Overview of human and animal brucellosis in Nigeria and its economic impacts on production

Brucellosis is a wide spread zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and animals. In humans the disease is recognized commonly as undulant fever, characterized by headache malaise, and arthritis. Brucellosis can occur in any age group, but mainly found in young men between the ages of 20 and 40 years because of occupational hazards. Domestic animals (cattle, sheep and goat, pigs, dogs etc) are highly susceptible to brucellosis. Generally, brucellosis manifest in female animals as abortion, retained placenta, stillbirth and death of young ones soon after birth. In males, the main features are vesiculitis, orchitis, and epididymitis, which may render infected male infertile for life. The endemicity of brucellosis has remained a threat in low- income countries of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and has multiple economic implications across agriculture and public health sectors, and broader implications on economic and social development sectors. Google and Google Scholar were used to retrieve articles used for this review, which included published research articles and local, national and international reports on brucellosis. In this review, we summarised human and animal brucellosis, prevalence of infections in Nigeria, and economic impacts on production. It is believed that this review will guide researchers on the state of brucellosis in developing countries where the disease is still endemic, using Nigeria as a case study.

Phytochemical Composition and Biochemical Studies of the Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Brillantaisia guianensis P. beauv on Alloxan Treated Wistar Albino Rats

The present study was carried out on the phytochemical composition and biochemical studies oftheleafextract ofBrillantaisia guinensis peuvon alloxan treated Wistar albinorats.The experimental rats were administered with 80mg/kgbodyweight of alloxan,viathetailvein.After five days treatment with alloxan, thetreatment with the extractscommenced. Extracts wereadministeredorallyat100,200and 300mg/kg bw(both tonormal andtreated rats) for twenty-one days.Metformin,which served as a standard drug was administered at50mg/kg. Chromatographicanalysisof thephytochemical content of the leaf extract, revealed the presence of flavonoids (30.7mg/100g), saponins(50.6mg/100g), phytosterol (6.22mg/100g), tannins (7.50mg/100g) and glycosides(29.3mg/100g). Comparedtotest and normalcontrol,the extractsdose-dependentlyand significantlylowered(P<0.05) plasmaglucose and triglycerides, during the experimental period. Thisstudy revealedthe presence of pharma cologically bioactive compounds inthelea fextract and showed that the leaf extract had a dose-dependent hypoglycemic and hypotriglyceridemic effect on the Wistaralbino rats. The findings suggest a likely protective role of the extracts against hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia thereby useful in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus, obesity and other related cardiovascular diseases.

Proximate and Phytochemical Profile of Melanthera biflora Leaves

The proximate and phytochemical composition of Melanthera biflorawas investigated, using standard methods. From the obtained results the leaves had high moisture contents(71.1± 0.2%) and crude fiber (3.91 ± 0.5) while containing moderate protein (7.0 ± 0.03%), while containing lipid (1.10 ± 4%), ash (2.8 ± 0.2%), total carbohydrate (6.09 ± 0.2%) and caloric value (62.26±0.14 kcal/100g). Eleven Phytochemical families were detected with tannin as the most abundant (27.82%) consisting 100% tannic acid. Thirteen alkaloids (13.65%) were detected consisting mainly of morphine (28.05%), methylmorphine (16.22%), dephnoline (12.02%) biflorin, (20.63%), aromoline (12.61%) homoaromaline (7.79%). Twenty-three flavonoid (5.71%) chief among which were quercetin (44.21%), kaemferol (28.94%), dandzein (7.20%), letuolin (10.17%), salvagenin (6.76%), sinensetin 8.20% were detected. The most prominent of the ten carotenoids (2.48%), is lutein (40.76%),followed by carotene (17.90%), malvidin 5.63%, zeaxanthin (16.5%), viola-xanthin (9.5%). Sixty one terpenoid including linalool (40.98%), germacrene (12.74%), Alpha-terpineal 6.40%, terpinen –4-01 (5.62%), and Gamma terpine were found in the leaves Of the six phenolicacids (16.26%)the highest was ferulic acid (53.94%), followed closely by vanilic acid (45.8%). Seven phytosterol (2.25%), consisting of sitosterol (65.3%), savenasterol (14.19%) stigmasterol (12.70%), and others were detected. The leaves had very a low hydroxycinnamic acid content (8.93x10-4%) content, consisting of eight known compounds of which caffeic acid (71.93%) and p-coumaric acid (27.91%) were the most abundant. They also had very a low allicins (1.94x10-4%) content, consisting of daillylthiosulphunate (97.05%), and methyl thiosulphinate (2.6%) and allylthiosulphin and allylthiosulphinate (0.3%). The leaves had a very low content of glycosides consisting of eight known compounds of which quabain (78.54%) were detected and they include gitogenin (22.04%), diosgenin (20.02), neohegen (20.79%). Their rich contents of nutrients and many bioactive molecules suggest strong nutraceutical potential of these leaves, further suggesting their likely use as functional a food and therapeutic uses in the management and prevention of diseases.

Nutrient Composition of Brillantaisia guianensis P. Beuv Leaves

Aim:The quantitative nutrient composition of leaves of Brillantaisia guianensis P. beuv was investigated. Source and Identification of Sample:The leaves of B. guianensisused in this study were harvested fresh from Ude plantation in Okon Aku, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. They were identified by a Taxonomist (Dr Edwin Wosu) in the Herbarium Unit of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt. Study Design:The study was designed, using standard methods, to determine the proximate, amino acids, minerals and vitamins composition of the leaves. Results:The wet leaves were high in moisture (88.4%) while the dried sample had practically no moisture, indicating that the wet leaves could easily be prone to microbial spoilage due to high water activity. Drying increased protein level from 3.50 to 28.0% and ash from 2.36 to 27.7% among other parameters. The low calorific values for wet sample (16.1 kcal/100 g) and dry sample (152.3 kcal/100 g sample) showed that the leaves are poor energy-giving foods. However, the leaves contain good amino acid profile especially the essential amino acids (valine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan).The nutrient mineral (Na Ca, Mg, K, Se, P, Fe) levels were high to supply the World Health Organization recommended daily allowance for adults and children.The sample contains appreciable amount of fats and water -soluble vitamins required for growth. Conclusion:The results show that the leaves are good sources of essential and non-essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins adequate to meet the required daily allowance for nourishment of the body

Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Seroprevalence of HSV2 Infection among Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Benin.

Background: Knowledge of the Sociodemoraphic factors associated with HSV-2 seroprevalence and identification of the associated patient-recognizable clinical features will enable informed preventive public health interventions. There’s yet no documented data on the clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with HSV 2 Seroprevalence among pregnant women in Nigeria. Objectives: To identify sociodemographic and clinical correlates of HSV-2 seroprevalence among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in Benin, Nigeria. Study Location, Design and Duration: All the participants were prospectively recruited from the two major hospitals in Benin: University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin. The cross-sectional study took place between November 2011 and June 2012. Methodology: Participants were recruited on booking. Data on their sociodemographic profiles, clinical history and obstetric characteristics were obtained by the use of structured questionnaires and hospital case records. Their blood samples were also promptly collected on recruition. Each participant’s serum was analyzed for HSV-2 IgG antibodies by gG-based type-specific ELISA. Counselling and testing for HIV were also carried out. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Results: The average age of the 674 enrolled participants was 30.6±5.2 years and most of them were married and had complete secondary education. Seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 46.3%. Factors that was significantly associated with HSV-2 seropositivity included age, level of education, parity, HIV seropositivity and positive history of sexually transmitted infections. The HSV-2-infected were also significantly more likely to recall episodes of genital rashes (occurrence of rashes of any type in the external genitalia), vaginal discharge and urethral discharge. Conclusion: Risk factors for HSV-2 infection among pregnant women could include increasing age, higher parity, education below secondary level, HIV-positive status, and positive history of sexually transmitted infections. History of genital rashes, vaginal discharge and urethral discharge syndromes were associated with HSV-2 infection.

Seroincidence of Human Herpes Virus 2 Among Ante-natal Clinic Attendees in Benin, Nigeria.

Background: Human Herpes Virus 2 (HSV-2) infection has been shown to be significantly associated with several obstetric complications, especially if the infection occurred during the pregnancy. Advocacy for policy formulation and the design of interventions requires local data on the risk factors for incident HSV-2 infection. The aim of this study is to assess HSV-2 sero-incidence among pregnant women in Benin and the effect of socio-demographic factors, HIV status, and HSV-1 status. Study Location, Design and Duration: Pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin were prospectively recruited. A cross-sectional study was done and baseline data, obtained. The HSV-2 seronegative participants were followed up till the last clinic appointments [the closest appointment to their expected delivery dates (EDD)]. The study took place between November 2011 and December 2012. Methods: On recruitment a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to capture their socio-demographic data. Obstetric data was obtained from the patients’ case notes. Their HSV-1 and HSV-2 serostatuses were determined using an HSV glycoprotein G-based type-specific ELISA technique. Their HIV statuses were also determined. All those who were seronegative for HSV-2 were retested for HSV-2 six months later and/or on their last clinic appointment before the EDD. Incidence rates were calculated per person-years. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 16 software. Results: Out of the 674 participants, 315(46.8%) were HSV-2 seropositive while 359 (53.2%) were seronegative. 15.9% (57) of the HSV-2 sero-negative ones were lost to follow-up, giving a response rate of 84.1%. Seroincidence rate was found to be 17.9 per 100 person-years. There was significant association of seroincidence with younger reproductive age groups, unmarried status, and education below secondary level. Relative Risk (RR) and Incidence rate ratio (IRR) of HSV-2 infection among the HIV-infected cohort were 55.15 [95%CI:17.0-179.1] and 72.37 [95% CI:71.11-73.63] respectively. The RR and IRR among the HSV-1-seronegative cohort were 1.43 [95%CI:0.64-3.17] and 11.62 [95%CI:9.60-13.64] respectively. Conclusion: Seroincidence rate of HSV-2 infection among pregnant women in Benin was found to be 17.9 per 100 person-years. Positive HIV status, young age, unmarried status, and low education level were indicators of increased risk of incident HSV-2 infection.

Validity of Acid-Fast Smear of Gastric Aspirates for the Diagnosis of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children.

Background/Aims: Gastric aspirate specimen is accepted as an alternative specimen of choice to sputum in the diagnosis of childhood pulmonary tuberculosis (TB); and specimen microscopy is usually the only available bacteriologic confirmatory test for streaming cases into the National TB Control Programme treatment protocol. Doubts expressed about the continued relevance of this test among the HIV-infected are based on observations that the bacteriologic yield of acid-fast smears of gastric aspirate specimens from these patients is markedly reduced. This study is aimed at determining the validity of acid-fast smear of gastric aspirates among the HIV-infected and compare with those of the HIV-uninfected. Design, Place and Duration of Study: Diagnostic study. Suspected tuberculosis patients registered in the paediatrics department of University of Benin Teaching Hospital were prospectively recruited from January 2010 to March, 2011. Methodology: A total of 263 children were recruited. Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV was done for each child. Two to three gastric aspirate specimens were also collected from each child using standard gastric aspirate (GA) collection protocols. On each specimen, Zeihl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and culture on Ogawa medium were done. After two or more weeks of incubation, typical acid-fast bacilli isolates on Ogawa medium, which failed to grow on para-nitrobenzoic acid-Ogawa (PNB-Ogawa) media were taken as positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). MTBC Culture was taken as the “Reference test” for calculations of sensitivity and specificity. Results: Of the 263 children surveyed 116 (44.0%) were HIV-infected while 147 (56.0%) of them were HIV-uninfected. Among HIV-infected patients, the sensitivity was 38.3% [95%CI:24.4 – 52.2] while the specificity was 95.7% [95% CI:90.9 – 100.0]. Among the HIV-uninfected patients, the sensitivity was 22.0%[95%CI:10.5 – 33.5] while the specificity was 99.0%[95% CI:96.9 -100.0]. The sensitivity of the acid-fast smear in the HIV-infected group of patients was significantly higher than that of the HIV-uninfected group (p = 0.0401).The difference in specificity between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.496). There was also no significant difference in their respective positive-predictive values (85.7 vs 91.7)(p = 0.60). Conclusion: The sensitivity of GA acid-fast smear was significantly higher among the HIV infected group.

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus among HIV-Infected Adult Patients on HAART.

Background/Aims: Cytomegalovirus is one of the opportunistic infections associated with significantly high morbidity and mortality among patients living with HIV/AIDS. Clinical manifestation of CMV infection is worse among HIV patients not receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) than those receiving HAART. This study is aimed at investigating the seroprevalence of CMV among HIV-infected adults on HAART. Study Design: This is a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: HIV Outpatient Clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital between April and September, 2011. Methodology: A total of 342 HIV infected adult patients on HAART attending the HIV Outpatients Clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between April and September 2011, were screened for CMV IgG and IgM using ELISA method. Clinical stage of HIV disease and CD4+ cell counts were also evaluated. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: Of the 342 patients studied 338 (98.8%) were sero-positive for CMV IgG antibodies while 24 (7.0%) demonstrated sero-positivity for CMV IgM antibodies. The seroprevalence of CMV IgM was significantly higher in patients in WHO clinical stages 3-4 (10.9%) than those in stages 1-2 (4.7%) (p = 0.04). There is no significant statistical difference in sereoprevalences of IgG and IgM with respect to sex, age, and CD4+ cell counts. Conclusion: Clinical stage of HIV/AID is an important risk factor for reactivation or re-infection of CMV and may prompt early diagnosis and management of active CMV infection.