Testing novel facial recognition technology to identify dogs during vaccination campaigns

A lack of methods to identify individual animals can be a barrier to zoonoses control. We developed and field-tested facial recognition technology for a mobile phone application to identify dogs, which we used to assess vaccination coverage against rabies in rural Tanzania. Dogs were vaccinated, registered using the application, and microchipped. During subsequent household visits to validate vaccination, dogs were registered using the application and their vaccination status determined by operators using the application to classify dogs as vaccinated (matched) or unvaccinated (unmatched), with microchips validating classifications. From 534 classified dogs (251 vaccinated, 283 unvaccinated), the application specificity was 98.9% and sensitivity 76.2%, with positive and negative predictive values of 98.4% and 82.8% respectively. The facial recognition algorithm correctly matched 249 (99.2%) vaccinated and microchipped dogs (true positives) and failed to match two (0.8%) vaccinated dogs (false negatives). Operators correctly identified 186 (74.1%) vaccinated dogs (true positives), and 280 (98.9%) unvaccinated dogs (true negatives), but incorrectly classified 58 (23.1%) vaccinated dogs as unmatched (false negatives). Reduced application sensitivity resulted from poor quality photos and light-associated color distortion. With development and operator training, this technology has potential to be a useful tool to identify dogs and support research and intervention programs

Rapid in-country sequencing of whole virus genomes to inform rabies elimination programmes.

Genomic surveillance is an important aspect of contemporary disease management but has yet to be used routinely to monitor endemic disease transmission and control in low- and middle-income countries. Rabies is an almost invariably fatal viral disease that causes a large public health and economic burden in Asia and Africa, despite being entirely vaccine preventable. With policy efforts now directed towards achieving a global goal of zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030, establishing effective surveillance tools is critical. Genomic data can provide important and unique insights into rabies spread and persistence that can direct control efforts. However, capacity for genomic research in low- and middle-income countries is held back by limited laboratory infrastructure, cost, supply chains and other logistical challenges. Here we present and validate an end-to-end workflow to facilitate affordable whole genome sequencing for rabies surveillance utilising nanopore technology. We used this workflow in Kenya, Tanzania and the Philippines to generate rabies virus genomes in two to three days, reducing costs to approximately £60 per genome. This is over half the cost of metagenomic sequencing previously conducted for Tanzanian samples, which involved exporting samples to the UK and a three- to six-month lag time. Ongoing optimization of workflows are likely to reduce these costs further. We also present tools to support routine whole genome sequencing and interpretation for genomic surveillance. Moreover, combined with training workshops to empower scientists in-country, we show that local sequencing capacity can be readily established and sustainable, negating the common misperception that cutting-edge genomic research can only be conducted in high resource laboratories. More generally, we argue that the capacity to harness genomic data is a game-changer for endemic disease surveillance and should precipitate a new wave of researchers from low- and middle-income countries

The Ecology of Free-Roaming Domestic Dogs in Rural Villages near Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Free-roaming dogs, Canis lupus familiaris, can be both a public health and conservation concern. Between 2010 and 2013 we identified 2,649 dogs in four rural villages in Tanzania. We characterized dog demography and ownership practices and investigated whether vaccination influences dog population dynamics. We found that adult dogs had higher survival than puppies in all villages. We observed a male-biased sex ratio across all age classes and higher adult male dog survival. Within the vaccination villages, vaccinated dogs had a decreased risk of death. However, overall mortality in one non-vaccination village was significantly higher than in the two vaccination villages and other non-vaccination village. Dogs in poor body condition had lower survival than dogs in ideal body condition in all villages. Sickness and spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta, predation were the two main causes of dog death. Reproductive patterns were similar between vaccination and non-vaccination villages and we observed an overall male-biased litter sex ratio regardless of the mother’s body condition. Dogs were owned and used primarily for livestock and household protection. We found that dog ownership was related to livestock ownership, household size, education, and house type. Thus, the number of dogs increases with household wealth. Stable isotope analyses of dog hair confirmed survey data and indicated that dogs were fed primarily a corn-based diet similar to human diet in the villages.Free-roaming domestic dogs in rural communities exist in the context of their human owners as well as the surrounding wildlife. Our results demonstrate that vaccination alone does not impact domestic dog population dynamics and that they may be mediated by humans. Understanding the role of dogs and their care within these communities is important for planning and implement rabies control measures such as mass dog vaccination

Przygotowanie chorego do samoopieki po radykalnym usunięciu pęcherza moczowego

Introduction. Total urinary resection results with the necessity of creation an urostomy for the diversion of urine. Bricker ileal conduit is oneof the most common solution here. Preparing the patient for self-care and self-reliance is one of the most important elements of careprovided for patients after total urinary resection. It also should be followed by full social integration of these patients.Aim of study. The objective of this study was to assess if patients who underwent Bricker ileal urinary diversion were well prepared for self-care.Material and methods. The study group comprised 102 patients after total urinary resection. Survey questionnaire methodology wasapplied and patients were asked to fill a questionnaire form developed by the authors. Patients also participated in interviews. Additionally,medical records of all respondents were analysed.Results. Almost half of the study group (47.1%) weren’t informed about the necessity of urinary diversion before their surgery. The site of thestoma wasn’t determined before the surgery in more than 50% of respondents (65.7%). Similar number of patients had no opportunity to zalearnabout stoma equipment before the ileal conduit diversion. All respondents were informed how they should care of their urostomy.A strong correlation was found between peri-operational care and patients’ level of knowledge and skills. Respondents who were taughtabout stoma care before their surgery presented higher levels of knowledge about self-care.Conclusions. Knowledge levels and practical skills regarding an ileal conduit diversion and stoma care were poor.Nursing Topics 2013; 21 (1): 72–78Wstęp. Radykalne usunięcie pęcherza moczowego niesie za sobą konieczność wytworzenia odprowadzenia moczu na zewnątrz. Aktualniejednym z najczęściej wykorzystywanych odprowadzeń moczu jest przetoka moczowodowo-jelitowo-skórna sposobem Bricker’a. Jednymz ważniejszych elementów opieki nad pacjentem po radykalnym usunięciu pęcherza moczowego jest przygotowanie chorego doniezależności w samoopiece i uzyskanie pełnej integracji społecznej.Cel. Celem badania była ocena przygotowania chorego po radykalnym usunięciu pęcherza moczowego z nadpęcherzowym odprowadzeniemmoczu sposobem Bricker’a do samoopieki.Materiał i metody. Badanie dotyczyło 102 pacjentów po radykalnym usunięciu pęcherza moczowego z nadpęcherzowym odprowadzeniemmoczu sposobem Bricker’a, którzy zakończyli hospitalizację pozabiegową. Do badań wybrano trzy różne oddziały sprawujące opiekęnad pacjentami ze schorzeniami układu moczowego na terenie miasta Krakowa. Materiał badawczy gromadzono metodą sondażudiagnostycznego oraz poprzez analizę dokumentów. W metodzie sondażu diagnostycznego zastosowano technikę ankiety i wywiadu.W badaniu wykorzystano kwestionariusz ankiety własnego autorstwa. Badanie uzupełniono wywiadem z pielęgniarkami oddziałowymiplacówek, w których badano pacjentów.Wyniki. Prawie połowa respondentów (47,1%) przed zabiegiem operacyjnym nie uzyskała informacji o konieczności i rodzaju odprowadzeniamoczu. Ponad połowa badanych (65,7%) nie miała przed zabiegiem operacyjnym wyznaczonego potencjalnego miejsca wyłonieniaprzetoki moczowodowo-jelitowo-skórnej. Ponad połowa respondentów (65,7%) przed zabiegiem chirurgicznym nie miała możliwościzapoznania się ze sprzętem urostomijnym. Wszystkich ankietowaniych zapoznano z zasadami pielęgnacji urostomii. Analiza statystycznawykazała silną zależność między opieką okołooperacyjną a poziomem wiedzy (p = 0,000) i deklarowanych umiejętności (p = 0,000). Większympoziomem wiedzy charakteryzowali się ankietowani, u których podjęto edukację z zakresu samoopieki już przed zabiegiem.Wnioski. Poziom wiedzy i umiejętności pacjentów z zakresu pielęgnacji nadpęcherzowego odprowadzenia moczu jest niski.Problemy Pielęgniarstwa 2013; 21 (1): 72–7

Investigating the Efficacy of a Canine Rabies Vaccine Following Storage Outside of the Cold-Chain in a Passive Cooling Device

Background: Thermostable vaccines greatly improved the reach and impact of large-scale programmes to eliminate infectious diseases such as smallpox, polio, and rinderpest. A study from 2015 demonstrated that the potency of the Nobivac® Rabies vaccine was not impacted following experimental storage at 30°C for 3 months. Whether the vaccine would remain efficacious following storage under more natural, fluctuating temperature conditions remains unknown. We carried out a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial to compare serological responses in dogs following vaccination with doses stored under cold chain conditions with those stored within a locally made Passive Cooling Device (“Zeepot”) under fluctuating temperature conditions.Materials and Methods: Nobivac® Rabies vaccine was stored under either cold-chain conditions or within the Zeepot for 2 months. Daily ambient temperatures and temperatures within the Zeepot were recorded every 3 h. Following storage, 412 domestic dogs were randomly assigned to receive either cold-chain or Zeepot stored Nobivac® Rabies vaccine. Baseline and day 28-post vaccination blood samples were collected. Serological analysis using the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation assay was carried out with a threshold of 0.5 IU/ml to determine seroconversion. In addition, the impact of dog Body Condition Score, sex, and age on seroconversion was examined.Results: The serological response of dogs vaccinated using Nobivac® Rabies vaccine stored within the Zeepot was not inferior to the response of dogs vaccinated using cold-chain stored vaccine (z = 1.1, df = 313, p-value = 0.25). Indeed, the 28-day post-vaccination group geometric mean titre was 1.8 and 2.0 IU/ml for cold-chain vs. non-cold-chain storage, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of dogs that seroconverted in each arm was almost identical (85%). There was a positive linear trend between Body Condition Score (O.R. 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–5.1) and seroconversion, suggesting dogs of poor condition may not respond as expected to vaccination.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the potency of Nobivac® Rabies vaccine is not impacted following storage under elevated fluctuating temperatures within a Zeepot. These results have potentially exciting applications for scaling up mass dog vaccination programmes in low-and-middle income countries, particularly for hard-to-reach populations with limited access to power and cold-chain vaccine storage.</jats:p

Ecology and Demography of Free-Roaming Domestic Dogs in Rural Villages near Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

<div><p>Free-roaming dogs (<i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>) are of public health and conservation concern because of their potential to transmit diseases, such as rabies, to both people and wildlife. Understanding domestic dog population dynamics and how they could potentially be impacted by interventions, such as rabies vaccination, is vital for such disease control efforts. For four years, we measured demographic data on 2,649 free-roaming domestic dogs in four rural villages in Tanzania: two villages with and two without a rabies vaccination campaign. We examined the effects of body condition, sex, age and village on survivorship and reproduction. Furthermore, we compared sources of mortality among villages. We found that adult dogs (>12mos) had higher survival than puppies in all villages. We observed a male-biased sex ratio across all age classes. Overall survival in one non-vaccination village was lower than in the other three villages, all of which had similar survival probabilities. In all villages, dogs in poor body condition had lower survival than dogs in ideal body condition. Sickness and spotted hyena (<i>Crocuta crocuta</i>) predation were the two main causes of dog death. Within vaccination villages, vaccinated dogs had higher survivorship than unvaccinated dogs. Dog population growth, however, was similar in all the villages suggesting village characteristics and ownership practices likely have a greater impact on overall dog population dynamics than vaccination. Free-roaming domestic dogs in rural communities exist in the context of their human owners as well as the surrounding wildlife. Our results did not reveal a clear effect of vaccination programs on domestic dog population dynamics. An investigation of the role of dogs and their care within these communities could provide additional insight for planning and implementing rabies control measures such as mass dog vaccination.</p></div

Study cohort, village dog and human population census totals and estimated growth rates 2010–2013.

<p>Study cohort, village dog and human population census totals and estimated growth rates 2010–2013.</p