Loss of maternally-acquired measles antibody during infancy in Ilorin, Nigeria.

In a study of the prevalence of measles antibody in infants aged 1-9 months detectable antibody was present in 32 per cent. Prevalence was highest in the 4-7 week age group and dropped rapidly with increasing age. In infants 28-35 weeks old, only 7 per cent had detectable antibody. Logistic regression analysis showed that by the end of the seventh month of life only 10 per cent would carry antibody against measles.

Complement and immunoglobulin levels in Ilorin Nigeria, and environ.

The levels of complement components C3 and C4 were determined in EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) plasma of 106 apparently healthy people aged 11-50 years, and in 23 paired maternal and cord plasma in Ilorin. The immunoglobulins G,A and M concentrations of these paired samples were also assayed. Furthermore, serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels were quantitated in 501 apparently healthy residents of Ilorin (1-84 years old, n = 313) and its suburban community, Shao (11-80 years old, n = 188). Generally, there were no significant sex-related differences in C3 and C4 values, but these values increased steadily with age. C3 and C4 levels in cord plasma were high, representing 73% and 88% of adult levels respectively. Maternal levels of these complement components were higher (P < 0.02) than values obtained in non-pregnant females of comparable age. Immunoglobulin G values obtained for maternal and cord samples compare well with figures reported previously from other centres in Nigeria. Only 1 of 23 IgA and 2 of 23 IgM samples showed detectable values of these immunoglobulins in cord blood. The mean concentrations of immunoglobulins obtained were similar for IgG and lower for IgA and IgM in Ilorin, but higher for IgG and lower for IgA and IgM in Shao, when compared with data reported from Enugu and Zaria--both in Nigeria. Shao showed significantly higher mean level of IgG but similar levels of IgA and IgM to values obtained in Ilorin. Generally, IgG and IgA concentrations rose gradually up to age group 31-40 and 41-50 years respectively; and then declined. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Serum electrolyte and protein changes after intravenous injection of sodium and meglumine diatrizoate (urograffin-370).

Serum electrolyte and protein changes in 35 Nigerian patients undergoing intravenous urography were evaluated after injection of 60 mls sodium and meglumine diatrizoate (Urograffin-370). Statistically, significant changes were noted in the values of serum calcium, proteins and albumin at 5 and 30 minutes after the injection (P < 0.005). The mean percentage decreases noted were calcium 13%, protein 17% and albumin 13%. At 30 minutes post-injection, the serum protein and albumin levels had incompletely recovered while calcium values continued to decrease. Non-statistically, significant changes were observed in the values of serum sodium, potassium and phosphate at 5 and 30 minutes respectively following contrast medium injection. Alterations in the levels of serum electrolytes especially calcium are most probably responsible for such adverse effects as convulsions and cardiac arrhythmias.

Surveillance of humoral immunity to measles virus in Ilorin, Nigeria and environ.

Detection of measles specific IgG in serum was done on 618 samples obtained from Nigerians (aged 11 years or more) resident in Ilorin (urban) and Shao (a suburban outlay of Ilorin). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used. Eighty-six percent of the sampled population had detectable antibody levels. Significant differences were found between positivity rates in the two locations studied and between the sexes in the urban samples.

Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren in the Babana district, Kwara State, Nigeria.

A study was carried out in the Babana District of Borgu Local Government Areas in Kwara State, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren. Of 425 pupils found and examined in nine communities, 193 (45.4%) were infected. Infection rates for boys and girls (44.7% and 47.9%, respectively) were not significantly different (P greater than 0.5). Children between 11 years and 13 years of age had the highest prevalence (59.2%), while those between 5 years and 7 years had the lowest (33.6%). However, the proportion (25.9%) of children excreting at least 1000 eggs/10-ml urine sample during their first decade of life was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than for pupils who were older. There was a positive relationship between schistosomal infection and the prevalence of haematuria and proteinuria. Thus, the prevalences of haematuria and proteinuria were significantly higher among the infected than among the non-infected pupils (P less than 0.01). All the pupils with heavy haematuria (n = 45) and those with heavy proteinuria (n = 14) had at least 150 eggs/10-ml urine sample and 1000 eggs/10-ml urine sample, respectively.

Babana Parasitic Diseases Project. I. The study area and a preliminary assessment of onchocercal endemicity based on the prevalence of "leopard skin".

A prevalence survey of "leopard skin" (LS) was carried out in 24 villages to assess the distribution of onchocerciasis in the Babana District of Nigeria. The findings suggested that onchocerciasis is highly endemic in this community. Of 1,310 adults examined for the presence of the characteristic onchocercal depigmentation, 26.4% were found affected. LS occurred more frequently among the cattle Fulani people than among other local ethnic groups (P less than 0.001) and was significantly more commonly associated with the left than with the right leg (P less than 0.001). A background of the study area is given.

Studies of immunoglobulin M and malarial antibodies in Nigerians.

Measurements of immunoglobulin M, in 111 healthy adult Nigerians have been presented. IgM values ranged between 10 and 518 mg per 100 ml with a mean of 213.2 mg per 100 ml. Using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, 53.7 per cent of the 111 symptomless subjects in the study had demonstrable malarial antibodies of titres greater than 10,000. The implications of the observations in a holoendemic malarial zone are briefly discussed.

Human sleeping sickness in the Gboko endemic area of Nigeria.

Human infection with Trypanosoma gambiense in the Gboko endemic area was first reported in May, 1974 although T. gambiense sleeping sickness had been present there since the turn of the century. The disease is associated with the presence of the tsetse Glossina tachinoides and Glossina palpalis which is plentiful and widespread throughout the division as well as in thickets along the streams in the area. No successful attempt has been made to control the tsetse vector in the Division. The incidence and geographical distribution of cases of T. gambiense sleeping sickness in the Gboko area are described in this report. Cases were treated with Antrypol Tryparsamide mixture and Mel B. The highest number of cases of infection is usually picked up just before the start of the rains in early April. It is suggested that, for meaningful control of the disease a quick method should be devised to rid the area of the insect vector.

Mel B toxicity in human trypanosomiasis in the Gboko endemic area of Nigeria.

Nine cases of Mel B (a melaminyl arsenical used in treating sleeping sickness patients who have developed central nervous system involvement) treated patients who developed reactions to the drug are described. They all developed high temperatures, pyrexia, diarrhoea, vomitting or itching and some had convulsions. Three of the nine described patients died. It is recommended that extra care and caution is needed while treating patients with Mel B.