Evaluation of post-vaccination immunity to canine distemper and parvoviruses in Benin City, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the immune status of dogs vaccinated against Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) by a clinic-based immunoblot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercially available 120 sample immunocomb® test kit for canine parvo and distemper IgG in Benin City, Nigeria. Out of 120 dogs sampled, 63 (52.5%) were females while 57 (47.5%) were males. 84 (70%) dogs were exotic breeds while 36 (30%) were mongrels. Majority of the dogs (35, 29.17%) were less than one year old and the age range of all dogs sampled was between 9 weeks and 10 years. Analysis of data showed that there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between sex, breed, age and level of immunity. A non-parametric chi-square contingency analysis of antigens (CPV and CDV) and level of immunity revealed that there was a high significant association (p < 0.001) between CPV and CDV antigens and level of immunity of the vaccinated dogs sampled

Multi-antibiotics-resistance plasmid profile of enteric pathogens in pediatric patients from Nigeria

A total of 938 faecal samples of diarrheal stool of pediatric patients attending Madonna University Teaching Hospital (MUTH) from June 2003 to June 2004 were examined. 218 of eight differentbacterial strains namely Escherichia coli 90(41.3%), Shigella dysenteriae 38(17.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 20(9.2%), Salmonella typhi 18(8.3%), Staphylococcus aureus 7(3.2%), Proteus mirabilis 5(2.3%), Enterococcus faecalis 25(11.5%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae 15(6.9%) were isolated. The susceptibility pattern of the isolates to the various antibiotics varied with Proteus mirabilis andKlebsiella pneumoniae 100% sensitive to peflacine and Enterococcus faecalis 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin and augmentin. Most of the isolates were least sensitive to cotrimoxazole, ampicillin, erythromycin gentamicin, streptomycin and chloramphenicol. The resistance plasmids to the various isolates were very diverse and distributive among the isolates. They were also highly transferable with a high frequency range of 2x10-2 to 6x10-4. Some of the isolates had plasmids bands that ranged from 0.55kbp to 1.14kbp. This indicates that plasmids allow the movement of genetic materials,including antimicrobial resistance genes between bacterial species and strains

Seroevidence Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection In Infertile Male And Its Association With Semen Quality In University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Given the lack of information concerning the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in male infertility, it has become imperative to analyse the quality of semen of male with seroevidence of antibody to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. A total of 156 male patients attending the Human Reproduction Research Programme/Invitro Fertililzation Centre of University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City, Edo state were enrolled into this study. Standard semen analysis and serological investigation of Chlamydia trachomatis were done for each male patient according to the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases of WHO (1999). Chlamydia trachomatis antibody was found to be Seropositive in 37(24%) male patients. Standard semen analysis showed abnormality in the various semen parameters of the seropositive male patients. The Seminal fluid analysis of the Seropositive male patients had total average mean sperm morphology of 11.0% (normal), total sperm count (10.0×106) ml, motility (11.0%) vitality (17.0%) (live) and leucocyte count 1.5×106 ml lower than the average mean sperm morphology of 28.0%, vitality 63%, total sperm count (30.5×106ml), motility (61.0%) and leucocyte count (0.5×106ml) of the 28 age-matched male subject used as control (

Widespread plasmid resistance genes among Proteus species in diabetic wounds of patients in the Ahmadu Bello university teaching hospital (ABUTH) Zaria

Plasmids have been known to play a major role in the dissemination of antibiotics resistance genes in a microbial population. In this background, 148 Proteus species comprising of 97 Proteus mirabilis and51 Proteus vulgaris were isolated from diabetic wounds. Seventy-six strains had varied multi-drug resistance (MDR) pattern encoded on transferable plasmid gene with a very high frequency (2 x10-4 to 4x 10-2 per donor cell) by conjugation. 34% of the strains lost the antibiotic resistance plasmids marker after sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) mediated curing. The rest of the plasmid markers were non transferable. The results indicated that plasmids carry varied dissemination of antibiotics resistancemarkers to distant recipient cells, indicating clonal transfer among bacterial strains

Serodynamics Of Treponema Pallidum In Serum Of Pregnant Women In Benin City

Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis has been a public health challenge for centuries. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS are widespread in the developing countries, and constitute a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. Information regarding the prevalence of syphilis in Pregnant Nigerian women is scanty from the South-south zone of Nigeria. Ten thousand six hundred and eighty antenatal clinic patients who attended the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital from January 2006 to December 2008 were screened for syphilis using Venereal Diseased Research Laboratory (VDRL) reactive technique. All those that were positive with this method were confirmed with immunochromatographic test strips which are specific for Treponema pallidum. 157(1.5%) out of the ten thousand six hundred and eighty (10,680) were positive for antibody to Treponema pallidum. The serodynamic of Treponema pallidum in relation to age showed an increase in infection rate of 1.8% and 1.6% among pregnant women in age groups of (23-27) and (28-32) respectively, while 48-52 years age group had a zero percent prevalence of the organism, There was no statistical difference in the seroevidence of Treponema pallidum in the years under investigation (P>0.05). It is therefore suggested and advised that due to the adverse pregnancy outcome caused by Treponema pallidium, the screening of antenatal clinic patients should be made mandatory in both urban and rural healthcare centres where there is antenatal care and management. Keywords: Treponema pallidum Serology, Pregnant women

A review of data needed to parameterize a dynamic model of measles in developing countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dynamic models of infection transmission can project future disease burden within a population. Few dynamic measles models have been developed for low-income countries, where measles disease burden is highest. Our objective was to review the literature on measles epidemiology in low-income countries, with a particular focus on data that are needed to parameterize dynamic models.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We included age-stratified case reporting and seroprevalence studies with fair to good sample sizes for mostly urban African and Indian populations. We emphasized studies conducted before widespread immunization. We summarized age-stratified attack rates and seroprevalence profiles across these populations. Using the study data, we fitted a "representative" seroprevalence profile for African and Indian settings. We also used a catalytic model to estimate the age-dependent force of infection for individual African and Indian studies where seroprevalence was surveyed. We used these data to quantify the effects of population density on the basic reproductive number <it>R</it>₀.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The peak attack rate usually occurred at age 1 year in Africa, and 1 to 2 years in India, which is earlier than in developed countries before mass vaccination. Approximately 60% of children were seropositive for measles antibody by age 2 in Africa and India, according to the representative seroprevalence profiles. A statistically significant decline in the force of infection with age was found in 4 of 6 Indian seroprevalence studies, but not in 2 African studies. This implies that the classic threshold result describing the critical proportion immune (<it>p</it>_c) required to eradicate an infectious disease, <it>p</it>_c= 1-1/<it>R</it>₀, may overestimate the required proportion immune to eradicate measles in some developing country populations. A possible, though not statistically significant, positive relation between population density and <it>R</it>₀for various Indian and African populations was also found. These populations also showed a similar pattern of waning of maternal antibodies. Attack rates in rural Indian populations show little dependence on vaccine coverage or population density compared to urban Indian populations. Estimated <it>R</it>₀values varied widely across populations which has further implications for measles elimination.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It is possible to develop a broadly informative dynamic model of measles transmission in low-income country settings based on existing literature, though it may be difficult to develop a model that is closely tailored to any given country. Greater efforts to collect data specific to low-income countries would aid in control efforts by allowing highly population-specific models to be developed.</p

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus in People Exposed to Traditional Surgical Procedures in Edo State, Nigeria

Traditional surgical practice involves the use of sharp instruments for marking or incising the body of individuals. These surgical instruments are often reused on different persons without sterilization; thereby exposing them to bloodborne infections. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in people who had been exposed to traditional surgical practices in Edo State, Nigeria. Sera from the subjects were tested for HCV antibodies using Clinotech Diagnostic test device supplied by Clinotech Diagnostic and Pharmaceuticals, Canada. Seropositivity was found in 4.8% (62/1,304) of subjects with history of traditional surgery, while those without such exposure had seropositivity of 1.9% (13/682) (

Comparative Assessment of the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Amongst Blood Transfused and Non-Transfused Sicklers in Edo State, Nigeria

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become an important cause of liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. Because of their frequent crises, sickle cell patients are usually subjected to different treatment conditions such as multiple blood transfusion, multiple injections, intravenous drug use and traditional surgery with substantial potential risks. Blood transfusion is believed to play a leading role in the transmission of HCV infection to sicklers. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies among transfused and non-transfused sicklers in Edo State. Sera from the subjects were tested for HCV antibodies using Clinotech Diagnostic test device supplied by Clinotech Diagnostic andPharmaceuticals, Canada. A total of 1,052 sicklers comprising 526 with history of blood transfusion and 526 without such history were recruited for this study. The overall seroprevalence was 2.5% (26/1,052). However, seropositivity was found in 3.0% (16/526) sicklers transfused while those without transfusion had seropositivity of 1.9% (10/526). There was nosignificant difference in infection rates between the two populations (X2 = P > 0.05). Transfusion and the non– transfusion routes appear to be independent risk factors for the transmission of hepatitis C virus infection in this locality

A retrospective (2004-2006) study of poultry diseases diagnosed in Benin, Edo state, Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (1) 2008: pp. 76-8

Use of Momordica balsamina fruit pulp extract in the control of avian Newcastle disease

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 3 (4) 2007: pp. 272-27