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PCR Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in Microscopically Positive Stool Samples of Hospital Patients in Soroti, Eastern Uganda

J Ekou, JI Nakavuma, J Erume, M Ocaido

 

Abstract

Amoebiasis is an infection caused by water borne protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica. In Uganda where sanitation infrastructure and health education was not adequate, amoebiasis was thought to be still an important health problem. However there was little or no data on prevalence of this very important protozoan infection. In addition, microscopy remained the main method for the diagnosis of amoebiasis but could not differentiate between Entamoeba dispar/moshkovskii and Entamoeba histolytica infections. This made determination of true prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica infections difficult. It was against this background that this study was designed to carry out species specific diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar/moshkovskii in Uganda where these species had been reported to be endemic. This study used microscopy and polymerase chain reaction amplification of Serine-rich Entamoeba histolytica (SREHP) gene. It was shown that 36.7% (n=22) of the samples initially diagnosed as positive by microscopy were positive by PCR. The true prevalence of E. histolytica and E.dispar/ moshkovskii was found to be 7.31% and 12.6% respectively. It was concluded that Entamoeba infection in Soroti, Eastern Uganda is more frequently due to E. dispar /moshkovskii (13.3%) the non-pathogenic forms than to E. histolytica, the pathogen (7.31%).

Key words: Entamoeba histolytica, Microscopy, Polymerase chain reaction, Prevalence.

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PCR Detection of Entamoeba histolytica in Microscopically Positive Stool Samples of Hospital Patients in Soroti, Eastern Uganda

 

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Toxoplasma antibodies amongst HIV/AIDS patients attending the University Teaching Hospital Yaounde in Cameroon

JCN Assob, AL Njunda, DS Nsagha, HL Kamga, PE Weledji, VB Che

 

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis is caused by an obligatory intracellular protozoon. It causes a wide range of diseases with toxoplasma encephalitis commonly encountered in HIV/AIDS patients. This work was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasma antibodies (IgM and IgG) in HIV/AIDS patients attending the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Cameroon. Sera were collected from 133 HIV/AIDS patients at the out-patient department and the ELISA technique was employed serologically to determine toxoplasma antibodies. Of the 133 patients 83 (62.4%) were females and 59 (37.6%) were males; ninety three (69.9%) were positive for toxoplasma antibodies. Fourteen (10.8%) of the 93 of seropositive patients presented with both IgG and IgM-antibodies in their sera while fifty six (42.1%) and 8 (6.0%) were only sero-positive for toxoplasma IgG or IgM-antibody respectively This rate of infection was not dependent on the patient’s sex or age (X2=11.49, P>0.05). The data provides enough evidence to conclude that 64.7% of the positive cases were due to reactivated infection.

Key words: Toxoplasmosis, HIV/AIDS, Pregnancy, Risk factors, Prevalence, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Toxoplasma antibodies amongst HIVAIDS patients attending the University Teaching Hospital Yaounde in Cameroon

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Importance of the confirmatory assay for the detection of the HBsAg in the epidemiological studies and in the diagnosis of the viral Hepatitis B

L Sangaré, R Sombié, T Ouedraogo, I Sanou, A Bambara, C Ouédraogo, I.P Guissou

 

Abstract

Several epidemiological studies have reported high prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women in Burkina Faso. They used various algorithms, as it is also done for the routine diagnostic. Knowing this antigen carriage rate in such a population or in other clinic attendees is important for the implementation of a national immunisation programme and the monitoring of patients with hepatitis B. Often, the screening tests were not confirmed in spite of the existence of known false positive and false negative results. The aim of this study was to determine a more accurate prevalence of HBsAg, among the pregnant women in Burkina Faso. From October 2006 to January 2007, blood samples were collected from 1139 pregnant women. Each sample was analyzed for HBsAg, using two assays and according to manufacturers’ instructions vis, Hepanostika®HBsAg Uniform II B9 (Bio-Mérieux; France) and HBsAg (V2) Abbott AxSYM® system (Abbott Diagnostics). All the positive samples were tested with a confirmatory neutralization assay- Hepanostika®HBsAg Uniform II B9 Confirmatory (Bio-Merieux). The mean age of the pregnant women was 24.85years [range: 15-45years] and the age range of 20-24 (37%) and 25-29 (25.4%) years were the most represented. The overall rate of HBsAg-positive pregnant women with the two screening assays was 20.9%. The HBsAg detection rate was significantly higher with Hepanostika® UniformII B9 (16.9%) than with HBsAg (V2) AxSYM system assay (12.1%), with P<0,0001. The general seroprevalence of HBsAg was 9% after the confirmatory neutralization testing, with 56.7% of false positive results: this difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The rate of HBsAg positive pregnant women was higher in the age range of 25-29years than in the others; however, this difference was not statistically significant. In an epidemiological approach, the results found in this study confirmed the Burkina Faso belonging to the high endemic carriage area for HBsAg. The results showed that in an individual approach, the confirmatory assay is necessary and there is a need to implement more accurate algorithm for the routine diagnostic in patients.

Key words: HBsAg, confirmatory assay, prevalence, pregnant women, Burkina Faso.

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Importance of the confirmatory assay for the detection of the HBsAg in the epidemiological studies and in the diagnosis of the viral Hepatitis B

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Molecular identification and prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex amongst people living with HIV in Osun state, Nigeria

O Alli, D.O Ogbolu, M.A Salawu, J.G Oyedeji, L Oladokun, F Obaseki

 

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has created a special niche for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in humans as a result of the defect/reduction in cell mediated immunity. M. tuberculosis still responsible for most cases of death due to infectious diseases after HIV. In this study, prevalence of M. tuberculosis was determined in people living with HIV in Osun state of Nigeria with identification of culture positive isolates by polymerase chain reaction. A total of 160 samples were collected from people living with HIV with mean age of 36.8 years old of age (Median -34; age range 16 – 68; 95% confidence interval – 2.49) after seeking ethical approval from the Ministry of Health, Osun State. The result of the microscopy by ZN stain showed that 40 (25%) of the 160 samples were positive for acid fast bacilli while culture on Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium revealed that 30 (18.75%) of the samples processed, grew organism that conformed to the characteristics of M. tuberculosis complex. Polymerase chain reaction for IS6110 was used to confirm the identity of the colonies on LJ slope as M. tuberculosis complex while the PCR for 260 bp of Rv1255c was used in identifying M. tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis represented 92% of the M. tuberculosis complex. The prevalence of M. tuberculosis among people living with HIV was found to be 15% after PCR identification. The effects of socio-demographic factors on the prevalence of TB were analysed. Occupation was found to be associated with the proportional distribution of TB in people living with HIV (X2 = 14.85; p < 0.05). The study concluded that PCR should be integrated into the schema for identification of tuberculosis in reference laboratories in developing countries.

Key words: Molecular identification, Polymerase chain reaction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Prevalence, HIV, Nigeria

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Molecular identification and prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex amongst people living with HIV in Osun state, Nigeria.

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Prevalence and management of Falciparium malaria among infants and children in Ota, Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria

G.I Olasehinde, A.A Ajay, S.O Taiwo, B.T Adekeye, O.A Adeyeba

 

Abstract

Studies were carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite infection among infants and children (0-12yrs) in Ota, Southwestern Nigeria between April and December 2008. The two hospitals used were Ota General Hospital and Covenant University Health Centre, Canaanland, Ota. Thick and thin films were made and stained using standard parasitological procedures. Structured Questionnaires were distributed to ascertain the age, sex, drugs or insecticides used and state of health of the subjects before recruiting them into the study. Overall, 215 (80.5%) of the 267 children investigated were found to have malaria infection. Age group (0-5 years) had the highest frequency rate of 84.7% with mean parasite density of 900 and the difference between the age groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Children of illiterates from suburb villages had the highest mean parasite density of 850 with 78.1% prevalence rate. 20% of the children were given local herbs and 22% used orthodox medicine as prophylaxis. Only 18% used insecticide treated mosquito nets while 24% of the parents spray insecticides to prevent mosquito bites. There is therefore need for more awareness on effective use of drugs and Insecticide Treated bed nets in malaria hyperendemic regions.

Key words: % Prevalence, malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, infants, Children

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Prevalence and management of Falciparium malaria among infants and children in Ota Ogun state Southwestern Nigeria

 

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Onchocerciasis Amongst Children Of An Endemic Community In Edo State, Nigeria

MS Aisien, EE Adeyemi, VA Wagbatsoma

 

Abstract

Onchocerciasis among 278 children (0-15yrs) of Ekpan village, a hyperendemic community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria was investigated using the prevalence of nodules as index. The overall prevalence of palpable nodules was 26.3%. Nodule prevalence increased with age and the association was found to be statistically significant (P<0.001). More males than females presented with onchocercal nodules; and the difference was also found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Majority of the nodules found were located on the head, followed by the abdomen. Of the 186 children eligible to take ivermectin, only 124 (66.7%) actually took the drug. The efficacy of ivermectin against onchocerciasis is demonstrated in the observation that those who took the drug presented with fewer nodules. Therefore, a timely introduction of eligible children (>5yrs) to the treatment programme is advocated.

Keywords: Onchocerciasis, children, Nigeria, nodules, prevalence, ivermectin

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 9 (2) 2008 pp. 97-102

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Soil transmitted helmeinthiasis among apparently healthy children in Kano municipality

G U Ihesiulor, M A Emokpae, S I Adeeke, A B Samaila

 

Abstract

The prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infections in apparently healthy children of mean age 12.2 years drawn randomly from one school in each of the four local government areas of Kano, northern Nigeria were evaluated. Stool sample from 570 children were analyzed using formol ether concentration technique. 130(22.8%) of the subject were infected by soil transmitted helminthes (STH). The overall prevalence by species were Ascaris Lumbricoides (7.9%), Hookworm (5.3%) and trichuris trichiura (3.5%) respectively. 35(6.1%) of the subjects were infected with two or more soil
transmitted helminthes. The prevalence in males (24.2%) was generally higher than that of females (22%), Hookworm infection was high(45.5%) in the 15-20 years old age group, while Ascaris Lumbricoides infection was high (100%) in the 6-10 years old age group. The mean number of eggs per gramme (epg) of faeces was moderate. The study shows that subjects had high intensity of infections for Ascaris Lumbricoidesas hook worm, trichuris
trichiura as epg of faeces counted were high in them compared to what was obtained for mixed infections. It also reveals a moderately high prevalence across board for all soil transmitted helminth (STH) in Ungogo local government

Keywords: Soil transmitted helminthes, Children, prevalence

African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 8 (1) 2007: pp.77-83

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Prevalence Of Malaria Parasitaemia In Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

EI Ikeh, SN Akudo, VE Uguru

 

Abstract

The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in 200 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) between April and June 2003 was determined. Geimsa-stained thick and thin blood films were examined microscopically for malaria parasites; the parasite densities were determined on the thick films. Eighteen (9%) of the women were positive for malaria parasites and only Plasmodium falciparum was encountered in the study. Pregnant women in the 15-20 year age group recorded the highest prevalence of 16%, closely followed by the age group 21-25 years with 15.2%. The 26-30, 31-35, 36-40 and 41-50 year age groups recorded 6.7%, 4.5%, 4.1% and 0% prevalence rates respectively. Women in their first trimester recorded 13.3% as against 10.2% and 3.8% for the second and third trimester respectively. The primigravidae had a prevalence of 12.9% as against 7.2% for multigravidae. Most of the women with malaria parasitaemia (89%) had parasite densities of less than 1000/µL of blood. The low prevalence of malaria parasitaemia in the ANC women is attributed to the regular prophylactic malaria therapy and the impacts of the health talks normally given to pregnant women during routine antenatal visits
Key words: Malaria, pregnancy, prevalence, prophylaxisAfr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 91-94

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Prevalence of measles neutralizing antibody in children under 15 years in Southwestern Nigeria

OO Opaleye, MO Adewumi, E Donbraye, AS Bakarey, GN Odaibo, OD Olaleye

 

Abstract

The immune status of children under 15 years in the Southwestern region of Nigeria against measles virus was determined using the neutralization test with a view to assessing the herd immunity to the virus in these communities. A total of 256 serum samples collected from children were tested by the beta method of neutralization. Forty (15.6%) of these samples were found to be positive at a titre of 1:256, 35 (13.7%) at 1:128, 36(14.1%) at 1:64, 37(14.5%) at 1:32, 38 (14.8%) at 1:16, 27 (10.5%) at 1:8 and 16 (6.3%) at 1:4. Twenty-seven (10.5%) of the 256 samples had no detectable antibody to the measles virus. There was no significant relationship between the antibody titre to measles virus and the gender of the children (p > 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference using Chi square analysis between the neutralizing antibody titres and the age of the children (p > 0.05). All the children whose samples were tested were vaccinated against measles as attested to by their parents. However, the vaccination does not seem to protect all the children, for some of them had no detectable neutralizing antibody while some had low neutralizing antibody titre. In Nigeria, where only a single dose of measles vaccine is given at 9 month, measles may remain a serious threat to the children population with its attendant high morbidity and mortality.

Key Words: Prevalence, Neutralizing antibodies, Children < 15years

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. Vol.6(1) 2005: 60-63