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Aflatoxins B1(AFB1) is an ancillary lethal metabolite archetypally spawned by Aspergillus flavus as well as A. parasiticus mostly found all over the world but more in tropic and humid regions. AFB1 has been isolated is almost all food products. The isolation of AFB1 in humans was demonstrated using human fluid like urine, serum as well as breast milk. Also, AFB1 was isolated in human placenta in pregnant women. ELISA is extremely sensitive in detecting AFB1. AFB1 was capable of compromising the activities of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). AFB1 was capable of triggering peripheral and central nervous degeneration. Acute central nervous system (CNS) symptoms like coma, cerebral edema as well as death has been observed in AFB1 exposure to the brain. Also, symptoms of brain destruction such as dullness, restlessness, muscle tremor, convulsions, loss of memory, epilepsy, idiocy, loss of muscle coordination, and abnormal sensations have been associated with deficiencies of these neurotransmitter during AFB1exposure. AFB1 was capable of influencing the end products of proteins as well as amino acid metabolism leading to hyper-ammonemia which easily cross the BBB to trigger the synthesis of glutamate neurotransmitters which are cytotoxic to the brain cells and causes encephalopathy. Glutathione (GHS) depletion resulted in destruction to critical cellular components such as DNA, lipids and proteins via the 8,9 epoxides of AFB1.This review therefore elucidates the novel neurotoxic and neuroimmunotoxic roles of AFB1 on the CNS.

Introduction Geophagia although pleasurable and somewhat a necessity among pregnant women, also comes along with its own attendant problems such as exposure to potentially hazardous substances like bacteria, fungi, helminthes and ova, radioactive materials, and toxic elemental minerals in the soil depending on the geographical location. Methodology This study evaluated the potential health risk involved during the exposure of pregnant women to toxic elemental minerals via the consumption of clay as pica (geophagia). Elemental mineral analysis was carried out using Buck Scientific 210VGP Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific, Inc. East Norwalk, USA). Risk assessment methods were also used to ascertain the various risks factors and the overall risk level. Results Concentrations of the macro elements investigated were 1.38 ± 1.5, 2.40 ± 1.5, 7.74 ± 1.5, 4.01 ± 1.0, 13.24 ± 2.2 and 13.76 ± 2.1 mg/Kg for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) respectively. While that for the micro elements were 1.63 ± 0.03 μg/Kg, 4.72 ± 0.8, 0.53 ± 0.02 and 1.85 ± 0.3 mg/kg respectively for arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) values ranged 0.611–5.44 (mg/kg Bw/day), 6.26 × 10− 4 – 106.5, 0.067–10.34 and 15 respectively. Conclusion There is the likelihood of posing adverse health problems when clay samples obtained from Anfoega which is sited in the Volta region of Ghana is consumed due to the fact that the HQ’s of these elemental minerals were > 1 which points to high content of Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni). It is also likely to cause adverse health problems in an individual’s life time since THQ for Arsenic, Lead and Nickel were above 1. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of these toxicants were exceedingly great (≤ 15) which implied a high level of unsafety associated with this clay. Per the results from this study, it is not safe for pregnant women to consume clay as pica since these toxic elements may cause detrimental effects on the foetus of the unborn child.

Introduction:kaolin is a type of clay consumed mostly by women especially pregnant women of which the act of clay eating is termed geophagy. Different people use this type of clay for diverse purposes. Notwithstanding, most Ghanaians consume this clay out of cravings, taste and smell. There have been some attendant problems with the consumption of clay especially by pregnant women. This research sought to assess the mineral and microbial contents of kaolin and address the perceptions of pregnant women on geophagy. Methods:this study employed a cross-sectional convenient sampling method to sample 217 pregnant women and sellers of clay (Ayilo). A face-to-face interview was conducted to administer a structured questionnaire to respondents. Mineral and microbial analyses were also conducted on the ore of the kaolin mined from Anfoega in the Volta Region of Ghana using standardized procedures. Results:results from this study suggests geophagy prevalence of 48.4% (n=217) among pregnant women in the Ho municipality of Ghana. Results obtained also suggest smell and taste of the clay, influenced the consumption by these pregnant women to a large extent. Strikingly, majority of the respondents had no knowledge on the adverse health implications clay consumption had on the human body. The physiological state of pregnancy also cause many to use it to treat nausea, other accompanying discomfort and in some instances to quench their hunger. Traces of Lead, Nickel and Arsenic were found in the clay. Common microorganisms identified wereBacillus, Pseudomonas, MucorandAspergillus spp. Conclusion:geophagy is a common practice among pregnant women living in the Ho municipality in the Volta region, Ghana. Most of them consumed it for varied reasons. Although there are beneficial minerals, accumulated effects of these heavy metals can lead to various complications in pregnancy. The clay also contained pathogenic microorganisms. These pathogens have a whole range of deleterious effects on the human body ranging from gastrointestinal infections to cancer and so may not be safe to consume clay products from Anfoega, Ghana.

Background. Using prospective blood donors as a proxy, this study was aimed at estimating the burden and five-year (2012–2016) trend of viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) infection among asymptomatic adult population in Ho. Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis was done on secondary data extracted from the hospital archives comprising 4,180 prospective blood donors from January 2012 to December 2016. Demographic variables included age and sex, as well as place of residence. Screening results of serum infectious markers (HBV and HCV) were obtained. Results. The prevalence of asymptomatic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) infection in the general adult population was 6.94% and 1.84%, respectively. Females recorded a higher burden of HBV and HCV (8.3% and 5.0%) compared to their male peers (6.8% and 1.4%). A significant age variation in HBV antigenaemia was seen with HBV seropositivity peaking among the younger population (less than 20 years’ group) at 11.24% and troughed among the older population (above 50 years’ group) at 0.92%. Conclusion. Asymptomatic viral hepatitis among adult population in the Ho Municipality is estimated at the intermediate to high endemicity level. Preventive measures to reduce the burden are urgently needed and should be targeted at the younger generation.

Quality of life (QoL) is an important component in the evaluation of the wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). This study was aimed at evaluating the QoL of PLHIV attending the antiretroviral clinics in the Ho municipality. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to April 2017 involving 158 purposively selected HIV-positive patients who were attending the antiretroviral clinics both in the Volta Regional Hospital and Ho Municipal Hospital. An Interviewer administered standard questionnaire (WHOQOL-HIV Bref) was used to collect information on sociodemography, medical history, and the quality of life (QoL) of the respondents. Among these 158 HIV-positive respondents, 126 (79.75) and 14 (8.86) presented with excellent and good overall QoL, respectively, whilst 18 (11.39) had their life negatively affected by HIV/AIDS. Religious/personal beliefs (19.62%) were the most affected QoL component, followed by the physical (15.82%) and level of independence (15.19%) domains. Patients’ occupation, perception of health, sexual activity, and state of the disease were associated with poor overall QoL. In general, being an HIV-infected man, symptomatic patient, not being sexually active, or being ART naïve was also associated with poorer QoL in several HIV/AIDS QoL domains.

Background. This study was aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence and trend of blood-borne pathogens (HIV, HCV, HBV, and Syphilis) among asymptomatic adults at Akwatia during a four-year period (2013–2016). Materials and Methods. The study was a retrospective analysis of secondary data of blood donors who visited the hospital from January 2013 to December 2016. Archival data from 11,436 prospective donors was extracted. Data included age, sex, and place of residence as well as results of infectious markers (HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis). Results. The prevalence of blood-borne pathogens in the donor population was 4.06%, 7.23%, 5.81%, and 10.42% for HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections, respectively. A significant decline in HBV and HCV infections was observed in the general donor population and across genders. HIV infection rate remained steady while Syphilis infections recorded a significantly increasing trend, peaking in the year 2015 (14.20%). Age stratification in HBV infection was significant, peaking among age group 40–49 years (8.82%). Conclusion. Asymptomatic blood-borne pathogen burden was high among the adult population in Akwatia. Gender variations in HBV, HCV, and Syphilis infections in the cumulative four-year burden were observed. Awareness needs to be created, especially in the older generation.