Bacterial meningitis in pregnancy, neonate and adolescence: A report of five cases

Background: Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin covering of the brain and spinal cord.Objective: This case study identifies the aetiology and the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial agents in suspected samples of acute meningitis.Methods: The bacterial agents were detected by culture, Bactec 9050, Directgen and Gram Techniques from five patients of Makoda and Tudun Wada Primary Health care (PHC) facilities as well as Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital (HBPH) that were presented to Microbiology Laboratory unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) – a tertiary hospital located within the meningitis belt of Nigeria. Among the five cases, three werepregnant women all in their second trimesters marked patients 1, 2 and 3 according to the increasing pattern of their ages, an adolescent marked patient 4 and a neonate marked patient 5.Results: The CSF sample of the respective patients was assayed for pus cell, protein, and RBC. The Directgen detected Haemophillus influenzae from patients 1 and same organism was isolated from patient 2. Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from patient 3 and Neisseria meningitidis from patients 4 and 5 respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing reveals sensitivity to penicillin and gentamicin by H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis. N. Meningitidis and S. pneumoniae were sensitive to ceftriazone, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. All the three organisms displayed intermediate sensitivity to chloramphenicol, erythromycin and tetracycline according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the relevance of these agents as potential pathogens in the predisposed patients. The antimicrobial sensitivity depicted high sensitivity to the various classes of antibiotics

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Rubella Susceptibility Among Obstetric Population in Metropolis Antenatal Centre Kano, Nigeria

It is well known that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Nigeria. However, increased rubella susceptibility has been shown in patients from the Asian pacific region where chronic HBV infection is endemic. This study was carried out to assess the relationship between chronic HBV infection and rubella susceptibility in obstetric population aged 15–47 years attending Antenatal Clinic at Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital Kano, Nigeria. From a total of 288 patients screened, 31 (10.76%) were reactive for HBsAg, meanwhile 50 (17.36%) were reactive to rubella IgM. Among the 31 infected patients 15 (48.39%) were from 20 – 24 years age bracket representing the most  susceptible age group while the infection rate was lowest (0.35%) in 45 – 49  age group (P = 0.00). The results of serological markers shows that HBsAg (+) was found in all 31 subjects (100%), anti HBs (+) 0 (0.00%), HBeAg (+) 3 (9.68%); anti HBe (+) and anti HBc (+) 24 (77.42%) respectively (P = 0.09). The study of liver enzymes activity among the HBV positive patients shows abnormal Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) among HBsAg (+) and HBeAg (+) group. However, abnormal Alkaline phospatase (ALP) was found to be non-significantly different between HBsAg (+) and HBeAg (+) vsHBsAg (+) and HBeAg (-) groups (P=0.00). Moreover, obstetric histories such as abortion still birth and neonatal deaths among various age groups with respect to rubella was also studied, it implies that  out of the 50 reactive patients, 35(12.15%) had a previous abnormal obstetric history (P=0.02). In a comparative study conducted, it was observed that HBV carriers were (25.81%) susceptible to rubella as against (12.91%) observed in HBV free subjects (positive correlation). The study demonstrates strong associations between chronic HBV infection and rubella susceptibility among the studied population

Microalbuminuria as an index of diabetic nephropathy among chronic diabetic patients in Gumel, North Western Nigeria

Diabetes remains a significant health and socio-economic challenge for patients and for health care system. Microalbuminuria (MA) has been indicated as a risk factor for chronic diabetic renal complication. This study aimed at assessing the microalbuminuria level as an index of nephropathy by determining urinary creatinine and albumin among chronic diabetic patients with histor y of five years and above attending the clinic irrespective of age and gender. In this clinical prospective study, 100 chronic diabetic patients and 100 controls were recruited, blood samples were collected for the estimation of Fasting blood sugar by Glucose Oxidase method. Urine samples were also collected for the estimation Albumin and creatinine by Immuno-turbidimetry and Jaffe′s methods respectively. The MA was evaluated as Albumin/creatinine. Student t-test was used to compare the means. Mean of MA in diabetics was (58.9±10.2) while Mean of MA in controls was (19.8±3.0) which is statistically significant (p<0.05). The overall prevalence of MA was 34.00% being statistically significant with age of the subjects while statistically non-significant with gender. However, this study signifies relationship between Diabetes and Microalbuminuria

A comprehensive review of barriers to a functional Zakat system in Nigeria: what needs to be done?

Purpose: Muslims in Nigeria, like in many Muslim-majority countries, are striving to have a functional Zakat system in search of solutions to the perennial problem of poverty and its damning consequences. Nevertheless, there are still unsettled concerns arising from the current and widespread implementation of dissimilar (diverse) approaches to the Zakat system in various parts of the country. The purpose of this paper is to review comprehensively what are the hindrances of a vibrant Zakat system and how far the identified impediments may affect the system in the Nigerian context.Design/methodology/approach:The methodology adopted is the review of extant relevant literature in the field of scholarly publications.Findings: The findings of this study revealed that the fragmented implementation of the Zakat system within the context of the Nigerian democratic system of government lead to the weak governance with respect to law, administration and management; lack of a generally accepted fatwa from the Muslims scholars (Ulamas); absence of Zakat accounting standard; and low compliance behavior are the major barriers that require the attention of government and other stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, the accounting regulatory bodies, the Ulamas, as well as the economic and accounting researchers.Practical implications: It was recommended that the stakeholders should make concerted efforts toward ensuring success of the Zakat system for attaining salvation in the hereafter and for social security, as well as economic prosperity. Originality/value: The paper is the first paper that comprehensively reviews previous literature in the Zakat environment on factors that become barriers to implement a comprehensive Zakat system in Nigeria