Transmission cycles of Giardia duodenalis in dogs and humans in Temple communities in Bangkok—A critical evaluation of its prevalence using three diagnostic tests in the field in the absence of a gold standard

The prevalence and associated risk factors for Giardia duodenalis in canine and human populations in Temple communities of Bangkok, Thailand were determined by evaluating three common diagnostic methods utilised to detect Giardia, namely zinc sulphate flotation and microscopy, an immunofluoresence antibody test and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the SSU-rDNA gene. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity together with the negative and positive predictive values of each test were evaluated in the absence of a gold standard using a Bayesian approach. The median estimates of the prevalence of infection with G. duodenalis in dogs and humans in Thailand were 56.8% (95% PCI, 30.4%, 77.7%) and 20.3% (95% PCI, 7.3%, 46.3%) respectively. PCR and immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) were the most accurate tests overall with diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 97.4% (95% PCI, 88.5%, 99.9%) and 56.2% (95% PCI, 40.4%, 82.9%) for the PCR and 61.8% (95% PCI, 40.8%, 99.1%) and 94.7% (95% PCI, 87.4%, 99.1%) for IFAT respectively Three cycles, anthroponotic, zoonotic and dog-specific cycles of G. duodenalis were shown to be operating among the human and canine populations in these Temple communities in Bangkok, supporting the role of the dog as a potential reservoir for Giardia infections in humans

Correction: Use of Oral Cholera Vaccine and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in a Long-Standing Refugee Camp, Thailand, 2012-2014.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005210.]

Strongyloides stercoralis : global distribution and risk factors

The soil-transmitted threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, is one of the most neglected among the so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We reviewed studies of the last 20 years on S. stercoralis's global prevalence in general populations and risk groups.; A literature search was performed in PubMed for articles published between January 1989 and October 2011. Articles presenting information on infection prevalence were included. A Bayesian meta-analysis was carried out to obtain country-specific prevalence estimates and to compare disease odds ratios in different risk groups taking into account the sensitivities of the diagnostic methods applied. A total of 354 studies from 78 countries were included for the prevalence calculations, 194 (62.4%) were community-based studies, 121 (34.2%) were hospital-based studies and 39 (11.0%) were studies on refugees and immigrants. World maps with country data are provided. In numerous African, Asian and South-American resource-poor countries, information on S. stercoralis is lacking. The meta-analysis showed an association between HIV-infection/alcoholism and S. stercoralis infection (OR: 2.17 BCI: 1.18-4.01; OR: 6.69; BCI: 1.47-33.8), respectively.; Our findings show high infection prevalence rates in the general population in selected countries and geographical regions. S. stercoralis infection is prominent in several risk groups. Adequate information on the prevalence is still lacking from many countries. However, current information underscore that S. stercoralis must not be neglected. Further assessments in socio-economic and ecological settings are needed and integration into global helminth control is warranted

Knowledge and practices about safe water, sanitation and hygiene in surveys conducted 1 month before (baseline), and 3 and 12 months after (first and second follow-up) an oral cholera vaccination campaign, Maela Camp, 2013.

<p>Knowledge and practices about safe water, sanitation and hygiene in surveys conducted 1 month before (baseline), and 3 and 12 months after (first and second follow-up) an oral cholera vaccination campaign, Maela Camp, 2013.</p

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about vaccination in surveys conducted 1 month before (baseline), and 3 and 12 months after (first and second follow-up) an oral cholera vaccination campaign, Maela Camp, 2013.

<p>Knowledge, attitudes and practices about vaccination in surveys conducted 1 month before (baseline), and 3 and 12 months after (first and second follow-up) an oral cholera vaccination campaign, Maela Camp, 2013.</p

Oral cholera vaccination (OCV) acceptability 1 month before the campaign (baseline) and campaign awareness and OCV uptake 3 months after the campaign (first follow-up), Maela Camp, 2013.

<p>Oral cholera vaccination (OCV) acceptability 1 month before the campaign (baseline) and campaign awareness and OCV uptake 3 months after the campaign (first follow-up), Maela Camp, 2013.</p

Reasons for household non-response in the surveys conducted 1 month before (baseline), and 3 and 12 months after (first and second follow-up) an oral cholera vaccination campaign, Maela Camp, 2013.

<p>Reasons for household non-response in the surveys conducted 1 month before (baseline), and 3 and 12 months after (first and second follow-up) an oral cholera vaccination campaign, Maela Camp, 2013.</p