Prevalence of dengue fever virus antibodies and associated risk factors among residents of El-Gadarif state, Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever, caused by dengue virus (DENV), has become one of the most important mosquito-borne viral diseases with a steady rise in global incidence, including the Sudan. Sporadic cases and frequent acute febrile illness outbreaks, compatible with Dengue fever, have been reported in El-Gadarif State, Sudan. However, diagnosis was based almost exclusively on clinical signs without confirmatory laboratory investigations. Despite the magnitude of the problem in El-Gadarif State, no information is currently available with regard to the epidemiology of the disease in this State. El-Gadarif State is one of the largest commercial centers in the Sudan. The objective of the present investigation is to estimate the prevalence of DENV antibodies, and determine the potential risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents of El-Gadarif State. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in a total of 701residents randomly selected from all 10 localities in El-Gadarif State. The sera from the 701 residents were tested for the presence of DENV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a commercially available Anti-dengue IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Among the 701 residents, 334 residents (47.6%) were seropositive for DENV. Mosquito control (OR = 2.73, CI = 1.37-5.87, p-value = 0.001); low income (OR = 2.31, CI: 1.71-6.36, p value = 0.032); sleeping out-doors (OR = 3.73, CI = 2.63-6.23, p-value = 0.013), and localities were determined as potential risk factors for contracting DENV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of DENV antibodies among residents of El-Gadarif State is significantly high (47.6%). Further epidemiologic studies including, distribution of mosquito vectors and implementation of improved surveillance are urgently warranted for better prediction and prevention of a possible DENV outbreak in El-Gadarif State, Sudan.

Gigantobilharzia, possible cause of cercarial dermatitis: Case report.

Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is a worldwide, often neglected parasitic skin disease characterized by strong maculopapular skin eruption accompanied by intensive itching. A fisherman suffered from forearm dermatitis. Clinical history associated with the recovery of the avian schistosome; Gigantobilharzia from little green bee-eater (Merops orientalis najdanus) and collected Lymnaea snails supported the authors' opinion that patient clinical signs are most likely due to the invasion of avian schistosome cercariae.

The effects of alpha-lipoic acid on breast of female albino rats exposed to malathion: Histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND: The wide use of the organophosphate insecticide malathion is accompanied by the risk of human exposure and may be involved in the etiology of breast cancers, especially in developing countries. Alpha (α)-lipoic acid, a natural molecule, present in our diet has antioxidant and protective effects in cases such as aging, diabetes mellitus, and vascular and neurodegenerative diseases all in which free radicals are involved. However, there is only scarce data regarding the efficacy and biological activity of α-lipoic acid on malathion-induced breast histopathological changes. AIMS: To investigate whether malathion can induce mammary histopathological changes, to immunohistochemically analyze the modulations in proliferation-apoptosis balance associated with these changes, to assess the associated metabolic parameters, antioxidant stress and hormonal profile changes and to elucidate the possible protective effect of α-lipoic acid on malathion induced alterations in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Wistar female rats weighing 150-170g were divided into four groups. Group 1: control group were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with saline solution. Group2: animals were injected (ip) with malathion twice a day for five days. Group 3: animals were orally given α-lipoic acid, after three hours of treatment with malathion at the same dose given to group 2. Group 4: animals were treated with α-lipoic acid at the same dose given to group 3. Rats were sacrificed on the 90th day, and breast tissues were analyzed for histopathological and immunohistochemical alterations. Blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. RESULTS: α-Lipoic acid exhibited a striking reduction of malathion-induced mammary tumor incidence, and reversed intra-tumor histopathological alterations. Alpha lipoic acid suppressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 expression, induced apoptosis, upregulated proapoptotic protein Bax. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide the experimental evidence that α-lipoic acid exerts chemopreventive effect in the breast hyperplastic and malignant changes by suppressing abnormal cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis with an oncostatic effects during an early-stage breast cancer.

Serum biochemical values of adult ostriches (Struthio camelus) anesthetized with xylazine, ketamine, and isoflurane.

Because of the size, speed, and powerful kicking ability of adult ostriches (Struthio camelus), chemical immobilization and general anesthesia are commonly used in these animals to provide veterinary care. To determine the serum biochemical values in ostriches anesthetized with xylazine and ketamine and isoflurane, 7 healthy adult ostriches (weighing 100 to 130 kg) were fasted for 12 hours. Each bird received an intramuscular injection of xylazine (4 mg/kg), followed 20 minutes later by an intravenous injection of ketamine (8 mg/kg), and were then intubated and maintained under anesthesia with isoflurane gas. Jugular blood samples were collected from each bird immediately before, and 20 minutes after, administration of xylazine; 10 and 20 minutes after the administration of ketamine; 10, 30, and 50 minutes after the delivery of isoflurane; and 20 and 50 minutes after discontinuing isoflurane. Concentrations of potassium and glucose increased significantly after the administration of ketamine, and that increase was maintained until the end of the study period. During recovery, levels of creatinine and amylase increased significantly. We conclude that administration of xylazine and ketamine and isoflurane anesthesia may affect the concentration of some serum biochemical values. These results should be taken into account when blood samples are evaluated in chemically immobilized or anesthetized ostriches.