Fatigue, depression, and sleep disorders are more prevalent in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver diseases

AIM

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for depression, sleep disturbances, and exhaustion in MAFLD patients.

METHODS

Two hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with MAFLD attending the outpatient clinic from April to October 2023; were subjected to clinical evaluation, laboratory testing including non-invasive laboratory markers, fibroscan (measuring steatosis and fibrosis), and different quantitative and qualitative fatigue scores. A control group including 342 patients without MAFLD was taken.

RESULTS

The prevalence of fatigue, depression, and sleeping disorders in the MAFLD group was 67.8%, 75%, 62.5% vs 21%, 16.4%, and 19.5% in the control group respectively ( P = <0.001, P = <0.001 and P = <0.001). MAFLD with fatigue was significantly associated with the presence and severity of steatosis and fibrosis by fibroscan ( P = <0.0001). By univariate and multivariate analysis: age, BMI, waist circumference, T2DM, hypertension, steatosis, fibrosis, and Fib-4 were considered risk factors for fatigue in the MAFLD group. The age, high social level, diabetes, hypertension, steatosis, fibrosis, and fib-4 were considered, by univariate and multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for depression in the MAFLD group. age, BMI, waist circumference, diabetes, hypertension, steatosis, fibrosis, and fib-4 were independent risk factors for sleep disorders in MAFLD.

CONCLUSION

Fatigue, sleeping disorders, and depression are more prevalent in MAFLD patients than in the general population. The lower health utility scores in patients with MAFLD are associated with more advanced stages of the disease.

Smoking prevalence among university students, Minia, Egypt

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death, killing more than 8 million people a year around the world. Young adults and youths are the vulnerable group which the smoking companies focus on their markets. University students have higher risk to develop smoking habit because they start showing independency; friends have great influence on their behaviours, seeking attraction and popularity as well as being exposed to great social and emotional stresses. This study is conducted to Detect of smoking prevalence among university students, smoking influencing factors and to assess smoking index and its determining factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students in Minia University, Minia, Egypt, during the period from March–to May, 2019 among 714 students; (426 from Faculty of Medicine and 288 from faculty of Arts and social sciences), using a self-administered questionnaire which include demographic characteristics including age, gender, type of college, study grade, nationality, family structure, socio-economic status and residence status. 

Preliminary seromonitoring of rinderpest among cattle raised under different husbandry systems in Saudi Arabia

Using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the seromonitoring of rinderpest in Saudi Arabia, antibodies were detected in 30% of the sera of 1,018 cattle slaughtered at Riyadh abattoir during June and July 1995. The correlation between the detection of antibodies and the origins of the slaughtered animals was analysed. All the culled dairy cows had detectable antibodies. The proportions of bulls giving serologically positive results were as follows: 57% for animals imported from rinderpest-free countries and vaccinated upon arrival in Saudi quarantine, 20% for native breeding animals and 17% for five- to ten-month-old bull calves born on commercial dairy farms and then raised on separate feedlot farms. In addition, of 105 native cattle sacrificed during the Hajj season in May 1994, 77% had antibodies against rinderpest virus. On the other hand, testing of 17 groups of dairy heifers (from 1 week to 24 months of age), born to immune dams and vaccinated against rinderpest at the ages of six and ten months, revealed the absence of detectable antibodies in the sera of some animals which were between two and ten months of age. Results are interpreted in relation to evaluation of the continuing vaccination programmes and their efficacy as an element of the national programme for the control of rinderpest.

Molecular analysis of foot-and-mouth disease type O viruses isolated in Saudi Arabia between 1983 and 1995

Partial nucleotide sequence of the capsid polypeptide coding gene 1D (VP1) was determined for 68 serotype O foot-and-mouth disease viruses isolated between 1983 and 1995 from outbreaks occurring in Saudi Arabia. The sequences were compared with previously published sequences: 14 viruses of Middle Eastern origin (isolated between 1987 and 1991); and with four vaccine virus strain sequences, three originating from the Middle East (O1/Turkey/Manisa/69, O1/Sharquia/Egypt/72 and O1/Israel/2/85) and one from Europe (O1/BFS 1860/UK/67). The virus isolates from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East vaccine virus strains formed a related genetic group distinct from the European O1 virus. Within this large group 12 distinct genetic sublineages were observed.

The impact of live animal importation on the epizootiology of foot-and-mouth disease in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia imports annually more than 6 millions live ruminants for slaughter. The majority of these animals are imported from countries where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is enzootic. Serotypes of FMD virus not incorporated in the vaccine currently used in Saudi Arabia (e.g. SAT1 and SAT2) are prevalent in some of these exporting countries, and in others, the prevalent serotypes of FMD virus are not routinely typed. The previous exposure of imported animals to field FMD virus in the countries of origin has been confirmed by the detection of precipitating antibodies against virus infection associated (VIA) antigen and neutralizing antibodies against serotypes O, A, C and/or Asia1 of FMD virus in the sera of some imported animals. However, no isolation of FMD carrier virus could be made from 209 proband samples collected from sheep and goats imported from countries where FMD is enzootic. The significance of the obtained results is discussed. Particular emphasis has been placed on the possibility of importing either carrier animals which might act as potential source of infection or subclinically infected animals which might actively excrete FMD virus. In addition recommendations are made to reduce the risks of introducing exotic FMD virus strains to the Kingdom through live animal importation.

Serological survey of foot and mouth disease in Saudi Arabia

An immunodiffusion test using foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus infection-associated (VIA) antigen was used to detect precipitating antibodies in serum samples collected from non-vaccinated indigenous ruminants raised in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Of 5,985 sheep sera, 1,371 goat sera, 1,052 cattle sera and 694 serum samples from unspecified species of ruminants, precipitating activity was detected in 1,209 (20%), 127 (9%), 172 (16%) and 38 (5%) samples, respectively. In addition, 100 sera showing precipitating activity against VIA antigen originating from 13 different regions were tested for the presence of naturally-occurring neutralising antibodies against the four serotypes of FMD virus (O, A, Asia 1, and C) currently prevalent in the region and incorporated in the vaccine being used. All sera tested gave varying titres against serotypes O, A and/or Asia 1. However, none of the sera showed neutralising activities against serotype C. The results obtained are interpreted with regard to the geographical distribution and epizootiology of FMD in Saudi Arabia.

Analysis of mixed foot-and-mouth disease virus infections in Saudi Arabia: prolonged circulation of an exotic serotype

Plaque purification of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) type O viruses isolated from cattle in Saudi Arabia showed the presence of mixed serotype infections. Sixteen out of 31 samples collected between 1985 and 1991 also contained Asia 1 virus, a serotype which had previously only been isolated from a single outbreak in that country in 1980. Nucleotide sequences of the Asia 1 component of all these samples revealed little variation and showed that they were closely related to both a Russian lapinized vaccine virus strain (Asia 1/Tadzhikistan/64), and to a field isolate from Turkey (Asia 1/TUR/15/73). Although mixed FMD infections have been observed previously this is a first report of a serotype, considered to be exotic to a country, co-existing undetected for an extended period of time.

Epizootiology of foot and mouth disease in Saudi Arabia: II. Current status on dairy farms and control measures in operation

Specifically-designed questionnaires were distributed to the managers and/or veterinarians of all dairy farms in Saudi Arabia in order to obtain data on the occurrence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) on these farms from 1971 to 1989, as well as data on current control measures. Of 39 farms, 27 responded to the questionnaire and 15 (56%) reported FMD outbreaks. Notification and collection of samples for diagnosis were not performed consistently. Laboratory tests were undertaken at the World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease, Pirbright, United Kingdom. FMD virus serotypes O, A and C were isolated. Epizootiological factors contributing to the occurrence of FMD in Saudi dairy farms and recommendations for improving control of the disease are discussed in depth.

Epizootiology of foot and mouth disease in Saudi Arabia: I. Analysis of data obtained through district field veterinarians

Data on the epizootiological status of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in all districts of Saudi Arabia were obtained through responses to a specifically-designed questionnaire from field veterinarians working in different Directorates of Agriculture throughout the country. Suspected clinical occurrence of the disease was reported in seventeen of the twenty-three Directorates. The animal species affected were mainly cattle (in fifteen Directorates) and sheep (in eight Directorates). The disease was suspected among goats and camels in only two Directorates. Some animal owners were unwilling to notify suspicion of the disease. Laboratory diagnosis was not performed in all cases. Vaccination using an appropriately-formulated quadrivalent vaccine incorporating FMD virus serotypes O, A, C and Asia 1 was mainly applied to dairy animals. Limited numbers of locally-bred cattle and sheep were vaccinated in eight and four Directorates, respectively. The data obtained and the recommendations of field staff for improving control of FMD at the national level in Saudi Arabia are discussed.

Application of double sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease in Saudi Arabia

Using foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) diagnostic reagents provided by the FMD-World Reference Laboratory, Pirbright (United Kingdom), an indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for local diagnosis of FMD in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Testing epithelial tissues and/or vesicular fluids, it was possible to carry out serotyping of FMD virus before its isolation in cell cultures. All the field samples received as well as the oesophageal pharyngeal fluids collected from apparently healthy animals were inoculated onto primary bovine kidney cell cultures and the isolated FMD viruses then serotyped by ELISA. Testing of samples received from 43 outbreaks revealed positive FMD diagnosis in 29 outbreaks (27 caused by serotype "O" and 2 caused by serotype "A" of FMD virus). In addition, ELISA serotyping of 35 carrier strains of FMD virus (isolated from 286 proband samples) revealed 28 serotype "O" and 7 serotype "A" FMD viral isolates. The results are discussed concerning the importance of applying local FMD diagnosis and the current epizootiological status of the disease in Saudi Arabia.

Development of a live cell culture camelpox vaccine

A Saudi isolate of camel orthopoxvirus was serially propagated on monolayers of camel kidney cell cultures. The attenuation of the 78th passage was tested in two susceptible camels. Two other susceptible camels were inoculated with vaccinia virus four times propagated in camel kidney cell cultures. The four inoculated camels showed no postinoculation clinical symptoms and formed neutralizing antibodies against both the camel orthopox and vaccinia viruses. No postchallenge clinical symptoms were observed in these four camels, while two non-inoculated contact control camels showed typical symptoms of generalized camelpox. These results indicated the safety and potency of the 78th passage of the Saudi isolate of camel orthopoxvirus (designated Jouf-78) to be used for production of live attenuated cell culture camelpox vaccine. The field testing of the vaccine was carried out on two farms using at least 10(3) TCID50 as a recommended field dose. None of the inoculated camels showed any postvaccination reaction and the serological tests showed seroconversion of many vaccinated field camels. The relationship between camel orthopoxvirus and vaccinia virus as well as the advantages of the live attenuated camelpox vaccine are discussed.

Preliminary studies on enzootic bovine leukosis in Saudi dairy farms

The occurrence of sporadic cases of enzootic bovine leukosis in commercial dairy farms in Saudi Arabia was recently confirmed and found to be associated with importation of breeding heifers. Immunodiffusion test was applied to screen the prevalence of infection with bovine leukemia virus among local traditional and dairy cattle. All the 102 examined local cattle were negative, while out of the 1329 tested dairy animals (originating from 23 farms), 268 (from 16 farms) showed precipitating activity. As an epizootiological model, all animals of an infected dairy farm were serologically examined. Out of the 560 originally imported cows and the 1849 animals born locally in the farm, 217 (39%) and 468 (25%) animals, respectively, were found positive. The correlation between the age of locally born animals and the occurrence of antibodies against bovine leukemia virus was discussed.

Experimental treatment of Brucella melitensis infection in sheep with oxytetracycline alone or combined with streptomycin

The efficacy of oxytetracycline (OTC) alone or combined with streptomycin in the treatment of 118 Najdi ewes believed to have been naturally infected with Brucella melitensis, was evaluated by culture of selected tissues and organs at slaughter. Groups of sheep were given 250, 500 or 1,000 mg of OTC intraperitoneally (i/p) daily for six weeks and in the respective groups at necropsy 52, 69 and 100% of sheep were found to be Brucella-free. Treatment with 250 mg OTC (daily for six weeks i/p) combined with 1,000 mg streptomycin (daily for three weeks intramuscularly) increased the percentage of Brucella-free sheep to 82%. When a group of sheep were each inoculated i/p with 1,000 mg of long-acting OTC every three days over a period of six weeks, 75% of them were Brucella-free at necropsy. B. melitensis was isolated from all (24) non-treated (control) sheep. The results showed that long-term treatment with a high dose of OTC alone had succeeded in eliminating B. melitensis from a group of 16 naturally infected sheep.

Antigenic types of bluetongue virus prevalent in Egypt

In an attempt to identify the antigenic types of bluetongue (BT) virus prevalent in Egypt 31 selected sheep sera from different parts of Egypt which had been screened by gel precipitation tests were examined by a plaque reduction test using 16 types of BT virus. Dilutions 1:5 of those screened sera reduced more than 50% of plaques of at least 1 of 16 types of BT virus. Two sera completely inhibited plaque formation with type 4 virus, 1 with type 13, another serum with type 15 and 2 other ser with type 16 virus. The significance of the above serological findings is discussed.

Serological evidence of the occurrence of bluetongue in Iraq

Precipitating antibodies against bluetongue were detected in sheep and goat serum samples collected from animals slaughtered in Baghdad abattoir. Out of 294 sheep serum samples and 110 goat serum samples examined, 28 and 18 samples respectively showed precipitating activity. In addition, examination of sheep serum samples collected from localities where clinical cases similar to bluetongue were previously reported revealed the presence of bluetongue precipitating antibodies in 101 sera out of 198 samples examined. This is the first report confirming the occurrence of bluetongue in Iraq.

Studies on the methods of preparation of rinderpest hyperimmune sera in rabbits

The procedures for the preparation of the rinderpest hyperimmune sera in rabbits were studied by comparing the sera from rabbits immunised by three different schedules of inoculations. The best sera for use in immunodiffusion tests were obtained from rabbits inoculated first with rinderpest hyperimmune serum and lapinised virus, and then with lapinised virus mixed with oil adjuvant twice at weekly intervals. Those rabbits which received additional one or two intravenous inoculations with lapinised virus yielded satisfactory sera for use in the diagnosis of rinderpest by immunodiffusion technique.