Phylogenetic variants of Mycoplasma hominis from pregnant women and women presenting with infertility in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Much controversies have been associated with the pathogenicity of Mycoplasma hominis but little has been done to unravel the mystery behind the different views. This study aimed at investigating the genetic variants abounding within M. hominis and the distribution of the virulent genes among the variants. Methodology: Twenty (20) M. hominis isolates from high vaginal swabs of women (11 from pregnant women and 9 from women presenting with infertility) attending the Obstetrics and Gynaecology clinics of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria, were sequenced using 16S rRNA universal gene target for the purpose of phylogenetic analysis and epidemiological typing. The isolates were also screened for the presence of M. hominis variable adherence antigen (vaa) and p120 virulent genes using primer constructs from the respective genes in a conventional PCR protocol. Results: Of the 20 M. hominis vaginal isolates, 4 phylogenetic strains were detected; strain MHS43 constituted 10/20 (50.0%) [2/9 (22.2%) from infertile women and 8/11 (72.7%) from pregnant women]; strain MHBS constituted 3/20 (15%) [3/9 (33.3%) from infertile women and 0/11 (0%) from pregnant women]; strain MHSWP2 constituted 4/20 (20.0%) [3/9 (33.3%) from infertile women and 1/11 (9.1%) from pregnant women]; while strain MHKC87 constituted 3/20 (15%) [1/9 (11.1%) from infertile women and 2/11 (18.2%) from pregnant women].Each of vaa and p120 genes was detected in 14 of 20 isolates, while 6 isolates did not carry the genes. A 2-way ANOVA test showed that none of the genes was significantly associated with a particular strain (p=0.8641). Conclusions: The different views regarding the pathogenicity of M. hominis may be linked to the heterogeneity within the species and lack of homogeneity in the virulent genes as witnessed both in the intra species and intra strain levels.

Premarital HIV testing on prospective couples in a teaching hospital in sub Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Most religious bodies insist on premarital screening for prospective couples. AIM: To determine the level of voluntary screening, prevalence and risk factors of HIV among premarital couples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study using interviewer administered questionnaire and HIV screening to collect data. Systematic sampling of everythird premarital couples attending the General outpatient Clinic between November 2010 and October 2011. SPSS version 17 was used for data analysis of 386 subjects. RESULTS: A majority of respondents (83.4% or 322); X2 = 172.446, df = 1, p < .05) had knowledge of transmission of HIV. Mandatory HIV screening was 5.7% (22); X2 = 303.018, df = 1, p < .05), while voluntary testing was 30% (113). The sero-prevalence of HIV was 2.6%, which was statistically and significantly associated with cohabitation and upper social class. A majority (68.4% or 266); X2 = 272.166, df = 3, p < .05) would call off marriage plans if their spouses tested positive to HIV. CONCLUSION The knowledge of transmission of HIV was very high with low sero-prevalence (2.6%) among premarital couples. Voluntary HIV testing was higher than mandatory request, while cohabitation and upper social class are risk factors for HIV transmission.

Prevalence and pattern of sickle cell disease in premarital couples in Southeastern Nigeria.

CONTEXT: Premarital haemoglobin screening is an important strategy for the control of Sickle Cell Disease. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and pattern of sickle cell disease among premarital couples and to assess their attitude to the risk of sickle cell anaemia in their offspring. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross sectional descriptive study using interviewer administered questionnaire and haemoglobin screening to collect data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic sampling of every third premarital couples attending the General outpatient Clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, between November 2010 and October 2011 was used to select the subjects for the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS version 16 was used for statistical analysis of data from 212 premarital couples or 424 subjects. RESULTS: The prevalence of HbAA and HbAS were 72.64% or 308/424 and 26.4% or 112/424, respectively, while HbSS was 0.94% or 4/424. In 95.3% of the couples there was no risk of offspring inheriting sickle cell anaemia. An equal percentage of males (χ2 = 24.704; df = 6; P = 0.000) and females (χ2 = 12. 684; df 6; P = 0.048) (67.9% or 144/212) would call-off their marriage if there was risk of their offspring being HbSS. CONCLUSIONS: Three quarters of the premarital couples had HbAA, while one quarter had Sickle cell trait. A very low percentage of the couples (2.8%) had 1:4 risk of their offspring inheriting SCA (HbSS). About 2/3 of the subjects would call-off the marriage if there was risk of their offspring inheriting SCA.

Prevalence and pattern of cord blood malaria parasitaemia in a general practice setting in sub-Saharan Africa.

AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of umbilical cord blood malaria and its association with peripartum maternal malaria in a family practice setting in sub Saharan Africa. METHODOLOGY: A prospective case study of pregnant women at delivery in a private practice setting in sub-Saharan Africa. Giemsa stained blood smears of maternal peripheral blood and paired umbilical cord blood were examined under light microscope for malaria parasites. RESULT: The prevalence of cord blood malaria was 64.6% compared with 68.8% for maternal blood. The primigravidae had the highest prevalence for both umbilical cord malaria parasitaemia (72%) and maternal blood (72%), when compared with secondigravidae (61.1%) and other multigravidae > or = 3 (69.8%). The cord blood of primigravidae had the -highest mean parasite density, 1360 +/- 1987.3/microl, compared with secondigravidae (1000 +/- 143) and other multigravidae (1037.7 +/- 1951). The study found a significant variation (p< .05) between cord blood malaria parasitaemia and maternal blood malaria parasitaemia. Cord blood malaria is not a risk factor for low birth weight. In conclusion, the primigravidae have the highest prevalence rates for paired cord blood malaria parasitaemia and maternal blood as well as the highest mean parasite density for the paired samples.