ABSTRACT
Sera collected from 57 anaemic and 115 non-anaemic age-matched pre-school children in Ilorin, Nigeria, between November 2014 and December 2015 were assayed for human parvovirus B19-specific IgM antibodies by using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. A total of 17 (29.8%) anaemic children and 18 (15.7%) non-anaemic children were positive for parvovirus B19 infection. Infection with parvovirus B19 is common in this population, and screening for the virus during differential diagnosis is recommended.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Nigeria has the world's highest burden of pediatric HIV. In the face of paucity of monitoring tests in Nigeria, we studied the spectrum of pediatric mucocutaneous manifestations and evaluated their clinical utility as surrogate markers for immunodeficiency and plasma viral load levels. METHODS: Cross-sectional study comparing mucocutaneous manifestations in 155 HIV-positive children aged 12 weeks to 14 years with 155 HIV-negative children. Relationships between mucocutaneous manifestations in HIV-infected patients and their immunologic and virologic indices were analyzed. RESULTS: Mucocutaneous lesions were seen in 53.5% of HIV-infected children compared with 18.1% of the controls. Prevalence of lesions increased with worsening levels of immunodeficiency and increasing viral loads (P < .01). Oral candidiasis, angular stomatitis, and fluffy hair were associated with more severe degrees of immunodeficiency. CONCLUSION: Mucocutaneous disorders are common in HIV-infected children. Oral candidiasis and nutritional dermatoses can be used as surrogates for advanced or severe immunodeficiency.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Skin Diseases/epidemiology , Adolescent , CD4 Lymphocyte Count , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Infections/virology , Humans , Infant , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Skin Diseases/etiology , Viral LoadABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the current status of malaria at parturition and its impact on delivery outcome in Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 2500 mother-neonate pairs were enrolled at 4 sites over a 12-month period. Maternal and placental blood smears for malaria parasitaemia and haematocrit were determined. RESULTS: Of the 2500 subjects enrolled, 625 were excluded from analysis because of breach in study protocol. The mean age of the remaining 1875 mothers was 29.0 +/- 5.1 years. The prevalence of parasitaemia was 17% and 14% in the peripheral blood and placenta of the parturient women, respectively. Peripheral blood parasitaemia was negatively associated with increasing parity (P < .0001). Maternal age <20 years was significantly associated with both peripheral blood and placental parasitaemia. After adjusting for covariates only age <20 years was associated with placental parasitaemia. Peripheral blood parasitaemia in the women was associated with anaemia (PCV < or =30%) lower mean hematocrit (P < .0001). lower mean birth weight (P < .001) and a higher proportion of low birth weight babies (LBW), (P = .025). CONCLUSION: In Nigeria, maternal age < 20 years was the most important predisposing factor to malaria at parturition. The main impacts on pregnancy outcome were a twofold increase in rate of maternal anaemia and higher prevalence of LBW.
