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Pathogenic bacterial species and the microbiome of cat fleas (<i>Ctenocephalides felis</i>) inhabiting flea-infested homes

by Taylor E. Gin, Charlotte O. Moore, Trey Tomlinson, Grace Wilson, Amiah Gray, Cameron Sutherland, Kamilyah Miller, Krista Li, Michael Canfield, Brian Herrin, Erin Lashnits, Benjamin Callahan

Background

Ctenocephalides felis is a common ectoparasite of dogs and cats and can transmit a variety of pathogens including Bartonella and Rickettsia species. These bacteria, along with the known endosymbiont Wolbachia, are well-documented members of the C. felis microbiome, but species-level information is limited. Additionally, little is known about the variation in the C. felis microbiome in fleas from different sources and when different sequencing methods are applied to the same samples.

Objective

This study aimed to characterize the flea microbiome using both short-read (V3/V4) and long-read (full-length) 16S rRNA gene sequencing, determine whether long-read sequencing improves species-level identification especially in known pathogenic genera, and evaluate differences in microbial composition between fleas collected from cats, dogs, and environmental traps.

Methods

Fleas were collected from cats, dogs, and traps in flea-infested homes in Florida, pooled by source, and sequenced using short- (V3/V4) and long-read (full-length) 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbial prevalence and abundance were compared across sequencing approaches. Community composition was evaluated for differences between sources and houses. Candidate members of the flea microbiome were identified based on a combination of prevalence, abundance, and statistical signatures of potential contaminant origin. For Rickettsia and Bartonella, species-level taxonomic assignments were refined using a phylogenetic approach.

Results

Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella were the most prevalent and abundant taxa. Spiroplasma was identified as a fourth core member of the flea microbiome. Long-read sequencing enabled better, but not perfect, species-level classification of Bartonella and Rickettsia compared to short-read sequencing. Important relationships between specific ASVs and flea sources were identified, for example fleas from cats harbored higher abundances of B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae than fleas from traps.

Examining the associations between the food environment and dietary intake in British Columbia: a cross-sectional study

Por: Zhao · B. · Cohen · T. R. · Sutherland · J. · Meza · R. · Bhatti · P. · Murphy · R. A.
Objectives

To characterise neighbourhood food environments in British Columbia (BC) and determine whether food environment characteristics are associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) intake.

Design

A cross-sectional study using geospatial linkage of food environment measures within 1 km residential buffers, analysed with mixed-effects models

Setting

Urban neighbourhoods in BC, Canada.

Participants

Approximately 25 000 adults aged 35–69 years from the BC Generations Project cohort.

Outcome measures

FV intake as a continuous variable (servings/day) and as a binary measure (

Results

Approximately 50% of participants lived in neighbourhoods without chain grocery stores, fast-food outlets or convenience stores within walking distance. Neighbourhoods in the highest density category for fast-food outlets were associated with lower odds of consuming ≥5 servings of FV per day (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.98). Associations between chain grocery stores, convenience stores and FV intake were attenuated after adjusting for neighbourhood characteristics including walkability, and material and social deprivation.

Conclusions

The findings suggest limited neighbourhood access to retail food outlets across urban areas in BC. Participants living in neighbourhoods with greater density of fast-food restaurants were less likely to consume >5 servings of FV per day. Further studies are needed to better understand the null findings and additional factors that may be associated with dietary intake.

A Descriptive Evaluation of Evidence‐Based Rounds in Critical Care Using Mixed Data Types

ABSTRACT

Objectives

To pilot and evaluate the implementation of a structured Evidence-Based Rounds (EBR) education model in critical care.

Design

A mixed data type design was used to evaluate Evidence-Based Rounds in a critical care setting. Structured observational data were captured and open-ended survey responses were submitted by attendees. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse survey findings.

Results

Seventeen rounds were completed between March 2023 and January 2024 with a total of n = 83 clinical staff members. From these, n = 55 staff completed and submitted evaluation surveys. Rounds were most frequently attended by nurses of all bandings including senior clinical nurses, support workers and student nurses. Evidence-Based Rounds were globally perceived as a positive and useful education strategy and staff were very willing to attend future sessions. Patient outcomes were not directly assessed and rounds specifically facilitated three outcomes: (1) helping staff apply evidence to practice, (2) building staff confidence in presenting clinical information and (3) supporting staff in identifying local improvements to patient care.

Conclusion

Evidence-Based Rounds are an adaptable effective model of bedside education within critical care. In our setting, staff perceived that this model facilitated the application of evidence in clinical practice and positively influenced feelings of confidence. Importantly, this education strategy empowered nurses to explore and identify improvements locally to patient care. Whilst this model offers a practical education approach to address some of the key critical care workforce issues, such as an expanding curriculum and loss of senior staff, it could also be widely adopted to other clinical areas.

Implications for the Profession

Evidence-Based Rounds are perceived by staff as a successful bedside education model that facilitates nurses to apply evidence in practice. It is feasible that this strategy is a potentially sustainable, low-cost model for continuing professional development centred around routine clinical work.

Patient and Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Challenges of using and managing medication: a meta-ethnography of the experiences and perceptions of people with intellectual disability and people who support them

Por: Ghosh · I. · Adams · D. · Auguste · P. · Brown · A. · Chaplin · E. · Flynn · S. · Gauly · J. · Gill · P. · Langdon · P. E. · Mahon · D. · Martin · K. · Patterson · S. · Sutherland · D. · Tromans · S. J. · Chen · Y.-F. · Seers · K. · Supporting Medication use In people with a LEarning d
Objective

To explore the challenges experienced by people with intellectual disability, their carers and health and social care professionals when using and managing medication.

Design

A synthesis of qualitative research using meta-ethnography.

Data source

We searched seven databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Science, Social Science and Conference Proceedings Citation Indices (Web of Science), Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Proquest Dissertations and Theses from inception to September 2022 (updated in July 2023).

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included studies exploring the challenges and perceptions of people with intellectual disability, their carers and health and social care professionals regarding medication management and use.

Results

We reviewed 7593 abstracts and 475 full texts, resulting in 45 included papers. Four major themes were identified: (1) Medication-related issues, (2) navigating autonomy and relationships, (3) knowledge and training needs and (4) inequalities in the healthcare system. We formulated a conceptual framework centred around people with intellectual disability and described the interconnectedness between them, their carers and health and social care professionals in the process of managing and using medication. We identified challenges that could be associated with the person, the medication and/or the context, along with a lack of understanding of these challenges and a lack of capability or resources to tackle them. We developed an overarching concept of ‘collective collaboration’ as a potential solution to prevent or mitigate problems related to medication use in people with intellectual disability.

Conclusions

The effective management of medication for people with intellectual disability requires a collaborative and holistic approach. By fostering person-centred care and shared decision-making, providing educational and practical support, and nurturing strong relationships between all partners involved to form a collective collaboration surrounding people with intellectual disability, improved medication adherence and optimised therapeutic outcomes can be achieved.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022362903.

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