scholarly journals Brucella suis Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Dogs in Eastern Australia, 2016 to 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine C. Kneipp ◽  
Kate Sawford ◽  
Kate Wingett ◽  
Richard Malik ◽  
Mark A. Stevenson ◽  
...  

Brucella suis is a zoonotic disease of feral pigs that also affects pig hunting dogs, pig hunters, veterinarians and veterinary staff. In recent years the incidence of B. suis in the eastern Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD) has increased. A cross-sectional study was conducted to document the seroprevalence, geographical extent and risk factors for B. suis in dogs at-risk of contracting the disease. Eligible dogs were those that were known to hunt or consume feral pig meat. Dogs were enrolled through private veterinary clinics and/or directly by District Veterinarians in six regions of NSW and QLD. Blood was collected by venepuncture and tested for B. suis antibodies using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by a Complement Fixation Test (CFT) if they returned a positive RBT. Owners were invited to complete a questionnaire on the dogs' signalment, husbandry including hunting practices and locations, and any clinical signs referable to brucellosis. Of the 317 dogs included in the prevalence survey, 21 were seropositive returning a survey-adjusted true seroprevalence of 9.3 (95% CI 0.45 to 18) B. suis positive dogs per 100 dogs at-risk. True seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 24 B. suis positive dogs per 100 across eastern Australia, with the highest prevalence in central west NSW and southern QLD. Adjusted for other factors, dogs that shared a household with other seropositive dogs and those that traveled away from their home regions to hunt were more likely to be seropositive. Clinical signs at presentation were not predictive of serostatus, with seropositive and seronegative dogs equally likely to present with signs consistent with brucellosis. The results obtained from this study show that B. suis exposure is relatively common in dogs that have contact with feral pigs, with one in 10 testing seropositive. Further studies are needed to understand the progression and risk of transmission from seropositive dogs.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 105 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 250-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Duggan ◽  
Amy Windham ◽  
Elizabeth McFarlane ◽  
Loretta Fuddy ◽  
LCSW, MPH ◽  
...  

Objective. To describe family identification, family engagement, and service delivery in a statewide home visiting program for at-risk families of newborns. Setting. Six target communities of Hawaii's Healthy Start Program (HSP), which incorporates 1) early identification of at-risk families of newborns via population-based screening and assessment, and 2) paraprofessionalhome visiting to improve family functioning, promote child health and development, and prevent child maltreatment. Design. Cross-sectional study: describes early identification process and family characteristics associated with initial enrollment. Longitudinal study: describes home visiting process and characteristics associated with continued participation. Subjects. Cross-sectional study: civilian births in 6 communities (n = 6553). Longitudinal study: at-risk families in the intervention group of a randomized trial of the HSP (n = 373). Measures. Process: completeness and timeliness of early identification and home visiting activities; family characteristics: sociodemographics, child abuse risk factors, infant biologic risk. Results. Early identification staff determined risk status for 84% of target families. Families with higher risk scores, young mothers with limited schooling, and families with infants at biologic risk were more likely to enroll in home visiting. Half of those who enrolled were active at 1 year with an average of 22 visits. Families where the father had multiple risk factors and where the mother was substance abusing were more likely to have ≥12 visits; mothers who were unilaterally violent toward the father were less likely. Most families were linked with a medical home; linkage rates for other community resources varied widely by type of service. Half of families overall, but ≥80% of those active at 1 year, received core home visiting services. Performance varied by program site. Conclusions. It is challenging to engage and retain at-risk families in home visiting. Service monitoring must be an integral part of operations.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trudy Tholakele Mhlanga ◽  
Bart K.M Jacobs ◽  
Tom Decroo ◽  
Emma Govere ◽  
Hilda Bara ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundSince the scale-up of routine viral load (VL) testing started in 2016, there is limited evidence on VL suppression rates under programmatic settings and groups at risk of non-suppression. We conducted a study to estimate VL non-suppression (> 1000 copies/ml) and its risk factors using "routine" and "repeat after enhanced adherence counselling" VL results.MethodsWe conducted an analytic cross-sectional study using secondary VL testing data collected between 2014 and 2018 from a centrally located laboratory. We analysed data from routine tests and repeat tests after an individual received enhanced adherence counselling. Our outcome was viral load non-suppression. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with having VL non-suppression for routine and repeat VL.ResultsWe analysed 103 609 VL test results (101 725 routine and 1884 repeat tests results) collected from the country's ten provinces. Of the 101 725 routine and 1884 repeat VL tests, 13.8% and 52.9% were non-suppressed, respectively. Only one in seven (1:7) of the non-suppressed routine VL tests had a repeat test after EAC. For routine VL tests; males (vs females, adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.19, [95% CI:1.14-1.24]) and adolescents (vs adults, aOR=3.11, [95%CI:2.9-3.31]) were more at risk of VL non-suppression. The patients who received care at the secondary level (vs primary, aOR=1.21, [95%CI:1.17-1.26]) and tertiary level (vs primary, aOR=1.63, [95%CI:1.44-1.85]) had a higher risk of VL non-suppression compared to the primary level. Those that started ART in 2014-2015 (vs <2010, aOR=0.83, [95%CI:0.79-0.88]) and from 2016 onwards (vs <2010, aOR=0.84, [95%CI:0.79-0.89]) had a lower risk of VL non-suppression. For repeat VL tests; young adults (vs adults, (aOR)=3.48, [95% CI 2.16 -5.83]), adolescents (vs adults, aOR=2.76, [95% CI:2.11-3.72]) and children (vs adults, aOR=1.51, [95%CI:1.03-2.22]) were at risk of VL non-suppression.ConclusionClose to 90% suppression in routine VL shows that Zimbabwe is on track to reach the third UNAIDS target. Strategies to improve the identification of clients with high routine VL results for repeating testing after EAC and ART adherence in subpopulations (men, adolescents and young adolescents) at risk of viral non-suppression should be prioritised.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S155-S155
Author(s):  
K. Argyropoulos ◽  
G. Andreou ◽  
D. Avramidis ◽  
P. Gourzis ◽  
G. Charalambous ◽  
...  

IntroductionPostpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health condition. Untreated PPD places the mother and infant at risk and is associated with significant long-term effects on child development and behavior.ObjectivesAppropriate screening for and prompt recognition and treatment of depression after the birth of a child are essential for maternal and child well-being.AimsThe purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of PPD in the first 5 days after the birth of a neonate and to investigate associations with several risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 mothers, in a public obstetric hospital in Nicosia, Cyprus. A questionnaire was administered including socio-demographic characteristics. The Greek version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), a 10–item questionnaire to identifying women who are at risk of PPD, was used to estimate depression among the participants.ResultsAccording to EPDS, 42% of the mothers screened positive for risk of developing PPD. Higher risk was observed in very young mothers (<20 years) (66.6% vs 15%), in women with history of psychological disorders (86.95% vs 33.85%), in single mothers (71.69% vs 22.8%), in women with serious problems during the pregnancy (74% vs 23.95%) and in mothers with not healthy neonate (75.7% vs 32.4%).ConclusionThe study reveals a high prevalence of PPD and identifies various risk factors associated with developing PPD. The use of maternal depression screening programs such as the EPDS may help to recognize an elevated risk of postpartum depression and to ensure a healthier mother-child relationship.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S763-S763
Author(s):  
B. Walid ◽  
I. Marrag ◽  
R. Ben Soussia ◽  
F. Ellouze ◽  
M. Nasr

IntroductionHyperprolactinemia is a frequent side effect observed in patients treated with anti-psychotic drugs. The frequency of clinical signs usually correlates with elevated serum prolactin levels.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia among patients treated with a single anti-psychotic and specify the risk factors for its occurrence.MethodsCross-sectional study performed in a period of 6 months in the psychiatric department of Mahdia's hospital, for all patients seen in the consultation and treated with a single anti-psychotic for 12 weeks, with a stable dose, and meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. Prolactin blood tests have been performed and confirmed by a second one in case of abnormality objectified in the first lab test results. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was intended for patients with prolactin levels greater than 150 ng/mL.ResultsNinety-two patients were gathered. Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia was 34.8% of which 7.6% had prolactin levels greater than 150 ng/mL. Two macroadenomas’ cases were detected. The analytical study found 7 factors significantly correlated with hyperprolactinemia, which are: female sex, substance use, the presence of side effects, prescription of atypical anti-psychotics, the anti-psychotic treatment prescribed: haloperidol/amisulpride, doses of anti-psychotic greater than 1000 mg equivalent to chlorpromazine and the combination of psychotropic drugs.ConclusionProlactin blood test should be a systematical analysis for all patients treated with anti-psychotics, to prevent the short and long term side effects.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


Author(s):  
MB Groenewald ◽  
J van Nugteren ◽  
R Parker

Background: Burnout and physician wellness are becoming increasingly topical. While some surveys have been performed with South African anaesthesiologists, these have been conducted in limited samples. While burnout is often measured, there is a paucity of research on contributory risk and protective factors. Method: A contextual, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) and the Areas of Worklife Survey (AWS) were used to assess burnout and contributory organisational risk factors amongst state-employed anaesthesiologists working at Groote Schuur Hospital. Results: Out of a possible 127 members of staff (medical officers, registrars and consultants), 81 responded with 75 completing the full survey (59% response rate). Only 4% of respondents were classified as “burnt out”, defined as scoring high in all three domains of burnout: high emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment. However, 67% of respondents scored high for at least one of the components of burnout, indicating the majority of the respondents are at risk for developing clinically significant burnout. The AWS showed that respondents found their workload inappropriate. However, responses for the categories of control, reward, community, fairness and values were all in the acceptable range. Conclusion: While the overall rate of burnout was low, the majority of respondents were at risk for developing burnout. High perceived workload appeared to be a particular contributory factor. Protection against burnout in this group may be provided by a combination of few organisational risk factors together with feelings of personal accomplishment.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e035651
Author(s):  
Ayman Al-Dahshan ◽  
Mohamad Chehab ◽  
Mohamed Bala ◽  
Mieaad Omer ◽  
Omayma AlMohamed ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to assess the awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms and risk factors among the at-risk population visiting the primary healthcare (PHC) centres in Qatar. The secondary objective was to assess the differences in awareness among population subgroups.DesignA cross-sectional study design was employed.SettingThe study was conducted across six PHC centres in Qatar.ParticipantsPatients, or their accompanying people, aged 50–74 years and Arabic or English speakers, were recruited from the main waiting areas of the selected PHC centres.Data collection and analysisParticipants were interviewed using the validated Bowel/Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied to recruit participants. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used when appropriate. A multivariate linear regression model was constructed to identify the independent predictors of CRC awareness.ResultsThe study includes 448 participants (response rate=87%). The mean age of the participants was 58.48 years (SD ±6.37). The mean awareness score among the participants was 3.63/9 (SD ±2.7) for CRC symptoms and 5.43/11 (SD ±3.3) for CRC risk factors. The overall mean awareness score was 9.03/20 (SD ±5.5). Multivariate linear regression identified the female gender (2.52 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.88)), non-Qatari Arab (2.91 (95% CI 1.64 to 4.18)) or non-Arab nationalities (1.76 (95% CI 0.28 to 3.24)), and tertiary education (4.10 (95% CI 2.55 to 5.66)) as independent predictors of higher CRC awareness.ConclusionIn general, the awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors was low among the at-risk population in Qatar. Specifically, the regression analysis showed men, Qataris, and those with no formal education had low awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors. Such results emphasise the importance of tailoring future educational campaigns that are relevant, specific and appealing to such cohort.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ari Yunanto ◽  
Agustina Tri Endharti ◽  
Aris Widodo

Background There is increasing evidence that toll-like receptors (TLR) play a key role in the mediation of systemic responses to invading pathogens during sepsis. Saliva is an important body fluid for detecting physiological and pathological conditions of the human body. Neutrophils are participants in the acute response against pathogens in many tissues, and their influx into the oral cavity may occur at any time.Objective To compare mean neutrophils and the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in saliva and blood of newborns at risk for sepsis to those of healthy newborns.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2011 in the Division of Neonatology, Department of Child Health, Ulin General Hospital, Lambung Mangkurat University Medical School, Banjarmasin. Case subjects were newborns with sepsis risk factors (30 infants), while 30 healthy infants were in the control group. Saliva and blood specimen examinations were performed in the Biomedical Laboratory of Brawijaya University Medical School, Malang. We used T-test for statistical analyses.Results From saliva specimens, mean neutrophils were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [14.43 (SD 12.21) % vs. 5.63 (SD 6.78) %, respectively, (P=0.021)]. In addition, mean TLR2 and mean TLR4 saliva levels were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [TLR2: 64.97 (SD 26.42) % vs. 40.06 (SD 6.23) %, respectively, (P=0.011); TLR4: 1.5 (SD 1.61) % vs. 0.57 (SD 0.53) %, respectively, (P=0.044)]. From blood specimens, mean neutrophils were also significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [1.09 (SD 0.61)% vs. 0.21 (SD 0.09)%, respectively, (P=0.000)]. Similarly, mean blood TLR2 and TLR4 levels were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group [TLR2: 92.51 (SD 5.51) % vs. 81.74 (SD 11.79) %, respectively, (P=0.003); TLR4: 0.71 (SD 1.42) % vs. 0.12 (SD 0.06) %, respectively, (P=0.000)].Conclusion There are significant increases in neutrophils, as well as neutrophil expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the saliva and blood from newborns with sepsis risk factors compared to those of healthy newborns. [Paediatr Indones. 2013;53:132-7.]


Abstract To better understand the epizootiology of caprine paratuberculosis in the North of Portugal, a cross-sectional study was conducted from 2014 to 2015. The seroprevalence and risk factors for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) seropositivity were evaluated. Antibodies against Map were determined by a commercial ELISA. In 936 sera tested from 56 goat herds, 120 (12.8%, 95% CI: 10.8–15.1%) goats and 34 (60.7%, 95% CI: 47.6–72.4%) herds were positive. Risk factors for seropositivity were investigated by logistic regression models. The odds of Map seropositivity were found to be higher for animals with clinical signs, OR = 5.1 (95% CI: 2.7–9.6%), animals belonging to herds with previous wasting disease, OR = 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1–4.8%), and accumulation of manure in the herd, OR = 3.1 (95% CI: 1.7–5.7%). The potential risk factors identified in this study support the current recommendations for the control of paratuberculosis in these and other animals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela von Hurst ◽  
Donna Lawgun ◽  
Cath Conlon ◽  
Kathryn Beck ◽  
Cheryl Gammon

Abstract Objectives To explore indicators of T2DM risk in a multi-ethnic group of children, using HbA1c as the dependent variable. Methods This data was from a subset of the 730 children recruited for the Children's Bone Study, a cross-sectional study of 8–11 year-old children in Auckland, New Zealand. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured from a finger-prick blood test (Roche Cobas). Anthropometry included weight, height, waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) and percentage body fat (%BF). Ethnicity, gender, age, and physical activity (PA) were assessed by questionnaires completed by the parents or guardians. Regression analysis was used to explore which independent variables best predicted variance in HbA1c. Results When children (n = 451, 10.4 + 0.6 years, 45% male) were classified by glycaemic status, 71 (15.7%) had HbA1c levels indicative of prediabetes (> 39mmol/mol), with Pacific (n = 29, 27.4%) and South Asian (n = 13, 29.5%) children, more likely to be prediabetic compared to European children (n = 10, 6.3%) (P < 0.001). WtHR and %BF together with South Asian and Pacific Island ethnicity were the most significant risk factors for elevated HbA1c and prediabetes. However, a normal %BF was still observed in 35% of children with HbA1c > 39mmol/mol, although the majority of Pacific children were in the at risk group. Conclusions South Asian and Pacific Island adults are at high risk of T2DM compared with the total New Zealand population. The prevalence of elevated HbA1c in children of these ethnicities suggests that the risk is present early in life, supporting the need for early identification and interventions in childhood to halt the progression to T2DM. Funding Sources Massey University Research Fund.


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