Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens Reared on two Different Litter Materials and at two Stocking Densities.

1. This study evaluated the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens reared on two litter materials and at two stocking densities.2. The chicks were allotted in a completely randomised design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two litter materials (wood shavings or rice straw) and two stocking densities (24 or 30 kg/m2), with six replicates per treatment. Broiler performance, carcase yield, prime cuts, blood plasma proteins, the enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, edible viscera, immune organs, intestine weight and length, abdominal fat, breast meat colour, pH, weight loss by defrosting, weight loss by cooking and shear force were evaluated.3. The density of 24 kg/m2 positively influenced feed consumption and weight gain. The type of litter had a positive influence on feed conversion, with a lower value for birds raised on wood shavings.4. Breast production was improved in birds reared at a density of 24 kg/m2 when compared to birds reared at a density of 30 kg/m2. The rice straw bedding negatively affected abdominal fat (resulting in higher percentages) when compared to birds reared on wood shavings.5. The types of litter affected the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase in birds raised on wood shavings, although these values were not increased to the point of influence on the physiological functions of broilers.6. The colour of the breast meat, pH, temperature, weight loss after thawing or cooking, shear force, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, total proteins, glucose or alanine aminotransferase content were not influenced by the stocking densities or bedding.7. The use of wood shavings as poultry bedding at a stocking density of 24 kg/m2resulted in the best performance for broiler chickens at 42 days of age.

Profiling the immunity status of children with non-polio acute flaccid paralysis who had not received any doses of oral polio vaccine in the South-South region, Nigeria 2011-2014.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the immunity status of children with non-polio acute flaccid paralysis (NP AFP) reported through the AFP surveillance system in the South-South region of Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted using AFP surveillance data collected routinely between January 2011 and December 2014 by the Disease Surveillance Department of the regional health service and the World Health Organization (WHO)-accredited regional reference polio laboratory. All cases of AFP reported to the Disease Surveillance Network from all six zones during this period were included in the study. METHODS: In total, 5111 cases of AFP in children aged ≤15 years were reported between 2011 and 2014. These cases were investigated and verified by WHO surveillance officers using a standard questionnaire, which captured the number of doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) received by the child. Two stool samples were collected for each case, 24-48 h apart, within 14 days of the onset of paralysis, and transported to the national polio laboratory under reverse cold chain storage. Data retrieved were stored in an AFP database hosted by the WHO server. EPIINFO software was used to query the database and extract the information required for analysis in this study. RESULTS: The percentage of children who had received at least three doses of OPV (which serves as a threshold to measure immunity status) decreased from 87% in 2011 to 82% in 2014. The percentage of children who had not received any doses of OPV decreased from 2% in 2011 to 1% in 2014. Forty-eight percent of the children who had not received any doses of OPV were aged <1 year. CONCLUSION: Given the decrease in OPV immunity status, the region risks re-introduction of poliovirus. Swift steps should be taken to improve the immunization coverage, which would boost immunity status in Nigeria.

Níveis de cromo orgânico em rações para frangos de corte mantidos sob estresse por calor no período de um a 42 dias de idade / Levels of dietary chromiumin rations for male broilers kept under heat stress from one to 42 days of age

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação de cromo sobre o desempenho e o rendimento de cortes de frangos, mantidos em ambiente de alta temperatura, no período de um a 42 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 400 frangos de corte, machos, da linhagem Cobb, em um delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos, 0, 350, 700, 1.050 e 1.400ppb de cromo na ração, oito repetições e 10 aves por repetição. Nos períodos de um a 21 e de um a 42 dias de idade, não houve influência dos tratamentos sobre o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração e a conversão alimentar das aves, mas observou-se que o consumo de cromo aumentou de forma linear. Os tratamentos não influenciaram os pesos absoluto e relativo de nenhum dos cortes, peito, coxa e sobrecoxa, avaliados aos 42 dias de idade. A suplementação de até 1.400ppb de cromo na ração não influenciou o desempenho e o rendimento de cortes nobres de frangos de corte mantidos em estresse por calor, no período de um a 42 dias de idade.

The effect of dietary organic chromium supplementation on the performance and yield of prime cuts of male broilers from one to 42 days of age reared under high environmental temperature was evaluated. Four-hundred Cobb male broilers, averaging 38±0.14g were distributed in a simple sample random design with five treatments (0; 350; 700; 1,050; and 1,400ppb of chromium in ration), eight replicates, and ten birds per replicates. In periods from one to 21 and from one to 42 days of age, the treatments did not influence the weight gain, the food intake, and the feed:gain ratio of the birds. However, the chromium intake increased in a linear way. No effect of both absolute and relative weights of all evaluated cuts (breast, thigh, and drumstick) was observed. The dietary chromium supplementation up to 1,400ppb did not influence the performance and the carcass traits of the male broilers kept under heat stress from one to 42 days of age.

Exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados digestíveis para suínos machos castrados mantidos em ambiente termoneutro dos 15 aos 30kg / Digestible sulphurous aminoacid requirement for swine barrows maintained in a thermoneutral environment from 15 to 30kg

Determinou-se a exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados para suínos machos castrados, mantidos em ambiente termoneutro, dos 15 aos 30kg. Utilizaram-se 70 leitões mestiços, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0,465; 0,511; 0,558; 0,605 e 0,652 por cento de metionina + cistina digestível), sete repetições e dois animais por repetição. As rações experimentais e a água foram fornecidas à vontade. A temperatura no interior da sala foi mantida em 21,8±0,4ºC e a umidade relativa, em 73,8±4,9 por cento. Os níveis de metionina + cistina digestível da dieta influenciaram de forma quadrática o ganho de peso diário, que aumentou até o nível de 0,596 por cento, e a conversão alimentar, que reduziu até o nível de 0,627 por cento. O consumo de ração dos animais não variou com os tratamentos. Os tratamentos influenciaram a deposição de proteína na carcaça, que aumentou de forma quadrática até o nível de 0,630 por cento, enquanto a de gordura não variou. A exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados digestíveis para suínos machos castrados, mantidos em ambiente termoneutro, dos 15 aos 30 kg, é de 0,63 por cento, correspondente à relação metionina + cistina digestível:lisina digestível de 67 por cento, para máximo desempenho e composição de ganho.

Drug Resistance to AIDS; Tuberculosis and Malaria in the African Region

With just 10of the world population; sub-Saharan Africa has the highest burden of HIV/AIDS; tuberculosis and malaria in the world. Both access to and adequate utilization of eff ective treatment with quality-assured medicines are crucial for reducing the disease burden. However; eff orts to improve access to treatment are hampered by the development of HIV; TB and malaria drug resistance. This is a result of genetic mutations and is a major threat to control of HIV/AIDS; TB and malaria. HIV drug resistance can be minimized by good antiretroviral treatment (ART) programmes; removal of barriers to continuous access to ART and reduction of HIVtransmission. Recent surveys conducted at antenatal clinics in several countries in the African Region estimated that HIV resistance to all drug classes is less than 5. A global HIV drug resistance network established in 2001 supports countries in capacity building and guidance on standard procedures for monitoring HIV drug resistance. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) are principally a result of inadequate or poorly administered treatment regimens. The new WHO Stop TB Strategy launched in 2006 identifies management of MDR-TB as a core component of TB control. The magnitude of MDR-TB in the African Region is still unknown. In 2007; 27 countries notifi ed MDR-TB cases; and six reported at least one case of XDR-TB. Following widespread resistance to chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine all malaria-endemic countries except two in the Region have changed the treatment policy to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). The main method of monitoring antimalarial drug resistance is through therapeutic efficacy testing. Todate there has been no confi rmed resistance to ACTs in the African Region. Given the emergence and spread of resistance to HIV; TB and malaria drugs; the purpose of this paper is to describe the issues and challenges and propose a way forward with regard to the prevention and control of such resistance

[Prevalence, risk behavior, and level of information on urinary schistosomiasis in primary school students from the Primeiro de Junho Health District, Maputo, Mozambique]. / Prevalência, comportamentos de risco e níveis de informação sobre a esquistossomose urinária em escolares da Area de Saúde 1 de Junho, na Cidade de Maputo, Moçambique.

To assess the prevalence and identify levels of information and risk behavior associated with vesical schistosomiasis, a cross-sectional study was conducted in October-November 1996, involving students from 3 primary schools in the Primeiro de Junho health district in Maputo, Mozambique. Epidemiological interviews and urine samples were taken from 434 male and female students from grades 2 through 5, randomly selected. Estimated prevalence was 11.3% (49/434). Highest prevalence was in the age group ( 15 years old, and the highest intensity of infection among the 10-14-year age group, with 204 eggs/10 ml urine. Approximately 18.9% had heard of schistosomiasis, and of these, only 19.5% (16/82) knew how the disease is manifested. Approximately 50% of the students reported frequent water contacts with potential sources of schistosomiasis. The study shows that vesical schistosomiasis is a public health problem among students in this health district.

Preliminary survey of Leptospirosis and Lyme disease amongst febrile patients attending community hospital ambulatory care in Maputo, Mozambique.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the importance of the spirochetes Leptospira interrogans s.l. and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., as causes of human diseases (leptospirosis and Lyme borreliosis), in order to guide the development of laboratory services and patient management and to identify the appropriateness of future epidemiological studies. DESIGN: Cross sectional serological survey. SETTING: Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. SUBJECTS: 160 adult patients (18 to 50 years of age) presenting, sequentially and for the first time, with a febrile illness at the outpatient's department of a community hospital. METHODS: All sera were examined for L. interrogans s.l. antibodies by the standard microtiter technique (MAT), using as live culture antigens a battery of serovars representing 20 pathogenic serogroups. The IgM and IgG antibody response to B. burgdorferi s.l. was determined in all sera with an indirect IgG ELISA. In order to study potential serological cross-reactivity in malaria positive sera, all samples were further examined for antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum by indirect immunofluorescence. This was complemented with a standardised clinical history and physical examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of antibodies to Leptospira interrogans s.l. and to Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Although not conclusive, because of the inability to attempt rising serology and positive cultures, the results suggest that 10% of non-specific febrile illnesses could be attributed to leptospirosis. This study may thus form the background for a definitive Leptospira research in the same location. We confirm reports from other African countries that Lyme disease is an unlikely occurrence. We further suggest that some of the seropositivity observed for Lyme disease in Maputo could be attributed to serological cross reactivity with antibodies to P. falciparum malaria, leptospirosis or syphilis.

The effects of peer education on STD and AIDS knowledge among prisoners in Mozambique.

The study was designed to evaluate the impact of education on AIDS knowledge among prison inmates in Maputo, Mozambique. A 6-month follow-up study was carried out in 1993 among 300 prisoners. A knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire regarding AIDS and STD was administered to each subject as part of the intake medical examination and after an educational intervention provided by 30 prisoner 'activists'. A large proportion of prisoners had high risk behaviours (65% had 2 or more sexual partners per month and 39% had a history of STD) and low AIDS knowledge at incarceration. Statistically significant increases in knowledge occurred after the intervention. Prisoners with less formal education had a poorer performance on the initial questionnaire (43% vs 69% P < 0.00001) and had a greater improvement after the intervention (41% vs 24%, P < 0.00001). The results demonstrate that educational interventions involving peer health educators contribute positively to the acquisition of knowledge among prisoners.

Syphilis and HIV infection among prisoners in Maputo, Mozambique.

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1284 male and 54 female prisoners to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in 4 correctional institutions of Maputo, Mozambique. Among the men, 32% reported a history of prostitute contact and 41% reported a history of STD. Only 9% reported having ever used condoms. Seventy (5.5%) men reported having had sexual intercourse while in prison, in all but one instance this involved sex with another man. There was no reported intravenous drug use. One hundred and four (7.8%) inmates had positive serological tests for syphilis and 8 (0.6%) had antibodies to HIV. Among men, syphilis was associated with a history of genital ulcer [odds ratio (OR) = 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4, 6.4] and uncircumcised status (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0, 2.5). This study demonstrates that syphilis is common among inmates in Maputo and that risk behaviours for STD transmission exist within Maputo prisons. There is a need for STD screening and treatment programmes within prisons in Mozambique and the introduction of educational interventions, including condom promotion.

PIP: Syphilis is a major public health problem in Mozambique, with 603 of 14,036 blood donations made at the central hospital in Maputo during 1990 being positive on VDRL testing. There were approximately 2340 prisoners held at Machava, Mutatele, and Hanhane prisons, and Cadeia civil jail between September 1990 and February 1991, the period during which a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among inmates in the 4 facilities. 1284 male and 54 female inmates voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The men were of mean age 26.2 years (range, 15-70 years) and had been in jail an average of 5.5 months. 36% of the men reported having been imprisoned on at least one previous occasion. The men and women reported having a mean 1.6 and 1.2 sex partners per week, respectively, before their detention. 32% of men reported having a history of sexual relations with prostitutes; 41% and 17% of men and women, respectively, reported a history of STDs; and 9% of men and no woman reported ever having used condoms. 7.9% of men and 3.7% of women had syphilis. 70 men reported having sexual intercourse in jail, 69 of whom reported such intercourse as being with other men. 0.6% of men and no woman had antibodies to HIV. There was no reported IV drug use among respondents. Among men, syphilis infection was significantly associated with a history of genital ulcers and being uncircumcised. 64% of the men were uncircumcised. STD screening and treatment programs, educational interventions, and condom promotion are needed in Mozambique's prisons.

Syphilis and HIV infection among displaced pregnant women in rural Mozambique.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among displaced pregnant women in Mozambique to determine the prevalence and correlates of HIV infection and syphilis. Between September 1992 and February 1993, 1728 consecutive antenatal attendees of 14 rural clinics in Zambézia were interviewed, examined, and tested for HIV and syphilis antibodies. The seroprevalence of syphilis and HIV were 12.2% and 2.9%, respectively. Reported sexual abuse was frequent (8.4%) but sex for money was uncommon. A positive MHA-TP result was significantly associated with unmarried status, history of past STD, HIV infection, and current genital ulcers, vaginal discharge, or genital warts. Significant correlates of HIV seropositivity included anal intercourse, history of past STD, and syphilis. In summary, displaced pregnant women had a high prevalence of syphilis but a relatively low HIV seroprevalence suggesting recent introduction of HIV infection in this area or slow spread of the epidemic. A syphilis screening and treatment programme is warranted to prevent perinatal transmission and to reduce the incidence of chancres as a cofactor for HIV transmission.