scholarly journals Factors associated with Leptospira sp infection in a large urban center in northeastern Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 499-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juarez Pereira Dias ◽  
Maria Glória Teixeira ◽  
Maria Conceição Nascimento Costa ◽  
Carlos Maurício Cardeal Mendes ◽  
Patrícia Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
General Population ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Pathogenic Leptospira ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Microagglutination Test ◽  
Males And Females

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that has emerged to cause epidemics in urban communities in developing countries. However, little is known about the infection in the general population. A seroprevalence survey was performed on a random sample of 1,390 subjects in Salvador, Brazil. Data on environmental and socioeconomic factors were collected. The microagglutination test of serum samples was used to show any prior Leptospira infection. The overall seroprevalence was 12.4%. Among the seropositive individuals, 111 (61%) had high titers for serovars of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup. Seroprevalence increased with age and was similar for males and females. A positive correlation between Leptospira infection and low educational level was found. These findings indicate that a significant proportion of this urban population is exposed to pathogenic Leptospira. Public health actions for leptospirosis control will need to target not only the traditional groups at risk of infection with severe forms of this disease, but also the general population that is at risk.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the distribution of natural Toxoplasma gondii infection among equids in Northeastern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Dias Munhoz ◽  
Monia Andrade Souza ◽  
Sonia Carmen Lopo Costa ◽  
Jéssica de Souza Freitas ◽  
Aísla Nascimento da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected equids in northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 569 equids (528 horses, 8 mules and 33 donkeys) were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associated factors. Among the 569 animals sampled, 118 (30.6%) living in rural areas and 14 (26.42%) in urban areas were seropositive (p>0.05). Seropositive animals were observed on 95% of the farms and in all the municipalities. Donkeys/mules as the host, presence of domestic cats and rats on the farm, ingestion of lagoon water and goat rearing remained in the final model as factors associated with infection. Preventive measures such as avoiding the presence of domestic cats close to rearing areas, pastures and sources of water for the animals should be adopted. The wide-ranging distribution of positive animals also indicated that infection in other domestic animals and in humans, through the contaminated environment, was possible. It should be highlighted that there was the possibility that donkeys and mules would continue to have detectable titers for longer, thus explaining the prevalence found. Further studies are needed to confirm this possibility.

scholarly journals Epidemiological characterization and risk factors associated with leptospirosis and brucellosis in small ruminants sold at animal fair in the Sertão Region of Pernambuco State, a semiarid Region of Northeastern Brazil

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1933 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Romero Alexandre Alves ◽  
Geilson Manoel de Souza Lima ◽  
José Dêvede da Silva ◽  
Diego Figueiredo da Costa ◽  
Fabrine Alexandre dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Management System ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Leptospira Spp

The transit of infected animals may be a route for the introduction and dispersal of diseases, which necessitates protocols for the controlled entry of infected animals into herds. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Leptospira and anti-Brucella ovis antibodies in small ruminants sold at an animal fair in the Sertão region of the Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with seropositivity. Serum samples were collected from 233 goats and 119 sheep, belonging to twelve different owners from November 2014 to June 2015. Diagnosis of Leptospira spp. infection was established using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT); for B. ovis infection, the agar gel immuno-diffusion (AGID) test was conducted. A total of 16/233 (6.87%; 95% CI = 4.27% – 10.83%) goats and 16/119 (13.45%; 95% CI = 8.67% – 21.24%) sheep were identified as seropositive for Leptospira spp. The most frequent serotype was Icterohaemorrhagiae. In goats, intensive management system (odds ratio = 15.8; p < 0.001) and consorted rearing of equines and goats (odds ratio = 7.3; p = 0.005) were identified as risk factors. There were no risk factors identified for sheep. Seven (5.88%; 95% CI = 2.88% – 11.65%) sheep were seropositive for B. ovis, and the intensive management system was identified as the risk factor (odds ratio = 11.5; p = 0.005). This suggests that Leptospira spp. and B. ovis infections occur in small ruminants commercialized in the Sertão region of the Pernambuco State. Thus, improvements to the sanitary conditions of the facilities and the control of synanthropic rodents are recommended.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional survey for canine leptospirosis in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the semiarid of Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria G.S. Bernardino ◽  
Diego F. Costa ◽  
Denise B. Nogueira ◽  
Maria L.C.R. Silva ◽  
Edijanio G. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Leptospira Spp

ABSTRACT: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the bacteria Leptospira spp. that affects humans, domestic and wild animals. The present work aimed to conduct a cross-sectional survey for leptospirosis in the canine population of the Brejo Paraibano microregion, semiarid of Northeastern Brazil. From May to October 2017, blood samples from 414 dogs were collected in the counties of Alagoa Grande (n=100), Areia (n=79), Bananeiras (n=72), Alagoa Nova (n=73), Serrraria (n=25), Pilões (n=25), Borborema (n=20) and Matinhas (n=20). The tutors of the sampled dogs answered an epidemiological questionnaire, obtaining information about the animals, owner, residence and breeding of the dogs. Subsequently, the serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using a collection of 23 serovar pathogenic antigens and using the 1:50 dilution as the cutoff point. Of the 414 dogs analyzed 52 were seroreactive, resulting in an apparent prevalence of 12.6% and a real prevalence of 12.2%. Seroreactive dogs were found in the eight counties. Dogs were reactive for the serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae (76.9%), Autumnalis (13.55%), Pomona (3.8%), Grippotyphosa (3.8%) and Serjoe (1.9%) Antibody titers ranged from 50 to 800. The statistical analysis (robust Poisson regression) detected six factors associated with seropositivity, including the rainy season (prevalence ratio; PR=1.94, P=0.013), male dogs (PR=2.10, P=0.005), animals with age greater than five years (PR=4.21, P=0.012), consumption of untreated water (PR=1.87, P=0.043), free access of dogs to street (PR=2.15, P=0.011) and contact with wildlife (PR=3.54, P=0.050). The serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae has a high zoonotic potential and was the most frequent in seropositive animals. The high real prevalence of Leptospira spp. in a transmission region of the semiarid region of Paraíba and the occurrence of seroreactive animals in all the counties suggest wide distribution of the infection and reinforce the need for preventive measures to avoid infection in pets and, consequently, to humans. The analysis of factors associated with the prevalence suggest greater manegment cares with the dogs.

scholarly journals HBV and HCV serological markers in patients with the hepatosplenic form of mansonic schistosomiasis

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéfferson Luis de Almeida Silva ◽  
Veridiana Sales Barbosa de Souza ◽  
Tatiana Aguiar Santos Vilella ◽  
Ana Lúcia C. Domingues ◽  
Maria Rosângela Cunha Duarte Coêlho
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Serological Markers ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated

CONTEXT: Blood transfusion is one of the major risk factors for the transmission of the hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses. However, there are no reports describing the endoscopic transmission of these viruses in patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of serological markers of HBV and HCV in patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis and evaluate the possible risk factors associated with these infections. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 230 patients with hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis who attended a university hospital in Recife, Northeastern Brazil, from February to August 2008. The patients answered a standardized questionnaire about risk factors. Serum samples were analyzed for anti-HBc total, anti-HBs, HBsAg, and anti-HCV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence was 30% for anti-HBc total and/or HBsAg and 7.4% for anti-HCV. There was a higher frequency of the serological markers in females and in patients aged .50 years. A significant association was detected between the presence of anti-HCV and the receipt of six or more blood transfusions. There was no association of history and number of digestive endoscopies with the serological markers analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a higher prevalence of serological markers for HBV and a lower prevalence of anti-HCV. Our results indicate that females and patients of an advanced age are the most affected categories and that patients that received multiple transfusions are at a higher probability of HCV infection.

scholarly journals 942. Lung Cancer Screening in at-risk patients with HIV in a Midwestern Clinic

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S504-S504
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Lopez ◽  
Harlan R Sayles ◽  
Sara H Bares ◽  
Nada Fadul
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
General Population ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Lung Cancer Screening ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background Patients with HIV (PWH) have an increased risk of lung cancer compared to the general population. In 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released their lung cancer screening (LCS) guidelines for the general population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of and factors associated with LCS using computed tomography in at-risk PWH. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients 55-80 years old seen at a Midwestern HIV Clinic between July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018 was conducted. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and referral for LCS information were collected. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used for analysis. Results We reviewed 347 patients, out of whom 91 were excluded for the following reasons: never smoked (8), deceased (38), pack history unknown (39), and prior lung cancer diagnosis (6). Mean (sd, range) for age was 61 (5.0, 55-78). A total of 256 patients were included in the analysis, out of whom 104 (41%) met the USPSTF criteria. No effect was identified for demographic information including race, ethnicity, gender, or insurance status on LCS referral. LCS referral was made for 22 out of 256 patients (9%) (13% of patients who met the USPSTF criteria and 5% of those who did not). Patients who received tobacco cessation counseling (OR 7.83, P=0.047) and with hepatitis C infection (OR 4.32, P=0.002) were more likely to receive LCS referral. Out of those who received LCS referral, 12/22 (55%) completed the referral. Patients with hepatitis C infection were more likely to complete LCS referral (OR 8, P=0.038). Conclusion Only 13% of patients who met USPSTF criteria were referred for LCS. Patients who received tobacco cessation counseling were more likely to receive a referral. Patients with hepatitis C infection were more likely to receive and complete LCS referral. Quality improvement efforts to improve rates of LCS in PWH are needed. Future prospective studies should examine the factors associated with LCS in PWH. Disclosures Sara H. Bares, MD, Gilead Sciences (Grant/Research Support)

A review of risk factors associated with suicide in adults with intellectual disability

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 302-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Mollison ◽  
Eddie Chaplin ◽  
Lisa Underwood ◽  
Jane McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Associated

Purpose – Suicide is one of the top three leading causes of death amongst those aged between 15 and 44 years; and tenth leading cause of death in the wider population. The base rates of suicide, suicide attempts and suicide-related behaviours are comparably low in the general population with between 17 and 68 per cent of individuals who successfully commit suicide having made a previous attempt to take their own life. As recently as the 1980's it was still a widely held belief that individuals with intellectual disability (ID) did not have the cognitive capacity to experience mental health problems and this acted as a “buffer” against suicidal behaviour. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The literature review covered the time period 1993-2013 and returned 117 studies, 77 of which related to individuals with ID, 37 of which related to adults. Following screening titles and abstracts 28 articles were removed. A total of nine studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in the review. A further two studies examining suicide in adolescents (up to adulthood) with ID were also considered. From the eligible studies the following information was considered: study design, sample size, strengths, limitations and the risk factors associated with an increased risk of suicide. Findings – The suicide risk factors identified during the review were found to be in keeping with the general population and included a diagnosis of clinical depression, history of self-harm, unemployment, loneliness, unemployment, an increased need for support from others, early onset mental illness and being treatment resistive. Originality/value – Suicide in individuals with ID is a topic that has not received a great deal of attention from professionals and clinicians alike. People with ID have higher rates of mental health problems and therefore it could be argued that they are more likely to be at risk. This study aims to look at risk factors specific to people with ID for clinicians to consider in their daily practice.

scholarly journals Laboratory investigation of adult small ruminant Leptospirosis, a neglected infection in Greece: problems and recommendations

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
A. G. BISIAS (Α.Γ. ΜΠΙΣΙΑΣ) ◽  
C. S. KRITAS (Κ.Σ. ΚΡΗΤΑΣ) ◽  
C. H. BILLINIS (Χ. ΜΠΙΛΛΙΝΗΣ) ◽  
R. A. BURRIEL
Keyword(s):  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Serological Screening ◽  
Pathogenic Leptospira ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Microagglutination Test ◽  
Leptospira Spp ◽  
Kidney Lesions ◽  
Southern Greece

Leptospirosis is in Greece a neglected infection. Small ruminants and specifically sheep are accidental hosts of Leptospira spp, but they could also be disseminators of pathogenic serovars. Thus, the objective was to investigate leptospirosis of adult small ruminants coming from areas in Southern Greece, where accidental evidence had showed that leptospirosis could be an important infection for man and animals. For this purpose, blood and kidney samples were collected at slaughter from adult females. Collected samples were examined with a commercial serological screening kit, the microagglutination test ( MAT), histology and PCR. One hundred ten serum and 110 tissue samples were collected. Of the examined serum samples 55 (50%) were suspect for leptospirosis in the screening kit and 28 (25.45%) were MAT positive. Of the tissue samples 38 (34.5%) were PCR positive and 30 (27.2%) showed various degrees of microscopic kidney lesions. The serovars identified by the MAT were Tarassovi (10 animals), Autumnalis (8 animals), Zanoni (4 animals), Hebdomadis and Javanica (2 each), Bratislava and Hardjio prajitno (one each). The conclusion is that small ruminants and specifically sheep (98 animals) are disseminators of pathogenic Leptospira spp. serovars in areas where they predominate and climatic factors favor the survival of the pathogen.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in goats in the State of Paraíba, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina de Sousa Américo Batista Santos ◽  
Sérgio Santos de Azevedo ◽  
Herbert Sousa Soares ◽  
Severino Silvano dos Santos Higino ◽  
Hilda Fátima de Jesus Pena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Seropositive Animal

A cross-sectional study based on planned sampling was carried out to determine flock-level risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii antibody prevalence in dairy goat flocks in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 975 adult dairy goats from 110 flocks were examined by indirect immonufluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using cut-off point at 1:64 dilution. From the 110 flocks, 77 presented at least one seropositive animal, corresponding to a prevalence of 70% (95% CI: 60.5-78.4%). Out of the 975 animals, 177 (18.1%; 95% CI = 15.8-20.7%) tested positive. The presence of toxic plants (OR = 5.11; P = 0.045) and the fact that goat breeding is not the main activity on the farm (OR = 3.34; P = 0.014) were identified as risk factors. The results of the present study showed evidence of the presence of T. gondii infection in dairy goats from a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil using planned sampling. Further studies are needed to elucidate the importance of the identified risk factors in the epidemiology of the infection.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo D'Alencar Mendonça ◽  
Sílvia Letícia Bomfim Barros ◽  
Vitor Andrade Accioly Guimarães ◽  
Antonio Sergio Ferraudo ◽  
Alexandre Dias Munhoz
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Deep Well ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64. We observed that 28.22% (263/932) of the ovine samples were serum-reactive. In a logistic regression, factors such as consumption of water directly from the source, consumption of water from a deep well, and age below 12 months were associated with protection; whereas factors such as presence of cats on the property, presence of slatted floor, and use of exchanged or borrowed breeding males were associated with infection. The studied area can be considered endemic for toxoplasmosis, so it is necessary to adopt preventive and control measures because this zoonotic infection poses risks to public health.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi infections in dogs presented at veterinary clinics in João Pessoa, Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 2293
Author(s):  
Arthur Willian de Lima Brasil ◽  
Dália Monique Ribeiro Machado ◽  
Mariana Aimee Ramos Xavier da Silva ◽  
Noelle De Castro Barrosa ◽  
Raizza Barros Sousa Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Confirmatory Test ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
The City

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi infections in dogs presented at veterinary clinics in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil. A total of 384 dogs from 34 veterinary clinics were sampled between April 2015 and May 2016. For serological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, the indirect fluorescent antibody test was used. Reactive sera were submitted to a confirmatory test using the S7 ELISA. The seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. was 2.8% (11/384), and that of T. cruzi was 1.5% (6/384). Two animals were positive for both parasites. The variable “access to the street” was identified as a risk factor for Leishmania spp. infection (OR = 4.81; 95% CI = 1.23–18.75). We concluded that a significant proportion of dogs presented at veterinary clinics in João Pessoa are seropositive for Leishmania spp. or T. cruzi infections, and we suggest that greater care be taken with dogs that have access to the street.

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