Prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila Isolates in cultured and Feral Clarias gariepinus of the Kainji Lake Area, Nigeria,

Bacterial diseases especially those caused by Gram- negative organisms are responsible for mass mortality in both wild and cultured fish species. Aeromonas hydrophila is one of the Gram- negative bacteria commonly encountered in an aquatic environment. The prevalence of A. hydrophila the causative agent of aerornonad septicaemia of fish was investigated among the wild C. gariepinus caught from different sampling sites in Kainji Lake and cultured fish samples from homestead fish farms within the Kainji Lake area. Morphometric measurements were taken for each fish sample collected, isolation and identification of the bacteria using morphological characteristics and biochemical tests was carried out. Morphometric characteristics of the fish species shows that the mean condition factor (K) of the infected C. gariepinus was 1.09±0.15 while the uninfected was 1.81±0.14. The difference in K of infected and uninfected was statistically significant (p<0.05). Hemorrhages on the body surface, ulcers of various sizes on the skin, fin erosions, inflamed vent, abdominal distension and bulging eyes were some of the sign observed ill some of the fish samples that A. hydrophila was isolated. The bacteria was isolated from 19.2% of the wild C. gariepinus sampled while 30.5% from the cultured samples.KEY WORDS: Prevalence, Aeromonashydrophila, morphometric Clarias gariepinu

Ranking of diagnostic features of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis by medical doctors in southeastern Nigeria

Objective: To rank diagnostic features of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis; and to determine the effect of working in tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) facilities on the ranking of these features by medical doctors. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study, using structured questionnaires to collect data from medical doctors whose daily routine included attending to sick children in 34 selected children outpatient clinics and TB DOTS centers in southeastern Nigeria. Results: Approximately, one quarter (25.3% or 56 of 221) of respondents worked in Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) clinics, while three quarters (74.7% or 165 of 221) worked in nonDOTSclinics. Majority of the respondents (69.7%) ranked chronic persistent cough (1), 42.5 % ranked weight loss and failure to thrive (2), another 27.7% ranked weight loss and failure to thrive (3), while 17.6% and 21.7% ranked History of contact with adult index case and radiographic abnormalities, (4) and (5), respectively. The study found that the percentage of doctors working in DOTS clinics who ranked weight loss and failure to thrive (2) was statistically and significantly higher than those of non-DOTS respondents. Conclusions: The most important symptoms/signs on which medical doctors based their diagnosis of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis include cough, weight loss and failure to thrive, history of contact with adult with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, and radiographic abnormalities consistent with active tuberculosis. There was statistically significant difference between the ranking of weight loss and failure to thrive by doctors working in DOTS clinics and their counterparts in non DOTS clinics. This study showed a decline in the percentage of ranking in both DOTS and Non DOTS respondents as they moved from the first to the fifth.KEY WORDS: Childhood pulmonary tuberculosis, Doctors, Ranking, Diagnostic features, Directly observed treatment short course (DOTS)

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Brucellosis as an Emerging Threat in Developing Economies:Lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has a large proportion of the world's poor livestock keepers, and is a hotspot for neglected zoonoses. A review of the 127 accessible publications on brucellosis in Nigeria reveals only scant and fragmented evidence on its spatial and temporal distribution in different epidemiological contexts. The few bacteriological studies conducted demonstrate the existence of Brucella abortus in cattle and sheep, but evidence for B. melitensis in small ruminants is dated and unclear. The bulk of the evidence consists of seroprevalence studies, but test standardization and validation are not always adequately described, and misinterpretations exist with regard to sensitivity and/or specificity and ability to identify the infecting Brucella species. Despite this, early studies suggest that although brucellosis was endemic in extensive nomadic systems, seroprevalence was low, and brucellosis was not perceived as a real burden; recent studies, however, may reflect a changing trend. Concerning human brucellosis, no studies have identified the Brucella species and most reports provide only serological evidence of contact with Brucella in the classical risk groups; some suggest brucellosis misdiagnoses as malaria or other febrile conditions. The investigation of a severe outbreak that occurred in the late 1970s describes the emergence of animal and human disease caused by the settling of previously nomadic populations during the Sahelian drought. There appears to be an increasing risk of re-emergence of brucellosis in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of the co-existence of pastoralist movements and the increase of intensive management resulting from growing urbanization and food demand. Highly contagious zoonoses like brucellosis pose a threat with far-reaching social and political consequences

A Relative Prevalence of Oreochromis Niloticus, Clarias Gariepinus and Heterotis Niloticus to Aeromonas Hydrophila in An Integrated Fish Farm

A total of 120 Clarias gariepinus, 120 of Heterotis niloticus and 150 Oreochromis niloticus were collected from integrated fish cum chicken reservoir for Aeromonas hydrophila screening. Samples were collected twice monthly for one calendar year. The physico-chemical parameters of the reservoir water were taken each sampling day. Bacterial culture involved pre-enrichment in alkaline peptone water and incubation in nutrient agar at 37oC for 24hrs. Standard biochemical assays such as Gram- staining, catalase, oxidase, hydrogen sulphide, indole, methyl red and Voges-Proskauer tests were performed to confirm the bacterium. Prevalence rates of A. hydrophila in O. niloticus, C. gariepinus and H. niloticus was 34%, 31.7% and 27.5% respectively. The study shows that O. niloticus is more prone to thebacterium followed by C. gariepinus and least H. niloticus. Although the organism was isolated all the months of the year, it was observed that there was higher prevalence of the organism during the warmer months. Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila, Clarias gariepinus, Heterotis niloticus, Oreochromis niloticus, Disease, PrevalenceNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (2) 492-49

Assessment of Pattern of Cigarette Smoking and Associated Factors among Male Students in Public Secondary Schools in Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: The WHO has estimated that there are about 1,300 million smokers globally and about 75% of these are in the developing countries. It is also predicted that if the current pattern of smoking continues, by 2020, there will be 10 million tobacco-related deaths annually worldwide and seven million (70%) of these deaths will occur in the developing countries. The objective of the study was to assess the cigarette smoking pattern and associated factors among male students in public secondary schools in Anambra State. Methods: The setting was public secondary schools in Anambra State. The study was in April 2008. It was a cross-sectional survey involving six schools, selected by multistage sampling technique. Eight hundred and fifty male students participated in the study. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used. Qualitative data were collected using Focus group discussion (FGD). Results: The mean age of respondents was 16&plusmn;2.1 years. The ever-smoked and current smoking prevalence were 13.1% and 8.7% respectively. Mean age of commencement of cigarette smoking was 13.7&plusmn;2.6 years. Among smokers, 37.8% were daily smokers. Television (40.7%) and radio (33.3%) were the main sources of advertisement. Peer influence (34.2%) was the main reason for uptake of cigarette smoking. Major reason for not smoking among non-smokers was health concerns (57.9%). There were significant associations between smoking status and age of respondents (2=25.08; P= &lt;0.05), father's smoking status (2=158.77, P &lt; 0.05), awareness of health hazards of smoking (2= 5.13, P = 0.023) and advertisement on television (2= 4.05, P = 0.044) and billboards (2= 44.39, P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Cigarette smoking prevalence among secondary school boys in Anambra State is high. Health education and strict implementation of anti-smoking policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria is recommended. Keywords: Cigarette smoking, Anambra state, male students, health education, smoking prevalenc

Blood transfusion practice in orthopaedics and trauma patients at the Ebonyi States University Teaching Hospital

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Effect of selenium supplementation on the efficacy of diminazene aceturate or isometamidium chloride in chemotherapy of Trypanosoma brucei infected rats.

The effect of Selenium supplementation on the chemotherapeutic efficacy of diminazene aceturate (Berenil®) and isometamidium chloride (Samorin®) was studied. Thirty-six adult albino rats were randomly assigned into 6 Groups (A – F) of 6 rats each and were treated as follows; Group A= Samorin® only, Group B = Samorin® + Selenium, Group C= Berenil® only, Group D = Berenil® + Selenium and Group E = infected untreated control whereas Group F served as uninfected untreated control. The supplementation prolonged relapse interval in Samorin® + Selenium treated group and prevented relapse in Berenil® + Selenium group. Supplementation also appeared to have improved the blood values of the treated rats with the PCV and RBC count of the infected untreatedgroup being significantly (

Evaluation of Some Starches as Disintegrants in Sodium Salicylate Tablet Formulations

The disintegrant properties of official maize and potato starches and locally produced cassava starch in sodium salicylate tablet formulations were studied. The disintegrants were added intragranularly in each batch. Concentration range of 5 % to 15 % w/w of each disintegrant was used. In vitro dissolution profile, uniformity of weight and content, disintegration time, friability and hardness tests were also evaluated. The mean disintegration times obtained at 5 % disintegrant concentrations were 32.33, 33.83, and 41.50 minutes for tablets formulated with maize, cassava and potato starches respectively. At 10 % w/w starch concentration, the mean disintegration times were 28.66, 34.67 and 32.33 minutes for maize, cassava and potato starches respectively, while at 15 % w/w, the results were 33.33, 46.67 and 42.67 minutes for maize, cassava and potato starches respectively. The T50 % obtained for all the batches of tablets produced indicates that all the disintegrants released up to 50 % of the active ingredient within 18 minutes for the range of concentrations investigated. The study showed that the starches tested performed relatively well as disintegrants in the order: maize &gt; potato &gt; cassava, with maize and potato being optimum at 10 % w/w while the locally produced cassava starch was optimum at 5 % w/w in the sodium salicylate tablet formulations.Keywords: disintegrant properties, maize starch, potato starch, cassava starch, sodium salicylate tabletsNigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 8 No 1 pp. 203 - 217 (September 2010