Clinical symptoms and faecal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA among hospitalized COVID-19 patients: Implication for transmission.

SARS-CoV-2 shedding in human stool has been suggested as a probable route for faeco-oral transmission of the virus due to the availing evidence on the infectivity and pathogenicity of similar highly infectious respiratory viruses. Determining association of SARS-CoV-2 shedding in stools and presenting clinical status might be useful for prediction of the viral transmission spectrum and disease outcome. This study involved a descriptive cross-sectional survey of 91 consenting hospitalized, confirmed COVID-19 patients in Infectious Disease Isolation Centre, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Genome, HLA and polygenic risk score analyses for prevalent and persistent cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.

Genetic variants that underlie susceptibility to cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infections are largely unknown. We conducted discovery genome-wide association studies (GWAS), replication, meta-analysis and colocalization, generated polygenic risk scores (PRS) and examined the association of classical HLA alleles and cervical hrHPV infections in a cohort of over 10,000 women. We identified genome-wide significant variants for prevalent hrHPV around LDB2 and for persistent hrHPV near TPTE2, SMAD2, and CDH12, which code for proteins that are significantly expressed in the human endocervix.

Preliminary characterization and probabilistic risk assessment of microplastics and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in garri (cassava flake), a common staple food consumed in West Africa.

Garri from cassava is one of the most consumed foods in West Africa, hence this research was conducted to examine microplastics (MPs) and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in garri from Nigeria (West Africa) and Japan. This is the first investigation on MPs in garri samples that has been reported in the literature. The study analyzed both packaged and unpackaged vended garri samples using microscopic/spectroscopic and X-ray fluorescence techniques for MPs and PTEs respectively.

Patient-facing job role is associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity among healthcare workers in long term care facilities in Minnesota, August-December, 2020.

Objective: Healthcare workers (HCWs) in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are disproportionately affected by severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To characterize factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity among LTCF HCWs, we performed a retrospective cohort study among HCWs in 32 LTCFs in the Minneapolis-St Paul region.

Methods: We analyzed the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity among LTCF HCWs during weeks 34-52 of 2020.

SARS CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Selected States of High and Low Disease Burden in Nigeria.

Importance: The global impact of COVID-19 has led to an increased need to continuously assess disease surveillance tools. The utility of SARS-CoV-2 serologic tools in determining immunity levels across different age groups and locations in helping to quickly assess the burden of COVID-19 with significant health policy implications is unknown.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with respect to the age group and sex of participants.

Oral, genital and anal human papillomavirus infections among female sex workers in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: There are limited data on the epidemiology of HPV in different anatomical sites of female sex workers (FSW). We investigated the prevalence and concordance of cervical, vulval, oral and anal HPV among FSW in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods: FSWs aged 18-45 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional survey.

Relationships between cardiovascular signs and neurological signs in asphyxiated neonates in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria.

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is a condition associated with multiple organ dysfunctions inclusive of cardiovascular dysfunction. Neurologic predictors of survival have been studied, but little has been reported regarding cardiovascular signs and their role in determining outcome in asphyxia.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the relationship between cardiovascular signs and outcomes in asphyxiated newborns with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.

Prevalence and genotype specific concordance of oro-genital and anal human papillomavirus infections among sexually active Nigerian women.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers are increasingly reported globally, including in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, with the exception of cervical HPV infection, data from SSA on the epidemiology of oral and genital HPV infections are limited. This study assessed the prevalence and concordance of oro-genital and anal HPV genotype specific infections among women in the general population.

Human papillomavirus correlates of high grade cervical dysplasia among HIV-Infected women at a major treatment centre in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Persistent high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection is higher among women living with HIV/AIDS thus increasing their risk for cervical cancer. We evaluated the virological and immunological correlates of cervical dysplasia in HIV-infected women.

Methods: A cohort of 220 consenting women attending the antiretroviral clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nigeria was tested for cervical human papilloma virus (HPV) infection using PCR.

PATTERN OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH INTENSIVE CARE UNIT INFECTIONS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Background: Patients admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU) usually have impaired immunity and are therefore at high risk of acquiring hospital associated infections. Infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms now constitute a major problem, limiting the choice of antimicrobial therapy.

Objectives: This study was aimed at determining the antimicrobial resistance pattern of pathogens causing ICU infections in University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.

Human papillomavirus infection among women attending family planning clinic in Nigeria: prevalence, correlates, and co-infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Infection with high-risk genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the main cause of invasive cervical. A number of epidemiologic studies have suggested that HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) play a synergistic role in the etiology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and subsequent cervical cancer. The current study aimed to evaluate the HPV prevalence and the risk factors for co-infection with CT among women attending family planning clinic in Nigeria.

Clinic-based evaluation study of the diagnostic accuracy of a dual rapid test for the screening of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Nigeria.

Background: Screening pregnant women for HIV and syphilis is recommended by WHO in order to reduce mother-to-child transmission. We evaluated the field performance, feasibility, and acceptability of a dual rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for HIV and syphilis test in antenatal clinic settings in Nigeria.

Methods And Findings: Participants were recruited at 12 antenatal clinic sites in three states of Nigeria.

The prevalence of, and risk factors for, mycoplasma genitalium infection among infertile women in Ibadan: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The association of mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) with infertility has been documented. The infections are asymptomatic and difficult to diagnose.

Drug resistance profiles of new- and previously treated patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Information on TB drug resistance profiles and its' associated risk factors are scarce in Nigeria despite the large burden of disease in the country. The study was designed to report drug resistance profiles of new- and previously treated patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Method: Sputum from consenting pulmonary TB patients were collected and cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) at the TB laboratory of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria using standard method.

Antimicrobial and cell viability measurement of bovine serum albumin capped silver nanoparticles (Ag/BSA) loaded collagen immobilized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) film.

Bacterial infection of orthopedic devices has been a major concern in joint replacement procedures. Therefore, this study is aimed at formulating collagen immobilized poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) film loaded with bovine serum albumin capped silver nanoparticles (Ag/BSA NPs) to inhibit bacterial growth while retaining/promoting osteoblast cells viability. The nanoparticles loaded collagen immobilized PHBV film was characterized for its composition by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Anodic Stripping Voltammetry.

Epidemiological patterns of cervical human papillomavirus infection among women presenting for cervical cancer screening in North-Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Sub-Saharan countries including Nigeria have the highest burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the world. Most studies on HPV surveillance in Nigeria were done in the southern part of the country. Geographical and socio-cultural diversity of Nigeria makes these data unlikely to be universally representative for the entire country.

Prevalence, sociodemographic features and risk factors of Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women in Southwestern Nigeria.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus is responsible for 50%-80% of Hepatocellular carcinoma cases worldwide. In Nigeria, vertical transmission remains a major route of Hepatitis B virus infection. Primary (vaccines and post-exposure prophylaxis) and secondary prevention of HBV transmission by appropriate sexual and sanitary practices are not yet optimal in the country yet measures for early detection (serological, molecular) and treatment of infected pregnant women is not a practice.

Candidaemia in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Candidaemia is a widely-studied and reviewed topic in the developed world; however, there is a dearth of information on nosocomial candidaemia in Nigeria, despite the increasing use of more invasive therapeutic modalities, immunosuppressive agents and increasing incidence of immunosuppression as a result of malignancies and HIV.

Objectives: To determine the hospital-based frequency of candidaemia in a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Method: This was a prospective descriptive study which included 230 immunosuppressed patients.

Measles vaccine potency and sero-conversion rates among infants receiving measles immunization in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

This study was designed to assess the seroconversion rate of measles vaccine among infants receiving measles immunization in Ilorin, Nigeria. The pre- and post-measles vaccination sera of the children were tested using the Haemagglutination Inhibition test. The measles vaccines administered at the immunization centre were also tested for their potency using in-vitro titration method.

Synthesis and characterization of collagen grafted poly(hydroxybutyrate-valerate) (PHBV) scaffold for loading of bovine serum albumin capped silver (Ag/BSA) nanoparticles in the potential use of tissue engineering application.

The objective of this study is to synthesize and characterize collagen grafted poly(3-hydroxylbutyrate-co-3-hydroxylvalerate) (PHBV) film for loading of BSA capped silver (Ag/BSA) nanoparticles. Thermal radical copolymerization and aminolysis methods were used to functionalize macroporous PHBV, followed by collagen grafting so as to formulate collagen-g-poly(hydroxyethylmethyl acrylate)-g-poly(3-hydroxylbutyrate-co-3-hydroxylvalerate) [collagen-g-PHEMA-g-PHBV] and collagen-g-aminated-poly(3-hydroxylbutyrate-co-3-hydroxylvalerate) [collagen-g-NH2-PHBV] films, respectively. Spectroscopic (FTIR, XPS), physical (SEM), and thermal (TGA) techniques were used to characterize the functionalized PHBV films.

Genital ulcer diseases among HIV-infected female commercial sex workers in Ibadan, Nigeria.

We evaluated the prevalence and association of Genital Ulcer Diseases (GUDs) among HIV-1 infected female commercial sex workers (FCSWs) in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 250 FCSWs from brothels in Ibadan were tested for presence of antibodies to HIV and Syphilis. Pelvic examinations for signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were carried out on the subjects.

Strongyloidiasis: prevalence, risk factors, clinical and laboratory features among diarrhea patients in Ibadan Nigeria.

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. The infection is usually mild or asymptomatic in normal immunocompetent individuals, but could be very severe or even fatal due to hyper infection in individuals who are immunosuppressed. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, risk factors and features of strongyloidiasis among diarrhea patients in Ibadan.