The efficacy of long lasting insecticidal nets for leishmaniasis in Asia

Vector control is an important part of controlling arthropod-transmitted diseases such as leishmaniasis, dengue, lymphatic filariasis, and malaria. Selecting the most appropriate vector control measures is essential. The current vector control strategy for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which is the most severe form of leishmaniasis, is based on indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the Indian subcontinent. However, this technique has received critique, not only on its effectiveness and sustainability, but also for its side effects on health and the environment. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been proposed as an alternative measure to IRS; however, the effectiveness of LLINs is still under the evaluation for vector control of leishmaniasis. This review aims to examine the potential of LLINs for controlling VL in the Indian subcontinent, areas that are some of the most highly endemic for VL. © Springer International Publishing 2016

Geographical distribution and ecological aspect of sand fly species in Bangladesh

Phlebotomine sand flies, which are biological vectors of Leishmania spp., are represented by around 400 species in the Old World and more than 600 species in the Americas. The vector sand fly species generally belong to the Phlebotomus genus in the Old World and the Lutzomyia genus in the New World. They are yellowish, long legged hairy insects and active after sunset until sunrise. Sand flies can transmit Leishmania parasites as well as some group of viruses called Phleboviruses and a bacterium, Bartonella bacilliformis. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, Kala-azar) caused by Leishmania donovani is an important health problem in the Indian subcontinent including Bangladesh and Phlebotomus argentipes is a proven vector species of Leishmania donovani. In Bangladesh, a total of 13 sand fly species (3 Phlebotomus, 10 Sergentomyia spp.) were recorded so far. All studies showed the dominancy of P. argentipes especially in endemic areas for VL. In this chapter, besides P. argentipes and its biological and ecological features, other species constituting sand fly fauna and their geographical distribution in Bangladesh are discussed. © Springer International Publishing 2016

Identification of Brucella species isolated from proven brucellosis patients in Izmir, Turkey

PubMed ID: 16028204In many parts of the world, brucellosis has significantly decreased, but it is still a problem in some regions of Turkey. Totally, 11 Brucella strains isolated from the blood cultures of patients with presumptive diagnosis of brucellosis were identified to species and biovar level. For species identification, (i) CO2 requirements of isolates; (ii) detection of urease activation; (iii) detection of H2S production; (iv) dye sensitivities (thionine and basic fuchsin); (v) susceptibility to Brucella phage and (vi) agglutination with monospecific antisera (A and M) were performed. Ten out of 11 isolates were identified as B. melitensis biovar 3 and one out of 11 were identified as B. melitensis biovar 1. The sensitivity of isolates to antibiotics was determined by the E-test. All isolates were found to be sensitive to doxycycline, rifampin, ciprofloxacin and cephtriaxone. Only one out of 11 isolates was found to be semi-sensitive to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole). © 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

[Detection of entomopathogen nematode [EPN - sand flies (Phlebotomus tobbi)] caught in the wild in Aydin, Kuşadasi town and its assessment as a biological control agent]. [Kuşadasi, Aydin'da Dogadan Yakalanan Kum Sineklerinde (Phlebotomus tobbi) Saptanan Entomopatojen Nematod [EPN] ve Biyolojik Kontrol Ajani Olarak Kullaniminin Degerlendirilmesi.]

PubMed ID: 23619044In this study, the midgut of the sand flies investigated with direct method for the presence of parasites and other organisms. Wild sand flies collected in Kuşadasi Town-Aydin, were dissected and midgut contents were examined by light microscopy. After midgut dissection, the head and genitalia of sand fly specimens were clarified and mounted for species identification. During the study, a total of 1027 sand flies were dissected. Eight and two species belonging to Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia genera were determined, respectively. Phlebotomus tobbi was found to be most abundant species (61.34%). A third stage of infective Entomopathogen Nematode belonging to Steinernematidae family was observed in the hemocoel of one specimen of P. tobbi during the dissection process. This is the first finding related to entomopathogen nematodes found in sand flies in Turkey. In the study, the sand fly fauna was determined in Kuşadasi Town. For the control of sand flies, entomopathogenic nematodes which are not harmful for non-target organisms, can be used instead of chemical insecticides that can cause unknown damage in the environment

Prevalence of head lice in two socio-economically different schools in the center of Izmir City, Turkey.

PubMed ID: 24659699The well-known and common infestation caused by Pediculus humanus capitis is an important public health and a social issue in many communities in the world. The aim of this study was to compare the head louse infestation rate in two schools having pupils from different socio-economic levels in the city center of Izmir. The pupils aged between 6 and 11 years, were screened for the presence of eggs and nymph/adult lice using a fine-tooth head louse comb. A total of 88 and 126 pupils from the schools with low and medium socio-economic level were screened and 24 (27.2%) and 5 (3.96%) of them were found to be positive for head lice, respectively. Overall, the infestation rate among girls was 3.14 times higher than in boys. Head louse infestation is a significant public health problem among primary schools. Increasing the knowledge about pediculosis and self-hygiene would be helpful in successfully reducing head louse infestation in the school setting. School authorities must encourage the parents to look for head lice routinely and a "school nurse" system is needed for effective head louse control in the schools

Improving knowledge and attitudes of health care providers following training on HIV/AIDS related issues: A study in an urban Turkish area [Saglı k çalı şanları nı n HIV/AIDS ile ilgili konularda egitildikten sonra artan bilgi vetutumları : Türkiye'de kentsel alanda yapnılmnış bir çalnışma]

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitu-des and risk perception among health care providers in İzmir. Material and Methods: A pretest and posttest patterned intervention study was conducted in 2007 among health care providers participa-ting in a training course on HIV/AIDS and universal precautions. The participants consisted of 158 he-alth care professionals from 7 public hospitals and 2 public dental clinics. Information was collected regarding demographic details, HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about patients at the beginning and the end of the course. Pre- and post-training dichotomous point scale scores we-re compared. Results: Of the participants, 72.6 % were females. Only 30.0 % of the respondents re-ported a scalpel or needle stick injury at least once last year. Some of the participants (40%) thought that it was necessary to take extra infection control precautions for patients with HIV. The average pre- and post-training mean knowledge scores were 9.32 ± 2.1 (3-13) and 12.76 ± 2.3 (5-17), respec-tively. The mean pre- and post-training beliefs scores were 12.37 ± 3.1 (3-19) and 15.57± 3.8 (6-22), respectively. There were significant differences in the pre-and post-training mean scores of the res-ponses related to attitudes toward patients with AIDS. Conclusion: There was improvement in knowl-edge and negative attitudes on patients with AIDS at the end of the training. The results of this study suggested that the negative attitudes of health care providers towards individuals with AIDS due to the fear of transmission and inadequate knowledge could be improved with training. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri