Prevalence of food sensitization and helminth infection among primary school children in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria

Background: Food allergy is a problem of the western world, however, cases of food allergy have also been found in developing countries. In Nigeria, the prevalence of food allergy is scarce while the association of food sensitization with helminthiasis is unknown. Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of sensitization to food among Nigerian school children and its relation to intestinal helminthiasis. Methods: A total of 128 participants were recruited from CAC Primary School, Sango, Ibadan, Nigeria. Skin Prick Test using freshly prepared food allergens was carried out. Stool samples were collected from them to screen for ova of parasites using concentration method. Results: A total of 26 (20.3%) out of 128 participants were SPT positive for various food allergens, while 16 (12.5%) had helminthic infection. There was however an equal distribution of helminthic infection among students who were food allergen SPT positive and negative. There was also no association between gender and susceptibility to food allergy. Conclusion: Sensitization to food is common in school children, and intestinal helminthiasis seems to have no influence on its prevalence.Keywords: MPO, inflammatory response, neonates, sepsis

Contributions of malaria, helminths, HIV and iron deficiency to anaemia in pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in SouthWest Nigeria

Background: Iron deficiency is a dominant source of anaemia in many settings. To evaluate the key cause of anaemia in the study area, the prevalence of anaemia due to major public health diseases was compared with anaemia due to iron deficiency. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited from ante-natal (n=490) and HIV clinics (n=217) with their personal data documented using a questionnaire. Microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick smears was used for detection of malaria parasites while helminths in stools were detected using direct smear method. Haematocrit values were determined by capillary method. Serum ferritin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: The mean age of the recruited women was 28.6\ub15.4 years old. There were 68.1% cases of anaemia of which 35.5% was due to infections only predominantly HIV and malaria, 14.9% from unknown sources while anaemia due to iron deficiency only was 7.1%. Conclusion: It can safely be inferred that malaria and HIV predispose to anaemia than iron deficiency in the study area. Although pregnant women are dewormed and given IPTp for helminths and malaria treatment respectively, there should be complementary routine malaria screening at ANC visits for those with HCT values <33% and those infected with HIV

Metal binding acute phase proteins and trace elements in Nigerian children with urinary schistosomiasis.

Fifty-five Nigerian children with urinary schistosomiasis (USS) and 34 apparently healthy children of matched ages and sexes were considered for this study. In these children, metal binding acute phase proteins (transferrin and caeruloplasmin) and trace elements were measured by single radial immunodiffusion and atomic absorption spectrophotometry respectively. The result shows that Cd, Mn, albumin and transferrin were reduced (p<0.01, p>0.20, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively) while Fe, Cu and caeruloplasmin were raised (p<0.01, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively) in USS subjects when compared with the controls. Low levels of transferrin might be responsible for raised level of plasma Fe, which is in turn modulated by caeruloplasmin. It may be concluded that trace elements and antioxidants are involved in the pathogenesis of USS

Immunoglobulins (Classes IgG, IgA and IgM) in Pregnant Women With Urinary Schistosomiasis in Ilie, Southwestern Nigeria

Context: The occurrence of schistosome eggs or worms in the female genital tract has been reported in several clinical conditions including ectopic pregnancy and infertility. The presence of schistosome eggs in urine has been reported to correlate with female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), but the impact of schistosome eggs or adult worms on host\'s immune responses during pregnancy is however yet to be determined. Aims: In view of the possible occurrence of female genital schistosomiasis without the eggs being detected in the urine except surgical biopsy. Moreso, surgical procedure may have adverse effects on both the mother and foetus. The diagnostic relevance of three immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA & IgM) was investigated in pregnant women with urinary schistosomiasis. Design & Setting: Case-control study in Ilie village in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. Subjects: They were made up of thirty pregnant women with urinary schistosomiasis (P+USS), thirty-six pregnant women without USS (P-USS), eighteen non-pregnant women with USS (NP+USS), and twenty-four non-pregnant healthy women without urinary schistosomiasis (NP-USS). Main Outcome Measures: Serum levels of three immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM) were determined using single radial immuno-diffusion technique in one hundred and eight Nigerian women. Results: All the three classes of immunoglobulin were higher in P+USS compared with other groups. Both IgA and IgG were significantly different when P+USS and other groups were compared. No significant difference existed when IgM was compared in P+USS and P-USS or NP+USS and NP-USS or P-USS and NP-USS. Conclusions: The results shows that raised IgM during pregnancy may indicate FGS among other causes. Key Words: Immunoglobulins, Pregnancy, Schistosomiasis [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:125-127