scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mohamed El Azhari ◽  
Mathieu Picardeau ◽  
Imad Cherkaoui ◽  
Mohamed Anouar Sadat ◽  
Houda Moumni ◽  
...  

Background. Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonotic reemerging neglected infectious disease underreported in most developing countries. A cross-sectional study was performed between 17 and 23 February 2014 to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among high-risk populations in Casablanca (Morocco). Methods. A total of 490 human serum samples (97.6% males) were collected in 3 high-risk occupational sites including the biggest meat slaughterhouse (n = 208), a poultry market (n = 121), and the fish market (n = 161). A total of 125 human blood samples were also collected from the general population and used in this study as a control group. To detect the presence of anti-Leptospira, sera were screened with in-house IgG and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive samples were tested by Microscopic Agglutination Technique (MAT) using a panel of 24 serovar cultures and cut point of 1 : 25. Results. Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among the control group was 10.4% (13/125). A high seropositivity among the overall seroprevalence of 24.1% (118/490) was observed in the high-risk groups of which 7.3% (36/490), 13.7% (67/490), and 3.1% (15/490) were for anti-Leptospira IgM, IgG, and both IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Most of the positive individuals were occupationally involved in poultry (37.2%), followed by the market fish (26.1%) and the meat slaughterhouse (14.9%) workers. Among all ELISA-positive serum samples, 20.3% (n = 24) had positive MAT responses, of which the Icterohaemorrhagiae (n = 7) is the most common infecting serogroup followed by Javanica (4), Australis (2), and Sejroe, Mini, and Panama (one in each). In the remaining 8 MAT-positive sera, MAT showed equal titers against more than one serogroup. Conclusion. Individuals engaged in risk activities are often exposed to leptospiral infection. Therefore, control and prevention policies toward these populations are necessary.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghobad Moradi ◽  
Elnaz Ezzati Amini ◽  
Azam Valipour ◽  
Katayoon Tayeri ◽  
Parvin Afsar Kazerooni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the HIV Self-Test in high-risk Iranian groups (MSM, FSWs, and TG people).Methods: This study was conducted in 2 main steps (the pre and post HIVST intervention and the qualitative method) between 1 October 2020 and 22 June 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The sample size needed for this study generally was 1000 people, including FSWs, MSM, and transgender individuals. The sampling method in this study was convenience sampling, while snowball sampling was used to complete the number of samples.Results: A total of 930 eligible respondents were enrolled in the study, of whom 456 (49%) were female, 49 (5.3%) were transgender (98% of TGs were male to female). The median age was 33.63 ±10.54 SD. The feasibility of the use of HIV self-tests in Iranian high-risk groups was significantly high. The majority of participants (97%) did not have any confidentiality problems while preparing or performing the test. In general, feasibility was assessed based on five questions. The overall feasibility score was 6.33 (0.824 SD). Taking tests, reading HIV test results, finding a safe place to do the test, and accessing HIV self-testing showed a high average. Conclusion: HIV self-testing was highly acceptable and feasible to permit routine HIV testing between high-risk populations efficiently.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 507
Author(s):  
Long Pham-Thanh ◽  
Thang Nguyen-Tien ◽  
Ulf Magnusson ◽  
Vuong Bui-Nghia ◽  
Anh Bui-Ngoc ◽  
...  

Diseases caused by flaviviruses, including dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, are major health problems in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study explored the feasibility of domestic dogs as sentinels to better understand risks of mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi city. A total of 475 dogs serum samples from 221 households in six districts of Hanoi were analyzed by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies to the pr-E protein of West Nile virus and other flaviviruses due to cross-reactivity. The overall flavivirus seroprevalence in the dog population was 70.7% (95% CI = 66.4–74.8%). At the animal level, significant associations between seropositive dogs and district location, age, breed and keeping practice were determined. At the household level, the major risk factors were rural and peri-urban locations, presence of pigs, coil burning and households without mosquito-borne disease experience (p < 0.05). Mosquito control by using larvicides or electric traps could lower seropositivity, but other measures did not contribute to significant risk mitigation of flavivirus exposure in dogs. These results will support better control of mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi, and they indicate that dogs can be used as sentinels for flavivirus exposure.


Author(s):  
Tirsa Verani ◽  
 Kanadi Sumapradja

Objective: To assess the estrone (E1), estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) blood level and its ratio (E2:E1, E2:E3 and E1:E3) between women with and without endometriosis. Method: We performed an analytical cross sectional study with 27 women with endometriosis and 27 women without endometriosis who met the inclusion criteria. The samples were recruited in Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital and other satellite hospitals from October 2012 to April 2013. The blood level of estrogen metabolites was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparison between the two groups was analyzed by using Mann- Whitney test. Result: The level of estrone was found to be lower in endometriosis group compared to that in the control group (54.66 pg/ml vs 73.52 pg/ml, p=0.229). Similarly, the levels of estradiol and estriol were lower in endometriosis group (29 pg/ml vs 35 pg/ml, p=0.815 and 1.11 pg/ml vs 1.67 pg/ml, p=0.095, consecutively). The E2:E1 ratio was higher in endometriosis group (0.51 pg/ml vs 0.38 pg/ml, p=0.164), as well as E2:E3 ratio (26.53 pg/ml vs 21.11 pg/ml, p=0.223) and the E1:E3 ratio (58.55 pg/ml vs 50.28 pg/ml, p=0.684). However, all those differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The estrone, estradiol and estriol levels in women with endometriosis were lower compared to those in women without endometriosis. The ratio of E2:E1, E2:E3 and E1:E3 were higher in endometriosis group. However, all those differences failed to reach statistical significance. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2014; 3: 127-131] Keywords: endometriosis, estradiol, estriol, estrogen, estrone


Author(s):  
Ahsan Anjum ◽  
Asim Aslam ◽  
Raheela Akhtar ◽  
Tahir Yaqub ◽  
Junaid Naseer ◽  
...  

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is an important infectious disease of respiratory system of cattle, caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides. A cross sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Kasur and Jhang districts of Punjab to determine the prevalence of CBPP. A total of 560 serum samples were examined for the specific antibodies against M. mycoides subspecies mycoides, using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associated risk factors that were evaluated include age, gender and breed. In this study, the overall seroprevalence was 8.75%. The seroprevalence of CBPP in Lahore, Kasur and Jhang were 8.26, 8.20 and 10.06%, respectively, but no significance difference (P less than 0.05) was observed. Among the assessed potential predisposing factors, gender and breed were not significantly associated with the serological status of the animal (P greater than 0.05), in which the age affected significantly the positivity to CBPP (P less than 0.05). The highest seropositivity was observed in animals of more than 7 years of age (32.08%) followed by in 4-7 years of age (8.16%) and lowest in animals of less than 4 years old (0.79%). This study confirms the presence of CBPP in the state which could be a threat to livestock export market and warrants the implementation of control measures to mitigate the economic losses associated with the disease. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Sara Paredes-Echeverri ◽  
Ayda N. Rodríguez ◽  
Wilmer A. Cárdenas ◽  
Belén Mendoza de Molano ◽  
John M. González

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy induced by the ingestion of gluten from wheat, barley, and rye in genetically susceptible individuals. The global prevalence of CD is 1.4%. However, most of the prevalence studies have been conducted in Caucasian populations; few studies have been performed in Latin America. The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of auto-antibodies used as markers for CD in a Colombian cohort. In this cross-sectional study, the serum samples from Colombian donors of the National Red Cross Blood Bank were collected between June and September 2017 in Bogotá, Colombia. All sera were tested for IgA antitissue transglutaminase (TTG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seropositive sera were tested for IgA antiendomysium (EMA) using indirect immunofluorescence assay. The ancestral genetic composition was determined in donor samples with antibody assay reactivity. Those with two seroreactive assays were typed for HLA class II DQ2 and DQ8. In total, 228 blood donors participated in the study. Among them, 113 were females (49.56%) with an average age of 31.63 years (SD ± 12.99); males had an average of 34.71 years (SD ± 13.01). Only 3 (1.31%) donors reported chronic diarrhea and nonintentional weight loss; 11 (4.82%) had a family history of CD. For the serological assays, 11 donors (4.82%) were seroreactive to IgA anti-TTG: 3 had high reactivity and 8 had low reactivity. Of those seroreactive to IgA anti-TTG, 3 (1.32%) were also seroreactive to anti-EMA, and they were typed as HLA-DQ8 or HLA-DQ2. The baseline ancestral percentage of the seroreactive donors was higher for European and Native American than for African genes. The seroprevalence for anti-TTG and anti-EMA with the presence of HLA-DQ8 and HLA-DQ2 was 1.32%. Additionally, 4.82% donor participants were reactive only for anti-TTG. Compared with other studies, our findings suggest that Colombia has a high prevalence of CD markers.


2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Singh ◽  
G. Singh ◽  
R. Sharma ◽  
J. Sharma ◽  
R. Aulakh ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman hydatidosis is an important public health issue in India and many other developing countries. There is lack of data related to occurrence of this disease in certain risk groups. The present study was therefore designed to assess the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis among occupational risk groups in Punjab (India). One hundred and forty nine human serum samples from dog handlers, veterinarians/para veterinarians, dairy farmers, patients with liver disorders, HIV positives and control group (visiting hospital for other problems) were collected and analyzed using a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed that 23 (15.43 %) subjects were seropositive for human hydatidosis. High seropositivity were recorded in dog handlers (30 %), followed by the other risk group populations. Relative risk of being infected was found to be 4.80 times high in dog handlers when compared to control group population. Future studies must be planned to determine the significance of these findings and the status of human hydatidosis in India.


2012 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Rauf Memon ◽  
Kashif Shafique ◽  
Ashraf Memon ◽  
Agha Umer Draz ◽  
Mohammad Uzair Abdul Rauf ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Mona Khajavian ◽  
Asghar Sharifi

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major health problem throughout the world. The aim of this study determines the rate of prevalence of molecular and Seroepidemiological hepatitis B infections high risk populations in the Gachsaran city, according to factors such as age, sex, employment status, educational status etc.Methods: In a descriptive and analytical study, blood samples have been collected from 500 high risks individuals, from February 2015 to July 2016 in Gachsaran. The serum samples were tested by ELISA and PCR method was used to confirm the diagnosis. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical program.Results: HBsAg was detected in 5 out of the 500 individuals, giving an overall prevalence of 1%. All the positive samples were in males. The rate of infection among the individuals with a history of unprotected sexual contact was 8% and was 0% among the individuals who experienced a needle stick. Four out of the five infected persons with hepatitis didn’t receive any vaccination and one of them received only one dose of vaccine.Conclusions: The results showed 1% infection at high-risk groups in the Gachsaran city. Age rising, maleness, unemployment, low educational level and suspicies sexual partners have been the factors of increasing HBV infection prevalence. Full vaccination has a strong and meaningful relationship with hepatitis B in the target groups, which requires all people at risk to be vaccinated completely. Government cooperation to identify and treat injecting drug users and encourage them to follow the preventive methods is beneficial.


Author(s):  
Ashish Kumar Sinha ◽  
Sumeet Tripathi ◽  
Kshitij Khaparde ◽  
Avinash Chaturvedi ◽  
Swapnil Vasant Shinkar

Background: HIV is an important risk factor for the development of tuberculosis. People living with HIV are 21-34 times more likely to develop TB than their uninfected counterparts. Efficient approach for detecting more cases along with shortened duration of infectivity involves a systematic screening of pulmonary TB in settings where high risk groups are concentrated even before the diagnosis HIV infection. Lack of proper screening strategy for HRGs might result in their exclusion from timely intervention which may prove lethal without treatment.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in two districts of Chhattisgarh during September-December 2019.Training cum sensitization sessions were conducted for peer educators, outreach workers, counselors and project managers prior to the survey and were trained for systematic screening of pulmonary TB, sputum collection and transportation to GeneXpert®MTB/RIF lab and other relevant data collection for pulmonary TB diagnosis.Results: A total of 3963 HRGs were intended to be included in the study, 3418 were screened with 86.2% compliance rate. Out of all HRGs screened (3418), 81 (2.4%) were found presumptive pulmonary TB, of them 2 (0.05%) were microbiologically confirmed, 5 cases were found with incomplete treatment (all were IDUs). Prevalence of tobacco use, alcohol use, diabetes and hypertension were observed in 5.3% and 7.2%, 1.2% and 1.1 respectively.Conclusions: Although yield for pulmonary TB in this study was not much, the study has demonstrated that active case finding for accessing such a hidden population through existing manpower can assure better acceptability and feasibility in resource poor settings. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Battu ◽  
Kaushal Sharma ◽  
Manjari Rain ◽  
Ramandeep Singh ◽  
Akshay Anand

Background: Many factors including genetic and environmental are responsible for the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, its pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated yet. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), Collagen type VIII Alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), Rad 51 paralog(RAD51B), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum of AMD and control participants and to further investigate their correlation to understand AMD pathogenesis. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 31 healthy control and 57 AMD patients were recruited from Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. A blood sample was taken and serum was isolated from it. ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)was used for the estimation of proteins in the serum of patients. Results: ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly elevated in the AMD group than in the control group. The highest levels of ARMS2, COL8A1, and VEGF proteins were recorded for the wet AMD sub-group. The study results endorsed significant positive correlation between these following molecules; ARMS2 and COL8A1 (r=0.933, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and RAD51B (r=0.704, p<0.0001), ARMS2 and VEGF (r=0.925, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and RAD51B (r=0.736, p<0.0001), COL8A1 and VEGF (r=0.879, p<0.0001),and RAD51B and VEGF (r=0.691, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The ARMS2 and COL8A1 levels were significantly higher and RAD51B was significantly lower in the AMD group than controls. Also, a significant statistical correlation was detected between these molecules, indicating that their interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of AMD.


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