helicobacter pylori (h.pylori) infection is probably the most important factor that has been associated with the development of gastric cancers in human populations. however, there are no reliable data on the prevalence of this infection in the middle east. in this article, based on a comprehensive literature review, we aimed to evaluate the situation in this region. the literature has been sea...

The objective of this study was to examine the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer seen at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and to compare the findings with other studies. A retrospective study was conducted using data obtained from the surgical pathology reports of all gastrectomies and gastric biopsies during the period January 1993 and December 2002. Additional case...

After the 2011 declaration of rinderpest disease eradication, we surveyed 150 countries about rinderpest virus stocks. Forty-four laboratories in 35 countries held laboratory-attenuated strains, field strains, or diagnostic samples. Vaccine and reagent production and laboratory experiments continued. Rigorous standards are necessary to ensure that stocks are kept under safe conditions.

Information on laboratory organisational structure and roles was gathered from twenty-four national veterinary diagnostic laboratories around the world. This information was used to develop an overview of the organisation and roles of the national veterinary diagnostic laboratory. In addition, the national diagnostic laboratory for the United States of America (the National Veterinary Services ...

For diseases that infect humans or livestock, transmission dynamics are at least partially dependent on human activity and therefore human behaviour. However, the impact of human behaviour on disease transmission is relatively understudied, especially in the context of heterogeneous contact structures such as described by a social network. Here, we use a strategic game, coupled with a simple di...

The Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) provides a unique opportunity to elucidate the long-term effects of natural and anthropogenic selection on cancer evolution. Since first observed in 1996, this transmissible cancer has caused local population declines by >90%. So far, four chromosomal DFTD variants (strains) have been described and karyotypic analyses of 253 tumours showed higher...

Poultry vaccines are widely applied to prevent and control contagious poultry diseases. Their use in poultry production is aimed at avoiding or minimising the emergence of clinical disease at farm level, thus increasing production. Vaccines and vaccination programmes vary broadly in regard to several local factors (e.g. type of production, local pattern of disease, costs and potential losses) a...

Aggressive actions for disease eradication, including animal disposal, can have serious impacts on the livestock industry, environment and public confidence. Coordinated efforts are required for effective, efficient and acceptable disease control and eradication. The authors summarise concepts from previous publications into a group of simple examples, schematic diagrams and basic equations. Th...

Populations affected by humanitarian emergencies may require unique strategies to ensure access to life-saving vaccines and attain sufficiently high population immunity to interrupt virus circulation. Vaccination strategies among displaced populations should not be an afterthought and must be part of the vaccine-preventable disease eradication and elimination initiatives from the start.