Search

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a common medically unexplained symptom among children worldwide. However, the biological mechanisms behind the development of functional and behavioral symptoms and changes in blood markers have not been well explored. This study aimed to assess changes in the concentrations of inflammatory markers, including cytokines and tryptophan catabolites, in the serum of children with RAP compared to those with subclinical infections. Children with RAP but without organic diseases were included, and those with asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infections were used as a subclinical infection cohort. Blood samples were collected and used to measure the cytokine profile using Multiplex Immunoassay and tryptophan catabolites using high performance liquid chromatography. Children with RAP showed significantly higher concentrations of serum tumor necrotic factor-α, p

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection among individuals who have close contact with animals. The association between plausible risk factors and the seropositivity for Toxoplasma was examined. A total of 312 blood samples were collected form veterinarians(38), veterinary technicians(45), veterinary students(194) and pet owners(35) from several veterinary hospitals and clinics in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA.Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets.Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%)participants where 7(18.4%) veterinarians, 15(33.3%)veterinary technicians, 29(14.9%)veterinary students and 11(31.4%) pet owners were infected. Out of 19.9% positive samples for toxoplasmosis, 18.3% of these samples were positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% was positive for IgM antibody and 0.6% were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies.Positive samples for IgM antibody and for both IgG and IgM antibodies were further analysed by IgG avidity test. Out of 5 samples tested for avidity test, 4 samples showed a high avidity results which means infection occurred in the past whereas only 1 sample showed a recently acquired infection. Univariate analysis showed that age group, gender,study population, gardening, task performance and working duration were significantly associated with seropositivity of toxoplasmosis. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group more than or equal to 30 years old (OR=0.34, 95% CI=0.18-0.63, p=0.001)and working or study duration more than 10 years in handling with animals(OR=5.07, 95% CI=1.80-14.24, p=0.002)were identified as significant

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians, and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4 cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II, and III kits. Meanwhile, the demographic profiles and possible risk factors of these participants were also recorded in the standardized data collection sheets. Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was observed in 62 (19.9%) participants being 7 (18.4%) in veterinarians, 15 (33.3%) in veterinary technicians, 29 (14.9%) in veterinary students, and 11 (31.4%) in pet owners. Of 19.9%Toxoplasma seropositive samples, 18.3%was positive for IgG antibody, 1.0% for IgM antibody, and 0.6% for both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of three different IgG avidity ELISA kits, ELISA III showed high avidity in all five seropositive samples (IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies) indicating chronicToxoplasma infection which is consistent with no evidence of clinical toxoplasmosis diagnosed during the time of this study. Univariate analysis showed that age group, gender, study population, gardening, task performance, and working duration were significantly associated withToxoplasma seropositivity. Further analysis by multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that age group of ⩾30 years old (ORD0.34, 95% CID0.18-0.63, p D0.001) and working or study duration of>10 years having close contact with animals (ORD5.07, 95% CID1.80- 14.24, p D0.002) were identified as significant risks forToxoplasma infection. Based on the results obtained, a comprehensiveToxoplasma screening and health surveillance program on toxoplasmosis should be implemented among people having close contact with animals in general and confirmedToxoplasma seronegative individuals in particular to prevent seroconversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]