Epidemiology of Histopathologically Diagnosed Mycoses: The Ibadan 37 Years Experience.

Background: Recent studies suggest that the occurrence of mycotic infections is increasing worldwide, due to predisposing factors such as immunosuppression from chemotherapy, surgery, HIV/AIDS and debilitating diseases, but there is paucity of information regarding fungal infections in our environment. Aim: This study aimed to characterise mycoses diagnosed histopathologically in the Department of Pathology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan between 1970 and 2006. Methods: The surgical pathology and autopsy records of all mycoses diagnosed during the study period were retrieved and analysed. One hundred and eighty-six mycoses were recruited. Results: There was a progressive decline in the annual occurrence of mycoses from 19.7% to 1.1%. The cases comprised 121 males and 65 females, whose ages ranged from 6 weeks to 80 years, with 68.3% being less than 40 years of age. The mean age of the male patients (29.9±18.4 years) was not significantly different from that of the females (27.4±18.2 years), t = 0.867, df = 186, p = 0.387. The most common mycotic infections were African histoplasmosis (28%), aspergillosis (12.4%), mycetoma (9.7%), candidiasis (8.6%) and actinomycosis (7%). Systemic mycoses accounted for 62%, followed by subcutaneous mycoses (21%), cutaneous mycoses (11%) and superficial mycoses (6%). The most common sites involved were the skin (23.7%), upper and lower limbs (15.6%), nose (11.3%) and lungs (7%). Conclusion: The present study has demonstrated that fungal infections are common and account for significant morbidity and disease burden in our environment.

Effect in inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa on offspring's postnatal growth in Sprague-Dawley rats

"In folk medicine; extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (HS) are used in the treatment of several complaints including high blood pressure; liver diseases and fever. To the best of our knowledge; no documented evidence exists on the effect of inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS on postnatal growth. The purpose of the present study; therefore; was to investigate this. Three groups of pregnant rats were used for this study. Group C had tap water while groups A and B had 0.6g and 1.8g HS extract respectively in 100ml tap water to drink throughout pregnancy. All groups had normal rat chow ad libitum. On the day of birth; birth weights were recorded and two pups each from dams in groups A and B were substituted for 4 pups from dams in group C such that dams in group C had two pups each from groups A and B and at least two pups from its own litters to nurse. Thereafter; weights were recorded at 10days; 14days; 20days and 34 days postpartum.Results of the present study show a statistically significant (p0.05) growth reduction in groups A and B pups (exposed group) compared with group C (unexposed group) at 10 days through 20 days postpartum with no statistically significant growth reduction at 34 days postpartum. We conclude that inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS attenuates early postnatal growth in SD rats with a possible ""catch-up"" growth later in life."

Effect of Inutero Exposure to an Aqueous Extract of Hibicus Sabdariffa on Offspring's Postnatal Growth in Sprague-Dawley Rats

"In folk medicine; extracts of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (HS) are used in the treatment of several complaints including high blood pressure; liver diseases and fever. To the best of our knowledge; no documented evidence exists on the effect of inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS on postnatal growth. The purpose of the present study; therefore; was to investigate this. Three groups of pregnant rats were used for this study. Group C had tap water while groups A and B had 0.6g and 1.8g HS extract respectively in 100ml tap water to drink throughout pregnancy. All groups had normal rat chow ad libitum. On the day of birth; birth weights were recorded and two pups each from dams in groups A and B were substituted for 4 pups from dams in group C such that dams in group C had two pups each from groups A and B and at least two pups from its own litters to nurse. Thereafter; weights were recorded at 10days; 14days; 20days and 34 days postpartum. Results of the present study show a statistically significant (p0.05) growth reduction in groups A and B pups (exposed group) compared with group C (unexposed group) at 10 days through 20 days postpartum with no statistically significant growth reduction at 34 days postpartum. We conclude that inutero exposure to an aqueous extract of HS attenuates early postnatal growth in SD rats with a possible ""catch-up"" growth later in life."