Echinococcus granulosus Antibodies in Dogs and Breeder practices promoting spread of infection in Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic disease of public health significance, but there have been few studies of the infection in dogs in Nigeria. This study aimed to establish the seroprevalence of E. granulosus in dogs in four Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 179 dog sera were examined for the presence of E. granulosus antibody using an ELISA kit between May to October 2017. Results; Eleven of the sera (6.1%) were seropositive with a prevalence of 7.4% and 2.3% for dogs less than 2 years and those above 2 years of age respectively. More male dogs (7.5%) than females (4.1%) were seropositive. Seroprevalence was associated with <2years than > 2 years dogs (OR=3.33, p=0.46) and male than female dogs (OR=1.90, p=0.53) but association were not significant. Dogs from Bassa had the highest seroprevalence (15.2%), followed by Mangu (5.9%), Kanke (4.8%) and Jos South (2.0%). Odds ratio showed an association which was not significant between Bassa (OR=3.3), Kanke (OR=2.50). Conclusion: This study shows that E. granulosus infection is present in dogs in some parts of Plateau State. More studies should be done to ascertain echinococcus infection in dogs in Nigeria to aid the formulation of control programmes to forestall its public health impacts.

Association between Parasite Density and Cytokines in Malaria Infected Human Placentas

Background: Placental malaria is a major cause of infection induced adverse conditions in pregnancy and is attributed to the sequestration of malaria parasite in the intervillous space. We investigated if any relationship exists between the parasite density and cytokines in malaria parasite infected human placentas. Methods: Sixty (60) malaria parasite infected placentas from apparently healthy immediate post-partum women and 40 malaria parasite uninfected placentas which served as control were studied. Blood from the human placenta was aseptically collected and tested for HIV and malaria parasite using standard methods. Interferon-Gamma (IFNγ), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tools. Results: The result revealed P. falciparum with a mean parasite density of 762.47±459.62 parasite/μl of blood. The mean±SD (11.71±6.55pg/ml) and 55.57±43.13pg/ml for IFNγ and IL-10 respectively for infected placenta was statistically higher on comparison with 5.58±2.86pg/ml and 16.60±4.88pg/ml for IFNγ and IL10 respectively for uninfected human placenta (P<0.05). Positive correlation existed between parasite density and IL-6 (r = 0.59, p = 0.001) and between parasite density and IL-10 (r =0.41, p=0.024). Conclusion: The study showed upregulated levels of IL-6 and IL-10 which indicates disruption of normal immune balance in the parasite infected placenta and the amount of IL-6 and IL-10 secreted could reflect the level of parasitaemia and could serve for diagnostic assessment of placental malaria.

Placental Oxidative Stress in the pathogenesis of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major complication of pregnancies and can lead to fetal growth retardation, premature delivery and maternal morbidity and mortality. The study aimed at assessing the potential role of the placenta in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Methods: This study was a case-control study conducted at the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana from September, 2016 to March 2017. Twenty (20) pregnant women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (i.e., Pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia) as cases and 30 normotensive pregnancies as controls, were included in the study. The placenta was excised after delivery, homogenized and assayed for malondialdehyde, catalase, total peroxide, oxidative stress index, total antioxidant capacity and placental lipid profile. Results: The ages of the two groups were similar, with malondialdehyde (p = 0.001) and Oxidative Stress Index (p < 0.001) being significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group whereas Total Antioxidant Capacity (p < 0.001) and Catalase (p = 0.011) were significantly higher in the control group compared to the hypertensive group. The proportion of normal, term and livebirth deliveries were significantly higher among controls compared to the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy group. Among the estimated oxidative stress markers, total antioxidant capacity turned out to be the best predictor of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest oxidative stress in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and that placental oxidative stress could be the driving factor for the pathogenesis and severity of these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Prevalence and Types of Sexual Dysfunction Among Female Medical Students

Background: Sexuality is a complex phenomenon that is being influenced by psychological, nutritional as well as physiological factors. Its dysfunction includes desire, arousal, orgasmic and sex pain disorders. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) and risk factors in a cohort of both married and unmarried female students in UDS-Tamale. Methods: The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was administered to 150 female students independent of age (mean±SD: single (24.1 ± 2.0) and married (29.6 ± 5.2)) domiciled in UDS-Tamale campus. Results: Out of a total of 150 questionnaires administered. 93 (62.0%) females returned the questionnaires, and 79 were complete and evaluable questionnaires. This represents 52.7% response rate. From this study, the age ranges as well as the mean (SD) of the age of the participants are 20 to 42 and 27.0 ± 4.8 years respectively. The mean duration of marriage is 4.6 ± 3.4 years. Majority of the studied participants are non-smokers (97.5%), do not consumed alcoholic beverages (67.1%), do not have any chronic disease (69.6%) and do not also have any family history of any chronic disease condition (55.7%). The mean income level, BMI as well as WHR are Ghc 590.1 ±406.9, 25.6 ± 3.5 kg m-2 and 0.8 ± 0.1 respectively. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the single respondent was 67.6%. The most prevalent areas of difficulties were: infrequency 81.1%, Avoidance 64.9%, non-communication 64.9%, dissatisfaction 64.9%, anorgasmia 62.2%, non-sensuality 56.8% and vaginismus 56.8%. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among the married respondent was 54.8%. Sexual dysfunction is high in both single female (67.9%) and married female (54.8%) medical students in the study. Conclusion: Married females in the study were more obese than single females, and the married-obese group was associated with high sexual dysfunction. Notwithstanding this however, the single-normal females had more sexual dysfunction compared to the married-normal females. The SD in the females appear to be contributed mostly by infrequency and avoidance in the single female group, whereas by dissatisfaction and infrequency in the married female group.

Hyperglycaemia in newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients: a cross-sectional study of the Agona District Hospital

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor associated with tuberculosis (TB). This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of hyperglycemia among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients in the Agona Swedru Municipality. Method: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 to April 2016. One hundred (100) newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients at the Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital (ASMH) were enrolled for the study. Socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric measurements were collected and fasting blood glucose (FBG) measured using standard protocols. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0. Result: Of the 100 participants, 26% had hyperglycemia. The significant factors associated with increased risk of hyperglycemia among participants were history of diabetes mellitus (OR = 8.17, p= 0.004), severity of infection (OR = 23.64, p < 0.001) and duration of symptoms (OR= 2.63, p= 0.042). Conclusion: Hyperglycemia was common among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients. History of diabetes mellitus, severity of infection, and duration of symptoms were the determinants of hyperglycemia in pulmonary tuberculosis. Regular screening of hyperglycemia is essential in the management of tuberculosis. Finally, further studies should be conducted on glucose levels among pulmonary tuberculosis patients using higher sample size to increase the understanding of the subject.

Body mass index, serum rheumatoid factor and c-reactive protein among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis in Kano Metropolis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is becoming a global health menace associated with joints swelling, pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of function of extremities etc. This study aimed at evaluating the Body Mass Index (BMI), Serum Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) among RA Patients in Kano Metropolis. Methods: A total of 111 participants comprising 74 Rheumatoid Arthritis patients and 37 apparently healthy controls were recruited for this study. Exactly 29 were males while 44 were females aged between 25 to 75 years. Using standard techniques, BMI was calculated using the weight and height taken from the participants. Blood samples were collected for serum RF and CRP and were analysed using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 was used for the analysis of data. Results: Our findings reveal that, females recorded higher percentage frequency of 45 (60.8%) while males recorded a lower percentage frequency of 29(39.2%) of RA patients with the ratio of 1.55:1, the higher percentage frequencies of 35(47.3%) was observed in overweight BMI patients of between 25- 29.9 kg m-2. The mean serum value of RF was significantly (p = 0.00) higher in case group (4.4 ±1.5 ng/ml) compared with the control group (2.0 ±1.5 ng/ml) and also the mean serum value of CRP was significantly (p = 0.00) higher in case group (13.0 ±5.0 mg/L) compared with the control group (5.5±5.0 mg/L). A significant positive correlation was established between serum RF and CRP (r = 0.48, p=0.00). Conclusion: Our findings show increased RF and CRP in RA case group. Quantitative evaluation of immunological parameter such as RF, CRP and BMI monitoring may aid in proper management of RA patients.

A comparative study of glycaemic variability using four different Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) devices

Background: Blood glucose measurement is a way of monitoring changes in glycaemia. Different point-of-care testing (POCT) glucose meters are on the market and hence there is an increase in variability of the results given by these meters. This study sought to measure the glycaemic variability using four different point-of-care glucose meters Methods: Four point of care glucometers namely; Accu-chek performer nano, OneTouch select plus flex, OneTouch Ultra 2 and Easy Check were used test blood samples from a total of 100 patients visiting the collection point of the Tamale Teaching Hospital Laboratory. A chemistry analyzer (Mindray BS 240 fully automated) was used as the reference method. Results: The median (interquartile range), Bland Altman Plot and Regression Equation were used to assess the agreement between the various meters and the reference method. The OneTouch Select plus had the least bias (-0.85) and the the OneTouch Ultra 2 had the highest bias (1.49). The OneTouch select had the best limits of agreement (-2.51 – 0.82) and the OneTouch Ultra 2 had the widest limits of agreement (-1.91 – 4.89) when compared to the reference method. Conclusion: OneTouch Select plus had the best agreement with the reference method and the OneTouch Ultra 2 had the least agreement with the reference method. Blood glucose meters should be used for the monitoring of blood glucose however, it should not be used as a diagnostic tool. Annals of Medical Laboratory Science (2021) 1(2), 1 - 8 Keywords: glucometer, point-of-care, blood glucose, glycaemia