Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine最新文献

Purpose: CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia is a risk for tuberculosis (TB) infection, reactivation and severe disease. We sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of CD4 T-lymphocytopenia among HIV-negative patients with bacteriologically confirmed TB in Uganda.

Patients and methods: Eligible participants were adult HIV-negative patients with bacteriologically confirmed TB at the National TB Treatment Centre in Uganda. CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts were determined by flow cytometry. We defined CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia as a CD4+ T-lymphocyte count of <418 cells/mm³ as per the population estimate for Ugandans. We performed logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia.

Results: We enrolled 216 participants whose mean age (standard deviation (±SD)) was 32.5 (±12.1) years, of whom 146 (67.6%) were males. The prevalence of CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia was 25% (54/216) (95% confidence interval (CI): 19.6-31.2%). Patients with anaemia (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.83, 95% CI: 1.59-9.23, p = 0.003), weight loss (aOR: 3.61, 95% CI: 1.07-12.23, p = 0.039) and a low CD8+ T-cell count (aOR: 6.10, 95% CI: 2.68-13.89, p < 0.001) were more likely to have CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia while those with monocytosis (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14-0.89, p = 0.028) were less likely to have CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia.

Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia among HIV-negative TB patients. Patients with weight loss, anaemia and a low CD8+ count were more likely to have CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia while those with monocytosis were less likely to have CD4+ lymphocytopenia. The findings suggest that CD4+ lymphocytopenia is indicative of severe disease and globally impaired cell-mediated immune responses against TB.

Background: Malaria is increasingly characterized by appreciable fine-scale variability in ecology and topography, and it is likely that we are missing some salient foci with unprecedented malaria transmission intensity in different parts of Tanzania. Therefore, efforts aimed at identifying area-specific malaria situation and intervening are needed to preserve the realized health gains and achieve elimination. Mkuyuni and Kiroka, adjacent wards within Morogoro Rural District, are purported to form one of such foci.

Patients and methods: A retrospective study was conducted to determine six-year (2014-2019) malaria prevalence rates based on outpatients and laboratory registers obtained from two health facilities, one per ward, carrying out diagnosis of malaria either through microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT). These data were checked for completeness before carrying out statistical analysis.

Results: Overall, 35,386 (46.19%) out of 76,604 patients were positive for malaria. The average proportion of malaria cases was significantly higher in Mkuyuni (51.23%; n=19,438) than Kiroka (41.21%; n = 15,938) (P <0.001). Females were more affected than males (P <0.001);, and irrespective of the sex, most malaria cases were recorded in children <5 years of age (P <0.001) except at Mkuyuni. Malaria was recorded virtually all year round; however, the highest proportion of cases was recorded in April and July (P <0.001).

Conclusion: This study revealed high malaria endemicity in Mkuyuni and Kiroka, with prevalence rate as high as 60.98%, which is far higher than the overall national average prevalence of 9%. More studies are needed in these and other putatively high endemic foci in Tanzania in order to inform the future course of action in disease surveillance and control.

Purpose: To assess basic coagulation profiles and platelet count among Schistosoma mansoni-infected and non-infected adults.

Patients and methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2019 at Sanja Primary Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. A total of 200 adults (100 cases and 100 controls) were enrolled using convenient sampling technique. Both wet mount and Kato-Katz techniques were performed using a stool sample. The venous blood sample was collected to perform platelet count, basic coagulation and serological tests. The data were coded and entered into EpiData Manager (v4.4.2.1) and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Nonparametric tests were used during data analysis. P-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and international normalization ratio (INR) were significantly higher while the platelet count was significantly lower in S. mansoni-infected than healthy adults (P <0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the median [IQR] value of PT, APTT, INR and platelet count between light, moderate and heavy infected groups (P <0.05). Infection intensity had a positive correlation with basic coagulation profiles and a negative correlation with platelet count (P <0.05) of S. mansoni-infected adults.

Conclusion: The prevalence of coagulation abnormality was higher in S. mansoni-infected adults than healthy controls. Coagulation test and platelet count should be used to monitor and manage schistosomiasis-related complications.

Background: Fruits and vegetables, which are consumed raw, act as potential sources for the spread of various parasitic diseases. The rate of contamination and species of contaminant parasites varies based on climatic, ecological, and human factors. Therefore, local data about the contamination status and predisposing factors augments efforts for successful control of parasitic diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on fruits and vegetables collected from local markets of Bahir Dar city from February to May 2019. A total of 384 samples were purchased from three randomly selected markets. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of vendors and factors associated with contamination of fruits and vegetables were collected using a structured questionnaire. About 200 g of fruit and vegetable samples were processed for parasites using direct wet mount and modified Zeihl-Neelson staining techniques following standard protocols. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results: Among a total of 384 fruit and vegetable samples purchased from 112 vendors, 150 (39.1%) were contaminated with at least one species of parasite. Lettuce (56.4%) and mango (16.7%) were the most and the least commonly contaminated items respectively. Larva of Strongyloides species (13.5%) was the most frequently detected parasite followed by cysts of Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (12.8%). Contamination was more common in vegetables than fruits (AOR=2.968, p<0.001). Fruits and vegetables purchased from vendors with untrimmed fingernails (AOR=1.966, p=0.006), directly delivered from farmers (AOR=1.883, p=0.040), displayed in bucket with water (AOR=2.676, p=0.017) and those displayed without washing (AOR=5.511, p<0.001) were significantly associated with parasitic contamination.

Conclusion: The level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables in Bahir Dar city is of public health importance. Hence, the public health sector should create public awareness in order to reduce parasitic transmission via fruits and vegetables.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a foremost global public health threat. Active TB control needs geographically accessible health facilities that have quality diagnostics, equipment, supplies, medicines, and staff.

Objective: This study aimed at assessing the geographic distribution, physical accessibility, readiness and barriers of health facilities for TB services in East Gojjam zone, Ethiopia.

Methods: A convergent parallel design was applied using health facility and geographic data. Data on facility attributes, service availability and readiness were collected by inteviewing TB officers, laboratory heads and onsite facility visits. Coordinates of health facilities and kebele centroids were collected by GPS. We used ArcGIS 10.6 to measure Euclidean distance from each kebele centroids to the nearest health facility. Descriptive statistics were computed by using SPSS version 25. Barriers to TB service readiness were explored by in-depth interviews. NVivo12 was used to thematically analyze the qualitative data.

Results: The overall TB health service coverage (THSC) was 23% (ranging: 10-85%). The mean distance from the nearest health facility was 8km (ranging: 0.5-16km). About 132 (32%) kebeles had poor geographic accessibility to TB services (over 10km distance from the nearest health facility) and had poor facility readiness. Although 114 (95%) health facilities offered at least one TB service, 44 (38.6%) of them had no sputum smear microscopy. The overall TB readiness index was 63.5%: first-line anti-TB drugs (97%), diagnostics (63%), trained staffs, diagnostic and treatment guidelines (53%) and laboratory supplies (41%). Lack of health workers (laboratory personnel), inadequate budget, poor management practice and TB program support, inadequate TB commodity suppliers, and less accessible geographic locations of health facilities were identified as barriers to TB service readiness distribution.

Conclusion: Considerable proportion of the population in the study area  have poor access to quality TB diagnostic services due to low THSC and poor facility readiness. Barriers to TB service availability and readiness were health system related. Regular refresher training of health workers on TB, creating mechanisms to attract laboratory personnel to work in the study area and scaling up of sputum smear microscopy services, establishing an efficient mechanism for procurement, distribution, utilization and reporting of TB commodity supplies, and good management practices are crucial to enhance TB service readiness in the study zone.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/RRTM.S227590.].

Tropical diseases remain severe threats to global health with acute or chronic debility. Public health issues are regularly monitored and reported by the WHO. Conditions with high prevalence and virulence such as Schistosomiasis or Malaria still need active treatment. Advances over the decades in the treatment and management of Schistosomiasis have reduced morbidity and mortality in patients. However, poverty, adverse environments, lack of education and awareness, with parasites and vectors that can thrive if uncontrolled, remain issues for the successful global eradication of Schistosomiasis. From the disease's discovery in 1850, the author relates historical details to its current status. Several countries previously affected, including Japan and Tunisia, have eliminated the disease while others seek the same goal. Africa remains the most severely affected continent with vulnerable women and children, although the infection persists in South America and the Far East of Asia as well. Realistic improvements for continuing health conditions are vogue and emphasized for those at risk or afflicted by the infection, illustrating success models of concerted efforts of extirpation. Constant proximity to infected water, with a parasite host, are hurdles in reducing exposure. Effective medication for acute treatment is available, and prophylaxis by vaccination is promising. Where endemic Schistosomiasis is prevalent, significant morbidity and mortality have far-reaching complications in multiple human organ systems, including irreversible pulmonary hypertension, renal, genitourinary, central nervous system conditions, and neoplasia. Two hundred and thirty million people are estimated to have contracted Schistosomiasis globally, with up to 700 million still at risk of infection, and 200,000 deaths occur annually. The disease may be more prevalent than thought after newer tests have shown increased sensitivity to pathological antigens. The author discusses infectivity risks, investigations, prognosis, treatment, and management, as well as morbidity and mortality.