A survey of malaria prevalence and antimalarial preventive measures amongst students of University of Lagos, Nigeria

The prevalence of malaria parasite and antimalarial preventive measures among students of University of Lagos, Nigeria was carried out between November 2014 and February 2015. Blood samples were collected from 400 students (with age ranging from 15-46year) by finger pricking and analyzed microscopically and by Rapid Diagnostic Test kit. Semi-structured questionnaire probing into their knowledge of the cause of malaria, ability to recognize signs and symptoms, treatment seeking behaviour was distributed to the respondents. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum by microscopy was significantly lower (p=0.0000042). More than three quarters of the respondents (88.5%) had a good knowledge of the cause of malaria and were able to identify signs and symptoms of malaria which included headache (51.5%), fever (26%), dizziness (9.5%). Also more than half of the students (202) visit hospital when they recognize such signs while others visit Pharmaceutical outlets (130), drug hawkers (37) or use herbal remedy (31).Malaria preventive measures employed by students ranges from the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Treated Bednets (74), topical mosquito repellant cream (65) to cleaning the environment (54). Furthermore, half of the students (50%) reported having malaria bouts twice per year, 35% once annually while 15% could not remember how often they have it. These bouts of various frequencies resulted in 360 (90%) of the students being absent from school from less than 10 days to more than 20 days. Proactively placing preventive measures would negate cascades of effects amongst the students. Continuous studies should be carried out to assess the prevalence of malaria in different foci of Nigeria and the level of awareness on the benefits of use of preventive measures should be emphasized among community members if Nigeria and Africa as a whole will meet the elimination target by 2030

Occurrence of malaria and utilization of antimalaria preventive measures amongst pregnant women attending Ajeromi- Ifelodun General Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria

Malaria in Pregnancy poses a serious health problem both for the mother and her unborn baby and this can be prevented with the use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP), Long Lasting Insecticidetreated Nets (LLIN) and other preventive measures. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among pregnant women attending Ajeromi Ifelodun General Hospital between August 2013 and February 2014. A total of 414 pregnant women (with mean age of 29±8.7) in their first (84), second (124) and third (206) trimesters were recruited for this study. Blood samples for making both thin and thick smears were collected and semi-structured questionnaires administered to the respondents. The questionnaire probed into their knowledge on cause of malaria, the preventive measures taken against mosquito bite, use of IPTp-SP, possession and use of LLIN. The overall prevalence of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum is 24 (5.8%) out of which 13 were primigravid, 5 were secundi-gravid, and 6 were multigravida with no significant difference (P>0.05) amongst them. Two hundred and eighty-six (69.1%) pregnant women had good knowledge of the cause of malaria. 164 (39.6%) of the sampled population had a tertiary education while 182 (44.0%) had secondary education, 124 (30.4%) were traders and 80(19.6%) were civil servants. Preventive measures claimed to be adopted by the respondents in avoiding mosquito bites include the use of LLIN (62.6%), insecticides sprays (36.2%), and locally adopted measures (1.5%). The number of respondents who had not availed themselves of IPTp-SP was significantly higher 258 (62.3%) compared to those who had (P<0.05). It was observed that educational status had no significant effect on the knowledge of the cause of malaria in sample population (p>0.05). The findings of this study reveal that there is a good knowledge on the cause of malaria among pregnant women but low use of IPTp-SP. In order to meet the new target of reaching an elimination stage set by the World Health Organization, factors responsible for the low use of these preventive measures should be investigated and quickly addressed so as to reduce both maternal and child morbidity/mortality resulting from malaria infection.Keywords: Malaria, Pregnant women, Prevention, Intermitent preventive treatment, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, Longlasting Insecticide treated ne

SJS/TEN 2019: From Science to Translation

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) are potentially life-threatening, immune-mediated adverse reactions characterized by widespread erythema, epidermal necrosis, and detachment of skin and mucosa. Efforts to grow and develop functional international collaborations and a multidisciplinary interactive network focusing on SJS/TEN as an uncommon but high burden disease will be necessary to improve efforts in prevention, early diagnosis and improved acute and long-term management. SJS/TEN 2019: From Science to Translation was a 1.5-day scientific program held April 26-27, 2019, in Vancouver, Canada. The meeting successfully engaged clinicians, researchers, and patients and conducted many productive discussions on research and patient care needs

Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum among pregnant women in south-west Nigeria

Pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) is a major public health concern and an important contributor to maternal and foetal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding of the biological basis of malaria in pregnancy was recently advanced by the discovery that susceptibility to PAM is not solely dependent on pre-exposure or gravidity. It was hypothesize in this study that PAM is difficult to diagnose in pregnant women who are multigravidae due to antibodies acquired from previous infections coupled with the extensive genetic diversity of the parasite. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the extent of genetic diversity of P. falciparum isolates among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Lagos, Nigeria between August 2013 and February 2014. A total of 414 pregnant women in their first (84), second (124) and third (206) trimesters were recruited for this study. Blood spots were made from P. falciparum positive blood samples and the parasite deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted for merozoite surface proteins 1 and 2 genotyping. The prevalence of FC27 allele type from pregnant women isolate was higher (33.3%) than that from non-pregnant women (29.2%). The multiplicity of infection with P. falciparum in both groups was low. The findings indicate a low level of P. falciparum diversity among pregnant women but there is need for year-round surveillance especially during the peak malaria transmission.Keywords: Genetic diversity; Plasmodium falciparum; merozoite surface proteins

Paleogene palynostratigraphy of the eastern middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia

This work presents a detailed study of the pollen and spore distribution in the Paleocene-Eocene Lisama and La Paz Formations on the eastern border of the Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia. One hundred and forty-seven samples obtained from cores and outcrops were prepared for palynological research, fifty-nine of which were rich in pollen and spores. Three hundred spore and pollen taxa were identified. The studied stratigraphic interval is a 2000 m thick coastal and fluvial deposit formed in a variable subsiding tectonic setting. The Lisama Formation is characterized by the dominance of the Proxapertites group. Some typical Paleocene forms start to disappear toward the upper part of the Lisama Formation (e.g.Bombacacidites annae, Ephedripites vanegensis, Retidiporites magdalenensis), and are followed by a barren interval probably linked to intense oxidation during paleosol development (the uppermost 266 m of the Lisama Formation). In the La Paz Formation there is a progressive appearance of early and middle Eocene species (e.g. Cyclusphaera scabrata, Foveotriporites hammenii, Monoporopollenites annulatus, Perfotricolpites digitatus, Spirosyncolpites spiralis, Striatopollis catatumbus, Bombacacidites gonzalezii). This biostratigraphic evidence indicates that an early-middle Eocene hiatus in the eastern area of the Middle Magdalena Valley basin is not present, as many authors have previously suggested. One new pollen genus, Foveomonoporites, and two new pollen species, Foveomonoporites variabilis and Psilamonocolpites operculatus are described and illustrated