CD4+ T-Lymphocytes cell counts in adults with human immunodeficiency virus infection at the medical department of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate the CD4+ cell counts in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections presenting at the medical department of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: This study was carried out at the medical department of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria, in the period July-December 2006. FMC, Ido, was recently upgraded to serve as the only center for HIV/AIDS referral, diagnosis and treatment in Ekiti State. The center offers free antiretroviral therapy. All patients with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, either diagnosed at the center or referred from other hospitals, admitted to the medical department within the study period had their blood sample taken for CD4 cell counts estimation at the first visit to the center, as part of the routine workup to assess their disease status and need for antiretroviral therapy. Results: A total of 87 patients comprising of 54 (62.1%) females and 33 (37.9%) males had their CD4+ T-Lymphocytes cell counts evaluated within their first week of presentation. The total mean age of the population studied was 33.17 \ub1 7.01 years. The mean age of the females was 31 \ub1 5.6 years, while that of the males was 36.5 \ub1 8.2 years. The difference between the mean ages of females and males was statistically significant (P = 0.0004). The female: male ratio was 1.6:1. Out of the 87 patients, 30 were referrals from other hospitals within the state. The total mean CD4+ cell count was 230.7 \ub1 311.9 cells/\ub5L. The mean CD4 cell count of females was 212.17 \ub1 264.96 cells/\ub5L, while that of males was 261.0 \ub1 389.19 cells/\ub5L. This difference was not significant (P = 0.4876). Majority of the patients (75, [86.2%]), had CD4 cell count < 350 cells/\ub5L, comprising of 48 females and 27 males. Of the 75 patients, 57 (76%) had a CD4 cell count < 200 cells/\ub5L (33 females vs. 24 males). Conclusion: At the time of HIV diagnosis, majority of our patients had a CD4+ cell count < 200 cells/\ub5L. This was consistent with a relatively advanced disease. More women than men in the population were found positive for HIV. More sustained and vigorous awareness campaigns need be embarked upon in the HIV propaganda in the Ekiti State on one hand and Nigeria on the other hand to bring down this Hydra-headed monster called HIV/AIDS

Changes In Physicochemical And Sensory Characteristics Of Smoke-Dried Fish Species Stored At Ambient Temperature

This study assessed the comparative changes in the physical and chemical components of five different species of smoked freshwater fish: Bony tongue, Heterotis niloticus, African carp, Labeo coubie , Snake fish, Parachanna obscura, Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus and African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus during storage. The fish were smoke-dried to average moisture content of 10.41 ± 0.02% and stored. Fish were packaged in black polythene bags and kept in perforated plastic containers. The fish were left in the plastic baskets for 56 days at ambient temperature (25-32°C). Samples of fish were assessed weekly for physical attributes such as colour, fragmentation, odour, taste and texture. Proximate composition was assessed using changes in moisture content, crude protein, lipid and ash content. Biochemical indexes carried out were: Total Volatile Nitrogen (TVN), pH, Peroxide Value (PV) and Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels. There was a general decline in physical attributes i.e. colour, fragments or cracks, odour, taste and texture of fish during storage. Fluffy woolly mat of moulds were noticed on the Clarias gariepinus from the 5th week of storage. There was a significant (P <0.05) colour change in most species as from the 6th week. During this study, the moisture content increased weekly in the five smoked fish species from the initial average of 10.41±0.02%. This could be attributed to the difference in the moisture of the smoked fish relative to the surroundings. Oreochromis niloticus and Heterotis niloticus had the best taste value. Apart from Parachanna obscura , the other fatty species, C. gariepinus and L. coubie became less firm as the weeks progressed. There were significant changes (P <0.05) in most of the physical and chemical characteristics except odour from the 6th week (42 days) of storage. There were also significant differences (P <0.05) between the initial and final values of the proximate and chemical constituents of the different species of fish. The study showed that keeping quality of smoked fish under ambient conditions decreases with increase in length of storage

CD4+ T-Lymphocytes cell counts in adults with human immunodeficiency virus infection at the medical department of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Objectives: To evaluate the CD4+ cell counts in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections presenting at the medical department of the Federal Medical Centre, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: This study was carried out at the medical department of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria, in the period July-December 2006. FMC, Ido, was recently upgraded to serve as the only center for HIV/AIDS referral, diagnosis and treatment in Ekiti State. The center offers free antiretroviral therapy. All patients with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, either diagnosed at the center or referred from other hospitals, admitted to the medical department within the study period had their blood sample taken for CD4 cell counts estimation at the first visit to the center, as part of the routine workup to assess their disease status and need for antiretroviral therapy. Results: A total of 87 patients comprising of 54 (62.1%) females and 33 (37.9%) males had their CD4+ T-Lymphocytes cell counts evaluated within their first week of presentation. The total mean age of the population studied was 33.17 ± 7.01 years. The mean age of the females was 31 ± 5.6 years, while that of the males was 36.5 ± 8.2 years. The difference between the mean ages of females and males was statistically significant (P = 0.0004). The female: male ratio was 1.6:1. Out of the 87 patients, 30 were referrals from other hospitals within the state. The total mean CD4+ cell count was 230.7 ± 311.9 cells/µL. The mean CD4 cell count of females was 212.17 ± 264.96 cells/µL, while that of males was 261.0 ± 389.19 cells/µL. This difference was not significant (P = 0.4876). Majority of the patients (75, [86.2%]), had CD4 cell count < 350 cells/µL, comprising of 48 females and 27 males. Of the 75 patients, 57 (76%) had a CD4 cell count < 200 cells/µL (33 females vs. 24 males). Conclusion: At the time of HIV diagnosis, majority of our patients had a CD4+ cell count < 200 cells/µL. This was consistent with a relatively advanced disease. More women than men in the population were found positive for HIV. More sustained and vigorous awareness campaigns need be embarked upon in the HIV propaganda in the Ekiti State on one hand and Nigeria on the other hand to bring down this Hydra-headed monster called HIV/AIDS

Changes in physicochemical and sensory characteristics of smoke-dried fish species stored at ambient temperature

ABSTRACT This study assessed the comparative changes in the physical and chemical components of five different species of smoked freshwater fish: Bony tongue, Heterotis niloticus, African carp, Labeo coubie, Snake fish, Parachanna obscura, Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus and African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus during storage. The fish were smoke-dried to average moisture content of 10.41 ± 0.02% and stored. Fish were packaged in black polythene bags and kept in perforated plastic containers. The fish were left in the plastic baskets for 56 days at ambient temperature (25-32 o C). Samples of fish were assessed weekly for physical attributes such as colour, fragmentation, odour, taste and texture. Proximate composition was assessed using changes in moisture content, crude protein, lipid and ash content. Biochemical indexes carried out were: Total Volatile Nitrogen (TVN), pH, Peroxide Value (PV) and Free Fatty Acid (FFA) levels. There was a general decline in physical attributes i.e. colour, fragments or cracks, odour, taste and texture of fish during storage. Fluffy woolly mat of moulds were noticed on the Clarias gariepinus from the 5th week of storage. There was a significant (P &lt;0.05) colour change in most species as from the 6th week. During this study, the moisture content increased weekly in the five smoked fish species from the initial average of 10.41±0.02%. This could be attributed to the difference in the moisture of the smoked fish relative to the surroundings. Oreochromis niloticus and Heterotis niloticus had the best taste value. Apart from Parachanna obscura, the other fatty species, C. gariepinus and L. coubie became less firm as the weeks progressed. There were significant changes (P &lt;0.05) in most of the physical and chemical characteristics except odour from the 6th week (42 days) of storage. There were also significant differences (P &lt;0.05) between the initial and final values of the proximate and chemical constituents of the different species of fish. The study showed that keeping quality of smoked fish under ambient conditions decreases with increase in length of storage

Growth response and cost benefits of growing pigs to different herbal-mix feed additives and weight asymmetry

This study was carried out to investigate growth performance and cost benefits of growing pigs on different herbal-mix feed additives and weight asymmetry. Fifty-four, 8 weeks old Large White breed of pigs with an average body weight of 15.33±0.2 kg were randomly assigned to nine treatments with each treatment consisting of three replicates of two pigs each. Three diets containing different herbal-mix (Control diet without herbal-mix, moringa-basil meal diet, neem-basil meal diet) were formulated and fed to the pigs for sixteen weeks duration of the study. The moringa-basil and neem-basil leaf meals mixtures were in the ratio of 10 to 2; that is ten percent (10%) moringa or neem to two percent (2%) basil. Parameters determined include growth indices and cost benefits. Data collected were subjected to two-way analysis of variance using SAS (2000). Pigs on control diet had the highest final weight (49. 44, 43.22, 40.67 kg) and daily weight gain (515.87, 401.59, 388.89 g/pig) and the best feed conversion ratio (3.56, 4.59, 4.23) when compared to the values documented for pigs on ration containing different herbal-mix feed additives. The least total feed cost and revenue per pig were noted for pigs on neem-basil dietary treatment while the highest values were documented for pigs on control ration. Homogenous light weight pigs had higher feed intake and total feed cost per pigs when compared to other values noted for pigs on other treatment groups. Heterogeneous weight pigs recorded better feed conversion ratio, lower feed cost per kilogram weight gain and higher gross margin values when compared to the values noted for their homogenous counterparts. It can be concluded from this study that performance indices of growing pigs were affected by the dietary inclusion of herbal-mix feed additives and weight asymmetry. Hence, herbal-mix leaf meals can be integrated into growers ration in order to lower production cost, likewise, unevenly weight growing pigs can be managed together in order to obtain higher production efficiency in terms of feed intake and cost of production.&nbsp

Sero-Epidemiology of Transfusion Transmissible Hepatitis B, C and E among Blood Donors in Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Transfusion transmissible hepatitis (TTH) is a global health problem and the incriminating agents such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) continue to pose serious threats to blood safety. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HEV and relate the outcomes with blood donation type, age and gender and confirm any significant associations. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HCV were determined with Diaspot and Lab Acon immunochromatographic ELISAbased test devices. Antibodies to HEV were first determined with Biopanda lateral flow device followed by ELISA assay for sero-reactive HEV immunoglobulins M and immunoglobulin G (IgM and IgG) antibodies. Results: A total of 370 prospective blood donors between 18 and 55 years old (mean 31.2 ± 7.6 years) who presented for blood donation at FETHI Blood Bank were screened. Overall male: female ratio was 7:1. Cummulative hepatitis seroprevalence of 8.1% was found mainly among the replacement blood donors (RBD) and consist of 4.3%, 1.6%, 1.1%, 0.8% and 0.3% serologic evidence of HBsAg, anti-HCV, HEV IgM, both HEV IgM & HEV IgG, and HEV IgG antibodies. Blood donors aged 18 – 45 years were most affected with evident significant association between the age group of donors and TTH seroprevalence. Cummulative hepatitis seroprevalence was 0% among voluntary blood donors, and 9.1% and 0.3% among the male and female RBD respectively. There was significant association between the pathogens and RBD, though the association with male gender was clinically but not statistically significant. Conclusion: The high transfusion transmissible hepatitis seroprevalence among RBD called for promoting voluntary donations. Comparable prevalence of HEV antibodies with that of HCV called for its inclusion in the TTIs screening algorithm to ascertain optimal blood safety in Nigeria