scholarly journals Epidemiological Distribution and Potential Risk Factors of Orientia tsutsugamushi Infection in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 108-112
Author(s):  
Alka Shukla ◽  
Mayank Gangwar ◽  
Akanksha Srivastava ◽  
Sonam Rastogi ◽  
Deepak Kumar ◽  
...  

Background: Scrub typhus (ST) is a rickettsial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which presents with flu like symptoms. This disease has been reported from all over India but with slight variations in its pattern. For decreasing the prevalence, preventing new incidences, and predicting the course of the ST, therefore, it is crucial to gain knowledge and perception of local risk components associated with the disease. The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiological distribution and potential risk factors of O. tsutsugamushi Infection in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (EUP), India. Methods: The serums of 211 samples were collected from the suspected cases along with the detailed information about the participants such as age, location, and place recorded in case history form (CRF). IgM estimation was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Results: A total of 58 samples (27.4%) out of 211 ones were found to be positive for IgM antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi bacterium. Furthermore, the results were correlated with epidemiological data such as gender, rural or urban background, pets, and occupation. The results showed that 76.7% of the study participants were from rural areas or had bushes around their houses, 88.3% of them had pets/cattle or frequent encounter with rodents at their houses, and 30.3% of them had no toilet facilities at home. Conclusions: It was concluded that the proximity to pets/cattle, having rodents in closer vicinity, residing in places surrounded by vegetation/farm/bushy areas, and following occupations involving field work increased the chances of getting bitten by mites/chiggers. Overall, Orientia tsutsugamushi prevalence increased in EUP, with respect to clinical features, disease presentation, and laboratory diagnosis can help our community to reduce the mortality caused by this infectious disease.

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Molhima M. Elmahi ◽  
Mohammed O. Hussien ◽  
Abdel Rahim E. Karrar ◽  
Amira M. Elhassan ◽  
Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein

Abstract Background Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne viral disease of ruminant and camelid species which is transmitted by Culicoides spp. The causative agent of BT is bluetongue virus (BTV) that belongs to genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. The clinical disease is seen mainly in sheep but mostly sub-clinical infections of BT are seen in cattle, goats and camelids. The clinical reaction of camels to infection is usually not apparent. The disease is notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), causing great economic losses due to decreased trade and high mortality and morbidity rates associated with bluetongue outbreaks. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan and to identify the potential risk factors associated with the infection. A cross sectional study using a structured questionnaire survey was conducted during 2015–2016. A total of 210 serum samples were collected randomly from camels from 8 localities of Kassala State. The serum samples were screened for the presence of BTV specific immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Results Seropositivity to BTV IgG was detected in 165 of 210 camels’ sera accounting for a prevalence of 78.6%. Potential risk factors to BTV infection were associated with sex (OR = 0.061, p-value = 0.001) and seasonal river as water source for drinking (OR = 32.257, p-value = 0.0108). Conclusions Sex and seasonal river as water source for drinking were considered as potential risk factors for seropositivity to BTV in camels. The high prevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, necessitates further epidemiological studies of BTV infection in camels and other ruminant species to better be able to control BT disease in this region.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Uchiumi ◽  
Guillermo Mujica ◽  
Daniel Araya ◽  
Juan Carlos Salvitti ◽  
Mariano Sobrino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato This study investigated the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with human CE in the towns and rural areas of Ñorquinco and Ramos Mexia, Rio Negro province, Argentina. Methods: In order to detect abdominal CE cysts, we screened 892 volunteers by ultrasound and investigated potential risk factors for CE using a standardized questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to estimate the Prevalence Ratio (PR) and their 95% CIs of the association between CE and the factors investigated. Results: Abdominal CE was detected in 42/892 screened volunteers (4.7%, CI 3.2-6.1), only two of who being under 15 years of age. Thirteen CE (30.9%) cases had 25 cysts in active stages (CE1, CE2, CE3) The most relevant risk factors identified in the bivariate analysis included: live in rural area (p=0.003), age >40 years (p=0.000), drinking always water of natural source (p=0.007), residing in rural areas during first five years of life (p=0.000) and live more than 20 years at your current address (p=0.013). In the multivariate model, statistically significant risk factors were: frequently touch dogs (p=0.012), residing in rural areas during first five years of life (p=0.004), smoking (p=0.000), age > 60 years (p­­=0.002) and live in rural areas (p=0.017).Conclusions: our results point toward infection with CE being acquired since childhood and with constant exposure throughout life, especially in rural areas with a general environmental contamination


PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e83175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdou Razac Boukary ◽  
Claude Saegerman ◽  
Emmanuel Abatih ◽  
David Fretin ◽  
Rianatou Alambédji Bada ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Manal Khudder Abdul Razak

Objective: Patients who frequently receive blood have high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection and potential risk factors among multiply transfused patients.Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in the hemophilia unit in Medical City in Baghdad, between June 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017. After taking consents and approval of ethical comity, the medical records of 1158 patients with hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease (vWD), thrombasthenia, Factors VII, X, and XIII deficiencies, and hypofibrinogenemia were analyzed for the presence of HCV antibody using (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Cases of hemophilia were classified into mild, moderate, and severe.Results: The prevalence of HCV infection was 13.2%. Of total, 595 (51.4%) patients had hemophilia A and 99 (16.6%) were anti-HCV positive, while 225 (19.4%) had hemophilia B and 28 (12.4%) were antibody positive compared to 9 (7%) in vWD. Of those with hemophilia A, 515 (86.6%) had severe hemophilia, and 32 (32.32%) cases had acquired HCV infection after 1996 (after introduction of HCV screening in blood banks in Iraq). There was a statistically significant association with treatment by Factor VIII only.Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV in patients with inherited bleeding disorder is 13.2%. In this study, it was found that multitransfusion is the only predictor for HCV infection in this group of patients. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-44
Author(s):  
Y. Ibrahim ◽  
H. M. Mai ◽  
D. J. U. Kalla ◽  
J. Kabir ◽  
J. Nathaniel

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and associations with potential risk factors of brucellosis in indigenous cattle breeds at the livestock-wildlife interface area of Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 1000 sera samples were examined from 44 herds using convenient and simple random sampling technique. Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA) were used as screening and confirmatory tests respectively. Of the 1000 samples, 23.5% samples were RBPT positive, and after the confirmatory test, the overall true animal-level prevalence was 4.1%. For the herd level prevalence, (47.7%) herds had at least one animal that is seropositive following both tests. Brucellosis seroprevalence was significantly associated with the following potential risk factors; herds that belong to a cooperative society member (p<0.042), herds that keep only cattle (p<0.001), herds that practice commercial farming system (p<0.011), herds that possess a herd size of 51 to 100 cattle (p?0.009) and herds that have no history of abortion and other reproductive disorder (p<0.009). No statistically significant differences in brucellosis seroprevalence was obtained within sex, breed and age groups It can be concluded that brucellosis is still endemic in the study area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Y. Oviedo-Vera ◽  
Irina Chis Ster ◽  
Martha E. Chico ◽  
Marcia B. Silva ◽  
Luis F. Salazar-Garcés ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although Toxocara spp. infection has a worldwide distribution, to our knowledge, no data from birth cohorts have been reported in published studies on the potential for congenital transmission and determinants of infection in early childhood. Methods We followed 290 mother-infant pairs from birth to 5 years of age through periodic collection of data and samples at birth, 7 and 13 months and 2, 3 and 5 years of age. Data on potential risk factors and confounders were collected by maternal questionnaire. Blood for plasma was collected from the mother at time of birth and periodically from the child for detection of anti-Toxocara spp. immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a Toxocara canis larval excretory-secretory antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stool samples were collected from the mother around the time of birth and periodically from the child for microscopic detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Associations between potential risk factors and Toxocara spp. seroprevalence and seroconversion were estimated using multivariable logistic regression and generalized estimating equations. Results Toxocara spp. seroprevalence was 80.7% in mothers and in children was 0%, 9.3%, 48.4%, 64.9%, and 80.9% at 7 months, 13 months, 2, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with increases in seroprevalence over the first 5 years of life in multivariable analyses were age [Odds ratio (OR) 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–2.27, P < 0001], male sex (female vs. male: OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.89, P = 0.006), maternal ethnicity (non-Afro vs. Afro-Ecuadorian: OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.91, P = 0.011), lower maternal educational and socioeconomic level, and childhood STH (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.51–3.47, P < 0.001). Seroconversion rates for infection were greatest at 2 years of age (3.8%/month). Factors associated significantly with seroconversion at 2, 3 or 5 years were childhood STH infection, male sex, and more frequent domestic cat exposure. Conclusions Our data, from an area of high Toxocara spp. endemicity, indicate no congenital transmission but high rates of seroconversion after 13 months of age reaching maternal levels of seroprevalence by 5 years of age. Factors associated with seroprevalence and seroconversion included STH infections, domestic cats, maternal ethnicity, male sex, STH infections, and markers of greater poverty.


Author(s):  
Manal Khudder Abdul Razak

Objective: Patients who frequently receive blood have high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection and potential risk factors among multiply transfused patients.Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in the hemophilia unit in Medical City in Baghdad, between June 1, 2016, and January 1, 2017. After taking consents and approval of ethical comity, the medical records of 1158 patients with hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease (vWD), thrombasthenia, Factors VII, X, and XIII deficiencies, and hypofibrinogenemia were analyzed for the presence of HCV antibody using (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Cases of hemophilia were classified into mild, moderate, and severe.Results: The prevalence of HCV infection was 13.2%. Of total, 595 (51.4%) patients had hemophilia A and 99 (16.6%) were anti-HCV positive, while 225 (19.4%) had hemophilia B and 28 (12.4%) were antibody positive compared to 9 (7%) in vWD. Of those with hemophilia A, 515 (86.6%) had severe hemophilia, and 32 (32.32%) cases had acquired HCV infection after 1996 (after introduction of HCV screening in blood banks in Iraq). There was a statistically significant association with treatment by Factor VIII only.Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV in patients with inherited bleeding disorder is 13.2%. In this study, it was found that multitransfusion is the only predictor for HCV infection in this group of patients. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1599-1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shepelo Getrude Peter ◽  
Daniel Waweru Gakuya ◽  
Ndichu Maingi ◽  
Charles Matiku Mulei

Background and Aim: Ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium is a tick-borne disease of great economic importance in cattle production worldwide. Despite its economic impact, limited knowledge is available on its epidemiology in Africa, including Kenya. Suspected cases of E. ruminantium infections have been reported in the recent past to the University of Nairobi's Veterinary Hospital, prompting the need to investigate their possible re-emergence. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence of E. ruminantium among smallholder dairy cattle in Nairobi City County and to assess potential risk factors. This knowledge may guide the development of appropriate control strategies of ehrlichiosis, subsequently reducing associated losses. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 smallholder dairy farms from Nairobi City County were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected from 314 apparently healthy dairy cattle, and Giemsa-stained blood smears were screened under the microscope for Ehrlichia species. A commercial antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was then used to confirm the presence of the infections in serum samples. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on management practices that may be potential risk factors. A univariate and mixed-effects logistic regression was then used to determine significant risk factors. Results: On microscopy, 79.3% (249/314) of the sampled animals had Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies in white blood cells, though only 18.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.2-23.0) of these were confirmed to be E. ruminantium on ELISA. A farm-level prevalence of 35.5% (95% CI 27.0-45.3) was reported. Female-headed households (p=0.013), farms in Langata region (p=0.027), cleaning of cowsheds fortnightly (p=0.019), and roofing of cowshed (p=0.022) were factors significantly associated with E. ruminantium infections. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of E. ruminantium infections in apparently healthy cattle in smallholder dairy farms in this area, warranting control measures. It is critical to improve animal welfare-related factors, such as cowshed cleaning and roofing, as well as the strategic location of farms, especially, since reservoirs may reduce infection levels in the farms, in relation to wildlife. However, since Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies other than those of E. ruminantium were observed in this study, there is a need to investigate further these factors and the possibility of other Ehrlichia species infecting cattle in the study area.


1993 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Grimston ◽  
Ronald F. Zernicke

Physical exercise is touted as being beneficial for enhancing the functional quality of the skeletal system, as well as the cardiovascular and muscular systems. Unwise training practices, however, combined with potential risk factors may dispose an individual to a bone stress reaction (bone responses to repetitive loads within the physiological range) or stress fracture (frank fracture of a bone from clinically significant stress reactions that produce structural failure). Here, we trace the terms that have been used to describe these injuries and recount the etiology of stress reactions and fractures. Epidemiological data have been reported for military and athletic populations, and in many instances recurring risk factors have been identified, both those that can be modified and those that cannot. In this paper, we review epidemiological data and potential risk factors for stress fractures and summarize current thought about the treatment and prevention of these exercise-related injuries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Uchiumi ◽  
Guillermo Mujica ◽  
Daniel Araya ◽  
Juan Carlos Salvitti ◽  
Mariano Sobrino ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis caused by infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (s.l.). This study investigated the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with human CE in the towns and rural areas of Ñorquinco and Ramos Mexia, Rio Negro province, Argentina. Methods To detect abdominal CE cysts, we screened 892 volunteers by ultrasound and investigated potential risk factors for CE using a standardized questionnaire. Prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to measure the association between CE and the factors investigated, applying bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results Abdominal CE was detected in 42/892 screened volunteers (4.7%, 95% CI 3.2–6.1), only two of whom were under 15 years of age. Thirteen (30.9%) CE cases had 25 cysts in active stages (CE1, CE2, CE3a, according to the WHO Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis [WHO-IWGE] classification). The most relevant risk factors identified in the bivariate analysis included: living in rural areas (P = 0.003), age > 40 years (P = 0.000), always drinking water from natural sources (P = 0.007), residing in rural areas during the first 5 years of life (P = 0.000) and having lived more than 20 years at the current address (P = 0.013). In the multivariate final model, the statistically significant risk factors were: frequently touching dogs (P = 0.012), residing in rural areas during the first 5 years of life (P = 0.004), smoking (P = 0.000), age > 60 years (P = 0.002) and living in rural areas (P = 0.017). Conclusions Our results point toward infection with CE being acquired since childhood and with constant exposure throughout life, especially in rural areas with a general environmental contamination. Graphic Abstract


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