Presence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli, Enterococcusspp. and Salmonellasp. in 12 species of Australian shorebirds and terns.

Antibiotic resistance is an ongoing threat to both human and animal health. Migratory birds are a potential vector for the spread of novel pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. To date, there has been no comprehensive study investigating the presence of antibiotic resistance (AMR) in the bacteria of Australian shorebirds or terns. In the current study, 1022 individual birds representing 12 species were sampled across three states of Australia (Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia) and tested for the presence of phenotypically resistant strains of three bacteria with potential to be zoonotic pathogens; Escherichia coli, Enterococcusspp., and Salmonellasp. In total, 206 E. coli, 266 Enterococcusspp., and 20 Salmonellasp. isolates were recovered, with AMR detected in 42% of E. coli, 85% of Enterococcusspp., and 10% of Salmonellasp. Phenotypic resistance was commonly detected to erythromycin (79% of Enterococcusspp.), ciprofloxacin (31% of Enterococcusspp.) and streptomycin (21% of E. coli). Resident birds were more likely to carry AMR bacteria than migratory birds (p ≤ .001). Bacteria isolated from shorebirds and terns are commonly resistant to at least one antibiotic, suggesting that wild bird populations serve as a potential reservoir and vector for AMR bacteria. However, globally emerging phenotypes of multidrug-resistant bacteria were not detected in Australian shorebirds. This study provides baseline data of the carriage of AMR bacteria in Australian shorebirds and terns.

Diabetes distress and glycaemic control in young adults with type 1 diabetes: Associations by use of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

AIMS: We determined whether high diabetes distress (DD) in young adults with type 1 diabetes was associated with higher glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c ) levels and whether this association was similar among those who were and were not using diabetes devices (insulin pumps and/or continuous glucose monitors [CGMs]). METHODS: In 2017, an online survey was completed by 423 of 743 (57%) young adults (19-31 years) with type 1 diabetes receiving care at a specialty clinic in New York City. HbA1c level was the primary outcome measure, and high DD (Diabetes Distress Scale score ≥3) was the primary exposure. Associations were adjusted for sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS: Of the 419 respondents with complete DD data, 59% were female and 69% were non-Hispanic white. Both devices (pump and CGM) were used by 35%, either device by 42% and neither device by 24%. The mean (SD) HbA1c was 64 (19) mmol/mol (8.0 [1.7] %) and 24% had high DD. The adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) HbA1c was 10 (6, 14) mmol/mol (0.9 [0.5, 1.2] %) greater in those with high DD than in those without it. This HbA1c difference associated with high DD was similar regardless of device use: 9 (3, 15) mmol/mol (0.8 [0.3, 1.4] %) greater among those using both devices; and 9 (-0.9, 18) mmol/mol (0.8 [-0.1, 1.7] %) greater among those using neither device. CONCLUSIONS: High DD in young adults requires more attention because it is associated with higher HbA1c levels, even among those using insulin pumps and CGMs.

Draft Genome Sequences of Four Citrobacter Isolates Recovered from Wild Australian Shorebirds.

Citrobacter is a ubiquitous bacterial genus whose members inhabit a variety of niches. Some species are clinically important for both antimicrobial resistance (AMR) carriage and as the cause of nosocomial infections. Surveillance of Citrobacter species in the environment can provide indicators of the spread of AMR genes outside clinical spaces. In this study, we present draft genome sequences of four Citrobacter isolates obtained from three species of wild Australian shorebirds.

Salmonella enterica Serovar Hvittingfoss in Bar-Tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica) from Roebuck Bay, Northwestern Australia.

Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss is an important foodborne serotype of Salmonella, being detected in many countries where surveillance is conducted. Outbreaks can occur, and there was a recent multistate foodborne outbreak in Australia. S Hvittingfoss can be found in animal populations, though a definitive animal host has not been established. Six species of birds were sampled at Roebuck Bay, a designated Ramsar site in northwestern Australia, resulting in 326 cloacal swabs for bacterial culture. Among a single flock of 63 bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica menzbieri) caught at Wader Spit, Roebuck Bay, in 2018, 17 (27%) were culture positive for Salmonella All other birds were negative for Salmonella The isolates were identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Hvittingfoss. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship between isolates collected from godwits and the S Hvittingfoss strain responsible for a 2016 multistate foodborne outbreak originating from tainted cantaloupes (rock melons) in Australia. While it is not possible to determine how this strain of S Hvittingfoss was introduced into the bar-tailed godwits, these findings show that wild Australian birds are capable of carrying Salmonella strains of public health importance.IMPORTANCESalmonella is a zoonotic pathogen that causes gastroenteritis and other disease presentations in both humans and animals. Serovars of S. enterica commonly cause foodborne disease in Australia and globally. In 2016-2017, S Hvittingfoss was responsible for an outbreak that resulted in 110 clinically confirmed human cases throughout Australia. The origin of the contamination that led to the outbreak was never definitively established. Here, we identify a migratory shorebird, the bar-tailed godwit, as an animal reservoir of S Hvittingfoss. These birds were sampled in northwestern Australia during their nonbreeding period. The presence of a genetically similar S Hvittingfoss strain circulating in a wild bird population, 2 years after the 2016-2017 outbreak and ∼1,500 km from the suspected source of the outbreak, demonstrates a potentially unidentified environmental reservoir of S Hvittingfoss. While the birds cannot be implicated in the outbreak that occurred 2 years prior, this study does demonstrate the potential role for wild birds in the transmission of this important foodborne pathogen.

Association of Childhood Family Connection With Flourishing in Young Adulthood Among Those With Type 1 Diabetes.

Importance: Higher levels of childhood family connection have been associated with measures of adult flourishing or eudaimonic well-being, such as purpose, self-acceptance, positive relationships, and growth. However, this association has not been examined among those with childhood-onset chronic disease. Objectives: To investigate whether higher levels of childhood family connection were associated with greater flourishing in young adulthood among those with type 1 diabetes and, secondarily, whether this association was present across levels of adverse childhood experiences and childhood social position. Design, Setting, and Participants: In 2017, the cross-sectional Type 1 Flourish survey was administered to all 743 young adults, aged 18 to 29 years, with type 1 diabetes who had received outpatient care in 2016 at a diabetes specialty clinic in New York, New York. Eligible participants completed the survey online or during clinic visits. Data analyses were conducted in September and October 2019. Exposures: The main exposure was childhood family connection (sample-defined tertiles), based on scores from a 7-item scale assessing parental attention, affection, and communication during childhood. Adverse childhood experiences, childhood social position, and other sociodemographic characteristics were also reported. Recent hemoglobin A1c levels were abstracted from medical records. Main Outcomes and Measures: Flourishing score calculated from the 42-item Psychological Well-being Scale developed by Ryff. Results: The survey was completed by 423 of 743 patients (56.9%), and the analysis included 415 participants (98.1%) with complete data on family connection and flourishing. The mean (SD) age of the sample was 25.0 (3.2) years, with 246 (59.3%) female respondents and 288 (69.6%) non-Hispanic white respondents. The mean (SD) flourishing score was 221.8 (37.7). After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, age at type 1 diabetes diagnosis, and hemoglobin A1c level, mean flourishing scores increased from the lowest (201.0; 95% CI, 195.0-207.0) to medium (225.2; 95% CI, 219.4-231.0) to highest (240.4; 95% CI, 234.4-246.4) tertiles of family connection; compared with those in the lowest tertile of family connection, the flourishing scores were 1.04 (95% CI, 0.81-1.27) SD units higher among those in the highest tertile and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.42-0.86) SD units higher among those in the middle tertile. This association was also present across levels of childhood adversity. In the subgroup of respondents with 2 or more adverse childhood experiences, those in the highest tertile of family connection had adjusted flourishing scores 0.76 (95% CI, 0.14-1.38) SD units higher than those in the lowest tertile. In the subgroup with low childhood social position, those in the highest tertile of family connection had flourishing scores 1.08 (95% CI, 0.63-1.52) SD units higher than those in the lowest tertile. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of young adults with type 1 diabetes, higher levels of childhood family connection were associated with greater flourishing in young adulthood across levels of childhood adversity. Beyond disease management, clinician support of family connection may help children with type 1 diabetes flourish in adulthood.

The association between dispositional mindfulness and glycemic control in type 1 diabetes during early adulthood: Differences by age and adverse childhood experiences.

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to determine whether higher levels of dispositional mindfulness were associated with lower HbA1c levels among young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and whether this association differed by age or exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey, called T1 Flourish, was completed in 2017 by 423 of 743 (56.9%) young adults (19-31 years) with T1D receiving outpatient care at a diabetes specialty clinic in New York City. HbA1c levels were abstracted from medical records. Respondents were categorized by age, high and low dispositional mindfulness (median split on Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised), and exposure to any of 10 ACEs. RESULTS: Respondents had a mean (SD) HbA1c of 64 (18) mmol/mol [8.0 (1.7)%]; 59.3% were female and 69.4% were non-Hispanic white. The covariate-adjusted association between dispositional mindfulness and HbA1c differed by age group and ACEs. Among 27- to 31-year-olds, those with high mindfulness had HbA1c levels that were 8 mmol/mol [0.7%] lower (95% confidence interval, 2-13 mmol/mol [0.2-1.2%]) than those with low mindfulness, and this association tended to be stronger in those with ≥1 ACEs. Weaker, non-significant associations in the same direction occurred in 23- to 26-year-olds. Among 19- to 22-year-olds, those with high mindfulness and no ACEs tended to have higher HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS: In young adults with T1D, higher mindfulness was significantly associated with lower HbA1c only among 27- to 31-year-olds. In early adulthood, the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on glycemic control may vary by age and childhood trauma history.

Effect of a Trauma-Awareness Course on Teachers' Perceptions of Conflict With Preschool-Aged Children From Low-Income Urban Households: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Adverse childhood experiences are common and are associated with changes in early development and learning, but training early childhood educators in trauma-informed approaches to care has not been evaluated with randomized clinical trials. Objective: To determine whether a 6-session (12-week) professional development course, "Enhancing Trauma Awareness," improved the quality of teachers' relationships with the children in their classrooms. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cluster randomized clinical trial conducted from September 2017 to May 2018 allocated classrooms by a computer-generated random sequence to intervention (attend Enhancing Trauma Awareness course) and control (no course) groups. Outcomes were reported by participants via survey and analyzed by group allocation. Classrooms under the auspice of the School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving 3- and 4-year-old children living in low-income households were invited to participate. Lead and/or assistant teachers from 63 of 348 eligible classrooms (18.1%) agreed to participate, and none were excluded. Of 96 enrolled teachers, 93 (96.9%) were assessed at follow-up (61 of 63 classrooms [96.8%]). Exposures: In September 2017, 32 classrooms (48 teachers) were assigned to receive a professional development course that taught about the effects of trauma using a group-based relational process, and 31 classrooms (48 teachers) received no intervention. Teachers completed online surveys immediately before and after the course. Exploratory focus groups with intervention teachers (n = 15) were conducted 5 months after the course ended. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was teacher-children relationship quality, with a hypothesized decrease in teacher-children conflict scores. Secondary outcomes included relational capacities (eg, empathy, emotion regulation, and dispositional mindfulness). Focus group themes described teachers' experience of the course. Results: Of 96 teachers enrolled, 93 (96.9%) were women, and 58 (60.4%) were 40 years and older. Follow-up surveys were completed by 46 teachers (95.8%) in the control group and 47 (97.9%) in the intervention group, of whom 38 (79.2%) attended 4 or more course sessions. Adjusting for baseline values, mean (SE) conflict scores after the course were not significantly different between course participants (15.8 [0.6]) and controls (15.0 [0.6]) (effect size = 0.16; 95% CI, -0.19 to 0.52). There were no significant between-group differences in secondary outcomes. However, in focus groups, the teachers reported improvements in teacher-children relationship quality and several related relational capacities. Conclusions and Relevance: A course to enhance trauma awareness among preschool teachers did not reduce teacher-children conflict scores, yet qualitative assessments suggested the potential for improved teacher-children relationship quality. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03303482.