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Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a chronic infection caused by the larval stage of the Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm and commonly manifests within the liver. In humans and dogs, AE is typically [...]

Background: Chronic stress is an important risk factor in the development of obesity. While research suggests chronic stress is linked to excess weight gain in children, the biological or behavioral mechanisms are poorly understood. Objective: The objectives of the Family Stress Study are to examine behavioral and biological pathways through which chronic stress exposure (including stress from COVID-19) may be associated with adiposity in young children, and to determine if factors such as child sex, caregiver-child relationship quality, caregiver education, and caregiver self-regulation moderate the association between chronic stress and child adiposity. Methods: The Family Stress Study is a prospective cohort study of families recruited from 2 Canadian sites: the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Participants will be observed for 2 years and were eligible to participate if they had at least one child (aged 2-6 years) and no plans to move from the area within the next 3 years. Study questionnaires and measures were completed remotely at baseline and will be assessed using the same methods at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. At each time point, caregivers measure and report their child's height, weight, and waist circumference, collect a hair sample for cortisol analysis, and fit their child with an activity monitor to assess the child's physical activity and sleep. Caregivers also complete a web-based health and behaviors survey with questions about family demographics, family stress, their own weight-related behaviors, and their child's mental health, as well as a 1-day dietary assessment for their child. Results: Enrollment for this study was completed in December 2021. The final second-year follow-up was completed in April 2024. This study's sample includes 359 families (359 children, 359 female caregivers, and 179 male caregivers). The children's mean (SD) age is 3.9 years (1.2 years) and 51% (n=182) are female. Approximately 74% (n=263) of children and 80% (n=431) of caregivers identify as White. Approximately 34% (n=184) of caregivers have a college diploma or less and nearly 93% (n=499) are married or cohabiting with a partner. Nearly half (n=172, 47%) of the families have an annual household income ≥CAD $100,000 (an average exchange rate of 1 CAD=0.737626 USD applies). Data cleaning and analysis are ongoing as of manuscript publication. Conclusions: Despite public health restrictions from COVID-19, the Family Stress Study was successful in recruiting and using remote data collection to successfully engage families in this study. The results from this study will help identify the direction and relative contributions of the biological and behavioral pathways linking chronic stress and adiposity. These findings will aid in the development of effective interventions designed to modify these pathways and reduce obesity risk in children. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05534711; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05534711 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/48549 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, is spread through airborne, aerosolized droplet nuclei produced by persons with pulmonary TB during forceful expiration (e.g., coughing, sneezing). (1) TB disease most [...], OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) was a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada early in the 20th century. Elderly populations in Canada remain at high risk for TB disease. Elderly patients may present atypically, with the result that many active cases can remain undiagnosed. We present an outbreak of TB that occurred in a Residential and Long-Term Care (LTC) facility in Ontario. METHODS: Case finding was carried out through the conventional concentric circle approach. Three rounds of tuberculin skin testing were conducted at 8-12 week intervals. Laboratory analysis was conducted at the Public Health Ontario Laboratories. An indoor air quality assessment was conducted to determine whether inadequate engineering controls were a transmission risk factor. RESULTS: A case of active pulmonary TB was confirmed in May 2010 in a staff member at the facility. By January 2011, 3 additional active cases and 24 latent tuberculosis infections among residents and staff had been identified. Genotyping methods confirmed that the 4 active cases were infected by an identical strain. Nine of 15 locations tested in the facility had air exchange rates below published guidelines. CONCLUSION: Prompt reporting of the initial case allowed for a quick initiation of the epidemiologic investigation. Given the epidemiology of TB in elderly populations, outbreaks should remain a concern for LTC facilities and physicians, even in jurisdictions of low TB incidence. Baseline and annual TB screening for residents and staff, early diagnosis of active TB, and adequate ventilation are important to reduce the incidence of disease. KEY WORDS: Epidemiology; outbreaks; tuberculosis; long-term care OBJECTIFS : La tuberculose etait l'une des grandes causes de morbidite et de mortalite au Canada au debut du 20e siecle. Les populations agees du Canada presentent encore un risque eleve de contracter la tuberculose-maladie. Ses manifestations peuvent etre atypiques chez les patients ages; de nombreux cas actifs peuvent donc rester non diagnostiques. Nous presentons une eclosion de tuberculose survenue dans une maison de soins infirmiers en Ontario. METHODE : Nous avons procede a la recherche des cas selon l'approche classique des cercles concentriques. Trois cycles de tests cutanes a la tuberculine ont ete menes a intervalles de 8 a 12 semaines. L'analyse a ete faite dans les laboratoires de Sante publique Ontario. Une evaluation de la qualite de l'air a l'interieur a permis de determiner si des mesures d'ingenierie inadequates etaient un facteur de risque dans la transmission de la maladie. RESULTATS : Un cas de tuberculose pulmonaire active a ete confirme en mai 2010 chez un membre du personnel de l'etablissement. En janvier 2011, 3 autres cas actifs et 24 infections latentes a la tuberculose avaient ete detectes parmi les residents et le personnel. Des methodes de genotypage ont confirme que les quatre cas actifs etaient infectes par une souche identique. Neuf des 15 endroits testes dans l'etablissement avaient des taux d'echange d'air inferieurs aux lignes directrices publiees. CONCLUSION : La declaration rapide du cas initial a permis d'amorcer rapidement l'enquete epidemiologique. Etant donne l'epidemiologie de la tuberculose dans les populations agees, les maisons de soins infirmiers et les medecins doivent rester a l'affut des eclosions, meme dans les provinces et les territoires ou l'incidence de la tuberculose est faible. Le depistage initial, puis annuel de la tuberculose chez les residents et le personnel, le diagnostic precoce de la tuberculose active et une ventilation adequate sont d'importants facteurs pour reduire l'incidence de cette maladie. MOTS CLES : epidemiologie; flambees epidemiques; tuberculose; soins longue duree

Prior to 2012, Echinococcus multilocularis was not known to occur in any host in Ontario, Canada. However, since that year, five cases of alveolar echinococcosis have been diagnosed in dogs that resided at the western end of Lake Ontario. In addition, E. multilocularis has been shown to be a common infection in wild canids (i.e. coyotes and foxes) across southern Ontario with a high‐risk infection cluster in the area surrounding the western shores of Lake Ontario and northern shores of Lake Erie. In regions endemic for E. multilocularis, dog ownership is considered a risk factor for human alveolar echinococcosis. A study was therefore carried out to determine the prevalence of E. multilocularis intestinal infections in dogs within the high‐risk infection cluster. From May to November 2018, faecal samples were collected from 477 dogs aged ≥6 months that visited 12 off‐leash dog parks in the Halton, Hamilton and Niagara public health units. Faecal samples were analysed via a magnetic capture probe DNA extraction and real‐time PCR method for E. multilocularis DNA. Overall, 0% (97.5% CI: 0%–0.80%) of samples tested positive. This result informs preventive recommendations for E. multilocularis infections in dogs in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2-year-old boxer dog from southern Ontario was evaluated because of acute onset lethargy. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a hemorrhagic, destructive, liver mass. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction confirmed Echinococcus multilocularis as the cause of the hepatic mass. This constitutes the first description of endemic E. multilocularis in Ontario.