Babatunde O. Ogunbosi

Hypoxemia predicts death from severe falciparum malaria among children under 5 years of age in Nigeria: The need for pulse oximetry in case management

BACKGROUND Oxygen saturation is a good marker for disease severity in emergency care. However, studies have not considered its use in identifying individuals infected with Plasmodium falciparum at risk of deaths. OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and predictive value of hypoxaemia for deaths in under-5s with severe falciparum malaria infection. METHODS Oxygen saturation was prospectively measured alongside other indicators of disease severity in 369 under-5s admitted to a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Participants were children in whom falciparum malaria parasitaemia was confirmed with blood film microscopy in the presence of any of the World Health Organization-defined life-threatening features for malaria. RESULTS Overall mortality rate was 8.1%. Of the 16 indicators of the disease severity assessed, hypoxaemia (OR=7.54; 95% CI=2.80, 20.29), co-morbidity with pneumonia (OR=19.27; 95% CI=2.87, 29.59), metabolic acidosis (OR=6.21; 95% CI=2.21, 17.47) and hypoglycaemia (OR=19.71; 95% CI=2.61, 25.47) were independent predictors of death. Cerebral malaria, male gender, wasting, hypokalaemia, hyponatriaemia, azotaemia and renal impairment were significantly associated with death in univariate analysis but not logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS Hypoxaemia predicts deaths in Nigerian children with severe malaria, irrespective of other features. Efforts should always be made to measure oxygen saturation as part of the treatments for severe malaria in children.

Dyslipidemia in ART-Naive HIV-Infected Persons in Nigeria--Implications for Care.

Aims: This study aimed to describe the prevalence and pattern of lipid abnormalities among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive HIV patients, understand if there is any relationship to virologic and immunologic status, and discuss the implications for care. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of all ART-naive HIV-infected individuals recruited into the adult ARV clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan, between January and December 2006, were analyzed. Results: In total, 1316 ART-naive HIV-infected persons were recruited in the period. Females subjects and participants aged ≦35 years accounted for 67.1% and 57.7% of all participants, respectively. At least 1 abnormal lipid fraction was seen in 73.3% of participants. It was observed that in 11.5% participants the total cholesterol (TC) was ≧5.2 mmol/L, in 2.7% the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)-C was >4.1 mmol/L in 56.5% the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)-C was <1.0 mmol/L, and in 27.6% the triglyceride (TG) was >1.7 mmol/L. The TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were all significantly positively correlated with CD4 counts and negatively correlated with viral load. On the contrary, the TG levels were negatively correlated with CD4 counts and positively correlated with viral load. Multivariate linear analysis showed a significant relationship between all the lipid parameters and viral load. CD4 counts were only significantly associated with TC. Conclusions: A significant burden of dyslipidemia exists among ART-naive HIV-infected persons. Low HDL-C was the most frequently observed abnormality. The abnormalities related more with viral load levels than with CD4 counts. Dyslipidemia screening should be done in ART-naive HIV-infected persons. Simple healthy lifestyle changes should be emphasized, with other care given to those with the disorder.

Prevalence and predictors of hypoxaemia in respiratory and non-respiratory primary diagnoses among emergently ill children at a tertiary hospital in south western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Hypoxaemia is a potentially harmful complication of both acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) and non-ALRI in children but its contribution to burden and outcomes of hospital admissions in Africa is unclear. We investigated prevalence and predictors of hypoxaemia in ALRI and non-ALRI according to age and primary diagnoses in emergently ill children in south western Nigeria. METHODS In 1726 emergently ill children admitted to a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, south western Nigeria, oxygen saturation was measured shortly after admission. Hypoxaemia was defined as oxygen saturation <90%. Clinical features and the primary admission diagnoses were recorded. Prevalence of hypoxaemia according to age and diagnoses was calculated. Symptoms and signs associated with hypoxaemia were compared between children with ALRI and those with non-ALRI. RESULTS Hypoxaemia was detected in 28.6% (494/1726) of admissions. Prevalence of hypoxaemia varied in different conditions: it was 49.2% (154/313) in ALRI, 41.1% (188/454) in neonates, 27.2% (6/22) in post-neonatal tetanus, 23.3% (14/60) in sickle cell anaemia, 22.6% (38/168) in septicaemia and 14.4% (76/527) of malaria cases. Nasal flaring (OR 3.86; 95% CI 1.70 to 8.74) and chest retraction (OR 4.77; 95% CI 1.91 to 11.92) predicted hypoxaemia in ALRI but not in non-ALRI. CONCLUSIONS Hypoxaemia is common among Nigerian children admitted to an emergency unit and is associated with a poor outcome irrespective of primary admission diagnosis. Provision of equipment to measure oxygen saturation and facilities for effective oxygen delivery might substantially reduce mortality.

Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of HIV opportunistic infections among older adults in Nigeria

BACKGROUND In view of the maturing HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, better understanding of its epidemiology among older adults is necessary in order to design appropriate care and treatment programmes for them. OBJECTIVES To describe the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of HIV opportunistic infections among newly enrolled patients aged 50 years and above in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria. METHODS Analysis of data extracted from electronic records of 17, 312 subjects enrolled for HIV/AIDS care and treatment between January 2006 and December 2014 at the ART clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan. RESULTS Age of the patients ranged from 18 to 90 years with a mean of 36.4 years (SD= 10.3) with older adults constituting 12.0% (2075). Among older adults, about half (52.9%) were females. Majority (59.1%) were currently married while 25.9% were widowed. Prevalence of opportunistic infections was 46.6%. The commonest opportunistic infections (OIs) were: oral candidiasis (27.6%), chronic diarrhoea (23.5% and peripheral neuropathy (14.8%). Significant factors associated with opportunistic infections in older adults were: CD4 count less than 350 (OR=3.12, CI: 2.29-4.25) and hepatitis C virus co-infection (OR=2.17, CI: 1.14-4.13). CONCLUSION There is need for prompt response to the peculiar challenges associated with the emerging shift in the epidemiology of HIV and associated infections in sub-Saharan Africa.

Comparison of auditory brainstem response in HIV-1 exposed and unexposed newborns and correlation with the maternal viral load and CD4+ cell counts.

Objective:The effects of maternal HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy on hearing of HIV-exposed newborns in sub-Saharan Africa have not been investigated. We determined the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss among HIV-exposed newborns and the association between the hearing threshold and maternal and newborn parameters. Design:A cohort audiometric study of newborns between October 2012 and April 2013. Settings:A secondary and tertiary hospital-based study. Participants:Consecutive 126 HIV-exposed and 121 HIV-unexposed newborns. Intervention:Hearing screening of the newborns was done with Auditory Brainstem Response and compared with maternal HAART, CD4+ cell counts, RNA viral loads and newborn CD4+ cell count percentage. Main outcome measure:Hearing threshold levels of both groups were measured and analysed. Results:Around 11.1% of HIV-exposed and 6.6% of unexposed newborns had hearing impairment (P = 0.2214). About 6.4% of HIV-exposed and 2.5% HIV-unexposed newborns had hearing threshold of more than 20 dBHL (P = 0.1578). There was no significant association between the hearing thresholds of HIV-exposed newborns and maternal CD4+ cell counts (P = 0.059) but there was with maternal viral load (P = 0.034). There was significant difference between the hearing thresholds of HIV-exposed newborns with CD4+% of 25 or less and more than 25. This study showed significant difference in the hearing of the 119 HAART-exposed newborns and seven unexposed newborns [P = 0.002; risk ratio, 0.13 (0.05–0.32)]. Conclusion:There was a trend towards more hearing loss in HIV-exposed newborns. However, hearing thresholds increase with increasing mothers’ viral load. The background information supports the need for further studies on the role of in-utero exposure to HIV and HAART in newborn hearing loss.

Static skinfold thickness in African newborns as an index of fetal nutritional assessment

Abstract Background: Fetal malnutrition (FM) has grave implications for the neonate and is reliably assessed by the CANSCORE which is time-consuming. Static skinfold thickness, a measure of adiposity, is a validated method of assessing malnutrition in older children. Aim: To establish if static skinfold measurements in neonates can serve as a reliable measure of FM. Objective: To compare static skinfold thickness measurements in neonates using the CANSCORE for the identification of FM. Method: 252 consecutive term neonates delivered at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria had their CANSCOREs and static skinfold thickness measured within 24 hours of delivery. Using correlation and linear regression analysis, static skinfold thickness cut-off points for FM were determined using a reference CANSCORE of <25. Results: Prevalence of FM was 20·2% and 26·2% using the CANSCORE and the sum of five skinfold thickness measurements, respectively. The mean (SD) skinfold thicknesses were triceps 3·91 mm (0·74), biceps 2·84 mm (0·55), subscapular 3·79 mm (0·91), supra-iliac 2·64 mm (0·62), quadriceps 4·43 mm (1) and the sum of all measurements 17·61 mm (3·16). All the skinfold thickness measurements correlated significantly with the CANSCORE, but the sum of the five had the best correlation. The quadriceps had the highest specificity of 85·6% and lowest sensitivity of 54·9%, while the sum of all had a sensitivity of 66·7% and specificity of 84·0%. Conclusion: The sum of all five skinfold measurements might be a useful screening tool for FM in view of its objectivity, convenience and simplicity, but it is not sufficiently sensitive or specific to replace the CANSCORE in the identification of FM in neonates.

HCV co-infection is associated with metabolic abnormalities among HAART naive HIV-infected persons

Objectives: To determine the metabolic abnormalities among Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) co infected HAART naïve HIV infected persons within the adult ARV clinic of the University College Hospital/University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Methods: This was a retrospective study involving the review of clinical records of newly recruited HIV-infected persons in the adult antiretroviral (ARV) clinic over a 12 month period (January - December 2006). Baseline results for fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting lipid profile were retrieved. Results: Out of the 1,260 HIV infected persons seen during the study period, HCV co-infection was found in 75 (6%) persons. The median values for total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were lower in the HCV co-infected persons. HIV-HCV co–infection was associated with a 0.31 mmol/L depression in Total Cholesterol (TC). The median FPG concentration was significantly higher in HIV-HCV co–infected than HIV only infected persons (5.33mmol/L vs. 5.00mmol/L, p = 0.047). However, regression analysis showed there was no relationship between the HIV-HCV co infected state and fasting glucose levels. Conclusion: HIV-HCV co-infection may be associated with a predictable decline in plasma cholesterol, but FPG may not be sufficient to demonstrate insulin resistance in these persons.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with hepatitis C coinfection among HIV‑positive pregnant women at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Aim: This study estimated the hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in a population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected pregnant women, compared women who were positive or negative for HCV and described risk factors associated with HCV infection. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, case control study was conducted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan among 1821 women. Twenty-six (1.65%) women were HCV positive, 139 (8.83%) were HBsAg positive and 1407 (89.33%) were negative for both viruses. Three patients (0.19%) were positive for both viruses. These patients, i.e., the HBsAg positive women and 246 women with no result, for either virus were excluded from analysis. Data from 1433 pregnant women is presented. Chi square test and student′s t-test examined associations, with level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Overall, the mean age of the HCV positive women was lower (26.77 ± 6.53 vs. 28. 95 years ± 5.33; P = 0.04), most women had attained primary (28.49%) or secondary (42.44%) education, over 90% were married and heterosexual sex (88.67%) was the most likely risk for HIV. HCV prevalence was higher in the lower age groups (5% in the ≤ 19 years group, P = 0.021). The coinfected had more unmarried women (3.6% vs. 1.7%; P = 0.164) and more likely to indicate blood transfusion as a risk factor for HIV (6.2%; P = 0.34). Conclusion: Only age showed any significant association with HCV infection. Lack of identifiable risk factors sum up challenges for developing screening strategies in sub-Saharan Africa. Further studies will identify factors facilitating HCV transmission in the region.

Temporal distribution of baseline characteristics and association with early mortality among HIV-positive patients at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

The first six months of HIV care and treatment are very important for long-term outcome. Early mortality (within 6 months of care initiation) undermines care and treatment goals. This study assessed the temporal distribution in baseline characteristics and early mortality among HIV patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from 2006–2013. Factors associated with early mortality were also investigated. This was a retrospective analysis of data from 14 857 patients enrolled for care and treatment at the adult antiretroviral clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Effects of factors associated with early mortality were summarised using a hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval obtained from Cox proportional hazard regression models. The mean age of the subjects was 36.4 (SD=10.2) years with females being in the majority (68.1%). While patients’ demographic characteristics remained virtually the same over time, there was significant decline in the prevalence of baseline opportunistic infections (2006–2007=55.2%; 2011–2013=38.0%). Overall, 460 (3.1%) patients were known to have died within 6 months of enrollment in care/treatment. There was no significant trend in incidence of early mortality. Factors associated with early mortality include: male sex, HIV encephalopathy, low CD4 count (< 50 cells), and anaemia. To reduce early mortality, community education should be promoted, timely access to care and treatment should be facilitated and the health system further strengthened to care for high risk patients.

Cleft palate in HIV-exposed newborns of mothers on highly active antiretroviral therapy: Cleft palate in HIV-1-exposed newborns

AIMS Cleft lip/palate, though rare, is the commonest head and neck congenital malformation. Both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the aetiopathogenesis but the role of in-utero exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is still being investigated. This short communication reports the occurrence of cleft palate in three newborns exposed in-utero to HIV and HAART. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a case series of HIV-exposed newborns observed to have cleft palate among a larger cohort of HIV-exposed and unexposed newborns in a study evaluating the effect of HIV infection and HAART on newborn hearing. The Risk Ratio (RR) was calculated to detect a potential association between in-utero exposure to Efavirenz containing ART and cleft palate. RESULTS Three HIV-exposed newborns with cleft palate were identified during hearing screening performed on 126 HIV-exposed and 121 HIV unexposed newborns. Two had exposure to tenofovir+lamivudine+efavirenz (TDF+3TC+EFV) while the third had exposure to zidovudine+lamivudine+nevirapine (ZDV+3TC+NVP) during the first trimester. There was no statistically significant association between presence of cleft palate and exposure to an EFV containing HAART regimen (p=0.07, RR=10.95 [0.94-126.84]). CONCLUSIONS This communication highlights the possible aetiologic role of HAART in cleft palate, the need for further prospective follow-up studies and establishment of antiretroviral pregnancy, birth and neonatal registries.