Eimeria species occurrence varies between geographic regions and poultry production systems and may influence parasite genetic diversity

Coccidiosis is one of the biggest challenges faced by the global poultry industry. Recent studies have highlighted the ubiquitous distribution of all Eimeria species which can cause this disease in chickens, but intriguingly revealed a regional divide in genetic diversity and population structure for at least one species, Eimeria tenella. The drivers associated with such distinct geographic variation are unclear, but may impact on the occurrence and extent of resistance to anticoccidial drugs and future subunit vaccines. India is one of the largest poultry producers in the world and includes a transition between E. tenella populations defined by high and low genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Eimeria species defined by high and low pathogenicity in northern and southern states of India, and seek to understand factors which vary between the regions as possible drivers for differential genetic variation. Faecal samples and data relating to farm characteristics and management were collected from 107 farms from northern India and 133 farms from southern India. Faecal samples were analysed using microscopy and PCR to identify Eimeria occurrence. Multiple correspondence analysis was applied to transform correlated putative risk factors into a smaller number of synthetic uncorrelated factors. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify poultry farm typologies, revealing three distinct clusters in the studied regions. The association between clusters and presence of Eimeria species was assessed by logistic regression. The study found that large-scale broiler farms in the north were at greatest risk of harbouring any Eimeria species and a larger proportion of such farms were positive for E. necatrix, the most pathogenic species. Comparison revealed a more even distribution for E. tenella across production systems in south India, but with a lower overall occurrence. Such a polarised region- and system-specific distribution may contribute to the different levels of genetic diversity observed previously in India and may influence parasite population structure across much of Asia and Africa. The findings of the study can be used to prioritise target farms to launch and optimise appropriate anticoccidial strategies for long-term control

Foodborne disease hazards and burden in Ethiopia: A systematic literature review, 1990–2019

Objective(s): To summarize literature on foodborne hazards and their associated burden in Ethiopia, identify research gaps and intervention targets. Materials and methods: A systematic literature review was performed according to Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed on PubMed and CAB Direct for relevant publications between 1990 and 2019 (inclusive). Observational studies, secondary data analyses, reviews and grey literature were included. Titles and abstracts were screened, and selected publications reviewed in full for quality and data extraction. A metanalysis was not conducted as studies were varied in focus with few similar studies estimating the same parameter. Results: In total 142 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies focused on identification and prevalence of biological and chemical hazards in food. High levels of microbial contamination in different food value chains were often found by the typically small, ad hoc, observational studies. Dairy products, beef, poultry, and eggs were the most commonly studied food products. Raw beef and raw milk were the products reporting higher levels of pathogen contamination. Presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a serious but often overlooked foodborne pathogen, was reported in various foods. Several important value chains were less frequently studied including vegetables, fruits, crops, fish, sheep, goats, and camel. There were few reports of incidence of human FBD or resulting health and economic impacts. High levels of bacterial contamination on the hands of food processors were widely reported. Foodborne parasites were often found at higher prevalences in food than bacterial and viral pathogens, possibly due to differences in ease of identification. Conclusion: There are fundamental gaps in the knowledge of food hazards in Ethiopia, particularly regarding FBD incidence and impact. Furthermore, important value chains and pathogens have been neglected. Greater investment in food safety is needed, with enhanced and coordinated research

Raised concentrations of C reactive protein in anabolic steroid using bodybuilders

Objective: To examine levels of C reactive protein in users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) compared with age matched control groups consisting of AAS using (but abstinent)/resistance trained and non-drug using/sedentary controls. Method: Subjects included AAS using bodybuilders (n = 10); bodybuilders who denied AAS use (n = 10); sedentary controls (n = 8). Venous blood was sampled, from which serum concentrations of C reactive protein, male sex hormones, and cardiac troponin T were determined. Results: A significantly altered hormonal profile in the AAS using group provided indirect confirmation of AAS use. C reactive protein concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the AAS using bodybuilders. There was no relation between C reactive protein and cardiac troponin T. Conclusion: AAS using bodybuilders had significantly higher C reactive protein concentrations, indicating a greater propensity to develop peripheral arterial disease

Homocysteine induced cardiovascular events: a consequence of long term anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse

Objectives: The long term effects (>20 years) of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use on plasma concentrations of homocysteine (HCY), folate, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, urea, creatinine, haematocrit (HCT), vitamin B12, and urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, were examined in a cohort of self-prescribing bodybuilders. Methods: Subjects (n = 40) were divided into four distinct groups: (1) AAS users still using AAS (SU; n = 10); (2) AAS users abstinent from AAS administration for 3 months (SA; n = 10); (3) non-drug using bodybuilding controls (BC; n = 10); and (4) sedentary male controls (SC; n = 10). Results: HCY levels were significantly higher in SU compared with BC and SC (p<0.01), and with SA (p<0.05). Fat free mass was significantly higher in both groups of AAS users (p<0.01). Daily energy intake (kJ) and daily protein intake (g/day) were significantly higher in SU and SA (p<0.05) compared with BC and SC, but were unlikely to be responsible for the observed HCY increases. HCT concentrations were significantly higher in the SU group (p<0.01). A significant linear inverse relationship was observed in the SU group between SHBG and HCY (r = –0.828, p<0.01), indicating a possible influence of the sex hormones in determining HCY levels. Conclusions: With mounting evidence linking AAS to adverse effects on some clotting factors, the significantly higher levels of HCY and HCT observed in the SU group suggest long term AAS users have increased risk of future thromboembolic events

Comparing the endothelialisation of extracellular matrix bioscaffolds with coated synthetic vascular graft materials

Introduction Existing synthetic vascular grafts have unacceptably high failure rates when replacing small diameter infrapopliteal vessels [1]. The lack of a confluent endothelial lining is repeatedly cited as the most common cause of conduit failure [2, 3]