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Biomedical subjects

Joan B Rose

Publications and source records attributed to Joan B Rose.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Modeling the transport and inactivation of E. coli and enterococci in the near-shore region of Lake Michigan.

To investigate the transport and fate of fecal pollution at Great Lakes beaches and the health risks associated with swimming, the near-shore waters of Lake Michigan and two tributaries discharging into it were examined for bacterial indicators of human fecal pollution. The enterococcus human fecal pollution marker, which targets a putative virulence factor--the enterococcal surface protein (esp) in Enterococcus faecium, was detected in 2/28 samples (7%) in the tributaries draining into Lake Michigan and in 6/30 samples (20%) in Lake Michigan beaches. This was indicative of human fecal pollution being transported in the tributaries and occurrence at Lake Michigan beaches. To understand the relative importance of different processes influencing pollution transport and inactivation, a finite-element model of surf-zone hydrodynamics (coupled with models for temperature, E. coli and enterococci) was used. Enterococci appear to survive longer than E. coli, which was described using an overall first-order inactivation coefficient in the range 0.5-2.0 per day. Our analysis suggests that the majority of fecal indicator bacteria variation can be explained based on loadings from the tributaries. Sunlight is a major contributor to inactivation in the surf-zone and the formulation based on sunlight, temperature and sedimentation is preferred over the first-order inactivation formulation.

Enterococcus↗
PubMed2006

Cryptosporidium parvum: treatment effects and the rate of decline in oocyst infectivity.

Cryptosporidium parvum has become the focus of numerous studies on waterborne disease and transmission in response to outbreaks endangering populations worldwide. The Foci Detection Method-Most Probable Number Assay (FDM-MPN) is an in vitro cell culture method that has been developed and used to determine the quantity of infectious C. parvum oocysts. This research evaluated 2 vendor's producing oocysts, Sterling Parasitology Laboratory (SPL) and Pleasant Hill Farms (PHF) (now known as Bunch Grass Farms as of 12/03), classified as young (<30 days) and aged (>165 days), for comparison of treatments (bleach, antibiotic, no treatment) before cell culture, as well as an age study, to determine any lot-to-lot differences and vendor differences regarding the rate of decline in infectivity. Bleach treatment (0.525%) appeared to be the optimum method for the FDM-MPN with regards to maximum infectivity, efficient disinfection, with no visible antagonistic affects on the C. parvum oocysts. The age study revealed that lot-to-lot variability within each vendor stayed within 1 log10 difference, while the rates of decline in infectivity measured until 107 and 120 days of age when stored at 4 C for SPL and PHF were -0.016 and -0.014 log10 infectious oocysts/day, respectively. These results provide insight regarding C. parvum oocyst viability in a fecal population, as well as useful knowledge for further methods development.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed2005

Review of factors affecting microbial survival in groundwater.

This review quantitatively examines a number of published studies that evaluated survival and inactivation of public-health-related microorganisms in groundwater. Information from reviewed literature is used to express microbial inactivation in terms of log10 decline per day for comparison to other studies and organisms. The geometric mean value for inactivation rates for coliphage, poliovirus, echovirus, coliform bacteria, enterococci, and Salmonella spp. were similar at approximately 0.07-0.1 log10 day(-1), while geometric mean inactivation rates for hepatitis A virus, coxsackievirus, and phage PRD-1 were somewhat less at 0.02-0.04 log10 day(-1). Viruses show a temperature dependency with greater inactivation at greater temperatures; however this occurs largely at temperatures greater than 20 degrees C. Coliform bacteria die off in groundwater does not show the temperature dependency that viruses show, likely indicating a complex interplay of inactivation and reproduction subject to influences from native groundwater organisms, temperature, and water chemistry. The presence of native microorganisms seems to negatively impact E. coli survival more so than viruses, but in most cases, nonsterile conditions led to a greater inactivation for viruses also. The effect of attachment to solid surfaces appears to be virus-type-dependent, with PRD-1 more rapidly inactivated as a result of attachment and hepatitis A and poliovirus survival prolonged when attached.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of benefits from use of antimicrobial hand products: reduction in risk from handling ground beef.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) has been used to estimate the benefits resulting from the use of hand cleansing products (e.g., soaps) containing anti-microbial ingredients. This was done by developing a model for the scenario of hand contact with ground beef during food preparation, considering transference of bacteria to the hands, removal and inactivation by handwashing, and subsequent transference from the hands to the mouth. Organisms of interest in this case study were pathogenic Escherichia coli and the particular strain E. coli O157:H7. It was found that QMRA could be applied to this problem, and that the antimicrobials provided some quantifiable benefit (i.e., reduced the risk of infection and illness). Benefits from the use of triclosan-containing products were less than from the use of products in which alcohols or chlorhexidine were active ingredients.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2005

Potential use of a host associated molecular marker in Enterococcus faecium as an index of human fecal pollution.

Several genotypic and phenotypic microbial source tracking (MST) methods have been proposed and utilized to differentiate groups of microorganisms, usually indicator organisms, for the purpose of tracking sources of fecal pollution. Targeting of host-specific microorganisms is one of the approaches currently being tested. These methods are useful as they circumvent the need to isolate individual microorganisms and do not require the establishment of reference databases. Several studies have demonstrated that the presence and distribution of Enterococcus spp. in feces seems to be influenced by the host species. Here, we present a method for detection of genetic sequences in culturable enterococci capable of identifying human sources of fecal pollution in the environment. The human fecal pollution marker designed in this study targets a putative virulence factor, the enterococcal surface protein (esp), in Enterococcus faecium. This gene was detected in 97% of sewage and septic samples but was not detected in any livestock waste lagoons or in bird or animal fecal samples. Epidemiological studies in recreational and groundwaters have shown enterococci to be useful indicators of public health risk for gastroenteritis. By identifying the presence of human fecal pollution, and therefore the possible presence of human enteric pathogens, this marker allows for further resolution of the source of this risk.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed2005

Validity of the indicator organism paradigm for pathogen reduction in reclaimed water and public health protection.

The validity of using indicator organisms (total and fecal coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, and F-specific coliphages) to predict the presence or absence of pathogens (infectious enteric viruses, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia) was tested at six wastewater reclamation facilities. Multiple samplings conducted at each facility over a 1-year period. Larger sample volumes for indicators (0.2 to 0.4 liters) and pathogens (30 to 100 liters) resulted in more sensitive detection limits than are typical of routine monitoring. Microorganisms were detected in disinfected effluent samples at the following frequencies: total coliforms, 63%; fecal coliforms, 27%; enterococci, 27%; C. perfringens, 61%; F-specific coliphages, approximately 40%; and enteric viruses, 31%. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected in 70% and 80%, respectively, of reclaimed water samples. Viable Cryptosporidium, based on cell culture infectivity assays, was detected in 20% of the reclaimed water samples. No strong correlation was found for any indicator-pathogen combination. When data for all indicators were tested using discriminant analysis, the presence/absence patterns for Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts, infectious Cryptosporidium, and infectious enteric viruses were predicted for over 71% of disinfected effluents. The failure of measurements of single indicator organism to correlate with pathogens suggests that public health is not adequately protected by simple monitoring schemes based on detection of a single indicator, particularly at the detection limits routinely employed. Monitoring a suite of indicator organisms in reclaimed effluent is more likely to be predictive of the presence of certain pathogens, and a need for additional pathogen monitoring in reclaimed water in order to protect public health is suggested by this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Drinking water treatment processes for removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Major waterborne cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis outbreaks associated with contaminated drinking water have been linked to evidence of suboptimal treatment. Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are particularly more resistant than Giardia lamblia cysts to removal and inactivation by conventional water treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorine disinfection); therefore, extensive research has been focused on the optimization of treatment processes and application of new technologies to reduce concentrations of viable/infectious oocysts to a level that prevents disease. The majority of the data on the performance of treatment processes to remove cysts and oocysts from drinking water have been obtained from pilot-tests, with a few studies performed in full-scale conventional water treatment plants. These studies have demonstrated that protozoan cyst removal throughout all stages of the conventional treatment is largely influenced by the effectiveness of coagulation pretreatment, which along with clarification constitutes the first treatment barrier against protozoan breakthrough. Physical removal of waterborne Crytosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts is ultimately achieved by properly functioning conventional filters, providing that effective pretreatment of the water is applied. Disinfection by chemical or physical methods is finally required to inactivate/remove the infectious life stages of these organisms. The effectiveness of conventional (chlorination) and alternative (chlorine dioxide, ozonation and ultra violet [UV] irradiation) disinfection procedures for inactivation of Cryptosporidium has been the focus of much research due to the recalcitrant nature of waterborne oocysts to disinfectants. This paper provides technical information on conventional and alternative drinking water treatment technologies for removal and inactivation of the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Presence, infectivity, and stability of enteric viruses in seawater: relationship to marine water quality in the Florida Keys.

Concerns about the presence of enteric viruses in the surface waters of the Florida Keys prompted analyses of virus stability and persistence in these waters. In an in vitro study we evaluated the survival of poliovirus and stability of viral RNA in filtered natural seawater (FSW), unfiltered natural seawater (USW), artificial seawater (ASW) and DI water. This study compared cell culture infectivity with direct reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Attenuated poliovirus was seeded in the above water types and incubated in the dark at 22 and 30 degrees C for 60 days. At 22 degrees C, enhanced poliovirus survival and enhanced detection of viral RNA was observed in the seeded DI water control, artificial seawater and FSW samples. Detection of viruses in unfiltered seawater decreased rapidly at both temperatures by both methods of detection, suggesting that in the natural environment detection of enteroviral RNA may indicate a recent contamination event. In addition, in situ sampling in the Florida Keys during the late winter of 2000 revealed the presence of infectious enteroviruses at two sites and no sites exceeded recommended levels of microbial water quality indicators (enterococci or fecal coliform bacteria).

Enterobacteriaceae↗
PubMed2003

Use of multiwavelength transmission spectroscopy for the characterization of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts: quantitative interpretation.

Combined scattering and absorption properties of suspended particles can be obtained as a function of wavelength by measuring the complete ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum. This research reports on the quantitative interpretation of measured UV-vis spectra of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst suspensions obtained from several commercial sources and evaluated using two different purification techniques. The reproducibility of the measured spectral data was assessed, and the quantitative interpretation of the oocyst spectra in terms of the particle size and the chemical composition of the particles are reported herein. The interpretation model of the spectra is based on light scattering theory, spectral deconvolution techniques, and on the approximation of the wavelength-dependent optical properties of the basic constituents of living organisms. A characteristic set of optical properties for C. parvum oocysts has been determined as a function of wavelength and used for the quantitative interpretation of UV-vis spectra. The results from the spectral deconvolution show quantitative differences among oocyst preparations. These results represent the first step in establishing a set of critical parameters (e.g., oocyst size and chemical composition) necessary for the detection and identification of C. parvum oocysts in water using spectroscopy.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Geographical variation in ribotype profiles of Escherichia coli isolates from humans, swine, poultry, beef, and dairy cattle in Florida.

Waters impacted by fecal pollution can exact high risks to human health and can result in financial losses due to closures of water systems used for recreation and for harvesting seafood. Identifying the sources of fecal pollution in water is paramount in assessing the potential human health risks involved as well as in assessing necessary remedial action. Recently, various researchers have used the ribotyping method to identify sources of bacterial indicators (Escherichia coli and enterococci) in environmental waters. While these studies have identified genotypic differences between human- and animal-derived indicators that are capable of differentiating organisms isolated from humans and various animal hosts, most have focused on organisms collected from a confined geographic area and have not addressed the question of whether these ribotype profiles are watershed specific or if they can be applied universally to organisms from other geographic locations. In this study, E. coli isolates were obtained from humans, beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, and poultry from locations in northern, central, and southern Florida and were subjected to ribotyping analysis. The intent was to determine (i) if ribotype profiles are capable of discriminating the source of E. coli at the host species level and (ii) if the resulting fingerprints are uniform over an extended geographic area or if they can be applied only to a specific watershed. Our research indicated that, using a single restriction enzyme (HindIII), the ribotyping procedure is not capable of differentiating E. coli isolates from the different animal species sampled in this study. Results indicate, however, that this procedure can still be used effectively to differentiate E. coli as being either human or animal derived when applied to organisms isolated from a large geographic region.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Infectious Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in final reclaimed effluent.

Water samples collected throughout several reclamation facilities were analyzed for the presence of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum by the focus detection method-most-probable-number cell culture technique. Results revealed the presence of infectious C. parvum oocysts in 40% of the final disinfected effluent samples. Sampled effluent contained on average seven infectious oocysts per 100 liters. Thus, reclaimed water is not pathogen free but contains infectious C. parvum.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Pathogenic human viruses in coastal waters.

This review addresses both historical and recent investigations into viral contamination of marine waters. With the relatively recent emergence of molecular biology-based assays, a number of investigations have shown that pathogenic viruses are prevalent in marine waters being impacted by sewage. Research has shown that this group of fecal-oral viral pathogens (enteroviruses, hepatitis A viruses, Norwalk viruses, reoviruses, adenoviruses, rotaviruses, etc.) can cause a broad range of asymptomatic to severe gastrointestinal, respiratory, and eye, nose, ear, and skin infections in people exposed through recreational use of the water. The viruses and the nucleic acid signature survive for an extended period in the marine environment. One of the primary concerns of public health officials is the relationship between the presence of pathogens and the recreational risk to human health in polluted marine environments. While a number of studies have attempted to address this issue, the relationship is still poorly understood. A contributing factor to our lack of progress in the field has been the lack of sensitive methods to detect the broad range of both bacterial and viral pathogens. The application of new and advanced molecular methods will continue to contribute to our current state of knowledge in this emerging and important field.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Preliminary evidence for human fecal contamination in corals of the Florida Keys, USA.

Corals and reef environments are under increased stress from anthropogenic activities, particularly those in the vicinity of heavily populated areas such as the Florida Keys. The potential adverse impacts of wastewater can affect both the environment and human health; however, because of the high decay rate of bacterial indicators in coral reef waters it has been difficult to document the presence of microbial contaminants and to assign risks in these environments. Here we show initial evidence that microorganisms associated with human feces are concentrated along the surface of coral heads relative to the overlying water column in the Florida Keys. Bacterial indicators (fecal coliform bacteria, enterococci or Clostridium perfringens) were detected in 66.7% of the coral surface microlayer (CSM) samples at levels between five and 1000 CFU/100 ml, but were found infrequently and at low numbers in the overlying water column ( < or = 2.5 CFU/100 ml). Similarly, enterovirus nucleic acid sequences, an indicator of human-specific waste, were detected in 93.3% of the CSM samples and only once in the water column by cell culture. Results show that coral mucus may accumulate enteric microorganisms in reef environments, and may indicate a risk to public and environmental health despite low indicator levels in the surrounding water.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Low- and medium-pressure UV inactivation of microsporidia Encephalitozoon intestinalis.

Newly recognized waterborne pathogens such as microsporidia are being detected in the world's water supplies with increasing frequency. Many of these organisms have been shown to cause negative health impacts for both immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised individuals. It is imperative that these emerging pathogens be investigated for their ability to resist both traditional and novel disinfection technologies that are currently in use or under consideration for drinking water treatment. Low- and medium pressure UV light is at the cutting edge of disinfection technologies for the drinking water industry. While previous UV disinfection studies have focused on the inactivation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia as well as viruses and common bacteria, this research reports the ability of low- and medium pressure UV light to inactivate > 3.6 log10 of microsporidia Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores at a dose of 6 mJ/cm2 or higher as determined using a cell culture approach.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis: a review of laboratory methods for detection of these waterborne parasites.

Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora are obligate, intracellular, coccidian protozoan parasites that infest the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals causing severe diarrhea illness. In this paper, we present an overview of the conventional and more novel techniques that are currently available to detect Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora in water. Conventional techniques and new immunological and genetic/molecular methods make it possible to assess the occurrence, prevalence, virulence (to a lesser extent), viability, levels, and sources of waterborne protozoa. Concentration, purification, and detection are the three key steps in all methods that have been approved for routine monitoring of waterborne oocysts. These steps have been optimized to such an extent that low levels of naturally occurring Cryptosporidium oocysts can be efficiently recovered from water. The filtration systems developed in the US and Europe trap oocysts more effectively and are part of the standard methodologies for environmental monitoring of Cryptosporidium oocysts in source and treated water. Purification techniques such as immunomagnetic separation and flow cytometry with fluorescent activated cell sorting impart high capture efficiency and selective separation of oocysts from sample debris. Monoclonal antibodies with higher avidity and specificity to oocysts in water concentrates have significantly improved the detection and enumeration steps. To date, PCR-based detection methods allow us to differentiate the human pathogenic Cryptosporidium parasites from those that do not infect humans, and to track the source of oocyst contamination in the environment. Cell culture techniques are now used to examine oocyst viability. While fewer studies have focused on Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite has been successfully detected in drinking water and wastewater using current methods to recover Cryptosporidium oocysts. More research is needed for monitoring of Cyclospora in the environment. Meanwhile, molecular methods (e.g. molecular markers such as intervening transcribed spacer regions), which can identify different genotypes of C. cayetanensis, show good promise for detection of this emerging coccidian parasite in water.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Risk and control of waterborne cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium remains at the forefront of studies on waterborne disease transmission and abatement. The impact of environmental land use patterns which contribute animal and human waste, climatic precipitation leading to a strong association with outbreaks, and community infrastructure and water treatment are now recognized as contributing factors in the potential for waterborne spread of the protozoan. Advances in detection methodologies, including the ability to genotype various strains of this organism, have shown that human wastes are often the source of the contamination and cell culture techniques have allowed insight into the viability of the oocyst populations. Currently water treatment has focused on UV and ozone disinfection as most promising for the inactivation of this protozoan pathogen.

Animals↗