Exposure assessment of the consumers living in Mount Lebanon directorate to antibiotics through medication and red meat intake: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background and Aim: The misuse and abuse of antibiotics by human and in animal production are leading to serious threats to global health. This study aimed to assess the dietary exposure of Lebanese consumers to antibiotic residues from the consumption of meat and compare it to that from medication intake. Materials and Methods: Beef samples (n=61) were collected and analyzed for penicillin residues using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography. A cross-sectional study recruited 500 participants living in Mount Lebanon, using an interviewer-based questionnaire. The dietary exposure assessment was calculated following the tiered assessment approach. Results: The results showed that only 44% of the participants reported using antibiotic on doctor's prescription. Participants with good antibiotic knowledge (6-7/7) are significantly less likely to change antibiotic during treatment and would better use them as compared to those with lower knowledge (p=0.000). Those with lower education and monthly household income are more likely to improperly use antibiotics as compared to those with higher education and income. Penicillin -containing antibiotics were among the most used medications. On the other hand, the prevalence of penicillin residues in the meat samples was 21.3%, though none was above the maximum residue level. The dietary exposure to penicillin through meat consumption was equivalent to 88.3%, 31.9%, and 5.7% of the acceptable daily intake, using Tier 1, 2, and 3 approaches, respectively. Males, single, obese participants, and those with household income below 999,000 Lebanese pound were significantly more exposed to penicillin as compared to other participants due to their high meat consumption. Conclusion: These findings will provide insight into designing future targeted awareness interventions and adapted policies as efforts toward improving rational use and intake of antibiotics for preventing the development of antibiotic resistance.

Human Health Risks Related to Penicillin G and Oxytetracycline Residues Intake Through Beef Consumption and Consumer Knowledge About Drug Residues in Maroua, Far North of Cameroon

“…This difference is due to the fact that the quantity of beef consumed in Maroua is higher (134 g) with respect to that registered by these authors (38 g). The estimated dietary intake found in this study is also higher than that observed in Lebanon (9.6 μg/kg BW per day) by Bou-Mitri et al ( 19 ).…”

“…This difference is due to the fact that the quantity of beef consumed in Maroua is higher (134 g) with respect to that registered by these authors (38 g). The estimated dietary intake found in this study is also higher than that observed in Lebanon (9.6 µg/kg BW per day) by Bou-Mitri et al (19). From the analysis of data, it came out that, in Maroua, the daily intake of OTC residues per capita via beef consumption is 32.08 ± 8.08 µg (or 0.65 ± 0.16 mg/kg per day).…”

“…For example, in Lebanon, the risks due to tetracycline and penicillin residue intake from all dairy products were estimated at 0.007 and 0.006%, respectively ( 18 ). Bou-Mitri et al ( 19 ) from their study in the same country found that the dietary exposure to penicillin through meat consumption was equivalent to 88.3, 31.9, and 5.7% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI), using Tiers 1, 2, and 3 approaches, respectively. In Iran, Aalipour et al ( 20 ) found the risk of dietary exposure to tetracycline residues via bovine milk intake varied from 7 to 30% of the determined ADI.…”

Seroprevalence of Brucella abortus in cattle in Southern Lebanon using different diagnostic tests

“…For full control, several protocols must be implemented to educate consumer as well as farmers about the danger of brucellosis, about the fact that consuming raw milk is a route of infection, and about the importance of pasteurization and vaccination. Farmers and personnel should abide by Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point practices to minimize the risk of infections that can be transmitted through direct contact, where these individuals are of high risk of spreading this disease [39,40]. They should also consider the necessary precautions in case of transportation or introduction of new animals to the farm.…”

Antibiotic residues in cattle and sheep meat and human exposure assessment in southern Xinjiang, China

“…In addition, bacterial resistance genes derived from animal microbiomes may be horizontally transferred to human microbiota and to human pathogenic bacteria (Marshall & Levy, 2011 ). Exposure assessment can provide sufficient knowledge to eliminate or minimize human exposure to veterinary antimicrobial agents (Bou Mitri et al., 2019 ). Therefore, the monitoring of veterinary drug residues in animals and animal‐derived foods warrant particular attention.…”