scholarly journals Mycology of Otomycosis in Port Harcourt

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%).

scholarly journals TLR4 gene polymorphisms in Egyptian vitiligo patients: insights into emerging association with clinical activity, family history, and response to therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha Abdelsalam ◽  
Sherihan H. Allam ◽  
Marwa Zohdy ◽  
Hend Magdy ◽  
Maged Mostafa
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Tlr4 Gene

Abstract Background Vitiligo is a common pigmentary disorder in which autoimmunity has been suggested to play an important role. Toll-like receptor (TLR) family are recognized different molecular structures expressed on immune cells and have been implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) such as vitiligo. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms: rs11536858, rs1927911, rs1927914 in Egyptian vitiligo patients and their clinical data, their response to therapy. Using PCR-RFLP for TLR4 gene polymorphisms (rs11536858, rs1927911, and rs1927914), both alleles and genotypes were determined after extraction of DNA in a case-control study of 100 vitiligo Egyptian patients and 100 matched age and sex controls. Results The distribution of the protective CT genotype of rs1927914 was higher in the control group. After dividing both patients and controls into 2 age groups (below 18 and above 18 years), no significant associations between the genotypes of the selected TLR4 SNPs and the demographic and clinical data of the vitiligo patients in group 1 (below 18 years) were observed. For group 2 (above 18 years), also no significant associations were found except for the association between the CC genotype of rs1927914 and psychiatric trauma, from one side, and between the CT genotype of rs1927911 and alopecia, from the other side. The association between combined genotypes and the risk of vitiligo showed either higher frequency in patients (risky), or controls (protective), and some equal frequencies (non-significant). The association between haplotypes and risk of vitiligo in patients’ group revealed the highest frequency for the risky ATT and the least frequency for ATC haplotypes. In control group, the protective GCT haplotype showed the highest frequency while the GTC and GCC showed the least frequency. No significant correlations of haplotypes with clinical and demographic data of selected patients’ group were observed apart from that between ACC haplotype and family history of AIDs and between ATT haplotype and remission after phototherapy. Conclusions The significant relationship between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and vitiligo patients charcteristics clarify the role of innate immunity in pathogensis of vitiligo and its effect on the used therapies.

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

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.

Evaluation of Hepatitis-B and Its Markers Among Some Attendees of Two Health Facilities In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-410
Author(s):  
M.A. Erasmus ◽  
G.N. Wokem
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hbv Markers ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rivers State

A cross-sectional investigation of hepatitis-B status among attendees of Modern Primary Health Centre, Eneka and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt was evaluated. Seven hundred (700) subjects of different ages of both sexes were included in the study after ethical approval was obtained from the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt. Consent forms were issued to get subjects’ consent before questionnaire administration to obtain their demographic data. The uninfected subjects were used as control. About 4mls of blood was taken from each subject by vein-puncture; 2mls each was dispensed into EDTA and plain bottles for analysis. The samples were used to assay for hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis–B virus (HBV) markers (HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb) using standard techniques. The overall prevalence of HBV was 5.1% in Port Harcourt. The males had higher prevalence of 7.9% HBV than the females 3.4% HBV, although there was no statistically significant difference (P ≥0.05). The HBV was highest among subjects of age group 24-29 years (8.29%) and 30-35 years (9.2%) accordingly. The HBV markers results show that while HBsAg occurred among all the subjects that were positive for HBV, HBeAb was completely absent.

scholarly journals Malaria Status in Relation to Risk Factors among Attendees of Two Health Facilities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 222-230
Author(s):  
G. N. Wokem ◽  
A. M. Erasmus ◽  
V. C. Wokem
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Haematological Profile ◽  
Rivers State

A cross sectional study was conducted among subjects from two health facilities in Port Harcourt to assess malaria status and its health determinants. Seven hundred subjects of different ages and both sexes were investigated after ethical approval was obtained from Rivers State Ministry of Health, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Written consent of the subjects was obtained before questionnaire administration to obtain the demographic data. The uninfected subjects were used as control. Four (4) mls of blood was taken from each subject by vein-puncture into separate EDTA bottles for haematological profile tests and malaria parasite identification using standard haematological and parasitological techniques. The overall prevalence of malaria was 27%. The males had slightly higher prevalence (27.8%) than the females (26.5%), though the difference was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). The highest prevalence occurred among females (48.4%) of age group <1-10yrs and followed by males (40.7%) of same age group, and followed by males of 11-20 yrs with 36.4%. From risk groups related prevalence the School children (45%) were the most infected, followed by Blood donors (35.7%) and pregnant women (26.5%). Only the Packed Cell Volume was significantly affected adversely by malaria (P<0.0001), of all the haematological Parameters tested.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Changes in Haematological Parameters of Sickle Cell Anaemia Subjects in Rivers and Bayelsa States

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-23
Author(s):  
B. S. Mbeera ◽  
S. O. Akwuebu ◽  
A. C. U. Ezimah ◽  
N. C. Ibeh ◽  
E. M. Eze
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anaemia ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Haematological Parameters ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
And Control

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in some haematological parameters in sickle cell anaemia subjects in Rivers State. Study Design:  This study is a cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, and the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, between the months of February and August, 2020.  Methodology: A total of four hundred and fifty (450) subjects with age range of 1-50 years were randomly selected. There are about 200 registered patients (adults and children alike) at the sickle cell clinics of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, with an average of 4 new patients per month. The sample size was obtained using a prevalence of sickle cell anaemia of 2% and the sample size was calculated using Cochran sample size formula. Five milliliters (5ml) of venous blood sample was withdrawn from the peripheral vein in the upper limb of subjects using a standard venipuncture technique. The sample was rocked gently to mix and kept at room temperature and the haematological parameters were analyzed within 4 hours of samples collection. The haematological parameters: total white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Haematocrit, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW-CV), Platelet count (PLT), MPV, Neutrophils, Lymphocyte, Monocyte, Eosinophils, and Basophils) were analyzed using Mindray BC-6800 auto Haematology analyzer system. Data management and statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Analyses System SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina, USA) and p values less than .05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed the mean comparison of haematological parameters in sickle cell anaemia and control subjects. The mean comparison of Haemoglobin F was significantly reduced statistically (p<.05) in vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) condition than steady state compared with the control group. There was increase trend of haematological parameters showing statistically significant difference across the subject conditions compared with the control. There were exceptions in few cases especially in lymphocytes which was not significant (p>.05) in the steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis compared with the control. Similarly, Neutrophils was not significant (p>.05) in the steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis compared with the control. Furthermore, Basophils was more significant (p<.05) in the steady state than in the vaso-occlusive crisis and control groups. Similarly, absolute eosinophil was less significant statistically (p<.05) in the steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis than in the control group. Conclusion: This study has shown that there are changes in haemtological parameters between SCA subjects and control subjects and the VOC and steady state sickle cell anaemia (SCA) subjects.

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

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.

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

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-136
Author(s):  
KI Akhimienho ◽  
DC Briggs ◽  
IG Enato
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Abdominal Discomfort ◽  
Confirmatory Test ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Rivers State ◽  
Private Setting

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.

Effect of Chewing Gum on Bowel Motility in Women Undergoing Post-Operative Cesarean Section

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (06) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr.Randa Mohammed AboBaker
Keyword(s):  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Chewing Gum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Bowel Motility ◽  
Gum Chewing ◽  
Significant Difference

Postoperative Ileus (POI) is one of the most common problems after obstetrics, gynecologic and abdominal surgeries. Sham feeding, such as gum chewing, accelerates the return of bowel function and the length of hospital stay. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of chewing gum on bowel motility in women undergoing post-operative cesarean section. Intervention study was used at the Postpartum Department of Maternity and Children Hospital, KSA. A randomized controlled clinical trial research design. Through a convenience technique, 80 post Caesarian Section (CS) women were included in the study. Data were collected through three tools: Tool (I): Socio-demographic data and reproductive history interview schedule. Tool (II): Postoperative Assessment Sheet. Tool (III): Outcomes of gum chewing and the length of hospital stay.  Method: subjects were assigned randomly into two groups of (40) the experimental and (40) the control. Subjects in the study group were asked to chew two pieces of sugarless gum for 30 min/three times daily in the morning, noon, and evening immediately after recovery from anesthesia and in Postpartum Department; while subjects in the control group followed the hospital routine care. Each woman in both groups was tested abdominally using a stethoscope to auscultate the bowel sounds and asked to report immediately the time of either passing flatus or stool. Results: illustrated that a highly statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups concerning their gum chewing outcomes. Where, P = 0.000. The study concluded that gum chewing is safe, well tolerated and appears to be effective in reducing the incidence and consequences of POI following CS.

Employing Gamma Ray Irradiated Giardia lamblia as Trialed Vaccine in Experimental Animal

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal Kamil Abdul Sada ◽  
Amany Mohamed Al-Kaysi
Keyword(s):  
Giardia Lamblia ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Histopathological Changes ◽  
Gamma Irradiated

This is an experimental trial to prepare a vaccine from gamma-irradiated Giardia lamblia which is evaluated in experimental animals. The study was conducted from December 2015 to April 2016. The field survey of the parasite was conducted from those patients attending the laboratories of the Alawi Children's Hospital in Rusafa and the Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Karkh, through which 1250 stool samples of different age groups were examined. Five groups of mice were used in the study; the first was injected with normal saline and considered as a negative control group, the second was injected with cystic form of non-irradiated Giardia lamblia and considered as a positive control group, whereas the other three groups were injected with gamma irradiated Giardia lamblia at three different doses 10, 15 and 25 rad respectively. Giardia lamblia was primarily cultivated in liver infusion agar for ten days to obtain the active phase. On the sixth day, the cystic phase was purified and standardized to be used in the infection of mice with or without the exposure of gamma rays. Mice showed high sensitivity to parasitic infestation, in the gamma non-irradiated and the irradiated with gamma 10 rad, and 15 rad irradiated groups which was 100%. The results expressed an excystation process of the depleted phases and the release of the feeder phases. The results of the three irradiated groups consisted of histopathological changes of the small, and the rectum by dissection after two weeks of infection, with intestine amputation lesions, as well as ulceration and inflammation of the inflammatory cells represented in small numbers of neutrophil, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. The presence of ulceration and fall of epithelial cells in the intestinal cavity has been shown, and different forms of the parasite have been observed. Mice which was injected with irradiated G lamblia at high dose (25 rad), not show and sensitivity to the challenge infection and no excystation of thy parasite had been done. After 2 wreaks, a comparison was achieved between all study groups in which no histopathological changes were noticed in the mice irradiated with dose of25 rad. After another two weeks, a challenge dose was given (un-attenuated G lamblia) and mice were dissected after another two weeks, no changes on the level of histopathology of intestinal tissue were noticed the results suggested that mice acquire an immunity against the parasite infection.

Some Physicochemical Parameters of Wastewater from an Oil Industry at Point of Discharge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
O. A. F Wokoma ◽  
◽  
O. S Edori ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Parameters ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Water Association ◽  
Wastewater Samples ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Rivers State

Wastewater samples were collected from an oil industry at the point of discharge for a period of two years, from January 2018 – December 2019. The wastewater samples were analyzed for different physicochemical parameters such as temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, pH, alkalinity, salinity, total hydrocarbon content (THC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) to examine their conformity to fulfill requirements as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Ministry of Environment (FME) and Drinking Water Association (DWA). The results indicated that all the parameters in the discharged wastewater were within acceptable limits of the regulatory bodies. The field data showed that the investigated firm conformed to the law by carrying out proper procedures before discharging the effluents into the public drain and river. Therefore, the release of wastewater from the industry doesn't constitute a danger to the environment as well as aquatic organisms. Keywords: Physicochemical parameter, wastewater discharge, oil industry, environment, contaminants

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