Predicted peak expiratroy flow in human and the clinical implications of differences across related formulae: a proposed guideline standard reference for Asthma

In an attempt to examine the differences between Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) formulae in the literature so as to assess the potential impact of those differences on the interpretation of clinical guidelines for asthma management, the present study was carried out. We calculated 100% PEF values using formula developed by (Gregg, 1973) at 50th percentile for age, height and weight obtained from our study (Salisu et al., 2007) and classified the percent predicted PEF in to severity groups according to national asthma guidelines (NAEPP, 1991 and 1997). Choosing different formulae could give an individual in the age range of 15-19 years a 100% predicted PEF as low as 402 L/min and as high as 412 L/min; and another woman in the age range of 30-34years a classification of severe (47%) using one, but moderate (71%) using another. This indicates that predicted PEF varied widely across formulae and choice of a particular formula may alter guidelinebase care. This work has therefore accepted a recently published population-base equation proposed as the reference standard for future asthma guidelines. Keywords Peak expiratory flow, Asthma, Practice guidelines, reference value

Assessment of respiratory symptoms and lung function among textile workers at Kano Textile Mills, Kano, Nigeria

Background: The number of textile industries in Nigeria with large work force is on the rise. There is thus the need to assess medical challenges of its workers, one of which is respiratory ailments. Although much has been written about the subject globally, only few studies have been done in Nigeria. This study aims to address this gap.Objective: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions among Textile Workers in Kano, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was done, Two hundred male workers exposed to raw cotton dust and its end products in a Textile Company and 200 unexposed workers with similar age- and gender-matched were investigated. Their forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV11), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were determined with a flow-sensing spirometer and Wright's peak flow meter.Results: Exposed workers generally complained of cough, phlegm production, rhinitis, wheezing, chest pain, and breathlessness. Unexposed worker has a significant lower frequency (P < 0.001) of symptoms as well as higher (P < 0.001) forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV11), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) than exposed workers. The reduction in ventilatory function of exposed from predicted values for Nigerian men was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than unexposed workers. The smokers among the exposed and unexposedworkers had significantly lower lung function values than nonsmokers.Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among workers in most dusty sections of the factory. Use of protective mask should be enforced. Workers in the spinning and weaving sections of the company compared with workers in other sections had the lowest lung function indices

Case Report - Histoplasmosis: An elusive re‑emerging chest infection

An immunocompetent patient presenting with disseminated histoplasmosis and superior vena cava obstruction. Features at presentation were in keeping with tuberculosis. Histology of bronchoalveolar lavage specimen clinches the diagnosis of histoplasmosis

In vitro comparative activity of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin against clinical isolates from chickens in Benue State, Nigeria

This study compares the in vitro activities of enrofloxacin and its main metabolite ciprofloxacin against clinical Escherichia coli and non-lactose fermenting enterobacteria isolates from chickens. Ten (10) Escherichia coli and 8 non lactose fermenting enterobacteriaceae species isolated from a pool of clinical cases at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Agriculture Makurdi were used in this study. Ten-fold serial dilution of 10 varying concentrations (0.1-50μg/mL) of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were tested against the isolates in vitro by Bauer’s disc-diffusion method to determine and compare their antimicrobial activities against the isolates. The 18 isolates tested were susceptible to both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, and their mean values in the susceptibility of Escherichia coli and non-lactose fermenters were significantly different (p < 0.01). The study concluded that the clinical isolates are susceptible to both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin though ciprofloxacin exhibit higher activity. Comparatively, ciprofloxacin was found to be more potent than enrofloxacin and the difference statistically significant. Ciprofloxacin was recommended as a better choice in the treatment of bacterial infections of chicken in this area compared to enrofloxacin. It was also recommended that proper steps should be taken in the administration of antimicrobials so as to reduce the incidences of bacterial resistance.Keywords:  Escherichia coli, Non-lactose fermenter, Antimicrobials, Ciprofloxacin. Enrofloxacin, Chicke

Antimicrobial-resistant in Escherichia coli isolated from different effluent locations within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

The safety of municipal water is increasingly becoming of concern globally. Agricultural activities, industrial and residential effluents and community waste are ways through which water sources are contaminated and resistant bacteria can be spread via effluents to municipal water. The study aimed to isolate and determine the distribution of antimicrobial drug-resistant Escherichia coli from different points of the University sewer system in April 2018. A total of 48 samples were collected twice weekly from the six randomly selected inspection chamber sites out of the 14 identified sites. The selected sites of the sewer were located in some hostels, markets and health service areas within the ABU. main campus. The samples were processed by culturing on an EMB agar plate followed by biochemical characterization using conventional biochemical tests and Microbact 12E. An antimicrobial sensitivity test was also carried out using 13 different antibiotic discs. The results obtained revealed that the Community market had an isolation rate of 4(50%), while Sickbay had 3(37.5%) and Danfodiyo hostel with 2(25%). Multiple antimicrobial resistance index (MARI) was found to be 0.31 from four isolates (36%) of E. coli of which 3(75%) were sampled from Sickbay and 1(25%) from ABU Dam. Also, five isolates (45%) had MARI of 0.23, of which 2(40%) were sampled from Danfodiyo hostel, 1(20%) from Ribadu hostel and 2(40%) from Community market. The E. coli isolates were more resistant to Ampicillin, tetracycline and cephalothin. Other bacteria isolated were Klebsiella ozaenae, Hapnea alvei and Morganella morganii all with MARI of 0.31. There is a need for public health awareness on the effect of discharging antibiotic-resistant E. coli contaminated effluent into the environment and water bodies. Hence, the public health significance of recycling such water for domestic usage and agricultural purpose

Comparison of haematological changes associated with coccidiosis in commercial layer chickens at different production stages in Zaria, Nigeria

Avian coccidiosis remains an economically important disease affecting the poultry industry worldwide. The dearth of information on haematological changes resulting from field cases of coccidiosis in commercial layer chickens necessitated this research. One hundred and twenty commercial layer chickens sampled from different farms in Zaria, diagnosed of coccidiosis at early, mid/peak and late production stages were used for this study. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) decline in almost all haematological parameters (except for elevated MCV) of commercial layer chickens which were diagnosed of coccidiosis at the different production stages when compared to corresponding values of other apparently healthy layers that served as controls. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values in the layers diagnosed of coccidiosis at all production stages were significantly higher than the values obtained from the corresponding apparently healthy ones that served as control, whereas the MCHC showed significant decreases across all layer chickens diagnosed of coccidiosis at different production stages when compared to the corresponding values of the apparently healthy control layers. Thus, the erythrocytic indices of the layer chickens with coccidiosis showed the RBCs were macrocytic and hypochromic. On the basis of mean PCV, layer chickens at early production stage (PCV: 24.51 ± 3.17%) were most severely affected by coccidiosis, following closely by the layers at mid/peak production stage (PCV: 24.66 ± 1.64%). The highest mean WBC (19.15 ± 2.99 x109/L) was recorded in layers with coccidiosis at mid/peak production stage, which showed they were better in mounting inflammatory response when compared to the mean values of layers at early (14.92 ± 2.85 x109/L) and late (17.99 ± 2.70 x109/L) stages of production. In conclusion, coccidiosis in commercial layer chickens caused significant haematological alterations which could necessitate dietary supplementation to prevent occurrence of anaemia and decline in egg production

Oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS infection in Nigerian patients seen in Kano

Objective: To determine the pattern and prevalence of oral lesions in HIV-infected Nigerian patients seen in a referral centre. Design: Prospective hospital based study. Setting: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano-a tertiary health institution servicing the entire north-western Nigeria. Subjects: 205 HIV infected individuals who consented to participate in the study. Method: All patients were interviewed and examined by at least two Dental Surgeons trained in diagnosis of oral manifestations of HIV. Data were captured on adapted WHO recording form for oral lesions associated with HIV, transferred and analyzed using MINITAB12.21 (U.S.A). Results: The age range was18-61 years (mean=33.7, S.D =8.0).The M: F =1.2:1; There was statistically significant difference (t=8.1, DF=201, P-value = 0.001) between mean age for males (37.3; S.D.=7.8years) and females (29.5; SD=5.9 years). Overall, 140 (68.3%) patients had at least one oral lesion. Most common lesion was candidosis (60.5%) and the pseudomembranous (45.4%) type was most frequent. Other lesions were HIV gingivitis (27.8%), hairy leukoplakia (14.2%), aphthous ulcer (9.8%), Kaposi's sarcoma (8.3%), melanin hyper-pigmentations (7.3%), herpes simplex infection (5.4%), HIV periodontitis (4.9%), parotid enlargement (1.9%) and HIV-NOMA (0.5%). The mean CD4 counts were 301, 268 and 289 for those without oral lesion, with single lesion and multiple oral lesions respectively. These differences were not statistically significant (ANOVA F=0.36 DF=2 P=0.7). Conclusion: Oral lesions are frequently seen in HIV-infected Nigerian patients and the pattern of occurrence is not markedly different from those reported from other African countries. Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(1&2) 2005: 176-18

Risk factors and knowledge of Brucella infection in camels, attitudes and practices of camel handlers in Katsina State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to determine the risk factors to brucellosis in one-humped (Dromedary) camels and to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of camel handlers to Brucellosis in Katsina State, Nigeria. Camels in herds and those brought to the abattoir for slaughter in the north and central senatorial districts of Katsina State were sampled for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of camel handlers to camel brucellosis in Katsina state, Nigeria Modified Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) with EDTA were used as screening and standard tests respectively. Out of a total of 980 camel sera tested, 11.2% and 10.5% were positive with RBPT and SAT, respectively. Female had OD 1.758 (95% CI = 1.157 – 2.669, p = 0.008) more chances of getting infected than males camels. There was statistical significant association (ᵡ2= 7.189, p = 0.007) observed in the prevalence rates in favour of females. It was also observed that camels of age group 16-20 years showed highest prevalence to brucellosis. There was statistical significant association (ᵡ2 = 13.602, p = 0.009) observed in the prevalence rates according to age. It was determined that there is very poor knowledge of camel brucellosis amongst stakeholders as a result they had a "lassez faire" attitude towards the disease and no practices towards prevention of infection either to them or their animals. There is the need to carry out awareness campaigns to enlighten camel owners, herdsmen, abattoir staff about the dangers of poor hygiene during meat and milk processing, the importance of use of protective clothing when carrying out these operations and the dangers of zoonotic diseases and the dangers of consumption of unpasteurized camel milk and milk products, the public health significance of the brucellosis and that there is the need to develop a strategic plan to decrease spread of brucellosis in the study area.Keywords: Brucella, Seroprevalence, Camels, KAP, Risk Factor

High mortality among tuberculosis patients on treatment in Nigeria: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death in much of sub-Saharan Africa despite available effective treatment. Prompt initiation of TB treatment and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains vital to the success of TB control. We assessed time to mortality after treatment onset using data from a large treatment centre in Nigeria. METHODS: We analysed a retrospective cohort of TB patients that commenced treatment between January 2010 and December 2014 in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. We estimated mortality rates per person-months at risk (pm). Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: Among 1,424 patients with a median age of 36.6 years, 237 patients (16.6%) died after commencing TB treatment giving a mortality rate of 3.68 per 100 pm of treatment in this cohort. Most deaths occurred soon after treatment onset with a mortality rate of 37.6 per 100 pm in the 1st week of treatment. Risk factors for death were being HIV-positive but not on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) (aHR 1.39(1 · 04-1 · 85)), residence outside the city (aHR 3 · 18(2.28-4.45)), previous TB treatment (aHR 3.48(2.54-4.77)), no microbiological confirmation (aHR 4.96(2.69-9.17)), having both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary TB (aHR 1.45(1.03-2.02), and referral from a non-programme linked clinic/centre (aHR 3.02(2.01-4.53)). CONCLUSIONS: We attribute early deaths in this relatively young cohort to delay in diagnosis and treatment of TB, inadequate treatment of drug-resistant TB, and poor ART access. Considerable expansion and improvement in quality of diagnosis and treatment services for TB and HIV are needed to achieve the sustainable development goal of reducing TB deaths by 95% by 2035