Microbiological assessment of microphones used in churches in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Bacteria can survive on the surface of the microscopic grooves and cracks and will go unnoticed, hence the presence of pathogenic microorganisms on the user interface of handheld microphone poses a potential public health risk. Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate and identify potential pathogenic micro-organisms associated with used microphones, between April to August, 2021 in Calabar, Nigeria. Methodology: One hundred and fifty samples were collected (75 each) from the mouthpiece (head) and handles of the various microphones from different churches in Calabar using sterile cotton wool swab moistened with sterile peptone water. Samples were inoculated on Blood agar, Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient agar and incubated at 37oC for 24 - 48 hours and also on Sabouraud’s Dextrose agar at room temperature for 2 - 7 days. Isolates were characterized macroscopically, microscopically and biochemically. Results: Overall, 96(64.0%) of the 150 samples from microphones studied yielded growth of microbes with the mouthpiece being more significantly contaminated 57(76.0%) than the handles 39(52.0%) (X2=9.375, p=0.0022). The number of microphones colonized with bacteria were significantly more 62(41.3%) than those carrying fungi 34(22.7%) (X2=7.45, p=0.0063). Staphylococcus aureus ranked highest (53.2%) among the bacterial isolates followed by Bacillus species (29.0%) and Escherichia coli (17.7%) while in the case of those colonized by fungi, Candida species ranked higher (91.2%) than Aspergillus flavus (8.8%). The distribution of microbes by church group was statistically insignificant (X2=0.508, p=0.1969). Conclusion: This study has shown that used microphones carry various microbes including potential bacterial and fungal pathogens, hence can play reservoir role in microbial infection transmission. Frequent cleaning and creation of awareness on the health hazards associated with improper use and maintenance of microphones is recommended

Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis Using Immunochromatography and Microscopy in Three Local Government Areas of Cross River State, Nigeria

Human Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by three types of filarial worms; Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugiatimori is one of the neglected tropical diseases and spread by bites of infected Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Ochleratus andMansoni mosquitoes. The study evaluated diagnostic methods using blood samples from 420 consented participants in threeLocal Government Areas of Cross River State. Blood samples were examined following one hour of administration ofDiethylcarbamazine citrate for LF microfilaria microscopy (Knott’s concentration) and for LF antigen usingimmunochromatographic (ICT) method (Alere filariasis test strip). Of the 420 samples examined, 1.7% was found to bepositive using microscopy while 4.8% were positive using ICT. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis oflymphatic filariasis using microscopy and ICT among participants in the local government areas (χ2= 21.84, p>0.05). Of the214 males and 206 females examined, 4.2% males and 5.3% females tested positive using ICT while 1.4% males and 1.9%females were found positive using microscopy. The difference in the infection between gender was statistically significant(χ2=0.298, p<0.05). Participants aged 21-24 years had the highest prevalence of 19.4% while the least prevalence of 1.5%was observed among age group 9-12years using ICT. Also, no significant difference was observed in the diagnosis of LFamong the age groups (χ2= 19.88, p>0.05). The study showed that LF still remains a public health problem in Cross RiverState. Mass drug administration should be scaled up in the state so as to reduce and finally eradicate the disease. Keywords: Diagnosis, Lymphatic filariasis, Immunochromatography, Microscop

Intestinal Parasitoses and CD4 Levels among HIV/AIDS Patients Attending a Health Facility in Akpabuyo, Nigeria

Many HIV/AIDS patients still present with low CD4 count and other complications even when placed on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Prevalence of intestinal parasitoses and their influence on CD4 levels of HIV/AIDS patients attending a Hospital in Nigeria was studied to determine their role in low CD4 levels during treatment. Two hundred and fifty HIV sero-positive and 100 sero-negative subjects were recruited for the study. HIV screening was done using Determine and confirmed with Unigold with Start Park as tie breaker. Questionnaires were used to obtain subject’s bio-data, Partec Cyflow counter (GEM Laboratories, Germany) was used for estimation and differentiation of CD4 cells while parasites were detected using direct stool microscopy, formal ether and modified Ziehl Neelson techniques. Prevalence of parasites was 25 (7.1%) with test subjects being more infected (7.6%) than  controls (6.0%) (P < 0.001). The parasites detected were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (4.2%), Gairdia intestinalis (1.2%), Cryptosporidium parvum (0.6%), and Hookworm (0.4%). Parasite positive subjects had significantly lower mean CD4 count (373.3±275.6 c/μl) than their parasite negative counterpart (626.7±337.6 c/μl), P = 0.028, and likewise in the control group.  HIV/parasite infected subjects on ART had significantly lower mean CD4 count (391.8±270 c/μl) than HIV/parasite negative subjects on ART (659.8±331.1), P = 0.01. Intestinal parasitoses may aggravate CD4 reduction in HIV/AIDS patients even when on  HAART, hence undermine the potency of ART and hinder their successful management. Screening tests before baseline treatment for HIV/AIDS patients should include parasitological diagnosis

A review and meta-analysis of the impact of intestinal worms on child growth and nutrition

More than a half of the world's population are infected with one or more species of intestinal worms of which the nematodes Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and the hookworms are the most common and important in terms of child health. This paper: (1) introduces the main species of intestinal worms with particular attention to intestinal nematodes; (2) examines how such worms may affect child growth and nutrition; (3) reviews the biological and epidemiological factors that influence the effects that worms can have on the growth and nutrition of children; (4) considers the many factors that can affect the impact of treatment with anthelmintic drugs; (5) presents the results of a meta-analysis of studies of the effect of treating worm infections on child growth and nutrition; (6) discusses the results in terms of what is reasonable to expect that deworming alone can achieve; (7) describes some important characteristics of an ideal study of the effects of deworming; and (8) comments on the implications for programmes of recommendations concerning mass deworming