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2022 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-14
Author(s):  
Fatima Ibrahim ABDULSALAM ◽  
◽  
Tabarak Malik ◽  

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) surveys precede an awareness or intervention program, it addresses a felt need in a population in which that need exists. In an endemic region of cutaneous leishmaniasis disease occurrence, public enlightenment on its preventive and control measures is highly important. Ilam province of Iran is a provincial border town transited annually by pilgrims was reported to have the most cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis ranking highest since 2010 yet no report on KAP survey has been previously conducted.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Hussein Mukasa Kafeero ◽  
Dorothy Ndagire ◽  
Ponsiano Ocama ◽  
Charles Drago Kato ◽  
Eddie Wampande ◽  
...  

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver-related diseases. In Uganda, there is a regional disparity in the HBV burden. Our study was aimed at establishing the circulating genotypes in a low and a high endemic region to give plausible explanations for the differences in regional burden and guide the future management of the disease. Methods. A total of 200 HBsAg-seropositive subjects were recruited into the study by convenience sampling. The HBsAg Rapid Test Strip (Healgen Scientific Limited Liability Company, Houston, TX77047- USA) was used to screen for HBsAg while the Roche machine (Roche, Basel Switzerland/Abbot Technologies (USA)) was used to determine the viral load. The Chemistry Analyzer B120 (Mindray, China) was used for chemistry analysis. For HBV genotyping, total DNA was extracted from whole blood using the QIAamp® DNA extraction kit. Nested PCR amplification was performed using Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase (Invitrogen Corporation, USA) to amplify the 400 bp HBV polymerase gene. Purification of nested PCR products was performed using Purelink PCR product purification kit (Life Technologies, USA). Automated DNA sequencing was performed using BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit on 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, USA). The NCBI HBV genotyping tool (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/genotyping/formpage.cgi) was used for determination of genotype for each HBV sequence. Pearson’s chi-square, multinomial logistic regression, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for the analysis. All the analyses were done using SPSS version 26.0 and MedCalc software version 19.1.3 at 95% CI. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Majority of our study subjects were female (64.5%), youth (51.0%), and married (62.0%). Overall, genotype A was the most prevalent (46%). Genotype D and the recombinant genotype D/E were proportionately more distributed in the high endemic (38.2%) and low endemic (36.5%) regions, respectively. Genotype D was significantly more prevalent in the high endemic region and among the elderly ( p < 0.05 ). Genotype D was significantly associated with elevated viral load and direct bilirubin ( p < 0.05 ). The recombinant genotype D/E was significantly associated with elevated viral load ( p < 0.05 ). Similarly, genotype A was significantly associated with elevated AST and GGT, lowered viral load, and normal direct bilirubin levels ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. There is disproportionate distribution of genotypes A and D and the recombinant genotype D/E in the low and high endemic regions of Uganda. This probably could explain the differences in endemicity of HBV in our country signifying the need for regional specific HBV management and control strategies.


Author(s):  
Christine D. Butkiewicz ◽  
Cody J. Alcott ◽  
Janelle Renschler ◽  
Lawrence J. Wheat ◽  
Lisa F. Shubitz

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for the detection of Coccidioides antigen and antibody in CSF in the diagnosis of CNS coccidioidomycosis in dogs. ANIMALS 51 dogs evaluated for CNS disease in a single specialty center in Tucson in 2016. PROCEDURES Excess CSF after routine analysis was banked after collection from dogs presented to the neurology service. Samples were tested by EIA for presence of Coccidioides antigen and antibody. Clinical data were collected from medical records retrospectively. RESULTS 22 dogs were diagnosed with CNS coccidioidomycosis (CCM) or another neurologic disease (non-CCM). These groups of dogs overlapped in the presenting complaints, MRI results, and routine CSF analysis results. Four dogs, all with CCM, had positive antigen EIA results. With clinical diagnosis used as the reference standard, CSF antigen testing had low sensitivity (20%) but high specificity (100%) for diagnosis of CCM. Ten dogs with CCM and 4 dogs with other diagnoses had antibody detected in CSF by EIA. Sensitivity of CSF antibody testing was 46%, specificity was 86%, and positive and negative predictive values for the study population were 71% and 68%, respectively. Clinical Relevance Diagnosis of CNS coccidioidomycosis in dogs in an endemic region was hampered by overlap of clinical signs with other neurologic disorders and the low sensitivity of confirmatory diagnostics. The evaluated Coccidioides-specific EIAs performed on CSF can aid in the diagnosis. A prospective study is warranted to corroborate and refine these preliminary findings


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Gysin ◽  
Plutarco Urbano ◽  
Luke Brandner-Garrod ◽  
Shahida Begum ◽  
Mojca Kristan ◽  
...  

Background: Accurate surveillance of triatomine household infestation is crucial for Chagas disease vector control. However, no gold standard detection method with high levels of sensitivity or specificity is currently available. Several intrinsic features of triatomine bug behaviour and the lifecycle of Trypanosoma (T.) cruzi lead to deposition of environmental DNA (eDNA) in infested houses. This study evaluated the use of FTA cards and cotton-tipped swabs as low-technology, cost-effective tools for simultaneous detection of T. cruzi and vector eDNA in the laboratory and field. Methods/Principal Findings: This study had two components: (1) laboratory evaluation and optimisation of QIAcard® FTA® classic cards to detect Rhodnius (R.) prolixus eDNA by altering five different environmental variables (darkness, triatomine number, temperature, feeding status and degradation at ambient temperature); (2) detection of R. prolixus and T. cruzi eDNA from cotton-tipped house wall swabs from an endemic region in Casanare Department, Colombia. eDNA was extracted from all specimens and amplified using a multiplex TaqMan qPCR assay targeting the R. prolixus 12S rRNA gene and T. cruzi satellite DNA region. R. prolixus eDNA from five 3rd/4th instar nymphs was successfully amplified from FTA cards after as little as 15 minutes of contact time under standard insectary conditions. Factors significantly increasing eDNA detection from FTA cards were increasing temperature from 21oC to 27-32oC, triatomine bug density from 1-25 bugs and recent blood-feeding. eDNA was detectable from FTA cards stored at room temperature for at least two weeks. In cotton-tipped swabs from the field, the sensitivity and specificity of R. prolixus eDNA detection was 60.6% (n=20/33) and 100% (n=33/33), respectively. T. cruzi eDNA was amplified from 93.9% (n=31/33) of infested houses. Conclusions/Significance: FTA cards are a highly sensitive tool for entomological surveillance of R. prolixus and exhibit little variability under different environmental conditions. Additionally, cotton-tipped swabs are a relatively sensitive tool for entomological and parasitological surveillance of R. prolixus and T. cruzi in situ, but more feasible due to low cost. Both methods could be utilised by citizen science initiatives to contribute to the control of Chagas disease in endemic communities.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.A. Khartabil ◽  
Y.B. de Rijke ◽  
R. Koelewijn ◽  
J.J. van Hellemond ◽  
H. Russcher

Abstract BACKGOUND: Due to increased travel from endemic countries, malaria occurs more frequently in non-endemic regions. It is a challenge for diagnostic laboratories in non-endemic countries to provide reliable results, as experience of staff is often limited to only a few cases per year. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the fully automated Sysmex XN-31 malaria analyzer in a routine diagnostic setting in a non-endemic region. METHODS: Samples from 112 patients suspected for malaria were examined by the Sysmex XN-31 analyzer to determine the absolute count of malaria-infected red blood cells count (MI-RBC/µl). Microscopic examination of both Quantitative Blood Coat capillary tubes and thick and thin blood films were used as reference methods. Limits of blank (LoB), detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) were investigated using an in vitro Plasmodium falciparum culture . Nine hundred twenty samples of patients with RBC abnormalities were included to determine which RBC abnormalities trigger indeterminate or false positive results. RESULTS: No false positive nor false negative results were obtained for the examined patient samples suspected for malaria. For 3% of samples an indeterminate result by the XN-31 was obtained. The Passing-Bablok regression line for diagnostic accuracy of the parasitemia was y = 39.75 + 0.7892x showing a positive bias of about 21% when comparing the MI-RBC results to microscopy. The LoB, LoD and LoQ were calculated to be 4.7, 5.9, and 19.0 infected RBC/mL, respectively. From the 920 abnormal RBC samples collected, 4.6% resulted in a false positive MI-RBC result and almost half of the samples produced indeterminate results. These results were related to increases in nucleated red blood cells, reticulocytes and other abnormal RBC morphologies such as sickle cells. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results we conclude that the XN-31 is a fast and reliable screening method in the detection and quantification of Plasmodium species in patients However, if an abnormal red blood cell morphology is present, the results of the XN-31 should be interpreted with caution as false positive results can be caused by interfering abnormal erythrocytes.


Author(s):  
Mara Ipa ◽  
Eksi Wijayanti ◽  
Hipokrates Hipokrates ◽  
Endang Puji Astuti ◽  
Yuneu Yuliasih

Pekalongan district has completed mass drug administration (MDA) of lymphatic filariasis (LF) for two rounds but still remains positive for microfilariae (Mf rate) > 1%. This study aimed was to assess the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti and its association with sociodemographic among the adult community to the incidence of lymphatic filariasis. This study is an analytic study with a cross-sectional design. The prevalence of W. bancrofti was detected by the presence of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) using a filarial test strip (FTS). The study population consisted of an adult group living in ten villages in the Pekalongan district's low-endemic region, with 1804 samples collected from 72 clusters. Statistical analysis was performed to test the difference between variables. There were 13 (0.72%) positive W. bancrofti antigen samples out of 1804 total samples. Males were found to be infected at a higher rate than females (61.5%). The age of subjects infected with W. bancrofti was dominated in the range of 13-50 years as many as 9 people (69.2%). The proportion of positive CFA in Medono village with the highest proportion was 6 people (2.7%). There was no statistically significant difference between gender and age with LF cases, but it is significantly different by sub-district (p-value = 0.041). LF transmission occurred in border areas between high and low endemic LF areas. MDA implementation must be constantly supervised in required to address the elimination target.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Guang Teh ◽  
Nornazirah Azizan ◽  
Nur Atifah Mohd Naim ◽  
Chiak Yot Ng ◽  
Ke Juin Wong ◽  
...  

Background: Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor (DL-GNT) is a new entity described in the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of brain tumors. While DL-GNT is predominantly an indolent tumor that affects young boys, high-grade DL-GNT is unusual and seldom reported in children.Case Presentation: In this report, we describe the challenges and pitfalls associated with diagnosing this high-grade variant in a tuberculosis-endemic region. We highlight the importance of identifying non-typical imaging findings, i.e., non-enhancing cystic lesions with high T2 signal along the leptomeningeal surface, that may expedite the diagnosis of this condition. Histopathologic correlations with MR spectroscopy findings are also discussed.Conclusion: We provide the first clinical imaging report of utilizing MR spectroscopy to distinguish DL-GNT from tuberculosis with histopathologic correlation.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260976
Author(s):  
Kéladomé Maturin Géoffroy Dato ◽  
Mahougnon Robinson Dégbègni ◽  
Mintodê Nicodème Atchadé ◽  
Martine Zandjanakou Tachin ◽  
Mahouton Norbert Hounkonnou ◽  
...  

The Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD), caused by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) is the most important and devastating in many tropical countries. BBTD epidemiology has been little studied, mixed landscape smallholder systems. The relative risks associated with this disease vary between geographical areas and landscapes. This work analyzed the management and vegetation conditions in smallholder gardens to assess the factors linked to landscape-level BBTV transmission and management. Mapping was done in this study area which is in a BBTD-endemic region, involving farmers actively managing the disease, but with household-level decision making. A spatial scanning statistic was used to detect and identify spatial groups at the 5% significance threshold, and a Poisson regression model was used to explore propagation vectors and the effect of surrounding vegetation and crop diversity. Spatial groups with high relative risk were identified in three communities, Dangbo, Houéyogbé, and Adjarra. Significant associations emerged between the BBTD prevalence and some crop diversity, seed systems, and BBTD management linked factors. The identified factors form important candidate management options for the detailed assessment of landscape-scale BBTD management in smallholder communities.


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