Retrospective analysis of the incidence of toxocarosis

Author(s):  
В.А. Ирдеева ◽  
Р.С. Аракельян ◽  
Е.И. Окунская ◽  
Г.Л. Шендо ◽  
А.В. Коваленко ◽  
...  

Целью данной работы явился ретроспективный анализ заболеваемости населения Астраханской области токсокарозом за 2012-2019 гг. Проанализированы 48 эпидемиологических карт лиц, инвазированных токсокарами. Диагноз «токсокароз» подтверждался данными клинического осмотра, жалобами пациентов, эпидемиологическим анамнезом и результатами иммуноферментного анализа с применением тест-систем для выявления антител к антигенам токсокар класса G. Случаи токсокароза отмечались у лиц от 3 до 75 лет, из которых дети составили 18,8% (n = 9). По результатам эпидемиологического анамнеза выяснилось, что большая часть инвазированных – 91,7% (n = 44) не соблюдала правила личной гигиены (употребляла грязные немытые фрукты и овощи – 89,6% (n = 43), не мыла руки перед едой – 16,7% (n = 8), контактировала с недегельминтизированными животными – 58,4% (n = 28): собаками – 43,8% (n = 21), в т. ч. домашними – 90,5% (n = 19), кошками – 14,6% (n = 7), в т. ч. домашними – 85,7% (n = 6). Склонность к геофагии (привычка есть почву) отмечалась у 68,8% (n = 33) инвазированных. А привычка грызть ногти на руках и ногах (онихофагия) отмечалась у 18,8% (n = 9) детей. После установления окончательного диагноза все пациенты проходили курс химиотерапии препаратом албендазол. Таким образом, высокие цифры зараженности лиц, проживавших в Ленинском и Трусовском районах г. Астрахани, связаны с тем, что данные районы являются густонаселенными с большим числом домовладений частного сектора, в котором находятся домашние животные (кошки и собаки). Основные причины заражения токсокарами – несоблюдение правил личной гигиены, употребление в пищу плохо вымытых фруктов и овощей, контакт с животными и геофагия. Титр антител к антигенам токсокар выше разведения 1:800 свидетельствует о наличии висцерального токсокароза у обследуемого лица. The purpose of this work was a retrospective analysis of the incidence of toxocars in the population of the Astrakhan region for 2012-2019. 48 epidemiological maps of persons infected with toxocars were analyzed. The clinical diagnosis of «Toxocarosis» was confirmed by clinical examination data, patient complaints, collected epidemiological history, and data from the enzyme immunoassay method using test systems to detect antibodies to toxocar class G antigens. Cases of toxocarosis were observed in persons aged 3 to 75 years, of which children accounted for 18,8% (n = 9). An epidemiological history was collected, as a result of which it was found that most of the infected – 91,7% (n = 44) did not follow the rules of personal hygiene (this category of patients had such bad habits as: eating dirty unwashed fruits and vegetables – 89,6% (n = 43), unwashed dirty hands before eating – 16,7% (n = 8), contact with non – dehelminthized animals – 58,4% (n = 28): dogs – 43,8% (n = 21), including domestic – 90,5% (n = 19), cats – 14,6% (n = 7), including domestic-85,7% (n = 6). The tendency to geophagy (the habit of eating the soil) was observed in 68,8% (n = 33) of the infected. And the habit of biting the nails on the hands and feet (onychophagia) was observed in 18,8% (n = 9) of children. After the final diagnosis, all patients underwent a course of chemotherapy with albandazole. Thus, the high infection rates of people who lived in the Leninsky and Trusovsky districts of Astrakhan are associated with the fact that these areas are densely populated with a large number of private sector, in which there are domestic animals (cats and dogs). Presumably, one of the main causes of human infection with toxocars was not following the rules of personal hygiene, eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables, contact with animals and geophagy. The presence of a titer of antibodies to toxocar antigens above a dilution of 1: 800 indicates the presence of the disease «Visceral toxocarosis» in the examined person.

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Milana Beišienė ◽  
Rasa Damulytė

We live in an environment rich with various micro-organisms. A lot of germs fall in our hands every day. Various viruses and bacterial infections are spreading through the unclean hands, what can lead to serious health risks. Teachers of pre-school education have the responsibility to encourage young people to develop proper hygiene habits. The principles of personal hygiene must be implemented continuously on a daily basis, by offering suitable, acceptable and interesting forms of activity for children. In order to motivate the development of personal hygiene habits, the creative approach to the importance of clean hands were emphasized: interesting researches, explorations, experiments, moody hands washing motions were performed; various creative activities were offered by using the imagination. Particularly, children were the most motivated by activity through information technology. After carrying out explorations and experiments, the children concluded that there are a lot of germs on the dirty hands and that we are carrying them on foods in such a way. They were convinced that a lot of germs are found on non-greasy fruits and vegetables. The topic of invisible living organisms is very interesting for the children. Once again, it became clear that in order to understand the essence, the child has to study, experiment, explain, discover and learn it by himself. The children emotionally shared their observations, reasoned, focused, and solved the problems during the activities. Tasks, observations, tests gave a sense of pride and self-confidence, all of which it helped to grasp the importance of caring for the cleanness of hands. Children began to wash their hands thoroughly and shared the recipe for soap with their parents. They gave as a present their own made-up soaps for their little friends in the kindergarten. It is likely that all activities will have a positive impact on the formation of children's healthy lifestyle. Additionally, adults must be an example to follow for a healthy lifestyle. Keywords: microbes, healthy lifestyle, clean hands, explorations, experiments, creative activity.


Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 248
Author(s):  
Marina E. O. Rangel ◽  
Luana P. R. Oliveira ◽  
Aline D. Cabral ◽  
Katharyna C. Gois ◽  
Marcos V. M. Lima ◽  
...  

In 2018–2019, we conducted mosquito collections in a municipal vehicle impound yard, which is 10 km from the Serra do Mar Environmental Protection Area in Santo André, SP, Brazil. Our aim is to study arboviruses in the impound yard, to understand the transmission of arboviruses in an urban environment in Brazil. We captured the mosquitoes using human-landing catches and processed them for arbovirus detection by conventional and quantitative RT-PCR assays. We captured two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti (73 total specimens; 18 females and 55 males) and Ae. albopictus (34 specimens; 27 females and 7 males). The minimum infection rate for DENV-2 was 11.5 per 1000 (CI95%: 1–33.9). The detection of DENV-2 RNA in an Ae. albopictus female suggests that this virus might occur in high infection rates in the sampled mosquito population and is endemic in the urban areas of Santo André. In addition, Guadeloupe mosquito virus RNA was detected in an Ae. aegypti female. To our knowledge, this was the first detection of the Guadeloupe mosquito virus in Brazil.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 750
Author(s):  
Tibor Moško ◽  
Soňa Galušková ◽  
Radoslav Matěj ◽  
Magdalena Brůžová ◽  
Karel Holada

The possibilities for diagnosing prion diseases have shifted significantly over the last 10 years. The RT-QuIC assay option has been added for neuropsychiatric symptoms, supporting biomarkers and final post-mortem confirmation. Samples of brain homogenates used for final diagnosis, archived for many years, provide the possibility for retrospective studies. We used a second-generation RT-QuIC assay to detect seeding activity in different types of sporadic and genetic prion diseases in archival brain homogenates and post-mortem CSF samples that were 2 to 15 years old. Together, we tested 92 archival brain homogenates: 39 with definite prion disease, 28 with definite other neurological disease, and 25 with no signs of neurological disorders. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 97.4% and 100%, respectively. Differences were observed in gCJD E200K, compared to the sporadic CJD group. In 52 post-mortem CSF samples—24 with definite prion disease and 28 controls—we detected the inhibition of seeding reaction due to high protein content. Diluting the samples eliminated such inhibition and led to 95.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity of the assay. In conclusion, we proved the reliability of archived brain homogenates and post-mortem CSF samples for retrospective analysis by RT-QuIC after long-term storage, without changed reactivity.


2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103724
Author(s):  
Yorck Olaf Schumacher ◽  
Montassar Tabben ◽  
Khalid Hassoun ◽  
Asmaa Al Marwani ◽  
Ibrahim Al Hussein ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe risk of viral transmission associated with contact sports such as football (soccer) during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the infective and immune status of professional football players, team staff and league officials over a truncated football season resumed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in a country with high infection rates and to investigate the clinical symptoms related to COVID-19 infection in professional football players.MethodsProspective cohort study of 1337 football players, staff and officials during a truncated football season (9 weeks) with a tailored infection control programme based on preventive measures and regular SARS-CoV-2 PCR swab testing (every 3–5 days) combined with serology testing for immunity (every 4 weeks). Clinical symptoms in positive participants were recorded using a 26-item, Likert-Scale-based scoring system.ResultsDuring the study period, 85 subjects returned positive (cycle threshold (cT) ≤30) or reactive (30<cT<40) PCR tests, of which 36 were players. The infection rate was consistent with that of the general population during the same time period. More than half of infected subjects were asymptomatic, and the remaining had only mild symptoms with no one requiring hospitalisation. Symptom severity was associated with lower cT values. Social contacts and family were the most common sources of infection, and no infection could be traced to training or matches. Of the 36 infected players, 15 presented positive serology during the study period.ConclusionFootball played outdoors involving close contact between athletes represents a limited risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe illness when preventive measures are in place.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Regan J. Hayward ◽  
Michael S. Humphrys ◽  
Wilhelmina M. Huston ◽  
Garry S. A. Myers

AbstractDual RNA-seq experiments examining viral and bacterial pathogens are increasing, but vary considerably in their experimental designs, such as infection rates and RNA depletion methods. Here, we have applied dual RNA-seq to Chlamydia trachomatis infected epithelial cells to examine transcriptomic responses from both organisms. We compared two time points post infection (1 and 24 h), three multiplicity of infection (MOI) ratios (0.1, 1 and 10) and two RNA depletion methods (rRNA and polyA). Capture of bacterial-specific RNA were greatest when combining rRNA and polyA depletion, and when using a higher MOI. However, under these conditions, host RNA capture was negatively impacted. Although it is tempting to use high infection rates, the implications on host cell survival, the potential reduced length of infection cycles and real world applicability should be considered. This data highlights the delicate nature of balancing host–pathogen RNA capture and will assist future transcriptomic-based studies to achieve more specific and relevant infection-related biological insights.


1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Kruger ◽  
V. L. Hamilton-Attwell

ABSTRACTSchistosoma haematobium miracidia were collected from a locality with a high prevalence of human infection with the animal parasite, S. mattheei, which hybridizes with S. haematobium, and from 2 localities with negligible infection rates. The terebratoria of the miracidia from these localities were compared with each other, with laboratory maintained S. haematobium and with four populations of S. mattheei by means of scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the terebratorial membrane of certain of the S. haematobium miracidia from the locality with a high S. mattheei prevalence in humans, resembled the more intricate membrane of S. mattheei. This suggests introgressive hybridization between S. haematobium and S. haematobium x S. mattheei.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Julia Giehr ◽  
Jürgen Heinze ◽  
Alexandra Schrempf

Data on host species and the distribution of the endoparasitic fungusMyrmicinosporidium durumincreased continuously in recent decades. Here, we add the antCardiocondyla elegansas new host species. Colonies of the monogynous species were found infested in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon (South France). Samples from the nest indicate high infection rates. All castes and sexes were infected by the spores. Variations of infection rates between sampling methods and species are discussed.


Author(s):  
Reza Ranjbar ◽  
Mehdi Anjomruz ◽  
Ahmad Ali Enayati ◽  
Mehdi Khoobdel ◽  
Atiyeh Rafinejad ◽  
...  

Background: Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis are the most important tick-borne diseases. This study was conducted in three cities of Kerman Province in Iran to investigate the circulation of the bacteria in ticks collected from sheep. Methods: Ticks were collected from animals using Srkj forceps and transferred to the Entomology lab in cold chain. After specimen’s identification, they kept at -70 ºC. Tick DNA was extracted using Bioneers DNA extraction kits followed by Nested PCR technique to amplify ribosomal 16S rRNA gene to detect Anaplasma infection in ticks. Results: 472 sheep were examined from which 349 ticks were collected and identified in laboratory using valid keys. Tick specimens belonged to two genera and four species; Hyalomma marginatum (62.47%) was the most frequent and Hylomma asiaticum (5.73%) showed the least abundance. The infestation rate to different tick species was different in three regions of Kerman Province. Observation revealed that 24 specimens (58.3%) were positive for Anaplasma. There is a significant difference between male and female infection rate. However, there is no significant difference between these variables in each of these cities. Conclusion: This study shows high infection rates to Anaplasma in hard ticks. It is essential for health and veterinary authorities and farmers to use appropriate strategies to control ticks to reduce the infestation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 410-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Hismênia H.M. Garcia ◽  
Lindemberg Souza ◽  
Rita de Cássia M. de Souza ◽  
Alexandre S. Paula ◽  
Érika C. Borges ◽  
...  

Panstrongylus lutzi is generally restricted to the "caatinga" areas of north-eastern Brazil. Adult insects are frequently found in local houses, but colonies have not previously been registered in the statistics of the Control Programme of Chagas Disease. In Ceará State, our study revealed increasing occurrence of this species, usually with high infection rates for Trypanosoma cruzi, and always represented by adults that invaded the artificial environment. We also found nymphs in the peridomicile and inside the houses. In silvatic habitats we collected two adult females from hollow tree trunks, which may represent an alternative natural ecotope for the species in this state. Panstrongylus lutzi entomological collections from Sobral and Crateús, studied by morphology and morphometrics, showed great variability; those from Crateús were larger smaller and paler in colour, with individuals showing genital features consistent with those described for Panstrongylus lutzi or Panstrongylus sherlocki, whereas those from Sobral were darker and with genitalia compatible with P. sherlocki, nevertheless, all were considered to be Panstrongylus lutzi.


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