scholarly journals How effective is dog culling in controlling zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis? a critical evaluation of the science, politics and ethics behind this public health policy

2011 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Henrique Nery Costa
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Brazilian Government ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Scientific Results

INTRODUCTION: Zoonotic kala-azar, a lethal disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania is considered out of control in parts of the world, particularly in Brazil, where transmission has spread to cities throughout most of the territory and mortality presents an increasing trend. Although a highly debatable measure, the Brazilian government regularly culls seropositive dogs to control the disease. Since control is failing, critical analysis concerning the actions focused on the canine reservoir was conducted. METHODS: In a review of the literature, a historical perspective focusing mainly on comparisons between the successful Chinese and Soviet strategies and the Brazilian approach is presented. In addition, analyses of the principal studies regarding the role of dogs as risk factors to humans and of the main intervention studies regarding the efficacy of the dog killing strategy were undertaken. Brazilian political reaction to a recently published systematic review that concluded that the dog culling program lacked efficiency and its effect on public policy were also reviewed. RESULTS: No firm evidence of the risk conferred by the presence of dogs to humans was verified; on the contrary, a lack of scientific support for the policy of killing dogs was confirmed. A bias for distorting scientific data towards maintaining the policy of culling animals was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Since there is no evidence that dog culling diminishes visceral leishmaniasis transmission, it should be abandoned as a control measure. Ethical considerations have been raised regarding distorting scientific results and the killing of animals despite minimal or absent scientific evidence

scholarly journals Investigations on Mediterranean kala azar. XI A study of leishmaniasis in Canea (Crete)

1938 ◽  
Vol 125 (841) ◽  
pp. 491-516 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Infantum ◽  
The Other ◽  
Preliminary Survey ◽  
Intensive Study ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Endemic Focus ◽  
Local Species

In previous communications (Adler and Theodor 1931, 1935) the following sandflies of the major group were recorded from Greece: Phlebotomus major , P. perniciosus var. tobbi, P. chinensis var. simici and P. perfiliewi (syn. P. macedonicus ). P. perfiliewi was at first suspected as the carrier of visceral leishmaniasis in Greece, for it was the only sandfly of the major group known from this country up to 1931, the other species not having been found to occur in the peninsula and islands till 1932. A rapid survey carried out during August 1932 in Athens and the vicinity of Argos indicated that the distribution of P. major in these parts corresponded closely to that of visceral leishmaniasis, and feeding experiments on infected dogs carried out in Catania and Sicily showed that this species is even more receptive for Leishmania infantum than is P. perniciosus (1932). It was thought advisable to make an intensive study of a single endemic focus in Greece in order to test the conclusions made on the basis of the preliminary survey and compare the role of the various local species of sandfly of the major group as vectors of visceral leishmaniasis.

Critical Evaluation of Adler’s Challenge to the cdc’s Male Circumcision Recommendations

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth E. Rivin ◽  
Douglas S. Diekema ◽  
Anna C. Mastroianni ◽  
John N. Krieger ◽  
Jeffrey D. Klausner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Male Circumcision ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Tract Infections

We evaluate Peter Adler’s challenge to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc) draft recommendations on male circumcision (this issue, see pp. 237–262). Thecdcadvocates elective male circumcision (mc) to improve public health in theusabased on strong scientific evidence. In marked contrast to thecdc, Adler’s criticisms depend on speculative claims and obfuscation of the scientific data. Adler’s central argument that circumcision in infancy should be delayed to allow a boy to make up his own mind as an adult fails to appreciate that circumcision later in life is a more complex operation, entails higher risk, is more likely to involve general anaesthesia and presents financial, psychological and organisational barriers. These limitations are avoided by circumcision early in infancy, when it is convenient, safe, quick, low risk, usually involves local anaesthesia and provides benefits immediately. Benefits of male circumcision include: protection against: urinary tract infections that are ten times higher in uncircumcised infants; inflammatory skin conditions; other foreskin problems; sexually transmitted infections and genital cancers in the male and his female sexual partners. Circumcision during infancy is also associated with faster healing and improved cosmetic outcomes. Circumcision does not impair sexual function or pleasure. Some authorities regard the failure to offer circumcision as unethical, just as it would be unethical to fail to encourage paediatric vaccination. Since the benefits vastly outweigh the risks, each intervention is in the best interests of the child. In conclusion, Adler’s criticisms of thecdc’s evidence-based male circumcision policy are flawed scientifically, ethically and legally, and should be dismissed as endangering public health and individual well-being.

scholarly journals Accelerated Control of Visceral Leishmania donovani Infection in Interleukin-6-Deficient Mice

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 4088-4091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry W. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Therapeutic Blockade ◽  
Th1 Cell ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Type Response ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT In patients with visceral leishmaniasis, increased levels of circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) regularly accompany fully expressed, progressive infections (kala-azar). To experimentally test the role of IL-6, responses to an intracellular Leishmania donovani infection in the livers of IL-6−/− and wild-type mice were compared. IL-6−/− mice showed an enhanced control of the infection and earlier, rapid parasite killing along with additional evidence of a stimulated antileishmanial Th1-cell-type response: increased levels of circulating gamma interferon, accelerated granuloma assembly, and heightened responsiveness to chemotherapy. In this model of visceral leishmaniasis, IL-6 appears to act in a suppressive, macrophage-deactivating fashion, which identifies it as a potential target for therapeutic blockade.

scholarly journals The role of food ethics in food policy

2000 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ben Mepham
Keyword(s):  
Food Policy ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Food Ethics ◽  
Ethical Matrix ◽  
Ethical Acceptability ◽  
Agriculture And Food

Certain developments in the agricultural and food sciences have far-reaching implications for society and the environment, which suggest the need to examine their ethical acceptability as a standard component of technology assessment. Such considerations have led to the emergence of a new academic discipline, food ethics. The present paper describes how ethical theory may be applied to the analysis of the impacts of prospective food biotechnologies to assess potential effects on four 'interest groups', i.e. consumers, producers, treated organisms and the biota (fauna and flora). The principles which structure the framework used, i.e. the ethical matrix, are adapted to the field of agriculture and food from those applied in medical ethics. Use of the ethical matrix is illustrated by applying it to the specific case of bovine somatotrophin, the genetically-engineered protein hormone which is injected into lactating cattle to increase their milk yields. Ethical analysis is seen to depend on a number of critical requirements, i.e. scientific data, non-scientific evidence and predictions, suitably-qualified assessors ('competent moral judges'), the 'world-views' of the assessors and application of the precautionary principle to cope with 'uncertainty'.

Real-Time Fluorimetry Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis and as a Tool for Assessment of Cure for Post–Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keerti Kaumudee Dixit ◽  
V. Ramesh ◽  
Ratan Gupta ◽  
Narendra Singh Negi ◽  
Ruchi Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Isothermal Amplification ◽  
Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Direct Sample

Despite the dwindling number of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases in India, there is an urgent need for early and unequivocal diagnostics for controlling and preventing the reemergence of VL. Post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), a dermal sequela of VL, serves as a reservoir of the parasite. Diagnosis of PKDL, especially the macular variant, is challenging and poses impediment toward attainment of VL elimination. In this study, a real-time fluorimetry loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RealAmp) assay has been established for the detection of different clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis. The study included 150 leishmaniasis patients (25 VL, 25 cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL], and 100-PKDL) along with 120 controls. The assay demonstrated sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 86.68–100) for diagnosis of VL and PKDL (95% CI: 79.61–100) and 96% (95% CI: 86.68–100) for CL with 100% specificity. Moreover, considering the cardinal role of PKDL, diagnosis using minimally invasive slit aspirate was explored, which demonstrated remarkable sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 87.64–98.47). As a test of cure for PKDL, RealAmp successfully detected parasite in two of posttreatment cases who later reported relapse on follow-up. Also, direct sample lysis using slit aspirate was attempted in a small group that yielded sensitivity of 89% (95% CI: 67.20–96.90). RealAmp depicted excellent diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis in concordance with the established SYBR Green I–based visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and the reference comparator real-time PCR. The study endorsed the employment of LAMP either as visual-LAMP or RealAmp for an accurate and expeditious diagnosis of PKDL and as a tool for assessment of cure.

scholarly journals Post Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis Following Treatment with 10 mg/kg of Single Dose AmBisome for Visceral Leishmaniasis in Bihar, India

2020 ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Roshan Kamal Topno ◽  
Manas Ranjan Dikhit ◽  
Maneesh Kumar ◽  
. Madhukar ◽  
Kanhaiya Agrawal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Kala Azar

In view of the significant role of Post kala-azar dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients in the transmission/recurrence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) outbreaks, control of PKDL is among the priorities. As the Single Dose AmBisome 10 mg/kg (SDA) became the obvious choice for the treatment of VL, therefore, in this study, 896 patients were included to explore the probability of developing PKDL. Among the treated patients, 30 (3.35%) of them found confirmed as PKDL with clinical symptoms. Out of the 30 patients, 53.33% male and 46.67% female patients had macular lesions respectively, with a median time (Interquartile range [IQR]) to development of 13.5 (9–23.5) and 23 (9-17) months following treatment. No, significant associations were established concerning any patient's demographics and clinical characteristics. However, with the patients presenting with confirmed PKDL, females were significantly younger than males. This study suggests the rate of PKDL appearance is directly associated with 10 mg/kg of SDA and therefore there is a need for more concerns regarding doses during treatment.

RISK MAPPING OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS: THE ROLE OF LOCAL VARIATION IN RAINFALL AND ALTITUDE ON THE PRESENCE AND INCIDENCE OF KALA-AZAR IN EASTERN SUDAN

2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
DIA-ELDIN A. ELNAIEM ◽  
MADELEINE C. THOMSON ◽  
ANNA BENDALL ◽  
MAHA E. OSMAN ◽  
JUDITH SCHORSCHER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Local Variation ◽  
Risk Mapping ◽  
Kala Azar ◽  
Eastern Sudan

Electron Microscopy of Metal-Matrix Composites

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 404-405
Author(s):  
A. Lawley ◽  
M. R. Pinnel ◽  
A. Pattnaik
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Metal Matrix Composites ◽  
Metal Matrix ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Elastic Behavior ◽  
Matrix Composites ◽  
Directionally Solidified ◽  
Fracture Characteristics ◽  
Broad Program

As part of a broad program on composite materials, the role of the interface on the micromechanics of deformation of metal-matrix composites is being studied. The approach is to correlate elastic behavior, micro and macroyielding, flow, and fracture behavior with associated structural detail (dislocation substructure, fracture characteristics) and stress-state. This provides an understanding of the mode of deformation from an atomistic viewpoint; a critical evaluation can then be made of existing models of composite behavior based on continuum mechanics. This paper covers the electron microscopy (transmission, fractography, scanning microscopy) of two distinct forms of composite material: conventional fiber-reinforced (aluminum-stainless steel) and directionally solidified eutectic alloys (aluminum-copper). In the former, the interface is in the form of a compound and/or solid solution whereas in directionally solidified alloys, the interface consists of a precise crystallographic boundary between the two constituents of the eutectic.

The Role of Zinc in Thyroid Hormones Metabolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 80-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Soares Severo ◽  
Jennifer Beatriz Silva Morais ◽  
Taynáh Emannuelle Coelho de Freitas ◽  
Ana Letícia Pereira Andrade ◽  
Mayara Monte Feitosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Zinc Transporters ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Metabolic Adaptations ◽  
Serum T3 ◽  
Regulatory Effects ◽  
Shed Light

Abstract. Thyroid hormones play an important role in body homeostasis by facilitating metabolism of lipids and glucose, regulating metabolic adaptations, responding to changes in energy intake, and controlling thermogenesis. Proper metabolism and action of these hormones requires the participation of various nutrients. Among them is zinc, whose interaction with thyroid hormones is complex. It is known to regulate both the synthesis and mechanism of action of these hormones. In the present review, we aim to shed light on the regulatory effects of zinc on thyroid hormones. Scientific evidence shows that zinc plays a key role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, specifically by regulating deiodinases enzymes activity, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) synthesis, as well as by modulating the structures of essential transcription factors involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Serum concentrations of zinc also appear to influence the levels of serum T3, T4 and TSH. In addition, studies have shown that Zinc transporters (ZnTs) are present in the hypothalamus, pituitary and thyroid, but their functions remain unknown. Therefore, it is important to further investigate the roles of zinc in regulation of thyroid hormones metabolism, and their importance in the treatment of several diseases associated with thyroid gland dysfunction.

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