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.

Association between ABO and RH blood groups and Hepatitis B virus infection among young Nigerian adults.

Background: Several diseases are reported to be associated with ABO/Rh blood groups. Data on the association between ABO and Rh D blood group antigens in the Nigerian population is sparse. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection as well as its association with ABO and Rh D antigens among young Nigerian adults.

New strains of hepatitis B virus genotype E circulating in Nigeria.

Objective: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is not uncommon among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Severity of HBV infection and treatment outcome are associated with specific HBV genotypes. No study has reported the types of HBV genotypes circulating among HIV-infected subjects in Nigeria.

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.

Public Knowledge of HIV/AIDS in Three Rural Communities of Nigeria.

This study aimed at assessing knowledge of HIV/AIDS among residents of three rural communities in Nigeria. A total of 371 persons residing in selected rural communities were recruited for this study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from all participants.

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.

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.

Unusual Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes and Cryptosporidium hominis subtypes in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons are commonly infected with Cryptosporidium species and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in both developed and developing countries, particularly patients with CD4+ cell counts below 200 cells/μL; 285 HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were enrolled in this study, and both stool and blood specimens were collected from participants. The stool specimens were analyzed and typed for E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp.

Candida colonisation in asymptomatic HIV patients attending a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Candidiasis is the commonest opportunistic fungal infection in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). CD4+ lymphocyte counts have been found to be a marker of HIV disease progression.

Aim: This study focused on determining the spectrum of Candida isolates in urine, stool, and oral specimens among HIV patients in a tertiary hospital.

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.

Seasonal Variation of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among HIV-Positive Patients in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: There are a number of conflicting studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV infection with regards to different seasons. This study was conducted to determine seasonal influence on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-positive persons in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: Stool specimens from 2000 HIV-positive patients and 500 controls (HIV-negative individuals) were examined for ova, cysts or parasites using standard procedures.

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.

Proportion of Urinary Schistosomiasis among HIV-Infected Subjects in Benin City, Nigeria.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, and the effect of CD4(+) T cell counts and demographics on its prevalence among HIV-positive patients in Benin City, Nigeria.

Methods: Urine and blood samples were collected from 2000 HIV-positive subjects. A wet preparation of the urine deposit was examined microscopically to identify ova of Schistosoma haematobium.

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.

Microbiology of Wound Infections Among patients of a Tertiary Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria.

Background: Wound infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Etiologic agents of wound infections vary with geographical locations. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of wound infections, the effect of age and gender on the prevalence as well as the etiologic agents and their susceptibility to antibacterial agents.