We have used nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PCR-based endonuclease digestion method to genotype Chlamydia trachomatis serovars in 460 infected individuals from the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Our study groups comprised women who presented in labour to the Goroka Base Hospital, their newborn infants, symptomatic children who presented to the hospital's Outpatients Department and men and women from 15 randomly selected villages in the Asaro Valley. In this analysis, the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene, omp1, of C. trachomatis was amplified using DNA obtained from the endocervix of women, urine from men, and both the eye and nasopharynx of children. Amplified DNAs were digested concurrently using Alul and a combination of EcoRI, Hinl and Hpall restriction enzymes. The mixtures were separated on electrophoretic gels and the respective serovars designated on the basis of resolved digested DNA patterns. Our results, which were confirmed also by omp1 sequence data, show serovars D, E, F, G, H and L3 to be present in the studied communities. The overall relative frequencies of these serovars were 30%, 21%, 25%, 1%, 20% and 2% respectively, with serovars D, E, F and H accounting for 97% of these infections. Double infections among these principal serovars were also detected in all our study groups but at a low overall frequency of 3%. Serovar D was the major agent involved in the aetiology of chlamydial infection in both children and adults though serovar F was the most frequent in newborn infants. Serovar H was relatively less frequent in symptomatic children. No trachoma-related serovars were detected, confirming the rarity of this disease in Papua New Guinea. In contrast, although clinical cases of lymphogranuloma venereum have not been described in the country, the detection of serovar L3 in this study suggests that it may occur. However, the association of L3 also with childhood infection indicates that it may be causing the same pathology as the serovars D-K that are associated with non-ulcerative sexually transmitted infections.
Upper case dee ; Papua New Guinea ; Child ; upper case aitch ; Upper case eff

Clinic ; upper case pea ; upper case aitch ; upper case gee ; Corneal Diseases

The large stomach worm, Haemonchus contortus is an important pathogen of goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries). This paper describes characteristics of surface cuticular ridges (synlophe) of H. contortus adults from the two hosts. There were more ridges in H. contortus from goats compared to that from sheep. Total body length, vulvar morphology, spicule length and cervical papillae had been considered as markers of physical adaptation and were studied and described.
Sheep ; Haemonchus contortus ; Length ; upper case aitch ; Malaysia

There is no doubt that on a global basis, Haemonchus contortus is by far the most important parasite of small ruminants (sheep and goats). This is particularly more so now, with the development of high levels of resistance to both the broad and narrow spectrum anthelmintic drugs in H. contortus throughout the world. Epidemiological studies describe the lower environmental limits for haemonchosis to occur in sheep, as being a mean monthly temperature of 18C and approximately 50mm rainfall. Thus it has been generally recognised that H. contortus is a problem parasite restricted to the warm, wet countries where sheep and goats are raised. However, recent evidence shows that this parasite is apparently common even in northern Europe. Thus the need for sustainable control strategies for H. contortus is becoming much more pressing. This report highlights two examples of sustainable and highly efficient control programmes for H. contortus, that can be implemented in regions at the extremes of its geographic range (Malaysia and Sweden), where the authors have had direct involvement.
Parasites ; upper case aitch ; control ; Haemonchus contortus ; Sheep

This cross sectional study was conducted to determine the validity of three screening tools, Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), Malnutrition Risk Screening Tool for Community (MRST-C) and Malnutrition Risk Screening Tool for Hospital (MRST-H) among elderly people at health clinics. The screening tools were validated against anthropometric and functional assessments. The anthropometric assessments that were carried out included body weight, height, arm span, body mass index (BMI), calf circumference (CC) and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). A set of questionnaire on manual dexterity, muscular strength, instrumental activities daily living (IADL) and cognitive status was used to assess functional abilities. A total of 156 subjects were recruited from rural (38 subjects) and urban (118 subjects) health clinics at Sabak Bernam and Cheras respectively. Subjects’ age ranged from 60 to 83 years old, with 44.2% were men and 55.8% women. The prevalence of muscle wasting among the subjects assessed from MUAC and CC were both 7.0%. MNA-SF had the highest correlation with BMI (r = 0.497, p<0.001), followed by MUAC (r = 0.398, p<0.001), CC (r = 0.473, p<0.001), cognitive assessment (r = 0.229, p<0.001) and handgrip strength (r = 0.209, p<0.001). Whilst MRST-C had the highest correlation with IADL score (r = -0.320, p<0.001) and MRST-H had the highest correlation with the lock and key test (r = -0.325, p<0.01). Sensitivity was the highest for MNA-SF (93.2%), followed by MRST-H (52.5%) and MRST-C (25.8%). Specificity was the highest for MRST-H (97.3%), followed by MRST-C (90.8%) and MNA-SF (79.4%). Positive predictive value (PPV) for MRST-H, MNA-SF and MRST-C was 55.5%, 18.2% and 14.1%, respectively. In conclusion, among the screening tools being validated, MNA-SF is considered the most appropriate tool to be used in health clinics for identification of elderly individuals who are at high risk of malnutrition.
Lower case are ; lower case pea ; SF Brand of Topical Fluoride ; Carbon ion ; upper case aitch