Effects of Drought on Mortality in Macro Urban Areas of Brazil Between 2000 and 2019.

A significant fraction of Brazil's population has been exposed to drought in recent years, a situation that is expected to worsen in frequency and intensity due to climate change. This constitutes a current key environmental health concern, especially in densely urban areas such as several big cities and suburbs. For the first time, a comprehensive assessment of the short-term drought effects on weekly non-external, circulatory, and respiratory mortality was conducted in 13 major Brazilian macro-urban areas across 2000-2019. We applied quasi-Poisson regression models adjusted by temperature to explore the association between drought (defined by the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index) and the different mortality causes by location, sex, and age groups. We next conducted multivariate meta-analytical models separated by cause and population groups to pool individual estimates. Impact measures were expressed as the attributable fractions among the exposed population, from the relative risks (RRs). Overall, a positive association between drought exposure and mortality was evidenced in the total population, with RRs varying from 1.003 [95% CI: 0.999-1.007] to 1.010 [0.996-1.025] for non-external mortality related to moderate and extreme drought conditions, from 1.002 [0.997-1.007] to 1.008 [0.991-1.026] for circulatory mortality, and from 1.004 [0.995-1.013] to 1.013 [0.983-1.044] for respiratory mortality. Females, children, and the elderly population were the most affected groups, for whom a robust positive association was found. The study also revealed high heterogeneity between locations. We suggest that policies and action plans should pay special attention to vulnerable populations to promote efficient measures to reduce vulnerability and risks associated with droughts

Parasitic infections in pirarucu fry, Arapaima gigas Schinz, 1822 (Arapaimatidae) kept in a semi-intensive fish farm in Central Amazon, Brazil.

Studies regarding parasite fauna in farmed fish are of great relevance to lhe knowledge of the parasites species. allowing interference in their proliferation in order to avoid epizooties and consequently. economical losses, This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of parasites in fry Arapaima gigas maintained in ponds of a semi-intensive fish farm in Amazonas State, Brazil. On necropsy, 96,0% of A. gigas were found parasitized by Dawestrema cycloancistrioides. Dawestrema cycloancistrioides (Monogenoidea). Trichodina sp., Ichthyobodo sp. (Protozoa). Camallamus tridentatus, Terranova serrata, Goezia spinulosa (Nematoda) and Argulidae. However, D. cycloancistrium. D, cycloancistrioides and Trichodina fariai were the parasites of' greatest intensity. This study is the first to report parasitic infections in farmed A. gigas and the results indicated a high rate of infection that might lead to important changes in the health of the hosts

Consumo de nutrientes de cordeiros Santa Inês alimentados com níveis de feno de erva-sal (Atriplex nummularia L.) e concentrado.

Zootec 2011

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) provides a superior tool for the diagnosis of Pneumococcal Infection in Burkina Faso

Purpose of study: The aim of this study was to determine the value of real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt-PCR) in the routine surveillance of pneumococcal meningitis in Burkina Faso, compared to standard methods of culture, Gram stain and latex agglutination assay.Materiel and methods: A total of 385 specimens of cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed by the three standard bacteriological methods (Gram stain, latex agglutination assay, and culture) and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction.Results: Of 385 specimens analyzed by these methods, 204 S. pneumoniae were detected by one or more  methods. Gram stain detected 36.4% (140/385) Gram positive encapsulated diplococci; 37.7% (145/385) and 20.8% (80/385) of the specimens were positive for pneumococci by latex agglutination assay and culture. These specimens were tested with rt-PCR, which confirmed 51.2% (197/385) S. pneumoniae positive. The sensitivity and specificity of culture were 54.4% and 31.5%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of rt-PCR were 96.6% and 100%, respectively. These results showed that rt-PCR was more sensitive than Gram stain (p=0.0235), latex agglutination assay (p=0.0442)and culture (p=0.0006).The culture is the gold standard method; however, the result showed that rt-PCR had specificity and was as specific as Gram stain (p=0.3405) and latex agglutination assay (p=0.7745).Conclusion: rt-PCR was highly sensitive and specific. It could be used as a complementary diagnostic tool to  mprove case confirmation of bacterial meningitis. However,its high cost, the qualification of the technical staff and infrastructures required for its implementation, constitute obstacles to its widened use in countries with limited resources.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, meningitis, rt-PCR, standard bacteriological methods Objectif: Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la place de la rt-PCR dans la surveillance de routine deméningitespneumococciquesau Burkina Faso et la comparée avec les méthodes de la bactériologie classique: Culture, coloration de Gram et l’agglutination au latex.Matériel etméthodes: Au total, 385 échantillons deliquides céphalorachidiens (LCR)étaient analysés par les trois méthodes de la bactériologie classique (coloration de Gram, agglutination au latex, culture) et la PCR en temps réel.RESULTATS: Parmi 385 échantillons analysés, 204 cas de Streptococcuspneumoniae étaient détectés par une ou plusieurs méthodes. La coloration de Gram adétecté 36,4% (140/385) diplocoques encapsulés à Gram positif (DGP); 37,7% (145/385) et 20,8% (80/385) d’échantillons étaient positifs aux pneumocoques par l’agglutination au latex et la culture. Ces échantillons étaient aussi testés par rt-PCR qui a confirmé 51,2% (197/385) cas positifs de S. pneumoniae. La sensibilité et la spécificité de la culture étaient respectivement de 54,4% et 31,5%, et la sensibilité et la spécificité de rt-PCR étaient respectivement de 96,6% et 100%. Ces résultats ont montré que la rt-PCR était plus sensible que la coloration de Gram (p=0,0235), l’agglutination au latex (p=0,0442) et la  culture(p=0,0006).La culture est une méthode de référence; cependant, le résultat a montré que rt-PCR était plus sensibleet aussi spécifique que la coloration de Gram ((p=0,3405)et l’agglutination au latex (p=0,7745).Conclusion : :rt-PCR était plus sensible et plus spécifique. Elle pourrait être utilisée comme un outil de diagnosticcomplémentaire pour améliorer les cas de confirmation de méningites bactériennes. Cependant, ces coûts de réalisation, la qualification de techniciens et les matériels pour son application constituent des obstacles pour sa vulgarisation dans les pays à ressources limités.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, méningites, rt-PCR, méthodes de la bactériologie classique Article in English

Leishmanicidal activity of fractions rich in aporphine alkaloids from Amazonian Unonopsis species

In vitro evaluation of alkaloidal fractions of twigs, barks and leaves from two Unonopsis species, Unonopsis guatterioides R.E. Fr. and Unonopsis duckei R.E. Fr., Annonaceae, against promastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis revealed these species as sources of substances with promising leishmanicidal potential. All alkaloidal fractions from twigs, barks and leaves of U. guatterioides were classified as highly active, with IC50 1.07, 1.90, and 2.79 mg/mL, respectively. Only the alkaloidal fraction from the twigs of U. duckei was classified as inactive.2261368137

Magnitude and associated factors of latent tuberculosis infection due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex among high-risk groups in urban Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among three high-risk groups - household contacts of TB index cases, healthcare workers and slaughterhouse workers - in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Methods: Participants were recruited to this cross-sectional study from March to July 2020 after giving informed consent. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test (QFT-Plus) and the tuberculin skin test (TST) were used for detection of LTBI. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for LTBI. Results: The prevalence of LTBI among 101 participants (age range 15-68 years) was 67.33% [95% confidence interval (CI) 57.27-76.33] and 84.16% (95% CI 75.55-90.66) based on QFT-Plus and TST results, respectively. Compared with healthcare workers and household contacts of TB index cases, the prevalence of LTBI among slaughterhouse workers was significantly higher for both QTF-Plus (96.8%; P /=15 years of exposure (AOR 5.617, 95% CI 1.202-32.198), having an animal at home (AOR 2.735, 95% CI 1.102-6.789) and protozoal infection (AOR 2.591, 95% CI 1.034-6.491) were significantly associated with LTBI on the QFT-Plus assay. Conclusion: The prevalence of LTBI was high in all three groups, particularly slaughterhouse workers. The risk factors identified could form the basis of targeted intervention