scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors of human Balantidium coli infection and its association with haematological and biochemical parameters in Ga West Municipality, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enoch Aninagyei ◽  
Salifu Nanga ◽  
Desmond Omane Acheampong ◽  
Rita Mensah ◽  
Mercy Nelly Boadu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Ghana, Balantidium coli (B. coli) has been identified in vegetables and in pigs, although there is a paucity of data regarding human balantidiosis. This study sought to assess human B. coli infection in Ghana, factors associated with the infection as well as its association with haematological and biochemical parameters. Methods Two pig rearing communities in the Ga West Municipality, Ghana, were involved in this study. Stool and blood samples were collected from pig farmers and their exposed household members as well as relevant information on potential associated factors. Eosin-saline wet preparation was done on the same day of stool samples were collected while formol ether concentration technique was performed later. Haematological, biochemical parameters and serum electrolytes were determined using Celltac MEK-6500 K, PKL-125 biochemical analyser, and FT-320 electrolyte analyser, respectively. Results The overall prevalence of balantidiosis was 10.4 %, significantly higher among farmers (21.7 %) than in exposed household members (5.8 %) (x2 = 17.8, p = 0.000025). Of the 43 infected individuals, 20.9 % were co-infected with either Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, or Schistosoma mansoni. In B. coli infection, mild to moderate anaemia together with a reduction in levels of platelet, albumin and, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions were observed. However, white blood cells were significantly elevated in infected states. Poor farming practices such as free-range systems, improper disposal of pig faeces, lack of use of protective farming clothing, and unavailability of dedicated farming clothing were found to be associated with B. coli infection status. Finally, frequent diarrhea (OR = 12.30, p = 0.006) with occult blood (OR = 25.94, p < 0.0001) were found to be predictors of B. coli infection. Conclusions Human balantidiosis is endemic in Ga West Municipality, Ghana. Individuals living closed to pig rearing communities presenting with frequent diarrhea with occult blood in stool should be screened and treated for balantidiosis to mitigate the clinical consequences of the infection.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rine Christopher Reuben ◽  
Shovon Lal Sarkar ◽  
Habiba Ibnat ◽  
Md. Ali Ahasan Setu ◽  
Pravas Chandra Roy ◽  
...  

AbstractPasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera, a highly contagious poultry disease of global concern, causing significant ecological and economic challenges to the poultry industry each year. This study evaluated the effects of novel multi-strain probiotics consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fermentum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, haemato-biochemical parameters and anti-inflammatory properties on broilers experimentally challenged with P. multocida. A total of 120 birds were fed with a basal diet supplemented with probiotics (108 CFU/kg) and then orally challenged with 108 CFU/mL of P. multocida. Probiotics supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance and feed efficiency as well as reducing (P < 0.05) the population of intestinal P. multocida, enterobacteria, and mortality. Haemato-biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, white blood cells (WBC), proteins, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV) and lymphocytes improved (P < 0.05) among probiotic fed birds when compared with the controls. Transcriptional profiles of anti-inflammatory genes including hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) and prostaglandin E receptor 2 (PTGER2) in the intestinal mucosa were upregulated (P < 0.05) in probiotics fed birds. The dietary inclusion of the novel multi-strain probiotics improves growth performance, feed efficiency and intestinal health while attenuating inflammatory reaction, clinical signs and mortality associated with P. multocida infection in broilers.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 785-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emelie M de Boer ◽  
David Pincock ◽  
Sander Veldhuyzen van Zanten

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ‘natural history’ of outpatients who were referred to the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Alberta Hospital (Edmonton, Alberta) for gastrointestinal problems and were subsequently declined.METHODS: Patients were tracked for 12 months after they were referred and declined for the following indications: abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fecal occult blood test-positive stools and iron deficiency. For each patient, data regarding consultations by other gastroenterologists or surgeons working in the region, clinically relevant diagnoses and the number of gastrointestinal-related x-rays performed were obtained.RESULTS: Of a total sample size of 230 patients, 110 (47.8%) were seen by another gastroenterologist or surgeon after decline. A significant diagnosis was made in 21 patients (9.1%), which had immediate clinical consequences in 29%. Forty per cent of patients underwent one or more gastointestinal-related x-rays before being declined, which increased to 55% after decline.CONCLUSION: Approximately 50% of declined patients were seen by other gastroenterologists or surgeons in the region. In 9.1% of these patients, a clinically important diagnosis was made, of which one-quarter had immediate medical consequences.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
Triin Pärn ◽  
Saija Hallanvuo ◽  
Saara Salmenlinna ◽  
Annika Pihlajasaari ◽  
Seija Heikkinen ◽  
...  

In March 2014, a Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (YP) outbreak was detected by a municipal authority in southern Finland. We conducted epidemiological, microbiological and traceback investigations to identify the source. We defined a case as a person with YP infection notified to the National Infectious Disease Registry between February and April 2014, or their household member, with abdominal pain and fever ≥ 38 °C or erythema nodosum. Healthy household members were used as household-matched controls. We identified 43 cases and 50 controls. The illness was strongly associated with the consumption of raw milk from a single producer. The odds ratio of illness increased with the amount of raw milk consumed. Also previously healthy adults became infected by consuming raw milk. Identical YP strains were identified from cases’ stool samples, raw milk sampled from a case’s refrigerator and from the milk filter at the producer’s farm. The producer fulfilled the legal requirements for raw milk production and voluntarily recalled the raw milk and stopped its production. We advised consumers to heat the raw milk to 72 °C for 15 s. Current legislation for raw milk producers should be reviewed and public awareness of health risks linked to raw milk consumption should be increased.


Author(s):  
Y. Garba ◽  
E. A. Adeola

An experiment was carried out to test the effect of Sesame residue (SR) inclusion in the diets of growing Yankasa ram lambs on haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Twelve (12) Yankasa ram lambs with initial body weight of 20.08±3.08kg were allotted to three dietary treatments containing 0, 20 and 30% SR (A, B and C). A completely randomized design was used for the study which lasted twelve (12) weeks. The haemetology results revealed that the white blood cells (12.85-16.85 109/L), red blood cells (1.49-2.04 1012/L), haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) (39.85-48.00 pg), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and lymphocytes differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treatments. Lambs fed 30% SR had the highest MCV, MCH, MCHC and lymphocyte values. Serum biochemical analysis results revealed that lambs fed 20% and 30% SR had higher alkaline phosphatase, total protein and globulin values than lambs fed 0%SR. However, SR inclusion in the diets did not affect calcium and phosphorus levels of the lambs. In conclusion, including sesame residue at 30% in the diets of growing Yankasa ram lambs had no observable adverse effect on haematological and serum biochemical parameters.


2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marko Prokic ◽  
Milica Paunovic ◽  
Milos Matic ◽  
Natasa Djordjevic ◽  
Branka Ognjanovic ◽  
...  

Aspartame (ASP) is one of the most widely used nonnutritive sweeteners. This study investigates the chronic effects of ASP on hematological and biochemical parameters, and its effects on the oxidative/antioxidative status in the red blood cells of Wistar albino rats. Rats were provided with ASP (40 mg/kg/daily for six weeks) in drinking water. Increased food and fluid intake was observed in the ASP-treated rats. Total body mass was significantly decreased in the ASP-treated rats. Treatment with ASP caused an increase in the concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and in the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as a decrease in the levels of HDL-cholesterol in the serum. A significant decline in the number of white blood cells (WBC) was observed after ASP uptake. Based on the results we conclude that ASP induces oxidative stress, observed as an alteration of the glutathione redox status, which leads to increased concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxides (LPO) in the red blood cells. Changes in biochemical parameters, lipid metabolism, as well as changes in the levels of oxidative stress markers and the appearance of signs of liver damage indicate that chronic use of ASP can lead to the development of hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and associated diseases.


2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-378
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal

Leukemia or cancer of the blood is the most common childhood cancer, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), is the most common form of leukemia that occurs in children. It is characterized by the presence of too many immature white blood cells in the child’s blood and bone marrow, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia can occur in adults too, treatment is different for children. Children with ALL develop symptoms related to infiltration of blasts in the bone marrow, lymphoid system, and extramedullary sites, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Common constitutional indications consist of fatigue (50%), pallor (25%), fever (60%), and weight loss (26%). Infiltration of blast cells in the marrow cavity and periosteum often lead to bone pain (23%) and disturbance of normal hematopoiesis. Thrombocytopenia with platelet counts less than 100,000 are seen in approximately 75% of patients. About 40% of patients with childhood ALL present with hemoglobin levels less than 7 g/dL. Although leukocyte counts greater than 50,000/mm3 occur in 20% of cases, neutropenia defined as an absolute neutrophil count less than 500 is common at presentation and is associated with an increased risk of infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the differentiations in some biochemical parameters (Hb, PCV, total serum proteins Aspartate amino transferase(AST), Alanin amino transferase (ALT), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood which can be conceder as a marker of ALL. Samples were collected from 50 patients (between 1-16 years old) diagnosed with ALL after one month treatment with induction therapy, compared with 30 control samples taken from healthy persons at the same age . The ALT and MDA showed a significant increase p < 0.001 and p


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Shrestha ◽  
KC Narayan ◽  
R Sharma

Background This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among school-going children of the Baglung municipality from December 2010 to January 2011. Objective To find out prevalence of parasitosis among school aged children and to make necessary recommendations for preventive measures. Method A total of 260 stool samples were collected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on predisposing factors. Nails were observed without prior information to the subjects so as to find their hygienic practice. The stool samples were examined by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration technique. Results The total prevalence of the intestinal parasitosis was found to be 21.05%. The prevalence for individual parasites was as follows: Entamoeba histolytica (9.23%), Giardia lamblia (5.76%), Trichuris trichuria (5%), Ancylostoma duodenale (2.65%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.3%). Nail hygiene and level of education were significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis. The gender and age of the children, sanitary habits including toilet use, hand washing practice, and the use of the antihelminthic drug (albendazole) were not significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis. Higher prevalence was seen in boys, children belonging to age group 10-14 years, lower secondary students, among those who reported gastrointestinal problems within last six months, children from agriculture-based families and children with untrimmed nail. Conclusion Major contributors for the prevalence of parasites were found to be poor personal hygiene and educational level of the children. Health education and mass treatment are recommended as a preventive measures. KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY MEDICAL JOURNAL  VOL.10 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 37 | JAN - MAR 2012 | 3-6 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i1.6904


Open Medicine ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-206
Author(s):  
Natasa Miladinovic-Tasic ◽  
Suzana Tasic ◽  
Ivana Kranjcic-Zec ◽  
Gordana Tasic ◽  
Aleksandar Tasic ◽  
...  

AbstractGiardiasis is a parasitic infection of the digestive tract, most commonly occurring in closed communities such as schools, kindergartens, prisons, and campuses. The civil war in the former Yugoslav republics and in Kosovo caused a large number of refugees to take shelter in the territory of Serbia. Such large numbers of refugees could be accommodated only in the collective centers. Our aim was to examine the differences in the prevalence of asymptomatic giardiasis among 122 refugees from the former Yugoslav republics who lived in the collective centers in Nis, Serbia, and 241 native Nis inhabitants. Conventional microscopic examination (CME) of three stool samples with or without concentration technique and the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) methods were used. The CME method of three stool samples is considered the gold standard in our statistical survey. Asymptomatic giardiasis is found in 7 refugees (5.7%) using the EIA method, while using the CME (3 samples) Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) was detected in 6 persons (4.9%). Using the EIA method and the CME (3 samples) G. duodenalis was detected in only 1 person in the population group of native inhabitants (0.4%). Asymptomatic giardiasis was more prevalent in the population group of refugees accommodated in collective centers than in native inhabitants in the Nis municipality, Serbia.


2012 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. S-155
Author(s):  
Diane Nguyen ◽  
Missy Tuck ◽  
Ananda Sen ◽  
Mack T. Ruffin ◽  
John A. Baron ◽  
...  

Anemia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Syed Mohammed Mujib ◽  
Abu Sayeed Mohammad Mahmud ◽  
Milton Halder ◽  
Chowdhury Mohammad Monirul Hasan

A total of 150 (30.61%) anemic patients out of 490 patients diagnosed to have iron deficiency anemia (IDA) have been selected for the first time in Bangladesh. For detailed study, blood samples from 150 anemic patients along with 25 controls were analyzed. Analysis of variance showed significantPvalue between mean platelet volume (MPV) in females (8.08 μm3) and males (7.59 μm3) (P<0.05) in iron deficiency anemia patients. Besides, the value of white blood cells (WBC) in males (10946.08/cmm) was significantly higher than in females (9470.833/cmm) (P<0.05). The significant correlation was observed among hemoglobin levels with hematocrits, hemoglobin with RBC, RBC with hematocrits, and MCV with MCH as well as MCH with MCHC. However, the negative correlation was observed between the hematological variables neutrophils and lymphocytes (r=-0.989). The common complaints we have found in the survey were weight loss 73.33%, attention problem 68%, dyspepsia 65%, decrease of appetite 72%, weakness 68%, diarrhea 65%, and headache 55% among IDA patients. ANOVA showed significant statistical difference in all the hematological and biochemical parameters. Analysis of variance test between anemias with only one of three biochemical parameters decreased and control showed that this group does not have iron deficiency.


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