scholarly journals Sero Prevalence of Virus-neutralizing Antibodies for Rabies in Street Dogs of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 268-272
Author(s):  
Shikha Rimal ◽  
Krishna C. Ojha ◽  
Yogendra Shah ◽  
Dhan K. Pant
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Primary Control ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Canine Population ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Adequate Coverage

Introduction: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral zoonotic disease that remains a serious global public health concern. Rabies vaccination with adequate coverage of the canine population has been shown to control rabies outbreaks among canines and to prevent the transmission of rabies from dogs to humans. As vaccination is the primary control measure for rabies, it is important to determine the level of anti-rabies antibodies in animals in order to determine the effectiveness of the control measures being implemented. Materials & Methods: Blood samples were collected from 50 street dogs (August 2016 to December 2016) in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts. Rabies sero-conversion on the separated serum was quantified using PlateliaTM Rabies II Kit (Bio-Rad, China) according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Results: Eighty percent (40/50) of the serum samples surpassed the requested level of rabies antibodies, suggesting good coverage of vaccination among street dogs. Conclusion: However, an active dog surveillance system with a dog registration process before and after vaccination campaigns, and a multi-dimensional approach including all stakeholders, are necessary to eradicate rabies from the canine population in Nepal.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽  
Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽  
José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽  
Angel Entrena-García ◽  
Jorge Fraga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

Low Immunogenicity to Romiplostim in Clinical Studies with ITP Subjects.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3425-3425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibha Jawa ◽  
Martha Hokom ◽  
Jenny Hu ◽  
Yao Zhuang ◽  
Dietmar Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Immunogenicity Assessment ◽  
Covalently Linked

Abstract Romiplostim, a member of the thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetic class, is an Fc-peptide fusion protein (peptibody) that activates intracellular transcriptional pathways leading to increased platelet production via the TPO receptor (also known as cMpl). The peptibody molecule contains two identical single-chain subunits each consisting of human immunoglobulin IgG1 Fc domain, covalently linked at the C-terminus to a peptide containing two TPO receptor-binding domains. Due to the general concern regarding the immunogenic potential for all therapeutic proteins and the specific concern for monitoring antibodies capable of neutralizing thrombopoietin (TPO), an extensive immunogenicity assessment program was developed to support romiplostim. Romiplostim has been engineered to have no amino acid sequence homology to endogenous TPO. A low theoretical risk of developing conformational antibodies that cross-react against TPO exists. This risk was addressed by using an immunogenicity assessment strategy that relied upon a surface plasmon resonance based biosensor immunoassay using the Biacore 3000 capable of simultaneously monitoring antibodies that bind to romiplostim, TPO, or the active peptide portion of romiplostim (TMP). Samples that tested positive for binding antibodies in the Biacore immunoassay were then tested in the definitive functional biological assay to identify any antibodies capable of neutralizing the biological effect of romiplostim or TPO. Serum samples from 236 actively treated subjects were obtained both before and after exposure to romiplostim and were tested for romiplostim and TPO antibodies. In baseline samples, seventeen subjects (7.1%) tested romiplostim antibody positive and 12 subjects (5.1%) tested TPO antibody positive for pre-existing binding antibodies. After romiplostim exposure, twenty-five out of 236 (10.5%) subjects with ITP developed binding antibodies against romiplostim (inclusive of antibodies to both peptide and the whole molecule) and 12 out of 236 (5.1%) subjects with ITP developed binding antibodies against TPO. The antibodies that developed against romiplostim did not cross react with TPO and the antibodies that developed against TPO did not cross react with romiplostim. The incidence of anti-romiplostim neutralizing antibodies among 236 subjects with ITP who were treated with romiplostim across 10 clinical studies was 0.4% (1 out of 236). No cases of anti-TPO neutralizing antibodies were detected in romiplostim treated samples. In conclusion, after thorough immunogenicity assessment of all subjects treated with romiplostim using sensitive methods to detect binding and neutralizing antibodies, only one subject was found positive for the presence of antibodies capable of neutralizing romiplostim that was negative at the time of follow up 4 months later. As expected, none of the subjects treated were positive for antibodies capable of neutralizing TPO. No clinical sequelae were observed in association to the presence of antibodies.

Summary of 11 Years of Enteric Outbreak Investigations and Criteria To Initiate an Investigation, Province of Quebec, 2002 through 2012

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 1563-1570 ◽  
Author(s):  
COLETTE GAULIN ◽  
ANDREA CURRIE ◽  
GENEVIÈVE GRAVEL ◽  
MEGHAN HAMEL ◽  
MARIE-ANDREE LEBLANC ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Primary Control ◽  
Enteric Disease ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Outbreak Investigations

This article presents a retrospective analysis of enteric disease outbreak investigations led by or conducted in collaboration with provincial health authorities in the Province of Quebec from 2002 through 2012. Objectives were to characterize enteric disease outbreaks, quantify and describe those for which a source was identified (including the control measures implemented), identify factors that contributed to or impeded identification of the source, and recommend areas for improvement in outbreak investigations (including establishment of criteria to initiate investigations). A descriptive analysis of enteric disease outbreak summaries recorded in a provincial database since 2002 was conducted, and corresponding outbreak reports were reviewed. Among 61 enteric disease outbreaks investigated, primary pathogens involved were Salmonella (46%), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (25%), and Listeria monocytogenes (13%). Sources were identified for 37 (61%) of 61 of the outbreaks, and descriptive studies were sufficient to identify the source for 26 (70%) of these. During the descriptive phase of the investigation, the causes of 21 (81%) of 26 outbreaks were identified by promptly collecting samples of suspected foods based on case interviews. Causes of outbreaks were more likely to be detected by weekly surveillance or alert systems (odds ratio = 6.0, P = 0.04) than by serotyping or molecular typing surveillance and were more likely to be associated with a common event or location (odds ratio = 11.0, P = 0.023). Among the 37 outbreaks for which causes were identified, 24 (65%) were associated with contaminated food, and recalls were the primary control measure implemented (54%). Review of enteric outbreaks investigated at the provincial level in Québec has increased the province's ability to quantify success and identify factors that can promote success. Multiple criteria should be taken into account to identify case clusters that are more likely to be resolved.

scholarly journals Prevalence and molecular characterization of Shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli isolates from human and sheep in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah

Infectio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Fathi Sharafa ◽  
Iman I. Shabanaa
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Life Threatening

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have emerged as important foodborne pathogens of global public health concern, causing life-threatening diseases. Sheep and their products have been documented as important reservoirs for STECs, especially E. coli O157. The aim of this study was to investigate STECs from diarrheal human and sheep in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Fecal samples were collected between June and August, 2015 from diarrheal humans (n = 134) and sheep (n = 87). Presumptive E. coli human-and sheep-isolated strains were identified for their serotypes, the associated virulence genes (Shiga toxin [stx1 , stx2 ], haemolysin [ehxA] and intimin [eae]) by polymerase chain reaction and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to demonstrate the genetic relatedness between Serotype O157:H7 human- and sheep-isolated strains. Forty eight (48/221; 21.7%) STECs were recovered from both human and sheep, their serotypes were as follows: O157:H7, O26:H11, O157:HNM, O26:HNM, O128:H2, O48:HNM, O111:HNM and OUT:HUT. Various virulence profiles and multiple antibiotic resistance were observed among the isolates. Twenty eight O157:H7 serotypes (17 human isolates and 11 sheep isolates) were identified in 13 PFGE pulsotypes, where human and sheep isolates were highly related. PFGE banding profiles together with serotypes and genotypes afford proof that human and sheep can be colonized and infected with similar E. coli O157:H7 strains. Our findings highlight the importance of epidemiological and microbiological surveillance of STECs; as well as the development of control measures to decrease risks associated with zoonotic O157:H7.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease in South Korea: Antibody Testing from the Perspective of Effective Quarantine Measures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Insuk Sim ◽  
Yun-Jung Kang
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Organization

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which began in December 2019, spread rapidly across Asian countries in January and February 2020 and again after March 2020. COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is characterized by fever, cough, and dyspnea. On January 31, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Quarantine authorities are constantly working to prevent the spread of COVID-19. One of the control measures is preparing for national antibody testing, as another wave of infection is expected to occur in the fall of 2021. There are three reasons for antibody testing from a prevention perspective. First, it can identify people with asymptomatic infection. Second, it can detect whether neutralizing antibodies are produced in individuals who have already been infected. Third, it can confirm collective immunity at a community or population level. Considering the lack of effective antiviral drugs or vaccines, the strategy of implementing an effective antibody testing program is an important control measure to minimize the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals SARS CoV-2. The New Pandemic: Review of Present Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-10
Author(s):  
Sri Sandhya K
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Symptomatic Treatment ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Infectivity Rate ◽  
Health Organization

A novel Corona virus discovered during a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan city, China has raised a global public health concern. This virus spread across the world affecting various countries and was declared a pandemic by World Health Organization(WHO). The outbreak started in December 2019 and by first week of April 2020, 212 countries were affected with more than 1million confirmed cases with a death roll of 79,235 worldwide. This disease was named as COVID-19 and the causative agent was named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus -2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to its genetic similarity with SARS virus. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by respiratory droplets and by contact. Clinical symptoms include high fever, sore throat, cough, breathlessness, progress to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and multisystem dysfunction. Infectivity rate is high with SARSCoV2 , as a result many countries are affected. Control measures like are quarantine, lockdown, regular handwashing, social distancing have been indicated by WHO and being followed by various countries. Due unavailability of an effective vaccine and specific antiviral medication against the virus, only symptomatic treatment along with the isolation of the patient is being done

scholarly journals The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on air quality caused by traffic in Istanbul

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songül KASKUN ◽  
Kadir ULUTAŞ
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Travel Restriction

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has become global public health concern and the first death due to COVID-19 in Turkey occurred on 16 March 2020. Therefore, the Turkish governments took some precautions such as curfew, travel restriction, social isolation and shut down the schools and the universities within the scope of the fight of COVID-19. These precautions may cause a decrease in mobility, which in turn expectation to decrease in traffic-related emissions. In this study, the change in the amount of PM10 and NO2 pollutants were evaluated by dividing them in two periods before and after the virus in 2016 and 2020. Traffic-induced PM10 and NO2 concentrations were monitored at 4 stations located close to road traffic in Istanbul. As a result of the study, it was observed that there was no significant difference in PM10 concentration, however NO2 concentrations decreased by 11.8 percent in the after-virus period.

scholarly journals Glyconanoparticles as tools to prevent antimicrobial resistance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Morelli ◽  
Laura Polito ◽  
Barbara Richichi ◽  
Federica Compostella
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Microbial Infections ◽  
New Antibiotics ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Alternative Delivery

AbstractThe increased phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance and the slow pace of development of new antibiotics are at the base of a global health concern regarding microbial infections. Antibiotic resistance kills an estimated 700,000 people each year worldwide, and this number is expected to increase dramatically if efforts are not made to develop new drugs or alternative containment strategies. Increased vaccination coverage, improved sanitation or sustained implementation of infection control measures are among the possible areas of action. Indeed, vaccination is one of the most effective tools of preventing infections. Starting from 1970s polysaccharide-based vaccines against Meningococcus, Pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b have been licensed, and provided effective protection for population. However, the development of safe and effective vaccines for infectious diseases with broad coverage remains a major challenge in global public health. In this scenario, nanosystems are receiving attention as alternative delivery systems to improve vaccine efficacy and immunogenicity. In this report, we provide an overview of current applications of glyconanomaterials as alternative platforms in the development of new vaccine candidates. In particular, we will focus on nanoparticle platforms, used to induce the activation of the immune system through the multivalent-displacement of saccharide antigens. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors of some arthropod-transmitted diseases in cattle and sheep in Jordan

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-205
Author(s):  
Zaidoun S. Hijazeen ◽  
Zuhair Bani Ismail ◽  
Ahmad M. Al-Majali
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Veterinary Services ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Factors Associated

Aim: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of bluetongue virus (BTV) in sheep and bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) in dairy cattle in Jordan. Materials and Methods: A simple randomized study was designed to collect 600 serum samples from sheep and 300 serum samples from dairy cattle located in the Northwestern parts of Jordan. In addition, data regarding farm management were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire through personal interview to determine potential risk factors. The seroprevalences of BEF and BTVs were determined using serum neutralization test and BTV group-specific competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: The overall seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies against BEFV in dairy cattle was 45.37%. The overall seroprevalence of BTV group-specific antibodies in sheep was 47.8% (54% true seroprevalence). Logistic regression analysis identified geographic location (Irbid) (odds ratio [OR]=1.0; confidence interval [CI]=0.5-2.1), no use of disinfectants on the farm (OR=1.0; CI=0.05-0.1), and lack of veterinary services (OR=10; CI=3.5-13.2) as risk factors associated with high seropositivity against BTV in sheep. Geographic location (Jarash) (OR=3; CI=1.0-5.5), age of the animal (1-2 years of age (OR=1; CI=0.3-1.9), and lack of veterinary services (OR=9; CI=4-11) were identified as risk factors associated with high seroprevalence against BEFV in dairy cattle. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that BEFV in dairy cattle and BTV in sheep are endemic in Northwestern regions of Jordan. Implementation of appropriate control measures is, therefore, required to reduce the adverse effects of these diseases on animal health and productivity.

scholarly journals Inferring the ecological drivers of arboviral outbreaks

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren Tennant ◽  
Trevelyan McKinley ◽  
Mario Recker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Current Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Mosquito Vector ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Incidence Data

AbstractThe emergence and wide-spread circulation of mosquito-transmitted viral diseases, such as dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, is a global public health concern. In the absence of effective vaccines, current control measures are mostly targeted against the mosquito vector and have so far only shown limited success. The reliance on mosquitoes for transmission also imposes strong ecological constraints that can introduce significant spatial and temporal variations in disease incidence. However, the way that epidemiological and ecological factors interact and determine population-level disease dynamics is only partially understood. Here we fit a spatially-explicit individual based model defined within a Bayesian framework to Zika incidence data from Feira de Santana, allowing us to more precisely quantify the relationships between socio-ecological factors and arboviral outbreaks. Our results further demonstrated that the virus was likely introduced into multiple spatially segregated locations at the start of the outbreak, highlighting the benefits that spatio-temporal incidence data would bring in making modelling approaches more realistic for public health planning.

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