Mathematical modelling approach of the study of Ebola virus disease transmission dynamics in a developing country

Background: Ebola Virus causes disease both in human and non-human primatesespecially in developing countries. In 2014 during its outbreak, it led to majority of deaths especially in some impoverished area of West Africa and its effect is still witnessed up till date. Materials and Methods:We studied the spread of Ebola virus and obtained a system of equations comprising of eighteen equations which completely described the transmission of Ebola Virus ina population where control measures were incorporated and a major source of contacting the disease which is the traditional washing of dead bodies was also incorporated. We investigated the local stability of the disease-free equilibrium using the Jacobian Matrix approach and the disease-endemic stability using the center manifold theorem. We also investigated the global stability of the equilibrium points using the LaSalle's Invariant principle.Results: The result showed that the disease-free and endemic equilibrium where both local and globally stable and that the system exhibits a forward bifurcation.Conclusions: Numerical simulations were carried out and our graphs show that vaccine and condom use is best for susceptible population, quarantine is best for exposed population, isolation is best for infectious population and proper burial of the diseased dead is the best to avoid further disease spread in the population and have quicker and better recovery.

Maternal Serum Levels of Alpha Tumour Necrotic Factor, Interleukin 10, Interleukin 6 and Interleukin 4 in Malaria Infected Pregnant Women Based on Their Gestational Age in Southeast, Nigeria

Malaria has been reported as a condition caused by infestation with Plasmodium parasite species, is a major public health problem globally especially in developing countries like Nigeria. This study was carriedout in Federal Medical Centre Umuahia in Abia State, Nigeria. A study was done to determine the maternal serumlevels of alpha tumour necrotic factor, interleukin 10, interleukin 6and interleukin 4 in malaria infected pregnant women based on their gestational age in Southeast, Nigeria. A total of 150 subjects between the ages of 18-45 years were recruited for the study comprising of fifty (50) subjects each of the 3 trimesters. Commercial ELISA Kit by MELSIN Medical Co Limited was used to measure all the cytokines. The results of Table 1 showed no significant difference of TNF-α (p=0.346), IL-10 (p=0.059), IL-6 (p=0.811) and IL-4 (p=0.257) of malaria infected pregnant women at first trimester and second trimester respectively. The results of Table 2 showed no significant difference of TNF-α (p=0.642), IL-10 (p=0.678), IL-6 (p=0.551) and IL-4 (p=0.280) of malaria infected pregnant women at first trimester and third trimester respectively. The results of Table 2 showed no significant difference of TNF-α (p=0.062), IL-10 (p=0.016), IL-6 (p=0.352) and IL-4 (p=0.914) of malaria infected pregnant women at first trimester and third trimester respectively. The study showed no changes in the cytokines studied among the malaria infected pregnant women based on gestational ages except when IL-10 was compared between the subjects on second trimester and third trimester. This study shows that malaria infection does not changes these cytokines in pregnant women based on gestational ages except the il-10 when compared at second trimester and third trimester but changes when compared at other trimesters.

Evaluation of Some Cytokines, CD4, Hepcidin, Iron, and Some Haematological Parameters of Patients Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Southeastern Part of Nigeria

A study to evaluate the levels of interferon-gamma, interleukins 6 and 10, hepcidin, iron status and some haematological parameters in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus was carried out. A total of 150 subjects aged 18-60 years were enlisted for this study. The subjects were grouped into: Group A (50 control subjects) and Group B (100 HIV subjects, 50 subjects were non ART HIV patients, 50 subjects were on Lamivudine, Tenofavir and Efavirenz). About 7ml of venous blood were collected from each subject;4.5ml of blood were placed into plain tubes for assay of interferon gamma, interleukins (6&10), hepcidin and iron and 2.5ml for FBC, CD4 count and HIV screening. The cytokines and hepcidinwere measured using Melsin ELISA Kits and Teco Diagnostics kits used for iron. Full blood count was determined by automation using Mindray BC-5300, China. The data was analysed with the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 using ANOVA and the level of significance set at P<0.05. The results showed difference that was statistically significant (P<0.05) in IFN-γ (16.25±0.87pg/ml, 29.31±1.44pg/ml,18.49±1.48pg/ml, P=0.000),IL-6(7.98±0.22pg/ml, 11.08±1.21pg/ml,8.79±0.76pg/ml,P=0.000), IL-10(8.52±0.62pg/ml, 16.62±1.53pg/ml,10.39±1.06Pg/ml P=0.000), CD4 (1045.54 ±247.24Cells/L, 195.60 ±35.94Cells/L,10.39±1.06cells/L P=0.000), hepcidin (6.03±1.38ng/ml, 39.59 ±4.50ng/ml, 20.86±3.43ng/ml, P=0.000), Iron (86.29±7.27 μg/dl, 73.43±5.45 μg/dl,85.44±8.45μg/dl, P=0.000), TIBC (345.56±28.40 μg/dl, 287.19 ±8.21μg/dl,305.46±18.82μg/dl, P=0.000),%TSA (25.16±3.18%, 25.61±2.22%,28.08 ±3.42%,P=0.000) WBC (5.87 ±0.88 X 109/L, 4.69±0.72X 109/L,4.80±0.45X 109/L, P=0.000), Neutrophils (60.57±2.83%, 75.16±3.68%,69.04±2.90%, P=0.000), Lymphocytes (30.69 ±2.84%, 17.24±2.50%, 24.46±2.60%,P=0.000), Monocytes (5.59 ±1.2%, 4.18±1.12%,3.97±0.92%, P=0.000), Eosinophils (2.30 ±1.05%, 2.16±0.82%,1.67±0.57%, P=0.000), Basophil 0.86 ±0.39%, 1.31±0.94%, 0.86±0.44%,P=0.018), RBC (4.92±0.30 X 1012/L, 3.34±0.21 X 1012/L,3.60 ±0.18X 1012/L, P=0.000), Haemoglobin (14.75±0.90,g/dl, 10.05±0.65g/dl,10.80±0.53g/dl, P=0.000), PCV (44.25±2.70%, 30.14±1.95,32.56±1.50%, P=0.000), MCV(89.92±2.3fl, 79.49±1.28fl,88.15±2.08fl, P=0.029), MCH (36.12±1.53pg, 26.60±0.48P, P=0.002), Platelets (261.75±22.71 X 109/L, 246.16±9.93 X 109/L,189.32±17.00X 109/L, P=0.000), ESR (7.03 ±1.38mm/hr, 59.52 ±6.46mm/hr,43.34±4.82mm/hr, P=0.000) when compared among Control, Non ART HIV and ART positive subjects.g,28.57±1.78pg, P=0.000), MCHC (368.46±12.28g/l, 318.92±7.33g/l,333.56±22.61g/l. The study shows that interferon gamma, interleukin 6, interleukin 10 and hepcidin are some of the biomarkers in thepathogenesis of HIV. The infection of HIV increases the levels of the cytokines. The cytokines and hepcidin can be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers as their levels decreased with treatment of the patients

Malaria Prevalence in Rice Farm Settlements South East Nigeria

Aim:Agrarian settlements in Nigeria possess a lot of factors that predisposes the populace to malaria. The present study focused on the evaluation of three-year prevalence of malaria in rice farm settlements, South-East Nigeria.Study Design:The study was a retrospective descriptive survey designed to evaluate the prevalence of malaria infection between January 2015 and December 2017. A total of 29, 458 records were examined, 21, 559 and 7, 899 from Ebonyi and Enugu States respectively for three years (2015 –2017). Male comprises 11, 453 of the records while the female was 18, 005.Place and Duration:Southeastern Nigeria \three yearsOriginal Research Article Methodology:Preparation of thick films blood smears for microscopyfollowing standard methods.Results: Overall, 12, 746 (43.3%) were positive for malaria parasites, 7, 651 (35.4%) and 5, 115 (64.8%) from Ebonyi and Enugu respectively.Prevalence of the infection was similar between male and female in Ebonyi State (35.5% vs. 35.3%, χ2= 0.044, df = 1, p = 0.834); but significantly higher in female compared to male in Enugu State (69.7% vs. 55.7%, χ2= 154.808, df = 1, p = 0.0001).Conclusion: There was high prevalence of malaria infection in rice farm settlements, south-east Nigeria

Effect of Ronstar® on the Hematological Parameters of the Freshwater Catfish Clarias albopunctatus Fingerlings

Clarias albopunctatus juvenile (mean weight 85.40±2.67 g) was exposed to sublethal concentrations of Ronstar (0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 mg/l) in a static renewal bioassay system for 15 days. The hematological parameters of the fish were determined every 5 days. When compared with the control, the erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and the hematocrit (Hct) were significantly reduced (P<.05) between the treatment groups. These values also differed (P<.05) within the treatment groups. The leucocyte counts increased with increasing Ronstar concentration and during the exposure. Compared with the control, significant (P<05) lymphocytosis, monocytopenia, neutropenia and reduced eosinophil were all evident in the treatment groups. The reduction in the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin are indications of anemia in the fish exposed to Ronstar. The assay of these parameters could be of immense value in establishing safe limits for pesticides in Nigerian waters as well as in the monitoring of fish health.

yield of medical monitoring of staff employed in institutional catering services in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The four-year employment medicals conducted on 1734 catering staff at military restaurants under the remit of the Preventive Medicine Sub-Division [PMSD] of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, were reviewed to assess the yield and justify this preventive medicine program. Various forms of medicals conducted by PMSD on catering employees in four years [September 1993-August 1997] were retrospectively analysed. A sample of 1000 consecutive stool/ rectal swabs were examined for the relative frequencies of intestinal pathogens. There were 3558 physical, 2278 chest x-ray, 7194 stool, 6884 rectal swab and 3535 "other" examinations in the period. Those infected were 546 and six of them were found totally unfit. The relative prevalence of enteric pathogens encountered were: Trichuris trichuria [1.8%], Giardia lamblia [1.4%], Shigella flexneri [0.7%], Campylobacter spp [0.5%], Entamoeba histolytica [0.4%], Decrocelium detriticum [0.4%] and Shistosomia mansoni [0.1%]. Whereas the small number found totally unfit would make one think this exercise has a low yield, the fact that potential disease transmission, especially food poisoning outbreaks, can be averted justifies the importance of this preventive strategy

Ensuring food safety in institutions through catering employee health monitoring

The employment medicals carried out by the preventive Medicine Sub-Division of the Riyadh Military Hospital on catering employees in locations under its remit from September 1993-December 1996 were reviewed in order to assess the yield and justify the need for this aspect of occupational health programme. Out of 1888 employees screened during the period only 6 were found unfit. A prospective analysis of stools from 1000 consecutive catering medicals from this largely expatriate staff showed an infection rate of 9.8%. The most prevalent helminths were Trichuris trichiura [1.8%], hookworm [1.5%] and Ascaris Lumbricoides [1.2%]; under protozoa was Giardia Lamlia [1.4%]; whereas the bacteria were mostly of salmonella species [1.7%]. Though the number found unfit was small, the prevention, by screaming these workers, of the transmission of these pathogens to the population they serve through food contamination, justifies the need for this health monitoring programme

Non-01 vibrio cholerae diagnosed at Riyadh armed forces hospital

This is to document a rare case of non-01 Vibrio cholerae extra-intestinal infection diagnosed in an immunocompromised patient. The source of infection could not be identified

Needlestick/sharps injury: an occupational health hazard of hospital workers

To analyze a one-year record of needlestick/sharps injuries that were reported at Riyadh Military Hospital, Staff Health and Preventive Medicine Clinics with a view to discern certain aspects of the epidemiology of this occupational health hazard in this hospital setting. Retrospective analysis of cases of needlestick/sharps injury reporting daily at both clinics were obtained from the clinic records. Riyadh Military Hospital, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Preventive Medicine Sub-Division. Ninety seven reported needlestick/sharps injury cases by staff [nurses, doctors, etc] working in different hospital sites were analyzed from clinic records for January-December 1994. Identified were the types of sharps and the activities of staff when incidents occurred. Nurses [58.8%] and doctors [17.5%] were mostly affected in incidents which occurred mainly in the wards [48.5%] and theatres [13.4%]. Needles [72.2%] were the most common sharps. Using the syringe to withdraw from or adminster to the patients were more common [30.9%] than other activities such as disposal of needles [17.5%], suturing [15.4%] and cleaning waste bags [13.4%]. Dealing with this occupational hazard needs the adoption of two complementary preventive strategies for bloodborne pathogens vis: primary prevention through the adoption of universal precautions and secondary prevention by active and/or passive immunization of health care workers