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Biomedical subjects

J O Chikwem

Publications and source records attributed to J O Chikwem.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Prevalence of transmissible blood infections among blood donors at the University of Maiducuri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Before the advent of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), many countries of the world transfused blood without seriously considering the potential risks of transmission of infectious agents. Even after it was shown that the Human Immunodeficiency virus(HIV) could be transmitted through blood and blood products, many hospitals and clinics in Nigeria still continue to transfuse unscreened blood. This study was therefore initiated to highlight the risks of transmitting infectious agents through blood transfusion and the category of infectious agents which could be transfused in blood in this area. A total of 364 healthy blood donors were counselled, bled and screened for HIV-1, HIV-2, HBsAg, Treponema pallidum, Plasmodium falciparum and microfilaria. The results show that the three most common infections transmissible through blood transfusion are Hepatitis B(14.9%), HIV-1 (5.8%) and P.falciparum (4.1%). Thirteen of the 364 blood donors (3.6%) and antibodies to T. pallidum. There were no donors with HIV-2 or filarial infection. Infection of donors by hepatitis B virus (HBV), T. pallidum and HIV-1 was not significant dependent on promiscuity, polygamy, previous blood transfusion or local surgery. However, there was a significant difference between donors with no risk factors and those with risk factors with regard to seroprevalence to HBV, T. pallidum and HIV-1 (p = 0.0053). The results confirm that transfusion of unscreened blood carries severe risks of transmitting serious infectious agents and that is a need to enforce laws for transfusing blood in Nigeria. Meanwhile, in the absence of screening facilities, proper counselling of blood donors in order to ascertain their risk behaviour should be used to select donors and reduce this risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Seroepidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Borno State of Nigeria by sentinel surveillance.

A serosurvey for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was carried out in three well-separated population centers in Borno State of Nigeria in 1989-1990. The study subjects were 1,259 made up of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attenders, pregnant women, female prostitutes, and blood donors. Sera were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmation was done by Western blotting. The overall seroprevalence was 1.67% (21/1,259), with no significant differences from one population center to another. There were, however, significant differences among the population groups studied: prostitutes, 4.24%; STD clinic attenders, 1.67%; blood donors, 0.71%; and pregnant women, 0.24%. Of the 21 seropositives, 18 were positive for HIV-1 only; 1 was positive for HIV-2 only; and 2 were positive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. All three HIV-2-positive sera were from prostitutes. Prevalence rates found in this study showed marked increases from 2 to 3 years earlier. There is therefore the need for a vigorous and sustained intervention program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A review of data on measles cases from sentinel surveillance sites in north-western Nigeria.

This review was carried out to evaluate the impact of the revised Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) against measles in the six north-western states of Nigeria through the sentinel surveillance system. The revised EPI was launched in all states by 1985, with a strategy of phased acceleration to reach all local government areas by 1987, and to achieve 80% vaccine coverage of children under two years, with 50% reduction in EPI disease morbidity by 1990. Results of the review showed a dramatic decrease in measles cases in each state: 70% overall from 1985 to 1988. Of 918 cases with known measles vaccination status, 90.6% were unvaccinated and 9.4% had documented immunisation. One concern is that 19% of cases occur in unimmunised infants under nine months. Although a suitable vaccine for children under nine months is available, it is not yet in use in Nigeria and these cases are therefore not preventable. At present, our best strategy is to increase coverage through a vigorous EPI campaign, concentrating on underserviced and hard-to-reach areas, and to strengthen surveillance so that measles outbreaks are identified early and action taken.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1992

Determination by Widal agglutination of the baseline titre for the diagnosis of typhoid fever in two Nigerian states.

This study was carried out in Borno and Plateau States of Nigeria to determine the baseline titre for the diagnosis of typhoid fever using a single Widal test. Of 172 patients with symptoms and signs of typhoid fever, 92.4% and 90.7% had reciprocal O and H antibody titres respectively of 160 or above. On the other hand, 95.3% and 66.3% of the 937 healthy control subjects had reciprocal O and H antibody titres respectively of 80 or less. The results of this study suggest that in Borno and Plateau States of Nigeria a reciprocal O antibody titre of 160 and above in persons with illness whose symptoms and signs are compatible with typhoid fever could be considered diagnostic using the single Widal test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Borno State of Nigeria.

Results of a study to determine if patients attending sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics are at high risk to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are presented. The 206 patients who attended the STD clinic at the Maiduguri General Hospital consisted of 200 males and 6 females, most of whom were aged between 20 and 29 years and were single. Only one of the 206 serum samples (0.49%) was confirmed seropositive for HIV-1 antibodies. However, cultures from 143 of 174 swabs taken from the subjects yielded significant growth of which Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate followed by Neisseria gonorrhoea. Antibodies to Treponema pallidum were also detected in 3.9% of the serum samples. This study shows that HIV-1 infection is relatively rare in Borno state of Nigeria. In spite of this, a well-planned health education campaign for STD patients is indicated if HIV infection is to be effectively controlled.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of commercial kits for the detection of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Nigeria.

Four commercial kits for the detection of antibodies to HIV-1 were compared with regard to their sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. The Wellcozyme competitive enzyme immunoassay was the least sensitive (62.5%), while Roche EIA, was the most sensitive (100%). All the commercial kits gave false negative results except the Roche EIA system. The Serodia particle agglutination test had the least positive predictive value of 26.9% while Roche EIA had the highest (88.9%). Our results show that commercial HIV-I antibody test kits are not equally sensitive in detecting positive sera. The practice of using Wellcozyme EIA alone for screening blood meant for transfusion should be discouraged because it does not detect all positive sera and might therefore increase the chances of transfusing HIV-I positive blood. The Roche EIA system appears to be the most reliable for screening blood. Test systems which detect HIV-2 should also be used for screening blood meant for transfusion.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1989

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection among female prostitutes in Borno State of Nigeria: one year follow-up.

Serological investigations on female prostitutes resident in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria have shown that the seroprevalence of HIV-1 infection has increased 9.81%--fold in one year. The highest sero-prevalence rates were found amongst prostitutes who had not benefited from previous health education campaigns. Prostitution appears to be on the increase in spite of AIDS probably because of the difficulty in finding alternative means of making a living. Attempts to halt the spread of HIV infection are hampered by the fact that most prostitutes are indifferent to the use of condoms and do not appreciate the importance of protecting themselves from the risks of HIV infection. Their frequent mobility also poses a problem as it makes it difficult for them to benefit from health education campaigns. The prevalence of HIV-1 infection among female prostitutes in Borno State (as indeed in other States in Nigeria) is likely to rise sharply in the next few years unless serious efforts are made to intensify health education campaigns targeted at the high risk groups.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

AIDS: a faltering step.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

A retrospective study of nine years' hospital records of schistosomiasis in north-eastern Nigeria.

We have studied reports of new cases at 11 State Government Hospitals in the state of Borno, over a period of 9 years from 1976 to 1984. Urinary schistosomiasis was the second most common communicable disease, while intestinal schistosomiasis ranked sixth. The rise in prevalence of schistosomiasis since 1979 probably reflects increased public awareness of the beneficial role of hospitals. The decline in the number of cases seeking treatment in 1982 and 1983 may be due to the decline in rainfall and thus of agricultural and fishing activities involving contaminated irrigation ponds.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Detergent solubilization of the respiratory nitrate reductase of Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Four detergents (octyl glucoside, zwittergent, Triton X-100, and Nonidet P-40) were examined with regard to their efficiency in solubilizing and retaining the activity of the nitrate reductase of Bacillus stearothermophilus. At a concentration of between 0.4 and 0.6%, the non-ionic detergent octyl glucoside solubilized only 64% of the membrane proteins. However, about 100% of the nitrate reductase activity was recovered in the soluble fraction. In contrast, the zwitterionic detergent 3-(alkyldimethylammonio)-1-propanesulphonate (3-16) solubilized 100% of the membrane proteins, but only 77% of the nitrate reductase activity was recovered. Two other non-ionic detergents, Triton X-100 and Nonidet P-40 also solubilized 100% of the membrane proteins, but there was a dramatic increase in total enzyme activity following solubilization. The enzyme activity was not stable in any of the four detergents for more than 2 days. Nevertheless, octyl glucoside was preferred because of the additional advantage of ammonium sulphate fractionation.

Detergents↗