scholarly journals Hybridized Zoonotic Schistosoma Infections Result in Hybridized Morbidity Profiles: A Clinical Morbidity Study amongst Co-Infected Human Populations of Senegal

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1776
Author(s):  
Cheikh B. Fall ◽  
Sébastien Lambert ◽  
Elsa Léger ◽  
Lucy Yasenev ◽  
Amadou Djirmay Garba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Schistosoma Bovis ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

Hybridization of infectious agents is a major emerging public and veterinary health concern at the interface of evolution, epidemiology, and control. Whilst evidence of the extent of hybridization amongst parasites is increasing, their impact on morbidity remains largely unknown. This may be predicted to be particularly pertinent where parasites of animals with contrasting pathogenicity viably hybridize with human parasites. Recent research has revealed that viable zoonotic hybrids between human urogenital Schistosoma haematobium with intestinal Schistosoma species of livestock, notably Schistosoma bovis, can be highly prevalent across Africa and beyond. Examining human populations in Senegal, we found increased hepatic but decreased urogenital morbidity, and reduced improvement following treatment with praziquantel, in those infected with zoonotic hybrids compared to non-hybrids. Our results have implications for effective monitoring and evaluation of control programmes, and demonstrate for the first time the potential impact of parasite hybridizations on host morbidity.

scholarly journals Prevention and Control of Infections

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Robin Sebastian ◽  
. Gopalakrishnan ◽  
P. Sanil Kumar ◽  
Lal Prashanth ◽  
Darly Jose
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Standard Precautions ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
And Control

Over the last 10 years several new viral pathogens have appeared in human populations in India. We have also seen the emergence of infectious diseases like COVID-19. It is time to reassess our current practice patterns and commit to a ‘NEW STANDARD’ for infection prevention and control. A two-tiered approach to precautions is used to interrupt the mode of transmission of infectious agents. Standard precautions to work practices that are applied to all patients receiving care in health facilities and Transmission-based precautions are precautions required to be taken based on the route of transmission of organisms like contact precautions, airborne precautions, etc.   If successfully implemented, standard and transmission-based precautions prevent any infection from being transmitted.

scholarly journals Spillover, hybridization, and persistence in schistosome transmission dynamics at the human–animal interface

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (41) ◽  
pp. e2110711118
Author(s):  
Anna Borlase ◽  
James W. Rudge ◽  
Elsa Léger ◽  
Nicolas D. Diouf ◽  
Cheikh B. Fall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Disease Biology ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Schistosoma Bovis ◽  
And Control

Zoonotic spillover and hybridization of parasites are major emerging public and veterinary health concerns at the interface of infectious disease biology, evolution, and control. Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease of global importance caused by parasites of the Schistosoma genus, and the Schistosoma spp. system within Africa represents a key example of a system where spillover of animal parasites into human populations has enabled formation of hybrids. Combining model-based approaches and analyses of parasitological, molecular, and epidemiological data from northern Senegal, a region with a high prevalence of schistosome hybrids, we aimed to unravel the transmission dynamics of this complex multihost, multiparasite system. Using Bayesian methods and by estimating the basic reproduction number (R0), we evaluate the frequency of zoonotic spillover of Schistosoma bovis from livestock and the potential for onward transmission of hybrid S. bovis × S. haematobium offspring within human populations. We estimate R0 of hybrid schistosomes to be greater than the critical threshold of one (1.76; 95% CI 1.59 to 1.99), demonstrating the potential for hybridization to facilitate spread and establishment of schistosomiasis beyond its original geographical boundaries. We estimate R0 for S. bovis to be greater than one in cattle (1.43; 95% CI 1.24 to 1.85) but not in other ruminants, confirming cattle as the primary zoonotic reservoir. Through longitudinal simulations, we also show that where S. bovis and S. haematobium are coendemic (in livestock and humans respectively), the relative importance of zoonotic transmission is predicted to increase as the disease in humans nears elimination.

scholarly journals Morphological and genomic characterisation of the hybrid schistosome infecting humans in Europe reveals a complex admixture between Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis parasites

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Kincaid-Smith ◽  
Alan Tracey ◽  
Ronaldo Augusto ◽  
Ingo Bulla ◽  
Nancy Holroyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Assembly ◽  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Schistosoma Bovis ◽  
Egg Morphology ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Fertile Hybrids ◽  
First Time ◽  
Key Parameter ◽  
Do So

AbstractSchistosomes cause schistosomiasis, the world’s second most important parasitic disease after malaria. A peculiar feature of schistosomes is their ability to produce viable and fertile hybrids. Originally only present in the tropics, schistosomiasis is now also endemic in Europe. Based on two genetic markers the European species had been identified as a hybrid between the ruminant-infective Schistosoma bovis and the human-infective Schistosoma haematobium.Here we describe for the first time the genomic composition of the European schistosome hybrid (77% of S. haematobium and 23% of S. bovis origins), its morphometric parameters and its compatibility with the European vector snail and intermediate host Compatibility is a key parameter for the parasites life cycle progression. We also show that egg morphology (a classical diagnostic parameter) does not allow for differential diagnosis while genetic tests do so. Additionally, we performed genome assembly improvement and annotation of S. bovis, the parental species for which no satisfactory genome assembly was available.For the first time since the discovery of hybrid schistosomes, these results reveal at the whole genomic level a complex admixture of parental genomes highlighting (i) the high permeability of schistosomes to other species’ alleles, and (ii) the importance of hybrid formation for pushing species boundaries not only conceptionally but also geographically.

The Effects of Corporate Ownership on Public Accountants' Professionalism and Ethics

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Shafer ◽  
D. Jordan Lowe ◽  
Timothy J. Fogarty
Keyword(s):  
Current Trend ◽  
Auditor Independence ◽  
Corporate Ownership ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Corporate Acquisitions ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time

The current trend toward corporate acquisitions of CPA firms poses potential threats to the autonomy and ethical standards of public accounting professionals. This recent consolidation movement suggests that for the first time a significant number of public accounting professionals are subject to the supervision and control of nonprofessionals. In addition to acknowledging the potential threats to auditor independence and objectivity, this paper suggests that these new organizational arrangements for the provision of public accounting services have other negative effects on professionalism and ethics such as desensitizing CPAs to traditional professional values, and subverting professional institutions to the goals of corporate employers. This paper develops a framework that identifies several specific research questions related to the effects of corporate ownership on professionalism and ethics in public accounting.

scholarly journals A Legionnaires’ Disease Cluster in a Private Building in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6922
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Ricci ◽  
Maria Cristina Rota ◽  
Maria Grazia Caporali ◽  
Antonietta Girolamo ◽  
Maria Scaturro
Keyword(s):  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Legionnaires Disease ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Private Homes ◽  
And Control

Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a severe pneumonia caused by bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella. This is a major public health concern and infections are steadily increasing worldwide. Several sources of infection have been identified, but they have not always been linked to human isolates by molecular match. The well-known Legionella contamination of private homes has rarely been associated with the acquisition of the disease, although some patients never left their homes during the incubation period. This study demonstrated by genomic matching between clinical and environmental Legionella isolates that the source of an LD cluster was a private building. Monoclonal antibodies and sequence-based typing were used to type the isolates, and the results clearly demonstrated the molecular relationship between the strains highlighting the risk of contracting LD at home. To contain this risk, the new European directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption has introduced for the first time Legionella as a microbiological parameter to be investigated in domestic water systems. This should lead to a greater attention to prevention and control measures for domestic Legionella contamination and, consequently, to a possible reduction in community acquired LD cases.

scholarly journals Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834) as a natural host for Schistosoma haematobium (Bilharz, 1852) Weinland, 1858 x Schistosoma bovis Sonsino, 1876 introgressive hybrids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris A.E.S. Savassi ◽  
Gauthier Dobigny ◽  
Jonas R. Etougbétché ◽  
Thalasse T. Avocegan ◽  
François T. Quinsou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Definitive Host ◽  
Schistosoma Haematobium ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Mastomys Natalensis ◽  
New Host ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Schistosoma Bovis ◽  
Bulinus Globosus ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Rdna

AbstractCercarial emission of schistosomes is a determinant in the transmission to the definitive host and constitutes a good marker to identify which definitive host is responsible for transmission, mainly in introgressive hybridization situations. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that micro-mammals play a role in Schistosoma haematobium, S. bovis, and/or S. haematobium x S. bovis transmission. Small mammal sampling was conducted in seven semi-lacustrine villages of southern Benin. Among the 62 animals trapped, 50 individuals were investigated for Schistosoma adults and eggs: 37 Rattus rattus, 3 Rattus norvegicus, 9 Mastomys natalensis, and 1 Crocidura olivieri. Schistosoma adults were found in four R. rattus and two M. natalensis, with a local prevalence reaching 80% and 50%, respectively. Two cercarial chronotypes were found from Bulinus globosus experimentally infected with miracidia extracted from naturally infected M. natalensis: a late diurnal and nocturnal chronotype, and an early diurnal, late diurnal, and nocturnal chronotype. The cytochrome C oxidase subunit I mtDNA gene of the collected schistosomes (adults, miracidia, and cercariae) belonged to the S. bovis clade. Eleven internal transcribed spacer rDNA profiles were found; four belonged to S. bovis and seven to S. haematobium x S. bovis. These molecular results together with the observed multi-peak chronotypes add M. natalensis as a new host implicated in S. haematobium x S. bovis transmission. We discuss the origin of the new chronotypes which have become more complex with the appearance of several peaks in a 24-h day. We also discuss how the new populations of offspring may optimize intra-host ecological niche, host spectrum, and transmission time period.

Evaluating quality of science in CGIAR research programs: Use of bibliometrics

2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110242
Author(s):  
Max Rünzel ◽  
Paolo Sarfatti ◽  
Svetlana Negroustoueva
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Bibliometric Indicators ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Practical Utilization ◽  
Research Programs ◽  
First Time ◽  
Quality Of Research

When evaluating Quality of Science (QoS) in the context of development initiatives, it is essential to define adequate criteria. The objective of this perspective paper is to show how altmetric and bibliometric indicators have been used to support the evaluation of QoS in the 2020 Review of the Phase 2-CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs, 2017–2022), where, for the first time, the Quality of Research for Development (QoR4D) frame of reference has been utilized across the entire CGIAR CRP portfolio. Overall, the CRP review showed a significant output of scientific publications during the period 2017–2020, with 4,872 articles, 220,101 references, and 7.1 citations per article. Additionally, wider interest in scientific publications is demonstrated by good to high altmetrics, with average attention scores ranging from 70.8 to 806.9 with an average of 425.1. The use of selected bibliometrics was shown to be an adequate tool, for use together with other qualitative indicators to evaluate the QoS in the 12 CRPs. The CRP review process clearly demonstrated that standardized, harmonized and consistent data on research output is paramount to provide high-quality quantitative instruments and should be a priority throughout the transition toward One CGIAR. Therefore, we conclude that the QoR4D framework should be augmented by standardized bibliometric indicators embedded in measurement frameworks within the new One CGIAR. Finally, its practical utilization in monitoring and evaluation should be supported with clear guidelines.

scholarly journals Agro-Environmental Determinants of Leptospirosis: A Retrospective Spatiotemporal Analysis (2004−2014) in Mahasarakham Province (Thailand)

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Jaruwan Viroj ◽  
Julien Claude ◽  
Claire Lajaunie ◽  
Julien Cappelle ◽  
Anamika Kritiyakan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Spatiotemporal Analysis ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Intersectoral Collaboration ◽  
The Public ◽  
Additive Modeling ◽  
The One ◽  
And Control ◽  
Northeastern Thailand

Leptospirosis has been recognized as a major public health concern in Thailand following dramatic outbreaks. We analyzed human leptospirosis incidence between 2004 and 2014 in Mahasarakham province, Northeastern Thailand, in order to identify the agronomical and environmental factors likely to explain incidence at the level of 133 sub-districts and 1,982 villages of the province. We performed general additive modeling (GAM) in order to take the spatial-temporal epidemiological dynamics into account. The results of GAM analyses showed that the average slope, population size, pig density, cow density and flood cover were significantly associated with leptospirosis occurrence in a district. Our results stress the importance of livestock favoring leptospirosis transmission to humans and suggest that prevention and control of leptospirosis need strong intersectoral collaboration between the public health, the livestock department and local communities. More specifically, such collaboration should integrate leptospirosis surveillance in both public and animal health for a better control of diseases in livestock while promoting public health prevention as encouraged by the One Health approach.

LSI Microcomputer and Digital Control

1975 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Digital Control ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Control System Design ◽  
Future Trends ◽  
Digital Control System ◽  
Control Logic ◽  
Present Trend ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Microprocessor Technology ◽  
And Control

This paper gives a tutorial presentation and overview of LSI microprocessor technology for control engineers and control logic designers. The historical background, present status and future trends of this dynamic technology are presented, and its enormous potential impact on digital control system design and implementation is explored through examples and extrapolation of the present trend.

Microcystin Exposure Pathways and Human Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Rajesh Melaram ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Algal Toxins ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Exposure Pathways ◽  
Green Algal

Microcystins (MCs) are blue-green algal toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria. Their environmentally relevant concentrations throughout global surface waters have tampered with human populations’ drinking and recreational supplies. MCs have gained immense public health attention due to their potential health effects. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic variant of the MCs. Investigations on MC-LR toxicity and detection in water signify a growing potential environmental health concern worldwide. The World Health Organization established a provisional drinking water guidance value of 1 μg/L and a provisional recreational exposure guidance value of 10 μg/L for MC-LR. This review surveys human MC exposure pathways and integrates epidemiological studies to support MCs’ critical exposure pathways. A discussion on monitoring and mitigation strategies provides a guide for policy development in adopting MCs’ regulatory levels to protect public health.

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