Twelve laboratories in different parts of Britain each supplied approximately 80 consecutive urinary bacterial isolates from community patients. All strains were identified by a central laboratory, where sensitivity to a variety of orally administered antimicrobials was determined by microtitre broth dilution. 65.1% of isolates were Escherichia coli, 23.4% 'coliforms' other than E. coli, 4.6% Proteus and Morganella spp., 1.8% Pseudomonas spp., 2.4% enterococci, 0.7% group B streptococci, 1.5% coagulase-negative staphylococci and 0.5% Staphylococcus aureus. Using previously published breakpoint sensitivity values, 98.9% of all isolates were found to be sensitive to norfloxacin and to ciprofloxacin, 95.7% to co-amoxiclav, 86.8% to nitrofurantoin, 77.4% to cephalexin, 75.6% to trimethoprim, 75.0% to cephradine and 51.7% to amoxycillin. There were some differences in sensitivities between centres, particularly those of the cephalosporins. Using standard breakpoints, submitting laboratories were found to overestimate sensitivity to nitrofurantoin and to underestimate sensitivity to the quinolones and to co-amoxiclav; there was considerable overestimation of sensitivity to cephalosporins.

The production of raw milk containing a limited number of bacterial contaminants, which retains its quality during storage, is the major task of the dairy industry. This can only be achieved with adequate regular cleaning and disinfection of the udder, milking equipment, the dairy parlour and animal housing areas. Studies were conducted to assess the efficacy of a range of dairy disinfectants on bacterial species isolated from cow udders as well as reference microbial strains (ATCC). Testing included the assessment of bacterial growth inhibition, biofilm inhibition or bacterial susceptibility to disinfection treatment. Findings show that Lir Analytical chemical disinfectants proved highly successful at inactivating a range of Gram-positive (Bacillus, Enterococcus, Aeromonas) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus) organisms, with up to 99.9% inactivation achieved. Additionally, test chemicals provided significant levels (P < 0.05) of biofilm inhibition for a number of test species. Furthermore, it was found that bacterial isolates from cow udders proved more sensitive to the test chemicals than their reference counterparts.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the greatest public health-perturbing crises of the 21st century, where species have evolved a myriad of defence strategies to resist conventional therapy. The production of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC and carbapenemases in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) is one such mechanism that currently poses a significant threat to the continuity of first-line and last-line β-lactam agents, where multi-drug-resistant GNB currently warrant a pandemic on their own merit. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has long recognised the need for an improved and coordinated global effort to contain these pathogens, where two factors in particular, international travel and exposure to antimicrobials, play an important role in the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic-resistant genes. Studies described herein assess the resistance patterns of isolated nosocomial pathogens, where levels of resistance were detected using recognised in vitro methods. Additionally, studies conducted extensively investigated alternative biocide (namely peracetic acid, triameen and benzalkonium chloride) and therapeutic options (specifically 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), where the levels of induced endotoxin from E. coli were also studied for the latter. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed there was a significant association between multi-drug resistance and ESBL production, where the WHO critical-priority pathogens, namely E. coli, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa, exhibited among the greatest levels of multi-drug resistance. Novel compound 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) shows promising antimicrobial activity, with MICs determined for all bacterial species, where levels of induced endotoxin varied depending on the concentration used. Tested biocide agents show potential to act as intermediate-level disinfectants in hospital settings, where all tested clinical isolates were susceptible to treatment.

Fungal skin infections and iatrogenic disease of companion animals continue to be an ongoing issue for veterinarians, where misdiagnosis or inapt medical treatment result in secondary conditions within animals. The widespread use of antifungals in both modern medicine and agriculture has resulted in concomitant resistance in species, where zoonotic transfer poses a risk to public health. Studies described herein assess the resistance of pathogenic species isolated from companion animals to a battery of conventional antimicrobial agents. Levels of resistance were detected using recognised in vitro methods, where additional novel therapeutic and biocide options were also extensively investigated. Results show high levels of resistance to the three main families of antifungal agents, namely caspofungin, Amp B and fluconazole. Resistance in Candida, Cryptococcal, Aspergillus and Trichophyton species is described herein, highlighting the need for defined species-specific antifungal breakpoints, and for Malassezia and Wickerhamomyces anomalus species which also have zoonotic potential. Novel compound phendione showed promising antimicrobial activity, with MICs determined for both fungal and bacterial species. The biocidal options investigated also showed potential to act as intermediate-level disinfectants, where peracetic acid proved most effective against fungal spore formers.

Introduction Zoonotic disease transmitted from companion animals to humans represents a significant risk to public health safety, especially for neonates and immunocompromised persons. Domestic dogs are reservoirs for many pathogenic microbial species which may transmit via close contact to the animal, animal bedding and/ or excrement. Prophylactic and therapeutic approaches are used to decrease such transmission including limiting the presence of enteric pathogenic infections by feeding cooked meat to animals and implementing and adhering to vaccination programmes. Studies have shown that up to 60% of human infections are due to zoonotic transmission and are frequently mis-diagnosed due to a lack of awareness of the issue [1]. Pathogenic species of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are frequently associated with numerous human and animal disease states such as pneumonia, sepsis and infections of the urinary tract. Studies have identified the zoonotic transmission of pathogenic strains such as extended spectrum beta lactamase

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the aetiological agent of COVID-19 continues to be a threat to public health globally. Viral transmission is horizontal from person-to-person via cough, sneeze and droplets with surface spreading also possible. Disease can progress to severe or life-threatening requiring hospitalisation and oxygen therapy with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure often evident. While non-therapeutic controls measure such as restricting the movement of people and recurrent lockdowns have proven vital to preventing disease transmission, such action has had substantial impact on economies across the globe with a global recession to be expected. Disease prevention measures implemented to curtail the pandemic is heavily reliant on effective biocide control measures with the EPA listing suitable viricidal disinfectants for use. The unprecedented demand for PPE has led to supply shortages with efforts to establish suitable sterilisation methods for re-purposing PPE materials. As variants of concern emerge globally, concern has arisen relating to the efficacy of current vaccination programmes to protect against each new strain displaying increased transmissibility. This review discusses the epidemiology of COVID-19 highlighting viral virulence factors promoting pathogenicity and current control measures therapeutic and non-therapeutic in use as best practice preventative measures.