Major factors affecting the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases

Abstract

The diversity of infectious disease threats currently facing humanity is unprecedented because of the remarkable emergence and reemergence of pathogens worldwide. Because of population mobility, globalization of commerce and the food supply, and the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, infections in the developing world must be addressed to prevent infections in industrialized countries. Because pathogens do not recognize national boundaries, the rapidity with which individuals can circumnavigate the globe incubating infections makes the control of communicable diseases an enormous challenge for governments as well as for the public and primary health care systems. A global strategy for dealing with infectious disease threats must be developed and implemented as soon as possible.

Genetic diversity of oxytetracycline-resistant bacteria and tet(M) genes in two major coastal areas of South Korea

“…The occurrence of OTC-resistant bacteria in these two locations is important to assess the potential risk to human health, as Vibrio, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas and Klebsiella species are the known causes of recent dramatic clinical outbreaks in South Korea and in other countries such as the USA [25]. In 2014, 10 cases due to resistant Vibrio spp.…”

A review of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria used as bioprotective cultures in fresh meat produced in Argentina

“…Undoubtedly the major threat to food safety is the emergence of ''new'' pathogens. The recent role of Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolítica and Vibrio parahemolyticus as foodborne microorganisms has been related to the increase of outbreaks compared to traditional food pathogens (Church, 2004;Elmi, 2004;Mead et al, 2005;Moore et al, 2005). Changes in the food chain will continue to create opportunities for the emergence of new diseases and the re-emergence of old ones.…”

Diverse and abundant antibiotic resistance genes in Chinese swine farms

“…Pig manure, with its abundant and diverse ARGs and sheer volume, is a major source of resistance genes and as such a public health hazard. Microbes from manure, compost, or soil containing the ARGs are subject to dispersal via runoff into rivers (22), leaching to subsurface waters, air dispersal via dust, human travel, and distribution of agricultural products, including compost for gardening, which could expand a local contamination to regional and even global scales (6,11).…”

“…In 30 y, it evolved from being completely antibiotic-susceptible to being multidrug-resistant by expanding a genomic island by 66 kb, including 45 resistance genes, which were horizontally transferred from various genera of bacteria, some of which likely originated from the environment (10). Antibiotic-resistant strains can then be distributed worldwide, aided by a number of human factors, but especially international travel for commerce, immigration, and recreation (11). Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are becoming recognized as environmental pollutants, and action is being sought to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics.…”