Little evidence of avian or equine influenza virus infection among a cohort of Mongolian adults with animal exposures, 2010-2011.

Avian (AIV) and equine influenza virus (EIV) have been repeatedly shown to circulate among Mongolia's migrating birds or domestic horses. In 2009, 439 Mongolian adults, many with occupational exposure to animals, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of zoonotic influenza transmission. Sera were drawn upon enrollment and again at 12 and 24 months. Participants were contacted monthly for 24 months and queried regarding episodes of acute influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Cohort members confirmed to have acute influenza A infections, permitted respiratory swab collections which were studied with rRT-PCR for influenza A. Serologic assays were performed against equine, avian, and human influenza viruses. Over the 2 yrs of follow-up, 100 ILI investigations in the cohort were conducted. Thirty-six ILI cases (36%) were identified as influenza A infections by rRT-PCR; none yielded evidence for AIV or EIV. Serological examination of 12 mo and 24 mo annual sera revealed 37 participants had detectable antibody titers (≥1∶10) against studied viruses during the course of study follow-up: 21 against A/Equine/Mongolia/01/2008(H3N8); 4 against an avian A/Teal/Hong Kong/w3129(H6N1), 11 against an avian-like A/Hong Kong/1073/1999(H9N2), and 1 against an avian A/Migrating duck/Hong Kong/MPD268/2007(H10N4) virus. However, all such titers were <1∶80 and none were statistically associated with avian or horse exposures. A number of subjects had evidence of seroconversion to zoonotic viruses, but the 4-fold titer changes were again not associated with avian or horse exposures. As elevated antibodies against seasonal influenza viruses were high during the study period, it seems likely that cross-reacting antibodies against seasonal human influenza viruses were a cause of the low-level seroreactivity against AIV or EIV. Despite the presence of AIV and EIV circulating among wild birds and horses in Mongolia, there was little evidence of AIV or EIV infection in this prospective study of Mongolians with animal exposures.

Sparse evidence for equine or avian influenza virus infections among Mongolian adults with animal exposures.

In recent years, Mongolia has experienced recurrent epizootics of equine influenza virus (EIV) among its 2·1 million horses and multiple incursions of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus via migrating birds. No human EIV or HPAI infections have been reported. In 2009, 439 adults in Mongolia were enrolled in a population-based study of zoonotic influenza transmission. Enrollment sera were examined for serological evidence of infection with nine avian, three human, and one equine influenza virus strains. Seroreactivity was sparse among participants suggesting little human risk of zoonotic influenza infection.

Comparative study of atherosclerotic parameters in Mongolian and Japanese patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

AIM: Cardiovascular disease is becoming increasingly more problematic in Mongolia. The cardioankle vascular index (CAVI) and circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) are new atherosclerosis-related parameters, but no comparative studies of atherosclerotic parameters including CAVI and CRP are available between Mongolian and Japanese populations, such as disease populations of hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Our study objective was to examine atherosclerotic profiles in HT and DM patients in both countries. METHODS: From a hospital-based population, 156 Mongolian outpatients with HT and DM (men: 46%, mean age: 57.1 years) and 156 age- and sex-matched Japanese outpatients with HT and DM (men: 46%, age: 57.7) were recruited. Body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), ankle-brachial index (ABI), ultrasonographic carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), blood total cholesterol (T-Cho), glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured, in addition to CAVI and CRP. RESULTS: The levels of BMI, HR, BP, PP, insulin and IMT were significantly higher and T-Cho and glucose were significantly lower in the Mongolian patients in comparison to the Japanese patients. Particularly, the levels of CAVI (mean+/-SD) (8.1+/-1.1 vs. 8.8+/-1.2) and CRP(median[interquartile range])(0.05[0.03-0.12]vs. 0.19[0.09-0.42]mg/dL)were significantly higher in Mongolian than Japanese patients. These significant differences remained unchanged, even after taking into account multiple variables, including BP and HOMA-IR. In addition, except for CAVI in the subgroup of DM, generally similar trends regarding atherosclerotic parameters were seen in the subgroup by sex and disease (HT, DM and HT plus DM). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Mongolian patients with HT and DM may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease than Japanese patients.

Comparative study of the cardio-ankle vascular index and ankle-brachial index between young Japanese and Mongolian subjects.

Mongolian people have higher mortality and morbidity rates due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) than Japanese people. The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are both atherosclerosis-related indexes. Presently, there is no comparative information on CAVI and ABI among young subjects between Mongolian and Japanese people. A total of one hundred Mongolian (men: 39%, mean age: 20.9+/-2.2 years) and 115 Japanese volunteers (men: 39%, mean age: 22.0+/-1.8 years) were recruited from among university students. The body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), CAVI, ABI, carotid intima-media thickness, blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose and C reactive protein levels were measured. The levels of BMI, HR and diastolic BP were significantly higher, and TC and glucose were significantly lower in the Mongolian subjects than in the Japanese subjects. The CAVI values (median (interquartile range): 6.5 (5.8-7.0) vs. 5.6 (5.2-6.0)) and ABI (1.11 (1.05-1.17) vs. 1.09 (1.05-1.15)) were significantly higher in the Mongolian subjects than in the Japanese subjects. The patterns of correlation between CAVI, ABI and other atherosclerotic parameters were different: in age-, gender- and BMI-adjustment correlation tests for CAVI and ABI, HR (r=-0.25 for CAVI and ABI) showed a correlation in the Mongolian subjects, and for ABI systolic BP (r=-0.28) showed a correlation in the Japanese subjects. These results suggest that Mongolian subjects may be at higher risk of CVD, even among younger individuals, than Japanese subjects.