The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of worldwide cancer related death. Chronic hepatitis B infection, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exposure to aflatoxins is fundamental in the formation of HCC in developing countries. This review of scientific publications aims to establish the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and highlights the correlation between aflatoxin and hepatitis B viral-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Research has shown a significant increase in the occurrence of HCC in HBV-infected individuals exposed to fungal toxins. HBV demonstrates the ability to integrate and bind to p53 protein in the host DNA and propagate hepatocyte vulnerability through carcinogenic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) damage. Although there has been clear evidence about the synergistic interaction of exposure to AFB1 and HBV infection in the induction of HCC, other literature has shown otherwise, mainly because incomplete and vague findings and hypotheses were made in regions where AFB1 and HBV pose a public health risk. Vaccination against hepatitis B and measures such as robust food safety systems to avoid hepatotoxicity and hepatocellular carcinogenesis induced by AFB1 is the most effective methods in the prevention of HCC induced by HBV and AFB1

Perception and willingness to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among household-heads in a rural community of South-Western Nigeria

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccine have been met with varying perceptions that may have both negative and positive effects on the willingness to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine. The study is set to determine the perception and willingness of the household heads to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in a rural community in Southwestern, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among 409 household heads selected through a multistage sampling technique. The instrument of data collection was a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaireusing the Health Belief model constructs. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 21.0 and Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine the association between perception and willingness to uptake vaccine. P<0.05 was taken as significant at 95% confidence interval.Results:The majority of the unvaccinated respondents in the study were not willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine (60.1%). There was a poor perception of the susceptibility/severity of unvaccinated respondents to COVID-19 infection and a poor perception of the benefit/barrier to the uptake of the COVID-19vaccine. Perception of susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 infection were statistically related to the willingness to uptake the COVID-19vaccine.Conclusion:There should be an increase in awareness campaigns to change the perception of people positively to COVID-19 infection and uptake of the COVID-19vaccine.

Bacteriology and outcome of Neonatal Septicaemia: Experience from a mission hospital in Nigeria

Introduction@#One in every three preventable under-five deaths occur in the neonatal period and one of the leading causes of neonatal death in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) is sepsis. Organisms isolated varies between and within geographical locations, its trend changes with time. Each setting hence needs to have its antibiogram for susceptible isolates to optimize treatment outcome, the background on which this study was conducted. @*Methodology@#A retrospective study was done on neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Bowen University Teaching Hospital, a missionary hospital in South West Nigeria, between January 2016 and December 2017. The medical records of these neonates were retrieved from the comprehensive electronic database for all neonates admitted into the unit. @*Result@#Of the 129 newborns eligible for the study, early-onset sepsis (56.6%) predominated. There were 79 (61%) males giving a M:F ratio of 1.6:1. The incidence rate of neonatal sepsis was 15 per 1,000 live births with a mortality rate of 24%. Gram-Negative Bacilli were mostly isolated in positive cultures. The likelihood of getting a positive culture was unrelated to the age and sex of patients at presentation. There was a varying resistance pattern of the isolates to commonly used empiric antibiotics. @*Conclusion and Recommendation@#Gram-Negative Bacilli was the commonest cause of neonatal sepsis in our center, associated with poor outcome. The high incidence of resistance to the commonly used empirical treatment calls for an urgent review of practice if the trend of high morbidity and mortality would be curtailed, as well as improved infection control practices.

Studies on Comparative Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Yankasa Sheep Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma congolense Field Isolates of Nigerian Origin

Background:African Animal Trypanosomosisis one of the key hindrances to full livestock development in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, despite years of efforts to eradicate the disease. It is an important parasitic disease of humanand animals. Control of the disease relies majorly on chemotherapy of one of the three trypanocidal drugs. The severity of haematological indices depends on parasite species, host involved and nutrition. Hence, there is need to assess the pathogenicity and compare their effects on some of our local breeds of livestock. Methodology:Field isolates Trypanosoma vivaxand Trypanosoma congolenseof Nigerian origin were used. Thirty sheep were acquired and preconditioned for two weeks in arthropod-proofed pens before the commencement of the experiment. The sheep were divided into five groups (A-T.vivaxinfected-treated, B-T.vivaxinfected-untreated, C-No infection, no treatment, E-T. congolenseinfected-treated and F-T. congolenseinfected-untreated. Packed Cell Volume, serum protein, WBC, DLC were monitored weekly for 8 weeks.Results:There was gradual decreased in PCV of all the infected animals which was an indication of anaemia but more severe in T. vivaxgroups. Also decreased in plasma protein that was more pronounced and prolonged in T. vivaxthan the T. congolensegroups, this was similar with WBC. Neutrophils had initial increased in all the groups before dropping and low value of monocyte at the early period of infections which later disappeared. There was no basophil seen in all the T.vivaxgroups but few were observed in T.congolensegroups. Conclusion: Anaemia is a general feature of most parasitic infections especially in trypanosomosis. Trypanosoma vivaxused in this study is more pathogenic than the T. congolense, hence may have more negative effects in sheep production in author’s environment

Long-term survival of children following acute peritoneal dialysis in a resource-limited setting

Background@#There is a paucity of data on long term-outcomes of children who undergo acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) in resource-limited settings. We reviewed the outcomes of children who underwent PD after 18 months of follow-up. @*Methods@#We conducted a prospective cohort study in children with acute kidney injury (AKI) who underwent PD.Diagnosis of AKI was based on the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes definition. We assessed outcomes of in-hospital mortality, 18-month post-dialysis survival, factors associated with survival, and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). @*Results@#Twenty-nine children with a median age of 6 (3 to 11) years underwent acute PD. In-hospital mortality was 3/29 (10.3%) and rose to 27.6% during follow-up. Seven (24.1%) children were lost to follow-up. Of the 14 remaining children, six (42.9%) experienced full recovery of renal function, while eight (57.1%) progressed to CKD. Among those who experienced full recovery, median (interquartile range) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) rose from 12.67 (7.05, 22.85) mL/min/1.73 m2 to 95.56 (64.50, 198.00) mL/min/1.73 m2 , P = 0.031. No significant changes in median eGFR from baseline were observed among those who progressed to CKD (P = 0.383) or in non-survivors (P = 0.838). According to Kaplan-Meier curve analyses, 18-month survival during follow-up was 66.0% (95% CI, 45.0% to 86.5%). Age < 5 was associated with greater likelihood of survival (OR, 3.217; 95% CI, 1.240 to 8.342). @*Conclusion@#Progression of post-PD AKI to CKD occurred in more than half of survivors. Age < 5 was associated with greater likelihood of survival.

Long-term survival of children following acute peritoneal dialysis in a resource-limited setting

Background@#There is a paucity of data on long term-outcomes of children who undergo acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) in resource-limited settings. We reviewed the outcomes of children who underwent PD after 18 months of follow-up. @*Methods@#We conducted a prospective cohort study in children with acute kidney injury (AKI) who underwent PD.Diagnosis of AKI was based on the 2012 Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes definition. We assessed outcomes of in-hospital mortality, 18-month post-dialysis survival, factors associated with survival, and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). @*Results@#Twenty-nine children with a median age of 6 (3 to 11) years underwent acute PD. In-hospital mortality was 3/29 (10.3%) and rose to 27.6% during follow-up. Seven (24.1%) children were lost to follow-up. Of the 14 remaining children, six (42.9%) experienced full recovery of renal function, while eight (57.1%) progressed to CKD. Among those who experienced full recovery, median (interquartile range) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) rose from 12.67 (7.05, 22.85) mL/min/1.73 m2 to 95.56 (64.50, 198.00) mL/min/1.73 m2 , P = 0.031. No significant changes in median eGFR from baseline were observed among those who progressed to CKD (P = 0.383) or in non-survivors (P = 0.838). According to Kaplan-Meier curve analyses, 18-month survival during follow-up was 66.0% (95% CI, 45.0% to 86.5%). Age < 5 was associated with greater likelihood of survival (OR, 3.217; 95% CI, 1.240 to 8.342). @*Conclusion@#Progression of post-PD AKI to CKD occurred in more than half of survivors. Age < 5 was associated with greater likelihood of survival.

A Template For Surgical Residency Training Program (SURGICAL Postgraduate Training) In Developing Countries.

Background: Many doctors who trained in developing countries always travelled to developed countries for specialization. After specialization, many of them do not return to their countries of origin but stay put in the host countries, and get absorbed into the health delivery system of the host countries. To stop this exodus of much needed man-power in the developing countries, many of these developing countries devised their own postgraduate programs so that there will be no need for doctors that aspire to specialize to leave the country any more. This review article is to assess the quality of the various postgraduate programs in the Third World countries. Study design: The postgraduate programs in some developing countries like Nigeria, Ghana and some countries in the South Pacific were studied and compared with some programs in the developed countries like the United States of America and Canada. There are differences in these programs. We therefore attempt to identify the weaknesses of the programs in the developing countries and make suggestions in some aspects of the programs so as to produce Residency training programs that will satisfy the needs and the peculiarities of the developing countries, and yet measure up to international standards. Results and findings: Many of the postgraduate programs in the developing countries, as they are now, fall far short of international acceptable standard. There are essentially two main reasons for this: some of the programs are directly under the control of the Governments in those countries, where the priorities are more economic than quality. Also, there is this notion among the doctors in the developing countries that surgical postgraduate training must be treated like preparation for a university PhD degree, even though university Senate has no in-put in awarding fellowship certificate. In the Third World countries, it is felt that “special breed” of surgeons must work in the university environment because it is considered “prestigious” to work in the universities. Conclusion:Even though the aim to retain doctors in their countries can be said to have been achieved, it came at a great price because the programs are very different from the well established residency training program as introduced by William Halsted and Churchill. This gives rise to a program comparative to residency training in the specialty of General Medical Practice, which is very different and of lower standard than internationally accepted surgical residency training program. It also equates the training, in some aspects, to that of a university Master's and PhD degrees. Abbreviations: RTP, Residency Training Program; LSP, Local Specialist Program; GCPS, Ghana College of Physician and Surgeons; NPGMC, National Post Graduate Medical College; WACS, West African College of Surgeons; LST, Local Surgical Training; MCQ, Multiple Choice Questions; OSCE, Objective Structured Clinical Examination; SRTP, Surgical Residency Training Program; MMed, Master's degree in Medicine.

Knowledge and perception of family medicine among medical students at University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Postgraduate training in Family Medicine in Nigeria began over three decades ago, but it was not until recently that the National University Commission (NUC) made it a policy for all Nigerian universities to include undergraduate Family Medicine training in their curriculum. This study aimed to assess the awareness and perception of Family Medicine among medical students at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of four weeks (June 11­July 6, 2018) among 131 fourth-year, 118 fifth-year and 163 sixth-year medical students at UCH, Ibadan. Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Data were collected from 309 (75% of the target population). The mean age of the respondents was 22.3 ± 2.3 years. The majority (74.4%) did not have a family member who was a doctor and only 2.3% had a family member who was specialising in Family Medicine. Most of the participants (68.9%) had good knowledge of Family Medicine, while 57.3% had good perception of Family Medicine as a specialty. Importantly, an increase in year of clerkship was associated with an increase in the knowledge of Family Medicine among the respondents. Conclusion: It was observed that with increase in length of exposure to Family Medicine as a specialty, knowledge and perception of the specialty improved among the medical students. It is imperative that all the medical schools in Nigeria implement the NUC directive and start undergraduate Family Medicine training

Effects of Vitamin E Administration on Certain Biochemical and Antioxidants Indices in Some Rat Tissues Treated with Aluminium Chloride

Aims: It has been shown that aluminium and its compounds accumulate in some tissues causing metabolic dysfunctions. This study investigated the effects of vitamin E administration on certain biochemical and antioxidants indices in rat tissues treated with aluminium chloride (AlCl3). Study Design: Twenty four male Wistar rats with average weight of 160 g were randomly selected into four groups and treated as follows; group A(distilled water), group B (vitamin E only,100 mg/kg. bw/day), group C (AlCl3 only,40 mg/kg. bw/day) and group D (vitamin E and AlCl3), all administered orally in 0.2 ml solution for 21 days. Methodology: Biochemical and antioxidant indices were evaluated using standard methods. Results: Results showed that treatment with AlCl3 only (group C) caused significant (P=.05) decreases in Red Blood Cell (WBC) count, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), serum total protein and High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol ( HDL-C) with increases in White Blood Cell (WBC) count, triglyceride and total cholesterol. It also elicits significant (P=.05) increases in some liver and kidney indices such as Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, serum urea and creatinine concentrations. Analysis of antioxidant indices of the liver, kidney, brain and testis also revealed decreases in activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Reduced Glutathione (GSH) concentration with corresponding significant (P=.05) increases in Malondialdehyde (MDA) level by AlCl3 administration. In contrast, treatment with vitamin E and AlCl3 (group D) showed improved in metabolic alterations observed in AlCl3 intoxication as these indices were reversed with greater effects observed in group B. Conclusion: Results obtained are indication of antioxidative and tissue protective effects of vitamin E against dyslipidemia and heamatological disorder induced by (AlCl3).

Aspects épidemiologiques des anomalies dentaires chez les enfants porteurs de syndrome de down au CNHU-HKM de Cotonou

Le syndrome de Down expose à plusieurs anomalies dont des problèmes dentaires. Ces problèmes dentaires très fréquents sont très peu étudiés chez les enfants porteurs de syndrome de Down suivis au CNHU. C'est pour combler ce vide que cette étude a été initiée. Elle avait pour objectif d'étudier les anomalies dentaires chez les enfants porteurs de syndrome de Down en Pédiatrie au CNHU de Cotonou. Méthode : Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective, descriptive et analytique conduite sur des enfants reçus en consultation de génétique médicale sur la période de janvier à septembre 2017. Chaque enfant bénéficiait d'un examen clinique avec ou sans réalisation de la panoramique dentaire. Les données collectées étaient sociodémographiques, cliniques et paracliniques. Résultats : Au total, 38 enfants porteurs de syndrome de Down ont été inclus. L'hygiène buccodentaire était mauvaise chez 60,5% des enfants et était caractérisée par la présence de tartre et d'enduits sur les dents. Les enfants avaient une gencive saine dans 84,2% des cas. Une carie était observée chez 18,4% des enfants. Conclusion : Les anomalies dentaires sont fréquentes chez les enfants porteurs de syndrome de Down suivis en pédiatrie au CNHU de Cotonou. Un dépistage systématique de ces anomalies dentaires devra être mis en place pour une prise en charge globale de ces enfants

Acceptance of Umbilical Cord Blood as an Alternative to Adult Blood Transfusion by Pregnant Women in Makurdi; Nigeria

BACKGROUND.Inadequate supply of safe blood has been a source of worry to health facilities in Nigeria. One way of addressing this is problem is to consider the use of Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) as an alternative to adult blood for the purpose of blood transfusion. This will only be possible if we accept this alternative.OBJECTIVES.The objective of this study was to determine the acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion by pregnant women in Makurdi; North central; Nigeria.METHODS.With the use of structured questionnaire; information on socio-demography; acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood; and factors responsible for rejecting UCB were collected from 302 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Benue State University Teaching Hospital; Makurdi. Data generated was analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19. RESULTS.The median age of the respondents was 29 years. Majority was Tiv (84.2%); Civil servants (45.3%); Christians (95.1%); and 62.4% had tertiary education. Twenty-one percent of the women were willing to accept UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion. Twenty percent were willing to accept UCB for their babies. The reasons for not willing to accept UCB included; the feeling that UCB is not safe (44.4%); that UCB transfusion is not a usual practice (34.9%); the feeling that UCB may be injurious to their health (12.7%) and that UCB transfusion is against their faith (8.0%).CONCLUSION.Acceptance of UCB as an alternative to adult blood transfusion by pregnant women in Makurdi is low. The major reasons for rejecting UCB was the feeling that cord blood is not safe for transfusion and that it was not a usual practice. For a successful establishment of cord blood banking in Makurdi; massive public awareness program will have to be instituted to deal with the misconceptions surrounding UCB transfusion

Patella Resurfacing during Total Knee Arthroplasty: Have We Got the Issue Covered?

BACKGROUND: Management of the patella during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is controversial. Multiple studies have examined mechanical and clinical results of TKA with native and resurfaced patellae with no clear consensus. METHODS: We surveyed a large cohort of consultant surgeons in a questionnaire based study in order to assess the indications for patella resurfacing and to correlate practice with degree of specialization, experience and volume of procedures performed. RESULTS: Six hundred and nineteen surgeons were included. The main indication for patella resurfacing was patellofemoral arthritis. The ratio of those who always:sometimes:never resurfaced was 1:2:1 irrespective of experience or volume performed. There was no difference between knee specialists and non-specialists (p = 0.977) or between high and lower volume surgeons (p = 0.826). Senior and high volume surgeons tended to always resurface. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of surgeons only sometimes resurfaced the patella. The number who always and never resurfaced were similar. There was a tendency for more experienced and high volume surgeons to always resurface.

Prevalence of End-Digit Preference in Recorded Blood Pressure By Nurses: a Comparison of Measurements Taken by Mercury and Electronic Blood Pressure-Measuring Devices

Objectives: When compared with the use of a mercury sphygmomanometer; the use of a validated digital blood pressure (BP) measuring device eliminates the risk of exposure to mercury. Digital devices are also associated with a lesser degree of end-digit preference (EDP). EDP refers to the occurrence of a particular end digit more frequently than would be expected through chance alone. There have been only a few reports from Africa on the occurrence of EDP in BP measurement. This study examined EDP in BP taken by nurses before and after the introduction of a digital BP-measuring device.Design: The design was a retrospective study.Settings and subjects: We reviewed the BP readings of 458 patients who presented at the dedicated clinic for people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital; Osogbo; Nigeria; before and after the introduction of the digital BP-measuring device.Outcome measures: The prevalence of end-digit zero of systolic and diastolic BP readings before and after the introduction of the digital device was compared using McNemar's test.Results: There was a large and significant fall in end-digit zero when BP readings that were taken using the mercury and digital devices were compared (systolic 98.1 vs. 10.9 ; p-value 0.001; diastolic 97.1 vs. 14.9 ; p-value 0.001 (McNemar's test).Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in the frequency of end-digit zero when BP was taken with the digital device rather than the mercury device. Regular training and certification of healthcare workers in BP measurement is recommended to ensure a high quality BP measurement standard

Profil des enfants infectes par le VIH suivis au centre national hospitalier et Universitaire (CNHU) de Cotonou

Objectif : Decrire le profil des enfants infectes par le VIH Patients et methodes : Etude transversale; descriptive et analytique portant sur 317 enfants infectes; suivis de Janvier 2002 a Juillet 2010. Resultats : L'age moyen des enfants etait de 89;1 mois ; le sex ratio de 0;91. Ils etaient orphelins d'au moins un parent dans 31;3 des cas. La transmission etait essentiellement verticale (86;1). avaient beneficie d'une prophylaxie antiretrovirale pour la PTME. Ils etaient tous infectes par le VIH 1. Selon la classification de l'OMS; 52 Seulement 9;5 etaient a un stade clinique 3 ou 4 et 56 avaient un deficit immunitaire important ou severe. 61 avaient souffert d'infections opportunistes; et 53 avaient beneficie du traitement antiretroviral. Quant a leur devenir; 54 avaient continue le suivi; 23 etaient perdus de vue; 18 etaient decedes et 5 transferes sur un autre site de prise en charge. Les facteurs associes au devenir etaient le traitement antiretroviral (p 0;0001); les stades clinique (p 0;0001) et immunologique (p

Pleuresie chez l'enfant au centre national hospitalier et universitaire de Cotonou : aspects epidemiologiques; cliniques; paracliniques et therapeutiques

But : déterminer les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, cliniques, paracliniques et thérapeutiques des pleurésies chez les enfants au Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire (CNHU) de Cotonou.Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective descriptive et analytique faite de janvier 2004 à décembre 2008 dans le service de Pédiatrie du CNHU de Cotonou. Elle a porté sur tous les enfants âgés de plus de 1 mois à 15 ans hospitalisés pour épanchement pleural et ayant une radiographie thoracique à l'admission. Les outils statistiques utilisés étaient l'Epi Info et le test du X² de Pearson.Résultats : L'incidence des pleurésies dans le service de Pédiatrie du CNHU était en augmentation 2004 à 2008. Les enfants de moins de 5 ans étaient les plus touchés avec comme motif fréquent des difficultés respiratoires. Les signes associés étaient dominés par la fièvre, des atteintes respiratoires et des troubles digestifs. Le diagnostic de pleurésie était évoqué à l'admission chez 56,3%. Le germe le plus retrouvé était le Staphylococcus aureus. Le traitement était souvent fait d'une antibiothérapie,d'un drainage pleural et d'une transfusion sanguine. La mortalité était de 5,6%.Conclusion : La prise des pleurésies de l'enfant au CNHU de Cotonou reste perfectible en matière de diagnostic étiologique

A Review of the Impact of Cost and Quality of HIV Kits on HIV Testing in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background: When HIV antibodies testing was introduced in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital; Kano a couple of years ago; Double ELISA was used to test blood samples before a particular specimen was diagnosed as reactive or non-reactive. A time came when immunoconfirmatory test was introduced into HIV antibodies testing for confirmations of the presence of HIV. Objectives: This present retospective study is to review the impact of cost and quality of HIV reagent kits in the two periods A and B on the patients and confidence on the health care provider. Methods: We collated and compared laboratory records for both periods of HIV antibodies testing at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano consisting of period A from November 1997 to May 1998 (7 months) and period B from November 1998 to May 1999 (7months). In period A; double ELISA was used (Genie II and Immunocomb Bispot) while in period B; Immunocomb Bispot and Immunoconfirm II were used Results: The results show that the cost per test increased from two hundred and fifty Naira($2) to five hundred Naira($4). There was a reduction on the number of patients from 289 to 258 within the two periods. But the prevalence of reactive HIV antibodies decreased from 43.6to 36.8. Conclusion: The period when Immunoconfirmatory technique was introduced brought assurance; reliability and confidence to HIV diagnosis test in the centre

The Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies among Prospective Blood Donors in Jos

"Background:Human cytomegalovirus; otherwise called human herpes virus type 5; is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy; and among immunocompromised patients like recipients of organ transplants. Cytomegalovirus is transmissible via blood transfusion; among other parenteral routes. This study therefore aims at establishing the seroprevalence of CMV antibodies among prospective blood donors in Jos. This is with a view to making recommendations on donor screening and transfusion protocols among susceptible patients. Methods: A total of 200 prospective blood donors were recruited into the study. Screening for CMV antibodies was done using ELISA kit; manufactured by ""DIALAB""; Austria (www.dialb.at) Results: Of the 200 prospective blood donors analysed; 184 donors were found to be positive for cytomegalovirus antibodies; representing a prevalence rate of 92.The peak age prevalence was in the 25-29 years age range; representing 0.4.Cytomegalovirus prevalence was lowest in the 15-19 years age range and above 50 years(1.6each). Conclusion: A cytomegalovirus antibody prevalence rate of 92indicates that screening for CMV should be included in screening algorithm for potentially susceptible recipients of blood and its products. Non infected susceptible persons should be transfused CMV negative or leucocyte depleted blood and blood products."

Foreign body ingestions in a schizophrenic patient

The topic of foreign body ingestion has received extensive coverage in the areas of surgery; emergency medicine and pediatrics. A subset of this topic; the intentional ingestion of foreign bodies; however; is much less common; and involves subtleties in evaluation and management not usually seen in accidental ingestions. Here; we report a case of ingestion of a rolled; metal tuna can lid in a male prison inmate previously diagnosed with depression and paranoid schizophrenia. Following evaluation by the surgical team; the foreign body was removed by laparotomy and the patient was discharged back to the prison without complication. In many cases; ingestions of this type involve a command hallucination ordering the patient to swallow the foreign body. Interestingly; the patient in the present case reported auditory hallucinations commanding him not to swallow the can lid