Internal parasites and health management of pigs in  Burayu District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The study determined the prevalence and major types of gastrointestinal parasites in pigs and assessed the health management practices on farms in Burayu District in West Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The study was performed from November 2007 to April 2008 using standard coprological examination and a well-organised questionnaire survey. Of the 272 pigs examined for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites, 36 (13.2%) were infected with one or more types of parasite. Neither age nor management system proved to be a statistically significant factor in the prevalence of parasites. The highest prevalence of parasites was recorded in December, January and April, whereas the lowest was observed in February. Significant variation in the prevalence of parasites was noticed amongst study months. The majority of farmers did not use acaricides to treat and control external parasites. Anthelmintics were not used by any of the farmers. Some 76.1% of the farmers never used any type of treatment for sick pigs; 21.7% of the farmers used modern treatment and 2.2% of the farmers used traditional medicines. More than 95.0% of pigs were kept on soil floors and only 10.9% of the housing systems had good ventilation. Dung was removed at least every three days, with the majority of farmers (91.2%) removing it every morning. This study provided evidence for the occurrence of internal parasites in pigs kept in Burayu District in Oromia. Further epidemiological studies are needed to determine the zoonotic and economic importance of pig parasites in other parts of Ethiopia.

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Risk Factors for Bovine Cysticercosis in North-West Italy: A Multi-Year Case-Control Study

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11113049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3049

Author(s):

Selene Rubiola ◽

Barbara Moroni ◽

Luca Carisio ◽

Luca Rossi ◽

Francesco Chiesa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Management Practices ◽

Safety Issue ◽

Treatment Plant ◽

Structural Features ◽

North West ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Bovine Cysticercosis ◽

Worldwide Distribution ◽

And Control

Taenia saginata is the causative agent of bovine cysticercosis, a zoonotic parasitic disease with a worldwide distribution. Bovine cysticercosis is considered to be an important food safety issue responsible for human taeniasis and a major economic concern since infected carcasses undergo condemnation, freezing and downgrading. The aim of the current investigation was to assess the presence of farm-level risk factors for bovine cysticercosis in an endemic area in North-West Italy. A questionnaire was designed to collect information relating to several farm structural features, as well as management practices, environmental characteristics and attitudes of farmers. The questionnaire was administered in two separate time intervals by direct interview to previously selected case and control farms. Overall, 32 case farms and 131 control farms were included between 2005 and 2011 and 50 case farms and 192 control farms were included between 2014 and 2020. The present survey showed a significant association between the detection of bovine cysticercosis cases at slaughter and farm proximity to picnic spots, closeness of wastewater treatment plant effluents, loose-housing systems and presence of employees along with the family members, highlighting the need for targeted awareness raising policies.

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Intestinal Parasites of Neotropical Wild Jaguars, Pumas, Ocelots, and Jaguarundis in Colombia: Old Friends Brought Back from Oblivion and New Insights

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10070822 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 822

Author(s):

Manuel Uribe ◽

Esteban Payán ◽

Jan Brabec ◽

Juan Vélez ◽

Anja Taubert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Health Management ◽

Puma Concolor ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Toxocara Cati ◽

Metazoan Parasites ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Wide Range

Neotropical wild felids (NWF) are obligate carnivore species present in Central and South America, and some are considered endangered due to constantly decreasing populations. NWF can become infected by a wide range of protozoan and metazoan parasites, some of them affecting their health conditions and others having anthropozoonotic relevance. Parasitological studies on NWF are still very scarce, and most data originated from dead or captive animals. On this account, the current study aimed to characterize gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), i.e., four out of six NWF species endemic to Colombia. Fecal samples from jaguars (n = 10) and ocelots (n = 4) were collected between 2012 and 2017 as part of the Jaguar Corridor Initiative from six geographic locations in Colombia. In addition, cestode specimens were obtained during puma and jaguarundi necropsies. Scat samples were processed by standardized sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF), sedimentation, and flotation techniques and by carbol fuchsin-stained fecal smears. Morphological evaluation of feces showed the presence of one cestode (Spirometra sp.), a nematode (Toxocara cati), an acanthocephalan (Oncicola sp.), and one cyst-forming coccidian (Cystoisospora-like oocysts). Feces oocysts were submitted to a Toxoplasma gondii-specific PCR for species identification, but no product was amplified. The cestodes isolated from a puma and jaguarundi were molecularly characterized by sequencing cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, identifying them as Taenia omissa and as a T. omissa sister lineage, respectively. These results collectively demonstrate the potential role of NWF as natural reservoir hosts for neglected zoonotic parasites (e.g., Spirometra sp., T. cati) and highlight their possible role in parasite transmission to human communities. Due to public health concerns, the occurrence of these parasites should be monitored in the future for appropriate zoonotic management practices in conservation strategies and wild felid health management programs.

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On-farm udder health monitoring

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G Großtiere / Nutztiere ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1624622 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (02) ◽

pp. 95-100

Author(s):

J. C. van Veersen ◽

O. Sampimon ◽

R. G. Olde Riekerink ◽

T. J. G. Lam

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Health Management ◽

Action Plan ◽

Real Life ◽

Health Data ◽

Control Points ◽

Udder Health ◽

Critical Control Points ◽

On Farm ◽

Clinical Problems

SummaryIn this article an on-farm monitoring approach on udder health is presented. Monitoring of udder health consists of regular collection and analysis of data and of the regular evaluation of management practices. The ultimate goal is to manage critical control points in udder health management, such as hygiene, body condition, teat ends and treatments, in such a way that results (udder health parameters) are always optimal. Mastitis, however, is a multifactorial disease, and in real life it is not possible to fully prevent all mastitis problems. Therefore udder health data are also monitored with the goal to pick up deviations before they lead to (clinical) problems. By quantifying udder health data and management, a farm is approached as a business, with much attention for efficiency, thought over processes, clear agreements and goals, and including evaluation of processes and results. The whole approach starts with setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, followed by an action plan to realize these goals.

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Epidemiology of HIV in Iran

Current HIV Research ◽

10.2174/1570162x18666200605152317 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 228-236

Author(s):

Zeinab Najafi ◽

Leila Taj ◽

Omid Dadras ◽

Fatemeh Ghadimi ◽

Banafsheh Moradmand ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Health Management ◽

Key Populations ◽

Mena Region ◽

First Case ◽

And Control ◽

Hiv Aids

: Iran has been one of the active countries fighting against HIV/AIDS in the Middle East during the last decades. Moreover, there is a strong push to strengthen the national health management system concerning HIV prevention and control. In Iran, HIV disease has its unique features, from changes in modes of transmission to improvement in treatment and care programs, which can make it a good case for closer scrutiny. The present review describes the HIV epidemic in Iran from the first case diagnosed until prevention among different groups at risk and co-infections. Not only we addressed the key populations and community-based attempts to overcome HIV-related issues in clinics, but we also elaborated on the efforts and trends in society and the actual behaviors related to HIV/AIDS. Being located in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, given the countryspecific characteristics, and despite all the national efforts along with other countries in this region, Iran still needs to take extra measures to reduce HIV transmission, especially in health education. Although Iran is one of the pioneers in implementing applicable and appropriate policies in the MENA region, including harm reduction services to reduce HIV incidence, people with substance use disorder continue to be the majority of those living with HIV in the country. Similar to other countries in this region, the HIV prevention and control programs aim at 90-90-90 targets to eliminate HIV infection and reduce the transmission, especially the mother-to-child transmission and among other key populations.

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The Combined Effect of Weaning Stress and Immune Activation during Pig Gestation on Serum Cytokine and Analyte Concentrations

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082274 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2274

Author(s):

Haley E. Rymut ◽

Laurie A. Rund ◽

Courtni R. Bolt ◽

Maria B. Villamil ◽

Bruce R. Southey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Activation ◽

Management Practices ◽

Interleukin 1 ◽

Interleukin 2 ◽

Blood Chemistry ◽

Respiratory Syndrome Virus ◽

Weaning Stress ◽

And Control ◽

Metabolic Hormone

Weaning stress can elicit changes in the metabolic, hormone and immune systems of pigs and interact with prolonged disruptions stemming from maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation. The present study advances the characterization of the combined effects of weaning stress and MIA on blood chemistry, immune and hormone indicators that inform on the health of pigs. Three-week-old female and male offspring of control gilts or gilts infected with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus were allocated to weaned or nursed groups. The anion gap and bilirubin profiles suggest that MIA enhances tolerance to the effects of weaning stress. Interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 2 were highest among weaned MIA females, and cortisol was higher among weaned relative to nursed pigs across sexes. Canonical discriminant analysis demonstrated that weaned and nursed pigs have distinct chemistry profiles, whereas MIA and control pigs have distinct cytokine profiles. The results from this study can guide management practices that recognize the effects of the interaction between MIA and weaning stress on the performance and health of pigs.

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Analysis of Pneumonia Occurrence in Relation to Climate Change in Tanga, Tanzania

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094731 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4731

Author(s):

Samweli Faraja Miyayo ◽

Patrick Opiyo Owili ◽

Miriam Adoyo Muga ◽

Tang-Huang Lin

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Negative Binomial ◽

Health Management ◽

Severe Pneumonia ◽

Positive Association ◽

Negative Binomial Regression ◽

Health Management Information System ◽

Cold Temperatures ◽

Climate Indicators ◽

And Control

In 2018, 70% of global fatalities due to pneumonia occurred in about fifteen countries, with Tanzania being among the top eight countries contributing to these deaths. Environmental and individual factors contributing to these deaths may be multifaceted, but they have not yet been explored in Tanzania. Therefore, in this study, we explore the association between climate change and the occurrence of pneumonia in the Tanga Region, Tanzania. A time series study design was employed using meteorological and health data of the Tanga Region collected from January 2016 to December 2018 from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority and Health Management Information System, respectively. The generalized negative binomial regression technique was used to explore the associations between climate indicators (i.e., precipitation, humidity, and temperature) and the occurrence of pneumonia. There were trend differences in climate indicators and the occurrence of pneumonia between the Tanga and Handeni districts. We found a positive association between humidity and increased rates of non-severe pneumonia (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02; p ≤ 0.05) and severe pneumonia (IRR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01–1.03; p ≤ 0.05). There was also a significant association between cold temperatures and the rate of severe pneumonia in Tanga (IRR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.11–1.33; p ≤ 0.001). Other factors that were associated with pneumonia included age and district of residence. We found a positive relationship between humidity, temperature, and incidence of pneumonia in the Tanga Region. Policies focusing on prevention and control, as well as promotion strategies relating to climate change-related health effects should be developed and implemented.

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To pray in four directions: Understanding Vietnamese farmers' shrimp health management practices

Aquaculture ◽

10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.736406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 536 ◽

pp. 736406

Author(s):

Kim Chi Tran ◽

Anders Dalsgaard ◽

Phan Thi Van ◽

Britt Pinkowski Tersbøl

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Health Management ◽

Shrimp Health

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Molecular Cytogenetic Classification of Down Syndrome and Screening of Somatic Aneuploidy in Mothers

Cytogenetic and Genome Research ◽

10.1159/000519624 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Sushil Kumar Jaiswal ◽

Ashok Kumar ◽

Amit Kumar Rai

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Trisomy 21 ◽

Health Management ◽

Chromosome 21 ◽

Robertsonian Translocations ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Down Syndrome (DS) caused by trisomy 21 results in various congenital and developmental complications in children. It is crucial to cytogenetically diagnose the DS cases early for their proper health management and to reduce the risk of further DS childbirths in mothers. In this study, we performed a cytogenetic analysis of 436 suspected DS cases using karyotyping and fluorescent in situ hybridization. We detected free trisomies (95.3%), robertsonian translocations (2.4%), isochromosomes (0.6%), and mosaics (1.2%). We observed a slightly higher incidence of DS childbirth in younger mothers compared to mothers with advanced age. We compared the somatic aneuploidy in peripheral blood of mothers having DS children (MDS) and control mothers (CM) to identify biomarkers for predicting the risk for DS childbirths. No significant difference was observed. After induced demethylation in peripheral blood cells, we did not observe a significant difference in the frequency of aneuploidy between MDS and CM. In conclusion, free trisomy 21 is the most common type of chromosomal abnormality in DS. A small number of DS cases have translocations and mosaicism of chromosome 21. Additionally, somatic aneuploidy in the peripheral blood from the mother is not an effective marker to predict DS childbirths.

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Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Prognostics for Robot Tool Center Accuracy Degradation

Volume 3: Manufacturing Equipment and Systems ◽

10.1115/msec2018-6603 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guixiu Qiao ◽

Brian A. Weiss

Keyword(s):

Health Management ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Test Methods ◽

Component Level ◽

Data Set ◽

Root Cause ◽

Robot Systems ◽

Robot Performance ◽

And Control ◽

Constituent Elements

Over time, robots degrade because of age and wear, leading to decreased reliability and increasing potential for faults and failures; this negatively impacts robot availability. Economic factors motivate facilities and factories to improve maintenance operations to monitor robot degradation and detect faults and failures, especially to eliminate unexpected shutdowns. Since robot systems are complex, with sub-systems and components, it is challenging to determine these constituent elements’ specific influence on the overall system performance. The development of monitoring, diagnostic, and prognostic technologies (collectively known as Prognostics and Health Management (PHM)), can aid manufacturers in maintaining the performance of robot systems by providing intelligence to enhance maintenance and control strategies. This paper presents the strategy of integrating top level and component level PHM to detect robot performance degradation (including robot tool center accuracy degradation), supported by the development of a four-layer sensing and analysis structure. The top level PHM can quickly detect robot tool center accuracy degradation through advanced sensing and test methods developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The component level PHM supports deep data analysis for root cause diagnostics and prognostics. A reference data set is collected and analyzed using the integration of top level PHM and component level PHM to understand the influence of temperature, speed, and payload on robot’s accuracy degradation.

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