Confirmation of Trypanosome Parasitaemia in Previously Serologically Positive Individuals in the Abraka Area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to follow-up trypanosome serologically positive individuals, with the aim of confirming the presence of trypanosome parasitaemia in them over the study period of 12 months. The study was carried out at the Eku Baptist medical centre Abraka, Delta State between June 2002 and May 2003. Confirmation was by the detection of trypanosomes in blood, lymph node glands and cerebrospinal fluid microscopy. Of the booked population (n=128), 82 (64.1%) were studied, 46 (35.9%) lost to follow-up. Of the studied 82 cases, 14 (17.1%) were confirmed as having sleeping sickness, 40(48.8%) remained unconfirmed cases while 28(34.1%) seroconverted and were discharged from follow up. Of the 14(17.1%) confirmed cases, 9(64.3%) were confirmed in the last six months of the 12 months period of follow-up, compared to 5(35.7%) in the first six months (X2 = 4.5, df = 1, P = 0.04).Long-term monitoring of serosuspects is essential in this endemic area for arresting transmission of the disease and prevention of associated morbidities and mortalities

Parasitic dermatoses as seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City In Nigeria

The epidemiology and associated risk factors for parasitic infections causing dermatologic lesions were studied retrospectively over a five year period (1993-1998) in Benin City Nigeria. The study population comprised one hundred and fifty six patients (84 males and 72 females) out of a total of 1665 patients who attended the dermatology clinic at the (UBTH) during the period of study. Dermatological manifestations of diagnosed parasitic infections were recorded and related to the occurrence of parasite species in microscopically studied specimens collected form patients. 9.4% of patients seen presented with various skin diseases of parasitic origin. The most prevalent parasitic disease seen was scabies 115 (73.7%); others were onchodermatitis 16(10.3%), myasis 11(7.1%), wuchereriasis (elephantiasis) 9(5.8%), cutaneous larva migrans 3(1.9) and pediculosis pubis 2(1.3%). Infection was prevalent in all age groups. Overall prevalence revealed that patients aged 15 years and below had the highest infection rate of 60 (38.5%) while the lowest infection occurred among those who were aged 60 years and above. Dermatologic parasitoses presented as chronic persistent infections, which were sometimes severe especially in children. Infection rate was significantly higher among males (53.8%) than females (46.2%) (

Confirmation of Trypanosome Parasitaemia in Previously Serologically Positive Individuals in the Abraka Area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to follow-up trypanosome serologically positive individuals, with the aim of confirming the presence of trypanosome parasitaemia in them over the study period of 12 months. The study was carried out at the Eku Baptist medical centre Abraka, Delta State between June 2002 and May 2003. Confirmation was by the detection of trypanosomes in blood, lymph node glands and cerebrospinal fluid microscopy. Of the booked population (n=128), 82 (64.1%) were studied, 46 (35.9%) lost to follow-up. Of the studied 82 cases, 14 (17.1%) were confirmed as having sleeping sickness, 40(48.8%) remained unconfirmed cases while 28(34.1%) seroconverted and were discharged from follow up. Of the 14(17.1%) confirmed cases, 9(64.3%) were confirmed in the last six months of the 12 months period of follow-up, compared to 5(35.7%) in the first six months (X2 = 4.5, df = 1, P = 0.04).Long-term monitoring of serosuspects is essential in this endemic area for arresting transmission of the disease and prevention of associated morbidities and mortalities

HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN AND ANTIBODY TO HEPATITIS C VIRUS AMONG ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY PATIENTS

Objective: To determine the sero-prevalence and epidemiology of antibody to hepatitis Cvirus (anti-HCV) and hepatitis B surface antigen in accident and emergency patients.Design: A descriptive study was performed on 150 accident and emergency patients. Serawas screened for anti-HCV and HbsAg, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Personalinformation and risk factors involved were obtained using a questionnaire.Setting: Haematology laboratory of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.Subjects: One hundred and fifty adults consisting of 122 males and 28 females who wereabove the age of 21 years. Patients were randomly selected from all adults including dentalpatients attending the emergency department for both surgical, dental and medicalemergencies. The age range was between 21 - 58 years. In order to ascertain the epidemiologyof both viruses a questionnaire was used detailing the possible risk factors for transmission.These included history of previous blood transfusion; history of life time occurrence ofmultiple sexually transmitted diseases; history of heterosexual exposure to partners at risk(for example prostitutes); history involving the use of unsterilised blades; presence ofscarification marks and tattooing; low socio-economic status (low annual income orunemployed): history of intravenous drug use and heterosexual activity. Anti-HCV andHBsAg were both assayed using different assay kits, based on the enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) tests from different manufacturers.Results: The sero-prevalence of anti-HCV was 14% and 29.3% for HBsAg. Anti-HCVpositivity was significantly associated with a past history of blood transfusion and heterosexualexposure to partners at risk. The study also revealed a significant association between HBsAgpositivity and all the risk factors.Conclusion: The high prevalence rate for anti-HCV and HbsAg in accident and emergencypatients increases the likelihood of further spread from patients to health care providersespecially if adequate precautions are not observed