scholarly journals Toxocara seroprevalence in children from a subtropical city in Argentina

2000 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Mario ALONSO ◽  
María V. I. BOJANICH ◽  
Miryam CHAMORRO ◽  
Jorge O. GORODNER
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Problem ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Elisa Testing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Immunoglobulin Levels

Most studies from Argentina have focused on toxocariasis as an environmental problem of big cities, and there are no available data about children infection from small or middle-sized cities. In order to assess the prevalence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in infantile population, 206 children from Resistencia, of both sexes, aged 1-14 years old were studied by Elisa testing with E/S T. canis L2 antigens. Hematological parameters and immunoglobulin levels were determined; five days' stool samples were studied and epidemiological data were obtained by means of a questionnaire to parents. Results showed that 73% of the children had one or more dogs living at home, 57% reported geophagia and 37.9% were positive for Toxocara serology, but there was no significant difference in prevalence neither for boys and girls, nor concerning age. An increased risk of infection was observed in age groups 5-6 and 7-8 for boys, and in age groups 3-4 and 5-6 for girls.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in hospitalized patients at a tertiary referral center in North India (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Animesh Ray ◽  
Dr. Komal Singh ◽  
Souvick Chattopadhyay ◽  
Farha Mehdi ◽  
Dr. Gaurav Batra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
North India ◽  
P Value ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference

BACKGROUND Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is an important tool to estimate the true extent of infection in a population. However, seroprevalence studies have been scarce in South East Asia including India, which, as of now, carries the third largest burden of confirmed cases in the world. The present study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among hospitalized patients at one of the largest government hospital in India OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among patients admitted to the Medicine ward and ICU METHODS This cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India, recruited consecutive patients who were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR or CB-NAAT. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels targeting recombinant spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS CoV-2 were estimated in serum sample by the ELISA method RESULTS A total of 212 hospitalized patients were recruited in the study with mean age (±SD) of 41.2 (±15.4) years and 55% male population. Positive serology against SARS CoV-2 was detected in 19.8%patients(95% CI 14.7-25.8). Residency in Delhi conferred a higher frequency of seropositivity 26.5% (95% CI 19.3-34.7) as compared to that of other states 8% (95% CI 3.0-16.4) with p-value 0.001. No particular age groups or socio-economic strata showed a higher proportion of seropositivity CONCLUSIONS Around, one-fifth of hospitalized patients, who were not diagnosed with COVID-19 before, demonstrated seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2. While there was no significant difference in the different age groups and socio-economic classes; residence in Delhi was associated with increased risk (relative risk of 3.62, 95% CI 1.59-8.21)

757 Does Increased Sampling of Cerebrospinal Fluid from External Ventricular Drains Lead to Increased Rates of Infection?

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Edwards ◽  
A Zolnourian ◽  
D Bulters
Keyword(s):  
Research Study ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Suspected Infection ◽  
Length Of Treatment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Sampling ◽  
Frequent Sampling ◽  
Strict Protocol

Abstract Introduction External ventricular drains (EVDs) are commonly used in the management of acute hydrocephalus after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Infection is the most common complication. There remains controversy over whether frequent sampling is associated with increased risk of infection. Method Two cohorts of patients requiring EVD after SAH were retrospectively analysed for suspected and proven CSF infection. The first clinical cohort was of 50 consecutive patients with twice weekly sampling. The second group had alternate daily sampling as part of a prospective research study. Results Female to male ratio were (32:18) and (29:15) in clinical vs research group respectively. Average age of both groups was 59. Average length of treatment with EVD in both groups was 10 days. 16/50 (32%) patients had a suspected infection vs 13/44 (30%) and 8/50 (16%) had a proven infection compared to 6/44 (14%) in clinical and research groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (suspected infections p = 0.7 and proven infections p = 0.7) Conclusions Increased rates in CSF sampling in the research cohort did not result in higher rates of CSF infection. This suggests that rate of sampling, if done following a strict protocol, is not associated with increased risk of infection.

scholarly journals Pathogenicity and non-opportunistic character of Blastocystis spp.: a hospital-based survey in Central Cameroon

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 373-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Jupsa-Mbiandou ◽  
Samuel Fosso ◽  
Edimo Billé ◽  
Tito T Mélachio-Tanekou ◽  
Gideon Ajeagah-Aghaindum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Blastocystis Spp ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Hiv Negative

Introduction: Blastocystis spp. is a protist found in humans. Although usually the most frequent protozoa found in stool samples of both symptomatic and healthy subjects, its pathogenic or rather opportunistic role is yet to be clearly elucidated. To attempt to fill this gap, a cross-sectional study was conducted to compare the frequency of Blastocystis spp. in HIV positive (HIV+) versus HIV negative (HIV-) individuals in four health facilities of the Center Region of Cameroon. Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 283 HIV positive and 245 HIV negative subjects and analyzed using direct diagnostic tests. Results: A total of 46 (8.7%) individuals were found infected with Blastocystis spp., including 6.7% HIV positive and 11.0% HIV negative. This species was more frequent in urban and semi-urban areas than in rural areas, but evenly distributed among genders and age groups as well as among all sectors of activity. The prevalence of Blastocystis spp. (11.3%) was higher in HIV+ patients with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells / mm3, but no significant difference was found among HIV clinical stages. Likewise prevalence, the mean number of cysts per gram of stool was similar between HIV positive and HIV negative individuals. People infected with Blastocystis spp. showed diverse clinical signs, but only flatulence was significantly more prevalent. The frequencies of these clinical signs were not related to HIV status. Conclusion: No clear relationship links the infection with Blastocystis spp. to HIV, although its presence was associated with digestive disorder, suggesting that this parasite might not be opportunist.

scholarly journals Virological and Epidemiological Features of Norovirus Infections in Brazil, 2017–2018

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1724
Author(s):  
Sylvia Kahwage Sarmento ◽  
Juliana da Silva Ribeiro de Andrade ◽  
Marize Pereira Miagostovich ◽  
Tulio Machado Fumian
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Median Viral Load ◽  
Molecular Surveillance ◽  
Predominant Genotype ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Partial Rdrp ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
First Time

Noroviruses are considered an important cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) across all age groups. Here, we investigated the incidence of norovirus, genotypes circulation, and norovirus shedding in AGE stool samples from outpatients in Brazil. During a two-year period, 1546 AGE stool samples from ten Brazilian states were analyzed by RT-qPCR to detect and quantify GI and GII noroviruses. Positive samples were genotyped by dual sequencing using the ORF1/2 junction region. Overall, we detected norovirus in 32.1% of samples, with a massive predominance of GII viruses (89.1%). We also observed a significant difference between the median viral load of norovirus GI (3.4×105 GC/g of stool) and GII (1.9×107 GC/g). The most affected age group was children aged between 6 and 24 m old, and norovirus infection was detected throughout the year without marked seasonality. Phylogenetic analysis of partial RdRp and VP1 regions identified six and 11 genotype combinations of GI and GII, respectively. GII.4 Sydney[P16] was by far the predominant genotype (47.6%), followed by GII.2[P16], GII.4 Sydney[P31], and GII.6[P7]. We detected, for the first time in Brazil, the intergenogroup recombinant genotype GIX.1[GII.P15]. Our study contributes to the knowledge of norovirus genotypes circulation at the national level, reinforcing the importance of molecular surveillance programs for future vaccine designs.

scholarly journals The Effect of Exercise on the Total Leukocyte, Absolute Neutrophil, Lymphocyte and Platelet Counts among Sudanese Football Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6-S) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
Nihad Elsadig Babiker ◽  
Raheeg Mubark Anwer
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Platelet Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Age Variation

Background: Aerobic exercise induces physiological stress on the body and brings changes in hematological parameters. This study aimed to determine the effect of playing football as an exercise on the total white blood cell count, absolute Neutrophil, lymphocyte and Platelet counts among Sudanese football players. Material and method:  This was a descriptive case control study, done on a number of football players in Khartoum state, Sudan and conducted within the period from August 2021 to October 2021. Three ml of venous blood samples had been collected from every participant in the study, parameters had been measured and calculated using blood cells counter (Sysmex KX-21N).                                                           Results: When compared the TWBCs, Absolute Neutrophil, Lymphocytes and platelet counts between cases and control there was a significant differences with (P ≤0.05). Also there was a significant difference in the case group before and after one hour of exercise with (P =0.00), and in significant differences between different age groups with (P ≥0.05). Conclusion: Playing football for 1 hour cause a significant increase in the TWBCs, absolute Neutrophils, absolute Lymphocytes and Platelets counts. Age variation has no effect on the measured parameters Keywords: Football, TWBCs, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes and Platelets.

scholarly journals Pattern of Glucose Tolerance among Patients with Peripheral Spondyloarthritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 773-777
Author(s):  
A T M Tanveer Hasan ◽  
Al-Mamun .
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
General Population ◽  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Peripheral Spondyloarthritis

Peripheral spondyloarthritis is a variant of spondyloarthritis which usually has a chronic course. There is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among patients with chronic inflammatory diseases in general. Coexisting diabetes mellitus can potentially add to the risk. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of glucose intolerance in patients with spondyloarthritis The study was conducted among 35 participants with peripheral spondyloarthritis who visited the Department of Rheumatology, Enam Medical College & Hospital, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September, 2018 to January, 2020. The participants underwent either oral glucose tolerance test or estimation of HbA1C. The mean age of participants was 43.96 years. The majority (80%) of them were young to muddle-aged (≤40 years). 22.9% of the participants were prediabetic. Diabetes mellitus was found to be present in 37.1% of the participants. There was no significant difference between the study population and the general population in terms of frequency of prediabetes. But the frequency of diabetes in the study population was higher than that in the general population. There was no significant difference between males and females with regard to the frequencies of prediabetes and DM. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of prediabetes and DM between young and middle-aged to elderly population. Considering the greater burden of DM among patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis across all age groups, routine screening for DM may be indicated in these individuals.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Colic and Non-Colic Control Equine Patients

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidrun Gehlen ◽  
Nadine Wulke ◽  
Antonia Ertelt ◽  
Martin K. Nielsen ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Helminth Infection ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Anthelmintic Treatment ◽  
Intestinal Helminth ◽  
Intestinal Helminths ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference

All around the world, intestinal helminths constitute one of the most prevalent life-long occurring infections and re-infections affecting all horse age groups. A range of parasite species among strongyles, ascarids, and tapeworms is known to have the potential to cause colic in horses. However, there is a lack of current scientific evidence on the actual relevance of helminth infection levels in the context of colic in horses kept during prevailing epidemiological conditions. Thus, a prospective case-control study on the occurrence of intestinal helminths in a total of 620 mainly adult equine clinic patients was conducted to investigate the association between colic and helminth infection. For each horse, a range of copromicroscopic, serological, and clinical data was obtained, in addition to a questionnaire on relevant anamnestic data, including previous anthelmintic treatment and husbandry. Using a FLOTAC-based copromicroscopic diagnosis, the highest infection rates were seen for strongyles (41.8%), followed by Anoplocephala perfoliata and Parascaris spp. (both 0.8%), with no significant difference between the two study groups. Employing a real-time PCR a 1.1% S. vulgaris DNA prevalence was found. Considerably higher seroprevalences were observed using S. vulgaris and A. perfoliata ELISAs, with 32.3% and 10.7%, respectively. It was noteworthy that no association concerning either serologic status was encountered with colic status. The shedding of strongyle eggs was associated with a 1.8-times increased risk of S. vulgaris seropositivity. Recent anthelmintic treatment was associated with the onset of colic, as animals who had received an anthelmintic during the previous week had a 2.4-times higher risk of signs of colic compared to those who had been treated at least eight weeks prior. Another noteworthy observation was that ponies were significantly less often affected by colic than warmbloods. The high S. vulgaris and considerable A. perfoliata seroprevalences encountered in this investigation should prompt veterinarians, farm managers, and horse owners to maintain consequent and effective worm control measures.

scholarly journals Molecular epidemiology and risk factors of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections in a Chinese teaching hospital

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongliang Duan ◽  
Juanxiu Qin ◽  
Yao Liu ◽  
Cui Li ◽  
Chunmei Ying
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Resistance Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chinese Teaching

Abstract Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is an important opportunistic pathogen that can be isolated in hospitals. With the abuse of broad spectrum antibiotics and invasive surgical devices, the rate of S. maltophilia infection is increasing every year. This study was an epidemiological analysis of the clinical and molecular characteristics of S. maltophilia infection in a Chinese teaching hospital. The goal was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the status of S. maltophilia infection to provide strong epidemiological data for the prevention and treatment of S. maltophilia infection.Results: A total of 93 isolates from Renji Hospital affiliated with the Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine were included, in which 62 isolates were from male patients. In addition, 81 isolates were isolated from sputum samples. A total of 86 patients had underlying diseases. All patients received antibiotics. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis indicated that 61 different sequence types (STs) were found (including 45 novel STs), and MLST did not show significantly dominant STs. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results showed that 93 isolates could be divided into 73 clusters, and they also showed weak genetic linkages between isolates. The resistant rates to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and levofloxacin were 9.7% and 4.3%, respectively, and all isolates were susceptible to minocycline. Four virulence gene’s loci Stmpr1, Stmpr2, Smf-1, and Smlt3773 were positive in 79.6%, 91.4%, 94.6%, and 52.7% of the isolates, respectively. Three biofilm genes rmlA, spgM, and rpfF were positive in 82.8%, 92.5%, and 64.5% of the isolates, respectively. Mean biofilm forming level of OD492 was 0.54 ± 0.49. We did not find any significant difference between different genders and different age-groups. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the control group. The independent risk factors of those who were infected in the ICU included immunosuppression and the increased antibiotic usage.Conclusions: Most of the patients had prior medical usage histories and baseline diseases. The positive rate of virulence genes was high, the drug resistance rate of S. maltophilia was low, and the biofilm formation ability was strong. The increased use of antibiotics was an independent risk factor for S. maltophilia infection, which should receive more attention. No obvious clonal transmissions were found in the same departments.

scholarly journals 297. Infectious Complications Associated with Tocilizumab Use in Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 at a Mid-Atlantic Hospital Consortium

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S256-S256
Author(s):  
Kristen R Kent ◽  
Nellie Darling ◽  
Xue Geng ◽  
Gavin Clark ◽  
Marybeth Kazanas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Candida Spp ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Material Support ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background The IL-6 inhibitor Tocilizumab (TOCI) has been associated with infections in 5-8% of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. TOCI has now been recommended as a treatment option for select patients with COVID-19; however, the risk of infection in this patient population is yet to be determined. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to MedStar hospitals within the D.C./Baltimore corridor from 03/01/2020 to 12/31/2020. We identified patients who had positive culture data within 30 days of administration of TOCI-based regimens and analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes. Univariate analyses (Wilcoxon, T-test, Chi-Square, Fisher’s Exact) were used to compare these outcome variables between patients who had post-treatment infections and those who did not. Results A total of 220 patients received TOCI-based regimens; 16% (N=36) of patients developed positive cultures within 30 days of treatment. Of the 99 cultures, 50% were gram positive (N=49), 38% were gram negative (N=38), 10% were Candida spp. (N=10), and 2% were anaerobic organisms (N=2). Only 9% (8/87) of the gram positive and gram negative organisms were MDROs. Bloodstream infections were the most common and accounted for 58.4% of all infections. Length of stay (LOS) was approximately twice as long in those with post-treatment infections (26 days) compared to those without infections (14 days, p< 0.001). Although the mortality rate was higher in patients with infections after TOCI-based treatment compared to patients with no post-treatment infection (47% vs 31% respectively), this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.09). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the infection rate of patients treated with TOCI alone compared to TOCI and Dexamethasone (16.6% vs. 13.3%, p=0.99). No cases of invasive Aspergillosis were observed. Conclusion Tocilizumab treatment in patients with COVID-19 may predispose patients to an increased risk of infection which is associated with a prolonged LOS and possibly higher mortality. We observed a two-fold increase in infections in COVID-19 patients compared to other patient groups receiving this treatment. Disclosures Princy N. Kumar, MD, AMGEN (Other Financial or Material Support, Honoraria)Eli Lilly (Grant/Research Support)Gilead (Grant/Research Support, Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Honoraria)GSK (Grant/Research Support, Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Honoraria)Merck & Co., Inc. (Grant/Research Support, Shareholder, Other Financial or Material Support, Honoraria)

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