High-level parasitic contamination of soil sampled in Ibadan metropolis.

Soil transmitted helminthes infections are common chronic human infections worldwide, this has been recognized as an important health problem, particularly in developing countries. The study was conducted within Ibadan metropolis in Oyo State, south western Nigeria between September 2008 and March 2009 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite in soil samples within the city. A total of 102 soil samples were collected from different sources from five local government areas ranging from refuse dumps, vegetable farms, school play grounds, abattoir, hospital, vicinity of house, gutter and road side. Two different methods of concentrating ova/cysts of parasites were used to analyze the samples--the zinc sulphate floatation technique and concentrated glucose solution method. Fifty-seven (55.9%) soil samples were positive for one or more parasites. These included; hookworm (37.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (20%), Entamoeba histolytica (18.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (17.3%), Trichuris trichiura (6.7%) respectively. The total number of parasites recovered was 75 (73.5%) and 74 (98.7) of these were recovered by the zinc sulphate floatation technique while only 44% was recovered by the concentrated normal saline-glucose solution technique. This study thus established the high prevalence rate of intestinal parasites in the soil sampled in Ibadan city and this obviously is one major means by which residents are at risk of parasitic diseases and also one of the means of vegetable contamination.

The presence of intestinal parasites in selected vegetables from open markets in south western Nigeria.

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infection worldwide. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of food-borne illness linked to fresh vegetables which is a major way in the transmission of intestinal parasites. The study was carried out to determine the level of parasitological contamination of vegetables sold at selected markets in south western Nigeria. A total of 120 samples from different vegetables were randomly sampled from major selected open markets in 3 cities. The vegetables were analysed using macroscopic, sedimentation and magnesium sulphate floatation techniques. Eighty-two (68.3%) of the vegetables were positive for intestinal parasites from which water leaf (Talinium triangulare) and 'soko' (Celosis) recorded the highest (100%) parasitic contamination. Parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (16.7%), hookworm (18.3%), Taenia spp (4.2%), Strongyloides stercoralis (45.8%), Balantidium coli (0.8%). Vegetables in each of these cities had almost the same high rate of parasitic contamination; Ibadan (70%), Ilorin (70%) and Lagos (65%). This study further emphasised the role of vegetables in the transmission of intestinal parasites in developing countries. Therefore, vegetable farmers should therefore be enlightened on the modern use of night soil as fertilizer and the treatment of irrigation water or municipal waste water before use. There is also dire need for the improvement of sanitary facilities in our markets and vegetable vendors should also be included in the screening of food handlers.

Ureteral segment replacement using a circumferential small-intestinal submucosa xenogenic graft.

We wished to determine whether small-intestinal submucosa (SIS) will epithelialize when used as a ureteral replacement material. An 11-mm segment of native ureter was excised from eight New Zealand White rabbits and replaced with an 11-mm porcine SIS graft, which was circumferentially wrapped around a ureteral stent. The SIS ureteral grafts were harvested at 11 days or 35 days postimplantation and examined grossly and by standard light microscopy techniques. Partial epithelialization with the ingrowth of urothelium, smooth muscle cells, and blood vessels was observed in the grafts harvested at 11 days postimplantation. The SIS ureteral grafts examined at 35 days postimplantation showed additional restructuring of the smooth muscle cell layer and more organized epithelialization in comparison to the SIS graft examined at 11 days. After 35 days of regenerative healing, elements of all three layers of the native ureter were observed within the collagen matrix of the SIS graft. No significant complications were observed, but all subjects (8/8) demonstrated mild intra-abdominal adhesions. Mild collecting system dilatations were observed in 4/4 (100%) of the animals harvested at 35 days and in 0/4 (0%) of the animals harvested at 11 days. We have this demonstrated in this preliminary study that SIS xenografts will epithelialize when used as a ureteral replacement material. The repair mechanism of these ureteral grafts occurred through a regenerative healing process rather than by scar formation. With further studies, this material may prove to be a useful treatment option in patients with ureteral injuries.

Transurethral microwave hyperthermia in the treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is an ill-understood and difficult-to-diagnose disease. Symptoms of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis are similar to those of chronic prostatitis and include low back pain, frequency, dysuria, perineal discomfort, and painful ejaculation. In view of uncertainty about etiology, treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis remains speculative. Most treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and not at curing the disease. Because of the troublesome nature of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and the poor results obtained from traditional treatment methods, a new modality of transurethral microwave hyperthermia was investigated. Six patients were treated from January 1994 through June 1995 by use of transurethral microwave hyperthermia. These men were treated four times during a 2-week period. Their average symptom score decrease was 74.9% and was associated with minimal morbidity. Based on this result, it is concluded that transurethral microwave hyperthermia is a safe and effective treatment modality for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.