No abstract

Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and warm-blooded animals. Maternal infections during pregnancy may have devastating consequences for transplacentally infected neonates. This study was conducted to examine the seroprevalence of antibodies to T. gondii in pregnant women of childbearing age and determine risk factors associated with pregnancy history, pet ownership, social and cultural factors at Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Samples were collected from 403 women and examined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii was 17.6% (71) in the 403 samples collected from women. Antibodies to T. gondii were present in 19.4% (45) of 232 pregnant women and 15.2% (26) of the samples from 171 non-pregnant women. This study identified miscarriage history, pet ownership, type of residence, marital status, source of drinking water and eating habits as significant (P < 0.05) risk factors associated with the presence of antibodies to T. gondii infection. Seroprevalence was not significantly different (P > 0.05) in women from different ethnic groups based upon lifestyle and culture.

Newcastle disease virus, a prototype avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1), causes economically devastating disease in avian species around the world. Newcastle disease is enzootic in Pakistan and recurrent outbreaks are frequent in multiple avian species even after continuous and extensive use of vaccines. A number of APMV-1 and pigeon paramyxovirus serotype 1 (PPMV-1) strains have been isolated and genetically characterized in recent years. However, the impact of recently characterized wild bird-origin APMVs in domestic poultry, and the potency of routinely used vaccines against these novel and genetically diverse viruses remain unknown. Here, we applied next-generation sequencing for unbiased complete genome characterization of APMV-1 and PPMV-1 strains isolated from clinically diseased peacocks (Pavocristatus) and pigeons (Columbalivia), respectively. Global phylodynamics and evolutionary analysis demonstrates Pigeon/MZS-UVAS-Pak/2014 is clustered into lineage 4 (or genotype VI) and Peacock/MZS-UVAS-Pak/2014 into lineage 5 (or genotype VII). The genomes of both isolates encoded for polybasic residues (112RRQKR↓F117) at the fusion protein cleavage motif along with a number of important substitutions in the surface glycoproteins compared with the vaccine strains. Clinicopathological and immunological investigations in domesticated chickens indicate that these isolates can potentially transmit between tested avian species, can cause systemic infections, and can induce antibodies that are unable to prevent virus shedding. Collectively, the data from these genomic and biological assessments highlight the potential of wild birds in transmitting APMVs to domesticated chickens. The study also demonstrates that the current vaccine regimens are incapable of providing complete protection against wild bird-origin APMVs and PPMVs.

No abstract

Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica , has a worldwide distribution and is of public health significance in many developing countries. It has a fecal-oral transmission cycle and is most prevalent in developing countries in regions where substandard sanitary conditions exist due to poverty. Little is known about the epidemiology of E. histolytica infection and its presence in different socioeconomic communities in developing countries. We undertook the present study in the city of Lahore, Pakistan, and our prediction was that the prevalence of E. histolytica -like cysts and E. histolytica stool antigen would be lower in patients from upper socioeconomic levels than in individuals from middle or lower socioeconomic levels. We investigated the prevalence of E. histolytica in humans from 3 socioeconomic communities in territories of Lahore, Pakistan. Six hundred fecal samples were collected and examined using both microscopy (triple fecal test) to detect cysts of E. histolytica -like amoeba and ELISA (stool antigen ELISA) to demonstrate diagnostic stool antigens of E. histolytica . Samples were from individuals living under conditions deemed to be upper socioeconomic class (n = 287), middle socioeconomic class (n = 172), and lower socioeconomic class (n = 141). The total prevalence of positive samples was 22.5% (135/600) by triple test and 16.8% (101/600) by stool antigen ELISA in the 600 fecal samples. Statistically, significant (P< 0.05) differences in prevalence were seen between the 3 socioeconomic class groups. Forty-four (15.3%) and 32 (11.1%) of 287 in the fecal samples from the upper socioeconomic class were positive by triple test and by antigen ELISA, respectively. Thirty-nine (22.6%) and 29 (16.8%) of 172 in the fecal samples from the middle socioeconomic class were positive by the triple test and by antigen ELISA, respectively. Fifty-two (36.8%) and 40 (28.3%) of 141 in the fecal samples from the lower socioeconomic class were positive by the triple test and by antigen ELISA, respectively. We accept our hypothesis based on these findings. We also demonstrated that fecal samples collected from the youngest age group (1 mo-5 yr) were more likely to be positive for E. histolytica antigens than were samples from the other 3 age groups, and that prevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the summer than in the other 3 seasons. These results highlight the importance of surveillance of this relatively ignored pathogen in this developing metropolitan city in Pakistan.