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Outcomes of tuberculosis treatment in a tertiary health facility in north-central Nigeria

*1Audu, E. S., 2Adiukwu, C. V., 3Dick, S. N., 4Bello, S. O., 5Aboki, D. M., 6Ashuku, Y. A., and 7Tomen, E. A.

1Special Treatment Clinic, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

2Department of Internal Medicine, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

3TB/DOTS Unit, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

4Department of Paediatrics, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

5TBLCP, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

6College of Medicine, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

7Department of Family Medicine, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria *Correspondence to: estanamo@gmail.com; +2347030969315

Abstract:
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern despite being a curable and preventable disease. The treatment of TB using a cocktail of drugs over a period of six months under the directly observed treatment short-course strategy has led to a reduction in cases but is plagued by some challenges that leads to unsuccessful or poor outcomes, which can ultimately result in spread of infections, development of drug resistance and increase in morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study are to determine outcomes of TB treatment in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria and the factors that may be associated with the outcomes. Continue reading “Outcomes of tuberculosis treatment in a tertiary health facility in north-central Nigeria”

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Malaria rapid diagnostic test positivity rate among febrile patients seen at the Paediatric emergency unit of a tertiary care facility

*1Obu, D. C., 1Asiegbu, U. V., 1Okereke, B. E., 1Ukoh, U. C., 2Ujunwa, F. A., 1Afefi, C. O., 1Enya, V. E., 1Item, S., and 3Efunshile, A. M.

1Department of Paediatrics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, Nigeria

3Department of Clinical Microbiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: obudora@yahoo.com; +2348037511272

Abstract:
Background: Malaria, a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted to humans by the female Anopheles mosquito is one of the infectious causes of fever in children. In Nigeria, malaria remains one of the most important health problems, accounting for 25% of infants and 30% of under-five mortalities. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria among febrile children presenting at the children’s emergency room (CHER) of a tertiary health facility in Abakaliki using a malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT). Continue reading “Malaria rapid diagnostic test positivity rate among febrile patients seen at the Paediatric emergency unit of a tertiary care facility”

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Phytochemical and antibacterial activity of Mangifera indica Linn (Mango) bark and leaf extracts on bacteria isolated from domestic wastewater samples

1Omotayo, O. E., 2Oladipo, G. A., 3Adekunle, D. O., and 2Akinola, O. T.

1Pure and Applied Biology Programme, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science,
P. M. B 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
2Microbiology Programme, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, P.M.B 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
3Industrial Chemistry Programme, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science,
P. M. B 284, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: olumide.omotayo@bowen.edu.ng; +234 802 379 9838

Abstract:
Background: Wastewaters generated from ubiquitous use of water in daily human activities often contains various pathogenic microorganisms, which may contaminate surface or ground waters when released indiscriminately into the environment. Consumption of natural water resources polluted by such contaminated wastewaters may compromise public health and decrease the populations of aquatic organisms in such water bodies. Mangifera indica (mango) plants have been widely used as remedy for treatment of a wide range of water borne ailments. This study was therefore conducted to identify bacteria contaminating wastewaters from domestic sources and to determine the antibacterial potentials of mango bark and leaf extracts against them. Continue reading “Phytochemical and antibacterial activity of Mangifera indica Linn (Mango) bark and leaf extracts on bacteria isolated from domestic wastewater samples”

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Prevalence and risk factors of acute gastroenteritis caused by Rotavirus among children in tertiary hospitals, southeastern Nigeria

*1Igwe, D., 2Oshun, P., 2Osuagwu, C., 1Efunshile, A., and 2Oduyebo, O.

1Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine/Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, PMB 102, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
2College of Medicine/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, University of Lagos, Nigeria*Correspondence to: daniel.igwe@npmcn.edu.ng.

Abstract:
Background: Diarrhea is a worldwide problem and rotavirus is the commonest viral etiologic agent. In Nigeria, diarrhea causes more than 315,000 deaths of preschool-age children annually. In Ebonyi State, it is among the leading causes of pediatric emergency visits and one of the major causes of infant morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of acute gastroenteritis due to rotavirus infection among under-five children in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.

This was a cross-sectional study of 275 children under 5 years of age hospitalized for acute watery diarrhea, who were consecutively recruited into the study. Stool samples were collected from each child for rotavirus antigen detection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Socio-demographic information of each child and selected risk factors were collected using structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done on SPSS software version 20.0, and association of demographic characteristics and risk factors with rotavirus diarrhoea was measured using Chi-square test, odds ratio (and 95% confidence interval). Significant value was set at p < 0.05. Continue reading “Prevalence and risk factors of acute gastroenteritis caused by Rotavirus among children in tertiary hospitals, southeastern Nigeria”

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH ANNUAL GENERAL AND SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE COLLEGE OF NIGERIAN PATHOLOGISTS, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA, 25TH – 26TH NOVEMBER, 2021

Ogbaini-Emovon, E.
Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, PMB 08, Edo State, Nigeria Correspondence to: epogbaini@yahoo.com; +2348032424965

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS/RÉSUMÉS DE LA CONFÉRENCE
Lassa virus persistence in body fluids after recovery from acute Lassa fever: a 2-year interim analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study

Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, PMB 08, Edo State, Nigeria Correspondence to: epogbaini@yahoo.com; +2348032424965

Background: There is anecdotal evidence for Lassa virus persistence in body fluids. We investigated various body fluids after recovery from acute Lassa fever and describe the dynamics of Lassa virus RNA load in seminal fluid. The primary objective of this study was to quantitatively describe virus persistence and clearance and assess the infectivity of seminal fluid. Continue reading “PROCEEDINGS OF THE 16TH ANNUAL GENERAL AND SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE COLLEGE OF NIGERIAN PATHOLOGISTS, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA, 25TH – 26TH NOVEMBER, 2021”

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Pathologic changes in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a review

*1Babazhitsu, M., 2Adegoke, O. O., 3Abayomi, S. A., and 4Adegboro, B.

1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria 2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria 3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria 4Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja

*Correspondence to: babazhitsu.makun@udusok.edu.ng; +234 8032874925

Abstract:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells using the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which are expressed by the respiratory tract endothelium, epithelial cells of the stomach, duodenum, ileum, rectum, cholangiocytes, and hepatocytes. Pathological examinations of these organs are not feasible method of diagnosis but can explain pathological changes, pathogenesis of the disease, and the cause of death in COVID-19 cases. In this review, we performed a literature search for COVID-19-related pathological changes seen during post-mortem examinations in different organs of the body including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, skin, heart and blood. Our findings showed that SARS-CoV-2 has damaging effects on many organs, probably due to the host immune responses to the presence of the virus. It is recommended that both antiviral and immunomodulatory agents should be considered in the management of COVID-19 patients for better prognosis, and clinical outcome. Continue reading “Pathologic changes in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2: a review”

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A review of the possible prognostic values of biochemical changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections

*1Adegboro, B., 2Babazhitsu, M., and 3Mba, N. I.

Departments of 1Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and 3Chemical Pathology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmail.com; boaz.adegboro@nileuniversity.edu.ng

Abstract:
Because of high mortality and long-term hospital stay among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, it is important to search for biochemical changes in different organs and systems that could be useful in diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19. We conducted a literature search of online databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google scholar for relevant materials on biochemical changes in SARS-COV-2 infections published between December 2019 and March 2021. The review shows that SARS-COV-2 uses the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for attachment and entry into host cells. These ACE2 are abundantly expressed by the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and moderately expressed by the epithelial cells of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, ileum, rectum, cholangiocytes, liver hepatocytes, pancreatic beta cells, and kidney tubular cells. This explains the systemic nature of SARS-COV-2 infection, and the high morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. Although, tests to assess biochemical changes are not specific enough for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, they may be useful for predicting outcome of COVID-19. This review highlights biochemical parameters that are significantly elevated or reduced in SARS-COV-2 infections, and which can be used as predictive factors of the severity and prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Continue reading “A review of the possible prognostic values of biochemical changes in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections”

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Hosts and transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans: a systematic review

Aboagye, I. F.
Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 67, Legon-Accra, Ghana Correspondence to: iaboagye@ug.edu.gh; +233 249874408

Abstract:
The control of Buruli ulcer (BU), a debilitating neglected tropical disease, is hampered by the inadequate understanding of the mode of transmission of its causative agent, Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans). The DNA of M. ulcerans has been detected in some living organisms and non-living environmental samples of both aquatic and terrestrial sources. However, it is unclear whether the identified organisms support in vivo multiplication of the bacterium or play any role in its transmission. This paper identifies hosts of M. ulcerans, reviews progress made in unravelling the exact mode of transmission of M. ulcerans and identifies research gaps in this aspect of BU epidemiology. Using the search terms, ‘niche, Mycobacterium ulcerans’ and ‘mode of transmission, Mycobacterium ulcerans’ as well as defined inclusion criteria, information was obtained from the PubMed database and reviewed to assess their importance to the research question. Aquatic bugs of the genera Appasus and Diplonychus as well as Naucoris cimicoides and possums were identified to support in vivo multiplication of the bacterium. Bite of M. ulcerans contaminated Aedes notoscriptus, bite of aquatic bugs harboring or contaminated with M. ulcerans, and M. ulcerans contaminated skin-puncturing materials present in nature create opportunity for its transmission and infection. Appropriate protective measures may be useful to reduce the risk of exposure to M. ulcerans in BU endemic areas, and incorporation of trophic interactions of aquatic organisms known to support in vivo multiplication of M. ulcerans is needed in future research for better understanding of the spread of M. ulcerans in nature.

Keywords: Mycobacterium ulcerans, niche, transmission Continue reading “Hosts and transmission of Mycobacterium ulcerans: a systematic review”

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Evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing process in clinical microbiology laboratories at Niamey, Niger

1Idrissa, H., *2Abdoulaye, O., 3Yacouba, A., 3Alhousseini Maiga, D., 1Moumouni Sambo, H., 4Doutchi, M., 5Chaibou, S., 6Sani, O., 3Mamadou, S., and 7Sangare, L.

1Direction des Laboratoires de santé (DLS), Ministère de la santé publique, Niger
2Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo, Maradi, BP 465, Niger
3Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université Abdou Moumouni, Niamey, Niger
4Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Zinder, Niger
5Hôpital Général de Référence de Niamey, Niger
6Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire, Niger
7Unité de Formation et de Recherhe en Sciences de la Santé (UFR/SDS), Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

*Correspondence to: ousmaneabdoulaye2010@yahoo.com; +227 96354580

Abstract:
Background: Risk assessment is the means of identifying and evaluating potential errors or problems that may occur in testing process. The aim of this study was to perform risk assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) process in clinical microbiology laboratories of Niamey, Niger Republic.

Methodology: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from October 1 to December 31, 2019, to evaluate AST performance in seven clinical microbiology laboratories at Niamey, the capital city of Niger republic. The evaluation focused on the determination of the criticality index (CI) of each critical point (frequency of occurrence of anomalies, severity of the process anomaly, and detectability of the anomaly during the process) in the AST process and the performance of the AST through an observation sheet using two reference strains; Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. Continue reading “Evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility testing process in clinical microbiology laboratories at Niamey, Niger”

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Knowledge, attitude and practice of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers: one year after an outbreak of nosocomial Lassa fever in a tertiary hospital in southeast Nigeria

*1,2Adeke, A. S., 3Onoh, R. C., 1,2Umeokonkwo, C. D., 1Azuogu, B. N., and 4Ogah, E. O.

1Department of Community Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
2Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Abuja, Nigeria
3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
4Department of Pediatrics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: azukaadeke@gmail.com; +2348035285133

Abstract:
Background: With the rise in cases of Lassa fever in recent times in West Africa, the healthcare setting continues to pose significant risk especially among healthcare workers (HCWs) for diseases like Lassa fever that are transmitted via contact with blood and other body fluids. We therefore assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of infection prevention and control (IPC) one year after an outbreak of nosocomial transmission of Lassa fever in the study hospital. Continue reading “Knowledge, attitude and practice of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers: one year after an outbreak of nosocomial Lassa fever in a tertiary hospital in southeast Nigeria”