Assessment of the Level of Gastrointestinal Parasites Infection among Food Vendors in Minna, North Central Nigeria.

Aim: This study was undertaken to access the intestinal parasitic profile of food vendors in Minna Nigeria. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Minna the capital of Niger state, North central Nigeria. Sample sizes were determined at random from the food vendors selling ready to eat food. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from the food vendors in Minna between June and December 2012. Methodology: Samples were assayed for intestinal parasites using direct wet mount and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques. Results: This study showed that 104 samples out of 116 (89.66%) were positive for intestinal parasites; 70 samples (67.31%) represented single infections and 34 (32.69%) mixed infections. Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were found in 11 (10.58%), Hookworm 10 (9.62%), Trichuris trichuira 4 (3.85%), Giardia duodenalis 15 (14.42%), Entamoeba histolytica 20 (19.23%), and Taenia saginata 10 (9.62%) respectively. A significant (p<0.05) prevalence was found in females 92 (88.46%) and in mean age of 31 – 40 years 34 (32.69%). Eggs and cysts of intestinal parasites were found more in the food samples such as Beans portage (15.50%), Stew (6.00%), Soup (15.50%), Rice (14.00%), Salad (20.00%), Spaghetti (12.50%) and Chinchin (20.00%) respectively. Conclusion: High prevalence of intestinal parasites in food vendors is a matter of great concern considering the effect which will lead to diseases outbreaks. The provision of food safety measures focusing on personal hygiene and periodical medical check-ups is highly advised.

Immune responsiveness associated with experimental Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection in immunocompetent rats.

PURPOSE: Microsporidial infections have been recognized as an increasingly important infection in immunocompromized patients, particularly those infected with HIV/AIDS. This study was designed to study immune responses associated with experimental Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection in immunecompetent rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four rats in 3 groups, A (Control), B (Intraperitoneal) and C (Oral) were given injections of 0.5 ml of 2 x 10(6) of purified spores of Encephalitotozoon intestinalis spores and were observed for serum specific IgG for 21 days using both Direct and Indirect ELISA. RESULTS: In indirect ELISA, specific lgG were detected on days 7, 14 and 21 for the group B rats and on day 21 for group C and in direct ELISA method, specific lgG were detected in-group B rats on days 7 and 21, for group C rats on day 21 only, while in the control rats, specific lgG were not detected. There was no significant difference between the direct and indirect methods (df=1, X(2), P>0.05). E. intestinalis was observed in stool samples of rats in 1/12 (08.33%) on days 14 and 21 in group B and in 4/10 (33.33%), 3/10 (25.00%) and 2/10 (16.67%) on days 7, 14 and 21 respectively in group C. In-group, A which is the control rats, no microsporidia were observed on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. CONCLUSIONS: There were no changes in the T-lymphocyte counts of rats prior to and after inoculation with spores. Extensive lesions were observed along the intestinal walls especially on the middle and lower sections of group C rats only.

Ocular findings in children with severe clinical symptoms of homozygous sickle cell anaemia in Kaduna; Nigeria

Background: Sight-threatening retinopathy in Sickle Cell Disease is thought to be due mainly to vasoocclusion. Yet it is reportedly rarely found in children with Haemoglobin SS; (who most often suffer from vasoocclusion). However; earlier reports included patients with a wide range of clinical severity. Aim: To document ocular pathology in children with Haemoglobin SS with severe clinical disease. Methods: Thirty-seven children with severe clinical disease (at least 3 vaso-occlusive episodes in one year) had detailed ocular examinations over a one-year period. Results: No child (aged 3 to 13 years) had ocular symptoms. Visual acuity was abnormal in one child. Retinal pathology was found only in patients over 8 years. Neovascularization was observed in 3 eyes of 2 patients both of whom had higher than average irreversibly sickled cell counts and haemoglobin levels. Retinal and choroidal infarcts were found in 11 and 2 eyes respectively; sunburst lesions and salmon patch haemorrhages in 5 eyes each. Changes observed over the one-year period in the 32 survivors; were photocoagulation scars in one eye of a child who had undergone laser therapy and resolution of the salmon patch haemorrhages. Conclusion: Despite lack of visual symptoms; young children with haemoglobin SS with severe clinical symptoms can develop sight-threatening retinopathy. The possible role of autoinfarction in the causation of these lesions is discussed. Our study shows that routine yearly ophthalmological examinations are essential for children over 8 years