Sonographic Portal Vein Biometry in Apparently Healthy Children in Northeastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at determining the mean portal vein diameter (PVD) based on age, gender, and anthropometric variables. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out among apparently healthy children aged 0-18 years at the radiology department of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi, from November 2016 to April 2017. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional committee on ethics and the head of radiology department in ATBUTH, Bauchi. Written and informed consent was obtained from all the participants, through their parents or guardians and from the head teachers of their schools before the study. Participants (children) were recruited (voluntarily) from primary and junior secondary schools within the vicinity of the hospital, and from parents who consented for their children to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages) and Pearson product-moment correlation were used for the analysis. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 111 (58.2%) males and 99 (47.14%) females. The individuals were between the ages of <1-18 years with mean age of 8.8 ± 5.8. Participants' mean PVD, chest circumference, and body mass index (BMI) for the males were 6.96 ± 1.86 mm, 0.60 ± 0.08 mm, and 15.73 ± 1.40, respectively, and the mean PVD, chest circumference, and BMI for females were 6.60 ± 1.68 mm, 0.58 ± 0.09 mm, and 15.73 ± 1.42, respectively. A positive relationship was found between PVD and some anthropometric parameters. CONCLUSION: The mean PVD in this study was 6.85 ± 1.18 mm, and the PVD correlates positively with some anthropometric variables among children in the studied population.

Diagnostic performance of a colorimetric RT -LAMP for the identification of SARS-CoV-2: A multicenter prospective clinical evaluation in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Management and control of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is critically dependent on quick and reliable identification of the virus in clinical specimens. Detection of viral RNA by a colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is a simple, reliable and cost-effective assay, deployable in resource-limited settings (RLS). Our objective was to evaluate the intrinsic and extrinsic performances of RT-LAMP in RLS. METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective observational study of diagnostic accuracy, conducted from October 2020 to February 2021 in four African Countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria; and in Italy. We enroled 1657 individuals who were either COVID-19 suspect cases, or asymptomatic and presented for screening. RNA extracted from pharyngeal swabs was tested in parallel by a colorimetric RT-LAMP and by a standard real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FINDINGS: The sensitivity and specificity of index RT LAMP compared to standard RT-PCR on 1657 prospective specimens from infected individuals was determined. For a subset of 1292 specimens, which underwent exactly the same procedures in different countries, we obtained very high specificity (98%) and positive predictive value (PPV = 99%), while the sensitivity was 87%, with a negative predictive value NPV = 70%, Stratification of RT-PCR data showed superior sensitivity achieved with an RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) below 35 (97%), which decreased to 60% above 35. INTERPRETATION: In this field trial, RT-LAMP appears to be a reliable assay, comparable to RT-PCR, particularly with medium-high viral loads (Ct < 35). Hence, RT-LAMP can be deployed in RLS for timely management and prevention of COVID-19, without compromising the quality of output.

Use of mitrofanoff and yang-monti techniques as ureteric substitution for severe schistosomal bilateral ureteric stricture: a case report and review of the literature.

Distal ureteric stricture is a common complication of urinary schistosomiasis which is a disease more prevalent in the tropics and subtropics. The surgical management of this complication is more challenging when it affects more than half of both ureters. We report the case of a 17-year-old Nigerian with a long standing recurrent painless terminal hematuria associated with bilateral colicky loin pains. Ultrasound scan showed bilateral hydro ureters and hydro nephrosis with deranged biochemical renal function. The patient had bilateral tube nephrostomy and antibiotic therapy. Definitive bilateral ureteric substitution was done using Mitrofanoff technique for the right ureter and Yang-Montie technique for the left ureter. The patient's renal function became normal and he was discharged home without complication. The related literatures were reviewed. Surgical nonurothelial ureteral substitution is necessary for long, extensive, severe bilateral ureteric strictures so as to prevent progressive renal damage and end stage renal failure.

The epigastric heteropagus conjoined twins.

Conjoined twins are rare and are classified as symmetrical or asymmetrical, in which a member, the host (autosite), is near normal and bears the parasite, which is incomplete, smaller, and fully dependent for growth on it. This form of conjoined twins is referred to as heteropagus and when attached to the epigastrium of the autosite is called epigastric heteropagus. Only 44 cases of epigastric heteropagus twins have been previously reported in the world literature. We hereby report the successful separation of a pair of heteropagus twins.