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Y Diarrhea is a common clinical condition associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among diarrheic HIV patients by using volunteers from selected hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Information on socio-demographic factors from 100 dianheic HIV-seropositive and 50 HIV-seronegative patients was obtained by using structured questionnaires. Freshly voided diarrheic stool samples were used for detection of intestinal parasites by direct microscopic examination. The association between different variables in the questionnaires and intestinal parasitic infection was deteimined using the Chisquare test of significance at p0.05. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 18%, while it was 20% and 14% in HIV seropositive and seronegative subjects respectively. The most prevalent protozoa and helminth species were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and A. lumbricoides, respectively in both study groups. Opportunistic protozoan parasites including Cystoisaspora belli, Ctypto.sporidium spp and Cyclospora spp; and mixed infections of E. histolyticaldi.spar and G. lamblia and Crypto.sporidium spp. and S. stercoralis were only detected in the seropositive group. While chronic diarrhea frequency was significantly higher in the seropositive group, none of the demographic characteristics was associated with enteric parasite infections among HIV seropositive volunteers. Our results highlight the importance of detailed examination of enteric parasites infection among dianheic HIV subjects which would have a crucial impact on the therapeutic approach to improve the life quality of HIV/AIDS patients.

Y Diarrhea is a common clinical condition associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among diarrheic HIV patients by using volunteers from selected hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Information on socio-demographic factors from 100 dianheic HIV-seropositive and 50 HIV-seronegative patients was obtained by using structured questionnaires. Freshly voided diarrheic stool samples were used for detection of intestinal parasites by direct microscopic examination. The association between different variables in the questionnaires and intestinal parasitic infection was deteimined using the Chisquare test of significance at p0.05. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 18%, while it was 20% and 14% in HIV seropositive and seronegative subjects respectively. The most prevalent protozoa and helminth species were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and A. lumbricoides, respectively in both study groups. Opportunistic protozoan parasites including Cystoisaspora belli, Ctypto.sporidium spp and Cyclospora spp; and mixed infections of E. histolyticaldi.spar and G. lamblia and Crypto.sporidium spp. and S. stercoralis were only detected in the seropositive group. While chronic diarrhea frequency was significantly higher in the seropositive group, none of the demographic characteristics was associated with enteric parasite infections among HIV seropositive volunteers. Our results highlight the importance of detailed examination of enteric parasites infection among dianheic HIV subjects which would have a crucial impact on the therapeutic approach to improve the life quality of HIV/AIDS patients.

Background. Nigeria has recently been ranked third among the 10 countries with the greatest number of rotavirus disease-associated deaths per year. Estimates attribute up to 33,000 deaths annually to rotavirus disease in Nigerian children <5 years old. Although the introduction of the new oral, live attenuated rotavirus vaccines may not occur for another 4-6 years in developing countries, background data on burden of disease, cost of rotavirus disease, and characterization of circulating strains is required to hasten this introduction to children who would clearly benefit from the intervention. Methods. Between July 2002 and July 2004, fecal specimens were collected from 869 infants and young children <5 years of age presenting with diarrhea in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states in northwestern Nigeria. In addition, 194 control specimens were also collected from children matched for age. Specimens were screened for the presence of rotavirus antigens. Rotavirus-positive specimens were further analyzed to determine electropherotype, subgroup specificity, and G and P genotypes. Results. Rotavirus was detected in 18% of children with diarrhea and 7.2% of the age-matched case control subjects. The highest rotavirus burden was detected in children aged <6 months. The majority of the rotaviruspositive specimens revealed viruses of long electropherotypes, subgroup II specificity, and G1P[8] genotypes. Furthermore, more than a quarter of specimens (37%) displayed mixed G and P genotypes, and almost a third could not be genotyped. Conclusions. The high numbers of mixed rotavirus infections highlight the multitude of enteric pathogens to which children in African countries are exposed. Data on circulating rotavirus strains serve to inform African government officials to the serious health threat posed by rotavirus in their respective countries and to document the diversity of strains before vaccine introduction

Okikiola M Olajide,1 Maryam Aminu,1 Abdullahi J Randawa,2 Daniel S Adejo2 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria Background: Rubella is a contagious viral infection that in pregnant women leads to the infection of a developing fetus, causing fetal death or congenital rubella syndrome. Objective: Pregnant women are not routinely screened for rubella in Nigeria. Epidemiological data on rubella is therefore necessary to create awareness and sensitize health care administrators and providers. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital between June and August 2012 to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to rubella virus in pregnant women using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Seroprevalence was compared among 160 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and 20 nonpregnant women of childbearing age studying at Ahmadu Bello University. Prior to sample collection, questionnaires were administered to the women to obtain data on sociodemographics, awareness and knowledge of rubella, possible risk factors, and clinical symptoms associated with the viral infection. Results: Of the 160 pregnant women, 149 (93.1%) and 62 (38.8%) were positive for anti-rubella IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. Similarly, of the 20 nonpregnant women, 18 (90%) and eight (40%) were positive for rubella IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. None of the possible risk factors studied were significantly associated with infection. Age and other sociodemographic factors were of little significance, and awareness of rubella was low. Conclusion: The prevalence of rubella was high in both pregnant (93.1%) and nonpregnant women (90%), suggesting sustained transmission, which further suggests endemicity

M Aminu,1 JZ Gwafan,1 HI Inabo,1 AO Oguntayo,2 EE Ella,1 AK Koledade21Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, NigeriaBackground: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of 90%–95% of squamous cell cancers. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to development of precancerous lesions of the cervix in 5%–10% of infected women, and can progress to invasive cervical cancer 15–20 years later. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HPV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies among women of reproductive age attending a reproductive health clinic at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.Methods: The study was descriptive, cross-sectional, and experimental, combining the use of a structured questionnaire and analysis of serum samples obtained from 350 consecutive consenting women. The serum samples were analyzed for IgG antibodies to HPV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: We found a seroprevalence of 42.9% (150/350) for IgG antibodies to HPV in these women. Women aged 45–49 years and those who had their sexual debut aged 20–23 years had the highest HPV seroprevalence, ie, 50% (57/114) and 51.1% (46/90), respectively. Presence of antibodies varied according to sociodemographic factors, but was significantly associated with educational status, tribe, and religion (P<0.05). Human papillomavirus infection was not significantly associated with the reproductive characteristics and sexual behavior of the women. Antibodies to HPV were detected in 50.0% (9/18) of women with a family history of cervical cancer and in 30.8% (4/13) of those with a history or signs of WHIM (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, immunodeficiency, myelokathexis) syndrome as a genetic disorder (P>0.05).Conclusion: Further studies are needed to determine the HPV serotypes an

An experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The aim was to study effects of different organic manure sources on performance of groundnut varieties. Treatment consisted of three organic manure source, (Poultry manure, (PM) cow dung (CD) and household waste (HW) each at two levels (1 ton and 2 tons), two varieties of groundnut SAMNUT 21 (V1) and SAMNUT 23 (V2) and a control. The treatments were factorially combined and assigned in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Growth data such as plant height, canopy spread and biomass weight and; yield data including, pod yield per plant, seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight were collected.

Background. Nigeria has recently been ranked third among the 10 countries with the greatest number of rotavirus disease-associated deaths per year. Estimates attribute up to 33,000 deaths annually to rotavirus disease in Nigerian children <5 years old. Although the introduction of the new oral, live attenuated rotavirus vaccines may not occur for another 4-6 years in developing countries, background data on burden of disease, cost of rotavirus disease, and characterization of circulating strains is required to hasten this introduction to children who would clearly benefit from the intervention. Methods. Between July 2002 and July 2004, fecal specimens were collected from 869 infants and young children <5 years of age presenting with diarrhea in Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states in northwestern Nigeria. In addition, 194 control specimens were also collected from children matched for age. Specimens were screened for the presence of rotavirus antigens. Rotavirus-positive specimens were further analyzed to determine electropherotype, subgroup specificity, and G and P genotypes. Results. Rotavirus was detected in 18% of children with diarrhea and 7.2% of the age-matched case control subjects. The highest rotavirus burden was detected in children aged <6 months. The majority of the rotaviruspositive specimens revealed viruses of long electropherotypes, subgroup II specificity, and G1P[8] genotypes. Furthermore, more than a quarter of specimens (37%) displayed mixed G and P genotypes, and almost a third could not be genotyped. Conclusions. The high numbers of mixed rotavirus infections highlight the multitude of enteric pathogens to which children in African countries are exposed. Data on circulating rotavirus strains serve to inform African government officials to the serious health threat posed by rotavirus in their respective countries and to document the diversity of strains before vaccine introduction