Larval Gnathostomes and Zoonotic Trematode Metacercariae in Fish from a Local Market in Yangon City, Myanmar.

A survey was performed to investigate the infection status of zoonotic helminth larvae in fish from a local market of North Dagon District in Yangon City, Myanmar. A total of 486 fish in 13 species were collected 8 times from December 2015 to December 2019. All fish were transported under ice to a laboratory in Korea and examined for helminth larvae using artificial digestion method. Larval gnathostomes and metacercariae of more than 8 zoonotic trematode species, i.e., Opisthorchis viverrini, Haplorchis taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, Centrocestus spp., Stellantchasmus falcatus, Pygidiopsis cambodiensis, and Procerovum sp., were detected. Larval gnathostomes were found in 58 (16.0%) out of 362 fish of 6 species, with mean intensity of 2.8 per fish infected. Metacercariae of O. viverrini were detected in 10 (2.9%) out of 349 fish of 5 species, with mean intensity of 16.9 per fish infected. Metacercarial prevalences of 4 intestinal flukes, H. taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, and Centrocestus spp., were 16.8%, 26.0%, 12.5%, and 15.0% in the positive fish species, respectively, and mean metacercarial intensity was 63.3, 26.8, 86.2, and 8.7 per fish infected. Metacercariae of S. falcatus and P. cambodiensis were detected only from the mullet, Chelon macrolepis. Metacercariae of Procerovum sp. were found in Channa striata and Anabas testudineus. Collectively, it was confirmed that the fish were infected with gnathostome larvae and metacercariae of O. viverrini and intestinal flukes in Yangon City, Myanmar.

Comparison of Clinical and Hematologic Factors Associated with Stenosis and Aneurysm Development in Patients with Atherosclerotic Arterial Disease.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is known to result in individuals with arterial stenosis or occlusion. Alternatively, certain atherosclerotic arteries develop aneurysms. However, there has been no clear explanation regarding the mechanism associated with this alternate clinical presentation. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and hematologic factors that could lead to the development of the different clinical outcomes of stenosis and aneurysm in atherosclerotic arterial disease. METHODS: From March 2016 to January 2018, 219 consecutive atherosclerotic patients, of whom 195 (171 men, 24 women) had stenosis or occlusion and 24 (19 men, 5 women) had aneurysm, were investigated. All patients underwent vascular procedures. Continuous variables studied were age, body mass index, smoking status (pack-years), frequency of alcohol consumption (days), levels of natural anticoagulants (protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III), coagulation-enhancing factors (factor VIII, fibrinogen, and homocysteine), antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, immunoglobulin [Ig] G/IgM anticardiolipin antibody, and IgG/IgM anti-beta 2 glycoprotein I [anti-ß2GPI]), lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride), and hemoglobin A1c. The investigated nominal variables were sex, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. RESULTS: A logistic regression analysis of all nominal and continuous variables as independent variables revealed that IgM anticardiolipin antibody was a significant independent factor associated with aneurysm formation in atherosclerotic arterial disease (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: A higher IgM anticardiolipin antibody level may be one of the causative factors behind aneurysm development and may have the clinical potential to be used as a biomarker to predict the development of aneurysms in atherosclerotic arterial disease.

Alcohol Consumption, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Antithrombin III, and Body Mass Index Are Associated with Great Saphenous Vein Reflux in the Thigh.

BACKGROUND: Venous valvular reflux is the main cause of chronic venous dysfunction. However, the etiology of valvular reflux is not completely understood. We conducted this study to investigate new risk factors for venous reflux of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in the thigh. METHODS: We studied 139 consecutive patients (278 legs) who underwent Doppler ultrasonography at our hospital between March 2015 and February 2016 for leg discomfort with visible varicosities, edema, skin changes, or venous ulcer in the legs. Continuous variables included age, body mass index (BMI), hematological and blood chemistry parameters, smoking (pack-years), and alcohol consumption (days). Nominal variables included sex, comorbidities, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, and specific antibodies. The relationship of GSV reflux with pregnancy and number of children was investigated in 184 legs of 92 patients among 96 female patients. RESULTS: On logistic regression analysis, independent factors determining GSV reflux were BMI (B = 0.126, P = 0.012), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level (B = 0.029, P = 0.025), duration of alcohol consumption (B = 1.237 E-4, P = 0.016), and antithrombin III level (B = -0.036, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the factors determining GSV reflux were higher HDL cholesterol level, longer duration of alcohol consumption, lower antithrombin III level, and higher BMI.