Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis D virus antibody among asymptomatic carriers of Hepatitis B virus: a community survey.

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) can cause a chronic infection in the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and contribute to the burden of chronic liver disease especially in regions where chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic. Aim: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of HDV among asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg in Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among apparently healthy adults resident in Cross River State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demograhic data and risk factors for HBV/HDV infection. Participants blood samples were screened for HBsAg. Samples that were HBsAg positive were further screened for anti-HDVIgM. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: A total of 90 HBsAg positive samples were assayed. The prevalence of anti-HDV IgM was 5.6% (95% CI 1.1-10.1). The HDV positive subjects were mostly females (80%), reported family size of >5 members (80%), had female circumcision (75%) and took injections from Non-certified health care practitioners (NCHCPs). None of the assessed risk factors were significantly associated with HDV infection (p >0.05). Conclusion: Hepatitis D virus is moderately prevalent amongst asymptomatic HBsAg carriers in Cross River State, Nigeria.

Statin-use and perceptions of high cholesterol as predictors of healthy lifestyle behaviours in Nigerians.

It is unclear how statin-use influences the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices. It is important to understand the nature of this relationship as this could facilitate targeted public health interventions which could help promote a healthy lifestyle, curb the rise of non-communicable diseases, and facilitate overall health. This study aimed to explore whether statin-use influenced the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices by changing the way urban and semi-urban Nigerians thought about their high cholesterol and their future risk of cardiovascular disease. Structured questionnaires were used to compare the lifestyle behaviours, perceptions of high cholesterol and future risk of cardiovascular disease of statin users and non-statin users recruited in urban and a semi-urban Nigeria. In-depth, face-to-face interviews were used to further explore the relationship between statin-use and the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices, and explore the influence of personal and social factors on this relationship. The odds of adopting a low-fat diet increased as perceived statin-effectiveness increased (OR = 2.33, p<0.05), demonstrating a synergistic relationship between statin-use and the adoption of healthy of lifestyle choices. In addition to this synergistic association, at interview, two other relationships were found between statin use and the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices: an antagonistic relationship fuelled by a strong perception of statin effectiveness and a perceived inability to make healthy lifestyle changes, which favoured statin-use, and an antagonistic relationship fuelled by congruous cause-control beliefs and concerns about medication-use which favoured the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices. The odds of adopting a low-fat diet was 5 times greater in urban dwellers than in semi-urban dwellers (p<0.01). Statin-use influenced the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices in three different ways, which require exploration at clinical consultation. Gender, social obligations, and physical environment also influenced statin-use and the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices.

Standardization of Aspergillus IgG diagnostic cutoff in Nigerians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Commercial Aspergillus IgG antibody assays have become pivotal in the current diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, diagnostic cutoffs have been found to vary from manufactures' recommendations in different settings. This study aimed to establish the Aspergillus IgG reference range among Nigerians and determine a diagnostic cutoff for CPA. METHODS: Sera from 519 prospectively recruited healthy blood donors and 39 previously confirmed cases of CPA were analysed for Aspergillus IgG levels using the Bordier test kit (Bordier Affinity Products SA, Crissier, Switzerland). Accuracy versus cutoff profile and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve were analysed for both CPA cases and controls using the R-Studio (2020), (Window desktop, version 4.0.2 software with R packages "nnet" and "ROCR"). RESULTS: Among healthy blood donors, 141 (27.2%) were aged 16-25 years with median (interquartile range, IQR) of 22 (20-24) years; 304 (58.6%) were aged 26-40 years with median (IQR) of 32 (29-36) years; while 74 (14.2%) were aged 41-60 years with median (IQR) of 46 (44-49.75). Median IgG level in respective age groups were 0.069 (0.009-0.181), 0.044 (0.014-0.202) and 0.056 (0.01-0.265) with no significant difference found in the three age categories (p = 0.69). The overall diagnostic cutoff for the diagnosis of CPA was 0.821 with an accuracy of 97.1% and area under the curve (AUC) = 0.986. CONCLUSION: The optimal diagnostic cutoff for diagnosing CPA in Nigerians using the Bordier kit was 0.821 which is lower than the manufacturer's recommended cutoff of 1.0. The determination of this cutoff among Nigerians will significantly enhance accurate identification of CPA and assessment of its true burden in Nigeria.

Prevalence of Zika and malaria in patients with fever in secondary healthcare facilities in south-eastern Nigeria.

We describe the frequency of Zika and malaria among patients presenting with fever to secondary health facilities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional, stratified survey design, we randomly selected nine facilities and consecutively recruited 100 participants (aged ≥ 1 year) who presented with fever. On testing blood samples using Biocan qualitative lateral flow immuno-chromatographic cassettes for Zika IgG and IgM, 10% were seropositive for Zika virus (ZIKV) IgM, 12% for ZIKV IgG and 20% for ZIKV IgM, IgG or both. Following microscopy of thick films stained with Giemsa for malaria parasites, 55% were positive for malaria and 15% were positive for both malaria and ZIKV IgM, IgG or both. A moderately negative association between urban and rural household location and seropositivity for ZIKV IgM or IgG was found on logistic regression. Our results clearly indicate a high rate of probable ZIKV and malaria co-incidence in Cross River State. Given the high risk of serious fetal outcomes following ZIKV infection, further epidemiological research and surveillance systems for ZIKV are clearly required.

An evaluation of nebulised amphotericin B deoxycholate (Fungizone® ) for treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis in the UK National Aspergillosis Centre.

Antifungal treatment options for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) are largely limited to itraconazole based on the outcome of randomised controlled trials. It is unclear if nebulised amphotericin B deoxycholate (Fungizone® ) is a viable therapeutic option. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of nebulised Fungizone® in the long-term treatment of various forms of pulmonary aspergillosis. We assessed the records of 177 patients with various forms of pulmonary aspergillosis attending the National Aspergillosis Centre in Manchester who had received Fungizone® . Patients first received a challenge test with nebulised Fungizone® in hospital with spirometry pre/post-Fungizone® and nebulised salbutamol given pre-Fungizone® . Tolerability and changes in Aspergillus IgE, Aspergillus IgG and total IgE were evaluated. Sixty-six per cent (117/177) were able to tolerate the test dose of Fungizone® and in all cases, the reason for discontinuation of the first test dose was worsening breathlessness. Twenty six (21%) stopped therapy within 4-6 weeks, and the commonest reason cited for discontinuation of therapy was increased breathlessness, hoarseness and cough. Eighteen (10.2%) patients continued the Fungizone® for >3 months of which 5 (27.8%) recorded an improvement in total IgE, Aspergillus-specific IgE and Aspergillus IgG. Eleven had ABPA, four had SAFS, two had Aspergillus bronchitis and one had Aspergillus sensitisation with cavitating nodules. Among these 18 patients, sputum fungal culture results went from positive to negative in five patients, became positive in one patient, remained positive in three patients, and remained negative in seven patients. Nebulised Fungizone® appears to be a poorly tolerated treatment for pulmonary Aspergillosis with high dropout rates. There appears to be both clinical and serological benefits following sustained treatment with nebulised Fungizone® in some patients.

Strongyloides stercoralis larvae in the urine of a patient with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a case report.

Disseminated infection with Strongyloides stercoralis refers to the massive migration of infective larvae from the gastrointestinal tract to other organs that are not involved in the normal life cycle of the parasite. We describe the case of a Nigerian male with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in whom larvae of S. stercoralis was identified in the urine. This report involves a 60-year old male Nigerian presenting to the Urology clinic of the Jos University teaching hospital, Nigeria with disseminated S. stercoralis. The index patient presented with a 5 month history of total haematuria, urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, straining to pass urine, feeling of incomplete voiding and terminal dribbling. He also had episodes of suprapubic pain. Physical examination revealed a cachexic patient who had mild suprapubic tenderness. Urinary examination showed numerous red blood cells and rhabditiform larvae of S. stercoralis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous mass in the urinary bladder measuring 4.0 × 3.3 cm. Abdominal computed tomography also showed an irregular mass measuring 4.2 × 3.8 cm with HU of 41 projecting into the bladder from the posterior wall towards the dome. Histology of the biopsy specimen revealed transitional cell carcinoma. The patient was treated with a single dose of oral ivermectin but died 1 week later. Physicians working in areas that are endemic for S. stercoralis should consider investigating immunocompromised patients for S. stercoralis infection given the poor prognosis of disseminated infection in this group of patients.

A cross-sectional survey on the seroprevalence of dengue fever in febrile patients attending health facilities in Cross River State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, recent reports suggest that dengue viruses could be a major cause of acute fevers. We sought to make a cross-sectional estimate of the prevalence of current and previous dengue infections in patients presenting with fever to healthcare centres in Cross River State Nigeria. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This cross-sectional health facility survey recruited persons with temperature ≥38°C. Dengue virus immunoglobulin M (IgM)/immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody testing using Onsite Duo dengue Ag-IgG/IgM lateral flow immunoassay cassettes was done. Samples which tested positive were further confirmed using the RecombiLISA dengue IgM and IgG enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits and classified into primary and secondary dengue infection. Malaria testing was carried out using microscopy. Between 4 January 2017 and 24 August 2017 a total of 420 participants were sampled across 11 health centres. The mean age was 34 (range = 1-99), 63% were female, 49% reported sleeping under a treated mosquito net in the past week and 44% reported taking an antimalarial prior to seeking care. The mean number of days fever was present prior to seeking care was 8, and many of the participants presented with symptoms indicative of respiratory or urinary tract infections. Testing indicated that 6% (95% CI: 2, 13; n = 24) had either a primary or secondary dengue infection with or without co-existing malaria, while 4% (95% CI: 2, 9; n = 16) had either a primary or secondary dengue infection without co-existing malaria. 52% (95% CI: 46, 58; n = 218) had a malaria infection with or without any dengue infection, and 50% (95% CI: 44, 57; n = 210) had a malaria infection without any dengue infection. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the presence of dengue at not insignificant levels in patients attending health centres with fever in this south eastern province of Nigeria. These data highlight the danger of the common presumption in this setting that fever is due to malaria. Surveillance for dengue is vital in this setting.

The role of medical mycology societies in combating invasive fungal infections in low- and middle-income countries: A Nigerian model.

The discipline of medical mycology has become increasingly relevant in the face of the rising incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), which pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for contemporary medical practice. While firmly established in developed countries, medical mycology remains obscure in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With a teeming vulnerable populace and an incidence rate of 11.8%, Nigeria has one of the highest estimated burdens of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in the world. Regardless, the scourge of IFIs has remained silent due to a combination of factors principal amongst which are a lack of awareness and dearth in personnel skilled in diagnosis. The present narrative examines the status of medical mycology practice in Nigeria and chronicles the journey to change the status quo spurred by the Leading International Fungal Education (LIFE)-facilitated burden estimate paper and culminating in the birth of the Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria (MMSN), the pioneer national medical mycology society in Africa. The prospects of tackling the IFI challenge are highlighted from the perspective of the nascent society.

Micafungin may be safely administered as outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous micafungin has been reported as a treatment alternative in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) where long-term oral triazole therapy is unfeasible. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of micafungin administered via the outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service for the treatment of CPA. METHODS: We included all CPA patients who received micafungin via OPAT between April 2016 and March 2018. Data on adverse events and line-related complications, and Quality of Life (QoL) scores at the start of micafungin course and 3 months later were extracted. Improvements in QoL were defined as an improvement of ≥4 points in at least one modality (symptom, impact, activity, total) in the St George's QoL score. A stable QoL score was defined as a change in score of <4 points in either direction whilst deterioration was defined as an increase of ≥4 points. RESULTS: There were 20 OPAT episodes involving 18 patients with a median duration of micafungin therapy of 21 (range: 4-248) days. Improvement or stability in the symptoms, activity, impact and total score was seen in 14 (78%), 12 (67%), 9 (50%) and 9 (50%) of the patients, respectively. However, half of the patients reported deterioration in the impact domain and total scores. By self-assessment, patients who categorised themselves as "poor" were comparable at the start of OPAT and at 3 months (43% vs 50%, McNemar's P = 0.7). Adverse events attributable to micafungin were recorded in 3 (14.3%) episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Micafungin may be safely administered via an OPAT service. Micafungin therapy was associated with an improvement or stability in QoL scores in at least 50% of the patients across the four domains.

A diagnostic performance evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy for malaria diagnosis using nested polymerase chain reaction as reference standard in a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria.

Background: Rapid diagnostic tests are frequently used in healthcare settings across Nigeria for diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which is the commonest form of malaria in the country. In this study, the performance of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was compared with expert microscopy using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as the reference standard in a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: This study was a prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study. A total of 200 participants of all ages presenting to Jos University Teaching Hospital with a history of fever or an axillary temperature of >37.5°C were recruited. Blood specimens were collected and malaria testing was done using RDT, microscopy and PCR. Results: The prevalence of malaria in this study was 17%, 15% and 13% by PCR, microscopy and RDT, respectively. Compared with microscopy, RDT had lower sensitivity of 75% (95% CI: 56.60-88.54) vs 88.24% (95% CI: 72.55-96.70), lower specificity of 98.80% (95% CI: 95.72-99.85) vs 100.0% (95% CI: 97.80-100.0), lower positive predictive value 92.31 (95% CI: 74.89-97.97) vs 100 (95% CI: 98.0-100.0), and lower negative predictive value 95.35 (95% CI: 91.83-97.39) versus 97.65 (95% CI: 94.30-99.05). Conclusion: The diagnostic performance of expert microscopy was better than RDT in the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Quality assurance procedures such as using expert microscopy to cross-check a proportion of RDT negative results in patients with clinical features of malaria is desirable.

Diagnosis and Management of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Resource-poor Settings.

Globally, Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) remains a common and lethal infection in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients, particularly in developing countries where rates of PCP increases with rising GDP. Pneumocystis jirovecii cannot be cultured in routine clinical laboratories; thus diagnosis relies on microscopy, histology, serology and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the Pneumocystis DNA. Most of these methods are expensive and require training. Accessing lower respiratory tract specimens in young children is often challenging and only PCR testing of nasopharyngeal aspirates is useful. Early treatment with high-dose co-trimoxazole is effective therapy; however, adverse reactions are common along with reports of emerging resistance. Improved outcomes are associated with adding corticosteroid to treatment in those with moderate/severe PCP, although this has not been studied in resource-poor settings. This review compares the available diagnostic techniques in relation to their suitability for use in resource-poor settings. We also addressed the non-availability of the alternative medications in these regions.