Posted on

Molecular diagnostics by PCR of poxviruses (Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV)) in Cote d’Ivoire West Africa

S Meite, N.D. Coulibaly, C Boni-Cissé, K.S. Koffi, A Sylla, K.S. Kouassi, A.P. Mlan, S.M. Kouame, F.S. Zaba, K.S. Ngazoa, H Faye-Ketté, M Dosso

 

Abstract

The Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) are Poxviruses involved in viruses skin lesions in humans. OPV infects many vertebrates and MCV mainly infects humans. A diagnostic confusion is often observed between the clinical lesions due to the different Poxviruses firstly and secondly with other viruses like the virus of the chickenpox. In Côte d’Ivoire, the diagnosis of MCV remains essentially clinical and that of OPV is non-existent despite the risk of circulation of the virus. This study aims to implementthe molecular detection of the OPV and the MVC in Côte d’Ivoire. Material and method: Cowpoxvirus DNA and 21 DNA extracts from suspicious cutaneous lesions of the MCV were analyzed by conventional PCR. The consensus primers (EACP1, EACP2) designed from the surface hemagglutin gene were used for the detection of the OPVs and the primers (MCV1, MCV2) targeting the K fragment of the MCV were used for the MCV’s detection . A growing dilution series of the Cowpoxvirus DNA and the MCV allowed the study of the method’s sensitivity used. The DNAs of S.aureus, M. ulcerans, VZV, HSV, the Measles virus and Varicella virus were used for the specificity tests. Results: The detection of the OPV from the Cowpoxvirus viral strain was positive with a positivity threshold at 10-1 dilution. That of the MCV DNA from the suspected MCV’s lesion was positive with a positivity threshold of up to 10 -6 dilution. No non-specific amplification was observed with the DNAs of the other pathogens responsible for lesions Cutaneous. The clinical diagnosis of the MCV was confirmed by PCR in 18 out of the 21 patients, ie 85.71%. On the 3 patients with a negative MCV PCR, 2 were positive for the OPV PCR , reflecting the risk of confusion between clinical lesions due to Poxviruses.

Keyvords: Molecular diagnostic, Poxviruses, West Africa

Download full journal in PDF below

Molecular diagnostics by PCR of poxviruses (Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV)) in Cote d’Ivoire West Africa

Posted on

Risk factors associated with HIV prevalence in pregnant women in Burkina Faso, from 2006 to 2014

D Konaté, H Dahourou, W Traoré, C Ouedraogo, A Bambara-Kankouan, A Somda, A Guiré, M.J. Sanou, M Lingani, N Barro, A.S. Traoré, L Sangaré

 

Abstract

Purpose of the study: To determine the socio-demographic factors influencing the dynamics of HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Burkina Faso.

Material and methods: A total of 66,597 pregnant women from the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso were included in this study conducted between 2006 and 2014. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for the detection of HIV antibodies according to WHO / UNAIDS strategy II, using the mixed test Vironostika HIV Uniform II Plus O (Bio-Mérieux) and the test discriminating ImmunoCombII HIV-1 & 2 BiSpot (Orgenics). Samples with discordant results between the two tests, as well as those positive to HIV-2 or HIV-1 + 2, were retested with HIV BLOT 2.2 (MP Diagnostics). Sociodemographic data collected from the participants were correlated with their HIV status to determine key risk factors influencing HIV infection prevalence in Burkina Faso.

Results: Sociodemographic data showed that the study population consisted mainly of married women (91.2%) at their first pregnancy (27.1%) with a large majority of them being housewives (86.2%) who did not attend any form of schooling (69.4%). About 88.4% had stayed longer than a year in the health region where they initially participated in the study and 55.8% were between 20 and 29 years of age. Overall HIV prevalence significantly dropped from 2.7 % in 2006 to 1.3% in 2014. However HIV seroprevalence in this study has varied significantly according to socio-demographic characteristics including marital status, parity, occupation, education, age group and the length of stay in the women’s health community (p <0.0001). Factors sustaining HIV transmission included the status of being unmarried (OR=1.67 [1.42-1.97]), primigest (OR=1.64 [1.41-1.89]), having other occupations except being student (OR = 1.68 [1.20-2.33]), aged between 20-49 years (OR=3.14 [2.51-3.93]) and the duration of stay less than a year in their locality (OR=5.33 [4.61-10.16]) and these factors were identified as main risk factors associated with HIV prevalence.

Conclusion: Burkina Faso remains among the countries with concentrated epidemics despite a significant reduction in the prevalence observed in this study. The inclusion of identified risk factors in the national HIV program could improve the quality of the response to the epidemic.

Keywords:

D Konaté, H Dahourou, W Traoré, C Ouedraogo, A Bambara-Kankouan, A Somda, A Guiré, M.J. Sanou, M Lingani, N Barro, A.S. Traoré, L Sangaré

 

Abstract

Purpose of the study: To determine the socio-demographic factors influencing the dynamics of HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Burkina Faso.

Material and methods: A total of 66,597 pregnant women from the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso were included in this study conducted between 2006 and 2014. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for the detection of HIV antibodies according to WHO / UNAIDS strategy II, using the mixed test Vironostika HIV Uniform II Plus O (Bio-Mérieux) and the test discriminating ImmunoCombII HIV-1 & 2 BiSpot (Orgenics). Samples with discordant results between the two tests, as well as those positive to HIV-2 or HIV-1 + 2, were retested with HIV BLOT 2.2 (MP Diagnostics). Sociodemographic data collected from the participants were correlated with their HIV status to determine key risk factors influencing HIV infection prevalence in Burkina Faso.

Results: Sociodemographic data showed that the study population consisted mainly of married women (91.2%) at their first pregnancy (27.1%) with a large majority of them being housewives (86.2%) who did not attend any form of schooling (69.4%). About 88.4% had stayed longer than a year in the health region where they initially participated in the study and 55.8% were between 20 and 29 years of age. Overall HIV prevalence significantly dropped from 2.7 % in 2006 to 1.3% in 2014. However HIV seroprevalence in this study has varied significantly according to socio-demographic characteristics including marital status, parity, occupation, education, age group and the length of stay in the women’s health community (p <0.0001). Factors sustaining HIV transmission included the status of being unmarried (OR=1.67 [1.42-1.97]), primigest (OR=1.64 [1.41-1.89]), having other occupations except being student (OR = 1.68 [1.20-2.33]), aged between 20-49 years (OR=3.14 [2.51-3.93]) and the duration of stay less than a year in their locality (OR=5.33 [4.61-10.16]) and these factors were identified as main risk factors associated with HIV prevalence.

Conclusion: Burkina Faso remains among the countries with concentrated epidemics despite a significant reduction in the prevalence observed in this study. The inclusion of identified risk factors in the national HIV program could improve the quality of the response to the epidemic.

Keywords: HIV-Pregnant Women-Risk Factors-Burkina Faso

Download full journal in PDF below

Risk factors associated with HIV prevalence in pregnant women in Burkina Faso, from 2006 to 2014

Posted on

Residual mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso

A Ky Ba, M Sanou, L Toguyeni Tamini, I Diallo, A.S. Ouédraogo, J Catrayé, P.T. Sanou, C Ki Toe, A.Y. Ky, I Sanou, R Ouédraogo Traoré, L Sangaré

 

Abstract

Background: Burkina Faso is one of the countries in West Africa most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, despite the implementation of a mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention program as a strategy to reduce the risk of vertical transmission of the disease.

Objective: To assess the current risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso.

Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted between December 2014 and July 2016, in the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso. Women who were screened HIV-positive during a prenatal consultation were followed until delivery. Their babies received dry blood spot (DBS) at birth, at week 6 and at 1year, to screen for HIV.

Results: Overall, 186 pregnant women were included in the study, with a mean age of 29.17±6.13 years. Of their children, 430 DBS actually received a PCR test, giving a 91.1% PCR implementation rate. After analyses, 6 (1.3%) babies were identified as carriers of HIV1. The newborn’s serological status was associated with delivery pattern (p=0.000), the administration of antiretroviral drugs to the mother after delivery (p=0.0064), the administration of Nevirapine to the newborn at birth (p=0.022), the use of contraceptive methods after delivery (p=0.028) and the presence of breast affections/infections since delivery (p=0.013).

Conclusion: The results of our study are encouraging and demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions in the mother-tochild prevention program (PMTCT) for HIV-positive pregnant women can be improved through early initiation of triple therapy in early pregnancy and improved adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.

Keywords: Burkina Faso, HIV/AIDS, mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral drugs, pregnant women

Download full journal in PDF below

Residual mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso

Posted on

School based mass de-worming initiative in south-west Nigeria

A.M. Efunshile

 

Abstract

Background: The public health implications of helmintic infection in developing countries were generally agreed by many researchers to include poor growth and poor school performance among others. But the role of school based mass de-worming in combating the menace of helminthiasis remains controversial. Several studies have assessed the impacts of mass de-worming with conflicting results. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of antihelminthic mass chemotherapy on changes in growth indices and school absenteeism.

Materials and methods: Albendazole tablets were administered by school teachers to pupils after data and stool sample collection. Follow up data were collected 6 months later for impact assessment. Ponderal growth retardation was defined as BMI under 5-percentile.

Results: Overall helminth infection rate was 373/1442 (39%) of the pupils before the intervention. Ascaris lumbricoides (n=247; 25.8%) and hookworm (n=89; 9.3%) were the most common. At enrolment 19.6% of children with and 11.8% without helminth infections had BMI below the 5-percentile. These figures were reduced to 9.2% and 8.8% after de-worming respectively. No effect of de-worming was seen on longitudinal growth. The number of helminth infected children with >25% absenteeism reduced by 12.5%, while the reduction rate was 6.8% in the uninfected group.

Discussion: The difference in response to de-worming between infected and uninfected children strongly support the beneficial effect of de-worming on growth and school absenteeism. The intervention could be administered by school teachers without formal healthcare training, thus allowing integration of the programme into existing structures.

Keywords: Helminthes, Absenteeism, Preventive Chemotherapy

Download full journal in PDF below

School based mass de-worming initiative in south-west Nigeria

Posted on

Lateral geniculate nucleus histopathology in the rat experimental model of African trypanosomosis

C.I. Maina, G.M. Ng’wena

 

Abstract

Trypanosomosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals characterized by sleep/wake disturbances and disruptions in other circadian rhythm activities. The disease is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by the bite of infected tsetse flies of the Glossina species. Although trypanosomosis has a well knownaetiology, histopathological studies on brain regions involved in the control of circadian rhythms are scanty. Lateral geniculate nucleus works in conjunction with the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the master circadian rhythm pacemaker, in regulating circadian rhythms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of T.b.brucei infection on the histology of the lateral geniculate nucleus, a brain region that can serve as an alternative secondary circadian rhythm pacemaker when the master pacemaker fails. Twelve control and twelve experimental male albino rats were used in this study. The experimental rats were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.2ml of infected blood containing 1 x 104T.b.bruceiparasites. The infected animals were allowed to go through the full course of infection and sacrificed when they were in extremis. Each rat was decapitated and the brain immediately extracted from the skull. The brain was fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin for at least 48 hours. The brain was later removed from the formalin solution and a coronal section made. The coronal section was processed histologically and stained using the haematoxylin and eosin method. The stained slides were observed under a microscope and photomicrographs taken. Histological alterations, including tissue degeneration, infiltration and proliferation of cells, and perivascular cuffing were observed in the lateral geniculate nucleus of infected rats. Lateral geniculate nucleus cannot, therefore, serve as an alternative secondary circadian rhythm pacemaker during trypanosome infection.

Keywords: Trypanosomosis, Lateral geniculate nucleus, Histopathology, Circadian rhythm

Download full journal in PDF below

Lateral geniculate nucleus histopathology in the rat experimental model of African trypanosomosis

Posted on

Prevalence of trypanosomiasis in sheep in the Kachia Grazing Reserve, Kachia, Kaduna State, Nigeria

B Wayo, S.M. Samdi, A.O. Fajinmi, R Bizi, H Dauda, A.A. Muhammad, J.O. Kalejaiye

 

Abstract

An investigation was carried out in the Kachia grazing reserve in Kaduna, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of trypanosomiasis among sheep. The reserve has had a history of high prevalence of the disease and farmers in the area are known to ignore the control of trypanosomiasis in sheep and goats and focus more on cattle. The sheep studied showed lacrimation, pale mucous membranes, hair loss, lameness and tick infestation. Blood samples from 110 sheep were collected and examined by using the Standard Trypanosome Detection Method i.e. Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT),Buffy Coat Method (BCM), and Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films.The packed cell volume (PCV) of each animal was also determined.An overall point prevalence rate of 40.9%(45 positive) was recorded. The average PCV of the infected sheep (19.6±0.45) appeared lower but statistically not significant (p>0.05)than that (18.6±0.51) in those non-infected.The trypanosomes observed were T. congolense (40.0%),T. Brucei (28.8%), T.vivax (17.7%) and mixed infections (13.3%). The potential of small ruminants serving as reservoirs of infection for cattle, insufficiency of professional Veterinary services, absence of alternative trypanosomiasis control methods other than chemotherapy and poor land use practices which forces migration of herds and complicates the control of the disease in the area were discussed.

Keywords: Prevalence, Trypanosomiasis, Sheep, Grazing reserve, Chemotherapy, Reservoir

Download full journal in PDF below

Prevalence of trypanosomiasis in sheep in the Kachia Grazing Reserve, Kachia, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Posted on

Comparative bone marrow responses of albino rats experimentally infected with single and mixed species of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei and ability to control anaemia

J.N. Abenga, S.M. Samd, F.O. Fajinmi, A.M. Kalgo

 

Abstract

Effect of Trypanosoma congolence and T. brucei mixed infection on ability of the bone marrow to respond to anemia was investigated in albino rats. This was with the view of assessing the possible impact on recovery rate from anemia following chemotherapy of African trypanosomosis. The investigation involved descriptive evaluation of packed cell volume and corresponding bone marrow cytological changes associated with single and mixed infection of T. congolense and T. brucei. It involved laboratory based experimental infection of albino rats as research models. A total of 32 adult albino rats of mixed sexes were used for this investigation. The rats were randomly grouped into three groups, A, B, C made up of 8 rats each, and infected with T. congolense, T brucei and mixed infection of these species.. Eight other rats served as the uninfected control group.Parameters measured included weekly packed cell volume (PCV) and differential bone marrow cytology of the different groups of infected and control rats at the end of 21 days post infection (PI). At the end of 21 days PI, the anemia characterized by drop in PCV was most severe in the mixed infection group, and least in T. brucei group with tendency for self-recovery from anemia. The bone marrow responses in the mixed infection group was however weak and inferior to that of T. brucei and T. Congolense groups. Poor erythropoietic response in the mixed infection group despite significant fall (P < 0.05) in PCV level was believed to arise from severe renal and hepatic pathology resulting to subnormal erythropoietin release and severe stem cell injury. This is believed would cause longer time to be taken by mixed infection animals to recover from anemia after chemotherapy. It is concluded that T. congolense and T. brucei mixed infection result to marked incapacitation of the bone marrow and ability for recovery from anemia. This suggests that supportive administration of synthetic erythropoietin may be required in trypanosome specie mixed infection situation due to severe pathological effects on the kidney and liver resulting to impaired erythropoietinbiosynthesis and slow recovery from anemia following chemotherapy in African trypanosomiasis.

Keywords: Anemia, bone marrow, mixed infection, rats, trypanosomiasis, erythropoietin

Download full journal in PDF below

Comparative bone marrow responses of albino rats experimentally infected with single and mixed species of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei and ability to control anaemia

Posted on

Trypanosomiasis in a migrating herd of cattle in Kaduna State Nigeria

M.K. Haruna, A.U. Malala, B Wayo, U.O. Adamu, H.M. Sumayin, F.T. Shettima, J.O. Kalejaiye

 

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and impact of Trypanosomiasis on a herd of migrating/pastoral cattle. A herd of 50 white Fulani cattle migrating from a suburban area of Abuja to Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria, were examined and screened for Trypanosomiasis on request. The animals showed clinical symptoms of lacrimation, emaciation, depression, lethargy and enlarged superficial lymphnodes which were reportedly not present before the trek. 40 of the animals were screened by parasitological means (hematocrit, buffy coat methods and thin and thick blood smears). 15 out of the 40 animals sampled were positive for trypanosomes (37.5% prevalence). Trypanosoma congolense was the only Trypanosoma species identified. Trypanosomiasis was observed in the herd examined and laboratory examination corroborated the observed clinical signs. The results, as well as the role of migration and transhumance pastoralism in disease occurrence are discussed.

Keywords: Trypanosomiasis, trypanosomes, cattle, Fulani, migration, Nigeria

Download full journal in PDF below

Trypanosomiasis in a migrating herd of cattle in Kaduna State Nigeria

Posted on

Antibiotic resistance and ndvB gene expression among biofilm producing Pseudomonas aeruoginosa isolates

N.A. Mohammed, I.M. Abd Alla

 

Abstract

A novel antibiotic resistant mechanism among biofilms is glucan-mediated sequestration in which ndvB gene encodes a glucosyltransferase involved in the formation of this glucans. We studied the biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical samples, and measured the expression of ndvB gene among biofilm forming isolates and their planktonic counterparts. The study was conducted on 92 P. aeruginosa isolates. Biofilm was measured using tissue culture plate method. Antibiotic susceptibility of biofilm positive isolates and planktonic counterparts for ciprofloxacin, tobramycin and gentamycin was tested using tube microdilution method. Expression of ndvB gene was measured using Syper green real time PCR. We found that 44 isolates (47.8%) of P. aeruginosa were biofilm positive. The biofilm formation was high among urine, endotracheal tube aspirate and burn isolates compared to isolates of wound specimens, with statistically nonsignificant differences. None of biofilm forming isolates was susceptible to the 3 antibiotics compared to the presence of susceptible isolates among the planktonic counterpart (18/40.9% for ciprofloxacin, 12/27.3% for tobramycin and 13/29.5% for gentamycin). Expression of ndvB gene was significantly high in biofilm isolates than their corresponding counterpart, with significant correlations with minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) values of cibrofloxacin (r=+ 0.65, p< 0.05 ), tobramycin (r= + 0.54 p< 0.05 ) and gentamycin (r=+ 0.77, p< 0.001 ).From this study we concluded that biofilm formation is an important character of P. aeruginosa that is a main cause of antibiotic resistance especially in isolates from catheterized urine , wound and endotracheal tube aspirate. NdvB gene expression is a mechanism of resistance to antibiotics in P. aeruginosa biofilms.

Keywords: P. aeruginosa, biofilm, antibiotic resistance and ndvB gene

Download full journal in PDF below

Antibiotic resistance and ndvB gene expression among biofilm producing Pseudomonas aeruoginosa isolates

Posted on

Molecular detection of salmonella species from selected vegetables sold in a north-central Nigerian setting

D.S. Adeniyi, T.M. Akindigh, F.N. Aniweta, H.J. Zumbes, A.J. Anejo-okopi

 

Abstract

It is vital to study and understand the genetic basis to the virulence of different Salmonella strains in other to fully grasp the facts behind the unique capabilities of these pathogenic agents to causing diseases in both humans and animals. In this study, the conventional microbiological culture methods were used to isolate pure Salmonella strains from 120 vegetable samples of five different types; which were all obtained at seven different popular markets in the Jos Metropolis of North Central Nigeria. 25 (20.8%) pure isolates were obtained from 120 samples after initial culture and sub-cultures; with 24 (20%) of the pure isolates testing positive as being pathogenic after biochemical analysis. From the 25 pure isolates, the same 24 which tested positive for biochemical tests were also successfully amplified by PCR technique with the SalmonellainvA virulence gene. The result shows that 96% of the pure isolates were positive for the Salmonella invA gene. The PCR product which was very specific is a 250bp fragment of DNA which was visualized in 1.5% agarose gel. This finding shows that virulent Salmonella strains pose a major health hazard and public health concern to the affected population. Our study shows that there is a high prevalence rate of virulent Salmonella strains in North-Central Nigeria. It is thus concluded that although both the conventional culture and biochemical methods of isolating Salmonella species are most useful for obtaining pure isolates and identifying pathogenic strains, however, the PCR technique remains the most specific and sensitive; especially when the rapid identification and detection of virulent strains of Salmonella species are of utmost importance.

Keywords: Virulence, invA gene, PCR, North Central Nigeria

Download full journal in PDF below

Molecular detection of salmonella species from selected vegetables sold in a north-central Nigerian setting