A survey of chloroquine use for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Background: Rampant chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine poisoning in Nigerian hospitals following suggestions of its possible efficacy in the treatment and prevention of the newly emerged COVID-19 disease informed this survey.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of the Nigerian populace on the use of chloroquine in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done by administering an electronic questionnaire created using Google Docs, through social media cascade methods including the WhatsApp application software to capture data on chloroquine use between April 20 and June 20, 2020.

Prevalence and spatiotemporal distribution of rotavirus diarrhea among children younger than five years old in Lagos, Nigeria.

Data on spatiotemporal distribution of rotavirus diarrhea are limited in many endemic settings. This study determined the prevalence and seasonal distribution of rotavirus among Nigerian children with diarrhea. Here, a total of 406 fecal samples were collected from patients attending six health facilities in Lagos between January - December 2019.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infections among Women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Regional variations exist in HPV prevalence worldwide despite reports of high prevalence rates among African women. Limited data on genital HPV prevalence necessitated this study with the aim of determining the prevalence of genital HPV and associated risk factors among women in Lagos, Nigeria. Exfoliated cervical cells were collected with consent from 165 women using a cervical brush.

SARS-COV-2 antibody responses to AZD1222 vaccination in West Africa.

Real-world data on vaccine-elicited neutralising antibody responses for two-dose AZD1222 in African populations are limited. We assessed baseline SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and levels of protective neutralizing antibodies prior to vaccination rollout using binding antibodies analysis coupled with pseudotyped virus neutralisation assays in two cohorts from West Africa: Nigerian healthcare workers (n = 140) and a Ghanaian community cohort (n = 527) pre and post vaccination. We found 44 and 28% of pre-vaccination participants showed IgG anti-N positivity, increasing to 59 and 39% respectively with anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG-specific antibodies.

Probable mechanisms involved in the antiepileptic activity of Clerodendrum polycephalum Baker (Labiatae) leaf extract in mice exposed to chemical-induced seizures.

The leaves of Clerodendrum polycephalum Baker (Labiatae) are used as a dietary legume supplement and applied ethnomedicinally for the management of epilepsy, convulsion, and spasms. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Clerodendrum polycephalum (CP) leaf extract on chemical-induced seizures in mice and the possible mechanisms of action. Swiss albino mice were pretreated with CP (50, 100, or 500 mg/kg, p.

Promising disruptors of p53-MDM2 dimerization from some medicinal plant phytochemicals: a molecular modeling study.

Cancer is a major global health issue that has a high mortality rate. p53, which functions as a tumor suppressor, is critical in preventing tumor development by regulating the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in damaged cells. However, the tumor suppressor function of p53 is effectively inhibited by its direct interaction with the hydrophobic cleft of MDM2 protein via multiple mechanisms As a result, restoring p53 activity by blocking the p53-MDM2 protein-protein interaction has been proposed as a compelling therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.

Enzyme Responsive Vaginal Microbicide Gels Containing Maraviroc and Tenofovir Microspheres Designed for Acid Phosphatase-Triggered Release for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV-1: A Comparative Analysis of a Bigel and Thermosensitive Gel.

The challenges encountered with conventional microbicide gels has necessitated the quest for alternative options. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a bigel and thermosensitive gel, designed to combat the challenges of leakage and short-residence time in the vagina. Ionic-gelation technique was used to formulate maraviroc and tenofovir microspheres.

Melioidosis in Africa: Time to Raise Awareness and Build Capacity for Its Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Melioidosis is a tropical infectious disease caused by the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei with a mortality of up to 50% in low resource settings. Only a few cases have been reported from African countries. However, studies on the global burden of melioidosis showed that Africa holds a significant unrecognized disease burden, with Nigeria being at the top of the list.

Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) downregulates expression of immediate early genes in kainic acid-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in mice.

Objectives: This study investigates the influence of (CF) on kainic acid (KA)-induced immediate early genes (IEGs) associated with hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in mice.

Methods: Animals were randomly divided into preventive treatment; vehicle (10 mL/kg, p.o.

The use of DIY (Do it yourself) sampling and telemonitoring model for COVID-19 qPCR testing scale up.

The first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was recorded on February 27, 2020, being an imported case by an Italian expatriate, to the country. Since then, there has been steady increase in the number of cases. However, the number of cases in Nigeria is low in comparison to cases reported by other countries with similar large populations, despite the poor health system prevailing in the country.

Prevalence and Presentation of Paediatric Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Background: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among children (≤18 years) evaluated for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection at a testing centre in Lagos, Nigeria. . This was a retrospective study.

Low level SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in plasma samples from a cohort of Nigerians: Implications for blood transfusion.

The present global pandemic triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has lingered for over a year in its devastating effects. Diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently established with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test by means of oropharyngeal-, nasopharyngeal-, anal-swabs, sputum and blood plasma. However, oral and nasal swabs are more commonly used.

Prevalence of Factor V Leiden G1691A and Prothrombin G20210A Gene Mutation Among Pregnant Women: Experience from a Multi-Center Study in Nigeria.

Introduction: Inherited thrombophilia and venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been closely linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia/eclampsia contributing to increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is, however, little genetic data from Africa including Nigeria that explores the prevalence of common VTE genetic risk markers such as factor V Leiden mutation (FVL G1691A) and prothrombin gene mutation (F2 G20210A) among pregnant women in Nigeria.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and distribution of FVL G1691A and F2 G20210A in pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria.

Comparative performance of SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR diagnostic assays on samples from Lagos, Nigeria.

A key element in containing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection is quality diagnostics which is affected by several factors. We now report the comparative performance of five real-time diagnostic assays. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained from persons seeking a diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Lagos, Nigeria.

Full length genomic sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Nigeria.

In an outbreak, effective detection of the aetiological agent(s) involved using molecular techniques is key to efficient diagnosis, early prevention and management of the spread. However, sequencing is necessary for mutation monitoring and tracking of clusters of transmission, development of diagnostics and for vaccines and drug development. Many sequencing methods are fast evolving to reduce test turn-around-time and to increase through-put compared to Sanger sequencing method; however, Sanger sequencing remains the gold standard for clinical research sequencing with its 99.

Parvovirus B19 DNA detection in treatment-naïve HIV anemic patients in Lagos, Nigeria: a case control study.

Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19) has tropism for cells of the erythroid lineage, which may lead to transient inhibition of erythropoiesis. Several studies and case reports suggested that B19 infection may contribute significantly to severe chronic anemia in HIV infected persons.

Objective: To detect parvovirus B19 DNA in treatment-naïve HIV patients.

Molecular confirmation and phylogeny of Lassa fever virus in Benin Republic 2014-2016.

Background: The changing epidemiology of the Lassa virus from endemic areas to other parts of West Africa has been reported. However, there have been no documented Lassa fever transmission chains in the Benin Republic. Two outbreaks of Lassa fever (November 2014 and January 2016) in the Benin Republic were characterised by a high number of deaths (more than 50%) among 27 confirmed and other unconfirmed cases.

Evaluation of the toxicity potential of acute and sub-acute exposure to the aqueous root extract of Aristolochia ringens Vahl. (Aristolochiaceae).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Aristolochia ringens Vahl. (Aristolochiaceae) is used traditionally in Nigeria for managing a number of ailments including gastrointestinal disturbances, rheumatoid arthritis, pile, insomnia, oedema, and snake bite venom. Some studies in our laboratory have demonstrated a scientific justification for some of such uses.

Ameliorative influence of Cnestis ferruginea vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) root extract on kainic acid-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in mice: Role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Unlabelled: ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: the root decoction of Cnestis ferruginea Vahl ex DC (Connaraceae) is widely used in traditional African medicine for the treatment of various ailments including pain, inflammation and epilepsy. We have earlier reported anticonvulsant effect of Cnestis ferruginea root extract in mice.

Aim Of The Study: to evaluate the effect of ethanolic root extract of Cnestis ferruginea (CF) on kainic acid (KA)-induced temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in mice as well as the involvement of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress.

Biosafety level-2 laboratory diagnosis of Zaire Ebola virus disease imported from Liberia to Nigeria.

Introduction: Global travel is an efficient route of transmission for highly infectious pathogens and increases the chances of such pathogens moving from high disease-endemic areas to new regions. We describe the rapid and safe identification of the first imported case of Ebola virus disease in a traveler to Lagos, Nigeria, using conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a biosafety level (BSL)-2 facility.

Case Presentation: On 20 July 2014, a traveler arrived from Liberia at Lagos International Airport and was admitted to a private hospital in Lagos, with clinical suspicion of Ebola virus disease.

Ebola Virus Epidemiology and Evolution in Nigeria.

Containment limited the 2014 Nigerian Ebola virus (EBOV) disease outbreak to 20 reported cases and 8 fatalities. We present here clinical data and contact information for at least 19 case patients, and full-length EBOV genome sequences for 12 of the 20. The detailed contact data permits nearly complete reconstruction of the transmission tree for the outbreak.