Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

391-395

Authors: Chadaporn Inta, Tawatchai Apidechkul, Siriyaporn Sittisarn, Pilasinee Wongnuch, Pussadee Laor, Yanasinee Suma, Korakot Chansareewittaya

Objective: To determine the factors associated with hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) among children in day care center in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Methods: A community based case-control study was conducted to identify the factors associated with HFMD among the children under 6 years old who had been cared for in day care centers in Chiang Rai Province. A 47-item questionnaire had been developed and tested for validity and reliability before use. Index of item-objective congruence (IOC) method was used to evaluate the quality of the questionnaire. The items of questionnaire consisted of various aspects including age, sex, history of vaccination, history of breastfeeding, history of treatment, etc. Data were analyzed in the logistic regression model at alpha = 0.05 to identify the association between variables. Results: Totally, 380 subjects (125 cases and 255 controls) from 40 day care centers were recruited in the present study. Among the parents, 77.1% were female, 76.6% were aged 20–59 years old, 30.1% graduated at primary level, and 87.1% were Buddhist. Among the children, 53.8% were male, 58.7% were aged 3–4 years old, and 13.3% were overweight. After control for all possible confounding factors in the multiple logistic regression, two factors were associated with HFMD: children aged < 2 years old had a greater chance (6.35 times) to develop HFMD than those aged > 5 years old (95% CI = 1.37–29.38), and children who had been breastfed for less than 6 months had a greater chance (1.97 times) to develop HFMD than those who had a history of being breastfed ≥ 6 months (95% CI = 1.01–3.81). Conclusions: A specific prevention and control measure for HFMD should be developed and implemented. Breastfeeding young children for more than 6 months should be encouraged.

401-404

Authors: Avinash Ramkrishna Deoshatwar, Deepti Parashar, Mangesh Damodar Gokhale, Ashwini More

Objective: To investigate the Chikungunya outbreak in rural Talegaon Dhamdhere Town of Pune City in Western Maharashtra in October–November 2012. Methods: Samples were collected from people who experienced fever and joint pains since a month ago. Clinical information was collected and entomological investigations were carried out in affected areas. Blood samples collected from hospital and clinics during the outbreak were tested for CHIKV using IgM ELISA (NIV kit), nested RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR. Age specific attack rates were calculated for the epidemic. Results: The overall attack rate for this outbreak was 4.64/1 000 population. The Breteau Index of the area was 12.0 and Adult House Index was 6.2%. A total of 63.6% samples were positive for CHIKV by either ELISA or PCR. Sequence analysis of the partial E1 gene in 4 representative samples found an alanine residue at position 226 of the E1 protein, showing that the CHIKV strain belonged to the ECSA genotype. Conclusions: The epidemic with low transmission intensity was experienced by this area from the western region of the state. This indicates probability of such outbreaks in areas that have witnessed larger Chikungunya outbreaks in the past. Sero-prevalence studies and surveillance for Chikungunya in wide areas of such regions will help formulate well directed policies.

411-417

Authors: Alfred Akpu, Iniobong Chukwuebuka Ikenna Ugochukwu, Emmanuel Ikenna Ugochukwu

Objective: To evaluate the haematological parameters and assess the comparatively mild, moderate and severe effects of trypanosomiasis and ancylostomiasis on local dog breeds. Methods: Diagnosis of trypanosomiasis was based on clinical signs and presence of Trypanosoma congolense in wet mount of infected animals. Diagnosis of ancylostomiasis was based on clinical signs and presence of Ancylostoma caninum eggs in fecal samples. Fecal samples were examined using modified McMaster technique. Haematological parameters assessed were packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HbC), total leucocyte counts and differential leucocyte counts. Results: The severity of anaemia produced was graded into mild, moderate and severe. The infected dogs with mild trypanosomiasis and ancylostomiasis had slightly elevated temperatures. Other symptoms observed included dullness, depression, muscular weakness and pale mucous membranes. The infected dogs with mild ancylostomiasis also showed anorexia. The mean PCV and HbC values for mild infections with T. congolense and A. caninum were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of normal dogs. The mean total WBC counts for both mild trypanosomiasis and ancylostomiasis were within the normal range when compared with the values for normal dogs. In all the cases of trypanosomiasis and ancylostomiasis, the total differential counts of monocytes were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the normal values. There were obvious clinical signs such as pyrexia, anaemia, enlarged lymph nodes, subcutaneous oedema and occasional ophthalmitis for most of the dogs with severe trypanosomiasis. The mean PCV and HbC values of severe trypanosomiasis and ancylostomiasis were significantly lower than the normal values and also lower than all other cases of the disease condition. Anaemia was associated with both disease conditions but more severe in acute cases of trypanosomiasis. Conclusions: This study shows that dogs in this area are at risk of trypanosome infection all the year round, although the incidence of infection is the highest during the rainy season. Understanding on the causes of the changes in the composition of the blood in mixed infections of trypanosomiasis and ancylostomiasis is necessary.

422-425

Authors: Gautam Patra, Sonjoy Kumar Borthakur, Subhamoy Ghosh, Seikh Sahanawaz Alam, Hmar Lalliankimi, Hniang Lalrinkima

Objective: To describe the morphological and molecular characterization of a newly isolated Gordius spp. from of the northeastern states of India. Methods: Identification of the parasite was based on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. For molecular identification a partial sequence of ITS2 region was amplified. The product was cloned in cloning vector and subsequently phylogenetic analysis was done. Results: Based on the morphological and molecular analysis, the nematode infesting cricket was confirmed to be Gordius species. Grossly the length of those nematodes ranged between 15.1 and 35.5 cm. The present study also described the light microscopy and fine structural morphological study of the isolated species. Molecular amplification targeting ITS2 region of Gordius was found to be approximately 1 048 bp. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Gordius species is a close relative (100%) to Malaysian species. Conclusions: Occurrence of Gordius species in Indian cricket has been confirmed and found 100% similarity with Malaysian species.

430-432

Authors: Christianah Idowu Ayolabi, Somtochukwu Steve Onwuzo, Jefferey Ahonsi Ejere, Sylvester Agha Ibemgbo, Titilayo Olusola Solanke

Objective: To determine anti-B19V IgM seroprevalence among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and patients with other blood genotypes. Methods: In this study, a commercially available ELISA kit (Parvovirus B19 RIDASCREEN Biopharma, Germany) was used to analyze 93 serum samples, comprising 68 SCD patients and 25 control samples from individuals with other blood genotypes aged between 1 and 35 years. Results: Anti-B19V IgM was detected in 10 (~15%) samples of the SCD patients, in which amongst the SC, 1 (25%) positive was recorded, CC had 2 (~67%) positive cases and SS had 7 (~11%) positives. Among the study control group, a 16% seropositivity was observed, in which among those with genotype AA, 1 (20%) was positive, for those with AS, 1 (~7%) positive was recorded, for AC, 3 (50%) were positive. The age range of 11–20 years showed a positivity of 3 (~4%), those of 21–30 years showed 12 (~24%) positivity and both 1–10 years and > 30 years had no positive case recorded. Conclusions: This study showed that B19V is a significant blood borne pathogen in our environment and concerted effort is needed to advance strategies to curb this infection and diminish the common severe complications usually associated with this virus infection among SCD patients.

440-441

Authors: Umar Zein, Hadiki Habib, Hadyanto Lim, Loeki Enggar Fitri

Ovale malaria cases in Indonesia have been reported only in the provinces of Papua, East Timor and West Flores. We have found a case of Plasmodium ovale infection in Langkat District, North Sumatra Province. Diagnosis was based on a complaint of recurrent fever accompanied by chills and intermittent fever and confirmed by Giemsa-stained microscopic examination of thick and thin peripheral blood smears. The characteristic morphology of Plasmodium ovale in blood smear determined the patient’s diagnosis. Thus, a new endemic areas of ovale malaria was discovered in Indonesia.

444-448

Authors: Ameer Khusro, Chirom Aarti

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne chronic infectious tropical dermal disease caused by the protozoa parasite of the genus Leishmania that causes high mortality globally. Among three different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is a systemic public health disease with high morbidity and mortality in developing countries, caused by Leishmania donovani, Leishmania infantum or Leishmania chagasi. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available till date for the treatment of leishmaniasis. On the other hand, the therapeutics approved to treat this fatal disease is expensive, toxic, and associated with serious side effects. Furthermore, the emergence of drug-resistant Leishmania parasites in most endemic countries due to the incessant utilization of existing drugs is a major concern at present. Drug Search for Leishmaniasis (DSFL) is a unique database that involves 50 crystallized target proteins of varied Leishmania sp. in order to develop new drugs in future by interacting several antiparasitic compounds or molecules with specific protein through computational tools. The structure of target protein from different Leishmania sp. is available in this database. In this review, we spotlighted not only the current global status of leishmaniasis in brief but also detailed information about target proteins of various Leishmania sp. available in DSFL. DSFL has created a new expectation for mankind in order to combat leishmaniasis by targeting parasitic proteins and commence a new era to get rid of drug resistance parasites. The database will substantiate to be a worthwhile project for further development of new, non-toxic, and cost-effective antileishmanial drugs as targeted therapies using in vitro/in vivo assays.