SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN PIGS IN EXTENSIVE BREEDING FROM SARANDA DISTRICT OF ALBANIA

The main aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pigs from extensive breeding of Saranda county in southern of Albania. Was collected 92 samples of pigs sera from 13 extensive farms at the time of slaughter in slaughterhouses. Collected blood was left to express serum and it was kept in a freezer until the time when samples were processed in the laboratory of Microbiology of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Tirana, Albania. Serum samples were examined by indirect ELISA method using ID Screen Multi-species kit (ID.VET., France) for anti-Toxoplasma specific Ig G antibodies, resulting from infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Samples sera presenting S/P value % less than or equal to 40% are considered negative, between 40-50% are considered doubtfull, greater than or equal 50% are considered positive. Out of 92 samples collected from 13 farms, 16 sera had anti- Toxoplasma Ig G antibodies. Average prevalence was 17.4 %

Genotyping of virulence factors in avian pathogenic E. coli by multiplex PCR.

Colibacillosis caused by pathogenic E. coli strains (Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli) is one of the main causes of economic losses in poultry breeding industry worldwide. This acute infection of birds may be clinically localized or systemic, several of the lesions in visceral organs are observed. Virulence factors in the E. coli genome, described in various studies, have not clarified prevalence of APEC strains, and their importance in the infection pathogenesis is still unknown. Conducted surveys indicate that the presence of virulence genes in E. coli isolates is the starting point of differentiation and characterization of pathogenic E. coli to those intestinal and opportunistic. A total of 158 E. coli strains were examined for the presence of eight virulence genes: iss, tsh, papC, vat, cvaA/B, iucD, astA, irp2, by means of molecular biology technique PCR-multiplex (Ewers et al. 2004). This study identified significant differences of virulence factors among strains isolated from lesions, compared to those from apparently healthy subjects. iss, responsible for increased serum survival in the E. coli bacteria, was the virulence factor with the highest percentage of detection (42.40%). Virulence genes frequency is considered to be an important indicator of the virulence of E. coli strains. Thus the lack of virulence factors in APEC strains resulted in 27.18%, while in AFEC strains resulted in 61.81%. These data obtained from genetic characterization of avian E. coli strains constitute the first report in Albania for colibacillosis infection outbreak in poultry flocks. The presence, appearance and distribution of virulence genes in poultry flocks provide basic information for the control and eradication of the colibacillosis infection

Using community conversations to explore animal welfare perceptions and practices of rural households in Ethiopia

There is a scarcity of data on animal welfare and its impact on livelihoods to inform animal welfare initiatives in Ethiopia. Perceptions and practices of rural households toward animal welfare are influenced by socio-cultural, demographic, and agroecological factors. We conducted Community Conversations in two geographically and culturally diverse regions of Ethiopia to explore the attitudes and practices of rural households regarding animal welfare and its impact on livelihoods. Community Conversations are facilitated dialogues among rural households to explore their perceptions, practices, constraints, and needs and identify and co-create solutions to improve the welfare of their animals. We used single- and mixed-sex discussion groups to understand community members' gendered perceptions of animal welfare and influence their attitudes and practices toward gender-equitable roles in animal welfare management. In the Community Conversations, community members readily described the biological needs of their animals but there was also a good acknowledgment of the behavioral and affective state needs of animals. Identified constraints for animal welfare included feed and water shortage, limited veterinary support, and poor animal handling practices. Community members described the welfare of their animals as being intertwined with their own livelihoods and identified productive, public health, and non-economic benefits of good animal welfare. Raising awareness of animal welfare within rural communities through Community Conversations is a useful way to both identify livestock production needs as well as engage community members in making practical improvements in animal welfare. The understanding of perceptions, practices, and needs of rural households in animal welfare helps engage communities in starting behavioral change and provides insights into developing context-specific welfare improvement interventions. Community Conversations are also an effective way to feedback community voices into planning to build a bottom-up implementation of animal welfare programs

Multiple antimicrobial resistance among Avian Escherichia coli strains in Albania

In this study, 101 Escherichia (E.) coli isolates from broilers, laying hens and turkeys which had died from colibacillosis, collected from 37 intensive and rural farms in Albania, were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility toward 12 different molecules. The highest levels of resistance were observed for Erythromycin (E) (100%) Amoxicillin (AMX) (99.1%), Tetracycline (TE 30) (96.07%), Streptomycin (STR) (93.07%) and Neomycin (N30) (85.15%). Considerable resistance was also detected for fluoroquinolones. Moreover, 73.33% of E. coli resistant to at least one fluoroquinolone were also resistant to the two other fluoroquinolones checked. No evident differences were found between the E. coli from intensive and from rural farms. Multiple antibiotic resistance was expressed by all the E. coli tested. 23.63% and 17.39% of E. coli isolated from intensive and rural farms, respectively, were resistant towards all the drugs tested. These data would seem to indicate incorrect use of antibiotics on poultry farms in Albania

MILK Symposium review: Community-tailored training to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women regarding hygienic milk production and handling in Borana pastoral area of southern Ethiopia

Milk and milk products are essential in the diets of the Borana pastoral community in Ethiopia. Traditional handling and processing of dairy products using basic equipment and infrastructure coupled with a preference for raw milk consumption pose potential health risks to consumers. We tested the effect of an intervention designed to improve the hygienic handling and safe consumption of milk on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of women who produce and sell dairy products. The intervention consisted of 16 h of training on good milk production practices and prevention of milk-borne diseases. A total of 120 women were trained and their KAP assessed at baseline (pretraining), immediately after training, and 6 mo after training. Overall, training increased the knowledge score of the participants from 75.6 to 91.4% in the immediate post-training assessment, and to 90.0% at 6 mo post-training. Compared with pretraining (58.8%), we found a statistically significant difference in the overall attitude score at the immediate post-training evaluation (64.7%) but not 6 mo after (61.4%). We observed a similar increase in the understanding of correct practices from 49.5% at pretraining to 64.7% 6 mo following the training. For some desirable attitudes and practices, the proportion of women reporting adoption at pretraining was low and the change derived from training still left one-third of respondents displaying a negative attitude and a quarter of them reporting wrong practices. We recommend that future training interventions be complemented with locally adaptable technologies, provision of incentives, and creation of an enabling environment including improved access to clean water and sanitation facilities to affect not only knowledge, but also attitudes and ultimately practices in the long term

"Living like an empty gas tank with a leak": Mixed methods study on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The burden and presentation of post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are a developing major public health concern. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the burden of PASC in community-dwelling individuals and understand the experiences of people living with PASC. METHODS: This mixed-methods study of COVID-19 positive community-dwelling persons involved surveys and in-depth interviews. Main outcome was self-report of possible PASC symptoms 3 weeks or longer after positive COVID-19 test. In-depth interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions and probes based on emerging literature on PASC and the impact of COVID-19. RESULTS: With a survey response rate of 70%, 442 participants were included in this analysis, mean (SD) age 45.4 (16.2) years, 71% female, 12% Black/African American. Compared to those with no PASC symptoms, persons who reported PASC symptoms were more likely to be older (mean age: 46.5 vs. 42; p = 0.013), female (74.3% vs. 61.2%; p = 0.010), to have pre-existing conditions (49.6% vs. 34%; p = 0.005), and to have been hospitalized for COVID-19 (14.2% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.002). About 30% of the participants experienced severe fatigue; the proportion of persons reporting severe fatigue was 7-fold greater in those with PASC symptoms (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] 6.73, 95%CI: 2.80-16.18). Persons with PASC symptoms were more likely to report poor quality of life (16% vs. 5%, p<0.001) and worse mental health functioning (Mean difference: -1.87 95%CI: -2.38, -1.37, p<0.001). Themes from in-depth interviews revealed PASC was experienced as debilitating. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of PASC among community-dwelling adults was substantial. Participants reported considerable coping difficulties, restrictions in everyday activities, invisibility of symptoms and experiences, and impediments to getting and receiving PASC care

“Living like an empty gas tank with a leak”: Mixed methods study on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19

Background The burden and presentation of post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are a developing major public health concern. Objectives To characterize the burden of PASC in community-dwelling individuals and understand the experiences of people living with PASC. Methods This mixed-methods study of COVID-19 positive community-dwelling persons involved surveys and in-depth interviews. Main outcome was self-report of possible PASC symptoms 3 weeks or longer after positive COVID-19 test. In-depth interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions and probes based on emerging literature on PASC and the impact of COVID-19. Results With a survey response rate of 70%, 442 participants were included in this analysis, mean (SD) age 45.4 (16.2) years, 71% female, 12% Black/African American. Compared to those with no PASC symptoms, persons who reported PASC symptoms were more likely to be older (mean age: 46.5 vs. 42; p = 0.013), female (74.3% vs. 61.2%; p = 0.010), to have preexisting conditions (49.6% vs. 34%; p = 0.005), and to have been hospitalized for COVID-19 (14.2% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.002). About 30% of the participants experienced severe fatigue; the proportion of persons reporting severe fatigue was 7-fold greater in those with PASC symptoms (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] 6.73, 95%CI: 2.80–16.18). Persons with PASC symptoms were more likely to report poor quality of life (16% vs. 5%, p\u3c0.001) and worse mental health functioning (Mean difference: -1.87 95%CI: -2.38, -1.37, p\u3c0.001). Themes from in-depth interviews revealed PASC was experienced as debilitating. Conclusions In this study, the prevalence of PASC among community-dwelling adults was substantial. Participants reported considerable coping difficulties, restrictions in everyday activities, invisibility of symptoms and experiences, and impediments to getting and receiving PASC care

“Living like an empty gas tank with a leak”: Mixed methods study on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19

Background The burden and presentation of post-acute sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) are a developing major public health concern. Objectives To characterize the burden of PASC in community-dwelling individuals and understand the experiences of people living with PASC. Methods This mixed-methods study of COVID-19 positive community-dwelling persons involved surveys and in-depth interviews. Main outcome was self-report of possible PASC symptoms 3 weeks or longer after positive COVID-19 test. In-depth interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions and probes based on emerging literature on PASC and the impact of COVID-19. Results With a survey response rate of 70%, 442 participants were included in this analysis, mean (SD) age 45.4 (16.2) years, 71% female, 12% Black/African American. Compared to those with no PASC symptoms, persons who reported PASC symptoms were more likely to be older (mean age: 46.5 vs. 42; p = 0.013), female (74.3% vs. 61.2%; p = 0.010), to have preexisting conditions (49.6% vs. 34%; p = 0.005), and to have been hospitalized for COVID-19 (14.2% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.002). About 30% of the participants experienced severe fatigue; the proportion of persons reporting severe fatigue was 7-fold greater in those with PASC symptoms (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] 6.73, 95%CI: 2.80–16.18). Persons with PASC symptoms were more likely to report poor quality of life (16% vs. 5%, p\u3c0.001) and worse mental health functioning (Mean difference: -1.87 95%CI: -2.38, -1.37, p\u3c0.001). Themes from in-depth interviews revealed PASC was experienced as debilitating. Conclusions In this study, the prevalence of PASC among community-dwelling adults was substantial. Participants reported considerable coping difficulties, restrictions in everyday activities, invisibility of symptoms and experiences, and impediments to getting and receiving PASC care