Viral agents associated with infantile gastroenteritis in Nigeria: relative prevalence of adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41, astrovirus, and rotavirus serotypes 1 to 4.

Sixty-six stool specimens from infants with diarrhoea in Nigeria were examined for the presence of viral pathogens. Rotaviruses were found in 25.8% of specimens and astroviruses in 1.5%. Serotypes were determined for 47.1% of the rotavirus positive specimens, all of which were serotype 1. RNA analysis revealed no unusual electrophoretic profiles. No enteric adenoviruses were detected. In contrast, in a parallel study conducted in the UK, rotaviruses (including serotypes 1, 2 and 4) accounted for 21.9% of infections, adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41 13.6%, and astroviruses 4.5%.

The application of a modified follow-up life table technique to the study of outpatient clinic services for sickle-cell patients.

A cohort of 60 matched pairs of sickle-cell anaemia (SS) patients from Ibadan, Nigeria and Oakland, California, were compared in a follow-up study. The null hypothesis tested was that there was no significant difference in the morbidity associated with sickle-cell anaemia among Ibadan SS patients receiving antimalarial prophylaxis and Oakland SS patients. Proportions of all clinic visits during which the patients had crises or infections associated with sickle cell anaemia (SSINF) were used as measures of morbidity. A modification of the follow-up life table was used for the analysis. Plots of PX and its confidence bands against frequency of clinic visits due to crises and SSINF were drawn. The Kruskal Wallis test was used to determine any significant differences in the probability of SS patients from either of the two centres visiting the clinic because of crises or SSINF. The results showed no significant differences in these probabilities.

A comparative study of the morbidity associated with sickle cell anemia among patients in Ibadan (Nigeria) and Oakland (U.S.A.).

A cohort of 60 matched pairs of sickle cell anemia patients from Ibadan (Nigeria) and Oakland CA., USA, were compared in a follow up study. The null hypothesis tested was that there was no significant difference in the morbidity associated with sickle cell anemia among Ibadan SS patients receiving antimalaria prophylaxis, and Oakland SS patients. Proportions of outpatient clinic visits due to "crisis"; "SS-associated-infections"; "infections not associated with sickle cell anemia"; "routine follow up"; and "others" were used as measures of morbidity. The results showed that the proportion of clinic visits due to "crisis" and "SS associated infections" were not significantly different (p greater than 0.05) among both groups of patients. Occasional variations were found between mean proportions of the clinic visits due to "infections not associated with SS"; "follow up" and "others".