Presence of Bluetongue Virus Antibodies in Cattle and Sheep in Ogun and Osun States, Nigeria

Bluetongue is an infectious, arthropod-borne viral disease principally affecting ruminants. The occurrence of bluetongue virus (BTV) antibodies in sheep and cattle from backyard farms, cattle markets and abattoirs in Ogun and Osun states of Nigeria was investigated. Three hundred and forty (340) plasma samples comprising 205 from sheep and 135 from cattle were collected from March to September 2017, noting the sex, breed and age of the animals. The samples were screened with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosurbent assay (ELISA) kit that detects BTV antibodies in ruminant plasma or serum. All cattle tested from both states were positive for BTV antibodies giving a seroprevalence of 100% while 95% seroprevalence was obtained for sheep. In Ogun state, prevalence of 90.5% and 98% were obtained for male and female sheep respectively while 95.6% and 95% prevalence were also obtained for male and female sheep respectively in Osun state. Based on breed, 94%, 95%, 95% and 96% prevalence were obtained for Yankasa, Balami, Ouda and West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep respectively in Ogun state while 93%, 95.5% 100% and 93% prevalence were obtained for Yankasa, Balami, Ouda and WAD sheep respectively in Osun state. Furthermore, prevalence of 92% and 96.7% were obtained for age groups of ≤ 1 year and > 1 year respectively in Ogun state, while prevalence of 96% and 94.7% were obtained for age groups of ≤ 1 year and > 1 year respectively in Osun state. Since vaccination against bluetongue disease is not practiced in Nigeria, thedetection ofhigh prevalence of BTV antibodies observed in apparently healthy animals in this study indicates natural, albeit subclinical, infection with the virus and sustained activity of the Culicoidesvector. These findings suggest that bluetongue is widespread in southwestern part of Nigeria and highlight the need for continuous surveillance of the disease in the country as well as isolation, identification and characterisation of currently circulating BTV strains in Nigeria.

Parental Influence on Sickle Cell Crisis among Patients Attending Secondary Facilities in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State.

Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the most common genetic disorder amongst Black people and one of the major chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) affecting children, poses a significant psychosocial burden, not only on the sufferers but also on the parents. This study therefore sets out to assess the influence of these parents’ knowledge and practices towards reducing the frequency and seeking appropriate treatment of Sickle Cell Crisis in their children. Methodology: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Abeokuta South Local Government Area. A Total Sampling of all the sickle cell patients that attend the selected facilities were recruited into the study. Data were collected with the use of questionnaires which were interviewer administered. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS for Windows version 20.0. Results: A total of 415 patients were recruited into the study. Only 39.0% had adequate knowledge of SCD, 75.2% on prevention of crisis and 62.0% on predisposing factors to sickle cell crisis. About two-third [68.0%] of participants’ source of information is by hospital staffs. Majority 81.4% have only one child with SCD. The frequency of sickle cell crisis was statistically significantly associated with the Marital status of the parents [x2 = 24.029, p = 0.0001], Parents level of education x2 = 18.538, p = 0.0001, and the source of parents information about SCD x2 = 18.194 and P = 0.001. On logistic regression analysis, predictors of low frequency of crisis were individuals who had parents with tertiary education [OR=2.37, CI=1.45-3.87], information from health workers [OR=0.58, C.I=0.43-0.79], and family income above minimum wage [OR=0.147, C.I=0.06-0.34]. Conclusion: The study reveals that the level of care and support given to SCD children may reflect in their parent’s level of education, depth of knowledge about the disease and financial capability, therefore attention to the psychosocial problems of parents and/or caregivers of these children is of utmost importance.

Detection of Hepatitis E Virus RNA in Chicken Droppings and Pig Feces in Ogun and Lagos States, South Western, Nigeria.

Background/Aim: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of sporadic and epidemic cases of enteric non-A non-B hepatitis in humans. It estimated that 14 million symptomatic cases of HEV infection, with 300,000 deaths and 5,200 stillbirths occur annually worldwide, with developing countries in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast and Central Asia, the Middle East, and northern and western parts of Africa being the most affected. This study was carried out to detect the presence of HEV RNA in commercial chicken and pigs in some parts of Ogun and Lagos states, South Western, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 550 fecal samples were collected from chicken and pigs in both states. HEV RNA was extracted from the fecal samples and amplified by nested-PCR. Gel electrophoresis was used to evaluate the nested-PCR products. Results: HEV RNA was detected in 10(1.8%) of the 550 samples. This comprised of 5(6.7%) positive from chicken droppings and 5(1.7%) from pigs feces. The result also showed that 3(4.3%) of chicken droppings collected from Ogun state were positive while there was no positive cases recorded in pig feces. Similarly 2(40%) of chicken droppings collected in Lagos state were positive while 5(1.7%) of pig feces were also positive. Conclusion: The detection of HEV among commercially available chicken and pigs poses a great economic danger to poultry farmers and a tremendous public health risk to consumers of pork meat in Nigeria.

Interpupillary Distance and its Limits in South Western Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the normal and extremes of values for interpupillary distance [IPD] amongst adults in Ogun State, South Western Nigeria. Methodology: A population based cross-sectional study. Multi-staged stratified random sampling was used to select respondents from seven Local government areas in Ogun State. Results: One thousand two hundred and seventy four respondents were examined and each had Interpupillary distance measurements done using an automated refractor. The mean age of the study population was 41.18±20.12 years with 57.4% females. The mean IPD was 67.50±4.06 mm with a minimum value of 50mm and maximum of 84 mm. Most [75.51%] of the respondents had IPD measurements within the range of 65 mm to 74 mm. The mean IPD for males was 68.76±3.89 mm while females were 66.58±3.94 mm. Conclusion: The mean IPD and its upper limit obtained in this study were higher than previously documented by other studies. Inter pupillary distance increased with age and was higher in males.

MONRATE: A descriptive tool for calculation and prediction of re-infection of Ascaris lumbricoides (Ascaridida: Ascarididae)

The study presents an interactive descriptive tool (MONRATE) for calculating and predicting reinfection rates and time of Ascaris lumbricoides following mass chemotherapy. The implementation was based on the theoretical equation published by Hayashi in 1977, for time-prevalence: Y=G [1-(1-X)N-R] as modified by Jong-Yil in 1983. Using the Psuedo-Code of the MONRATE tool, the calculated monthly reinfection rates (X) for the LGAs are (names are locations in Nigeria in a region predominately populated by the Yoruba speaking tribes of Nigeria whose traditional occupations are agriculture and commerce): Ewekoro (1.6 %), Odeda (2.3 %), Ado-odo/Otta (2.3 %), Ogun Waterside (3.8 %) and Obafemi/Owode (4.2 %). The mathematical mean of ‘X’ values in the study areas for Ogun State was 2.84. The calculated reinfection time (N months) for the LGAs are varied such as Ado-odo/Otta (12.7), Ogun Waterside (21.8), Obafemi/Owode (22.92), Odeda (25.45), and Ewekoro (25.9). The mean value for N in Ogun State was 21.75. The results obtained from MONRATE were compared with those obtained using the mathematical equation and found to be the same. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (3-4): 755-760. Epub 2007 December, 28.

Se presenta una herramienta descriptiva e interactiva (MONRATE) para calcular y predecir las tasas y tiempo de reinfección con Ascaris lumbricoides tras un tratamiento de quimioterapia. Nos basamos en la ecuación propuesta por Hayashi en 1977 para el tiempo de prevalencia: Y=G [1- (1-X)N-R], según la modificó Jong-Yil en 1983. Utilizando el código Psuedo de la herramienta de MONRATE, las tasas de reinfección mensuales (X) para varios sitios de Nigeria, África, son: Ewekoro (1.6 %), Odeda (2.3 %), Ado-odo/Otta (2.3 %), Ogun Waterside (3.8 %) y Obafemi/ Owode (4.2 %). El promedio matemático de los valores de "X" en el área de estudio del Estado de Ogun fue 2.84. El tiempo de reinfección calculado (N meses) para LGAs es variado: Ado-odo/Otta (12.7), Ogun Waterside (21.8), Obafemi/Owode (22.92), Odeda (25.45) y Ewekoro (25.9). El valor promedio para N en el Estado de Ogun fue 21.75. Los resultados del programa MONRATE son iguales a los producidos por la ecuación.