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Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable and chronic infection triggered by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is one amongst neglected zoonotic disease (NZD) caused by Mycobacterium bovis; has an economic importance with public health significance and life-threatening infection at the human-animal-ecosystem interface in low-resource settings and developing countries globally. Our study aimed to investigate the incidence of pulmonic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in specific occupational groups; to study the socio-demographic conditions, awareness, level of knowledge and practices about tuberculosis; to investigate the molecular prevalence of bTB. Overall, 390 no of sputum samples collected as of 800-participants comprised of TB patients (100), livestock(L/S) farm employees(200), abattoir employees(174), butchers(294), veterinarian(10) and veterinary assistants(22). Two out of 100 TB patients (2/100), 3 out of 200 livestock farm workers (3/200) and 3 out of 23 abattoir workers (3/23) were found positive for the presence of M bovis through PCR technique. A significant association (p<0.05) was found between livestock farm workers and abattoir workers with the prevalence of zoonotic tuberculosis. The level of knowledge and awareness about the zoonotic bTB were very low and considered high-risk occupational groups of gaining zoonotic TB. Bovine tuberculosis is a main public health issue in different job-related groups in district Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The surveillance, prevention and control programs of this NZD in the KP province, Pakistan is necessary because of the continual unrestricted movement of the animals which might result in an increased spread of bTB to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People around the world are currently affected by Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Despite its many aspects, symptoms, manifestations and impacts, efforts have been made to identify the root causes of the disorder. In particular, genetic studies have concentrated on identifying candidate genes for MDD and exploring associations between these genes and some specific group of individuals. The aim of this research was to find out the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in 6 candidate genes linked to the neurobiology of major depressive disorder in the North-Western population of Pakistan. We performed a case-control analysis, with 400 MDD and 232 controls. A trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologists evaluated the patients. Six polymorphisms were genotyped and tested for allele and genotype association with MDD. There were no statistical variations between MDD patients and healthy controls for genotypic and allelic distribution of all the polymorphisms observed. Thus, our analysis does not support the major role of these polymorphisms in contributing to MDD susceptibility, although it does not preclude minor impact. The statistically significant correlation between six polymorphisms and major depressive disorder in the studied population was not observed. There are inconsistencies in investigations around the world. Future research, including GWAS and association analysis on larger scale should be addressed for further validation and replication of the present findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are extensively used throughout the world in industrial, health sector for agriculture and domestic purposes. Despite beneficial effect, these pesticides when released into the environment lead to induced toxicity in a large number of non-target organisms. Some of these are non-biodegradable and are persistently present in environment leading to environmental pollution. These chemicals eventually reach aquatic bodies and cause various histopathological, hematological, bio-chemical and enzymatic alterations in the bodies of aquatic organisms, especially fish, leading to huge economic loss. Consumption of the affected fishes also poses a serious health threat to humans. Pakistan being an agricultural country uses a variety of pesticides to protect its crops. The use of pesticides has substantially increased in Pakistan over the last decades, which when reach the water bodies, adversely affect the rich biodiversity found in aquatic systems of Pakistan. This review discusses research over past decades regarding toxic effects of pesticides induced in edible f reshwater fishes of Pakistan and future considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Little is known about the genetic and morphological characters of Paramphistomum epiclitum. For the first time in Pakistan, adult flukes were morphologically characterized and the sequence variation in the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region, including the first internal transcribed spacers (ITS1) and the 5.8S gene of the Paramphistomum epiclitum were studied. Methods: Adult amphistomes were examined by light microscopy and sequences of ITS1 and 5.88S rDNA genes were obtained. Results: Twenty adult flukes were measured, 13.17 ± 1.19 mm in length and 5.28 ± 1.34 mm in width. Seventeen adult flukes were sequenced and high sequence variability was observed in 5′ end of ITS1 region. The 5.8S and 3′ end of ITS1 sequences had 100% identity among the samples. A comparative analysis revealed that different types and numbers of repeats were found within each ITS1 region. The 3′ end of ITS1 region from P. epiclitum showed 98% homology with P. cervi from China and formed a subclade with genetic distance of 0.1663. The 5.8S gene showed 100% identity within Paramphistomidae family and formed a sub-clade with P. epiclitum, P. leydeni, P. cervi and Cotylophoron cotylophorum species isolated from China, India and Uruguay. Conclusion: This work provides new information on morphological identity and genetics of P. epiclitum from Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis in animals is a serious global health concern mainly due to its zoonotic nature and association with heavy economic losses. Brucellosis has been reported randomly from different parts of Pakistan; however, the prevalence of brucellosis in animals and humans in Bannu District, as well as overall epidemiological data of the country, is missing. The present study reports on the occurrence of brucellosis in domestic animals and its crosscirculation among occupationally exposed human population in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 223 (animals=100, animal handlers=73, veterinary staff=50) serum samples were collected and subjected to serum plate agglutination test (SPAT), Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for Brucella melitensis and B. bovis. Results indicated overall prevalence of 27% (27/100) by SPAT, 10% (10/100) by RBPT and 11% (11/100) by PCR. Prevalence in animal handlers was 24.6% (18/73) by SPAT, 6.84% (5/73) by RBPT and 12.3% (12.3% (9/73) by PCR, while prevalence in veterinary professionals was 30% (15/50) by SPAT, 4% (2/50) by RBPT and 18% (9/50) by PCR. Age, sex, introduction of new animals, contact with infected animals, breeding methods, and hygienic conditions were statistically significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence of brucellosis. Taken together, brucellosis is a persistent public health threat in Bannu District of Pakistan. Therefore, proper control management and mass education are imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Indian-subcontinent is becoming, what could be, the next big battle ground for the control of Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB). The region caters to not only an ever-increasing incidence of new TB cases, but also a huge burden of already existing TB cases, thereby facing a dual threat for spread of XDR-TB. Most of the health-care facilities are devoid of essential laboratory-based infra-structure which is essential for diagnosing XDR-TB. Coupled to this is the lack of knowledge regarding TB diagnosis and treatment amongst the General Practitioners of India and Pakistan, who still treat the bulk of the TB cases. The element of AIDS is also slowly creeping into the equation. Questions have already been raised about the effectiveness of the governmental responses to curb the TB threat. What is needed right away is an effective strategy, incorporating a broad-tiered approach between the government and social sector. This can facilitate greatly in preventing further spread of these resistant strains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Literature regarding multidrug resistant (MDR) carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli (CPE) recovered from food-producing animals is lacking from Pakistan. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of MDR-CPE recovered from retail-poultry meat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 101 retail poultry-meat samples were screened for Escherichia coli and tested against 17 different antibiotics through disc diffusion test to define MDRs. MDR isolates were genotyped by PCR for carbapenemase-encoding elements. Finally, integron typing, insertion sequence common region 1 (ISCR1) and its association with carbapenemaseencoding genes was established through PCR. Of the 33 E. coli isolates, 28 (Phylogroup B2=39.2% (11/28), A=32.1 % (9/28) and group D=28.5% (8/28) were MDR displaying resistance to cefotaxime, tetracycline, ampicillin and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, while, 96.4, 92.8, 89.2 and 85.7% were also found resistant to colistin-sulphate, enrofloxacin, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, respectively. The blaVIM was predominantly identified in 8 (28.5%) isolates followed by blaNDM 4/28 (14.2%) and 2 isolates were carrying a combination of blaVIM+blaNDM. Class-1 integron was detected in 21 (75%), class-2 and class-3 integrons were detected in 25% and 7.1%, respectively. ISCR1 element was identified among 11 isolates (39.28%) that was found associated with blaVIM gene among 3 isolates (27.25%) suggesting involvement in its mobilization. We report the incidence of E. coli carrying carbapenemase-encoding genes located on the plasmids carrying integron 1 recovered from retail-poultry-meat in Mardan, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the levels of stress in the face of terrorism and the adopted coping strategies, amongst the student population of universities in Karachi., Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students from four universities of Karachi. Self-administered questionnaires were filled out by 291 students. Pearson Chi-Square test was used to assess associations between stress levels and different variables at a level of significance of 0.05%., Results: A total of 65.8% of the students had mild stress levels, 91.5% of university students were exposed to terrorism through television, while only 26.5% students reported personal exposure to terrorism. 67.4% students were forbidden by their parents to go out (p = 0.002). Most of those who had self exposure to an attack were the ones whose parents forbade them from going out (p = 0.00). Most commonly used coping strategy was increased faith in religion. Irritability was the most common stress symptom., Conclusion: A majority of students studying in universities of Karachi had mild stress levels due to the constant threat of terrorism whereas a minority had severe stress levels. Possible reasons for resilience and only mild stress levels could be the history of Karachi's internal conflicts and its prolonged duration of being exposed to terrorism. These students who are positive for stress need to be targeted for counseling either through the media or through their universities. More extensive research is needed in this area.