A pilot study on the pulmonary anthracosis in stray dogs of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: A potential public health threat for future.

Background and Aim: Kathmandu is a densely populated metropolitan city in Nepal. In recent years, however, the metropolis has been ranked as one of the most polluted cities worldwide. Both humans and animals are susceptible to various respiratory diseases due to chronic exposure to polluted air. Due to the relative similarities in the anatomical structure and physiological functions of the respiratory system between humans and dogs, polluted environments may lead to respiratory illness in similar ways in both species living in the valley. On the basis of information on the air quality in the valley, this study was conceived to assess pulmonary illness in street dogs to discern the health hazards caused by polluted air. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 dogs with clinical signs of tachypnea, dyspnea, sneezing, coughing, mucopurulent discharge, moderate hyperthermia, and anorexia admitted from July 2020 to November 2020 in Animal Nepal for treatment were included in this study. Among them, 24 animals responded to treatment, and 52 dogs died during their stay in the hospital. The 52 dead animals were necropsied, and the lesions that resembled pulmonary anthracosis were further studied grossly and histologically in a blinded fashion by trained veterinary pathologists. Results: Significant morphological alterations were observed in the lungs and associated lymph nodes of 25 animals, indicating pulmonary anthracosis. Gross morphological changes included multiple black foci with hemorrhage, congestion, nodular, and emphysema on the parietal and visceral surfaces of the lungs. The alveolar septa and visceral pleura exhibited deposition of black particles. Congestion, emphysema, and inflammatory exudates were also detected in the lung tissues and lymph nodes. Conclusion: The clinical, gross, and microscopic findings accurately resembled those of pulmonary anthracosis. This life-threatening condition in stray canines may be caused by a critical level of air pollution from different sources and carbon emissions from vehicles. To protect animals and humans living in the Kathmandu Valley, concerned government and non-government agencies should work toward reducing air pollution levels as soon as possible.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice about rabies prevention and control: A community survey in Nepal.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rabies is a fatal zoonosis caused by RNA virus belonging to genus Lyssavirus. Nepal is one of the endemic countries in South Asia for rabies. This study was conducted to better understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Nepalese community toward rabies across five developmental zones of the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out by face-to-face interview using structured questionnaires among 5000 respondents of five cities representing each of the five developmental regions of Nepal by adopting random cluster sampling procedure. The respondents were classified into four categories, including gender, age, education, and social status. The responses for KAP variables were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The male and younger age respondents with higher education and social status were found more knowledgeable than their counterparts in terms of knowledge variables, including cause of rabies, mode of transmission, clinical signs, treatment, and preventive measures of this fatal disease. Similar findings were observed for attitude and practice variables such as vaccination practice, dog sterilization, health-seeking behavior, first aid practice, and use of first aid materials after dog bites. Some respondents in elderly age group still preferred to use traditional and local methods, which were application of turmeric powder and shrubs to cure dog bites rather than seeking medical facilities. CONCLUSION: There is a strong need for rabies awareness programs in the community targeting females, school, and college-level students, older age groups, and economically marginalized communities. The awareness materials need to focus on particular topics such as the risk of rabies, modes of transmission, the importance of first aid, health-seeking behavior following dog bite injuries, and practice preventive measures for their pets and community dogs.

Intestinal Parasitoses among Chepang and Musahar Community People of Makwanpur and Nawalparasi Districts of Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitosis is one of the commonly perceived serious problems often observed in children leading to high mortality. The objective of the study was to identify the intestinal parasites and study their prevalence in the two mostly disadvantaged communities (Musahar and Chepang) of Nepal. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Musahar and Chepang communities of Nepal from April to October 2019. A total of 205 random stool samples were collected in dry, clean and screw-capped plastic containers and mixed with 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on predisposing factors. The laboratory examination of the stool samples was done by direct microscopy and further confirmed by concentration methods (formalin ether sedimentation technique and flotation technique using Sheather's sugar solution), and modified acid-fast staining. Detection of eggs of Enterobius vermicularis was done by cellophane tape method. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was found to be 36.6%, with a similar prevalence in the Chepangs (39.8%) and in the Musahars (33.3%) (P > 0.05). The most predominant helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides (15.6%), while the most prevalent protozoan was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5.4%). The study also assessed a significant association between the prevalence of parasites with socio-demographic factors, types of drinking water consumption and sanitation habits of the people (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of the study suggest a need for formulating effective preventive and control strategies against intestinal parasitic infections along with the continuity of mass deworming program.

Oral supplementation with p-coumaric acid protects mice against diabetes-associated spontaneous destruction of periodontal tissue.

OBJECTIVE: Dietary bioactive materials having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials are able to inhibit diabetes-associated periodontal complications. Although numerous studies indicate that administration of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) ameliorates diabetes and diabetes-related complications, the roles of p-CA on periodontal tissue destruction in diabetic mice and the possible mechanisms therein are not completely understood. In this study, we evaluated whether supplementation with p-CA protects mice against diabetes-associated spontaneous periodontal destruction and also explored the associated mechanism therein using in vivo and in vitro experimental systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were divided into sham, streptozotocin (STZ), and STZ+CA groups (n = 5/group). Sham group was intraperitoneally injected with sodium buffer, whereas other two groups were injected with the buffer containing 160 mg/kg of STZ. STZ-induced diabetic mice received oral gavage with p-CA (50 mg/kg) (STZ+CA group) or with buffer only (STZ group) daily for 6 weeks. The effect of p-CA on diabetes-associated spontaneous periodontal destruction was evaluated using µCT analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, and immunohistochemical staining methods. The efficacies of p-CA on cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and antioxidant-related marker expression were examined using human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPLFs) cultured under high glucose condition. RESULTS: Streptozotocin group exhibited periodontal tissue destruction along with increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and osteoclast formation, as well as with decreased osteogenesis. However, oral administration with p-CA protected mice against STZ-induced periodontal destruction by inhibiting inflammation and osteoclastic activation. STZ+CA group also showed higher expression of antioxidant and osteogenic markers in periodontal tissue than did STZ group. Treatment with high glucose concentration (30 mmol/L) impaired proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of hPLFs along with cellular ROS accumulation, whereas these impairments were almost completely disappeared by supplementation with p-CA. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that supplementation with p-CA inhibits diabetes-associated spontaneous destruction of periodontal tissue by enhancing anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoclastogenic, and antioxidant defense systems in STZ-treated mice.