A survey of rodent-borne pathogens carried by wildRattusspp. in Northern Vietnam

2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (9) ◽  
pp. 1876-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. KOMA ◽  
K. YOSHIMATSU ◽  
S. P. YASUDA ◽  
T. LI ◽  
T. AMADA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Seoul Virus ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Public Health

SUMMARYTo examine the prevalence of human pathogens carried by rats in urban areas in Hanoi and Hai Phong, Vietnam, we live-trapped 100 rats in January 2011 and screened them for a panel of bacteria and viruses. Antibodies againstLeptospira interrogans(22·0%), Seoul virus (14·0%) and rat hepatitis E virus (23·0%) were detected in rats, but antibodies againstYersinia pestiswere not detected. Antibodies againstL. interrogansand Seoul virus were found only in adult rats. In contrast, antibodies to rat hepatitis E virus were also found in juvenile and sub-adult rats, indicating that the transmission mode of rat hepatitis E virus is different from that ofL. interrogansand Seoul virus. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses of the S and M segments of Seoul viruses found inRattus norvegicusshowed that Seoul viruses from Hai Phong and Hanoi formed different clades. Human exposure to these pathogens has become a significant public health concern.

scholarly journals A survey of zoonotic pathogens carried by Norway rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (7) ◽  
pp. 1192-1199 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. EASTERBROOK ◽  
J. B. KAPLAN ◽  
N. B. VANASCO ◽  
W. K. REEVES ◽  
R. H. PURCELL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogens ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Norway Rats

SUMMARYNorway rats (Rattus norvegicus) carry several zoonotic pathogens and because rats and humans live in close proximity in urban environments, there exists potential for transmission. To identify zoonotic agents carried by rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, we live-trapped 201 rats during 2005–2006 and screened them for a panel of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Antibodies against Seoul virus (57·7%), hepatitis E virus (HEV, 73·5%),Leptospira interrogans(65·3%),Bartonella elizabethae(34·1%), andRickettsia typhi(7·0%) were detected in Norway rats. Endoparasites, includingCalodium hepatica(87·9%) andHymenolepissp. (34·4%), and ectoparasites (13·9%, primarilyLaelaps echidninus) also were present. The risk of human exposure to these pathogens is a significant public health concern. Because these pathogens cause non-specific and often self-limiting symptoms in humans, infection in human populations is probably underdiagnosed.

scholarly journals Detection and characterization of infectious Hepatitis E virus from commercial pig livers sold in local grocery stores in the USA

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 912-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Feagins ◽  
T. Opriessnig ◽  
D. K. Guenette ◽  
P. G. Halbur ◽  
X.-J. Meng
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Infectious Hepatitis ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Pig Liver ◽  
Virus Shedding ◽  
The Usa

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen of which pigs are reservoirs. To determine the presence of HEV RNA in commercial pig livers sold in local grocery stores in the USA, 127 packages of commercial pig liver were purchased and tested by a universal RT-PCR assay capable of detecting all four known HEV genotypes. Among the 127 livers tested, 14 were positive for HEV RNA. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the 14 isolates all belonged to genotype 3. An animal study was subsequently conducted in pigs to determine whether the PCR-positive pig livers still contained infectious virus. The results showed that pigs inoculated with two of the three PCR-positive pig-liver homogenates became infected, as evidenced by the detection of faecal virus shedding, viraemia and seroconversion. The data demonstrated that commercial pig livers sold in grocery stores are contaminated by HEV and that the contaminating virus remains infectious, thus raising a public-health concern for food-borne HEV infection.

scholarly journals Hepatitis E Virus Occurrence in Pigs Slaughtered in Italy

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Eleonora Chelli ◽  
Elisabetta Suffredini ◽  
Paola De Santis ◽  
Dario De Medici ◽  
Santina Di Bella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Genotype 3 ◽  
Sporadic Cases ◽  
Wild Boar Meat ◽  
Small Clusters ◽  
Frequent Exposure

In Europe, foodborne transmission has been clearly associated to sporadic cases and small clusters of hepatitis E in humans linked to the consumption of contaminated pig liver sausages, raw venison, or undercooked wild boar meat. In Europe, zoonotic HEV-genotype 3 strains are widespread in pig farms but little information is available on the prevalence of HEV positive pigs at slaughterhouse. In the present study, the prevalence of HEV-RNA positive pigs was assessed on 585 animals from 4 abattoirs located across Italy. Twenty-one pigs (3.6%) tested positive for HEV in either feces or liver by real-time RT-PCR. In these 21 pigs, eight diaphragm muscles resulted positive for HEV-RNA. Among animals collected in one abattoir, 4 out of 91 plasma tested positive for HEV-RNA. ELISA tests for the detection of total antibodies against HEV showed a high seroprevalence (76.8%), confirming the frequent exposure of pigs to the virus. The phylogenetic analyses conducted on sequences of both ORF1 and ORF2 fragments, shows the circulation of HEV-3c and of a novel unclassified subtype. This study provides information on HEV occurrence in pigs at the slaughterhouse, confirming that muscles are rarely contaminated by HEV-RNA compared to liver, which is the most frequently positive for HEV.

scholarly journals First molecular detection of hepatitis E virus genome in camel and pig faecal samples in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fufa Dawo Bari ◽  
Haimanot Belete Wodaje ◽  
Umer Said ◽  
Hika Waktole ◽  
Melaku Sombo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Universal Primers ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Faecal Samples

Abstract Background Hepatitis E is an enteric and zoonotic disease caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) that is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or the environment. The virus is an emerging infectious agent causing acute human infection worldwide. A high seroprevalence of the disease was reported in pregnant women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, raising significant public health concern. The presence of HEV specific antibodies were also reported in dromedary camels in the country; however, the infectious virus and/or the viral genome have not been demonstrated to date in animal samples. Methods To address this gap, a total of 95 faecal samples collected from both apparently healthy pigs of uncharacterised types (50 samples) in Burayu and Addis Ababa areas and camels (Camelus dromedarius, 45 samples) in west Hararghe were screened for the presence of HEV genome using universal primers in a fully nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR). The protocol is capable of detecting HEV in faecal samples from both pigs and camels. Results The nRT-PCR detected HEV genes in six (12%) pig faecal samples and one camel sample (2.2%). Therefore, the results indicate that HEV is circulating in both pigs and camels in Ethiopia and these animals and their products could serve as a potential source of infection for humans. Conclusion The detection of HEV in both animals could raise another concern regarding its public health importance as both animals’ meat and camel milk are consumed in the country. Further studies to determine the prevalence and distribution of the virus in different animals and their products, water bodies, food chain, and vegetables are warranted, along with viral gene sequencing for detailed genetic characterisation of the isolates circulating in the country. This information is critically important to design and institute appropriate control and/or preventive measures.

Detection and characterisation of hepatitis E virus in naturally infected swine in Croatia

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Lipej ◽  
Dinko Novosel ◽  
Lea Vojta ◽  
Besi Roić ◽  
Miljenko Šimpraga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Animal Reservoir ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Swine Herds ◽  
Bile Samples

Hepatitis E is a viral zoonotic disease infecting swine worldwide. Since pigs represent a likely animal reservoir for the hepatitis E virus, the epidemiology of naturally occurring hepatitis E was investigated in Croatian swine herds. Nearly all tested animals were seropositive for antibodies against the hepatitis E virus (55/60, 91.7%). Active infection was detected in all age groups by RT-PCR of viral RNA in serum (8/60, 13.3%) and bile samples (3/37, 8.1%), which was further confirmed by histopathological findings of characteristic lesions in the livers of the infected animals. Three new strains of hepatitis E virus were isolated from Croatian pig herds. Phylogenetic analysis using median-joining networks clustered those Croatian strains with isolates from various parts of the world, indicating their likely origin in international trade. Similarity to human isolates implies a zoonotic potential of Croatian strains, which raises a public health concern, especially in the light of the high prevalence of hepatitis E in the herds studied.

scholarly journals Association of Living Arrangement Conditions and Socioeconomic Differentials with Anemia Status among Women in Rural Bangladesh

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghose Bishwajit ◽  
Sanni Yaya ◽  
Shangfeng Tang ◽  
Akmal Hossain ◽  
Yang Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Household Characteristics ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Health Survey Data ◽  
Socioeconomic Differentials

In Bangladesh, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and remains a significant public health concern. Being a high anemia prevalent country, numerous efforts have been made to confront the issue especially among women and children by both local and international actors. Though the situation has substantially improved in recent years, a staggering number of adult women are currently living with anemia. The etiology of anemia is a multifactorial problem and has been proposed to be associated with various household, societal, economic, cultural factors apart from dietary habits. However, evidence regarding the household arrangements and socioeconomic determinants of anemia is scarce, especially in the context of Bangladesh. To this end, we utilized the 2011 demographic and health survey data to explore the association between anemia status and selected demographic, socioeconomic, and household characteristics. Our result showed significant correlation of anemia with both sociodemographic and household characteristics. Among the sociodemographic variables the following were found to be significantly associated with anemia status: age (p=0.014; OR = 1.195; 95% CI = 1.036–1.378) and microcredit membership (p=0.014; OR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.037–1.386). Regarding the household arrangements, women utilizing biomass fuel for cooking (p<0.019; OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 0.981–2.460) were more likely to be anemic.

scholarly journals Medication Errors: Scope and prevention strategies

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Brunetti ◽  
Dong-Churl Suh
Keyword(s):  
Medication Error ◽  
Medication Errors ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Error Prevention ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Safety Systems ◽  
Improve Patient

Background: Medication errors are a significant public health concern.  Although significant advances have been made, errors are still relatively common and represent an opportunity for healthcare improvement.Methodology/Principal Findings: Since the publication of To Err is Human, medication errors have been under tremendous scrutiny.  Organizations have moved towards a non-punitive approach to evaluating errors.  This approach to medication errors has aided in identifying common pathways to medication errors and improving understanding regarding the anatomy of a medication error.  As a result, prevention strategies have been developed to target common themes contributing to errors.  Error prevention strategies may target common contributors of medication errors, broadly grouped as performance lapses, lack of knowledge, and lack or failure of safety systems.  Strategies to thwart medication errors range from process improvement to integration of technology in the health care environment.Conclusions/Significance:  Organizations should devote resources to address medication error prevention strategies in an effort to improve patient outcomes and decrease morbidity and mortality associated with medication errors.

scholarly journals Zinc Salts Block Hepatitis E Virus Replication by Inhibiting the Activity of Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Kaushik ◽  
Chandru Subramani ◽  
Saumya Anang ◽  
Rajagopalan Muthumohan ◽  
Shalimar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Zinc Supplementation ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Zinc Salts

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes an acute, self-limiting hepatitis in healthy individuals and leads to chronic disease in immunocompromised individuals. HEV infection in pregnant women results in a more severe outcome, with the mortality rate going up to 30%. Though the virus usually causes sporadic infection, epidemics have been reported in developing and resource-starved countries. No specific antiviral exists against HEV. A combination of interferon and ribavirin therapy has been used to control the disease with some success. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that plays crucial roles in multiple cellular processes. Zinc salts are known to be effective in reducing infections caused by few viruses. Here, we investigated the effect of zinc salts on HEV replication. In a human hepatoma cell (Huh7) culture model, zinc salts inhibited the replication of genotype 1 (g-1) and g-3 HEV replicons and g-1 HEV infectious genomic RNA in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of a replication-defective mutant of g-1 HEV genomic RNA under similar conditions ruled out the possibility of zinc salts acting on replication-independent processes. An ORF4-Huh7 cell line-based infection model of g-1 HEV further confirmed the above observations. Zinc salts did not show any effect on the entry of g-1 HEV into the host cell. Furthermore, our data reveal that zinc salts directly inhibit the activity of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), leading to inhibition of viral replication. Taken together, these studies unravel the ability of zinc salts in inhibiting HEV replication, suggesting their possible therapeutic value in controlling HEV infection. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern in resource-starved countries due to frequent outbreaks. It is also emerging as a health concern in developed countries owing to its ability to cause acute and chronic infection in organ transplant and immunocompromised individuals. Although antivirals such as ribavirin have been used to treat HEV cases, there are known side effects and limitations of such therapy. Our discovery of the ability of zinc salts to block HEV replication by virtue of their ability to inhibit the activity of viral RdRp is important because these findings pave the way to test the efficacy of zinc supplementation therapy in HEV-infected patients. Since zinc supplementation therapy is known to be safe in healthy individuals and since high-dose zinc is used in the treatment of Wilson's disease, it may be possible to control HEV-associated health problems following a similar treatment regimen.

scholarly journals Internet Mindfulness Meditation Intervention (IMMI) Program with iMINDr Application Support for Older Adults with Depression Symptoms: A Feasibility Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 06 (04) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Lutvija Hrnjic ◽  
◽  
Nina Fry ◽  
Helané Wahbeh ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Potential Applications

The growing population of older adults with depression is a significant public health concern, and effective treatments are necessary. Mindfulness meditation intervention offers effective treatment for depression, but little research has been conducted on the older population. This study aimed to evaluate if the combination of the Internet Mindfulness Meditation Intervention (IMMI) plus iMINDr application improves well-being in older adults with depressive symptoms. Potential participants were recruited online. IMMI included a one-hour online session once a week, a daily 30-minute home practice of guided meditation using the iMINDr app, and a workbook. Measures were collected online before and after the six-week intervention period. Online session adherence was tracked. Thirty-eight participants completed all study requirements and are included in the analysis. Participants showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in depression symptoms, well-being, positive and negative affect, sleep quality, and pain intensity. Participants took 9.9 ± 3.5 weeks to complete the course. High attrition rates mainly were related to participants' motivation to complete the course and stress levels. There were no significant demographic differences between participants and depression symptoms. Potential applications and limitations are discussed. Internet Mindfulness Meditation Intervention (IMMI) was effective in treating depression symptoms in older adults.

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