scholarly journals Some epidemiological and serological studies on schistosomiasis in Najran area, Saudi Arabia

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-179
Author(s):  
I. S. El-Shahawy ◽  
M. I. Khalil ◽  
A. S. Adail

SummarySchistosomiasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and has been estimated to infect over 200 million people. Diagnosis of schistosomiasis by detection of specific antibodies is likely to be more sensitive than the traditional method of diagnosis by detection of eggs in stool or urine. Therefore the present study was the first attempt to highlight the seroepidemiology of schistosomiasis among the general population of Najran City, southern of Saudi Arabia, as well as to achieve the performance of the diagnostic tests used. A total of 180 participants attending King Khaled hospital in Najran Province, Saudi Arabia, over a one year period, from September 2013 to September 2014 were screened for the presence of Schistosoma antibody in their blood serum using an indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA). Specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of the 180 samples of sera tested using IHA, 32 (20 %) were found to be positive with a titer ranging from 1:160 to 1:1280, while 42(23.2 %) revealed Schistosoma IgG. A positive relationship was found between the seroprevalence of schistosomiasis and age of tested participants, especially in the age group of 20-40 years old. Additionally, prevalence of infection was more in males (36 %) than females (7.5 %), and showed statistical significance (P < 0.001). Similarly, there was significant association between the presence of Schistosoma antibodies and the nationality of residence, and education of participants (P < 0.05). The current investigation reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of schistosomiasis among participants in Najran, southern region of Saudi Arabia and this supports an urgent need to re-evaluate the current control measures and implement an integrated, targeted and effective schistosomiasis control measures.

1990 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 428-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Felipe Gonçalves ◽  
Masanobu Tanabe ◽  
Francisco de Paula de Melo Medeiros ◽  
Fernando José Gonçalves ◽  
Ivanize da Silva Aca ◽  
...  

Parasitological examinations were carried out during July to December, 1989, on 485 inhabitants of four villages in São Lourenço da Mata, 25 km northwest of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Approximately 99.6% of the inhabitants were infected with at least one species of intestinal parasites. A high prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni (82.1%), hookworm (80.2%) Trichuris trichiura (69.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides (61.9%) and Entamoeba coli (36.7%) infections were demonstrated. Test tube cultivation revealed that the most common species of hookworm in this region was Necator americanus (88.4%), and also that the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis was 5.8%. Three hundred and thirty-four sera were serologically examined for amoebiasis by the gel diffusion precipitation test (GDP) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No positive reaction was observed in all sera as examined by GDP, while 24 sera were positive by ELISA.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 31-40
Author(s):  
Ozioma Forstinus Nwabor

The high prevalence of malaria in Africa has defiled many strategies aimed at its eradication. Researchers from various fields have tried without success in this fight against mosquito and its malaria disease. Annually billions of dollars are spent in the design of programs which are aimed at combating this dreaded disease. However all this spending seems to go down the drain as malaria and its vector mosquitoes celebrate their unflinching victory. Current control measures focusing on ways of preventing the disease vis-a-vis, protect man from the vectors “anopheline mosquito” are the mainstay of malaria prevention and control. Many of these control measures are operational with each contributing in its little way. The use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITN) and Indoor Residual Sprays (IRS) are well established strategies with global recognition and currently ongoing in Africa. However, as a result of shortcomings in these major control measures, new strategies with hopes of blissful success are been sought after. Larviciding (abortion of metamorphosis) and constant and adequate environmental sanitation seems to be the next option available for use. This article therefore takes a look at the vector-anopheline mosquito, its ecology, productivity and distribution. It also considers malaria and the various control and preventive measures currently targeted at its eradication.


2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Garcia ◽  
Cristina Sotomaior ◽  
Aguinaldo José do Nascimento ◽  
Italmar Teodorico Navarro ◽  
Vanete Thomaz Soccol

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan with wide geographical distribution and minimal parasitic specificity that affects many species of wild and domestic animals. In livestock, especially in small ruminants like goats, toxoplasmosis can cause abortion and the birth of weak animals, leading to economic losses to farmers, and is a major source of human infection. This is a seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in goats in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Sera from 405 goats from the metropolitan mesoregion of Curitiba, eastern state, were tested by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Information on properties and goat characteristics was also collected using questionnaires. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 39.41 and 35.96% by ELISA and IFAT, respectively. T. gondii antibody prevalence increased with age. The risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats were: age over one year; exposure to cats, type of management and purpose of breeding. Other epidemiological factors and relevant control measures are discussed in the current study.


Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Alhazmi ◽  
Edrous Alamer ◽  
Siddig Abdelwahab ◽  
Nizar Khamjan ◽  
Abdullah Hamami ◽  
...  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread globally, causing unprecedented effects on global health and economies. Community-based serological data are essential for understanding the true prevalence of infections, specifically the subclinical infections, as COVID-19 asymptomatic infections are common. Such data would also be important for decision making around choosing appropriate epidemiological control measures, as well as for the true estimation of mortality rates in the population. Further, determining the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the population would provide important information on herd immunity. In this study, we conducted a population-based age-stratified serological study to understand the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Out of 594 participants who were recruited from 29 August to 30 December 2020, just before the vaccination rollout program in Saudi Arabia, about 157 were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2, indicating an estimated seropositivity rate of 26%. Although no significant difference in seropositivity was seen between male and female participants, we found that lower seroprevalence was associated with the younger (below 18 years old) and older populations (older than 56 years) compared with other age groups (19–55 years). These data indicate a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following the peak of COVID-19 spread in Jazan province; however, most of the population (three-quarters) remains susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 1178122X1769126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M Ashshi ◽  
Saad Alghamdi ◽  
Adel G El-Shemi ◽  
Sabir Almdani ◽  
Bassem Refaat ◽  
...  

Background: Threat to blood transfusion–transmitted dengue virus (DENV) and its antibodies has recently emerged worldwide. Dengue fever is an endemic disease in Saudi Arabia, particularly in its Western region. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of asymptomatic DENV infection and its antibodies among eligible Saudi blood donors. Methods: Serum samples from 910 healthy/eligible adult male Saudi blood donors, who reside in Holy Makkah City of Saudi Arabia, were collected between March 2015 and August 2016 and screened for the detection of DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen and anti-DENV IgM and IgG antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (Panbio, Brisbane, QLD, Australia). Results: Among the tested donors, 48 (5.3%) were seropositive for DENV-NS1 antigen, whereas 50 (5.5%) and 354 (38.9%) were seropositive for anti-DENV IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. Seropositivity for DENV-NS1 antigen and/or anti-DENV IgM antibody among the tested donors reflects their ongoing asymptomatic viremic infectious stage with DENV during their donation time, whereas high prevalence of anti-DENV IgG seropositivity reflects the high endemicity of dengue disease in this region of Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: These results show high prevalence of asymptomatic DENV infection and its antibodies among Saudi blood donors, raising the importance of establishing blood screening for dengue disease at different blood donation services and units in Saudi Arabia to improve the guarantee of blood transfusions and to control DENV dissemination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-487
Author(s):  
Yousef Ahmed Alomi ◽  
Hussam Saad Almalki ◽  
Aisha Omar Fallatah ◽  
Awatif Faraj Alshammari ◽  
Nahedh Rashed Alotaibi

The general administration of pharmaceutical care started potential pharmacy practice program. The program is part of accreditation professional’s process of national and international regulations. The adult’s parenteral nutrition was one of the critical programs. The most healthcare professionals are not familiar with the new system. The new initiatives system adult’s standardized concentration formulation of total parental nutrition as complementary to the previous one. The new formulation consisted of all parental nutrition requirements based on national and international standards. The new system can be converted as computerized physician orders. The new initiatives may implement as project management model over one year or less than that’s. The new system prevents nutrition-related problems, and medication errors, and improve clinical outcomes of the adults’ population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asirvatham Alwin Robert ◽  
Ahmad Dakeel Al Awad ◽  
Mohamed Abdulaziz Al Dawish

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease, and the complications may be life-threatening; however, with proper treatment and control measures, it can be very well-managed. Self-management training and education of diabetes are critical in diabetes care and management. It is essential that patients with diabetes must have a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the disease, risk factors, complications, and possible treatment modalities to attenuate the complications. Over the last few years, DM in Saudi Arabia has been rapidly growing at an alarming rate. It has affected around one-fifth of the adult population, and by 2030, the numbers are predicted to rise further and exceed more than double the present number. An estimated tenfold increase has been reported over the past three decades in Saudi Arabia. However, there has not been much research focusing on understanding the knowledge and awareness of DM in Saudi Arabia as compared to developed nations. This review aims to present an overview of the current knowledge and awareness level of DM among the population of Saudi Arabia through an extensive review of the currently available literature. The review findings could be of immense assistance to the government, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and researchers to develop evidence-based programs, policies, and guidelines towards increasing the knowledge and awareness about diabetes and its management, so that early detection and management can be ensured to control the escalating burden of diabetes, in Saudi Arabia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbuba Akter Lubna ◽  
Mita Debnath ◽  
Farzana Hossaini

Current study investigated the occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in poultry feed and feed materials in different poultry farms and feed factories in Bangladesh. A total of 100 samples of finished feed and raw feed materials were collected and tested through direct competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for total aflatoxin detection. Overall, 97% samples (n=97/100) in our study, were found positive for aflatoxin contamination. Among finished feed categories, layer grower feed contained highest level of aflatoxin with a mean value of 21.64 ppb whereas layer feed was less susceptible for aflatoxin contamination (mean value 9.49 ppb). Between raw feed materials, maize samples were highly contaminated (n=15/15, 100%) with aflatoxin while 86.67% soybean samples showed positive result. Twenty one percent (21%) of the samples in our study contained aflatoxin concentration more than the acceptable limit employed by USFDA and many other countries which might pose severe health risk to poultry and human consumer. Proper surveillance and immediate control measures should be taken to ensure safe poultry feed and feed materials. Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 35 Number 1 June 2018, pp 75-78


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Syed Faisal Zaidi ◽  
Rayan Mgarry ◽  
Abdullah Alsanea ◽  
Sakar Khalid Almutairi ◽  
Yaser Alsinnari ◽  
...  

Introduction: Various drug–food interactions exist that may hinder treatment and can sometimes be lethal. Our aim was to assess the level of public knowledge and awareness in Jeddah city, Western Saudi Arabia, about drug–food interactions, along with the effects of demographics on their knowledge. Methods: A survey questionnaire was administered in this cross-sectional study to participants spread across multiple locations in Jeddah, including in malls and public gatherings. Participants included both males and females. Sample size was calculated through Raosoft® software. Data analysis was executed using IBM Statistic SPSS and the level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 410 people participated in the study and only 92.68% (380) of responses were enrolled in the study; 7.32% (30) were not enrolled due to the exclusion criteria. Surprisingly, only six out of eighteen questions regarding drug–food interactions in the administered questionnaire were correctly answered by 380 participants. Data indicated that the participants had a poor to intermediate level of both knowledge and awareness with respect to drug–food interactions. Furthermore, participants showed moderate to strong awareness of the effects of alcohol and tea generally, and their interaction with medication. Conclusion: Participants in our study showed inadequate knowledge of basic and fundamental information about drug–food interactions, which highlights the dire need to increase awareness.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Jordan Hoffman ◽  
Ilinca Ciubotariu ◽  
Limonty Simubali ◽  
Twig Mudenda ◽  
William Moss ◽  
...  

Despite dramatic reductions in malaria cases in the catchment area of Macha Hospital, Choma District, Southern Province in Zambia, prevalence has remained near 1–2% by RDT for the past several years. To investigate residual malaria transmission in the area, this study focuses on the relative abundance, foraging behavior, and phylogenetic relationships of Anopheles squamosus specimens. In 2011, higher than expected rates of anthropophily were observed among “zoophilic” An. squamosus, a species that had sporadically been found to contain Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites. The importance of An. squamosus in the region was reaffirmed in 2016 when P. falciparum sporozoites were detected in numerous An. squamosus specimens. This study analyzed Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light trap collections of adult mosquitoes from two collection schemes: one performed as part of a reactive-test-and-treat program and the second performed along a geographical transect. Morphological identification, molecular verification of anopheline species, and blood meal source were determined on individual samples. Data from these collections supported earlier studies demonstrating An. squamosus to be primarily exophagic and zoophilic, allowing them to evade current control measures. The phylogenetic relationships generated from the specimens in this study illustrate the existence of well supported clade structure among An. squamosus specimens, which further emphasizes the importance of molecular identification of vectors. The primarily exophagic behavior of An. squamosus in these collections also highlights that indoor vector control strategies will not be sufficient for elimination of malaria in southern Zambia.


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