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Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV: A 10-year review of data from a tertiary health facility in northcentral Nigeria

*[1]Audu, E. S., [2]Bello, S. O., [3]Ablaku, A., [4]Audu, A. A., 5Bako, I. A., 5Mathew, M., and 6Anazodo, M. C.

1Department of Medical Microbiology, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

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

3Pharmacy Unit, Special Treatment Clinic, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

4Department of Human Anatomy, Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

5Department of Community Medicine, Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

6Department of Community Medicine, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria *Correspondence to: estanamo@gmail.com; +2347083599740 ORCID: 0000-0002-3129-7754

Abstract:  

Background: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the use of short-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) following a single risk exposure to a potential source of HIV infection. If commenced within 72 hours following exposure, PEP has been reported to be very effective in preventing replication and spread of the virus and therefore prevent acquisition of infection. PEP is recommended for exposures occurring in both occupational and non-occupational settings. The objectives of this study are to review the profile of patients and determine the reasons for accessing PEP services in our facility with a view to recommending evidence-based solutions and ultimately contributing to achieving zero transmission of HIV.   Continue reading “Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV: A 10-year review of data from a tertiary health facility in northcentral Nigeria”

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Infectious diseases co-morbidities among patients attending Kogi State University Teaching Hospital: a ten-year retrospective study

*1,2Akor, S. E., 1,2Onoja-Alexander, M. O., 1,2Agbanna, B. E., 3Musa, D. A., 2Priscilla, O. O., 2Agama, O. G., and 2Faith, F. J.

1Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria

2Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Nigeria

3Trans-Saharan Diseases Research Centre, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: shedrackegbnunu@gmail.com; +2348065336131

Abstract:

Background: Co-existence of more than one acute or chronic infectious diseases in a person either concurrently or sequentially with consequent economic burden varies differently from one part of the world to another, with regional and population specific patterns. This study aims to provide co-morbid patho-epidemiological pattern of six infectious diseases; HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections.

Methodology: This research is a ten-year retrospective review of records of patients admitted at various wards of Kogi State University Teaching hospital and referred to the Laboratory Department of the hospital for investigations between June 2012 and July 2021. HIV was screened using the national serial algorithm, TB was diagnosed with the GeneXpert MTB, malaria parasite was identified by blood film microscopy, and syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses were screened using rapid diagnostic kits. Data were analysed with SPSS version 23.0 and association of variables with respect to gender and age group was determined using Chi square, with p< 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Continue reading “Infectious diseases co-morbidities among patients attending Kogi State University Teaching Hospital: a ten-year retrospective study”

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A retrospective study of antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from patients in two Lebanese hospitals for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019)

1Sakr, S., 2Abboud, M., 3Tawbeh, K., 1Hamam, B., and *1Sheet, I.

1Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Lebanon

2Haroun Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon

3Department of Mathematics and Physics, School of Arts and Sciences,
Lebanese International University, Lebanon
*Correspondence to: imtithal.sheet@liu.edu.lb

Abstract:
Background: Misuse of antibiotics is the leading factor promoting emergence of bacterial resistance, a situation that has become a serious public health challenge. Among the leading bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics are Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which have caused infections in patients, resulting in considerable mortality. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess antibiotic resistance rates of bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical specimens in two Lebanese hospitals between the years 2018 and 2019.

Methodology: Bacteria isolated from routine clinical specimens collected from hospitalized patients in two hospitals, Haroun and Bekaa, in Lebanon for 2018 and 2019, were analyzed. Bacteria isolation and identification were carried out at the laboratory of each hospital using conventional microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testings (AST) of each bacterial isolate to antibiotics were performed by the disc diffusion test and interpreted using EUCAST, CLSI or WHO/AST guidelines. Comparisons of the mean resistance rates of each isolate to individual antibiotics by year of isolation were done using the Z-test and p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Continue reading “A retrospective study of antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from patients in two Lebanese hospitals for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019)”