ABSTRACT
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are both sexually transmitted infections, which have impacted the prevalence of cervical dysplasia and cancer in women. Infections with one of these viruses can facilitate infection with the other. In Jamaica cervical cancer is seen in 27.5 per 100, 000 women making it the second leading cause of cancer death in this population only to breast cancer as a cause of death in women with cancer. Our study investigates the seroprevalence of anti-HIV antibodies in women with abnormal pap smears in Jamaica to determine the influence of HIV on cervical dysplasia. Only patients with positive confirmatory tests were classified as HIV positive. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used for screening while the Western blot was used for confirmation. Sero-prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies in women with abnormal pap smears was 0.85%. The preliminary results of HIV seroprevalence in women with abnormal pap smears may be low in Jamaica because of the success of the HIV/AIDS programme. A larger study can be done in the future and be representative of the Jamaica population, since the present study has as a limitation a smaller number of controls in comparison to cases. The findings reported do not support the hypothesis that HPV infection facilitates HIV infection in the studied population. It is the first study of its class reported in the Caribbean. It has been postulated that HPV infections may account for the cervical dysplasia despite the low prevalence of HIV association in the women with abnormal pap smears and that persistent HPV and to a lesser extent the HIV is responsible for the prevalence of abnormal pap smears in Jamaica. A limitation of the study was that the control group was smaller than that expected for 3 million’s population but a larger study can be done in the future.
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp contamination in the Jamaican poultry industry and its environments. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 farms across 6 Jamaican parishes were selected for this study. A total of 6693 specimens from animals and the environment were investigated for the presence of Salmonella spp. All specimens were placed in an igloo with ice packs and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Bacteriological media obtained from Difco Laboratories Detroit MI U.S.A were used for the isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. Salmonella serological typing was performed to determine the Salmonella serovar by standard procedures. Results: This study revealed a low prevalence of Salmonella contamination/infection in both small and large entities in the poultry industry in Jamaica. The overall prevalence was 1 % (79 positive out of 6693 specimens). However, a higher prevalence of Salmonella was observed in the case of those operations which practiced “organic” poultry farming. It was shown that two Salmonella serovars including Augustenborg and Kentucky, identified during the study, are newly reported serovars in Jamaica. The sources of Salmonella infection varied from poultry itself to other species, such as rodents, pigs and insects. Improper disposal of broken eggs, wet bedding and other fomites contributed to Salmonella contamination. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate possibility of salmonellosis (zoonosis) in Jamaica, although the prevalence of Salmonella spp was low, and the need for improved quality of the food industry, animal care and human health to prevent salmonellosis.