Evaluation of microorganisms transmissible through handshake

Microorganisms transmissible through handshake were experimentally isolated from samples collected from primary and secondary school students as well as undergraduates and staff of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Bacteria isolated include Staphylococcus aureus, S. epididimis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Actinobacillus sp while fungi isolated include Penicillum notatum, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium sp. The prevalence of these microorgansims was higher in the primary and secondary school students than in the undergraduates and staff of the university. The significance of the findings to public health in general is discussed

Schistosome Specific Antibodies in Individuals Co-Infected with Malaria in Southwest Nigeria

A cross-sectional study design in two primary schools in Ibadan and Akure was used to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, and the human humoral immune response to schistosome antigens in individuals with malaria co-infection. Urine samples were collected from 163 children, while 112 gave blood samples. Malaria parasitaemia was determined by microscopy after Giemsa staining and schistosomiasis by centrifugation technique. Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies to crude S. mansoni soluble egg, adult worm antigens, and crude S. haematobium egg antigen by ELISA. The sample population consisted of 40% (62/163) infected with schistosomiasis, 31% (50/163) with malaria, and 6% (10/163) co-infected. All the co-infected students had asymptomatic malaria with parasite densities ranging from 200 - 4,420 parasites/ul blood. IgG titres to the various Schistosoma antigens did not vary significantly. However, antibody titres to the soluble egg antigen increased with age of volunteers. Antigen specific isotype distribution showed a higher prevalence of IgG3 and IgG4.Keywords: Schistosomiasis, antibodies, co-infection, malaria, ELISANigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [2] September 2012, pp. 133-13

Male commuters in north and south England: risk factors for the presence of faecal bacteria on hands.

BACKGROUND: A previous study found that the prevalence of contamination with bacteria of faecal-origin on the hands of men differed across UK cities, with a general trend of increased contamination in northern cities. The aim of this study was to (1) confirm the north-south trend (2) identify causes for the trend. METHODS: Hand swabs from commuters (n = 308) at train stations in 4 cities were tested for the presence of faecal bacteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of hand contamination with faecal bacteria was again higher in cities in the north compared to the south (5% in London, 4% in Birmingham, 10% in Liverpool and 19% in Newcastle). Contamination risk decreased with age and better personal hygiene (self-reported). Soil contact and shaking hands increased contamination with faecal bacteria. However, in multivariable analysis, none of these factors fully explained the variation in contamination across cities. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the north-south differences in faecal contamination of hands without finding a clear cause for the trend. Faecal contamination of hands was associated with personal hygiene indicators suggesting that microbiological testing may contribute to evaluating hygiene promotion campaigns