6320 research outputs found
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Seroepidemiological study of caprine toxoplasmosis in East and West Shewa Zones, Oromia Regional State, Central Ethiopia
No full textToxoplasmosis is a global zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular apicomplexan parasite. The objectives of this study were to estimate the animal and flock level seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis in goats of Central Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, goats are economically important animals used for meat and milk production. The study was cross-sectional and 927 blood samples from 187 goat flocks were collected to examine T. gondii specific IgG antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire was used to collect data on the potential risk factors. The study revealed flock and animal level seroprevalence of 58.3% (109/187; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.16, 65.42) and 19.7% (183/927; 95% CI: 17.17, 22.31), respectively. The likelihood of acquiring T. gondii infection was higher in semi-intensively managed goats (Odds ratio [OR]=2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14, 5.37; P=0.022) than in extensively managed goats, in females than in males (OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.92; P=0.010), in adults than in young animals (OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.21, 3.28; P=0.006), in small than in large flocks (OR=2.03, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.98; P=0.040), in goats kept under sedentary (OR=2.81, 95% CI: 1.41, 5.59; P=0.003) and agropastoral farming system (OR=3.62, 95% CI: 1.83, 7.18; P<0.001) than pastoral farming system and in goats allowed to drink water from the tap than those drinking from river and stagnant water bodies (OR=9.25, 95% CI: 3.04, 28.15; P<0.001). Our study indicates that exposure of goats to oocysts of T. gondii is widespread. We recommend further studies to determine the genotype of the parasite, public health and economic impacts of toxoplasmosis and the role of raw goat meat and milk as a source of infection for consumers
A cluster-randomized trial of insecticide-treated curtains for dengue vector control in Thailand
No full textThe efficacy of insecticide-treated window curtains (ITCs) for dengue vector control was evaluated in Thailand in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. A total of 2,037 houses in 26 clusters was randomized to receive the intervention or act as control (no treatment). Entomological surveys measured Aedes infestations (Breteau index, house index, container index, and pupae per person index) and oviposition indices (mean numbers of eggs laid in oviposition traps) immediately before and after intervention, and at 3-month intervals over 12 months. There were no consistent statistically significant differences in entomological indices between intervention and control clusters, although oviposition indices were lower (P < 0.01) in ITC clusters during the wet season. It is possible that the open housing structures in the study reduced the likelihood of mosquitoes making contact with ITCs. ITCs deployed in a region where this house design is common may be unsuitable for dengue vector control
Effects of managed care mechanisms on access to healthcare: results from a qualitative study in Colombia
No full textBACKGROUND: Managed competition has underpinned most health sector reforms aimed at improving access and efficiency, in Latin America and other countries. The aim of the paper is to analyse barriers to healthcare that emerge from the introduction of managed care mechanisms in Colombia. METHODS: Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive-interpretative research was carried out on the basis of case studies of four healthcare networks, comprised of insurers and their providers. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with a theoretical sample of informants (managers, professionals, and users), between 24 and 61 per network. The final sample size was reached by saturation of information. An inductive thematic content analysis was conducted. The study areas were two municipalities of Colombia, in which most of the population live in poverty. RESULTS: A number of managed care mechanisms that act as barriers to access were identified by all informants, regardless of area and type of insurance regime. These mechanisms act directly on the patient (authorizations, fragmented insurance) or on the providers (purchasing mechanisms or limits to medical practice). The predominant mechanism appears to be related to the type of agreement established between insurers and providers. The reason for these barriers, according to informants, is insurers' search for profitability. As a consequence, there is delay in or no access to adequate treatment. This is particularly evident in secondary care. CONCLUSION: A variety of managed care strategies that effectively hinder access to healthcare have been introduced by insurers, casting doubt on the usefulness of their application in low-income countries and profit-making contexts. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Lipoplexes carrying mRNA-encoding Gag protein modulate dendritic cells to stimulate HIV-specific immune responses
No full textAim: Cationic lipids (Lipofectamine [Invitrogen, Merelbeke, Belgium] and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol amine) and polymers (jetPEI and in vivo-jetPEI [Polyplus-transfection, Illkirch, France]) were evaluated for their potential to deliver mRNA to monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Materials & methods: Lipoplexes and polyplexes, containing mRNA-encoding GFP or Gag protein, were incubated with human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and transfection efficiencies were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Lipofectamine was by far the most efficient in mRNA delivery, therefore it was used in further experiments. Incubation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells isolated from HIV-1-positive donors with mRNA-encoding Gag protein complexed to Lipofectamine resulted in 50% transfection. Importantly, coculture of these Gag-transfected dendritic cells with autologous T cells induced an over tenfold expansion of IFN-gamma- and IL-2-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Conclusion: Cationic lipid-mediated mRNA delivery may be a useful tool for therapeutic vaccination against HIV-1. This approach can be applied to develop vaccination strategies for other infectious diseases and cancer. Original submitted 26 January 2012; Revised submitted 17 April 2012
Validation of a simple resazurin-based promastigote assay for the routine monitoring of miltefosine susceptibility in clinical isolates of Leishmania donovani
No full textSimple, cost-effective approach for routine surveillance of parasite susceptibility to antileishmanial drug miltefosine (MIL) is highly desirable for controlling emergence of drug resistance in visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We validated a simple resazurin-based fluorimetric assay using promastigotes to track natural MIL tolerance in Leishmania donovani parasites from VL cases (n = 17) against standard amastigote assay, in two different labs in India. The inter-stage MIL susceptibility correlated strongly (r = 0.70, p = 0.0018) using J774.A.1 macrophage cell line-based amastigote assay and fluorescence-based resazurin assay for promastigotes. Investigation of inter-stage MIL susceptibility for the same set of clinical isolates in another lab also showed a strong correlation (r = 0.72, p = 0.0012) using mouse peritoneal macrophages for amastigote assay and resazurin-based alamar blue assay for promastigotes. Additionally, parasites from post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) lesions (n = 7, r = 0.78, p = 0.046) and MIL-induced parasites (r = 0.92, p = 0.0001; n = 3) also exhibited a strongly correlated inter-stage miltefosine susceptibility. Thus, our results support the utility of resazurin assay as a simplified biological tool for MIL susceptibility monitoring in clinical isolates from MIL-treated VL/PKDL patients
Prevalence of porcine cysticercosis in Vellore, South India
No full textBACKGROUND: Porcine cysticercosis is acquired by pigs through consumption of human faeces containing Taenia solium ova and indicates the presence of active transmission of the parasite between pigs and humans. METHODS: The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis was assessed by an antigen ELISA and enzyme linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) for antibodies in rural and urban areas of southern India. RESULTS: Of the 112 porcine blood samples, 13 (11.6%) were positive for cysticercal antigens and the free-range pigs were 3.6 times more likely to be infected than the slaughtered pigs and 67 (59.8 %) tested positive for serum antibodies indicating high exposure to T. solium eggs. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of porcine cysticercosis recorded in the study areas mandates public health measures, which includes meat inspection
Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women of child-bearing age in central Ethiopia
No full textBACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii infections during pregnancy can result in abortion or congenital defects. Prevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in women of child-bearing age in Ethiopia are unknown. The current study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the seroprevalence and potential risk factors in acquiring T. gondii infection by women of child-bearing age in Central Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2011 to September 2011. Sera of 425 women were analyzed by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire survey was administered for all study participants to gather information on risk factors. RESULTS: The study revealed that anti- T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 81.4% of the samples of which 78.4% were positive for only IgG and 3.06% positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Seroprevalence of IgM antibodies to T. gondii (4.0%, 95% CI: 2.14, 5.86) was suggestive of recent infections. Of the 213 pregnant women 9 (4.2 %) were IgM reactive. Out of 17 potential risk factors investigated, univariate logistic regression showed significant association of T. gondii infection with study area, age, pregnancy status, raw vegetable consumption, source of water, presence of cats at home, contact with cats, HIV status and precaution during cats' feces cleaning (P <= 0.05). The final logistic regression model revealed that: the probability of acquiring T. gondii infection by women of Debre-Zeit was 4.46 times (95% CI of adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.67, 11.89; P =0.003) higher compared to women of Ambo, pregnant women were twice (95% CI aOR: 1.13, 3.59; P = 0.018) more likely to be seropositive than non-pregnant women and women who consume raw vegetable were at increased risk of infection (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.78; P = 0.043) than women who didn't consume. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in women of child-bearing age in Central Ethiopia is high. Study area, pregnancy and raw vegetable consumption are risk factors to acquire T. gondii infection. Educational program, antenatal screening of pregnant women and further epidemiological studies to uncover the economic and health impact of toxoplasmosis are suggested