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Zoonotic TB is a significant public health issue among professionally exposed groups in Peshawar, Pakistan and suggests a need for further detailed investigations of the disease in this and similar areas.

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Background: To establish the incidence, timing and outcome of peritonitis following percutaneous gastrostomy (PEG) insertion in children. Methods: Patients developing peritonitis after PEG insertion during a 5-year period ( I 990-95) were identified. Variables analysed included clinical presentation, management, operative findings and outcome. Results: One hundred and twenty paediatric patients received 130 PEG in the 5-year period. Eight children developed peritonitis: 4 within 24 h of PEG insertion and 4 following routine PEG tube change (3-1 8 months later). All four patients developing early peritonitis underwent laparotomy in whom three had sustained major damage to adjacent viscera. The fourth patient had a negative laparotomy, but died from continued overwhelming sepsis. All four patients who developed peritonitis after a routine tube change underwent a tube contrast study. In two children a gastrocolic fistula was identified and surgically repaired. Contrast studies in two patients detected an intraperitoneal leak. This problem resolved with conservative management in both cases. Conclusions: Peritonitis immediately following PEG insertion is rarely due to the air leakage during insertion (benign pneumoperitoneum) and warrants early laparotomy to identify and correct the likely associated visceral trauma. Following PEG tube change peritonitis may result from stoma1 separation or tube malposition and an urgent study is indicated to identify the cause.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and associated risk factors in cattle and buffalo in Peshawar, Pakistan. Cattle and buffalo, randomly selected from all four towns of District Peshawar, were screened for bovine tuberculosis using comparative cervical intradermal tuberculin test (CCIT). For obtaining data on risk factors, sociodemographic condition, animal characteristics, and management, interviewer administered pretested questionnaire to animal owners. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to measure association between risk factors and comparative cervical intradermal tuberculin reactors. A total of 556 cattle and buffalo were screened for bovine tuberculosis. Out of 556 animals screened, 5.75 % (3.9-8.0 %) were found positive. The prevalence was higher in old animals (p = 0.001) as compared to younger animals. Prevalence also varied with source of animal (either raised on farm or purchased), stay of animals at night (indoor or outdoor), and herd size. Farmer's knowledge about transmission of TB from animals to human as well as signs and symptoms of TB was extremely low. Only 3.6 % farmers correctly stated the combination of three major symptoms of TB. Results of the study call for immediate intervention to control bTB in animals as well as its transmission to human population. Furthermore, it is suggested to emphasize on local epidemiology of bTB and husbandry practices of cattle and buffalo during the control program.

This study was conducted in four districts (Malakand, Swat, Bajaur and Shangla) of Northern Pakistan to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors and phylogenetic analyses of Theileria and Anaplasma species in small ruminants. A total of 800 blood samples, 200 from each district, were collected from apparently healthy animals. PCR assays were performed using generic primers for Anaplasma spp. and Theileria spp. as well as species specific primers for A. ovis and T. ovis. Overall infection prevalence was 361/800 (45.1%). Theileria spp. infection prevalence (187/800, 23.3%) was higher than Anaplasma spp. (174/800, 21.7%). Amplified partial 18S rRNA genes were sequenced and enrolled animals were found to be infected by T. ovis (115/800, 14.3%), and at least two more Theileria species (72/800, 9%) were present (T. lestoquardi and T. annulata). All blood samples that were found to be positive for Anaplasma spp. were also positive for A. ovis. Infection prevalence was higher in sheep (227/361, 28.3%) compared to goats (134/361, 16.6%) (p < 0.005). Univariable analysis of risk factors showed that host, age, grazing system and acaricide treatment were significant determinants (p < 0.05) for both Theileria and Anaplasma infections. Multivariable analysis revealed that host, sex, age, tick infestation and grazing system were significant risk factors (p < 0.005) for both pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis revealed variants among the A. ovis and T. annulata samples analysed, indicating that different genotypes are circulating in the field while T. ovis presented the same genotype for the samples analysed.

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