Anthrax in animals and humans in Mongolia

Summary Anthrax is endemic throughout Mongolia, except in the semi-desert and desert areas of the south. The prevalence of anthrax in Mongolia had drastically decreased since the 1950s due to the use of anthrax antiserum and vaccines, but the privatisation of the animal husbandry sector and changes in the structures of the veterinary and medical delivery systems in Mongolia over the last decade have resulted in challenges for disease control. Animal and human anthrax has become an increasing problem since the mid-1990s. Human cutaneous anthrax is common in Mongolia as a result of exposure to infected animals. In this paper, the authors identify potential causes for the increase of anthrax in Mongolia. The current prevention efforts may not be adequate. Anthrax surveillance and control must be intensified, particularly in areas of high prevalence

Leptospira seroprevalence and associations between seropositivity, clinical disease and host factors in horses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of different serovars of <it>Leptospira </it>spp. and their association with clinical disease and host factors in Swedish horses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sera from 2017 horses brought to equine clinics during 1997–98 were investigated. The sera were examined by microscopic agglutination test for the presence of antibodies against the following <it>L. interrogans </it>serovars: Bratislava strain Jez, Icterohaemorrhagiae strain Kantorowicz and Pomona strain Pomona and also <it>L. kirschneri </it>sv Grippotyphosa strain Duyster and <it>L. borgpetersenii </it>sv Sejroe strain M 84. Host factors, disease factors, season, pasture access and outdoor confinement variables were analysed with respect to seropositivity to sv Bratislava and Icterohaemorrhagiae. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model seropositivity to sv Bratislava and Icterohaemorrhagiae (seroprevalence > 8%).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The seroprevalence, at a cut-off 1:100, were for sv Bratislava (16.6%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (8.3%), Sejroe (1.2%), Pomona (0.5%) and Grippotyphosa (0.4%). In the multivariable analysis, it was demonstrated that seroprevalence increased with age for sv Bratislava and Icterohaemorrhagiae. For sv Bratislava the seasons April – June and October – December and for sv Icterohaemorrhagiae October – December had higher seroprevalences than other seasons. Horses not used for racing had higher levels of seropositivity to sv Bratislava. Furthermore, horses with respiratory problems as well as horses with fatigue had higher levels of seropositivity to sv Bratislava. Ponies and coldbloods, and horses with access to pasture, had lower seroprevalence for sv Icterohaemorrhagiae. Healthy horses had lower seroprevalence for sv Icterohaemorrhagiae, than non-healthy horses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was no significant association between clinical signs and disease and positive titres to sv Bratislava (except for the association between respiratory problems and fatigue and seropositivity to sv Bratislava). The results suggest that horses with increasing age and exposed to factors associated with outdoor life had an increased seroprevalence for sv Bratislava, indicating that horses get infected from outdoor and/or are exposed to shedding from other horses (management dependent). For sv Icterohaemorrhagiae, management possibly plays a role as ponies and coldbloods as well as healthy horses had lower seroprevalence. Overall, the age of the horse should be taken into consideration when evaluating the titre as the average healthy horse has a higher titre than a young horse.</p

Leptospirosis in the Asia Pacific region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic infection that has been recognized for decades, but the problem of the disease has not been fully addressed, particularly in resource-poor, developing countries, where the major burden of the disease occurs. This paper presents an overview of the current situation of leptospirosis in the region. It describes the current trends in the epidemiology of leptospirosis, the existing surveillance systems, and presents the existing prevention and control programs in the Asia Pacific region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on leptospirosis in each member country were sought from official national organizations, international public health organizations, online articles and the scientific literature. Papers were reviewed and relevant data were extracted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Leptospirosis is highly prevalent in the Asia Pacific region. Infections in developed countries arise mainly from occupational exposure, travel to endemic areas, recreational activities, or importation of domestic and wild animals, whereas outbreaks in developing countries are most frequently related to normal daily activities, over-crowding, poor sanitation and climatic conditions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the Asia Pacific region, predominantly in developing countries, leptospirosis is largely a water-borne disease. Unless interventions to minimize exposure are aggressively implemented, the current global climate change will further aggravate the extent of the disease problem. Although trends indicate successful control of leptospirosis in some areas, there is no clear evidence that the disease has decreased in the last decade. The efficiency of surveillance systems and data collection varies significantly among the countries and areas within the region, leading to incomplete information in some instances. Thus, an accurate reflection of the true burden of the disease remains unknown.</p

EVALUATION OF ALIMENTARY RELATED RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PECULIARITIES OF NUTRITION OF URBAN MEN IN MONGOLIA

Introduction. In order to assess the alimentary risks, the accumulation of toxic and conditionally toxic chemical elements in the body, the nutrition of the inhabitants of Erdenet (Mongolia), working at the same ore mining and processing enterprise, was studied. Material and methods. The study involved 160 men aged 30-60 years, the average age was 41.2 ± 1.1 years. Evaluation of nutrition was executed using the questionnaire method on the basis of food diaries for 3 days. The content of chemical elements in water-food rations was calculated from the multi-element analysis of samples of local food products and drinking water, carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Calculation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk was carried out in accordance with the guidance of P 2.1.10.1920-04. Results. The nutrition structure of the examinees is not well balanced, there is practically no fish and seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet. The daily diet provides an excessive supply of molybdenum, chromium, copper, sodium, manganese. The total index of non-carcinogenic danger associated with the entry into the body of 26 chemical elements in the composition of the water-food ration exceeds the safe level by 6.98 times, mainly due to phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc. The level of non-carcinogenic toxic and conditionally essential elements does not exceed 1 (0.59 and 0.12, respectively). The main contribution is made by the entry of toxicants with food (96.6%). Drinking water as a source of danger is important only for lead, aluminum, boron, nickel, and vanadium. Individual carcinogenic risk due to the intake of carcinogens with food (2.4 × 10-4), as well as the total carcinogenic risk associated with oral route of admission (2.6 × 10-4) is estimated as unacceptable for the general population. At the same time, chromium (95.8%) makes the main contribution to the level of total oral risk. Conclusion. Possible sources of excess intake of these elements in the diet were discussed. There have been proposed measures to rationalize nutrition, which will ensure the prevention of major non-communicable diseases.</jats:p