Seroprevalence of three emerging arboviral infections in Kuwaiti Nationals

Diseases caused by dengue, sandfly fever and hanta viruses pose a major health risk in many countries. We determined the threat of these arboviral infections through a serologic using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based tests. Hantavirus-specific antibodies were also detected using immunofluorescence. Of 499 samples tested for dengue virus IgG antibodies l4% were as positive for dengue positive by all the ELISA tests. Among the 42 showing strong IgG reactivity, only 1 was positive for dengue virus IgM antibodies. All samples tested for IgG antibodies to sandfly fever virus were negative. Hantavirus antibodies were detected in 11% of the 46 samples from high-risk individuals. The low prevalences suggest that at present these infections are not a serious problem in Kuwait

Hantavirus-specific antibodies in rodents and humans living in kuwait

Hantaviruses are found in widely scattered areas of the world and are transmitted by inhalation of virus-contaminated aerosols of rodent excreta. The present study was undertaken in Kuwait to investigate the serological evidence for hantavirus infection in rodents and humans. Sera were collected from 283 wild rodents and 183 human subjects (46 Kuwaitis and 137 non-Kuwaitis). The rodent sera were investigated for the presence of antibodies against the Seoul and Puumala strains of the hantaviruses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence technique using the virus-infected Vero E6 cells. The findings showed the presence of anti-hantavirus antibodies in seven out of the 283 (2.8%) rodents. Antibodies against the Seoul strain were present in six (2.1%) and against the Puumala strain in three (1%) rodents. Further, it was observed that three out of 84 (3.6%) of the Rattus norvegicus and four out of 174 (2.3%) Mus musculus had anti-hantavirus antibodies. Two rodents belonging to species Mus musculus had antibodies against both strains of the hantaviruses. Out of 183 human sera, 13 (7%) were positive for hantavirus antibodies. Among the Kuwaitis 5/46 (11%) and among the non-Kuwaitis 8/137 (6%) were positive for the hantavirus antibodies. Antibodies to both Puumala and Hantaan strains were detected in Kuwaitis as well as in non-Kuwaitis. Although no human case of hantavirus illness has yet been reported in Kuwait, the serological evidence of infection suggests a constant vigil

Role of interleukin-12 in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever

Interleukin (IL)-12 has a broad range of activities including regulation of cytokine synthesis and selective promotion of Th1-type cell development. A shift from a Th1-type response to Th2-type has been suggested to be important in the pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). This study was undertaken to investigate the possible role of IL-12 in this shift. A total of 76 patients with various grades of dengue illness and 21 normal healthy controls were tested for IL-12 levels in serum samples and IL-12 mRNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results showed that the levels of IL-12 were the highest in patients with dengue fever (270± 102 pg ml-1) followed by decreasing levels in the patients with DHF grade I (198± 86 pg ml-1; P<0.05) and DHF grade II (84± 52 pg ml-1; P<0.001). Neither IL-12 nor its mRNA could be detected in the patients with DHF grades III and IV. The cytokine appeared and reached peak levels during the first 4 days of illness, started to decline by day 5-8 and disappeared by day 9 onwards. The absence of IL-12 during severe illness and late phases of the disease may be responsible for the shift to a Th2-type response and thus for the pathogenesis of DHF

Role of interleukin-12 in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-12 has a broad range of activities including regulation of cytokine synthesis and selective promotion of Th1-type cell development. A shift from a Th1-type response to Th2-type has been suggested to be important in the pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). This study was undertaken to investigate the possible role of IL-12 in this shift. A total of 76 patients with various grades of dengue illness and 21 normal healthy controls were tested for IL-12 levels in serum samples and IL-12 mRNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The results showed that the levels of IL-12 were the highest in patients with dengue fever (270 þ 102 pg ml 31 ) followed by decreasing levels in the patients with DHF grade I (198 þ 86 pg ml 31 ; P 6 0.05) and DHF grade II (84 þ 52 pg ml 31 ; P 6 0.001). Neither IL-12 nor its mRNA could be detected in the patients with DHF grades III and IV. The cytokine appeared and reached peak levels during the first 4 days of illness, started to decline by day 5^8 and disappeared by day 9 onwards. The absence of IL-12 during severe illness and late phases of the disease may be responsible for the shift to a Th2-type response and thus for the pathogenesis of DHF.

Agricultural Climate Action and Sustainability Program

Este programa busca impulsar soluciones integradas, basadas en principios que respondan a las prioridades de los Estados Miembros del IICA; su objetivo es lograr un sector agropecuario sostenible, resistente al clima y bajo en emisiones, manteniendo la seguridad alimentaria. Además, apoya la implementación de acciones para atender las prioridades nacionales y sectoriales en las NDC y los planes nacionales de adaptación (PNA). El programa se enfoca en fortalecer capacidades para formular, implementar y evaluar las políticas públicas sectoriales de acción climática integradas en las políticas de desarrollo; promover esfuerzos colectivos y regionales; participar en la dinámica climática nacional y global; y remover barreras y canalizar recursos para facilitar la acción climática y mejorar el desempeño ambiental. Además el informe identifica las publicaciones realizadas por el programa y algunos proyectos climáticos multipaís interesados en cambio climático y recursos naturales.This program aims to drive integrated solutions based on principles that align with the priorities of the Member States of IICA. Its objective is to achieve a sustainable agricultural sector that is resilient to climate change and low in emissions while ensuring food security. Additionally, it supports the implementation of actions to address national and sectoral priorities in NDCs and national adaptation plans (NAPs). The program focuses on strengthening capacities to formulate, implement, and evaluate integrated sectoral public policies for climate action within development policies. It also aims to promote collective and regional efforts, engage in the national and global climate dynamics, remove barriers, and allocate resources to facilitate climate action and enhance environmental performance. Furthermore, the report identifies the publications produced by the program and highlights some multi-country climate and natural resources projects related to climate change

Optimizing Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Crop Production

Guest speaker: Dr. Gaius Eudoxie, Senior Lecturer in Soil Science at the University of the West Indie

Using Climate Data to Increase Agriculture Yields

Guest speakers: Dr. Antonio Joyette, Meteorologist, Climate & Environmental Scientist, University of the West IndiesDr. Antonio Joyette, Adjunct Lecturer at the University of the West Indies highlights some of the of the key climate elements affecting the Caribbean regiona and their potential impact on the regions agriculture sector, simple instruments that can be usd to collect climate data, climate data that is available to the general public, how these data can be accessed and used to guide on-farm decision making to help improve farm resilience to climatic changes and increase agriculture yields

Use of High Quality Forages to Build Climate Resilient Livestock Production Systems

Guest speakers: Mr. Dean Avril, Climate Smart Agriculture Officer, World University Sevice of Canada (WUSC Caribbean) - St. LuciaMr. Dean Avril, Climate Smart Agriculture Officer at World University Service of Canada provides insight on the impacts of climate change on forage feeding systems in the Caribbean region and the highlights some of the practical strategies that can be implemented in improve forage feeding systems and improve access to good quality forage that can contribute towards improving the climate resilience of livestock production systems

Approches Naturelles de la Protection des Cultures et de la Conservation des Sols

Guest speakers: Mr. Nelson Laville, Plant Pathologist, Phyto-Sol Plus Inc. - Dominica, Mr. Damian Adjodha, Agroecological production specialist, New Flower Regenerative Garden - St. LuciaM. Nelson Laville, phytopathologiste chez Phyto-Sol Plus Inc. Dominique, présente quelques approches simples, pratiques et naturelles à effet de coût pour protéger les cultures et la production agricole. M. Laville se penche sur la santé des végétaux et la protection des cultures, les ravageurs courants rencontrés dans les fermes des Caraïbes, la compréhension de l’interaction entre les plantes et les ravageurs, les facteurs clés qui influencent la santé du plan, la gestion intégrée des cultures dans l’ensemble de l’exploitation et les approches de la protection naturelle des cultures, y compris la nutrition, le moment de la plantation et de la récolte, l’utilisation de variétés de cultures résistantes, les habitats et la diversité des cultures. Recettes pour les remèdes maison et les plantes pour le traitement des ravageurs et des maladies dans les cultures agricoles.M. Damian Adjodha, directeur des agroécosystèmes au New Flower Regenerative Garden St. Lucia, présente la conservation agroécologique régénératrice des sols où il se penche sur la conservation des sols de la forêt et sa mise en œuvre à la ferme, en orchestrant des niches écologiques en observant les éléments directeurs d’un système naturel qui fonctionne en synergie ensemble, l’utilisation de l’herbe de vétiver, des pierres, les cultures de couverture et les engrais verts dans l’agroécologie et la conservation des sols. M. Adjodha partage également son expérience et ses méthodes de gestion régénérative des sols