Olatunbosun Ganiyu Arinola

Pathogen Prevalence in Ticks Collected from the Vegetation and Livestock in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Ticks are important disease vectors that can cause considerable economic losses by affecting animal health and productivity, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and diversity of bacterial and protozoan tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from the vegetation and cattle in Nigeria by PCR. The infection rates of questing ticks were 3.1% for Rickettsia species, 0.1% for Coxiella burnetii and 0.4% for Borrelia species. Other pathogens, such as Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species, were not detected in ticks from the vegetation. Feeding ticks collected from cattle displayed infection rates of 12.5% for Rickettsia species, 14% for Coxiella burnetii, 5.9% for Anaplasma species, 5.1% for Ehrlichia species, and 2.9% for Theileria mutans. Babesia and Borrelia species were not detected in ticks collected from cattle. Mixed infections were found only in feeding ticks and mainly Rickettsia species and Coxiella burnetii were involved. The diversity of tick-borne pathogens in Nigeria was higher in feeding than in questing ticks, suggesting that cattle serve as reservoirs for at least some of the pathogens studied, in particular C. burnetii. The total estimated herd infection rates of 20.6% for a Rickettsia africae-like species, 27% for Coxiella burnetii, and 8.5% for Anaplasma marginale/centrale suggest that these pathogens may have considerable implications for human and animal health.

Metabolic alterations in different stages of hypertension in an apparently healthy nigerian population.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) amplifies hypertension (HTN) associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). MS components and other CVD risk measures were investigated in different stages of hypertension. 534 apparently healthy Nigerian traders aged 18–105 years were participants of a cohort study. The International Diabetes Federation (2005) and the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee criteria were used for MS and HTN classifications, respectively. Anthropometric indices were obtained by standard methods. Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were determined by enzymatic methods, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated. Data analysed statistically were significant at P < 0.05. 143 (26.8%), 197 (36.9%), and 194 (36.3%) of the traders had normotension, pre-HTN and HTN (stages 1 and 2), respectively. All indices tested except HDLC were significantly different among BP groups (P < 0.05). Waist to hip (WHR) and waist to height (WHT) ratios were significantly different between HTN groups (P < 0.05). HTN was associated with MS and female gender (P < 0.05). Metabolic alterations and significant HTN were observed. Treatment of the individual components of the syndrome and improvement of modifiable metabolic factors may be necessary to reduce MS and high BP.

Salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian smokers with periodontitis.

AIM To determine the levels of salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian smokers and non-smokers with periodontitis. METHODS Sixty-nine individuals were recruited into this study after obtaining informed consent. They were subdivided into three groups that consisted of 20 (aged 46 ± 11 years) cigarette smokers with periodontitis (S+P); 24 (40 ± 12 years) smokers without periodontitis (S-P); and 25 (53 ± 11 years) non-smokers with periodontitis (NS+P). An oral and maxillofacial surgeon used radiographs for periodontal probing for the diagnosis of periodontitis. The smokers included subjects who smoked at least six cigarettes per day and all the periodontitis patients were newly diagnosed. About 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was expectorated by each subject into plain sample bottles. Salivary immunoglobulin levels were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Students t test was used to determine significant differences between the means. Values of P < 0.05 were regarded as significant. RESULTS No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of the immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) when S+P was compared with S-P. Mean salivary levels of IgA (520.0 ± 155.1 ng/mL vs 670.0 ± 110 ng/mL, P = 0.000) and IgM (644.5 ± 160.0 ng/mL vs 791.4 ± 43.7 ng/mL, P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the S+P compared with NS+P group. Salivary IgA (570.4 ± 145.6 ng/mL vs 670.0 ± 110 ng/mL, P = 0.008) and IgM (703.1 ± 169.3 ng/mL vs 791.4 ± 43.7 ng/mL, P = 0.012) levels were significantly lower in the S-P compared with NS+P group. Only one (5%) periodontal patient had detectable levels of salivary IgE (0.20 IU/mL). Similarly, only one smoker (4.17%) had detectable levels of salivary IgE (0.04 IU/mL) and two non-smokers (9.52%) had detectable levels of IgE (0.24 IU/mL). CONCLUSION Our study suggests that reduced salivary IgA and IgM levels in smokers with periodontitis could enhance increased susceptibility to periodontitis.

Impact of dietary intervention on selected biochemical indices of inflammation and oxidative stress in Nigerians with metabolic syndrome: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT Aim: This study assessed the impact of dietary modification on cardiometabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress indices in Nigerians with metabolic syndrome (MS). Subjects and Methods: Sixty participants with MS were selected using the International Diabetes Federation criteria from a cohort participating in “Risk Assessment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Dementia in Nigerians with Metabolic Syndrome” study. The subjects were seen by a Dietitian and the approximate percentages of total calories from total protein, total fat, polyunsaturated fat, and carbohydrate were calculated from dietary history and pegged at 20%, 30%, 14% and 50% respectively. To ensure compliance, each participant was seen monthly (for 6 months) by the Dietitian. Glucose and lipid profile were determined using enzymatic methods. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and levels of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H

Indices of Metabolic Syndrome in 534 Apparently Healthy Nigerian Traders

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MS) increases the risk of developing type-2 diabetes (DM2) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and it is thought to be prevalent in Nigeria. This study aims at determining the prevalence of MS and its component risk factors among apparently healthy traders in a local market in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: 534 apparently healthy traders from a local market in Bodija, Ibadan, Nigeria aged (18–105) years with neither DM2 nor CVD were participants of a cohort study on risk assessment of type 2 diabetes and dementia in Nigerians with metabolic syndrome. The International Diabetes Federation (2005) and the World Health Organisation (1998) criteria were used for MS and BMI respectively. Anthropometric indices (weight, height, body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (PBF), waist and hip circumferences (WC & HC) and their ratio (WHR), waist circumference to height ratio (WHT)) and blood pressure (BP) were obtained by standard methods. Blood samples (6 ml) were obtained for the determination of glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by enzymatic methods while low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and ANOVA were among the analyses conducted. Results: 301 (56.4%) of traders studied were overweight (176, 33.0%) or obese (125, 23.4%) while 17 (3.4%) and 125 (40.4%) were underweight and normal weight respectively. The prevalence of MS and obesity were 87 (16.3%) and 125 (23.4%) respectively. There was significant association between obesity and MS (p < 0.05). Both MS and obesity were significantly associated with gender (p < 0.05). The prevalence of MS and obesity was higher in female (20.9%; 31.0%) than male traders (6.5%; 7.1%) respectively. The prevalence of MS increased from normal weight (8.3%) to overweight (18.8%) to obesity (28.8%). There were significantly higher differences in age, BP(systolic and diastolic), weight, BMI, WC, HC, WHT, WHR, and PBF but lower difference in height when overweight/obese groups were compared with normal weight group (p < 0.05). TC and LDL-C were significantly higher in only obese than normal weight traders. However, FPG, TG and HDL-C were similar in all groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There is high prevalence of MS and obesity among Nigerian traders. Female gender, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, increasing age, general and abdominal obesity appear to be important metabolic risk factors of CVD and not DM2 among Nigerian traders. Health care strategies for effective modulation of diet and lifestyle are needed urgently. In addition, screening programs for indices of MS in all Nigerians irrespective of BMI could be considered.

PREVALENT COMPONENTS OF METABOLIC SYNDROME AND THEIR CORRELATES IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Aim: To assess the prevalent components of metabolic syndrome (MSC) and their related determinants of lipid metabolism in the Nigerian for early diagnosis, prevention

Salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian cigarette smokers: Indication for increased risk of oral diseases.

Background: Cigarette smoking is a worldwide social epidemic and it is one of the main causes of preventable death and disability. Gingivitis, periodontitis, pocket depth, attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss are some of oral pathologies commonly found in cigarette smokers. The aim of this study was to explore, for the first time among Nigerians, the interplay between components of cigarette smoke and salivary levels of immunoglobulin classes so as to provide oral immunological based reasons for oral diseases in cigarette smokers. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected in plain sample bottles from 24 active smokers who smoke at least 6 sticks of cigarette per day and 21 sex and age-matched non-smokers who were apparently healthy. The samples were spun and supernatant stored at -20°C until assayed. The immunoglobulin levels of the samples were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Students t-test (unpaired) was used to determine significant differences between the two groups. P values less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE. Only IgM was significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers (P = 0.038). The proportion of smokers with detectable level of salivary IgE was lower compared with controls. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is decreased salivary IgM in smokers. This observation suggests that reduced salivary immunoglobulin level of IgM might be involved in the pathogenesis of oral diseases in cigarette smokers.

Thyroid function in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection before commencement of MDR-TB drug regimen.

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are known to cause abnormal thyroid function. There is little information on whether HIV infection aggravates alteration of thyroid function in patients with MDR-TB. OBJECTIVES This study was carried out to determine if HIV co-infection alters serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients with MDR-TB patients and to find out the frequency of subclinical thyroid dysfunction before the commencement of MDR-TB therapy. METHODS This observational and cross-sectional study involved all the newly admitted patients in MDR-TB Referral Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between July 2010 and December 2014. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) were determined using ELISA. RESULTS Enrolled were 115 patients with MDR-TB, out of which 22 (19.13%) had MDR-TB/HIV co-infection. Sick euthyroid syndrome (SES), subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism were observed in 5 (4.35%), 9 (7.83%) and 2 (1.74%) patients respectively. The median level of TSH was insignificantly higher while the median levels of T3 and T4 were insignificantly lower in patients with MDR-TB/HIV co-infection compared with patients with MDRT-TB only. CONCLUSION It could be concluded from this study that patients with MDR-TB/HIV co-infection have a similar thyroid function as patients having MDR-TB without HIV infection before commencement of MDR-TB drug regimen. Also, there is a possibility of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in patients with MDR-TB/HIV co-infection even, before the commencement of MDR-TB therapy.

Serum Iron Status and Haematological Profiles in Adult Nigerian Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients are prone to require long-term frequent blood transfusion because of chronic haemolysis and overlapping hyper-haemolysis. Hence, they become vulnerable to iron overload and its complications. On the other hand, iron deficiency has been documented among un-transfused SCA cases. Thus, there is a need to effectively and efficiently determine iron status of SCA patients. Objective: We investigated whether adult SCA patients in steady state (SSt) or those with vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) have significantly different iron status viz-a-viz Serum Iron (SI), Serum Ferritin (SF), Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Transferrin (TRF), percentage TFS and haematological parameters when compared with age and sexmatched controls. Materials and Methods: Ninety subjects, comprising 30 SCA patients in SSt, 30 SCA patients with VOC and 30 HbAA, ethnicity, age and sex-matched controls (NC), were consecutively recruited. Serum samples were analysed for SF, TRF and TIBC using

Antioxidants in Breast Milk of Lactating Mothers with HIV

Abstract Antioxidants play important roles in growth, development, detoxification, and effective immune responses. It is reported that the serum concentrations of antioxidants are altered in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, there is the dearth of information on the effects of HIV on the quality of breast milk, especially its antioxidants components. The breast milk of lactating mothers with HIV contains all the antioxidants that are normally found in human milk, although there are slight alterations. Breast milk concentrations of copper, iron, total antioxidant potential, riboflavin, vitamin B 6 , vitamin C, and folate are lower in lactating mothers with HIV compared with HIV-negative mothers. Other antioxidant trace elements and vitamins are in comparable concentrations. It appears that shedding of HIV is not only the problem with breastfeeding but also a reduction in breast milk concentrations of certain antioxidants that are vital for infant growth and survival.