Chelating ligands: enhancers of quality and purity of biogas

The quality of biogas depends largely on the percentage of methane and hydrogen sulphide gas present. High concentration of hydrogen sulphide results in low quality biogas. This work employed the use of chelating ligands in scrubbing hydrogen sulphide gas while improving the yield of methane gas. Experimental analyses were carried out using Biogas 5000 analyser, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and other classical analytical tools. Results from the analyses showed a 12 to 15 % improvement in the methane gas yield and reduction in the concentration of hydrogen sulphide gas from 80 to 30%. All digesters recorded pH within the optimum values. The cow dung (CD) digester shows significantly low volatile fatty acids concentrations which contributed to the increased methane gas yield. Trace metals like Iron, Cobalt and Nickel, found to be present within the digesters; reacted with the chelating ligands to form metal chelates which increased the bioavailability of essential nutrients; promoting the growth and stability of methanogens thus, improving methane production. The metal chelates equally undergoing a redox reaction with the hydrogen sulphide gas, produced elemental sulphur with the release of H+ ions; thereby reducing the concentration of hydrogen sulphide. Generally, addition of ligands to substrate digesters increased methane production and significantly decreased hydrogen sulphide concentration.Keywords: Biogas, Volatile fatty acids, Methane, Hydrogen sulphide and Ligand

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection among students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on HBV co-infection rates with HIV infection among individuals remains conflicting. The study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HIV infections and the possible potential risk factors among students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 600 consenting consecutive students aged between 16 and 40 years old at the University Health Services, ABU, Zaria. The sera were screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc using diagnostic kits and for Human Immunodeficiency Virus using DetermineTMHIV-1/2 kits. Reactive sera for HBsAg were further confirmed using ELISA kits. For HBsAg, 9.2% (55/600) tested positive among which, none had detectable anti-HBs antibodies, indicating recent infection. About 7.3%, 36.4% and 94.5% were positive for HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc respectively. Seroprevalence of HIV infection was 2.8% (17/600). One (0.2%) of the student was infected with both HBV and HIV. There was a significant association between age group (p=0.016), gender (p=0.049), family history of HBV infection (p=0.000), and seroprevalence of HBsAg. While for HIV, only menial jobs (p = 0.001) was significantly associated with the infection. The results showed close contact among family members to be a predisposing factor to these viral infections. A total of 314 students were ignorant of HBV and four of them were infectious. The seroprevalence of HBsAg obtained in this study indicates high endemicity according to WHO classification. However, seroprevalence of HIV and its co-infection rate with HBV were very low. This was encouraging and it indicates that the campaign on HIV is yielding the desired result. Therefore similar campaign should be extended to Hepatitis B.Keywords: Seroprevalence; HIV; HBsAg; Serological markers; Students; Nigeri

Personal characteristics and compliance to health education among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

This study investigated personal characteristics (individual factors) associated with compliance to health education among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, (UCTH) Calabar, and Cross River State, Nigeria. Level of Knowledge, educational status, age, parity and time’ of pregnant  women were isolated and examined. Three research questions and one hypothesis  were formulated to guide the study. Literature was conceptually, empirically and  theoretically reviewed based on the variables under study. Descriptive design was adopted, and using the convenience sampling technique, a sample size of 140  pregnant women who attended antenatal care from May 2016 to November 2016 was used. A validated and reliability certified (with a correlation coefficient of 0.79) structured questionnaire was used to generate data from respondents.  Questionnaire was administered through face to face interaction and on the spot  collection of completed questionnaire. Data were presented using frequency tables, pie-charts and bar-chart, while chi-square (X2) analysis at 0.05 level of  significance was used to test the hypothesis. The results of the study showed that  individual factors that facilitated compliance were level of knowledge and level of education of the pregnant women; 72.9% of the study participants had adequate knowledge about health education and a greater proportion (62.9%) complied with health education. Chi-square analysis of the hypothesis showed a statistically significant association between level of education and compliance towards health education (X2 cal = 31.56, X2 crit = 7.815, P = 0.05, df = 3). Number of children (parity) and lack of time were the individual factors that hindered compliance. It was therefore recommended that Midwives should intensify efforts in awareness creation on family planning and its benefits, to reduce number of children to give mothers time to take care of themselves. Government of Nigeria and Cross River State in particular should reduce the high cost of education thereby encouraging every  citizen to have basic education thus reduce illiteracy level of women and of its citizens in general.Keywords: Pregnant women, Antenatal Care Services, Individual factor

Seroprevalence of measles virus infection among children in Zamfara state

Measles is a highly contagious disease characterized by fever, malaise, coryza, conjunctivitis, cough and maculopapular rashes. Although it is a vaccine preventable disease, it however continues to be one of the present day scourges of the developing world The study is a cross sectional involving children 10 years and below who were randomly selected by multistage cluster sampling from hospital each in local government areas from the three geopolitical zones of Zamfara state, Nigeria to determine the seroprevalence of measles specific IgM antibodies and the possible risk factors associated with the acquisition of the infection. Following informed consent a total of two hundred and twenty four (224) blood sample was collected. Study subjects were interviewed using self-structured questionnaires. Serum samples were analyzed using ELISA IgM kit (Diagnostic Automation and Cortez, Calabasas, CA, USA), in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Of the 224 serum samples screened 43.3% were positive for measles virus specific IgM antibodies indicating an active infection. The results shows decrease in sero-positivity with age, with the highest prevalence recorded in age group 0-2years (49.1%) and lowest among 8-10 years (25.0%). Males had slightly higher prevalence 44.2% compared to females 42.3%, though the result was not statistically significant, (P>0.05). Previous exposure to measles and crowded environment revealed significant association (P< 0.05).However no association was observed in relation to vaccination status and contact with infected individuals (P>0.05). This study confirms the presence of measles and indicate measles endemicity in the study area. However the study shows a reduction in measles burden among vaccinated children. Its presence among unvaccinated children might be an indication of insufficientKEY WORDS: Measles, IgM, Antibody, Elisa, Prevalence, Zamfara

Prevalence of plasmodium species and associated demographic and risk factors in cancer, sickle cell and febrile patients attending a Tertiary Hospitals in Zaria-Nigeria

Background: The duo plasmodium falciparum malaria infection and sickle cell disease prevalence are established, and consequent morbidity and mortality are significant in parts of Nigeria. The emerging increase of cancer morbidity and mortality impact is expected to complicate these conditions. It is against this not so clear relationship that this study is set. Objective: To determine plasmodium prevalence and associated demographic and risk factors in cancer, sickle cell and febrile patients. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional prevalence in which participants were randomly recruited from a tertiary hospital in Kaduna State Nigeria. A total of 279 cancer and sickle cell and febrile patients were assessed for the plasmodium infection and parasitaemia by the Giemsa stain methods. Results: The plasmodium prevalence was 63.4%. The cancer, sickle-cell and febrile patients had prevalence of 89.5%, 76.9% and 48.2% with parasitaemia observed in 39.5%, 7.7% and 16.5% respectively. The prevalence was higher in females (67.5%) than males (58.4%) and high parasitaemia in 20.8% of females and 14.4% of males. Prevalence was over 50% within age groups 11 – 20 and 51 – 70 years. Kaduna residence had lower prevalence (58.0%) than those from outside Kaduna (72.8%). The single, divorced, widow(er), farmers and those with no formal occupation had a prevalence of over 50%. Participants with primary education had the highest prevalence (87.5%). Prevalence was over 80% for head and neck, lung, breast and cervical cancer Conclusion: The high prevalence of plasmodium infection in cancer and sickle cell patients necessitates monitoring for plasmodium infection and prompt interventions

Serological assay for Trichinella antibodies in slaughtered pigs and predisposing factors to trichinellosis in backyard piggeries in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Trichinellosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease that affects a large array of mammals, birds and reptiles caused by the eating of raw or undercooked pork containing Trichinella larvae. In this study, 200 pigs slaughtered at abattoirs and slaughter slabs within Kaduna Metropolis were  screened for antibodies to Trichinella excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). An overall prevalence rate of 16% was established. Age of the pigs revealed an association with trichinellosis (p-value=0.001) with juvenile and adult pigs recording prevalence rates of 5% and 11% respectively. Sex of the animals showed no significant association with trichinellosis but the females had a higher prevalence of 9.5% compared to the 6.5% of the males who had a greater odds (O=1.083) compared to the females (O=0.950). The farm management practices: intensive (1%), semi-intensive (2.5%) and extensive (12.5%) recorded a significant relationship with trichinellosis (p-value=0.001). Sources of the pigs whether markets, backyard farms or inheritance was significantly associated with trichinellosis (p-value=0.00) with backyard farm having the highest prevalence of 7%. Poor rodents control program, presence of snakes around and within piggery, feeding of pigs with dead animals and leftovers, lack of knowledge of pork-borne diseases, allowing pigs to scavenge and interaction of the pigs with stray pigs were very important predisposing factors to trichinellosis in pig farms established from this research. The result of this work therefore, is ofpublic health importance because meat and meat products are considered very important sources of daily protein in-take in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Keywords: Antibodies; ELISA; Kaduna Metropolis; Nigeria; trichinella; trichinellosis; predisposing factors; farm management

Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus pyogenes from sputum and throat of patients with respiratory tract infections in Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract

Safety and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary report of a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) might be curtailed by vaccination. We assessed the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity of a viral vectored coronavirus vaccine that expresses the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: We did a phase 1/2, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in five trial sites in the UK of a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein compared with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) as control. Healthy adults aged 18-55 years with no history of laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or of COVID-19-like symptoms were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 at a dose of 5 × 1010 viral particles or MenACWY as a single intramuscular injection. A protocol amendment in two of the five sites allowed prophylactic paracetamol to be administered before vaccination. Ten participants assigned to a non-randomised, unblinded ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime-boost group received a two-dose schedule, with the booster vaccine administered 28 days after the first dose. Humoral responses at baseline and following vaccination were assessed using a standardised total IgG ELISA against trimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, a muliplexed immunoassay, three live SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation assays (a 50% plaque reduction neutralisation assay [PRNT50]; a microneutralisation assay [MNA50, MNA80, and MNA90]; and Marburg VN), and a pseudovirus neutralisation assay. Cellular responses were assessed using an ex-vivo interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The co-primary outcomes are to assess efficacy, as measured by cases of symptomatic virologically confirmed COVID-19, and safety, as measured by the occurrence of serious adverse events. Analyses were done by group allocation in participants who received the vaccine. Safety was assessed over 28 days after vaccination. Here, we report the preliminary findings on safety, reactogenicity, and cellular and humoral immune responses. The study is ongoing, and was registered at ISRCTN, 15281137, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and May 21, 2020, 1077 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive either ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (n=543) or MenACWY (n=534), ten of whom were enrolled in the non-randomised ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime-boost group. Local and systemic reactions were more common in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and many were reduced by use of prophylactic paracetamol, including pain, feeling feverish, chills, muscle ache, headache, and malaise (all p<0·05). There were no serious adverse events related to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. In the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, spike-specific T-cell responses peaked on day 14 (median 856 spot-forming cells per million peripheral blood mononuclear cells, IQR 493-1802; n=43). Anti-spike IgG responses rose by day 28 (median 157 ELISA units [EU], 96-317; n=127), and were boosted following a second dose (639 EU, 360-792; n=10). Neutralising antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 32 (91%) of 35 participants after a single dose when measured in MNA80 and in 35 (100%) participants when measured in PRNT50. After a booster dose, all participants had neutralising activity (nine of nine in MNA80 at day 42 and ten of ten in Marburg VN on day 56). Neutralising antibody responses correlated strongly with antibody levels measured by ELISA (R2=0·67 by Marburg VN; p<0·001). INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 showed an acceptable safety profile, and homologous boosting increased antibody responses. These results, together with the induction of both humoral and cellular immune responses, support large-scale evaluation of this candidate vaccine in an ongoing phase 3 programme. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Gießen-Marburg-Langen