Molecular study of sapovirus in acute gastroenteritis in children: a cross-sectional study

Background: Sapovirus has emerged as a viral cause of acute gastroenteritis. However, there are insufficient data about the presence of this virus among children with acute gastroenteritis. The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of sapovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods: A cross-sectional study enrolled 100 children patients with acute gastroenteritis from outpatient clinics with excluded bacterial pathogens and parasitic infestation. A stool sample was collected from each child for laboratory examination. Each stool sample was subjected to study by direct microscopic examination, study for rotavirus by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and the remaining sample was subjected to RNA extraction and RT- PCR for sapovirus. Results: The most frequently detected virus was rotavirus by ELISA (25%). RT-PCR detected sapovirus in 7% of the stool samples. The children with sapovirus were all from rural regions and presented mainly during the winter season in Egypt (42.9%). The main presenting symptoms were fever (71.4%) and vomiting (57.1%). None of the children with sapovirus had dehydration. Rotavirus was significantly associated with sapovirus infections in 5 patients (71.4%, P=0.01). There was an insignificant difference between symptoms of gastroenteritis in children with sapovirus and children with gastroenteritis without sapovirus as regards vomiting (P=0.7), fever (P=0.46), and abdominal pain (P=0.69). Conclusion: The present study highlights the emergence of sapovirus as a frequent pathogen associated with acute gastroenteritis in children. There is a need for a national survey program for the study of sapovirus among other pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis for better management of such infection.

Download Full-text

Molecular Detection of Sapovirus in Children Under Five Years with Acute Gastroenteritis in Mansoura, Egypt between January 2019 and February 2020

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.29991.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Maysaa El Sayed Zaki ◽

Raghdaa Shrief ◽

Rasha H. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Acute Gastroenteritis ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Winter Season ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Culture Methods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Presenting Symptoms ◽

Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽

Immune Assays

Background: Sapovirus has emerged as a viral cause of acute gastroenteritis. However, there is limited data on sapovirus in Egypt. . The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of sapovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis <5 years in Mansoura, Egypt from January 2019 to February 2020 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled a 100 children <5 years who presented with acute gastroenteritis at an outpatient clinic in Mansoura, Egypt between January 2019 and February 2020. Clinical data, demographic data and a stool sample was collected from each child. Stools were screened by microscopy for parasites and culture methods for bacteria and excluded from the study if positive for either. Specimens were also screened for rotavirus by enzyme immune assays (EIA) and sapovirus by reverse transcription PCR. Results: The most frequently detected virus was rotavirus by ELISA 25% (25/100). RT-PCR detected sapovirus in 7% (7/100) of the stool samples. The children with sapovirus were all from rural regions and presented mainly during the winter season in Egypt 42.9% (3/7). The main presenting symptoms were fever 71.4% (5/7) and vomiting 57.1% (4/7). None of the children with sapovirus had dehydration. Rotavirus was significantly associated with sapovirus infections in five samples (5/7) , 71.4%, P=0.01. Conclusion: The present study highlights the emergence of sapovirus as a frequent pathogen associated with acute gastroenteritis in children. There is a need for a national survey program for the study of sapovirus among other pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis for better management of such infection.

Download Full-text

Molecular Detection of Sapovirus in Children Under Five Years with Acute Gastroenteritis in Mansoura, Egypt between January 2019 and February 2020

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.29991.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 123

Author(s):

Maysaa El Sayed Zaki ◽

Raghdaa Shrief ◽

Rasha H. Hassan

Keyword(s):

Acute Gastroenteritis ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Winter Season ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Culture Methods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Presenting Symptoms ◽

Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽

Immune Assays

Background: Sapovirus has emerged as a viral cause of acute gastroenteritis. However, there is limited data on sapovirus in Egypt. . The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of sapovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis <5 years in Mansoura, Egypt from January 2019 to February 2020 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled a 100 children <5 years who presented with acute gastroenteritis at an outpatient clinic in Mansoura, Egypt between January 2019 and February 2020. Clinical data, demographic data and a stool sample was collected from each child. Stools were screened by microscopy for parasites and culture methods for bacteria and excluded from the study if positive for either. Specimens were also screened for rotavirus by enzyme immune assays (EIA) and sapovirus by reverse transcription PCR. Results: The most frequently detected virus was rotavirus by ELISA 25% (25/100). RT-PCR detected sapovirus in 7% (7/100) of the stool samples. The children with sapovirus were all from rural regions and presented mainly during the winter season in Egypt 42.9% (3/7). The main presenting symptoms were fever 71.4% (5/7) and vomiting 57.1% (4/7). None of the children with sapovirus had dehydration. Rotavirus was significantly associated with sapovirus infections in five samples (5/7) , 71.4%, P=0.01. Conclusion: The present study highlights the emergence of sapovirus as a frequent pathogen associated with acute gastroenteritis in children. There is a need for a national survey program for the study of sapovirus among other pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis for better management of such infection.

Download Full-text

Cost of pediatric hospitalizations in Burkina Faso: A cross-sectional study of children aged <5 years enrolled through an acute gastroenteritis surveillance program

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.08.028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (42) ◽

pp. 6517-6523

Author(s):

Negar Aliabadi ◽

Isidore Juste O. Bonkoungou ◽

Talia Pindyck ◽

Moumouni Nikièma ◽

Eyal Leshem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Acute Gastroenteritis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Download Full-text

Sources of psychological distress among primary care physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave in Spain: a cross-sectional study

Primary Health Care Research & Development ◽

10.1017/s1463423621000566 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Cebrián-Cuenca ◽

José Joaquín Mira ◽

Elena Caride-Miana ◽

Antonio Fernández-Jiménez ◽

Domingo Orozco-Beltrán

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protective Measures

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people worldwide. In Spain, the first wave was especially severe. Objectives: This study aimed to identify sources and levels of distress among Spanish primary care physicians (PCPs) during the first wave of the pandemic (April 2020). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey that included sociodemographic data, a description of working conditions related to distress [such as gaps in training in protective measures, cleaning, and hygiene procedures in work setting, unavailability of personal protective equipments (PPEs) and COVID-19 RT-PCR test, and lack of staff due to be infected] and a validated scale, the ‘Self-applied Acute Stress Scale’ (EASE). The survey was answered by a non-probability sampling of PCPs working in family healthcare centres from different regions of Spain. Analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed. Results: In all, out of 518 PCP participants, 123 (23.7%) obtained high psychological distress scores. Only half of them had received information about the appropriate use of PPE. PCP characteristics associated with higher levels of distress include female gender [1.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54, 2.84]; lack of training in protective measures (1.96; 95% CI 0.94, 2.99); unavailable COVID-19 RT-PCR for health care workers after quarantine or COVID-19 treatment (−0.77 (−1.52, −0.02). Reinforcing disinfection of the work environment (P < 0.05), availability of PPEs (P < 0.05), and no healthcare professional was infected (P < 0.05) were related to the lowest distress score. Conclusions: A better understanding of the sources of distress among PCPs could prevent its effect on future outbreaks.

Download Full-text

Immunological and molecular detection of rotavirus genotype in calves with gastroenteritis in Diyala-Iraq

10.53346/wjbpr.2021.1.1.0013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 001-013

Author(s):

Ammar Talib Nasser ◽

Abdulrazak Shafiq Hasan ◽

Amer Khazaal Saleh ◽

Mohammad Kassem Saleh

Keyword(s):

Molecular Detection ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽

Group A ◽

Stool Antigen ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Age Range

Aim: To explore the prevalence of rotavirus infection along with the molecular detection and genotyping of group A rotavirus (RVA) among bovine calves up to 5 months old in Diyala province-Iraq. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in Diyala province-Iraq during the period of 2019-2020. One hundred bovine calves with age range of 1-5 months were included in the study. All were suffering acute gastroenteritis. Serum anti-rotavirus IgM and IgG plus fecal rotavirus Ag were tested for using ELISA techniques. Stool samples positive for rotavirus Ag were submitted for reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for G and P genes, followed by sequencing and genotyping thereafter. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25 and P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The positivity rate of anti-rotavirus IgM was 80% (P = 0.0001), and that of anti-rotavirus IgG was 79% (P = 0.0001). The rotavirus stool antigen was detected in 68% of calves (P = 0.01). A total of 45 stool samples which were positive for rotavirus Ag were submitted for RT-PCR; 13 (28.9%) were positive and 32 (71.1%) were negative (P = 0.084). 10 PCR positive samples were used for sequencing and genotyping and indicated that all investigated strains belonged to G1P[8] genotype. Conclusion: The current strains analyzed belonged to the G1P[8] RVA genotypes, affirming that employment of VP7 gene polymorphism accurately yielded uniform phylogenetic distances amongst investigated rotavirus strains and that there were no noticeable assortment events between human and animal rotavirus strains in Diyala province.

Download Full-text

FACTORS AFFECTING DELAY IN DIAGNOSIS OF COLORECTAL CANCER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY; FROM TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF KARACHI PAKISTAN

10.22541/au.161894113.38241511/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rubab Nafees Ahmed ◽

Lajpat Rai ◽

Khursheed Ahmed Samo ◽

Summaya Saeed ◽

Ammara Salam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Control Program ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diagnosis Delay ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Delay In Diagnosis ◽

Presenting Symptoms ◽

Keywords Colorectal Cancer

Background: CRC incidence is increasing in our region. There is no specific CRC control program or national cancer registry in Pakistan. Previously no data has been published on presentation and diagnosis delay of CRC in our region. This study is conducted to determine the factor affecting delay in presentation and diagnosis and to provide baseline information to launch a CRC control program. Primary objective is to determine factor causing delay in diagnosis of CRC. Secondary objective is to evaluate relationship between tumor site and stage of CRC with presenting symptoms and symptom duration. Methods: This project is a prospective cross-sectional study on 113 biopsy-proven CRC patients admitted to the surgical ward of civil hospital Karachi. Results: A total number of participants was 113. Presentation delay was observed in 83.2% of patients. The main reasons for a reported delay in the presentation were lack of patients’ knowledge that these symptoms may be cancer (60.4%), the wrong diagnosis by the primary physician (34.6%), or the patient didn’t want to visit the doctor (0.04%). Most tumors (95%) originated from the sigmoid and rectum. 38.9% and 44.2% of the patients diagnosed at Stage 4 and 3 respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed that CRC patients in Pakistan are facing delays in presentation and diagnosis. This is the reason behind diagnosis at the advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Based on this study findings CRC control program should be introduced to detect CRC at an early stage. Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Colon, Rectum, Cancer, Presentation delay, Diagnosis delay.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of nine serological rapid tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública ◽

10.26633/rpsp.2020.149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Marcela Mercado ◽

Jeadran Malagón-Rojas ◽

Gabriela Delgado ◽

Vivian Vanesa Rubio ◽

Lida Muñoz Galindo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Study Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Diagnostic Aid ◽

Rapid Tests

Objective. To evaluate the operative capacity of nine serological rapid tests to detect the IgM/IgG antibodies response in serum from patients with SARS-CoV-2 in different clinical stages. Methods. A cross-sectional study of serological rapid tests was designed to compare the performance of the evaluated immunochromatographic tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 293 samples was used, including negatives, asymptomatic, and symptomatic serum samples. Results. The sensitivity of the evaluated tests was low and moderate in the groups of asymptomatic serum samples and the group of serums coming from patients with less than 11 days since the onset of the symptoms. The specificity for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies tests ranged between 86.5%-99% for IgM and 86.5%-99.5% for IgG. The sensitivity and the likelihood ratio were different according to the study groups. The usefulness of these tests is restricted to symptomatic patients and their sensitivity is greater than 85% after 11 days from the appearance of symptoms. Conclusions. Serological tests are not an adequate strategy for the identification of asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients. Serological rapid tests for the detection of specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be used as a diagnostic aid, but diagnosis must be confirmed by RT-PCR. Rapid tests should be reserved for patients with symptoms lasting more than 11 days.

Download Full-text

Comparison between CT and RT-PCR in a cohort of symptomatic patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia during the outbreak peak in Italy

10.21203/rs.3.rs-26275/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Giulia Besutti ◽

Paolo Giorgi Rossi ◽

Valentina Iotti ◽

Lucia Spaggiari ◽

Riccardo Bonacini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Ground Glass ◽

Reference Standard ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Oxygen Saturation Level ◽

Blood Tests ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Italian Cohort

Abstract Objective: To assess sensitivity and specificity of CT vs RT-PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia in a prospective Italian cohort of symptomatic patients during the outbreak peak.Methods: In this cross-sectional study we included all consecutive patients who presented to the ER between March 13th and 23rd for suspected COVID-19 and underwent both CT and RT-PCR within 3 days. Using a structured report, radiologists prospectively classified CTs in highly suggestive, suggestive, and non-suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonia. Ground-glass, consolidation, and visual extension of parenchymal changes were collected. Three different RT-PCR-based reference standard definitions were used. Oxygen saturation level, CRP, LDH, and blood cell counts were collected and compared between CT/RT-PCR classes.Results: The study included 696 patients (41.4% women; age 59±15.8 years): 423/454 (93%) patients with highly suggestive CT, 97/127 (76%) with suggestive CT, and 31/115 (27%) with non-suggestive CT had positive RT-PCR. CT sensitivity ranged from 73% to 77% and from 90% to 94% for high and low positivity threshold, respectively. Specificity ranged from 79% to 84% for high positivity threshold and was about 58% for low positivity threshold. PPV remained ≥90% in all cases. Ground-glass was more frequent in patients with positive RT-PCR in all CT classes. Blood tests were significantly associated with RT-PCR and CT classes. Leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and platelets decreased, CRP and LDH increased from non-suggestive to suggestive CT classes.Conclusions: During the outbreak peak, CT presented high PPV and may be considered a good reference to recognize COVID-19 patients while waiting for RT-PCR confirmation.

Download Full-text

Patient delay and associated factors among tuberculosis patients in Gamo zone public health facilities, Southern Ethiopia: An institution-based cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255327 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0255327

Author(s):

Asrat Arja ◽

Wanzahun Godana ◽

Hadiya Hassen ◽

Biruk Bogale

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Patient Delay ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Public Healthcare ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tuberculosis Patients ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Presenting Symptoms

Background Delayed tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment increase morbidity, mortality, expenditure, and transmission in the community. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are essential for effective TB control. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with patient delay among tuberculosis patients in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia from February to April 2019. Fifteen health facilities of the study area were selected randomly and 255 TB patients who were ≥18 years of age were included. Data were collected using a questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Patient delay was analyzed using the median as the cut-off value. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with patient delay. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 with 95% CI was considered to declare a statistically significant association. Results The median (inter-quartile range) of the patient delay was 30 (15–60) days. About 56.9% of patients had prolonged patients’ delay. Patient whose first contact were informal provider (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29, 3.86), presenting with weight loss (AOR: 2.53; 95%CI: 1.35, 4.74) and fatigue (AOR: 2.38; 95%CI: 1.36, 4.17) and body mass index (BMI) categories of underweight (AOR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.01, 3.00) were independently associated with increased odds of patient delay. However, having good knowledge about TB (AOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.76) significantly reduce patients’ delay. Conclusion In this study, a significant proportion of patients experienced more than the acceptable level for the patient delay. Knowledge about TB, the first action to illness, presenting symptoms, and BMI status were identified factors associated with patient delay. Hence, raising public awareness, regular training, and re-training of private and public healthcare providers, involving informal providers, and maintenance of a high index of suspicion for tuberculosis in the vulnerable population could reduce long delays in the management of TB.

Download Full-text