scholarly journals A comprehensive survey of the prevalence and spatial distribution of ticks infesting cattle in different agro-ecological zones of Cameroon

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barberine A. Silatsa ◽  
Gustave Simo ◽  
Naftaly Githaka ◽  
Stephen Mwaura ◽  
Rolin M. Kamga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
African Region ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Cattle Ticks ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a major impediment to livestock production worldwide. Cattle trade and transnational transhumance create risks for the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases and threaten cattle production in the absence of an effective tick control program. Few studies have been undertaken on cattle ticks in the Central African region; therefore, the need to assess the occurrence and the spatial distribution of tick vectors with the aim of establishing a baseline for monitoring future spread of tick borne-diseases in the region is urgent. Results A total of 7091 ixodid ticks were collected during a countrywide cross-sectional field survey and identified using morphological criteria. Of these, 4210 (59.4%) ticks were Amblyomma variegatum, 1112 (15.6%) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, 708 (10.0%) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, 28 (0.4%) Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, 210 (3.0%) Hyalomma rufipes, 768 (10.8%) Hyalomma truncatum, and 19 (0.3%) Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Three ticks of the genus Hyalomma spp. and 33 of the genus Rhipicephalus spp. were not identified to the species level. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene sequencing supported the data from morphological examination and led to identification of three additional species, namely Hyalomma dromedarii, Rhipicephalus sulcatus and Rhipicephalus pusillus. The finding of the invasive tick species R. microplus in such large numbers and the apparent displacement of the indigenous R. decoloratus is highly significant since R. microplus is a highly efficient vector of Babesia bovis. Conclusions This study reports the occurrence and current geographical distribution of important tick vectors associated with cattle in Cameroon. It appears that R. microplus is now well established and may be displacing native Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) species, such as R. decoloratus. This calls for an urgent response to safeguard the livestock sector in western central Africa.

scholarly journals The First Investigation of Tick Vectors and Tick-Borne Diseases in Extensively Managed Cattle in Alle District, Southwestern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Asrat Solomon ◽  
Bereket Molla Tanga
Keyword(s):  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Veterinary Service ◽  
Southwestern Ethiopia ◽  
Tick Vectors

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to February 2020 with the objective of identifying ixodid ticks and haemoparasites, in extensively managed livestock, in Alle district, Southwestern Ethiopia. The study area is assumed to be free from ticks, and there had been no diagnostic and treatment options for tick-borne diseases. Among 384 heads of cattle examined for tick infestation and haemoparasites, 139 (36.19%) were infested with one or more tick species and 25 (6.51%) were haemoparasitised. Two genera of ticks, Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus formerly (Boophilus), and four species (Amblyomma variegatum, Amblyomma lepidum, Rhipicephalus microplus, and Rhipicephalus annulatus) were identified. The haemoparasite identified was Babesia bovis. Among the risk factors, body condition score and season of the year were found to be significantly associated with tick infestation with x2 = 9.919, p > 0.05 and x2 = 6.216, p > 0.05 , respectively, at 95% CI. Tick infestation was found to be significantly associated with haemoparasitemia with x2 = 22.2 and p > 0.05 , at 95% CI. The finding of the current study is an alarm ring, as the veterinary service had been not considering any haemoparasitemia in the potential list of differential diagnosis and no treatment inputs have been availed for that purpose. Thus, it is recommended that the veterinary service delivery system in the area should take haemoparasites diagnosis and avail treatment alternatives, particularly tick-borne diseases. Furthermore, there should be a strategical approach in controlling tick-borne diseases in the area before the tick-borne diseases get prevalent and where the control after high prevalence could not be easy in extensive livestock management.

Tick Borne Viruses

2021 ◽  
pp. 311-328
Author(s):  
Moses Okoth Olum ◽  
Michael Kiraithe Muthamia
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Direct Transmission ◽  
Tick Feeding ◽  
Animal Blood ◽  
Tick Saliva ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Cattle Ticks ◽  
Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Tick Vectors

Nairobi sheep disease virus (NSDV) is a one of the viruses transmitted by tick vectors and causes Nairobi sheep disease (NSD) – a disease of small ruminants. The disease was first identified as a problem in sheep and goats in Kenya in 1910. The virus belongs to the genus Nairovirus and family Bunyaviridae. An equally pathogenic variant of NSDV is Ganjam virus, which is found in India and Sri Lanka. Both viruses are closely related to the human pathogen Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a fever transmitted through infected tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. Other members of the genus include Dugbe virus, Hazara virus, and Kupe virus, isolated from cattle ticks in East Africa. The virus is spread by hard (Ixodid) ticks and appears to be dependent on the tick vector for dissemination, with no direct transmission between animals. The transmission of tick-borne viruses (TBV) occurs primarily during tick feeding and is a complex process, known to be promoted by tick saliva constituents.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic Affects the Medical Students’ Learning Process and Assaults Their Psychological Wellbeing

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5792
Author(s):  
Marium Aftab ◽  
Alsaleem Mohammed Abadi ◽  
Shamsun Nahar ◽  
Razia Aftab Ahmed ◽  
Syed Esam Mahmood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Learning Difficulties ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
African Region ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are living within a milieu of stress, anxiety, and fear. Medical students are susceptible to these emotional injuries, but their psychological wellbeing and learning may further be assaulted by future uncertainties and altered teaching and training programs. Our objective was to find the extent of the psychological impact of the pandemic and the learning difficulties they are experiencing; Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 418 undergraduate and postgraduate medical students from all over the world. A questionnaire was uploaded in Google survey form. It included background characteristics, questions for psychiatric impact like PHQ-9, GAD-7, ZF-OCS, and questions for learning difficulties perceived in comparison to the pre-pandemic time. Results: Among participants, 34.9% of students were male and 65.1% female. Around 46.4% belonged to the WHO, Eastern Mediterranean region, 26.8% from South East Asia region, 17.5% from the region of America, 5.5% from the European region,2.2%from the Western Pacific region, and 1.7% from the African region. Symptoms due to psychiatric illness were noticed in 393 (93.1%); depression in 386 (92.3%), anxiety in 158 (37.8%), obsessive compulsion disorder in 225 (53.8%), and post-traumatic stress syndrome in 129 (39.9%). Female gender, geographical region, and history of previous psychiatric illness were significantly related to almost all the psychiatric illnesses. Regarding learning difficulty, 96% of students faced problems: trouble with memorizing in 54.0%, concentration problems in 67.0%, about 55.5% of students made more mistakes, while 44.5% noted an increase in reaction time for solving questions. In addition, 90% experienced greater difficulty in overall learning during the pandemic in comparison to the pre-pandemic time. Conclusion: Assault on psychological wellbeing, struggling to memorize, inattention and difficulty in concentration on studies, along with perceived overall trouble with learning, have emerged as collateral damage from the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to medical students.

scholarly journals Enteroparasitosis in patients attended by the health public service: epidemiology and spatial distribution

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 34764
Author(s):  
Andressa Barros Ibiapina ◽  
Janaína Soares Leal ◽  
Pedro Ricardo Alves de Santana ◽  
Marcelo Ribeiro Mesquita ◽  
Tito Lívio da Cunha Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intestinal Parasitosis ◽  
The City

AIMS: This research aims to determine the epidemiology and the spatial distribution of intestinal parasitosis in the city of Teresina.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on the data of parasitological fecal exams performed in the Laboratory Raul Bacelar between January, 2014 and July, 2017. In addition to the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and polyparasitism, we verified the association of these diseases with gender, zone and period of the year by means of the chi-squared test, whereas the relation with age was analyzed by the Mann-Kendall tests and multiple comparisons of age classes. The spatial distribution was performed using the QGIS georeferencing software.RESULTS: The prevalence of enteroparasitosis in Teresina is 17,8% with Ascaris lumbricoides being the most common species, due to the precarious sanitary conditions of the city. The prevalence of individuals with polyparasitism is 3,13%, in which an association between the species Entamoeba coli and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was found. There was no relation between intestinal parasitosis with gender, but we verified that individuals in rural areas are more susceptible to these diseases. The species Ascaris lumbricoides and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar occur more frequently in the first and second semester, respectively. We observed that there is an apparent tendency to increase cases of E. histolytica/dispar and reduction of cases of Giardia sp. according to aging. Mapping intestinal parasitosis showed us that there is a prevalence between one and 20% in most of Teresina's neighborhoods, and Ascariasis embodies at least 40% of cases of enteroparasitosis in these neighborhoods.CONCLUSIONS: Investments in basic sanitation and new epidemiological investigations must be carried out to control intestinal parasitosis in Teresina, emphasizing that children and the elderly should be considered priority groups in these programs.

scholarly journals Perceived Stress at Work and Associated Factors among E-Waste Workers in French-Speaking West Africa

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 851
Author(s):  
Nonvignon Marius Kêdoté ◽  
Ghislain Emmanuel Sopoh ◽  
Steve Biko Tobada ◽  
Aymeric Joaquin Darboux ◽  
Pérince Fonton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
African Region ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
Stress At Work

Perceived stress at work is an important risk factor that affects the mental and physical health of workers. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with perceived stress in the informal electronic and electrical equipment waste processing sector in French-speaking West Africa. From 14 to 21 November 2019, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among e-waste workers in five countries in the French-speaking West African region, and participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Participants were interviewed on socio-demographic variables and characteristics related to e-waste management activities using a questionnaire incorporating Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (10-item version). Factors associated with perceived stress were determined by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 740 e-waste workers were interviewed. The mean age of the workers was 34.59 ± 11.65 years, with extremes of 14 and 74 years. Most of the interviewees were repairers (43.11%). The prevalence of perceived stress among the e-waste workers was 76.76%. Insufficient income, number of working days per week, perceived violence at work, and the interference of work with family responsibilities or leisure were the risk factors that were the most associated with perceived stress. The high prevalence of perceived stress and its associated factors call for consideration and improvement of the working conditions of e-waste workers.

scholarly journals Spatial Distribution of Breast Cancer in Sudan 2010-2016

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Maweya Abdelbagi Elbasheer ◽  
Ayah Galal Abdelrahman Alkhidir ◽  
Siham Mohammed Awad Mohammed ◽  
Areej Abuelgasim Hassan Abbas ◽  
Aisha Osman Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Histopathological Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Risk Areas

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among females worldwide including Sudan. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of breast cancer in Sudan.Materials and methodsA facility based cross-sectional study was implemented in eighteen histopathology laboratories distributed in the three localities of Khartoum State on a sample of 4630 Breast Cancer cases diagnosed during the period 2010-2016. A master database was developed through Epi Info™ 7.1.5.2 for computerizing the data collected: the facility name, type (public or private), and its geo- location (latitude and longitude). Personal data on patients were extracted from their respective medical records (name, age, marital status, ethnic group, State, locality, administrative unit, permanent address and phone number, histopathology diagnosis). The data was summarized through SPSS to generate frequency tables for estimating prevalence and the geographical information system (ArcGIS 10.3) was used to generate the epidemiological distribution maps. ArcGIS 10.3 spatial analysis features were used to develop risk maps based on the kriging method.ResultsBreast cancer prevalence was 3.9 cases per 100,000 female populations. Of the 4423 cases of breast cancer, invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (NST) was the most frequent (79.5%, 3517/4423) histopathological diagnosis. The spatial analysis indicated as high risk areas for breast cancer in Sudan the States of Nile River, Northern, Red Sea, White Nile, Northern and Southern Kordofan.ConclusionsThe attempt to develop a predictive map of breast cancer in Sudan revealed three levels of risk areas (risk, intermediate and high risk areas); regardless the risk level, appropriate preventive and curative health interventions with full support from decision makers are urgently needed.

scholarly journals Molecular survey of cattle ticks in Burundi: First report on the presence of the invasive Rhipicephalus microplus tick

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261218
Author(s):  
Lionel Nyabongo ◽  
David O. Odongo ◽  
Gad Milton ◽  
Eunice Machuka ◽  
Patrick Vudriko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus ◽  
Rhipicephalus Microplus ◽  
Babesia Bovis ◽  
12S Rrna ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Babesia Bigemina ◽  
Cattle Ticks ◽  
Agroecological Zones

A recent research study on prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in Burundi reported high prevalence and endemicity of Theileria parva, Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina infections in cattle. Detailed information about tick species infesting animals, their distribution and genetic diversity in Burundi is outdated and limited. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and genetic diversity of tick species infesting cattle across agroecological zones (AEZs) in Burundi. A cross-sectional study on the occurrence of tick species was conducted in 24 districts of Burundi between October and December 2017. Differential identification and characterization of ticks collected was conducted using tick morphological keys and molecular tools (cox1 and 12S rRNA gene). Chi-square test was used to test for association between agroecological zones and the prevalence of tick species. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using bayesian and maximum likelihood algorithms. A total of 483 ticks were collected from the five AEZs sampled. Six tick species comprising of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, R. sanguineus, R. evertsi evertsi, R. microplus, R. decoloratus and Amblyomma variegatum were observed. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were the most prevalent ticks (~45%). A total of 138 specimens (28%) were found to be Rhipicephalus microplus, suggesting an emerging threat for cattle farmers. Twelve R. appendiculatus cox1 haplotypes were obtained from 106 specimens that were sequenced. Two cox1 haplotypes of R. microplus which clustered into previously reported Clade A were observed. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and R. evertsi evertsi ticks, the vectors of numerous zoonotic pathogens, were collected from cattle, which constitute a high risk for public health. These findings reveal an overlapping distribution of tick vectors in Burundi. The design of ticks and tick-borne diseases control strategies should consider the distribution of different vectors across the AEZs particularly the presence of the highly invasive R. microplus tick in Burundi and the potential risk of introducing the pathogenic Babesia bovis.

scholarly journals SEMEN pH;

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 234-241
Author(s):  
HENRY. A. MWAKYOMA ◽  
ERICK. P. MAGOROSA
Keyword(s):  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Staining Technique ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Pathology Laboratory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World

Background: Male infertility is a frequent reproductive health problem in the world. It is usually related to abnormal spermproduction or function and these abnormalities can occur anywhere in the production of sperm including hormonal regulation, storage andtransport of sperm. Various factors are known to be responsible for seminal fluid abnormalities. Usually the first step in evaluating for maleinfertility is semen analysis. Setting: The study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital mainly in the department of Pathology laboratory,cytology unit. Study design: The study was a hospital based cross-sectional type. Objective: To determine semen pH in patients presenting withinfertility complains and relate how pH of seminal fluid and other semen parameters influence each other. Material and methods: Beforesemen collection, patients were instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse for a minimum of 48 hours to 7 days and collect semen bymasturbation and transport it to the laboratory through shirt pocket. Semen was to reach the laboratory for examination in not more than onehour from time of collection. Semen was examined macroscopically for volume, colour, viscosity and pH by using a pH meter (Consort C830)followed by microscopic examination which included motility of spermatozoa and sperm count by using Neuber counting chamber. The smearwas made on glass slides, fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol for 30 minutes then stained by using Papanicolaou’s staining technique and then analyzedmicroscopically for morphological examination. Results: In the analysis of the influence of semen parameters on semen pH, there wasdecrease in seminal fluid pH with age whereby as age increased the pH of seminal fluid decreased.. The general trend observed was that thepH of seminal fluid tended to decrease with an increase in the days of abstinence. pH tended to decrease with an increase of seminal fluidvolume. The pH of seminal fluid also increased with an increase in viscosity (Hyperviscosity >Hypoviscosity). The pH of seminal fluid in patientswith less than 50% forward progressive movement of spermatozoa was higher when compared to those with more than 50% forwardprogressive movement. pH had an influence on the motility of spermatozoa. Conclusions and recommendation: pH and other parameterstended to have an influence each other during seminal analysis in our study. There is a variation of pH in different parts of the World according tothe studies done. It is recommended that pH should be included during seminal analysis because our study has shown that it affects most of theseminal fluid parameters in and contribute to the problem of infertility.

scholarly journals Survey of ophthalmologists-in-training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa: A regional focus on ophthalmic surgical education

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
William Dean ◽  
Stephen Gichuhi ◽  
John Buchan ◽  
Ibrahim Matende ◽  
Ronnie Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Training ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Surgical Education ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Region ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Small Incision Cataract Surgery ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recent Graduates

Background: There are 2.7 ophthalmologists per million population in sub-Saharan Africa, and a need to train more. We sought to analyse current surgical training practice and experience of ophthalmologists to inform planning of training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. Potential participants included all current trainee and recent graduate ophthalmologists in the Eastern, Central and Southern African region. A link to a web-based questionnaire was sent to all heads of eye departments and training programme directors of ophthalmology training institutions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, who forwarded to all their trainees and recent graduates. Main outcome measures were quantitative and qualitative survey responses. Results: Responses were obtained from 124 (52%) trainees in the region. Overall level of satisfaction with ophthalmology training programmes was rated as ‘somewhat satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ by 72%. Most frequent intended career choice was general ophthalmology, with >75% planning to work in their home country post-graduation. A quarter stated a desire to mainly work in private practice. Only 28% of junior (first and second year) trainees felt surgically confident in manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS); this increased to 84% among senior trainees and recent graduates. The median number of cataract surgeries performed by junior trainees was zero. 57% of senior trainees were confident in performing an anterior vitrectomy. Only 29% of senior trainees and 64% of recent graduates were confident in trabeculectomy. The mean number of cataract procedures performed by senior trainees was 84 SICS (median 58) and 101 phacoemulsification (median 0). Conclusion: Satisfaction with post-graduate ophthalmology training in the region was fair. Most junior trainees experience limited cataract surgical training in the first two years. Focused efforts on certain aspects of surgical education should be made to ensure adequate opportunities are offered earlier on in ophthalmology training.

Evaluation of two artificial infection methods of live ticks as tools for studying interactions between tick-borne viruses and their tick vectors

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Victoire Migné ◽  
Vaclav Hönig ◽  
Sarah Irène Bonnet ◽  
Martin Palus ◽  
Sabine Rakotobe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Artificial Feeding ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Control Methods ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Artificial Infection ◽  
Tick Borne Encephalitis ◽  
Transmission Cycles ◽  
Tick Vectors ◽  
Virus Interactions

AbstractUp to 170 tick-borne viruses (TBVs) have been identified to date. However, there is a paucity of information regarding TBVs and their interaction with respective vectors, limiting the development of new effective and urgently needed control methods. To overcome this gap of knowledge, it is essential to reproduce transmission cycles under controlled laboratory conditions. In this study we assessed an artificial feeding system (AFS) and an immersion technique (IT) to infect Ixodes ricinus ticks with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Kemerovo (KEM) virus, both known to be transmitted predominantly by ixodid ticks. Both methods permitted TBEV acquisition by ticks and we further confirmed virus trans-stadial transmission and onward transmission to a vertebrate host. However, only artificial feeding system allowed to demonstrate both acquisition by ticks and trans-stadial transmission for KEMV. Yet we did not observe transmission of KEMV to mice (IFNAR−/− or BALB/c). Artificial infection methods of ticks are important tools to study tick-virus interactions. When optimally used under laboratory settings, they provide important insights into tick-borne virus transmission cycles.

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