scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Canine Ehrlichiosis and Microscopic Screening for Canine Babesiosis in Dogs in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2016-2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Solomon Dhliwayo ◽  
Brighton Chihambakwe ◽  
Knowledge Taonezvi ◽  
Silvester M. Chikerema ◽  
Musavengana T. Tivapasi ◽  
...  

A cross-sectional study was done to determine ehrlichiosis seroprevalence and babesiosis prevalence in dogs that were presented to selected veterinary clinics in Harare. Sera from randomly selected dogs were tested for antibodies to Ehrlichia spp. using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while microscopy of peripheral blood smears was used to confirm babesiosis. Overall, 75.2% (88/117, 95% CI: 66.2–82.5) of sera samples tested were positive to Ehrlichia spp. antibodies while the prevalence of canine babesiosis was 47.9% (56/117, 95% CI: 38.6–57.3). Age, breed, and sex were found not to be associated with the two disease conditions p>0.05. Most of the dogs with babesiosis (82.1%, 46/56) were also positive to Ehrlichia spp. antibodies. Hypoalbuminaemia (53.8%, 63/117), anaemia (53.0%, 62/117) and thrombocytopaenia (40.2%, 47/117) were the most common laboratory findings. Thrombocytopaenia and hypoalbuminaemia was more pronounced in dogs with babesiosis only while anaemia was more marked in dogs with babesiosis and positive to Ehrlichia spp. antibodies.

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahrani Lubis ◽  
Rusdidjas Rusdidjas ◽  
Rafita Ramayati ◽  
Oke Rina Ramayani ◽  
Rosmayanti S Siregar ◽  
...  

Background Malaria-induced proteinuria has been observed insevere cases of malaria. Few studies have been done to assess foran association between proteinuria and malaria parasite countsbefore the disease becomes severe.Objective To investigate a possible association between proteinuriaand malaria parasite counts in children .Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on school-agedchildren in Panyabungan, Mandailing Natal, between Septemberto November 2010. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopicexamination of peripheral blood smears. Children with malariaunderwent proteinuria t ests by urine dipstick method. Anassociation between proteinuria and malaria parasite counts wasanalyzed using linear regression test.Results Of 181 participants with Plasmodium fak:iparum malaria,53.6% were female and had a mean age of 7.8 years. Subjects'nutritional status were as follows: 50.8% normoweight, 28.2%mild malnutrition, 3 .3% moderate malnutrition, and 17. 7% severemalnutrition. Clinical manifestations showed 36.5% suffered fromsubfebrile temperatures and 29.8% had pallor. Proteinuria occurredin 45.9% participants and there was a weak association betweenproteinuria and malaria parasite counts (raa .261, Paa .0001).Conclusion There is a weak association between proteinuria andmalaria parasite counts in children.


Author(s):  
Elaine Cristina Rocha Pádua ◽  
Silvia Daher ◽  
Isa de Pádua Cintra Sampaio ◽  
Edward Araujo Júnior ◽  
Cristina Falbo Guazzelli

Abstract Objective To evaluate serum levels of adiponectin in pregnant adolescents between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation. Method: A prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 67 normal pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation and eutrophic (body mass index [BMI]: 18.5–25 kg/m2), of which 36 were adolescents (< 20 years old) and 31 adults (≥ 20 years old). Serum adiponectin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The t-student or Mann-Whitney tests were used for intergroup comparison. Results Pregnant adolescents showed significantly higher serum adiponectin concentrations compared with pregnant adults (p = 0.04). No differences were observed in adiponectin levels in younger pregnant adolescents (< 16 years old) compared with older pregnant adolescents (≥ 16 years old). Adiponectin values were divided into 3 subgroups: < 3,000 ng/mL, between 3,000 and 5,000 ng/mL, and > 5,000 ng/mL. Birthweight was significantly higher in women > 5,000 ng/mL when compared with < 3,000 ng/mL in the adolescent group. No association between pregestational adiponectin levels and BMI, gestational weight gain, and gestational age was observed; however, there was a positive relation with birthweight (p = 0.0239). Conclusion Serum adiponectin values in pregnant adolescents between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation were higher compared with pregnant adults; however, no differences between younger and older pregnant adolescents were observed.


Author(s):  
Amir Emami ◽  
Fatemeh Javanmardi ◽  
Ali Akbari ◽  
Babak Shirazi Yeganeh ◽  
Tahereh Rezaei ◽  
...  

Background: Identifying effective biomarkers plays a critical role on screening; rapid diagnosis; proper managements and therapeutic options, which is helpful in preventing serious complications. The present study aimed to compare the liver laboratory tests between alive and dead hospitalized cases for prediction and proper management of the patients. Methods: This retrospective, cross sectional study consists of all deceased patients admitted in one center in Shiraz, Iran during 19 Feb 2020 to 22 Aug 2021. For further comparison, we selected a 1:2 ratios alive group randomly. Results: Overall, 875 hospitalized cases died due to COVID-19. We selected 1750 alive group randomly. The median age was significantly higher in died group (65.96 vs 51.20). Regarding the laboratory findings during the hospitalization ALT, AST, Bili.D were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors but Albumin was less in deceased patients. It was revealed elevated levels of Albumin, AST, Bili.T and Bili.D were associated with increasing the risk of in hospital death. Moreover, the predictive effect of ALP and Bili.D had significantly more than others with high sensitivity and specify. Conclusion: We found patients with COVID-19 have reduced serum albumin level, and increase ALT and AST. The current results revealed abnormal liver chemistries is associated with poor outcome, which highlighted the importance of monitoring these patients more carefully and should be given more caution.


Author(s):  
Shuaibu Gidado Adamu ◽  
Junaidu Kabir ◽  
Jarlath Udo Umoh ◽  
Mashood Abiola Raji

Abstract A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of Q fever in sheep in the northern part of Kaduna State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine Coxiella burnetii infection and its risk factors in sheep in Kaduna State. A total of 400 blood samples consisting of 259 samples from females and 141 from males were aseptically collected from the jugular vein of sheep from flocks in Kaduna State. The sera obtained were screened for Q fever using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). The obtained data were analysed to determine whether there is a relationship between sex, age, and the animals tested. The analysis revealed that 8.0% of the sera was seropositive by iELISA. There was no significant difference in Q fever seropositivity in the study area according to the sex of sheep (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in Q fever seropositivity according to the age of sheep. This study indicated a high seroprevalence of Q fever mainly among female animals and older sheep. Further studies are required to determine the epizootiology of Q fever in the study area more precisely.


2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Veronica Lily Limantara ◽  
Ida Bagus Mudita ◽  
I Ketut Suarta

Objective To evaluate fibrinogen concentration of relapsing neph-rotic syndrome (NS) in children, and to investigate relationshipbetween fibrinogen with albumin and cholesterol.Methods A cross-sectional study among NS patients admitted topediatric outpatient clinic and pediatric ward at Sanglah Hospital,Denpasar, from November 1, 2003 to January 31, 2004. All pa-tients were evaluated for clinical and laboratory findings of relapseand remission, including edema, proteinuria, serum albumin, totalcholesterol, as well as total platelet count and fibrinogen concen-tration to evaluate coagulation parameters in nephrotic patients.Results There were 36 patients with the mean age of 7.4 (SD 2.3)years included in this study. Mean fibrinogen concentration in re-lapse state was 671.8 (SD 102.7) mg/dl, while in remission statewas 255.2 (SD 50.5 mg/dl); the mean difference was 416.6 mg/dl(95% CI 362.9;470.4; P<0.001). Fibrinogen was inversely andstrongly correlated with serum albumin concentrations (r=-0.91;P<0.001). Fibrinogen was positively and strongly correlated to to-tal cholesterol (r=0.80; P<0.001). Using multiple regression analy-sis, it was shown that only relapse/remission status was signifi-cantly associated with fibrinogen concentration (P<0.001).Conclusion Fibrinogen status is significantly correlated with re-lapse and remission status of NS in childhood patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 1759720X2097813
Author(s):  
Raul Castellanos-Moreira ◽  
Sebastian C. Rodriguez-Garcia ◽  
Sonia Cabrera-Villalba ◽  
María José Gomara ◽  
Georgina Salvador ◽  
...  

Background: A restricted response against citrullinated peptides/proteins, with less isotype usage, has been found in palindromic rheumatism (PR) in comparison with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We hypothesized that this different antibody response may be observed for other post-translational modified proteins. We compared the prevalence and isotype usage of two specificities of anti-carbamylated peptide/protein antibodies (Anti-CarP) in patients with PR and RA. Methods: Cross-sectional study including 54 patients with pure PR and 53 patients with RA, matched by sex, age, disease duration and ACPA. Anti-CarP specificities were determined by home-made enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests using a synthetic chimeric fibrin/filaggrin homocitrullinated peptide (CFFHP) and fetal calf serum (FCS) homocitrullinated protein as antigens. IgG, IgA and IgM isotypes were measured. Results: Anti-CarP were positive (CFFHP or FCS) in 24% and 64% of patients with PR and RA, respectively ( p < 0.005). All Anti-CarP isotype proportions were significantly lower in PR than in RA: Anti-CarP-IgG (24% versus 51%), Anti-CarP-IgA (7% versus 34%) and Anti-CarP-IgM (7% versus 36%). Mean titers of Anti-CarP isotypes were also lower in PR. In Anti-CarP positive patients, the isotype distribution differed between PR and RA: IgG Anti-CarP was used in all PR patients and in 79% of RA patients. By contrast, a significantly lower isotype usage of both IgA (31% versus 53%) and IgM (31% versus 56%) was observed in PR patients. No significant differences in clinical or demographic characteristics were observed according to Anti-CarP status in PR patients, except for a higher prevalence of ACPA and higher mean titers of ACPA and rheumatoid factor in Anti-CarP positive patients. Conclusion: Anti-CarP are found in patients with PR but in a lower proportion and with a different isotype usage from in RA, suggesting a distinct B cell response to homocitrullinated antigens in PR.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangming Dai ◽  
Yajuan Ran ◽  
Jiajia Wang ◽  
Xingru Chen ◽  
Junnan Peng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background AECOPD is highly heterogeneous with respect to etiology and inflammation. COPD with higher blood eosinophils is associated with increased readmission rates and better corticosteroid response. However, the clinical features of eosinophilic AECOPD aren’t well explored. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical differences between eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic AECOPD. Methods A total of 643 AECOPD patients were enrolled in this multicenter cross-sectional study. Finally, 455 were included, 214 in normal eosinophils AECOPD (NEOS-AECOPD) group, 63 in mild increased eosinophils AECOPD (MEOS-AECOPD) group, and 138 in severe increased eosinophils AECOPD (SEOS-AECOPD) group. Then, demographic data, underlying diseases, symptoms, and laboratory findings were collected. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the independent factors associated with blood EOS. Correlations between blood EOS and its associated independent factors were evaluated. Results The significant differences in 19 factors, including underlying disease, clinical symptom, and laboratory parameters, were identified by univariate analysis. Subsequently, multiple logistic regression revealed that lymphocytes%, neutrophils% (NS%), procalcitonin (PCT), and anion gap (AG) were associated with blood EOS in AECOPD. Both blood EOS counts and EOS% significantly correlated with lymphocytes%, NS%, PCT, and AG. Conclusions The blood EOS was independently associated with lymphocytes%, NS%, PCT, and AG in AECOPD patients. Lymphocytes% was lower, and, NS%, PCT, and AG were higher in eosinophilic AECOPD. Our results indicate that viral dominant infections probably were the major etiology of eosinophilic AECOPD. Non-eosinophilic AECOPD was more likely associated with bacterial dominant infections. The systemic inflammation in non-eosinophilic AECOPD was more severe.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 233-239
Author(s):  
Hamish Mohammed ◽  
Mary H Hayden ◽  
Elise Lee ◽  
Luis M Santiago ◽  
Rosina C Krecek ◽  
...  

Introduction: After a large outbreak of dengue virus (DENV) serotype-3 in Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) in 2008, we performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of anti-DENV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in expatriate and local persons affiliated with an American veterinary school there. Methodology: This campus community comprised mostly expatriate students and faculty and Kittitian administrative staff. In 2009, a stratified random sample of students, faculty and staff was invited to complete an electronic survey to assess risk factors for DENV and provide blood for testing for anti-DENV IgG antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgG-positive specimens were also tested by a 90% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) to determine immunoreactivity to DENV (1-4) serotypes and West Nile virus. Risk factors for anti-DENV IgG seropositivity were determined using simple and adjusted logistic regression. Results: Of the 118 participants, the overall prevalence of DENV IgG antibodies was 44.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.1-53.0%), ranging from 30.1% in students, 100.0% in staff and 57.9% in faculty (p < 0.001). Duration of residence in St. Kitts was the only variable significantly associated with seropositivity on multiple logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]: 1.21 [1.07-1.37]). The serotype of DENV was determined in 11 persons: DENV-1 (n = 4), DENV-2 (n = 3), and DENV-3 (n = 4). Conclusions: Expatriate students and faculty moving to St. Kitts from non-endemic areas were at high risk of DENV infection. There is a need for increased emphasis on pre-travel mosquito-borne virus prevention education for persons moving to St. Kitts to study and work.


2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1162-1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Visnja Kokic ◽  
Dusanka Martinovic Kaliterna ◽  
Mislav Radic ◽  
Leida Tandara ◽  
Dijana Perkovic

Objectives To investigate possible associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), oestradiol (E2) and IFN-gamma (IFNγ) in female patients with inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Female patients with inactive SLE and age-matched healthy controls were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3, E2 and IFNγ were measured by radioimmunoassay with gamma-counters and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results 36 patients and 37 controls were enrolled. In patients with SLE, the concentration of 25(OH)D3 was lower and E2 was higher compared with controls. In vitamin D deficient (i.e., 25(OH)D3≤20 ng/ml) patients, IFNγ was 150% higher compared with patients with 25(OH)D3>20 ng/ml and controls. The concentration of E2 was higher in all patients compared with controls independently of the vitamin D level. A difference was found between patients and controls in the correlation of 25(OH)D3 with E2 and a positive correlation was found between E2 and IFNγ in all participants. Conclusions Our results suggest that E2 may have a strong modulating effect on vitamin D function which is significant only at low concentration of E2.


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