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SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF MALARIA IN VILLAGE SOLANA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

MM Mya, RK Saxena, A Roy

 

Abstract

The roles of causative factors responsible for prevalence of malaria in the village of Solana, India, were studied. Mosquitoes and larvae density in and around the area were measured by process of random sampling and counting their numbers under microscopy. Malaria in population of the village was diagnosed by standard ELISA method and malaria antibody capturing level were measured against three Plasmodium falciparumantigens. The effect of insecticides for the control of malaria was also evaluated. Results of study showed that more than two third of village human populations (75%) were suffering from malaria, with 67.14% being children below 14 years of age. Similarly vectors identification study showed Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles stephensi as the main source for infection transmission. Sporozoite positive rate estimated in Anopheles culicifacies was found to be 1.26%. Both vectors were resistant to DDT and Malathion insecticides. Antibody capturing by three different Plasmodium falciparum antigens study showed that glycophospholipid antigen (GPL) was able to capture and detect highest amount of malarial antibody followed by sonicated Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) antigen and ring infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) i.e. 0.69±0.22, 0.60±0.22 and 0.59±0.23 respectively. Age specific antibody levels was found to gradually increase from lowest to highest age groups i.e. 0.29– 1.18 for GPL, 0.25-0.94 for RESA and 0.25-0.97 for Pf. The study showed that infants and children are highly prone to malaria attacks than the adult population, which may be as a result of low level of Plasmodium antibody in their circulation.

Key Words: Solana village, endemicity, malaria incidence, antibodies, ELISA, insecticides.

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 2-14

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ORAL PROTOZOA IN A NIGERIA POPULATION

UC Ozumba, N Ozumba, EM Ndiokwelu

 

Abstract

A study aimed at establishing the occurrence of oral protozoa in a Nigeria population was carried out over a 6-month period, January 1998 to June 1998. A total of 203 dental patients attending the dental clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu were involved. Scrapings of plaque were taken from the buccal surfaces of T16 and T36 (near the gingival margins) and placed on individual glass microscope slides. To each was added a drop of saline, which was mixed with the plaque and covered with a coverslip and then examined immediately. Thirty-three (16.30%) of the patients harboured protozoa in their mouths. Of these, 10 (4.9%) had Trichomonas tenax, while the majority 23 (11.3%) had Entamoeba gingivalis. No patient had both species of protozoa in their mouths. The associations of age, sex, teeth cleaning and other dental parameters with prevalence of protozoa were recorded. Our findings suggest that poor oral hygiene, calculus, old age and loss of attachment of periodontal fibers, are factors, which favour the proliferation of Entamoeba gingivalis.

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 15-19

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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

O Ariyo, LK Olofintoye, RA Adeleke, O Famurewa

 

Abstract

The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection was investigated among primary school pupils in Ekiti State by questionnaire survey in 601 schools between 1997 and 1998. A total of 9,551 (24.4%) were positive by the survey. 3483 (22.4%) of the girls and 6,069 (25.7%) of the boys were infected. The prevalence of this infection between girls and boys shows a significant difference (x215 = 59.5; p<0.05). Ekiti South West local government had the highest prevalence of S. haematobium infection of 69.0% while Ikole local government had the lowest prevalence of infection of 2.0%. Out of 1,049 pupils with clinical and laboratory examination, 280 (50.9%) of the 550 boys and 184 (36.9%) of the 499 girls were infected. Chi-square analysis shows a significant difference of S. haematobium infection between the girls and boys (X211 = 86.2; p<0.05). Chi square analysis also showed that questionnaire survey could be used to predict the laboratory epidemiological data (X21= 3.84; p<0.05).

Key Words: Schistosomiasis, Epidemiology, Infection, Bulinus globosus

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 20-29

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STUDIES ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME IONS IN THE HEART OF RATS INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI BRUCEI

OT Adedosu, OA Olowe, AS Adekunle, CO Olaiya

 

Abstract

Behaviour of Sodium [Na+], Potassium [K+] and Phosphorous [PO43-] ions was studied in the heart of albino rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and the parasitaemia level monitored. Post infection shows a significant rise [p < 0.05] in Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions concentration with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the phosphorous ions concentration as the disease progresses. At high parasitaemia level, there is a slight increase in Na+ and PO43– ions while K+ concentration remains constant and Ca2+ ions concentration was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The reasons and mechanism responsible for these are unknown although their increased concentrations in tissues generally have been shown to be as a result of damage to cells and tissues during infection.

Key Words: Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Parasitaemia level, Concentration of ions.

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 30-39

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KALA-AZAR IN A NIGERIAN: REPORT OF A CASE WITH A FATAL OUTCOME

AK Salami, PO Oluboyo, BA Onile, EA Odedina

 

Abstract

A case of visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in a 60-year-old Nigerian female is presented. The clinical findings were fever, weight loss, lympadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and self-healing cutaneous ulcers. Laboratory findings included severe anaemia, lymphocytosis and amastigotes in the blood smear. The patient died before she could be commenced on the pentavalent antimonial specific for the disease.

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 40-45

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MANIFESTATIONS OF AGGRESSIVE ATYPICAL KAPOSI’S SARCOMA [AAKS] IN HIV DISEASE PATIENTS SEEN IN MAIDUGURI, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

MI Khalil, HA Nggada, TO Harry, CO Anjorin

 

Abstract

Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has since the mid-1980’s been known to distinguish atypical, aggressive Kaposi’s sarcoma (AAKS) from the endemic type in Africa (1). In our series at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, we recorded 44 patients with AAKS, 35 of them male and 9 female, giving an M: F ratio approximately 4:1. The peak age groups for the males were 21-30 years, and 31-40 years, while for the females it was 21-30 years. The site distribution of AAKS lesions was predominantly the lower limb (70.5%) followed by the upper limb (9.1%); those with multiple site lesions (nose, face, oral cavity, penis and trunk) also accounted for 9.1% of the cases. The commonest clinical features manifested by the patients were fever (100%), weight loss (86.8%), skin nodules (86.4%) and diarrhoea (55.3%). Virtually, all occupational groups were affected, with students, civil servants and businessmen topping the list.

Key Words: Atypical Aggressive Kaposi’s sarcoma, HIV infection

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 46-54

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A REVIEW OF PSOAS ABSCESS

MO Adelekan, SS Taiwo, BA Onile

 

Abstract

Psoas abscess is an uncommon clinical entity that can be primary, following haematogenous dissemination of an aetiologic agent, the source of which is usually occult, or secondary, as a result of local extension of an infectious process near the psoas muscle. The triad of presentation; fever, loin pain and limitation of hip movement, may not be found in all patients. The correct diagnosis can be made with a vigilant clinical examination, epidemiological, microbiological and radiological investigations. The main stay of treatment is medical and or surgical drainage of abscess and treatment of the underlying illness. With the resurgence of tuberculosis, consequent upon the HIV/AIDS pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of psoas abscess due to mycobacterial organisms. This is a review of the literature on psoas abscess with highlights on the mode of presentation, diagnosis and treatment modalities.

Key Words: psoas, abscess, review

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 55-63

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A REVIEW OF PSOAS ABSCESS

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ASYMPTOMATIC SIGNIFICANT BACTERIURIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

AO Oyagade, SI Smith, O Famurewa

 

Abstract

Microbiological culture examination of urine samples from 502 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic resulted in the isolation of seven genera of bacterial species. They were Staphylococcus aureus 16 (21.3%), Escherichia coli 12 (16.0%), Staphylococcus spp. 11(14.7%), Klebsiella spp. 8 (10.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7 (9.8%), Streptococcus faecalis 6 (8.0%), and Citrobacter spp. 1 (1.3%). Asymptomatic significant bacteriuria occurred in 16 (12.22%), pyuria in 10 (2.0%) while significant bacteriuria with pyuria occurred in 1(0.2%). The antibiogram indicated that ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid were in that order the most effective of the antibiotics tested. All isolates showed multiple resistance to most of the antibiotics tested. Plasmid DNA was detected in Ps. aeruginosa and E. coli with an estimated molecular weight of between 4.5 and 6.5 kb. The result indicated a significant rise in the frequency of S. aureus in asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Key Words: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, urinary tract infections, pregnant women

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 64-77

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PENICILLIN–RESISTANT STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE – A REVIEW

SS Taiwo, BA Onile

 

Abstract

Since the first report in 1967, the incidence of Penicillin Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (Pneumococcus) has risen steadily worldwide, and now complicates diagnostic and treatment strategies for infections due to this organism. More worrisome is the fact that in areas where Penicillin Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) has become established, resistance to other antimicrobial agents such as cephalosporins, sulphonamides and macrolides is also common. This development has a grave implication for therapy of life threatening pneumococcal infections like meningitis and septicaemia, with the extended spectrum cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, and the newer macrolides, azithromycin and clarithromycin. The mechanism of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is decreased binding of drug to the bacteria cell wall brought about by genetic transformation in bacterial chromosome. Recently, using molecular techniques that can index overall relatedness of the drug resistant pneumococcal isolates, it has been possible to establish clonal dissemination of drug resistant pneumococci across continents, with acquisition of additional drug resistance determinants as a result of “local” antibiotic selective pressures. This is a review of literature on the epidemiology, mechanism of resistance, laboratory identification, treatment, prevention and control of Penicillin Resistant Pneumococci (PRP), with emphasis on the problems of identification and reporting in developing countries.

Key Words: penicillin, Streptococcus pneumoniae, resistant, extended spectrum cephalosporins.

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 78-107

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A SURVEY OF HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS IN OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ILE-IFE

AO Onipede, CO Oluyede, AO Aboderin, SB Zailani, AM Adedosu, AO Oyelese, TA Badmus, I Ikem, CO Balogun, KF Olafimihan

 

Abstract

A well-structured infection control programme plays a vital role in reducing mortality, morbidity and cost resulting from nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients. However infection-control activities in developing countries is severely constrained by lack of infection control infrastructure and lack of strong commitment by hospital clinicians and administrators as well as the level of socio-political and economic development prevalent in the developing world. The Infection Control Program (ICP) of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) was established in 1995. An analysis of data of a hospital wide surveillance obtained between January 1995 and December 1999 is hereby presented, highlighting our experience with the pattern of nosocomial infection seen in this hospital. From January 1995 to December 1999, a total of 19,471 patients were discharged during this period. Of this, 515 cases of infection were recorded while on admission, giving an annual prevalence rate of 2.7% for nosocomial infection per year. (X2 = 47.34, df = 4, p = 0.000). The highest infection rate was recorded from the orthopaedic ward (12.8%), followed by the intensive care unit (ICU)(8.4%) while the neonatal ward (NNW) and the paediatric ward (PW) recorded relatively low figures (0.5%) and (0.4%) respectively. Gram-negative rods (GNR) 491(78.8%) were commonly encountered as pathogens implicated in hospital-acquired infection (HAI) followed by Staphylococcus aureus and “other” organisms 17(2.7%). Current methods are inadequate because phenotypic typing alone has limited discriminatory power. DNA typing method is now the ‘gold’ standard for epidemiological and routine investigation of HAI.

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 108-118