In Thailand, leptospirosis is primarily associated with those who work in agricultural occupations. Leptospirosis control is hampered by a poor understanding of the complex interactions between humans, animal reservoirs, Leptospira, and the variable spatial environment in which these factors coexist. We aimed to address key knowledge gaps concerning leptospirosis disease dynamics and the human–animal–water-source interface in two high-risk areas in Thailand. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 746 study participants in two high-risk areas for leptospirosis in Thailand: Sisaket (SSK) and Nakhon Si Thammarat (NST). Interactions among humans, animals and water sources were quantified and analyzed. The presence of different animal species and thus contact patterns were different in NST and SSK. The consumption of water from the shared sources between the two areas was different. Those whose occupations were related to animals or environmental water and those who consumed water from more than two sources were more likely to have been infected with leptospirosis, with adjusted odds ratios 4.31 (95% CI 1.17–15.83) and 10.74 (95% CI 2.28–50.53), respectively. Understanding specific water-source sharing networks and human–animal contact patterns is useful when designing national and area-specific control programmes to prevent and control leptospirosis outbreaks.

The successful culture of Leptospira spp. from the environment is challenging. Here, we optimized the isolation of Leptospira spp. from water samples spiked with different species and initial concentrations of this organism. The time periods between water sampling and the isolation process were varied (0, 2, and 4 weeks). Bacterial cultures were observed under a microscope, and cultures were graded for cell density, weekly, for 12 weeks. Most pathogenic Leptospira spp. were difficult to culture under all conditions. All conditions of water samples spiked with novel species of Leptospira subclade P1 were culture positive within 2 weeks. For Leptospira subclade P2, storing samples for 2 weeks prior to isolation resulted in more successful isolation compared with isolation after other storage conditions. For subclade S1, all samples with initial bacterial concentrations of more than 10³ colonies/mL, under all storage conditions, were successfully cultured. These results suggest that storing contaminated water samples for 2 to 4 weeks in the dark at an ambient temperature prior to culturing can improve the isolation of Leptospira spp. from the samples. We implemented this protocol and collected water samples from natural sources accessed by both humans and animals. Leptospira spp. was identified in 32% (35/109) of water samples. The animal species using a water source influenced the likelihood of water samples being contaminated with Leptospira spp. Cultures of Leptospira spp. from environmental samples can provide useful information for understanding the complex interactions between humans, animals and the environment in the transmission of leptospirosis.

Contact lens (CL) wear has been reported to cause changes to the microbiome of the ocular surface. More insight into the alteration of this microenvironment can help to understand the pathogenesis of CL-related eye infections. Knowledge of the relationship between the CL wearer's behaviours and pathogens would help health care providers focus on each step of proper CL care. This study aims to determine the behaviours that might be associated with the community of bacteria on CL. A cross-sectional design was performed using anonymous questionnaires to obtain demographic data and assess hygiene practices among volunteering wearers. The CLs used were collected to evaluate the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria associated with ocular infections by PCR and microbiota analysis. The bacterial microbiota study revealed a total of 19 genera and 26 isolated strains from 20 eligible CLs. Enterobacter, Staphylococcus, and Achromobacter were the main genus in this subject population. Staphylococcus pasteuri and Achromobacter agilis were the most common pathogens at 65% and 35%, respectively. Enterobacter mori, a nonpathogenic organism, was found to be the most predominant strain, accounting for 27.51% of the total bacterial constituents. The risk behaviour of CL wear that was significantly associated with A. agilis contamination was cleaning the CL case with tap water (P value = 0.04). This is the first study focusing on the association between the culture selected microbial community on the CL surface and compehensive behavioural characteristics. Environmental contamination was the main source of microbes found on CL surfaces. An emphasis in patient education should be placed on careful handling during the CL care routine and managing the hygiene of the surroundings.

Purpose: Learners, including medical students, naturally have different learning style preferences. Teachers need to use a variety of teaching materials to help learners understand the content. However, previous studies have not reported the effects of learning in medical biochemistry by teaching based on the VARK learning style. This study aims to investigate the learning style preferences, the effects of learning in medical biochemistry by teaching based on the VARK learning style, and the relationship between type and number of VARK learning styles and medical biochemistry achievement in medical students. Methods: We investigated a total of 92 first-year medical students at Walailak University. The VARK questionnaire was used to identify the learning style preference of medical students. All students took a pretest before beginning each online lecture. After completing each lecture, all students received additional teaching materials according to their learning style to use in reviewing the lessons. All students took a posttest for each lecture after reviewing the lesson. Results: The results showed that the medical students preferred a multimodal learning style (70.65%) more than a unimodal learning style (29.35%). The medical students preferred four learning styles (VARK) more than two and three learning styles. All learning styles had a mean difference score (posttest score minus pretest score) above 27.00 (33.75%). There were no significant differences in mean difference scores among the different learning styles. In addition, there were no significant differences in mean difference scores between the single style preference, two style preferences, three style preferences, and four style preferences. Conclusion: Teaching based on the VARK learning style could enhance medical students’ learning in medical biochemistry. The difference in learning style and the difference in the number of learning styles (single, two, three, and four style preferences) were not significantly related to medical students’ learning achievement in medical biochemistry.

Soil-transmitted helminth infections are most prevalent in rural populations. Village health volunteers (VHVs) are the key individuals for Thai primary healthcare. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis in VHVs. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 552 VHVs randomly selected from four subdistricts in a southern province of Thailand. Sociodemographic variables and information regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to soil-transmitted helminthiasis were collected using a structured questionnaire. The results demonstrated that VHVs had poor knowledge (70.47%) and practices (66.49%); however, 69.57% had good attitudes. Most VHVs had inadequate knowledge and practices regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis. VHVs who had been trained in parasitic infection control measures were 2.18 times more likely to have good knowledge. VHVs with a monthly family income of more than 307 USD were 1.58 times more likely to have a good attitude. VHVs with good knowledge were more likely to have good practices. In conclusion, the development of training programs and health promotion should be considered to enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to soil-transmitted helminthiasis in VHVs, who are the key individuals for providing health education to community members.

Background: Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the Toxocara canis and T. cati nematodes larvae. Dog owners are at a higher risk of acquiring T. canis infection, and there is no available evidence regarding the seroprevalence of T. canis infection among dog owners in Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. canis infection and associated risk factors among dog owners in rural areas of Thailand. Methods: A total of 132 dog owners, including 25 men and 107 women, were recruited for this study. Serum anti-T. canis IgG antibodies were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and information on risk factors was collected using a questionnaire. In addition, hematological parameters were analyzed by the auto hematology analyzer. Risk variables associated with T. canis infection were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. canis was 76.5% (101/132). Men were more likely to be infected with T. canis than women. Univariate analysis revealed that dog owners who did not practice handwashing before meals (p = 0.005) or after contact with soil (p = 0.035) or dogs (p = 0.049) had a substantially higher risk of acquiring T. canis infection. After adjusting for confounders, not practicing handwashing before meals remained a significant risk factor for T. canis infection (p = 0.038). The mean number of eosinophils was significantly higher in the seropositive group than in the seronegative group. Conclusions: This is the first serological report of T. canis infection among dog owners reflecting the high rate of T. canis seropositivity in rural areas of southern Thailand. This study also provides group-specific data concerning modifiable risk behaviors for more effective T. canis infection control and prevention strategies in Thailand.