The Prevalence of Polyparasitism in Oju, Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Intestinal and urinary parasitic infections remain an important public health problem in the tropics where poor hygiene and sanitation are a norm rather than an exception. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and distribution of polyparasitic infections and to determine the impact of health education and treatments .Stool and urine samples from 350 participants were analyzed using macroscopic and microscopic direct stool examination of wet and Lugol’siodine preparations and Formal-ether concentration techniques and microscopic examination of simple centrifuged samples of urine. Out of the 350 participants, 101were infected with intestinal parasites with the male and female participants having 29 (66.0%), 41 (71.9%) prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica,9 (20.5%),8(14%) Eschericia coli,2 (4.6), 6(10.5%) Trichomonas hominisand4 (9.1%), 2 (3.5%) Chilomastix mesnillirespectively. Out of the infected 101 participants, 14 of them hadco-infection (polyparasitism). The result of polyparasitism in the Local Government is not significant (p>0.05).The overall infection before health education and treatment was high and least after health education and treatment 0(0%) (p<0.05). The results of this study indicated improper hygiene and sanitation conditions

Utilization of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) in Patients with COPD in Low Resource Countries

Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disorder commonly assessed by spirometryand health related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires. COPD assessment test (CAT) is a new questionnaire used for HRQoL evaluation especially in a clinic setting. Aims:To assess HRQoL using the CAT, and to determine the relationship of CAT to other measures of COPD such as pulmonary function test (PFT), dyspnea and six minutes walking distance test (6MDWT) among patients with COPD in Nigeria.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:Sixty stable patients with a clinical and spirometric diagnosis of COPD according to the GOLD criteria were recruited into the study. Spirometry was performed according to ATS/ERS guidelines. Health status, dyspnea and functional capacity of the patients were assessed using the CAT questionnaire, modified medical research council (MMRC) dyspnea scaleand six-minute walking distance (6MDWT) respectively.Results:The mean age was 68.8 years ± 10.3. Sixty percent of the study participants were male. The mean BMI was 21.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2, 37(61.7%) of the patients were ex-smokers, 3.3% were current smokers and 35% were never smokers. In terms of frequency of exacerbations 18.3% had ≤ 1 per year and 5.0% had ≥ 2 per year. The CAT was strongly associated with 6MWDT (r = 0.85P < 0.001), FEV1% predicted (r= 0.67, P< 0.001) and with MMRC (r=0.64, p<0.01).Conclusions:CAT scores correlated well with percent FEV1, dyspnea and exercise tolerance which measures various aspect of COPD. It may serve as an easy to administer sensitive tool in assessing stable COPD in outpatientclinics especially in low resource countries

A Review of Microbiologic Isolates of Adults with Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Aims:This study was designed to determine the isolates from microbial cultures and the antibiotics susceptibility pattern of adults with lower respiratory tract infection. Study Design:A retrospective study.Place and Duration of Study:This study was carried out at the Pulmonology units of Medicine department and Microbiology research laboratory unit, Microbiology and Parasitology department, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T) from August 2015 to September 2018 (Thirty-six months).Methodology:This was a retrospective study. patients with LRTI who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The data were extracted from patients’ case notes using well-structured tools. The quality of clinical and laboratory work up were verified by the contribution of specialist Pulmonologist and Microbiologist in the management of patients. Results: A total of one hundred and ninety-eight sample were reviewed of which fifty-seven percent (112) were males and the mean age of the study populations was 37± 13.8 years. From the positive cultures 86.9% were bacteremia and 4.0% were fungaemia. Streptococcus pneumoniae(30.3%) was the most predominant bacteria recovered from the sputum specimens; closely followed by Klebsiella pneumonieaand Staphylococcus aureus. imipenem and ofloxacin Aims:This study was designed to determine the isolates from microbial cultures and the antibiotics susceptibility pattern of adults with lower respiratory tract infection. Study Design:A retrospective study.Place and Duration of Study:This study was carried out at the Pulmonology units of Medicine department and Microbiology research laboratory unit, Microbiology and Parasitology department, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T) from August 2015 to September 2018 (Thirty-six months).Methodology:This was a retrospective study. patients with LRTI who met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The data were extracted from patients’ case notes using well-structured tools. The quality of clinical and laboratory work up were verified by the contribution of specialist Pulmonologist and Microbiologist in the management of patients. Results: A total of one hundred and ninety-eight sample were reviewed of which fifty-seven percent (112) were males and the mean age of the study populations was 37± 13.8 years. From the positive cultures 86.9% were bacteremia and 4.0% were fungaemia. Streptococcus pneumoniae(30.3%) was the most predominant bacteria recovered from the sputum specimens; closely followed by Klebsiella pneumonieaand Staphylococcus aureus. imipenem and ofloxacin

The Relation of COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and BODE Index in Assessing Patients with COPD: Is Cat Alone Simple and Good Enough?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of disability and death worldwide. It is often evaluated with outcome measures like lung function test (LFT), health status and BODE (Body mass, Obstruction, Dyspnoea and Exercise capacity) index, to initiate appropriate treatment. Objectives: To determine the association between the BODE index and COPD assessment test (CAT) in COPD patients. To ascertain the utility of CAT alone as an assessment tool for COPD patients in primary care setting and low resource countries. Methods: A cross-sectional study of sixty (60) patients with clinical and lung function test diagnosis of COPD were recruited consecutively from the outpatient clinic. The body mass index (BMI) of the patients, CAT scores, modified medical research council dyspnoea scale and sixminute walk distance test (6MWDT) was assessed and recorded. The individual score was summed up to obtain the BODE index score for the particular patients. Results: The mean age was 68.8years (± 10.3). There was a strong correlation between the BODE index and CAT scores (r= 0.77 P <0.0001). Inter-rater agreement between the tools (CAT and BODE index) was moderate (k=0.46). The CAT questionnaire also correlated well with the modified medical research council dyspnea scale, the six-minute walk test and the forced expiratory volume in the first second. Conclusion: CAT can serve as a simple, easy to administer tool for the assessment of patients with COPD especially in low resource countries and primary care setting.