scholarly journals Ocular Toxoplasmosis among Livestock Farmers and Raw Meat Handlers in Uyo, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emem Godwin Abraham ◽  
Anietie Effiong Moses ◽  
Uwemedimbuk Smart Olugbemi O. Motilewa ◽  
Akaninyene Innocent Uwah ◽  
EmeIwatItina ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND፡ Toxoplasmosis is the commonest cause of infectious posterior uveitis in humans and can lead to blindness and low vision in both immune-competent and immunecompromised persons worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Ocular Toxoplasmosis (OT) and potential risk factors among livestock farmers and raw meat handlers in Uyo.METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional communitybased study involving clinical eye examination, laboratory detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody and HIV testing. Participants’ other information was obtained using interviewer-administered questionnaire.RESULTS: There were 339 participants aged 15-78 (mean 34.8±11.6) years,283 (83.5%) were males 56(16.5%) were females; 189 (55.8%) tested seropositive for anti-Toxo. gondiiIgG antibodies. Eight (2.4%) had presumed ocular toxoplasmosis (POT); 6 of the 8 were seropositive for anti T.gondiiIgG antibody; and 2 of the 8 POT (25%) were HIV-seropositive. Of the 189 who were anti-T.gondiiIgG antibody seropositive, 6 (3.2%) had OT. Factors associated with OT were age (31-50 years) and female gender (P = 0.049 and 0.001, respectively). HIV infection was associated with POT (P=0.033). Most of the ocular lesions (87.5%) were unilateral and located at the posterior pole (77.7%).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of presumed ocular toxoplasmosis (POT) and ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) among livestock farmers and raw meat handlers in Uyo are 2.4% and 1.8%, respectively. Potential risk factors are being female, and persons between fourth and fifth decades of life. Awareness creation on toxoplasmosis among this occupational group is advocated.

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1553
Author(s):  
Jean Bosco Ntivuguruzwa ◽  
Francis Babaman Kolo ◽  
Richard Simba Gashururu ◽  
Lydia Umurerwa ◽  
Charles Byaruhanga ◽  
...  

Bovine brucellosis is endemic in Rwanda; however, little information is available on seroprevalence and risk factors. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted among cattle farmed at the wildlife-livestock-human interface (n = 1691) in five districts and one peri-urban district (n = 216). Cattle were screened using the Rose Bengal test, then the results were confirmed by indirect enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay. Potential risk factors were determined with a questionnaire and analyzed for their association with seropositivity. In all districts, the animal and herd-level seroprevalence was 7.4% (141/1907) and 28.9% (61/212), respectively, 8.3% (141/1691) and 30.9% (61/198) at the interface, and 0.0% (0/216) in peri-urban areas. Among the potential risk factors, old age (≥5 years), cattle farmed close to wildlife, herds of cattle and small ruminants, history of abortions, and replacement animals were significantly associated with brucellosis (p < 0.05). Low awareness of zoonotic brucellosis, assisting calving without biosafety protection, drinking raw milk, and manual milking were each observed in more than 21.7% of cattle keepers whose herds were seropositive. This study confirmed brucellosis endemicity in cattle farmed close to wildlife in Rwanda, suggesting the need to focus control efforts in these areas. Educated farmers with a high awareness of zoonotic brucellosis had low bovine brucellosis seropositivity, which emphasizes the importance of education.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e030894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hnin Thiri Khaing ◽  
Shuhei Nomura ◽  
Daisuke Yoneoka ◽  
Peter Ueda ◽  
Kenji Shibuya

ObjectiveThe levels, distributions of child malnutrition and its potential risk factors are not very well known in Myanmar. The objectives included in this study were: to estimate the current national and subnational prevalence of four types of malnutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight and overweight) among children under 5 in Myanmar; to identify potential risk factors associated with each type of malnutrition and to investigate how the identified risk factors’ distributions explained the regional disparities in malnutrition prevalence.Design/methodsData from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2015–2016 were used to estimate the prevalence of four types of malnutrition at both national and subnational levels (15 regions). Logistic regression models were applied to examine the association between each type of malnutrition and its risk factors, including child’s factors, parental social status and household conditions. The risk factor-adjusted prevalence of the malnutrition was estimated at the subnational level based on the estimated parameters from the regression models.ResultsThe national prevalence of stunting, wasting, underweight and overweight in children under 5 was estimated to be 29.1% (95% CI 27.7% to 30.6%), 6.8% (6.0% to 7.6%), 18.3% (17.0% to 19.5%) and 1.5% (1.1% to 1.9%), respectively. Substantial regional variations in the prevalence of each type of malnutrition were observed. Several risk factors of each type of malnutrition were identified, including low birth weight (LBW) and inadequate maternal nutritional status. Except for overweight, regional variations largely persisted even after adjustment for the risk factors investigated.ConclusionThe prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 is still high in Myanmar, most commonly stunting. Targeted interventions aimed at prevention of LBW, improving the maternal nutritional status, in addition to other sociodemographic conditions should be encouraged urgently. Further research is necessary to investigate the potential sources of regional variation in prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 in the country.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal A.S. Qaddumi ◽  
Omar Almahmoud

Aim: To determine the prevalence rate and the potential risk factors of pressure ulcers (PUs) among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) departments of the government hospitals in Palestine. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study was carried out in five government hospital intensive care units in four different Palestinian cities between September 27, 2017, and October 27, 2017. The data of 109 out of 115 (94.78%) inpatients were analyzed. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) recommended by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) was used to collect inpatients’ information. Results: The result of the analysis showed that the prevalence of pressure ulcers in the ICU departments was 33%, and the prevalence of PUs when excluding stage one was 7.3%. The common stage for pressure ulcers was stage one. It was also determined that the most common risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers were the number of days in the hospital, moisture, and friction. Conclusion: According to the recent studies in the Asian States, the prevalence of pressure ulcers in Palestine is considerably higher than in China and Jordan. However, it is still lower than the prevalence reported in comparable published studies in Western Europe. Increasing the staff’s knowledge about PUs screening and preventive measures is highly recommended in order to decrease the burden of PUs.


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. 


RMD Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e000700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca M Joseph ◽  
David W Ray ◽  
Brian Keevil ◽  
Tjeerd P van Staa ◽  
William G Dixon

BackgroundGlucocorticoids (GCs) suppress endogenous cortisol levels which can lead to adrenal insufficiency (AI). The frequency of GC-induced AI remains unclear. In this cross-sectional study, low morning salivary cortisol (MSC) levels were used as a measure of adrenal function. The study aim was to investigate the prevalence of low MSC in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) currently and formerly exposed to oral GCs, and the association with potential risk factors.MethodsSample collection was nested within UK primary care electronic health records (from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink). Participants were patients with RA with at least one prescription for oral GCs in the past 2 years. Self-reported oral GC use was used to define current use and current dose; prescription data were used to define exposure duration. MSC was determined from saliva samples; 5 nmol/L was the cut-off for low MSC. The prevalence of low MSC was estimated, and logistic regression was used to assess the association with potential risk factors.Results66% of 38 current and 11 % of 38 former GC users had low MSC. Among former users with low MSC, the longest time since GC withdrawal was 6 months. Current GC dose, age and RA duration were significantly associated with increased risk of low MSC.ConclusionThe prevalence of low MSC among current GC users is high, and MSC levels may remain suppressed for several months after GC withdrawal. Clinicians should therefore consider the risk of suppressed cortisol and remain vigilant for symptoms of AI following GC withdrawal.


2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa N. Jackson ◽  
Jake P. Morgan ◽  
Diane L. Jackson ◽  
Taylor R. Cook ◽  
Kevin McLean ◽  
...  

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among trauma surgeons is three times that of the general population, and physician burnout (PBO) among surgeons is rising. Given that PTSD and PBO are both stress-based syndromes, we aim to identify the prevalence and risk factors for PTSD among trauma and nontrauma surgeons, and determine if a relationship exists. A cross-sectional survey of surgeons was conducted between September 2016 and May 2017. Respondents were screened for PTSD and PBO. Traumatic stressors were identified, and 20 potential risk factors were assessed. The respondents (n = 1026) were grouped into trauma (n = 350) and nontrauma (n = 676). Between the cohorts, there was no significant difference in prevalence of screening positive for PTSD (17% vs 15%) or PBO (30% vs 25%). A relationship was found between PTSD and PBO (P < 0.001). The most common traumatic stressor was overwhelming work responsibilities. Potential risk factors for PTSD differed, but overlapping risk factors included hospital culture, hospital support, and salary (P < 0.05). Our findings of an association between PTSD and PBO is concerning. Interventions to reduce rates of PTSD should target changing the existing culture of surgery, improving hospital support, and ensuring equitable pay.


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