Distribution without representation? Beyond the rights of nature in the southern Ecuadorian highlands

Despite the fact that Ecuador has arguably the most biocentric constitution in the world, deepening national investment in extractive development projects has left communities on the frontlines of these projects desperate for greater participation in decision-making processes currently monopolized by centralized ministries. The result has been a flourishing over the past two years of sub-national judicial and non-judicial challenges to strategic mining projects. Integral to these challenges is the constitutional language of rights for nature (Articles 71–4). Drawing on ethnographic research around the Río Blanco gold and silver mine in the southern highland province of Azuay, this article explores the diverse and surprising ways in which these environmental rights are being taken up as part of fundamental challenges to the decision-making monopolies of the Ministries of the Environment and of Mining. While numerous scholars of human and indigenous rights have recently lamented the fact that ‘rights-talk’ often appears unable to arrest or destabilize extractive imperatives, the case of Río Blanco suggests that, when embraced as part of wider social struggles for representation, rights-based approaches might be more potent than is currently being recognized. They may even encourage an important reorientation of some of the binaries that continue to preoccupy critical scholars of development.

Triatomine Feeding Profiles and Trypanosoma cruzi Infection, Implications in Domestic and Sylvatic Transmission Cycles in Ecuador

Understanding the blood meal patterns of insects that are vectors of diseases is fundamental in unveiling transmission dynamics and developing strategies to impede or decrease human–vector contact. Chagas disease has a complex transmission cycle that implies interactions between vectors, parasites and vertebrate hosts. In Ecuador, limited data on human infection are available; however, the presence of active transmission in endemic areas has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of hosts that serve as sources of blood for triatomines in domestic, peridomestic and sylvatic transmission cycles, in two endemic areas of Ecuador (central coastal and southern highland regions). Using conserved primers and DNA extracted from 507 intestinal content samples from five species of triatomines (60 Panstrongylus chinai, 17 Panstrongylus howardi, 1 Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus, 427 Rhodnius ecuadoriensis and 2 Triatoma carrioni) collected from 2006 to 2013, we amplified fragments of the cytb mitochondrial gene. After sequencing, blood meal sources were identified in 416 individuals (146 from central coastal and 270 from southern highland regions), achieving ≥ 95% identity with GenBank sequences (NCBI-BLAST tool). The results showed that humans are the main source of food for triatomines, indicating that human–vector contact is more frequent than previously thought. Although other groups of mammals, such as rodents, are also an available source of blood, birds (particularly chickens) might have a predominant role in the maintenance of triatomines in these areas. However, the diversity of sources of blood found might indicate a preference driven by triatomine species. Moreover, the presence of more than one source of blood in triatomines collected in the same place indicated that dispersal of vectors occurs regardless the availability of food. Dispersal capacity of triatomines needs to be evaluated to propose an effective strategy that limits human–vector contact and, in consequence, to decrease the risk of T. cruzi transmission.

Factors Associated with Salmonella Infection in Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints Seeking Health Care at Regional Hospital in Southern Highland of Tanzania

Background Salmonellosis remains an important public health problem globally. The disease is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries that experience poor hygiene and lack of access to clean and safe water. There was an increase in reported cases of Salmonellosis in Njombe region, Southern Highland of Tanzania between 2015 and 2016, based on clinical diagnosis. Nevertheless, little is known about the factors contributing to the transmission of this disease in the region. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and factors associated with Salmonella infection among patients who report gastrointestinal complaints. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 among patients with gastrointestinal complaints at Kibena Regional Hospital. Stool samples were submitted for isolation of Salmonella spp. Identification was based on conventional biochemical tests and serotyping to differentiate typhoid and non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS). Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors independently associated with Salmonella infection. Results The prevalence of Salmonella infection among participants with gastrointestinal complaints was 16.5% (95% CI: 12.7-21.1) of them, 83.7%, 95% CI: 70.9-91.5 were NTS while 16.3%, 95% CI: 8.5-29.0 were Typhoid Salmonella species. All isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, whereas 27.8% and 100% were resistant to co-trimoxazole and ampicillin respectively. The odd of Salmonella infection was fourfold higher among participants with formal employment (AOR 3.8, 95% CI, 1.53-9.40). Use of water from wells/rivers (AOR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.07-4.45), drinking untreated water (AOR 2.6, 95% CI, 1.21-5.48) and often eating at a restaurant (AOR 3.4, 95% CI, 1.28-8.93) had increased odds of Salmonella infection. Likewise, having abdominal pain (AOR 8.5, 95% CI, 1.81-39.78) and diarrhea (AOR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.12-4.68) were independent symptoms that predict Salmonella infection. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of Salmonella infection among people who report gastrointestinal complaints and it is clinically predicated by diarhoea and abdominal pain. Employed participants and those eating at restaurant and drinking unsafe water had higher risk of infection. Salmonella spp causing gastroenteritis has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Factors Associated with Salmonella Infection in Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints Seeking Health Care at Regional Hospital in Southern Highland of Tanzania

Background Salmonellosis remains an important public health problem globally. The disease is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries that experience poor hygiene and lack of access to clean and safe water. There was an increase in reported cases of Salmonellosis in Njombe region, Southern Highland of Tanzania between 2015 and 2016, based on clinical diagnosis. Nevertheless, little is known about the factors contributing to the transmission of this disease in the region. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and factors associated with Salmonella infection among patients who report gastrointestinal complaints. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 among patients with gastrointestinal complaints at Kibena Regional Hospital. Stool samples were submitted for isolation of Salmonella spp. Identification was based on conventional biochemical tests and serotyping to differentiate typhoid and non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS). Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors independently associated with Salmonella infection. Results The prevalence of Salmonella infection among participants with gastrointestinal complaints was 16.5% (95% CI: 12.7-21.1) of them, 83.7%, 95% CI: 70.9-91.5 were NTS while 16.3%, 95% CI: 8.5-29.0 were Typhoid Salmonella species. All isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, whereas 27.8% and 100% were resistant to co-trimoxazole and ampicillin respectively. The odd of Salmonella infection was fourfold higher among participants with formal employment (AOR 3.8, 95% CI, 1.53-9.40). Use of water from wells/rivers (AOR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.07-4.45), drinking untreated water (AOR 2.6, 95% CI, 1.21-5.48) and often eating at a restaurant (AOR 3.4, 95% CI, 1.28-8.93) had increased odds of Salmonella infection. Likewise, having abdominal pain (AOR 8.5, 95% CI, 1.81-39.78) and diarrhea (AOR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.12-4.68) were independent symptoms that predict Salmonella infection. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of Salmonella infection among people who report gastrointestinal complaints and it is clinically predicated by diarhoea and abdominal pain. Employed participants and those eating at restaurant and drinking unsafe water had higher risk of infection. Salmonella spp causing gastroenteritis has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Factors Associated with Salmonella Infection in Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints Seeking Health Care at Regional Hospital in Southern Highland of Tanzania

Background Salmonellosis remains an important public health problem globally. The disease is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries that experience poor hygiene and lack of access to clean and safe water. There was an increase in reported cases of Salmonellosis in the Njombe region Southern Highland of Tanzania between 2015 and 2016, based on clinical diagnosis. Nevertheless, little is known about the factors contributing to the transmission of this disease in the region. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and factors associated with Salmonella infection among patients who report gastrointestinal complaints. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 among patients with gastrointestinal complaints at Kibena Regional Hospital. Stool samples were submitted for culture on Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar, intended for isolation of Salmonella spp. Identification was based on conventional biochemical tests and serotyping to differentiate typhoid and non-typhoid Salmonella. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors independently associated with Salmonella infection after adjustment for other explanatory variables. Results The prevalence of Salmonella infection among participants with gastrointestinal complaints was 16.5% (95% CI: 12.7-21.1). All isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, whereas 27.8% and 100% were resistant to co-trimoxazole and ampicillin respectively. The odd of Salmonella infection was fourfold higher among participants with formal employment (AOR 3.8, 95% CI, 1.53-9.40). Use of water from wells/rivers (AOR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.07-4.45), drinking untreated water (AOR 2.6, 95% CI, 1.21-5.48) and often eating at a restaurant (AOR 3.4, 95% CI, 1.28-8.93) had increased odds of Salmonella infection. Likewise, having abdominal pain (AOR 8.5, 95% CI, 1.81-39.78) and diarrhea (AOR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.12-4.68) were independent symptoms that predict Salmonella infection. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of Salmonella infection among people who report gastrointestinal complaints and it is clinically predicated by diarhoea and abdominal pain. Employed participants and those eating at restaurant and drinking unsafe water had higher risk of infection. Salmonella spp causing gastroenteritis has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics.