A qualitative exploration of migraine in students attending Irish Universities.

INTRODUCTION: The complex neurological disorder of migraine is prevalent (19%) and burdensome in university students. Qualitative research exploring the lived experience of migraine in students has yet to be conducted. METHODS: Students clinically diagnosed with migraine were recruited (purposive sampling) from a sample of Irish third-level institutions for a one-time anonymized Zoom focus group or individual interview. Focus group questions were sent to participants in advance. Interviews were iterative. Participants were also invited to submit a drawing. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and sent to participants for triangulation. Reflexive thematic content analysis was undertaken, data was imported to Microsoft Excel, initial codes were generated, and themes and sub-themes were derived from the codes. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Studies Checklist (S1 File) ensured study rigour. RESULTS: Twenty students from three Irish universities participated (mean age 23.8 years). The four key themes identified were (i) Migraine Characteristics, (ii) Migraine Self-Management, (iii) Migraine Clinical Management, and (iii) Migraine Impacts. Migraine was described as not just a headache but a debilitating sensory experience. A notable high level of self-management satisfaction indicated hopeful coping strategies. However, many participants said medications were ineffective and had side effects, and clinical management could be improved. Additionally, there was a marked academic and social impact of migraine, psychological issues abounded, and several participants worried about finances. CONCLUSIONS: Migraine is impactful in a cohort of students attending Irish third-level institutions, with students carrying a wide range of debilitating migraine burdens. Students demonstrate an attitude of resilience and determination despite these challenges. Migraine awareness and education campaigns on university campuses are warranted.

Evaluating the Impact of Low-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H6N1 Outbreaks in United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland Poultry Farms during 2020.

In January 2020, increased mortality was reported in a small broiler breeder flock in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Gross pathological findings included coelomitis, oophoritis, salpingitis, visceral gout, splenomegaly, and renomegaly. Clinical presentation included inappetence, pronounced diarrhoea, and increased egg deformation. These signs, in combination with increased mortality, triggered a notifiable avian disease investigation. High pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was not suspected, as mortality levels and clinical signs were not consistent with HPAIV. Laboratory investigation demonstrated the causative agent to be a low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV), subtype H6N1, resulting in an outbreak that affected 15 premises in Northern Ireland. The H6N1 virus was also associated with infection on 13 premises in the Republic of Ireland and six in Great Britain. The close genetic relationship between the viruses in Ireland and Northern Ireland suggested a direct causal link whereas those in Great Britain were associated with exposure to a common ancestral virus. Overall, this rapidly spreading outbreak required the culling of over 2 million birds across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland to stamp out the incursion. This report demonstrates the importance of investigating LPAIV outbreaks promptly, given their substantial economic impacts.

Migraine in university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a complex, neurobiological disorder usually presenting as a unilateral, moderate to severe headache accompanied by sensory disturbances. Migraine prevalence has risen globally, affecting 14% of individuals and 16% of students and carries many negative impacts in both cohorts. With no recent meta-analysis of global migraine prevalence or associated factors in students, this systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. DATABASES AND DATA TREATMENT: The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020167927). Electronic databases (n = 12) were searched for cross-sectional studies (1988 to August 2021, IHS criteria). Ninety-two articles were meta-analysed and 103 were narratively reviewed. The risk of bias was assessed using an established tool. RESULTS: The risk of bias ranged from low to moderate. Migraine pooled prevalence (R-Studio) was demonstrated at 19% (95% CI, 16%-22%, p < 0.001, I^2 98%): females 23% (95% CI, 19%-27%, p < 0.001), males 12% (95% CI, 9%-15%, p < 0.001). Gender (p < 0.0001), geographical region (p = 0.01), migraine types (p = 0.0002) and prevalence timeframes (p = 0.02) may be influencing the substantial heterogeneity. Migraine triggers were primarily behavioural and environmental and treatments were predominantly pharmaceutical. Impacts ranged from academic performance impairment to psychological co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers the most comprehensive overview of migraine prevalence and associated factors in university students. Migraine prevalence in university students has increased and has many negative effects. Enhancing migraine recognition and management at university may have positive implications for an improved educational experience, as well as for the burden migraine currently incurs, both in university and beyond. SIGNIFICANCE: This global systematic review and meta-analysis of 92 studies and narrative review of 103 studies provide the most comprehensive synthesis to date of migraine prevalence and associated factors in university students. Pooled prevalence has increased to 19%. The significant heterogeneity demonstrated is influenced by gender, geographical region, migraine type and prevalence timeframes. Students manage migraines primarily with pharmaceuticals. Further studies conducted in low and middle-income countries, following headache protocols and reporting frequency of treatment-seeking and medication usage are warranted.

First detected case of rabbit Haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus).

BACKGROUND: Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a Lagovirus, a subgroup of the family Caliciviridae. RHDV2 is a variant first described in France in 2010, and has since spread globally. It has been reported in several Lagomorph species (rabbits, hares, and their relatives) as well as other mammals including voles and shrews. The disease has raised international concerns for its potential impact on population abundance trajectories, particularly as 25% of Lagomorphs are currently Red-Listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is a subspecies of the mountain hare, L. timidus, and is endemic to Ireland, making it an Evolutionarily Significant Unit of intrinsic value. CASE PRESENTATION: The first case of RHDV2 was detected in a wild Irish hare in July 2019. The individual exhibited atypical neurological behaviour (running in circles) prior to death. On necropsy, pink tinged foam was seen in the trachea and congestion was noted in the lungs, but there was no evidence of haemorrhages in any other organ. Both the liver and spleen were tested by reverse transcription real time qPCR confirming high levels of RHDV2 RNA. Histopathology confirmed multifocal necrotising hepatitis. CONCLUSION: The Irish hare is susceptible to RHDV2 infection. Further investigation is warranted to explore the clinical, epidemiological, and population biology implications.

Influenza D Virus in Cattle, Ireland.

We detected influenza D virus in 18 nasal swab samples from cattle in Ireland that were clinically diagnosed with respiratory disease. Specimens were obtained from archived samples received for routine diagnosis during 2014-2016. Sequencing showed that viruses from Ireland clustered with virus sequences obtained in Europe within the D/swine/OK/1334/2011 clade.

Evaluation of mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat analysis and spoligotyping for genotyping of Mycobacterium bovis isolates and a comparison with restriction fragment length polymorphism typing.

Common strain typing methods for differentiation of Mycobacterium bovis isolates include restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, spoligotyping, and, more recently, mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing. MIRU-VNTR typing and spoligotyping were evaluated in this study, and these typing methods were compared with RFLP typing. A total of 386 M. bovis isolates from cattle, badgers, and deer in the Republic of Ireland that had previously been typed by IS6110, polymorphic GC-rich sequence (PGRS), and direct-repeat (DR) RFLP were included in the study. Spoligotyping and analysis of six VNTR loci (QUB 11a, QUB 11b, ETR A, 4052, MIRU 26, and 1895) were performed on the samples. RFLP analysis was the method that gave the greatest differentiation of strains, with a Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index (HGDI) of 0.927; the HGDI recorded for MIRU-VNTR typing was marginally lower at 0.918, and spoligotyping was the least discriminatory method, with an HGDI of 0.7. Spoligotype SB0140 represented approximately 50% of the isolates. Within the group of isolates represented by SB0140, there was a much lower level of concordance between RFLP and MIRU-VNTR typing than for groups represented by other spoligotypes. A combination of spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR typing offered advantages over MIRU-VNTR typing alone. In a combined spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR typing protocol, the number of VNTR loci could be reduced to four (QUB 11a, QUB 11b, ETR A, and 4052) while maintaining a high level of strain differentiation.

Prevalence of Campylobacter Species on Fresh Retail Chicken Wings in Northern Ireland.

Campylobacter contamination was surveyed in 153 chicken wing samples purchased from retail outlets in Northern Ireland over a 10-week sampling period; 64.7% of samples were found to be positive for Campylobacter jejuni/coli using the API Campy: Identification System for Campylobacter. These results support the assertion that retail chicken produets are commonly contaminated with Campylobacter spp. and pose a potential risk to consumers if hygiene and cooking practices are not adequate to prevent cross-contamination and facilitate destruction.