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Prevalence of and factors associated with significant bacteriuria among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigeria

*1Jamiu, M. O., 2Okesola, A. O., 3Ogunleye, V. O., and 1Fasulu, P. E.
1Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
3Oyo State Emergency Operations Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: jamiumonsur@gmail.com; +234-703-285-9663

Abstract:
Background: Significant bacteriuria is commonly reported in pregnancy which greatly predisposes pregnant women to urinary tract infection (UTI), one of the commonest health challenges in pregnancy worldwide especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with significant bacteriuria among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as determine the bacterial aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates. Continue reading “Prevalence of and factors associated with significant bacteriuria among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigeria”

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Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women on antenatal visits: rapid tests or ELISA?

*1,2Fowotade, A., 2Adetunji, S. O., 2Amadi, E., 2Ishola, I. O., and 3Omoruyi, E. C.

1Clinical Virology Unit, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

3Institute of Child and Maternal Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: temilabike@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health challenge with over 360 million people infected worldwide, and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) is the most important marker for HBV screening, and HBSAg rapid screening test methods are the most widely used compared with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nucleic acid testing methods. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the comparative efficacy of rapid test kits and ELISA for HBV screening among pregnant women on antenatal visits and to screen for other HBV serological markers among HBsAg positive patients.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of 172 pregnant women who were recruited consecutively on their first antenatal visit at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between November 2018 and February 2019. All participants were screened for HBsAg using both rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) and ELISA techniques. HBsAg negative samples were further screened for anti-HBeAg/Ab, anti-HBcAg and anti-HBs by ELISA. Socio-demographic data of the participants were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, and data were analyzed using EPI INFO 7.2 statistical software. Continue reading “Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women on antenatal visits: rapid tests or ELISA?”

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in pregnant women at the Protestant Hospital, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon

1 Guemgne Todjom, F., 1 Makou Tsapi, E., 1 Gamago, G. A., 2 Vignoles, P., 3 Wabo Pone J., and 4* Djuikwo Teukeng, F. F.

1 Evangelical University of Cameroon, BP 127, Bandjoun, Cameroon
2 INSERM U 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, 2, rue du Docteur Raymond Marcland, 87025 Limoges, France
3 Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Faculty of Science, BP 067, Dschang, Cameroon
4 Faculty of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, BP 208, Bangangté, Cameroon
*Correspondence to: Dr. F. F. Djuikwo Teukeng (ffnouboue@yahoo.fr)

Abstract:
Background: Toxoplasmosis is a common worldwide infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In Cameroon, several recent studies have reported high seroprevalence of this parasitosis in various hospitals (Douala, Limbe, Njinikom and Yaoundé). The aim of this study was to determine whether this high prevalence of toxoplasmosis might occur in other regions of the country.
Methodology: Serological tests by the indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for IgG and IgM were carried out on 200 pregnant women (36 HIV-positive and 164 HIV-negative) at the Protestant Hospital of Mbouo-Bandjoun in western Cameroon to determine the presence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and to identify the risk factors associated with seropositivity of the subjects.
Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 45.5%. The prevalence rate was 80.5% in the HIV-positive group (47.2% IgG, 22.2% IgM and 11.1% IgG + IgM) and 37.8% in the HIV-negative group (25.6%, 9.7% and 2.4% respectively). Using a multivariate logistic regression analysis, the secondary level of educational, presence of HIV infection, and frequency of close contacts with cats were significantly associated with the prevalence of IgG and/or IgM antibodies.
Conclusion: Compared with previous reports of human toxoplasmosis in Cameroon, the prevalence in our study showed a decrease in the disease occurrence. Further studies are needed to determine whether this decrease is localised to our study or a general phenomenon currently affecting the country.

Keywords: Cameroon, IgG, IgM, pregnant women, seroprevalence, Toxoplasma gondii

Received January 9, 2019; Revised May 6, 2019; Accepted May 7, 2019

Copyright 2019 AJCEM Open Access. This article is licensed and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attrition 4.0 International License (//creativecommmons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided credit is given to the original author(s) and the source.

 

Séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose et facteurs de risque associés chez des femmes enceintes à l’Hôpital Protestant de Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroun

1 Guemgne Todjom, F., 1 Makou Tsapi, E., 1 Gamago, G. A., 2 Vignoles, P., 3 Wabo Pone J., and 4* Djuikwo Teukeng, F. F.

1 Université évangélique du Cameroun, BP 127, Bandjoun, Cameroun
2 INSERM U 1094, Neuroépidémiologie tropicale, Institut de neuroépidémiologie et de neurologie tropicale, 2, rue du Docteur Raymond Marcland, 87025 Limoges, France
3 Unité de recherche en biologie et écologie appliquée, Faculté des sciences, BP 067, Dschang, Cameroun
4 Faculté des sciences de la santé, Université des Montagnes, BP 208, Bangangté, Cameroun *Correspondance à: Dr. F. F. Djuikwo Teukeng (ffnouboue@yahoo.fr)

Résumé:
Contexte: La toxoplasmose est une infection répandue dans le monde entier et causée par le protozoaire Toxoplasma gondii. Au Cameroun, plusieurs études récentes ont signalé une forte séroprévalence de la parasitose dans divers hôpitaux (Douala, Limbé, Njinikom et Yaoundé). Le but de cette étude était de déterminer si cette forte prévalence de la toxoplasmose pouvait se produire dans d’autres régions du pays.
Méthodologie: Des tests sérologiques pour quantifier les IgG et IgM par dosage indirect immuno-enzymatique indirect selon la méthode ELISA ont été effectués sur 200 femmes enceintes (36 VIH-positives et 164 VIH-négatives) à l’hôpital protestant de Mbouo-Bandjoun, dans l’ouest du Cameroun, afin de déterminer la présence d’infectiona à T. gondii et d’identifier les facteurs de risque associés à la séropositivité des sujets.
Résultats: La séroprévalence globale des anticorps anti-Toxoplasma était de 45,5 %. Le taux de prévalence était de 80,5 % dans le groupe VIH-positif (47,2 % IgG, 22,2 % IgM et 11,1 % IgG + IgM) et de 37,8 % dans le groupe VIH négatif (25,6 %, 9,7 % et 2,4 %, respectivement). L’emploi d’une analyse de régression logistique multivariée a montré que le niveau secondaire d’éducation, la présence d’une infection par le VIH et la fréquence des contacts étroits avec les chats étaient significativement associés à la prévalence des anticorps IgG et/ou IgM.
Conclusion: Par rapport aux rapports précédents sur la toxoplasmose humaine au Cameroun, la prévalence dans notre étude a montré une diminution de la fréquence de la maladie. Des études complémentaires sont nécessaires pour déterminer si cette baisse est localisée dans notre étude ou est un phénomène général qui affecte actuellement le pays.

Mots clés : Cameroun, femmes enceintes, IgG, IgM, séroprévalence, Toxoplasma gondii

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors in pregnant women at the Protestant Hospital, Mbouo-Bandjoun, Cameroon

 

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Micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum infection in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

F.O. Akinbo, L.O. Alabi, J.A. Aiyeyemi

 

Abstract

Background: Two important barriers to a successful pregnancy outcome are maternal under nutrition and malaria. This study was conducted to determine some micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Material and methods: Two hundred and fifty four participants aged 18 to 42 years consisting of 154 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of the Federal Medical Center, Owo, and 100 apparently healthy non-pregnant women as controls were randomly enrolled in this study. Blood specimen was collected and analyzed for the detection of P. falciparum using 10% Giemsa staining technique while micronutrients (calcium, copper, iron and zinc) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).

Results: Out of 154 pregnant women studied, 91 (59.1%) had micronutrient deficiency (MND) while 5 out of 100 (5.0%) non-pregnant control had micronutrient deficiency (p < 0.0001). Forty three (27.9%) of the 154 pregnant women and 3 (3.0%) of 100 non-pregnant control had P. falciparum infection (p < 0.0001). Forty three of the 91 (47.3%) pregnant women and 3 of the 5 (60%) non-pregnant women with MND had P. falciparum infection (p = 0.6681). All 43 pregnant women with MND but none of the 63 pregnant women without MND had P. falciparum infection (p < 0.0001). Similarly, all 3 non-pregnant women with P. falciparum infection had MND but none of the 95 non-pregnant women without MND had P. falciparum infection (p < 0.0001). Multiple micronutrient deficiencies of iron and calcium (65.3%), iron and zinc (16.1%) and iron and copper (18.6%) were observed among pregnant women but none among non-pregnant women. Factors significantly associated with P. falciparum infection among pregnant women with MND were age group 23-27 years (p = 0.0109), first trimester gestational age (p = 0.0234), primiparity (p = 0.0303) and wet season (p < 0.0173). There was no significant association between anaemia and prevalence of P. falciparuminfection in pregnant women with MND (p = 0.1327) but pregnant women with iron deficiency were more likely to be infected with P. falciparumthan those with other micronutrient deficiencies (p = 0.0013)

Conclusion: This study reported a higher prevalence rate of 27.9% for P. falciparum infection in pregnant women compared to 3% in non-pregnant women population, but a much higher rate of 47.3% among pregnant women with micronutrient deficiencies.

Keywords: Micronutrient deficiencies, Plasmodium falciparum, pregnant women, Owo

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Micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum infection in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

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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

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

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Occurrence of malaria and utilization of antimalaria preventive measures amongst pregnant women attending Ajeromi- Ifelodun General Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria

M.A. Oboh, E.T. Idowu, M.K. Oyebola, Y.A. Olukosi, O.A. Otubanjo, M.A. Mafe

 

Abstract

Malaria in Pregnancy poses a serious health problem both for the mother and her unborn baby and this can be prevented with the use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP), Long Lasting Insecticidetreated Nets (LLIN) and other preventive measures. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among pregnant women attending Ajeromi Ifelodun General Hospital between August 2013 and February 2014. A total of 414 pregnant women (with mean age of 29±8.7) in their first (84), second (124) and third (206) trimesters were recruited for this study. Blood samples for making both thin and thick smears were collected and semi-structured questionnaires administered to the respondents. The questionnaire probed into their knowledge on cause of malaria, the preventive measures taken against mosquito bite, use of IPTp-SP, possession and use of LLIN. The overall prevalence of malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum is 24 (5.8%) out of which 13 were primigravid, 5 were secundi-gravid, and 6 were multigravida with no significant difference (P>0.05) amongst them. Two hundred and eighty-six (69.1%) pregnant women had good knowledge of the cause of malaria. 164 (39.6%) of the sampled population had a tertiary education while 182 (44.0%) had secondary education, 124 (30.4%) were traders and 80(19.6%) were civil servants. Preventive measures claimed to be adopted by the respondents in avoiding mosquito bites include the use of LLIN (62.6%), insecticides sprays (36.2%), and locally adopted measures (1.5%). The number of respondents who had not availed themselves of IPTp-SP was significantly higher 258 (62.3%) compared to those who had (P<0.05). It was observed that educational status had no significant effect on the knowledge of the cause of malaria in sample population (p>0.05). The findings of this study reveal that there is a good knowledge on the cause of malaria among pregnant women but low use of IPTp-SP. In order to meet the new target of reaching an elimination stage set by the World Health Organization, factors responsible for the low use of these preventive measures should be investigated and quickly addressed so as to reduce both maternal and child morbidity/mortality resulting from malaria infection.

Keywords: Malaria, Pregnant women, Prevention, Intermitent preventive treatment, Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, Longlasting Insecticide treated net

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Occurrence of malaria and utilization of antimalaria preventive measures amongst pregnant women attending Ajeromi- Ifelodun General Hospital, Lagos State,

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Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection amongst Pregnant Women in Kaduna State, Nigeria

M Yeroh, M Aminu, BOP Musa

 

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major public health problem throughout the world. It is the leading cause of congenital infections leading to neurological disabilities in children that result to severe sequelae such as sensor neural hearing loss, neuro-developmental delay and blindness. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Three hundred and sixty three (363) blood samples were collected from 330 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and 33 non pregnant women attending the Outpatient Department in three selected General Hospitals in Kaduna State. Serum obtained from the blood samples were examined
for the presence of CMV IgG antibodies by IFA method. About 94.8% of pregnant women tested positive to CMV IgG antibodies while all (100%) of the non pregnant women tested positive. There was no statistically significant association between CMV and pregnancy (÷2=1.784, df=2, p=0.182). Infection with CMV was strongly associated with zone location
(÷2=15.381, df,=2, p=0.000) and employment status of the women (÷2=5.519, df=1, p=0.018). There was no significant association between CMV infection and age, gravida, gestation age, education, number of marriages and history of previous transfusion. The high prevalence of CMV infection observed in this study indicates that the virus is prevalent in
the study area and it is therefore advisable that routine screening of CMV infection be implemented for all antenatal women in the State.

Keywords: Seroprevalence, Cytomegalovirus, IgG, Pregnant women, Kaduna, Nigeria

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Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection amongst Pregnant Women in Kaduna State, Nigeria

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Prevalence and immune status of HIV/HBV co-infected pregnant women

PM Lar, VK Pam, PB Christopher, L Gwamzhi, JD Mawak

 

Abstract

HIV/HBV co-infection places patients at high risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality and the interaction of the two viruses can further complicate treatment. Pregnant women are especially at high risk for increased morbidity and mortality due to infection, and information about HIV/HBV co-infection in pregnant women is scanty. This study examined the occurrence of HBV antibodies in HIV-1 positive pregnant women and the relationship to  Ante-retroviral therapy (ART) and other demographic characteristics. Blood samples were collected from 135 HIV pregnant positive women who were either on ART or Not, from May – June, 2008 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH). Presence of hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) antigen in serum was determined using Antec strips (Antec diagnostics UK) and their immunologic status were determined by measuring the CD4+ counts using SL_3 cyFlow counter (Partec, Germany) . Sixteen 16 (11.8%) of the women examined were seropositive for Hepatitis B virus. Occupation was significantly associated with the prevalence of the hepatitis co-infection in the population examined (8.8% of house wives and 5.5% of business women had  co-infection, p<0.05). The immunologic status (CD4+ of most of the HIV/HBV co-infected pregnant women (81.5%) was low (below 300 cells/mm3) although all were on Anti retroviral therapy. The 11.8% prevalence rate reported in this study confirms the endemicity of HBV /HIV co-infection in Nigeria, and this supports the calls for screening for Hepatitis B as a routine in antenatal care.

Keywords: HIV, Hepatitis, Co-infection, CD4, Pregnant women

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Prevalence and immune status of HIVHBV co-infected pregnant women

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Prevalence of Rubella virus-specific immunoglobulin-g and -m in pregnant women attending two tertiary hospitals in southwestern Nigeria

OT Obijimi, AB Ajetomobi, WP Sule, DO Oluwayelu

 

Abstract

Background: Rubella is a self-limiting disease that causes congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) when rubella virus (RV) infects women in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Objective: To assess a population of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two tertiary hospitals in southwestern Nigeria for anti-RV IgG and IgM in order to determine the proportions susceptible to the viral infection and infectious to their fetuses.
Method: Ninety consenting pregnant women were consecutively recruited and aseptically bled for the study. The sera were screened with commercial ELISA kits for anti-rubella virus IgG and IgM. Due to the controls and calibrators included in the tests, the IgG test was performed on 89 sera while all 90 samples were screened for IgM.
Results: Of the 89 pregnant women tested for anti-RV IgG, 86 (96.6%) were positive with protective serum concentrations of the antibody. Only six (6.7%, 95% CI: 1.5-11.8%, n = 90) women were positive for anti-RV IgM with 5 (5.6%, 95% CI: 0.8-10.3%) having both anti-RV IgG and IgM. Overall, three (3.4%) of the women were susceptible to RV infection, one (1.1%) of these in the first trimester of gestation was probably infectious.
Conclusion: Majority of the pregnant women had protective levels of anti-RV IgG antibody although susceptibility to rubella as well as level of infectiousness were low. Intensification of rubella immunization of all females of child-bearing age in Osun and Oyo States is advocated.

Keywords: Prevalence, Rubella, Antibodies, Pregnant women, Southwestern Nigeria.

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Prevalence of Rubella virus-specific immunoglobulin-g and -m in pregnant women attending two tertiary hospitals in southwestern Nigeria

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CD4 Changes in HAART-Naive HIV Positive Pregnant Women on HAART: Low Resource Setting Experience

AO Adeniji, MA Muhibi

 

Abstract

PURPOSE: PMTCT interventions, especially initiation of Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has modified the natural history of HIV infection by reducing both peripartal and neonatal HIV infections, but the pattern of the immunologic responses of these pregnant women to HAART remains speculative. It is hoped from this study, to describe the pattern of immunologic response of naïve, HIV positive pregnant women on their first initiation on HAART. METHODS: This study described the pattern of CD4 changes observed in freshly diagnosed 126 HIV positive pregnant women, stratified into the trimesters of pregnancy and commenced on HAART (Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine) for a period of 2 months in pregnancy. CD4 counts were determined at point of recruitment and monthly thereafter using a Parteccytometer counter (Cyflow(R)). Neonatal outcome was also described. RESULTS: Our findings suggest better immunologic response and fewer neonatal infectionsin group of naïve women initiated on HAART while in the first 26 weeks of pregnancy and lesser response in those commenced in the third trimester of pregnancy.
CONCLUSION: Concerted efforts should be directed towards the initiation of HAART prophylaxis before end of 2nd trimester of pregnancy.

Keywords: PMTCT, pregnant women, HAART, CD4 changes

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CD4 Changes in HAART-Naive HIV Positive Pregnant Women on HAART Low Resource Setting Experience