PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Zeyhle

Publications and source records attributed to E Zeyhle.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Canine echinococcosis in Turkana (north-western Kenya): a coproantigen survey in the previous hydatid-control area and an analysis of risk factors.

A study of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs, with risk-factor analysis, was carried out in the endemic area of northern Turkana district, Kenya, using necropsy on 42 strays and a coproantigen-ELISA survey of 161 owned animals. During the post-mortem examinations, 14 (33%) of the necropsied dogs were found infected with E. granulosus, with a mean burden of 540 worms (range=two to 4080 worms). The 26 necropsied dogs that came from the north-western Lokichoggio division--an area where, from 1983 to 1997, there had been a continuous programme of hydatid control--showed a similar prevalence of infection to the other dogs (34.6%) but a significantly lower mean burden, of 53 worms (range=two to 300). Forty-two (26%) of the animals tested for Echinococcus coproantigen were found positive. Although the dogs from the Lokichoggio division were more likely to be coproantigen-positive (29%) than those from the central Kakuma division (20%) or the north-eastern division (18%), the differences were not statistically significant. In questionnaire-based interviews, the owners of the dogs tested for coproantigens were asked about possible risk factors for canine infection with E. granulosus. Women were found to have twice the level of contact with dogs as men. The results of a univariate analysis of the dog-owners' responses revealed six factors that appeared to be significantly associated with a coproantigen-positive dog: non-restraint of the dog (P<0.001); dog fed on raw offal (P<0.001); the improper disposal of slaughter offal (P<0.001); the dog-owner's lack of knowledge about the transmission of echinococcosis (P=0.001); the dog not receiving anthelmintic treatment (P=0.003); and dog age < or =5 years (P=0.01). The results of a multivariate analysis confirmed that lack of dog restraint, access to raw offal, and young age of the dog (< or =5 years) each significantly increased the risk of coproantigen positivity (P, 0.005). Dogs that scavenged from cooking pots, were used to clean babies, had access to the inside of houses, and/or slept indoors appeared, however, to be at no increased risk of coproantigen positivity. The present results are discussed in relation both to older information on the epidemiology and role of human behaviour in the transmission of E. granulosus in Turkana, and the effects of the hydatid-control programme that ran continuously in the north-western division of Turkana between 1983 and 1997.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2002

A study of cystic echinococcosis in slaughter animals in three selected areas of northern Turkana, Kenya.

In an attempt to establish the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis, a study was conducted in slaughter animals in three divisions of northern Turkana, Kenya. A total of 5752 goats, 588 sheep, 381 cattle and 70 camels were examined at slaughter. Echinococcus granulosus metacestodes were found in 19.4% of the cattle, 3.6% of sheep, 4.5% of goats and 61.4% of camels. The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in cattle, sheep and goats was higher in Lokichogio than in either Kakuma or Central divisions. On the other hand, the prevalence of the disease in camels was higher in Central (84.6%) than either Lokichogio (70.6%) or Kakuma (50%). The differences in prevalence rates in different study areas are attributed to differences in environmental conditions, livestock stocking intensity and cross-border migration of livestock.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Application of ultrasonography in prevalence studies of hydatid cysts in goats in north-western Turkana, Kenya and Toposaland, southern Sudan.

A study was done to determine the prevalence of hydatid cysts in goats using ultrasonography. A total of 1,390 goats were examined, 43,6 % (606/1,390) of them from north-western Turkana, Kenya, and 56,4% (784/1,390) from Toposaland, southern Sudan. Hydatid cysts were visualized in 1,82 % (11/ 606) of the goats from north-western Turkana and 4,34% (34/784) of those from Toposaland. Unlike abattoir surveys, the prevalence data obtained in this study were unbiased because entire flocks were examined. The lower prevalence rate of the disease in goats from Turkana was attributed to the hydatid disease control programme in that area, which is absent in Toposaland.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among children in southern Sudan.

A study was conducted in southern Sudan to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children. A total of 275 stool samples which were examined using formol-ether concentration techniques yielded 15 different species of parasites. Hook worm with a prevalence of 13.1% was the predominant nematode followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (3.3%), Trichostrongylus (2.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (2.2%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.8%). Ascaris lumbricoides and cestodes were not detected in this population. Intestinal protozoans were common. Entamoeba coli (37.8%), Entamoeba histolytica (28.4%) and Giardia lamblia (9.8%). Children in the age group 6-10 years old were the most affected followed by the 11-15 year-old age group. The infection rate was slightly higher in males than females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Molecular examination of the sympatry and distribution of sheep and camel strains of Echinococcus granulosus in Kenya.

Previous studies have shown that camel and sheep strains of the cystic hydatid parasite Echinococcus granulosus occur in Kenya. We examined 208 larval isolates and 40 worm samples of E. granulosus from various hosts in Kenya using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a segment of ribosomal DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. This was in an effort to determine whether additional strains of E. granulosus occur in Kenya, to examine the level of genetic heterogeneity within the sheep/dog and camel/dog strains previously identified, and to map out their intermediate host range and geographic distribution in Kenya. We confirmed the existence of the two strains in Kenya and showed that the distribution of the camel strain appears restricted to the Turkana region, where camels are kept as livestock. The intermediate host range for both strains seems to be similar except that humans appear refractory to infection with the camel strain. We have also shown that although the life-cycle patterns of the two strains overlap both geographically and in intermediate and definitive hosts, the strains maintain their homogeneous genetic identity.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1993

Intestinal helminths of public health importance in dogs in Nairobi.

In a survey of intestinal canine zoonotic helminths in Nairobi, 156 dogs were autopsied. Of these, 10% were infected with Echinococcus granulosus, 88% with Ancylostoma caninum, 45% with Dipylidium caninum and 3% with Toxocara canis. All the infected dogs with E. granulosus originated from around abottoirs in Dagoretti. The risk of infection in man with hydatid disease is considered to be high around Dagoretti and control measures are recommended.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed1991

Antibody responses against natural Taenia hydatigena infection in dogs in Kenya.

Antibody responses (IgG) against Taenia hydatigena infection in dogs in Kenya were analysed in ELISA using excretory/secretory products of T. hydatigena scoleces derived from goat cysticercus cysts. Helminth infections of individual dogs were confirmed at autopsy. T. hydatigena worms were found in 89.5% of 143 dogs, and positive anti-T. hydatigena antibody levels were detected in 58.7% of infected dogs. Positive antiscolex antibody levels were detected in 40.0% of Turkana dogs uninfected with T. hydatigena, suggesting previous infection. Antibody was not detected in 34.4% of infected dogs. There was no relationship between individual T. hydatigena worm burdens and absorbance values for sera in ELISA. It was not possible to distinguish between sera from T. hydatigena-infected and uninfected dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Observations on human echinococcosis (hydatidosis) and evaluation of transmission factors in the Maasai of northern Tanzania.

An attempt was made to estimate the prevalence of hydatid disease amongst the Maasai people of northern Tanzania and to examine the factors which would contribute to the transmission of the disease in this region. Retrospective review of hospital records revealed an annual surgical rate of hydatid disease for 1977 through 1986 of 11 per 100,000 people. Ten (1%) of 959 people screened by ultrasound scanning had hydatid cyst-like echoes, giving a prevalence estimation of 1.4%. Thirty per cent of positive ultrasound cases were also positive in an ELISA antibody test. Three of four dogs necropsied and two of six dogs purged were found to harbour patent Echinococcus infections. Quantitative man:dog contact studies, examination of soil and water samples for Echinococcus eggs and comparison of the anti-Echinococcus antibody responders revealed that there are few marked differences in exposure to infection between the Maasai and the Turkana, who have a much higher prevalence of hydatidosis and perhaps the highest prevalence in the world. Hypotheses to explain the differences in the infection rate between these two groups of pastoralists who share a similar traditional lifestyle are presented. The Maasai, like the Turkana, had no knowledge of hydatid disease, and it is suggested that the best way to control the disease in Maasailand would be by proven dog control measures, supported by a suitable, more durable, educational programme.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Portable ultrasound scanner versus serology in screening for hydatid cysts in a nomadic population.

3553 nomads in Turkana, a remote area of north-west Kenya, were screened for hydatid cysts by a portable ultrasound scanner and by serology. 198 (5.6%) proved to have liver or upper abdominal cysts. In the group screened by both techniques (2644) 174 (6.6%) cases of hydatidosis were detected by ultrasonography and 76 (2.9%) by serology. Ultrasonography gave immediate results and was less expensive and more acceptable and educationally valuable to the people. This non-invasive rapid technique also provided important clinical information about the cysts. The prevalence data thus obtained will contribute to the surveillance of a hydatid control programme.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1986

Hydatid disease: research and control in Turkana. II. The role of immunological techniques for the diagnosis of hydatid disease.

Immunological studies have been applied to the immunodiagnosis of human hydatidosis in Turkana and for the specific identification of Echinococcus eggs, particularly in regard to their potential for the assessment of a hydatid control programme in the north-west of the District. A high rate of false negatives has been obtained with sensitive antibody tests for proven hydatid patients in Turkana and presents problems for prevalence estimation in the population. A seroepidemiological study using specific antibody detection indicated a 2.17% seropositive rate, and by using a portable ultrasound 67% of antibody positives were confirmed as having liver/abdominal cysts. An enzyme immunoassay test for specific circulating antigen, often associated with circulating immune complexes, was positive in sera in 75% of hydatid patients who were antibody-negative. The formation of specific circulating immune complexes may contribute directly to the production of a state of false negativity. These studies indicate that by combining tests for antibodies and antigens together with ultrasound, the true prevalence of human hydatidosis in Turkana is at least 5%. Characterization of Echinococcus antigens recognized by human antisera from Turkana and British hydatid patients indicates that both groups recognize the same major protein antigens in cyst fluid and protoscoleces. The results of assaying anti-oncospheral antibodies in people living in the high prevalence area of north-west Turkana compared to people in areas of low prevalence indicates that most of the people in the high prevalence area are probably infected (challenged) with Echinococcus eggs. This observation suggests that there may be a high level of acquired resistance. A species-specific immunofluorescence test using an anti-Echinococcus monoclonal antibody has been developed which can specifically identify oncospheres artificially hatched from Echinococcus eggs. This test will be applied to the problem of identification of Echinococcus eggs in the environment and in dog faeces, with a view to studying the epidemiology of the disease and for use in assessment of the hydatid control programme.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Hydatid disease: research and control in Turkana, IV. The pilot control programme.

A pilot programme to control hydatid disease in north-west Turkana district was started in October 1983 with an intensive educational campaign. This was followed by control and treatment of the dog population to reduce the prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus, thereby reducing the infective pressure on man. Surveillance is by mass annual sero-epidemiological and ultrascan surveys of the nomadic Turkana within the control region and by arecoline purging of the dogs. Some of the recent advances in research on hydatid disease in subject areas such as immunodiagnosis, chemotherapy and epidemiology have been incorporated into the present programme, and their relevance to this and other similar programmes is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Hepatitis delta virus infection in Kenya. Its geographic and tribal distribution.

In 1982-1984, an epidemiologic survey of the prevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in circulating blood (HBs-antigenemia) and of hepatitis delta virus infection was performed in Kenya. The distributions of hepatitis B virus and the delta virus were shown to be very variable. In southern Kenya, only two of 202 sera from HBsAg-positive individuals with no known liver disease and none from 123 HBsAg-positive patients with hepatitis B-related liver disease were positive for delta antibody. In contrast, in northern Kenya, there was an overall prevalence of delta antibody in healthy individuals of 31%. The distribution of delta infection is discussed in relation to lifestyle, ethnic group, and geographic area.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The intestinal helminths of the red fox and some other carnivores in southwest Germany.

In south-west Germany between 1975 and 1980, 3,573 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 84 badgers (Meles meles), 47 stone martens (Martes foina), and 387 cats (Felis catus) were examined for intestinal helminths. In foxes the extent of infections was: Taenia crassiceps 24%, T. polyacantha 8%, T. taeniaeformis 0.6%, T. serialis 0.5%, Mesocestoides leptothylacus 20%, Mesocestoides sp. 0.2%, Toxocara canis 32%, Toxascaris leonina 3%, Uncinaria stenocephala 26%. One to three foxes harboured T. hydatigena, T. pisiformis, T. martis, Dipylidium caninum, Diphyllobothrium sp., Alaria alata, and Ancylostoma caninum (Echinococcus multilocularis will be dealth with in a separate paper by the second author). Results are compared with those of other European countries. Seasonal dynamics were exhibited by M. leptothylacus (rare in late summer), U. stenocephala (more frequent in summer than in winter), and, to a lesser extent, by T. canis (slightly less in spring and autumn than in winter and summer). Infections in fox cubs were comparable to those of adults in summer. Of the badgers, 2% harboured Taenia martis, 15.5% Atriotaenia incisa, and 4% Uncinaria criniformis; of the stone martens 6% harboured T. crassiceps and 36% T. martis; of the cats 1% were infected with T. crassiceps, 29% with T. Taeniaeformis, 2% with Mesocestoides leptothymacus, 30% with Toxocara Cati and 2% with U. stenocephala.

Animals↗