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Local habitat and landscape affect Ixodes ricinus tick abundancies in forests on poor, sandy soils
No full textSexual satisfaction among men living with HIV in Europe
No full textThis study determined risk factors for decreased sexual satisfaction among men living with HIV (MLHIV). Self-administered questionnaires were distributed consecutively to all MLHIV attending 17 European HIV treatment centres. The sample included 1,017 MLHIV, among whom 79.2% self-identified as homosexual or bisexual. Sexual satisfaction was measured for five domains of sexual functioning and 33.2% reported low satisfaction in at least one domain. Decreased sexual satisfaction was associated with psychosocial factors, i.e. depression (OR 2.77, P < 0.001), anxiety (OR 1.77, P < 0.001), stress (OR 2.27, P < 0.001) and social factors, such as low partner support (OR 2.28, P < 0.001) and experiences of HIV related discrimination (OR 1.69, P < 0.001). Discussing satisfaction with sexuality should be integrated in regular HIV care, considering patients' personal and relationship-related resources next to medical treatment if indicated
The TDR Tuberculosis Strain Bank: a resource for basic science, tool development and diagnostic services
No full textBACKGROUND: The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases recently launched a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain bank (TDR-TB Strain Bank). OBJECTIVE: To describe the TDR-TB Strain Bank, the characterisation of strains, bank management and the procedure for releasing materials. RESULTS: The TDR-TB Strain Bank consists of 229 clinical M. tuberculosis isolates (single-colony derived cultures) plus five mycobacterial reference strains for purposes of identification. These are available as freeze-dried, viable strains or as heat-inactivated bacterial suspensions, quality controlled for purity, viability and authenticity. Isolates originated from diverse geographical settings and were selected for their resistance profiles against first- and second-line drugs. Low and high levels of resistance were determined by the minimum inhibitory concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, streptomycin, ofloxacin, kanamycin, capreomycin, ethionamide and para-aminosalicylic acid. Sequencing for drug resistance mutations was performed on the relevant sections of the rpoB, katG, inhA, embB, rpsL, rrs, gyrA and gyrB genes. Typing using lineage-defining loci of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeats indicated that the most important genetic lineages were represented. CONCLUSIONS: The TDR-TB Strain Bank is a high quality bioresource for basic science, supporting the development of new diagnostics and drug-resistant detection tools and providing reference materials for laboratory quality management programmes
Electronic medical records and same day patient tracing improves clinic efficiency and adherence to appointments in a community based HIV/AIDS care program, in Uganda
No full textPatients who miss clinic appointments make unscheduled visits which compromise the ability to plan for and deliver quality care. We implemented Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and same day patient tracing to minimize missed appointments in a community-based HIV clinic in Kampala. Missed, early, on-schedule appointments and waiting times were evaluated before (pre-EMR) and 6 months after implementation of EMR and patient tracing (post-EMR). Reasons for missed appointments were documented pre and post-EMR. The mean daily number of missed appointments significantly reduced from 21 pre-EMR to 8 post-EMR. The main reason for missed appointments was forgetting (37%) but reduced significantly by 30% post-EMR. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) also significantly decreased from 10.9 to 4.8% The total median waiting time to see providers significantly decreased from 291 to 94 min. Our findings suggest that EMR and same day patient tracing can significantly reduce missed appointments, and LTFU and improve clinic efficiency
A new tool for the molecular identification of Culicoides species of the Obsoletus group: the glass slide microarray approach
No full textCulicoides species of the Obsoletus group (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are potential vectors of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV 8), which was introduced into central Western Europe in 2006. Correct morphological species identification of Obsoletus group females is especially difficult and molecular identification is the method of choice. In this study we present a new molecular tool based on probe hybridization using a DNA microarray format to identify Culicoides species of the Obsoletus group. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene sequences of 55 Culicoides belonging to 13 different species were determined and used, together with 19 Culicoides ITS1 sequences sourced from GenBank, to design species-specific probes for the microarray test. This test was evaluated using the amplified ITS1 sequences of another 85 Culicoides specimens, belonging to 11 species. The microarray test successfully identified all samples (100%) of the Obsoletus group, identifying each specimen to species level within the group. This test has several advantages over existing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular tools, including possible capability for parallel analysis of many species, high sensitivity and specificity, and low background signal noise. Hand-spotting of the microarray slide and the use of detection chemistry make this alternative technique affordable and feasible for any diagnostic laboratory with PCR facilities
Expression and extracellular release of a functional anti-trypanosome Nanobody(R) in Sodalis glossinidius, a bacterial symbiont of the tsetse fly
No full textA biodiverse rich environment does not contribute to a better diet: a case study from DR Congo
No full textSocio-economic support reduces non-retention in a comprehensive, community-based antiretroviral therapy program in Uganda
No full textOBJECTIVES: We evaluated the benefit of socio-economic support (S-E support), comprised of various financial and non-financial services that are available based on assessment of need, in reducing mortality and lost to follow-up (LTFU) at Reach Out Mbuya (ROM), a community-based, ART program in Uganda. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort data from adult patients enrolled between May 31, 2001 and May 31, 2010 were examined. METHODS: Patients were categorised into none, one, and two or more S-E support based on the number of different S-E support services they received. Using Cox proportional hazards regression we modelled the association between S-E support and mortality or LTFU. Kaplan-Meir curves were fitted to examine retention functions stratified by S-E support. RESULTS: In total, 6645 patients were evaluated. After 10 years, 2700 (41%) were retained. Of the 3954 not retained, 2933 (67%) were LTFU and 1021 (23%) had died. After 1, 2, 5 and 10 years, the risks of LTFU or mortality in patients who received no S-E support were significantly higher than those who received some S-E support. In adjusted hazards ratios, patients who received no S-E support were 1.5-fold (1.39-1.64) and 6.7-fold (5.56-7.69) more likely to get LTFU compared to those who received one or two+S-E support respectively. Likewise, patients who received no S-E support were 1.5-fold (CI: 1.16-1.89) and 4.3-fold (CI: 2.94-6.25) more likely to die compared to those who received one or two or more S-E support respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Provision of S-E support reduced LTFU and mortality, suggesting the value of incorporating such strategies for promoting continuity of care
