scholarly journals Cross-sectional Molecular Detection of Francisella tularensis in Domestic Rabbits in Sulaimani Province Kurdistan Region, Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Hardi Marif ◽  
Miran Omer ◽  
Hana Raoof ◽  
Aryan Ehsan ◽  
Kazh Hasan ◽  
...  

Tularemia is one of the diseases transmitted between humans and animals. It is caused by a Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. Recent serological studies suggested that tularemia can be an endemic bacterial zoonotic disease in some countries surrounding Iraq such as Iran and Turkey. The main objective of this study is to detect tularemia in Sulaimani province northeast Iraq near to Iran border. Sulaimani city also has contact with many Turkish cities. This study was conducted between Jun and October 2020. Blood samples were taken from one hundred local breed rabbits of different ages and sexes. A highly sensitive real-time PCR technique was used. Sixteen out of one hundred blood samples (16%) were positively taken from different local breed rabbits from four different places in Sulaimani province. All positive samples were detected in the center of Sulaimani city. No published documents have been reported yet about tularemia in Kurdistan Region. This paper documented molecular detection of F. tularensis in local breed rabbits in Sulaimani province Kurdistan Region-Iraq

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Md Zulfekar Ali ◽  
Mohammad Moktader Moula ◽  
Zafar Ahmed Bhuiyan ◽  
Muhammad Tariq Javed

AbstractChicken astroviruses (CAstV) are enteric viruses of poultry causing gastroenteritis, malabsorption, gout and white chick disease commonly known as runting-stunting syndrome (RSS). It can affect the wide range of poultry birds, especially chicken, turkey and duck worldwide. To our best knowledge there is no published report on presence of antibodies against CAstV in Bangladesh. Therefore, the study aimed to detect the presence of CAstV antibodies in broilers and sonali chickens (a cross-bread) in Bangladesh through a cross-sectional survey. A total of 454 blood samples from 66 flocks of broiler (n=343) and sonali chickens (n=111) of different ages were obtained during 2017 from four districts. The birds were healthy but were not vaccinated against CAstV. The samples were tested for specific antibodies against CAstV Group B by using commercially available ELISA kit. Overall, 16.74% (76/454) samples and 34.84% (23/66) flocks were positive for CAstV antibodies. The seroprevalence of CAstV was significantly (p=0.001) higher in sonali chickens (36.96%) than broiler (10.20%), while it was significantly higher (p=0.001) in birds of Bogura district (36.94%) than the other three districts. Regarding the age groups, seroprevalence was insignificantly (p=0.192) higher in sonali chicken before laying age (45%) than during laying age (27.45%). Regarding the seasons, CAstV infection was prevalent significantly (p=0.001) higher in winter season. Thus, the present study indicated the presence of CAstV in poultry in Bangladesh, so further studies are required to find out the magnitude of the problem in the country.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Getu Abeje ◽  
Woyneshet Gelaye ◽  
Getaneh Alemu

Abstract Background Both capillary and venous blood samples have been interchangeably used for the diagnosis of malaria in Ethiopia. However, Plasmodium parasites are thought to be more concentrated in capillary than in venous blood. Hence, selecting a sample source where parasites are more concentrated is indispensable approach in order to maximize the accuracy of blood film microscopy. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the detection rate and the parasitemia level of Plasmodium species from conventional capillary and venous blood films, and buffy coat preparations. Methods A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from Feburary to March 2020 among 210 febrile patients attending Hamusite health center, northwest Ethiopia. Capillary and venous blood samples were collected and buffy coat was prepared from each sample. Thin and thick blood films were prepared, stained, and examined microscopically following standard protocol. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software version 20 and Med-Calc software version 19.3. Results Capillary blood buffy coat (61/210, 29.0%) had significantly higher detection rate as compared to capillary (48/210, 22.9%) and venous (42/210, 20.0%) blood films (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between capillary and venous blood films (p = 0.070) in detecting Plasmodium species. The highest and the lowest mean asexual stage parasite counts were found in capillary blood buffy coat (4692.88) and venous blood (631.43) films, respectively showing significant variations (p < 0.001). Mean gametocyte count was also highest in capillary blood buffy coat (3958.44). As compared to capillary blood buffy coat, the sensitivity of venous blood buffy coat, capillary blood film and venous blood film were 73.8, 78.7, 68.9%, respectively. Conclusion Capillary blood buffy coat samples showed the highest sensitivity in detecting and quantitating malaria parasites that its use should be promoted in clinical settings. However, conventional capillary and venous blood films could be used interchangeably.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Oloruntoba Ayodele Ekun ◽  
Oluwatumininu Mary Olawumi ◽  
Christian Chigozie Makwe ◽  
Nkeiruka Ogochukwu Ogidi

Objectives. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific syndrome. Studies have shown that preeclampsia has multiorgan dysfunction effects. This study evaluated biomarkers of renal and liver function among preeclamptic Nigerian women. Study Design. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 49 preeclamptic women and 50 normotensive healthy pregnant women. Method. The baseline data comprising age, gestational age, and blood pressure were obtained. Venous blood and spot urine samples were collected from each participant. Plasma obtained from blood samples taken into lithium heparinized vacutainer bottles was assayed for electrolytes, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, and uric acid, while sera samples from blood samples taken into serum separation tube- (SST-) gel vacutainer were assayed for aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase using ion selective electrode technique and Cobas autoanalyzer. Spot urine samples were assayed for protein and creatinine using Pyrogallol’s reagent and Jaffe’s methods, respectively. Microalbuminuria (protein/creatinine ratio) was generated from spot urine protein and creatinine data. Result. The plasma sodium, total protein, and albumin in preeclamptic group were significantly decreased (p<0.05) when compared with control. There was statistically significant increase (p<0.05) in microalbuminuria, plasma potassium, urea, creatinine, uric acid levels, serum AST, and ALT activities in preeclamptic group. A positive association (p<0.05) between alanine aminotransferase and biomarkers of renal function was observed. Conclusion. Preeclampsia has deleterious effects on renal and liver function as shown by alteration of these parameters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 154-155
Author(s):  
Rafael Ovidio Bautista Rivas ◽  
Naomi C Willard ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Jenny R Morris ◽  
Alicia Olivo Espinal ◽  
...  

Abstract Blood glucose levels in piglets at birth are potentially associated with survival, however, there has been limited research to quantify these and to establish any associations with piglet characteristics. This study, which evaluated the effects of a number of piglet characteristics on blood glucose levels at birth, was conducted as a cross-sectional survey involving 32 litters. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a sub-sample of litter. At birth, piglets were weighed and assigned a vitality score [1 = high vitality; 2 = low vitality (limited mobility and/or respiration)]. Piglets were then dried with a cellulose-based desiccant, and blood samples were collected from half of the piglets in each litter with a vitality score of 1 (n = 226) and all piglets with a vitality score of 2 (n = 7). Samples (1.2 μL) were collected from the vena subcutanea abdominis; blood glucose was measured using a glucometer (Accuchek Aviva; Roche Diabetes Care, Inc., Indianapolis, IN). Effects of piglet characteristics and relationships with blood glucose levels were analyzed using PROC MIXED, PROC GLIMMIX, and PROC REG of SAS, as appropriate. There were no effects (P &gt; 0.05) of piglet birth weight or gender on blood glucose levels. Piglets with a vitality score of 2 had higher (P &lt; 0.05) blood glucose levels than those with a score of 1. Blood glucose levels increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) with birth order (0.8 mg/dL for each piglet increase). In conclusion, blood glucose levels at birth were higher for piglets with low compared to high vitality and for those born later in the birth order. Further research is needed to establish relationships between blood glucose levels in piglets at birth and subsequent survival.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-213
Author(s):  
G.Y. Benjamin ◽  
H.I. Inabo ◽  
M.H.I. Doko ◽  
B.O. Olayinka

Malaria is a disease of public health concern in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The aim of this study was to detect genetic markers associated with Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance among malaria patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional study that lasted from May 2018 to October 2018. Three hundred blood samples were collected from consenting individuals attending selected hospitals, in the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire were used to obtain relevant data from study participants. The blood samples were screened for malaria parasites using microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kit. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used for detection of the drug resistance genes. Pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhps and pfatpase6 genes were detected at expected amplicon sizes from the malaria positive samples. The pfatpase6 PCR amplicons were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was created to determine their relatedness. Result showed that Pfcrt (80%) had the highest prevalence, followed by pfdhfr (60%), pfmdr1 (36%) and pfdhps (8%). Pfatpase6 was also detected in 73.3% of the samples, and a phylogenetic tree showed relatedness between the pfatpase6  sequences in this study and those deposited in the GenBank. In conclusion, the study detected that Plasmodium falciparum genes were associated with drug resistance to commonly used antimalarials.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edineia Aparecida Gomes Ribeiro ◽  
Danielle Biazzi Leal ◽  
Maria Alice Altenburg de Assis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in detecting excess body fat among schoolchildren in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 2,772 schoolchildren aged seven to ten years. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the BMI, the WC and the WHtR in identifying children with excess body fat (defined as values that were equal to or higher than the 90th percentile of the standardized residuals obtained from the sum of the four skinfolds thickness). Likelihood ratio estimates were used to select, for each anthropometric index, the cut-off points that presented the highest association with excess body fat. RESULTS: The BMI, WC and WHtR performed well in detecting excess body fat, indicated by areas under the ROC curve (AUC) close to 1.0, with slightly higher AUC for the BMI in comparison to the WC and the WHtR concerning both sexes. Highly sensitive and specific cut-off points were derived for the three anthropometric indices. Sensitivity ranged from 85.7 to 92.9% for the BMI, from 78.6 to 89.7% for the WC, and from 78.6 to 89.2% for the WHtR. Specificity ranged from 83.2 to 91.4%, from 75.0 to 90.7%, and from 77.4 to 88.3% for the BMI, the WC and the WHtR, respectively. CONCLUSION: BMI, WC and WHtR can be used as diagnostic tests to identify excess body fat in children from seven to ten years of age.


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