Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from birds affected by natural outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Nigeria

A study was undertaken to examine the isolation rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae from birds affected by natural outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) that occurred in Nigeria between December, 2006 and July, 2007. A total of 100 birds from 114 commercial, backyard and free range flocks infected with H5N1 virus within the study period were sampled. A total of 600 tissues (heart, lung, spleen, liver, trachea and intestine), 100 each from the 100 birds were collected for bacteriology. Data generated was entered into Microsoft excel, while descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 12.01). Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from 9 (1.5%) samples. The organism was isolated from the liver, lungs and trachea of commercial layers and turkeys. During the HPAI outbreaks, Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from 9 different flocks with a total of 21,805 birds, mortality rate of (7.3%) and proportionate mortality rate of (2.5%). The bacterium was not isolated from H5N1 free flocks which served as control. The result of this study indicated that Klebsiella pneumoniae may have acted as a secondary pathogen to aggravate the clinical signs during H5N1 outbreaks that occurred in Nigeria

Salmonella Gallinarum Infection in Poultry Affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 in Nigeria

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral disease affecting almost all domestic and wild birds (Easterday et al., 1997; Alexander, 1999). The species of animals affected by avian influenza include birds, seal,whales, humans, horses and swine (Websters et al., 1992). Avian influenza virus belongs to the Family Orthomyxoviridae which include the genera influenza A, B and C. Avian influenza virus codes for 10 proteinsincluding haemagglutinin (H), neuraminidase (N), protein matrix, RNP among others (Alexander, 1999; Swayne, 2003). There are 16 H and 9 N subtypes (Fouchier et al., 2005). Avian influenza depresses thehost immune system thereby paving ways for opportunistic microbes to invade and exert an exacerbative effect resulting in high mortality in affected flocks (Aleksandr et al., 2004). Salmonella gallinarum isa Gram negative rod, non lactose fermenting organism of the Family Enterobacteriaceae. It is the etiologic agent of fowl typhoid which causes a serious threat to poultry industry particularly in tropical Latin America and many parts of Africa (Hall, 1977). The disease affects a variety of birds such as ducks, pheasants, quails, chickens, guinea fowls, turkeys and ostriches and it is a common problem in Nigeria (Oboegbulem et al., 1980). This study was aimed at isolating Salmonella gallinarum as well ashighlighting the possible complicating role of the organism in natural outbreaks of HPAI (H5N1) that occurred in Nigeria

Dengue fever in Nigeria: a mini review

Dengue is a disease caused by dengue virus. It is a major mosquito-borne viral disease of humans that is endemic in areas of tropical and subtropical regions, which are environmentally suitable for vector propagation. The disease poses a major threat to the overwhelmed and weak public healthcare delivery system in the developing world, especially in Africa where febrile illnesses are common. The disease undermines the fight against febrile illnesses as infection with dengue often remains undetected or misdiagnosed as malaria or other febrile diseases. This review article highlights dengue epidemiology in Nigeria, dengue transmission dynamics, pathogenesis, diagnosis and current interventions strategies, challenges in addressing dengue infection and future prospects towards dengue elimination. The literature search for publications on dengue virus infection in Nigeria was performed using Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, African Journals Online and other scholarly online databases. Dengue remains a threat to Nigeria and other African countries. In Nigeria, the occurrence of this infection remains a low priority in the public health sector even though it has been reported in about 17 states across the country. The reports of dengue infection in all the geo-political zones suggests active transmission of dengue, hence the need to consider other etiologies of febrile illnesses and engage the public to sustain local involvement as local risk to dengue outbreaks is linked to the population’s knowledge, attitude and behavioral practices that encourage vector breedin

Integrating Massage, Chiropractic, and Acupuncture in University Clinics: A Guided Student Observation

Background: Several studies have reported on the health benefits of applying an integrated complementary health care model. Purpose: This paper presents the results of pilot research focusing on the observations massage therapy students made about complementary health care education and integration during massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture treatments at two university clinics. Setting: Observations took place at Northwestern Health Sciences University’s associated clinics that offered massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture. Research Design: Students directly observed how clinicians and interns educated their patients and integrated other forms of complementary health care into their practice. Participants: chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists, and their patients. All participants were English-speaking and 18–65 years old. Main Outcome Measures: Observations recorded by students in journals about education and integration during massage therapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture treatments were coded and counted. Results: Qualitative observations showed that clinicians and interns educated patients to some degree, but the clinicians were less apt to integrate other modalities than the interns. Conclusions: Observations support that professional integrity may limit clinicians in their ability to integrate multiple modalities of health care while treating patients. Since it is well established that integration of multiple health care modalities is beneficial to patient health, it is recommended that clinics assist their clinical staff in applying an integrative approach to their practice

A novel dissolved oxygen prediction model based on enhanced semi-naive Bayes for ocean ranches in northeast China

A challenge of achieving intelligent marine ranching is the prediction of dissolved oxygen (DO). DO directly reflects marine ranching environmental conditions. Through accurate DO predictions, timely human intervention can be made in marine pasture water environments to avoid problems such as reduced yields or marine crop death due to low oxygen concentrations in the water. We use an enhanced semi-naive Bayes model for prediction based on an analysis of DO data from marine pastures in northeastern China from the past three years. Based on the semi-naive Bayes model, this paper takes the possible values of a DO difference series as categories, counts the possible values of the first-order difference series and the difference series of the interval before each possible value, and selects the most probable difference series value at the next moment. The prediction accuracy is optimized by adjusting the attribute length and frequency threshold of the difference sequence. The enhanced semi-naive Bayes model is compared with LSTM, RBF, SVR and other models, and the error function and Willmott’s index of agreement are used to evaluate the prediction accuracy. The experimental results show that the proposed model has high prediction accuracy for DO attributes in marine pastures

Tinea capitis infection among school children in rural setting of Jos north-central, Nigeria

Background: Tinea capitis is a common infection of the scalp and hair shaft caused by dermatophytes. It is an infection associated with low socioeconomic status and poor personal hygiene.Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving pupils in two public schools in rural setting with clinical features suggestive of tinea capitis. Scrapings were collected from the scalp of the pupils between September 2018 and February 2019 and subjected to laboratory analysis of microscopy and culture. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software.Results: Atotal of 67 pupils with clinical features of tinea capitis had positive cultures in the laboratory (21.5%), most of the pupils were of age range 4-8years (56.7%) and mainly males 167(52.2%). Factors associated with spread of tinea capitis were not statistically significant except for the sharing of towel(P<0.001). Trichophyton mentagrophyte (40.3%) was the most isolated agent of tinea capitis followed by Microsporumgypseum (31.3%)Conclusion: Tinea capitis infection remains a problem associated with rural settlement and poor personal hygiene. A nationwide surveillance is required to prevent the spread. Keywords: Tinea capitis, Trichophyton mentagrophyte, Dermatophytes, Microsporumgypseu

Maternal genital tract colonization and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Streptococcus agalactiae: - a modality for intrapartum prophylactic treatment in jos

Background: Group B Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) has been established as a normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract from where it continually colonizes the vagina and serves as a potential cause of neonatal infections. This necessitated this study to determine the carriage rate among pregnant women.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the anogenital colonization and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from women receiving health care at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).Materials and Methodology: This was a hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study of 200 pregnant women and 100 non-pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) and Gynaecology clinic at the Jos University Teaching Hospital respectively, between July 2017 and November 2017. High vaginal and anorectal swabs were collected from the subjects. The specimens were cultured and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the GBS isolates determined. The results obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 21.Results: The age range (standard deviation) of the pregnant women was between19-48(±7.2) years with an average age of 31.2 years. The overall prevalence rate of GBS among the study participants was 6.3%. Pregnant and non-pregnant women were positive in 6.5% and 6.0% respectively.The highest colonization rate was found in the maternal age-group 16-20years (11.1%), followed by age-group>40years (10.0%). Low colonization rate of 2.2% was observed among maternal age group 36-40years.Of the 100 non-pregnant women recruited as control for this study, they had age range of 16 years to 48 years with a mean age of 33.4 years (SD ± 6.1). Approximately, 6.0% of the 100 non-pregnant women enrolled were cultured positive for GBS colonization. There was no statistically significance between GBS colonization between the pregnant and non-pregnant women. All the Isolates were sensitivity to penicillin, erythromycin, and clindamycin while 5.3% were resistant to ampicillin, 10.5% to ceftriaxone and 21.1% to vancomycin.Conclusion: This study showed that GBS colonization rate among the study population was 6.3%. Approximately, 6.5% and 6.0% prevalence rate was found among pregnant and non-pregnant women respectively. All the isolates were sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and clindamycin. A total of 21.5% of the isolates were resistant to vancomycin. Ceftriaxone and ampicillin resistant was demonstrated in 10.5% and 5.3% respectively.Keywords: Streptococcus agalactiae, colonization rate, pregnant women, antibiotic susceptibilit

MAINTENANCE CULTURE OF RESIDENTS IN SOME SELECTED LOW COST HOUSING ESTATE IN LAGOS STATE

Building infrastructures is part of what provides people with shelter, protection and comfort in a country. It is one of the major factors for survival and wellbeing of people. It is therefore very important that the facilities of buildings be constantly preserved and maintained well to meet up with occupants satisfaction therefore meeting the purpose for which they were built and developed. for. The sample size is the total number of observations, population elements of sampling unit that are selected for investigation in the study. The sample size of this study was developed from 3 selected low cost housing estate within Lagos and a relatively 75 questionnaires was distributed to various residents for evaluation of maintenance practice. The following facts were discovered in the study that low grade materials are mostly used in construction of low cost building which leads to major deterioration in component of the building, poor contribution of professionals and stakeholders in the construction industry to training programs and strategies from the factors for the good maintenance practices were insignificant among others. The study further recommend the following facts: Training and retraining of artisans and craftsmen should be embraced an essential strategy, construction firms should invest in the training and retraining of their craftsmen to promote optimum performance while construction professionals and stakeholders should contribute to the skills acquisition programmes both onsite and offsit