Vaccine-induced rabies infection in rural dogs in Anambra State, Nigeria

Six cases of apparent vaccination failures in rural dogs given modified live virus, chicken embryo origin, low egg passage, Flury-type vaccine, were investigated. Four cases were dumb rabies while two were furious forms of rabies. Human exposure (six people) was attributed to the furious form only. Four brain smears from dogs which died of dumb rabies were positive for Negri bodies while two brain smears obtained from dogs which died of the furious form of rabies were negative. All the brain samples were positive when subjected to a mouse inoculation test. Contact with other dogs was eliminated. Furthermore, the time lapse between vaccination and development of clinical signs (incubation period) varied from 4 to 14 days. The 'break' in vaccination was therefore linked with the vaccine used. Dumb rabies was observed more than the furious form of rabies in this study, with considerable potential health hazards.     

Ocular Morbidity and Health Seeking Behaviour in Kwara State,Nigeria: Implications for Delivery of Eye Care Services

Background

There is currently limited information as to which conditions are most prevalent in communities in developing countries. This makes effective planning of eye services difficult.

Methods

3,899 eligible individuals were recruited and examined in a cross-sectional survey in Asa Local Government Area, Nigeria. Those who self-reported an ocular morbidity were also asked about their health-seeking behaviour. Health records of local facilities were reviewed to collect information on those presenting with ocular morbidities.

Results

25.2% (95% CI: 22.0–28.6) had an ocular morbidity in at least one eye. Leading causes were presbyopia and conditions affecting the lens and conjunctiva. The odds of having an ocular morbidity increased with age and lower educational attainment. 10.1% (7.7–13.0) self-reported ocular morbidity; 48.6% (40.4–56.8) of them reported seeking treatment. At the facility level, 344 patients presented with an ocular morbidity over one month, the most common conditions were red (26.3%) or itchy (20.8%) eyes.

Conclusion

Ocular morbidities, including many non vision impairing conditions, were prevalent with a quarter of the population affected. The delivery of eye care services needs to be tailored in order to address this need and ensure delivery in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.     

The decline of a Glossina morsitans submorsitans belt in the Egbe area of the derived savanna zone, Kwara State, Nigeria

In the the early 1970s the Egbe area of Nigeria was known to be one of high trypanosomiasis risk, with four Glossina species G. morsitans submorsitans Newstead, G.longipalpis Wiedemann, G.palpalis palpalis Robineau-Desvoidy and G.tachinoides Westwood present. Grazing by Fulani pastoralists used to be short-term and only in the dry season. In recent years these pastoralists have grazed their cattle in the area throughout the year and this has prompted a reappraisal of the tsetse situation. Tsetse populations were sampled for 3 years using hand-net catches from man or an ox and biconical traps. Resident livestock, slaughter cattle and some of the flies were examined for trypanosome infection. Of the four tsetse species previously reported from the area, only the riverine species, G.p.palpalis and G.tachinoides, were encountered during the investigation. None of the 152 G.p.palpalis and 52 G.tachinoides examined was infected with trypanosomes. No infection was detected in 101 slaughtered cattle, 65 live Muturu, twelve goats and two pigs by wet film examination. However, a 14.3% Trypanosoma vivax infection rate was detected by Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT) examination in twenty-one slaughtered cattle. Increased human activities over the years had destroyed much of the vegetation and depleted the wild-life population to an extent that resulted in the disappearance of G.m.submorsitans and G.longipalpis, resulting in turn in a greatly reduced trypanosomiasis risk. It is likely that a similar trend is occurring in other areas of the Derived Savanna and Forest zones of West Africa as the human population expands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Co-endemicity of Plasmodium falciparum and Intestinal Helminths Infection in School Age Children in Rural Communities of Kwara State Nigeria

Background

Malaria and intestinal helminths co-infection are major public health problems particularly among school age children in Nigeria. However the magnitude and possible interactions of these infections remain poorly understood. This study determined the prevalence, impact and possible interaction of Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal helminths co-infection among school children in rural communities of Kwara State, Nigeria.

Methods

Blood, urine and stool samples were collected from 1017 primary school pupils of ages 4–15 years. Stool samples were processed using both Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration techniques and microscopically examined for intestinal helminths infection. Urine samples were analyzed using sedimentation method for Schistosoma haematobium. Plasmodium falciparum was confirmed by microscopy using thick and thin blood films methods and packed cell volume (PCV) was determined using hematocrit reader. Univariate analysis and chi-square statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

Results

Overall, 61.2% of all school children had at least an infection of either P. falciparum, S. haematobium, or intestinal helminth. S. haematobium accounted for the largest proportion (44.4%) of a single infection followed by P. falciparum (20.6%). The prevalence of malaria and helminth co-infection in the study was 14.4%. Four species of intestinal helminths were recovered from the stool samples and these were hookworm (22.5%), Hymenolepis species (9.8%), Schistosoma mansoni (2.9%) and Enterobius vermicularis (0.6%). The mean densities of P. falciparum in children co-infected with S. haematobium and hookworm were higher compared to those infected with P. falciparum only though not statistically significant (p = 0.062). The age distribution of both S. haematobium (p = 0.049) and hookworm (p = 0.034) infected children were statistically significant with the older age group (10–15 years) recording the highest prevalence of 47.2% and 25% respectively. Children who were infected with S. haematobium (RR = 1.3) and hookworm (RR = 1.4) have equal chances of being infected with P. falciparum as children with no worm infection. On the other hand children infected with Hymenolepis spp. (p<0.0001) are more likely to be infected with P. falciparum than Hymenolepis spp. uninfected children (RR = 2.0)

Conclusions

These findings suggest that multiple parasitic infections are common in school age children in rural communities of Kwara State Nigeria. The Hymenolepis spp. induced increase susceptibility to P. falciparum could have important consequences on how concurrent infections affect the expression or pathogenesis of these infections.     

Preferential Marriage among the Rukuba of Benue-Plateau State, Nigeria

The overall system of Rukuba marriage is formally a straight exchange of women between the component units of two exogamous moieties, component units which in turn abduct each other's wives in secondary marriage. The youths and girls of each of these component units pair off in formalized premarital relationships until girls marry out in the other moiety. The exchange pattern between the moieties works in such a way that the eldest girl of a set of uterine sisters must marry her mother's last lover's son, and her junior sisters are preferentially married in their mother's natal component unit, thus introducing a delayed exchange between the component units of opposite moieties working concurrently with the straight exchange system between the moieties. This is made possible by the various combinations of primary and/or preferential marriage and subsequent secondary marriages. [Rukuba, moieties, Nigeria, preferential marriage]     

Preponderance and distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes in Nassarawa State,North Central Nigeria: Consequences for healthy tuber production and export

One of the most cosmopolitan pests responsible for considerable negative economic impacts on yam is the plant-parasitic nematodes. They are also capable of facilitating fungal, bacterial and viral infections of yams. In order to produce healthy yam seeds to meet local demand and tubers for export, there is a need to identify nematode-free areas in Nassarawa, one of the hubs of yam production in Nigeria. To this end, 30 major yam growing communities of the state were surveyed to identify nematode-free areas. Structured questionnaires were administered to three farmers in each of the 10 local government areas selected. Results showed that 97% of the study areas investigated was seriously infested with the three key genera of plant-parasitic nematodes namely Scutellonema, Pratylenchus and Meloidogyne. Incidence and severity of tuber deterioration in transit threatened acceptability of the tubers when it eventually reached England. Healthy yams would attract more income than damaged ones.     

Epidemiological features of HIV infection among pregnant women in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Women in Benue State have for years had the highest HIV rate in the country, but because the sentinel surveys are anonymized and unlinked, not much is known about the socio-demographic, behavioural and other risk factors that predispose these women to the disease. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria does not appear to be a single epidemic but rather multiple epidemics of varying magnitude and trends. This cross-sectional study was therefore carried out to identify the risk factors for HIV/AIDS among these women. A total of 404 consecutive consenting mothers enrolled at the booking clinic were followed up until delivery of their babies. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and tested for HIV infection using an ELISA-based kit after obtaining informed consent. Mean age of the mothers was 26+/-6.1 years, 94.8% were married while 50.5% had at least secondary level education. Sixty-one (15.1%) mothers were HIV positive with mothers aged 15-24 years being responsible for 50.8% of all infection. Following bivariate analysis, being single, having a partner with low level of formal education, living in a rural location, being in a polygamous/multiple partner union, being a higher order polygamous wife, being married more than once and reporting a history of a sexually transmitted infection were significantly associated with HIV infection. Monogamous women who lived apart from their partners and women who had ever had blood transfusion were also more likely to be HIV positive. Following multivariate logistic regression, a young age of 15-24 years (multivariate OR=3.3, 95 % CI=1.2-8.4, p=0.02); ever had other STIs (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3, p=0.009); no formal maternal education (OR=0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9, p=0.021) and having one lifetime sexual partner (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.5, p<0.00001) were significantly associated with HIV infection in the study population. Appropriate interventions must be directed at young people and should include STI control and abstinence education. Blood safety must be ensured as well as a general improvement in the level of formal and health education in this community.     

Cervical Cancer and Pap Smear Awareness and Utilization of Pap Smear Test among Federal Civil Servants in North Central Nigeria

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women in developing countries. A key factor linked to the relatively high levels of cervical cancer in these populations is the lack of awareness and access to preventive methods. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of cervical cancer and Papanicolaou test (Pap smear test) and factors associated with the utilization of Pap test among female civil servants in Jos. Data was obtained from female workers (n = 388) aged 18–65 years in a Nigerian Federal establishment. Participants were randomly approached and instructed to complete validated questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Chi-square, t-tests and logistic regression analysis to determine if there was an association between variables and identify any predictors of awareness and utilization of the Pap test. Cervical cancer and Pap smear test awareness was 50.9% and 38.6% respectively, with the media as the major source of information. Pap smear test utilization rate was 10.2%, with routine antenatal care (ANC) as the major reason for getting screened. Personal barriers to screening include the lack of awareness, and belief that cervical cancer is not preventable. Opportunistic screening, mass media campaigns and ANC education were suggested as ways of improving awareness and utilization of cervical cancer screening services.     

Aspects of the biology and parasitology of the speckled pigeon Columba guinea L. from Ahmadu Bello University Campus, Zaria, North Central State, Nigeria

The nesting activity, food, fat content and parasites of the speckled pigeon Columba guinea L. from Ahmadu Bello University at Zaria in Nigeria were studied during 1973. Five parasite species were found; the digenean trematode Echinostomum revolutum (Froelich), the cestodes Aporina delafondi (Raillet) and two species of Raillietina and the hippoboscid fly Pseudolynchia canariensis Macquart. The cestodes were the most important parasites since 92% of all birds examined were infected. Male birds had a heavier cestode load than female birds. The nesting season was essentially from October to April with a peak of activity during December and January. Male birds were heavier and showed greater variation in morphometric characteristics than females. Immature birds were lighter than adults but their wing and bill lengths were similar. These pigeons were mainly grain eating birds and the abundance of ground-nuts, guinea corn, rice and millet as items of food apparently coincided with the planting and harvesting seasons.
Pigeons in the nesting season had fewer fat deposits in the heart and smaller numbers of cestodes which were, however, heavier than those from pigeons in the non-nesting season. Male pigeons were lighter in the nesting season than males in the non-nesting season and had less fat but a greater parasite load in the nesting season than females.     

Epizootiology of skunk rabies in North America

Public health surveillance data from the United States and Canada (1961 to 1982) were analyzed to determine if consistent temporal and spatial patterns in skunk rabies could be identified. Enzootic/epizootic rabies was recognized in 18 states (enzootic states) based on the criteria of greater than or equal to 20 yr of reported skunk rabies and at least 1 yr with a minimum of 50 reported rabid skunks. In other wildlife species, epizootics have been demonstrated to expand along a wave-like front. We hypothesized: if skunk rabies behaved in a similar fashion, states reporting rabid skunks would change over time. No such change was noted. During epizootics the number of counties reporting increased but not the number of states. Within Illinois certain counties were demonstrated to have persistent rabies histories and likely served as enzootic foci. Enzootic states combined prevalence indicated a 6 to 8 yr cycle for epizootics. Data on monthly percent rabies positive (number rabid/total number tested) were available from six states and Canada. Mean distributions were bimodal with winter and spring peaks. The patterns identified for skunk rabies differ from those of other major wildlife vectors and have significance for potential vaccination control regimes.     

广州市15岁以下人群乙肝疫苗查漏补种项目实施效果评价

目的评价广州市2001—2011年15岁以下人群乙肝疫苗查漏补种效果,为制定乙肝免疫策略提供依据。方法对广州市2001年、2008年和2009—2011年15岁以下儿童乙肝疫苗查漏补种项目实施效果进行评价。结果 3次乙肝疫苗查漏补种实施,可调查儿童6 973～319 478人,2001年、2008年和2009—2011年实施乙肝疫苗查漏补种项目首针及时接种率分别为90.88%9、5.1%和96.92%,全程接种率分别为92.44%、97.14%和99.08%。2009—2011年乙肝疫苗首针及时接种率比2001年、2008年分别提高了15.21%和88.70%;2009—2011年乙肝疫苗全程接种率比2001年、2008年分别提高了15.27%和88.71%。结论乙肝疫苗查漏补种项目的实施,显著提高了乙肝疫苗首针及时接种率和全程接种率,起到了良好的预防作用。     

Frequency of human toxocariasis in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was used to examine sera of 104 children and adults in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria for anti-toxocaral antibodies, out of which 31 (29.8%) were reactive. The seropositive rates were 30.4% for adults, 29.6% for children, 34% for females and 25.9% for males. However, the differences were not significant by age and sex. A highly significant association (p < 0.001) was observed between seropositivity and geography but none between seropositivity and dog ownership (p > 0.05).     

The Menace of Schistosomiasis in Nigeria: Knowledge,Attitude, and Practices Regarding Schistosomiasis among Rural Communities in Kano State

Background

Schistosomiasis is one of the most common neglected tropical diseases, especially in the developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America, with Nigeria having the greatest number of cases of schistosomiasis worldwide. This community-based study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding schistosomiasis among rural Hausa communities in Kano State, Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 551 participants from Hausa communities in five local government areas in Kano State, North Central Nigeria. Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information as well as KAP data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Moreover, faecal and urine samples were collected and examined for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium eggs respectively.

Results

The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 17.8%, with 8.9% and 8.3% infected with S. mansoni and S. haematobium respectively, and 0.5% had co-infection of both species. Moreover, 74.5% of the participants had prior knowledge about schistosomiasis with 67.0% of them how it is transmitted and 63.8% having no idea about the preventive measures. Three-quarters of the respondents considered schistosomiasis a serious disease while their practices to prevent infections were still inadequate, with only 34.7% of them seeking treatment from clinics/hospitals. Significant associations between the KAP and age, gender, education and employment status were reported. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, history of infection and educational level of the respondents were the most important factors significantly associated with the KAP on schistosomiasis among this population.

Conclusions

Schistosomiasis is still prevalent among Hausa communities in Nigeria and participants’ knowledge about the disease was poor. Mass drug administration, community mobilization and health education regarding the cause, transmission and prevention of schistosomiasis and education about good personal and sanitary hygiene practices should be considered in order to significantly reduce the prevalence and morbidity of infection within these communities.