Parasitic Infestation Research Articles

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism in pigs of Tripura, India.

Pigs breeds are an important livestock species mostly reared by economically lower incomesection of people in India. Within North-Eastern (NE) states, pig husbandry is very much popular hence maintain the livelihood of the rural native population. Gastrointentinal (GI) parasitic infectionisone of the major constraint in profitable pig production in this area. In the present study, the GI parasitism was investigated in 388 pigs in the three districts of Tripura, NE State of India. The examination of faecal samples revealed 61.65% overall prevalence of parasitic infestation, precisely6 GI parasitic species; including 4 nematodes and 2 protozoa, while 46.91% were the mixed infections.Metastrongylus spp. (17.53%), Strongyloids spp. (19.33%),Trichuris spp. (15.98%), Coccidia spp. (12.37%), and Balantidium coli (10.82%), were detected, however, Ascaris spp. was the most prevalentrecording 32.47%. The epidemiological factors including: age, sex, season, breed, area and farming system wise when considered as markers of study showed the highest prevalence of GI parasites in grower(6-12months) stage, female, monsoon season, non-descript breeds, Khowai district and free range farming system, recorded 71.52%, 67.27%, 65.78%, 65.71%, 64.57%, and 69.44%, respectively. Overall, our study provides a baseline data for further investigation and formulation of strategies for control of GI parasitism in pigs in Tripura.

Linking weather conditions and winter tick abundance in moose

AbstractClimate change may modify species distribution to higher latitudes, resulting in potential changes of parasite diversity and transmission dynamics in areas where animals might not be locally adapted to these new parasite species. In addition, climate change may increase the frequency and severity of infestations of parasites that are already present in a region, by promoting the development and survival of infectious stages. Over the last decades, the number of moose (Alces americanus) infested by winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) has increased in eastern Canada, possibly because milder climatic conditions are increasing winter tick survival. Our main objective was to determine which meteorological variables are more likely to influence winter tick load on moose. We compiled several weather variables that may limit winter tick survival and explored which weather variables, or their interactions, influenced the winter tick load of 4,100 hunted moose from 2013 to 2019 in Québec, Canada along a latitudinal gradient. Winter tick load in fall decreased with the maximum number of consecutive days in spring with average daily temperatures below −15°C and with the number of consecutive days in summer with a relative humidity <80% when snowmelt in spring was earlier. These results suggest that cold temperatures and prolonged periods of low humidity, amplified by early snowmelt, limit the survival of adult female ticks and eggs, thus limiting their subsequent load on moose during the following fall. With climate change, precipitation increases and warm temperatures occur earlier in spring and are more frequent in summer. Our results suggest that climate change may have a positive long‐term influence on winter tick abundance in the environment and thereby increase winter tick load on moose, which could lead to a significant decrease in moose body condition and survival.

Immune response of the Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) against the infestation with Neobenedenia sp. in three cultivated temperatures.

The Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) is a marine fish maintained in mariculture systems and frequently infested by monogenean parasites like Neobenedenia sp. Severe infestations can lead to high mortalities and economic losses for farmers. This study evaluated the effects of temperature on the immune response on Almaco jack infested with Neobenedenia sp. We exposed infested fishes at temperatures of 20°C, 24°C, and 30°C for 20days and took samples of different tissues at the beginning of the experiment, and after 3 and 20days. The tissues considered were the skin, thymus, cephalic kidney, and spleen to evaluate the relative gene expression of different genes: Hsp70, IgM, IL-1β, IL-10, and MyD88. Our results showed an increase in IL-1β gene expression in the skin after 20days of infestation but no significant effect of temperature on gene expression, despite increases in infestation rates with temperature. Therefore, relative genetic expression was controlled by the number of parasites and the days post-infestation. These results show that the parasite infestation induced a local response in the skin, but that temperature has an indirect effect on the immune system of Almaco jack.

Eutrombicula cochinocaensis infestation in llamas (Lama glama) in the Puna region of Argentina.

This paper aims to describe a case of trombiculosis in llamas from the Puna region of Argentina caused by Eutrombicula cochinocaensis. Trombiculosis is a parasitic infestation caused by the larval form of trombiculid mites, commonly known as chigger mites. Six adult llamas out of eighteen (33%) were infested and showed dermatitis, hyperemia, and crusts together with an orange-dotted pattern. The chigger mites were found mainly in the hind limbs and the abdomen. Microscopic identification of E. cochinocaensis was made by phase-contrast microscopy. Then, a histopathological study of the affected animals' skin was performed. Histological findings included dermatitis withmainly lymphocytic infiltrate, pustules, crusts, hyperkeratosis, and the mites' stylostomes in the dermis and epidermis. This is the first report of trombiculosis caused by E. cochinocaensis in llamas from Argentina. Mites of the family Trombiculidae are vectors of certain diseases to humans and animals and are therefore of sanitary and productive importance.

Genarchopsisdasus and Camallanus anabantis parasites of Channa punctatus from Dinajpur Region of Bangladesh

This study was conducted to identify seasonal infestations of parasites in Channa punctatus of Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Sampling was carried out frequently over a year in selected cultural and natural sources. A total of 120 fish was examined among them 32 fishes were infested and collected parasites were 72. Two parasites were recorded, Genarchopsisdasus and Camallanusanabantis. The prevalence was found 26.67 % and mean intensity 2.41. The maximum prevalence was found in August (50 %) and the lowest in December, January, February (10 %). The maximum mean intensity was January (8) and the lowest was December and June (1). The highest prevalence (40 %) was observed in winter and the lowest (10 %) was in the rainy season. The maximum prevalence (50 %) was recorded in male fish in summer and autumn. However, the mean intensity (6.5), index of infection (3.71), and abundance (1.85) were highest in female fishes. The prevalence (30.23 %), abundance (0.74), and index of infection (0.68) were observed maximum in smaller size group and the lowest in large size group (24.44 %, 0.38 %, and 4.16 respectively). There was a variation of infestation of fish according to length, sex, season, and sources. Vol. 10, No. 3, December 2023: 367-376

Parasitic infestations as a cause of episodic angioedema

Angioedema (AO) is a localized transient acute, recurrent edema of the skin or mucous membranes. Vasoactive substances play a key role in the development of AO: histamine, tryptase, prostaglandin, bradykinin, which lead to a reversible increase in endothelial permeability. Usually, the manifestations persist from 2 hours to several days and in most cases disappear without a trace, without additional therapy. ICD-10 CODE: T 78.3 - angioedema, D 84.1 - defect in the complement system. The purpose of the study. The purpose of the study is to study the features of episodic angioedema as a manifestation of parasitic invasion Materials and methods. The clinical case of a 10-year-old boy who was hospitalized in the pediatric department as planned with complaints of recurrent swelling of the eyelids, perianal area, itchy skin, hemorrhagic rashes, abdominal pain was analyzed. These symptoms are noted periodically for 2.5 years. The child’s anamnestic data, allergoanamnesis, gender characteristics, and the structure of the main diagnoses were analyzed. The results of laboratory and instrumental research methods were evaluated (including the level of C1 inhibitor for differential diagnosis with hereditary angioedema). Results. The results of the study. For 2.5 years, the child was periodically hospitalized in various hospitals with symptoms of periorbital edema and abdominal pain. These symptoms persisted from 2 weeks to 2 months. And they were registered with a frequency of 2 months. Blood tests showed an increase in IgE by 10 times, IgG to helminths by 6 times. At normal values of the C1 inhibitor. During the EGDS, a large number of roundworms were discovered. The normal level of the C1 inhibitor, as well as the absence of similar signs of the disease in the child’s closest relatives (autosomal dominant type of inheritance) made it possible to exclude hereditary angioedema with a high degree of probability. Conclusion. The data obtained during the analysis allowed us to conclude that parasitic invasion may be the cause of angioedema in children. Blood eosinophilia, as one of the important indicators of parasitic invasion, may be absent during the long course of infection. The presence of elevated total immunoglobulin E and positive minimum levels of antibodies to helminths in the blood should alert doctors in terms of further search for parasitic invasion.

Histopathological changes and oxidative stress associated with Fascioliasis in bovines.

Fascioliasis, a prevalent disease in livestock globally, is primarily caused by the trematode parasites Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. This parasitic infection leads to significant economic repercussions. In this study, our objective was to gain insight into the pathophysiological consequences of Fascioliasis in cattle through the evaluation of metabolic, oxidative stress, and histological parameters. A thorough investigation was carried out on the liver of 197 bovines after their slaughter, which unveiled the occurrence of Fascioliasis, with a prevalence rate of 13.2% observed. The bovine that were infected exhibited notable increase in serum transaminases (ALT, AST, and ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) while the decrease in glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. The lipid profile analysis of infected cattle revealed alterations in the cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Moreover, the histopathological examination revealed a range of hepatic lesions associated with Fascioliasis, including necrosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and proliferative alterations. The bile ducts also displayed distinct pathological changes, including hyperplasia, thickening, and edema, and harbored various developmental stages of Fasciola spp. highlighting the parasitic infestation's effects on the biliary system. These results highlight the serious effects of Fascioliasis on lipid metabolism and the oxidative damage that is induced in the livers of cattle. Thus, Fasciola infestation in bovine causes alteration in biochemical and antioxidant activities, which are considered as important factors in the diagnosis of Fascioliasis.

P17 Hepatobiliary parasitic infestation: a case report

Abstract Background Hepatic parasitic lesions can present with multiple cystic lesions that may simulate inflammatory pseudo-tumour or malignancy in appropriate clinical settings. Here we present a known case of renal cell carcinoma with liver lesions that showed parasitic infestation on histology. Patient case A 70-year-old male with a history of right partial nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma having an uneventful postoperative follow-up for 2 years underwent a surveillance CT scan. Multiple hepatic cystic lesions were identified, which on subsequent MRI and PET scan were suspicious for metastasis. Partial hepatectomy was performed for histological evaluation. Results Multiple discrete cystic hepatic lesions were noted on macroscopy. Histological examination revealed multiple necrotic hyalinized nodules with granulomatous inflammation within the liver and dense neutrophil infiltration with microabscess formation. Within the central necrotic area, there were non-viable parasite eggs and parts of worm, in keeping with parasitic infestation. On further expert opinion, this was diagnosed as Enterobius infestation of liver. Conclusions Hepatobiliary parasitic infestations may be encountered as clinically and biochemically asymptomatic lesions, especially in immunocompromised patients. Strong clinical history of travel and parasite serology screen is always helpful to clinch the diagnosis but may not be always available during histological examination. This case highlights the importance of thorough histological and microbiological examination as all nodular lesions in liver are not malignant and could be infective.

Genotype-by-gestational thermal environment interaction and its impact on the future performance of tropical composite beef cattle offspring.

With global warming, there are growing challenges for raising taurine and composite beef cattle populations in tropical regions, including elevated temperatures, limited forage availability, parasite infestation, and infectious diseases. These environmental factors can trigger specific physiological responses in the developing fetus, which may have long-term implications on its performance. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the influence of naturally induced thermal stress during the gestation period on the subsequent performance of tropical composite beef cattle progeny. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the impact of genotype-by-gestational thermal environment interaction (G×Eg) on traits under selection pressure in the breeding population. A total of 157,414 animals from 58 farms located in various Brazilian states were recorded for birth weight (BW), preweaning weight gain (PWG), yearling weight (YW), hip height (HH), scrotal circumference (SC), and days to first calving (DFC). We first applied a linear regression model to the BW data, which revealed that the last 40d of gestation were suitable for calculating the mean temperature humidity index (THIg). Subsequent regression analyses revealed that for every 10-unit increase in THIg, detrimental effects of approximately 1.13% to 16.34% are expected for all traits evaluated. Genetic parameters were estimated through a reaction norm model using THIg as the environmental descriptor. The posterior means of heritability estimates (SD) were 0.35 (0.07), 0.25 (0.03), 0.31 (0.03), 0.37 (0.01), 0.29 (0.07), and 0.20 (0.09) for the direct effect of BW, PWG, YW, HH, SC, and DFC, respectively. These estimates varied along the range of THIg values, suggesting a variable response to selection depending on the thermal environment during gestation. Genetic correlation estimates between more divergent THIg values were low or negative for YW, PWG, and DFC, indicating that the best-performing individuals at low THIg values may not perform as well at high THIg values and vice versa. Overall, thermal stress during gestation impacts the future performance of beef cattle offspring. Our results indicate the need for developing effective breeding strategies that take into account G×Eg effects and the re-ranking of breeding animals along the THIg scale, particularly for traits such as DFC that are highly sensitive to thermal stress.

High Prevalence of Bovine Cardiac Cysticercosis in Upper Egypt: An Epidemiological and Histopathological Study.

Bovine cysticercosis is categorized as a serious parasitic zoonotic infestation. The infection is mainly caused by the tapeworm Taenia saginata, which infects cattle and humans. The larval stage, Cysticercus bovis (C. bovis), is found in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of infected cattle. Despite its potential public health concern, few studies have been conducted on cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt. This study investigates the prevalence, epidemiology, and impact of cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt, emphasizing how histopathological changes in cardiac muscle and physiological parameters might be associated with the infection. From December 2022 to October 2023, a total of 941 animals from Assiut province, Upper Egypt, were slaughtered and their cardiac muscles were examined for the presence of C. bovis. Cysts were classified as viable or degenerated through macroscopic inspection. The overall prevalence of C. bovis infected hearts made up 10.8% of the total examined. The highest prevalence rate was in the summer season followed by spring; winter had the lowest infections. The histopathological examination of infected tissues revealed immune cell infiltration around Cysticercus-infected areas. Additionally, Bax immunostaining demonstrated the apoptotic effect of cysticercosis. Regarding the measured physiological parameters, there were non-significant changes in plasma levels of total protein and albumin in cattle infected with cysticercosis compared with control animals. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) combined with a significant increase in lipid peroxide (Malondialdehyde) (MDA), troponin T, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in infected animals. The present work documented a set of epidemiological and pathological findings, revealing that C. bovis is a potentially harmful parasite and can cause significant health problems in both cattle and humans.

Relationship between Water Quality Parameters and Parasite Infestation in FarmedOreochromis niloticusin Selected Rift Valley Counties, Kenya

Globally, parasitic infections hinder aquaculture productivity and sustainability. Improper water quality parameters reduce fish immunity, make them susceptible to parasites, and enhance parasitic proliferation in culture systems. Subsequently, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of ecto‐ and endo‐parasite infestingOreochromis niloticusin varying water quality in aquaculture systems in Kericho, Bomet, and Nakuru counties. A total of 220Oreochromis niloticussamples were captured from 11 liner ponds, eight earthen ponds, two concrete ponds, and one plastic tank from 22 farms in the three counties. External and internal organs were examined for parasite infestation. Skin scrapings and squash preparation of fish eyes were also examined to reveal the organisms through microscopic examination. A Pearson’s correlation analysis between physicochemical parameters and parasitic prevalence was used to determine the strength and direction of correlation coefficients with significance at 95%. Overall parasitic prevalence infestation was 39.6% (87/220). Ten parasite genera were recovered, withDactylogyrusspecies dominating overall at 15.9% (35/220), followed byTrichodinaspp. (7.7%; 17/220).Epistylisspecies had the highest mean intensity of 12.8 ± 35.7 (total number ofEpistylisparasites (141)/total of infested fish (11)). Earthen ponds had a significantly higher (36.2%, 29/80) prevalence ofDactylogyrussp. than liner ponds (3.6%, 4/110) (p< 0.001). Dissolved oxygen levels were 16.9 ± 0.7 mgL−1in Bomet, 14.9 ± 0.3 mgL−1in Kericho, and 12.5 ± 0.5 mgL−1in Nakuru which were above desirable range for fish culture. The electrical conductivity in Bomet was 76 ± 5 µS/cm and Kericho 52 ± 4 µS/cm below the desirable range. Temperature, pH, phosphate, nitrates, and nitrites were within the desirable limit for fish farming. Electrical conductivity and pH had positive correlation of 1 and 0.97, respectively, with the prevalence ofAcanthocephalus,Euclinostomum, andTrichodinaspecies. Temperature and nitrate positively correlated between 0.80–0.89 and 0.90–0.99, respectively, with the prevalence ofDactylogyrus,Riboscyphidia,Epistylis,Camallanus, andParacamallanusspecies. The study demonstrates that water quality significantly influences parasitic prevalence in aquaculture systems. Therefore, it is crucial for farmers to monitor water quality parameters to mitigate parasitic infestations.

Identifying pests in precision agriculture using low-cost image data acquisition.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), often called drones, have gained progressive prevalence for their swift operational ability as well as their extensive applicability in diverse real-world situations. Of late, UAV usage in precision agriculture has attracted much interest from scientific community. This study will look at drone aid in precise farming. Big data has the ability to analyze enormous amounts of data. Due to this, it is one of the diverse crucial technologies of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which had applied in precision agriculture for the abstraction of critical information as well as for assisting agricultural practitioners in the comprehension of the most feasible farming practices, and also for better decision-making. This work analyses communication protocols, as well as their application toward the challenge of commanding a drone fleet for protecting crops from infestations of parasites. For computer-vision tasks as well as data-intensive applications, the method of deep learning has shown much potential. Due to its vast potential, it can also be used in the field of agriculture. This research will employ several schemes to assess the efficacy of models includes Visual Geometry Group (VGG-16), the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) as well as the Fully-Convolutional Network (FCN) in plant disease detection. The methods of Artificial Immune Systems (AIS) can be used in order to adapt deep neural networks to the immediate situation. Simulated outcomes demonstrate that the proposed method is providing superior performance over various other technologically-advanced methods.

Effect of stall fed system versus grazing system on parasitic infestation and cost economics in Sirohi goats reared in Kymore plateau and Satpura hills region of Madhya Pradesh

Effect of stall fed system versus grazing system on parasitic infestation and cost economics in Sirohi goats reared in Kymore plateau and Satpura hills region of Madhya Pradesh

A Preliminary Study on Ornamental Fish Disease in Telangana State

Ornamental fish, cherished for their beauty and diversity, are susceptible to various diseases that can affect their health and vitality. This review provides an overview of the most common diseases encountered in ornamental fish, their etiology, clinical signs, and management strategies. Among the prevalent diseases are bacterial infections such as columnaris disease, caused by Flavobacterium columnare, and Aeromonas infections, manifesting as ulcers and fin rot. Viral diseases like viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) pose significant threats to ornamental fish populations, leading to systemic hemorrhaging and mortality. Fungal infections, predominantly caused by species of Saprolegnia and Achlya, result in cotton-like growth on the skin and fins. Parasitic infestations by protozoans (e.g., Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), monogeneans (e.g., Gyrodactylus spp.), and crustaceans (e.g., Argulus spp.) are common and can cause significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Environmental stressors, poor water quality, and inadequate husbandry practices often predispose ornamental fish to disease outbreaks.

Ecological factors shaping ectoparasite communities on heteromyid rodents at Médanos de Samalayuca.

Rodent ectoparasites are vectors for important pathogens of wildlife, domestic animals, and even zoonosis. Nevertheless, distribution patterns of ectoparasites are not fully understood; habitat, season, and host species are important predictors of distribution and prevalence. Heteromyid rodents are considered important reservoirs of diseases, given the presence of different ectoparasites and pathogens in them, and they offer the opportunity to learn about the ecology of parasites. The aim of the present work was to survey ectoparasites associated with heteromyid rodents near a National Protected Area in Chihuahua Mexico, south of the USA-Mexico border, and asses the effects of ecological factors (season, vegetation type, host species, and host body condition) on parasite infestation. We sampled five different locations from January 2018 to July 2022; 845 heteromyid rodents were examined and 49 fleas and 33 ticks were collected. Ectoparasites belonged to the Siphonaptera and Ixodida orders, including three families Ixodidae (Riphicephalus sanguineus), Pulicidae (Pulex irritans), and Ctenophthalmidae (Meringins altipecten, M. dipodomys). Five species of host rodents were captured, Dipodomys merriami, D. ordii, Chaetodipus eremicus, C. hispidus, and C. intermedius, but the last two species did not present any ectoparasites. Dipodomys merriami presented the highest flea and tick prevalence followed by D. ordii. We found parasitic partnerships between heteromyids according to ecological factors. The infestation in C. eremicus was related to body condition, vegetation type, and sex; in D. merriami, it was related to vegetation type and season, while D. ordii did not present a clear pattern of infestation. Our results suggest that the infestation patterns of heteromyid rodents in desert habitats are species dependent.

Etiology and pathogenesis of non-infectious hepatopathy in cattle under industrial production conditions

The study of disease etiology plays a critical role in modern veterinary medicine and is of great importance for animal health. Liver pathologies in cattle are of great importance in agriculture. Liver pathologies can have different causes, including infectious diseases, parasitic infestations, and the consequences of poisoning or improper feeding. The search and processing of scientific publications were carried out according to H. Snyder’s recommendations for writing review articles. Only a deep understanding of the causes, mechanisms, and risk factors can lead to the development of effective methods for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver pathologies, which helps improve the productive abilities of cattle.

Updated Investigation on Blood-Borne Parasitic Illnesses and Tick Infestation in Daulatpur, Khulna, Bangladesh: Incidence and Determinants

Updated Investigation on Blood-Borne Parasitic Illnesses and Tick Infestation in Daulatpur, Khulna, Bangladesh: Incidence and Determinants

Study on Hemato-biochemical Alterations, Oxidative Stress and Epidemiology of Parasitic Infestation along with Therapeutic Effect of Eprinomectin in Sheep in South Punjab

Study on Hemato-biochemical Alterations, Oxidative Stress and Epidemiology of Parasitic Infestation along with Therapeutic Effect of Eprinomectin in Sheep in South Punjab

Vermicular enterobius: incidental intraoperative finding during laparoscopic appendectomy

Acute appendicitis is the most common intra-abdominal pathology requiring emergency surgery. The etiology of acute appendicitis includes both infectious and non-infectious causes. Although parasitic diseases are rare in developed countries, they are more common in developing countries. Pinworm is a highly contagious infection, considered to be the most common helminthic infection. The association of this parasitic infestation with the pathogenesis of acute appendicitis has been studied for many years and is still unclear. We report the case of a patient with symptoms of acute appendicitis in whom intramural parasites were discovered during laparoscopic surgery.

Survey of the present health & nutritional status of Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar Island.

Shompens are one of the two mongoloid tribes of Nicobar district. There is little information about their recent health status since the last survey which was conducted in 1998. Hence, a comprehensive health and nutritional survey was conducted in March 2017 to assess the changes. The survey was carried out by a joint team of various organizations including the ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre and Tribal Welfare and Health Department both located in Port Blair. A detailed health and nutrition survey of the Shompen community was planned by deputing a field research team. The survey included demographic data, anthropometric data, clinical examination, screening for the markers of infectious diseases, respiratory pathogens, tuberculosis and haemoglobinopathies. About half of the Shompen adults (both males and females) had a body mass index (BMI) of ≥23. However, Shompen children had a good nutritional status with no child suffering from undernutrition. As per BMI for age, none of the children <5 yr were under-nourished, while in the 5-17 yr group, 12 per cent of children were undernourished. Anaemia prevalence was about 48.3 per cent, with 54 per cent prevalence in females and 43.8 per cent in males. Fungal infection of the skin, acute respiratory infection and abdominal pain were the common morbidities observed. None had active pulmonary tuberculosis. Of 38 Shompens screened for IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies, 42.1 and 18.4 per cent were positive for measles and rubella, respectively. Seroprevalence of Leptospira was 35.5 per cent. The prevalence of hypertension was 13.2 per cent, whereas another 28.9 per cent were pre-hypertensive. The population structure of the Shompen is not skewed and under nutrition was not widely prevalent among the children of <5 yr. The other positive observations were the absence of malaria, filariasis and dengue. However, there was natural infection of measles and rubella. Fungal skin infection and intestinal parasitic infestations were widely prevalent. Although cardiovascular risk profile was low, there were signs of emerging risk of over-weight, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. These together with the high prevalence of smokeless tobacco use may have a serious effect on the cardiovascular disease susceptibility of the Shompen population in the future.