https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-briefs
Experts warn widespread use of antibacterial products could promote antibiotic resistance, other health threats
News brief
2 minutes ago.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
COVID-19
More than two dozen scientists warn that the accelerating use of antibacterial products during the COVID-19 pandemic could pose health risks, such as antimicrobial resistance, and that a comprehensive research and policy agenda is needed to understand and limit these potential impacts.
In a review published yesterday in Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers detail the expanded use of products containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), which comprise hundreds of chemical and mixtures and are often found in antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and personal care products. They note that QACs are in roughly 50% of the US Environmental Protection Agency's list of disinfectants effective against SARS-CoV-2, which has likely contributed to their increased use, even though the evidence of QAC effectiveness in reducing transmission of infectious diseases is limited.
In addition, the authors note that, despite their widespread use, most QACs have not undergone rigorous regulatory assessment for potential associations with adverse human and ecological health effects. They go on to review some of the evidence for those health effects, which include dermatitis, asthma, infertility, birth defects, and antimicrobial resistance.
"A substantial body of evidence points to QACs as exacerbating this problem, notably in drug-resistant pathogens of concern, e.g., P. aeruginosa," they wrote. "Exposure of bacteria to disinfectants is expected to result in an increase in resistance, both to QACs and clinically relevant antibiotics."
A substantial body of evidence points to QACs as exacerbating this problem, notably in drug-resistant pathogens of concern.
The authors recommend full disclosure of QACs in all products, closely monitoring their levels in people and the environment, and eliminating uses that are either unnecessary or not proven.
"Our review of the science suggests disinfecting with these chemicals in many cases is unhelpful or even harmful," study co-author Courtney Carignan, PhD, of Michigan State University, said in a press release from the Green Science Policy Institute. "We recommend regular cleaning with soap and water and disinfecting only as needed with safer products."
USDA green-lights Lyme disease vaccine that targets mice hosts
News brief
7 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Lyme Disease
Tick-borne Disease
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has conditionally licensed an oral vaccine designed to limit the spread of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The vaccine is sprayed onto pellets and distributed in natural settings to be consumed by mice.
Lyme disease is the nation's most common vectorborne disease, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 476,000 people are infected each year. Black-legged ticks that feed on blood from infected mice can than transmit the disease to people.
In its announcement, Memphis-based US Biologic said field trials by several groups showed a real-world impact and that the product meets all of the USDA's conditional licensing requirements, including that it uniquely addresses an emergency condition.
The company said it will make the product available for residential settings and public spaces, such as parks, golf courses, and other recreational facilities. It added that it will work closely with federal and state health agencies, pest control management groups, and partners including the Global Lyme Alliance and the Lyme Disease Association.
The vaccine is called Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterin. The product, called LymeShield, includes a device or "station" that holds and applies the pellets, according to the company's website.
Probes continue into Africa's Marburg outbreaks as recent patients discharged
News brief
10 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Marburg
The most recently confirmed patients in Marburg virus outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania were discharged from treatment at the end of April, with efforts under way in both countries to shore up responses and investigate the source of the virus and earlier transmission links, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday in an update.
Both countries have been battling their first outbreaks of Marburg virus, which is related to Ebola and also spreads among humans through infected body fluids.
Equatorial Guinea's last two cases were reported from Bata, the country's biggest city, and were known contacts of previous cases. The last patient was discharged from treatment on Apr 26. Tanzania's last case was the mother of a child who died from the virus in March, and she was discharged from treatment on Apr 21.
In both outbreaks, investigations are still underway, as are response efforts. In Equatorial Guinea, many cases are linked through social networks or gatherings, but earlier cases across multiple districts without clear links suggests the possibility of undetected spread, the WHO said. It added that surveillance in the country is suboptimal and that few alerts have been reported.
Meanwhile in Tanzania, the source of the virus hasn't been found, which may pose an ongoing risk to the population. All cases have been reported from Bukoba district of Kagera district, which borders Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Before starting discussions of the 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreaks, the WHO recommended that both countries complete 21-day follow-up of all listed contacts. Equatorial Guinea's total stands at 17 lab-confirmed cases, 12 fatal, and 23 fatal probable cases. Tanzania has 8 confirmed cases, 5 fatal, along with a fatal probable case.
Experts warn widespread use of antibacterial products could promote antibiotic resistance, other health threats
News brief
2 minutes ago.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
COVID-19
More than two dozen scientists warn that the accelerating use of antibacterial products during the COVID-19 pandemic could pose health risks, such as antimicrobial resistance, and that a comprehensive research and policy agenda is needed to understand and limit these potential impacts.
In a review published yesterday in Environmental Science & Technology, the researchers detail the expanded use of products containing quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), which comprise hundreds of chemical and mixtures and are often found in antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and personal care products. They note that QACs are in roughly 50% of the US Environmental Protection Agency's list of disinfectants effective against SARS-CoV-2, which has likely contributed to their increased use, even though the evidence of QAC effectiveness in reducing transmission of infectious diseases is limited.
In addition, the authors note that, despite their widespread use, most QACs have not undergone rigorous regulatory assessment for potential associations with adverse human and ecological health effects. They go on to review some of the evidence for those health effects, which include dermatitis, asthma, infertility, birth defects, and antimicrobial resistance.
"A substantial body of evidence points to QACs as exacerbating this problem, notably in drug-resistant pathogens of concern, e.g., P. aeruginosa," they wrote. "Exposure of bacteria to disinfectants is expected to result in an increase in resistance, both to QACs and clinically relevant antibiotics."
A substantial body of evidence points to QACs as exacerbating this problem, notably in drug-resistant pathogens of concern.
The authors recommend full disclosure of QACs in all products, closely monitoring their levels in people and the environment, and eliminating uses that are either unnecessary or not proven.
"Our review of the science suggests disinfecting with these chemicals in many cases is unhelpful or even harmful," study co-author Courtney Carignan, PhD, of Michigan State University, said in a press release from the Green Science Policy Institute. "We recommend regular cleaning with soap and water and disinfecting only as needed with safer products."
USDA green-lights Lyme disease vaccine that targets mice hosts
News brief
7 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Lyme Disease
Tick-borne Disease
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has conditionally licensed an oral vaccine designed to limit the spread of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The vaccine is sprayed onto pellets and distributed in natural settings to be consumed by mice.
Lyme disease is the nation's most common vectorborne disease, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 476,000 people are infected each year. Black-legged ticks that feed on blood from infected mice can than transmit the disease to people.
In its announcement, Memphis-based US Biologic said field trials by several groups showed a real-world impact and that the product meets all of the USDA's conditional licensing requirements, including that it uniquely addresses an emergency condition.
The company said it will make the product available for residential settings and public spaces, such as parks, golf courses, and other recreational facilities. It added that it will work closely with federal and state health agencies, pest control management groups, and partners including the Global Lyme Alliance and the Lyme Disease Association.
The vaccine is called Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterin. The product, called LymeShield, includes a device or "station" that holds and applies the pellets, according to the company's website.
Probes continue into Africa's Marburg outbreaks as recent patients discharged
News brief
10 minutes ago.
Lisa Schnirring
Topics
Marburg
The most recently confirmed patients in Marburg virus outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania were discharged from treatment at the end of April, with efforts under way in both countries to shore up responses and investigate the source of the virus and earlier transmission links, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday in an update.
Both countries have been battling their first outbreaks of Marburg virus, which is related to Ebola and also spreads among humans through infected body fluids.
Equatorial Guinea's last two cases were reported from Bata, the country's biggest city, and were known contacts of previous cases. The last patient was discharged from treatment on Apr 26. Tanzania's last case was the mother of a child who died from the virus in March, and she was discharged from treatment on Apr 21.
In both outbreaks, investigations are still underway, as are response efforts. In Equatorial Guinea, many cases are linked through social networks or gatherings, but earlier cases across multiple districts without clear links suggests the possibility of undetected spread, the WHO said. It added that surveillance in the country is suboptimal and that few alerts have been reported.
Meanwhile in Tanzania, the source of the virus hasn't been found, which may pose an ongoing risk to the population. All cases have been reported from Bukoba district of Kagera district, which borders Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Before starting discussions of the 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreaks, the WHO recommended that both countries complete 21-day follow-up of all listed contacts. Equatorial Guinea's total stands at 17 lab-confirmed cases, 12 fatal, and 23 fatal probable cases. Tanzania has 8 confirmed cases, 5 fatal, along with a fatal probable case.