Comparative Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasmosis among Three Subgroups in Nigeria

The study was aimed at ascertaining the seroprevalence and some risk factors of toxoplasmosis among those attending the National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. Using the ImmunoComb  Toxo IgG Kit for the detection of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in human serum/ plasma, 216 persons were examined for toxoplasmosis. This comprised of equal number (72 persons each) of persons from three subgroups, namely, gravid women, immuno-compromised persons consisting of patients with HIV and hepatitis, and the immuno-competent persons who are the controls. The overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 31.5%. Seroprevalence was significantly higher among pregnant women than among both the immuno-compromised and the immuno-competent persons (?2-test; p < 0.05 for both tests). Seroprevalence was comparable between the immuno-compromised and the immuno-competent (Controls) (?2-test; p > 0.05). Seroprevalence increased with age among gravid women, as well as among the immuno-compromised subgroups but not among the controls. Overall, seroprevalence among those living with cats/dogs (45.61%) was significantly higher than that of those living without cats/dogs (15.69%) (?2-test; p < 0.05); while the risk of infection with toxoplasmosis was four times higher than among those not living with cats (Odds Ratio 4.51). This was the same among the immune-compromised as well as the immune-competent where the risks of getting infected were five times higher among those cohabiting with cats (Odd Ratio 5.45 and Odds Ratio 5.36 respectively). Among the pregnant women, the risk of getting infected with toxoplasmosis was three times higher among those cohabiting with cats (Odds Ratio 3.00). Seroprevalence was independent of the tribal origin (?2-test; p < 0.05 for all the tests). Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, serprevalence, pregnant women, immuno-compromised, immuno-competent, Nigeri

Bio-survey of Plankton as indicators of water quality for recreational activities in Calabar River, Nigeria

With the increasing recognition of Calabar as a global tourist destination, the suitability of Calabar River for recreational activities by tourists was investigated. The aim was to use phytoplankton and zooplankton characteristics to assess the water quality of the Calabar River. Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected from four stations along the river and carried in plastic containers at 4oC to the laboratory for taxonomic and diversity index analyses. Water samples were also collected from the sampling stations for physico-chemicalanalysis. In total, 331 phytoplankton individuals were identified from sixty-six species in sixty genera and six taxonomic groups. The most abundant taxon was Bacillariophyceae 212 (64.05%), followed by Cyanophyceae 42 (12.69%), Chlorophyceae 40 (12.08%); Dinophyceae 16 (4.83%); Chrysophyceae 12 (3.63%) and Xanthophyceae 9 (2.72%). Similarly, the diatoms were highest in species richness (54.55%) followed by Cyanophyceae (18.18%),Chlorophyceae (12.12%), Dinophyceae (6.06%), Chrysophyceae (4.55%), and Xanthophyceae (4.55%). Among the zooplankton, the Copepods were the most abundant (54.89%). Others were Protozoa (14.13%), Polychaeta larvae (7.07%), Cyclopoida (5.43%), Cladocera (5.43%), Arthropoda (4.89%), Ostracoda (3.26%), Rotifera (2.72%),Malacostraca (1.09%), and Foraminiferida (1.09%). The copepods were highest in species richness (13), representing 36.11% of the total. The other zooplankton taxonomic groups were Protozoa (16.67%), Cyclopoida (11.11%), Ostracoda (8.33%), Rotifera (8.33%), Cladocera (5.56%), Malacostraca (5.56%), Arthropoda (2.78%), Polychaeta larvae (2.78%), and Foraminiferida (2.78%). We did not observe any preponderance of harmful phytoplankton or zooplankton in the Calabar River during the study. The river showed no evidence of stress beyond her carrying capacity, and there was no evidence of any harmful environmental conditions that is detrimental to recreational activities in the Calabar River. We assess Calabar River as being biologically suitable for contact recreational activities, from the point of view of her plankton characteristics

Bio-survey of Plankton as Indicators of Water Quality For Recreational Activities in Calabar River, Nigeria

With the increasing recognition of Calabar as a global tourist destination, the suitability of Calabar River for recreational activities by tourists was investigated. The aim was to use phytoplankton and zooplankton characteristics to assess the water quality of the Calabar River. Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected from four stations along the river and carried in plastic containers at 4oC to the laboratory for taxonomic and diversity index analyses. Water samples were also collected from the sampling stations for physico-chemical analysis. In total, 331 phytoplankton individuals were identified from sixty-six species in sixty genera and six taxonomic groups. The most abundant taxon was Bacillariophyceae 212 (64.05%), followed by Cyanophyceae 42 (12.69%), Chlorophyceae 40 (12.08%); Dinophyceae 16 (4.83%); Chrysophyceae 12 (3.63%) and Xanthophyceae 9 (2.72%). Similarly, the diatoms were highest in species richness (54.55%) followed by Cyanophyceae (18.18%), Chlorophyceae (12.12%), Dinophyceae (6.06%), Chrysophyceae (4.55%), and Xanthophyceae (4.55%). Among the zooplankton, the Copepods were the most abundant (54.89%). Others were Protozoa (14.13%), Polychaeta larvae (7.07%), Cyclopoida (5.43%), Cladocera (5.43%), Arthropoda (4.89%), Ostracoda (3.26%), Rotifera (2.72%), Malacostraca (1.09%), and Foraminiferida (1.09%). The copepods were highest in species richness (13), representing 36.11% of the total. The other zooplankton taxonomic groups were Protozoa (16.67%), Cyclopoida (11.11%), Ostracoda (8.33%), Rotifera (8.33%), Cladocera (5.56%), Malacostraca (5.56%), Arthropoda (2.78%), Polychaeta larvae (2.78%), and Foraminiferida (2.78%). We did not observe any preponderance of harmful phytoplankton or zooplankton in the Calabar River during the study. The river showed no evidence of stress beyond her carrying capacity, and there was no evidence of any harmful environmental conditions that is detrimental to recreational activities in the Calabar River. We assess Calabar River as being biologically suitable for contact recreational activities, from the point of view of her plankton characteristics

Screening of crude extracts of six medicinal plants used in South-West Nigerian unorthodox medicine for anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus activity

BACKGROUND: Six Nigerian medicinal plants Terminalia avicennioides, Phylantus discoideus, Bridella ferruginea, Ageratum conyzoides, Ocimum gratissimum and Acalypha wilkesiana used by traditional medical practitioners for the treatment of several ailments of microbial and non-microbial origins were investigated for in vitro anti-methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity. METHODS: Fresh plant materials were collected from the users. Water and ethanol extracts of the shredded plants were obtained by standard methods. The Bacterial cultures used were strains of MRSA isolated from patients. MRSA was determined by the reference broth microdilution methods using the established National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards break points. Staphylococcus aureus NCIB 8588 was used as a standard strain. Susceptibility testing and phytochemical screening of the plant extracts were performed by standard procedures. Controls were maintained for each test batch. RESULTS: Both water and ethanol extracts of T. avicennioides, P. discoideus, O. gratissimum, and A. wilkesiana were effective on MRSA. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the ethanol extracts of these plants range from 18.2 to 24.0 mcg/ml and 30.4 to 37.0 mcg/ml respectively. In contrast, MIC range of 30.6 to 43.0 mcg/ml and 55.4 to 71.0 mcg/ml were recorded for ethanol and water extracts of B. ferruginea, and A. conyzoides respectively. Higher MBC values were obtained for the two plants. These concentrations were too high to be considered active in this study. All the four active plants contained at least trace amount of anthraquinones. CONCLUSION: Our results offer a scientific basis for the traditional use of water and ethanol extracts of A. wilkesiana, O. gratissimum, T. avicennioides and P. discoideus against MRSA-associated diseases. However, B. ferruginea and A. conyzoides were ineffective in vitro in this study; we therefore suggest the immediate stoppage of their traditional use against MRSA-associated diseases in Lagos, Nigeria

Ethical Issues in the Practice of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Nigeria: Empirical Data from Fertility Practitioners

The need to formulate practice guidelines and ethical framework to guide the practice of assisted conception in Nigeria has been highlighted severally. The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) ethics committee is charged with the objective of producing ethical guidelines that would govern the practice of assisted conception in Nigeria. This study was a survey of attendees at the AFRH international conference that held in Abuja in September 2017. The aim of the study was to generate empirical data that would form the drafting of ethical practice guidelines in Nigeria. Ninety-seven (50%) of the respondents were of the view that performing IVF for unmarried couples was ethical while about 70 (36%) were of the contrary opinion. Respondents were equally divided (45.26% versus 44.21%) on the ethical standing of performing IVF for single ladies. About 128 (70.33%) of respondents agree that egg donors should be paid more in compensation besides reimbursement for personal expenditure incurred during the process of egg donation and that they should be an upper age limit for clients requesting ART with donor eggs. Several unethical practices ongoing in Nigeria were highlighted including inadequate provision of information and counselling and exploitation of egg donors. Majority agreed on the need for a regulatory framework to govern the practice of ART in Nigeria. The diverse range of views and ethical issues concerning ART practice in Nigeria obtained from this study demonstrates the need to recognise the local context in Nigeria when applying universal principles of ethics.Keywords: Ethics, Assisted Reproductive Technology, Nigeri

Successful pregnancy outcome after in vitro fertilisation following Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis/Polymerase Chain Reaction screening for single gene disorder (sickle cell anaemia) before embryo transfer: ...

A couple, both carriers of the sickle cell anaemia trait (Genotype HbAS) with an offspring already affected with the genetic disease underwent a Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis/ Polymerase Chain Reaction screening of biopsied blastomeres. DNA analysis of single blastomeres was carried out to find out indicated a viable intra-uterine pregnancy with embryos which carried the sickle cell mutation, which resulted in a livebirth (HbAS). PGD/PCR in combination with IVF appears to be the most suitable treatment plan for patients who are at a higher risk of reproducing offspring affected with inheritable genetic diseases.Keywords: PGD/PCR, Sickle cell anaemia, IVF, Biopsy, FE

Bio-survey of Plankton as Indicators of Water Quality For Recreational Activities in Calabar River, Nigeria

With the increasing recognition of Calabar as a global tourist destination, the suitability of Calabar River for recreational activities by tourists was investigated. The aim was to use phytoplankton and zooplankton characteristics to assess the water quality of the Calabar River. Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected from four stations along the river and carried in plastic containers at 4oC to the laboratory for taxonomic and diversity index analyses. Water samples were also collected from the sampling stations for physico-chemical analysis. In total, 331 phytoplankton individuals were identified from sixty-six species in sixty genera and six taxonomic groups. The most abundant taxon was Bacillariophyceae 212 (64.05%), followed by Cyanophyceae 42 (12.69%), Chlorophyceae 40 (12.08%); Dinophyceae 16 (4.83%); Chrysophyceae 12 (3.63%) and Xanthophyceae 9 (2.72%). Similarly, the diatoms were highest in species richness (54.55%) followed by Cyanophyceae (18.18%), Chlorophyceae (12.12%), Dinophyceae (6.06%), Chrysophyceae (4.55%), and Xanthophyceae (4.55%). Among the zooplankton, the Copepods were the most abundant (54.89%). Others were Protozoa (14.13%), Polychaeta larvae (7.07%), Cyclopoida (5.43%), Cladocera (5.43%), Arthropoda (4.89%), Ostracoda (3.26%), Rotifera (2.72%), Malacostraca (1.09%), and Foraminiferida (1.09%). The copepods were highest in species richness (13), representing 36.11% of the total. The other zooplankton taxonomic groups were Protozoa (16.67%), Cyclopoida (11.11%), Ostracoda (8.33%), Rotifera (8.33%), Cladocera (5.56%), Malacostraca (5.56%), Arthropoda (2.78%), Polychaeta larvae (2.78%), and Foraminiferida (2.78%). We did not observe any preponderance of harmful phytoplankton or zooplankton in the Calabar River during the study. The river showed no evidence of stress beyond her carrying capacity, and there was no evidence of any harmful environmental conditions that is detrimental to recreational activities in the Calabar River. We assess Calabar River as being biologically suitable for contact recreational activities, from the point of view of her plankton characteristics

The use of ultrasound guided transvaginal probe on the anterior abdominal wall for follicular aspiration in a patient with inaccessible ovaries by transvaginal ultrasound

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound guided tranvaginal probe placed on the anterior abdominal wall for oocyte retrieval in a patient whose ovaries were not visible trans-vaginally.Design: A case reportSetting: Medical ART Center, Nigeria- Private IVF clinic with an academic settingPatient(s): A 35 yr old woman undergoing IVF treatment with ovaries difficult to visualize trans-vaginally having ovarian stimulation pressure effect.Intervention(s): Ultrasound guided oocyte aspiration through the abdominal wall using the trans-vaginal probe.Main Outcome Measure: Number of oocytes retrieved.Results: 9 oocytes were successfully aspirated using the ultrasound scan guided probe placed over the anterior abdominal wall.Conclusion: Successful oocyte retrieval can be achieved via the abdominal puncture with the aid of a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe placed on the abdominal wall