Browsing by Author "Rebelo, Andreia"
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- 3rd International Congress of Environmental Health: Proceedings BookPublication . Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Oliveira, Rui S.; Rodrigues, Matilde; Nunes, Mafalda; Santos, Joana; Carvalhais, C.; Rebelo, Andreia; Freitas, Marisa; Xavier, AnaThis third edition addresses to ‘Emerging risks and challenges for the environment, health and safety’ and intended as a guide to the various symposiums and workshops, to provide all present the most recent scientific and technological advances in the areas: Occupational Health and Toxicology; Exposure to Nanoparticles; Assessment and Risk Management; Occupational Safety; Exposure to Bioaerosols; Environment and Sustainability; Food Safety and Public Health.
- Assess of acid tolerance of non-typhoidal Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium from different epidemiological and genetic backgroundsPublication . Rebelo, Andreia; Mourão, Joana; Freitas, Ana R.; Campos, Joana; Peixe, Luísa; Antunes, Patrícia; Novais, CarlaAcid stress is one of the most frequently encountered hostile conditions that bacteria have to face (e.g. foodproduction-chain/feed/disinfectants/human and animal hosts). Nevertheless, acid tolerance profile of bacteria from diverse epidemiological and genetic backgrounds, including multidrug- resistant (MDR), is still poorly explored. The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility to acidic-pH of non-typhoidal Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium (Efm) from diverse origins. We included Salmonella (n=66; 23 serotypes) and Efm (n=74; clades A1/A2/B) recovered from human-n=54, food-animal production setting-n=20, food- n=56) and environment-n=10 (1997-2018; 6-countries). The minimum-growth-pH (growth-pHmin) was assessed by broth-microdilution using Mueller-Hinton-II adjusted with HCl (pH=2.0-6.5/16h-20h ±2h/37ºC) and the minimum-survival-pH (survival-pHmin) by plating the microdilution wells without visible growth in Brain-HeartInfusion-agar (BHI) (24h-48h±2h/37ºC). An Acid-Tolerance-Response (ATR) assay was performed in 3 isolates of each genera (different growth/survival-pHmin), exposing bacteria in log-phase to an acid-shockchallenge (pH=3.0/15’-Salmonella/60’-Efm) or to a pre- adaptation to acidic-pH (pH=4.5/60’ - for both bacteria) followed by an acid-shock-challenge (pH=3.0/15’-Salmonella/60’-Efm). After that a growth-pHmin and survival-pHmin assays were performed. Most Salmonella showed a growth-pHmin of 4.0 (98%- n=65/66) and a survival-pHmin between 4.0 (52%- n=34/66) and 3.5 (48%-n=32/66). In Efm, the growth-pHmin ranged between 4.5 (65%-n=48/74) and 5.0 (35%-n=26/74) and the survival-pHmin between 3.0 (15%-n=11/74), 3.5 (43%- n=32/74) and 4.0 (42%n=31/74). Only Efm isolates from food (39%-n=11/28), mostly from a poultry-processing-plant using peracetic acid as disinfectant (73%-n=8/11), presented the lowest survival-pHmin 3.0 (73%- MDR/82%-clade A2). Similar survival-pHmin=3.5-4.0 were observed for different Salmonella serotypes and Efm clades. However, a higher percentage of MDR-Salmonella (61%-n=27/44) were able to survive at pH=3.5 contrasting with nonMDR-Salmonella (23%-n=5/22) (p<0,05; Fisher-exact test). The ATR-assay (pre-adaptation acidic pH+acid shock challenge) enhanced survival-pHmin from 3 to 2.5 in 1-Efm (clade A2/MDR/from a poultry processing plant) and from 4 to 3.5 in 1-S. 4,[5],12:i:- (MDR/with mcr-1 gene/from pork meat). Our data suggest that MDR-Salmonella and Efm with diverse epidemiological and genetic backgrounds can survive to low-pH values, although differences among clades/serotypes were not detected. MDR- Salmonella showed a better ability to survive to more acidic pH than non-MDR isolates. ATR-assays revealed strainspecific ability to survive under more acidic-pH after a pre-adaptation to middle acidic- pH.
- Assessment of antimicrobial resistance spread in surface aquatic systems: a study of four rivers in north PortugalPublication . Matos, Cátia; Duarte, Bárbara; Rebelo, Andreia; Lopes, Diana; Freitas, Ana R.; Valente, Margarida; Tavares, Carolina; Rodrigues, Juliana; Peixe, Luísa; Antunes, Patrícia; Novais, CarlaAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) spread in surface water systems, providing water for drinking or for recreational activities, can have serious implications to human, animal and environmental health. The standard criteria to assess water quality are based in the absence of specific bacteria, and do not include AMR study. Here we evaluate the spread of AMR bacteria in rivers of North Portugal under diverse anthropogenic activities.
- Assessment of hygienic quality of surfaces and food handlers in Portuguese school canteensPublication . Ferreira, Joana; Rebelo, Andreia; Santos, Joana; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaThe incidence of food borne outbreaks in school canteens represents a major problem for society, since they serve a youthful population who are particularly susceptible to health risks. According to the World Health Organization (2003), 31% of the reported outbreaks between 1999 and 2000 in Portugal, were originated in schools and kindergartens, which demonstrate the importance of such establishments in the transmission of food borne diseases. Food handlers have a major role in the prevention of these diseases, mainly during the production and distribution of food since they may cross-contaminate raw and processed foodstuffs.
- Atypical Non-H2S-producing monophasic salmonella typhimurium ST3478 strains from chicken meat at processing stage are adapted to diverse stressesPublication . Mourão, Joana; Rebelo, Andreia; Ribeiro, Sofia; Peixe, Luísa; Novais, Carla; Antunes, PatríciaPoultry products are still an important cause of Salmonella infections worldwide, with an increasingly reported expansion of less-frequent serotypes or atypical strains that are frequently multidrug-resistant. Nevertheless, the ability of Salmonella to survive antimicrobials promoted in the context of antibiotic reducing/replacing and farming rethinking (e.g., organic acids and copper in feed/biocides) has been scarcely explored. We investigated Salmonella occurrence (conventional and molecular assays) among chicken meat at the processing stage (n = 53 batches/29 farms) and characterized their tolerance to diverse stress factors (antibiotics, copper, acid pH, and peracetic acid).
- Avaliação da Qualidade do Ar Interior em Centros de Dia para IdososPublication . Pinto, Mário; Rebelo, Andreia; Santos, Joana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaA problemática da Qualidade do Ar Interior (QAI) tem despertado continuamente o interesse da comunidade científica e do público em geral. Dos factores que afectam directamente a QAI destacam-se as fontes de poluição interior como os materiais de construção, produtos de limpeza, os ocupantes através dos seus comportamentos e actividades, os sistemas de ventilação, sistemas de aquecimento e ar condicionado (AVAC). Como fontes de poluição exterior são identificados o fumo de combustão de veículos, emissões industriais, pólen, deposição de resíduos (Martínez e Callejo 2006; EPA, 2009; APA, 2010). Genericamente, podemos categorizar os contaminantes do ar interior em três tipos principais: químicos, físicos e biológicos (Chan et al., 2009).
- Chemical safety of children's play paints: Focus on selected heavy metalsPublication . Rebelo, Andreia; Pinto, Edgar; Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Almeida, Agostinho A.Children's play paints are widely used as didactic products in preschool activities. Besides direct skin contact, a great risk of oral exposure exists during its normal and foreseeable use. Due to the ubiquitous nature of most metals, their presence as impurities in all products is recognized as unavoidable. However, the toxic potential of most of them requires that their levels are kept as low as possible. The present study aimed to assess the content of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu and Zn) in “artist paints” (n = 54) and “face paints” (n = 12) commonly used in preschool establishments and available at low cost stores. Determinations were carried out by GFAAS (for Pb, Cd, Co, Cr and Ni) and FAAS (for Mn, Cu and Zn). The levels obtained [mean ± SD (maximum)] were: 0.48 ± 0.44 (1.98) μg g− 1 for Pb; 0.04 ± 0.04 (0.30) μg g− 1 for Cd; 0.17 ± 0.20 (1.47) μg g− 1 for Co; 1.36 ± 2.18 (9.40) μg g− 1 for Cr; 0.63 ± 0.56 (3.10) μg g− 1 for Ni; 19.8 ± 88.2 (718) μg g− 1 for Mn; 108 ± 260 (1458) μg g− 1 for Cu; and 130 ± 564 (3478) μg g− 1 for Zn. A safety assessment considering the estimated potential exposure and health-based limits (tolerable daily intakes) was performed. Overall, the results showed no reasons for safety concerns regarding the studied elements.
- Children’s play paints and cosmetics: a potential source of toxic elements (metals)?Publication . Rebelo, Andreia; Pinto, Edgar; Freitas, Marisa; Santos, Joana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaToxic elements can be found in many products used in the school environment and their presence may present a potential source of hazards for young children. Children´s play paints (finger-paints, gouaches, acrylics, water paints) and decorative cosmetics are commonly used as didactic products in preschool activities. These products composition include a wide range and variety of natural and synthetic substances, such as pigments, solvents, water, preservatives and fragrances, that are directly applied to human skin contributing to a local exposure.
- Children’s play paints safety – What is the reality in Portuguese schools and at retail stores?Publication . Rebelo, Andreia; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaChildren’s play paints, an attractive tool for preschool activities, can be classified in artist paints (gouaches, acrylics, watercolors, fingerpaints) and face paints. These products composition is not always known since not all are required to bear their ingredients in the label packaging. The present study aimed to characterize the children’s play paints available in schools and retail stores and also to assess the practices involved in the acquisition, handling and storage of these products by schools and that may have impact on the product quality and safety. For this purpose were studied paints from 8 schools and 7 retail stores from Porto (Portugal), in a total of 17 popular brands. The results shows that the label information differs from product type, taking into account the legal requirements applied to each one (artist paints or face paints). The main hazards stated in the products label are related with the possibility of ingestion of small pieces that are part of the product. Only brands of face paints (60%) mentioned the potential risk to develop allergic reactions or skin irritation problems arising from their application. As regards to school practices, they are aware to the importance in purchasing products suitable for children use however, some of the behaviors during storage and handling of these products may affect their quality and safety.
- Comprehensive assessment of the ability of non-typhoidal Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium to survive acidic environmentsPublication . Rebelo, Andreia; Mourão, Joana Vanessa Cordeiro Melro; Freitas, Ana Raquel; Campos, Joana; Peixe, Luísa Maria Vieira; Antunes, Patrícia; Novais, CarlaAcidic-pH resulting from acid-products use or naturally occurring in different environments (e.g.food-production-chain-feed/disinfectants/human/animal hosts) potentially selects multidrug-resistant (MDR)-bacterial strains. Remains unknown if particular MDR-strains of pathogenic bacteria are more prone to overcome acid-stress.