Prevalence and risk distribution of schistosomiasis among adults in Madagascar: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The goal to eliminate the parasitic disease of poverty schistosomiasis as a public health problem is aligned with the 2030 United Nations agenda for sustainable development goals, including universal health coverage (UHC). Current control strategies focus on school-aged children, systematically neglecting adults. We aimed at providing evidence for the need of shifting the paradigm of schistosomiasis control programs from targeted to generalized approaches as key element for both the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem and the promotion of UHC. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study performed between March 2020 and January 2021 at three primary health care centers in Andina, Tsiroanomandidy and Ankazomborona in Madagascar, we determined prevalence and risk factors for schistosomiasis by a semi-quantitative PCR assay from specimens collected from 1482 adult participants. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to evaluate odd ratios. RESULTS: The highest prevalence of S. mansoni, S. haematobium and co-infection of both species was 59.5%, 61.3% and 3.3%, in Andina and Ankazomborona respectively. Higher prevalence was observed among males (52.4%) and main contributors to the family income (68.1%). Not working as a farmer and higher age were found to be protective factors for infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence that adults are a high-risk group for schistosomiasis. Our data suggests that, for ensuring basic health as a human right, current public health strategies for schistosomiasis prevention and control need to be re-addressed towards more context specific, holistic and integrated approaches.

Delayed reduction of Anaplasma marginale parasitemia and packed cell volume normalization despite prolonged enrofloxacin treatment of cattle co-infected with Trypanosoma vivax.

Although co-infections of Trypanosoma vivax, Anaplasma spp., and Babesia spp. have been reported, knowledge gaps remain that need to be addressed. The present study evaluated the efficacy of enrofloxacin (7.5 mg/kg) against A. marginale in naturally infected cattle and cattle experimentally co-infected with T. vivax by observation of the variation in A. marginale parasitemia and packed cell volume (PCV) for 39 days. Bovines were distributed into two groups, each with six calves: T01 = animals immunosuppressed with dexamethasone and with latent anaplasmosis; T02 = animals immunosuppressed with dexamethasone, with latent anaplasmosis and experimentally co-infected with T. vivax on day 0 (D0). Animals of both groups were immunosuppressed with dexamethasone and received enrofloxacin (7.5 mg/kg) whenever mean values of parasitemia for A. marginale were ≥ 5% per group. Cattle of group T02 were also treated with isometamidium chloride (0.5 mg/kg) on D25. On D17 and D22 to D28 of the study, there was a higher (P ≤ 0.05) A. marginale parasitemia in animals of T02 than in those of T01. Animals of T01 required one enrofloxacin treatment to decrease A. marginale parasitemia, while those from T02 needed five treatments. From D5 to D37 of study, the mean values of PCV for calves from T02 were lower (P ≤ 0.05) than that for calves from T01. In conclusion, bovines co-infected T. vivax needed four more treatments with enrofloxacin to reduce A. marginale parasitemia and keep PCV values within reference standards.

Human Toxoplasma gondii infection in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis of data published between 1960 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: Over 70% of the worlds' population is infected by Toxoplasma gondii; a pathogen capable of causing cerebral toxoplasmosis in HIV patients and neonatal complications like miscarriage, chorioretinitis, hydrocephalus, cerebral calcification and foetal death in the third trimester of pregnancy. In spite of this, the burden of this zoonotic pathogen is poorly understood in Nigeria. The aim of the present study therefore, is to determine the burden of T. gondii among normal individuals, HIV patients and pregnant women as well as the distribution of the infection across Nigeria. METHODS: Using the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data retrieved from six electronic databases (AJOL, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science). Pooled prevalence (PP) and heterogeneity were determined by the random-effects model and the Cochran's Q-test respectively. The quality of each study and publication bias were assessed by the 9 point Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument and the Egger's regression asymmetry test respectively, while the robustness of a pooled estimate was tested by the single study omission analysis. RESULTS: Exactly 5834 of the 16,230 individuals examined for T. gondii infection by 50 studies across 17 Nigerian States were positive for the infection. Overall PP was 32.92% (95% CI: 27.89, 38.37), with a range of 14.41% (95% CI: 5.32, 33.54) to 86.82% (95% CI: 66.13, 95.69) across sub-groups. Pooled prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.001) among pregnant women (40.25%; 95% CI: 33.19, 47.73) and HIV patients (31.68, 95% CI: 20.53, 45.41) than normal individuals (23.32, 95% CI: 17.25, 30.75). T. gondii prevalence declined by over 58% during the 59 years reviewed. CONCLUSION: Toxoplasma gondii infection is moderately prevalent in Nigeria. Highest prevalence estimates were observed among pregnant women and in the south-south region. For effective control of the disease in Nigeria, a holistic approach involving on-farm, environmental, public health and animal components are suggested.

Liver fluke in Irish sheep: prevalence and associations with management practices and co-infection with rumen fluke.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to identify the national prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Irish sheep and to conduct a risk analysis assessment based on management and treatment practices in participating flocks. Also, co-infection with rumen fluke was quantified and its association with liver fluke and management practices was assessed. METHODS: A total of 305 sheep flocks were selected ensuring even national representation of the sheep population. Participating farms were asked to complete a survey questionnaire on farm management practices and submit faecal samples during the winter of 2014-2015. Pooled faecal samples were analysed for the presence of F. hepatica and co-infection with rumen fluke. Apparent and true prevalence were calculated, additionally, the rate of co-infection with rumen fluke was also obtained. Correlation and regression analyses were used for assessing associations between management practices, liver fluke infection and co-infection with rumen fluke. RESULTS: The national true prevalence of F. hepatica was 50.4% (n = 305). Regional prevalence varied from 41% in the east to 52% in the south. Co-infection with rumen fluke was observed in 40% of the studied population and correlated with increased F. hepatica egg counts (OR = 2.9; P ≤ 0.001). Predominant breeds were Suffolk, Texel and Horned Mountain breeds. Beef cattle were the most frequent type of other livestock present on farms and mixed species grazing was frequently reported (73%). More than half of the flocks reported a mid-to-late lambing period (March-April). Use of mountain land for grazing was of 32%. Flukicides were most commonly used twice over the autumn-winter period. Regression analyses highlighted significant association of F. hepatica status, with the presence of other livestock on farm, frequency of flukicides used during the winter and clinical presentation of liver fluke. A significant increase in eggs per gram of faeces was observed in Charollais sheep in comparison with all other breeds. Co-infection with F. hepatica and Calicophoron daubneyi was also significantly associated with the presence of other livestock on the farm, type of flukicide used and clinical fasciolosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides up-to-date information on the prevalence of F. hepatica in Irish sheep and adds insight to the epidemiology of the disease. These findings will be useful for designing new holistic control measures for F. hepatica infection.

Plasmodium co-infection protects against chikungunya virus-induced pathologies.

Co-infection with Plasmodium and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been reported in humans, but the impact of co-infection on pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that prior exposure to Plasmodium suppresses CHIKV-associated pathologies in mice. Mechanistically, Plasmodium infection induces IFNγ, which reduces viraemia of a subsequent CHIKV infection and suppresses tissue viral load and joint inflammation. Conversely, concomitant infection with both pathogens limits the peak of joint inflammation with no effect on CHIKV viraemia. Reduced peak joint inflammation is regulated by elevated apoptosis of CD4+ T-cells in the lymph nodes and disrupted CXCR3-mediated CD4+ T-cell migration that abolishes their infiltration into the joints. Virus clearance from tissues is delayed in both infection scenarios, and is associated with a disruption of B cell affinity-maturation in the spleen that reduces CHIKV-neutralizing antibody production.

Status and Risk Factors of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Rural Communities of Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR.

The present study was performed to reveal the current status and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis infections in the villages of Kenethao district, Xayaburi Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected and examined for S. stercoralis using Koga-agar plate culture technique. Among 516 individuals, the prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 44.2% and 17.1%, respectively. Co-infection was detected in 13.2% of the cases. The prevalence did not significantly differ between males and females (P=0.193). However, the prevalence of S. stercoralis infection increased significantly with age (P=0.041). Of the risk factors examined, both performing farming activities (P=0.001) and walking barefoot when going outside of the house (P=0.003) showed significant correlations with S. stercoralis infections. Our results suggest that S. stercoralis is highly endemic in this area. The National Helminth Control Program of Lao PDR should take actions to control S. stercoralis infection. In addition, provision of health education about the benefits of wearing shoes would be important for reducing infection in the study area. Moreover, the application of high-sensitivity diagnostic approaches is needed to obtain the true impact of S. stercoralis infections in all rural communities in order to provide surveillance activities in Lao PDR.

Effects of dietary selenium on host response to necrotic enteritis in young broilers.

The effects of dietary supplementation of young broiler chickens with an organic selenium (Se) formulation, B-Traxim Se, on experimental necrotic enteritis (NE) were studied. Chickens treated with three Se doses (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 mg/kg) from hatch were orally challenged with Eimeria maxima at 14 days of age followed by Clostridium perfringens to induce NE. Chickens fed with 0.50 mg/kg Se showed significantly increased body weights and antibody levels against NetB, and significantly reduced gut lesions compared with non-supplemented chickens. However, there were no significant differences in Eimeria oocyst shedding between the Se-treated and non-supplemented groups. Levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, iNOS, LITAF, TNFSF15, AvBD6, AvBD8, and AvBD13 transcripts were increased in the gut and spleen of at least one of the three Se-treated groups compared with the non-treated group. These results suggest that dietary supplementation of young broilers with Se might be beneficial to reduce the negative consequence of NE.

Molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs with leishmaniosis (leishmania infantum) with or without cytological evidence of arthritis.

Recent evidence suggest that Bartonella species may cause polyarthritis and lameness in dogs. Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) due to Leishmania infantum is a multi-systemic disease often occurring in association with arthritis. We hypothesized that concurrent Bartonella infection may be a contributing factor for the development of arthritis in dogs with CanL. Hence the primary objective of this study was to investigate the molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in dogs with naturally occurring CanL, with or without cytologically documented arthritis. Thirty-eight dogs with CanL (31 with neutrophilic arthritis and 7 without arthritis) were retrospectively studied. Seventy-four archived clinical specimens from these 38 dogs, including 33 blood samples, 19 bone marrow (BM) samples and synovial fluid (SF) aspirates from 22 dogs were tested for Bartonella spp. DNA using the Bartonella alpha proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) diagnostic platform. Overall, eight (21.1%) dogs were infected with one or two Bartonella species; however, Bartonella spp. infection was not associated with arthritis in dogs with CanL. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine if there is a correlation between Bartonella spp. infection and the development of arthritis in dogs with CanL.

Effects of dietary supplementation with a herbal extract on the performance of broilers infected with a mixture of Eimeria species.

1. A herbal extract containing a blend of three essential oils, derived from oregano, laurel leaf and lavender, was investigated as a feed additive alternative to the conventional anticoccidial sodium monensin. 2. Broilers were infected with a mixture of Eimeria species or left uninfected. Both infected and uninfected broilers were provided with diets containing either herbal extract (HEX), monensin (MON) or without these supplements (CON). The HEX group had 50 mg herbal extract/kg diet and the MON group 100 mg monensin/kg diet. 3. All of the uninfected broilers exhibited higher body weight gain and better feed conversion when compared with their infected counterparts at d 28 and 42 of age. Both HEX and MON supplements caused significant improvements in performance in the infected broilers, but failed to have any effect on uninfected broilers. 4. Faecal oocyst output measured daily by sampling excreta, and expressed on a per bird basis, was lower in the HEX and MON groups than in the CON group. However, the herbal extract was not as effective as monensin in reducing oocyst excretion. Coccidial infection caused a significant increase in total intestinal length and caecal weight, but the dietary treatments did not influence these measurements. 5. These results indicate that providing a herbal extract in the diet was not as effective as monensin in protecting broilers exposed to a coccidial challenge.