Pigs are among the most intelligent animals.
Pigs are (or can be) cute. But did you know
that pigs can also be an integral part of our health? They provide nourishment (if you’re like me,
you think pigs are delicious) and have the potential to save our lives, but
they also have the potential of harming us.
From the “saving our lives” perspective, r esearchers
have been trying for decades to make animal-to-human transplants work, a
process known as xenotransplantation.
There are thousands of people on organ transplant waiting lists as there
are not nearly enough donors, and having such a breakthrough would save
lives. In an article I came across, a research
team has used CRISPR (a new gene editing
technology) to create pig embryos designed to keep human immune systems from
rejecting them with the hopes to move forward with animal trials in the near
future. Such a breakthrough would be
enormous.
that pigs can also be an integral part of our health? They provide nourishment (if you’re like me,
you think pigs are delicious) and have the potential to save our lives, but
they also have the potential of harming us.
From the “saving our lives” perspective, r esearchers
have been trying for decades to make animal-to-human transplants work, a
process known as xenotransplantation.
There are thousands of people on organ transplant waiting lists as there
are not nearly enough donors, and having such a breakthrough would save
lives. In an article I came across, a research
team has used CRISPR (a new gene editing
technology) to create pig embryos designed to keep human immune systems from
rejecting them with the hopes to move forward with animal trials in the near
future. Such a breakthrough would be
enormous.
Conversely, a second article I
read this week on pigs that was published
in the journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy uncovered the fact that Carbapenem resistance has been
found on at least one swine production facility in the US. The researchers collected 1500 fecal samples
and tested the pig’s environment four times over a 5-month period. The gene that allows for Carbapenem
resistance was found in several of the samples taken. According to the researchers, none of the
pigs on the farm were sick, but there could be a potential for human handlers
to be colonized which could lead to person to person transmission.
read this week on pigs that was published
in the journal of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy uncovered the fact that Carbapenem resistance has been
found on at least one swine production facility in the US. The researchers collected 1500 fecal samples
and tested the pig’s environment four times over a 5-month period. The gene that allows for Carbapenem
resistance was found in several of the samples taken. According to the researchers, none of the
pigs on the farm were sick, but there could be a potential for human handlers
to be colonized which could lead to person to person transmission.
2017 will mark the beginning of
more stringent use of antibiotics in the farmed animal market. We are all
responsible for the judicious use of antibiotics so that these lifesaving tools
remain effective for treating people and animals. As part of this antimicrobial stewardship
initiative, changes are coming to how antibiotics are allowed to be used in the
farmed animal market. From a human
perspective, CRE (Carbapenem
resistant Enterobacteriaceae) are considered nightmare
bacteria.
Half of the patients infected with CRE in their bloodstream have died as
a result of it. One reason why CRE bacteria are so scary is that they can
transfer their resistance to other bacteria within the same family. While
currently almost all CRE infections occur in people receiving significant
medical care in hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, and nursing homes,
the fact that we have found CRE on at least one farm poses a concern for possible
transmission and/or colonization outside of our healthcare facilities. This could
leave us in a dire situation if even the strongest antibiotics we have in our
treatment arsenal do not work in treating infections which could leave patients
with potentially untreatable infections.
more stringent use of antibiotics in the farmed animal market. We are all
responsible for the judicious use of antibiotics so that these lifesaving tools
remain effective for treating people and animals. As part of this antimicrobial stewardship
initiative, changes are coming to how antibiotics are allowed to be used in the
farmed animal market. From a human
perspective, CRE (Carbapenem
resistant Enterobacteriaceae) are considered nightmare
bacteria.
Half of the patients infected with CRE in their bloodstream have died as
a result of it. One reason why CRE bacteria are so scary is that they can
transfer their resistance to other bacteria within the same family. While
currently almost all CRE infections occur in people receiving significant
medical care in hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, and nursing homes,
the fact that we have found CRE on at least one farm poses a concern for possible
transmission and/or colonization outside of our healthcare facilities. This could
leave us in a dire situation if even the strongest antibiotics we have in our
treatment arsenal do not work in treating infections which could leave patients
with potentially untreatable infections.
Before
we start to panic, consider the positive. We are aware. We can now make positive changes. We know that CRE is spread from person to
person through contact with an infected or colonised person. This generally occurs directly from the hands
of another person or indirectly from environmental surfaces or medical equipment
that have become contaminated. We know
CRE is not spread through the air or by coughing or sneezing. CRE is a vegetative bacteria. While it carries antibiotic
resistance, this does not make it more resistant to disinfectants. As the environment is a key area of concern
with respect to transmission, being vigilant and increasing or improving our
cleaning and disinfection practices be it at a farm, in animal transport
trailers, slaughter houses, food packaging facilities, hospitals, long term
care facilities or our homes will help control this “nightmare bacteria”.
we start to panic, consider the positive. We are aware. We can now make positive changes. We know that CRE is spread from person to
person through contact with an infected or colonised person. This generally occurs directly from the hands
of another person or indirectly from environmental surfaces or medical equipment
that have become contaminated. We know
CRE is not spread through the air or by coughing or sneezing. CRE is a vegetative bacteria. While it carries antibiotic
resistance, this does not make it more resistant to disinfectants. As the environment is a key area of concern
with respect to transmission, being vigilant and increasing or improving our
cleaning and disinfection practices be it at a farm, in animal transport
trailers, slaughter houses, food packaging facilities, hospitals, long term
care facilities or our homes will help control this “nightmare bacteria”.
This
is a perfect example of the One Health
initiative -
Animals, People and the Environment. We
are all connected. Pointing fingers or
laying blame will not help. We need to
all work together towards the common goal of a world where people, animals and
the environment can be happy and healthy.
is a perfect example of the One Health
initiative -
Animals, People and the Environment. We
are all connected. Pointing fingers or
laying blame will not help. We need to
all work together towards the common goal of a world where people, animals and
the environment can be happy and healthy.
Bugging
Off!
Off!
Nicole
