Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AIBV) review by continent.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus responsible for substantial economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide by causing a highly contagious respiratory disease. The virus can spread quickly through contact, contaminated equipment, aerosols, and personal-to-person contact. We highlight the prevalence and geographic distribution of all nine genotypes, as well as the relevant symptoms and economic impact, by extensively analyzing the current literature. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis was performed using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA-6), which provided insights into the global molecular diversity and evolution of IBV strains. This review highlights that IBV genotype I (GI) is prevalent worldwide because sporadic cases have been found on many continents. Conversely, GII was identified as a European strain that subsequently dispersed throughout Europe and South America. GIII and GV are predominant in Australia, with very few reports from Asia. GIV, GVIII, and GIX originate from North America. GIV was found to circulate in Asia, and GVII was identified in Europe and China. Geographically, the GVI-1 lineage is thought to be restricted to Asia. This review highlights that IBV still often arises in commercial chicken flocks despite immunization and biosecurity measures because of the ongoing introduction of novel IBV variants and inadequate cross-protection provided by the presently available vaccines. Consequently, IB consistently jeopardizes the ability of the poultry industry to grow and prosper. Identifying these domains will aid in discerning the pathogenicity and prevalence of IBV genotypes, potentially enhancing disease prevention and management tactics.

Myths and Misconceptions of Breast Cancer in the Pakistani Population.

Background Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in the female population. The cultural diversity, religious beliefs, myths, and misinformation regarding the disease contribute to diagnostic delays and enhanced burden on the healthcare system. This study aimed to ascertain the extent of knowledge and prevalence of erroneous beliefs and misconceptions regarding breast cancer among Pakistani women belonging to diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Methodology This cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 350 women were enrolled in the study as a representative female population, and 300 participants were included who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were conveniently interviewed using a pre-piloted questionnaire designed to assess the prevalent myths and misconceptions about breast cancer. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) using descriptive statistics. Results The study findings point to a significant prevalence of erroneous beliefs and a lack of accurate information on breast cancer. The mean age of the participants was 20.8 ± 10.4 years. The majority of the participants belonged to a middle socioeconomic status (70%) and were undergraduates (61.4%). The participants' friends and family members were the most frequent sources of information regarding breast cancer. The most common myth was "breast-feeding offers immunity to breast cancer completely" (76.6%), followed by "breast cancer spreads after biopsy" (63.8%). Participants also believed that breast tissue biopsy can lead to the spread of cancer (63.4%) and that faith healers and alternative medicine can cure breast cancer (47.5%). One-third (33.3%) of the participants considered all lumps to be breast cancer; however, approximately half (41.6%) of the participants thought that only painful lumps were associated with breast cancer. A significant number of participants believed breast cancer to be a result of God's curse (31.4%) or evil eye (38.7%). Conclusions The findings suggest a critical need for community-based breast health education initiatives that take into account Pakistani women's distinctive cultural and societal attitudes and work to dispel common misconceptions about the condition.

Effect of health education on awareness and practices of breast self examination among females attending a charitable hospital at North Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of health education as an intervention to promote breast self-examination in a low-resource setting. METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted from January to August 2018 in Karachi after approval by the Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and comprised women from a low resource locality and dividing them into intervention group A and control group B. Demographic data was collected using a pretested questionnaire filled through interviews. Subsequently, group A received health education regarding carcinoma of breast, importance of breast self-examination and monthly motivation through cell phone to perform self-examination. The questionnaire was again filled after 6 months of intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Group B was given the same health education sessions after the completion of the study. RESULTS: Of the 172 subjects, there were 86(50%) in each of the two groups. In terms of demographic data, the groups were similar (p>0.05). After the intervention, group A showed significant (p<0.001) improvement in knowledge and practice of breast self-examination. There was no change in group B (p>0.05). Being in the intervention group (p=0.001) and level of education (p=0.018) showed positive and negative associations with selfexamination practice. Upon adjusting for age, marital status, family history and education, group A (p=0.001) remained significant, while the level of education (p=0.116) became non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Designed health promotion programmes with monthly reminders through cell phone improved knowledge and practice of breast self-examination.