Human exposure to elements through consumption of raw and cooked fish in an urban region of the central Brazilian Amazon biome: Health risks.

Fish is an important source of animal protein for local communities in the Amazon basin, whose food safety must be assured. However, certain potential toxicants elements, can bioaccumulate in fish species, which inhabit anthropogenically polluted waters, ultimately posing a risk to human health. In the present study, the concentrations of nine elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in raw and cooked samples of eight fish species consumed in Santarém (northern Brazil, Amazon biome). The potential for non- carcinogenic human health risks linked to the consumption of cooked fish were evaluated for adults and children in two different scenarios. Four carnivores, three omnivores and one detritivore, all of them regularly marketed and consumed by the Santarém population, were the target species. The safety reference values set by national and international guidelines for humans, in both raw and cooked preparations, were used. In most cases, the cooking process showed a trend to increase elements concentrations compared to raw samples, however the differences were not significant. Moreover, the risk assessment showed danger for children in relation to Hg from the consumption of fish, in both scenarios evaluated. For adults, in one of the scenarios, there was a health risk associated to Hg as a result of carnivorous fish consumption. In a context of combined exposure to all elements, children were at risk when consuming fish, especially carnivorous and omnivorous species. For adults, the mixture of elements posed a risk to health human only for carnivorous fish consumption. The results reveal an environmental scenario of Hg contamination, which requires monitoring actions to preserve the aquatic biodiversity and human health in the Brazilian Amazon biome.

Multidrug-resistant Enterobacter spp. in wastewater and surface water: Molecular characterization of ß-lactam resistance and metal tolerance genes.

Among the ESKAPE group pathogens, Enterobacter spp. is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacillus, widely dispersed in the environment, that causes infections. In the present study, samples of hospital wastewater, raw and treated urban wastewater, as well as surface receiving water, were collected to assess the occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacter spp. A molecular characterization of ß-lactam antibiotic resistance and metal tolerance genes was performed. According to identification by MALDI-TOF MS, 14 isolates were obtained: 7 E. bugandensis, 5 E. kobei, and 2 E. cloacae. The isolates showed resistance mainly to ß-lactam antibiotics, including those used to treat infections caused by MDR bacteria. Multiple antibiotic resistance index was calculated for all isolates. It allowed verify whether sampling points showed a high risk due to antibiotic resistant Enterobacter spp., as well as to determine if the isolates have been in environments with a frequent antibiotic use. Twelve isolates showed ß-lactam antibiotic resistance gene, being the blaKPC widely detected. Regarding metal tolerance, 13 isolates showed at least two genes that encode metal tolerance mechanisms. Overall, metal tolerance mechanisms to silver, copper, mercury, arsenic and tellurium were found. New data on metal tolerance mechanisms dispersion and antibiotic-resistance characterization of the E. bugandensis and E. kobei species were here provided. The occurrence of MDR Enterobacter spp. in analyzed samples draws attention to an urgent need to put control measures into practice. It also evidences waterborne spread of clinically important antibiotic-resistant bacteria recognized as critical priority pathogens.

[Disposal of drugs and the ensuing environmental impacts: an integrative review of the literature]. / Descarte de medicamentos e os impactos ambientais: uma revisão integrativa da literatura.

The scope of this article is to investigate the national and international evidence available on the forms of drug disposal and the presence of drugs in environmental matrices. It involved an integrative review of the literature conducted in the PubMed, SciELO and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, which included articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese published between 2010 and 2020. Twenty-six articles were selected, which revealed the incorrect disposal of medicines by professionals and consumers due mainly to the lack of knowledge about the environmental impacts that they may cause. Studies have highlighted the contamination of water, sewage and sediments by incorrectly discarded drugs. Furthermore, it was observed that aquatic living creatures can be impacted by the presence of drugs in environmental matrices. The incorrect disposal of drugs continues to be a reality in the evidence assessed, which leads to the contamination of environmental matrices and is often not removed by wastewater treatment plants and interferes with the equilibrium of environmental life.

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar as evidências nacionais e internacionais disponíveis sobre o descarte de medicamentos e os impactos em matrizes ambientais. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e que incluiu artigos em inglês, espanhol e português publicados entre 2010 e 2020. Foram selecionados 26 artigos, que evidenciaram o descarte incorreto de medicamentos por profissionais e consumidores devido, principalmente, à falta de conhecimentos sobre os impactos ambientais que esses podem ocasionar. Estudos apontaram a contaminação de água, esgoto e sedimentos por fármacos descartados de forma incorreta. Além disso, observou-se que seres vivos aquáticos podem ser impactados pela presença de medicamentos em matrizes ambientais. O descarte de medicamentos incorreto ainda é uma realidade nas evidências avaliadas, que promove a contaminação de matrizes ambientais e muitas vezes não é removido por estações de tratamento de águas residuárias e interfere no equilíbrio da vida ambiental.

Descarte de medicamentos e os impactos ambientais: uma revisão integrativa da literatura / Disposal of drugs and the ensuing environmental impacts: an integrative review of the literature

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é investigar as evidências nacionais e internacionais disponíveis sobre o descarte de medicamentos e os impactos em matrizes ambientais. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura realizada nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e que incluiu artigos em inglês, espanhol e português publicados entre 2010 e 2020. Foram selecionados 26 artigos, que evidenciaram o descarte incorreto de medicamentos por profissionais e consumidores devido, principalmente, à falta de conhecimentos sobre os impactos ambientais que esses podem ocasionar. Estudos apontaram a contaminação de água, esgoto e sedimentos por fármacos descartados de forma incorreta. Além disso, observou-se que seres vivos aquáticos podem ser impactados pela presença de medicamentos em matrizes ambientais. O descarte de medicamentos incorreto ainda é uma realidade nas evidências avaliadas, que promove a contaminação de matrizes ambientais e muitas vezes não é removido por estações de tratamento de águas residuárias e interfere no equilíbrio da vida ambiental.

Abstract The scope of this article is to investigate the national and international evidence available on the forms of drug disposal and the presence of drugs in environmental matrices. It involved an integrative review of the literature conducted in the PubMed, SciELO and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, which included articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese published between 2010 and 2020. Twenty-six articles were selected, which revealed the incorrect disposal of medicines by professionals and consumers due mainly to the lack of knowledge about the environmental impacts that they may cause. Studies have highlighted the contamination of water, sewage and sediments by incorrectly discarded drugs. Furthermore, it was observed that aquatic living creatures can be impacted by the presence of drugs in environmental matrices. The incorrect disposal of drugs continues to be a reality in the evidence assessed, which leads to the contamination of environmental matrices and is often not removed by wastewater treatment plants and interferes with the equilibrium of environmental life.

A set of antibiotic-resistance mechanisms and virulence factors in GES-16-producing Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae from hospital wastewater revealed by whole-genome sequencing.

Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae has emerged as a human pathogen and sporadic isolates from non-clinical sources were reported. Here, we described the phenotypic- and genomic-characteristics of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) and potentially hypervirulent (MDR-hv) Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae (KqA1) isolated from hospital wastewater. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of KqA1 was investigated using disk-diffusion method, broth microdilution method, and agar dilution method, and the genetic characteristics of antimicrobial resistance, mobile genetics elements, and virulence were evaluated by genomic DNA sequencing on the Illumina® NovaSeq6000 platform as well as by bioinformatic analysis. Resistome analyses revealed the presence of genes related to resistance to ß-lactams, aminoglycosides, quinolones, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, chloramphenicol, macrolides, and fosfomycin. New genetic contexts to blaGES-16 (carbapenemase gene) and to fosA (fosfomycin resistance gene) were described. A set of mechanisms that can contribute to antibiotic resistance, commonly detected in Klebsiella spp., was also found including chromosomal mutations, efflux systems, proteins, and regulators. Moreover, KqA1 presented genes related to tolerance to metals (arsenic, copper, nickel, cobalt, magnesium, cadmium, zinc, tellurium, selenium) and to biocides (quaternary-ammonium compounds). The isolate was classified as potentially hypervirulent due to a wide range of virulence factors found associated to regulation, motility, biofilm, effector delivery systems, immune modulation, nutritional/metabolic factors, adherence, invasion, and competitive advantage. The occurrence of MDR-hv KqA1 in hospital wastewater points out how this environment matrix plays a crucial role in the maintenance and selection of critical bacterial pathogens. Regarding One Health perspective, it is evident the need for multidisciplinary implementation of control measures for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, not only in hospital settings but also in a general environmental context to mitigate the dissemination of MDR and hv bacteria.

Human health risk assessment for (re)emerging protozoan parasites in surface water used for public supply and recreational activities.

Gastrointestinal diseases caused by protozoan parasites remain a major challenge in developing countries and ingestion of contaminated surface water represents one of the main sources by which these diseases are contracted. This study assessed the risk of infection and diseases caused by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia sp. due to ingestion of surface water used for public supply and recreational activities, focusing on the southeastern Brazilian Pardo River and applying the USEPA 1623 method to quantify (oo)cyst concentrations. Infection and disease probabilities due to ingestion of drinking water or during recreational activities were estimated using the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) approach. Mean concentrations of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia sp. in surface water ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 oocysts L-1 and 0.2 to 4.4 cysts L-1, respectively. Considering public water supply, annual infection probabilities were higher for adults than children and exceeded the USEPA limit; also, disease probabilities were higher for adults than children. For recreational activities, annual infection and disease probabilities were higher for children, followed by men and women. The occurrence of both parasites likely reflects raw sewage discharge, effluent from sewage treatment plants, and diffuse sources of pollution, such as runoff from pasture lands and deforested riparian forest corridors. Our results highlight substantial infection risks by both parasite types after conventional treatment of water used for public supply and also call for careful monitoring of water bodies used for recreational purposes.

Antibióticos e bactérias multirresistentes em esgoto e águas superficiais receptoras: riscos da propagação de genes codificadores de ESBL, de carbapenemases e de tolerância aos metais no contexto da saúde única / Antibiotics and multidrug-resistant bacteria in sewage and receiving surface waters: risks of spreading genes encoding ESBL, carbapenemases and metal tolerance in the context of one health

Os antibióticos estão compreendidos entre as classes de medicamentos de maior sucesso na medicina, pelo tratamento de infecções bacterianas e consequentemente aumento na expectativa de vida da população. No entanto, seu uso exacerbado desde a sua descoberta promoveram a inserção de antibióticos no ambiente, bem como dispersão global de bactérias resistentes. Como medida à escassez de novos antibióticos, os metais têm sido considerados como potenciais agentes antimicrobianos, no entanto mecanismos de tolerância vêm sendo relatados, mas com distribuição epidemiológica desconhecida. Nesse sentido, os objetivos do presente trabalho foi de avaliar a ocorrência de antibióticos, de bactérias resistentes e de determinantes de resistência aos antibióticos e de tolerância à metais em amostras de esgoto hospitalar, sanitário e água superficial, no contexto da Saúde Única. No total, 10 antibióticos de diferentes classes foram avaliados em sistema de cromatografia líquida de ultra performance acoplado à espectrometria de massas (UPLC-MS) e bactérias resistentes foram isoladas e quantificadas a partir de meios cromogênicos seletivos para bactérias produtoras de ESBL e de carbapenemases. Os isolados obtidos foram submetidos ao teste de susceptibilidade aos antibióticos, bem como à detecção de genes de resistência aos antibióticos e de tolerância à metais, por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR). Os antibióticos amoxicilina e ampicilina foram encontrados em altas concentrações, variando entre 131,5 e 1896,29 ng L-1 e entre 366,35 e 1113,07 ng L-1 , respectivamente. Os antibióticos ciprofloxacina, sulfametoxazol e tetraciclina também foram detectados. O porcentual de remoção dos antibióticos no efluente tratado consiste de 53,43% para amoxicilina, 16,88% para ampicilina, 95,6% para sulfametoxazol e de 65,5% para tetraciclina. O perfil das concentrações de bactérias fenotipicamente produtoras de ESBL e de carbapenemases foram semelhantes, sendo de maior ocorrência no esgoto hospitalar. Deve-se destacar que o sistema municipal de tratamento de esgoto não apresentou eficiência na remoção dessas bactérias e altas concentrações foram detectadas no efluente tratado (ESBL: 3.80E+08, KPC: 6.17E+08 UFC/100mL). Foi possível verificar que as concentrações de bactérias resistentes à jusante da ETE foram maiores em relação às concentrações de bactérias à montante, evidenciando um possível impacto do lançamento do efluente tratado no corpo hídrico. Com relação ao fenótipo de resistência, os isolados apresentaram resistência majoritariamente aos antibióticos ß-lactâmicos, seguido por antibióticos da classe das quinolonas. Foi calculado o índice de resistência à múltiplos antibióticos (MAR Index), onde verificou-se que todos os pontos de amostragem configuraram como fontes de alto risco para resistência bacteriana. Quanto à detecção molecular de genes de resistência aos antibióticos, verificou-se que 51% dos isolados (n = 55/108) carreavam o gene codificador de carbapenemase blaKPC e 33% dos isolados (n =36/108) abrigavam o gene codificador de ESBL blaCTX-M dos grupos 1 ou 8. Em menores porcentagens foram detectados os genes blaGES (2,8%), blaNDM (1,9%) e blaVIM (0,9%), sendo esses dois últimos genes codificadores de carbapenemases do tipo metallo-ß-lactamase que são considerados pouco frequentes. Com relação aos genes de tolerância à metais, genes que conferem tolerância à prata, ao cobre e ao mercúrio foram detectados respectivamente em 52%, 50% e 28% dos isolados. Uma correlação forte foi verificada na coexistência entre os genes de tolerância à prata (silA) e de tolerância ao cobre (pcoD) (r = 0,85). Os resultados apontam para a disseminação de bactérias resistentes aos antibióticos nas matrizes avaliadas, com predominância de genes codificadores de carbapenemases. Em termos de saúde pública, os dados levantados apontam para uma emergência sanitária, em que medidas de mitigação precisam ser urgentemente aderidas. Nesse sentido, e em consonância com a abordagem de Saúde Única, propõe-se a necessidade de tratamento do efluente hospitalar, bem como adição de tratamento terciário na ETE. A colaboração integrada entre os setores da saúde pública, veterinária e ambiental são fundamentais para frear essa "pandemia silenciosa"

Antibiotics are among the most successful classes of drugs in medicine, by treating bacterial infections and consequently increasing the life expectancy of the population. However, their exacerbated use since their discovery has promoted the insertion of antibiotics into the environment, as well as global dispersion of resistant bacteria. As a measure to the scarcity of new antibiotics, metals have been considered as potential antimicrobial agents, however, tolerance mechanisms have been reported, but with unknown epidemiological distribution. In this sense, the objectives of the present work were to evaluate the occurrence of antibiotics, resistant bacteria, and determinants of antibiotic resistance and metal tolerance in samples of hospital wastewater, urban wastewater, and surface water, in the context of One Health. In total, 10 antibiotics of different classes were evaluated in ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and resistant bacteria were quantified and isolated from chromogenic media selective for bacteria producing ESBL and carbapenemases. The isolates obtained were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, as well as detection of antibiotic resistance and metal tolerance genes by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The antibiotics amoxicillin and ampicillin were found in high concentrations, ranging between 131.5 and 1896.29 ng L-1 and between 366.35 and 1113.07 ng L-1 , respectively. The antibiotics ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline were also detected. The removal percentage of the antibiotics in the treated effluent consists of 53.43% for amoxicillin, 16.88% for ampicillin, 95.6% for sulfamethoxazole, and 65.5% for tetracycline. The concentration profiles of phenotypically ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing bacteria were similar, with higher occurrence in hospital wastewater. It should be noted that the municipal sewage treatment system did not show efficiency in removing these bacteria and high concentrations were detected in the treated effluent (ESBL: 3.80E+08, KPC: 6.17E+08 CFU/100mL). It was possible to verify that the concentrations of resistant bacteria downstream of the WWTP were higher in relation to the concentrations of bacteria upstream, showing a possible impact of the discharge of the treated effluent into the water body. Regarding the resistance phenotype, the isolates showed resistance mostly to ß-lactam antibiotics, followed by quinolone class antibiotics. The multiple antibiotic resistance index (MAR Index) was calculated, where it was verified that all sampling points configured as high-risk sources for bacterial resistance. Regarding the molecular detection of antibiotic resistance genes, it was found that 51% of isolates (n = 55/108) carried the carbapenemase encoding gene blaKPC and 33% of isolates (n =36/108) harbored the ESBL encoding gene blaCTX-M from groups 1 or 8. In smaller percentages, blaGES (2.8%), blaNDM (1.9%) and blaVIM (0.9%) genes were detected, these last two genes encoding carbapenemases of the metallo-ß-lactamase type that are considered infrequent. Regarding metal tolerance genes, genes conferring tolerance to silver, copper and mercury were detected in 52%, 50% and 28% of isolates, respectively. A strong correlation was verified in the coexistence between silver tolerance (silA) and copper tolerance (pcoD) genes (r = 0.85). The results point to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the evaluated matrices, with a predominance of genes encoding carbapenemases. In terms of public health, the data raised point to a health emergency, in which mitigation measures need to be urgently adhered to. In this sense, and in line with the One Health approach, the need for treatment of the hospital effluent is proposed, as well as the addition of tertiary treatment in the WWTP. The integrated collaboration between the public health, veterinary, and environmental sectors are fundamental to curb this "silent pandemic"

High occurrence of heavy metal tolerance genes in bacteria isolated from wastewater: A new concern?

Some heavy metals have antimicrobial activity and are considered as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotic therapy. However, heavy metal tolerance genes (HMTG) have been already detected and coding different tolerance mechanisms. Considering that certain metals are promising for antimicrobial therapy, evaluation of HMTG dissemination in bacteria from sewage is essential to understand the evolution of these bacteria and to predict antimicrobial use and control. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of bacteria carrying HMTG in samples of hospital wastewater and from urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The acquired HMTG were investigated by PCR in bacterial collection previously characterized for antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). HMTG searched include arsB (arsenic efflux pump), czcA (cadmium, zinc and cobalt efflux pump), merA (mercuric reductase), pcoD (copper efflux pump), silA (silver efflux pump) and terF (tellurite resistance protein). Among 45 isolates, 82% of them carried at last one HMTG, in which the silA and pcoD tolerance genes were the most prevalent. A very strong positive correlation was found between these genes (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001). Tolerance genes merA, arsB, czcA and terF were detected in 47%, 13%, 13% and 7% of the isolates, respectively. It was found that 15 isolates co-harbored ARGs (ß-lactamase encoding genes). HMTG are probably more dispersed than ARGs in bacteria, representing a new concern for heavy metals use as effective antimicrobials. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the HMTG searched in Hafnia alvei, Serratia fonticola and Serratia liquefaciens. Hospital wastewater treatment implementation and additional technologies for treatment in WWTP can reduce the impacts on water resources and HMTG spread, ensureing the environmental and human health safety.

Gram-negative bacteria carrying ß-lactamase encoding genes in hospital and urban wastewater in Brazil.

Multidrug resistance mediated by ß-lactamase in Gram-negative bacilli is a serious public health problem. Sewers are considered reservoirs of multiresistant bacteria due to presence of antibiotics that select them and favor their dissemination. The present study evaluated the antibiotic resistance profile and ß-lactamases production in Gram-negative bacilli isolates from hospital sewage and urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTP) in Brazil. Bacteria were isolated and identified with biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the disk-diffusion method and detection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase and carbapenemases by enzymatic inhibitor and conventional PCR. Differences in resistance to amoxicillin clavulanic, aztreonam, cefepime, and cefotaxime were observed in hospital sewage compared with urban sewage (p < 0.05). The multidrug-resistant phenotype was observed in 33.3% of hospital sewage isolates (p = 0.0025). ß-lactamases genes were found in 35.6% of isolates, with the most frequent being blaKPC and blaTEM (17.8%), and blaSHV and blaCTX-M (13.3% and 8.9%, respectively). The data obtained are relevant, since the bacteria detected are on the priority pathogens list from the World Health Organization and hospital sewage could be released untreated into the municipal collection system, which may favor the spread of resistance. Changes in hospital sewage discharge practices, as well as additional technologies regarding effluent disinfection in the UWWTP, can prevent the spread of these bacteria into the environment and negative impact on water resources.

Storage and disposal of pharmaceuticals at home: a systematic review. / Estoque e descarte de medicamentos no domicílio: uma revisão sistemática.

This study's objective was to analyze Brazilian and international scientific evidence on the reasons people store medication at home and the disposal methods used. This systematic literature review includes studies published from 2001 to 2016 and indexed in PubMed, Lilacs and Elsevier's Scopus Database, using the following key words: Disposal of medicines in household, Disposal of drugs expired, Residential expired drugs, Management of expired medications in household. Thirty-three studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies reveal that the main reasons people keep a stock of medicines at home include the possibility of future use, leftovers from previous treatments, and self-medication. Inappropriate disposal methods prevail, such as throwing medicines in the household trash or flushing them into the sewer. Some countries have adopted programs to educate on proper storage and disposal of medicines, though only one study describes a national program guiding these practices that is free of charge. Evidence shows there is a need to implement public policies intended to provide guidance on the proper storage and disposal of medicines at home.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a evidência científica nacional e internacional existente sobre o motivo do estoque e a forma de descarte dos medicamentos no domicílio. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura de 2001 a 2016 nas bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Elsevier's Scopus Database, utilizando os seguintes unitermos: "Disposal of medicines in household", "Disposal of expired drugs", "Residential expired drugs", "Management of expired medications in household". Foram selecionados 33 estudos originais após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os estudos analisados demonstraram que os principais motivos de estoque no domicílio foram: automedicação; guarda para uso futuro e sobras de tratamentos anteriores. E quanto ao descarte dos medicamentos, prevalecem práticas inadequadas, como descarte no lixo comum e na rede de esgoto. Alguns países têm adotado programas de orientação sobre o armazenamento e o descarte correto, no entanto, foi apenas encontrado um estudo que descreve um programa nacional gratuito, para orientar essas práticas. A partir das evidências cientificas verificou-se a importância do incentivo para a elaboração e a implementação de políticas públicas voltadas para o uso e descarte adequado de medicamentos no domicílio.

Estoque e descarte de medicamentos no domicílio: uma revisão sistemática / Storage and disposal of pharmaceuticals at home: a systematic review

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a evidência científica nacional e internacional existente sobre o motivo do estoque e a forma de descarte dos medicamentos no domicílio. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura de 2001 a 2016 nas bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Elsevier's Scopus Database, utilizando os seguintes unitermos: "Disposal of medicines in household", "Disposal of expired drugs", "Residential expired drugs", "Management of expired medications in household". Foram selecionados 33 estudos originais após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os estudos analisados demonstraram que os principais motivos de estoque no domicílio foram: automedicação; guarda para uso futuro e sobras de tratamentos anteriores. E quanto ao descarte dos medicamentos, prevalecem práticas inadequadas, como descarte no lixo comum e na rede de esgoto. Alguns países têm adotado programas de orientação sobre o armazenamento e o descarte correto, no entanto, foi apenas encontrado um estudo que descreve um programa nacional gratuito, para orientar essas práticas. A partir das evidências cientificas verificou-se a importância do incentivo para a elaboração e a implementação de políticas públicas voltadas para o uso e descarte adequado de medicamentos no domicílio.

Abstract This study's objective was to analyze Brazilian and international scientific evidence on the reasons people store medication at home and the disposal methods used. This systematic literature review includes studies published from 2001 to 2016 and indexed in PubMed, Lilacs and Elsevier's Scopus Database, using the following key words: Disposal of medicines in household, Disposal of drugs expired, Residential expired drugs, Management of expired medications in household. Thirty-three studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies reveal that the main reasons people keep a stock of medicines at home include the possibility of future use, leftovers from previous treatments, and self-medication. Inappropriate disposal methods prevail, such as throwing medicines in the household trash or flushing them into the sewer. Some countries have adopted programs to educate on proper storage and disposal of medicines, though only one study describes a national program guiding these practices that is free of charge. Evidence shows there is a need to implement public policies intended to provide guidance on the proper storage and disposal of medicines at home.

Hemodialysis Water Parameters as Predisposing Factors for Anemia in Patients in Dialytic Treatment: Application of Mixed Regression Models.

Contamination by metals and microbiological agents in hemodialysis water can cause clinical intercurrences in hemodialysis patients. Evaluating and assuring minimum levels of contamination from metals and microorganisms in hemodialysis water can improve patient safety. The objective of this study was to assess hemodialysis water quality in a major tertiary hospital in Brazil and investigate the relationship between hemodialysis water quality and clinical intercurrences in hemodialysis patients. A prospective-observational cohort study for evaluation of water quality parameters and clinical intercurrences present by patients (n = 52) were performed from May 2014 to April 2015. Mixed linear regression models and binary regression models were fitted for water quality parameters and patients' clinical parameters. The increase in the levels of copper and nitrate in hemodialysis water was significant (p < 0.05) to explain anemia. Bone pain was related to age, sex (female), and hemodialysis treatment duration (years). Hypotensive episodes were related to serum sodium decrease. Aluminum in hemodialysis water was present in an average concentration higher than the permitted threshold (15.35 ± 14.53 µg/L). Cadmium, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and endotoxins in hemodialysis water were not detected and the heterotrophic bacteria count was below the reference limit. These parameters' concentrations varied during the study, evidencing the need for continuous monitoring.

Avaliação da multirresistência a antibióticos e produção de ESBL e carbapenemases em bacilos gram-negativos de efluente hospitalar e urbano / Evaluation of antibiotic multi-resistance and production of ESBL and carbapenemases in gram-negative bacilli of hospital and urban effluent

A multirresistência aos antibióticos observada em bacilos gram-negativos é um grave problema de saúde pública devido a alta morbidade e mortalidade apresentada, especialmente em instituições assistenciais de saúde. Como consequência do intenso uso de antibióticos, a multirresistência a esses fármacos é principalmente mediada por enzimas hidrolisantes, onde destaca-se as enzimas ?-lactamases, principal mecanismo de resistência aos ?-lactâmicos verificado em bacilos gram-negativos. Os esgotos de origem hospitalar e de estações de tratamento de esgoto (ETE) são considerados como reservatórios de bactérias multirresistentes pela presença de antibióticos que as selecionam e por favorecem a transmissão de determinantes de resistência. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar a multirresistência a antibióticos e a produção de enzimas ?-lactamases em bacilos gram-negativos isolados de efluente hospitalar e da estação de tratamento de esgoto, na cidade de Ribeirão Preto, SP. No hospital terciário, amostras de esgotos foram coletadas dos ambulatórios, das enfermarias e da junção do esgoto hospitalar. Na ETE, amostras foram coletadas na caixa de entrada do esgoto bruto e após ao tratamento. Dez microlitros foram semeados em ágar MacConkey, SalmonellaShigella, Cetrimide e TCBS e a identificação dos bacilos gram-negativos foi realizada pelo kit Bactray®. O teste de susceptibilidade aos antibióticos foi realizado pelo método de discodifusão em ágar. A detecção fenotípica de bacilos produtores de ESBL foi realizada pelos testes de sinergia de disco-duplo e disco combinado com ácido clavulânico, e para detecção de isolados produtores de carbapenemases foi utilizado os testes de disco combinado com ácido fenilborônico e EDTA e o teste Blue Carba. A PCR foi utilizada para amplificação dos genes codificadores de ESBL e carbapenemases. No total, 45 bacilos gram-negativos foram isolados, sendo as espécies Klebsiella pneumoniae e Pseudomonas aeruginosa as de maiores prevalências. Ampla resistência foi verificada aos antibióticos ?-lactâmicos, sendo a resistência ao aztreonam, a cefepime e a cefotaxima mais expressiva nos isolados do esgoto hospitalar, com diferenças estatisticamente significante (p<0,05). O fenótipo multidroga resistente foi atribuído a 33,3%, nos isolados exclusivamente do esgoto hospitalar, com diferença estatisticamente significante (p = 0,0025) em relação aos isolados do esgoto da ETE. Genes de ?-lactamases foram encontrados em 35,6% das bactérias, sendo o blaKPC e blaTEM os de maiores ocorrências, ambos em 17,8% dos isolados, e os genes blaSHV e blaCTX-M em 13,3% e 8,9%. Somente em um isolado de Enterobacter cloacae no esgoto tratado da ETE foi identificado o gene blaSHV, os demais isolados portadores dos genes de ?-lactamases foram encontrados no esgoto hospitalar. Os dados obtidos neste estudo são importantes levando em consideração que no Brasil o esgoto hospitalar pode ser lançado in natura na rede coletora municipal, no entanto, acredita-se que tal permissão favorece a disseminação da multirresistência bacteriana, posto que, os resultados demonstram alta frequência de bactérias portadoras de genes de resistência a antibióticos no esgoto hospitalar estudado. Assim, a implementação do tratamento de efluentes hospitalares, especialmente os de hospitais terciários, e adicionalmente ao tratamento da ETE evitaria a propagação dessas bactérias no ambiente e de impactar negativamente os recursos hídricos

Antibiotic multi-resistance observed in Gram-negative bacilli is a serious public health problem due to high morbidity and mortality, especially in health care institutions. As a consequence of the intense use of antibiotics, multi-resistance to these drugs is mainly mediated by hydrolyzing enzymes, in which ?-lactamases, the main ?-lactam resistance mechanism observed in Gramnegative bacilli, are prominent. Hospital sewage and wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are considered reservoirs of multiresistant bacteria by the presence of antibiotics that select these bacteria and favor the transmission of resistance determinants. In this sense, the present study aimed to evaluate the antibiotics multi-resistance and the production of ?-lactamase enzymes in Gram-negative bacilli isolated from hospital effluent and the wastewater treatment plants in Ribeirão Preto city, SP. In the tertiary hospital, sewage samples from the outpatient clinics, rooms patients and the hospital sewage junction were collected. In the WWTP, raw and treated sewage were collected. Ten microliters were seeded on MacConkey, Salmonella-Shigella, Cetrimide and TCBS agar and the identification of Gram-negative bacilli was performed by the Bactray® kit. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by agar-diffusion method. Phenotypic detection of ESBL-producing bacilli was performed by double-disc and discsynergy tests combined with clavulanic acid, and for the detection of carbapenemase-producing isolates the combined disk tests with phenylboronic acid and EDTA and Blue Carba test were used. PCR amplification of ESBL and carbapenemases-encoding genes was used. In total, 45 Gram-negative bacilli were isolated, and Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most prevalent. Extensive resistance was verified to ?-lactam antibiotics and resistance to aztreonam, cefepime and cefotaxime was more pronounced in hospital sewage isolates, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Multidrug-resistant phenotype was attributed to 33.3% in isolates exclusively from hospital sewage, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0025) in relation to the sewage isolates from the WWTP. ?-lactamase genes were found in 35.6% of the bacteria, with blaKPC and blaTEM having the highest occurrences, both in 17.8% of the isolates, and the blaSHV and blaCTX-M genes in 13.3% and 8, 9%. Only in an isolate of Enterobacter cloacae in the treated sewage from WWTP was the blaSHV gene identified, the other isolates carrying the ?-lactamases genes were found in hospital sewage. The data obtained in this study are important considering that in Brazil the hospital sewage can be released in nature in municipal collection network, however, it is believed that such permission favors the dissemination of bacterial multi-resistance, since, the results show high frequency of bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes in the hospital sewer studied. Thus, the implementation of treatment of hospital effluents, especially those in tertiary hospitals, and in addition to the treatment of WWTP would prevent the spread of these bacteria in the environment and negatively impact water resources

Adaptação do Ecomapa proposto no Modelo Calgary para avaliação socioambiental de parasitoses intestinais em crianças de creches filantrópicas / Adapting the Ecomap proposed in the Calgary Model for the socio-environmental evaluation of intestinal parasites in children at philanthropic day care centers

Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a frequência de enteroparasitos em crianças de creches filantrópicas e adaptar um diagrama de Ecomapa para avaliar as condições socioambientais envolvidas. Um total de 151 amostras de fezes, coletadas de 66 crianças de dois a seis anos de idade foram analisadas por meio de técnicas de Hoffman, Pons e Janer (HPJ), e de Faust e colaboradores. Um questionário estruturado foi aplicado aos responsáveis pelas crianças, e um Ecomapa foi adaptado para avaliar as interações entre as crianças parasitadas e os condicionantes socioambientais. Enteroparasitos patogênicos (Ascaris lumbricoides, Balantidium coli, Giardia lamblia e Strongyloides stercoralis) e não patogênicos (Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli e Iodamoeba butschilii) foram identificados, acometendo 37,9 % das crianças. Com o Ecomapa observaram-se fortes correlações dos parâmetros avaliados (renda familiar, higiene alimentar e pessoal, escolaridade dos responsáveis, contato com animais domésticos e interpessoal) com as crianças parasitadas. O parasito Giardia lamblia foi o de maior frequência e a adaptação do Ecomapa permitiu efetuar a avaliação dos principais condicionantes envolvidos. Diante do exposto é necessário implementar o programa de educação em saúde no ambiente escolar que estimulem os hábitos de higiene alimentar e pessoal, como atividades de prevenção e controle de parasitos.

This study evaluated the enteroparasites frequency in children at philanthropic daycare centers, andthe adaptation of an Ecomap diagram to evaluate the socio-environmental conditions. The 151 faecessamples collected from 66 children aged two to six years old were analyzed, by using the techniquesof Hoffman, Pons and Janer (HPJ) and Faust et col. A structured questionnaire was applied tothose responsible for children, and an Ecomap was adapted for evaluating the interactions betweenparasitized children and socio-environmental conditions. Pathogenic enteroparasites (Ascarislumbricoides, Balantidium coli, Giardia lamblia e Strongyloides stercoralis) and non-pathogenicones (Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli e Iodamoeba butschilii) were identified,and affecting 37.9 % of children. The Ecomap indicated the strong relationships of the evaluated parameters (family income, personal and food hygiene, schooling of the responsible, contactwith domestic animals and interpersonal) with the parasitized children. Giardia lamblia was the parasite showing the highest frequency, and the adaptation of the Ecomap allowed to evaluate the main conditioning factors involved. In view of these findings, it is needed to implement the health education program in the school environment for stimulating the food and personal hygiene habits, as the activities for parasites prevention and control.

Adenovírus e rotavírus em águas superficiais do córrego Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil / Adenovirus and rotavirus in surface water of the Ribeirão Preto stream, São Paulo, Brazil

Com o desenvolvimento humano, os recursos hídricos sofrem modificações derivadas da expansão demográfica e principalmente da falta de saneamento básico, que interferem diretamente na qualidade desses recursos com a introdução de substâncias químicas tóxicas e bioagentes patogênicos. Os vírus entéricos de veiculação hídrica, como adenovírus e rotavírus, merecem destaque considerando seus impactos na saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de adenovírus e rotavírus em águas superficiais do Córrego Ribeirão Preto, SP. A coleta foi realizada em 11 pontos distintos, da nascente até a confluência com o Rio Pardo. O Teste de ELISA foi o método utilizado para a detecção dos vírus (RIDASCREEN® Adenovirus, RIDASCREEN® Rotavirus - R-Biopharm). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 73% das amostras foram positivas para adenovírus, enquanto que 36% foram positivas para rotavírus. Considerando a virulência desses vírus entéricos e a vulnerabilidade de indivíduos imunossuprimidos, idosos e crianças, é preocupante a contaminação por esses agentes patogênicos de veiculação hídrica amplamente disseminados em águas superficiais.

Water resources have been suffering with the changes in demographic expansion and the lack of basic sanitation. These factors directly interfere with the quality of these resources due to the discharge of toxic chemicals and pathogenic bio-agents. The waterborne enteric viruses, such as rotavirus and adenovirus, deserve attention considering its impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of adenovirus and rotavirus in surface water of Ribeirão Preto stream. Samplings were conducted in 11 different points from the spring to the confluence with the Rio Pardo. The ELISA test was carried out for the detection of viruses (RIDASCREEN® adenovirus, rotavirus RIDASCREEN® - R-Biopharm). According to the results, 73% of the samples were positive for adenovirus, while 36% were positive for rotavirus. Given the virulence of these enteric viruses and the vulnerability of immunosuppressed individuals, i.e. the elderly and children, contamination with these waterborne pathogens widely disseminated in surface water is concerning