1,721,022 research outputs found
Immunotechniques for epidemiology of malaria: appropriate tools for integration of primary health care with malaria research and control
No full textCommunity-based malaria control with integrated primary health care appears to be the most feasible approach for endemic countries in their struggle against malaria. To plan and implement personal protection and vector control measures, there is the need for comprehensive information about local modes of transmission. Experience with insecticide-based vector control programmes and entomological data accumulated over the years has revealed vector systems of extraordinary heterogeneity, creating multifaceted transmission situations. The primary health care-system offers an appropriate structure to collect and evaluate microepidemiological information countrywide. Community and health workers trained and supervised by qualified personnel could be involved in the assessment of clinical, parasitological and entomological indices. Community participation is facilitated if personnel are taught the use of immunotechniques. Tests can be performed on dried material which allows samples to be stored for months without refrigeration, so that transport to and processing in a central laboratory are not subject to time constraints. This paper describes and discusses enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to determine if antibodies to sporozoites are present in blood collected as dried spots and to identify the origin of bloodmeals using dried mosquito abdomens
Azadirachta indica as a public health tool for the control of malaria & other vector-borne diseases.
Full text linkNeem-based products from Azadirachta indica have been successfully used for biological control of pest insects, mites, fungi and soil-borne nematodic root parasites.
A large amount of scientific evidence is available
on the potential of A. indica as a source for the
development of human and animal health products.
The authors champion the potential of neem-based products for the control of malaria in endemic countries, where these products are traditionally used. Neem-based larvicides and/or insecticides could complement other malaria control interventions in an integrated approach
Host preferences of phlebotomine sand flies at a hypoendemic focus of canine leishmaniasis in central Italy.
Full text linkA survey was carried out on phlebotomine sand flies and their feeding habits at a hypoendemic focus of Leishmania infantum in Macerata province, central Italy. During two consecutive years (2000-2001), 1465 sand fly specimens (42.5% of which were males) were collected from a variety of diurnal resting sites in the municipality of Camerino. The most prevalent species was Phlebotomus perniciosus (76.6%), followed by P. papatasi (10.4%), Sergentomyia minuta (9.1%), Phlebotomus perfiliewi (3.3%) and P. mascittii (0.5%). Among the 842 females collected, 578 (68.6%) were blood-fed. Based on the results of blood meal analyses, P. perniciosus fed on man, dogs, equines, sheep and birds; P. perfiliewi on dogs, equines, sheep and birds; P. papatasi on dogs, equines and birds. Two specimens of P. mascittii fed on equines. Forage ratios (FRs) and host selectivity indices gave different results for the large domestic animals. More than 95% of the specimens collected inside a stable, dog kennel, sheep pen and chicken house were found to have fed on the animals housed in the respective shelters. In addition, at one collecting site where almost all the hosts mentioned above were present simultaneously, both P. perniciosus and P. perfiliewi were found to have fed on all five species, indicating that host choice was probably related to its availability (i.e. number and size) rather than specific attractiveness. The feeding habits of the two Leishmania vectors may have implications for the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in urban and peri-urban areas, where sand fly females deprived of other vertebrate hosts (particularly the larger species) may begin to bite humans and dogs more frequently
Introduction to, and evaluation of immunoassays in a malaria research institute in Tanzania
No full textVarious immunoassays have been introduced into, and evaluated at, the Amani Medical Centre in north-east Tanzania. These include immunoblotting to identify mosquito bloodmeals, immunoradiometric and immunoenzymatic assays to assess the presence of circumsporozoite protein in mosquitoes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure antibodies to circumsporozoite antibody in people. The assays were shown to be reliable and practicable for use in the study of malaria epidemiology
Permethrin-impregnated curtains in malaria control
No full textThe impact of permethrin-impregnated curtains on the incidence of malaria episodes, parasitaemia and splenomegaly was assessed during a 22 month period in 2 groups of children aged 0.5-6 years. One group lived in houses where permethrin-impregnated curtains had been installed, the other group lived in houses without curtains. A significant reduction of incidence of malaria episodes, mean parasite density, parasite prevalence and splenomegaly was consistently observed in the intervention group towards the end of the period of moderate transmission, whereas no clear-cut impact could be demonstrated during the high transmission period. The influence of malaria pressure and community utilization on the protective efficiency of curtains is discussed. Because of their acceptability and the ease of reimpregnation, curtains proved to be a suitable technique for integration into primary health care
Endo-parasitic infection patterns in angora goats and merino sheep kept in a fibre animal farm in Central Italy
No full textSheep breeding and extensive cattle husbandry, once constituting an important zootechnical branch in Italy, now face extinction in many areas. The inconveniences connected to the breeder life style, such as the necessity to care for the animals 7 days a week and outside common working hours, are not rewarded with an acceptable income. Rendering sheep and goat breeding more profitable by switching to fibre-producing species may be a strategy to reverse this trend. Precious mixed fibres can be yielded by merino sheep, angora goats and alpacas reared together. However, health management requirements may differ according to the species. This study compares internal parasitoses in angora goats and merino sheep, reared together with alpacas on a farm (Maridiana, Umbertide) in Central Italy.
During the study year 2003, the flock was composed of about 20 merino sheep and 60 angora goats. The animals were kept in mixed groups, separated by sex, at a density of 7.6 animals/ha. Pastures were used all year round and recovery of the animals in shelters was practiced at night and in adverse weather conditions. All goats and sheep were included in the longitudinal study and faecal samples from the rectum were taken each month. The identification and quantification of oocysts, eggs and larvae was performed according to the standard procedures of copromicroscopy. Totally 634 faecal samples were examined from angora goats and 200 samples from merino sheep. Antihelmintic (ivermectin, benzimidazole) and anti-coccidian (sulfadimetoxine-trimetoprime) treatments were administered to all animals twice and once a year, respectively. Pasture rotation and good sanitation in shelters was practiced to reduce the transmission of parasitic disease agents.
Helminthic infections were very common in both merino sheep and angora goats. In 83.5% (CI95 78.3-88.7) and 96.6% (CI95 94.0-97.2) of the respective faecal samples, eggs or larvae were found. In merino sheep, the more frequently encountered helminths were gastro-intestinal strongyles (78.5%; CI95 72.8-84.2) such as Trichostrongylus axei, T. vitrinus, Oesophagostomum spp., Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp. and Ostertagia spp. In particular, Nematodirus spp. eggs were found in 26.5% (CI95 20.3-32.7) and Trichuris spp. eggs in 22.5% (CI95 16.7-28.3) of the faecal samples. Angora goats were infected at similar rates by intestinal strongyles (83.4%; CI95 80.5-86.3; OR 1.3 p=0.111) whereas their Trichuris infection rate (84.2%; CI95 81.4-87.1) was about 4 times higher than that of merino sheep (OR 18.4; p<10-4). In addition, larvae from lungworms (Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylidae) were found more frequently (20.7%; CI95 17.5-23.8; OR 7.2 p<10-4) in angora goats, whereas faecal samples positive for Nematodirus eggs were relatively rare (6.6%; CI95 4.7-8.6; OR 0.196 p<10-4). Coccidian infections were also observed more often in goats than in sheep: oocysts from Eimeria intricata and other Eimeria spp. were found in 77.8% (CI95 74.5-81.0) and 56.5% (CI95 49.6-63.4; OR 2.7 p<10-4) of the samples from the respective animal species. The analysis of monthly prevalences per parasite genus (group) did not reveal any relation to season in either merino sheep or angora goats. Goats not only were more frequently infected than sheep, but they also harboured higher parasite loads. The geometric mean egg or oocysts per gram, calculated on the positive faecal samples of angora goats, amounted to 562 (CI95 434-640) for Eimeria spp., to 348 (CI95 318-381) for Trichuris spp., and to 269 (CI95 236-306) for intestinal strongyles. The respective values in merino sheep were about 1/2 for Eimeria spp. (t=5.23; p<10-4), 1/3 for Trichuris spp. (t=7.40; p<10-4), and 1/2 for strongyles (t=4.45; p<10-4). Accordingly, pathologic manifestations, such as anaemia, diarrhoea and weight loss, were sporadically reported by the breeder in goats but not in sheep. As the two species shared the same environment and received the same alimentation and anti-parasitic treatments, the differences in parasite prevalence and density appeared to be related to a relatively lower natural resistance of angora goats. Thus, especially where animals are kept at a rather high density, care should be taken to lower their exposure to infective larvae/eggs by frequent pasture rotation. Parasite loads should be regularly monitored, to intervene promptly with treatment if necessary
Preliminary report on frequency and abundance of internal parasites in alpacas (Lama Pacos) reared in the Umbria Region (Central Italy).
No full textFor centuries, alpacas (Lama pacos) have been a fundamental component of the Incan civilization and lately they have become a popular investment in North America, Australia and more recently in Europe. Their fibre is appreciated for its elevated thermal capacity, its strength, its lustre and the variety of colours. In Italy, over 350 head exist and the 30 breeders are organized in the ITALPACA association. In the near future, this husbandry, may find a niche in areas abandoned by unprofitable traditional agriculture. Nutritional, reproductive and health management schemes are available from North American and Australian husbandry, however their applicability in Italian environments needs to be verified. This study focuses on infection and control of endo-parasites in alpacas raised together with merino sheep and angora goats on a farm (Maridiana, Umbertide) in Umbria.
Alpacas are kept on pasture during the day and returned to shelters at night. Grazing is supplemented with hay and concentrate according to season and nutritional status of the animals. During the study year (2003), the herd consisted of about 25 head purchased in 1997 (original unit = OU) and 54 head bought in April 2003 from a German breeder (new unit = NU). Alpacas were raised in separate groups according to sex and the new herd was kept in quarantine until the end of June. Antihelmintic treatments were administered twice and an anti-coccidian treatment was given once. Pasture rotation was performed and care was taken to regularly renew straw bedsteads in shelters. A survey of internal parasites was performed from Jan. to Dec. 2003, by collecting faecal samples from the rectum on a monthly basis. The identification and quantification of oocysts, eggs and larvae was performed according to the standard procedures of copromicroscopy.
In the OU, helminth eggs were present in 59.6% (CI95 54.1-65.1%) of the faecal samples. Positive samples were more frequently observed in 1-2 years old animals (82.6%, CI95 74.7-90.5) than in older animals (50.0%, CI95 43.3-56.7; OR 4.75, p<10-4). Coccidian oocysts were revealed in 41.4% (CI95 35.9-46.8) of the faecal samples. Parasitic infections did not vary according to sex and season. In the NU an increase of helmintic infections from 28.5% (CI95 20.6-36.3) during quarantine to 41.2% (CI95 34.8-47.6; OR 1.37, p=0.016) in the 2nd half-year, after joining OU animals, was noted. Their relatively low initial infection might be explained by the monthly anti-helmintic treatments that NU animals received before their arrival at Maridiana farm. Coccidian oocysts were present in 34.2% (CI95 29.3-39.1) of the faecal samples and similar values were seen in animals of different sex and age. Helmintic infections were most frequently caused by Trichuris spp. and gastrointestinal strongyles. On the basis of egg morphology, nematodes of the genus Nematodirus, Lamanema and possibly Marshallagia, a genus present in ovi-caprines, were identified. Occasionally, eggs or larvae from Moniezia expansa, Strongyloides papillosus and Dictiocaulus filaria were observed. Eimeria macusaniensis - among other not identified Eimeria species - was found to be implicated in coccidian infections. Oocyst and egg abundance in positive samples was constantly low. Median values of 235 (n=106) and 139 (n=84) oocysts per gram (opg) were determined for the OU and NU respectively. For comparison, counts of about 1000 opg are frequently observed in asymptomatic sheep. Similarly, the median counts of helminth eggs, 118 (n=121) and 75 epg (n=64), for the OU and NU respectively, remain clearly below 400 epg, considered the threshold value above which clinical signs may be expected in sheep. Indeed, pathologic manifestations of parasitic infection were not observed in the study animals. Alpacas use to defecate on piles restricted to a few pasture sites. This “hygienic” behaviour may make them less likely to acquire pasture-borne parasites, even if reared in herds at relatively high densities, as in this study farm. In conclusion, under the conditions provided by the Umbrian environment, alpacas appear to be rather resistant to internal parasitosis. Ongoing studies try to elucidate which parasite species’ present in the alpaca herd are probably specific for camelids and which may have been acquired from “Italian ovi-caprines”
Fig. 2 in Plasmodium stage-selective antimalarials from Lophira lanceolata stem bark
No full textFig. 2. Methanolysis of glucolophirone C (2).Published as part of Soré, Harouna, Lopatriello, Annalisa, Ebstie, Yehenew A., Tenoh Guedoung, Alain R., Hilou, Adama, Pereira, José A., Kijjoa, Anake, Habluetzel, Annette & Taglialatela-Scafati, Orazio, 2020, Plasmodium stage-selective antimalarials from Lophira lanceolata stem bark, pp. 1-7 in Phytochemistry (112336) 174 on page 4, DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2020.112336, http://zenodo.org/record/829486
Soil contamination with eggs from Nematodes of zoonotic potential.
No full textToxocara canis, zoonotic nematodes, a problem of metropolitans only? Human infections with Toxocara canis occur in the Marche Region. The Toxocara canis infection rate is twice as high in rural than urban dogs. An important proportion of dogs are used to defecate in the peridomestic environment (house surroundings, garden, kennel) . The aims of the study were to assess environmental contamination in rural areas of the Marche region with eggs from Toxocara spp. and other zoonotic nematodes, to estimate the potential risk of infection for the population. Sixty farms were randomly selected
out of 810 situated in the Camerino sanitary district. Six faecal samples and two soil samples were collected in each farm. The presence of helminth eggs in faecal (2-5g) and soil (250g) samples was revealed by a floatation technique based on a sugar-NaNO4 solution. This study revealed a high contamination of the rural environment with nematodes of zoonotic potential. The 52% prevalence of Toxocara spp eggs, measured in the peridomestic soil of the farms, is among the highest values reported in literature. re attention should be payed to the evaluation of zoonotic risk in rural areas. This would allow public health authorities to develop adequate preventive measures
The socioeconomic impact of seismic events on animal breeding. A questionnaire-based survey from central Italy
Full text linkThis paper investigates the socioeconomic impact of two large earthquakes (1997 and 2016) that occurred in Central Italy on the agricultural sector, and in particular on animal husbandry. Through a questionnaire-based field survey, involving 55 farm holdings located in Umbria (Assisano district), this work points out: i) the farmers' perception of the damage suffered with regard to residential buildings, agricultural facilities and animal husbandry activities; ii) the interventions carried out in the emergency phases; and iii) the reconstruction phases, as experienced by the farming households. Major vulnerabilities of these agricultural holdings have emerged: small-scale family-based farming, increased householders average age, little on-farm and off-farm diversification, persisting economic marginalisation. Recall and perception of the impact of the earthquakes in the Assisano district - direct damage and reconstruction interventions - are compared with the perception in the nearby mountainous area of the Marche Region, largely affected by the 2016 earthquake. In both areas, the experienced earthquakes have not acted as triggers for agents' mobilisation and change. Rather, the situation calls for a drastic, farsighted change of development policies by national and regional governments and for a convinced prompting for holistic local “building back better” initiatives
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