Epidemiological Evaluation Of Uroliths In Selected Animals

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. January 2017. Major: Veterinary Medicine. Advisor: EUGENE NWAOKORIE. 1 computer file (PDF); xxix, 272 pages.ABSTRACT This dissertation examined the predominant minerals, as well as the risk and protective factors for urolith formation in ferrets, goats, sheep and horses. Sterile struvite was the predominant mineral in uroliths in ferrets. The mean age of ferrets with struvite uroliths was 3.6 ± 2.8 years and range (0.2 to 9.8 years). Cystine comprised 70 of the 435 (16%) uroliths retrieved from ferrets. The mean age of ferrets with cystine uroliths was 4.1 ± 1.5 years and range (0.5 to 9 years). This was surprising, as one might expect an earlier onset of clinical manifestations of a probable genetic disorder, with the life span of ferrets being reported to be between 5 and 11 years. Cystine uroliths are not rare at all in ferrets as was originally thought. Genetic factors associated with cystine urolithiasis have not yet been reported in ferrets, but a familial pattern of inheritance determined to be a major underlying factor in cystine urolithiasis in dogs and humans suggests that this may be a factor in ferrets and that the parent stock of ferrets in the present study may have been inbred. The mean age of goats with CaCO3 urolith was 3.8 ± 1.8 years and range (0.3 to 14 years). Males are at increased odds for CaCO3 urolith than females. Goats of African descent had a higher risk of developing calcium carbonate uroliths than did goats of non-African descent. The mean age of goats with silica uroliths was 3.1 ± 1.2 years and range (0.2 to 10 years). The bulk of goats with silica were fed grass/pasture (22%). Silica urolith submissions retrieved from goats and submitted to the MUC decreased from 20% between1984 and1998 to 11% between1999 and 2012. More than 57% percent of goats with struvite uroliths were < 1 year of age. Calcium carbonate uroliths rose significantly in North America but not in Europe and Asia from 40% in 1984 to 1998 to 45% in 1999 to 2012. Struvite and magnesium calcium phosphate apatite uroliths decreased significantly in North American continent respectively from 8% and 9% in 1984 to 1998 to 3% and 4% respectively in 1999 to 2012. The mean age of sheep with CaCO3 urolith was 3.4 ± 1.4 years and range (0.8 to 11 years). Calcium carbonate uroliths were common in Dorset, Suffolk and mixed breeds of sheep. These 3 breeds comprised 15 of 29 (52%) of case sheep with calcium carbonate uroliths with data available. The mean age of sheep with magnesium calcium phosphate carbonate (MCPC) uroliths was 1.6 ± 1.2 years and range (0.2 to 9 years). Rambouilette, Suffolk and Hamshire sheep breeds were at high frequency for magnesium calcium phosphate carbonate urolith formation. These 3 breeds comprised 23 of 31 (74%) of case sheep with MCPC uroliths with data available. Magnesium calcium phosphate carbonate uroliths were commonly retrieved from sheep < 1year of age and comprised 23 of 38 (60.5%) of sheep with this condition with age reported. MCPC is more common in male and sexually intact sheep. The mean age of horse with CaCO3 urolith during the study was 13 ± 1.8 years and range (0.3 to 36 years). Quarter and Thorough bred horses comprised 151 of 292 (52%) of all horses with CaCO3 urolith. Horses between the ages of 6 and 17 years old comprised 197 of 323 (61%) horse cases with ages reported. Male horses had higher frequency for CaCO3 uroliths compared to females. Neutered horses had higher frequency for CaCO3 uroliths than sexually intact. Calcium carbonate uroliths in horses were more likely to be retrieved from the lower portions of the urinary tract (85%) of case horses than from the upper portions of the urinary tract (14%). Three (1%) were retrieved from both upper and lower tracts. A typical horse with CaCO3 urolith is a neutered male between the ages of 6 and 17 years old. Seventy-six of 80 (95%) CaCO3 uroliths were retrieved from horses between 1981 and 1997 and submitted to the MUC, while between 1998 and 2014 the amount retrieved from case horses were 227 of 278 (97%) CaCO3 and submitted to the same laboratory. This study identified risk factors associated with urolithiasis in ferrets, goats, sheep and horses; however, these associations do not allow conclusions regarding cause-and-effect relationships. Evaluation of risk and protective factors through epidemiological studies may be useful in the development of recommendations for the prevention and control of urolith formation in these selected animals

Epidemiological Evaluation Of Uroliths In Selected Animals

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. January 2017. Major: Veterinary Medicine. Advisor: EUGENE NWAOKORIE. 1 computer file (PDF); xxix, 272 pages.ABSTRACT This dissertation examined the predominant minerals, as well as the risk and protective factors for urolith formation in ferrets, goats, sheep and horses. Sterile struvite was the predominant mineral in uroliths in ferrets. The mean age of ferrets with struvite uroliths was 3.6 ± 2.8 years and range (0.2 to 9.8 years). Cystine comprised 70 of the 435 (16%) uroliths retrieved from ferrets. The mean age of ferrets with cystine uroliths was 4.1 ± 1.5 years and range (0.5 to 9 years). This was surprising, as one might expect an earlier onset of clinical manifestations of a probable genetic disorder, with the life span of ferrets being reported to be between 5 and 11 years. Cystine uroliths are not rare at all in ferrets as was originally thought. Genetic factors associated with cystine urolithiasis have not yet been reported in ferrets, but a familial pattern of inheritance determined to be a major underlying factor in cystine urolithiasis in dogs and humans suggests that this may be a factor in ferrets and that the parent stock of ferrets in the present study may have been inbred. The mean age of goats with CaCO3 urolith was 3.8 ± 1.8 years and range (0.3 to 14 years). Males are at increased odds for CaCO3 urolith than females. Goats of African descent had a higher risk of developing calcium carbonate uroliths than did goats of non-African descent. The mean age of goats with silica uroliths was 3.1 ± 1.2 years and range (0.2 to 10 years). The bulk of goats with silica were fed grass/pasture (22%). Silica urolith submissions retrieved from goats and submitted to the MUC decreased from 20% between1984 and1998 to 11% between1999 and 2012. More than 57% percent of goats with struvite uroliths were < 1 year of age. Calcium carbonate uroliths rose significantly in North America but not in Europe and Asia from 40% in 1984 to 1998 to 45% in 1999 to 2012. Struvite and magnesium calcium phosphate apatite uroliths decreased significantly in North American continent respectively from 8% and 9% in 1984 to 1998 to 3% and 4% respectively in 1999 to 2012. The mean age of sheep with CaCO3 urolith was 3.4 ± 1.4 years and range (0.8 to 11 years). Calcium carbonate uroliths were common in Dorset, Suffolk and mixed breeds of sheep. These 3 breeds comprised 15 of 29 (52%) of case sheep with calcium carbonate uroliths with data available. The mean age of sheep with magnesium calcium phosphate carbonate (MCPC) uroliths was 1.6 ± 1.2 years and range (0.2 to 9 years). Rambouilette, Suffolk and Hamshire sheep breeds were at high frequency for magnesium calcium phosphate carbonate urolith formation. These 3 breeds comprised 23 of 31 (74%) of case sheep with MCPC uroliths with data available. Magnesium calcium phosphate carbonate uroliths were commonly retrieved from sheep < 1year of age and comprised 23 of 38 (60.5%) of sheep with this condition with age reported. MCPC is more common in male and sexually intact sheep. The mean age of horse with CaCO3 urolith during the study was 13 ± 1.8 years and range (0.3 to 36 years). Quarter and Thorough bred horses comprised 151 of 292 (52%) of all horses with CaCO3 urolith. Horses between the ages of 6 and 17 years old comprised 197 of 323 (61%) horse cases with ages reported. Male horses had higher frequency for CaCO3 uroliths compared to females. Neutered horses had higher frequency for CaCO3 uroliths than sexually intact. Calcium carbonate uroliths in horses were more likely to be retrieved from the lower portions of the urinary tract (85%) of case horses than from the upper portions of the urinary tract (14%). Three (1%) were retrieved from both upper and lower tracts. A typical horse with CaCO3 urolith is a neutered male between the ages of 6 and 17 years old. Seventy-six of 80 (95%) CaCO3 uroliths were retrieved from horses between 1981 and 1997 and submitted to the MUC, while between 1998 and 2014 the amount retrieved from case horses were 227 of 278 (97%) CaCO3 and submitted to the same laboratory. This study identified risk factors associated with urolithiasis in ferrets, goats, sheep and horses; however, these associations do not allow conclusions regarding cause-and-effect relationships. Evaluation of risk and protective factors through epidemiological studies may be useful in the development of recommendations for the prevention and control of urolith formation in these selected animals

16S rRNA Gene Sequence Analysis of Anaerobic Streptococcal Isolates from Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Periodontal diseases are common oral diseases. Records show high recovery rates of Streptococcus species is associated with untreated periodontitis. Data on variants of streptococcal species associated with periodontitis in Nigeria is limited. This study identified the species, subspecies and genetic relatedness of Streptococcus that occur among patients with chronic periodontitis using 16S rRNA Gene Sequence technique and phylogenetic analysis. Patients were recruited at Periodontal Clinic of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos Nigeria. Paper point specimens of subgingival plaque were collected from periodontal pockets and cultured by anaerobiosis on Fastidious Anaerobe Agar. Presumptive identification of the streptococcal species isolated was done by cultural and biochemical analysis. Molecular Identification was done by Sanger sequencing to confirm the identity of the isolates. Twenty-four (24) subgingival plaque samples cultured from 6 patients with chronic periodontitis yielded 24 anaerobic gram-positive isolates of which 20 were amplified by I6SrRNA primer. From this, 17/20 (85%) were identified as Streptococcus and 3/20 (15%) Staphylococcus species. The 16S rRNA showed the identity of these isolates at species and subspecies level. The species belonged to the anginosus (58.8%) and mitis (41.2%) groups. Phylogenetic analysis showed divergent periodontal strains. Our results revealed the species and subspecies of members of Streptococcus groups associated with chronic periodontitis in a Nigerian population. The severity of periodontitis in relation to the ecological niche created in periodontal pockets may have an impact on the proliferation of certain Streptococcal species

In-vitro antifungal effect of Garcinia kola and garlic (Alliums sativum) on vaginal isolates of candida

Background/Objectives:Within the last decade there has been an emergence of antifungal drug resistance. Alliums sativum and Garcinia kola seeds were tested for their anticandidal properties in comparison with fluconazole and miconazole.Methods: High Vaginal swab samples from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis were processed and identified to the species level by germ tube method, morphology on corn meal agar and sugar fermentation reactions. Methanol and aqueous extracts of Garcinia kola and Alliums sativum, as well as fluconazole and miconazole were tested in-vitro using the agar dilution method.Results: One hundred and twenty six women with symptoms of  vulvovaginal candidiasis were sampled and Candida species were isolated from 25 of them. Candida spp. identified were C. albicans (44%), C. tropicalis (28%), C. glabrata (16%) and C. parapsilosis (12%). All species except C. glabrata were inhibited by fluconazole and miconazole, all isolates of the same species having same minimum inhibitory  concentrations (MICs). The highest MICs (25 mg/ml) with the alcoholic extracts were shown by C. albicans and C. glabrata and the lowest MICs (12.5 mg/ml) were shown by C parapsilosis and C tropicalis. All the isolates tested with Garcinia kola aqueous extract had a uniform MIC of 50 mg/ml, those tested with garlic aqueous extract had an MIC of 200 mg/ml. C. albicans and C. glabrata had MIC of 200 mg/ml of the alcoholic extract but C. tropicalis was inhibited at 25 mg/ml.Conclusion: We found that Garcinia kola and Alliums ativum have activity against the vaginal Candida species isolated thus showing promise as alternative therapy for vaginal candidiasis.Keywords: Alliums ativum, Candida spp, Garcinia kola, Minimum inhibitory concentration

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus among individuals presenting with febrile illness in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the aetiological agent of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which is a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition. Fever is mostly associated with the early stage of virus replication known as acute HIV infection or  syndrome; as such, determination of HIV status during this critical period is a good means of improving clinical outcome in those infected. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV among febrile individuals in Lagos, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study of 250 febrile individuals attending General Hospitals at Isolo, Mushin and Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. Analysis was carried out at the Virology Research Laboratory, Central Research Laboratory, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos from July to October 2017. Sample analysis was done according to the Nigerian National Testing Algorithm to determine HIV status using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) and data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: Out of the 250 febrile participants, 8 were positive for HIV, with an overall prevalence of 3.2%. Further analysis however showed that 90% of the HIV positive participants had four or more episodes of fever in a month. HIV infection was still majorly among the ages 15-24 and 25-34 for male and ages 25-34, 35-44 and 45-54 for females.Conclusion: This findings showed that different cohorts are significantly at risk of HIV infection. Hence, policies and all efforts to reduce the burden of HIV are paramount for a HIV free future for Nigeria.Keywords: Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS), Fever, Asymptomatic and  Enzyme–Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Prevalence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degrading bacteria in contaminated tropical soil in Lagos, Nigeria: involvement of plasmid in degradation

Recalcitrant pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are difficult to degrade and have been the focus for biodegradation. They form a class of pollutant on a global scale. In an attempt to contribute to the search for suitable microbial culture with potential to biodegrade low and high molecular weight PAHs, bacterial strains were isolated from engine-oil polluted sites in Lagos, Nigeria. These isolates were evaluated for possession of plasmid DNA and the role it played in PAH degradation. Out of sixteen strains isolated, two were Gram negative while the others were Gram positive isolates. They belonged to genera Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Kurthia sp., Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium. All the isolates grew on the PAHs (anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene) at varying rates utilizing them as sole sourceof carbon and energy. All the isolates also possessed plasmid DNA ranging from 17.8 to 38.9 kbp. Subjection of plasmid cured isolates to PAHs biodegradation suggest that PAHs degradation may be plasmid and/orchromosomally mediated depending on the bacterial isolate and PAHs being degraded. This study has revealed that different compounds induce varied genetic changes in bacterial isolates in response to the stimuli

Cholera Epidemiology in Nigeria: an overview

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium, Vibrio cholera. Choleragenic V. cholera O1 and O139 are the only causative agents of the disease. The two most distinguishing epidemiologic features of the disease are its tendency to appear in explosive outbreaks and its predisposition to causing pandemics that may progressively affect many countries and spread into continents. Despite efforts to control cholera, the disease continues to occur as a major public health problem in many developing countries. Numerous studies over more than a century have made advances in the understanding of the disease and ways of treating patients, but the mechanism of emergence of new epidemic strains, and the ecosystem supporting regular epidemics, remain challenging to epidemiologists. In Nigeria, since the first appearance of epidemic cholera in 1972, intermittent outbreaks have been occurring. The later part of 2010 was marked with severe outbreak which started from the northern part of Nigeria, spreading to the other parts and involving approximately 3,000 cases and 781 deaths. Sporadic cases have also been reported. Although epidemiologic surveillance constitutes an important component of the public health response, publicly available surveillance data from Nigeria have been relatively limited to date. Based on existing relevant scientific literature on features of cholera, this paper presents a synopsis of cholera epidemiology emphasising the situation in Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:5

TOTAL LYMPHOCYTE COUNT AS A PROGNOSTIC MARKER FOR CD4 COUNT IN RESOURCE LIMITED SETTINGS

Understanding the Total lymphocyte count (TLC) and CD4 relationship could aid design predictive instruments for making clinical decisions during antiretroviral therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive ability of TLC for CD4 count less than or equal to 350cells/mm3.A cross sectional study involving 432 HIV-I infected persons randomly recruited from the HIV Clinics of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, NAUTH Oba and St Charles Borromeo Hospital Onitsha was conducted. Ethical approval was obtained and blood samples were collected. The following were determined; HIV- screening and confirmation using serial testing algorithm with ELISA rapid test kits, CD4 count using Cyflow partec machine and Haematological profile using Sysmex KX21N. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 17.Out of the 432 HIV patients involved in this study, females dominated with a population of 274(63.4%) against the males numbering 158(36.6%). The relationship between the TLC cut offs and CD4 count ≤350 cells/mm3 were all statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) except for a TLC value of 2600cells per mm3. At a value of 1200 cells/mm3, TLC had a sensitivity of 25% and specificity of 96% while at 2400 cells/mm3, TLC had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 39% for CD4 count of ≤350cells/mm3.TLC was found to have the most significant relationship with CD4 count of all parameters tested using regression analysis. Finally, TLC could serve as a surrogate for CD4 count for monitoring treatment in resource poor areas where facilities for CD4 count may not be available

Mineral Composition of Uroliths Obtained from Sheep and Goats with Obstructive Urolithiasis

Background: Knowledge of the mineral composition of the causative urolith is important to develop preventative strategies. Advances in analytic techniques have led to detection of urolith components not previously recognized. Hypothesis/Objectives: The objectives of this study were to characterize uroliths in sheep and goats structurally and clinically. We hypothesized that amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate (AMCP) would be a naturally occurring urolith type in sheep and goats. Animals: Forty-nine sheep and goats presenting for obstructive urolithiasis from June 15, 2014 through June 14, 2016 were reviewed along with the demographic data of all small ruminants admitted during that same period. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for demographic and historical data, and 36 uroliths obtained from these cases during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy to determine chemical composition. Results: AMCP is a naturally occurring urolith type in obstructed male sheep and goats and was the most common urolith type in this study, where it occurred as a majority component with struvite (39% of uroliths) or as a pure component (11%). Pure struvite was found in 1 urolith (2%). Calcium carbonate was the second most frequent urolith with 31% of uroliths being pure calcium carbonate. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: This study demonstrates that uroliths, which appear consistent with struvite, could actually be calcium-containing AMCP. Urolith analysis is critical in determining mineral content of uroliths to guide dietary recommendations for prevention. Key words: Amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate; Calcium carbonate; Struvite; Urinary calculi.This work was supported by funds from the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.The open access publishing fees for this article have been covered by the Texas A&M University Open Access to Knowledge Fund (OAKFund), supported by the University Libraries and the Office of the Vice President for Research

Bacteriological And Clinical Evaluation Of Twelve Cases Of Post-Surgical Sepsis Of Odontogenic Tumors At A Referral Centre

Objective: To detennine the bacterial aetiology of sepsis occurring following surgery of odontogenic tumours and assess the effect of prompt and proper antibiotic usage. Desigu: A prospective study. Settiug: A tertiary referral centre in Lagos, Nigeria. . . Subjects: Twelve patients with odontogenic tumours that developed sepsis postoperatively. Eight of the patients were referred from private hospitals, the remaining were in-patients who sought for alternative medical attention following interruption of health care services at the referral cenlre. TutenJmtiou: Adequate review of patient's medical history, bacteriological investigations and antibiotic therapy. Mniu outcome measures: Bacteriological and clinic~! cure following antibiotic therapy based on susceptibility test results. Results: Two categories of patients were identified; those who completed the course of antibiotics prescribed post-surgery and patients who failed to conform to antibiotic prescription. Sepsis developed in the non-compliance group much earlier than in the group that complied (p<0.001). Infections were polybacterial with aerobes accounting for 77.4% (a-haemolytic streptococci 29.0%, Streptococcus pyogenes 16.1%, ~tapllylococcus aureus 16.1%, diphtheroids 9.7%, Klebsiella puemnouiae 6.5%) and anaerobes 22.6% (Porpltyromonas gingiva lis 9.7%, Peptostreptococcus spp. 6.5%, Prevotella melnninogenica 3.2%, Clostridium perfringeus 3.2%). Mixed aerobic and anaerobic aetiology occurred more in osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Clostridium perfriugens was isolated from a case of osteosarcoma with necrotic tissues. The anaerobic bacteria were 100% sensitive to metronidazole, ciprolloxacin and augmentin, 65-85% sensitivity to ampicloxacillin, amoxicillin and erythromycin. Over 92% of the streptococci were sensitive to the P-Lactams contrast low susceptibility with S. aureus and K. pnemnoniae. Couclusion: Interruption of healthcare service was the sole factor identified in the development of sepsis as the patients could not be monitored to ensure compliance to prescriptio