Circulating Plasmodium falciparum and HIV 1/2 as Co-infections among Blood Donors in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Blood serves as a vehicle for transmission of blood-borne pathogens including hemoparasities. In Nigeria, screening of blood for blood-borne pathogens does not fulfill the standard protocols and screening for malaria parasites is not practiced. Determination of the prevalence of circulating Plasmodium falciparum and HIV as co-infections in a population in general, and blood-donors in particular will certainly help in reviewing the screening procedures and making health policy decisions. In view of the problem of transfusional malaria, the prevalence of malaria Plasmodium in consenting blood donors was assessed. Whole blood was used for the diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria using Malaria P. falciparum Rapid Test Device. The screening for HIV antibodies was carried out using Chembio HIV-1/2 Stat-Pak ® and Abbott Determine HIV-1/2 ® test. All tests were done according to the manufacturers' specifications. Overall prevalence rate of asymptomatic P. falciparum malaria was 17.5% (n=35) and HIV as co-infection was 22.9% (n=8), while the remaining 27(77.1%) had no HIV. The study showed no significant difference between malaria infection either for age groups (17.8% vs 16.6%, P>0.05) or sexes (16.6% vs 22.6%, P >0.05). However, it showed a significantly higher prevalence of HIV as co-infection among blood donors within ages less than 40 years than their counterparts in age groups 40 years and above (29.6% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.001). It also showed a significantly higher prevalence of HIV as co-infection among female donors than males (42.9% vs. 17.9%; P = 0.001). This study however confirmed the presence of P. falciparum malaria infection and HIV as co-infection among blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria. This could be attributed to lack of adequate accommodation and poor sanitary conditions in the area under study. General surveillance and public health education to stop the spread of the infection among blood donors in Ibadan and indeed the whole society is advocated

Antibiogram and plasmid profiling of carbapenemase and extended spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Abeokuta, South western, Nigeria

Background: The increased reports of ESBL dissemination from various centres in south western, Nigeria and the recent emergence of carbapenem resistant bacteria prompted the conception of this study.Objectives: To demonstrate the relationship between high molecular weight plasmids and the expression of antibiotic multi-resistance including ESBL and carbapenemase.Methods: We investigated 97 isolates of selected organisms consisting of 67 E. coli and 30 Klebseilla spp for the presence of plasmids expressing ESBL including carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes. Beta-lactamase was determined using acidometric method, while ESBL and carbapenemase activity was determined using the double-disk diffusion test as well as the Modified Hodge test (MHT). Plasmid profiles of ESBL and carbapenemase positive isolates were determined according to standard protocols.Results: An ESBL prevalence rate of 21.6% and carbapenem- resistance rate of 9.3% was recorded. Antibiotic susceptibility profile of ESBL isolates showed 100.0% resistance against Amoxicillin, Cotrimoxazole and Erythromycin. Moderate susceptibility was recorded against the Quinolone class of antibiotics; Meropenem remained the most active antibiotic against ESBL isolates with 62.5% against E. coli and 60% against K. pneumoniae. The plasmid profiles of our study isolates ranged from 11.8kbp to 35.5kbp. Conclusion: Due to the relationship between high molecular weight plasmids and multi-drug resistance, we hereby recommend regular molecular surveillance of this form in our study setting.Keywords: Carbapenem-resistance, ESBL isolates, Plasmid profile, AbeokutaAfrican Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 1091 - 109

Prevalence and Seasonal Variations of HIV 1 and 2 Infection among Children in Abeokuta, South West Nigeria

Abstract Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of HIV infection among children in Nigeria. Abeokuta still remains un-investigated for the exact prevalence of paediatric HIV infection. We have there tried to bridge this gap in Knowledge by determin ing the prevalence of paediatric HIV infection in Abeokuta. A six month retrospective study was carried out between January and June 2010 to determine HIV sero-prevalence and seasonal incidence of HIV. About 269 children were screened using double parallel rap id HIV antibody test kits: Chemb io HIV-1/ 2 Stat-Pak® and Determine HIV-1/2® test kit fo llo wing manufacturer's instructions. An overall sero-prevalence rate of 14.9% (n=18) was recorded with no statistically significant association in relat ion to gender p < 0.05, age range 6 to 15 recorded a higher prevalence with 7.9% (10/131) wh ile age 1 ≤ 5 recorded 5.8% (8/138). The highest incidence of infection was seen in the month of May with 154/1000 children tested and the lowest incidence was recorded in the month of January with 18/1000 children tested. This study has shown a relatively high prevalence rate of HIV infection among children in Abeokuta. It is therefore advocated that PMTCT and support services be scaled up in children with HIV in Abeokuta

Detection and Seroprevalence of Hiv 1 & 2 Antibodies in Abeokuta, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract The HIV pandemic has ravaged mankind for over 3 decades. Gradually, incidence of new infections has declined globally due to increased prevention and control measures. In Southwestern Nigeria, there has been increased surveillance activ ity to complement control measures in recent years. We report here findings of the latest HIV surveillance revealing the p revalence of HIV in Abeokuta, Nigeria. About 744 subjects were tested for HIV seroconversion between January and March 2010. Screening tests were carried out using Determine™ HIV 1 & 2 (Abbott) and Chembio HIV 1& 2 Stat-Pak™ rapid test kits following manufacturer's instructions. A seroprevalence rate of 11.7% (87/744) was determined with a significantly higher seropositivity in females (16.0%; 60/ 375) than males (7.3%; 27/ 369). Age group 16-45 years old was found to have the highest seroprevalence rate of 13.6% (70/514), followed by the age group 46 years and older with 11.0% incidence (12/109), and lastly, the age group 1-15 years old had the lowest HIV seroprevalence of 4.1%(5/ 121). HIV prevalence in outpatient was the highest, (12.5%; 33/264). This was followed by OPD having 15.0 (9/60), inpatient (Ward) subjects who had 11.0% seroprevalence (22/ 199) and others having 8.3% seroprevalence (14/ 168). The lo west HIV seroprevalence was recorded in Outreach visitations with only 2 positive cases (3.8% seroprevalence; 2/53). This current report shows a fairly high HIV seroprevalence rate in Southwestern Nigeria, with relatively high rate of HIV infections among the elderly. According to these findings prevention and control measures should thereby be stepped up, particularly at the local level with mo re attention toward sexually active adults and the elderly