Pattern of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections in women undergoing hysterosalpingography for infertility evaluation in Ibadan Nigeria.

The roles of gonorrhea and non-gonococcal urethritis due to Chlamydia trachomatis in the etiology of infertility due to tubal occlusion have been established by various studies. Hysterosalphingography (HSG) is done to investigate tubal patency. This study was aimed at finding the prevalence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women being investigated for infertility in a tertiary institution.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of asymptomatic infertile women referred for pre-HSG screening. Detailed medical history, Endocervical and high vaginal swabs were collected to establish diagnosis of STIs following clinical examination and informed consent. These specimens were evaluated microscopically for Chlamydia trachomatis and bacterial vaginosis. Endocervical secretions were Gram-stained for intracellular Gram – Negative diplococci and suspected isolates were confirmed as Neisseria gonorrhoeae by standard laboratory methods.Results: There were 250 participants with a mean age of 34.6 years (SD = 5.4, range = 25 -49). The mean age of sexual debut of participants was 21.5 years (SD = 4.3). Fifty-six (22.5%) of the women engaged in oral sex while 53 (21.2 %) shared their spouses with other sexual partners. 17.7% had previous PID, 43.1% of them has vaginal discharge syndrome. The commonest STI was Vulvo- vaginal candidiasis (24.4%) and others were bacterial vaginosis (18.4%), Chlamydia cervicitis ( 17.6% ), trichomoniasis (11.2% ), and gonorrhea ( 2.4 % ).Conclusion: The procedure of HSG is invasive and asymptomatic infections in the cervix can be dislodged and propagated by injection of contrast to the fallopian tubes thus causing tubal blockage. Routine Pre-HSG screening for occult STIs is encouraged to avoid iatrogenic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.Keywords: Hysterosalpingography, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Infertility

Causative agents of keratomycosis in Ibadan: review of laboratory reports

Introduction: Fungi are responsible for less than 2.0 % of corneal infection around the globe. Trauma to the cornea is the leading cause of fungal keratitis especially with history of corneal trauma with vegetable or organic matter. Because of the dearth of data on the aetiological agents of Keratomycosis in this hospital, this study was aimed at finding the prevalence and fungal etiological agents responsible for this condition Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of the laboratory reports of corneal scrapings of patients that presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of Keratomycosis was carried out. The scrapings were subjected to wet preparation with 10.0 % KOH, Gram staining and Giemsa staining to rule out inclusion bodies. The diagnosis of Keratomycosis was made on the basis of the recognizable and characteristic appearance of fungal hyphae and fruiting bodies under microscopy. The media with no obvious growth after 3-4 weeks of incubation were regarded as negative. Results: A total of 48 specimens from patients with suspected diagnosis of Keratomycosis were included in the analysis. The patients consisted of 42 (87.3%) males and 6 (12.5%) females. The ages at diagnosis ranged from 3 to 73 years with a mean of 36.46 years and a median of 35.5 years. The prevalence of Keratomycosis among this group of patients in this hospital was 8.4 %. Candida albicans and Fusarium spp were the fungal isolates in these patients as it occurred in 4.2 % (2/48) of them respectively. Conclusions: Corneal scarring due to trauma or infections is a major cause of monocular blindness, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Despite the low level of Keratomycosis in this study, high index of suspicion of possible diagnosis should be giving to patients with history of trauma, tissue devitalization with topical steroids and immunocompromised immunity.Keywords: Keratomycosis, Corneal, Fusarium and Candida

Diverse genetic subtypes of HIV-1 among female sex workers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Genetic diversity is the hallmark of HIV-1 infection. It differs among geographical regions throughout the world. This study was undertaken to identify the predominant HIV-1 subtypes among infected female sex workers (FSWs) in Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred and fifty FSWs from brothels in Ibadan Nigeria were screened for HIV antibody using ELISA. All reactive samples were further tested by the Western Blot Techniques. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were separated from the blood samples of each subject. Fragments of HIV Proviral DNA was amplified and genetic subtypes of HIV-1 was determined by direct sequencing of the env and gag genes of the viral genome followed by phylogenetic analysis . Results: The age of the FSWs ranged from 15 to 55 years old (Mean = 25.8years, SD =3.74). Majority were Nigerians while others (1.6 %) were from neighboring West Africa countries. Four ( 1.6% ) of the FSWs were active for less than one year as sex workers, and the mean length of sex work was 2.80 years ( Range = 1.0 – 15.0 years ). Sixty-four (25.6%) of the 250 CSWs were positive for HIV-1 while 7 (2-8%) had dual infections to HIV-1 / HIV-2. Among the 34 HIV-1 strains  characterized by sequencing, 19 (55-9%) were subtype G, 9 (26.5%) CRF02_A/G, 3 (8.8%) CRF06_cpx while 1 (2.9%) each were identified as subtype C, CRF01_A/E and CRF09_cpx respectively. Nineteen (55.9%) of the FSWs with subtype G had been active in the sex work for between one to five years. The youngest of the HIV -1 infected FSWs with sexual activity of less than a year had subtype G strain. There is a significant probability that infection with this subtype occurred with a short incubation period (p< 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed a wide range of HIV- 1 subtypes among FSWs in Nigeria. The situation poses serious challenge for the design of HIV vaccine candidate for use in Nigeria.Keywords: Diverse, HIV, subtypes, Female Sex workers and Vaccin

Assessment of knowledge about childhood autism among paediatric and psychiatric nurses in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is increasing public and professional awareness of autism spectrum disorders with early recognition, diagnosis and interventions that are known to improve prognosis. Poor knowledge about childhood autism among paediatric and psychiatric nurses who are members of multidisciplinary teams that care for such children may be a major barrier to early interventions that could improve quality of life and prognosis in childhood autism. Factors that influence knowledge about childhood autism among these nurses are not known. This study assessed knowledge about childhood autism among paediatric and psychiatric nurses in Ebonyi state, Nigeria and determined the factors that could be influencing such knowledge.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty specialist paediatric and forty psychiatric nurses, making a total sample of eighty, were randomly selected from all the health care facilities in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. A socio-demographic questionnaire and knowledge about childhood autism among health workers (KCAHW) questionnaire were administered to them and the study was a point survey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The total mean score on the KCAHW questionnaire among the nurses that participated in the study was 12.56 ± 3.23 out of a total of 19 possible. The mean score for the paediatric nurses was 11.78 ± 3.64 while psychiatric nurses had mean score of 13.35 ± 2.58. The mean scores in Domain 1 were 6.17 ± 1.75 for the paediatric nurses and 6.52 ± 1.43 for the psychiatric nurses. The mean scores in Domain 2 were 0.65 ± 0.48 for the paediatric nurses and 0.80 ± 0.41 for the psychiatric nurses. Domain 3 showed mean scores of 1.97 ± 1.25 for the paediatric nurses while psychiatric nurses scored 2.62 ± 1.23. Domain 4 yielded the mean scores of 2.97 ± 1.54 and 3.42 ± 0.98 for the paediatric and psychiatric nurses respectively.</p> <p>There was significant relationship between the total mean score on the KCAHW questionnaire for the two groups and the area of specialisation of the nurses (t = -2.23, df = 78, p = 0.03) and there was also significant relationship between previous involvement in managing children with childhood autism as a specialist paediatric or psychiatric nurse and the total mean score on the KCAHW questionnaire (t = 6.90, df = 78, p = 0.00).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The scores reflect deficits in knowledge about childhood autism among the study cohorts. Paediatric and psychiatric nurses as members of multidisciplinary teams that care for children with childhood autism are expected to provide holistic care and adequate counselling to the families of these children. Unfortunately in this environment, they are not fully equipped with enough knowledge about childhood autism. Education on childhood autism is therefore needed and can be provided through continuing medical education and emphasizing childhood autism in their training curriculum. This will enhance early identification and diagnosis of childhood autism with early interventions that are known to improve prognosis.</p

Health system challenges for improved childhood pneumonia case management in Lagos and Jigawa, Nigeria

Background: Case fatality rates for childhood pneumonia in Nigeria remain high. There is a clear need for improved case management of pneumonia, through the sustainable implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) diagnostic and treatment algorithms. We explored barriers and opportunities for improved case management of childhood pneumonia in Lagos and Jigawa states, Nigeria. / Methods: A mixed‐method analysis was conducted to assess the current health system capacity to deliver quality care. This was done through audits of 16 facilities in Jigawa and 14 facilities in Lagos, questionnaires (n = 164) and 13 focus group discussions with providers. Field observations provided context for data analysis and triangulation. / Results: There were more private providers in Lagos (4/8 secondary facilities) and more government providers in Jigawa (4/8 primary, 3/3 secondary, and 1/1 tertiary facilities). Oxygen and pulse oximeters were available in two of three in Jigawa and six of eight in Lagos of the sampled secondary care facilities. None of the eight primary facilities surveyed in Jigawa had oxygen or pulse oximetry available while in Lagos two of three primary facilities had oxygen and one of three had pulse oximeters. Other IMCI and emergency equipment were also lacking including respiratory rate timers, particularly in Jigawa state. Health care providers scored poorly on knowledge of IMCI, though previous IMCI training was associated with better knowledge. Key enabling factors in delivering pediatric care highlighted by health care providers included accountability procedures and feedback loops, the provision of free medication for children, and philanthropic acts. Common barriers to provide care included the burden of out‐of‐pocket payments, challenges in effective communication with caregivers, delayed presentation, and lack of clear diagnosis, and case management guidelines. / Conclusion: There is an urgent need to improve how the prevention and treatment of pediatric pneumonia is directed in both Lagos and Jigawa. Priority areas for reducing pediatric pneumonia burden are training and mentoring of health care providers, community health education, and introduction of oximeters and oxygen supply

The burden and risks of pediatric pneumonia in Nigeria: A desk‐based review of existing literature and data

Background: Pneumonia is a leading killer of children under‐5 years, with a high burden in Nigeria. We aimed to quantify the regional burden and risks of pediatric pneumonia in Nigeria, and specifically the states of Lagos and Jigawa. / Methods: We conducted a scoping literature search for studies of pneumonia morbidity and mortality in under‐5 children in Nigeria from 10th December 2018 to 26th April 2019, searching: Cochrane, PubMed, and Web of Science. We included grey literature from stakeholders' websites and information shared by organizations working in Nigeria. We conducted multivariable logistic regression using the 2016 to 2017 Multiple Cluster Indicators Survey data set to explore factors associated with pneumonia. Descriptive analyses of datasets from 2010 to 2019 was done to estimate trends in mortality, morbidity, and vaccination coverage. / Results: We identified 25 relevant papers (10 from Jigawa, 8 from Lagos, and 14 national data). None included data on pneumonia or acute respiratory tract infection burden in the health system, inpatient case‐fatality rates, severity, or age‐specific pneumonia mortality rates at state level. Secondary data analysis found that no household or caregiver socioeconomic indicators were consistently associated with self‐reported symptoms of cough and/or difficulty breathing, and seasonality was inconsistently associated, dependant on region. / Conclusion: There is a clear evidence gap around the burden of pediatric pneumonia in Nigeria, and challenges with the interpretation of existing household survey data. Improved survey approaches are needed to understand the risks of pediatric pneumonia in Nigeria, alongside the need for investment in reliable routine data systems to provide data on the clinical pneumonia burden in Nigeria

Single DermaVir Immunization: Dose-Dependent Expansion of Precursor/Memory T Cells against All HIV Antigens in HIV-1 Infected Individuals

BACKGROUND: The GIHU004 study was designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of three doses of DermaVir immunization in HIV-infected subjects on fully suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This first-in-human dose escalation study was conducted with three topical DermaVir doses targeted to epidermal Langerhans cells to express fifteen HIV antigens in draining lymph nodes: 0.1 mg DNA targeted to two, 0.4 mg and 0.8 mg DNA targeted to four lymph nodes. Particularly, in the medium dose cohort 0.1 mg DNA was targeted per draining lymph node via ∼8 million Langerhans cells located in 80 cm(2) epidermis area. The 28-days study with 48-week safety follow-up evaluated HIV-specific T cell responses against Gag p17, Gag p24 and Gag p15, Tat and Rev antigens. DermaVir-associated side effects were mild, transient and not dose-dependent. Boosting of HIV-specific effector CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells expressing IFN-gamma and IL-2 was detected against several antigens in every subject of the medium dose cohort. The striking result was the dose-dependent expansion of HIV-specific precursor/memory T cells with high proliferation capacity. In low, medium and high dose cohorts this HIV-specific T cell population increased by 325-, 136,202 and 50,759 counts after 4 weeks, and by 3,899, 9,878 and 18,382 counts after one year, respectively, compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Single immunization with the DermaVir candidate therapeutic vaccine was safe and immunogenic in HIV-infected individuals. Based on the potent induction of Gag, Tat and Rev-specific memory T cells, especially in the medium dose cohort, we speculate that DermaVir boost T cell responses specific to all the 15 HIV antigens expressed from the single DNA. For durable immune reactivity repeated DermaVir immunization might be required since the frequency of DermaVir-boosted HIV-specific memory T cells decreased during the 48-week follow up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT00712530

Niobium and niobium-iron coatings on API 5LX 70 steel applied with HVOF

The present study aimed to create and characterize niobium and niobium-iron60% coatings applied to steel API 5L X70 using the hypersonic thermal spray process (HVOF). The morphologies of the coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and profilometry, while the coatings’ hardnesses was evaluated using the Vickers hardness test. The coatings’ corrosion resistance was evaluated by monitoring their open circuit potential and potentiodynamic polarization and performing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a 0.05 M NaCl solution. The results showed that the niobium-iron coating contained minor porosity regions, while such defects occurred over large regions of the niobium coating. In terms of corrosion resistance, the coatings obtained in this work promoted a reduction in the substrate’s corrosion rate, but the presence of discontinuities such as porosity compromised the barrier effects of these coatings

SPARC 2017 retrospect & prospects : Salford postgraduate annual research conference book of abstracts

Welcome to the Book of Abstracts for the 2017 SPARC conference. This year we not only celebrate the work of our PGRs but also the 50th anniversary of Salford as a University, which makes this year’s conference extra special. Once again we have received a tremendous contribution from our postgraduate research community; with over 130 presenters, the conference truly showcases a vibrant PGR community at Salford. These abstracts provide a taster of the research strengths of their works, and provide delegates with a reference point for networking and initiating critical debate. With such wide-ranging topics being showcased, we encourage you to exploit this great opportunity to engage with researchers working in different subject areas to your own. To meet global challenges, high impact research inevitably requires interdisciplinary collaboration. This is recognised by all major research funders. Therefore engaging with the work of others and forging collaborations across subject areas is an essential skill for the next generation of researchers