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Background: Malnutrition remains a global health issue, endangering the lives of millions of children, especially in developing nations. It profoundly affects a child's physical and mental development, leading to severe and often irreversible consequences. Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers with acutely malnourished children concerning child feeding and the prevention of malnutrition. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted involving 139 mothers with acutely malnourished children admitted to the malnutrition ward at Mohammed Al-Ameen Hamid Pediatric Hospital between May 2022 and December 2022. Data were collected through direct interviews with the surveyed mothers utilizing a validated, structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was performed using SPSS software version 20. Results: The study revealed that 78.4% of mothers possessed adequate knowledge, 80.6% exhibited favorable attitudes, and 55.4% demonstrated good child-feeding practices and malnutrition prevention practices. A significant correlation between mothers' education and practice was identified (P = 0.025). Furthermore, data analysis highlighted the significant association between mothers' knowledge and attitude (P = 0.007), mothers' knowledge and practice (P = 0.006), and mothers' attitudes and practice (P = 0.033). Conclusion: Most mothers exhibited sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes regarding child feeding and malnutrition prevention; however, there is a need to translate this awareness into improved practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Malaria infection during pregnancy can result in placental malaria and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes particularly among primigravidae. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for placental malaria and its effect on pregnancy outcomes in Blue Nile state, Sudan. Methods A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted consecutively during January 2012–December 2015 in three main hospitals in Blue Nile State, Sudan. At delivery, peripheral and placental blood samples were collected from consenting women. Finger prick blood was used for preparation of peripheral smears and for haemoglobin measurement. Smears were stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Pregnancy outcomes in association to placental malaria were investigated. Results A total of 1149 mothers and their newborns were recruited. The mean (SD) of the age was 23.3 (5.2) years. Detection of malaria parasites was confirmed in 37.8% of the peripheral blood films and 59.3% of the placental films with Plasmodium falciparum as the only species detected. In multivariate analysis, younger age ≤23.2 years old (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.9–5.5; P

Aim: This seroprevalence study was carried out to detect anti Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) antibodies in goat sera in five States in the Sudan during 2009 and 2010. Materials and Methods: In this study, four hundred and thirty two sera samples collected from five States in the Sudan were screened for anti-CAE virus antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit. Results: Out of 432 samples, 25 (5.8%) tested positive using ELISA. The highest prevalence was recorded in El-gazira State (19%), whereas in Kassala State the prevalence was 10.7%, Khartoum State (0.92%) and no positive antibodies were found in Northern and River Nile. Conclusion: The information obtained in this study showed that the disease spread to other states in the Sudan beside Khartoum state. Therefore, further epizootiological investigation on CAEV and Maedi Visna Virus at the country level is important to monitor its spread and determine its economic impact in the Sudan, while better control on imported animals for genetic improvement must be instituted. [Vet World 2013; 6(8.000): 558-562]

Aim: This cross-sectional survey was conducted to detect anti- N. caninum antibodies in bovine dams' sera samples in nine States of the Sudan. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy six bovine dams' sera samples collected from nine States in the Sudan were screened for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA (cELISA) kits. Results: The results showed an overall prevalence rate of 15.9% (range 6.7% - 70%) of Neospora caninum antibodies. The prevalence rates were high in White Nile (70%) and North Kordofan (30%), moderate in the Northern (15.6%), Red Sea (13.3%) States and was low in the South Kordofan (9.4%) and River Nile (6.7%). States with high values of percentage inhibition (PI) detected in White Nile State compared to other States. No antibodies were detected in El Gadarif, Kassala and South Darfur States. The prevalence was observed to be high in crossbred dams (70%) with statistically significant difference (P

Aim: The survey was carried out to detect anti- C. burnetii antibodies in goat's sera samples in eight States in the Sudan during September 2010 – July 2011. Materials and Methods: In a preliminary study, four hundred and sixty caprine sera samples collected from eight States in the Sudan were screened for anti- Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent of Q fever) antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA (iELISA) kit. Results: The results showed an overall prevalence rate 24.22% of Q fever antibodies. The prevalence rate of antibodies ranged from 6.7% in Kassala to 40% in South Darfur. The prevalence rates were highest in South Darfur (40%) and South Kordofan (34.7%), moderate in El Gazira (29.7%), Khartoum (29.1%), the Northern (24%) and the River Nile (20.2%) States. It was lowest in the White Nile (7.5%) and Kassala (6.7%) States. Conclusion: It could be concluded that Q fever is prevalent in goats in the Sudan. Therefore, further epizootiological investigations on Q fever in other farm animals and man at the country level is important to monitor and determine the magnitude of Q fever infection in order to estimate its economic impact on animal industry and its public health hazard in the Sudan. In addition, the impact of Q fever among shepherds should be studied. [Vet. World 2012; 5(7.000): 394-397]

Background: Malaria infection during pregnancy can result in placental malaria and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes particularly among primigravidae. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for placental malaria and its effect on pregnancy outcomes in Blue Nile state, Sudan. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted consecutively during January 2012-December 2015 in three main hospitals in Blue Nile State, Sudan. At delivery, peripheral and placental blood samples were collected from consenting women. Finger prick blood was used for preparation of peripheral smears and for haemoglobin measurement. Smears were stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically for malaria parasites. Pregnancy outcomes in association to placental malaria were investigated. Results: A total of 1149 mothers and their newborns were recruited. The mean (SD) of the age was 23.3 (5.2) years. Detection of malaria parasites was confirmed in 37.8% of the peripheral blood films and 59.3% of the placental films with Plasmodium falciparum as the only species detected. In multivariate analysis, younger age =23.2 years old (AOR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.9-5.5; P < 0.001), primiparae (AOR = 3.9, CI 2.1-7.6; P < 0.001), secundiparae (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.1; P < 0.001, no antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR = 11.9, 95% CI 7.8-18.1; P < 0.001) and not using bed nets (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.7-6.8; P < 0.001) were risk factors for placental malaria. Education and residence were not associated with placental malaria infection. Placental malaria was significantly associated with maternal anaemia (AOR = 41.6, 95% CI 23.3-74.4; P < 0.001) and low birth weight (LBW) (AOR = 25.2, 95% CI 15.1-41.3; P < 0.001). Conclusion: During the study, there was a high prevalence of placental malaria in Blue Nile State-Sudan, as the enhanced control activities were not practiced, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as maternal anaemia and LBW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant Ovine Theileriosis (MOT), caused by Theileria lestoquardi, is a major constraint for sheep production in many areas of the world including Sudan. Export sheep and sheep products are a major component of Sudan national economy and foreign income. Despite the importance of the disease, there is a considerable lack of detailed information regarding the postmortem and histological manifestations in the infected sheep. To specify the macroscopic and microscopic findings in sheep infected with MOT, 45 Sudanese sheep, T. lestoquardi negative were selected and were maintained for 3 months under natural ticks challenge. Necropsy was performed on 15 dead infected and 4 euthanized non-infected control, all pathological lesions were recorded. Kidneys, liver, lungs, spleen, heart, lymph nodes, stomach, intestine, pancreas and brain from test and control groups were sampled, fixed and were processed for histopathological examinations. The 15 infected sheep displayed severe enteritis with scattered areas of petechial hemorrhages on the serosal and mucosal surface along the small and large intestines. In most animals (n = 7-14), their superficial lymph nodes, liver and spleen were enlarged and their gall bladder were distended. Heart showed petechial hemorrhages and kidneys were congested. All infected animals (100%) revealed sever pneumonia associated with edema and frothy exudates. Comparatively, the most remarkable microscopic lesions in infected sheep were obviously seen in the lungs which exhibited emphysema, congestion, collapse and proliferation of large mononuclear cells. The present study indicates that T. lestoquardi infections are accompanied by severe pulmonary involvements, suggesting that emphysema and interstitial pneumonia may lead to respiratory failure and could provide evidence for death. Our findings may assist our knowledge about the microscopic and macroscopic lesions caused by T. lestoquardi and could contribute to raise awareness among veterinary authorities regarding the pathognomonic lesions for early and/or differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo investigate iodine status and fish consumption of schoolchildren living in the Red Sea and White Nile regions of Sudan.DesignCross-sectional study to determine urinary iodine concentration, visible goitre rate, iodine content of salt and fish consumption.SettingPort Sudan (Red Sea) and Jabal Awliya (White Nile), Sudan.SubjectsTwo hundred eighty (n 280) children aged 6–12 years (142 boys, 138 girls).ResultsThe median urinary iodine concentration in children from Port Sudan and Jabal Awliya was 553 and 160 μg/l, respectively. Goitre was detected in 17·1 % of children from Port Sudan but only in 1·4 % from Jabal Awliya, The salt samples from Port Sudan contained 150–360 mg iodine (KOI3)/kg salt, whereas those from Jabal Awliya had levels below the detection limit. Despite consuming salt devoid of iodine, children from Jabal Awliya had optimal iodine status. It is plausible that consumption of Nile fish from Jabal Awliya Reservoir, which is a good source of iodine and favoured by the locals, might have provided sufficient iodine. In contrast, children from Port Sudan were at higher risk of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism resulting from consumption of excessively iodised salt.ConclusionsThe findings of the study clearly demonstrated that (i) Sudan still has a problem with iodine nutrition and quality control and monitoring of salt iodisation and (ii) including fish in the diet could provide a sufficient amount of iodine for schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sudan is endowed with large livestock wealth, two third of which are sheep. Despite the economic importance of malignant ovine theileriosis (MOT) caused by Theileria lestoquardi in Sudan, little is known about the susceptibility of different sheep ecotypes to the disease. The objective of the present study was to determine the variation in susceptibility of three different Sudanese sheep ecotypes to natural T. lestoquardi infection. T. lestoquardi sero-negative test animal (Garag = 16, Watesh = 14 and Desert = 15) sheep ecotypes were selected from disease free area and were kept together with immune control group. Clinical signs, parasitological findings, haematological values and serum biochemical analysis were used to assess the level of resistance. PCR and LAMP-PCR proved that all animals in the three ecotypes contracted T. lestoquardi infection. However, infected sheep showed variable T. lestoquardi parasitemia with morbidity rate of 92.9%, 43.8% and 53.3% in Desert, Garag and Watesh ecotypes, respectively. The disease caused obvious clinical symptoms in all sheep ecotypes. Comparatively, the parameters of clinical manifestation of T. lestoquardi infection, parasitological, haematological and serum biochemical findings were significantly prominent in the Desert ecotype, indicating their high susceptibility, nevertheless, no significant difference ( p < 0.05) between Garag and Watesh ecotypes. Further studies on innate immunity, genetics, and immunogenetics are need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This seroprevalence study was carried out to detect anti Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) antibodies in goat sera in five States in Sudan during 2009 and 2010. Materials and Methods: In this study, 432 sera samples collected from five States in Sudan were screened for anti-CAEV antibodies using a commercially available competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit. Results: Out of 432 samples, 25 (5.8%) tested positive using ELISA. The highest prevalence was recorded in El-Gazira State (19%), whereas the prevalence was 10.7% in Kassala State, 0.92% in Khartoum State and no samples tested positive from Northern and River Nile States. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the disease had spread to other states, apart from its previously known prevalence in Khartoum, in Sudan. Our results call for better control and quarantine measures on imports of live animals into Sudan for genetic improvement programs. Further epizootiological investigations on CAEV in goats and Maedi Visna Virus in sheep at a national level are also needed to carefully monitor and prevent its spread and also to determine its impact on the economy of Sudan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This cross-sectional survey was conducted to detect anti- N. caninum antibodies in bovine dams' sera samples in nine States of the Sudan. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy six bovine dams' sera samples collected from nine States in the Sudan were screened for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA(cELISA) kits. Results: The results showed an overall prevalence rate of 15.9% (range 6.7% - 70%) of Neospora caninum antibodies. The prevalence rates were high in White Nile (70%) and North Kordofan (30%), moderate in the Northern (15.6%), Red Sea (13.3%) States and was low in the South Kordofan (9.4%) and River Nile (6.7%). States with high values of percentage inhibition (PI) detected in White Nile State compared to other States. No antibodies were detected in El Gadarif, Kassala and South Darfur States. The prevalence was observed to be high in crossbred dams (70%) with statistically significant difference (P<0.05) compared to local ecotype (9.3%). However, no correlation was observed between infection rates in two age groups. Conclusion: Neosporosis is prevalent in cattle in most States of Sudan. Absence of evidence of infection in three of the States investigated may reflect the small number of herds and sera tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The survey was carried out to detect anti- C. burnetii antibodies in goat's sera samples in eight States in the Sudan during September 2010 - July 2011. Materials and Methods: In a preliminary study, four hundred and sixty caprine sera samples collected from eight States in the Sudan were screened for anti- Coxiella burnetii (the causative agent of Q fever) antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA(iELISA) kit. Results: The results showed an overall prevalence rate 24.22% of Q fever antibodies. The prevalence rate of antibodies ranged from 6.7% in Kassala to 40% in South Darfur. The prevalence rates were highest in South Darfur (40%) and South Kordofan (34.7%), moderate in El Gazira (29.7%), Khartoum (29.1%), the Northern (24%) and the River Nile (20.2%) States. It was lowest in the White Nile (7.5%) and Kassala (6.7%) States. Conclusion: It could be concluded that Q fever is prevalent in goats in the Sudan. Therefore, further epizootiological investigations on Q fever in other farm animals and man at the country level is important to monitor and determine the magnitude of Q fever infection in order to estimate its economic impact on animal industry and its public health hazard in the Sudan. In addition, the impact of Q fever among shepherds should be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]