Water pollution: A review of microbial quality and health concerns of water, sediment and fish in the aquatic ecosystem

This paper reviewed aquatic ecosystem pollution with particular reference to pathogens in water, sediment and fish and their human health concerns. It highlighted the historical perspective of the relationship between microbes and humans regarding the “ranging war” between them, arising fromthe reckless exploitation of the biosphere by humans and the resultant “revolt” by microbes in the form of various pathogenic diseases that now plague mankind. Also highlighted are pathogens and diseases in both wild and cultured fish, citing reported cases in Nigeria to include Samonella, Shigella and Leptospira spp., Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter diversus, Pseudomonas florescens, Aeromonas hydrophilla, Staphylococus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Edwardsiella tarda and Flexibacter columnaris. Some human diseases contacted from contaminated/infected fish and fisheries’ products that have been reported in Nigeria were reported to include: food poisoning and gastroenteritis, diarrhea, bacillary dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid, clonorchiasis and superficialwound infections and ulcers. In conclusion, the paper reviewed the modes of infection of water related and fish-borne diseases of human health concerns and recommended ways to ameliorate their infection and spread

Effect of academic stress on serum cortisol level and CD4 cell count in young male postgraduate students in Okada, Nigeria

To assess the effect of stress on serum cortisol level and CD4 cell count in young male postgraduate students at Igbinedion University, a cross  sectional laboratory based analysis survey was adopted for this study. A total of 104 male volunteer postgraduate students (age 22 + 7.0 years, body mass index 26 + 0.5 kg/m2) were randomly recruited. Total white blood cell (TWBC) was determined using the Sysmex® AutomatedHematology Analyzer. CD4 cell count was estimated using Partec cyflow counter. Serum cortisol level was determined by enzyme-linked  immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. It was observed that there was asignificant (P < 0.05) increase in the serum cortisol level at stage A (1st day of the semester) when compared with stage B (midway in the semester) and C (morning of the examination), while there was significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the TWBC count and CD4 cell count at A stage when compared with stage B and C. It was observed that academic stress was inhibitory of the proliferation of CD4 cells with the elevation of serumcortisol as a possible mediator.Keywords: Stress, cortisol, CD4 cell, ELISA

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of isolates of Aeromonas hydrophila from different sources: use of amylase activity as end-point indicator

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of 45 Aeromonas hydrophila isolates (from different sources) to 11 commonly used antimicrobial agents was determined by agar diffusion technique. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial drugs were also determined using amylase property of Aeromonas as end-point indicator in broth dilution models. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the antimicrobial susceptibility of Aeromonas from clinical and other sources (P > 0.05). All the isolates (100%) were susceptible to quinolones (Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin), Gentamicin and Nitrofurantoin. Over 80% of the isolates were susceptible to Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Nalidixic acid and Ceftazidime. Ofloxacin and Gentamicin had the lowest “MIC90” values (0.25μg/ml and 0.5μg/ml respectively). The isolates were markedly resistant to Ampicillin (42 or 93%), with “MIC90” value of 128μg/ml; forty (89%) of the 45 isolates produced detectable levels of β-lactamase enzyme. The use of Amylase activity of Aeromonas for MIC determination was comparable, in efficiency, with the conventional visual estimation in broth dilution model. Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility, amylase indicator, Aeromonas hydrophila Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 4 (2) 2006 pp. 49-5

Prevalence of chlamydia in patients attending gynecological clinics in south eastern Nigeria

Background: Chlamydia infections have been reported to cause silent infections in communities which becomes endemic and could remain unnoticed for a very long time. In most parts of Nigeria these organisms are not screened for, and hence relative information about frequencies of the organisms are sparse. Method: Five hundred and sixty five blood samples and ten umbilical cord fluids were collected from various patients attending clinics in South Eastern Nigeria and were screened for Chlamydia Complement Fixing Antibody (CCFA). Endocervical swabs and urethral discharges or swabs were collected from patients whose serum was positive and were cultured into embryonic eggs which was later observed, harvested and stained using the Romanowsky – Giemsa staining techniques. The positive sera were further confirmed by distinguishing the species of Chlamydia using the monoclonal antibody spot test kit. Result: Of the five hundred and sixty five (565) samples collected only three hundred and forty were positive to CCFA, of which 141 were males and 204 females. From the cultured samples 230 were positive for Chlamydia trachomatis and 99 positive to Chlamydia pneumoniae. Statistical analysis using the student\'s t test at 95% confidence interval shows that there was no significant difference between the number of females and males that presented themselves for screening. Conclusion: Proper screening of patients to include Chlamydia should be encouraged at all levels of medical diagnosis in the country so as to proffer treatment. Otherwise the infection will remain a “silent epidemic”, as is the case currently. Keywords: Chlamydia, Complement fixation test, Chlamydia Complement Fixing Antibody African Health Sciences Vol. 7(1) 2007: pp. 18-2

Evaluation of the Sensitivity and Specificity of Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)1 and 2 Test Kits Commonly Used in Nigeria

The sensitivity and specificity of five rapid HIV antibody test kits commonly used in Nigeria were evaluated. The kits were selected based on their high percentage frequency of use as compared to others. A total of 100 EIA HIV-1and RNA HIV-1 positive sera were used as positive gold standard, while 100 EIA HIV-1 and RNA HIV-1 negative sera were used as negative gold standard. The positive gold standard sera were pooled, serially diluted and analysed to determine the sensitivities of the kits. The methods used were strictly as provided by the manufacturers. Of the 100 positive gold standard serum samples used, Immunocomb-II gave false negative results with 10 (Sensitivity = 90%), while HIV-SAV, Hexagon, Determine and SD-Bioline were false negative with 12 specimens, representing 88% sensitivity for each. On the other hand, of the 100 negative gold standard sera, Immunocomb-II gave 6 false positive results (Specificity = 94%), HIV-SAV 12 (Specificity = 88%), Hexagon 2 (Specificity = 98%), Determine 12 (Specificity = 88%), while SD-Bioline had no false positive result (specificity = 100%). In analytical sensitivity, Immunocomb-II detected the highest serum titre of 30 000, making it the most sensitive. Two of the five test kits (Immunocomb and SD-Bioline) demonstrated excellent analytical sensitivity and specificity respectively. The two could be recommended for use as combination test algorithms instead of EIA/Western Blot algorithm, which is time-consuming, expensive and often not technically feasible in a developing country like ours. This study shows that not all the analytical performance indices cited in the literature from the manufacturers of diagnostic kits are necessarily reproducible in end-user laboratories. Key words: sensitivity, specificity, HIV rapid test kits Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol.13(1) 2004: 11 - 1

Assessment of Liver and Renal Functions of Asymptomatic Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) Seropositive Individuals on Winniecure (Herbal) Therapy

This study was carried out to assess the probable effects of the herbal extract (Winniecure), used in our institute for the treatment of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) infection, on liver and renal functions of individuals undergoing therapy. A total of 100 asymptomatic Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV) seropositive volunteers were randomized into two groups - study group Y; and the control group X. The control subjects were placed on a placebo. Their blood samples were collected before and after therapy and assessed for liver and renal functions using specific laboratory tests as indicators. Post-treatment results of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, β-glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, albumin, and globulin were found to be within the reference range and did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) from pretreatment values. Serum electrolytes, creatinine, urea and uric acid were also within the reference range and did not change significantly (p > 0.05) after therapy. A similar outcome was also observed for liver and renal functions of HIV - positive individuals on placebo. The findings suggest that no abnormal effects may occur in the liver and renal functions of HIV-positive individuals on Winniecure herbal therapy. Key words: antiretroviral therapy, Winniecure herbal extract, liver functions Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol.12(2) 2003: 36 - 4

Yersinia enterocolitica, a Neglected Cause of Human Enteric Infections in Côte d’Ivoire

International audienceBackground: Enteropathogenic Yersinia circulate in the pig reservoir and are the third bacterial cause of human gastrointestinal infections in Europe. In West Africa, reports of human yersiniosis are rare. This study was conducted to determine whether pathogenic Yersinia are circulating in pig farms and are responsible for human infections in the Abidjan District. Methodology/Principal findings: From June 2012 to December 2013, pig feces were collected monthly in 41 swine farms of the Abidjan district. Of the 781 samples collected, 19 Yersinia strains were isolated in 3 farms: 7 non-pathogenic Yersinia intermedia and 12 pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica bioserotype 4/O:3. Farm animals other than pigs and wild animals were not found infected. Furthermore, 2 Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 strains were isolated from 426 fecal samples of patients with digestive disorders. All 14 Y. enterocolitica strains shared the same PFGE and MLVA profile, indicating their close genetic relationship. However, while 6 of them displayed the usual phage type VIII, the other 8 had the highly infrequent phage type XI. Whole genome sequencing and SNP analysis of individual colonies revealed that phage type XI strains had unusually high rates of mutations. These strains displayed a hypermutator phenotype that was attributable to a large deletion in the mutS gene involved in DNA mismatch repair. Conclusions/Significance: This study demonstrates that pathogenic Y. enterocolitica circulate in the pig reservoir in Côte d'Ivoire and cause human infections with a prevalence comparable to that of many developed countries. The paucity of reports of yersiniosis in West Africa is most likely attributable to a lack of active detection rather than to an absence of the microorganism. The identification of hypermutator strains in pigs and humans is of concern as these strains can rapidly acquire selective advantages that may increase their fitness, pathogenicity or resistance to commonly used treatments