The structure of the penis with the associated baculum in the male greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus)

In this study, the structures of penises of eight sexually mature male greater cane rats were examined at both macroscopic and histological levels. Each animal was sacrificed after anaesthesia with ether and then dissected open with the penis exposed from its root. The penises were first grossly examined, measured, and then prepared for histological examination. From this study it was observed that the body size has no allometry with penile size, but the testicular weight correlated with Os penis length in the greater cane rat. Grossly, the penis which was whitish in colour, with a mean length of 5.46 ± 0.36 cm, has no obvious collum penis but a flexura that turns it caudo-ventral and separates the corpus and glans penis. There was the presence of cornified papillae covering parts of the corpus and glans penis as well as a blind sac sacculus urethralis under the urethra on the glans penis. Histologically, the corpora cavernosa penis were completely separated by a connective tissue septum which sent the trabeculae network into the cavernous tissues and replaced the caverns as it moves from corpus to glans penis. The Os penis formed through endochondral ossification after 42 months of age in this animal. Therefore, from a histological standpoint, the cane rat penis belongs to the intermediate type. In conclusion, these findings provide vital information on the penile anatomy of the greater cane rat, which will serve as a basis for comparing penile morphology among the suborder hystricomorpha and expand knowledge of the reproductive biology in this animal. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 3: 197–203

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)

Anatomical studies on the spinal cord of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) II: histomorphology and spinal tracings

The field of neuroanatomy and the knowledge of spinal cord, in particular, requires an accurate base on which data can be mapped. Lately, researchers have taken into consideration studies on Greater cane rat (GCR) because of its large body size and African origin. This study was designed to elucidate the histomorphologic features of the GCR spinal cord. A total of 10 adult GCR (five males and five females) raised in captivity were used for this study. Twenty-seven spinal segments (Cervical-8, Thoracic-13, Lumbar-5 and Sacral-1) were identified. Each segment was transected, processed histologically into Nissl-stained sections and observed features of the spinal cord were described. The GCR spinal segments possess the typical Hshaped inner gray matter core surrounded by an outer white matter. Variations in the shape of the central canals were observed across the spinal segments. A total of sixty-four features were delineated: twelve observed in the white matter, forty-nine in the gray matter and the remaining three were attached to the spinal cord. Laminar organisations, tracts, nuclei and motor neuron groups of the spinal cord identified were also traced and possible functions adduced in this rodent. No sexual dimorphism was observed in this study. This work has provided valuable and qualitative baseline information for understanding the laminar characteristics relevant to pathophysiologic conditions of the spinal cord. It has also contributed to the knowledge of neuroanatomy of this rodent and will be valuable for spinal cord research especially in this species.Keywords: Spinal cord, Greater cane rat, Histology, Laminar organisation, Spinal tracing

Co–infection of hepatitis B and C viruses among human immunodeficiency virus infected children in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: The co–infection of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C viruses remains a public health problem particularly in resource limited setting like Nigeria. Studies on these co–infections have been done principally among adult and pregnant women with limited information on the pediatric population. The study aims at documenting the burden and the patterns of HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV/HCV co–infections in children in Lagos, Nigeria.Methods: A cross–sectional study carried out at the Virology Research Laboratory, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos between December 2008 and January 2014. A total of 393 confirmed HIV infected children aged between <1 to 15 years were screened from two tertiary health facilities; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH, n=272) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH, n=121), Lagos. Plasma samples were screened for markers for HBV (HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcIgM) and HCV (anti–HCV) using a fourth generation enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (DIA. PRO. Diagnostic Bioprobes Srl., Italy).Results: Out of the 393 samples analyzed, 40 (10.2%) were sero–positive for dual HIV/HBV co–infection, comprising 21 (52.5%) females and 19 (47.5%) males, while 15 (3.8%) had detectable antibodies to HCV consisting of 7 (46.7%) females and 8 (53.3%) males without any statistical significance. On the overall, two (0.5%) of the participants were seropositive for triple HIV, HBV and HCV co–infections. HIV/HBV co–infection was detected among all the age groups, whereas, HIV/HCV co–infection was not seen among children <1 to 5 years.Conclusion: This analysis confirmed a high prevalence of HBV, low prevalence of HCV and suggests that chronic hepatitis may be prevalent among our HIV–infected children. Thus, routine screening and early detections are therefore necessary for an appropriate treatment plan for children co–infected with HIV/HBV and or with HCV.Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Co–infection and Enzyme–Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA

Persistence of Ebola virus RNA in some body fluids of Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors – the Nigerian experience

Introduction: Ebola virus (EBOV) has been shown to persist in some body fluids of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) survivors with implication for future transmission particularly in Nigeria where EVD was experienced for the first time in 2014. Thus, this paper was aimed at providing information on the duration of persistence of EBOV in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Ten consenting EVD survivors were enrolled. Baseline specimens; urine and semen (males), urine and high vaginal swab (HVS) (females) were obtained within one month after discharge from the Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) and subsequently every fortnight. Samples were analyzed using quantitative Real-Star Filovirus Screen RT-PCR kit 1.0 at the National Reference Laboratory in Lagos.Results: Ten EVD survivors comprising 4 (40%) males and 6 (60%) females with age ranges of 28 to >33 years (mean age: 33.0 ± 6.9 years) were evaluated. EBOV RNA was not detected in the urine of all the participants and HVS from the females. However, EBOV RNA was detected in the semen of all 4 (100%) male participants at baseline, and at 2 months after discharge from the ETC. Two men were still positive for EBOV RNA 4 months after discharge from the ETC despite persistent negative vireamia. Conclusions: Our data confirm that a negative viremia in the convalescent period is not predictive of the absence of the virus in semen. Despite an early clearance of the virus from the urine and HVS, there was persistence of EBOV RNA in semen of male survivors 4 months after recovery

Structure of the Leydig Cell in the African Sideneck Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)

The African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus) is a freshwater turtle of West African origin used in traditional medicine withlittle consumption as meat. There have been documentations on the reproductive biology of the turtle with no report on thestructure of the Leydig cell of the animal. We described the structure of the Leydig cell of the adult African sideneck turtle usinghistology, microstereology and transmission electron microscopy. The Leydig cell of the African sideneck turtle were ellipticalin shape when found proximal to blood vessels and elongated at other points within the testicular interstitium. Leydig cellsoccurred in cords or clusters of varying sizes and numbers (3-5 cells) that appear to be random in distribution possessing roundto ovoid nuclei containing small amount of peripherally disposed heterochromatin with prominent nucleoli. The seminiferoustubules of the turtle occupied about 85% of the total testicular parenchyma while the interstitium occupied 15% of it. Of this15%, the Leydig cell occupied about 10% while the stromal elements, inclusive of blood vessels occupied the remaining 5%.The cytoplasm of the Leydig cell was about 85% of the entire cell and comprised microfilaments, lipid droplets, smooth andrough endoplasmic reticula as well as numerous mitochondria. In conclusion, the histological and ultrastructural features of theLeydig cell of the African sideneck turtle bear close similarities with those of other reptiles with little variations. These variationsinclude interstitial location as well as in relation to blood vessels within the testicular interstitium. Information made availableby this study is expected to be useful in the comparative anatomy of the Leydig cell of turtles and reptiles. Keywords: African sideneck turtle; Leydig cell; Testicular interstitium; Reptile

Morphophysiology of the epididymis of the African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus): Histological, microstereological and ultrastructural approach

This study was carried out to describe the morphophysiology of the epididymis of the adult African sideneck turtle using histological,  microstereological and ultrastructural methods. The epididymal duct lies within a relatively thin sheath of connective tissue, and is lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Unlike luminal diameter and stereocilial height, epithelial height, as well as the population of principal cells, decreased from the proximal to posterior segment. The clear cells of the turtle epididymis are limited to the posterior segment of the duct. Basal and apical cells as well as intraepithelial lymphocytes are all distributed across the three segments of the epididymis while macrophage-like cells are absent throughout the length of the duct epithelium. The structure of the African sideneck turtle epididymis demonstrates, as in most mammals and few reptiles studied to date, obvious regional differentiation of the duct epithelium with evidences of secretory and endocytotic abilities as demonstrated by the contents of highly developed endoplasmic reticulum and secretory blebs in the principal and basal cells as well as clear cells, believed to be concerned with endocytosis. The outcome of the study is expected to be useful in the comparative structural and functional anatomyof turtle epididymis. Keywords: African sideneck turtle; epididymis; ultrastructure; microstereology; principal cell

Gross anatomy of the female reproductive tract of the African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus)

Gross anatomical investigations of the female reproductive organs of the African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus) was carried out with a view to providing information needed in post-mortem clinical examination as well as in the comparative anatomy of the female reproductive tract of turtles. A total of ten adult female African sideneck turtles picked up at river banks in Ibadan, Nigeria, during the months of September and October, 2014, were used for the study. The female reproductive tract of the turtle in antero-posterior order comprises the ovaries, oviduct and cloaca. The oviduct comprises five regions: infundibulum, uterine tube, isthmus, uterus, and vagina. With the exception of the vagina, all other components of the oviduct are paired, on each side of the median plane of the turtle. The vagina is the most muscular portion of the turtle oviduct and links to the cloaca which leads to the exterior. This report is the first to describe the gross anatomy of the female reproductive tract of the African sideneck turtle thus serving as baseline information on these aspects of the anatomy of the animal. The findings are also expected to be useful in post-mortem examination of carcass and in the comparative anatomy of female reproductive tracts of turtles