs substantially increased their ESCR-E faecal carriage during treatment (85% for CPV and 57% for CDV), and 4 weeks after the treatment ended (89% for CPV and 60% for CDV) when dogs were back in their households. Most of the observed resistance was carried by ESCR-E. coli carrying blaCTX-M genes. Our results suggest the need to optimize prophylactic antibiotic therapy in dogs treated for a suspected viral infection to prevent ESCR-E emergence and spread in the community.Ítem Knowledge and use of antibiotics among low-income small-scale farmers of Peru(Elsevier B.V., 2021-04) Benavides, Julio A.; Streicker, Daniel G.; Gonzales, Milagros S.; Rojas-Paniagua, Elizabeth; Shiva, CarlosThe extensive use and misuse of antibiotics in the livestock sector is one of the main drivers of the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Although small-scale farms constitute most of the livestock production in low and middle-income countries, knowledge and use of antibiotics among these populations is sparse. We conducted 201 questionnaires to estimate the use and knowledge of antibiotics by small-scale farmers located in the coastal area of the Lima region of Peru. Our results show that farmers had a small number of livestock (e.g. average of 11 cows, 7 pigs and 19 chickens per farm) and 80 % earned less than minimum wage. More than half of farmers reported at least one episode of respiratory disease, diarrhea, mastitis, skin lesion or post-parturition infection in their animals during the previous year, and 40 % of these episodes were treated with antibiotics. Farmers reported using 14 different antibiotics, most commonly oxytetracycline (31 % of episodes treated with antibiotics), penicillin (21 %), gentamicin (19 %) and trimethoprim-sulfamethazine (18 %). The third-generation cephalosporin ceftiofur was occasionally used to treat mastitis. Most farmers relied on veterinarians to prescribe (95 % of respondents) and administer (59 %) antibiotics. Only half of farmers knew what micro-organisms can be treated with antibiotics and the degree of knowledge of antibiotics (based on a 5-question metric) was positively correlated with respondents’ educational level, monthly income, knowledge of the animal health authority, farm area, number of cows and knowledge of an antiparasitic drug. In contrast, knowledge of antibiotics was not correlated with respondents’ age, gender, main occupation, knowledge of a veterinarian or household size. Potential misuse of antibiotics was reported, including 21 % of framers reporting stopping the treatment when clinical signs disappear and infrequent use of antibiotics to treat parasites or animals not eating. Our study highlights poor knowledge and potential misuse of antibiotics among small-scale farmers in coastal Peru, but high reliance on veterinarians for prescription and administration. Strengthening farmers' relationships with veterinarians and improving the diagnostic capacity of the veterinary sector could result in more judicious antibiotic use on these farms.Ítem South American National contributions to knowledge of the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in wild animals: current and future directions(MDPI, 2022-12) Rojas-Hucks, Sylvia; Rodriguez-Jorquera, Ignacio A.; Nimpstch, Jorge; Bahamonde, Paulina; Benavides, Julio A.; Chiang, Gustavo; Pulgar, José; Galbán-Malagón, Cristóbal J.Human pressure due to industrial and agricultural development has resulted in a biodi versity crisis. Environmental pollution is one of its drivers, including contamination of wildlife by chemicals emitted into the air, soil, and water. Chemicals released into the environment, even at low concentrations, may pose a negative effect on organisms. These chemicals might modify the synthesis, metabolism, and mode of action of hormones. This can lead to failures in reproduction, growth, and development of organisms potentially impacting their fitness. In this review, we focused on assessing the current knowledge on concentrations and possible effects of endocrine disruptor chemicals (metals, persistent organic pollutants, and others) in studies performed in South America, with findings at reproductive and thyroid levels. Our literature search revealed that most studies have focused on measuring the concentrations of compounds that act as endocrine disruptors in animals at the systemic level. However, few studies have evaluated the effects at a reproductive level, while information at thyroid disorders is scarce. Most studies have been conducted in fish by researchers from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. Comparison of results across studies is difficult due to the lack of standardization of units in the reported data. Future studies should prioritize research on emergent contaminants, evaluate effects on native species and the use of current available methods such as the OMICs. Additionally, there is a primary focus on organisms related to aquatic environments, and those inhabiting terrestrial environments are scarce or nonexistent. Finally, we highlight a lack of funding at a national level in the reviewed topic that may influence the observed low scientific productivity in several countries, which is often negatively associated with their percentage of protected areas.Ítem The Power of Music to Prevent and Control Emerging Infectious Diseases(Frontiers Media S.A, 2021-11) Benavides, Julio A.; Caparrós, Cristina; Da Silva, Ramiro Monã; Lembo, Tiziana; Tem Dia, Philip; Hampson, Katie; Dos Santos, FelicianoMusic is a powerful approach to engage communities and disseminate information. Specifically, health campaigns employing music have been used to promote behaviors that can prevent emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). For example, hip hop artists supported campaigns to prevent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the 70s in the United States, while Brazilian funk promoted vaccination to mitigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, we broadcast musical messages in local languages to increase community awareness and support prevention measures in Guinea and Liberia in response to the recent Ebola outbreak in 2021. Given the potential of music to promote both individual and population-level behavioral changes to prevent transmission, there is a need to consolidate information on music-based health interventions, and on how we can measure their effectiveness. In this perspective, we provide examples of relevant initiatives, discussing challenges and solutions associated with implementing interventions based on our experience with the 2021 Ebola outbreak. We recommend four steps for a successful music-based health intervention including (1) establishing a task force, (2) compose a “catchy” song including critical preventive measures, (3) deliver the song to the target audience, and (4) evaluate the campaign effectiveness. We argue that close interactions between scientists and musicians can produce rapid musical content for disease prevention. We also identify and discuss several methodological frameworks for testing the effectiveness of such interventions. We conclude that support from public health authorities, government media departments, and international agencies, is necessary to deliver wide outreach and long-term sustainability of musical messaging toward effective EID prevention. Copyright © 2021 Benavides, Caparrós, da Silva, Lembo, Tem Dia, Hampson and Dos Santos.