Showing papers by "Tor A. Strand published in 2009"

RNA viruses in community-acquired childhood pneumonia in semi-urban Nepal; a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Pneumonia is among the main causes of illness and death in children <5 years of age There is a need to better describe the epidemiology of viral community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in developing countries From July 2004 to June 2007, we examined nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) from 2,230 cases of pneumonia (World Health Organization criteria) in children 2 to 35 months old recruited in a randomized trial of zinc supplementation at a field clinic in Bhaktapur, Nepal The specimens were examined for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus type A (InfA) and B (InfB), parainfluenza virus types 1, 2 and 3 (PIV1, PIV2, and PIV3), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) using a multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay We identified 919 virus isolates in 887 (400%) of the 2,219 NPA specimens with a valid PCR result, of which 334 (151%) yielded RSV, 164 (74%) InfA, 129 (58%) PIV3, 98 (44%) PIV1, 93 (42%) hMPV, 84 (38%) InfB, and 17 (08%) PIV2 CAP occurred in an epidemic pattern with substantial temporal variation during the three years of study The largest peaks of pneumonia occurrence coincided with peaks of RSV infection, which occurred in epidemics during the rainy season and in winter The monthly number of RSV infections was positively correlated with relative humidity (r s = 040, P = 001), but not with temperature or rainfall An hMPV epidemic occurred during one of the three winter seasons and the monthly number of hMPV cases was also associated with relative humidity (r s = 055, P = 00005) Respiratory RNA viruses were detected from NPA in 40% of CAP cases in our study The most commonly isolated viruses were RSV, InfA, and PIV3 RSV infections contributed substantially to the observed CAP epidemics The occurrence of viral CAP in this community seemed to reflect more or less overlapping micro-epidemics with several respiratory viruses, highlighting the challenges of developing and implementing effective public health control measures

Zinc Deficiency Is Common among Healthy Women of Reproductive Age in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Abstract: Zinc deficiency is a major public health problem in many developing countries. However, its prevalence is still unknown in most populations. Women of reproductive age in developing countries are highly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, including that of zinc. To estimate the prevalence of zinc deficiency and to identify important dietary sources of zinc, we undertook a cross-sectional survey in 500 nonpregnant Nepalese women and measured their plasma zinc concentrations. We also examined the associations between plasma zinc and dietary intake of zinc or phytate, iron status, plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, albumin, and hemoglobin. Food intake was estimated by 2 24-h dietary recalls and 1 FFQ for each woman. The plasma zinc concentration was (mean +/- SD) 8.5 +/- 2.4 micromol/L and more than three-quarters of the women were zinc deficient. Dietary zinc intake did not predict plasma zinc concentration, whereas phytate intake was negatively and significantly associated with plasma zinc. The other variables that were associated with plasma zinc were plasma albumin and hemoglobin concentration. Rice contributed 50% to the total estimated daily zinc intake and wheat and meat each contributed 15%. Rice also contributed 68% to the daily intake of phytate. In conclusion, we found that zinc deficiency was common in women of reproductive age and that the foods contributing substantial amounts of zinc also contributed importantly to the intake of phytate.

Zinc Deficiency Is Common among Healthy Women of Reproductive Age in

Abstract: Zinc deficiency is a major public health problem in many developing countries. However, its prevalence is still unknown in most populations. Women of reproductive age in developing countries are highly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, including that of zinc. To estimate the prevalence of zinc deficiency and to identify important dietary sources of zinc, we undertook a cross-sectional survey in 500 nonpregnant Nepalese women and measured their plasma zinc concentrations. We also examined the associations between plasma zinc and dietary intake of zinc or phytate, iron status, plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, albumin, and hemoglobin. Food intake was estimated by 2 24-h dietary recalls and 1 FFQ for each woman. The plasma zinc concentration was (mean 6SD) 8.5 62.4 mmol/L and more than three-quarters of the women were zinc deficient. Dietary zinc intake did not predict plasma zinc concentration, whereas phytate intake was negatively and significantly associated with plasma zinc. The other variables that were associated with plasma zinc were plasma albumin and hemoglobin concentration. Rice contributed 50% to the total estimated daily zinc intake and wheat and meat each contributed 15%. Rice also contributed 68% to the daily intake of phytate. In conclusion, we found that zinc deficiency was common in women of reproductive age and that the foods contributing substantial amounts of zinc also contributed importantly to the intake of phytate. J. Nutr. 139: 594‐597, 2009.