The Use Of Rectal Temperature Fluctuations In The Study Of Circadian Rhythm In Three Adult Vertebrate Species In Awka, Nigeria

Biological clocks allow organisms to assess and respond to the oscillating environmental rhythms that result from the earths movements via the generation of biological rhythms. Circadian clocks are also assumed to enhance survival and reproductive fitness in part by promoting optional timingof behaviour and physiology in relation to regular cycles in the environment. Temperature fluctuations were studied in three different vertebrate species – Sylvilagus floridanus, Rattus norvegicus and Columba livia in relation to the rhythmicity of rectal temperature. Clinical digital thermometer was used to record the core temperatue by inserting it 2 – 3 cm deep from the anal sphincter before taking readings 3 minutes after. The highest recorded mean rectal temperature for R. norvegicus and S. floridanus were 38.85 ± 0.40 0C and 39.83 ± 0.32 0C respectively with the lowest being 36.58 ± 0.74 0C and 36.63 ± 0.18 0C respectively. C. livia failed to exhibit core temperature fluctuation. There were not significant differences in the mean rectal temperature for both sexes for S. floridanus in relation to time of day. Differences in the circadian temperature fluctuations were traced to variation among the animals, of preferred temperature arising from differential behavioural and physiologcal regulation, in relation to environmental cues. It is also possible that daily changes in illuminaton were secondary to C. lvia. The results also suggest thatcircadian rhythmicity persists even in artificially imposed selective environment. Rectal temperatures are adequate for monitoring the biorhythms, with each species exhibiting endogenous peculiarities in the various circadian phases.Keywords: Circadian temperature, Rectal temperature, Vertebrate species, Physiological regulatio

Bacteriology of urinary tract infection and antimicrobial sensitivities in under-five children in Enugu

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the serious bacterial infections in febrile young children, which may cause chronic morbidities. Studies from different parts of Nigeria have shown varying pattern in itsbacteriology and antibiotic sensitivities. Antimicrobial resistance rate among uropathogens is an increasing problem limiting therapeutic options, and underscores the need to determine local bacteriological pattern that will guide empiric antibiotic choices.Objectives: To identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for UTI in febrile under-five children in Enugu as well as their antibiotic sensitivity patterns.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive hospital based study of eligible febrile children aged one to 59 months. Urine samples were collected using mid-stream and suprapubic aspiration methods. Standard laboratory  procedures were used to culture the urine specimens, identify the bacterialpathogens as well as their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the outcome.Results: Significant bacteriuria occurred in 22 (11%) of the 200 samples. Escherichia coli isolates were the most common organisms in 7(31.8%) of the 22 positive samples. Others were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp and Streptococcus faecalis isolated in 5 (22.7%), 3(13.6%), and 3(13.6%)of the positive samples respectively. Most of the isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin (90.9%), ciprofloxacin (81.8%), nitrofurantoin (77.3%) and ceftriaxone (72.7%). High levels of resistance to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole,amoxicillin, nalidixic acid and clavulanate-potentiated amoxicillin were observed.Conclusion: Escherichia coli is the most common cause of UTI in febrile under-five children studied. Ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone showed better sensitivities are advocated for the empiric treatment of febrile UTI in Enugu.Key words: UTI, under-fives, bacterial pathogens, antibiotic sensitivitie

Urinary tract infection in febrile under five children in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria

Background: Fever is a common symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children less than 5 years of age. Little attention is however paid to UTI as a cause of fever in this age group.Objective: The objective of the following study is to determine the  prevalence of UTI in febrile children less than 5 years of age and relate it to demographic and clinical characteristics.Materials and Methods: Urine specimen of febrile children aged 1.59 months obtained by suprapubic or midstream methods were analyzed using standard laboratory methods of microscopy, culture and sensitivity.Results: A total of 200 children were enrolled; nearly 56% (112/200) were males. The mean age of the subjects was 31.14 } 17.96 months. The prevalence of UTI was 11% and was significantly higher in females than in males (P = 0.049). Children below 12 months of age had a higher rate of UTI than those 12 months and above (P = 0.028). The common clinical features were vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, urinary frequency and urgency but none had a significant association with UTI.Conclusion: UTI is common in febrile under.fives especially among females and infants. No association was apparent between the occurrence of UTI and clinical parameters.Key words: Fever, under.five children, urinary tract infectio

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Iyede-Ame Community and environ in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria

A cross sectional study on urinary schistosomiasis (S. haematobuim) was carried out in Ndokwa East Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State. Urine samples were collected from the households and schools. Urine sedimentation technique was used to diagnose S. haematobuim infection. Of the 560 people (0-40+years) sampled in the households, 144 ( 25.7%) were infected with S. haematobium. Among the 200 school pupils (5-20 years) whose urine samples were screened, 70 (35.0%) were infectedwith urinary schistosomiasis. Thus, a total of 214 (28.2%) subjects out of 760 people were infected. Iyede-Ame Community recorded the highest prevalence rate at 48.5%, followed by Lagos Iyede with prevalence rate of 37.1%. The least prevalence rate of 5.8% was recorded in Awhokarafor Community. Among the schools, Orewo Primary School had 58.0%, followed by Iyede-Ame Grammer School (42.0%). Otutughe Primary School recorded the least prevalence rate of 10.0%. The prevalence peaked in 5-9 years age group at 45.9%, followed by 10-14 years age-group with group with 41.6%. There was a significant difference in prevalence between the schools (÷2 cal = 27.0, ÷2 tab = 7.81, df = 3, p 0.05) were shown statistically. School children and farmers showed the greatest risk of infection. This study confirms the endemicity of urinary schistosomiasis in these communities in Ndokwa East LGA. It is advocated that early  intervention measures such as health education campaigns and provision of essential amenities like water boreholes be instituted

Prevalence Of Intestinal Helminthiasis In Nursery And Primary School Children In Enugu Metropolis,

Context: Intestinal helminthiasis affect the nutritional status of school aged children. Objective: o determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Methods: A cross-sectional survey on 460 nursery and primary school children from Enugu metropolis. The prevalence of helminthiasis in children aged 1 -10 years was determined using the kato-katz method. Stool samples were collected from nursery and primary school children into appropriately labeled clean specimen containers for examination. Questionnaires were administered by the researchers to obtain data from the children and from their guardians or parents. Results: Out of 460 nursery and primary school children who completed the study, only 32.6% of them had intestinal helminths demonstrated in their stool samples. The prevalent intestinal helminths included Ascaris lumbricoides (14.6%), hookworm (12.8%) and Trichuris trichiura (5.2%).The highest prevalence was seen in those aged between 9 and 10 years. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of intestinal helminths in Enugu. Attention should be given by the government to periodically carry out mass de worming exercise among nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Keywords: Children, Enugu, helminthes, Intestinal, prevalence Ebonyi Medical Journal Vol. 7 (1&2) 2008: pp. 42-4

Overcoming phase 1 delays: the critical component of obstetric fistula prevention programs in resource-poor countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An obstetric fistula is a traumatic childbirth injury that occurs when labor is obstructed and delivery is delayed. Prolonged obstructed labor leads to the destruction of the tissues that normally separate the bladder from the vagina and creates a passageway (fistula) through which urine leaks continuously. Women with a fistula become social outcasts. Universal high-quality maternity care has eliminated the obstetric fistula in wealthy countries, but millions of women in resource-poor nations still experience prolonged labor and tens of thousands of new fistula sufferers are added to the millions of pre-existing cases each year. This article discusses fistula prevention in developing countries, focusing on the factors which delay treatment of prolonged labor.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Obstetric fistulas can be prevented through contraception, avoiding obstructed labor, or improving outcomes for women who develop obstructed labor. Contraception is of little use to women who are already pregnant and there is no reliable screening test to predict obstruction in advance of labor. Improving the outcome of obstructed labor depends on prompt diagnosis and timely intervention (usually by cesarean section). Because obstetric fistulas are caused by tissue compression, the time interval from obstruction to delivery is critical. This time interval is often extended by delays in deciding to seek care, delays in arriving at a hospital, and delays in accessing treatment after arrival. Communities can reasonably demand that governments and healthcare institutions improve the second (transportation) and third (treatment) phases of delay. Initial delays in seeking hospital care are caused by failure to recognize that labor is prolonged, confusion concerning what should be done (often the result of competing therapeutic pathways), lack of women’s agency, unfamiliarity with and fear of hospitals and the treatments they offer (especially surgery), and economic constraints on access to care.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>Women in resource-poor countries will use institutional obstetric care when the services provided are valued more than the competing choices offered by a pluralistic medical system. The key to obstetric fistula prevention is competent obstetrical care delivered respectfully, promptly, and at affordable cost. The utilization of these services is driven largely by trust.</p