Background: The roll-over test is a simple, easily available clinical test using the sphygmomanometer to predict pregnancy-induced hypertension starting at 20 weeks age of gestation (AOG). However, the roll-over test is not part of the standard prenatal care in government health facilities even if health workers can easily perform the test. Objectives: To validate the roll-over test at the 20th weeks of gestation and to determine the risk factors for preeclampsia in 4 health districts of Surigao City, a province in the CARAGA Region of the Philippines. Methods: A total of 190 pregnant women without history of hypertension during their previous pregnancies from 4 health districts in Surigao City, Philippines were consecutively enrolled from May 2014 to October 2014 in a cross-sectional study design. The roll-over test was done using the method described in Williams Obstetrics and the validity of the roll-over test was measured. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done to determine risk factors for preeclampsia. Results: Seven of the 190 women developed preeclampsia. The sensitivity of the rollover test done at 20 weeks AOG was 43% and the specificity was 81%. Maternal age, history of urinary tract infection (UTI) and a positive roll-over test were associated with preeclampsia. Conclusion Pregnant women whose ages are <20 years or >29 years old, or who had a history of UTI, or a positive roll-over test are more likely to develop preeclampsia. Roll-over test has a low sensitivity at 20 weeks AOG. More studies are warranted to explore the improvement of its predictive value in other AOG.
Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnant Women ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES

To validate a method in detecting SARS-CoV-2 via RT-qPCR in pregnant and non-pregnant samples other than nasopharyngeal swabs and/or oropharyngeal swabs such as cervical, rectal, amniotic fluid, placental, umbilical cord blood, and breastmilk.

METHODS

We performed a validation experiment using MGI easy extraction kits and BGI PCR kits on non-conventional specimens, including cervical, rectal, amniotic fluid, placental, umbilical cord blood, and breastmilk to detect and confirm the presence of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we tested the validated method on 572 purposively sampled field-collected non-conventional specimens from a cohort of 109 unvaccinated pregnant and 47 unvaccinated non-pregnant women to assess which candidate non-conventional maternal- and fetal-associated specimens may contribute to maternal-fetal viral vertical transmission.

RESULTS

Positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in non-conventional specimens was demonstrated and verified. Of the 572 non-conventional samples tested, 1.8% (10/572) were positively validated by RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 in the maternal-associated specimens particularly the rectal (5), placental (1), and cervical (4) swabs among six pregnant and four non-pregnant individuals. In contrast, no SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in fetal-associated specimens.

CONCLUSION

The results of the validation study may serve as an additional diagnostic screening layer to support maternal-child care. Furthermore, viral detection in these non-conventional maternal specimens may also be utilized to provide guidance in the clinical management of neonates, and pregnant women during delivery.

Philippines ; Sars-cov-2 ; Pregnant Women ; Umbilical Cord ; Amniotic Fluid ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Placenta

Background: Ironically, the hospital which is believed to be a healthy and safe place can be dangerous to health. Pollutants such as particulate matter 2.5 microns (PM₂.₅) can be present in hospital indoor air and may adversely affect the health of the hospital occupants. Objective: Possible sources of indoor PM₂.₅ in an urban tertiary care hospital in the Philippines are identified and apportioned in this study. Methods: PM₂.₅ measurements were conducted in two naturally ventilated wards (NVWs), two mechanically ventilated wards (MVWs), and a roof deck near the hospital. Mass concentrations with analytical uncertainties of thirteen elements (Al, Na, S, Si, Cl, K, Ca, V, Fe, Zn, Br, Hg, Pb) from PM₂.₅ measurements were utilized with Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model to identify and apportion possible sources of indoor PM₂.₅. Results: In NVWs and MVWs, four types of sources were identified including sodium and chlorine sources, crustal emissions, anthropogenic sulfur sources, and road dust. Cleaning agents used in the hospital were identified as an anthropogenic indoor source of sodium while the other factors mainly came from outdoor sources. Conclusion The contribution of anthropogenic outdoor pollutants such as road dust and sulfur sources to indoor PM₂.₅ are highlighted in the study. The types of both indoor and outdoor sources of indoor PM₂.₅ can be influenced by the type of ventilation.
Respiration, Artificial ; Air Pollution, Indoor

OBJECTIVE

Given that rabies remains endemic in the Philippines despite government interventions and the pandemicrelated restrictions have hampered its surveillance, this study aimed to estimate the effect of human population, anti-rabies vaccination efforts, and COVID-19 situation on the spread of rabies cases in the districts of Davao City, Philippines.

METHODS

A retrospective study of the canine records at Davao City Veterinarians’ Office was done from January 2018 to June 2021. Monthly rabies cases were ascertained, and the effect of the human population, COVID-19 season, and vaccination ratio on rabies cases was estimated using panel regression models adjusting for confounding factors.

RESULTS

The reporting of rabies cases was lower during COVID-19 than during the non-COVID-19 season, with an IRR of 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33–0.82]. Furthermore, rabies cases increased by 2.23% (95% CI: 0.60–3.89) per 1% increase in vaccination ratio. Additionally, high-population districts recorded more rabies cases than low-population districts.

CONCLUSION

Consistency in monitoring rabies cases during the pandemic is suggested as a roadmap for future program initiatives. Vaccination efforts should be reinforced to increase rabies awareness and ensure early response to emerging diseases. Moreover, highpopulated districts should be prioritized in implementing rabies control interventions to gain optimal development.

Human ; Animals ; Rabies ; Covid-19 ; Vaccination