Chanda Jabeen

The article ‘Assessing parallel testing to improve detection of bovine tuberculosis at a slaughterhouse in Lahore, Pakistan’ (SAJAS volume 54, issue 4, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v54i4.02) was initially published with an error in the second paragraph of page 497. This correction is important for the clarity and accuracy of the methodology described in the manuscript. (Published 31 October 2025)

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the main cause of tuberculosis in humans, accounting for numerous illnesses and thousands of fatalities globally. Data regarding the association of various risk factors and TB in livestock farmers in Pakistan is scarce. Methodology: A retrospective matched case-control study of TB cases was performed in Lahore, Pakistan to investigate the potential risk factors that lead to the development of TB in Pakistani livestock farmers. A total of 170 participants were included in the study. The case was matched with control based on neighborhood and the case-control ratio was kept 1:1. Data were statistically analyzed using R version 4.2.1. Conditional logistic regression was conducted to identify biologically and statistically plausible risk factors associated with the TB outcome among livestock farmers. Results: In univariable analysis, 10 risk factors were identified (p < 0.05). Gender, age, being married, family type, living in a big family, BCG vaccination status, history of smoking, working at a cattle farm, co-housing with cattle at night, , consumption of raw milk. The multivariable model identified four risk factors i.e., consumption of raw milk (Odds Ratio [OR]: 7.7; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.95-30.68), living in big family (OR: 6.2; 95% CI: 1.25-30.82) and working at cattle farm (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.08-16.56), while gender was found to be a protective factor with OR < 1 (OR: 0.06; 95% CI: 0.01-0.26). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that sociodemographic risk factors and exposure to infected cattle can influence the development of TB in farmers.

Introduction: The main objective of the study was to estimate the burden of occupational tuberculosis infection in high-risk occupational workers and to identify risk factors associated with the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among high-risk occupational workers including veterinarians, abattoir workers, animal handlers, livestock farmers, and microbiology laboratory workers. Sputum samples were collected from 100 participants and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were done to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) infection. Data on potential risk factors was collected in a pre-designed questionnaire. The MTBC prevalence ratio was estimated. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors and the crude odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: Among the 100 enrolled high risk occupational workers, the prevalence of MTBC was 46% (95% CI: 35.98–56.25). Living in a joint family (OR 3.85, 95% CI: 1.58–9.37), and use of unpasteurized milk (OR 3.42, 95% CI: 1.4–8.39), were significantly associated with MTBC infection. Conclusions: Tuberculosis is a significant health burden in high-risk occupational groups, especially animal handlers and laboratory workers, in Lahore, Pakistan. The study also emphasized the need for formal work-related training, and enhanced zoonotic TB awareness among occupational workers.

Health Care Professionals (HCPs), including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedics, are a high-risk group for influenza infection due to their continuous exposure to patients having a known or unknown history of influenza-like illnesses. Influenza vaccination is the most effective method of primary prevention. This study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers associated with influenza vaccination among HCPs at tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. A multicenter analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among HCPs. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. All statistical analyses were conducted in R software. A total of 400 HCPs were enrolled, and among these, 67% had a high level of knowledge and 65.5% had a positive attitude towards influenza vaccination. About 51% of HCPs adopted good practices leading to influenza vaccination. Results identified major barriers for influenza vaccinations, including unfamiliarity with vaccine availability (RII = 0.760), insufficient staff for administering the vaccine (RII = 0.649), lack of proper storage (RII = 0.625), safety concerns (RII = 0.613), and cost of vaccine (RII = 0.602). More than half of the HCPs showed a high level of knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practice against influenza vaccination. Despite the positive Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) scores and published guidelines, a very low percentage of HCPs were vaccinated against influenza. Many hindering factors were associated with influenza vaccination.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease belongs to the family Poxviridae and Orthopoxvirus genus. Transmission of monkey pox is through direct contact with infected animal and blood. Human to human transmission occur through respiratory route but previously so many studies are conducted to prove that monkey pox viruse was not transmitted through the respiratory route both in animals and humans. But now monkey pox is able to survive in humans due to genetic changes and human to human transmission is possible. Because it can be used as bioweapon, So there is a great need of having an antiviral drug which is effective against monkey pox virus.ST 246 proved effective in vivo and in vitro in infected animals and trials done safely on non-infected humans but no data is available about the effectiveness of ST 246 on monkey pox or Orthopox infected human treated with ST 246. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 4, Issue-2: 77-79