Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C and HIV antibodies in a low-risk blood donor group, Nigeria.

We investigated the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among 258 clergymen-in-training (age range 18-39 years) who represented a donor population that fulfilled the criteria for safe blood transfusion. In all, 15.1% of the men were positive for HBsAg, 4.3% were positive for anti-HCV and 2.7% were HIV-positive; 22.1% were infected with at least one of these viruses. Co-infection with HIV and HBV was found in 0.4% of the subjects, HBV and HCV in 0.4%, and HIV and HCV in 0%. This underscores the importance of routine screening of blood before transfusion, regardless of the donor background.

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Central Nigeria.

Widespread, inadequate and inappropriate treatment of gonococcal infections are facilitating antibiotic resistance in Jos Nigeria. We present an antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains in this study. Thirty-one strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were isolated by inoculating swabs onto prewarmed heated blood agar and Thayer Martins medium and incubated overnight at 35 to 37 degrees C. The isolates were then screened for antimicrobial susceptibility by the disk diffusion method. About 93.6% were susceptible to azithromycin, 90.3% to ciprofloxacin, 87.1% to ceftriaxone, 80.7% and 64.3% to erythromycin and ofloxacin respectively. Less than half were each susceptible to spectinomycin (38.7%) and gentamicin (32.8%), while 12.9% and 4.6% were susceptible to tetracycline and penicillin respectively. These findings suggest that gentamicin, tetracycline and penicillin may not be recommended in this environment for treating gonococcal infections. Azithromycin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone are the suggested alternatives. Prompt diagnosis, treatment and indeed continued surveillance are hereby recommended for an effective management of gonococcal infections.

Prevalence of cryptosporidium infection among undernourished children in Jos, Central Nigeria.

This prospective study aimed at determining the prevalence data of Cryptosporidium infection in undernourished children, its seasonality and its relative frequency in diarrhoeic stool in Jos, Central Nigeria. One hundred and seventy each of undernourished and well nourished children aged 0-5 years were recruited into the study. Stool samples and clinical data were obtained using questionnaires. Results were analysed using Chi-square test. The prevalence of the infection was found to be 4.8% and all infections occurred in diarrhoeic stool. No infection with this pathogen was recorded in the well-nourished group. There was a defined seasonality of the infection. The high prevalence suggests the importance of introducing routine screening of this group of patients for cryptosporidium infection to facilitate their management.

Multiple drug resistant strains of Shigella isolated in Jos, central Nigeria.

The objective of this study is to highlight the alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance among Shigella species in Jos, Plateau State. Stool samples of eight hundred and ten patients who presented at the Jos University Teaching Hospital with diarrhoea/dysentery were analysed using standard bacteriological techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates were determined. 25 Shigella species were isolated representing 3.1% isolation rate. The male to female ratio is 1.3:1, children aged 0-10 years constituted 16(64%) of the cases. Shigella flexneri (48%) was the most common sero-group. This was followed by S. boydii (24%), then S. sonnei (20%), and S. dysenteriae (8%). Most strains of shigella species were resistant to Ampicillin (96.0%). Chloramphenicol (96.0%), Cotrimoxazole (88%), Nalidixic acid (84%) and Tetracycline (75%). All strains were found to be sensitive to Ciprofloxacin. The drugs of choice in the treatment of Shigella infection in this environment should be Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin. Gentamicin was the third drug of choice its use is limited since the infection is not systemic. To avoid continuous abuse of antibiotics in our country there should be an effective legislation by the government to control the indiscriminate purchase of antibiotics.

Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C and HIV antibodies in a low-risk blood donor group, Nigeria

We investigated the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection among 258 clergymen-in-training [age range 18-39 years] who represented a donor population that fulfilled the criteria for safe blood transfusion. In all, 15.1% of the men were positive for HBsAg, 4.3% were positive for anti-HCV and 2.7% were HIV- positive; 22.1% were infected with at least one of these viruses. Co-infection with HIV and HBV was found in 0.4% of the subjects, HBV and HCV in 0.4%, and HIV and HCV in 0%. This underscores the importance of routine screening of blood before transfusion, regardless of the donor background