Evaluation of criteria of trypanotolerance

Evaluates teh criteria for trypanotolerance including three related characterstics, v.z. the ability to control parasitaemia, the ability to control anaemia, and the ability to develop an effective immune response

A global survey of health care workers' awareness of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease:The AwareNASH survey

Background: The estimated global prevalence and burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its advanced stage, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is increasing. Yet, NAFLD remains largely underdiagnosed. In addition to hepatic morbidity and mortality, NAFLD is associated with increased cardiovascular complications, warranting a multidisciplinary approach. Despite its rapidly increasing prevalence, knowledge of NAFLD among healthcare workers is limited, especially with specialists outside the field of hepatology and gastroenterology. Objectives: To investigate knowledge, practice and opinions/attitudes of healthcare workers towards diagnosis and management of NAFLD/NASH. Methods: The survey was designed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary scientific committee established especially for this study. The survey was disseminated to healthcare workers from seven different disciplines through four collaborating societies, social media and at a cardiology-themed conference from February to June 2022. Median and interquartile range were mentioned for numeric responses and proportions for categorical responses or responses on a Likert scale. Likert scale responses were treated as ordinal data and analysed with the appropriate tests. Results: The full dataset included 613 respondents from 88 different countries (including 488 physicians). 64% of the surveyed physicians underestimated the prevalence of NAFLD. General practitioners and cardiologists underestimated the prevalence most often (74% and 77%, respectively). Compared to the other disciplines, cardiologists were least familiar with the symptoms and diagnostic criteria and felt least confident in diagnosing and managing NAFLD. Overall, 65% of physicians reported regularly using evidence-based guidelines for managing NAFLD, yet 72% reported challenges in providing lifestyle recommendations. A lack of awareness was the most common reported reason for the lack of screening for NAFLD (68% respectively). Conclusions: Despite the growing burden of NAFLD, there is a significant gap in awareness, knowledge, and management among physicians treating patients with cardiometabolic comorbidities, particularly cardiologists. Hepatologists and gastroenterologists could play a role in educating their fellow physicians.</p

Evaluation of a field test for trypanotolerance in young N'Dama cattle

Evaluates components of a short term test for trypanotolerance criteria in N'Dama post-weaners exposed to a medium natural trypanosome challenge in Gabon; compares the effectiveness of different measures of control of development of anaemia; and measures the post-test recovery of packed red cell volume (PCV) values following treatment with a trypanocidal drug

Selection in trypanotolerant cattle breeds in Africa

Presents results of experiments to determine phenotypic & genotypic relationships of the abilities to control parasitaemia, resist anaemia or develop an immune response with animal performance in terms of daily weight gain, maintenance of packed cell volume levels and disease prevalence in trypanotolerant N'Dama and Sahiwal/Ayrshire cattle at three locations in Africa. Assesses heritability of each trypanotolerance-inducing characters

Glossina fusca group tsetse as vectors of cattle trypanosomiasis in Gabon and Zaire

The significance of Glossina fusca group tsetse flies as vectors of cattle trypanosomiasis was examined using biconical traps to survey tsetse populations at one site in Gabon and two sites in Zaire. Mean trypanosome infection rates in G. tabaniformis Westwood over the study period ranged from 8.9 - 17.7 percent at the two sites. The mean infection rate in G. nashi Potts was 6 percent. Up to 49 percent of bloodmeals of G. tabaniformis were from cattle. Trypanosome prevalence in cattle where G. tabaniformis appeared to be the main vector was 9.5 percent and 5.4 percent at the Mushie and OGAPROV ranches respectively. A highly significant positive correlation was found between tsetse challenge and trypanosome prevalence in N'Dama cattle across sites. Tsetse challenge was defined as the product of tsetse relative densities, trypanosome infection rates in the flies and the proportion of feeds taken by them from cattle. Thus G. tabaniformis can be an important vector of pathogenic Trypanosoma species in cattle

Health and productivity of trypanotolerant and susceptible cattle exposed to trypanosomiasis in Gabon and the impact of strategic chemoprophylaxis

Studies the health and performance of two strains trypanotolerant N'Dama cattle, susceptible Nguni cattle and their crosses over a three-year period, 1983-1985, at OGAPROV ranch in Gabon; presents the influences of breed and animal age on the prevolence, species and intensity of trypanosome parasitaemia; and estimates the effects of trypanosome infection and breed and cow locatational status on the {PCV and reproductive performance

Determination of tsetse challenge and its relationship with trypanosome prevalence in trypanotolerant livestock at sites of the African Trypanotolerant Livestock Network

Reports the determination of tsetse challenge at sites of the African Trypanotolerant Livestock Network and its relationships with trypanosome prevalence for the period 1984-1986. Lists the Network sites with trypanotolerant cattle or sheep together with the tsetse species detected. Discusses tsetse species captured, tsetse relative density, trypanosome infection rates and infection types in tsetse, and tsetse challenge and trypanosome prevalence in trypanotolerant livestock

Relationships between tsetse challenge and trypanosome prevalence in trypanotolerant and susceptible cattle

Reports results of a study on the relationships between tsetse challenge and trypanosome prevalence in trypanotolerant and susceptible breeds of cattle. Presents data on tsetse challenge and trypanosome prevalence in N'Dama and Zebu cattle in Zaire, Gabon, Ethiopia and Cote d'Ivoire

Tsetse feeding habits and tsetse challenge at sites of the African Trypanotolerant Livestock Network

Reports the feeding preferences of Glossina species at sites of the African Trypanotolerant Livestock Network. Estimates tsetse challenge and relates the results with trypanosome prevalence in cattle. Examines the relationship between tsetse challenge using linear regression analysis. Also examines the difference between the slopes of the regression lines obtained for trypanotolerant and susceptible cattle using a 't-test'