scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Helminth Infections in Colic and Non-Colic Control Equine Patients

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidrun Gehlen ◽  
Nadine Wulke ◽  
Antonia Ertelt ◽  
Martin K. Nielsen ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
...  

All around the world, intestinal helminths constitute one of the most prevalent life-long occurring infections and re-infections affecting all horse age groups. A range of parasite species among strongyles, ascarids, and tapeworms is known to have the potential to cause colic in horses. However, there is a lack of current scientific evidence on the actual relevance of helminth infection levels in the context of colic in horses kept during prevailing epidemiological conditions. Thus, a prospective case-control study on the occurrence of intestinal helminths in a total of 620 mainly adult equine clinic patients was conducted to investigate the association between colic and helminth infection. For each horse, a range of copromicroscopic, serological, and clinical data was obtained, in addition to a questionnaire on relevant anamnestic data, including previous anthelmintic treatment and husbandry. Using a FLOTAC-based copromicroscopic diagnosis, the highest infection rates were seen for strongyles (41.8%), followed by Anoplocephala perfoliata and Parascaris spp. (both 0.8%), with no significant difference between the two study groups. Employing a real-time PCR a 1.1% S. vulgaris DNA prevalence was found. Considerably higher seroprevalences were observed using S. vulgaris and A. perfoliata ELISAs, with 32.3% and 10.7%, respectively. It was noteworthy that no association concerning either serologic status was encountered with colic status. The shedding of strongyle eggs was associated with a 1.8-times increased risk of S. vulgaris seropositivity. Recent anthelmintic treatment was associated with the onset of colic, as animals who had received an anthelmintic during the previous week had a 2.4-times higher risk of signs of colic compared to those who had been treated at least eight weeks prior. Another noteworthy observation was that ponies were significantly less often affected by colic than warmbloods. The high S. vulgaris and considerable A. perfoliata seroprevalences encountered in this investigation should prompt veterinarians, farm managers, and horse owners to maintain consequent and effective worm control measures.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Animesh Ray ◽  
Dr. Komal Singh ◽  
Souvick Chattopadhyay ◽  
Farha Mehdi ◽  
Dr. Gaurav Batra ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is an important tool to estimate the true extent of infection in a population. However, seroprevalence studies have been scarce in South East Asia including India, which, as of now, carries the third largest burden of confirmed cases in the world. The present study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody among hospitalized patients at one of the largest government hospital in India OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among patients admitted to the Medicine ward and ICU METHODS This cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in North India, recruited consecutive patients who were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR or CB-NAAT. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels targeting recombinant spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS CoV-2 were estimated in serum sample by the ELISA method RESULTS A total of 212 hospitalized patients were recruited in the study with mean age (±SD) of 41.2 (±15.4) years and 55% male population. Positive serology against SARS CoV-2 was detected in 19.8%patients(95% CI 14.7-25.8). Residency in Delhi conferred a higher frequency of seropositivity 26.5% (95% CI 19.3-34.7) as compared to that of other states 8% (95% CI 3.0-16.4) with p-value 0.001. No particular age groups or socio-economic strata showed a higher proportion of seropositivity CONCLUSIONS Around, one-fifth of hospitalized patients, who were not diagnosed with COVID-19 before, demonstrated seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2. While there was no significant difference in the different age groups and socio-economic classes; residence in Delhi was associated with increased risk (relative risk of 3.62, 95% CI 1.59-8.21)


Parasitology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Chan ◽  
H. L. Guyatt ◽  
D. A. P. Bundy ◽  
G. F. Medley

SummaryEpidemiological modelling can be a useful tool for the evaluation of parasite control strategies. An age-structured epidemiological model of intestinal helminth dynamics is developed. This model includes the explicit representation of changing worm distributions between hosts as a result of treatment, and estimates the morbidity due to heavy infections. The model is used to evaluate the effectiveness of different programmes of age-targeted community chemotherapy in reducing the amount of morbidity due to helminth infection. The magnitude of age-related heterogeneities is found to be very important in determining the results of age-targeted treatment programmes. The model was verified using field data from control programmes for Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, and was found to provide accurate predictions of prevalence and mean intensities of infection during and following different control regimes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 594-600
Author(s):  
Chibuzor Nwokoye ◽  
Benjamin Onusiriuka ◽  
Umar Yahaya ◽  
Karderam Bukar Dikwa

A study was conducted between May and August, 2018 to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths of pigs in Chikun and Jema’a Local Government Areas, Kaduna State. 203 faecal samples were collected, processed and examined under light microscopy. Intestinal helminths recorded were: Ascaris suum (57.1%), Oesophagostomum dentatum (37.0%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (14.8%), Metastrongylus elongates (8.9%), Strongyloides (4.5%), Stepanurus dentatum (2.5%), Trichuris suis(1.5%), Globocephalus urobuslatus (2.0%) and Physocephalus sexalatus (1.5%). The overall prevalence of helminth infection in both LGAs was 71.9%. Pigs in Jema’a LGA had significantly higher prevalence (87.9%) than pigs from Chikun LGA (56.7%). Female pigs had relatively higher (74.4%) infection than male pigs (68.6%). This pattern was also reflected in Chikun LGA where female pigs had a prevalence of 63.9% compared to 46.5% in males, however, the reverse was the case in Jema’a LGA where males had 90.7% prevalence and females 85.7%. In Chikun LGA, the highest prevalence of 58.6% was recorded among pigs aged 25-36 months, followed by pigs aged 5-12 months with prevalence of 57.1%, and the least prevalence of 55.0% was recorded in pigs aged 13-24 months. The prevalence of intestinal helminthosis in pigs tends to decrease with age in Jema’a LGA. The presence of these parasites in pigs examined indicates a potential public health problem in Chikun and Jema’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna state. Enlightenment of pig farmers on the need for periodic veterinary care and restriction of stray pigs through legislation formulation and enforcement are recommended as control measures


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-148
Author(s):  
T. E. Popova ◽  
N. A. Shnayder ◽  
M. M. Petrova ◽  
A. A. Tappakhov

The aim of the present study was a search for associations between the polymorphic allelic variants 3954 C>T (rs1143644) and -511C>T (rs16944) of IL1B gene in the patients with sensory predominant chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies (SP-CIDP) from Krasnoyarsk Region and the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic. A total of 95 people were examined, having been divided into 2 groups according to their residence. The first group consisted of 42 patients living in the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic. The second group included 53 patients living in the Krasnoyarsk Region. It was revealed that the carriers of homozygous CC genotype in the 3954C>T locus were more often detected in patients from the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, and the carriage of TT genotype is found exclusively in the patients from Krasnoyarsk Region. When comparing the different genotype frequencies in the -511CT locus, we did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients. Presence of the CC genotype of the 3954C>T locus was associated with a significantly increased risk of disease in the patients from Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, while carrying CT and TT genotypes at the locus 3954C>T and the TT genotype at the locus -511C>T, is associated with increased risk disorder among patients of the Krasnoyarsk Region. The frequency of carriage of various genotypes in the 3954C>T and -511C>T loci of the IL1B gene was prevalent among the patients from the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, the association of genotypes of CC/CT prevailed in patients from the Krasnoyarsk Region (p = 0.005), as well as prevalence of CC/CC and CC/CT (p = 0.023). However, there was no statistically significant difference in occurrence of individual genotypes between the two study groups. When analyzing the carrier frequency of high-producing alleles of 3954C and -511C in patients with SP-CIDP, it was shown that they were significantly more common among patients from the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic and patients from the Krasnoyarsk Region than the low-producing 3954T and -511T alleles. Moreover, the 3954C allele was more often found in the Yakut group (p = 0.001), and in the -511C allele for the Krasnoyarsk group of patients (p = 0.05). The presence of 3954C and -511C alleles increases the risk of SP-CIDP development in patients from the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic, as well as carriage of 3954T allele in patients from the Krasnoyarsk Region.


Author(s):  
A T M Tanveer Hasan ◽  
Al-Mamun .

Peripheral spondyloarthritis is a variant of spondyloarthritis which usually has a chronic course. There is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among patients with chronic inflammatory diseases in general. Coexisting diabetes mellitus can potentially add to the risk. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of glucose intolerance in patients with spondyloarthritis The study was conducted among 35 participants with peripheral spondyloarthritis who visited the Department of Rheumatology, Enam Medical College & Hospital, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh from September, 2018 to January, 2020. The participants underwent either oral glucose tolerance test or estimation of HbA1C. The mean age of participants was 43.96 years. The majority (80%) of them were young to muddle-aged (≤40 years). 22.9% of the participants were prediabetic. Diabetes mellitus was found to be present in 37.1% of the participants. There was no significant difference between the study population and the general population in terms of frequency of prediabetes. But the frequency of diabetes in the study population was higher than that in the general population. There was no significant difference between males and females with regard to the frequencies of prediabetes and DM. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of prediabetes and DM between young and middle-aged to elderly population. Considering the greater burden of DM among patients with peripheral spondyloarthritis across all age groups, routine screening for DM may be indicated in these individuals.


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Wani ◽  
F. Ahmad ◽  
S.A. Zargar ◽  
P.A. Dar ◽  
Z.A. Dar ◽  
...  

AbstractIn any geographical area, surveys of the prevalence of intestinal helminths are necessary to suggest appropriate control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in children of the Kashmir valley and to identify the risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 2256 children from rural as well as urban areas of the Kashmir valley. The samples were examined by simple smear and zinc sulphate concentration methods. Intensity of the infection was quantified by Stoll's egg-counting technique. Infection by at least one intestinal helminth was found in 71.18% of the sampled population. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest (68.30%), followed by Trichuris trichiura (27.92%), Enterobius vermicularis (12.67%) and Taenia saginata (4.60%). Light (57.1%) to moderate (42.8%) intensity of infection was observed for A. lumbricoides, while the majority of the infected children (92.3%) harboured a light intensity of infection for T. trichiura. The age group, rural or urban residence, type of water source, boiled or unboiled water, type of defecation site, level of personal hygiene and maternal education were associated with helminth infection. Adequate control measures are urgently needed to combat the high prevalence of intestinal helminths and risk factors in the children of Kashmir valley.


2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 3657-3665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Mosconi ◽  
Lalit Kumar Dubey ◽  
Beatrice Volpe ◽  
Julia Esser-von Bieren ◽  
Mario M. Zaiss ◽  
...  

Helminth infections are typically chronic in nature; however, the exact molecular mechanisms by which these parasites promote or thwart host immunity remain unclear. Worm expulsion requires the differentiation of CD4+T cells into Th2 cells, while regulatory T cells (Tregs) act to dampen the extent of the Th2 response. Priming of T cells requires drainage or capture of antigens within lymphoid tissues, and in the case of intestinal helminths, such sites include the mucosa-associated Peyer's patches (PPs) and the draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN). To gain insight into when and where the activation of the adaptive T cell response takes place following intestinal helminth infection, we analyzed Th2 and Treg responses in the PPs and MLN following infection with the murine intestinal helminthHeligmosomoides polygyrusbakeri. Protective Th2 responses were observed to be largely restricted to the MLN, while a greater expansion of Tregs occurred within the PPs. Interestingly, those PPs that formed a contact with the parasite showed the greatest degree of Treg expansion and no evidence of type 2 cytokine production, indicating that the parasite may secrete products that act in a local manner to selectively promote Treg expansion. This view was supported by the finding thatH. polygyrusbakerilarvae could promote Treg proliferationin vitro. Taken together, these data indicate that different degrees of Treg expansion and type 2 cytokine production occur within the PPs and MLN following infection with the intestinal helminthH. polygyrusbakeriand indicate that these organs exhibit differential responses following infection with intestinal helminths.


2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 926-932
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Antill ◽  
Sarah W. Frye ◽  
James C. McMillen ◽  
James C. Haynes ◽  
Benjamin R. Ford ◽  
...  

Background Rib fractures are common injuries among traumatically injured patients, and elderly patients with rib fractures are at increased risk for adverse events and death. The purpose of this study was to determine if oral Per os (PO) acetaminophen is as effective as intravenous (IV) acetaminophen in treating the pain associated with rib fractures. Methods We performed a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. Trauma patients who were ≥65 years old and had ≥1 rib fracture were included in this study. Patients were randomized into IV acetaminophen and oral placebo (n = 63) or IV placebo and oral solution acetaminophen (n = 75) groups. The primary outcome was a mean reduction in pain score at 24 hours, and secondary outcomes included opioid use, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, hospital mortality, the difference in incentive spirometry, and development of pneumonia. Results Among the 138 patients included, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 study groups in a mean reduction in pain score at 24 hours after injury (PO: 3.24, IV: 2.49; P = .230). Opioid pain medication use was equivalent between groups ( P = .212), and there was no significant difference in hospital mortality rate between groups ( P = .827). There was no statistically significant difference in ICU LOS, hospital LOS, or development of pneumonia. Discussion In elderly trauma patients (age ≥65 years) with 1 or more rib fractures, PO acetaminophen is equivalent to IV acetaminophen for pain control, with no difference in morbidity or mortality. Oral acetaminophen should be preferentially used over IV acetaminophen when treating the elderly trauma patient with rib fractures.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Gopi Battineni ◽  
Getu Gamo Sagaro ◽  
Nalini Chintalapudi ◽  
Marzio Di Canio ◽  
Francesco Amenta

Background: The ongoing pandemic due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is becoming a serious global threat. Experts suggest that the infection can be controlled by immediate prevention measures. Sailing is one of the occupational categories more vulnerable to this virus outbreak due to the proximity of the working conditions. Objective: Awareness and knowledge assessments of seafarers towards the current epidemic is mandatory to understand the effectiveness and success of the infection control measures adopted by shipping companies. Methods: In this study, we presented an online questionnaire survey to determine the knowledge levels of COVID-19 among seafarers. The data were collected by self-reported survey, and analysis was done by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The t-test was used to understand the knowledge attitude differences to COVID-19 among different occupational groups of seafarers, and the p-value ≤ of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 1,458 responses received, 92.82% had a college or university degree. The results reported that the mean COVID-19 knowledge score was 5.82 (standard deviation = 0.51, range 0–6), and the overall correct percentage was 97%. There was a statistically significant difference between age groups (F (4, 1453) = 5.44, p < 0.001) and educational groups (F (4, 1453) = 1.52, p < 0.001). The knowledge score was not significantly different across the educational status of the participants (F (2, 1455) = 1.52, p = 0.220). Conclusions: The present study highlighted good knowledge and behaviours among sailors about COVID-19. However, shipping companies need to come up with new campaigns to hold optimistic practices and suitable guidelines on ships, including cruise boats, to keep sea workers always alert and collaborative in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1497
Author(s):  
Teofana Otilia Bizerea-Moga ◽  
Laura Pitulice ◽  
Otilia Bizerea-Spiridon ◽  
Tudor Voicu Moga

Selenium, residing in a series of selenoproteins, plays an important role in both female and male reproductive function. Of particular significance for reproduction is the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase (GPx), a main selenoenzyme, whose level is regulated by the availability of Se in the body. We hypothesized that changes in Se status, closely related to GPx activity, would result in an increased risk of reproductive dysfunction in individuals. We retrospectively investigated the serum selenium (SeS) concentrations of 1264 apparently healthy people, aged 16–89 years, from Western Romania. The general analysis revealed a non-normal SeS distribution with a median SeS of 100.26 ± 18.32 μg/L and a significant difference in SeS levels between age groups. The analysis of the young group (16–35 years) revealed that up to 50% of individuals did not reach the SeS threshold corresponding to maximum GPx activity (80 μg/L), and a significant imbalance between the genders was apparent when looking at SeS values outside the range. Our results correlated with the general diminished reproductive ability registered in Romania during the last few years. Serum selenium content proves to offer a proper reflection of the fertility competence of the young population, and its monitoring is important for guiding dietary adjustments and attaining normal reproductive function.


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