Human pulmonary infections with bovine and environment (atypical) Mycobacteria in Jos, Nigeria

Objectives: To examine sputum specimens frompatients with persistent bronchopulmonary disorders for mycobacterium species and to characterize the recovered isolates with a view to determiningthe extent of involvement of environmental mycobacteria in pulmonary infections. Design: Analytical study using standard microscopy,culture and biochemical test for the identification of mycobacterium species. Setting: Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH)and 2 referral hospitals: Plateau Specialist Hospital and Evangelical Churches of West Africa (ECWA) Evangel Hospital in Jos, Nigeria.Participants: Three hundred and twenty nine (329) volunteer new patients seen at the chest clinic and general out patient departments with broncho-pulmonary disorders. Patients already on anti-tuberculosis were excluded from the study. Interventions: Subjects were administered antituberculosis drugs and or other treatment regimes after proper diagnosis Results: Sixty-five (65) mycobacterial isolates were obtained and differentiated into human tuberclebacilli, bovine and or environmental (atypical) mycobacteria on the basis of nine identification tests. Of the 65 mycobacterial isolates subjected to the tests, 40 (61.54%) were identified as mycobacteriumtuberculosis, 10 (15.38%) as M. bovis and 15 (23.08%) as environmental mycobacteria. Among the environmental group, 9 (20.69%) were classified as M. avium 3 (3.45%) each as M. kansasiand M. fortuitum. Conclusions: The study confirms the involvementof bovine and environmental mycobacteria in pulmonary infections. This may be related to the rising prevalence of HIV/AIDS globally. The need for adequate bacteriological analysis in current-day diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in indicated

Prevalence and immune status of HIV/HBV co-infected pregnant women

HIV/HBV co-infection places patients at high risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality and the interaction of the two viruses can further complicate treatment. Pregnant women are especially at high risk for increased morbidity and mortality due to infection, and information about HIV/HBV co-infection in pregnant women is scanty. This study examined the occurrence of HBV antibodies in HIV-1 positive pregnant women and the relationship to  Ante-retroviral therapy (ART) and other demographic characteristics. Blood samples were collected from 135 HIV pregnant positive women who were either on ART or Not, from May – June, 2008 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH). Presence of hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) antigen in serum was determined using Antec strips (Antec diagnostics UK) and their immunologic status were determined by measuring the CD4+ counts using SL_3 cyFlow counter (Partec, Germany) . Sixteen 16 (11.8%) of the women examined were seropositive for Hepatitis B virus. Occupation was significantly associated with the prevalence of the hepatitis co-infection in the population examined (8.8% of house wives and 5.5% of business women had  co-infection, p<0.05). The immunologic status (CD4+ of most of the HIV/HBV co-infected pregnant women (81.5%) was low (below 300 cells/mm3) although all were on Anti retroviral therapy. The 11.8% prevalence rate reported in this study confirms the endemicity of HBV /HIV co-infection in Nigeria, and this supports the calls for screening for Hepatitis B as a routine in antenatal care.Keywords: HIV, Hepatitis, Co-infection, CD4, Pregnant wome

A study on the efficacy of extracts of Boerhavia diffusa L on bacterial isolates of finger tip infections (whitlow)

This research was conducted to determine the efficacy of crude extract of Boerhavia diffusa L (BHD L) on bacterial isolates of fingertip infection (Whitlow). Seventeen patients with whitlow were studied within 18 months and swabs of active fingertip infections were taken from the patients at Crossing-Kachia in Kaduna State for analysis at the microbiology laboratory of Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State Nigeria. Associated bacteria were isolated and identified using standard microbiological and biochemical tests. The isolates were tested against extracts of BHD L and commercially available antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical analysis was also conducted in order to determine the bioactive compounds in BHD L that may be responsible for its effectiveness in treatment. The results showed that more males (76.5%) were affected while the mean age of people affected was 28.6years. The predominant causative agent was Staphylococcus epidermidis (89.5%) while Staphylococcus epidermidis confirmed its resistance to commercial antibiotics, hence difficulty of treatment of whitlow with orthodox medicines. Similarly, extracts of BHD L had no antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Thus, the efficacy of BHD L on the isolates of fingertip infections may be due to some other reasons yet unknown.Keywords - Antibacterial activity, Antibiotics, Efficacy, Photochemical, Whitlow

Aeromonas-related Diarrhoea in Nasarawa, Nigeria

Background: Two hundred and fifty volunteer patients attending 5 major hospitals in Nasarawa town, Nasarawa State, Nigeria were involved in this study to determine the prevalence of Aeromonasspp in persons with diarrhoea. The study population consisted of 133 males and 117 females between the ages of 0-70 years. Methods: Stool samples (148 diarrhoeal and 102 non-diarrhoeal) were analysed for the presence of Aeromonas spp. using standard bacteriological methods. The isolates were also subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method. Results: Four (1.60%) of the 250 stool samples were positive for Aeromonasspp. Three (2.03%) of the isolates were recovered from diarrhoeal specimens and 1 (0.98%) from non-diarrhoeal (control) samples. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The highest numbers of isolates 3 (3.66%) were recovered from age group 0-10 years while age group 61-70 years yielded 1 (14.29%). All isolates were found to be Aeromonas hydrophilia. The isolates were all sensitive to tetracycline, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole and streptomycin but resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. Other enteropathogens isolated were Shigella spp 5 (2.0%) and Salmonella spp 2(0.8%). Conclusion: This study has shown that a small percentage of gastroenteritis can be attributed to Aeromonas hydrophilia.Introduction: Deux cents cinquante patients volontaaires qui consultent 5 h\uf4pitaux majeurs dans la ville de Nasarawa l'Etat de Nasarawa, Nig\ue9ria ont particip\ue9 dans cette \ue9tude pour d\ue9cider la fr\ue9quence d'aeromone spp chez des individus atteints de la diarrh\ue9e. La population d'\ue9tude se compose de 133 du sexe masculin et 117 du sexe f\ue9minin entre 0 \u2013 70 ans. M\ue9thodes: Echantillons des f\ue8ces (148 diarrh\ue9e et 102 non \u2013 diarrh\ue9e) ont \ue9t\ue9 analys\ue9s pour la pr\ue9sence d'aeromone spp \ue0 travers l'utilisation de la m\ue9thode bact\ue9riologique. Les isolates \ue9taient \ue9galement en butte d'examen de la susceptibilit\ue9 antimicrobiale \ue0 travers l'utilization de la m\ue9thode de diffusion de disque. R\ue9sultats: Quatre soit 1,60% de 250 \ue9chantillons de f\ue8ces \ue9taient positifs pour l'aeromone spp. Trois soit 2,03% des isolates ont \ue9t\ue9 soign\ue9s des sp\ue9cimens de la diarrh\ue9e et 1 soit 0,98% des \ue9chantillons non-diarrh\ue9e (contr\uf4le). La diff\ue9rence \ue9tait statistiquement importante (p<0,05). Nombre le plus \ue9lev\ue9 des isolates 3(3,66%) ont \ue9t\ue9 soign\ue9s d'une trance d'\ue2ge 0 -10 ans, tandis que groupe d'\ue2ge 61070 ans donnent 1 soit 14,29%. On avait trouv\ue9 que toutes les isolates \ue9taient arromone hydrophilie. Toutes les isolates \ue9taient sensibles \ue0 la t\ue9tracycline, gentamicine, chloramph\ue9nicol cotrimoxazole et str\ue9ptomycine mais r\ue9sistant \ue0 la p\ue9nicilline et ampicilline, Des autres isolates enteropathogens \ue9taient shigella spp 5 soit 2,0% et salmonella spp. 2(0,8%) Conclusion: A travers cette \ue9tude on peut conclure que un petit pourcentage de la gastroenterite peut \ueatre attribuable au aeromone hydrophlilie

Factors associated with pastoral community knowledge and occurrence of mycobacterial infections in human-animal interface areas of Nakasongola and Mubende districts, Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging opportunistic pathogens whose role in human and animal disease is increasingly being recognized. Major concerns are their role as opportunistic pathogens in HIV/AIDS infections. The role of open natural water sources as source and livestock/wildlife as reservoirs of infections to man are well documented. This presents a health challenge to the pastoral systems in Africa that rely mostly on open natural water sources to meet livestock and human needs. Recent study in the pastoral areas of Uganda showed infections with same genotypes of NTM in pastoralists and their livestock. The aim of this study was to determine the environmental, animal husbandry and socio-demographic factors associated with occurrence and the pastoral community knowledge of mycobacterial infections at the human-environment-livestock/wildlife interface (HELI) areas in pastoral ecosystems of Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred and fifty three (253) individuals were subjected to a questionnaire survey across the study districts of Nakasongola and Mubende. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Humans sharing of the water sources with wild animals from the forest compared to savannah ecosystem (OR = 3.3), the tribe of herding pastoral community (OR = 7.9), number of rooms present in household (3-5 vs. 1-2 rooms) (OR = 3.3) were the socio-demographic factors that influenced the level of knowledge on mycobacterial infections among the pastoral communities. Tribe (OR = 6.4), use of spring vs. stream water for domestic use (OR = 4.5), presence of sediments in household water receptacle (OR = 2.32), non separation of water containers for drinking and domestic use (OR = 2.46), sharing of drinking water sources with wild animals (OR = 2.1), duration of involvement of >5 yrs in cattle keeping (OR = 3.7) and distance of household to animal night shelters (>20 meters) (OR = 3.8) were significant socio-demographic factors associated with the risk of occurrence of mycobacterioses among the pastoral communities in Uganda.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The socio-demographic, environmental and household related factors influence the risk of occurrence as well as pastoralists' knowledge of mycobacterial infections in the pastoral households at the human-environment-livestock/wildlife pastoral interface areas of Uganda.</p

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causing tuberculous lymphadenitis in Maputo, Mozambique

BACKGROUND: The zoonosis bovine tuberculosis (TB) is known to be responsible for a considerable proportion of extrapulmonary TB. In Mozambique, bovine TB is a recognised problem in cattle, but little has been done to evaluate how Mycobacterium bovis has contributed to human TB. We here explore the public health risk for bovine TB in Maputo, by characterizing the isolates from tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN) cases, a common manifestation of bovine TB in humans, in the Pathology Service of Maputo Central Hospital, in Mozambique, during one year. RESULTS: Among 110 patients suspected of having TBLN, 49 had a positive culture result. Of those, 48 (98 %) were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and one for nontuberculous mycobacteria. Of the 45 isolates analysed by spoligotyping and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit - Variable Number Tandem Repeat (MIRU-VNTR), all were M. tuberculosis. No M. bovis was found. Cervical TBLN, corresponding to 39 (86.7 %) cases, was the main cause of TBLN and 66.7 % of those where from HIV positive patients. We found that TBLN in Maputo was caused by a variety of M. tuberculosis strains. The most prevalent lineage was the EAI (n?=?19; 43.2 %). Particular common spoligotypes were SIT 48 (EAI1_SOM sublineage), SIT 42 (LAM 9), SIT 1 (Beijing) and SIT53 (T1), similar to findings among pulmonary cases. CONCLUSIONS: M. tuberculosis was the main etiological agent of TBLN in Maputo. M. tuberculosis genotypes were similar to the ones causing pulmonary TB, suggesting that in Maputo, cases of TBLN arise from the same source as pulmonary TB, rather than from an external zoonotic source. Further research is needed on other forms of extrapulmonary TB and in rural areas where there is high prevalence of bovine TB in cattle, to evaluate the risk of transmission of M. bovis from cattle to humans.Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency / Department for Research Cooperation (Sida/SAREC) through Eduardo Mondlane University and Karolinska Institutet Research and Training (KIRT) collaboratio

A Single-Step Sequencing Method for the Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Species

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) comprises several closely related species responsible for strictly human and zoonotic tuberculosis. Some of the species are restricted to Africa and were responsible for the high prevalence of tuberculosis. However, their identification at species level is difficult and expansive. Accurate species identification of all members is warranted in order to distinguish between strict human and zoonotic tuberculosis, to trace source exposure during epidemiological studies, and for the appropriate treatment of patients. In this paper, the Exact Tandem Repeat D (ETR-D) intergenic region was investigated in order to distinguish MTC species. The ETR-D sequencing unambiguously identified MTC species type strain except M. pinnipedii and M. microti, and the results agreed with phenotypic and molecular identification. This finding offers a new tool for the rapid and accurate identification of MTC species in a single sequencing reaction, replacing the current time-consuming polyphasic approach. Its use could assist public health interventions and aid in the control of zoonotic transmission in African countries, and could be of particular interest with the current emergence of multidrug-resistant and extended-resistance isolates

Students' attitude towards achievement in graphical elements of economics curriculum before and after instruction

The study sought to investigate students' attitude towards achievement in grapical elements of economics curriculum before and after instruction. The study adopted a causal comparitive research design. A sample of 324 SSII students were used. The students filled the graphical elements of economics curriculum attitude questionnaire before and after instruction. The students were taught on the topic theory of consumer behaviour for six weeks each. The results reveal that students achievement after instructon was high, also students gender and location has no effect. The paper recommends that teachers should motivate and encourage students towards graphical elements of economics curriculum through formative feedback and mastery learning approach

The effect of formative feedback on students achievement in graphical element of economic curriculum

Students achievement in graphical elements of economics curriculums has been a problem over the years, students have been performing poorly in SSCE (WAEC &amp; NECO). This paper therefore sought to investigate if formative feedback can improve achievement of students in graphical elements of economics curriculum. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.005 level of significance. The study adopted a pre-test post-test control group design, a sample of one hundred and twenty SSII students were used. The students were divided into two groups of sixty each. Group A which was the experimental group was taught using formative feedback. The students were taught on the topic theory of consumer behaviour for eight weeks in GSSS Bokkos of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State. T-test for related sample was used in testing the hypothesis. The research revealed that there was significant effect of formative feedback on SSII students achievement in the experimental group than the control group. The paper finally recommends that for students to achieve much, there is the need to adopt formative feedback in the teaching and learning of graphical elements of economics curriculum