DOES A PERCEIVED CONNECTION TO A NEIGHBORHOOD REDUCE LONELINESS?

This study investigated whether perceived neighborhood quality was associated with chronic loneliness for adults 60 and older in the United States. Although loneliness can be episodic and overcome, chronic loneliness has been identified as a social determinant of health. Utilizing ecological systems theory we hypothesized that higher levels of neighborhood social cohesiveness would be associated with lower odds of chronic loneliness. We postulated that the networks available to people in the proximal area where they live could provide social opportunities for reducing loneliness. This idea was consistent with prior findings indicating the salience of neighborhoods for retirees, but inconsistent with research indicating the importance of a confidant in reducing loneliness. Data from the 2008 and 2012 Health and Retirement Study Psychosocial Surveys were used (n = 3530). Loneliness was measured using the 3-item scale developed by Hughes and colleagues in 2004. Findings from unadjusted logistic regression indicated that loneliness was inversely related to neighborhood cohesion as measured by an index of the trustworthiness, friendliness and helpfulness of neighbors and cleanliness, occupancy, lack of graffiti, and sense of belonging in the area (OR = .73, p < .001). When demographic and health-related factors were entered into the model the odds of being lonely were significantly lower for those with higher ratings of social cohesion (OR = .83, p < .001). These findings were consistent with the idea that neighborhoods are an important social place for older persons and interventions at the neighborhood level may be more effective than individualized treatment plans

INCIDENCE OF DENGUE VIRUS INFECTIONS IN FEBRILE EPISODES IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA

Background: Dengue viruses have been identified as the most important arboviral pathogen in the world. They are transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedes species. While dengue infection is accompanied by little or no subclinical signs in many, about 1-2% may produce clinically severe Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever/Dengue Shock Syndrome. Early recognition, appropriate treatment and elimination of mosquito vectors will help control it. The study is aimed at determining the incidence of dengue infections in Ile-Ife. Materials and Methods: Three millilitres venous blood was collected from each of one hundred and seventy nine patients presenting with fever in the last two weeks, and analyzed for the presence of anti-dengue IgM antibodies using Dengue Virus IgM ELISA kit (DIA.PRO, Italy) according to the manufacturer’s instructions while the results and demographic data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: It was observed that 46 (25.7%) of the 179 had detectable IgM antibodies to dengue virus with 9 of them having no detectable malaria parasite. The incidence was 26.5% and 25% in male and female respectively. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the relatedness of blood transfusion as an important risk factor to the transmission of dengue virus. Conclusion: The study established the presence of fresh dengue infections for the first time in Ile-Ife among different groups of people. Clinicians are advised to prioritize laboratory diagnosis, especially of fever

Seasonal abundance and molecular identification of West Nile virus vectors, Culex pipens and Culex quinquefasciatus (diptera: culicidae) in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) infection, is an arbovirus infection with high morbidity and mortality, the vector responsible for both human and animal transmission is Culex pipens complex.Objective: To determine the species distribution and seasonal abundance of Culex pipens and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Abeokuta, Nigeria.Methods: Mosquitoes belonging to the Culex pipens complex were captured in three different locations located within Abeokuta Metropolis between March 2012 and January 2013. Individual species were identified using morphometric methods. Amplification of the Ace2 gene by PCR confirmed morphormetric identification of the mosquitoes.Results: A total of 751 mosquitoes were captured. Culex quinquefaciatus recorded the highest distribution of vectors with 56.6% and Culex pipens 43.4% (P &gt; 0.05). Idi aba community recorded the highest distribution of mosquito vectors with 42.9% (n=322) and Culex quinqueaciatus was more abundantly distributed with 183 mosquitoes. Aro community recorded 32% (n=240) of captured mosquitoes with Culex quinquefaciatus having a higher level of abundance and lastly Kemta with a distribution of 25.1% (n=189).Conclusion: Results from this study show that potential vectors of WNV abound within Abeokuta, putting residents at high risk of West Nile infection. We advocate for introduction of routine testing of WNV in Abeokuta and Nigeria.Keywords: West Nile Virus, Culex pipens complex, PCR, Abeokut

Surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2004–2009

Introduction: The last case of wild polio virus transmission occurred in Akwa Ibom state in October 2001; however, combination high routine immunization coverage with OPV, high quality AFP surveillance, mass immunization campaign in which two doses of potent oral polio vaccine is administered to eligible children and mop-up campaigns in areas with identified immunization or surveillance gaps has help the state in maintaining a free polio status for over ten years. This study was carried out to describe the characteristics of reported acute flaccid paralysis cases between 2004 and 2009, and to evaluate the performance of the acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system using indicators recommended by the World Health Organization. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among children, 0-15 years, by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Epidemiology unit of State Ministry of Health (SMOH), Uyo. The demographic characteristics and the results of isolation and identification of polio and other enteroviruses in stool samples sent to the WHO Polio Laboratory Ibadan for cases was analyzed. Results: A total of 521 cases of AFP (270 males and 251 females) aged 0 month to = 15 years were reported by the surveillance system between 2004 and 2009. Those below 5 years of age accounted for 82.5% of cases reported and investigated. Of the 521 cases investigated 512 (98.3%) received at least three doses of oral polio vaccine, while 9(1.7) never received any oral polio vaccine (zero-dose). In all 5.1% of the isolates were Sabin, 7.9% non polio enterovirus (NPEV) and 2.3% were classified by national expert committee as compatible with poliomyelitis. There was consistent and steady increase in three critical indicators; Non polio AFP rate in children &lt;15 years from 4.5 to 6.4 per 100 000 population, proportion of AFP cases with 2 stool specimens collected within 14 days of onset of paralysis from 57% in 2005 to 91% in 2009 and proportion of Local Government Areas (Districts) meeting both core indicators from 23% in 2005 to 87% in 2009. The highest numbers of cases were seen in the months of March, May and September. Conclusion: This study showed high levels of surveillance performance with some challenges in reverse the cold chain system, the continuation and sustained AFP case detection, prompt investigation and response, improvement in the reserve cold chain system would achieve optimal standards recommended by WHO and might provide a good model for the eradication of poliomyelitis.Key words: Acute flaccid paralysis, Surveillance, Poliomyelitis, Nigeri

MOLECULAR DETECTION OF MEASLES VIRUS FROM CHILDREN DURING A SPORADIC OUTBREAK IN TWO SEMI-URBAN AREAS IN NIGERIA

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), African region accounts for 36% of deaths caused by measles worldwide. Nigeria has, over the years, recorded the highest average annual measles incidence per 100,000 populations in Africa. Measles epidemics have consistently been reported in northern Nigeria, but not in the South; reports of reduced protective haemagglutination inhibition antibody titers among children in Ibadan, southern Nigeria was made. Investigation of the viral agent responsible for the disease outbreak among children presenting with rash in two semi urban areas in southern Nigeria was carried out to confirm the etiology of the disease. Methodology: Twenty six throat swabs (TS), and nineteen urine samples were collected from twenty six children residing in Onireke and Sabo areas of Ibadan following the report of an outbreak of rashes among children. Active case finding with the support of community leaders was used to locate the affected children. Multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (MRT-PCR), was used to identify the agent. Results: 21 of the 26 children screened tested positive for measles virus, but none was positive for Rubella virus. There was significant association between measles infection, and households with higher number of persons. Conclusion: Mass measles vaccination that targets overcrowded, rural and inaccessible areas is needed to increase herd immunity. Public health enlightenment on the benefits of vaccination is encouraged

Seasonal abundance and molecular identification of West Nile virus vectors, Culex pipens and Culex quinquefasciatus (diptera: culicidae) in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria.

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) infection, is an arbovirus infection with high morbidity and mortality, the vector responsible for both human and animal transmission is Culex pipens complex. Objective: To determine the species distribution and seasonal abundance of Culex pipens and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Methods: Mosquitoes belonging to the Culex pipens complex were captured in three different locations located within Abeokuta Metropolis between March 2012 and January 2013. Individual species were identified using morphometric methods. Amplification of the Ace2 gene by PCR confirmed morphormetric identification of the mosquitoes. Results: A total of 751 mosquitoes were captured. Culex quinquefaciatus recorded the highest distribution of vectors with 56.6% and Culex pipens 43.4% (P &gt; 0.05). Idi aba community recorded the highest distribution of mosquito vectors with 42.9% (n=322) and Culex quinqueaciatus was more abundantly distributed with 183 mosquitoes. Aro community recorded 32% (n=240) of captured mosquitoes with Culex quinquefaciatus having a higher level of abundance and lastly Kemta with a distribution of 25.1% (n=189). Conclusion: Results from this study show that potential vectors of WNV abound within Abeokuta, putting residents at high risk of West Nile infection. We advocate for introduction of routine testing of WNV in Abeokuta and Nigeria. Keywords

Some genetic characteristics of sabin-like poliovirus isolated from acute flaccid paralysis cases in Nigeria

A total of 34 sabin strains of the poliovirus isolated from 22 children with 60-day follow-up residual acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) were genetically characterized and screened for any form of recombination. Sequence analysis of the 906-nucleotide capsid showed that all the isolates were similar to their original sabin serotypes, however two of the viruses had drifted in their 3D noncapsid regions toward a sabin-sabin and sabin-nonpolio entero combination. Routine immunization in Nigeria is low and in spite of the increase in the frequency of supplemental immunizations, a lot of children are still inadequately immunized, which may be the reason for our observation in this study. Although we are not dealing with a case of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV) yet, if the above condition persists, the advent of cVDVP may not be too far. There is therefore the need to maintain a high quality mass immunization and sustained routine immunization. Key words: Poliovirus, sequence, crossover, non polio enterovirus, recombination, genome, Sabin-like, vaccine, Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 460-46

IMMUNITY TO POLIOVIRUS SEROTYPES IN CHILDREN POPULATION OF SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH-WEST, NIGERIA

Background: Poliovirus outbreaks are still reported in Nigeria despite renewed efforts to improve vaccine coverage, thus suggesting the existence of susceptible hosts. Also, there is anecdotal evidence of variation in vaccine coverage by region and specifically between urban and rural communities. Consequently, this study assessed neutralizing antibodies to poliovirus serotypes among children in selected urban and rural communities in south western Nigeria. Methodology: Two hundred and forty-four {(M=119, F=125); Urban: 142 (M=63, F=79); Rural: 102 (M=56, F=46)} children of consenting parent/guardian aged one week to 15 years were enrolled for the study. About 2-3ml of blood was collected from each child by venepuncture into a labelled sterile container free of anticoagulants. Subsequently, questionnaire was administered to the parent/guardian of each child to retrieve relevant information. Recovered sera were analysed for detectable neutralizing antibodies to poliovirus serotypes by the standard method of constant virus, varying serum dilutions. Results: Overall, 64.3% (n=157) of the children had detectable neutralizing antibodies to the three poliovirus serotypes. Also, 84.8% (n=207), 91.0% (n=222) and 75.0% (n=183) of the children had detectable antibodies to poliovirus serotypes 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Eighty seven (35.7%) of the children had no detectable neutralizing antibody to at least one of the three poliovirus serotypes, while 9 (3.7%) children had no detectable neutralizing antibody to the three poliovirus serotypes. Geometric mean titre (GMT) of neutralizing antibodies to the three poliovirus serotypes varied significantly (p=0.0005). Conclusion: Disparity in immunity to poliovirus infection and existence of children with low or zero neutralizing antibody levels were confirmed

The impact of viral mutations on recognition by SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells.

We identify amino acid variants within dominant SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes by interrogating global sequence data. Several variants within nucleocapsid and ORF3a epitopes have arisen independently in multiple lineages and result in loss of recognition by epitope-specific T cells assessed by IFN-γ and cytotoxic killing assays. Complete loss of T cell responsiveness was seen due to Q213K in the A∗01:01-restricted CD8+ ORF3a epitope FTSDYYQLY207-215; due to P13L, P13S, and P13T in the B∗27:05-restricted CD8+ nucleocapsid epitope QRNAPRITF9-17; and due to T362I and P365S in the A∗03:01/A∗11:01-restricted CD8+ nucleocapsid epitope KTFPPTEPK361-369. CD8+ T cell lines unable to recognize variant epitopes have diverse T cell receptor repertoires. These data demonstrate the potential for T cell evasion and highlight the need for ongoing surveillance for variants capable of escaping T cell as well as humoral immunity.This work is supported by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC); Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences(CAMS) Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS), China; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and UK Researchand Innovation (UKRI)/NIHR through the UK Coro-navirus Immunology Consortium (UK-CIC). Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 samples and collation of data wasundertaken by the COG-UK CONSORTIUM. COG-UK is supported by funding from the Medical ResearchCouncil (MRC) part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI),the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR),and Genome Research Limited, operating as the Wellcome Sanger Institute. T.I.d.S. is supported by a Well-come Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellowship (110058/Z/15/Z). L.T. is supported by the Wellcome Trust(grant number 205228/Z/16/Z) and by theUniversity of Liverpool Centre for Excellence in Infectious DiseaseResearch (CEIDR). S.D. is funded by an NIHR GlobalResearch Professorship (NIHR300791). L.T. and S.C.M.are also supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Medical Countermeasures Initiative contract75F40120C00085 and the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) inEmerging and Zoonotic Infections (NIHR200907) at University of Liverpool inpartnership with Public HealthEngland (PHE), in collaboration with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the University of Oxford.L.T. is based at the University of Liverpool. M.D.P. is funded by the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical ResearchCentre (BRC – IS-BRC-1215-20017). ISARIC4C is supported by the MRC (grant no MC_PC_19059). J.C.K.is a Wellcome Investigator (WT204969/Z/16/Z) and supported by NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centreand CIFMS. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or MRC

Interactive efficacies of Elephantorrhiza elephantina and Pentanisia prunelloides extracts and isolated compounds against gastrointestinal bacteria

Elephantorrhiza elephantina (Burch.) Skeels (Fabaceae) and Pentanisia prunelloides (Klotzsch ex Eckl. & Zeyh.) Walp. (Rubiaceae) are two medicinal plants used extensively in southern Africa to treat various ailments. Often, decoctions and infusions from these two plants are used in combination specifically for stomach ailments. The antimicrobial activities of the methanol and aqueous extracts of the rhizomes of the two plants, as well as the two active ingredients from the plants [(−)-epicatechin and palmitic acid] have been determined apart and in combination against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the aqueous (0.50–16.00 mg/mL) and methanol (0.20–16.00 mg/mL) extracts independently demonstrated varied efficacies depending on the pathogen of study. When the two plants were combined in 1:1 ratios, synergistic to additive interactions (ΣFIC values 0.19–1.00) were noted. Efficacy for the two major compounds ranged between 0.13–0.63 mg/mL and mainly synergistic interactions were noted against E. faecalis and E. coli. The predominantly synergistic interactions noted between E. elephantina and P. prunelloides and major compounds, when tested in various ratios against these pathogens, provide some validation as to the traditional use of these two plants to treat bacterial gastrointestinal infections