Risk Factors for Bovine Cysticercosis in North-West Italy: A Multi-Year Case-Control Study.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Rubiola S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8614484 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Giardia duodenalis is a major cause of infectious gastroenteritis worldwide, and it is diversified into eight genetic assemblages (A to H), which are distinguishable only by molecular typing. There is some evidence that the assemblages infecting humans (assemblages A and B) may have different transmission routes, but systematically acquired data, combining epidemiological and molecular findings, are required. We undertook a case-control study with Giardia genotyping in North West England, to determine general and parasite assemblage-specific risk factors. For people without a history of foreign travel, swimming in swimming pools and changing diapers were the most important risk factors for the disease. People infected with assemblage B reported a greater number of symptoms and higher frequencies of vomiting, abdominal pain, swollen stomach, and loss of appetite, compared with people infected with assemblage A. More importantly, keeping a dog was associated only with assemblage A infections, suggesting the presence of a potential zoonotic reservoir for this assemblage. This is the first case-control study to combine epidemiological data with Giardia genotyping, and it shows the importance of integrating these two levels of information for better understanding of the epidemiology of this pathogen.
| S-EPMC4572545 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP), a high fatality condition causing haemorrhages in calves aged less than 4 weeks, was first reported in 2007 in Germany and subsequently observed at low incidence in other European countries and New Zealand. A multi-country matched case-control study was conducted in 2011 to identify calf-level risk factors for BNP. 405 BNP cases were recruited from 330 farms in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands by laboratory confirmation of farmer-reported cases. Up to four calves of similar age from the same farm were selected as controls (1154 calves). Risk factor data were collected by questionnaire. Multivariable modelling using conditional logistic regression indicated that PregSure®BVD (PregSure, Pfizer Animal Health) vaccination of the dam was strongly associated with BNP cases (adjusted matched Odds Ratio - amOR 17.8 first lactation dams; 95% confidence interval - ci 2.4, 134.4; p?=?0.005), and second or more lactation PregSure-vaccinated dams were more likely to have a case than first lactation vaccinated dams (amOR 2.2 second lactation; ci 1.1, 4.3; p?=?0.024; amOR 5.3 third or more lactation; ci 2.9, 9.8; p?=?<0.001). Feeding colostrum from other cows was strongly associated with BNP if the dam was not PregSure-vaccinated (amOR 30.5; ci 2.1, 440.5; p?=?0.012), but the effect was less if the dam was PregSure-vaccinated (amOR 2.1; ci 1.1, 4.0; p?=?0.024). Feeding exclusively dam's milk was a higher risk than other types of milk (amOR 3.4; ci 1.6, 7.5; p?=?0.002). The population attributable fractions were 0.84 (ci 0.68, 0.92) for PregSure vaccination, 0.13 (ci 0.06, 0.19) for feeding other cows' colostrum, and 0.15 (ci 0.08, 0.22) for feeding dam's milk. No other calf-level factors were identified, suggesting that there are other important factors that are outside the scope of this study, such as genetics, which explain why BNP develops in some PregSure-colostrum-exposed calves but not in others.
| S-EPMC3846664 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundCattle are intermediate hosts of six Sarcocystis species, among which Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis heydorni can infect humans through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat. In addition to the zoonotic potential, there is increasing interest in these protozoa because of the evidence supporting the role of Sarcocystis spp. in the occurrence of bovine eosinophilic myositis (BEM), a specific inflammatory myopathy which leads to carcass condemnation and considerable economic losses. Actually, all the prevalence studies carried out on cattle in Italy have been based on either morphological or 18S rDNA-based molecular techniques, most likely leading to misidentification of closely related species. Therefore, there is a strong need for new data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy and their association with bovine eosinophilic myositis.MethodsTo reach our aim, individual striated muscle samples from BEM condemned carcasses (N = 54) and diaphragm muscle samples from randomly sampled carcasses (N = 59) were obtained from Northwest Italy slaughterhouses. Genomic DNA was extracted and analyzed by multiplex-PCR targeting 18S rDNA and cox1 genes. PCR products amplified using the genus-specific primer set in absence of the specific fragment for S. hirsuta, S. cruzi, S. hominis or S. bovifelis were sequenced to achieve species identification.ResultsSarcocystis DNA was detected in 67.8% of the samples from slaughter cattle and in 90.7% of the samples from BEM condemned carcasses. S. cruzi was identified as the most prevalent species in slaughter cattle (61%), followed by S. bovifelis (10.2%), S. hominis (8.5%) and S. hirsuta (1.7%). Notably, among the different Sarcocystis spp. detected, the presence of S. bovifelis and S. hominis was significantly higher in samples isolated from BEM condemned carcasses (46.3% and 40.7% respectively), while there was no statistically significant difference between the presence of S. cruzi or S. hirsuta in BEM condemned carcasses (42.6% and 1.8%, respectively) and randomly sampled carcasses. Furthermore, DNA sequence analysis revealed the presence of a putative new species in two carcasses.ConclusionsOur study contributes to updating the data on the prevalence of the different Sarcocystis spp. in cattle in Italy, highlighting the presence of three Sarcocystis spp., S. cruzi, S. hominis and S. bovifelis, in BEM lesions and allowing us to speculate on the possible role of S. hominis and S. bovifelis as the major sarcosporidian species involved in bovine eosinophilic myositis.
| S-EPMC8063337 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic changes in healthcare and severe social restrictions. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the front line against the virus and have been highly exposed to pandemic-related stressors, but there are limited data on their psychological involvement for a large sample in Italy.AimsTo investigate the prevalence of anxiety, distress and burnout in HCWs of North-West Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to detect potential psychosocial factors associated with their emotional response.MethodThis cross-sectional, survey-based study enrolled 797 HCWs. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale - Revised, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - Form Y and the Maslach Burnout Inventory; demographic, family and work characteristics were also collected. Global psychological outcome, differences among professions and independent factors associated with worst psychological outcome were assessed.ResultsAlmost a third of the sample had severe state anxiety and distress, high emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation, and low personal accomplishment. Distress was higher in women and nurses, whereas depersonalisation was higher in men. Family division, increased workload, job changes and frequent contact with COVID-19 were associated with worst psychological outcome. Trait anxiety was associated with significantly higher risk for developing state anxiety, distress and burnout.ConclusionsAn elevated psychological burden related to the COVID-19 pandemic was observed in HCWs of North-West Italy. The identification of family and work characteristics and a psychological pre-existing condition as factors associated with worst psychological outcome may help provide a tailored, preventive, organisational and psychological approach in counteracting the psychological effects of future pandemics.
| S-EPMC7844147 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe global burden of cancer continues to increase largely because of the aging and growth of the world population alongside an increasing adoption of cancer-causing behaviors. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify determinants of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer among individuals who diagnosed at the Felegehiwot specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia, 2019.MethodsAn institution-based unmatched case-control study was conducted at the Felegehiwot Specialized hospital from December 2018 up to June 2019. The sample size calculated using the two-population proportion formula. The final sample size was 486, (162 cases and 324 controls). The simple random sampling method was employed to catch up with the estimated samples. The collected data entered into the Epi-data version 3.1 software and analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. Descriptive statistics computed. Simple logistic analysis was run (at 95% CI and p-value < 0.05) to identify the determinants of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.ResultA total of 486 patients participated. Nearly one-third of the cases and controls were in the age group of 46-60 years. About 90% of cases and 91% of controls were orthodox Christian. Monthly income of ≤28 dollars (AOR = 2. 73, 95%CI: 1. 8, 4.2), male sex (AOR = 1. 8, 95%CI: 1.2, 2.8), ever had chemical exposure, (AOR = 11. 9, 95%CI: 7.6, 18.8), no regular physical exercise (AOR = 15. 5, 95%CI: 5.7, 42.3), and having hypertension [AOR = 0. 03; 95%CI:0.005, 0.2), lung disease (AOR = 0. 2; 95%CI: 0.06, 0.7), and chronic kidney and cardiac diseases (AOR = 0. 06; 95%CI: 0.01, 0.2) were the determinants of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.ConclusionsThe findings in this study suggest that having a low monthly income, being male sex, ever had chemical exposure, not engaged in regular physical exercise, and being diabetic were the determinants of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
| S-EPMC7769477 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:In Ethiopia malaria is one of the top ten leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Community knowledge of prevention and control methods had been proven to play an important role in the implementation of effective and sustainable interventions against malaria. This information is limited in the study area. This study aimed to assess knowledge of malaria prevention and control methods and its associated factors among households in West Belessa district, 2019. METHODS:Community-based cross-sectional mixed quantitative and qualitative study was conducted from April to June 2019 in West Belessa district, North West Ethiopia. Multistage sampling was used to select an estimated 770 sample size. A structured questionnaire was used for the quantitative component and semi-structured questionnaire for the qualitative component. Quantitative data were collected by interviewing and qualitative data using focus group discussion (FGD). Quantitative data was coded and entered using Epi info software version 7 then exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated factors. Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of association. The qualitative data was transcribed manually using the thematic approach. RESULT:A total of 770 subjects were included in this study with a 99.5% response rate. Of the total respondents, 75.6% had good knowledge of malaria prevention methods. LLINs and IRS were mentioned by 84.7 and 83.7% respectively. Poorest wealth quintiles [AOR?=?0.40, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.73], poor wealth quintiles [AOR?=?0.38, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.70], and medium wealth quintiles [AOR?=?0.41, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.76], living in Menti Kebele [AOR?=?3.07, 95% CI 1.85, 5.08], living in Abay tera kebele [AOR?=?2.00, 95% CI 1.21, 3.29] were significantly associated with good knowledge. About all of the focused group discussion (FGD) participants agreed that malaria is a preventable disease and mentioned some of the preventive methods. CONCLUSION:Overall there was relatively high knowledge of malaria prevention and control methods. LLINs and IRS were known malaria prevention methods in West Belessa. Wealth index and respondents living kebele are predictors for knowledge of malaria prevention.
| S-EPMC7445930 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Cysticercosis is caused by the larvae of the cestode Taenia solium. Few data are available on the prevalence of this disease in pigs and humans in West African countries. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of existing data concerning the spread of this parasitosis in the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the basis of the literature published over the last five decades. Systematic searches for publications were carried out on PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as in certain regional and local journals. From a total of 501 articles initially retrieved concerning T. solium cysticercosis in West African countries, only 120 articles were relevant for this review and therefore finally retained. For pigs, only eight out of sixteen countries of the region have reported porcine cysticercosis. Post-mortem examination of carcasses at slaughterhouses, meat inspection at butcheries or tongue inspection in herds have been the main source of data, but may not entirely reflect actual parasite distribution. For humans, only five out of sixteen countries reported epidemiological data on neurocysticercosis. Most data referred to neurocysticercosis prevalence among epileptic patients or isolated clinical cases. Furthermore, existing data are often old. Overall, T. solium cysticercosis remains largely neglected in West Africa, and its prevalence appears not to be affected by any religion in particular. There is an urgent need to promote and implement health partnerships and programs on this disease in order to collect more data and identify sensitive populations in the countries of the ECOWAS area.
| S-EPMC6144651 | biostudies-literature
Project description:A matched case-control study was conducted in Bangladesh by enrolling case smallholdings of cattle affected with anthrax in the period of October 2010 to December 2014. The cases were initially reported by mass media and/or in surveillance reports from authorities concerned in the country. In total, 43 case smallholdings were enrolled. For each case, a control was matched by similarity in herd-size and rearing of animals, selected from a distantly located (within 3-10 km) place but within the same sub-district of the case farm. Data collected by administering a prototype questionnaire were analysed by matched-pair analysis and multivariable conditional logistic regression. Out of the 43 smallholdings, 41 were located in three adjoining districts: Pabna, Sirajganj and Tangail, apparently forming a spatial cluster, could be termed 'anthrax hot spot' in Bangladesh. Sick animal on farm or a nearby farm slaughtered in the recent past (odds ratio (OR) 12.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-93.4, P = 0.016)), history of heavy rains occurring in the last 2 weeks preceding an outbreak (OR 13.1, 95% CI 1.2-147.1, P = 0.037) and disposing of dead animal into nearby water body (OR 11.9, 95% CI 1.0-145.3, P = 0.052) were independent risk factors for anthrax in cattle in the country.
| S-EPMC7118724 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP; previously known as idiopathic haemorrhagic diathesis and commonly known as bleeding calf syndrome) is a novel haemorrhagic disease of young calves which has emerged in a number of European countries during recent years. Data were retrospectively collected during June to November 2010 for 56 case calves diagnosed with BNP between 17 March and 7 June of the same year. These were compared with 58 control calves randomly recruited from herds with no history of BNP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that increased odds of a calf being a BNP case were associated with its dam having received PregSure® BVD (Pfizer Animal Health) vaccination prior to the birth of the calf (odds ratio (OR) 40.78, p<0.001) and its herd of origin being located in Scotland (OR 9.71, p?=?0.006). Decreased odds of a calf being a BNP case were associated with the calf having been kept outside (OR 0.11, p?=?0.006). The longer that a cattle herd had been established on the farm was also associated with decreased odds of a calf in that herd being a BNP case (OR 0.97, p?=?0.011).
| S-EPMC3350487 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) disease have been reported in Italy since 2008. So far, most cases have been identified in north-eastern Italy, where, in 2012, the largest outbreak of WNV infection ever recorded in Italy occurred. Most cases of the 2012 outbreak were identified in the Veneto region, where a special surveillance plan for West Nile fever was in place. In this outbreak, 25 cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease and 17 cases of fever were confirmed. In addition, 14 WNV RNA-positive blood donors were identified by screening of blood and organ donations and two cases of asymptomatic infection were diagnosed by active surveillance of subjects at risk of WNV exposure. Two cases of death due to WNND were reported. Molecular testing demonstrated the presence of WNV lineage 1 in all WNV RNA-positive patients and, in 15 cases, infection by the novel Livenza strain was ascertained. Surveillance in other Italian regions notified one case of neuroinvasive disease in the south of Italy and two cases in Sardinia. Integrated surveillance for WNV infection remains a public health priority in Italy and vector control activities have been strengthened in areas of WNV circulation.
| S-EPMC3856417 | biostudies-literature