Knowledge of zoonosis in dairy cattle operators of Santa Fe province, Argentine

Los trabajadores de establecimientos lecheros presentan un significativo riesgo de contraer enfermedades transmitidas animales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el conocimiento y la percepción de los riesgos en operarios tamberos de la Provincia de Santa Fe de las zoonosis a la que están expuestos su asociación con variables socio-demográficas y el uso de elementos de protección personal. Se efectuó una encuesta a asistentes a cursos de capacitación (n= 203) mediante cuestionario estructurado. El análisis incluyó χ2, test exacto de Fisher, t de Student y coeficiente de correlación de Spearman. La brucelosis fue la zoonosis más conocida, mientras que leptospirosis tuvo el reconocimiento más bajo. Las correctas identificaciones de las zoonosis tendieron a estar asociadas entre sí. La vacunación contra brucelosis fue la actividad percibida como de mayor riesgo por los tamberos, mientras que el manejo de animales muertos fue considerado de bajo riesgo. El uso de elementos de protección fue independiente de la percepción del riesgo. Los trabajadores manifestaron no haber recibido capacitaciones formales sobre los riesgos laborales a los cuales se exponen. Se advierte un bajo conocimiento de zoonosis y sus modos de transmisión, situación preocupante teniendo en cuenta la exposición a diferentes zoonosis.Dairy operators are risk of becoming infected by diseases transmitted by cattle. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of zoonosis and risk perceptions of dairy operators in the province of Santa Fe on zoonosis to which they are exposed and their association with the use of elements for personal protection. A survey was carried out on dairy operatos (N= 203) who attended training meetings throughout Santa Fe Province. Data was collected by means of self-administered structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis included χ2, Fisher exact test, Student t test and Spearman correlation coefficient. Brucellosis was the most recognized zoonosis, while leptospirosis had the lowest recognition. Correct answers identifying zoonosis tended to be associated with each other. Vaccination against brucellosis was perceived as a risky activity, while handling dead animals was considered a low risk activity. The use of protective elements was independent of risk perception. The workers said they had not received formal training on work hazards to which they are exposed. Our results showed that dairy operators had low awareness of zoonosis and their means of transmission, a worrying situation given their daily exposure to these hazards.Fil: Koziol, Esteban Edgardo. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Molineri, Ana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Vanasco, Norma Bibiana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Scala, M. R.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; ArgentinaFil: Signorini Porchietto, Marcelo Lisandro. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Salud Pública Veterinaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Tarabla, Hector Dante. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentin

Epitope mapping of pathogenic leptospira LipL32

Aims: To identify LipL32 epitopes and to evaluate their capability to recognizespecific antibodies using ELISA.Methods and Results: Epitope mapping by means of a library of overlappingpeptide fragments prepared by simultaneous and parallel solid phase peptidesynthesis on derivatized cellulose membranes (SPOT synthesis) was carried out.Eighty-seven overlapping decapentapeptides corresponding to the completesequence of LipL32 were synthesized. According to spot-image intensities, themost reactive sequences were localized in regions 151?177 (sequenceAAKAKPVQKLDDDDDGDDTYKEERHNK) and 181?204 (sequence LTRIKIPNPPKSFDDLKNIDTKKL).Two peptides (P1 and P2) corresponding tothese sequences were synthesized, and their reactivity evaluated using ELISAtest.Conclusions: Epitope identification and analysis suggested the existence of twoantigenic regions within LipL32. These LipL32 reactive regions were highlyconserved among antigenically variants of Leptospira spp. isolates. Peptidescontaining these regions (P1 and P2) showed a good capability for anti-leptospiralantibody recognition.Significance and Impact of the Study: This finding could have potential relevancenot only for serodiagnosis but also as a starting point for the characterizationof targets for vaccine design.Fil: Lottersberger, Javier. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Guerrero, Sergio Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Tonarelli, Georgina Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Frank, R.. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research; AlemaniaFil: Tarabla, Hector Dante. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Vanasco, Norma Bibiana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias; Argentin

A survey of zoonotic pathogens carried by Norway rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Fil: Easterbrook, J. D. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Kaplan, J. B. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Vanasco, N. B. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Dr. Emilio Coni; Argentina.Fil: Reeves, W. K. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Purcell, R. H. National Institutes of Health. Hepatitis Viruses Section; Estados Unidos.Fil: Kosoy, M. Y. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases; Estados Unidos.Fil: Glass, G. E. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Watson, J. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Klein, S. L. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) carry several zoonotic pathogens and because rats and humans live in close proximity in urban environments, there exists potential for transmission. To identify zoonotic agents carried by rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, we live-trapped 201 rats during 2005–2006 and screened them for a panel of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Antibodies against Seoul virus (57.7%), hepatitis E virus (HEV, 73.5%), Leptospira interrogans (65.3%), Bartonella elizabethae (34.1%), and Rickettsia typhi (7.0%) were detected in Norway rats. Endoparasites, including Calodium hepatica (87.9%) and Hymenolepis sp. (34.4%), and ectoparasites (13.9%, primarily Laelaps echidninus) also were present. The risk of human exposure to these pathogens is a significant public health concern. Because these pathogens cause non-specific and often self-limiting symptoms in humans, infection in human populations is probably underdiagnosed

A survey of zoonotic pathogens carried by Norway rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Fil: Easterbrook, J. D. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Kaplan, J. B. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Vanasco, N. B. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Dr. Emilio Coni; Argentina.Fil: Reeves, W. K. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados Unidos.Fil: Purcell, R. H. National Institutes of Health. Hepatitis Viruses Section; Estados Unidos.Fil: Kosoy, M. Y. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases; Estados Unidos.Fil: Glass, G. E. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Watson, J. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology; Estados Unidos.Fil: Klein, S. L. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The W. Harry Feinstone Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Estados Unidos.Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) carry several zoonotic pathogens and because rats and humans live in close proximity in urban environments, there exists potential for transmission. To identify zoonotic agents carried by rats in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, we live-trapped 201 rats during 2005–2006 and screened them for a panel of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Antibodies against Seoul virus (57.7%), hepatitis E virus (HEV, 73.5%), Leptospira interrogans (65.3%), Bartonella elizabethae (34.1%), and Rickettsia typhi (7.0%) were detected in Norway rats. Endoparasites, including Calodium hepatica (87.9%) and Hymenolepis sp. (34.4%), and ectoparasites (13.9%, primarily Laelaps echidninus) also were present. The risk of human exposure to these pathogens is a significant public health concern. Because these pathogens cause non-specific and often self-limiting symptoms in humans, infection in human populations is probably underdiagnosed

Floods and human health: A systematic review

Floods are the most common type of disaster globally, responsible for almost 53,000 deaths in the last decade alone (23:1 low- versus high-income countries). This review assessed recent epidemiological evidence on the impacts of floods on human health. Published articles (2004–2011) on the quantitative relationship between floods and health were systematically reviewed. 35 relevant epidemiological studies were identified. Health outcomes were categorized into short- and long-term and were found to depend on the flood characteristics and people's vulnerability. It was found that long-term health effects are currently not well understood. Mortality rates were found to increase by up to 50% in the first year post-flood. After floods, it was found there is an increased risk of disease outbreaks such as hepatitis E, gastrointestinal disease and leptospirosis, particularly in areas with poor hygiene and displaced populations. Psychological distress in survivors (prevalence 8.6% to 53% two years post-flood) can also exacerbate their physical illness. There is a need for effective policies to reduce and prevent flood-related morbidity and mortality. Such steps are contingent upon the improved understanding of potential health impacts of floods. Global trends in urbanization, burden of disease, malnutrition and maternal and child health must be better reflected in flood preparedness and mitigation programs