Idris Abdullahi Nasir

Molecular Detection and Clinical Implications of HTLV-1 Infections among Antiretroviral Therapy-Naïve HIV-1-Infected Individuals in Abuja, Nigeria

Background Individuals with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-1 (HTLV-1)/HIV-1 coinfection have been demonstrated to undergo CD4+ lymphocytosis even in the face of immunodeficiency and increased vulnerability to opportunistic pathogens that can lead to poor prognosis. Objective This study investigated the prevalence as well as the effects of HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfection on CD4+ cell counts, routine hematology, and biochemical parameters of study participants. Materials and Methods This prospective cross-sectional study involved 184 blood samples collected from HIV-1-seropositive individuals attending HIV-special clinic of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Nigeria. These samples were analyzed for anti-HTLV-1/2 IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, CD4+ cell counts, and some routine hematological and biochemical parameters. All samples were also tested for HTLV-1 provirus DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results Of the 184 subjects studied, 9 (4.9%) were anti-HTLV-1/2 IgM seropositive; however, upon real-time PCR testing, 12 (6.5%) had detectable HTLV-1 provirus DNA. The CD4+ cell count was significantly high in HTLV-1-positive (742 ± 40.2) subjects compared to their HTLV-1-negative (380 ± 28.5) counterpart (P-value = 0.025). However, there was no significant association between HTLV-1 positivity with other hematology and biochemical parameters studied (P > 0.05). Conclusion All subjects (100%) who were HTLV-1/HIV-1-coinfected had normal CD4+ counts. This gives contrasting finding on the true extent of immunodeficiency of subjects. So it is suggested to be very careful in using only CD4+ counts to monitor disease progression and as indicators for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings. In such conditions, there may be a need to test for HTLV-1 alongside HIV viral loads in order to begin appropriate ART regimens that contain both pathogens.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Resistance Testing Technologies and Their Applicability in Resource-Limited Settings of Africa

There has been tremendous breakthrough in the development of technologies and protocols for counselling, testing, and surveillance of resistant human immunodeficiency virus strains for efficient prognosis and clinical management aimed at improving the quality of life of infected persons. However, we have not arrived at a point where services rendered using these technologies can be made affordable and accessible to resource-limited settings. There are several technologies for monitoring antiretroviral resistance, each with unique merits and demerits. In this study, we review the strengths and limitations of prospective and affordable technologies with emphasis on those that could be used in resource-limited settings.

Prevalence and healthcare costs associated with the management of diabetic foot ulcer in patients attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are non-traumatic lesions of the skin on feet of diabetic patients. DFU require appropriate investigations, dietary placement and clinical management. These constitute huge healthcare costs in DFU care. OBJECTIVE This study sought to determine the prevalence of DFU in relation to clinical, socio-demographic variables and healthcare costs expended. METHODS This was a retrospective study. Hence, medical records and healthcare costs of 1573 DFU-diagnosed patients who visited the diabetic clinic and medical wards of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria were reviewed and analyzed for relevant data. RESULTS The prevalence of DFU in patients with diabetic mellitus (DM) was 6.0% with more cases in men (67.2%) than women (32.8%). The prevalence of DFU in relation to type of DM was 6.5% and 0% for DM type-II and DM type-I respectively. The distribution of DFU in relation to clinical stages was 40%, 25.7%, 17.1% and 11.4% for stages-IV, III, II and I. Patients in the age group 51-60 years had the highest frequency of DFU (28.6%), but there was no DFU in those 10-20 years and > 80 years. It required an average of 1808 US

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activities of Ethanolic Extracts ofMoringa oleifera Lam on Isolates of Some Pathogens

to successfully treat patients with DFU stage IV, while 1104 US

Clinical Significance of IgG Avidity Testing and Other Considerations in the Diagnosis of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Review Update

and 556 US

Absence of poliovirus in apparently healthy school children in Bauchi state, Nigeria.

was required to treat DFU stage III and II respectively. Cost of procuring drugs covered the highest burden of total healthcare cost in managing DFU (35%-46%). CONCLUSION The prevalence of DFU in DM patients attending ABUTH was high. Healthcare costs associated with DFU especially cost of drugs procurement contributed the highest financial burden in managing DFU.

Prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among nonpregnant women attending a tertiary health care facility in abuja, nigeria

This work aimed to investigate the phytochemical compositions and in-vitro antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam against isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. This involved phytochemical screening and antimicrobial testing of ethanol extracts of Moringa oleifera using basic pharmacognostic procedures and agar well diffusion assay on test pathogens respectively. Alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were detected in all extracts with the exception of root which was devoid of saponins and the seeds which contained no tannins. The agar well diffusion assay showed that M. oleifera extracts showed antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Minimum Inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values were (25 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml for the root), (100 mg/ml for the seed) and (50 mg/ ml and 100 mg/ml for the pod) against the three organisms. The leaf extracts was active against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus but not against Candida albicans. Standard Ciprofloxacin and Ketoconazole (controls) inhibited the test organisms by 100% at 50 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml concentrations respectively. The leaf extracts had the greatest antimicrobial activity against test bacteria (12 mm at 50 mg/ml) while bark extract had the least activity (8 mm at 50 mg/ml). However, only pod extract showed significant antifungal activity (10 mm at 50 mg/ml) while other extracts at the same concentration, showed no antifungal activity. Findings from this study revealed that ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera Lam exhibit significant antimicrobial activities on test pathogens and thus suggests need to refine and standardize these extracts as alternative source of antimicrobial medicines.

Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among residents proximal to environmental waste dumpsites in Gwagwalada metropolis, Abuja, Nigeria

Prompt and accurate laboratory testing of women before or during antenatal days is necessary for detecting humoral immunological responses against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and assessing risk of congenital transmission. CMV is the most common viral etiology with the greatest propensity to induce neonatal pathologies. Most healthcare facilities in developing countries rely solely on anti-CMV IgM and IgG assays in diagnosing CMV infections. However, these parameters have some worrisome limitations. This study reviewed the significance of IgG avidity testing as a highly sensitive and specific tool that improves decisions regarding diagnosis of maternal and congenital CMV infections. We conducted this review from relevant published articles using an extensive literature search made through PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar on the concepts of congenital CMV (CCMV) transmission and clinical significance of IgG avidity testing in diagnosis of CCMV infections. Findings from our review revealed that IgG avidity testing in some developed societies was frequently utilized to resolve dilemmas associated with serodiagnosis of CMV infections, however, there is paucity of information in regards to its use in developing countries. The non-inclusion of IgG avidity testing during serological investigations of CMV could be a reason why congenital CMV infections and associated pathologies often go underdiagnosed in developing countries.

Phenotypic Profile and Antibiogram of Pathogens Isolated from Diabetic Patients Attending National Hospital in Abuja, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION Poliovirus infections have been established to be in circulation in the remaining three polio-endemic nations. These pathogens have been associated with several chronic diseases, particularly acute flaccid paralysis of children. This study sought to ascertain whether polioviruses are silently shed by apparently healthy schoolchildren in Bauchi, Katagum, and Misau local government areas of Bauchi state, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY This was a cross-sectional prospective study that involved 200 stool samples collected from apparently healthy schoolchildren. All samples were processed and inoculated onto rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) and L20B cell-lines. Inoculated cell lines were monitored for cytopathic effects (CPEs) for 10 days with one subculture after first 5 days. RESULTS None of the samples came down with CPEs on L20B, and thus all samples were negative for poliovirus; however, three were positive for non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) on RD and not on the L20B cell line: one coxsackie B virus from a seven-year-old male, and two others were untypeable isolates, one each from a male and a female child. The coxsackie B virus was identified by microneutralization test using polyclonal sera as described by the World Health Organization. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this investigation indicate the absence of polioviruses in the children studied. This is an indication of good polio immunization coverage in these communities. However, more intensive and periodic surveillance is required to confirm the presence or exclude the absence of polioviruses in these communities and other parts of Nigeria.

Prevalence, risk factors, and antimalarial resistance patterns of falciparum plasmodiasis among pregnant women in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine 2015:6 37–42 Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine Dovepress