Socioeconomic determinants of malaria prevalence among under five children in Uganda: Evidence from 2018-19 Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey

Background & objectives: Malaria remains a significant public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, affecting mainly children and pregnant women. In Uganda, little is known about the underlying socioeconomic correlates of malaria prevalence in children under five years of age. This study investigated the link between malaria infection among children under five and the socio-economic factors in Uganda. Methods: We estimated the prevalence of malaria among under-five children using secondary data from the 2019 Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey. Malaria infection status was ascertained using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to explore the socioeconomic correlates of malaria prevalence. Svyset command in STATA 16.0 was used to control for survey design. Results: Overall, 6503 children were enrolled in the study. Of these, 1516 children tested positive for malaria, leading to an observed malaria prevalence of 23.3%. Older children (OR 1.01, 95%CI 1.01–1.01), and those from rural areas (OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.09–2.84) had higher odds of malaria infection. Children belonging to the highest wealth quintile had lower odds of malaria (OR 0.2, 95%CI 0.08–0.44). Indoor residual spray (OR 0.2, 95%CI 0.10–0.51) and use of treated bed nets (OR 0.8, 95%CI 0.69–0.99) were associated with reduced odds of malaria in children Interpretation & conclusion: Despite the significant increase in malaria preventive interventions in the last two decades, malaria remains highly prevalent in Ugandan under-five children. Indoor residual spraying and treated bed nets need to be promoted countrywide to reach malaria control targets. It is also imperative that appropriate education on proper and consistent use of mosquito bed-nets should be emphasized alongside embracing living habits that reduce the chances of mosquito bites like staying indoors.

Clinical relevance of cagA and vacA and association with mucosal findings in Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals from Chennai, South India

Helicobacter pylori is associated with a spectrum of severe gastrointestinal conditions. In this study, an attempt was made to correlate endoscopic mucosal patterns with H. pylori infection and examine the pathogenic potential of the strains. Among the 147 dyspeptic individuals studied, 42.2% were H. pylori infected. Association of H. pylori with type 3 and 4 mucosal patterns (P = 0.001) and intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.012) was seen. vacA was associated with histological (P = 0.014) and endoscopy findings (P = 0.009). Association of mucosal patterns with H. pylori infection could be useful for clinicians to decide on the need for eradication therapy.

Efficacy of Ascorbic Acid in Reducing Glyphosate-Induced Toxicity in Rats.

Aim: Humans and animals interact with their environments on a daily basis and, as a consequence, are exposed to a broad spectrum of synthesized chemicals present in the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink including glyphosate. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of glyphosate on the sperm dynamics of male albino rats and the protective effects of ascorbic acid. Methods: Twenty five mature male albino rats were weighed and divided into five groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). Group 1 rats served as the control. Rats in groups 2 and 4 received 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate while groups 3 and 5 rats were administered with 250ml/kg and 500ml/kg of glyphosate and 200mg/kg of ascorbic acid, respectively, which were administered orally using oral gavages. The treatment regimen lasted for 65 days. Results: Our results showed that there were significant adverse effects (P<0.05) of glyphosate treatment on sperm parameters and the cyto-architecture of the gonad, which showed disruption in the seminiferous tubules, necrotic germinal epithelium and clumped Leydig cells. However, administering the rats with ascorbic acid caused significant ameliorating effects on the parameters investigated. Conclusion: Succinctly, glyphosate exposure to animals is detrimental to their reproductive physiology, including the cellular integrity of the gonads. This not notwithstanding, administering the affected animals with ascorbic acids might reduce the toxicity inflicted by the glyphosate.

Autosomal recessive limb girdle myasthenia in two sisters.

Limb girdle myasthenic syndromes are rare genetic disorders described under the broad heterogeneous group known as congenital myasthenic syndromes and present with mixed features of myasthenia and myopathy. The familial limb girdle myasthenia has been described as one with selective weakness of pectoral and pelvic girdles, showing a positive response to edrophonium chloride. A report of two sisters affected by this disorder is presented.

SSPE - The continuing challenge: A study based on serological evidence from a teritary care centre in India.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). METHODS: In the period June 96 to December' 98 an analysis for measles virus (MV) antibody was carried out on 103 serum-CSF pairs received from patients clinically suspected of SSPE. Measles antibody was detected in an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IIF) test. RESULTS: Antibody to measles was detectable in 49 (48%) of the serum-CSF pairs tested, a diagnostic criterion for SSPE. Antibody titers ranged from 20 to 1280 in serum and neat to 32 in CSF. The serum: CSF ratio ranged from 5:1 to 80:1. Of the 49 patients diagnosed to have SSPE, 36 were males and 13 females, and the age of the patients at the time of diagnosis of SSPE ranged from 5 to 26 years. Ten of the SSPE patients gave a history of measles vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate vaccine coverage and quality of vaccine used continue to have an impact on occurrence of SSPE.