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Male factors are known to contribute significantly to the infertility problem. The urogenital bacteria profile and semen quality were investigated among 160 men attending infertility clinics in South-eastern Nigeria. Both semen and urine samples were obtained from each subject and analysed according to standard techniques. A total of 16 (10%) had bacterial infection in their semen samples and individuals of older age groups were significantly affected (chi(2) = 23.18, P 0.05). A total of 33.8% of the men had semen volume less than 2 ml per ejaculate, 33.8% also recorded total sperm count of

It is still debatable whether congenital Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a rarity or a frequent occurrence in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this report is to review scientific information and findings from investigations conducted in sub-Saharan Africa on the occurrence of congenital malaria to highlight the need for development of appropriate public health policy on prevention, care, treatment, and support activities. Studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa within the last two decades (1986 to 2006) that investigated congenital or transplacental malaria were identified using the Medline-Entrez Pubmed search and systematically reviewed. References from selected publications obtained from a Google search were also used to identify additional relevant literature for the review. Five of the studies reviewed indicated that congenital malaria is a rare event in sub-Saharan Africa with prevalence ranging from 0% to 0.7% although maternal malaria parasitemia rates of between 24.8 and 54.4% were obtained. Nine other studies noted that congenital malaria was not uncommon, with prevalence reaching up to 37%. These studies also noted high frequency of neonatal peripheral parasitemia ranging from 4.0 to 46.7%. Congenital malaria should be suspected and investigated in babies whose mothers are parasitemic, particularly if the babies are febrile.

Purpose. To provide scientific information on geohelminth contamination of raw fruits and vegetables in Nigeria required for risk profile evaluation.Design. Laboratory research. A parasitological analysis of raw fruits and vegetables purchased from major markets.Materials and methods. Isolation of geohelminth ova from fruits and vegetables using a standard parasitological technique.Results. Of the 118 helminth ova isolated, 64 (54.2%) were Ascaris lumbicoides, 11 (9.3%) Trichuris trichiura and 43 (36.4%) hookworm. Vegetables were more contaminated than fruits (71.2%, 95% confidence interval 63.0–79.3% vs. 28.8%, 95% confidence interval 20.6–37.0%). Carrot (Daucus carota) was the most contaminated vegetable (31.0%, 95% confidence interval 21.1–40.9%) and the least contaminated was egg plant (Solanum marcrocarpon) (6.0%, 95% confidence interval 0.9–11.1%); differences were statistically significant (F ratio = 4.72, p

There is increasing evidence that Plasmodium falciparum malaria is influenced by ABO blood group but the extent of association between both is yet to be well defined. Studies that investigated association between P. falciparum malaria and ABO blood group were identified using MEDLINE search and were systematically reviewed. There were apparent discrepancies and contradictions in the studies as some reported significant association between both while others observed no significant association. This outcome may reflect the complex interaction between P. falciparum malaria and the host immune responses. However, findings from all studies reviewed suggested that individuals of blood group O are relatively resistant to severe disease caused by P. falciparum infection. It was established that parasitized erythrocytes form rosettes more readily with red blood cells (RBCs) of A, B, or AB groups than with blood group O and this parasite-triggered RBC rosette formation is associated with the severity of clinical disease and with the development of cerebral malaria. Differences in rosetting ability were based on the P. falciparum strain-specific preference of rosetting with non-O blood groups and not only a phenomenon of laboratory-propagated strains, but also exist in wild clinical isolates from all major malarious areas of the world.

Schistosoma mansoni infection constitutes significant economic and public health consequences. Accurate diagnosis of the infection is imperative in order to identify subjects needing care in the broadest sense. In this study the dot-ELISA and direct parasitological method were compared in the diagnosis of S. mansoni infection in Jos, Nigeria. Of the 106 subjects studied 64.2 % were S. mansoni positive serologically while only 10.4 % of them were found to have the parasite’s egg in their stools. Individuals aged 20–29 years of both sexes had highest prevalence of 73.9 % and 21.7% by serological and parasitological diagnosis respectively. Prevalence of infection among males was 13.5 % and 7.4 % among females by parasitology. By serology the corresponding figures were 59.6 % and 68.5 % respectively. No significant difference was observed by parasitology (χ2=4.534, P ≤ 0.05) and by serology (χ2=2.00, P ≤ 0.05). Results advocate for serodiagnostic technique over parasitological method in S. mansoni surveillance and epidemiological studies.

Our study assessed bacteria on swabs taken from the surface of the diaphragm of stethoscopes used by medical students in Nigeria. We found bacterial contamination on 80.1% of the stethoscopes. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were major isolates. Bacterial colonization was highest among stethoscopes cleaned with only water and those never cleaned with any agent or never cleaned at all. The difference was statistically significant (chi2 = 31.9, p.05). Stethoscopes from students who cleaned them after use on each patient and from those who practised handwashing after contact with each patient had significantly lower bacterial contamination (chi2 = 26.9; p.05 and chi2=31.9, p0.05, respectively). Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest susceptibility to antibiotics, while the most effective antibiotics were Ciproflox and Erythromycin. Integration of stethoscope care in the training curriculum of medical schools will enhance the control nosocomial infections.

Toxoplasma gondii infection has become a major public health concern in recent times due to the ravaging HIV/AIDS pandemic. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was determined in Kwal, a rural district of Plateau-Nigeria using IgG-ELISA. Epidemiological assessment was also conducted for the purpose of establishing the infection dynamics. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 30 (20.8%) of the 144 individuals studied. The prevalence of infection was slightly higher amongst the males (22.0%) than the females (20.0%), individuals of age group 21-30 years had the highest prevalence of 33.3% while the least (7.4%) occurred amongst the 41-50 years age group. No significant difference was noted (p0.05). The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was significantly higher amongst individuals who handle/eat rodents (29.6%) and those who constantly had contact with soil (21.2%). These were the predominant risk factors of T. gondii infection in the area. Consequently, the infection occurred most amongst farmers (25.0%). This study contributes to the development of guidelines for the prevention and management of toxoplasmosis. Results were discussed in relation to the T. gondii epidemiological factors inherent within the population studied.

Malaria and typhoid fever still remain diseases of major public health importance in the tropics. Individuals in areas endemic for both the diseases are at substantial risk of contracting both these diseases, either concurrently or an acute infection superimposed on a chronic one. The objective of this report was to systematically review scientific data from studies conducted in the tropics on concurrent malaria and typhoid fever within the last two decades (1987-2007), to highlight the diagnostic challenges and the public health implications.Using the MedLine Entrez-PubMed search, relevant publications were identified for the review via the key words Malaria and Typhoid fever, which yielded 287 entries as of January 2008.Most of the studies reviewed expressed concern that poor diagnosis continues to hinder effective control of concurrent malaria and typhoid fever in the tropics due to: non-specific clinical presentation of the diseases; high prevalence of asymptomatic infections; lack of resources and insufficient access to trained health care providers and facilities; and widespread practice of self-treatment for clinically suspected malaria or typhoid fever.There were considerably higher rates of concurrent malaria and typhoid fever by Widal test compared to the bacteriological culture technique. Although culture technique remains the gold standard in typhoid fever diagnosis, Widal test is still of significant diagnostic value provided judicious interpretation of the test is made against a background of pertinent information. Malaria could be controlled through interventions to minimize human-vector contact, while improved personal hygiene, targeted vaccination campaigns and intensive community health education could help to control typhoid fever in the tropics.

Plasmodium falciparum malaria in pregnancy is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and represents enormous diagnostic challenge. The objective of this report was to review scientific data from studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa on the diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy within the last two decades (1987 to 2007), to highlight the challenges and the public health implications. Using the Medline Entrez-Pubmed search, relevant publications were identified for the review via combinations of key words such as Malaria, Pregnancy, and Sub-Saharan Africa, which yielded 777 entries as of September 2007. The results from the various studies were discordant, due to differences in the techniques of sample collection and analysis, based on the differences in the definition of clinical, peripheral, and placental malaria. Definitions were based on the presence of malaria parasite and/or pigments in blood smear from peripheral/placental blood, on histological placental findings, on the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nonspecific clinical presentation of malaria, lack of efficient diagnostic facilities and trained personnel, and absence of regulatory standards for diagnostic tests, are some of the major diagnostic challenges. Increased allocation of resources to development and application of accurate diagnostics will improve malaria diagnosis in pregnancy.

Lassa fever is an acute viral zoonotic illness caused by Lassa virus, an arenavirus known to be responsible for a severe haemorrhagic fever characterised by fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and, chest and abdominal pain. The virus exhibits persistent, asymptomatic infection with profuse urinary virus excretion in the ubiquitous rodent vector, Mastomys natalensis. Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa and has been reported from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria. Some studies indicate that 300,000 to 500,000 cases of Lassa fever and 5000 deaths occur yearly across West Africa. Studies reported in English, that investigated Lassa fever with reference to West Africa were identified using the Medline Entrez-PubMed search and were used for this review. The scarcity of resources available for health care delivery system and the political instability that characterise the West African countries would continue to impede efforts for the control of Lassa fever in the sub-region. There is need for adequate training of health care workers regarding diagnostics, intensive care of patients under isolation, contact tracing, adequate precautionary measures in handling infectious laboratory specimens, control of the vector as well as care and disposal of infectious waste.

Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibody seroprevalence was studied in two different populations of 219 HIV-infected patients and 144 apparently healthy individuals (AHIs). Clinical toxoplasmosis was assessed among the HIV-infected patients. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 85 (38.8%, 95% CI: 32.36%-45.26%) of the HIV-infected patients and in 30 (20.8%, 95% CI: 14.20%-27.46%) of the AHIs. Among the AIHs, males represented 22.0% of infections compared to females (20.0%) and individuals within age group 21-30 years accounted for the highest prevalence of 33.3% (95% CI: 11.56%-55.10%). There was no significant difference in the trend (Chi-square, Por = 0.05). Assessment of epidemiological factors showed higher seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies among those who eat rodents (29.6%) and those who constantly have contact with the soil (21.2%). Among the HIV-infected, individuals 31-40-years-old had the highest T. gondii seroprevalence (36.5%). Evaluation of the clinical findings of patients with concomitant toxoplasmosis and HIV infection greatly implicated fever (63.5%), headache (44.7%), rashes (41.2%) and anorexia (34.1%). This study contributes to the development of guidelines for the prevention and management of toxoplasmosis in HIV-infected patients and in apparently healthy individuals in a resource scarce setting.

Information is very scarce on the prevalence of hepatitis-B virus (HBV) infection among blood donors and patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Nigeria. Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) ELISA was used to determined the prevalence of HBsAg among 175 blood donors (aged 20-40 years) and 490 HIV-infected patients (aged 17-60 years) in Jos, Nigeria. Twenty-five (14.3%) of the blood donors and 127 (25.9%) of the HIV-infected individuals were HBsAg seropositive, indicating a higher HBV infection among HIV-infected persons than among healthy blood donors. A slightly higher HBsAg seroprevalence was recorded in the males (14.6%) than females (12.9%) of the blood donors. Among the HIV-infected patients, the males had considerably higher HBsAg seroprevalence than the females (31.8 vs 22.1%) with the highest prevalence of HBsAg occurring in the 51-60 years age group (44%), followed by those of 31-40 years (28.2%). Results confirmed the high endemicity of HBV infection in Jos, Nigeria and the significantly greater prevalence of HBV infection among HIV -infected patients than among blood donors.