2022, Beta defensins as biomarkers: detectable in LPS-stimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and normal, aseptic, and probable septic equine synovial fluid

• Published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, impact factor 1.055

Kiley Doherty, Richard A. Longuski, and Patty Sue D. Weber
Available from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Research

This research team is currently conducting a systematic literature review to determine the long-term health consequences of STEC-HUS. Their protocol for the review has been registered with PROSPERO (see the above link). The researchers have identified X articles that fulfill their inclusion criteria, and are currently assessing the quality of these articles and extracting the relevant data. The review should be completed by the end of 2023. Completing this systematic review will help improve understanding of the various long-term comorbidities associated with STEC-HUS.

Jaime L. Ragos, Mitzi D. Baum, Richard A. Longuski, and Patty Sue D. Weber

This pilot project aimed to determine the occurrence of chronic conditions following infection with E. coli. Therefore, a survey was developed to detail initial visits with healthcare providers, treatment plans, and medical conditions experienced following an E. coli infection. The survey was distributed as an anonymous link to pre-planned social media pages and a listserv known to support HUS patients. Based on this patient self-reported survey, most participants did not experience long-term consequences of the Shiga-toxin E. coli infection. However, there were several common issues noted. Psychological distress appears to be the most common comorbidity of the participants reporting long-term effects of STEC-HUS. Additionally, endocrine, neurological, and rheumatic diseases were reported. Further research is needed to understand these long-term consequences of STEC-HUS.

This study investigated the food safety knowledge and practices of grade three and five children from rural and urban schools in The Gambia. It utilized a modified version of the survey Bryant (2004) developed. The school system in The Gambia consists of six regions. This study focused on schools in regions one (urban) and three (rural) in The Gambia. A total of 719 boys and girls from the Essau primary school (rural) and the Bakau Newtown primary school (urban) participated in the assessment. Girls constituted 54 percent and boys 46 percent of the total number of students participating in the survey. The average age of the children in grade 3 was 11 (urban) and 11.5 (rural) years, however, grade 5 average age was 12.5 (urban) and 13.5 (rural) years.

The teachers administered the self-reporting survey in the classrooms with the researcher's assistance. The students completed the survey on paper. Survey questions and answer choices were read to the students in English and the local languages for comprehension. The survey took an average of 20 minutes to administer and complete.

Analysis of the survey data revealed a grade-wise distribution that more fifth graders (55 percent) were allowed to cook than third-grade students (41 percent), irrespective of location. These results are lower than the results reported by Bryant (2004), who found that 86 percent and 92 percent of the children participating in after-school programs, such as 4-H or Boys and Girls Clubs in Manhattan and Riley County, Kansas, USA, cooked meals, or prepared snacks daily or weekly.

Additionally, the survey data indicated that The Gambia children had excellent hand-washing practices, where 83 percent and 90 percent of children in grade 3 in urban and rural areas always wash their hands before eating food compared to 68 percent and 85 percent of urban and rural children in grade 5. These results are higher than those Bryant (2004) reported, where 45 percent of the children said they washed their hands before touching food. Also, 71 percent and 68 percent of grade 3 urban and rural children do not know what cross-contamination means, compared to 58 percent and 92 percent of grade 5 urban and rural children. In contrast, Bryant (2004) reported that 85 percent of the children could not define cross-contamination.

In conclusion, this study identifies specific food safety gaps in The Gambia elementary children that should be addressed. Given that young children prepare food at home, The Gambia school system must provide a food safety curriculum to enhance food safety knowledge that emphasizes proper food safety behaviors, such as hand washing. Implementing an excellent food safety curriculum may reduce foodborne illness and help children develop healthy and safe food habits in The Gambia. Ultimately, these efforts will lead to a strong food safety culture in homes among children and adults in The Gambia.