scholarly journals Q fever seroprevalence in Australia suggests one in twenty people have been exposed

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. Gidding ◽  
C. Q. Peng ◽  
S. Graves ◽  
P. D. Massey ◽  
C. Nguyen ◽  
...  

Abstract Q fever (caused by Coxiella burnetii) is thought to have an almost world-wide distribution, but few countries have conducted national serosurveys. We measured Q fever seroprevalence using residual sera from diagnostic laboratories across Australia. Individuals aged 1–79 years in 2012–2013 were sampled to be proportional to the population distribution by region, distance from metropolitan areas and gender. A 1/50 serum dilution was tested for the Phase II IgG antibody against C. burnetii by indirect immunofluorescence. We calculated crude seroprevalence estimates by age group and gender, as well as age standardised national and metropolitan/non-metropolitan seroprevalence estimates. Of 2785 sera, 99 tested positive. Age standardised seroprevalence was 5.6% (95% confidence interval (CI 4.5%–6.8%), and similar in metropolitan (5.5%; 95% CI 4.1%–6.9%) and non-metropolitan regions (6.0%; 95%CI 4.0%–8.0%). More males were seropositive (6.9%; 95% CI 5.2%–8.6%) than females (4.2%; 95% CI 2.9%–5.5%) with peak seroprevalence at 50–59 years (9.2%; 95% CI 5.2%–13.3%). Q fever seroprevalence for Australia was higher than expected (especially in metropolitan regions) and higher than estimates from the Netherlands (2.4%; pre-outbreak) and US (3.1%), but lower than for Northern Ireland (12.8%). Robust country-specific seroprevalence estimates, with detailed exposure data, are required to better understand who is at risk and the need for preventive measures.

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meriem Bencharif ◽  
Ibrahim Sersar ◽  
Maroua Bentaleb ◽  
Fatima Zohra Boutata ◽  
Youcef Benabbas

Abstract Background and aims: The diabetic exempted from fasting by religion, wishing or not to observe the fast, is exposed like any other during Ramadan to a change in lifestyle. The objective of this study was to highlight the effects of Ramadan fasting on diabetes. Material and methods: Multicentre study on 899 diabetics was carried to collect data on the behaviour of diabetics with regard to the fast of Ramadan, biochemicals and anthropometry parameters. Results. The sample consists of 541 diabetic fasters (DTMF) and 358 no fasters. The causes of interruption of fasting were: hypoglycemia (82.4%), dehydration (44.5%), hyperglycemia (12.6%), high blood pressure (13.7%), loss of consciousness (8.3%). The risk factors related to fasting for DTMF were the type of diabetes and gender. Discussion and modifications about dietary, blood glucose monitoring and nutritional education sessions showed a protective effect against the occurrence of hypo and hyperglycemia and loss of consciousness. Decreasing differences were noted for Hb1Ac, LDL and Total-Cholesterol between before and after Ramadan. The weight of DTMF decreased in post-Ramadan (p=0.0000). Conclusion. There is a need to consider regular preventive measures based on public information on the effects of diabetes related complications and the benefits of a balanced diet combined with regular physical activity in nutrition education sessions.


1974 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makram N. Kaiser ◽  
Harry Hoogstraal ◽  
George E. Watson

AbstractMore or less cursory examination of migrating birds in Cyprus revealed 115 of 2580 southward (fall) migrants and 177 of 22015 northward (spring) migrants to be infested by 167 and 797 ticks, respectively. Most ticks on fall migrants were Hyalomma marginatum marginatum Koch; others were Ixodes frontalis (Panz.), I. ricinus (L.), Haemaphysalis concinna Koch, and H. punctata C. & F., all representative of the Eurasian fauna. Most ticks on spring migrants were H. m. rufipes Koch; others were Amblyomma lepidum Dön., A. nuttalli Dön., and A. variegatum (F.), representative of sub-Saharan Africa, and Argas streptopelia Kaiser, Hoogst. & Horner, Ixodes eldaricus Dzhaparidze, and I. redikorzevi Olen. which probably attached to the hosts in the eastern Mediterranean area. In Africa and Eurasia, 16 arboviruses have been recorded from eight of these tick species, and also the agents of boutonneuse fever, Siberian tick typhus, Q fever, and tularaemia. The epidemiological potential of migrating birds is enhanced by the multiplicity of pathogens that may infect them and the biological diversity of ticks that may infest them. The remarkably wide distribution of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Africa and Eurasia is likely to be due to intercontinental carriage of the virus and ticks by migrating birds.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swochhal Prakash Shrestha ◽  
Krishna Kaphle ◽  
Yuvraj Panth ◽  
Swoyam Prakash Shrestha

With upto 75% of all human disease being zoonotic in origin, proper study of the diseases is necessary to prevent any outbreak or human loss. More studies are required for developing countries like Nepal where there are no appropriate provisions for situations after breakouts. One such little known sporadic zoonosis is Q-fever. Q-fever (Coxiellosis) is caused by Gram-negative bacterium Coxiella burnetii that infect cattle and other ruminants with serious concerns for developing reproductive disorders and flu-like symptoms in human. There have been reports of undifferentiated febrile illness of Rickettsial cause in human and seroprevalence of Coxiella antibodies in goats of Chitwan and dairy cattle of Rupandehi for the first time. Low infectious dose and high resistivity to environment makes the disease more potent. Q-fever continues to be unexplored in Nepal despite its identification in neighboring countries like India. Thus, this paper after reviewing related articles from various journals, proceedings and magazines from online sources like Google Scholar, Mendeley, NCBI and PubMed is aimed to evaluate current status of disease, its epidemiology, zoonotic potential and preventive measures that can be adopted to minimize the threat of the disease as much as possible.


2007 ◽  
Vol 136 (7) ◽  
pp. 972-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. PUNDA-POLIĆ ◽  
B. LUKŠIĆ ◽  
V. ČAPKUN

SUMMARYWe determined the epidemiological features of three zoonoses in hospitalized patients in southern Croatia. Patients were diagnosed by serological testing. Clinical and epidemiological data were also collected. Between 1982 and 2002, Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) was diagnosed in 126 (incidence rate 1·27/100 000 per year), murine typhus (MT), in 57 (incidence rate 0·57/100 000 per year), and Q fever in 170 (incidence rate 1·7/100 000 per year) patients. MSF and Q fever were characterized by a marked seasonality. Incidences of Q fever and of MSF were higher for males than for females (P<0·0001 andP=0·0024, respectively). The most frequent of the three zoonoses in children was MSF. Q fever and MT cases were mostly seen in the 21–50 years age group. We found no statistically significant differences between season- and gender-specific incidence rates of MT. Whereas infections due to rickettsiae decreased, the incidence of Q fever increased over the last 12 years of the study.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Jabbar Kadhim Al-Ghizzi ◽  
Israa Khudhair Abbas ◽  
Suaad Muhammed Hassan Rasheed ◽  
Falah Abdulhasan Deli

Infection is presumed to have a rule in the promotion of asthma exacerbations, and in deterioration of the course of the disease, Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is claimed to be a possible cause for these two issues. To assess the positivity and the titer of C. pneumoniae IgG antibodies in relation to the state of asthma and its severity. 61 asthmatic patients aged 15-85 years (mean of 47.10±14.887), and 29 apparently healthy, nonasthmatic age and gender-matched volunteers (control group) were assessed as at Asthma and Allergy Clinic in Al-Sader Medical City in AL-Najaf province, Chlamydia Pneumoniae IgG ELISA Kit was used for the detection of IgG antibody to C. Pneumoniae in human serum to detect chronic infection, and Spirometric test was done, and the best results for FEV1 and PEFR were taken. IgG antichlamydial antibodies were positive in 21 (34.4%) of patients compared to 4 (13.8%) of controls, and the difference was significant with OR=3.281, the seropositivity in acute exacerbation was more than in stable asthmatic, 43.8% vs. 24.1% (P=0.029), seropositivity was nonsignificantly more in moderate and severe asthma as compared with mild asthma, a significant inverse correlation between IgG titer and pulmonary function test parameters (FEV1, PEFR) was observed as the FEV1 & PEFR values decrease with increase IgG titer. Chronic C. pneumoniae infection is common in adult asthmatics and correlated with exacerbations & increased severity and disturbed lung function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-184
Author(s):  
Carlos Arturo Torres-Gastelú

One of the educational challenges faced by Latin American universities is the development of digital citizenship competence in their students on issues of digital identity, security and privacy online. The aim of the study was to identify the perception of Mexican and Colombian university students towards the preventive measures of online privacy. For that purpose, a mixed-cut study was carried out. For the quantitative part, a survey made up of 20 items was applied to 1,245 university students. Meanwhile, for the qualitative part, 42 university students were asked to answer open questions. The quantitative analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics for data by country and gender. In order to test the hypotheses about the existence of significant differences, the Kruskal-Wallis test was chosen. While for the qualitative part, the university student responses were transcribed, the information was organized, and the main contributions of the students were presented. The results indicate that Mexican and Colombian university students have a favorable attitude towards preventive measures of online privacy. No significant differences were detected in the items on preventive measures of online privacy with respect to the variables Country, and Gender. The stories of the university student show a late development in the attitudes and skills regarding preventive measures of online privacy that begins with entering university, and that is consolidated over time. In addition, inconsistencies were detected between the favorable attitude expressed by students towards a broad use of online care with respect to the informants' narratives. Keywords: comparative studies, digital competence, digital citizenship, online privacy, university students


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 585-596
Author(s):  
Rana Haq ◽  
Alain Klarsfeld ◽  
Angela Kornau ◽  
Faith Wambura Ngunjiri

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the diversity and equality perspectives from the national context of India and introduce a special issue about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in India.Design/methodology/approachThis special issue consists of six articles on current EDI issues in India. The first three of the contributions are focused on descriptions of diversity challenges and policies regarding caste and disabilities, while the remaining three papers address gender diversity.FindingsIn addition to providing an overview of this issue's articles, this paper highlights developments and current themes in India's country-specific equality and diversity scholarship. Drawing on the special issue's six papers, the authors show the relevance of Western theories while also pointing to the need for reformulation of others in the context of India.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors conclude with a call to further explore diversity in India and to develop locally relevant, culture-sensitive theoretical frameworks. Religious and economic diversity should receive more attention in future diversity management scholarship in the Indian context.Originality/valueHow does India experience equality and diversity concepts? How are India's approaches similar or different from those experienced in other countries? How do theoretical frameworks originated in the West apply in India? Are new, locally grounded frameworks needed to better capture the developments at play? These questions are addressed by the contributions to this special issue.


Author(s):  
Elisabeth Paul ◽  
Céline Deville ◽  
Oriane Bodson ◽  
N’koué Emmanuel Sambiéni ◽  
Ibrahima Thiam ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Equity seems inherent to the pursuance of universal health coverage (UHC), but it is not a natural consequence of it. We explore how the multidimensional concept of equity has been approached in key global UHC policy documents, as well as in country-level UHC policies. Methods We analysed a purposeful sample of UHC reports and policy documents both at global level and in two Western African countries (Benin and Senegal). We manually searched each document for its use and discussion of equity and related terms. The content was summarised and thematically analysed, in order to comprehend how these concepts were understood in the documents. We distinguished between the level at which inequity takes place and the origin or types of inequities. Results Most of the documents analysed do not define equity in the first place, and speak about “health inequities” in the broad sense, without mentioning the dimension or type of inequity considered. Some dimensions of equity are ambiguous – especially coverage and financing. Many documents assimilate equity to an overall objective or guiding principle closely associated to UHC. The concept of equity is also often linked to other concepts and values (social justice, inclusion, solidarity, human rights – but also to efficiency and sustainability). Regarding the levels of equity most often considered, access (availability, coverage, provision) is the most often quoted dimension, followed by financial protection. Regarding the types of equity considered, those most referred to are socio-economic, geographic, and gender-based disparities. In Benin and Senegal, geographic inequities are mostly pinpointed by UHC policy documents, but concrete interventions mostly target the poor. Overall, the UHC policy of both countries are quite similar in terms of their approach to equity. Conclusions While equity is widely referred to in global and country-specific UHC policy documents, its multiple dimensions results in a rather rhetorical utilisation of the concept. Whereas equity covers various levels and types, many global UHC documents fail to define it properly and to comprehend the breadth of the concept. Consequently, perhaps, country-specific policy documents also use equity as a rhetoric principle, without sufficient consideration for concrete ways for implementation.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Maryam Moghani Lankarani

BACKGROUND The mechanisms that link diabetes to disability may vary across populations. OBJECTIVE This study investigated gender by place differences in the behavioral and medical mechanisms behind the link between diabetes (DM) and disability in eight countries. METHODS We borrowed data from Research on Early Life and Aging Trends and Effects (RELATE). This analysis included adults from eight countries including Barbados, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Uruguay. Diabetes was the independent variable, disability (activities of daily living) was the dependent variable, socioeconomics, obesity, health behaviors, and comorbidities were covariates, and gender was the moderator. We used country by gender specific- logistic regressions to test the effect of DM on disability after adjusting for socioeconomics (Model 1), socioeconomics, health behaviors, and obesity (Model 2), and socioeconomics, obesity, health behaviors, and medical comorbid conditions (Model 3). RESULTS Gender by country specific patterns of association between DM and disability were observed in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Cuba. In Puerto Rico, in men, DM – ADL could be explained by health behaviors and obesity, for women, however, the impact of DM on ADL was above all confounders for women. In Mexico, for men, DM was not associated with disability, however, for women, there was a link which could be explained by health behaviors and obesity. In Brazil, for men, DM – ADL limitation link could be fully explained by health behaviors and obesity, for women, however, DM was not associated with ADL at all. In Chile, for men, DM was not associated with ADL limitation, for women, however, there was an association between DM and ADL limitation which could not be explained by health behaviors, obesity, or comorbid medical conditions. In Cuba, for men, health behaviors and obesity fully mediated the effect of DM on ADL, for women, however, this link was mediated by comorbid medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS Gender by place differences exist in the link between DM and disability, as well as behavioral and medical mechanisms behind such link. These findings advocate for the intersectionality approach in studying burden of illnesses such as DM.


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