scholarly journals Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained for Animal-Assisted Therapy

Author(s):  
Antonio Santaniello ◽  
Susanne Garzillo ◽  
Alessia Amato ◽  
Mario Sansone ◽  
Alessandro Fioretti ◽  
...  

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a non-pharmacological therapy aimed at people with physical and/or mental disabilities. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out interventions that guarantee its benefits for patients while also avoiding the risk of zoonoses due to contact with the animals or their mucous membranes. The present study aimed to detect the occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in the oral cavity of dogs attending a “dog educational centre” and training for AAT interventions. In addition, some of the potential predictable factors of infection (i.e., age, sex, breed, and living conditions) were analyzed. In total, 25/200 dogs examined (12.5%; 95% confidence interval = 8.4–18.1%) were positive for P. multocida, as confirmed by PCR. Sex, breed, and living conditions were risk factors associated with P. multocida as revealed by the logistic regression analysis. Specifically, cross-bred female dogs living prevalently outdoors were significantly associated with the presence of P. multocida (p < 0.05). This study represents the first epidemiological survey of the prevalence of P. multocida in the oral cavity of dogs involved subsequently in AAT interventions, highlighting the potential risk of P. multocida infection in patients, often belonging to risk categories (e.g., children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals). Therefore, healthcare guidelines could be suggested to integrate the current literature related to the health check of dogs involved in AAT. In this way, it could be ensured that, even with bodily contact during AAT, the risk of pathogen transmission by the co-therapist dog can be avoided.

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa Maria Eleutério de Barros Lima Martins ◽  
Lorena Amaral Jardim ◽  
João Gabriel Silva Souza ◽  
Carlos Alberto Quintão Rodrigues ◽  
Raquel Conceição Ferreira ◽  
...  

This study aimed at identifying the prevalence of the negative evaluation of dental services among elderly Brazilians and at investigating whether the prevalence was higher among those using public or philanthropic provider services than among those paying privately or using private health plans. Additionally, factors associated with this negative assessment were identified. Interview and survey data were collected in the residences of participants by trained and calibrated examiners as part of a national epidemiological survey of oral health conditions of the Brazilian population in 2002/2003. The dependent variable was obtained in response to questions regarding whether the participant had ever used dental services, the frequency of use, and the quality of this service. Potential responses to the questions regarding the quality of service were very poor or poor, fair, and good or very good. The main independent variable was the system of health care used with potential responses being health plan or private, public, and philanthropic services. We conducted univariate (linear tendency χ2test) and multiple descriptive analyses, and the partial proportional Odds model for ordinal logistic regression. Among the elderly, 196 (3.7%) evaluated the provided services negatively (very poor or poor). Participants with the following responses were more likely to evaluate the services negatively: those who had used public or philanthropic services, men, those with higher education, the ones who had not received information about preventing dental problems, those who perceived pain in their teeth and gums in the last six months, and those who self-reported their oral health and speech was poor. In conclusion, elderly Brazilian users of public and philanthropic services were more likely than users of private or insurance-based plans to evaluate their dental services negatively, regardless of the other investigated variables.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Nakanishi ◽  
Masaru Furuya ◽  
Takehisa Soma ◽  
Yoshiki Hayashiuchi ◽  
Ryusaku Yoshiuchi ◽  
...  

Objectives Feline gingivostomatitis (FGS) is a painful chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of detection of certain common feline bacteria and viruses to determine any potential associations with FGS. Methods A multicentre case-control study design was conducted. In total, 72 control cats and 32 cats with FGS were included in the study. Oral swabs were cultured for bacterial identification and a PCR assay was carried out to examine the infection of feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), Chlamydia felis, Mycoplasma felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Results There was a significant difference in age distribution between the control and the FGS group. Based on a PCR assay, the positive rate of FCV was significantly higher in FGS cats than control animals. For other infectious pathogens, including FHV-1, C felis and M felis, there was no significant difference. Bacterial culture of oral swabs revealed that Pasteurella multocida was most frequently detected, but the detection rate was significantly lower in FGS cats. In FGS cats, the incidence of Enterococcus faecalis and anaerobic bacteria were more frequently isolated than in control cats. Conclusions and relevance This study indicates that the positive rate of FCV was significantly higher in cats with FGS, and the microflora of the oral cavity of cats with FGS might be disrupted, although additional studies are required to compare the oral microbiome in cats of a variety of ages.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaehoon Jeong ◽  
Sungmin Kim ◽  
Nahyeon Kim ◽  
Yoonjoo Lee ◽  
Daechang Kim

Abstract Background: The biggest problem in an aging society is the development of degenerative brain disease in the elderly. Neurodegenerative brain disease can cause cognitive dysfunction and rapidly increase the prevalence of dementia and Parkinson's disease, posing a huge economic and social burden on the elderly. A computerized cognitive rehabilitation training system has been developed to prevent and train cognitive dysfunction, showing various clinical effects. However, few studies have analyzed components of contents such as memory and concentration training. In this study, the clinical effects and characteristics of the color, number and words elements were analyzed by subdividing the memory and concentration contents into elements, difficulty, and training methods.Methods: Using a total of eight contents developed based on neuropsychology, 24 normal subjects with an average age of 60.58 ± 3.96 years were conducted 3 times a week, and training was received for 30 to 45 minutes per session. To determine the training effect, MMSE-K, an evaluation tool most closely related to cognitive therapy, was used. The number of errors and problem solving time used in the analysis were dataized by measuring the number of incorrect answers selected by the subject and the time spent solving the problem, respectively. Using t-test, the significance of different between before and after training was determined. Correlation between the number of errors and problem-solving time by week was determined using a trend line. All experimental procedures and evaluations were conducted after obtaining IRB approval from Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital (DUIH2020-07-001).Results: The subjects' MMSE-K scores were 27.88 ± 1.70 points before intervention to 28.63 ± 1.69 points after three weeks of intervention. In each subdivided component, color element showed an effect of improving complex difficulty, number element had the most effective training effect, and word element had a predictive effect on cognitive decline. Conclusions: A detailed analysis results of the components used in a computerized cognitive rehabilitation training system will help develop degenerative brain disease contents to be developed later, and is expected to contribute to a prevention-oriented medical paradigm


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Widodo Widodo ◽  
Sumardino Sumardino

Abstract: Awareness, Early Detection Capabilities, And Community Empowerment. This study aims to improve the ability of elderly people in the early detection of degenerative diseases in Posyandu Melati III Tegalrejo, Ceper, Klaten. While the specific purpose of this study was to describe the initial knowledge of early detection of degenerative diseases, describing the changes of knowledge and capacity for early detection of degenerative diseases post-counseling and training. This study used a quasi-experimental research design (queasy-experiment). The data source of this research is a group of elderly Posyandu Bed III Tegalrejo, Ceper, Klaten with the method of selecting a sample is total population. The tools used in this study was a questionnaire to evaluate the cognitive, psychomotor aspects SOP to evaluate and extension materials. Results showed that changes in knowledge and capacity for early detection of the elderly against degenerative diseases in Posyandu Melati III Tegalrejo, Ceper, Klaten. This is evident from the test results of paired t-test with a significance value of 0.000> 0.05. The provision of health education and training early detection of degenerative diseases can increase knowledge of the initial capital to raise public awareness about the importance of early detection capabilities against degenerative diseases so that the quality and degree of health of the elderly can be optimized.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 37-46
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Laskowska ◽  
Joanna Mystkowska ◽  
Dawid Łysik ◽  
Sylwia Chmielewska ◽  
Łukasz Suprewicz ◽  
...  

Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis not only within the oral cavity but also in further sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Pleiotropic properties of saliva include participation in the digestion of carbohydrates, cleansing and moisturizing the oral cavity, and maintaining the composition of the oral microbiome. The result of impaired function of the salivary gland is reduced salivation – hyposalivation, leading to dry mouth – xerostomia. It is established that numerous physiological factors (age, sex, weight change) and pathological factors (polytherapy, head and neck cancer, coexisting diseases such as diabetes, depression, cardiovascular diseases) lead to the reduction in saliva secretion, and in effect, causing a dry mouth. Treatment of salivary secretion disorders involves pharmacological therapy (including hormone therapy) or replacement therapy which based on the use of saliva substitutes. In the case of disturbances in the secretion of natural saliva, the application of the artificial saliva preparations should support the chewing processes, moisturize the oral cavity, and fulfill the biological functions of saliva. However, to date, on the pharmaceutical market, there are no saliva substitutes that meet the biological criteria and maintaining favorable physicochemical properties and rheological parameters. Taking into account the problems of the patients which are burden by impaired salivary secretion, the aim of our research was to attempt to develop an artificial saliva preparation that reflecting as much as possible the properties of natural saliva, both in terms of mechanical and biological properties. As part of the research, the chemical composition was developed and a detailed study of the physicochemical and rheological parameters of artificial saliva preparations containing mucins as well as their microbiological and biocompatibility assessment, at in vitro level were carried out.


Author(s):  
Robert Zweiker ◽  
Sabine Perl

Hypertension has a major impact on cardiovascular and overall morbidity and mortality of patients. In most cases, the condition is caused by polygenetic predisposition and environmental lifestyle factors. General practitioners and other health-care providers should seek to screen for high blood pressure (BP) in all adults. Public knowledge about the disease can also help to detect previously unknown hypertension. First-degree family members of hypertensive patients deserve special attention because of the hereditary nature of the disease. Most measurements are made as in-office BP readings (>140/>90mmHg), which should be confirmed by out-of-office BP measurements in order to uncover white-coat effects. The basis for treatment decisions is ideally a calculation of the overall cardiovascular risk. Treatment of hypertension consists of both non-pharmacological lifestyle changes and pharmacological therapy. Several classes of antihypertensive drugs are available. The choice of medication is mainly dependent on compelling indications, as their main effect is BP lowering per se. From a hypertensiologist’s view, renin–angiotensin system inhibition seems an appropriate first choice of treatment for younger patients, whereas the elderly benefit more from calcium channel blockers and diuretics. Nevertheless, therapy based on the combination of 2–3 drugs is preferable in most cases.


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