scholarly journals Methods of Control of theLeishmania infantumDog Reservoir: State of the Art

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Podaliri Vulpiani ◽  
Luigi Iannetti ◽  
Daniela Paganico ◽  
Filomena Iannino ◽  
Nicola Ferri

Leishmania infantumis a protozoan parasite causing severe vector-borne visceral diseases both in humans and dogs. The latter are the most important natural reservoir and therefore should be the main target of control measures. The real efficacy of seropositive dogs culling as a direct control method is still debated, and the new sensitivity of large part of population considers ethically unacceptable this kind of approach. Treatment of infectious dogs with one of the available therapeutic protocols is recommendable as it allows to reduce parasite burdens and therefore the possibility of transmission ofLeishmania infantumto vectors. Vaccination has been proven to be a very effective control tool, but the absence of a commonly recognized diagnostic method able to distinguish vaccinate from seropositive individuals is still an important limit. Concerning indirect control methods, a number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of topical insecticides treatment (collars, spot-on, and sprays) in reducing incidence and prevalence ofL. infantum. Also, the reduction of the odds of seroconversion in humans in endemic areas has been reported after the application of indirect control measures on dogs. The contemporary use of direct and indirect methods is even more effective in reducing seroprevalence in dogs.

1985 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Randolph ◽  
Gordon M. Steele

AbstractThe experimental manipulation of separate, but originally identical, populations of Ixodes ricinus (L.) by applying three conventional tick control measures in different enclosures on naturally infested moorland in Wales allowed the elements of the tick-host interaction to be analysed quantitatively and the effectiveness of the control methods to be compared. From the relationship between the sheep stocking density and the numbers of questing ticks picked up by fortnightly blanket-dragging in each enclosure, the death rate of ticks during their activity season and the rate of contact between sheep and ticks were calculated. From this, it was possible to investigate the effect of different stocking densities on the feeding success of ticks. A major factor determining the much lower contact rate for larvae than for nymphs was the different spatial distribution of questing ticks, clumped for larvae and random for nymphs. The non-random use by sheep of the three different vegetation zones in the paddock resulted in the highest contact rate between sheep and ticks in the pasture area, but tick survival was apparently highest in the bog area. Combining these factors resulted in the prediction that the bracken area was the least favourable habitat for ticks. In the two enclosures where the sheep were not treated with acaricide the mean tick loads on the sheep were similar, but the lower overall use of the pasture by the sheep in the low stocking density enclosure (2/ha) resulted in slightly lower tick loads there compared with those in the high stocking density enclosure (4/ha). The numbers of ticks counted in the second year showed that pasture spelling was the most effective control method, acaricide treatment was less effective, and the benefits of halving the stocking density were marginal. The implications of these results for control strategies are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Farhad Ali ◽  
Muhammad Tariq ◽  
Farid Asif Shaheen ◽  
Zia-ur-Rehman Mashwani ◽  
Tayyaba Zainab ◽  
...  

The diamondback moth, Plutellaxylostella (Lepidoptera; Plutellidae) is one of the most notorious and cosmopolitan insect pests of brassica crops around the world. P. xylostella may causes 90% yield losses in brassica crops. Various control measures have been adopted to manage this pest; however, the most effective control method is the use of synthetic chemical insecticides. Overuse of insecticides have many adverse effects including insecticide resistance, hazardous to environment, long persistency, interfere with food chain. There is an urgent need for alternative control measures which should be effective, environmental friendly and economically safer. Bio pesticides include plant extracts and green synthesized nano-based insecticides are among these measures, which can be useful for the management of P. xylostella. Less work has been carried out on the use of green synthesized plant products against P. xylostella. Therefore, current study has been planned to evaluate the toxicity of plant extracts and green synthesized nano-based plant products against P. xylostella. Eight plants extract (neem, bakain, bitter-gourd, clove, eucalyptus, dathura, garlic and ginger) and their nano-based products (green synthesis silver nanoparticles) were applied in different concentrations against 3rd larval instars of P. xylostella. Mortality were recorded after 24, 48 and 72 hours of application of treatments. Corrected mortality was calculated using Abbot’s formula and LC50 values were calculated.


Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Sauda ◽  
Livia Malandrucco ◽  
Gladia Macrì ◽  
Manuela Scarpulla ◽  
Claudio De Liberato ◽  
...  

Prevalence and risk factors of Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria spp. and other potentially zoonotic or canine-specific endoparasite infections were assessed in 639 kennel dogs from central Italy. To this end, individual blood and fecal samples were examined using parasitological, immunological and molecular techniques. The presence of compatible clinical pictures, as well as age and gender were considered as putative risks factors. To evaluate risk factors, multivariable analysis with logistic regression and univariable analysis with a Chi square test and a Fischer’s exact test were performed. Overall, 52.6% of dogs (95% CI 48.6-56.5) were found positive, while 39.6% of dogs (95% CI 35.8-43.5) were infected by potentially zoonotic species. Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria repens showed prevalences of 2.5% (95% CI 1.5-4.1) and 2.8% (95% CI 1.7-4.5), respectively. The prevalence of cardiorespiratory parasites was 7.8% (95% CI 5.9-10.3) and included the species Angiostrongylus vasorum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Eucoleus boehmi and D. immitis; the latter showed a prevalence of 0.2% (95% CI 0.001-1). Intestinal parasites were significantly prevalent (38.8%, 95% CI 35-42.7) and they consisted mainly of species of major zoonotic concern, including ancylostomatids, Toxocara canis, Giardia duodenalis, Dipylidium caninum, Taeniidae, Strongyloides stercoralis and Cryptosporidium parvum. Endoparasites were significantly prevalent in clinically suspected dogs. Leishmania infantum and cardiorespiratory nematodes were prevalent in older dogs, while intestinal parasites were prevalent in younger dogs. Results show high dog and public health risks in kennels in central Italy, and suggest the need for more effective control measures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica I. Slopek ◽  
Eric G. Lamb

Effective control measures are required for the invasive forage grass smooth brome in native prairie to maintain native prairie diversity and function. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effectiveness of glyphosate as a control method for smooth brome and to evaluate the subsequent recovery of native prairie species at Kernen Prairie near Saskatoon, SK, Canada. In 1999 and 2000, a total of forty 6- to 8-m-diameter patches of smooth brome were spot sprayed with glyphosate; community composition in each patch was monitored for 17 yr. Following glyphosate application, the abundance of smooth brome decreased, and recovery of native species richness and the abundance of important native species, including plains rough fescue, was observed. In the long term however, the elimination of smooth brome created empty niche space ultimately occupied by other invasive species, particularly Kentucky bluegrass. The spot application of glyphosate is thus an effective control method for reducing smooth brome in native prairie; however, maintaining desirable native species composition in this system posttreatment depends on other factors, including the presence of additional invasive species that may move in after the elimination of smooth brome.


Author(s):  
Anne Caroline Dallabrida Avelino ◽  
Dayana Aparecida de Faria ◽  
Lucas Dias de Oliveira ◽  
Bruno Giuseppe Terzi ◽  
Alexandre Secco Contreras Filho ◽  
...  

The integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) is a model of sustainable cultivation that allows the recovery of degraded pastures and the intensification in pasture and grain production. However, the presence of pathogens in the production fields has hampered the employment of these systems. In order to minimize or eradicate the phytonematodes in the production fields and the seeds used in CLIS, it is necessary to know the nematofauna. Based on this, this work aimed to perform a literature review describing the main forages and agricultural crops used in integrated crop-livestock systems in tropical regions, the major phytonematodes associated with these crops and their control measures. This work was based on a literature review from the Scielo, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, with data from 1999 to 2019. The initially used keywords were "tropical weeds"; "Agricultural crops"; and "ICLS" and their respective terms in the Portuguese language. From the initial results, we used the keywords "Brachiaria syn. Urochloa sp. "; "Phytonematodes"; "Millet"; "Maize"; "Panicum sp."; "Soy"; "Sorghum", and "ICLS" and their respective terms in the Portuguese language. Publications that did not meet the criteria of this study (analyzed by titles and abstract) were considered as exclusion criteria, as well as repeated works in the databases. Based on the literature, the cultivation of forages belonging to the genera Brachiaria syn. Urochloa sp. and Panicum sp., along with and soybean, maize, sorghum and millet are predominant in the ICL system of tropical regions. The phytonematodes Meloidogyne sp., Pratylenchus brachyurus, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenculus reniformis, Aphelenchoides sp., Ditylenchus sp. and Filenchus sp. cause greater severity of damage to the main cultures used in ICL. No control method can eradicate the phytonematodes. The most effective control for the studied phytonematodes is through integrated pest and disease management.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukman Olagoke ◽  
Ahmet E. Topcu

BACKGROUND COVID-19 represents a serious threat to both national health and economic systems. To curb this pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a series of COVID-19 public safety guidelines. Different countries around the world initiated different measures in line with the WHO guidelines to mitigate and investigate the spread of COVID-19 in their territories. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of these control measures using a data-centric approach. METHODS We begin with a simple text analysis of coronavirus-related articles and show that reports on similar outbreaks in the past strongly proposed similar control measures. This reaffirms the fact that these control measures are in order. Subsequently, we propose a simple performance statistic that quantifies general performance and performance under the different measures that were initiated. A density based clustering of based on performance statistic was carried out to group countries based on performance. RESULTS The performance statistic helps evaluate quantitatively the impact of COVID-19 control measures. Countries tend show variability in performance under different control measures. The performance statistic has negative correlation with cases of death which is a useful characteristics for COVID-19 control measure performance analysis. A web-based time-line visualization that enables comparison of performances and cases across continents and subregions is presented. CONCLUSIONS The performance metric is relevant for the analysis of the impact of COVID-19 control measures. This can help caregivers and policymakers identify effective control measures and reduce cases of death due to COVID-19. The interactive web visualizer provides easily digested and quick feedback to augment decision-making processes in the COVID-19 response measures evaluation. CLINICALTRIAL Not Applicable


2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (16) ◽  
pp. 841-849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maite Severins ◽  
Don Klinkenberg ◽  
Hans Heesterbeek

Infection systems where traits of the host, such as acquired immunity, interact with the infection process can show complex dynamic behaviour with counter-intuitive results. In this study, we consider the traits ‘immune status’ and ‘exposure history’, and our aim is to assess the influence of acquired individual heterogeneity in these traits. We have built an individual-based model of Eimeria acervulina infections, a protozoan parasite with an environmental stage that causes coccidiosis in chickens. With the model, we simulate outbreaks of the disease under varying initial contaminations. Heterogeneity in the traits arises stochastically through differences in the dose and frequency of parasites that individuals pick up from the environment. We find that the relationship between the initial contamination and the severity of an outbreak has a non-monotonous ‘wave-like’ pattern. This pattern can be explained by an increased heterogeneity in the host population caused by the infection process at the most severe outbreaks. We conclude that when dealing with these types of infection systems, models that are used to develop or evaluate control measures cannot neglect acquired heterogeneity in the host population traits that interact with the infection process.


Author(s):  
Ting Wan Tan ◽  
Han Ling Tan ◽  
Man Na Chang ◽  
Wen Shu Lin ◽  
Chih Ming Chang

(1) Background: The implementation of effective control measures in a timely fashion is crucial to control the epidemic outbreak of COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to analyze the control measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as evaluating the responses and outcomes at different phases for epidemic control in Taiwan. (2) Methods: This case study reviewed responses to COVID-19 and the effectiveness of a range of control measures implemented for epidemic control in Taiwan and assessed all laboratory-confirmed cases between 11 January until 20 December 2020, inclusive of these dates. The confirmation of COVID-19 infection was defined as the positive result of a reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction test taken from a nasopharyngeal swab. Test results were reported by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. The incidence rate, mortality rate, and testing rate were compiled, and the risk ratio was provided to gain insights into the effectiveness of prevention measures. (3) Results and Discussion: This study presents retrospective data on the COVID-19 incidence rate in Taiwan, combined with the vital preventive control measures, in a timeline of the early stage of the epidemic that occurred in Taiwan. The implementation of multiple strategy control measures and the assistance of technologies to control the COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan led to a relatively slower trend in the outbreak compared to the neighboring countries. In Taiwan, 766 confirmed patients were included, comprised of 88.1% imported cases and 7.2% local transmission cases, within the studied period. The incidence rate of COVID-19 in Taiwan during the studied period was 32 per million people, with a mortality rate of 0.3 per million people. Our analysis showed a significantly raised incidence risk ratio in the countries of interest in comparison to Taiwan during the study period; in the range of 1.9 to 947.5. The outbreak was brought under control through epidemic policies and hospital strategies implemented by the Taiwan Government. (4) Conclusion: Taiwan’s preventive strategies resulted in a drastically lower risk for Taiwan nationals of contracting COVID-19 when new pharmaceutical drug or vaccines were not yet available. The preventive strategies employed by Taiwan could serve as a guide and reference for future epidemic control strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Alice Giusti ◽  
Enrica Ricci ◽  
Laura Gasperetti ◽  
Marta Galgani ◽  
Luca Polidori ◽  
...  

Proper investment in mushroom production (farming and wild mushroom picking activities) may represent a winning strategy for many countries, including Italy, to better face the problems of food security and environmental impact, and to break away from imports, enhancing the local products. However, the risk related to the consumption of poisoning species requires governments to implement or reinforce effective control measures to protect consumers. Mushroom identification by phenotype observation is hardly applicable if morphologically-similar species, non-whole specimens, or clinical samples are involved. Genotypic analysis is a valid alternative. An ongoing research project involving the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lazio and Tuscany, the regional Mycological Inspectorate, the Tuscany Mycological Groups Association, and the Department of Veterinary Sciences of the University of Pisa aims to reinforce the collaboration among institutions for the management of mushroom poisoning. The core’s project aims to develop an internal genetic database to support the identification of wild and cultivated mushroom species in the Italian territory. The database will include Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences retrieved from official databases (the NCBI GenBank and the BOLD system) which are considered to be reliable, after a proper selection process, and sequences from specimens collected directly and identified by expert mycologists. Once it is validated, the database will be available and further implementable by the official network of national laboratories.


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