Evaluation of IgG antibodies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and associated risk factors for severe respiratory tract infections in pre- school children in North-central, Nigeria

Background: Childhood mortality and morbidity due to RSV is increasing. Our current study was aimed at determining the sero-prevalence rate of RSV IgG antibodies and investigates certain known risk factors for RSV  disease severity in infants and pre-school children presenting with various forms of respiratory tract infections in Ilorin, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: About 280, children and 30, aged matched controls were enrolled into the study at the specialist hospital Ilorin. Blood testing for anti RSV IgG was done using a commercial ELISA kit by IVD Research Inc® Carlsbad. California U.S.A. Information regarding Nutritional status, socio-economic status and other demographic variables were collected.Results: A prevalence rate of 85.7% was recorded among tested children and 23.3%, in controls, across age groups and gender. A statistically significant difference in age groups were recorded among patients with  LRTI, (p <0.05), age <1 41%, age 1 <5, 27.6%. This was also the case forchildren with SRTI (Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis), with age < 1yr, 9%, and 1 <5yr, 19.8%. Analysed risk factors for disease severity showed thatnutritional status of children were statistically significant for disease severity, p-value, 0.039 (Chi square test).Conclusions: We report a high level of exposure to RSV in infancy and early childhood among children from a representative population in a major central Nigerian City, further studies into neutralising antibody levels and subtype distribution of RSV are advocated.Key Words: RSV, Respiratory tract infection, Seroprevalence, Ilorin

Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTI), in first time blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Background: Transfusion transmissible infections, such as HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis are on the rise and pose a threat to blood safety.Objective: To determine prevalence and demographic profiles of TTI’s among first time blood donors in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Methods: The study was conducted between February to November 2013; 130 first time blood donors were tested for the presence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibodies and Treponema palidium antibodies using EIA based rapid immunochromatographic kits. Data analysis was done using SPSS with a level of significance of p<0.05.Results: Prevalence rates to HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibody, were 6.2% (n=8), 10% (n=13) and 1.5% (n=2), there was 0% prevalence to Treponema palidium antibodies. Group specific prevalence rates revealed that educational status was associated with HBsAg positivity (p = 0.028), donors with a history of previous blood transfusion was also statistically associated with HIV sero-reactivity (p = 0.013).Conclusions: High levels of HBsAg and HIV were observed, there is need to revise the donor testing algorithm in Nigeria in line with the prevalence of TTI’s. We also advocate that a National surveillance system for TTI’s be established through our National blood transfusion service (NBTS) program, a second serological test is also suggested to reduce the risk of occult HBV infection in Nigeria.Key words: Prevalence rate, TTI’s, Blood donors, Nigeri

Antibiogram and plasmid profiling of carbapenemase and extended spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Abeokuta, South western, Nigeria

Background: The increased reports of ESBL dissemination from various centres in south western, Nigeria and the recent emergence of carbapenem resistant bacteria prompted the conception of this study.Objectives: To demonstrate the relationship between high molecular weight plasmids and the expression of antibiotic multi-resistance including ESBL and carbapenemase.Methods: We investigated 97 isolates of selected organisms consisting of 67 E. coli and 30 Klebseilla spp for the presence of plasmids expressing ESBL including carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes. Beta-lactamase was determined using acidometric method, while ESBL and carbapenemase activity was determined using the double-disk diffusion test as well as the Modified Hodge test (MHT). Plasmid profiles of ESBL and carbapenemase positive isolates were determined according to standard protocols.Results: An ESBL prevalence rate of 21.6% and carbapenem- resistance rate of 9.3% was recorded. Antibiotic susceptibility profile of ESBL isolates showed 100.0% resistance against Amoxicillin, Cotrimoxazole and Erythromycin. Moderate susceptibility was recorded against the Quinolone class of antibiotics; Meropenem remained the most active antibiotic against ESBL isolates with 62.5% against E. coli and 60% against K. pneumoniae. The plasmid profiles of our study isolates ranged from 11.8kbp to 35.5kbp. Conclusion: Due to the relationship between high molecular weight plasmids and multi-drug resistance, we hereby recommend regular molecular surveillance of this form in our study setting.Keywords: Carbapenem-resistance, ESBL isolates, Plasmid profile, AbeokutaAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 1091 - 109

Prevalence and Seasonal Variations of HIV 1 and 2 Infection among Children in Abeokuta, South West Nigeria

Abstract Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of HIV infection among children in Nigeria. Abeokuta still remains un-investigated for the exact prevalence of paediatric HIV infection. We have there tried to bridge this gap in Knowledge by determin ing the prevalence of paediatric HIV infection in Abeokuta. A six month retrospective study was carried out between January and June 2010 to determine HIV sero-prevalence and seasonal incidence of HIV. About 269 children were screened using double parallel rap id HIV antibody test kits: Chemb io HIV-1/ 2 Stat-Pak® and Determine HIV-1/2® test kit fo llo wing manufacturer's instructions. An overall sero-prevalence rate of 14.9% (n=18) was recorded with no statistically significant association in relat ion to gender p < 0.05, age range 6 to 15 recorded a higher prevalence with 7.9% (10/131) wh ile age 1 ≤ 5 recorded 5.8% (8/138). The highest incidence of infection was seen in the month of May with 154/1000 children tested and the lowest incidence was recorded in the month of January with 18/1000 children tested. This study has shown a relatively high prevalence rate of HIV infection among children in Abeokuta. It is therefore advocated that PMTCT and support services be scaled up in children with HIV in Abeokuta

Bacterial Colonization and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Wound Isolates in a Hospital in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

A retrospective study on the rate of isolation and antibiotic sensitivity profile of microbial isolates from wound infections at the Federal Medical Center Abeokuta was conducted from April 2009 to March 2010. A total of 209 wound swabs were retrospectively studied, for colonial characteristics, gram reaction and antibiotic susceptibility. An isolation rate of 177(84.7%) was recorded with gender distribution of males 105(50.2%) and females 104(49.8%). The age group 16 to 30 years gave 71(34.0%) while above 60 years had 21(10%). The bacteria isolation pattern was Pseudomonas aeruginosa 45(25.4%), E. coli 42(23.8%), Klebsiella spp. 36(20.3%), Proteus spp. 28(15.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus 26(14.7%). Gentamycin was the most susceptible with a frequency of 40% followed by Ofloxacin. The high diversity of organisms and poor susceptibility pattern signifies the need for proper infection control and laboratory investigation of all patients presenting with wound infections.Keywords: Bacterial colonization, wound isolates, antimicrobial susceptibilit