Campylobacter (C.) fetus (epsilonproteobacteria) is an important veterinary pathogen. This species is currently divided into C. fetus subspecies (subsp.) fetus (Cff) and C. fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv). Cfv is the causative agent of bovine genital Campylobacteriosis, an infectious disease that leads to severe reproductive problems in cattle worldwide. Cff is a more general pathogen that causes reproductive problems mainly in sheep although cattle can also be affected. Here we describe a multiplex PCR method to detect C. fetus and differentiate between subspecies in a single step. The assay was standardized using cultured strains and successfully used to analyze the abomasal liquid of aborted bovine fetuses without any pre-enrichment step. Results of our assay were completely consistent with those of traditional bacteriological diagnostic methods. Furthermore, the multiplex PCR technique we developed may be easily adopted by any molecular diagnostic laboratory as a complementary tool for detecting C. fetus subspecies and obtaining epidemiological information about abortion events in cattle.
Animals ; Campylobacter ; Campylobacter fetus ; Cattle ; Communicable Diseases ; Fetus ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pathology, Molecular ; Sheep

Sulodexide was evaluated in an investigator-initiated, multi-center, randomized, controlled, open-labeled study to determine its safety and tolerability profile, and effect on the neurological recovery and functional outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke. Sixty-five (65) patients were randomized to Standard care group and 46 to Standard care plus Sulodexide Treatment group. Sulodexide was observed to be safe and well-tolerated among patients included in this study. Although not statistically significant, Modified Rankin Scale Responder Analysis consistently showed higher proportions of functionally improved patients in the Sulodexide group than in the Standard Care group on treatment days 10, 30, and 90 respectively.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Glucuronyl Glucosamine Glycan Sulfate ; Research Personnel ; Stroke ; Glycosaminoglycans

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the rapid adoption of telemedicine in the Philippines; however, there is limited empirical evidence about how physicians and patients view this new form of care.

OBJECTIVE

Our main objective is to evaluate Tele-Ophthalmology for the Management and AssessmenT of Ophthalmic Symptoms (TOMATO), a tele-ophthalmology program implemented in a national tertiary eye referral center in the Philippines. We specifically aim to evaluate the patient characteristics, patient satisfaction, and ophthalmologists' perception of TOMATO telemedicine for eye care.

METHODOLOGY

We employed a prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study among patients and physicians who participated in TOMATO during the study period.

RESULTS

Atotal of 10,551 patients consulted TOMATO, from January to December 2021, with cataract as the most common diagnosis. During its pilot implementation, TOMATO received a low satisfaction rate of 33% among patients due to numerous barriers to its use, including technical and interpersonal problems. Filipino ophthalmologists had good knowledge and a positive attitude towards the use of TOMATO, with a mean score of 3.53 out of 5.

CONCLUSIONS

Tele-ophthalmology is a promising technology for improving access to eye care in the Philippines, but there are still some challenges that need to be addressed, such as improving the user experience, ensuring data security, and training future ophthalmologists in its use.

Human ; Telemedicine ; Philippines