PREVALENCE OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 IgG AND IgM ANTIBODIES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL IDO-EKITI, NIGERIA

Background: Human Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a DNA virus, transmitted through respiratory secretions, hand-to-mouth-contact, blood transfusion and trans-placental transfer. It causes high mortality and morbidity in pregnant women, thus contributing to poor maternal and child health. B19V has been neglected due to dearth of epidemiological data. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Human Parvovirus B19 antibodies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled pregnant women attending Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti from January to May 2019 to obtain sero-epidemiological data. One hundred and twenty-two (122) consenting pregnant women were enrolled following institutional ethical approval. They were administered structured questionnaire and venous blood was collected in plain tubes for serum extraction.  Sera samples were analyzed for IgG and IgM antibodies using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Percentages, median, chi-square and multivariate analysis were carried out using SPSS version 17.                                                                                        Results: The prevalence of IgG was 44.3%(54/122), IgM 41.8%(51/122), and IgG/IgM 28.7%(35/122) leaving 55.7%(68/122) of the population uninfected. The median age of participants was 22 (Interquartile range 18-25) years among which 36-45years had the highest prevalence which was not statistically significant (p=0.09 4.75). There was association between miscarriage, still birth, history of blood transfusion and prevalence of Human Parvovirus B19 (p<0.05).                                                                             Conclusion: There is a high Prevalence of B19V among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in this study. This underscores the need for testing and immunization of pregnant women against B19V

BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF SOME VEGETABLES SOLD IN MAJOR MARKETS IN ADO-EKITI, NIGERIA

Consumption of vegetables contaminated with pathogens is a common source of infections. This study investigated bacterial contamination of vegetables sold in major markets in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Sixty samples comprising of 20 samples each of Brassica oleracea, Cochorus olitorius, andAmaranthus hybriduswere examined.Bacteriological procedures were followed in the isolation and identification of bacteria from culture media. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was done using the disk diffusion method.Sixty six bacteria were isolatedfrom 60 vegetable samples. Of these isolates, Salmonella spprecorded 43.3%, followed by Citrobacter freundii18.3%, Klebsiella spp15.0%, Enterobacter spp11.7%, Proteus sppand Alcaligenes spp5.0% each, Escherichiacoliand Providencia spp3.3% each and Vibrio spp1.7%. The prevalence of the isolates on 20 samples of Brassica oleraceadecreased in the order of Salmonella species55.0%, Citrobacter species20.0%, Alkaligenes species10%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus species, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilisand Providentia species5% each. The most frequent bacteria isolated on 20 samples of Cochorus olitoriuswas Salmonella species50.0%, followed by Citrobacter species15.0%. Vibro speciesand Alkaligenes speciesrecorded 5.0% each. Enterobacter speciesrecorded the highest frequency 30.0% on the 20 samples of Amaranthus hybridus, followed by Salmonella speciesand Klebsiella species25.0% each, Citrobacter species20.0%, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Escherichia coli5.0% each. All isolates weresensitive to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin but resistant to augmentin, ampicillin and cefuroxime. It is essential to control the sources of vegetable contamination to minimize risk of infections especially in vegetables consumed ra

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential of Gongronema latifolium Extracts on Some Wound-Associated Pathogens

This present study investigated the antimicrobial p otential of the leaf and stem extracts of Gongronema latifolium against some selected wound-associated pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonae and Candida albican using the punch-hole agar diffusion method. The ou tcome of the study show that neither the aqueous no r the methanolic leaf and stem extracts of Gongronema latifolium showed any inhibitory activity against the bacteri al and fungal isolates at all the concentrations (200, 150, 100 5 0 and 25 mg/mL) tested either singly or combined; w hereas the positive control was effective against all of them; with zon es diameter of inhibition ranging between 18-24 mm ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa ), 17-23 mm ( Escherichia coli ), 15-23 mm ( Proteus mirabilis ), 18-22 mm ( Staphylococcus auerus ) and 17-24 mm ( C. albicans ). On the other hand, as expected, the negative con trol (distilled water) did not show any zone of inh ibition. The antibacterial activity of the positive control was statistically significant at P value <0.05 when com pared against the extracts and negative control. Although the antimicrobial po tential of extracts of G. latifolium have been previously demonstrated against various clinical isolates, the findings in this current study did not support claims made by d ifferent researchers in previously studies. All the test isolates were foun d to be resistant to the extracts. Lack of inhibito ry activity by extracts of G. latifolium growing in Irolu, Ikenne Local Government Area of O gun state in this present study is plausible and wo uld require further investigation. Due to differences in topogr aphical factors of various geographical locations, nutrient concentrations of the soil, chemical composition, age and time of har vest of the plant, extraction method as well as met hod used for antimicrobial study; it is therefore important that scientific protocols be clearly identified, adequa tely followed and reported

Antimicrobial Activities of Different Honeys Sold in Ado-Ekiti on Bacteria Associated with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Honey has been used for various purposes including treatment of some diseases locally especially in wounds and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). There is paucity of information on the scientific basis for the use of honey in the treatment of uppe r respiratory tract infections caused by bacteria. This study was carried out to determine antibacterial activities of different brands of honey marketed in Ado-Ekiti and relate with those of some orthodox antibiotics used in the treatment of URTIs. The an timicrobial activities of the honeys were assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae using agar well diffusion technique. Broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the honey against the bacteria. Screening concentrations of neat honey and 80% honey inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae with zone of inhibition ranging between 2-10 mm. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to all concentrations of honeys except for one honey (Dr Bee) that inhibited the organism at 100% concentration. Orthodox antibiotics showed significantly higher mean zone of inhibition in relation to honey (P < 0.001). The sensitive organisms were inhibited in dose related manner. The mean MIC of the different honey brands was generally at 31.25% against Staphylococcus aureus while concentration of 50% showed bactericidal effect on S. aureus. Klebsiella pneumoniae was inhibited at mean concentration of 31.5% and bactericidal effect was observed against the organism at 40% mean concentration

Antibacterial Activities of Selected Fruit Peels against Organisms Associated with Urinary Tract Infection

The use of natural products as anti-infective agents, have given rise to new chemical diversity and are preferred in modern world. Among all these natural sources, plants and its products is more reliable because of its renewability.Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infectious diseases occurring in either the community or healthcare setting. Orange and Plantain peels were used to determine the antibacterialactivities. A measure of 50 grams of powder was filled in the thimble and extracted with 150 ml of ethanol successively up to 48 hours. The solvent extracts were concentrated separately under reduced pressure, 2g of each concentrated solvent extracts weredissolved in 20 ml of 20% dimethyl sulphoxide and used for antibacterial assays using agar well diffusion and broth method. The phytochemical analysis of sweet orange peel shows that carbohydrate, reducing sugars, tannins and flavonoids were present, The zone of inhibition effect of the extracts on selected organism was concentration dependent (25<50<75<100). Higher concentration of extract recordedlarger/wider effect on each test organism.Musa paradisiacalpeel showed no effect on test organism except at 100mg/ml that recorded 4.7±0.47mm against E. coligrowth. The MIC and MBC of both orange peel and plantain peels suggest potency against test organisms.Orange peel has advantage over plantain peel;S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosawere susceptible tothe extract exemptingK. pneumonia, whichshowed no susceptibility to the duo extracts. The peels of Citrus sinensisand Musa paradisiacalexhibited inhibitory activity against certain bacteria, which can be attributed to the presence of certain secondary metabolites. But when compared with standard antibiotics, the ethanoic extracts of the duo was less efficient as there was a smaller size of zone of inhibition against the luxurious growth of tested organism

Assessment of the Microbiological Quality and Efficacy of Two Common Disinfectants Used in Hospital Laboratory

The present study assessed the microbiological qual ity and efficacy of two common disinfectants (Jik a nd Lysol) used in a hospital laboratory. Sterility test using Nutrient Agar and Sabour Dextrose Agar plates incubated at 3 7°C and 25°C, respectively, were employed to detect the present o f potential bacterial and fungal contaminants in 3 new batches of stock disinfectants. Swabs of work-bench surfaces designa ted as Site 1, 2 and 3 were collected in triplicate at the end of each business day ( i.e, before disinfection) and also after disinfection wi th 30% Jik and 2.5% Lysol dilution and cultured in tubes containing 3 ml of Tryptic Soy Broth medium and 0.1 mL Neutralizer. Surface viable count was carried o ut to determine the bacterial population density of three sites pre-dis infection and post-disinfection. Colonies of bacter ia were identified by Gram- stain, motility test and routine biochemical tests. The efficacy of the disinfectants against each bac terial isolate at 10 min contact time was determined using the quantitative suspension test. The killing rate of the disinfecta nts was expressed by plotting the logarithms of surviving cells (CFU/mL) against exposure time (min) of the disinfectant. T he outcome of the study showed that the microbiological quality of the two disinfectants tested was satisfactory. Bacterial di stribution pre-disinfection include: Staphylococcus epidermidis , Enterococcus aerogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiellia pneumoniae ; while only B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae were recovered post-disinfection. Lysol proved to be more potent than Jik at the dilution a nd contact time tested with a log reduction of bact erial population ≥5. S. epidermidis , E. aerogenes and P. mirabilis were completely killed by the two disinfectants wi thin the 10 minutes contact time. While, a population density of 1-2 log CFU/ml of B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae still survived after 10 min exposure to Lysol and Jik. The outcome of this stud y further strengthening earlier works and underscor ed the need to periodically assess the microbiological quality and efficacy of disinfectants routinely supplied to th e laboratory to ensure proper control of infections by using right disinfe ctant in right concentration for a right contact ti m

Immunosuppressive Acidic Protein- Haematological correlates in HIV infected subjects

Background: Immunosuppressive Acidic protein (IAP) is a marker of the extent of immune defects occurring in most cancers. Its correlation with CD4 cell count used as an indicator of immune function and disease progression in Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection is not well documented. Aims and Objectives: To determine if IAP levels correlates with immunosupression and haematopathology occurring in HIV/AIDS infection. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti. One hundred and five participants consisting of 85 HIV infected test subjects and 20 control subjects were enrolled into the study. CD4 counts was obtained using SL Cyflow machine, IAP levels determined using ELISA kit for human IAP and Full blood count for all participants was obtained using Sysmex KX-21N Haematology Analyzer. Regression and correlation analysis was done on data using SPSS 28. Results: IAP showed a negative correlation with CD4 count (r= -0.6), (r= -0.9) and (r= -0.2) in the ART, NART and control groups. The pattern of the results was similar with other parameters except in Neutrophils (r= 0.2) (r= 0.3) and (0.1), Eosinophil (r= 0.6) (r= -0.4) and (r= -0.2) and Lymphocyte (r = -0.3) (r= -0.02) and (r= 0.05) in the ART, NART and control groups respectively. Conclusion: The outcome of this study show that a strong negative relationship exist between IAP and other immunohaematological parameters used for monitoring Immune status in HIV infection; however the information gotten is not sufficient to indicate IAP as a predictor of immune status in HIV infection. Further studies are therefore required to better elucidate the mechanism of increased IAP levels at different clinical stages of HIV infection

The Role of Travel Medicine in Managing Future Pandemics:Lessons Learned from Global Infectious Disease Outbreaks

In an increasingly interconnected world shaped by globalization, international travel plays a significant role in facilitating the spread of infectious diseases. Travel medicine plays a vital role in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases. This specialized field focuses on providing pre-travel advice, administering necessary vaccinations, promoting preventive measures during travel, and offering post-travel care. Risk assessment is essential to evaluate potential hazards associated with specific destinations. Factors such as disease prevalence, healthcare infrastructure, vaccination requirements, environmental, as well as cultural influences are considered. Through this process, the risks can be effectively managed by formulating appropriate strategies. Preventive measures are crucial to minimize the transmission of infectious diseases during travel. These include compulsory vaccinations based on destination-specific requirements, recommended travel restrictions when necessary, and quarantine protocols for individuals exhibiting symptoms. Enhanced surveillance efforts combined with promotion of personal hygiene practices aid further prevention. Educating travelers about safe food handling practices also serves as an effective measure against many infections. Effective pandemic management requires collaboration among countries and international organizations. Travel medicine Professionals work alongside public health authorities to provide accurate information, vaccine administration services, and increased awareness about preventive measures. This collaborative effort facilitates timely response mechanisms ensuring global protection from emerging threats like pandemics

Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (haart) on cd4+ cell count and liver enzymes in HIV infection at Lokoja, Nigeria

AimTo assess the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on CD4 + cell count and liver enzymes in HIV-infected patients six month post-therapy based on age and sex distribution.MethodsA cohort of 200 (66 males, 134 females) consenting HAAR naïve patients, aged between 16 and 65 years with confirmed cases of HIV infection (by Western blot method) at Lokoja, Nigeria having a baseline CD4 + cell counts ≤350 cells/µL were initiated on HAART for six months. Two blood samples were collected, one at pre-HAART (baseline) and the other at post-HAART (follow-up) phase. CD4 + cells were counted and liver enzymes levels were evaluated using the Partec® Cyflow Counter and Reflotron® Plus Auto-Analyzer, respectively.ResultsThe immunological outcome of 6 months HAART shows that there was slight increase (statistically, considered not significant, P&gt;0.05) in the post-HAART mean±SEMCD4 + cell count in the different age and sex strata investigated, when comparison was made with the pre-HAART mean±SEMCD4 + cell count. Also, the post HAART liver function test show that the liver enzymes levels were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) elevated when compared to the baseline values.ConclusionSix months of HAART replete CD4 + cell counts of HIV-infected patients of different age and sex strata, with no risk of liver damage

Global Impacts and Nigeria Responsiveness to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Coronavirus Disease – 2019 (COVID-19) is officially now a pandemic and not just a public health emergency of international concern as previously labelled. Worldwide, the new coronavirus has infected more than 4.9 million people and leaving more than 300,000 people dead in 188 countries. As countries of the world get locked down in an effort to contain the widespread of the virus, experts are concern about the global impacts of the pandemic on individuals, countries and the world at large. Millions of people are currently under quarantine across the globe. Many countries have responded by proclaiming a public health emergency, closed their borders and restrict incoming flights from high risk countries. This has grossly affected the travel plan of many. Several international programs, conferences, workshops and sporting activities are either postponed or cancelled. As the number of confirmed cases continues to escalate across the globe, hospitals seems to be running out of medical supplies, hospital spaces and personnel. Health workers are being overwhelmed by the numbers of people requesting for testing and treatment. Many of such health workers have been infected with the coronavirus and even lost their lives since the fight against COVID-19 started. Public health experts are also concerned about the huge medical wastes coming from the hospitals at this time and the adverse effects associated with improper management of such medical wastes, both at the hospital and community levels. The pandemic has also impacted negatively on the global economy. There have been serious crises in the stock market, with gross fall in the price of crude oil resulting in inflation and economic hardship among the populace. Many are currently out of job and as a result, the level of crime, protest and violence have continued to escalate in different parts of the world. The deaths of loved ones due to the coronavirus has left many emotionally traumatized. Nigeria, like other African countries is not spared of the ravaging effects of the pandemic, even as the government take strict measures to contain the virus. No doubt, this is very challenging, but the country is capable of surmounting the virus with the needed help from her international partners and cooperation from the citizenry. But if we as a people, remain complacent and continue with business as usual, without taking measures to flatten the curve, the disease will escalate too quickly beyond our capacity to handle and our health system will be overwhelmed and may collapse eventually. We cannot therefore afford to be complacent in our response to containing the pandemic