General Hygiene Practices Research Articles

Study Centre Sanitary Conditions and Its Impact on Health and Academic Outcomes of Distance Learners at University of Cape Coast.

This study examined the impact of Study Centre Sanitary and hygiene conditions and its impact on health and academic outcomes of Distance Learners at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). The major objective of the study was to find out how sanitary conditions at the host institutions used by the College of Distance Education (CoDE), as study centers for distance education (DE) delivery, impact on the health and academic status of distance education learners. Data was gathered using mainly self-developed and administered questionnaire. The simple random technique was used to select 300 DE learners from 10 study centers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Approval by the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee of the University of Cape Coast and informed consent from study participants were sought. The results of the study indicated that the state of sanitary conditions and general hygiene practices at CoDE study centres was poor, unmaintained, and inadequate in almost all study centres. This demonstrated that investment in school infrastructure was not given the due priority. The negative impact on the health status and academic outcomes of learners were due to inadequate sanitary facilities despite learners’ knowledge on good personal hygiene and sanitation practices. The study concluded that physical sanitary facilities at CoDE study centres within the study area were in a deplorable state and inadequate for the learner population in the host institutions. Gaps were identified in school management of resources and enforcement of school health, hygiene and sanitation practices. It was recommended that (CoDE-UCC) collaborates with host institutions to improve sanitation and hygiene practices at the study centres for the benefit of learners.

Coronaviruses as the cause of respiratory infections

ZusammenfassungHintergrundEs gibt sechs humanpathogene Coronaviren (CoV), die vornehmlich respiratorische Infektionen auslösen. Im klinischen Alltag ist es hilfreich, Relevanz und Besonderheiten dieser Erreger zu kennen.FragestellungPraxisnahe Darstellung der Epidemiologie, Klinik und Unterschiede humanpathogener CoV. Hinweise zu Diagnostik und Umgang mit Patienten bei Verdacht auf eine CoV-Infektion.Material und MethodenSelektive Literaturrecherche, Darstellung und Diskussion von Grundlagenarbeiten und Expertenempfehlungen einschließlich der Veröffentlichungen der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO), des Europäischen Zentrums für die Prävention und die Kontrolle von Krankheiten (ECDC) und des Robert Koch-Instituts.ErgebnisseDie weltweit endemischen CoV (HCoV-NL63, -229E, -OC43 und -HKU1) sind häufige Ursache von leichteren respiratorischen Infektionen. Zwei epidemische, zoonotische Coronaviren (SARS- und MERS-CoV, MERS „Middle East respiratory syndrome“, SARS „severe acute respiratory syndrome“ [schweres akutes Atemwegssyndrom]) können schwere Pneumonien hervorrufen. SARS-CoV ist seit 15 Jahren nicht mehr im Menschen nachgewiesen worden. MERS-CoV zirkuliert seit 2012 hauptsächlich auf der Arabischen Halbinsel. Eine spezifische Therapie oder zugelassene Impfung existiert noch für keines der sechs humanpathogenen Coronaviren.SchlussfolgerungEine Erregerdiagnostik mittels Polymerase-Kettenreaktion aus respiratorischem Material ist für alle CoV möglich, für die vier endemischen allerdings selten notwendig. SARS-CoV hat aktuell keine Relevanz in der Klinik, da es seit 15 Jahren nicht mehr im Menschen nachgewiesen wurde. Der Verdacht auf eine MERS-Infektion sollte hingegen bei entsprechender Symptomatik und Reiseanamnese differenzialdiagnostisch in Betracht gezogen werden. Hier sind eine schnelle Diagnosesicherung und allgemeine Hygienemaßnahmen zur Verhinderung der Verbreitung entscheidend.

Mapping evidence on charitable food assistance system\u2019s compliance with safety and general hygiene requirements in Africa and the rest of the world: a systematic scoping review protocol

BackgroundThe charitable food assistance system has an influential role in the larger effort to curtail the problem of food insecurity globally. They often play a crucial role in meeting the food security needs of the poor, particularly resource-limited settings where food security is a challenge. The aim of our study is to compare evidence on the safety and general hygiene of charitable food assistance system in Africa and the rest of the world.MethodsThis study will be conducted through a systematic scoping review. We will search for literature from the following electronic databases: African Index Medicus, PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost (MEDLINE with full text, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE) and open access for unpublished theses and dissertations. Articles will also be searched through the ‘Cited by’ search as well as citations included in the reference lists of included articles. Websites, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Departments of Health websites, will be searched for policies and guidelines for food charity practice. Studies will be identified by searching literature published in any language between 1967 and 2018. Then, following title screening, eligible studies will be exported to EndNote library where duplicates will be removed before the parallel screening of abstracts and full articles by two independent reviewers. Screening will be guided by the study eligibility criteria. Data from the included studies will be extracted, and the emerging themes will be analysed. The relationship of the emerging themes to the research question will be critically examined. The quality of the included studies will be determined by the use of Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT)—version 2011.The search results will be presented through the use of the adapted PRISMA-P chart.DiscussionWe hope to find relevant studies that highlight evidence of charitable organisations’ food safety and general hygiene practices, in order to effectively compare their performance to those of formal and informal food establishments. Findings of this study will be disseminated electronically, in print and through peer presentation, conferences and congresses on synergies between efforts to reduce food loss and waste and those practices of public health concern.

Adaptation and validation of a nepali version of the Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances Index (C-OIDP).

To adapt the Child-Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (C-OIDP) index into the Nepali language and to validate it, to assess and compare the outcomes of self-reported oral problems, and to validate a structured questionnaire on general hygiene practices, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and use of tobacco. A school-based cross-sectional study on pilot and national samples. Nepalese schoolchildren representing WHO index age groups (5-6-year-olds, 12-year-olds, and 15-year-olds). The study was conducted on a pilot sample (n=128) selected conveniently and a national sample (n=1,052), selected from 18 sampling sites on the basis of the stratified random sampling method. Adapted and validated Nepali C-OIDP Results: The Nepali C-OIDP showed excellent validation and reliability tests in both studies. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.82 and 0.71 respectively in the pilot and national study. The most common self-reported oral problem was toothache, which was statistically significantly higher in the national sample. The Nepali C-OIDP index is valid and reliable for measuring oral impacts on daily performance among schoolchildren of Nepal.

English

This study assessed various factors associated with poor compliance of street food vendors to safety measures in the Techiman Municipality with emphasis on the World Health Organization’s five keys to safer food policy. Two sets of questionnaires were designed to collect data from 150 respondents (140 food vendors and 10 officials of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Agency) in the Techiman Municipality. Data was collected based on the level of awareness, food hygiene/handling practices and effectiveness of regulatory bodies in the Techiman municipality. Overall, awareness of food hygiene was high (91.4%) and depended on vendor’s educational level (Chi-square = 7.810, P<0.05). The ability to maintain a clean food preparation area was generally poor. Most food vending sites (68%) were dirty and most respondents disposed of their waste in polythene bags (56.4%). Only a few food vendors washed their hands after scratching themselves (32%) or handling money (22%). Separation between raw materials from cooked food was also poor. Overall, 25% of the vendors always stored raw and cooked food separately, 29% stored them separately sometimes, while 47% did not. Food was however kept at safe at temperature 82%. The hygiene and safety of raw materials used in cooking was in doubt. Most food vendors (69%) considered price important and purchased cheap raw materials. Finally, the effectiveness of regulatory bodies was generally fair (50%). This might be a result of some challenges faced by regulatory bodies in terms of logistics and resources (90%) and also lack of cooperation from food vendors (10%). The study concluded that there is high awareness of food safety among food vendors in the Techiman municipality. Yet food hygiene and handling practices are poor. This might be due to challenges faced by food vendors in terms of finances (65.7%) and pressure from consumers (34.3%). There is also poor regulation by regulatory bodies which might also be due to a lack of logistics and resources (90%). Current regulations in the municipality regarding general food hygiene practices should be reviewed and strengthened to focus on a risk based approach. Key words: Compliance, food safety, food vendors, food hygiene.

Mexican unpasteurised fresh cheeses are contaminated with Salmonella spp., non-O157 Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli and potential uropathogenic E. coli strains: A public health risk

Fresh cheeses are a main garnish of Mexican food. Consumption of artisanal fresh cheeses is very common and most of them are made from unpasteurised cow milk. A total of 52 fresh unpasteurised cheeses of five different types were purchased from a variety of suppliers from Tabasco, Mexico. Using the most probable number method, 67% and 63% of samples were positive for faecal coliforms and E. coli, respectively; revealing their low microbiological quality. General hygienic conditions and practices of traditional cheese manufacturers were poor; most establishments had unclean cement floors, all lacked windows and doors screens, and none of the food-handlers wore aprons, surgical masks or bouffant caps. After analysing all E. coli isolates (121 strains) for the presence of 26 virulence genes, results showed that 9 (17%) samples were contaminated with diarrheagenic E. coli strains, 8 harboured non-O157 Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC), and one sample contained both STEC and diffusely adherent E. coli strains. All STEC strains carried the stx1 gene. Potential uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains were isolated from 15 (29%) samples; the most frequent gene combination was fimA-agn43. Two samples were contaminated with Salmonella. The results demonstrated that unpasteurised fresh cheeses produced in Tabasco are of poor microbiological quality and may frequently harbour foodborne pathogens. Food safety authorities in Mexico need to conduct more rigorous surveillance of fresh cheeses. Furthermore, simple and inexpensive measures as establishing programs emphasizing good hand milking practices and hygienic manufacturing procedures may have a major effect on improving the microbiological quality of these food items.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella isolates in association with hygienic status from butcher shops in Gondar town, Ethiopia.

BackgroundSalmonella has been recognized as a major cause of food borne illness associated with meat products worldwide. The wide spread of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella has been a serious global human and animal health problem. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella isolates from butcher shops of Gondar town, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June, 2013 in Gondar town. After receiving written consent from the study participants, raw meat and swab samples from butcher shops’ utensils and meat handlers were collected and tested using standard bacteriological methods. The isolates were identified using colony characteristics, Gram-reaction, biochemical reaction and sugar tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Check list was used to record general hygienic conditions and practices in the butcher shops. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.ResultsButcher shop premises and utensils sanitation and personnel’s hygiene were poor. The overall prevalence of Salmonella was 17.3 %. Salmonella was detected in 32 (35.6 %) meat samples, 13 (23.2 %) hand swabs, 5 (9.1 %) knife swabs, and 3 (5.6 %) chopping board surface swabs. Of the total 53 Salmonella isolates subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test, 47 (88.7 %), 35 (62.3 %), 19 (35.8 %), 17 (32.1 %) and 16 (30.2 %) of them exhibited resistance to Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Nitrofuranthoin, Tetracycline, and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprime, respectively. Furthermore; 15 (28.3 %) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant from which highest isolation was recorded from meat samples and 40 (75.5 %) isolates of Salmonella showed resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents tested. Interestingly, all of the isolates were susceptible to Gentamycin and Ceftriaxone.ConclusionThe general sanitary condition of the butcher shops and utensils used and personnel hygiene were not to the recommended standards. Contamination of meat, knives, and meat handlers hand with Salmonella was found high. Furthermore; multidrug-resistant Salmonella is circulating in the butchers’ shop which is strong enough to warrant the revision of butcher shops sanitation policy and treatment regimen for infections implicated by Salmonella in the study area. Further in-depth study including serotyping and antimicrobial resistant gene identification is recommended.

Impact of nutrition education on dietary behaviour and the hemoglobin status of the rural adolescent girls

The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of nutrition education on the dietary behaviour and the haemoglobin status of the rural adolescent girls. The study was conducted on the 60 (sixty) anaemic rural adolescent girls aged between 13-16 years studying in the rural government senior secondary schools of Moga district of Punjab state. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the relevant information. Part I of the interview schedule comprised questions regarding general information on type of family, family size, occupation, age, educational level and income of the family. Part II of the interview schedule comprised questions regarding the dietary pattern and general health and hygiene practices followed by the adolescents. Nutritional status of the adolescent girls was assessed by anthropometric parameters (Height and weight), clinical examinations, hemoglobin status and dietary survey. After collecting the above said pre-requisite information, the sample (n = 60) was further divided into two groups namely intervention and control group (n = 30). For the experimental group, nutrition education intervention was given fortnightly for a period of three months. The nutrition education strategy was aimed at motivating adolescent girls to understand their nutritional vulnerability and to improve their diets to benefit their health and well being. The control group was not exposed to any formal nutrition education. After the three months intervention programme, part-II of the interview schedule was again administered to collect the relevant information. Nutritional status of the both intervention and control groups was also assessed. Data collected was analyzed by applying frequency, percentages, Chi-square and ttest. The results revealed that the nutrition education intervention proved to be successful in changing the attitude and dietary behaviour of the rural girls. Significant improvement was observed in the dietary pattern of the girls. Significant increase in weight gain (2.4 kg) was observed in the intervention group. A marked increase in the height and haemoglobin of the intervention group was also observed but was statistically non-significant. However, the change was towards the increasing trend. Hence, from the study it could be concluded that nutrition education is one of the appropriate effective and sustainable approach to combat iron deficiency anaemia.

English

This study examined the general hygiene and sanitary practices of street food venders in Nigeria. 110 random samples of street food venders were selected to represent 18% of street food venders in the study area. Data was collected using pre-test structured questionnaire and observation checklists. The relationships in the factors studied were determined. Food venders lacked basic training on hygiene and only 2.7% had formal training on food preparation. 63.6% acquired skills from parents while 33.7% acquired skills by self practice. 44.5% of vendors used their mouths to blow air into polythene bags to open, before using it to package foods for customers. 60.0% of the vendors prepared foods in unkempt environment with flies around the foods. The study indicated absence of evidence of relationship between venders&rsquo; education and vending location as well as between gender and personal hygiene. This study largely suggested non-compliance with the Codex Alimentarius Commission guidelines for street food control in Africa. The non regulation of street food vending business in Africa especially Nigeria portends danger of outbreak of food poisoning. Key words: Street foods, hygiene, sanitation, vendors, food safety, Kaduna-North Central Nigeria.

Assessing the epidemiological data of Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning occurred in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil.

Staphylococcal food poisoning is one of the most frequent foodborne illnesses worldwide and it is caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with enterotoxins produced by some strains of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. In the State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Southern Brazil, S. aureus has been identified as the second most frequent agent of foodborne illnesses in the last two decades. The aim of the present study was to assess and analyse the epidemiological data of S. aureus food poisoning occurred in the State of RS during the years of 2000 to 2002. The official records of epidemiological investigations carried out by the Sanitary Surveillance Services of the State of RS were analysed. Among foodborne outbreaks for which aetiology was determined, S. aureus was identified as the responsible agent of 57 foodborne outbreaks, being 42 (74%) confirmed by microbiological analyses and 15 (26%) confirmed by clinical symptoms and/or epidemiological data. Staphylococcal outbreaks were responsible for the exposition of 5,991 persons, of which 1,940 (32%) were interviewed by the Sanitary Surveillance officers. The most affected age group corresponded to people with 20 to 49 years old (48%), where men (48%) and women (52%) were affected similarly. The main involved food vehicles were meats servings (35%), followed by pastries (25%), cheese (23%), pasta (11%) and potato salad with homemade mayonnaise (11%). The majority of the outbreaks occurred inside private homes (33%) followed by commercial food establishments (28%). Inadequate control of temperature and failures in general hygiene practices were identified as the main factors responsible for the outbreaks. In conclusion, S. aureus was an important food poisoning etiological agent in the State of RS during 2000 to 2002 and its prevention depends on control measures involving different parts of the food chain.

The Hierarchy of Environmental Health and Safety Practices in the U.S. Nanotechnology Workplace

Manufacturing of nanoscale materials (nanomaterials) is a major outcome of nanotechnology. However, the potential adverse human health effects of manufactured nanomaterial exposure are not yet fully understood, and exposures in humans are mostly uncharacterized. Appropriate exposure control strategies to protect workers are still being developed and evaluated, and regulatory approaches rely largely on industry self-regulation and self-reporting. In this context of soft regulation, the authors sought to: 1) assess current company-reported environmental health and safety practices in the United States throughout the product life cycle, 2) consider their implications for the manufactured nanomaterial workforce, and 3) identify the needs of manufactured nanomaterial companies in developing nano-protective environmental health and safety practices. Analysis was based on the responses of 45 U.S.-based company participants in a 2009–2010 international survey of private companies that use and/or produce nanomaterials. Companies reported practices that span all aspects of the current government-recommended hierarchical approach to manufactured nanomaterials’ exposure controls. However, practices that were tailored to current manufactured nanomaterials’ hazard and exposure knowledge, whether within or outside the hierarchical approach, were reported less frequently than general chemical hygiene practices. Product stewardship and waste management practices—the influences of which are substantially downstream—were reported less frequently than most other environmental health and safety practices. Larger companies had more workers handling nanomaterials, but smaller companies had proportionally more employees handling nanomaterials and more frequently identified impediments to implementing nano-protective practices. Company-reported environmental health and safety practices suggest more attention to environmental health and safety is necessary, especially with regard to practices that can cause external effects. Given reported impediments, smaller companies may especially benefit from more attention. However, the manufactured nanomaterial workforce within smaller companies is particularly difficult to identify and hence locate, posing challenges to developing and enforcing appropriate workplace environmental health and safety. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene for the following free supplemental resource: a file containing Survey of Current Health and Safety Practices in the Nanomaterial Industry and a file containing figures.]

Is there a relationship between hygiene practices and skin and soft tissue infections in diapered children?

The perineal and gluteal regions are the most frequent areas of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in diapered children. No studies have investigated the relationship between perineal and general hygiene practices and SSTIs in this population. This study was conducted to evaluate this relationship. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in an urban pediatric emergency department. Subjects were recruited into 3 study groups as follows: gluteal/perineal SSTIs (SSTI), diaper dermatitis (DD), or healthy normal skin (NS). Survey responses were analyzed for significance followed by a clinically oriented staged regression to model predictors of SSTI compared with the NS and DD groups. There were 100 subjects in the SSTI, 206 in the NS, and 151 in the DD groups. Race was the only demographic characteristic that differed between the groups. After adjustment for race, no day care attendance, history of SSTI, household contact with SSTI history, and higher propensity for diaper rash were associated with SSTI compared with NS. Regression results comparing SSTI to DD revealed no day care attendance, history of SSTI, household contact with SSTI history, less sensitive skin, and less diaper cream use to be predictors of SSTI. Perineal and general hygiene practices were not significantly different between children with SSTI compared with children with NS or DD. Based on the results of this study, further prospective studies should evaluate diaper hygiene practices that prevent DD and subsequent SSTIs, the preventative role of day care attendance, and effective interventions that minimize the risk of recurrent SSTIs.

English

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing concern with the prevalence of hospital infection. This is causing a significant economic and logistical burden on the health services. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of hydroxyl radical based air disinfection devices in reducing the atmospheric pathogen count in enclosed health care settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sequential trial with repeated readings was designed before and after installation of the Air Disinfection devices. Study was conducted at 52 points in different locations which included sections from out Patient Department, Intensive Care Units, Operation Theatre, Surgical Ward, Radiology Department and cubicles in routine microbiology. The samples collected with air sampler were processed in Neuromicrobiology Laboratory. RESULT: It was observed that the mean (±SE) colony forming units (CFU/m 3) count after 24 and 48 hours before and after use of air disinfectant devices at the above locations were 159.75 (±35.42), 210.31 (±65.15) and 44.04 (±14.15), 55.31 (±15.06) respectively. The differences in the mean CFU concentrations were found to be statistically significant (p= 0.006). Additionally, a high degree of variance in the CFU counts was noted before using the devices as compared to that after using the same. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is considerable reduction in the number of colony forming units subsequent to the introduction of the Air Disinfection devices. These devices supplement and compliment the general hygienic practices. However owing to a lot of compounding factors affecting the colony forming units in a given location, sufficient care must be taken for ascribing the reduction in the counts only to the device.

Aerobic bacterial, coliform, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus counts of raw and processed milk from selected smallholder dairy farms of Zimbabwe

A cross sectional study was conducted to enumerate total viable bacteria (TBC), coliforms, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in raw (n=120) and processed (n=20) milk from individual farms from three smallholder dairy schemes of Zimbabwe between October, 2009 and February, 2010. Data on management factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. A standard pour plate technique was used to enumerate total viable bacteria, while for coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus, counts were assessed by the spread plate technique. The association of total viable bacterial counts and management factors was assessed using univariable and a linear regression model. The log₁₀ TBC for raw milk differed significantly (P<0.05) amongst the schemes with the lowest (5.6±4.7 log₁₀ cfu/ml) and highest (6.7±5.8 log₁₀ cfu/ml) recorded from Marirangwe and Nharira respectively. The mean log₁₀ of TBC of processed milk (6.6±6.0 log₁₀ cfu/ml) were marginally higher than those of raw milk (6.4±5.6 log₁₀ cfu/ml) but not significant (P>0.05). The coliform, E. coli and S. aureus counts for raw milk significantly differed (P<0.05) amongst the study areas. The variation in TBC, coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus counts amongst the schemes could be attributed to differences in milking hygiene where farms with more access to training and monitoring of microbiological quality of milk had lower counts. Linear regression analysis revealed dairy scheme, delivery time and season of milking as independently associated with increased TBC of raw milk. The high TBC of raw and processed milk generally indicated low levels of milking hygienic practices, and high level of post-processing contamination, respectively. The high TBC, coliform, E. coli and S. aureus counts of both raw and processed milk may present a public health hazard. Thus, educating the farmers on general hygienic practices, quickening the delivery of milk to collection centres, or availing cooling facilities on-farm will improve the microbiological quality and safety of milk.

Milk producers’ awareness of milk-borne zoonoses in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess milk producers' awareness of milk-borne zoonoses in selected smallholder and commercial dairy farms of Zimbabwe. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information on dairy breeds, milk production, dairy farmers' knowledge and awareness of zoonoses with particular emphasis on milk-borne zoonoses and farmers' behavioural practices that may lead to increased risk of milk-borne zoonoses transmission. A total of 119 dairy farmers were interviewed, and 41.5% were aware of milk-borne zoonoses with a significantly (P<0.01) higher percentage of commercial dairy farmers (65.0%) being aware compared to smallholder dairy farmers (36.7%). The behavioural practices of dairy farmers observed to increase the risk of milk-borne zoonoses transmission were; consumption of raw milk (68.1%), sale of raw milk to the local public (25.2%), lack of cooling facilities by smallholder farmers (98%), and no routine testing (84.9%) and medical check-ups (89.1%) for milk-borne zoonoses. General hygienic and disease control practices need to be integrated in the milk production process particularly at the smallholder level. Awareness, teaching and training programmes for smallholder dairy farmers can improve disease control in animals and reduce the public health risk of milk-borne zoonoses.

National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Skin Diseases

To present recommendations for the prevention, education, and management of skin infections in athletes. Trauma, environmental factors, and infectious agents act together to continually attack the integrity of the skin. Close quarters combined with general poor hygiene practices make athletes particularly vulnerable to contracting skin diseases. An understanding of basic prophylactic measures, clinical features, and swift management of common skin diseases is essential for certified athletic trainers to aid in preventing the spread of infectious agents. These guidelines are intended to provide relevant information on skin infections and to give specific recommendations for certified athletic trainers and others participating in athletic health care.

Detection the enterotoxin producing capacity of coagulase positive Staphylococcus by EIA (Enzyme Immuno Assay) isolated from turkey meat

Summary: A total of 52 turkey meat samples (including 39 legs and 13 wings), of three national companies were obtained from different markets in Ankara and were examined for the presence of enterotoxigenic coagulase positive staphylococci by EIA (Enzyme immuno assay). Average micrococci/staphylococci count of the samples was 6.3 x 10 2 cfu/g with a minimum of 1.0x10 2 cfu/g and a maximum of 4.3x10 6 cfu/g. Five of the samples (9.61 %) had coagulase positive staphylococci with the following counts; minimum 1.0x10 2 cfu/g, maximum 1.3x10 4 cfu/g, and average 9.3x10 2 cfu/g. Thirteen out of 241 (5.3 %) isolates were found coagulase positive. Four of the coagulase positive isolates were enterotoxigenic and two of these had only type C, one isolate had only type B and one isolete had both B and C type enterotoxin production ability. In conclusion, the examined turkey meats were found to be partially contaminated with enterotoxin producing coagulase positive staphylococci. Elimination of enterotoxigenic staphylococci from turkey meat is very important to protect public health. This can be substantially achieved by the establishment and management of poultry slaughterhouses, which apply systems such as GMP, HACCP and have general hygienic practices

Control of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in laying hens by inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccines

Salmonella Enteritidis is one of the agents that is responsible for outbreaks of human foodborne salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis and is generally associated with the consumption of poultry products. Inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis cell vaccine is one of the available methods to control Salmonella Enteritidis in breeders and laying hens, however results in terms of efficacy vary. This vaccine has never been tested in Brazil, therefore, the present work was carried out to assess three commercial inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccines allowed in Brazil. Four hundred white light variety commercial laying hens were obtained at one-day-of age. At eight weeks old, the birds were divided into four groups with one hundred animals each. Birds from three groups (V1, V2 and V3) received different intramuscular vaccines, followed by a booster dose at 16 weeks of age. Birds from another group (CG) were not vaccinated. When the laying hens were 20, 25 and 31 weeks old, 13 from each group were transferred to another room and were challenged by inoculating 2 mL neat culture of Salmonella Enteritidis. On the second day after each challenge, the caecal contents, spleen, liver and ovary of three birds from each group were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis. Twice a week a cloacal swab of each bird was taken and all eggs laid were examined for the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis. After four consecutive negative cloacal swabs in all the groups, the birds were sacrificed so as to examine the liver, caecal contents and ovaries. Overall, the inactivated vaccine used in group V3 reduced Salmonella Enteritidis in the feces and eggs. A very small amount of Salmonella was found in the spleen, liver, ovary and caeca of the birds in the four groups during the whole experiment. In general, inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccines was able to decrease the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis in the birds and in the eggs as well. Nevertheless, they must be associated with general hygiene and disinfection practices in poultry husbandry.

Control of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in laying hens by inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccines

Salmonella Enteritidis is one of the agents that is responsible for outbreaks of human foodborne salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis and is generally associated with the consumption of poultry products. Inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis cell vaccine is one of the available methods to control Salmonella Enteritidis in breeders and laying hens, however results in terms of efficacy vary. This vaccine has never been tested in Brazil, therefore, the present work was carried out to assess three commercial inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccines allowed in Brazil. Four hundred white light variety commercial laying hens were obtained at one-day-of age. At eight weeks old, the birds were divided into four groups with one hundred animals each. Birds from three groups (V1, V2 and V3) received different intramuscular vaccines, followed by a booster dose at 16 weeks of age. Birds from another group (CG) were not vaccinated. When the laying hens were 20, 25 and 31 weeks old, 13 from each group were transferred to another room and were challenged by inoculating 2 mL neat culture of Salmonella Enteritidis. On the second day after each challenge, the caecal contents, spleen, liver and ovary of three birds from each group were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis. Twice a week a cloacal swab of each bird was taken and all eggs laid were examined for the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis. After four consecutive negative cloacal swabs in all the groups, the birds were sacrificed so as to examine the liver, caecal contents and ovaries. Overall, the inactivated vaccine used in group V3 reduced Salmonella Enteritidis in the feces and eggs. A very small amount of Salmonella was found in the spleen, liver, ovary and caeca of the birds in the four groups during the whole experiment. In general, inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis vaccines was able to decrease the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis in the birds and in the eggs as well. Nevertheless, they must be associated with general hygiene and disinfection practices in poultry husbandry.

Associations Between Intravaginal Practices and Bacterial Vaginosis in Kenyan Female Sex Workers Without Symptoms of Vaginal Infections

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is highly prevalent among African women and has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV-1. The goal of this study was to analyze the relationship among intravaginal practices, bathing, and BV. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of HIV-1-seronegative Kenyan female sex workers without symptoms of vaginal infections. Of 237 women enrolled, 206 (87%) reported vaginal washing using either a finger or cloth. Increasing frequency of vaginal washing was associated with a higher likelihood of BV (chi(2) test for trend, P = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, vaginal lubrication with petroleum jelly (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4-5.6), lubrication with saliva (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1-4.8), and bathing less than the median for the cohort (14 times/week; OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.2-17.5) were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of BV. Modification of intravaginal and general hygiene practices should be evaluated as potential strategies for reducing the risk of BV.