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PubMed1986

Sero-epidemiological study on hepatitis A and B virus infection among dentists in the Philippines.

Dentists in the Philippines were surveyed for evidence of past hepatitis A and B virus infections. Of the 234 dentists examined, 201 (85.9 per cent) were found to have been infected by HA virus and 137 (58.5 per cent) had been infected by HB virus. The proportion with evidence of past HB virus infection increased as the years in dental practice increased. This increment with age was not found in the general population of the Philippines. It is considered that the incremental pattern could be attributed to the summation of risk during many years of providing dental treatment. Comparing the proportion of dentists with HBV antibodies (anti-HBs/c) in the Philippines, Japan, USA and Denmark, the Philippine dentists were found to be more frequently infected than dentists in the other countries. However, the increment in the proportion positive for HBV as the years in practice advanced was consistent with that found in Japan. The prevalence of post HA virus infection in Philippine dentists was higher than the proportion for dentists in Japan but in both countries it is probable that dentists are infected at the same rate as the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed1967

Acute respiratory disease in University of the Philippines and University of Wisconsin students. A comparative study.

In a comparison of acute respiratory disease patterns and incidence in students in a semi-tropical climate at the University of the Philippines with those in students in a temperate climate at the University of Wisconsin, USA, it was found that, while respiratory infections were the commonest cause of infirmary admissions in both institutions, yet, contrary to expectations, their incidence and relative importance were actually greater in the Philippine students than in the Wisconsin students. Peak rates occurred during the rainy season in the Philippines and during the coldest months in Wisconsin. Acute infectious mononucleosis was absent in the Philippines and streptococcal sore throat and primary atypical pneumonia were rare, but the three conditions were common in Wisconsin. The authors suggest that this difference in clinical pattern may be due to immunity in the Philippines students as a result of prior childhood infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Overview of devolution of health services in the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION: In 1991 the Philippines Government introduced a major devolution of national government services, which included the first wave of health sector reform, through the introduction of the Local Government Code of 1991. The Code devolved basic services for agriculture extension, forest management, health services, barangay (township) roads and social welfare to Local Government Units. In 1992, the Philippines Government devolved the management and delivery of health services from the National Department of Health to locally elected provincial, city and municipal governments. AIM: The aim of this review is to (i) Provide a background to the introduction of devolution to the health system in the Philippines and to (ii) describe the impact of devolution on the structure and functioning of the health system in defined locations. METHOD: International literature was reviewed on the subjects of decentralization. Rapid appraisals of health management systems were conducted in both provinces. Additional data were accessed from the rural health information system and previous consultant reports. RESULTS: Subsequent to the introduction of devolution, quality and coverage of health services declined in some locations, particularly in rural and remote areas. It was found that in 1992-1997, system effects included a breakdown in management systems between levels of government, declining utilization particularly in the hospital sector, poor staff morale, a decline in maintenance of infrastructure and under financing of operational costs of services. CONCLUSION: The aim of decentralization is to widen decision-making space of middle level managers, enhance resource allocations from central to peripheral areas and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health services management. The findings of the historical review of devolution in the Philippines reveals some consistencies with the international literature, which describe some negative effects of decentralization, and provide a rationale for the Philippines in undertaking a second wave of reform in order to 'make devolution work'.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1981

Enzootic aspergillosis in wild red vented cockatoos in the Philippines.

Philippine Red Vented Cockatoos were being trapped in the wild and dispersed directly to private homes, aviaries, pet stores and for export to the United States of America. Except for non-aggressive behaviour and tiring easily the subjects showed clinically nothing peculiar. Numerous cases of Aspergillosis with no clinical signs prior to death were being reported at the United States Air Force Base, Clark Field, Angeles City, Philippines. In all cases stress was a predisposing factor to death; such as enclosure in a small bird cage. Those birds in aviaries that were kept free-flying remained clinically normal, with no deaths recorded. Systematic examination to determine the causative source of infection was carried out and revealed natural infection in the wild state as the cause of disease in caged Red Vented Cockatoos in the Philippines. Examination on three other species of Philippine Pstitticine birds revealed only the Red Vented Cockatoo to be infected or a latent carrier in the wild state.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Microbiological and physicochemical factors affecting Aspergillus section Flavi incidence in Cavendish banana (Musa cavendishii) chips production in Southern Philippines.

Microbiological and physicochemical factors affecting the incidence of Aspergillus section Flavi in dried Cavendish banana (Musa cavendishii) chips production in Southern Philippines were examined. The average counts of Aspergillus section Flavi (AFC) in fresh and dried Cavendish bananas from 10 production batches of the Philippine Agro-Industrial Development Cooperative in Davao del Norte, Southern Philippines were 1.2 x 10(2) and 1.6 x 10(2) cfu/g, respectively. Isolates from both samples were identified to be Aspergillus flavus based on spore type and conidial structure of isolates. An increasing trend in the AFC of Cavendish bananas was observed during dried banana chips processing. Variability in the AFC between production batches was attributed to differences in aerobic and fungal populations and physicochemical characteristics of the fruits, peel damage of the raw materials, concentration of AFC in the air and food-contact surfaces of the production area, and temperature and relative humidity (RH) conditions of the environment during production and storage. Physicochemical characteristics of Cavendish bananas from the receipt of raw materials up to the first day of drying were within the reported range of values allowing growth and toxin production by aflatoxigenic fungi. Air-borne AFC varied depending on the section of the production area examined. The close proximity of the waste disposal area from the production operation to the preparation, drying and storage areas suggests that cross-contamination, probably air-borne or insect-borne was a likely occurrence. The hands of workers were also identified as AFC sources. Results of this study highlight the need for the development of strategies to control aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxin contamination in Philippine dried Cavendish bananas.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1995

The Philippine management information system for public health programs, vital statistics, mortality and notifiable diseases.

Strengthening the information support for decision making has been identified as an important first step toward improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and equitability of the health care system in the Philippines. A Philippine-German Cooperation is in partnership toward developing a need-responsive and cost-effective Health and Management Information System (HAMIS). Four information baskets are being strengthened specifically to address these needs in a cost-effective way: public health information systems, hospital information systems, information systems on economics and financing, information systems on good health care management. BLACKBOX is the management information system for public health programs, vital statistics, mortality and notifiable diseases of the Philippines. It handles and retrieves all data that is being collected by public health workers routinely all over the Philippines. The eventual aim of BLACKBOX is to encourage the development of an information culture in which health managers actively utilise information for rational planning and decision making for a knowledge based health care delivery.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1982

Philippine nurses and the brain drain.

The Philippines has been one of the greatest exporters of professional personnel to the United States, and nurses outnumber any other category. Although some problems have been reported, their experience in the United States has been generally good. A comparison of samples of Filipino nurses who never left the Philippines with those who had either remained for a long time in the United States or who had remained to the U.S. after a short period found little difference in socioeconomic background. Nurses remaining for long periods in the United States did receive lower scores on scales designed to test anchorage and perceived relative opportunities in the Philippines. The supply of Philippine nurses is growing and migration will continue at a high level if U.S. immigration policies permit.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Concentrations of lead and mercury in multimedia samples from homes near the former Clark Air Base, Philippines.

We measured lead and mercury in samples collected from 31 homes in communities near the former Clark Air Base, Philippines during May and October 2002. Sample media included water used for drinking and cooking, house dust and entryway soil. Composite samples of 15 food items purchased at local markets were also collected. Samples were analyzed for total lead (Pb) and total mercury (Hg) to evaluate the relative importance of each media to residential exposure concentrations in the community adjacent to Clark (Community A) versus a control community 5 km away (Community B). In general, we measured low (e.g. background) to undetectable levels of the target analytes in all media sampled with two important exceptions. First, the Hg concentrations we measured in canned mackerel composites, which were within the range reported for mackerel from other locations worldwide, may pose a risk to pregnant women who are frequent consumers (e.g. one or more cans per day). Second, we measured Pb above the USEPA residential screening concentration (400 mug/g) in dust and soil from two homes, illustrating the need for periodic residential lead monitoring in these and other communities in the Philippines. We found no significant difference between Communities A and B with respect to Pb and Hg concentrations in water or food, although we were not able to detect very low levels of Pb in most of the foods we sampled because of trace Pb contamination added during sample homogenization. Although the Pb levels we measured in dust and soil from Community A homes were higher on average than Community B homes, the levels in both communities were low (e.g. background) thus we did not investigate the difference further. To our knowledge, these are the first reported measurements of Pb in house dust in the Philippines. The concentrations of Pb we measured in house dust were significantly higher than those in entryway soil from both communities, adding empirical support to the assertion that yard soil should not be considered a proxy for house dust in exposure studies in the Philippines or elsewhere.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Developing a pharmacovigilance system in the Philippines, a country of diverse culture and strong traditional medicine background.

Pharmacovigilance is the study of adverse drug reactions (ADR, events-AE). It affords a unique vantage point from which to detect problem drugs and drug use. The ADR reporting system in the Philippines was established in August 1994 and was recognized as a national centre member of the World Health Organization International Drug Monitoring (currently known as the Uppsala Monitoring Centre) by February 1995. The pharmacovigilance system in the Philippines developed a number of communication and training packages with the intention of advocating safer medicines and rational drug use. Although unpopular with western-trained medical doctors, people do utilize traditional folk medicines. There have been few ADR reports, perhaps in part because the AE are unrecognized; sometimes, the AE is misconstrued as part of the healing action; and practitioners of these remedies are unlikely to report them. People who resort to herbal medicines are usually from the poor segment of the population, and are likely to believe in unscientific claims and unlikely to report what they suffered. The promotion of herbal medicines as natural safe alternatives neglects the possibility of AE. Although unregulated, traditional Chinese medicines are allowed in the Philippines if used by ethnic Chinese. The regulation of health supplements has also been inefficient. Both of these factors have provided gaps for the entry of harmful products. Pharmacovigilance programmes are useful in the detection of false claims and substandard medicines. Examples of the Philippine ADR monitoring experience are cited.

Government Agencies↗
PubMed2005

Sorption of pesticides in tropical and temperate soils from Australia and the Philippines.

The sorption behavior of diuron, imidacloprid, and thiacloprid was investigated using 22 soils collected in triplicate from temperate environments in Australia and tropical environments in Australia and the Philippines. Within the temperate environment in Australia, the soils were selected from a range of land uses. The average KOC values (L/kg) for imidacloprid were 326, 322, and 336; for thiacloprid, the values were 915, 743, and 842; and for diuron, the values were 579, 536, and 618 for the Ord (tropical), Mt. Lofty (temperate), and Philippines (tropical) soils, respectively. For all soils, the sorption coefficients decreased in the following order: thiacloprid > diuron > imidacloprid. There were no significant differences in sorption behavior between the tropical soils from the Philippines and the temperate soils from Australia. Sorption was also not significantly related with soil characteristics, namely, organic carbon (OC) content, clay content, and pH, for any of the three chemicals studied. When the data were sorted into separate land uses, the sorption of all three chemicals was highly correlated (P < 0.001) with OC for the rice soils from the Philippines. Sorption coefficients for all three chemicals were highly correlated with OC in temperate, native soils only when one extreme value was removed. The relationships between sorption of all three chemicals and OC in temperate, pasture soils were best described by a polynomial. Sorption coefficients for imidacloprid and thiacloprid determined in the temperate pasture soils remained fairly consistent as the OC content increased from 3.3 to 5.3%, indicating that, although the total OC in the pasture soils was increasing, the component of OC involved with sorption of these two compounds may have been remaining constant. This study demonstrated that the origin of the soils (i.e., temperate vs tropical) had no significant effect on the sorption behavior, but in some cases, land use significantly affected the sorption behavior of the three pesticides studied. The impact of land use on the nature of soil OC will be further investigated by NMR analysis.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2002

Evolutionary relationships of flying foxes (genus Pteropus) in the Philippines inferred from DNA sequences of cytochrome b gene.

Six flying fox species, genus Pteropus (four from the Philippines) were investigated using complete cytochrome b gene sequences (1140 bp) to infer their evolutionary relationships. The DNA sequences generated via polymerase chain reaction were analyzed using the neighbor-joining, parsimony, and maximum likelihood methods. We estimated that the first evolutionary event among these Pteropus species occurred approximately 13.90 +/- 1.49 MYA. Within this short period of evolutionary time we further hypothesized that the ancestors of the flying foxes found in the Philippines experienced a subsequent diversification forming two clusters in the topology. The first cluster is composed of P. pumilus (Philippine endemic), P. speciosus (restricted in western Mindanao) with P. scapulatus, while the second one comprised P. vampyrus and P. dasymallus species based on the analysis from first and second codon positions. Consistently, all phylogenetic analyses divulged close association of P. dasymallus with P. vampyrus contradicting the previous report categorizing P. dasymallus under subniger species group with P. pumilus. P. speciosus, and P. hypomelanus. The Philippine endemic species (P. pumilus) is closely linked with P. speciosus. The representative samples of P. vampyrus showed a large genetic distance of 1.87%. The large genetic distance between P. dasymallus and P. hypomelanus, P. pumilus and P. speciosus denotes a distinct species group.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Levels of lead in urban soils from selected cities in a central region of the Philippines.

BACKGROUND, AIMS, AND SCOPE: Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring element that poses environmental hazards when present at elevated concentration. It is being released into the environment because of industrial uses and from the combustion of fossil fuels. Hence, Pb is ubiquitous throughout global ecosystems. The existence of potentially harmful concentrations of Pb in the environment must be given full attention. Emissions from vehicles are major source of environmental contamination by Pb. Thus, it becomes imperative that concentrations of Pb and other hazardous materials in the environment not only in the Philippines, but elsewhere in the world be adequately examined in order that development of regulations and standards to minimize risk associated with these materials in urban areas is continued. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the levels of Pb in soil from selected urbanized cities in central region of the Philippines; (2) to identify areas with soil Pb concentration values that exceed estimated natural concentrations and allowable limits; and (3) to determine the possible sources that contribute to elevated soil Pb concentration (if any) in the study area. METHODS: This study was limited to the determination of Pb levels in soils of selected urbanized cities located in central region in the Philippines, namely: Site 1--Tarlac City in Tarlac; Site 2--Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Site 3--Malolos City in Bulacan; Site 4--San Fernando City in Pampanga; Site 5--Balanga City in Bataan; and Site 6--Olongapo City in Zambales. Soil samples were collected from areas along major thoroughfares regularly traversed by tricycles, passenger jeepneys, cars, vans, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles. Soil samples were collected from five sampling sites in each of the study areas. Samples from the selected sampling sites were obtained approximately 2 to 3 meters from the road. Analysis of the soil samples for Pb content was conducted using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was conducted from 2003 to 2004. Since this study assumed that vehicular emission is the major source of Pb contamination in urban soil, other information which the researchers deemed to have bearing on the study were obtained such as relative quantity of each gasoline type disposed of in each city within a given period and volume of traffic in each sampling site. A survey questionnaire for gasoline station managers was prepared to determine the relative quantity of each fuel type (diesel, regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and unleaded gasoline) disposed of or sold within a given period in each study area. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Analysis of soil samples for Pb content showed the presence of Pb in all the soil samples collected from the 30 sampling sites in the six cities at varying concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 251 mg kg(-1). Elevated levels of Pb in soil (i.e. greater than 25 mg kg(-1) Pb) were detected in five out of the six cities investigated. Site 4 recorded the highest Pb concentration (73.9 +/- 94.4 mg kg(-1)), followed by Site 6 (56.3 +/- 17.1 mg kg(-1)), Site 3 (52.0 +/- 33.1 mg kg(-1)), Site 5 (39.3 +/- 19.0 mg kg(-1)), and Site 2 (38.4 +/- 33.2 mg kg(-1)). Soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 +/- 12.2 mg kg(-1)) was found to be within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg(-1). Site 1 registered the least Pb concentration. Nonetheless, the average Pb concentration in the soil samples from the six cities studied were all found to be below the maximum tolerable limit according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The high Pb concentration in Site 4 may be attributed mainly to vehicular emission. Although Site 4 only ranked 3rd in total volume of vehicles, it has the greatest number of Type B and Type C vehicles combined. Included in these categories are diesel trucks, buses, and jeepneys which are considered the largest contributors of TSP (total suspended particles) and PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns) emissions. CONCLUSION: Only one (San Juan in Site 4) of the thirty sampling sites recorded a Pb concentration beyond the WHO permissible limit of 100 mg kg(-1). San Juan in Site 4 had a Pb concentration of >250 mg kg(-1). On the average, elevated Pb concentration was evident in the soil samples from San Fernando, Olongapo, Malolos, Balanga, and Cabanatuan. The average soil Pb concentrations in these cities exceeded the maximum estimated natural soil Pb concentration of 25 mg kg(-1). Average soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 mg kg(-1)) was well within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg(-1). Data gathered from the study areas showed that elevated levels of Pb in soil were due primarily to vehicular emissions and partly to igneous activity. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: The findings of this study presented a preliminary survey on the extent of Pb contamination of soils in urban cities in central region of Philippines Island. With this kind of information on hand, government should develop a comprehensive environmental management strategy to address vehicular air pollution in urban areas, which shows as one of the most pressing environmental problems in the country. Basic to this is the continuous monitoring of Pb levels and other pollutants in air, soil, and water. Further studies should be conducted to monitor soil Pb levels in the six cities studied particularly in areas with elevated Pb concentration. The potential for harm from Pb exposure cannot be understated. Of particular concern are children who are more predisposed to Pb toxicity than adults. Phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated sites is strongly recommended to reduce Pb concentration in soil. Several studies have confirmed that plants are capable of absorbing extra Pb from soil and that some plants, grass species in particular, and can naturally absorb far more Pb than others.

Cities↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among middle-age women in Brazil and the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Data comparing type-specific herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence and risk factors between comparable populations are largely unavailable, particularly from less-developed countries. GOAL: To examine the seroprevalence of HSV-2 infection and the risk factors for this infection among women in São Paulo, Brazil, and Manila, the Philippines. STUDY DESIGN: Altogether, 552 middle-aged women participating as control subjects in two cervical cancer studies were screened for type-specific HSV-2 antibodies. RESULTS: Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was higher in Brazil (42%) than in the Philippines (9.2%). The mean ages of Brazilian (n = 181) and Filipino (n = 371) women were 52.4 and 46.6 years, respectively. Brazilian participants had more lifetime sexual partners, less education, and more often a husband with other sexual partners than Filipino women. Herpes simplex virus type 2 was independently associated with younger age at first intercourse in both countries. More than one lifetime sexual partner, a husband with other sexual partners, urban/semi-urban residence, and no history of condom use were HSV-2 risk factors in Brazil, but not in the Philippines, where long-term hormonal contraceptive use was associated with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: The higher HSV-2 seroprevalence in Brazil than in the Philippines may be explained largely by differences in the sexual behavior of women and their husbands. Herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence data may be used as a marker of past sexual behavior for the direct comparison of different population groups.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2005

Molecular typing of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated from the Philippines by PCR-based methods.

AIM: The main aim of the present study was to use three PCR-based techniques for the analysis of genetic variability among Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains isolated from the Philippines. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen strains of V. parahaemolyticus isolated from shrimps (Penaeus monodon) and from the environments where these shrimps are being cultivated were analysed by random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD-PCR), enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) and repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (REP-PCR). The results of this work have demonstrated genetic variability within the V. parahaemolyticus strains that were isolated from the Philippines. In addition, RAPD, ERIC and REP-PCR are suitable rapid typing methods for V. parahaemolyticus. All three methods have good discriminative ability and can be used as a rapid means of comparing V. parahaemolyticus strains for epidemiological investigation. Based on the results of this study, we could say that REP-PCR is inferior to RAPD and ERIC-PCR owing to the fact that it is less reproducible. Moreover, the REP-PCR analysis yielded a relatively small number of products. This may suggests that the REP sequences may not be widely distributed in the V. parahaemolyticus genome. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variability within V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated in the Philippines has been demonstrated. The presence of ERIC and REP sequences in the genome of this bacterial species was confirmed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The RAPD, ERIC and REP-PCR techniques are useful methods for molecular typing of V. parahaemolyticus strains. To our knowledge this is the first study of this kind carried out on V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from the Philippines.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

HIV/AIDS in the Philippines.

HIV/AIDS has not yet caused a widespread epidemic in the Philippines. Rates in all the usual risk groups (sex workers, men who have sex with men, STD clients, returning overseas workers, etc.) have remained below 1%, except in a few areas, where they are still only 1-2% in some risk groups. The low level of HIV may be due in part to the low number of sex worker clients per night, the relatively low number of full-time sex workers, the low proportion of injectors among drug users, the early multisectoral response to the epidemic, and the presence of social hygiene clinics for sex workers. The incidence of STDs, multiple partners, and injection drug use with needle sharing, however, is increasing, suggesting that an explosive epidemic could occur if the virus is introduced into the appropriate risk groups. The Philippine government has confronted the problem of HIV/AIDS aggressively with an action plan that includes an emphasis on the response of the local government agencies, involvement and support of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), incorporation of HIV/AIDS education into the school curriculum, and laws forbidding discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS or belonging to risk groups. Local and international NGOs have been actively involved in prevention of HIV/AIDS and support of affected individuals. Although the Philippines is currently experiencing low rates of HIV/AIDS, the country needs to be prepared for the possibility of an explosive increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Vietnam and Indonesia provide examples of delayed epidemics of HIV/AIDS that could also occur in the Philippines.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Children of the Philippines: attitudes toward visible physical impairment.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study was designed to evaluate children's attitudes and understanding of physical disabilities with special reference to those with craniofacial anomalies in the Philippines. Children with and without craniofacial anomalies were studied. DESIGN: This was a two-group correlational design with additional statistical assessment of subgroup differences. Each group was interviewed and information obtained on a standard disability preference task, attributions for playmate choice, and frequency of contact with disabilities. Parents completed a structured interview. SETTING: Participants were 122 children recruited from Negros, Philippines. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four children with craniofacial anomalies (aged 7 to 12 years) were enrolled in the study, and 68 children without any disabilities were recruited from a local school in Bacolod City, Negros, Philippines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants completed a picture-ranking interview of specific physical disabilities and provided their reasons for their play choices and their contact with physical disabilities. RESULTS: The Kendall W correlation was significant for the children with craniofacial anomalies and for those without physical disabilities. Both groups reported lower preferences for disabilities that interfere with play and social interactions. Children depicted with facial anomalies received lower preference, compared with other physical disabilities. Children with craniofacial anomalies who have experienced surgical repair reported more positive rankings for the child depicted with a facial cleft. Sex differences in disability preference were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Children in the Philippines with and without craniofacial differences revealed similarities in preferences to children in several Western (United States) and non-Western countries. Children depicted with facial anomalies received lower preference than other visible physical differences. Children reported both positive and negative explanations for their disability play preferences. Facial differences may result in illogical and negative explanations for social avoidance among children. Similar reactions are noted in other parts of the world.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of a virus obtained from snakeheads Ophicephalus striatus with epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in the Philippines.

This is the first report of the isolation and characterization of a fish virus from the Philippines. The virus was isolated using snakehead spleen cells (SHS) from severely lesioned epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS)-affected snakehead Ophicephalus striatus from Laguna de Bay, in January 1991. The virus induced cytopathic effects (CPE) in SHS cells yielding a titer of 3.02 x 10(6) TCID50 ml(-1) at 25 degrees C within 2 to 3 d. Other susceptible cell lines included bluegill fry (BF-2), catfish spleen (CFS) and channel catfish ovary (CCO) cells. Replication in chinook salmon embryo cells (CHSE-214) was minimal while Epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells (EPC) and rainbow trout gonad cells (RTG-2) were refractory. Temperatures of 15 to 25 degrees C were optimum for virus replication but the virus did not replicate at 37 degrees C. The virus can be stored at -10 and 8 degrees C for 30 and 10 d, respectively, without significant loss of infectivity. Viral replication was logarithmic with a 2 h lag phase; viral assembly in the host cells occurred in 4 h and release of virus occurred 8 h after viral infection. A 1-log difference in TCID50 titer between the cell-free virus and the total virus was noted. Freezing and thawing the virus caused a half-log drop in titer. Viral exposure to chloroform or heating to 56 degrees C for 30 min inactivated the virus. Exposure to pH 3 medium for 30 min resulted in a more than 100-fold loss of viral infectivity. The 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUdR) did not affect virus replication, indicating a RNA genome. Neutralization tests using the Philippine virus, the ulcerative disease rhabdovirus (UDRV) and the infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) polyvalent antisera showed slight cross-reaction between the Philippine virus antiserum and UDRV but established no serological relationship with SHRV and IHN virus. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of SHS cells infected with the virus showed virus particles with typical bullet morphology and an estimated size of 65 x 175 nm. The Philippine virus was therefore a rhabdovirus, but the present study did not establish its role in the epizootiology of EUS.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Blood culture confirmed typhoid fever in a provincial hospital in the Philippines.

Epidemiological features of blood culture confirmed typhoid fever and antibiotic sensitivity of isolated Salmonella typhi strains were investigated in Bohol Province in Central Philippines from where no earlier information of these was avialable. Typhoid fever is endemic elsewhere in the Philippines (eg Metropolitan Manila and surroundings) where also multidrug resistant S. typhi strains have been detected. A laboratory for surveillance of invasive bacterial infections was established in a tertiary care government hospital, in Bohol, Central Philippines, in 1994. Patients with suspected typhoid fever or other serious infection were managed and blood cultures from them were taken according to clinicians' judgment. Blood cultures were processed and the isolated bacteria identified using generally accepted methods. S. typhi and other Salmonella isolates were identified using commercial antisera. Patient data were collected from hospital records. Of a total of 4,699 blood cultures done during a period of 3 3/4 years, 1,530 (32%) were requested for suspected typhoid fever. S. typhi was the most common pathogen isolated from 422 patients (8.9%), followed by S. paratyphi A from 55 patients (1%). Most patients were young adults (43%) and school age children (28%). Male:female ratio was 1.5:1. Among the 422 patients, there were 9 (2%) deaths due to typhoid fever, all with complications. All S. typhi isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole, and ampicillin. Our observation on blood culture confirmed typhoid fever demonstrates its importance as a major infectious disease in Bohol and gives a sound basis for treatment of typhoid patients and for further clinical and epidemiologic studies of typhoid fever and for following antibiotic sensitivity of S. typhi in Bohol and elsewhere in the Philippines.

Adolescent↗