Increasing population density can increase infectious disease risk and thus reduce population growth and size. Host-parasite interactions of threatened animals that remain in small protected forest fragments therefore need to be monitored carefully. Due to extreme conservation efforts, the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) population in the 450-km2 Virunga Massif has more than doubled since 1973, reaching 604 individuals in 2016. To better understand changes in the transmission risks of soil-borne and other enteric pathogens for mountain gorillas, we determined defecation outputs of different age-sex classes and the diurnal variation in feces deposition. We weighed 399 wet fecal samples deposited at nest sites and on trails between nest sites by gorillas of varying age and sex, determined by lobe diameter, from five social groups (n = 58 gorillas) that range in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. We found increasing daily average defecation outputs with increasing age-sex class (infants, 435 g; juveniles, 1346 g; medium-sized gorillas, 2446 g; silverbacks, 3609 g). Gorillas deposited two- to threefold the amount of feces at nest sites compared to on trails, suggesting that nest sites may function as hotspots for enteric pathogen infections through direct contact or when gorillas ingest foods contaminated with infectious larvae during site revisits in intervals matching the maturation period of environmentally transmitted gastrointestinal parasites. In combination with ranging and demographic data, these findings will enable the modeling of spatiotemporal variation in soil contamination and infectious disease risk for Virunga gorillas as their population density continues to increase.

• MeSH
• Defecation physiology   MeSH
• Feces * MeSH
• Gorilla gorilla physiology   MeSH
• Nesting Behavior MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Rwanda MeSH

Fleas (Siphonaptera) are ubiquitous blood-sucking parasites that transmit a range of vector-borne pathogens. The present study examined rodents (n = 29) and domestic dogs (n = 7) living in the vicinity of the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, for fleas, identified flea species from these hosts, and detected Bartonella (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae) and Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) DNA. The most frequently encountered flea on rodents was Xenopsylla brasiliensis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). In addition, Ctenophthalmus (Ethioctenophthalmus) calceatus cabirus (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae) and Ctenocephalides felis strongylus (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) were determined using morphology and sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and cytochrome c oxidase subunit II genes (cox1 and cox2, respectively). Bartonella tribocorum DNA was detected in X. brasiliensis and Rickettsia asembonensis DNA (a Rickettsia felis-like organism) was detected in C. felis strongylus. The present work complements studies that clarify the distributions of flea-borne pathogens and potential role of fleas in disease transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. In the context of high-density housing in central sub-Saharan Africa, the detection of B. tribocorum and R. asembonensis highlights the need for surveillance in both rural and urban areas to identify likely reservoirs.

• MeSH
• Bartonella isolation & purification   MeSH
• Flea Infestations epidemiology   parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Rodent Diseases epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Dog Diseases epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Rickettsia isolation & purification   MeSH
• Siphonaptera microbiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Dogs MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
• Geographicals
• Rwanda MeSH

Dokumentácia nálezov na prednom segmente oka a očnom pozadí pomocou prístrojov, ktoré umožňujú kvalitnú a precíznu diagnostiku, je dnes bežnou a dôležitou súčasťou skríningových projektov a je podstatnou súčasťou pri diagnostike, monitoringu a manažmente očných ochorení. V málo rozvinutých krajinách v rámci skríningových vyšetrení nemá oftalmológ k dispozícii moderné technológie ako biomikroskop alebo fundus kamera, ktoré by umožnili zobraziť predný alebo zadný segment oka na rovnakej úrovni ako je štandardom v rozvinutých krajinách. Cieľom našej práce je prezentovať prvé skúsenosti s fotodokumentáciou predného segmentu oka pomocou digitálneho fotoaparátu aj smartfónu a možnosti dokumentácie nálezov očného pozadia pomocou 20D Volkovej sférickej šošovky a smartfónu v rámci misijných projektov skríningu očných ochorení v Rwande a v Južnom Sudáne. Materiál a metodika: V rámci projektov skríningu očných ochorení v spolupráci s VŠZaSP sv. Alžbety v r. 2014 v Bigugu, Rwanda a v r. 2015 v Mapuordit, Južný Sudán, sme vyšetrovali pacientov v odľahlých častiach krajiny, ktorí nemali prístup k oftalmologickej starostlivosti. K dispozícii sme mali baterku, priamy oftalmoskop, tabuľky na zistenie zrakovej ostrosti pre analfabetov, Schiotzov tonometer, Volkovu šošovku, smartfón. Pacienti, ktorí absolvovali vyšetrenie, a potrebovali pomôcku – okuliare, dostali zo zbierky okuliarov už použité dioptrické okuliare alebo slnečné okuliare. Dokumentáciu nálezov na prednom segmente oka sme realizovali pomocou digitálneho fotoaparátu a u pacientov, u ktorých bolo potrebné dokumentovať nálezy očného pozadia zistené priamou oftalmoskopiou, sme využili možnosti smartfónu s fotoaparátom 8 Mpix a LED bleskom a Volkovej šošovky s hodnotou plus 20 dioptrií. Výsledky: V r. 2014 v Bigugu, Rwanda a v r. 2015 v Mapuorditte, Južný Sudán sme vyšetrovali pacientov v improvizovanej ambulancii bez dostupnosti elektrickej energie. Vyšetrili sme v r. 2014 celkove 340 pacientov a v r. 2015 celkove 290 pacientov. Vek pacientov bol vzhľadom na nedostupnosť identifikačných záznamov približne určný s pomocou tlmočníka, v oboch skupinách bol priemerný vek vyšetrených pacientov okolo 30 rokov. Najčastejšie ochorenia, ktoré viedli k praktickej slepote, boli katarakta, trachóm, poúrazové stavy. Infekčné ochorenia a následky neliečných infekčných ochorení boli v 20 % príčinou trvalých zmien na povrchu oka alebo pomocných orgánoch. V skupine pacientov HIV pozitívnych sme nezaznamenali patologické nálezy na očnom pozadí. Záver: Vyšetrenie predného segmentu oka štandardným digitálnym fotoaparátom a dokumentácia očného pozadia použitím smartfónu a Volkovej šošovky s hodnotou plus 20D je nenáročnou a zvládnuteľnou technikou, ktorou je možné zachytiť kvalitné a reprodukovateľné snímky vhodné na fotodokumentáciu a skríning v rámci projektov v ťažkých podmienkach v málo rozvinutých krajinách subsaharskej Afriky. V náročných klimatických aj geografických podmienkach v Rwande a v Južnom Sudáne sme vyšetrili pacientov, poskytli základnú pomoc odovzdaním použitej refrakčnej pomôcky zo charitatívnej zbierky, ktorú sme uskutočnili pred realizáciou projektu. Riešenie infekčných ochorení bolo možné len čiastočne (trachóm) vzhľadom na krátkosť trvania projektov. Možnosť využitia smartfónu s fotoaparátom 8 Mpix a LED bleskom a Volkovej šošovky s hodnotou plus 20 dioptrií je veľkým prínosom v takýchto projektoch pri vyšetrení očných ochorení v rozvojových krajinách.

Documentation of the anterior segment and the eye fundus with instruments that enable quality precision diagnostics is a common and important part of screening in humanitarian ophthalmology projects. It is the essential element in diagnosis, monitoring and management of eye diseases. In sub saharan countries within the screening for ophthalmologist are not available the modern technologies such as biomicroscope (slit lamp) or fundus camera. We describe our experience with photographs of anterior segment of the eye by using digital camera and Smartphone. The documentation of the eye fundus was recorded through 20D Volk spherical lens to Smartphone. Material and methods: Within the screening projects in collaboration with St. Elisabeth University of Health and Social Sciences for eye diseases in the year 2014 in Bigugu, Rwanda and in 2015 in Mapuordit, South Sudan, we examined patients who were unable to reach ophthalmologic care. We used a flashlight, a direct ophthalmoscope, tables to determine visual acuity on illiterate, Schi?tz tonometer, Volk lens, Smartphone. Patients who underwent screening, and needed glasses, got from humanitarian collection already used dioptric eyeglasses or sunglasses. For documentation of the anterior segment we used a digital camera and for patients in whom it was necessary to document fundus findings detected by direct ophthalmoscopy we took the opportunity of Smartphone with 8 Mpix camera and the LED flash and Volk lens plus 20 Diopters. Results: In 2014 within the project in Bigugu, Rwanda and in 2015 in Mapuordit, South Sudan, we examined patients in an improvised clinic without access to electricity. We examined in 2014 a total of 340 patients and in 2015 a total of 290 patients. Patient age was due to the unavailability of designated identification records estimated with the help of an interpreter. In both groups, the mean age of the patients was about 30 years. The most common diseases leading to blindness were cataract, trachoma, post-traumatic conditions. Infectious diseases and consequences of untreated infectious diseases were the cause of 20% of the permanent changes on the surface of the eye or the adnexa. In the group of HIV positive patients we did not mention pathological findings on the eye fundus. Conclusion: Anterior segment findings documentation with digital camera or mobile phone and fundus examination using a Smartphone and Volks lens with a value of plus 20D is inexpensive and manageable technique which can capture high quality and reproducible images. These techniques are suitable for photo documentation of anterior segment and also eye fundus screening within humanitarian projects of eye diseases in developing countries.

• MeSH
• Smartphone * utilization   MeSH
• Equipment Design MeSH
• Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological instrumentation   MeSH
• Voluntary Health Agencies MeSH
• Documentation methods   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Health Services Accessibility MeSH
• Photography * methods   instrumentation   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cell Phone utilization   MeSH
• Eye Diseases * diagnosis   prevention & control   MeSH
• Ophthalmoscopy methods   MeSH
• Developing Countries MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Geographicals
• South Sudan MeSH
• Rwanda MeSH

• MeSH
• Smartphone * utilization   MeSH
• Equipment Design MeSH
• Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological instrumentation   MeSH
• Voluntary Health Agencies MeSH
• Documentation methods   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Health Services Accessibility MeSH
• Photography * methods   instrumentation   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cell Phone utilization   MeSH
• Eye Diseases * diagnosis   prevention & control   MeSH
• Ophthalmoscopy methods   MeSH
• Developing Countries MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Geographicals
• South Sudan MeSH
• Rwanda MeSH

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases represent the greatest threats to endangered species, and transmission from humans to wildlife under increased anthropogenic pressure has been always stated as a major risk of habituation. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of close contact with humans on the occurrence of potentially zoonotic protists in great apes, one hundred mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from seven groups habituated either for tourism or for research in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda were screened for the presence of microsporidia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. using molecular diagnostics. RESULTS: The most frequently detected parasites were Enterocytozoon bieneusi found in 18 samples (including genotype EbpA, D, C, gorilla 2 and five novel genotypes gorilla 4-8) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi with genotype II being more prevalent (10 cases) compared to genotype I (1 case). Cryptosporidium muris (2 cases) and C. meleagridis (2 cases) were documented in great apes for the first time. Cryptosporidium sp. infections were identified only in research groups and occurrence of E. cuniculi in research groups was significantly higher in comparison to tourist groups. No difference in prevalence of E. bieneusi was observed between research and tourist groups. CONCLUSION: Although our data showed the presence and diversity of important opportunistic protists in Volcanoes gorillas, the source and the routes of the circulation remain unknown. Repeated individual sampling, broad sampling of other hosts sharing the habitat with gorillas and quantification of studied protists would be necessary to acquire more complex data.

• MeSH
• Cryptosporidium classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Encephalitozoonosis epidemiology   microbiology   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Giardia classification   genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Giardiasis epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Hominidae MeSH
• DNA, Intergenic genetics   MeSH
• Cryptosporidiosis epidemiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
• Ape Diseases epidemiology   microbiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Parks, Recreational MeSH
• Zoonoses epidemiology   microbiology   parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Rwanda MeSH

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Ophthalmology * MeSH
• Delivery of Health Care MeSH
• Retinoblastoma MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Geographicals
• Rwanda MeSH

• MeSH
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome therapy   MeSH
• HIV Infections therapy   MeSH
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases therapy   MeSH
• Refugees MeSH
• Geographicals
• Rwanda MeSH
• Tanzania MeSH

• Conspectus
• Lékařské vědy. Lékařství
• NML Fields
• veřejné zdravotnictví
• dermatovenerologie