Interferon gamma, interleukin 6 and tissue necrosis factor alpha levels among asymptomatic HIV patients in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection is immune-mediated, and an understanding of HIV immunology will be beneficial in the management of HIV infectionOBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to measure the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IFN-γ in asymptomatic HIV patients and non-HIV subjects, as well as their relationship with CD4 count.

Method: Blood samples were collected from 173 subjects, consisting of 125 asymptomatic HIV patients (44 HAART-naïve and 81 on HAART) and 48 non-HIV subjects. The IFN-, IL-6, and TNF- levels in the blood were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the CD4 count of all participants was determined using flow cytometry.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Sulfadoxine Antibody Among Patients Undergoing Treatment for Malaria in Benin City, Nigeria.

Objectives: Because of lack of data on the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibody, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sulfadoxine antibodies and its possible risk factors.

Methods: Blood specimens were collected from 500 patients undergoing treatment for malaria at Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information and sociodemographic data.

Awareness and Knowledge of Ergonomics Among Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria.

Background: Ergonomics awareness helps in its right application and contributes significantly to general wellbeing and safety of worker at workplace.

Aim: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at assessing the level of awareness and knowledge of the science of ergonomics among Medical Laboratory Scientists in Benin City, Nigeria.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 106 medical laboratory scientists comprising 64 and 42 in public and private laboratories, respectively, were recruited for this study using systematic random sampling technique.

Prevalence and determinants of low birth weight: the situation in a traditional birth home in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: The traditional birth attendant delivers majority of pregnant women in Nigeria.

Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for delivery of low birth weight (LBW) neonates in a Traditional Birth Home (TBH)in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 780 pregnant women who received ante-natal care at a TBH and live singletons born to them were recruited for this study.

Asymptomatic urinary tract infection among pregnant women receiving ante-natal care in a traditional birth home in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: A good proportion of pregnant women patronize traditional birth homes in Nigeria for ante-natal care. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, risk factors, and susceptibility profile of etiologic agents of urinary tract infection among ante-natal attendees in a traditional birth home in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: Clean-catch urine was collected from 220 pregnant women attending a traditional birth home in Benin City, Nigeria.

Asymptomatic Malaria among Blood Donors in Benin City Nigeria.

Background: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors for asymptomatic malaria parasitaemia and anemia among blood donors in a private medical laboratory in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: Venous blood was collected from a total of 247 blood donors. Malaria status, ABO, Rhesus blood groups and hemoglobin concentration of all participants were determined using standard methods.

A 5 - year surveillance of wound infections at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, aetiology and susceptibility profile of bacterial agents of wound infection among in- and- out patients at a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria, within a 5 year period.

Methods: Wound swabs collected from 156 out-patients and 353 in-patients were, cultured and microbial isolates identified using standard methods.

Biorisk assessment of medical diagnostic laboratories in Nigeria.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess public and private medical diagnostic laboratories in Nigeria for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and measures.

Methods: A total of 80 diagnostic laboratories in biosafety level 3 were assessed for the presence of biosafety equipment, devices, and compliance rate with biosafety practices. A detailed questionnaire and checklist was used to obtain the relevant information from enlisted laboratories.

Malaria and Anemia among Children in a Low Resource Setting In Nigeria.

Background: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malaria and anemia among children in rural community of Okada, Edo State Nigeria, as well as to assess the level of use of Insecticide treated bed nets and its impact on prevalence of malaria and anemia among study population.

Methods: Thick blood films from 226 children with signs and symptoms of malaria in Okada community were stained and examined for presence of malaria parasites. Hemoglobin concentration of all children was also determined using standard method.

Plasmodium falciparum infection in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum infection is endemic in most tropical countries and will definitely infect Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients living in this region at one time or the other during the course of their infection. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malaria infection in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 285 (84 males and 201 females) adults attending the hospital were enrolled in this study between July 2010 and June 2011.

Prevalence of Malaria and Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending a Traditional Birth Home in Benin City, Nigeria.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of malaria and anemia among pregnant women attending a traditional birth center as well as the effect of herbal remedies, gravidity, age, educational background and malaria prevention methods on their prevalence.

Methods: Blood specimens were collected from 119 pregnant women attending a Traditional Birth Home in Benin City, Nigeria. Malaria parasitemia was diagnosed by microscopy while anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dL.

Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal parasitic co-infections in HIV-infected patients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Introduction: Human co-infection with Plasmodium falciparum and helminthes is ubiquitous throughout Africa. This study aimed to determine the co-infections of Plasmodium falciparum infection in HIV and intestinal parasitic infections, and their immunological distribution, in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methodology: A total of 2,000 stool specimens from HIV-positive patients and 500 controls (HIV-negative individuals) were examined for ova, cysts, or parasites using standard procedures.

Total antioxidant status of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium levels in rats exposed to premium motor spirit fumes.

Background: Frequent exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) is common and could be a risk factor for liver dysfunction in those occupationally exposed. A possible association between PMS fumes and plasma total antioxidant status as well as plasma levels of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium using a rodent model could provide new insights into the pathology of the liver where cellular dysfunction is an established risk factor.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the total antioxidant status and plasma levels of zinc, copper, selenium and manganese in those occupationally exposed using rodent model.

Triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats exposed to premium motor spirit fumes.

Background: Deliberate and regular exposure to premium motor spirit fumes is common and could be a risk factor for liver disease in those who are occupationally exposed. A possible association between premium motor spirit fumes and plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol using a rodent model could provide new insights in the pathology of diseases where cellular dysfunction is an established risk factor.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of premium motor spirit fumes on lipids and lipoproteins in workers occupationally exposed to premium motor spirit fumes using rodent model.

Molecular epidemiologic characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in HIV-infected persons in Benin City, Nigeria.

Molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi has led to better understanding of microsporidiosis transmission in humans. This study aimed to detect and genotype E. bieneusi in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin city, Nigeria.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease.

Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in relation to sex and age as well as seasons of the year in Benin city, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: The stool samples were processed using saline and iodine mounts and examined microscopically for ova and cysts of parasites.

Microbiology of lower respiratory tract infections in benin city, Nigeria.

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections are among the most common infectious diseases of humans worldwide and continue to be a major cause of morbidity in Nigeria. This study focused on determining the microbial agents of lower respiratory tract infections, the effect of age and gender on its prevalence, and the susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates.

Methods: Sputum specimens were collected from 1539 patients with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections.

Etiologic agents of otitis media in Benin city, Nigeria.

Background: Otitis Media continues to be a major presentation in the ear, nose and throat clinic.

Aim: This study aimed to isolate, characterize and identify the bacteriological and mycological etiologic agents of otitis media in Benin city.

Patients And Methods: Ear discharge from 569 (299 males and 270 females) patients diagnosed clinically of otitis media between August 2009 and August 2010 were processed to recover the bacterial and fungal etiologic agents.

Urinary tract infection in a rural community of Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in Okada, a rural community in Nigeria, and the effect of age and gender on its prevalence as well as the etiologic agents and the susceptibility profile of the bacterial agents.

Patients And Method: Clean-catch midstream urine was collected from 514 patients (49 males and 465 females). The urine samples were processed and microbial isolates identified.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to CD4 counts and anaemia among HIV-infected patients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Parasitic infections continue to take their toll on HIV positive patients by influencing the blood qualitatively and quantitatively. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in relation to anaemia and CD4 counts among HIV-infected patients in Benin City, Nigeria. Using a serial sampling method, a total of 2000 HIV-infected patients were recruited on their first visit prior to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital from August 2007 to August 2009.