scholarly journals Exploring Diversity among NorwegianBorreliaStrains Originating fromIxodes ricinusTicks

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Kristin Tveten
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Region ◽  
Distance Matrix ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Mlst Database ◽  
High Discriminatory Power ◽  
Sequences Analysis ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Migrating Birds ◽  
Sequence Types

Characterisation ofBorreliastrains fromIxodes ricinusticks is important in the epidemiological surveillance of vector-borne pathogens. Multilocus sequences analysis (MLSA) is a molecular genotyping tool with high discriminatory power that has been applied in evolutionary studies and for the characterisation ofBorreliagenospecies. MLSA was used to study genetic variations inBorreliastrains isolated fromI. ricinusticks collected from the woodlands in Skodje. The results demonstrate that the 50Borreliastrains were separated into 36 sequence types (STs) that were not previously represented in the MLST database. A distance matrix neighbour-joining tree (bootstrapped 500 iterations) showed four deeply branched clusters, and each deeply branched cluster represented oneBorreliagenospecies. The mean pairwise genetic differences confirm the genospecies clustering. The combination of alleles separates theBorreliastrains from northwest Norway from the strains in the MLST database, thus identifying new STs. Although a highly divergentB. afzeliipopulation could be expected, the heterogeneity among theB. gariniistrains is more unusual. The present study indicates that the circulation of strains between migrating birds and stationary birds in this coastal region may play a role in the evolution ofB. gariniistrains.

scholarly journals Snow density along the route traversed by the Japanese-Swedish Antarctic Expedition 2007/08

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (209) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Sugiyama ◽  
Hiroyuki Enomoto ◽  
Shuji Fujita ◽  
Kotaro Fukui ◽  
Fumio Nakazawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Snow Density ◽  
Syowa Station ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
A Value ◽  
Surface Snow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractDuring the Japanese-Swedish Antarctic traverse expedition of 2007/08, we measured the surface snow density at 46 locations along the 2800 km long route from Syowa station to Wasa station in East Antarctica. The mean snow density for the upper 1 (or 0.5) m layer varied from 333 to 439 kg m-3 over a region spanning an elevation range of 365-3800 ma.s.l. The density variations were associated with the elevation of the sampling sites; the density decreased as the elevation increased, moving from the coastal region inland. However, the density was relatively insensitive to the change in elevation along the ridge on the Antarctic plateau between Dome F and Kohnen stations. Because surface wind is weak in this region, irrespective of elevation, the wind speed was suggested to play a key role in the near-surface densification. The results of multiple regression performed on the density using meteorological variables were significantly improved by the inclusion of wind speed as a predictor. The regression analysis yielded a linear dependence between the density and the wind speed, with a coefficient of 13.5 kg m-3 (m s-1)-1. This relationship is nearly three times stronger than a value previously computed from a dataset available in Antarctica. Our data indicate that the wind speed is more important to estimates of the surface snow density in Antarctica than has been previously assumed.

scholarly journals Natural infection of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) by trypanosomatids in two different environments in the municipality of Ouro Preto do Oeste, State of Rondônia, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dionatas Ulisses de Oliveira Meneguetti ◽  
Olzeno Trevisan ◽  
Luís Marcelo Aranha Camargo ◽  
Renato Moreira Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance System ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
The State ◽  
High Index ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Digestive Tube ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance System

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzed the occurrence and the contamination of triatomines by trypanosomatids in Orbignya speciosa (babassu) specimens in the State of Rondônia, Brazil, in two different environments (pasture and woods). METHODS: Capture of triatomines on babassus and microscopic search for trypanosomatids in their digestive tube were carried out. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-four (494) specimens were captured (Rhodnius prolixus and R.robustus), of which 35.6% of the triatomines were positive for trypanosomatids. CONCLUSIONS: The high index of natural infection along with the abundance of triatomines points out to the necessity to create an epidemiological surveillance system to monitor vector-borne transmission and deepen the studies on the ecology of such vectors in the Amazon.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Situation on Vector-Borne Natural-Focal Infections in the Territory of Caucasian Mineral Waters

2014 ◽  
pp. 16-19
Author(s):  
N. F. Vasilenko ◽  
A. V. Ermakov ◽  
O. V. Maletskaya ◽  
A. N. Kulichenko
Keyword(s):  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Mineral Waters ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Constituent Element ◽  
Natural Foci ◽  
Stavropol Region ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Epidemiological Situation

Represented is the analysis of epidemiological situation on vector-borne natural-focal infections in the specially protected eco-resort territory of Russia - Caucasian Mineral Waters of the Stavropol Region. Climactic peculiarities of Caucasian Mineral Waters with their landscape diversity, high abundance rates of ticks and mosquitoes, and anthropogenic impact on ecosystems create favorable conditions for natural foci formation. Crucial epidemiological significance in the regional infectious pathology is attributed to tick-borne borreliosis. Registration of Crimean hemorrhagic fever cases, as well as West Nile (retrospectively) fever and tularemia cases, and identification of specific antibodies to etiological agents of these infections in blood sera of donors testify to volatile epidemiological situation on vector-borne natural-focal infections in the region, which means that there is a need for further ecological, epidemiological and epizootiological monitoring as a constituent element of epidemiological surveillance aimed at provision of sanitary-epidemiological welfare of the population.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL WARMING ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH INCREASING THE BACTERIAL CAUSING INFECTIOUS DISEASES PERFORMED BY EXPERIMENT: VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES INSECTS, TAIF, KSA

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 42-53
Author(s):  
Sherifa Mostafa M. Sabra ◽  
Samar Ahamed
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
The Public ◽  
Colony Forming Unit ◽  
Tapinoma Sessile ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

The search conducted on "The impact of global warming (GW) on the public health (PH) increasing the bacterial causing infectious diseases (IDs) performed by experiment: Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) insects, Taif, KSA", the experiment used ants (Taif Tapinoma sessile), prepared, arranged appropriate nests and adjusted the temperature at (20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45°C), for a week of each zone. It revealed the behaviour as (normal, semi-normal and ab-normal), the mean of mortality rates were between (0-53.3%). The bacterial contents measured by the turbidity indicated the presence of multiplication, were between (0.109-0.328). The bacterial growth degrees by sings were between (+ - +++++) and percent between (12-100%). Colony Forming Unit/ml (CFU/ml) confined between (1.8X102-15.0X102)/mL. Through this experiment it turned out the GW had a significant role on the PH, helped the proliferation of bacterial pathogens that caused IDS. The conclusion wiped from the experiment that the extent degrees of GW disadvantages on the PH. The PH workers must take the "Preventive Health Prophylaxis Measures" (PHPMs) to protect the individuals from IDs by eliminating the VBDs of various types, monitoring the immunological situation of individuals, provided the vaccinations of IDs and preparing for complete PHPMs against any changes in the PH.

scholarly journals The Abundance and Biting Patterns of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Culicidae) in the Coastal Region of Nigeria

ISRN Zoology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel C. Uttah ◽  
Gloria N. Wokem ◽  
Christiana Okonofua
Keyword(s):  
Culex Quinquefasciatus ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Human Landing Catch ◽  
Light Traps ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Human Landing ◽  
The Mean

This study was aimed at determining the abundance and biting patterns of Culex quinquefasciatus in the coastal region of Nigeria. Collections were done by human landing catch and by CDC miniature light traps from September 2005 to August 2006. A total of 3798 C. quinquefasciatus females were collected. The highest number of females was caught in the month of August and it represented nearly a quarter (24.0%) of the total females collected. In all, 38.8% of females dissected were parous. The abundance of C. quinquefasciatus followed the pattern of rainfall with the population starting to expand at the onset of the rains. The highest increase was found after the temperature had peaked. The mean of biting was 3.2 times more in the rainy season than in the dry season, whereas the transmission potential was higher in the dry season. C. quinquefasciatus is presently regarded as a biting nuisance having no significant epidemiological importance yet. Efforts at its control should be intensified before it is too late.

scholarly journals Experience of GIS Technology Application in the Surveillance of Tick-Borne Infections

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iryna Ben ◽  
Igor Lozynskyi ◽  
Oksana Semenyshyn
Keyword(s):  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Western Region ◽  
Gis Technology ◽  
Granulocytic Anaplasmosis ◽  
Natural Foci ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Western Region ◽  
Predicted Risk

ObjectiveThe main aim of this work is to estimate the projected risks based on the incidence rate of natural foci infections and to expand the list of criteria for the characterization of natural foci of tick-borne infections.IntroductionThe epidemiological situation of natural foci of tick-borne infections (TBI) in Ukraine, as well as globally, is characterized by significant activation of processes due to global climate change, growing human-induced factor and shortcomings in the organization and running of epidemiological surveillance [1]. For the Western region of Ukraine, among all tick-borne zoonoses the most important are tick-borne viral encephalitis (TBVE), Lyme disease (LD), human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and some others [2-4]. Taking into account the increased incidence rate for these infections, we have developed baseline criteria (indicators of natural contamination of the main carriers and levels of the serum layer among the population in relation to the TBI pathogens in the endemic areas) to identify areas with different risk of contamination through GIS-technologies [5].MethodsEpi Info 7.1.1.14 software was used to analyze patient questionnaires with tick-borne infections (TBI) for 2010-2015. Prevalence maps of vector-borne infections were created by means of GIS technology using the QGIS 2.0.1. software to assess the risks of infection. Maps demonstrating the distribution of TBVE, LD and HGA were also developed based on contamination risk assessment criteria.ResultsRetrospective epidemiological analysis of incidence rates for TBVE, LD and HGA was conducted based on laboratory tests that were performed in the laboratory of vector-borne viral infections of the State Institution Lviv Research Institute of Epidemiology and Hygiene of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. A direct correlation between the infection of I. ricinus, B. burgdorferi and LB (P <0.05) and infections of I. ricinus ticks, anaplasma and incidence of HGA (P <0.05) was established. However, this connection has not been confirmed for indicators with TBE.Data was obtained during the assessment of possible risks of tick-borne infections. For TBVE, the indicator of predicted risks based on the basic criteria was 60.3%, taking into account the cases of the disease. This was based on indicators of natural infection of the main carriers and the level of the serum layer among the population on the TBI activators in the endemic areas. The data obtained can be explained by the low level of morbidity and the detection of TBVE cases. The predicted risk for LD according to these criteria is 88.9%, due to the high level of clinical and laboratory diagnosis.As for the HGA, the predicted risk indicator reaches 66.7% due to the fact that the study of human anaplasmosis in Ukraine is at the initial level (the incidence rate and incidence are not included in the official reporting system).Taking into account the results obtained, it is advisable to supplement the list of criteria for determining the degree of activity of natural foci of tick-borne infections and the identification of areas with high risk of morbidity. These calculations were made by grouping statistical data (indicators) [5]. The reliability of the difference between the same indicators for individual zones was 95% (Table 1).ConclusionsTick-borne zoonoses are a serious problem for the public health system of the Western region of Ukraine. Extending the list of criteria for the characterization of natural foci of tick-borne infections will improve epidemiological surveillance and focus on key measures in high and medium-risk areas for the rational use of funds.References1. Nordberg M. Tick-Borne Infections in Humans. Aspects of immunopathogenesis, diagnosis and co-infections with Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Linköping University Medical Dissertations No.1315. Linköping, Sweden 2012.2. Morochkovsky R. Clinical characteristic of tick-borne encephalitis in Volhynia and optimization of treatment. Ternopil State Medical Academy I. Gorbachevsky Dissertations. Ternopil, Ukraine 2003.3. Zinchuk O. Lime borreliosis: Clinical and immunopathogenetic features and emergency preventive treatment. Lviv National Medical University D. Galitsky Dissertations. Lviv, Ukraine 2010.4. Ben I., Biletska H. Epidemiologic aspects of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in the Western region of Ukraine. Lik Sprava. 2015 Oct-Dec;(7-8).5. Ben I., Lozynsky I. Application of GIS-technologies for risk assessment of areas with tick-borne infections. Materials of the Regional Scientific Symposium within the framework of the concept of "Unified Health" and a review and Selection of scientific works with the support of CCDD in Ukraine. 2017 April 24-28, Kyiv.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of meningococcal disease in the Panamanian pediatric population, 1998-2008

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (05) ◽  
pp. 318-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Nieto-Guevara ◽  
Kathia Luciani ◽  
Abian Montesdeoca-Melían ◽  
Mercedes Mateos-Durán
Keyword(s):  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Circulation Pattern ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
The Mean ◽  
One Year

Introduction: Worldwide public health authorities report 500,000 cases of invasive meningococcal disease with 50,000 deaths per year and 10-15% of sequelae in people affected. This study describes the epidemiology, microbiology, and clinical presentation of this disease in the Panamanian pediatric population. Methodology:  The discharge of patients with a meningococcal invasive disease diagnosis was reviewed in the statistical database and archives of the Hospital del Niño. Results: A total of 32 discharges with a meningococcal disease diagnosis were reported during the study period (1998-2008).  Ninety-one percent (n/N = 29/32) were confirmed as meningitis. The mean age of patients was 4.1 ± 4.6 years. The incidence in the period of the study was 0.25/100,000. Infants younger than one year old presented the highest incidence rate and number of cases. Four deaths were reported, three of which occurred in the group of 10-14 years and one in the group of 1-4 years. The overall fatality rate was 12.5%. The serogroup of the causative agent, Neisseria meningitidis, was documented in 30 of the 32 cases, with serogroup B the most frequent (66.7%). Ninety-percent (18/20) of serogroup B were isolated in the first five years of study. Serogroup C was identified in 8 of the 12 cases during the period 2004-2008. Conclusions: The present study showed a change in the epidemiological circulation pattern from serogroup B to serogroup C during the study period. Such epidemiological surveillance data is important in the implementation of preventive measures such as vaccination.

scholarly journals Measles and Mumps Outbreaks in Lebanon : Trends and Links

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talal El Zarif ◽  
Mohamed Faisal Kassir ◽  
Nazih Bizri ◽  
Ghida Kassir ◽  
Umayya Musharrafieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Public Database ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Measles Outbreaks ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Abstract: Background: Lebanon has experienced several measles and mumps outbreaks in the past twenty years . In this article, the trend of measles outbreaks in Lebanon was studied in an attempt to outline factors contributing to the failure of elimination plans, and to provide potential solutions. The relationship between measles and mumps outbreaks in Lebanon was described and explored. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of confirmed cases of measles and mumps in Lebanon between 2003 and 2018 collected from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health Epidemiological Surveillance Unit public database was carried out. The information collected was graphically represented taking into consideration dates of cases, age groups affected, and vaccination status. Results: The mean number of measles cases was 150.25 cases/year in the 1-4 years age group, 87 cases/year in individuals aging between 5 and 14, and 63.68 cases/year in those > 14 years old. In the latter group, only 18.05% were unvaccinated. The mean number of mumps cases was 30.4 cases/year in the <4 year age group and 53.8 cases/year in the 10-19 years age group. During the study period, every spike in measles cases was followed by a similar spike in mumps. 9.66% of measles cases occurred in individuals who received at least 2 doses of the vaccine, 52.26% in the unvaccinated, and 38% in those whose vaccination status was undetermined. Conclusions: Measles in Lebanon is a disease of the pediatric population, but adults remain at risk. Outbreaks of mumps followed those of measles and were mainly among adolescents. Presence of a large number of Syrian refugees in the country may further complicate the situation. Vaccination activities need to be intensified. Keywords: Measles, mumps, elimination, vaccine, Lebanon.

Models of superinfection and acquired immunity to multiple parasite strains

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (04) ◽  
pp. 915-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. M. Milligan ◽  
D. Y. Downham
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Close Approximation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Duration Of Infection ◽  
Bivariate Poisson Distribution ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Different Strains

Individuals in communities in which different strains of pathogen are circulating can acquire resistance by accumulating immunity to each strain. After considering susceptibility, models of infection and immunity are defined for vector-borne diseases such as malaria and trypanosomiasis. For these models the prevalence of infection, the number of infections per individual, and the mean duration of infection, increase rapidly in young individuals, but decrease in older individuals as immunity is acquired to the various strains of pathogen; the mean interval between successive infections lengthens with age. The bivariate Poisson distribution is shown to be a close approximation to some stochastic processes. The models explain observed cross-sectional patterns of age prevalence, and longitudinal patterns in which individuals typically continue to become infected as they age, albeit with decreasing frequency. In these models the time spent infected depends on parasite diversity, as well as the inoculation and recovery rates. It is shown that control measures can cause an increase in the number of infections and the prevalence of infection in older individuals, and in the average prevalence in the community, even when strain-specific immunity is life-long.

Speeds and wingbeat frequencies of migrating birds compared with calculated benchmarks

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (19) ◽  
pp. 3283-3294 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Pennycuick
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level ◽  
Flight Mechanics ◽  
Optical Methods ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Migrating Birds ◽  
Power Fraction

SUMMARYSixteen species of birds passing Falsterbo in southwest Sweden during the autumn migration season were observed using short-range optical methods. Air speeds and wingbeat frequencies were measured, reduced to sea level, and compared with benchmark values computed by Flight.bas, a published flight performance program based on flight mechanics. The benchmark for air speed was the calculated sea-level value of the minimum power speed (Vmp). The mean speeds of three raptor species that flew by flap-gliding were below Vmp, apparently because the flap-glide cycle involved slowing down below Vmp when gliding and accelerating back up to Vmp when flapping. The mean speeds of 11 species that flew by continuous flapping were between 0.82Vmp and 1.27Vmp. Two passerine species that flew by bounding had mean speeds of 1.70Vmp and 1.96Vmp, but these high mean speeds reflected their ability to fly faster against head winds. These results do not support predictions from optimal migration theory, which suggest that migrating birds ‘should’ fly faster, relative to Vmp. However, observations were restricted for technical reasons to birds flying below 200 m and may not represent birds that were seriously committed to long-distance migration.The benchmark wingbeat frequency (fref) was derived from dimensional reasoning, not from statistical analysis of observations. Observed wingbeat frequencies ranged from 0.81fref to 1.05fref, except in the two bounding species, whose wingbeat frequencies appeared anomalously high. However, the mechanics of bounding with a power fraction q imply that gravity during the flapping phase is increased by a factor 1/q, and when the value of gravity was so adjusted in the expression for fref, the wingbeat frequencies of the two bounding species were predicted correctly as a function of the power fraction. In small birds with more muscle power than is required to fly at speeds near Vmp, bounding is an effective method of adjusting the specific work in the muscle fibres, allowing conversion efficiency to be maximised over a wide range of speeds.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document