HBV and HIV coinfections among intending blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

HBV is a major public health concern as it afflicts an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Studies are crucial and necessary to give us a better understanding of the epidemiology of the diseases in developing countries. A clearer picture of HBV/HIV prevalence in Africa is important in order to better educate the population and control these epidemics. This study estimated the seroprevalence of HBV/HIV coinfections among intending blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In this cohort study, we collected blood samples from 178 intending blood donors who were confirmed to be HIV-seropositive at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) from September 2012 to June 2013. Commercial ELISA was used to assay for the presence of HBsAg among these subjects. The overall prevalence was found to be 6.7%. Sex and education (P < 0.05) were the main correlates in this study. Age was not statistically correlated (P > 0.05) in this study. We also observed a high overall HBV/HIV co-infection seronegativity of 93.3% among these blood donors. Group-specific seronegativity was also high ranging from 86.4-100.0%. Although the age groups (13-20, 21-35, and 36-66 years) insignificantly differed, none of their variables showed statistical association with the seronegativity. Our findings underscore the importance of screening for HBV/HIV among blood donors in developing countries, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemics are still growing and a major public health concern.

Serum HSV-1 and -2 IgM in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

The present study was undertaken for the purpose of finding IgM antibodies against HSV-1 and 2 infections among pregnant women and also to evaluate correlation of Serum HSV-1 and 2 IgM in these pregnant women. A total of 180 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria were consecutively recruited, after they had given consents to participate in the study. Serum of each sample was assayed for HSV-1&2 IgM antibody using a commercial ELISA. Five (2.8%) of the pregnant women were positive for IgM antibody against HSV-1&2. Marital status mainly correlated (χ(2) = 221.5, P < 0.05) with HSV-2 infection and HSV-1/HSV-2 co-infection. Age, educational level, occupation, and gestation were not consistently associated (P>0.05) with HSV-1/HSV-2 infection and co-infection. We also observed a high overall anti-HSV-1&2 IgM seronegativity of 97.2% among these pregnant women. Group-specific seronegativity was also high ranging from 93.3-100%. Although the age-groups significantly differed, none of their variables showed statistical association with the seronegativity. This represents the first analysis of HSV IgM antibody reported in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and has important public health implications, particularly for pregnant women. Consideration of this information would benefit physicians providing primary gynecological and obstetric care to this population of women.

Malaria parasitaemia among long distance truck drivers in the Niger delta of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria among long distance truck drivers in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. METHODS: A total of one hundred consecutively recruited long distance truck drivers aged 21-60 years, with a mean age of 42.36 ± 5.23 years were screened for the presence of malaria parasitaemia. RESULTS: Out of the 100 truck drivers screened, 35 (35%) were positive for malaria while 65 (65%) were negative. Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for all cases of malaria infection. The highest prevalence of malaria occurred among drivers in the 51-60 years age group (40.5%). The mean and standard deviation (SD) of parasite load was 1 020 (125) parasites/ìl in subjects positive for malaria. The mean CD4 count was significantly higher among non-parasitized truck drivers compared to P. falciparum parasitized drivers 820 ± 42.0 (731-902 cells/ µl) and 570 ± 30.0 (510-630 cells/ µl) respectively (chi square = 74.00; p = 0.03). We observed a significant negative correlation between plasmodial infection and CD4 lymphocyte count among Plasmodium falciparum-infected subjects with r = - 0.56 (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preventative strategies including regular chemoprophylaxis, intermittent preventive treatment with antimalarials and provision of insecticide-treated bed nets should be implemented.

The effect of different dietary fats on gastrin levels in the pyloric antrum and plasma of weaner and adult Wistar rats.

The effect of dietary fats on gastrin in the pyloric antrum and plasma of Wistar rat was examined. Two different age groups of rats were fed 3 different diets in which fat was in the form of menhaden oil (MO), hydrogenated coconut oil (CO) and safflower oil (SO) respectively. Control groups were fed on normal laboratory diet. Each diet was isoenergetic and no group showed significant differences in either food intake or weight gain during the experiment. Weaner rats fed on MO diet exhibited significant reduction in both antral (P = 0.047) and plasma (P = 0.002) gastrin concentrations when compared with age-matched controls. Likewise, adult rats fed the MO diet exhibited significant reduction in both antral (P = 0.008) and plasma (P = 0.002) gastrin concentrations. In addition, adult rats fed the CO diet exhibited significant reduction in both antral (P = 0.047) and plasma gastrin (P = 0.002) concentrations. Rats from both age groups fed the SO diet exhibited no significant differences in gastrin concentration when compared with their respective control groups. These data indicate that the composition of dietary fat can have profound effects on both tissue and plasma concentrations of gastrin in rats.

Response of laboratory staff to vaccination with an inactivated Rift Valley fever vaccine--TSI-GSD 200.

Laboratory staff and students were vaccinated with a formalin-inactivated rift valley fever (RVF) vaccine. This study showed that the vaccine used (TSI-GSD 200) was able to bring about the production of antibodies in recipients. For the production of a high titered antibody response, three doses of the vaccine were required. One or two doses of the vaccine did not produce a greater than four-fold rise in antibody titre. A greater than four-fold rise in antibody titre following vaccination, is considered significant. The complete dose of the vaccine, that is, three doses, was necessary for protection. This study also showed that the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test was capable of detecting antibodies, few weeks post vaccination. Though such HI antibodies broaden with time, it could be used for screening purposes and a more specific test, e.g., plaque reduction neutralisation (PRN) test used for confirmation of such results.