Taeniasis and Other Helminthic Infections in the Northern and Northeastern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract icroscopic stool examinations to diagnose taeniasis and other helminthic infections were performed in three provinces: Nan in the north, and Ubon Ratchathani and Khon Kaen in the northeast. In Nan, lowland communities and hill-tribe communities were treated separately. By Kato thick-smear technique, the results indicated similar prevalence (13-15%) of helminthic infections in all three provinces. In Nan, higher infection rates were found among lowland (34.9%) than hilltribe inhabitants (13.0%). The most significant contributors to the high infection rate were minute intestinal flukes (29.4%) in lowland Nan, whereas in the hill-tribe community, prevalence was very low (0.5%). Infections in the two northeastern provinces were mainly caused by Opisthorchis liver flukes (6-7%). Hookworm infection rates were 4-6% in all study areas. Taenia eggs were found in 2% of both Nan groups, 3.7% in Ubon Ratchathani and 0.9% in Khon Kaen. Other helminths found included Ascaris lumbricoides (4%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.5%) in Nan hill-tribe communities, Strongyloides stercoralis (about 1-2%), Trichuris trichiura in both northeastern provinces (< 1%), and A. lumbricoides in Ubon Ratchathani (< 1%). Thirteen cases positive for Taenia eggs were treated with 2 g niclosamide, and five bowel movements were observed immediately following cathartic administration. Eleven of these 13 cases had Taenia segments in their stool. Long-chain strobilae were commonly expelled in the first two bowel movements. The head portion, or scolex, was released in five cases during any of the five bowel movements. One case expelled two separate long-chain strobilae with two scolices. All Taenia worms found were identified morphologically as T. saginata, either by scolex or gravid proglottids

A review of zoonotic infection risks associated with the wild meat trade in Malaysia.

The overhunting of wildlife for food and commercial gain presents a major threat to biodiversity in tropical forests and poses health risks to humans from contact with wild animals. Using a recent survey of wildlife offered at wild meat markets in Malaysia as a basis, we review the literature to determine the potential zoonotic infection risks from hunting, butchering and consuming the species offered. We also determine which taxa potentially host the highest number of pathogens and discuss the significant disease risks from traded wildlife, considering how cultural practices influence zoonotic transmission. We identify 51 zoonotic pathogens (16 viruses, 19 bacteria and 16 parasites) potentially hosted by wildlife and describe the human health risks. The Suidae and the Cervidae families potentially host the highest number of pathogens. We conclude that there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of zoonotic pathogens and recommend performing microbial food safety risk assessments to assess the hazards of wild meat consumption. Overall, there may be considerable zoonotic risks to people involved in the hunting, butchering or consumption of wild meat in Southeast Asia, and these should be considered in public health strategies

Wide dissemination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in community residents in the Indochinese peninsula

Tatsuya Nakayama,1 Shuhei Ueda,2 Bui Thi Mai Huong,3 Le Danh Tuyen,3 Chalit Komalamisra,4 Teera Kusolsuk,4 Itaru Hirai,2 Yoshimasa Yamamoto1,5 1Global Collaboration Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of The Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan; 3National Institute for Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 5Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Osaka, Japan Abstract: Recent studies have reported a widespread distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria, not only in the nosocomial setting, but also in the community; some local communities in Southeast Asia have been reported to show a high prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria. However, the details regarding the quantitative/qualitative state of ESBL-producing bacterial spread in Southeast Asia are currently unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the state of ESBL-producing bacterial spread in community residents from the Indochinese peninsula, as a representative region of Southeast Asia. In order to achieve this aim, local community residents in Laos and Vietnam were examined for fecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and the findings were compared with data from a previous study in Thailand which was conducted in the same manner as this study. Between 47.0%–70.2% of the Laotian and Vietnamese residents carried ESBL-producing CTX-M genotype Enterobacteriaceae. The most common sub-genotypes of CTX-M were CTX-M-1 (33.0%–47.5%) and CTX-M-9 (47.5%–64.1%), and these rates were similar among all three countries. Taken together, these results confirmed that ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are widely disseminated in Indochinese countries, such as Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Keywords: extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), rural residents, Indochinese peninsula, fecal carriag

Prevalence of hypertension among travelers and stability of blood pressure control during travel: a cross-sectional descriptive study and prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Hypertension is a common and important risk factor for cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of death among the general population and travelers. Data on hypertension among travelers are very limited due to the scarcity of research reports in this specific population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension among adult travelers and the stability of blood pressure control during international trips using a mobile automated blood pressure device. Methods This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the Thai travel clinic, Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Bangkok, Thailand. All adult travelers completed a questionnaire which included demographic data, medical history, medication use, trip characteristics and hypertension awareness and knowledge. Standard two time blood pressure measurements were performed at the clinic to detect possible undiagnosed hypertension. Travelers with pre-existing hypertension were also invited to monitor their blood pressure level before and during their trip for a total of 14 days by using an automated blood pressure device and reporting the readings back to the study team. Result During July and October 2022, a total of 1,359 adult travelers visited the Thai Travel Clinic before their international trip. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 28.8%, including those with pre-existing hypertension (6.7%) and those with newly diagnosed hypertension (22.2%). Travelers with newly diagnosed hypertension were significantly younger than travelers with pre-existing hypertension (38.5 years vs. 55.6 years, p  10 mmHg higher blood pressure during the trip, however this was not clinically significant. All participants remained well, and acute symptoms secondary to hypertension were not reported. Conclusion Up to 28.8% of adult travelers seen in pre-travel consultations had hypertension. Most of them were unaware of their blood pressure condition. Vital signs including blood pressure should be evaluated in all pre-travel visits in order to prevent undiagnosed severe hypertension that might lead to hypertensive crisis

International University Students’ Pre-Travel Preparation, Knowledge and Practices towards Travel Health in Thailand: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

International university students are vulnerable travellers due to their unpredictable schedules and lifestyles. As Thailand continues to see an increase in international students, evaluating their pre-travel preparation and preventive behaviours is crucial to identify areas for improvement. For this purpose, an online survey focusing on pre-travel preparation, knowledge and preventive practices related to travel health was distributed to 324 eligible international students from 14 Thai universities, with the majority being from Asia and Oceania (79.0%; n = 256). The results showed that half of the respondents (53.7%; n = 175) received professional pre-travel advice, mainly because of the mandatory health examination and vaccination requirements of the host university. The study also revealed inadequate knowledge about infectious and non-infectious health risks, with only one-third being aware that Japanese encephalitis is transmitted by mosquito bites, and less than half of the students recognising Thailand’s emergency services number. Poor preventive practices were also observed, with less than half of those with new sexual partners consistently using condoms and less than half of those riding motorcycles always wearing helmets. These findings highlight the need for a new strategy to improve the standard of travel health preparation among this group of young adult travellers, particularly those from resource-limited countries

Additional file 1 of Prevalence of hypertension among travelers and stability of blood pressure control during travel: a cross-sectional descriptive study and prospective cohort study

Additional file 1