C Nwabuisi

Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria

In a cross-sectional study, 230 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Nigeria from January 2000 to December 2000 were screened randomly to determine the prevalence of common STDs among them, using conventional methods. One hundred and fourteen (49.4%) of the subjects harboured various agents including Candida spp. (37.8%), Trichomonas vaginalis (4.7%), Gardnerella vaginalis (3.9%), syphilis (1.7%) and Neisseria gonorrhea (1.3%). Risk factors associated with significant infection were young age and level of education. The importance of routine STD screening in pregnancy especially among the young and illiterate is advocated. It is recommended that routine screening for STDs should be incorporated into antenatal care.

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Antenatal Patients in Ilorin, Nigeria

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, bacteriology and sensitivity pattern in Ilorin using the gold standard of urine culture. METHODS A prospective study was carried out from 1st July to 31st October 2007, at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on 125 consenting asymptomatic pregnant women. A structured proforma was used to collect information from the women and a midstream urine specimen collected for bacteriological culture. RESULTS Of the 125 pregnant women, 50 had bacteriuria on urine culture giving a prevalence of 40%. The mean age of the women was 28.5 years with a standard deviation of 4.95. The age ranged between 14 and 40 years. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pathogen isolated (72%), followed by Proteus spp (14%). Most of the organisms showed good sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin and gentamicin. CONCLUSION The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in Ilorin is high and routine urine culture is advocated for all pregnant women at booking.

Measles Vaccine Potency and Sero-Conversion Rates among Infants Receiving Measles Immunization in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the seroconversion rate of measles vaccine among infants receiving measles immunization in Ilorin, Nigeria. The pre- and post-measles vaccination sera of the children were tested using the Haemagglutination Inhibition test. The measles vaccines administered at the immunization centre were also tested for their potency using in-vitro titration method. Only 286 (71.5%) of the vacinees returned to give post-vaccination samples. All the infants screened had low pre-vaccination measles antibody titers. Thirty one (8.0%) of the infants had measles prior to vaccination. The seroconversion pattern showed that 196 (68.6%) of the infants developed protective antibody titers. Low seroconversion rate reported in this study was due to low vaccine potency. The titers of vaccines with low potency ranged between log10−1.0–log10−2.25 TCID/per dose. This was beside other non specific antiviral substances exhibited virus neutralizing activity. Only 3 (50%) of the 6 vaccine vials tested had virus titers of log10−3.25 to log10−3.5, which fell above the cut-off point recommended by the World Health Organization for measles vaccines. The sero-conversion rate of 68.6% observed among vaccinees is far lower than the immunity level of 95% required stopping measles transmission in an endemic community. Failure of 31.4% of these infants to sero-convert post vaccination can be attributed partly to administration of sub-potent vaccines. There is need for improvement and maintenance of effective vaccine cold chain system in Nigeria. There is need also for periodic monitoring of post-vaccination antibody titers as well as vaccine potency status in order to ensure development of protective seroconversion rates.

Prevalence Of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Among Tertiary Health Workers in Ilorin

A total of 181 tertiary hospital staff at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital were screened for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their Sera. They were made up of 128 nursing staff, 36 doctors, and 17 laboratory staff, with a mean length of service of 12.3+7.6 years, and who actively work in contact with patients and laboratory specimens. Screening for HBsAg was carried out using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA) method. Fourteen (7.7%) of the staff were found to be positive for HBsAg. This was significantly lower than the percentage positives of 21.7% and 16.0% obtained among the blood donors and antenatal clinic patients respectively. The positivity rate was not affected by sex, age or length of service. The possible reasons for, and inferences from our findings are discussed. Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 9, No. 2 (June 1999) pp. 95-97

Pattern of sexually transmitted infections in human immunodeficiency virus positive women attending antenatal clinics in north-central Nigeria

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent during pregnancy and may have adverse sequalae in both mother and fetus. Interactions between these infections and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) synergize and may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes and reverse the gains of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gonococcal infection, syphilis, and bacterial vaginosis in HIV pregnant women and compare with HIV negative controls. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted during the period from April to December 2010 at the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and three Primary Health Centers in Ilorin. A total of 160 HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics were recruited, along with the same number of HIV negative matched controls. A structured proforma was used to collect information from patients, vaginal examination was performed and samples were taken from the endocervix and the posterior vaginal fornix with swab sticks. Results: STIs were recovered from 142 women, giving overall prevalence of 44.4%. HIV infected women had a higher prevalence (60%) compared to uninfected (28.8%). The most prevalent STI was vaginal candidiasis (29.1%), followed by bacterial vaginosis (9.7%), and trichomoniasis (5.6%). The prevalence of candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis was higher among HIV positive pregnant women compared to HIV negative controls ( P Conclusion: The prevalence of candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis was higher in HIV infected pregnant women compared to uninfected. Routine screening of HIV infected pregnant women for these organisms is advocated.

Prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella species at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

Background: Persistent blind antibiotic treatment of patients, in resource poor nations like Nigeria, makes the prevalence of antibiotic resistance to increase sporadically. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production is one of the ways by which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. For this reason, isolation, identification, sensitivity and screening for possible resistance genes is very important before prescription, if the affected patients must receive qualitative care particularly when their condition is chronic. Materials and Methods: Four hundred suspected isolates of Klebsiella belonging to various species obtained from routine specimens such as swabs, urine, blood, and sputum from May to October 2009 were studied. The identity of all isolates obtained was biochemically analyzed. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using modified Kirby–Bauer method and ESBL production was phenotypically determined using double disc synergy test for laboratory detection and reporting of bacteria by CLSI method. Results: Ninety-eight (24.5%) isolates expressed ESBL. Majority of the ESBL producing isolates were from swab specimens 59 (14.75%) followed by blood culture 16 (4.0%), urine 13 (3.25%), and sputum 10 (2.5%). Sensitivity patterns of ESBL producing Klebsiella spp. revealed that all ware resistant to augmentin (AUG), ceftazidime (CAZ), cefotaxime (CTX), cefuroxime (CRO), cefpodoxime (CPD), and none resistant to imipenem (IMP). Conclusion: ESBL producing Klebsiella spp., were present in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. They are resistant to augmentin (AUG), CAZ, CTX, and CPD. Presence of ESBL in any Klebsiella spp. has made cephalosporins which are first line antibiotics usually given non-effective, thereby reducing the treatment options. We, therefore, suggest screening and confirmation for ESBL, in other to prevent treatment failure.

Prevalence, intensity and complications of Microsporidium spores amongst HIV-positive hospital patients in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background Microsporidiasis, which is of great concern for immunocompromised patients, is poorly studied in developing countries. Objectives A study was carried out amongst HIV-positive hospital patients and HIV-negative hospital controls in Ilorin, Nigeria, between January 2009 and July 2010 to determine the prevalence and intensity of Microsporidium spores and the complications associated with their presence. Method Stool samples from 750 HIV-positive patients and 375 HIV-negative patients were studied using the Chromotrope-2R staining technique. Determination of CD4+ count was performed on the Partec Cyflow SL-3 CD4/8 instrument. Intensity of spores was determined by counting the total number of the spores in a 10 µl stained smear of stool. Images were captured with Phenix Microimage Analysis Software and data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results The prevalence of Microsporidium isolates amongst the HIV-positive hospital patients was significantly higher (42.4%) than amongst the HIV-negative controls (19.2%) (p < 0.05). The intensity of microsporidial spores amongst HIV-positive hospital patients was also significantly higher than amongst the controls (p < 0.05). However, the difference in the intensity of spores amongst HIV-positive patients who were on antiretroviral therapy (n = 411) and those who were not (n = 339) was not significant (p = 0.236). Microsporidiasis in HIV infection infection was common amongst patients with with low CD4+ counts, diarrhoea, body rashes and cough. Conclusion Both the prevalence and intensity of Microsporidiasis are high amongst HIV-positive hospital patients; campaigns to promote awareness, prevention and control are required. Laboratory testing for microsporidia in HIV patients should be performed routinely so as to identify the organism for prompt medical attention.