Risk Factor Assessment, Sero-Prevalence, and Genotyping of the Virus That Causes Foot-and-Mouth Disease on Commercial Farms in Ethiopia from October 2018 to February 2020

A cross-sectional serological, active outbreak search and a questionnaire-based survey were carried out to investigate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) sero-epidemiology in Ethiopia. The circulating serotype of the FMD virus (FMDV) was identified, and the knowledge regarding FMD and husbandry practices was assessed. Using the questionnaire survey, a total of 237 individuals were interviewed, and the majority responded that there is no practice of reporting disease outbreak, free in and out movement of livestock, or share pastures, and they use traditional case management as a means of controlling the disease. A total of 1938 cattle, 490 domestic small ruminants, and 426 swine were sampled randomly for serological analysis using the 3ABC non-structural protein (NSP) enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. An overall prevalence of 25% in cattle, 5% in domestic small ruminants, and 2% in swine was recorded. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that cattle from the Oromia, Tigray, and Amhara regions had the highest probability of being sero-positive as compared with Addis Ababa odds ratio(OR)(OR: 4 (95% confidence interval (CI)(CI [3–6], 3 (95% CI [2,5]), and 2 (95% CI 2 [1,3]), respectively). Older cattle (older than three years) and domestic small ruminants (>18 months) had a higher chance of being seropositive (OR: 2, 95% CI [1.6,3]) and (OR: 6, 95% CI [2,18]), respectively). Female and older swine older than three years of age had a higher chance of being sero-positive (p < 0.05). Local breed cattle had the lowest chance (OR: 0.2. 95% CI [0.1–0.3]) of being sero-positive. A region, age, and breed proved to have a statistically significant association with sero-positivity (p < 0.05) in cattle. Swine from Bishoftu were less likely to test positive than swine from Addis Ababa (OR: 0.04, 95% CI [0.01–0.3]). From 96 herds, 72 pooled outbreak samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation, serotyping (antigen enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA)), sequencing, and phylogenetic tree analysis. Six serotype A (G-IV) FMD viruses and three serotype O east African (EA-3 and EA-4) FMDVs were identified. Thus, this study established the lack of disease outbreak reporting, poor husbandry problems, and the prevalence of FMD in three domestic species (cattle, small ruminant, and swine). In addition, continuous circulation of serotype A and O in the study area was confirmed.

The correlation of syndecan-4 with disease activity and serological characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis

[Objectives]To investigate the expression of syndecan-4 in serum, synovial fluid (SF) and synovium in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comparing with osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and to analyze the correlation of syndecan-4 with disease activity of RA .[Methods]Syndecan-4 in sera of 60 RA patients, 20 OA patients, 20 healthy controls, and in paired SF of 23 RA patients were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The expressions of syndecan-4 in synovium of 5 RA patients and 5 OA patients were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of syndecan-4 of cultured synovial fibroblasts from RA and OA patients were detected by immunofluorescence. The correlation between serum syndecan-4 concentration and disease activity were analyzed in 60 RA patients.[Results]The serum syndedcan-4 concentration was significantly higher in RA patients than in OA patients and healthy controls, and was higher in rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive RA patients than in RF-negative ones. Syndecan-4 concentration in SF of RA patients was comparable with OA patients. Syndecan-4 expression in synovial tissue was similar between RA and OA patients. The syndecan-4 concentration was significantly lower in synovial fluid than in serum, either in RA or in OA patients. The serum and SF syndecan-4 concentrations were both positively correlated with RA disease activity scores.[Conclusion]The serum syndecan-4 concentration is higher in RA patients than in OA patients, and significantly higher in RF-positive RA patients than in RF-negative ones. The serum and SF syndecan-4 concentrations were both positively correlated with disease activity of RA patients.

SCREENING OF PREGNANT WOMEN FOR PRESENCE OF IGG ANTIBODIES FOR RUBELLA, MUMPS, MEASLES AND VARICELLA VIRUSES IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL , JAIPUR

Background : The aim of this study were assess the susceptible pregnant women for vaccine preventable infection like rubella, mumps, measles and varicella viruses. Infection of mothers with these viruses during pregnancy can be serious. They can cause congenital infections, miscarriage, stillbirth and death of fetuses. Material and Method : This study is cross sectional. To determine the presence of IgG antibodies for rubella, mumps, measles and varicella viruses, blood samples were collected, stored at -700 c. Serum was separated for detection of IgG antibodies for these viruses by using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. Results : Of 277 samples evaluated for IgG antibodies. Susceptibility Of pregnant women for rubella, mumps measles and varicella viruses were 7.6%, 17.6%,7.2% and 19.5% respectively. Susceptibility rates for rubella and mumps were higher in rural population as compares to urban while for varicella urban population was more susceptible, but it was not statistically signicant. No correlation could be observed in susceptibility to different to different viruses and their education status and age of patients, but youngest age group was most susceptible to varicella and oldest group to rubella. Primigravida were more susceptible to rubella and varicella while multigravida were more susceptible to mumps and measles. Conclusion : Majority of the pregnant women had protective levels of IgG antibody although susceptibility to rubella, mumps measles and varicella were low. Intensication of MMRV immunization of all females of child-bearing age is advocated.

Comparative Analysis of Various Techniques for Giardia lamblia Detection and Association with E coil and Shigella Among Children Attending AL-Imamin AL-Kadhimin Medical City

Diarrhea is an important public health problem worldwide, several causes associated with diarrhea especially in population live under poverty and unsafe water use. Different methods are available and use in diagnosis. This study was carried out to compare of various techniques for Giardia lamblia detection and study the association with E coil and Shigella in patients with diarrhea. A total of 100 children with diarrhoea were enrolled into the study, 57 were males and 43 were females, aged from 2 months -16 years were attendant to AL-Imamin AL-Kadhimin Medical City, during the period from May 2014 to February 2015. Stool samples were collected and analysed for Giardia lamblia presence by used light microscopy, enzyme linked immunosorbant assay and polymerase chain reaction as well as used bacterial culture and one-step colored chromatographic immunoassay for E coil and Shigella detection. Socio-demographic features of the study subjects were also included. Parasitic infection was the most common than bacterial infection. Most intestinal infection were recorded in age group 5-10 years and among males. Comparative analysis of various techniques for Giardia lamblia detection show that microscopy detected only 24 cases, while enzyme linked immunosorbant assay detected 32 cases. However, polymerase chain reaction assay detected 42 cases. Statistical analysis showed significant differences. The sensitivities was 57.14% for microscopy and 76.19% for enzyme linked immunosorbant assay, whereas polymerase chain reaction assay had sensitivity of 100% (42/42) and specificity was100%. Bacterial culture and immunochromatography assay show positive result for E. coli (12%), and Shigella (6%). Co-infection between three microorganisms which revealed that 5 patients with Giardia lamblia positive test had co-infection with E. coli and 4 patients with Giardia lamblia positive test had co-infection with Shigella. Polymerase chain reaction highly sensitive and specific than other methods for Giardia lamblia detection, direct examination exhibited many false positive and negative results with parasitic infection.