Epidemiological status of erhrlichiosis as a high-risk zoonosis in endemic populations

This work was carried out at the animal health veterinary clinic, located on Cuauhtémoc avenue, Colonia La Rivera, in the city of Tuxpan de Rodríguez Cano, Veracruz, Mexico, during the period of October 2019 - March 2020. Aiming to determine the prevalence canine Ehrlichiosis, for which 30 canine E. canina serotypes were identified. For this evaluation, the AB GENOME kit was used, which was based on an indirect ELISA test in canines with apparent symptoms of the disease. The data were processed in the SPSS version 10 statistical package and the differences between treatments were detected by Duncan's test, the level of significance was 95% taking into account the variables of sex, age and race. The results indicated 23% of positive cases of the canines exposed to E. canis and 7 negative cases with a prevalence of 76.66%. According to the results obtained that were based on the association that existed between the presence of antibodies against E. canis, with age, race, sex, it was determined that there is no association between the presence of antibodies against E. canis and none of the variables described above.

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Avaliação do Perfil Nutricional dos Funcionários das Equipes Estratégia Saúde da Família e Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família do Município de Pedralva – MG/ Evaluation of the Nutritional Profile of Workers from the Family Health Strategy Team and the Supp

REVISTA CIÊNCIAS EM SAÚDE ◽

10.21876/rcsfmit.v4i3.223 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 12-21

Author(s):

Ana Isabel da Silva Ferreira ◽

Edna Slob

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Family Health ◽

Abdominal Circumference ◽

Nutritional Profile ◽

Health Strategy ◽

The Family ◽

Family Health Strategy ◽

The City

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil nutricional das equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família e do Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família do município de Pedralva. Materiais e métodos: Estudo descritivo, analítico, transversal, realizado com 42 profissionais que compõem as equipes Estratégias Saúde da Família (ESF) e Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família (NASF) no município de Pedralva/MG. Foram coletados dados antropométricos, como peso, altura e circunferências corporais e aplicado um formulário de frequência do consumo alimentar, para avaliar os hábitos alimentares desses profissionais Resultados: Quanto ao estado nutricional, 40,5% dos funcionários se encontravam eutróficos, 40,5% com sobrepeso e 19% com obesidade. Em relação ao risco de doenças cardiovascular, analisando a circunferência abdominal, 9% não apresentou risco, 24% dos funcionários tinham risco elevado e 67%, risco muito elevado; ao se utilizar a relação cintura quadril, encontrou-se 76% dos funcionários sem risco e 24% com risco. De acordo com o inquérito alimentar, observou frequente consumo de arroz, feijão, salada, salgados e carne, pouco consumo de frutas, legumes e peixes. Conclusão: medidas preventivas devem ser tomadas, a fim de evitar que o quadro atual do perfil antropométrico dessa população se torne ainda mais comprometedor, além de garantir melhoria da qualidade de vida dos mesmos. Palavras-chave: Avaliação nutricional. Estado nutricional. Inquérito alimentar. ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile of the teams of the Family Health Strategy and Support Center for Family Health in the city of Pedralva. Materials and methods: descriptive, analytical, transversal study performed with 42 professionals that make up the teams of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the Support Center for Family Health (NASF) in the city of Pedralva/MG. Anthropometric data such as weight, height and body circumferences were collected and a questionare about the frequency of food consumption was applied to assess the dietary habits of these Professional Results: Regarding nutritional status, 40.5% of employees were normal weight, 40.5% overweight and 19% obese. Regarding the risk of cardiovascular diseases, analyzing abdominal circumference, 9% showed no risk, 24% of employees had high risk and 67%, very high risk; when using the waist-hip ratio, we found 76% of employees with no risk and 24% at risk. According to food survey observed frequent consumption of rice, beans, salad, savory meat and little consumption of fruits, vegetables and fish. Conclusion: Preventive measures should be taken to prevent the current situation of anthropometric profile of this population from becoming even more engaging and also ensure improved quality of life for them. Keywords: Nutritional evaluation. Nutritional status. Dietary survey.

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Validation of a Novel Commercial ELISA Test for the Detection of Antibodies against Coxiella burnetii

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9121075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1075

Author(s):

Salvatore Ledda ◽

Cinzia Santucciu ◽

Valentina Chisu ◽

Giovanna Masala

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Phase Ii ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Q Fever ◽

Animal Health ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Clinical Diagnostics ◽

Complex Life Cycle ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Specificity And Sensitivity

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative pathogen with a complex life cycle and a high impact on public and animal health all over the world. The symptoms are indistinguishable from those belonging to other diseases, and the disease could be symptomless. For these reasons, reliable laboratory tests are essential for an accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to validate a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, named the Chorus Q Fever Phase II IgG and IgM Kit (DIESSE, Diagnostica Senese S.p.A), which is performed by an instrument named Chorus, a new device in medical diagnostics. This diagnostic test is employed for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii Phase II antigens in acute disease. Our validation protocol was performed according to the Italian Accreditation Body (ACCREDIA) (Regulation UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 and 17043:2010), OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), and Statement for Reporting Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD). Operator performance was evaluated along with the analytical specificity and sensitivity (ASp and ASe) and diagnostic accuracy of the kit, with parameters such as diagnostic specificity and sensitivity (DSp and DSe) and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), in addition to the repeatability. According to the evaluated parameters, the diagnostic ELISA test was shown to be suitable for validation and commercialization as a screening method in human sera and a valid support for clinical diagnostics.

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An Alternative Risk Assessment Model of Urban Waterlogging: A Case Study of Ningbo City

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13020826 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 826

Author(s):

Meiling Zhou ◽

Xiuli Feng ◽

Kaikai Liu ◽

Chi Zhang ◽

Lijian Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

High Risk ◽

Assessment Model ◽

Risk Assessments ◽

Risk Assessment Model ◽

Risk Area ◽

The North ◽

Coastal Cities ◽

Risk Areas ◽

The City

Influenced by climate change, extreme weather events occur frequently, and bring huge impacts to urban areas, including urban waterlogging. Conducting risk assessments of urban waterlogging is a critical step to diagnose problems, improve infrastructure and achieve sustainable development facing extreme weathers. This study takes Ningbo, a typical coastal city in the Yangtze River Delta, as an example to conduct a risk assessment of urban waterlogging with high-resolution remote sensing images and high-precision digital elevation models to further analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of waterlogging risk. Results indicate that waterlogging risk in the city proper of Ningbo is mainly low risk, accounting for 36.9%. The higher-risk and medium-risk areas have the same proportions, accounting for 18.7%. They are followed by the lower-risk and high-risk areas, accounting for 15.5% and 9.6%, respectively. In terms of space, waterlogging risk in the city proper of Ningbo is high in the south and low in the north. The high-risk area is mainly located to the west of Jiangdong district and the middle of Haishu district. The low-risk area is mainly distributed in the north of Jiangbei district. These results are consistent with the historical situation of waterlogging in Ningbo, which prove the effectiveness of the risk assessment model and provide an important reference for the government to prevent and mitigate waterlogging. The optimized risk assessment model is also of importance for waterlogging risk assessments in coastal cities. Based on this model, the waterlogging risk of coastal cities can be quickly assessed, combining with local characteristics, which will help improve the city’s capability of responding to waterlogging disasters and reduce socio-economic loss.

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Two high-risk clones of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae that cause infections in pets and are present in the environment of a veterinary referral hospital

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy ◽

10.1093/jac/dkab028 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Brilhante ◽

Stefanie Gobeli Brawand ◽

Andrea Endimiani ◽

Helene Rohrbach ◽

Sonja Kittl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Clinical Environment ◽

Structural Variations ◽

Veterinary Clinic ◽

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽

Carbapenemase Gene ◽

Genetic Features ◽

Almost All

Abstract Objectives Infections with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are an emerging problem in pets and a major threat to public health. We determined the genetic relationships among carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKp) strains causing infections in hospitalized pets in a veterinary clinic and those found in the environment. Methods WGS was performed with both the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. Searches of genetic features were performed using several databases and bioinformatics tools, and phylogeny was assessed by whole-genome MLST (wgMLST) using SeqSphere and SNP calling with Snippy. Results WGS analysis of the CPKp strains identified all environmental and almost all animal strains as the high-risk clone ST11, with the exception of two strains that belonged to ST307. All CPKp belonged to novel complex types (CTs) and carried a conjugative 63 kb IncL plasmid encoding the carbapenemase gene blaOXA-48, yersiniabactin and other virulence factors. Although all CPKp ST11 strains carried additional similar IncR plasmids harbouring multiple antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), such as the plasmid-mediated blaDHA-1 AmpC gene, some structural variations were observed. The two ST307 strains carried identical 156 kb MDR IncFIB(K) plasmids with several ARGs, including the blaCTX-M-15 ESBL gene. Both wgMLST and cgSNP analysis confirmed that CPKp strains of the same ST were genetically highly related independent of the source of isolation. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the clinical CPKp strains were highly related to those contaminating the clinical environment. These findings confirmed nosocomial spread and highlight veterinary hospitals as a source of CPKp, which may further spread to animals, the environment and humans.

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Facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting by integrating urban environments measured from street-view images

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-021-00824-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kang Liu ◽

Ling Yin ◽

Meng Zhang ◽

Min Kang ◽

Ai-Ping Deng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

High Risk ◽

Feature Vector ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Environmental Feature ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Environmental Features ◽

Street View ◽

The City ◽

Dengue Epidemic

Abstract Background Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that has threatened tropical and subtropical regions in recent decades. An early and targeted warning of a dengue epidemic is important for vector control. Current studies have primarily determined weather conditions to be the main factor for dengue forecasting, thereby neglecting that environmental suitability for mosquito breeding is also an important factor, especially in fine-grained intra-urban settings. Considering that street-view images are promising for depicting physical environments, this study proposes a framework for facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting by integrating the urban environments measured from street-view images. Methods The dengue epidemic that occurred in 167 townships of Guangzhou City, China, between 2015 and 2019 was taken as a study case. First, feature vectors of street-view images acquired inside each township were extracted by a pre-trained convolutional neural network, and then aggregated as an environmental feature vector of the township. Thus, townships with similar physical settings would exhibit similar environmental features. Second, the environmental feature vector is combined with commonly used features (e.g., temperature, rainfall, and past case count) as inputs to machine-learning models for weekly dengue forecasting. Results The performance of machine-learning forecasting models (i.e., MLP and SVM) integrated with and without environmental features were compared. This indicates that models integrating environmental features can identify high-risk urban units across the city more precisely than those using common features alone. In addition, the top 30% of high-risk townships predicted by our proposed methods can capture approximately 50–60% of dengue cases across the city. Conclusions Incorporating local environments measured from street view images is effective in facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting, which is beneficial for conducting spatially precise dengue prevention and control.

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Mapping the risk for transmission of urban schistosomiasis in the Brazilian Northeast

Geospatial health ◽

10.4081/gh.2020.861 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Emília Carolle Azevedo De Oliveira ◽

Iris Edna Pereira Da Silva ◽

Ricardo José Ferreira ◽

Ricardo José de Paula Souza e Guimarães ◽

Elainne Christine de Souza Gomes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Kernel Density ◽

Map Algebra ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Snail Intermediate Host ◽

Basic Sanitation ◽

Medium Risk ◽

Brazilian Northeast ◽

The City

This is an analysis of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission in the city of Recife in the Northeast of Brazil based on the number of schistosomiasis cases (Schistosoma mansoni) registered for the period 2007-2017 together with data resulting from active search of breeding sites of the Biomphalaria snail intermediate host. The analyses were performed using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), SaTScan and Map Algebra methodology using human socio-demographic data and biotic and abiotic data from the snail breeding sites. Investigating 44 breeding sites resulted in a total of 3.800 snails, 31.8% of which were positive for S. mansoni DNA. These data were considered in relation to total of 652 schistosomiasis cases. The KDE showed two high-risk and two medium-risk clusters, while three significant clusters were identified by SaTScan. Combining these data with the Map Algebra methodology showed that all high-risk neighbourhoods had breeding sites with snails positive for S. mansoni. It was concluded that schistosomiasis transmission cannot be controlled without basic sanitation and sewage management in the presence of Biomphalaria snails. The technique of Map Algebra was found to be fundamental for the analysis and demonstration of areas with a high probability of schistosomiasis transmission.

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Патоморфологічна характеристика парвовірусного ентериту в собак

Scientific Messenger of LNU of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology ◽

10.15421/nvlvet8210 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (82) ◽

pp. 45-49

Author(s):

N. Radsikhovskii ◽

S. Zaika

Keyword(s):

Veterinary Medicine ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Mesenteric Lymph Nodes ◽

Veterinary Clinic ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

Rapid Tests ◽

Viral Enteritis ◽

Hemorrhagic Enteritis ◽

City State ◽

The City

Viral enteritis occupy a leading place in the infectious pathology of dogs and lead to severe disorders of such systems as the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory.The comprehensive diagnosis of this pathology in dogs is not developed enough. The high variability of clinical signs for parvovirus enteritis, the complexity of the appeal with a large number of qualitative indicators, complicate the diagnosis of this disease for a practical veterinarian. The methods of pathomorphological diagnosis are simple, cheap and accessible to any veterinarian doctor. It is precisely from them that the causes of death of the animal begin to be established, with many diseases and pathological conditions, these methods remain decisive when making a diagnosis.The aim of the work was to study and analyze the pathomorphological features in parvovirus enteritis of dogs.Materials and methods of research. The work was carried out at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Zhytomyr National Agroecological University, as well as in the veterinary clinics of the city of Zhytomyr: the private veterinary clinics «Bagira» and «Doctor-Zoo», the educational and scientific-production clinic of veterinary medicine of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the (ZNAEU) in the city state Zhitomir Hospital of Veterinary Medicine and Aybolit Private Veterinary Clinic in the period from 2014 to 2017 in breeding and breeding dogs.Diagnostic studies to confirm parvovirus enteritis were performed using the VetExpert and ELISA and PCR rapid tests on the basis of the private veterinary laboratory of Bald Ltd. (Kyiv).The pathoanatomical section of dogs of all ages who died from parvovirus enteritis was performed by partial evisceration in a generally accepted sequence.The article presents the results of the study of pathoanatomical changes in dogs for parvovirus enteritis, which depended on the form of manifestation of the disease – intestinal, cardiac or mixed. The most pronounced pathological and anatomical changes were found in the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal form), mainly in the small intestine.In the dead animals, a complex of pathoanatomical signs that can be considered characteristic of parvovirus enteritis are found: hemorrhagic enteritis, serous-hemorrhagic inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes, signs of hepatitis, acute altered myocarditis, and in the lungs – hemorrhages and foci of atelectasis and enlargement of the spleen.

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Psychological Stress Among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome in the City of Kufra

Journal of Medical and Health Studies ◽

10.32996/jmhs.2021.2.1.4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 29-41

Author(s):

Mansour Mohammed Ali Bopaeda

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Down Syndrome ◽

Psychological Stress ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autistic Children ◽

Children With Down Syndrome ◽

Level Of Significance ◽

The City

Having a baby is a huge responsibility. It often happens that mothers, especially when they are having their first baby, feel stressed and incompetent in their role as mothers even as their children normally grows. The purpose of this article is to identify the general features of psychological stress among mothers of autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome and to identify the differences and relationship in psychological stress between mothers of autism and down syndrome. In this study participated a group of mothers with children who have autism (n = 44) and mothers of children with Down syndrome (n = 44). The findings made proved that the general features of psychological stress are high Among mothers of autistic children, while it was low among mothers of Down syndrome, there were also statistically significant differences in the level of psychological stress between mothers of autism and Down syndrome, and a correlation was found between mothers of autism and Down syndrome at the level of significance (0.01).

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Successful Treatment and Management of Canine Ehrlichiosis-Leishmaniosis-Heartworm Comorbidity

Acta Scientiae Veterinariae ◽

10.22456/1679-9216.113295 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 ◽

Author(s):

Adam Leal-Lima ◽

Tiago Cunha Ferreira ◽

Társsila Mara Vieira Ferreira ◽

Pedro Covas Coelho ◽

Diana Célia Sousa Nunes-Pinheiro

Keyword(s):

Successful Treatment ◽

Leishmania Infantum ◽

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Vitamin Supplement ◽

Total Blood ◽

Veterinary Clinic ◽

Canine Ehrlichiosis ◽

One Year ◽

Visceral Leishmaniosis

Background: Canine vector borne diseases (CVBD) are common in tropical countries where the climate favors arthropods abundance. Comorbidity with one or more CVBD are reported as clinical complication and worsen prognostic. Canine visceral leishmaniosis (CanL) is an endemic zoonotic disease in Brazil caused by Leishmania infantum, with several restrictions to canine treatment and suggestion of reservoirs euthanasia for disease control. Heart worm (HW) is a helminthic disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs. It is a chronic heart disease, which can lead to death by congestive heart failure. Canine ehrlichiosis (CE) is caused by Ehrlichia canis bacterial infection with a zoonotic potential and fatal to dogs in acute and chronic presentations. Exposed the above, this study aims to describe a successful treatment and management of a dog with CanL, CE, and HW comorbidity. Case: A 3-year-old male uncastrated black Labrador dog, weighing 35 kg, was admitted to the veterinary clinic due to immunochromatographic CanL positive test performed by municipal zoonosis control center active surveillance in August 2014. Clinical exam showed a mild shedding, intermittent eye white/yellow discharge and popliteal lymph nodes enlargement. After positive for CanL, veterinary requested more laboratorial exams. IFAT and ELISA were positive for CanL, blood smear showed presence of microfilaria, and bone marrow cytology showed Ehrlichia spp. morulae and microfilaria. Initial treatment prescribed was oral doxycycline, omeprazole, ranitidine, and domperidone for 30 days, and allopurinol and ivermectin until further recommendation. Additionally, repellent collar, repellent spray and vitamin supplement was indicated. After first month, marbofloxacin for 30 days and three doses of immune stimulant protocol were administrated. After three months of treatment, dog still positive for heartworm, ehrlichiosis, and CanL. Doxycycline protocol was repeated. Dog became consistently negative for all pathogens one year later with persistent thrombocytopenia but without clinical signs, ergo allopurinol and ivermectin were discontinued. After four years of follow up, the animal had an acute pancreatitis and died, with unremarkable total blood count and negative for all pathogens. Discussion: CVBD coinfections are commonly reported as worsen prognostic in endemic regions. The pathogens reported here share a host immunomodulation competence. L. infantum and Ehrlichia spp.downregulates Th1 response, whereas D. immitis increase as Th2 profile. The therapeutic protocol was iniciated by staging CanL. Since the patient had clinical signs, allopurinol was prescribed as a well-established drug for CanL. Marbofloxacin was added due to its high safety drug in clinical improvement of infected dogs with and without renal disease and in vitro effectiveness against L. infantum. Domperidone was used to promote Th1 cytokine profile as INF-γ, IL-2, IL-12, and TNF-α. We used an immunostimulant protocol to favor polarization to the Th1 profile comprised by 30 days of domperidone protocol followed by a vaccine and an immunomodulator. Doxycycline was used successfully for Ehrlichia spp. and HE clearance after two treatment courses and one year of ivermectin every 15 days. The animal presented intermittent coughing episodes on the first treatment course, but no medical intervention was needed besides exercise restriction. Our report shows the successful management of one dog with CanL, CE and HE comorbidity. This success was possible due to early detection and good therapeutic choice.Keywords: canine visceral leishmaniosis, coinfection, Dirofilaria immitis, Erhlichia canis, Leishmania infantum, treatment.

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