Histological and biochemical markers of the liver of male Wistar rats on oral administration of nevirapine suspension

Background: Mechanism of action of nevirapine in the prophylaxis treatment and treatment of HIV-1 may involve elevations in levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and other biomarkers of liver function. This study presents the hepatotoxic effect of nevirapine suspension using animal model.Methods: A total number of 15 male Wister rats were fed normal chow and antiretroviral drug (Nevirapine) for a period of six weeks. The liver organ of the rats were obtained and subjected to histological procedures and biochemical analysis using enzyme assay obtained from Randox Laboratories Limited, Antrim United Kingdom (BT294QY).Results: The wistar rats showed no significant mean body weight difference when compared with the control group. However there was significant difference in the mean values of AST (77.77±3.03) and ALT (89.37±3.19) of the treated rats. Nevirapine treated rats showed significant difference in AST, ALT, and ALP in the single (77.77± 3.03, 31.80±1.73, 43.81 ±1.54) and double (89.37±3.19, 33.38±2.01, 34.64 ±1.02) doses when compared with the controls (75.14 ±2.00, 29.16±0.17, 45.44 ±1.85) respectively. Mild vascular congestion, infiltration of sinusoids by inflammatory cells, and haemorrhage were induced by nevirapine as compared with the control group showing normal vessels without congestion, normal sinusoids appearing normal without infiltration.Conclusion: The liver histology of the rats fed with Nevirapine suspension showed diffused hepatocellular necrosis. Routine check of the drug effect is important as it provides effective life management of HIV infected individuals.Keywords: Nevirapine, Wister rat, Hepatotoxicity, Liver, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP

Acute Respiratory Infections in the Middle-Belt Region of Nigeria

Background: ARI continues to be a leeding cause of death among children globally beyond the year 2000. Close 12 million children under the age of 5years die each year in the developing countries, mainly from preventable causes and approximately 2.28 million (19%) were due to acute respiratory infections (ARI). It therefore became necessary to assess the present status of the disease in Nigeria to mastermind workable plans for reducing the mortality and morbidity burden.Methods: A designed pro-forma was used to collect and collate information from mothers or direct care givers of children at both hospital and community levels relating to family background, home setting, anthropometry, clinical presentation of ARI, previous medications, investigations, complications and outcomes of illness.Results: A total of 163 children were recruited for the study. One hundred and six had moderate and severe form of ARI while 57 had mild form. The in-patients accounted for 15.2% of all the admission within the study period.All children were under 12 years of age with male preponderance. Fast breathing, Tarchypnoea, Cough and Fever were the leading ways of presentations. The immunization coverage of study population by various antigens in the EPI were poor. Majority of the hospital children had pre-consultation antibiotics while none of the children from the rural community had pre-recruitment antibiotics. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were the leading organisms isolated with good sensitivity to Quinolones, Gentamycin and Cephalosporins. Heart failure was the leading complications. Mortality was 12.3% among the hospitalized patient and none among the community children.Conclusion: It was concluded that ARI is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children with opportunity for burden reduction.Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infection, present outlook, burde

Reference values of haematological parameters of healthy adults in the north central zone of Nigeria

Background: Haematological parameters differ from one population to another due to several factors. To determine the clinical implication of the blood parameters of an individual in the state of health or disease, we need to have the knowledge of the normal reference range for that locality.Objectives: To determine the reference values of haematological parameters of apparently healthy adults in Ilorin.Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.Setting: Ilorin, North Central zone of NigeriaSubjects: Nine hundred and ten (443 males and 467 females) randomly selected normal, HIV negative individuals aged 18-65 yearsResults: The red blood cell count, Haemoglobin concentration, PCV and MCHC were significantly higher among males than females while the platelet count, total WBC count and absolute neutrophil count were significantly higher in females than in males. There was however no significant gender difference in the values of MCV, MCH and absolute lymphocyte count. The normal reference values obtained in this study were notably different from those that are used currently in the hospital.Conclusion: The normal reference value obtained in this study was notable different from those that are currently used in the hospital. These findings will have clinical implications regarding the adjustment of our current reference values and definitely add value to the management of patients in this part of the country

Reported reasons for not using a mosquito net when one is available: a review of the published literature

Background: A review of the barriers to mosquito net use in malaria-endemic countries has yet to be presented in the published literature despite considerable research interest in this area. This paper partly addresses this gap by reviewing one component of the evidence base; namely, published research pertaining to self-reported reasons for not using a mosquito net among net 'owning' individuals. It was anticipated that the review findings would potentially inform an intervention or range of interventions best suited to promoting greater net use amongst this group. Method. Studies were sought via a search of the Medline database. The key inclusion criteria were: that study participants could be identified as owning a mosquito net or having a mosquito net available for use; that these participants on one or more occasions were identified or self-reported as not using the mosquito net; and that reasons for not using the mosquito net were reported. Studies meeting these criteria were included irrespective of mosquito net type. Results: A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Discomfort, primarily due to heat, and perceived (low) mosquito density were the most widely identified reason for non-use. Social factors, such as sleeping elsewhere, or not sleeping at all, were also reported across studies as were technical factors related to mosquito net use (i.e. not being able to hang a mosquito net or finding it inconvenient to hang) and the temporary unavailability of a normally available mosquito net (primarily due to someone else using it). However, confidence in the reported findings was substantially undermined by a range of methodological limitations and a dearth of dedicated research investigation. Conclusions: The findings of this review should be considered highly tentative until such time as greater quantities of dedicated, well-designed and reported studies are available in the published literature. The current evidence-base is not sufficient in scope or quality to reliably inform mosquito net promoting interventions or campaigns targeted at individuals who own, but do not (reliably) use, mosquito nets

Overview of the Global Trend in Private Medical Practice

Free health care delivery is expensive world wide. In addition, there are many challenges facing the public health institutions with regards to health care financing and management. More over, many governments face various constraints that force them to prioritize and restrict government spending. This make it impossible for any government to provide free health care for her ever increasing population. Private medical practice is an alternative to complement government efforts in providing health care to reach a greater population. This has evolved from the rudimentary solo practice with its numerous disadvantages to more advance and superior group medical practices. The group medical practice in the developed world has transformed into huge public and private partnerships, developing into large corporation. This has transformed the economy of these countries. In contrast to this, developing countries have a long way to go. Solo practice is slowly revolving with its attendant risk for extinction. However, as more qualified specialists are produced and with increasing awareness and requirement for quality care, specialists will come together in groups to start decent and quality practice. The government of these countries can set up regulatory bodies to monitorand enforce discipline in the private sector. Key words: Global; private; medical practic

Symposium: Paediatrics electrocardiography

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a graphic recording of the electrical potential generated in the heart on the body surface using a device called electrocardiograph which was invented more than 100years ago by Eithoven. The cardiac muscle possesses intrinsic properties of automaticity, excitability and conductivity. Sinoatria (SA) node is the dominant pace maker. Therefore the electrical activity generated here spreads through the conduction tissue pathways, (i.e. atria, then to atrioventricular (AV) node, bundle of His and its branches, the purkinje system and ultimately to the ventricles resulting in an electrocardiographic complex consisting of PQRS-T during a cardiac cycle. One cardiac cycle is represented by successive wave forms on an electrocardiographic tracing, the P wave, QRS complex, and the T wave. These waves' produce two important intervals (PR and QT) and two segments (PQ and ST)., After the recording has been made, each strip of the electrocardiogram should be analyzed systematically for the following: Rate, rhythm, P waves, PR interval, QRS Axis, QRS morphology, QT interval, T wave, U wave and RS progression.Paediatric ECG is unique and difficult to interpret, but can be used within certain limits to identify anatomical, metabolic, ionic and hemodynamic abnormalities. Used alone as the basis of a clinical diagnosis the error margin could be quite wide. On the other hand, when used in the proper context, it is a very useful adjunct to cardiac diagnosis.Keyword: Sinoatria node, Electrocardiogram, Paediatric ECG, Unique

Proposed Formulae for Determining Blood Transfusion Requirements in Children with Severe Anaemia

Background: Blood replacement remains a crucial component of the treatment of severe anaemia irrespective of the cause. The transfusion of an adequate amount of blood is important to prevent under- or over-transfusion. Existing formulae used for the calculation of blood transfusion requirements, while being useful, still have deficiencies. The current study aims to evolve simple formulae that can be used in calculating the volume of packed red blood cells (PRBC) required for attaining a specific packed cell volume (PCV) level. Method: A total of 172 patients with severe anaemia [PCV o

enitourinary plexiform neurofibroma mimicking sacrococcygeal teratoma

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Cross- Sectional Survey Of School Teachers Knowledge Of Ebola Virus Diseases In Ilorin

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