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Folate-producing bifidobacteria: metabolism, genetics, and relevance. MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 3:11. [PMID: 38455078 PMCID: PMC10917623 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Folate (the general term for all bioactive forms of vitamin B9) plays a crucial role in the evolutionary highly conserved one-carbon (1C) metabolism, a network including central reactions such as DNA and protein synthesis and methylation of macromolecules. Folate delivers 1C units, such as methyl and formyl, between reactants. Plants, algae, fungi, and many bacteria can naturally produce folate, whereas animals, including humans, must obtain folate from external sources. For humans, folate deficiency is, however, a widespread problem. Bifidobacteria constitute an important component of human and many animal microbiomes, providing various health advantages to the host, such as producing folate. This review focuses on bifidobacteria and folate metabolism and the current knowledge of the distribution of genes needed for complete folate biosynthesis across different bifidobacterial species. Biotechnologies based on folate-trophic probiotics aim to create fermented products enriched with folate or design probiotic supplements that can synthesize folate in the colon, improving overall health. Therefore, bifidobacteria (alone or in association with other microorganisms) may, in the future, contribute to reducing widespread folate deficiencies prevalent among vulnerable human population groups, such as older people, women at child-birth age, and people in low-income countries.
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Bifidobacteria in two-toed sloths ( Choloepus didactylus): phylogenetic characterization of the novel taxon Bifidobacterium choloepi sp. nov. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 70:6115-6125. [PMID: 33052806 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Seven bifidobacterial strains were isolated from the faeces of two adult males of the two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) housed in Parco Natura Viva, in Italy. Comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and of five housekeeping (hsp60, rpoB, clpC, dnaJ, dnaG) genes revealed that these strains were classified into two clusters. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the type strain of Bifidobacterium catenulatum subsp. kashiwanohense DSM 21854T (95.4 %) was the closest neighbour to strain in Cluster I (BRDM 6T), whereas the type strain of Bifidobacterium dentium DSM 20436T (values were in the range of 98‒99.8 %) was the closest neighbour to the other six strains in Cluster II. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of BRDM 6T and of strains in Cluster II with the closely related type strains were 76.0 and 98.9 % (mean value) respectively. Therefore, genotyping based on the genome sequence of the strain BRDM 6T combined with phenotypic analyses clearly revealed that the strain BRDM 6T represents a novel species for which the names Bifidobacterium choloepi sp. nov. (BRDM 6T=NBRC 114053T=BCRC 81222T) is proposed.
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Corrigendum to Characterization of Bifidobacterium species in feaces of the Egyptian fruit bat: Description of Bifidobacterium vespertilionis sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium rousetti sp. nov. [Syst. Appl. Microbiol. 42 (2019) 126017]. Syst Appl Microbiol 2020; 44:126169. [PMID: 33279871 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2020.126169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on blood supplies and transfusion services in Eastern Mediterranean Region. Transfus Clin Biol 2020; 28:16-24. [PMID: 33276150 PMCID: PMC7706593 DOI: 10.1016/j.tracli.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spurred a global health crisis. The safety and supply of blood during this pandemic has been a concern of blood banks and transfusion services as it is expected to adversely affect blood system activities. We aim to assess the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) during the first months of the pandemic. Materials and methods A survey was designed to address blood supply, transfusion demand, and donor management during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Medical directors of different blood banks were invited to participate. Results A total of 16 centers participated with representation from 15/19 countries in the region. In total, 75% were from national blood banks. Most centres had a decrease in the blood supply, ranging from 26–50%. Representatives from 14 countries (93.3%) believed that public fear has contributed to a decrease in donations. Most centres (n = 12, 75%) had a reduction in transfusion demand, while those who did not, reported heavy involvement in treating patients with underlying haemoglobinopathies and haematological malignancies. Half of the centres activated their contingency plans. Four centres had to alter the blood donor eligibility criteria to meet demands. All centres implemented donor deferral criteria in relation to SARS-CoV-2, but were variable in measures to mitigate the risk of donor and staff exposure. Conclusion Blood services in the region faced variable degrees of blood shortages. We summarize lessons learnt during this pandemic for the blood banks to consider to plan, assess, and respond proportionately to future similar pandemics.
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Phylogenetic characterization of two novel species of the genus Bifidobacterium: Bifidobacterium saimiriisciurei sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium platyrrhinorum sp. nov. Syst Appl Microbiol 2020; 43:126111. [PMID: 32847786 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2020.126111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Three bifidobacterial Gram-stain-positive, non-spore forming and fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive strains, SMA1T, SMB2 and SMA15T were isolated from the faeces of two adult males of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, the type strain of Bifidobacterium primatium DSM 100687T (99.3%; similarity) was the closest neighbour to strains SMA1T and SMB2, whereas the type strain of Bifidobacterium stellenboschense DSM 23968T (96.5%) was the closest neighbour to strain SMA15T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of SMA1T and SAM15T with the closely related type strains were 93.7% and 88.1%, respectively. The in silico DNA‒DNA hybridization values with the closest neighbours were 53.1% and 36.9%, respectively. GC contents of strains SMA1T and SMA15T were 63.6 and 66.4 mol%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data obtained, the strains SMA1T and SMA15T clearly represent two novel taxa within the genus Bifidobacterium for which the names Bifidobacterium saimiriisciurei sp. nov. (type strain SMA1T = BCRC 81223T = NBRC 114049T = DSM 106020T) and Bifidobacterium platyrrhinorum sp. nov. (type strain SMA15T = BCRC 81224T = NBRC 114051T = DSM 106029T) are proposed.
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Alloscardovia theropitheci sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of gelada baboon, the 'bleeding heart' monkey (Theropithecus gelada). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:3041-3048. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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Characterization of Bifidobacterium species in feaces of the Egyptian fruit bat: Description of B. vespertilionis sp. nov. and B. rousetti sp. nov. Syst Appl Microbiol 2019; 42:126017. [PMID: 31585749 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2019.126017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fifteen bifidobacterial strains were obtained from faeces of Rousettus aegyptiacus; after grouping them by RAPD PCR only eight were selected and characterized. Analysis of 16S rRNA and of five housekeeping (hsp60, rpoB, clpC, dnaJ, dna G) genes revealed that these eight strains were classified into five clusters: Cluster I (RST 8 and RST 16T), Cluster II (RST 9T and RST 27), Cluster III (RST 7 and RST 11), Cluster IV (RST 19), Cluster V (RST 17) were closest to Bifidobacterium avesanii DSM 100685T (96.3%), Bifidobacterium callitrichos DSM 23973T (99.2% and 99.7%), Bifidobacterium tissieri DSM 100201T (99.7 and 99.2%), Bifidobacterium reuteri DSM 23975 T (98.9%) and Bifidobacterium myosotis DSM 100196T (99.3%), respectively. Strains in Cluster I and strain RST 9 in Cluster II could not be placed within any recognized species while the other ones were identified as known species. The average nucleotide identity values between two novel strains, RST 16T and RST 9T and their closest relatives were lower than 79% and 89%, respectively. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization values for those closest relatives were 32.5 and 42.1%, respectively. Phenotypic and genotypic tests demonstrated that strains in Cluster I and RST 9T in Cluster II represent two novel species for which the names Bifidobacterium vespertilionis sp. nov. (RST 16T=BCRC 81138T=NBRC 113380T=DSM 106025T ; RST 8=BCRC 81135=NBRC 113377) and Bifidobacterium rousetti sp. nov. (RST 9T=BCRC 81136T=NBRC 113378T=DSM 106027T) are proposed.
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Bifidobacterium jacchi sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of a baby common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:2477-2485. [PMID: 31180316 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel Bifidobacterium strain, MRM 9.3T, was isolated from a faecal sample of a baby common marmoset (Callithrixjacchus). Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-sporulating, non-haemolytic, facultatively anaerobic and fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes as well as multilocus sequences (representing hsp60, rpoB, clpC, dnaJ and dnaG genes) and the core genomes revealed that strain MRM 9.3T exhibited phylogenetic relatedness to Bifidobacterium myosotis DSM 100196T. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed the phylogenetic results showing the highest gene sequence identity with strain B.ifidobacterium myosotis DSM 100196T (95.6 %). The average nucleotide identity, amino acid average identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between MRM 9.3T and DSM 100196T were 79.9, 72.1 and 28.5 %, respectively. Phenotypic and genotypic features clearly showed that the strain MRM 9.3T represents a novel species, for which the name Bifidobacterium jacchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MRM 9.3T (=DSM 103362T =JCM 31788T).
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Comparative analysis of probiotic bacteria based on a new definition of core genome. J Bioinform Comput Biol 2018; 16:1840012. [PMID: 29792377 DOI: 10.1142/s0219720018400127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The commensal genus Bifidobacterium has probiotic properties. We prepared a public library of the gene functions of the genus Bifidobacterium for its online annotation. Orthologous gene cluster analysis showed that the pan genomes of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus exhibit striking similarities when mapped to the Clusters of Orthologous Group (COG) database of proteins. When the core genes in each genus were selected based on our statistical definition of "core genome", core genes were present in at least 92% of 52 Bifidobacterium and in 97% of 178 Lactobacillus genomes. Functional comparison of the core genes of the two genera revealed a significant difference in the categories "amino acid transport and metabolism" representing their difference in niche specificity. Over-represented Bifidobacterium protein families were primarily involved in host interactions, the complex compound metabolism, and in stress responses. These findings coincide with the published information and validate our bias-resilient definition of the core genome.
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Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among Blood Donors and Assessment of Blood Donor’s Knowledge about HBV in Sudan. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.17140/hartoj-2-112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Da Vinci Robotic Assisted Operative Laparoscoy in Management of Chronic Ovarian Abscess. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2014.08.769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Robotic Surgery for Managing Complex Benign Adnexal Masses. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2014.08.764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Identification ofDirofilaria immitisProteins Recognized by Antibodies from Infected Dogs. J Parasitol 2014; 100:364-7. [DOI: 10.1645/13-437.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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An outbreak of acute kala-azar in a nomadic tribe in western Sudan: features of the disease in a previously non-immune population. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1994; 88:431-2. [PMID: 7570831 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(94)90417-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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Fluorescence microscopy using a light microscope fitted with an interference filter for the diagnosis of malaria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1994; 88:61. [PMID: 7512289 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(94)90501-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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The treatment of kala-azar in the Sudan with sodium stibogluconate: a randomized trial of three dosage regimens. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1993; 87:307-9. [PMID: 8236402 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(93)90140-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In a randomized study in the Sudan, 3 different regimens of sodium stibogluconate were compared in patients with parasitologically confirmed kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis): 10 mg/kg for 30 d (38 patients), 20 mg/kg for 30 d (29 patients), and 20 mg/kg for 15 d (37 patients). Treatment failures were defined as death, partial response, relapse, or the development of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. The hazard ratio for failure of 20 mg/kg for 30 d vs. 10 mg/kg for 30 d 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6, 7.6) and for 20 mg/kg for 15 d vs. 10 mg/kg for 30 d it was 1.7 (95% CI = 0.5, 6.1). No significant difference was detected between the 3 regimens in the rate of return to normal of haematological criteria, regression of spleen size, or weight gain. After 15 d treatment parasite clearance with 20 mg/kg for 30 d and 20 mg/kg for 15 d was more profound than with 10 mg/kg for 30 d (P < 0.05), but the difference was no longer present at the end of treatment. Further investigation of the effectiveness of short, intensive treatment regimens in the treatment of kala-azar is warranted.
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Kala-azar: a comparative study of parasitological methods and the direct agglutination test in diagnosis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1992; 86:505-7. [PMID: 1475815 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(92)90086-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In a comparative study 88 patients were diagnosed as suffering from kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) using 3 parasitological methods simultaneously. Splenomegaly was absent in 4 cases. In 84 patients with splenomegaly, splenic aspiration appeared to be the most sensitive method (96.4%), followed by bone marrow aspiration (70.2%) and lymph node aspiration (58.3%). There was no relation between titres in the direct agglutination test and parasite load as determined by the number of parasitological methods which were positive or parasite density in splenic aspirates. Splenic aspiration and bone marrow aspiration were compared as an assessment of cure in kala-azar. In 6 (13%) of 46 patients tested, parasites were found, all by splenic aspiration. Bone marrow showed parasites in one of these. The literature with regard to parasitological investigations before and after treatment is reviewed.
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Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in the Sudan: clinical features, pathology and treatment. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1992; 86:245-8. [PMID: 1329273 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(92)90294-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical features, pathology, immune responses, diagnosis and treatment of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the Sudan are described and discussed. The disease is characterized by maculopapular or nodular lesions on the face, limbs or trunk. Lesions appear during or within months after the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, but in 2 of 19 patients there was no previous history of kala-azar. PKDL may be confused with leprosy both clinically and pathologically. Similarities and differences between the 2 diseases are discussed. Unlike visceral leishmaniasis, the peripheral lymphoid cells of patients with PKDL respond to Leishmania antigen and some are leishmanin positive. The response to intravenous sodium stibogluconate (20 mg/kg for 30 d) was reasonably good but some patients required repeated or more prolonged treatment. Ketoconazole in a dose of 10 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks had no effect on PKDL.
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Abstract
The clinical presentation of kala-azar in 43 children and 45 adults was compared. In both groups fever, left upper quadrant abdominal pain and swelling, and weight loss were equally the most common presenting symptoms. Lymphadenopathy was observed in 86 per cent of children and 76 per cent of adults. Splenomegaly was absent in 2 per cent of children and 7 per cent of adults. No significant difference was found in frequency distribution of symptoms and signs between children and adults. Haematological indices were compared in both children and adults with kala-azar and their control groups. In both children and adults with kala-azar, haemoglobin concentration, total white cell count, and platelet count were significantly lower before than after treatment. Only haemoglobin concentration was lower in children with kala-azar as compared with adults with the disease. Children in the control group had lower haemoglobin and higher total white cell count than adult controls. Response to therapy was evaluated in 693 patients. Two-hundred-and-fifty children and 373 adults were treated with sodium stibogluconate 10 mg/kg for 30 days; in both groups 12 per cent deaths and 4 per cent relapses occurred. Thirty children and 40 adults were treated with sodium stibogluconate 2 x 10 mg/kg for 15 days. In children, 3 per cent deaths and 7 per cent relapses were noted; in adults there were 8 per cent deaths and 5 per cent relapses. No significant difference in death rate or relapse rate was found between children and adults in both regimens. Both regimens performed equally well in children and adults with regard to death rate and relapse rate.
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Direct agglutination test for diagnosis and sero-epidemiological survey of kala-azar in the Sudan. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1991; 85:474-6. [PMID: 1755052 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(91)90224-m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
132 patients with suspected kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) were included in a prospective study to compare the performance of the direct agglutination test (DAT) with smears of lymph node, bone marrow and splenic aspiration. A titre greater than 1:3200 was considered positive. 67 patients provided positive smears and 65 were smear-negative. Compared with the results obtained from smears, the sensitivity of the DAT was 94% and its specificity 72%. Of 18 patients who were negative by smears but positive by DAT, 3 were treated on strong clinical suspicion of kala-azar and responded well to therapy. One other patient had post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. Of the remaining 14, 8 were tested with the leishmanin skin test; 6 gave a positive result, suggesting past or sub-clinical infection. In 4 smear-positive patients, the DAT was negative; in 2 of these, the test remained negative during 6 months' follow-up. In a sero-epidemiological survey in a camp for displaced people, 30 of 600 sampled individuals gave a positive DAT. Of these, 11 had been treated for kala-azar; 4 others were leishmanin positive. The DAT is a useful screening test (sensitivity 94%; predictive value of a negative test 92%), but it does not differentiate between past kala-azar, sub-clinical infection and active disease.
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Kala-azar in displaced people from southern Sudan: epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic findings. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1991; 85:365-9. [PMID: 1658990 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(91)90293-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Six hundred and ninety-three patients with kala-azar were seen in Khartoum, Sudan, from January 1989 to February 1990. They were almost exclusively from the Nuer tribe, originating from the western Upper Nile province in southern Sudan, an area not known previously to be endemic for kala-azar. Because of the civil war in southern Sudan no treatment was available locally and massive migration to northern Sudan occurred; many died on the way. All age groups were affected; there was a slight male preponderance (56%). In the clinical presentation, marked generalized lymphadenopathy was prominent (84%). Splenomegaly was absent in 4% of cases. Patients usually showed anaemia, leucopenia and/or thrombocytopenia. 623 patients were treated with sodium stibogluconate, 10 mg/kg for 30 d; relapse occurred in 4% and death in 12%. Latterly, 70 patients were treated with sodium stibogluconate at 2 x 10 mg/kg for 15 d, with relapse in 6% and death in 6%. The difference between the 2 regimens in the number of relapses and deaths was not significant. The outbreak may have been caused by a combination of factors: the introduction of the parasite from an endemic area to a non-immune population, the presence of malnutrition caused by loss of cattle and unavailability of other food sources, and possibly an ecological change in favour of the sandfly vector.
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