Serological and molecular detection of hepatitis C virus among students in a tertiary educational institution in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem and continues to be a major disease burden in the world, associated with serious health challenges including liver cirrhosis, cancer, lymphomas and death. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among students of the University of Calabar. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, 200 students were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies using a rapid immunochromatographic (ICT) assay (CTK Biotech, Inc. USA). Seropositive samples were confirmed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detection of HCV RNA. Structured questionnaires were used to collect subjects' socio-demographic data and risk factors of infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. Results: Of the 200 students screened, the seroprevalence of HCV was 15.0% (n=30) and 9.5% (n=19) was positive for HCV RNA by RT-PCR assay. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was significantly higher in females (18.8%, 12/64) than males (13.2%, 18/136) (x2=3.84, p=0.036). Alcohol consumption (OR=4.67, 95% CI=2.04-10.67, p=0.002), skin piercing (OR=32.99, 95% CI=5.95-72.37, p<0.0001), multiple sexual partners (OR=4.03, 95% CI=1.7-9.6, p=0.0018), and history of blood transfusion (OR=8.00, 95% CI=2.97-21.58, p<0.001) were risk factors significantly associated with HCV infection in the study participants. Conclusion: The findings of 15.0% and 9.5% prevalence of HCV infection by anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA, respectively in this study, showed that there is relatively high prevalence of HCV infection among the students' population in University of Calabar, Nigeria. Hence, routine medical screening of students for HCV infection using rapid ICT and RT-PCR techniques is hereby recommended.

Contexte: L'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) est un problème de santé mondial et continue de représenter un fardeau de morbidité majeur dans le monde, associé à de graves problèmes de santé, notamment la cirrhose du foie, le cancer, les lymphomes et la mort. Cette étude a été réalisée pour déterminer la prévalence de l'infection par le VHC parmi les étudiants de l'Université de Calabar. Méthodologie: Dans une étude transversale, 200 étudiants ont été testés pour la présence d'anticorps anti-VHC à l'aide d'un test immunochromatographique rapide (ICT) (CTK Biotech, Inc., USA). Les échantillons séropositifs ont été confirmés à l'aide d'un test de réaction en chaîne par transcriptase inverse-polymérase (RT-PCR) pour la détection de l'ARN du VHC. Des questionnaires structurés ont été utilisés pour collecter les données sociodémographiques des sujets et les facteurs de risque d'infection. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de SPSS version 16.0, avec le niveau de signification fixé à p <0,05 Résultats: Parmi les 200 étudiants dépistés, la séroprévalence du VHC était de 15,0% (n=30) et 9,5% (n=19) étaient positifs à l'ARN du VHC par test RT-PCR. La prévalence des anticorps anti-VHC était significativement plus élevée chez les femmes (18,8%, 12/64) que chez les hommes (13,2%, 18/136) (x 2=3,84, p=0,036). Consommation d'alcool (OR=4,67, IC 95%=2,04-10,67, p=0,002), perçage cutané (OR=32,99, IC 95%=5,95- 72,37, p <0,001) Conclusion: Les résultats de 15,0 % et 9,5 % de prévalence de l'infection par le VHC par les anticorps anti-VHC et l'ARN du VHC, respectivement dans cette étude, ont montré qu'il existe une prévalence relativement élevée de l'infection par le VHC parmi la population étudiante de l'Université de Calabar, au Nigéria. Par conséquent, un dépistage médical de routine des étudiants pour l'infection par le VHC à l'aide de techniques rapides de TIC et de RT-PCR est recommandé.

Some peculiar lesions of traumatic brain injuries encountered in our practice with brief discussion-imaging manuscript

The advent of neuroimaging like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging has facilitated the diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries. Emphasizing certain diagnostic features of some peculiar traumatic brain injuries. The following lesions of traumatic brain injuries were pictorially depicted, namely Tension pneumocephalus, Blow out orbit, Bilateral subacute subdural haematomata, Acute-onchronic subdural haematoma, Middle cranial fossa acute epidural haematoma, Traumatic basal ganglial haematoma and Acute intra-ventricular haematoma. Mount Fuji sign is typical of tension pneumocephalus while herniation of extra-ocular muscles into the maxillary sinus is diagnostic of blowout orbit. Rabbit ear appearance is observable in bilateral subacute subdural haematomata

Total Intravenous Anaesthesia in a Developing Environment

Background: Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) is a technique of anaesthesia which has become widely popular in the developed world with the availability of computerized infusion devices and appropriate drugs making its use easy and safe for the practitioner; and acceptable; tolerable and cost-effective for the patient. Such infusion devices and new drugs are not readily available in the developing world; although in Nigeria today; infusion devices may be obtained through medical equipment companies now established in the country; and opioids are available through the National Agency for Food; Drug; Administration and Control (NAFDAC).Aim: This paper aims to discuss TIVA giving insights into its practice in a developing economy without the use of sophisticated equipment and drugs; in order to encourage practitioners to use the technique. Method : At the 1st South-South regional anaesthesia conference in Calabar in July 2004; a symposium on TIVA in a developing economy was held as part of the conference. This review utilized literature from relevant texts and that obtained through Medline search. Results: This paper discusses TIVA highlighting aspects of its use in the developed world; and presenting its rather peculiar practice in our environment without the use of sophisticated equipment and opioid analgesics. Conclusion: TIVA is a unique technique of anaesthesia which is easy to master. It is cost-effective and safe. Hence; it is possible to use what is available in the developing environment to obtain what is necessary

Total intravenous anaesthesia in a developing environment

Background: Total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) is a technique of anaesthesia which has become widely popular in the developed world with the availability of computerized infusion devices and appropriate drugs making its use easy and safe for the practitioner; and acceptable; tolerable and cost-effective for the patient. Such infusion devices and new drugs are not readily available in the developing world; although in Nigeria today; infusion devices may be obtained through medical equipment companies now established in the country; and opioids are available through the National Agency for Food; Drug; Administration and Control (NAFDAC).Aim: This paper aims to discuss TIVA giving insights into its practice in a developing economy without the use of sophisticated equipment and drugs; in order to encourage practitioners to use the technique.Method: At the 1st South-South regional anaesthesia conference in Calabar in July 2004; a symposium on TIVA in a developing economy was held as part of the conference. This review utilized literature from relevant texts and that obtained through Medline search.Results: This paper discusses TIVA highlighting aspects of its use in the developed world; and presenting its rather peculiar practice in our environment without the use of sophisticated equipment and opioid analgesics.Conclusion: TIVA is a unique technique of anaesthesia which is easy to master. It is cost-effective and safe. Hence; it is possible to use what is available in the developing environment to obtain what is necessary