scholarly journals Surveillance of Human Guinea Worm in Chad, 2010–2018

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Anne J. Guagliardo ◽  
Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben ◽  
Donald R. Hopkins ◽  
Adam J. Weiss ◽  
Phillipe Tchindebet Ouakou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Contamination ◽  
Clear Pattern ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Guinea Worm ◽  
Mobile Populations ◽  
Additional Challenge ◽  
History Of ◽  
Eradication Campaign ◽  
Global Eradication ◽  
Male Subjects

The total number of Guinea worm cases has been reduced by 99.9% since the mid-1980s when the eradication campaign began. Today, the greatest number of cases is reported from Chad. In this report, we use surveillance data collected by the Chad Guinea Worm Eradication Program to describe trends in human epidemiology. In total, 114 human cases were reported during the years 2010–2018, with highest rates of containment (i.e., water contamination prevented) in the years 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 (P < 0.0001). Approximately half of case-patients were female, and 65.8% of case-patients were aged 30 years or younger (mean: 26.4 years). About 34.2% of case-patients were farmers. Cases were distributed across many ethnicities, with a plurality of individuals being of the Sara Kaba ethnicity (21.3%). Most cases occurred between the end of June and the end of August and were clustered in the Chari Baguirmi (35.9%) and Moyen Chari regions (30.1%). Cases in the northern Chari River area peaked in April and in August, with no clear pattern in the southern Chari River area. History of travel within Chad was reported in 7.0% of cases, and male subjects (12.5%) were more likely than female subjects (1.7%) to have reported a history of travel (P = 0.03). Our findings confirm that human Guinea worm is geographically disperse and rare. Although the proportion of case-patients with travel history is relatively small, this finding highlights an additional challenge of surveillance in mobile populations in the final stages of the global eradication campaign.

scholarly journals Analysing malaria events from 1840 to 2020: the narrative told through postage stamps

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Brabin
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wide Audience ◽  
Postage Stamps ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Eradication Campaign ◽  
Malaria Eradication ◽  
Global Eradication ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractThe role played by postage stamps in the history of malaria control and eradication has largely gone unrecognized. Scientific investigators of malaria, especially Nobel laureates, were commemorated with special issues, but the work of the World Health Organization (WHO), which promoted an ambitious and global philatelic initiative in 1962 to support global eradication, is generally overlooked. This review examines the philatelic programme that helped to generate international commitment to the goal of malaria eradication in 1962 and established philatelic malaria icons that had worldwide recognition. Malaria-related postage stamps have continued to be issued since then, but the initial failure of malaria eradication and the changing goals of each new malaria programme, inevitably diluted their role. After the first Global Malaria Eradication Campaign was discontinued in 1969, few Nations released philatelic issues. Since the Spirit of Dakar Call for Action in 1996 a resurgence of postage stamp releases has occurred, largely tracking global malaria control initiatives introduced between 1996 and 2020. These releases were not co-ordinated by the WHO as before, were more commercialized and targeted stamp collectors, especially with attractive miniature sheets, often produced by photomontage. Having a different purpose, they demonstrated a much wider diversity in symbolism than the earlier stylized issues and at times, have been scientifically inaccurate. Nonetheless postage stamps greatly helped to communicate the importance of malaria control programmes to a wide audience and to some extent, have supported preventive health messages.

scholarly journals Some lessons for malaria from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matiana González-Silva ◽  
N. Regina Rabinovich
Keyword(s):  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Polio Virus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Eradication Campaign ◽  
Global Polio Eradication Initiative ◽  
Governance Strategy ◽  
Malaria Eradication ◽  
Near Future

AbstractThe Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988 with the aim of completely clearing wild polio viruses by 2000. More than three decades later, the goal has not been achieved, although spectacular advances have been made, with wild polio virus reported in only 2 countries in 2019. In spite of such progress, novel challenges have been added to the equation, most importantly outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio cases resulting from reversion to neurovirulence of attenuated vaccine virus, and insufficient coverage of vaccination. In the context of the latest discussions on malaria eradication, the GPEI experience provides more than a few lessons to the malaria field when considering a coordinated eradication campaign. The WHO Strategic Advisory Committee on Malaria Eradication (SAGme) stated in 2020 that in the context of more than 200 million malaria cases reported, eradication was far from reach in the near future and, therefore, efforts should remain focused on getting back on track to achieve the objectives set by the Global Technical Strategy against Malaria (2016–2030). Acknowledging the deep differences between both diseases and the stages they are in their path towards eradication, this paper draws from the history of GPEI and highlights relevant insights into what it takes to eradicate a pathogen in fields as varied as priority setting, global governance, strategy, community engagement, surveillance systems, and research. Above all, it shows the critical need for openness to change and adaptation as the biological, social and political contexts vary throughout the time an eradication campaign is ongoing.

scholarly journals P045 Nothing is too 'cagey' for the rheumatologist

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad F Kazmi
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Careful Monitoring ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Asian Origin ◽  
Travel History ◽  
Chest Clinic ◽  
History Of ◽  
Inflammatory Changes

Abstract Background/Aims  Rheumatological conditions can present with a number of non-specific features like arthralgia, fever, fatigue, weight loss along with raised inflammatory markers and positive antibodies. Due to this, when similar symptoms are referred for input it is very important to consider other ‘mimics’. We report a case of Pigeon fancier’s lung presenting with these symptoms which was referred as likely connective tissue disease. Methods  A 52-year-old lady of South Asian origin was referred by her GP with six month history of 3kg weight loss, arthralgia, fatigue, low grade fever and persistently raised inflammatory markers (ESR ranging from 50-64 mm/hr, CRP 10-14 mg/L, normal BMI). On further questioning there was history of mouth ulcers, non-specific rash, occasional cough but no Raynaud’s or joint swelling. Blood investigations showed weakly positive ANA and RF but negative ENA, DNA, antiCCP , CK, C3,C4. C-ANCA was positive but PR3 negative. CXR was clear and tests for chronic infections including TB were negative. Due to lack of objective CTD signs, plan was to take a careful monitoring approach to see if clinical features evolved. A month later due to worsening cough, a CT chest/abdomen arranged by GP showed ground-glass changes consistent with pneumonitis and hence her rheumatology appointment was expedited to see if there was an autoimmune unifying diagnosis. She was also referred by her GP to the chest clinic in view of CT report and mild shortness of breath. Results  On further review, again there were no objective CTD signs. On direct questioning there was history of travelling before worsening chest symptoms to South Asia. Also around a year before her symptoms started she was given an African grey parrot. Based on this, serology for Avian precipitin was checked which showed strongly positive IgG antibodies to avian antigens (Budgerigar droppings and feathers, Pigeon feathers IgG Abs) confirming the diagnosis of pigeon fanciers lung. She fulfilled the diagnostic criteria and was asked to avoid the trigger. Urgent respiratory input was arranged where diagnosis was agreed with and disease was deemed sub-acute in presentation. Due to PFTs showing low transfer factor of 38%, Prednisolone was started with significant improvement within few days. Review of CT chest only showed inflammatory changes and no established fibrosis predicting excellent prognosis as delay in treatment can cause irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion  A number of conditions can mimic rheumatological conditions which usually turn out to be either infectious or malignant in origin. This case highlights the importance of considering other differentials and along with taking a travel history also asking for other possible triggers like pets. In similar scenarios the diagnosis may be ‘cagey’ but as rheumatologists we are expected to answers questions which others can’t. Disclosure  M.F. Kazmi: None.

scholarly journals Arch Widths in Class II-2 Adults Compared to Adults with Class II-1 and Normal Occlusion

2007 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Huth ◽  
Robert Newton Staley ◽  
Richard Jacobs ◽  
Harold Bigelow ◽  
Jane Jakobsen
Keyword(s):  
Class Ii ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Gender Dimorphism ◽  
Arch Width ◽  
Normal Occlusion ◽  
Division 1 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Division 2 ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Female Subjects

Abstract Objective: To compare (1) arch widths in adults with Class II division 2 (II-2), Class II division 1 (II-1), and Class I normal occlusions, (2) genders, (3) gender dimorphism, (4) differences between maxillary and mandibular arch widths, and to (5) develop adult norms for arch widths. Materials and Methods: Subjects were white Americans with no history of orthodontic treatment. Arch width dimensions measured were: intercanine, intermolar, and molar alveolar in both arches. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's test were used to compare groups. Results: Comparison of pooled genders showed the II-2 group had maxillary arch widths significantly smaller than the normal occlusions and significantly larger than the II-1 group. All groups had similar mandibular intercanine and alveolar widths. The II-2 and II-1 groups had similar mandibular intermolar widths, both significantly smaller than normal occlusions. The II-2 group had a maxillary/mandibular intermolar difference significantly smaller than the normal occlusions, and significantly less negative than the II-1 group. Gender comparisons in two of six widths showed normal and II-2 male subjects were similar, and in six of six widths normal and II-2 female subjects were similar; in five of six widths II-2 and II-1 male and female subjects were similar. Gender dimorphism occurred in five of six widths in normal occlusions, four of six widths in II-2, and one of six widths in II-1. Conclusions: Arch width dimensions of II-2 subjects were intermediate between normal and II-1 occlusions. In both Class II malocclusions, the process that narrows arch widths was more pronounced in male than in female subjects.

African Studies Keyword: Malaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 959-985
Author(s):  
Melissa Graboyes ◽  
Zainab Alidina
Keyword(s):  
African Continent ◽  
Historical Knowledge ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
The Past ◽  
Moral Problems ◽  
History Of ◽  
Global Eradication ◽  
Biomedical Interventions ◽  
Scientific Questions

AbstractFrom nearly any perspective and metric, the effects of malaria on the African continent have been persistent and deep. By focusing on the malady of malaria and the last century of biomedical interventions, Graboyes and Alidina raise critical historical, ethical, and scientific questions related to truth telling, African autonomy, and the obligations of foreign researchers. They provide a condensed history of malaria activities on the continent over the past 120 years, highlighting the overall history of failures to eliminate or control the disease. A case study of the risks of rebound malaria illustrates the practical and moral problems that abound when historical knowledge is ignored. In light of current calls for renewed global eradication efforts, Graboyes and Alidina provide evidence for why historical knowledge must be better integrated into global health epistemic realms.

scholarly journals Death of the King: The Introduction of Vaccination into Nepal in 1816

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Heydon
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Smallpox Vaccination ◽  
Communicable Disease Control ◽  
Eradication Programme ◽  
Early Appearance ◽  
Colonial Authority ◽  
History Of ◽  
Global Eradication ◽  
Health Organization

This article explores the introduction of smallpox vaccination into Nepal in 1816 at the request of the Nepalese government; the king, however, was not vaccinated, contracted the disease and died. British hopes that vaccination would be extended throughout the country did not eventuate. The article examines the significance of this early appearance of vaccination in Nepal for both Nepalese and British, and relates it to the longer history of smallpox control and eventual eradication. When the Nepalese requested World Health Organization (WHO) assistance with communicable disease control in the mid-twentieth century little had changed for most Nepalese. We know about the events in 1816 through the letters of the newly imposed British Resident after Nepal’s military defeat in the Anglo-Nepal War (1814–16). By also drawing on other sources and foregrounding Nepal, it becomes possible to build up a more extensive picture of smallpox in Nepal that shows not only boundaries and limits to colonial authority and influence but also how governments may adopt and use technologies on their own terms and for their own purposes. Linking 1816 to the ultimately successful global eradication programme 150 years later reminds us of the need to think longer term as to why policies and programmes may or may not work as planned.

scholarly journals Study of blood lead and semen lead concentration in male infertility

Pulse ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
BC Debnath ◽  
M Ibrahim ◽  
P Fatima
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Lead Concentration ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Serum Hormone ◽  
History Of ◽  
Male Subjects ◽  
Larger Sample ◽  
Control Study

Objective: To evaluate the association of blood and semen lead with male  infertility. Design: It was a case control study carried out in the department of Biochemistry, BSMMU, from January, 2004 to December, 2004.Subjects: Of 52 male subjects, 26 were infertile with oligospermia and / or asthenospermia. Age matched 26 normospermic subjects with normal standard semen parameters (volume, count, motility and morphology) were selected as controls. None had the history of occupational exposure to lead.Results: Median values of blood lead were 19.96 µg/dl and 17.68 µg/dl (normal <25 µg/dl); semen lead were 29.56µg/dl and 28.17 µg/dl (normal 15.37 ± 3.92 µg/dl) in cases and controls respectively. Neither blood lead nor semen lead showed significant difference between cases and controls. There was significant positive correlation between blood lead and semen lead concentrations. There was no significant correlation of semen and blood lead concentrations with other semen parameters & serum hormone concentrations (FSH, LH, & Testosterone) in cases. Conclusion: Though the association of blood or semen lead with male infertility was not established in our study, yet, increased seminal lead concentration found in our study subjects may be indicative of subtle exposure of lead in our environment. So, further study with larger sample size is needed. The clinicians should consider the lead measurements when evaluating male partners of couples with unexplained infertility and for assessment of lead status, semen lead measurement can be recommended.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v4i1.6955Pulse Vol.4 January 2010 p.10-13

Risk of schizophrenia in male subjects with a history of obstetric complications and their siblings: A controlled study

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
G. Bersani ◽  
I. Taddei ◽  
P. Venturi ◽  
M.S. Cattaruzza ◽  
P. Pancheri
Keyword(s):  
Obstetric Complications ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
History Of ◽  
Male Subjects

Beating the Odds in a Big Country

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Lehane
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Field Staff ◽  
History Of ◽  
Eradication Campaign ◽  
Research Scientists ◽  
Beating The Odds ◽  
The Many

The implementation of the Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign has been one of the most significant animal health achievements in the history of Australia and worldwide. The unprecedented technical and operational complexity of the campaign presented an enormous challenge to cattle producers, veterinarians, research scientists, field staff and administrators over the 25 years of the project. Beating the Odds in a Big Country captures the dynamism of the campaign and records the very real contribution in cash and kind made by the many producers whose herds were subject to eradication programs.

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