Risk factors and true prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Bangladesh

Bovine tuberculosis (bTb) is endemic in Bangladesh but the true prevalence has not yet been reported. Our objectives for this study were to determine the true prevalence and identify risk factors for bTb at the animal- and herd-level in Bangladesh. A total of 510 cows were randomly selected during January 2018 to December 2018. Caudal fold (CFT) and comparative cervical tuberculin tests (CCT) were serially interpreted. Animal- and herd-level risk factor data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The hierarchical true prevalence of bTb was estimated within a Bayesian framework. The herd- and animal-level risk factors were identified using mixed effects logistic regression. The apparent prevalence of bTb was 20.6% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 17.3; 24.3] based on CFT. The animal-level true prevalence of bTb was 21.9 (13.0; 32.4). The herd-level true prevalence in different regions varied from 41.9% to 88.8%. The region-level true prevalence was 49.9 (13.8; 91.2). There is a 100% certainty that herds from Bhaluka and Mymensingh Sadar upazilas are not free from bTb. The odds of bTb were 3.9 times (1.2; 12.6) higher in herds having more than four cows than those with ≤ 4 cows. On the other hand, the risk of bTb was 3.3 times higher (1.0; 10.5) in non-grazing cows than grazing cows. Crossbred cows were 2.9 times (1.5; 5.9) more likely to be infected with bTb than indigenous cows. The risk of bTb in animals with cough was 2.3 times (1.2; 4.3) higher than those without cough. Crossbred, non-grazing cows with cough should be targeted for bTb surveillance. Herds of the Mymensingh, Sadar and Bhaluka regions should be emphasized for bTb control programs. Estimation of Bayesian hierarchical true prevalence facilitates identification of areas with higher prevalence and can be used to indicate regions that where true prevalence exceeds a pre-specified critical threshold. © 2021 Islam et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

A new integrated pest management (IPM) model for cercospora leaf spot of sugar beets in the Po Valley

Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is the most economically important foliar disease of sugar beets in Italy. It can be controlled with the integrated use of resistant varieties, cultural practices and foliar fungicides. Environmental conditions strongly influence the activity of C. beticola in the field and can be used to guide fungicide applications once the relationships are understood. To assist growers in making profitable decisions regarding the application of foliar fungicides for CLS control, a predictive model, developed by Minnesota and North Dakota State University was adjusted to Italian conditions and evaluated. The model was designed to predict the time of sugar beet infection by C. beticola was likely to occur based on hourly temperature and relative humidity data. CLS control is currently based on treatments scheduled using a \u201ccalendar\u201d program. This system recommends to start fungicide applications on fixed date and continue regularly every 18-20 days. Three years of field trial evaluation of the CLS prediction model at several experimental sites, compared with the calendar program, has resulted in a savings of two fungicide treatments (corresponding to 170 \u20ac/ha) without a significant loss of yield. For control of CLS, multiple applications of the same fungicide during a growing season are unfortunately common. This practice provides the target fungus with the conditions to evolve resistance. Sensitivity assays of C. beticola to DMI and QoI fungicides were carried out on isolates collected in 2009 and 2010 in northern Italy by the University of Bologna and North Dakota State University respectively. Isolates principally came from trial plot but also from commercial sugar beet fields and were tested towards tetraconazole and difenoconazole, pyraclostrobin and tri-floxystrobin using radial growth and spore germination assays. All samples collected in 2009 showed EC50 values for QoI ranging from 0.0008 to 0.2195 μg/ml. The percent range with EC50 values >1 for isolates collected in 2010 for tetraconazole was 44%, for difenoconazole 84%, for pyraclostrobin 27% and for trifloxystrobin 34%. From a samples of isolates with EC50 values >1 μg/ml, the range of EC50 values (μg/ml) for tetraconazole was 3.4-70.0, for difenoconazole 2.0-69.5, for pyraclostrobin 1.5-43.6, and for trifloxystrobin 3.8-77.1

Aspects of urinary tract infections and antimicrobial resistance in hospitalized urology patients in Asia: 10-Year results of the Global Prevalence Study of Infections in Urology (GPIU)

10.1016/j.jiac.2017.11.013Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy244278-283JICH

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P < 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients