Global Economic Recession: The Place of Biotechnology

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital infections worldwide Women infected for the first time during pregnancy are especially likely to transmit CMV to their fetuses and has been proposed as a risk factor for preterm birth. The seroprevalence of CMV in adults and the incidence of congenital CMV infection are highest in developing countries (1 to 5% of births) 90% of infected infants are asymptomatic at birth and are not recognized as at risk for CMV-associated infection. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence rate of CMV infection among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic. In this study, Two-hundred and eighty eight (288) pregnant women were enrolled. Questionnaires were issued to volunteer subjects after due consent was sought, to determine demographic and other relevant data. 5mls of blood was collected by venous puncture from the antecubital fossa and dispensed into plain containers; sera were collected after centrifugation of the blood. Sera obtained were screened for the presence of CMV (IgM) antibodies using ELISA technique (Clinotec Laboratories Canada).Result showed that out of the 288 women tested, 54 (18.8%) were positive for CMV antibodies while 234 (81.2%) tested negative. With regards to age group distribution, women within 15 – 20 years had a prevalence rate of 4.5%, 21 – 30 years both had 3.5%, 31 – 35 had 3.1%, 36 – 40 years had 1.3% while 41 – 45 years had a prevalence rate of 2.8%, all the age groups had no statistical significant (P>0.05) result. With regards to trimester of the volunteer subjects screened, 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester subjects recorded a prevalence rate of 3.1%, 9.4% and 6.2% respectively which was statistically significant (P0.05).Occupational status of subjects studied recorded no statistical significant (P0.05) result obtained showed that unemployed subjects recorded a prevalence of 5.6% compared to the self-employed with 4.9%, farmers recorded 3.8%, while students had a prevalence of 1.7% however subjects who are civil servants recorded a prevalence of 2.8%. Location of volunteer subjects studied showed that pregnant in rural areas had a prevalence rate of 12.2% while those living in urban areas recorded 6.6% prevalence without any statistical significant (P0.05).Records from this study indicates the of presence of CMV (Igm) antibodies amongst the subjects screened. Hence the need for early detection of the virus in pregnant women

Changes in some haematological parameters in typhoid fever patients attending Landmark University Medical Center, Omuaran-Nigeria

Background: Typhoid or enteric fever is caused by Salmonella typhi. It is largely a disease of developing nations due to poor standard of hygiene and unavailability of potable water. The most prominent feature of the infection is fever which gradually rises to a high plateau. The prevalence of typhoid fever has been on the increase which is associated with several hematological parameters. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the changes in various hematological parameters in our study subjects. Method: Four Hundred- (400) samples were obtained from volunteer subjects visiting the outpatient department of the Landmark University Medical Center. 200 typhoid positive samples were collected from subjects while 200 typhoid negative blood samples served as controls (From both male and female subjects each). Widal test was carried out as a confirmatory test for typhoid fever and evaluation of the hematological parameters were per- formed. The hematological parameters considered includes Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT), Lymphocyte (LYMP) their implications on both male and female typhoid fever patients were also determined. Results: The result showed a significant reduction in the values for PCV, WBC, ESR and HAE concentration in typhoid positive males in comparison to typhoid negative males. In females, a significant decrease was observed in values for PCV, ESR, HAE concentration and PLT in typhoid positive females when compared to typhoid negative females. These parameters when compared showed a significant decrease recorded in PCV, ESR and HAE concentration of the typhoid positive male patients in comparison to typhoid positive female patients. Conclusion: This study implies that anemia, bone marrow suppression and hemaphagocytosis are likely resulting factors of typhoid fever due to the changes in the hematological parameters. Therefore, these parameters have to be further studied to allow for efficient management of this illness

Sero-Epidemiological Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Apparently Healthy Young Adults in Omuaran-Community

Hepatitis B (HBV) infection is an important public health concern all over the globe. As a result of its asymptomatic nature, its prevalence among apparently healthy individuals becomes relevant for studies. Hence the prevalence survey of hepatitis B virus was conducted among apparently healthy young individuals. A total of two hundred samples were screened from volunteer subjects for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), using the one step immune-chromatographic test strip manufactured by Dia Spot® Diagnostics. Questionnaires were administered to obtain relevant information and demographic data. Overall result showed that 11 (5.5%) of the subjects tested were found to be positive. The highest prevalence was found among subjects aged 22-26 years with 7.8% prevalence compared to those aged 12-21 years with 4.4% prevalence (P=0.1012); (p˃0.05). Based on demographic factors, female workers tend to demonstrate high positivity of 12.5% compared to male with 10.0% prevalence, (P=0.4929); (p˃0.05). Subjects involved with risky behavioral pattern by the use of unsterilized objects recorded a high prevalence of 5.3%, (P=0.5748); (p˃0.05) among female subjects. Serum Alanine amino-tranferases result showed no significant difference among the positive subjects. The results showed some measure of prevalence among the study population. It therefore becomes pertinent that the community be enlightened on the possible risk of infection by the virus. Efforts should be made to ensure vaccination against this infectious agent is intensified