Stray dog trade fuelled by dog meat consumption as a risk factor for rabies infection in Calabar, southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Rabies is a preventable zoonosis with the highest case fatality of any disease in the world. In the developing world, it is transmitted mainly by dog bites. In parts of southern Nigeria, dog meat is a delicacy. OBJECTIVE: To highlight trade in stray dogs as a major risk factor for rabies in animals and humans in south-south Nigeria. METHOD: Patients admitted into the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) with a diagnosis of rabies between July and October 2012 were analysed for risk factors, post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), health seeking behaviour and outcome. Focused group interview were also conducted among traders/handlers of stray dogs. RESULTS: Ten cases of rabies in subjects aged 3 to 52 years were recorded in these five months period. Eight of the cases were male and apparently got infected directly or indirectly through the trade in stray dogs for human consumption. None had proper PEP and all patients died. CONCLUSION: Stray dog trade, fuelled by eating of dog meat, is a risk factor for human and animal rabies in Calabar, southern Nigeria. Culling of stray dogs, control of stray dogs' trade and public enlightenment on PEP is recommended.

Epidemiology and clinical features of glomerulonephritis in Calabar, Nigeria.

A retrospective study of children with acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) over a 10-year period (January 1997-December 2006) was carried out with the aim to establish the prevalence, the population at risk, and the predisposing factors. Out of a total of 6,026 admissions during the study period, 76 (1.3%) had acute glomerulonephritis. Forty of the 76 were males while 28 were females with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. The mean age for males was 7.2+/-4.3 years and that of females was 6.5+/-3.2 years. The overall age range was 3-13 years with a modal age of 5 years for both sexes. The annual prevalence showed two peaks, May-July and October-January. Eighty two percent of patients were of the low while 11.8% were of the middle socio-economic classes. Haematuria, oedema, proteinuria and hypertension were the major presenting features. Hypertensive encephalopathy and acute renal failure were the complications recorded and also emerged as the causes of death. Childhood AGN is common in Calabar compared to other centres in Nigeria, afflicting largely those of low socio-economic status and displays a peak in the middle of both dry and rainy seasons of the year. The outcome is good but could be better if facilities are provided for dialysis.

Relationship between Schistosoma haematobium infection and urinary tract infection among children in South Eastern, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Reports of studies on the relationship between Schistosoma haematobium and urinary tract infection from different regions are conflicting. Hence, the need to determine the situation in each endemic area. OBJECTIVE: To determine if S. haematobium infection is associated with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) among children in an endemic area of Cross River State, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Mid-stream urine specimen was collected under strict aseptic procedures into wide-mouthed screw-capped sterile plastic containers. All the specimens were kept in a cooler at approximately 4 degrees C for 5-10 hr before delivery to the laboratory. Urine microscopy was carried out by gram staining and urine was cultured using blood agar and Mac Conkey agar plates. Collection of urine specimens for schistosoma ova was done between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm when ova count of S. haematobium is expected to be at its peak. RESULTS: Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 51.0%. One hundred and seventy five (77.4%) of those infected had mild intensity of infection (<49 ova/10 ml). Significant bacteriuria was found in 2(0.9%) of the 226 children with urinary schistosomiasis and in 4(1.8%) of the 217 children without urinary schistosomiasis RR(95%CI) = 0.48 (0.089-2.59) P > 0.68. CONCLUSION: This study has found the prevalence rate of urinary Schistosomiasis in this community to be 51% and no significant difference in the prevalence of UTI among children with urinary schistosomiasis and those without. However, considering the high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis seen in this study, urgent control measures should be instituted to address this public health problem.