Carriage Of Antibodies Research Articles

Anti-hepatitis C antibody carriage and risk of liver impairment in rural-Cameroon: adapting the control of hepatocellular carcinoma for resource-limited settings

BackgroundThe Viral hepatitis elimination by 2030 is uncertain in resource-limited settings (RLS), due to high burdens and poor diagnostic coverage. This sounds more challenging for hepatitis C virus (HCV) given that antibody (HCVAb) sero-positivity still lacks wide access to HCV RNA molecular testing. This warrants context-specific strategies for appropriate management of liver impairment in RLS. We herein determine the association between anti-HCV positivity and liver impairment in an African RLS.MethodsA facility-based observational study was conducted from July-August 2021 among individuals attending the “St Monique” Health Center at Ottou, a rural community of Yaounde,Cameroon. Following a consecutive sampling, consenting individuals were tested for anti-HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV antibodies (HIVAb) as per the national guidelines. After excluding positive cases for HBsAg and/or HIVAb, liver function tests (ALT/AST) were performed on eligible participants (HBsAg and HIVAb negative) and outcomes were compared according to HCVAb status; with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.ResultsOut of 306 eligible participants (negative for HBsAg and HIVAb) enrolled, the mean age was 34.35 ± 3.67 years. 252(82.35%) were female and 129 (42.17%) were single. The overall HCVAb sero-positivity was 15.68%(48/306), with 17.86% (45/252) among women vs. 5.55%(3/54) among men [OR (95%CI) = 3.69(2.11-9.29),p = 0.04]. HCVAb Carriage was greater among participants aged > 50 years compared to younger ones [38.46%(15/39) versus 12.36% (33/267) respectively, OR(95%CI) = 4.43(2.11-9.29), p < 0.000] and in multipartnership [26.67%(12/45)vs.13.79%(36/261) monopartnership, OR (95%CI) = 2.27(1.07-4.80),p = 0.03]. The liver impairment rate (abnormal ALT+AST levels) was 30.39%(93/306), with 40.19%(123/306) of abnormal ALT alone. Moreover, the burden of Liver impairment was significantly with aged> 50 versus younger ones [69.23% (27/39) versus 24.72%(66/267) respectively, p < 0.000). Interestingly, the burden of liver impairment (abnormal AST + ALAT) was significantly higher in HCVAb positive (62.5%, 30/48) versus HCVAb negative (24.42%, 63/258) participants, OR: 3.90 [1.96; 7.79], p = 0.0001.ConclusionsIn this rural health facility, HCVAb is highly endemic and the burden of liver impairment is concerning. Interestingly, HCVAb carriage is associated with abnormal liver levels of enzyme (ALT/AST), especially among the elderly populations. Hence, in the absence of nuclei acid testing, ALT/AST are relevant sentinel markers to screen HCVAb carriers who require monitoring/care for HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma in RLS.

Viral Hepatitis C during a Screening Campaign in General Population of Benin: Seroprevalence and Associated Factors

Introduction: Hepatitis C is a global public health problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody carriage during mass screening in several localities throughout Benin. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection. This collection took place from 20 to 28 July 2019 at a free voluntary hepatitis C screening organized in Benin by Rotary Clubs in 23 sites throughout the country. A rapid diagnostic orientation test was used for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies. Results: A total of 9035 voluntary participants were included, mostly of Beninese nationality (99.0%), with a median age of 27 years, of whom 51.1% (4619/9035) were single and mainly schoolchildren, pupils or students (37.9%; 3426/9035). HCV seroprevalence was 1.0% (87/9035) [95% CI = 0.8% - 1.2%]. This infection was associated with age greater than 42 years (ORa = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.06 - 6.95), p

Combination of Serological, Antigen Detection, and DNA Data for Plasmodium falciparum Provides Robust Geospatial Estimates for Malaria Transmission in Haiti

Microscopy is the gold standard for malaria epidemiology, but laboratory and point-of-care (POC) tests detecting parasite antigen, DNA, and human antibodies against malaria have expanded this capacity. The island nation of Haiti is endemic for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria, though at a low national prevalence and heterogenous geospatial distribution. In 2015 and 2016, serosurveys were performed of children (ages 6–7 years) sampled in schools in Saut d’Eau commune (n = 1,230) and Grand Anse department (n = 1,664) of Haiti. Children received malaria antigen rapid diagnostic test and provided a filter paper blood sample for further laboratory analysis of the Pf histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) antigen, Pf DNA, and anti-Pf IgG antibodies. Prevalence of Pf infection ranged from 0.0–16.7% in 53 Saut d’Eau schools, and 0.0–23.8% in 56 Grand Anse schools. Anti-Pf antibody carriage exceeded 80% of students in some schools from both study sites. Geospatial prediction ellipses were created to indicate clustering of positive tests within the survey areas and overlay of all prediction ellipses for the different types of data revealed regions with high likelihood of active and ongoing Pf malaria transmission. The geospatial utilization of different types of Pf data can provide high confidence for spatial epidemiology of the parasite.

Development of the concepts of childhood autism: pathogenetic mechanisms and markers

Today, the study of autism spectrum disorders is relevant due to a high prevalence, an increase in the frequency of occurrence, as well as due to a lack of the unified concept of their etiology and pathogenesis. The purpose of the work is to conduct a brief review of evolution of the childhood autism ideas, including the pathogenesis issues and a search for possible markers of this disease. A brief information on the historical development of the childhood autism ideas, from the pre-Kanner period until now is presented. The modern pathogenesis theories are considered, including heredity, as well as the impact of adverse environmental factors on the child’s body during prenatal development: toxic effects, inflammatory processes and immune disorders in the mother’s body. Modern pathogenesis theories consider such processes as the disruption of synaptic transmission, metabolic disorders of neurotransmitters and neurospecific proteins, the carriage of antibodies to neurotransmitters and neurospecific proteins, the mitochondrial dysfunction, the peroxidation increase, the connection with gastrointestinal tract diseases and altered microflora. The data presented suggest that childhood autism is a multifactorial disease, and a search for markers should then cover a wide range of parameters, including genetic, immunological, biochemical, and possibly microbiological characteristics of the child’s body.

Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in an urban population of domestic cats ( Felis catus)

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects humans and animal species worldwide. The relative importance of each potential transmission route in the complex life cycle of this coccidia is largely unknown, due to the lack of studies taking into account all routes simultaneously. In this study, we analyzed the transmission of T. gondii in an urban population of stray cats captured between 1993 and 2004. Analyzing prevalence, our aim was to determine which factors influence transmission in this population. Specific anti- T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected using the modified agglutination test. Firstly, we analyzed the kinetics of antibody titers in cats captured several times, using mixed linear models and correspondence analysis. We showed that antibody titers did not vary significantly with time and that titer 40 was the best threshold to separate individuals into two serological groups. Overall, prevalence was only 18.6%, thus transmission of T. gondii is infrequent in this population. As expected, a highly significant association was detected between age and presence of IgG antibodies. Prevalence was lowest in kittens aged 3–4 months, suggesting that newborn kittens may carry maternal antibodies and that vertical transmission is rare. After taking into account the effect of age, logistic regression showed that antibody carriage was related to factors that possibly related to the survival of oocysts: localization in the study site, origin of the cats, maximal temperatures and rain. Our results suggest that in this population, vertical transmission is rare, low predation limits prevalence, and oocyst survival is a determining factor in the risk of infection. We discuss the more general importance of conditions determining oocyst survival in the life cycle of T. gondii.

Physiological doses of iodine and carriage of antibodies&#x0D; thyroid peroxidase: an open, randomized trial

This prospective open randomized study explored the effects of the physiological doses of iodine on the structure and function of the thyroid in persons who were carriers of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb). The study included 44 females with normal thyroid function and levels of TPOAb of more than 100 mU/l. By employing open block randomization using a random number tables, the patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) 22 females who received potassium iodide in a daily dose of 100 pg for 6 months (a study group) and 2) 22 patients who did not take any therapy or placebo throughout the study (a control group). Three patients (they all from the study group) were excluded from the study due to their incompliance. Following 6 months, two patients were diagnosed as having primary hypothyroidism : 1 patient from the study group had subclinical hypothyroidism with an increase in the level of TSH up to 7.2 mU/l; the other patient from the control group had obvious hypothyroidism (TSH, 67 mU/l). Evaluation of the time course of changes in the level of TSH and the volume of the thyroid revealed no difference between the study and control groups throughout and by the end of the study. A statistically significant decrease in the volume of the thyroid was found in a group of patients with the initially enlarged thyroid treated with potassium iodide. It is concluded that the physiological doses of iodine do not produce any substantial effect on the function and volume of the thyroid in ATOAb carriers.