Haematological Correlates of Helicobacter pylori Infection Amongst Children Receiving Care in a Private Setting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacterium that basically colonizes the digestive tract of humans. It is an established cause of anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia and affects 70-95% of children in developing countries. We carried out a retrospective study of 140 children, presenting with abdominal discomfort and/or vomiting in a private hospital in Port Harcourt, South-South, Nigeria. Positive serology for H.pylori was established using IgG test kit and Full blood counts were done with an autoanalyzer. Sixty-four (45.7%) of the children studied were serologically positive for H.pylori infection, while 54.3%(76) were negative. H.pylori has been detected in virtually all age groups of children studied. Ten (15.6%) of the children with H.pylori positive serology had anaemia, 3.1%(2) had leucopenia and 12.5%(8) had leucocytosis. None of these was statistically significant. The overall seroprevalence of H.pylori in the children studied was high. Similarly, there was a high prevalence of haematologic derangements in the children with positive H.pylori assay compared to those children with negative serology for H.pylori. This was however not statistically significant. Routine screening of children with symptoms of abdominal discomfort for H.pylori and commencement of treatment for those with positive serology results is not recommended without a confirmatory test.

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Evaluation of Helicobacter pylory colonization by serologic test (IgG) and dyspepsia in volunteers from the countryside of Monte Negro, in the Brazilian western Amazon region

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s0036-46652010000400007 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 203-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rafael Bernardon Ribeiro ◽

Herlon Saraiva Martins ◽

Vera Aparecida dos Santos ◽

Marcelo el Khouri ◽

Leandro Savoy Duarte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Age Groups ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Progressive Increase ◽

Amazon Region ◽

Statistical Association ◽

Serologic Test ◽

Positive Serology ◽

H Pylori

The present study intended to analyze the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori, IgG, and its relation to dyspepsia in a population from the western Amazon region. During the "Projeto Bandeira Científica", a University of São Paulo Medical School program, in Monte Negro's rural areas, state of Rondônia, 266 blood samples were collected from volunteers. The material was tested for IgG antibodies anti-Helicobacter pylori by ELISA method and the participants were also interviewed on dyspepsia, hygiene and social aspects. Participants aged between five and 81 years old (34 years on average), 149 (56%) were female and 117 (44%) male. We found 210 (78.9%) positive, 50 (18.8%) negative and six (2.3%) undetermined samples. Dyspeptic complaints were found in 226 cases (85.2%). There was no statistical association between dyspepsia and positive serology for H. pylori. We concluded that the seroprevalence in all age categories is similar to results found in other studies conducted in developing countries, including those from Brazil. On the other hand, the seroprevalence found in Monte Negro was higher than that reported in developed countries. As expected, there was a progressive increase in the positivity for H. pylori in older age groups.

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C-Reactive Protein as an Inflammatory Biomarker for the Assessment of Malaria Parasitemia in a Tertiary Health Care Facility in Rivers State, Nigeria

International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health ◽

10.9734/ijtdh/2019/v39i430210 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Dada A. Emmanuel ◽

Eze N. Chinwe ◽

Akawa B. Ayodeji

Keyword(s):

Falciparum Malaria ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Malaria Parasitemia ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Test Kit ◽

The University ◽

Rivers State ◽

Serum Crp

Aim: To use C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in assessing` malaria and malaria parasitemia among out-patients in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Out Patients Department (OPD) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was conducted between November 2017 and April 2018. Methodology: This study was done on 400 subjects between the ages of 11 and 60 years which consisted of 254 falciparum malaria infected patients and 164 non-infected patients. Quantitative analysis of Serum CRP was done using the High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (HsCRP) enzyme immunoassay test kit (Biocheck©) while malaria diagnosis was done using microscopy Giemsa thick and thin film prepared on separate slides, slides were observed under the ×10 and ×100 objectives of the light microscope. Slides viewed under a high power field with parasite density less than three (<3), between 3 and 10 (3-10), from eleven to nineteen (11-19) and greater or equal to 20 (≥20) were classified as scanty, one plus (+), two pluses (++) and three pluses (+++) respectively. Data analysis was done using statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 21. Results: The results showed a significant (p<0.001) overall mean high serum CRP concentration (25.63±14.40 mg/l) in the malaria infected patients compared to 3.74±1.02 mg/l in the non-infected group, with a direct increment of the CRP level from the scanty to the three pluses with 9.50±0.37 mg/l, 13.51±1.6 mg/l, 44.19±2.62 mg/l and 53.84±1.75 mg/l recorded for scanty, one plus, two pluses and three pluses respectively. CRP correlated positively and significantly with malaria parasitemia (r = 0.89; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The abnormally elevated level of CRP in the infected patients showed that CRP is a positive biomarker for Plasmodium falciparum malaria and can be used as an indicator of the disease coupled with other febrile symptoms.

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Mycology of Otomycosis in Port Harcourt

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jammr/2021/v33i2331203 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 206-212

Author(s):

Ureh Annabel Oparaodu ◽

Opubo Benedict da Lilly-Tariah ◽

Kennedy Warriso

Keyword(s):

Fungal Infection ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Age Groups ◽

Predisposing Factors ◽

Control Group ◽

Ear Canal ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Culture Sensitivity ◽

Positive Growth ◽

Rivers State

Tropical climate favors the growth of fungal infection in the ear resulting in otomycosis. This study is aimed at determining the predisposing factors, symptoms, prevalence and demographic data of patients diagnosed with otomycosis. This is a 1 year prospective hospital based study, between June 2017 to June 2018 at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, Nigeria. Clinical features, predisposing factors and examination findings were noted on the administered questionnaire. Patients were examined and specimen collected for microscopy, culture, sensitivity and mycological studies. Our results show isolated fungi were present in 34 out of 120 ear swabs of patients and in 5 out of 120 ear swabs from the control group. The prevalence of otomycosis was 2.7%, while the ear symptom with the highest frequency was itching (86.7%) and debris in ear canal (67.6%). Patients with positive growth constitute 53% females and 47% males. Age groups 10-29 and 40-49 years had the highest and lowest number of infected patients, respectively. Candida was the commonest organism isolated accounting for 61.8% followed by Aspergillus spp. (23.5%) and Penicillium (8.8%).

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Appraisal of Starch-bonded Briquettes Utilization among User-respondents in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology ◽

10.9734/ajee/2019/v11i330137 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

N. David-Sarogoro

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Age Groups ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Alternative Source ◽

Saw Dust ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Multistage Sampling ◽

Rivers State

The study appraised briquette users’ opinions on the apparent properties and environment friendliness of the briquettes bonded by 30% and 40% starch composited saw dust collected from Marine and Illoabuchi Sawmills in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Multistage sampling was used amongst 100 plantain (Bo-lae) roasters, meat barbecue (Suya), Garri (carbohydrate based food), and Akara (baked bean cake) respondents to elicit information on use of briquettes as an alternative source of energy on a 4-point Likert scale. The results showed that male user-respondents were 22 (88%) and 21 (84%) and female 3 (12%) from Marine and Illoabuchi sawmills, respectively. The 41-50 respondent age bracket were the most represented in both sawmills-Marine Base and Illoabuchi 12 (48%) and 11 (44%) respectively, followed by 31-40 (7: 28%) and 51-60 (4: 16%) in Illaboachi sawmill, while the 51-60 and 31-40 age groups were 6 (24%) and 5 (20%), respectively. Amongst the businesses run by respondents, users from Marine Base, plantain roasting was highest at 7 (28%), followed by fish barbecue and akara with 6 (24%), Suya had 5(20%), while at Illoabuchi, Suya grillers had 9 (36%), followed by plantain roasters 8 (32%). Garri stewards and Akara had the same 3 (12%). Environment friendliness and physical properties showed that briquettes smoked well with cut off Mark (M =3.04 and 3.80), smelled pleasantly (M=3.03 and 2.68), stuffy and choky smoke (M=0.4 and 1.00) and irritation of eyes had M=3.25 and 4.00 at Illaobuchi and Marine Base sawmills, respectively. Darkening pots, burning with dark smoke and being affected by water had their cut off marks at 1.33 and 1.40 (rejected), 2.63 and 2.50 (accepted) and 2.01 and 2.12 (rejected), portable, cheap and useful had M= 2.45 and 3.00, 3.60 and 3.60 and 3.40 and 3.09 from both mills respectively. This study recommends that briquetting of sawdust from sawmills be promoted via automation to maximize its utilization status.

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Helicobacter pylori Gastritis in Children—The Link between Endoscopy and Histology

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9030784 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 784 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana-Maria Teodora Domșa ◽

Raluca Lupușoru ◽

Dan Gheban ◽

Radu Șerban ◽

Cristina Maria Borzan

Keyword(s):

Helicobacter Pylori ◽

Bacterial Load ◽

Age Groups ◽

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ◽

Antral Mucosa ◽

Invasive Approach ◽

Paediatric Patients ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Group A ◽

H Pylori

Background: The management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection raises important challenges, still being the most common chronic infection worldwide in all age groups. In high-prevalence regions, paediatric patients need a specific focus, as the acquisition of the infection takes place in childhood. The objective of this study was to analyze the endoscopic and histopathologic changes of the gastric mucosa in H. pylori infected children. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was performed on consecutive paediatric patients, ranging from 0 to 18 years of age, who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) for a period of 5 years, regardless of their symptomatology. Endoscopy reports and histological slides were reviewed and clinical, endoscopic, and histologic data were recorded. Results: A total of 248 patients were included in the study, 82 (33.06%) of them being H. pylori infected. There was no difference in age and symptoms between the infected and noninfected group. A significant association was found between the H. pylori infection and histopathological parameters such as acute and chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The bacterial load influences the intensity of inflammation (p < 0.001). The chronic inflammation was predominant, only 23.2% of the patients displayed acute inflammation (p < 0.0001). The topographic distribution of inflammation was dominated by pangastritis (p = 0.04) with 58.6% of the patients presenting similar degrees of inflammation both in the antrum and corpus. Conclusion: Endoscopic features such as nodularity of the antral mucosa (p < 0.05) along with histological findings as lymphoid follicles (p < 0.05) are suggestive of H. pylori infection. However, the concordance between the endoscopic and histological diagnosis is still far from perfect (Cohen’s k coefficient = 0.42), maintaining the need for an invasive approach in children.

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Assessment of Antibiotics Susceptibility Pattern of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Clinical Specimens in Port Harcourt

Journal of Advances in Microbiology ◽

10.9734/jamb/2021/v21i730369 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 61-74

Author(s):

F. O. Ibeh ◽

S. A. Wemedo ◽

N. P. Akani

Keyword(s):

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Inhibitory Concentration ◽

Confirmatory Test ◽

Susceptibility Pattern ◽

Clinical Specimens ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Stool Specimens ◽

Vancomycin Resistant ◽

Rivers State

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of vancomycin resistance among Enterococcal species isolated from clinical specimens of patients attending two hospitals in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Study Design: The study employs statistical analysis of the data and interpretation. Place and Duration of Study: Two hospitals which are Meridian hospital Port Harcourt and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, located in the city of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State were used for this study. Specimen collection lasted for 3 weeks and the analysis was carried out daily and it lasted for six months. Methodology: A total of one hundred and eighteen (118) urine and stool specimens (60 urine and 58 stool specimens) were collected from Fifty nine (59) patients for a period of three months from Meridian hospital and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The specimens collected were grouped inpatients and outpatients and were subjected to standard microbiological procedures which include standard plate counts, identification, and sensitivity testing using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, Minimum inhibitory concentration and molecular identification of the isolates. Results: A total of 48 enterococcal isolates were isolated from the different specimens (hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients) of urine and stool specimens. All Enterococcal isolates showed high level of resistance to Ceftazidime and Cefuroxime (100%) followed by cloxacillin (95.8%), augumentin (85.4%) and Ceftriaxone (75.0%). The isolates showed higher sensitive rates to Ofloxacin (95.5%), followed by Gentamicin (77.1%) and Vancomycin (39.6%). All Enterococal isolates from this study had a MAR index > 0.2. A total of the 48 Enterococci were isolated, the 23 (47.9%) isolates were identified as vancomyin resistant during this study were subjected to MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) for vancomycin as a confirmatory test. Of the 23 isolates, 12 isolates were vancomycin resistant with 11 isolates showing vancomycin MIC values of 8-16μg /ml (vancomycin intermediate). Conclusion: Conclusively, this study revealed varying Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolated bacteria. Treatment guidelines for use of antibiotics should be based on the hospital formulary and the sensitivity patterns is advocated. This should be reviewed occasionally to ensure rational use of antibiotics

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Detection of Serum IgG Antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis among University Athletes in Rivers State, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases ◽

10.9734/ajrid/2020/v5i230162 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 8-13

Author(s):

T. I. Cookey ◽

S. Adewuyi- Oseni ◽

I. O. Okonko ◽

K. C. Anugweje

Keyword(s):

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽

Age Groups ◽

Strictly Aerobic ◽

Aerobic Bacterium ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Serum Igg ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Rivers State ◽

University Athletes

Aim: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a strictly aerobic bacterium that grows fastidiously and slow, which is among the top 10 causes of death globally and the leading cause from a single infectious agent (above HIV/AIDS). Among the deadly diseases ravaging the world, tuberculosis remains one of the commonest and deadliest. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) among the athletes of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Sports Institute, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Nigeria, between June 2012 and July 2015. Methods: A total of 100 university athletes (51 males and 49 females, the age ranged from 15-47 years) was recruited for this study. Blood samples were collected from the athletes and analyzed for serum IgG antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. OneStep Tuberculosis (TB) rapid test was used for the detection of TB antibody (Isotypes IgG, IgM and IgA) in whole blood samples from the subjects. Commercially available ELISA based kits (manufactured by Dia.Pro, Milano, Italy) were also used. Results: The seropositivity of TB among the athletes was 5.0%. The result of the study showed that male athletes had a higher prevalence of tuberculosis than their female counterpart (5.9% vs 4.1%). Subsequently, the age groups 15-25 years had a higher prevalence of tuberculosis (6.5%) compared to age groups 26 years and above (2.6%). A significant association existed between the athletes' ages and TB prevalence (p= 0.035) and none existed with gender (p=0.654). Conclusion: This study confirms the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antibodies among university athletes. Strict surveillance of the diseases is highly recommended to curb its spread and the potential increase in Multidrug-resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extensively drug-resistance Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) as it is highly contagious.

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Detection of HIV-1 and -2 Antibodies among Children and Knowledge, Attitude, Perceptions and Practices (KAPP) of Their Parents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Asian Journal of Pediatric Research ◽

10.9734/ajpr/2021/v5i130163 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 6-12

Author(s):

Iheanyi O. Okonko ◽

Tochi I. Cookey ◽

Ifeyinwa N. Chijioke-Nwauche ◽

Sofiat Adewuyi-Oseni ◽

Charles C. Onoh

Keyword(s):

Infection Rate ◽

Teaching Hospital ◽

Low Income ◽

Care Service ◽

Health Care Service ◽

Age Groups ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Test Kit ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Hiv Aids

Aim: Paediatric testing for HIV in low-income and middle-income countries is poor and must be raved up as this is important for treatment and survival among this disease-prone demographic area. This study was carried out to detect the presence of HIV-1 and -2 antibodies among children receiving health care service in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. It also aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices of their parents on HIV/AIDS in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between August 2012 and July 2015. Methods: One hundred subjects (58 males and 42 females) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected randomly from children in the outpatient department of the hospital. HIV-1/2 was detected using Gen ScreenTM ULTRA HIV Ag-Ab Kit (BIO-RAD), an ELISA based test kit following the manufacturer's instructions. Results: The overall prevalence was found to be 5.0%. The gender-specific infection rate shows that males had a higher infection rate (5.2%) for HIV infection than their female counterparts (4.8%). The age-specific prevalence showed that the children in age groups 8-10 years had a higher prevalence (6.7%) than those 2-4 years (4.5%) and 5-7 years (4.2%). None appeared to be significantly associated (P>0.05) with HIV-1/2 antibodies prevalence among the children population. The knowledge, attitude, perceptions and practices of parents of the children indicate that 100.0% of them believed HIV/AIDS is real and children live with it; 62.0% have been screened for HIV before while 38.0% have not; 77.0% believe HIV cannot be cured while 19.0% believe it can; 66.0% know that it can be transmitted from mother to child whereas 16.0% believe it cannot and 70.0% confirmed they share sharp objects. Conclusion: This study however further confirmed the presence of HIV-1 and 2 antibodies among Children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. HIV can affect all age groups, both males and females. Health education campaigns and training on HIV prevention and control is recommended.

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