Ants in a hospital environment and their potential as mechanical bacterial vectors

Lima, Wanda Ramos dos Santos; Marques, Sirlei Garcia; Rodrigues, Fernanda Souto; Rebêlo, José Manuel Macário

doi:10.1590/0037-8682-1607-2013

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Lutinski et al [24] also indicated that warmer temperatures are more conducive for breeding and infestation of ants. In fact, seasonality not only affects ant abundance but also ant diversity in hospital settings [25].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study on the potential of ants to act as vectors of foodborne pathogens

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ants ( Technomyrmex difficilis and Solenopsis geminata ) are insects often found in domestic kitchens of Mauritius. Unfortunately, they harbour disease-causing organisms and can potentially transfer these pathogens to food. This study was carried out to (i) investigate the knowledge, perception and behaviors of consumers in relation to the problem of ant infestation of domestic kitchens; (ii) identify the pathogenic microorganisms carried by ants; and (iii) determine the potential for ants to transfer these pathogenic microorganisms to food. A survey based on a stratified sampling design was carried out with 100 consumers using a questionnaire. To identify the pathogenic microorganism(s) harbored by ants, bait traps were set up using sterile sugar as a non-toxic attractant. Captured ants were then subjected to microbiological analyses. Most respondents (72%) agreed that ants constitute a hygienic issue but they did not perceive ants as a serious threat to human health. However microbiological analyses of ants (n = 50) confirmed the presence of various pathogenic microorganisms as well as fecal contaminants. Ants were found to harbor yeasts and molds systematically (100%), coliforms frequently (52%), Bacillus spp. and Escherichia coli occasionally (26% and 18% respectively) and Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes sporadically (8 and 6 % respectively). Ants were also found to transfer E. coli to food surfaces at a moderately high frequency of 70%. This study demonstrated that the majority of consumers acknowledged the problem of ant infestation as a sanitation-related problem rather than a food safety issue. Since ants have the ability to harbor and subsequently transfer pathogenic or toxigenic microorganisms, ants may act as disease vectors and contaminate food, water and food- contact surfaces of kitchens resulting in foodborne illnesses.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A study on the potential of ants to act as vectors of foodborne pathogens

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For capturing the ants, an improvised ant collection tool based on the study of [12] was used. for initially identifying the isolated organism, a conventional method using panel of biochemical tests as described by [13] was used.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antibiotic resistance profile of gram negative bacilli isolated from ants in selected level 1 hospitals in Davao city

2017

J. adv. health med. sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The occurrence of increasing hospital-acquired infections and the reports of the occurrence of ants in the hospital had become a research focus owing to the exposure of patients and health professionals to the risk associated with insects. The study aimed to evaluate the potential of ants as mechanical vectors of pathogenic bacteria and assess the antibiotic resistance pro ile of gram negative bacilli isolated in selected level one hospitals in Davao City. The study utilized a descriptive design. The researcher collected the ant samples in female, male and pediatrics ward in the selected level one hospitals. Afterwards, the captured ant species were immersed in double strength TSB for bacterial cultivation. After distinct pure colonies of bacteria were isolated, they were subjected to tests for bacterial identi ication and antibacterial susceptibility tests using VITEK 2 Systems. The indings of the study suggest that Tapinoma melacephalum, Monomorium pharaonis and Anoplolepis grecilepis are mechanical vectors of opportunistic pathogen which commonly cause hospital acquired infections. Moreover, two (2) isolates of E. cloacae from T. melanocephalum and one (1) isolate of E. cloacae from M. pharaonis demonstrated multi-drug resistance. Further, the results also suggest possible poor implementation of sanitation and pest control protocols. The researcher recommends for further identi ication and pro iling of gram positive bacteria and to explore the different hospital areas including critical care units as sampling points.

show abstract

“…References and their respective areas that have records of ants collected in the state of Maranhão. Behavioral Wheeler, 1922;Monnin et al, 2003;Silva, 2007;Pereira et al, 2014Ecological Brandão et al, 2011Ramos et al, 2015;Silva et al, 2017;Gutiérrez et al, 2017Forensic Andrade-Silva et al, 2015Pereira et al, 2017Genetics Wauters et al, 2018Inventory Dáttilo et al, 2012Occurrence Dáttilo et al, 2010Sanitary Carvalho et al, 2011Silva et al, 2012;Lima et al, 2013Taxonomic Forel, 1904Mann, 1916;Gonçalves, 1942Gonçalves, , 1947Borgmeier, 1955;Kempf, 1959Kempf, , 1960aKempf, , 1960bGonçalves, 1961;Kempf, 1964Kempf, , 1968Kempf, , 1971Kempf, , 1972aKempf, , 1972bKempf, , 1975Watkins, 1976;Ward, 1989;Brandão, 1991;De Andrade & Baroni Urbani, 1999;Ward, 1999;Cuezzo, 2000;Longino & Snelling, 2002;Ward & Downie, 2005;Shoemaker et al, 2006;Wild & Cuezzo, 2006;Feitosa et al, 2007;…”

Section: Distribution and Mapsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the state of Maranhão, Brazil

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The state of Maranhão, located in northeastern Brazil, comprises three biomes: Amazonian, Caatinga, and the Cerrado. To date, 99 ant species have been recorded in the literature from the state. In the present work, we provide for the first time a profile of the ant fauna in the state based on data from the historical literature and Brazilian institutional collections. The updated records on ant diversity for the state of Maranhão revealed a total of 279 species, belonging to 71 genera and 10 subfamilies. In total, 180 species are recorded for the first time in the state, of which four species recorded for the first time in Brazil. In summary, apart from documenting the ant fauna of the region, these results provide a basis for further studies and may contribute to future conservation efforts for the biomes present in this complex landscape.

show abstract

Ants in a hospital environment and their potential as mechanical bacterial vectors

Cited by 14 publications

References 8 publications

A study on the potential of ants to act as vectors of foodborne pathogens

A study on the potential of ants to act as vectors of foodborne pathogens

Antibiotic resistance profile of gram negative bacilli isolated from ants in selected level 1 hospitals in Davao city

An overview of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About