Plasmodium falciparium parasitemia in pregnancy in relation to maternal anaemia

This study was aimed at examining existing relationship between peripheral parasitaemia of Plasmodium falciparum and anemia among pregnant women in a secondary hospital and a tertiary hospital in Osogbo, South-Western, Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty five (225) patients were enrolled into this study, one hundred and fifty (150) from Asubiaro General Hospital, Osogbo and seventy five (75) from LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. A total of 30 (13.3%) women carrying the first pregnancy (primigravida), and 195 (86.6%) multiparous women (2-5) were enrolled. Mean age of recruited women was 31.511± SD 1.03, mean gestational age was 2.4267 ± SD 0.72 and mean packed cell volume was also 26.889 ± SD 0.43. Overall prevalence of malaria parasitemia was 63.6% while mean malaria parasite density was 461.33 among women infected with malaria parasite. Prevalence of malaria in pregnancy was highest amongst women with first pregnancy and in the age bracket 26 – 30 years (26.7%) and least among women greater than 40 years. Parasitemia decreased as parity increased, as women acquire immunity to malaria progressively with multiple pregnancies. Mild to moderate anaemia was also found to be prevalent among primigravida (11.6%) and this was associated with malaria parasitemia among these women .No correlated relationship was established between malaria parasitemia and age, gravidity, trimester of pregnancy, and Packed cell volume. Malaria chemoprophylaxis and other methods of malaria control should be sustained and advocacy for inclusion of malaria treatment in safe motherhood should be continued because of its beneficial potentials. Key words: Malaria, Pregnancy, anaemia

Detection of Molecular Markers of Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum from South-Western Nigeria

The widespread of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum has led to a rise in malaria-associated mortality most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Falciparum malaria was confirmed by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood samples of patients who presented with fever in selected State Hospitals in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Molecular methods were employed to detect the markers of resistance of P. falciparum to Chloroquine, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine,and artesunate in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. DNA was extracted from patient blood using the QiaAmp DNA Blood Minikit extraction method. Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (PCR/RFLP) were used for the detection of P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (Pfdhfr), P. falciparum dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) and P. falciparum sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-dependent ATPase (SERCA) PfATPase6 genes. Pfcrt (K76T ) Pfmdr1 (mdr 1 ) Pfdhfr (S108N), and Pfdhps (K540E) resistant genes were detected among the isolates whileresistant SERCAPfATPase6 gene which codes for artemisinin resistance was not detected in the population.Keywords: Plasmodium, resistance, molecular markers, genes, detectio

Onchocerciasis in communities in forest zone, South West Nigeria: prevalence and diagnostic method for rapid assessment

To determine the prevalence of onchocerciasis and diagnostic method for a rapid assessment of the disease in Iwo Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, Nigeria. Method: the study area was randomly selected using lottery method. The study subjects are from all works of life of both sexes and not below the age of 10. Structured questionnaire was administered to obtain vital epidemiological information from study subjects. Skin snip as standard method of diagnosing onchocerciasis was done using method as described and was compared with other potential diagnostic indicators. The methods of sample analysis are described. Data were analysed by using correlation coefficient, Duncan multiple range test, and analysis of variance where appropriate. Results: of the 240 subjects examined, 35.4% were skin snip positive. Whereas infection increases with age of subjects (P 0.05). Of all the methods of diseases assessment, only nodule palpation method correlate well with the standard diagnostic method skin snip. Conclusion: the merit of nodule palpation and criteria for the determination are discussed. Nodule palpation assessment method (NPAM) was recommended as an alternative rapid assessment method of large scale surveillance of onchocerciasis in Nigeria. NPAM could be used for monitoring and evaluation of the current programme of mectizan distribution in the country. (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(1): 29-32

URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND CONCOMITANT URINARY TRACT PATHOGENS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN METROPOLITAN IBADAN, NIGERIA

This study on the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and concomitant urinary tract pathogens was carried out between August and December, 1998, among school children in Ibadan North Local Government Area. Terminal urine sample collected from only pupils in classes 3 to 6 for the study were analyzed accordingly using the methods as described. Of the 1600 pupils examined, 920 (57.5%) who had the ova of Schistosoma haematobium also had pyuria; 75.4% of which had concomitant bacteriuria. There was no significant difference in the distribution of schistosomasis among sexes as against age influence. Symptoms of haematuria are not pathognomonic of the infection. Result shows that there is a linear relationship between scream water contact/ usage and infection rate. The bacteriuria isolated included Klebsiella sp.; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus with Esch. Coli occurring more frequently than the rest. The antibiogram of the isolates revealed that Tarivid and perfloxacin were the most effective drugs in case management of concomitant bacteriuria among the school children. The components of control of urinary schistosomisasis are highlighter. The integration of complementary strategies would lead to a great success in control effort

Intestinal helminthiasis among malnourished school age children in peri-urban area of Ibadan, Nigeria

This study was carried out between November and December 1999 in a peri urban area of Ibadan in Lagelu Local Government Area to determine the prevalence rate of intestinal helminth infection among malnourished school children. Stool samples and finger prick blood samples were respectively collected from pupils in form 3 to form 6 for analysis. The relationship between infection and their nutritional status was determined using such parameters as weight, height, age, sex, arm to head circumference. The haematocrit value and worm density in subjects were determined to rate level of infectivity in the individual. The study shows that there are three common intestinal worms in the area Ascaris lumbricoides has the highest prevalence rate of 40.7% followed by Tribchuris trichiura (4.8%) and hookworm (4.4%). Age and sex gender made no significant difference in the distribution of infection (P >0.05). however, there was a significant effect on weight and height by worm burden (

Profile of potentially pathogenic intestinal parasites and bacterial agents in solid wastes in Ibadan municipality

In order determine the profile of potentially pathogenic enteric parasites and bacterial agents inmunicipal refuse dumps in Ibadan, 5 major market places in the city were randomly selected by balloting method. Refuse sludge were examined parasitologically and bacteriological using the method described. The data analysis was done and test of significance carried out by using the chi square test where applicable. Cases of multiple parasites and bacterial agents were commonly encountered in the sludge refuse samples. The commonly found parasitic agents were of both human and veterinary importance. These included Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3 epg), Entamoeba histolytica (8,07 cyst per gram); Hookworm/strongyle (6.27 epg) and Ascaris suum (1.07 epg). Others are Ascaris vitolorum (1.09 epg) Stongyloides papillosu (0.52 larvae/g) Schistosoma suis (0.31 epg) and Dicrocoelium dendriticum whilst the most commonly found bacterial agents were Klebsiella species, Escherichia coli, Proteus specie, streptococci and other gram-positive organisms. Climatic conditions affected the distribution of both parasites and bacterial agents in the sludge (

AETIOLOGIC AGENTS OF DIARRHOEA IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OF AGE IN OSOGBO, OSUN STATE

A survey of the aetiological agents of diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age was carried out in Osogbo, Osun State. A total of 135 patients visiting the outpatient and children emergency units of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital were examined. Strains of Shigella isolated were tested for antibiotic sensitivity. Consideration of the distribution showed that Escherichia coli was more prevalent in children aged between 3 to 5 years (57%) and was the most encountered of the organisms isolated (present in 77.8% of all samples) while Shigella spp was found in 16.3% of samples, Vibrio cholerae 0.7% and other coliforms 5.2%. Statistical analysis showed that E. coli was significantly associated with diarrhoea in the patients aged 3-5 years (P< 0.05). Shigella spp was shown to show some resistance to tetracycline and high sensitivity to ofloxacin. (Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 62-66

Prevalence and management of Falciparium malaria among infants and children in Ota, Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria

Studies were carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite infection among infants and children (0-12yrs) in Ota, Southwestern Nigeria between April and December 2008. The two hospitals used were Ota General Hospital and Covenant University Health Centre, Canaanland, Ota. Thick and thin films were made and stained using standard parasitological procedures. Structured Questionnaires were distributed to ascertain the age, sex, drugs or insecticides used and state of health of the subjects before recruiting them into the study. Overall, 215 (80.5%) of the 267 children investigated were found to have malaria infection. Age group (0-5 years) had the highest frequency rate of 84.7% with mean parasite density of 900 and the difference between the age groups was statistically significant (

BACTERIOLOGICAL AND PARASITOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF VAGINITIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN ISEYIN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Specimens of High Vaginal Swabs (HVS) of 135 pregnant women were examined to determine the cause of vaginitis in pregnant women in lseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria between August and October 1999.  Study subjects were selected from patient attending selected antenatal clinics in public, private and mission hospitals/clinics in lseyin. Samples were collected from subject in lithotomy position using sterile cuscos bivalve speculum. Samples were analysed by using standard technique as described. A structured questionnaire was also administered in order to obtain vital epidemiological information necessary for the study as described. The data analysis was done using chi square test. Results shows that 45 (33.3%) were positive for Candida spp, 15 (11.1%) for Gardnerella vaginalis and 5 (3.7%) for Trichomonas vaginalis. Sexual activities of individual have no significant effect on prevalence of vaginitis while symptomatology was a major indicator of infection. The effect of educational attainment and religion on infection rate was discussed. Infection decreased with age of patients while infection distribution by age of pregnancy gave a confusing pattern and the factors responsible for this were discussed. Since vaginitis could be asymptomatic most time, the screening of all pregnant women with risk factors for preterm labour and premature rupture of membranes must be undertaken. Prompt treatment of cases is also recommended. Key Words: Pregnant women, vaginitis, aetiologic agents, prevalence, Iseyin.  (Af J Clinical & Exp Microbiology: 2003 4(2): 116-126