Prevalence of Laribacter hongkongensis in food and environmental matrices: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Laribacter hongkongensis is a human pathogen harboured in food and environmental matrices. This present study aimed to meta-analysed the prevalence of L. hongkongensis in humans, aquatic products, food/non-food animals, and environmental waters to provide update information on the pathogen. Nine electronic databases were systematically searched for articles on L. hongkongensis and a random-effects-model meta-analysis on its prevalence was conducted. Assessment of heterogeneities and publication biases across the studies was determined by using the I2 statistic and Egger's regression/rank correlation tests of funnel plot, respectively. Furthermore, a meta-regression model was explored to unravel factors influencing the prevalence. A total of 39 documents were identified, of which, 33 articles were included as 98 sub-studies for the meta-analysis, and 87 sub-studies for subgroup-analysis. Overall, the prevalence of L. hongkongesis in human, aquatic products, food/non-food animals, and environmental waters was 8.5% (95% CI: 5.8-11.7). The leave-one-out influence analysis yielded a pooled prevalence of L. hongkongensis ranging from 8.1% (95% CI: 5.4-11.3) - 8.8% (95% CI: 5.8-12.3). Sub-group analysis found that the prevalence of L. hongkongensis was highest in Amphibian (54.6%, 95% CI: 41.3-67.6), followed by Pisces (7.9%, 95% CI: 5.3-10.9), Avian (0.5%, 95% CI: 0-5.8), and Mammal (0.5%, 95% CI: 0-3.6). In addition, Egger's regression-test of funnel plot suggests presence of publication (z = 4.2, p < 0.0001) in mammal subgroup. Multivariate meta-regression showed that the prevalence was significantly influenced by source type, class, and identification/detection method with the source type, class, and detection method specifically accounted for 25.49%, 11.28%, and 3.84% of the heterogeneity, respectively. Conclusively, the prevalence of L. hongkongensis decrease in order of Amphibian (54.6%), Pisces (7.9%), Avian (0.5%) and Mammal (0.5%). Aquatic products and environments are essential sources of the pathogen.

COVID-19 pandemic: an online-based survey of knowledge, perception, and adherence to preventive measures among educated Nigerian adults.

Aims: One of the ways to manage the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is to monitor the public knowledge, risk perceptions, adherence to preventive measures, and level of preparedness behaviors. This is important in resource-limited countries. This study determined the knowledge and perception regarding COVID-19; adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures; as well as predictors of self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 among Nigerian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Nigerian adults ≥18 years using an online survey. A convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit a total of 1022 study participants. The participants were recruited using the authors' social media networks. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of statistical significance. Results: Generally, a high proportion of respondents had correct knowledge about COVID-19. However, only approximately half (49.8% and 49.9%) had correct knowledge that obesity was a risk factor for COVID-19 and that antibiotics cannot be used to treat COVID-19. Most (84.1%) did not have a self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19. Most (81.0%) have been avoiding crowded places and 61.3% washed their hands frequently. Predictors of self-perceived risk of COVID-19 were age 40-59 years (OR 2.05, CI 1.217-3.435), ≥ 60 years (OR 4.68, CI 1.888-11.583), and visiting crowded places (OR 2.27, CI 1.499-3.448). Conclusion: Our study recommends more rigorous public health education aimed at improving COVID-19 outbreak response in Nigeria. In addition, physical and social distancing should be emphasized across all age groups with additional focus on the older population.

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: a neglected bane but a serious threat in Nigeria.

Toxoplasmosis is a global health threat in which occurrence in pregnant women poses grave consequences to fetal wellbeing. Studies on prenatal Toxoplasma gondii infection are generally limited in sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria. The risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis is very high in Nigeria due to the favourable climatic conditions and prevailing behavioural and socio-economic factors that could aid transmission. Currently, there are no systematic and organized procedures for diagnosis and treatment of maternal toxoplasmosis in Nigeria. These conditions forecast possible unabated transmission in many areas and exponential impact on associated adverse events of the disease during pregnancy. This paper highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy which may forestall subsequent development of infection in children delivered by infected mothers. Inclusion of toxoplasmosis control policy in the routine antenatal care of pregnant women is therefore strongly recommended.