Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Awareness and Vaccination History in Patients Attending STI Clinics in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria.

HPV is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease in both men and women worldwide. It is transmitted through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. This study provided information on the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine awareness and vaccination history in relation to the level of antibodies to (HPV) in the population at risk in Nigeria. Patients attending STI clinics at Lagos and Ibadan were recruited and informed consent was obtained from all the participants. Using semi structured questionnaire, vaccination history, demography and past experiences of the patients were obtained. Whole blood samples were obtained and the sera screened for specific antibodies to HPV using ELISA test kits for determination of IgG to HPV by DIA PRO Diagnostic Bioprobes Milano-Italy according to the manufacturer's instruction. Of the170 samples analysed 50 (29.4%) samples were positive for HPV. Thirty (17.6%) were from females and 20 (11.7%) of them were males. Thirty-five (35%) of the 100 women participants were aware of HPV vaccine. 15(15%) women did not take the vaccine because they did not know where to get it while 20 (20%) of them could not afford it. It was also noted that there is higher prevalence among the middle-aged women. A high prevalence of HPV antibodies was observed in the study yet none of the participants had received the HPV vaccine thus the antibodies may be from infection. Implication is that the 30 women who tested positive for the HPV antibodies may be at risk of cervical cancer.

Evaluation of immune response in infants with different nutritional status: vaccinated against tuberculosis, measles and poliomyelitis.

Immune response of infants vaccinated under Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was evaluated for measles, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis in Ifo/Otta area of Ogun State and Badagry area of Lagos State, Nigeria. In the prevaccination evaluation of measles antibody, 59 per cent were protected and 41 per cent were at risk in Ifo/Otta area, while 49 per cent were protected and 51 per cent were at risk in the Badagry area. After measles vaccination, 89 per cent of those evaluated seroconverted and 11 per cent did not in Ifo/Otta area, while in Badagry area, 86 per cent of those evaluated seroconverted and 14 per cent did not. For polio neutralizing antibody evaluated at post-immunization, 91 per cent seroconverted, while 9 per cent did not in Ifo/Otta area, while in Badagry area 66 per cent seroconverted and 34 per cent did not. Tuberculin test was used to evaluate the cellular response to BCG vaccination against tuberculosis. 64 per cent were found protected, while 18 per cent were at risk in both areas examined and 18 per cent dropped out. Using Gomez method to evaluate the nutritional status of the infants, 34 per cent were malnourished in Ifo/Otta area and are mostly immigrants. In Badagry area, 53 per cent were normal while 47 per cent were malnourished and most of the malnourished infants were plagued with diarrhoea, severe cough, high fever or malaria infection. Most of the malnourished in the two areas screened were between 9 and 18 months of age, which is the crucial period in the growing stage of the children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cryoglobulins in Schistosoma haematobium infection.

The sera of school children with Schistosoma haematobium infection were tested for the presence of cold-insoluble immune complexes "the cryoglobulins". Two different methods were used: the standard macro-technique and the micro-adaptation technique. On using the standard macro-technique, 40 (32.8%) out of 122 schistosomiasis patients and 6 (7.5%) out of 80 control children were positive for cryoglobulins. Using the micro-adaptation technique, the corresponding numbers were 47 (38.5%) and 8 (10%), respectively. A comprehensive medical examination was carried out before treatment. After treatment with metrifonate (Bilarcil) the quantity of cryoglobulins and the number of children with cryoglobulins were significantly reduced to 12 (9.8%) when using macro-technique, and to 15 (12.3%) with micro-adaptation technique, thus suggesting a possible relationship of cryoglobulinaemia with urinary schistosomiasis. There was a significant difference in the number of sera found positive by the two techniques (X2 = 0.875, P less than 0.1).