The Epidemiology of Rubella in Lesotho before the Introduction of a Rubella Containing Vaccine: A Review of Measles Case-based Surveillance, 2012-2016

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the burden and epidemiology of rubella infection in Lesotho before the introduction of a rubella-containing vaccine. It was also to assess the performance of the measles case-based surveillance system in Lesotho. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in Lesotho from February to March 2019 based on the 2012 to 2016 data. Methods: There was a review of the measles case-based surveillance data with a total of 1587 suspected cases reported during the study period. Samples were collected from suspected measles cases and tested for measles. Those samples that tested negative for measles were subsequently tested for rubella IgM at the National Reference Laboratory. The serum samples were analysed for rubella IgM using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits SERION and EUROIMMUN. Results: There were 2 measles IgM and 748 rubella IgM positive cases confirmed. The rubella IgM positive cases accounted for 48% of the samples tested for rubella infection. There were also several rubella outbreaks during the study period. The Lesotho surveillance system met the two principal surveillance performance indicators for each year during the period of the study. Conclusion: This study showed that there was high level of rubella sero-positivity with several outbreaks of rubella infections during the study period. Rubella infection was predominantly seen in those aged between 5 and <13 years of age. This justified the introduction of a rubella containing vaccine in Lesotho in 2017. Although the two principal surveillance performance indicators (non-measles febrile rash illness rates and the percentage of districts that reported at least one case of measles with blood specimen per year) were met during the period under review, there were districts that performed poorly. This study revealed the need for strengthening of rubella-containing vaccine component of routine immunization to lower the impact of rubella infection in Lesotho. A detailed district level review to identify and address the causes of poor performance in some districts is recommended. There is also a need to identify the current challenges and evaluate the impact of the recently introduced rubella-containing vaccine on rubella infection in Lesotho.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07245-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽

Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽

José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽

Angel Entrena-García ◽

Jorge Fraga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Meat Products ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

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Dogs as Sentinels for Flavivirus Exposure in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural Hanoi, Vietnam

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13030507 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 507

Author(s):

Long Pham-Thanh ◽

Thang Nguyen-Tien ◽

Ulf Magnusson ◽

Vuong Bui-Nghia ◽

Anh Bui-Ngoc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mosquito Control ◽

Risk Mitigation ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Major Health ◽

Household Level

Diseases caused by flaviviruses, including dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis, are major health problems in Vietnam. This cross-sectional study explored the feasibility of domestic dogs as sentinels to better understand risks of mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi city. A total of 475 dogs serum samples from 221 households in six districts of Hanoi were analyzed by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for antibodies to the pr-E protein of West Nile virus and other flaviviruses due to cross-reactivity. The overall flavivirus seroprevalence in the dog population was 70.7% (95% CI = 66.4–74.8%). At the animal level, significant associations between seropositive dogs and district location, age, breed and keeping practice were determined. At the household level, the major risk factors were rural and peri-urban locations, presence of pigs, coil burning and households without mosquito-borne disease experience (p < 0.05). Mosquito control by using larvicides or electric traps could lower seropositivity, but other measures did not contribute to significant risk mitigation of flavivirus exposure in dogs. These results will support better control of mosquito-borne diseases in Hanoi, and they indicate that dogs can be used as sentinels for flavivirus exposure.

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Sero-epidemiological survey of bluetongue disease in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan

Irish Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1186/s13620-021-00186-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Molhima M. Elmahi ◽

Mohammed O. Hussien ◽

Abdel Rahim E. Karrar ◽

Amira M. Elhassan ◽

Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Animal Health ◽

Water Source ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Eastern Sudan

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.

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Impact of the Neuregulin rs35753505 C/T Polymorphisms on Neuregulin 1 Levels in Preterm Infants

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2019.554 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 1931-1934

Author(s):

Bugis Mardina Lubis ◽

Sjarif Hidajat Effendi ◽

Ratna Akbari Ganie ◽

Oke Rina Ramayani

Keyword(s):

Preterm Infants ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

P Value ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neuregulin 1 ◽

Organ Systems ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Neuregulin (NRG) 1 plays an important role in the development of various organ systems in human. Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs35753505 C/Tof the gene encoding NRG1 evident as allele C and T with genotypes of CT, CC, and TT are believed to have an impact on NRG1 levels.AIM: To determine the impact of the NRGrs35753505 C/T polymorphisms on NRG1 levels in preterm infants.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2018, whereas 48 eligible preterm infants with a gestational age of 32- < 37 weeks were enrolled. An umbilical cord blood specimen was collected for determination of NRG1 levels with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and NRG1 polymorphisms with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis was performed with 95%CI and P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS: Median value of NRG1 levels (174.4 pg/ml) served as a cut off value. NRG 1 polymorphisms composed distribution of CC (31%), CT (42%), TT (27%) genotypes and distribution of C and T alleles were 52% and 48%. The median NRG1 levels in CC and CT genotypes were significantly lower compared to TT genotype (151.1 pg/ml vs 407.2 pg/ml, P = 0.005 and 159.1 pg/ml vs 407.2 pg/ml, P = 0.009). Subjects with C allele had significantly lower median NRG1 levels than T allele (151.1 pg/ml vs 407.2 pg/ml, P = 0.002). Subjects with CC and CT genotypes had higher risk to develop lower NRG1 levels compared to TT genotype (OR = 8.25, P = 0.016 and OR = 10.74, P = 0.005, respectively).CONCLUSION: Allele C is associated with lower NRG1 levels. Preterm infants with CC and CT genotypes pose a higher risk to have lower NRG1 levels.

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Seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in cattle of Punjab, Pakistan and assessment of risk factors

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-1130 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ahsan Anjum ◽

Asim Aslam ◽

Raheela Akhtar ◽

Tahir Yaqub ◽

Junaid Naseer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Export Market ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is an important infectious disease of respiratory system of cattle, caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides. A cross sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Kasur and Jhang districts of Punjab to determine the prevalence of CBPP. A total of 560 serum samples were examined for the specific antibodies against M. mycoides subspecies mycoides, using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associated risk factors that were evaluated include age, gender and breed. In this study, the overall seroprevalence was 8.75%. The seroprevalence of CBPP in Lahore, Kasur and Jhang were 8.26, 8.20 and 10.06%, respectively, but no significance difference (P less than 0.05) was observed. Among the assessed potential predisposing factors, gender and breed were not significantly associated with the serological status of the animal (P greater than 0.05), in which the age affected significantly the positivity to CBPP (P less than 0.05). The highest seropositivity was observed in animals of more than 7 years of age (32.08%) followed by in 4-7 years of age (8.16%) and lowest in animals of less than 4 years old (0.79%). This study confirms the presence of CBPP in the state which could be a threat to livestock export market and warrants the implementation of control measures to mitigate the economic losses associated with the disease.

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Seroprevalence of Antitransglutaminase and Antiendomysium Antibodies in Adult Colombian Blood Bank Donors

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology ◽

10.1155/2020/7541941 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Sara Paredes-Echeverri ◽

Ayda N. Rodríguez ◽

Wilmer A. Cárdenas ◽

Belén Mendoza de Molano ◽

John M. González

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Immunofluorescence Assay ◽

High Reactivity ◽

Blood Bank ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Prevalence Studies ◽

Hla Dq2

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy induced by the ingestion of gluten from wheat, barley, and rye in genetically susceptible individuals. The global prevalence of CD is 1.4%. However, most of the prevalence studies have been conducted in Caucasian populations; few studies have been performed in Latin America. The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of auto-antibodies used as markers for CD in a Colombian cohort. In this cross-sectional study, the serum samples from Colombian donors of the National Red Cross Blood Bank were collected between June and September 2017 in Bogotá, Colombia. All sera were tested for IgA antitissue transglutaminase (TTG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seropositive sera were tested for IgA antiendomysium (EMA) using indirect immunofluorescence assay. The ancestral genetic composition was determined in donor samples with antibody assay reactivity. Those with two seroreactive assays were typed for HLA class II DQ2 and DQ8. In total, 228 blood donors participated in the study. Among them, 113 were females (49.56%) with an average age of 31.63 years (SD ± 12.99); males had an average of 34.71 years (SD ± 13.01). Only 3 (1.31%) donors reported chronic diarrhea and nonintentional weight loss; 11 (4.82%) had a family history of CD. For the serological assays, 11 donors (4.82%) were seroreactive to IgA anti-TTG: 3 had high reactivity and 8 had low reactivity. Of those seroreactive to IgA anti-TTG, 3 (1.32%) were also seroreactive to anti-EMA, and they were typed as HLA-DQ8 or HLA-DQ2. The baseline ancestral percentage of the seroreactive donors was higher for European and Native American than for African genes. The seroprevalence for anti-TTG and anti-EMA with the presence of HLA-DQ8 and HLA-DQ2 was 1.32%. Additionally, 4.82% donor participants were reactive only for anti-TTG. Compared with other studies, our findings suggest that Colombia has a high prevalence of CD markers.

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The Effect of Oral Glucose on Serum Free Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and -II in Healthy Adults*

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jcem.82.9.4259 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 82 (9) ◽

pp. 3124-3127 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jan Frystyk ◽

Thorbjørn Grøfte ◽

Christian Skjærbæk ◽

Hans Ørskov

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Time Course ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

Insulin Like Growth Factor ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Igf System ◽

Igf I ◽

The Impact

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-I (IGFBP-1) has been suggested to regulate the availability of free IGF and the glucose lowering activity of the IGF-system in relation to fuel supply. Our recent observations of significant inverse correlations between free IGF-I and IGFBP-1 in cross-sectionally collected fasting serum samples support a possible physiological association between the peptides. To further study the impact of IGFBP-1 on free IGF levels and the possible participation of the IGF-system in glucose homeostasis, we studied the time course of changes in IGFBP-1 and free IGFs in 13 healthy subjects undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Serum was collected every 30 min for 330 min. Glucose, insulin, and GH followed the expected patterns and had regained baseline levels at 270 min. Total IGF-I and free and total IGF-II remained unaltered. IGFBP-1 decreased significantly by 37–52% (P < 0.05) from 150 to 210 min, whereafter the concentration gradually increased by 75% to a level that tended to be above baseline (P = 0.052). Free IGF-I decreased by 29–38% (P < 0.05) at the end of the study (270–330 min). IGFBP-1 was inversely correlated to free IGF-I at baseline (r = −0.57; P < 0.05), as well as during the OGTT (r = 0.66; P < 0.0001). In contrast, free IGF-II was not correlated to IGFBP-1. Insulin, but not free IGF-I, correlated significantly with serum glucose (P < 0.05). These results extend our previous findings of an inverse correlation between free IGF-I and IGFBP-1 in cross-sectional studies to include longitudinal observations, and thus further substantiates the hypothesis that IGFBP-1 is an important determinant of free IGF-I in vivo. Significant changes in free IGF-I were observed only in the late postprandial phase, when glucose and insulin were fully normalized, demonstrating that free IGFs probably do not participate in glucoregulation to any significant degree during an oral glucose load in healthy subjects.

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Borna Disease Virus Infection, a Human Mental-Health Risk

Clinical Microbiology Reviews ◽

10.1128/cmr.16.3.534-545.2003 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 534-545 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Liv Bode ◽

Hans Ludwig

Keyword(s):

Disease Virus ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Diagnostic Systems ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Borna Disease Virus ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

The Impact ◽

Borna Disease

SUMMARY This article focuses on human Borna disease virus (BDV) infections, most notably on the development of valid diagnostic systems, which have arisen as a major research issue in the past decade. The significance of a novel modular triple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that is capable of specifically measuring anti-BDV antibodies as well as major structural proteins N (p40) and P (p24) in the blood, either as free antigens in the plasma or as antibody-bound circulating immune complexes (CICs), is explained. The impact of CICs and plasma antigen, which indicate periods of antigenemia in the course of BDV infection, along with other infection markers that are still in use is discussed. The review further provides new insight into possible links of BDV to human diseases, summarizing cross-sectional and longitudinal data which correlate acute depression with the presence and amount of antigen and CICs. Moreover, BDV prevalence in healthy people is reevaluated, suggesting that this was previously underestimated. Antiviral efficacy of amantadine, in vivo and in vitro, is outlined as well, with emphasis on wild-type (human and equine) versus laboratory strains. Finally, the pros and cons of the association of BDV with human disease, as detailed in the literature, are critically discussed and related to our data and concepts. This article supports existing correlative evidence for a pathogenic role of BDV infection in particular human mental disorders, in analogy to what has been proven for a variety of animal species.

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Determination of Factors and Indicators of Efficient Port Functioning

Economic Herald of the Donbas ◽

10.12958/1817-3772-2021-3(65)-105-109 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 105-109

Author(s):

M. Makarenko ◽

◽

I. Barskiy ◽

V. Popov ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Performance Indicators ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Unified Approach ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

Port Efficiency ◽

Set Up ◽

Clear Idea ◽

The Impact

The article emphasizes the lack of a systematic and unified approach to measuring the performance of ports with different properties. The analysis of practical and theoretical approaches and the comparative analysis of indicators of efficiency of port are carried out. Measuring efficiency plays a significant role in assessing production in its current and future state. With the appropriate performance measurement, the system in the organization can be set up to move in the desired direction by analyzing behavioral responses and understanding the impact of different performance indicators on port performance. However, incorrectly defined performance indicators will lead the organization in the wrong direction and cause unforeseen negative consequences. Port efficiency can have a major impact on the region's economic growth, as ports connect maritime transport and inland transport. They are also important suppliers for ships, cargo and inland transport. Port performance analysis gives operators a clear idea of how much port resources are being used and helps them compare their strengths and weaknesses. Measuring port efficiency improves port development and maintains its competitiveness in an increasingly competitive commercial environment. Therefore, it is important to first conduct a comprehensive study to determine the performance of the port, relevant to the activities of ships, cargo and terminals. By assessing the efficiency of ports using certain indicators, you can get an idea of comparing their efficiency, even internationally. A review of practical and theoretical approaches to the comparative analysis of port efficiency indicators over the past three decades and summarized the main differences in these studies found the lack of a systematic and unified approach to measuring the performance of ports with different properties. Recent studies have aimed to analyze the performance of port terminals, as they are the most important component of ports, operations for the transfer of berths and court operations in the terminals fundamentally determine the efficiency of the port. Port bandwidth is one of the most widely used indicators of port efficiency. Productivity growth is seen as direct evidence of port activity. One of the most important aspects of measuring seaport efficiency is performance, and the popular database analysis (DEA) method is commonly used to evaluate it. There are several other models used for cross-sectional and panel data, such as software. To assess port efficiency, this study examines the analysis of the DEA and FDH database through its ability to analyze multiple outputs and inputs simultaneously.

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Pestivirus Infections in Semi-Domesticated Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus): A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Serological Study in Finnmark County, Norway

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12010029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 29 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos G. das Neves ◽

Jonas Johansson Wensman ◽

Ingebjørg Helena Nymo ◽

Eystein Skjerve ◽

Stefan Alenius ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Border Disease Virus ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Diarrhea Virus ◽

Border Disease ◽

Serological Studies ◽

Viral Diarrhea Virus

Members of the Pestivirus genus (family Flaviviridae) cause severe and economically important diseases in livestock. Serological studies have revealed the presence of pestiviruses in different cervid species, including wild and semi-domesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer. In this retrospective study, serum samples collected between 2006 and 2008 from 3339 semi-domesticated Eurasian reindeer from Finnmark County, Norway, were tested for anti-pestivirus antibodies using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a subset of these by virus neutralization test (VNT). A seroprevalence of 12.5% was found, varying from 0% to 45% among different herding districts, and 20% in western Finnmark, as compared to 1.7% in eastern Finnmark. Seroprevalence increased with age. Pestivirus-specific RNA was not detected in any of the 225 serum samples tested by real-time RT-PCR. Based on VNT results, using a panel of one bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain and two border disease virus (BDV) strains, the virus is most likely a reindeer-specific pestivirus closely related to BDV. A characterization of the causative virus and its pathogenic impact on reindeer populations, as well as its potential to infect other domestic and wild ruminants, should be further investigated.

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