Seroprevalence Research Articles

Molecular and Sero Prevalence of Tuberculosis among children presented with chronic cough in public hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan

Molecular and Sero Prevalence of Tuberculosis among children presented with chronic cough in public hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan

Risk factors and prevalence of toxocariasis in pregnant women and diabetic patients compared to healthy adults in Ilam province, western Iran.

Toxocara is one of the common intestinal nematodes in dogs and cats and is the agent of tissue migratory larvae in humans. Customarily, the prevalence of human toxocariasis hovers around 15.8 % in Iran. Furthermore, other research outcomes demonstrated a tendency for an outbreak of toxocariasis in Iran. Therefore, we carried out a cross-sectional study and assessed the seroprevalence of toxocariasis humans in Ilam Province, western of Iran. A total of 539 serum samples were collected between September 2017 and March 2018 from patients referred to the Health Centers of Ilam province, Iran. Serum samples were investigated for the presence of Toxocara using IgG antibodies, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kit. Risk factors such as contact with cats and dogs, living in rural areas were investigated among the study population. Out of 539 total samples collected, 97 cases (17.99 %) were positive for anti-toxocara IgG antibodies. These antibodies were recovered from serum samples of otherwise healthy adults (15.54 %, 49/296), pregnant women (21.16 %, 40/189) and diabetic patients (14.81 %, 8/54). This study showed significant relationship between toxocariasis and contact with animal pets in all studied groups (P value ≤ 0.05) and a significant relationship between toxocariasis and living in rural areas among pregnant women (P value ≤ 0.05).

Detection of Antibody to Burkholderia pseudomallei in Captive and Wild Macaques

Melioidosis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the saprophytic Burkholderia pseudomallei, which infects human and various range of animal species. Septicaemia and pneumonia in human patients often lead to death when the patient is not treated. The disease is spread in tropical areas, especially in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, but in Indonesia the cases are poorly reported. This research provides serological evidence of antibodies to B. pseudomallei in both captive and wild nonhuman primates captured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma samples were taken from a total of 390 monkeys both in captivities and in wild habitat. The seroprevalence varies from 11%-80% . The findings showed that infection by B. pseudomallei in both captive and wild macaques has reached an alarming level and requires further studies.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among school children in Al Qulubia governorate

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among apparently healthy Egyptian school children. Background H. pylori infection has a widespread distribution, but the prevalence varies between developed and developing countries. Patients and methods A series of 400 apparently healthy children attending basic schools were included in our study. Serum samples were withdrawn and assayed for the presence of anti-H. pylori antibody (immunoglobulin G) measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, and studied for the effect of age, sex, and socioeconomic background. The children's ages ranged from 6 to 13 years. All infected patients were treated successfully. Results The overall H. pylori seroprevalence in the study was 44% (176/400), and the frequency of seropositive cases increased highly significantly with advance in age. In a trial to study the risk factors for acquisition of H. pylori infection in our cases, we found a highly significant difference between seropositive and seronegative cases regarding socioeconomic status, family income, educational status of the parents, and occupational status of the parents (P = 0.001). On the other hand, we found no significant differences between seropositive and seronegative cases regarding sex and water supply (P = 0.304). Conclusion H. pylori is acquired in early childhood and the prevalence increases with age. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Qulubia, Egypt, was substantially higher compared with developed countries and more or less within the range detected in developing countries, especially in African countries.

Leptospirosis: Seroprevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic view in a tertiary care center in North India

INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with clinical manifestations, ranging from subclinical infection to fulminant disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the seroprevalence, various epidemiological risk factors, and diagnostic aspects of leptospirosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-one clinically suspected individuals were enrolled in the study at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, AMU, Aligarh, during January 2013–May 2014. A detailed history of patients was taken on a predesigned pro forma. Blood sample was collected from the patients, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were done for diagnosis. The patients' details were also scored according to the modified Faine's criteria. RESULTS: Of 171 patients, 24 (14.1%) cases were diagnosed positive by IgM ELISA. Contact with dirty surroundings, fieldworkers, history of animal contact, and use of public bathing facilities/ponds were associated with 20 (83.3%), 20 (83.3%) 19 (79.2%), and 18 (75%) cases, respectively. Fifteen (62.5%) cases were diagnosed during July–September (P = 0.004). Fever, myalgia, and abdominal pain were the common symptoms. Calf tenderness was seen in 22 cases (P 25. CONCLUSIONS: Dirty surroundings, fieldworkers, animal contact, and heavy rainfall are the major epidemiological risk factors for leptospirosis. Modified Faine's criteria may play a useful role in diagnosis for a patient with low clinical score.

Seroprevalence and clinical manifestations of scrub typhus infection in Chennai city: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Scrub typhus is a zoonotic rickettsial illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and has been reported from Southeast Asia, the Asian Pacific Rim, and Australia. It is an emerging pathogen in Southern India, especially in the urban setting. The objective of this study was to identify scrub typhus infection among febrile patients and to identify clinical manifestations related to the disease. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, febrile patients who presented to the Department of Experimental Medicine at the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University between November 2015 and February 2016 were enrolled. Demographics and clinical manifestations were recorded using a semi-structured questionnaire. Serum was separated from 2 ml of blood sample for testing. The Scrub Typhus Detect ELISA test was performed as per manufacturer's instructions. Statistical data analysis was done. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were enrolled and their age ranged from 4 to 80 years with a mean of 30 years. Nearly 56% were males. Ig M antibodies for O. tsutsugamushi were present in 23% of cases. Most (65%) of the positive patients were females. About 48% positives for scrub typhus were 4–20 years old. Clinical presentations in these patients were fever (100%), myalgia (73.9%), headache (65.2%), nausea (60.9%), cough (60.9%), abdominal pain (52.2%), vomiting (47.8%), breathlessness (39.1%), diarrhea (34.8%), and decreased urine output (26.1%). Eschar was seen in 7 patients of whom 2 were positive for scrub typhus. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 23% of febrile patients were positive for scrub typhus infection. Therefore, it needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses in Chennai city.

Male-Female Differences in Sexual Behaviors and HIV Sero Prevalence among Workers in Socializing Places: Results from PLACE Survey, Uganda

Male-Female Differences in Sexual Behaviors and HIV Sero Prevalence among Workers in Socializing Places: Results from PLACE Survey, Uganda

Seroprevalance of Brucella abortus in cattle and buffaloes in district Rajanpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Seroprevalance of Brucella abortus in cattle and buffaloes in district Rajanpur, Punjab, Pakistan

Correction: Dengue seroprevalence and force of primary infection in a representative population of urban dwelling Indonesian children.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005621.].

Sero Prevalence of Brucellosis in Pregnant Women Visiting Gynaecology Department of Kathmandu Model Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal

Sero Prevalence of Brucellosis in Pregnant Women Visiting Gynaecology Department of Kathmandu Model Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis in Butchers, Veterinarians and Slaughterhouse Workers in Hamadan, Western Iran.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella species via infected domestic animals. In endemic areas, certain occupations such as veterinarians, butchers, and slaughterhouse workers are considered high risk regarding brucellosis. We evaluated the seroprevalence of brucellosis in high-risk occupations in Hamadan, West of Iran. a cross-sectional study. Overall, 218 participants from 2014 to 2015 were enrolled. A questionnaire including demographic data, length of employment, and using personal protective equipment was completed for each of them. Then, blood samples were taken and sent to Hamadan Health Center to be tested by Wright or standard tube agglutination (STA). In addition, samples with positive Wright test were examined by 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) test. Then, seropositive participants were evaluated for clinical manifestations of brucellosis. All collected data were analyzed by SPSS ver. 16. The mean age of the participants was 42.79±11.16 yr and all seropositive cases were male. Based on Wright ≥1/80 and 2ME ≥1/40, seroprevalence of brucellosis was 13.3% and 12.3%, respectively. The use of personal protective equipment was low among individuals with or without brucellosis. Myalgia, fatigue, back pain, joint pain, night sweats, fever, malaise, and headache were common symptoms in seropositive cases. Moreover, 20.6% of the seropositive participants were asymptomatic. High prevalence of brucellosis in these occupational groups and symptomatic disease in significant numbers of them, so periodic clinical examinations in these groups seems to be essential for brucellosis surveillance system.

Small Ruminant Brucellosis and Awareness of Pastoralists Community about Zoonotic Importance of the Disease in Yabello districts of Borena Zone Oromia Regional State, Southern Ethiopia

Brucellosis is zoonotic disease affecting the wellbeing of human and animals mainly in developing countries. Small ruminants are important domestic animals highly adaptable to broad range of environmental conditions and income source for poor households. Cross sectional study was carried out on a total of 283 (99 sheep and 184 goat) from October 2016 and April 2017 to estimate sero prevalence of small ruminant brucellosis. In addition, structured questionnaire was also administered to 126 respondents of 10 PA's to assess community awareness about zoonotic importance of diseases. The overall sero prevalence of brucellosis in small ruminant was 23 (8.1%) (95%CI: 5.2, 11.9) byc-ELISA. The individual species sero-prevalence of Brucellosis was 9.2 (95%CI: 5.5, 14.4) and 6.1(95%CI: 2.3, 12.7) in goat and sheep respectively. Among 126, 112(88.9) of community have no knowledge about zoonotic importance of Brucellosis and ways of transmission of disease where as 14(11.1%) of them have awareness about a disease. Consequently, they handle all aborted fetus; support their animal during parturition by bare hand without any protective clothing, consume raw milk and animal blood. This suggests high risk of human brucellosis in the study area. In addition, physicians have no awareness about the disease they don't consider Brucellosis while treating patient submitted to health post with suggestive clinical sign Brucellosis. Therefore, integrated human and veterinary doctors' disease control strategy should be developed and applied to control disease both in human and animals.

English

Cross-sectional study was conducted from December, 2008 to April, 2009 to determine the sero prevalence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus in West and South West Shoa zones of Oromia regional state, central Ethiopia. The samples were processed with the 3 ABC ELISA kits that can able to identify natural infected animal from vaccinated animals. From the total sera of 421 tested, the overall sero prevalence of FMD in cattle was 15.0% (63/421). The prevalence rate was higher (22%) in the South west shoa zone than West shoa zone (5.6%). The difference was statistically significant (ρ<0.05). At district level, the highest sero prevalence were recorded at Dawo (26.7%), Alemgana (26.2%), Kokir (24.4%) and Haramaya (21.4%) districts, which were located at south west shoa zone. The difference among districts were statistically significant (ρ<0.05). Statistically difference was also observed between different age groups (ρ<0.05); being higher in adult (19.3%) followed by calves (9.3%). The sero prevalence of male and female were 16.0 and 14.1%, respectively, and which was not statistically significant (ρ>0.05). The sero prevalence of FMD was found higher in mid highland (16.8%) than highland attitude (6.7%) which was statistically significant (ρ<0.05). The result of this study indicated that FMD is highly prevalent in the South West Shoa zone than West Shoa zone due to contact of different origin of animals, and free animals movement in search of feed and water in zone. Age and attitude were also found as an important risk factor for the diseases. Finally, it is recommended that, sero typing of the virus circulating in the study area should be undertaken for effective control of the disease. Key words: FMD, Sero prevalence, West Shoa, South west shoa, 3 ABC ELSA.

Sero-Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis Infection Among Pregnant Mothers Attended Labor Ward at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching Referral Hospital: A Five-Year Retrospective Study (2012-2016)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV and Syphilis infections are the major public health problem in the developing countries. The prevalence of syphilis and HIV infections among pregnant women has been shown to vary by geographic areas, study population and time-period. Objective: The aim of study was to assess sero prevalence of HIV and syphilis and associated factors among pregnant women attended labor ward at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital. Method: Retrospective study was conducted using standard extraction format to assess the sero-prevalence of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women attending labor ward of WSTRH. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0 software and result was summarized using means and percentages and presented by using figure and tables. Descriptive statistics were used. Result: Overall prevalence of sexually transmitted infection among pregnant women in labor was 7.4% from these HIV sero-prevalence accounts for 3.8% and VDRL positivity enumerates to be 3.7%. HIV-syphilis co-infection was found to be 0.9%. Higher sero-prevalence of HIV, syphilis and co-infection rate was reported in 2016, among age category of 35-44 years. Conclusion and recommendation: Significant percentage of HIV, syphilis sero-prevalence and co-infection rate was found in this study with increased proportion in 2016. Strong antenatal screening and appropriate strategies should be devised for prevention and control of HIV, syphilis, in women of reproductive age.

Sero-Epidemiological Study on Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus Infection in Goats in Two Localities in Egypt

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) is a chronic viral disease of domestic goats caused by a member of lentivirus of the family Retroviridae. In this study. The prevalence of caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in two governorates in Egypt was investigated. A total of 176 serum samples were collected from local (Egyptian Nubian, Egyptian baladi which is the native breed) and foreign breeds (barki and shami) of goats from ten flocks from different localities in Behera and Alexandria governorates. Enzyme-linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for detection of anti –p28 antibodies directed against CAEV. Sero prevalence on the herd level was 30% (3/10 herds were positive). Sero prevalence on the individual level was 8.52%. All sero positive animals were from the breed Barki (15/106) at a percentage of 14.15%. Higher percentages of positive animals were recorded in females and at age between 4-5 years. All serologically positive cases (15) were in animals raised by open system (132), at a percentage of 11.36%. There was 100% correlation between the results of ELISA test in caprine serum and milk whey samples. In conclusion: The best of our knowledge this is the first study recorded the presence of caprine arthritis encephalitis in Egypt and further study to characterize the virus and wider seroprevalence study is required. The Milk whey ELISA test proved to be accurate simple non-invasive technique for surveillance of the disease on herd bases.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infections among individuals attending tobruk medical center, Tobruk, Eastern Libya: Declining trends after 2011

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infections among individuals attending tobruk medical center, Tobruk, Eastern Libya: Declining trends after 2011

Toxoplasmosis prevalence in Egyptian diabetic patients

Background Infection with Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasitic infections in humans worldwide. Nearly one-third of individuals worldwide have been exposed to this parasite. Diabetes mellitus is an important factor that increases the susceptibility and risk of various infestations in the host. Objective This study aimed to shed light on and evaluate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in diabetic patients. Patients and methods T. gondii antibodies were tested serologically in 50 patients with diabetes mellitus and 50 apparently healthy individuals as controls using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results The seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies in the study groups was 46% in diabetic patients (group I) and 24% in the control group (group II), with P value of 0.03 indicating a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Only one patient in the diabetic group (group I) was positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM, with P value of 0.98, showing no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion The seropositivity for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in diabetic patients was found to be higher than that in nondiabetic patients. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies 46 versus 24% (P=0.03).

Burden of human brucellosis and risk factors in animal-human interface: A case study in Mikumi-Selous ecosystem, Morogoro Tanzania

Fever causing zoonoses such as brucellosis are common in sub-Saharan countries and rarely routinely diagnosed in patients with febrile conditions. The aim of this cross sectional study was to establish the burden and risk factors of human brucellosis in animal-human interface areas in Mikumi-Selous ecosystem, Tanzania. The study was undertaken from January 2011 to February 2012. Brucellosis screening was carried out by Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) in serum from fever (n=1509) and none fever (n=298) patients attending at selected health facilities. The overall sero-prevalence of brucellosis in human was 20.5% (95% CI: 18.7-22.5, n=1807). A highly significant ( P = 0.0001) infection rate was found in fever group 23.9% (n = 1509) than individuals in non-fever group (3.7%). Mvomero district had higher prevalence ( P = 0.0001, OR = 1.42) (36.1%) than other districts. Questionnaires were administered to 369 brucellosis screened respondents in their households. It was found that contact with cattle manure, milking work, and contact with placenta during assisted parturition and home slaughter were the significant risk factors for transmission of brucellosis by direct contact. However, consumption of raw unpasteurized milk, undercooked or raw meat and raw blood constituted a major threat of brucellosis to the community in the study area. Brucellosis is prevalent in human distributed in all districts posing a health threat to pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Participatory intervention through One-Health approach coupled with effective mass vaccination program in animals is vital for control and eradication of the disease. Keywords: Brucellosis, humans, animals, Mikumi-Selous Ecosystem, risk factors

Determination of polymorphism of IS-1311 sequence in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis strains isolated from milk samples.

The study was aimed at the genetic typing of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) with PCR-REA method based on the polymorphism of IS-1311 sequence. MAP strains were isolated from milk samples collected from cows free of disease symptoms and anti-MAP antibodies. Samples of udder milk were collected from 310 cows originating from the herd with a low seroprevalence of paratuberculosis; every 5 samples were pooled. The polymorphism typing of the IS-1311 sequence of the isolated strains demonstrated the presence of two types of the mycobacterium: sheep and cattle ones, of which the bovine type constituted 98.5%.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus among blood donors in northern Italy (Sondrio, Lombardy) determined by three different assays.

Authorship contributions CG, CV, ARZ and LR contributed to study design, development and interpretation of data. CG, ARZ and LR contributed to the writing of the manuscript drafts. LF collected the samples. CT carried out the serological test. All authors critically reviewed and revised the manuscript drafts, approved the final version of the manuscript and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and accuracy of data analysis. The Authors declare no conflicts of interest.