Pig-hunting dogs are an at-risk population for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in eastern Australia

Brucella suis is a zoonotic disease of feral pigs that also affects pig hunting dogs, pig hunters, veterinarians and veterinary staff. In recent years the incidence of B. suis in the eastern Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) has increased. A cross-sectional study was conducted to document the seroprevalence, geographical extent and risk factors for B. suis in dogs at-risk of contracting the disease. Eligible dogs were those that were known to hunt or consume feral pig meat. Dogs were enrolled through private veterinary clinics and/or directly by District Veterinarians in six regions of NSW and QLD. Blood was collected by venepuncture and tested for B. suis antibodies using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by a Complement Fixation Test (CFT) if they returned a positive RBT. Owners were invited to complete a questionnaire on the dogs' signalment, husbandry including hunting practices and locations, and any clinical signs referable to brucellosis. Of the 317 dogs included in the prevalence survey, 21 were seropositive returning a survey-adjusted true seroprevalence of 9.3 (95% CI 0.45 to 18) B. suis positive dogs per 100 dogs at-risk. True seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 24 B. suis positive dogs per 100 across eastern Australia, with the highest prevalence in central west NSW and southern QLD. Adjusted for other factors, dogs that shared a household with other seropositive dogs and those that traveled away from their home regions to hunt were more likely to be seropositive. Clinical signs at presentation were not predictive of serostatus, with seropositive and seronegative dogs equally likely to present with signs consistent with brucellosis. The results obtained from this study show that B. suis exposure is relatively common in dogs that have contact with feral pigs, with one in 10 testing seropositive. Further studies are needed to understand the progression and risk of transmission from seropositive dogs.

Download Full-text

Ultrastructure of neuromuscular relationships in the canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis)

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100143018 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 278-279

Author(s):

W. L. Steffens ◽

Nancy B. Roberts ◽

J. M. Bowen

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Domestic Dogs ◽

Structural Description ◽

Pharmacological Effects ◽

Free Living ◽

Canine Heartworm ◽

The World ◽

Synaptic Region ◽

Muscle Innervation ◽

Insight Into

The canine heartworm is a common and serious nematode parasite of domestic dogs in many parts of the world. Although nematode neuroanatomy is fairly well documented, the emphasis has been on sensory anatomy and primarily in free-living soil species and ascarids. Lee and Miller reported on the muscular anatomy in the heartworm, but provided little insight into the peripheral nervous system or myoneural relationships. The classical fine-structural description of nematode muscle innervation is Rosenbluth's earlier work in Ascaris. Since the pharmacological effects of some nematacides currently being developed are neuromuscular in nature, a better understanding of heartworm myoneural anatomy, particularly in reference to the synaptic region is warranted.

Download Full-text

Towards Polio Eradication in Nigeria: Identifying at Risk Population for Low Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) Uptake

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.137.supplement_3.389a ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 137 (Supplement 3) ◽

pp. 389A-389A

Author(s):

Oluyemisi O. Falope ◽

Korede K. Adegoke ◽

Chukwudi O. Ejiofor ◽

Nnadozie C. Emechebe ◽

Taiwo O Talabi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Oral Polio Vaccine ◽

Polio Eradication ◽

Risk Population ◽

Polio Vaccine

Download Full-text

Breast Cancer Screening:Are ‘At Risk Population’ Known by Public Health Nurse Practitioners?

Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development ◽

10.37506/v11/i2/2020/ijphrd/194853 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 501

Author(s):

G. M. Venkatesh ◽

Anon Anon

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Breast Cancer ◽

At Risk ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Public Health Nurse ◽

Risk Population ◽

Health Nurse

Download Full-text

Influenza vaccination during the coronavirus pandemic: intention to vaccinate among the at-risk population in the Central Catalonia Health Region (VAGCOVID)

BMC Family Practice ◽

10.1186/s12875-021-01434-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Bonet-Esteve ◽

Raquel Muñoz-Miralles ◽

Carla Gonzalez-Claramunt ◽

Ana M Rufas ◽

Xavier Pelegrin Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Risk Population ◽

Previous Season ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background Influenza is a major public health issue, with the primary preventive measure being an annual influenza vaccination. Nevertheless, vaccination coverage among the at-risk population is low. Our understanding of the behaviour of the influenza virus during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is limited, meaning influenza vaccination is still recommended for individuals at risk for severe complications due to influenza infection. The aim of the study is to determine the intention to vaccinate against seasonal influenza among the at-risk population in the 2020-21 campaign during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to analyse the factors which influence such intention. Methods Cross-sectional telephone survey of adults (aged over 18) with risk factors in central Catalonia where the need for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (SIV) was recommended. Results A total of 434 participants responded to the survey, 43.3% of whom intended to be vaccinated against influenza for the 2020-2021 influenza season, 40.8% had no intention to be vaccinated and 15.9% were uncertain or did not express their opinion. The intention to get vaccinated against influenza is associated with having dependents, the individual’s perception of the risk of being infected with influenza and the perceived risk of transmission to dependents. It is also associated with age, whether the individual had received influenza vaccine the previous season or any other season before. The best predictors of the intention to vaccinate are the individual’s perception of the risk of catching influenza and whether the individual had been vaccinated in the previous season. Conclusions Intention to vaccinate can be a good predictor of individual behaviour in relation to vaccination. During the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic many individuals are hesitant to influenza vaccination. In order to improve influenza vaccination coverage in people included in risk groups, it is necessary to promote educational actions, especially among those who express doubts.

Download Full-text

Is canine heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis ) endemic to South Australia?

Australian Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1111/avj.12814 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 97 (6) ◽

pp. 191-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

EJ Dearsley ◽

RM O’Handley ◽

CGB Caraguel

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

South Australia ◽

Canine Heartworm

Download Full-text

Assessing COVID-19 susceptibility through analysis of the genetic and epigenetic diversity of ACE2-mediated SARS-CoV-2 entry

Pharmacogenomics ◽

10.2217/pgs-2020-0092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (18) ◽

pp. 1311-1329

Author(s):

Georgia Ragia ◽

Vangelis G Manolopoulos

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Genetic Factors ◽

Genetic Data ◽

Disease Course ◽

Risk Population ◽

Epigenetic Diversity

There is considerable variation in disease course among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Many of them do not exhibit any symptoms, while some others proceed to develop COVID-19; however, severity of COVID-19 symptoms greatly differs among individuals. Focusing on the early events related to SARS-CoV-2 entry to cells through the ACE2 pathway, we describe how variability in (epi)genetic factors can conceivably explain variability in disease course. We specifically focus on variations in ACE2, TMPRSS2 and FURIN genes, as central components for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and on other molecules that modulate their expression such as CALM, ADAM-17, AR and ESRs. We propose a genetic classifier for predicting SARS-CoV-2 infectivity potential as a preliminary tool for identifying the at-risk-population. This tool can serve as a dynamic scaffold being updated and adapted to validated (epi)genetic data. Overall, the proposed approach holds potential for better personalization of COVID-19 handling.

Download Full-text