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Item Placental Malaria Associated With Low Birth Weight among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women on Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis in Jos, Nigeria(South Asian Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 2019-10-15) Murna Ahmed Ali; Joseph Aje Anejo-Okop; Stephen Oguche; Jonah Musa; Ocheme Julius Okojokwu; Patricia Manko La; Suleiman Mohammed Maryam; Ediga Bede AgboThe effectiveness of prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole against placental and infants’ malaria parasitaemia, anaemia and birth weight was assessed among HIV-infected pregnant women in Jos. Thick and thin blood smears of placental and cord blood were examined for malaria parasitaemia while other birth outcomes were taken at delivery. Out of the 135 HIV-infected pregnant women exposed to cotrimoxazole (CTX) Group A and 100 to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) Group B for prophylaxis, 102(75.6%) and 93(93.0%) in groups A and B respectively were followed-up to delivery. Three (2.94%) infants in group A and 1 (0.98%) in group B were preterm deliveries/stillbirths. No maternal death was recorded throughout the study. Placental malaria was 5.9% among group A and 7.5% among group B. No malaria parasites were detected in the cord blood of group A infants while 3.2% of group B infants were infected with the parasites. Mean placental malaria parasitaemia was low (<2000asp/µl) throughout the study, with 1266.6 and 0 asp/µl in the placenta and cord blood respectively of Group A and 1157.14 and 933.3 asp/µl respectively, in group B. Severe infants’ anaemia (PCV<25), was higher among study population who took SP for prophylaxis compared to those who took CTX 8(8.60%) and 6(5.90%) respectively. The means of all other birth outcomes were within normal ranges except for the placental and cord blood PCVs which were slightly lower than the normal ranges (36-47% and 42-60% respectively). Low birth weight (LBW) was observed among infants in SP group (B) than CTX group (A). Placental malaria was significantly associated with cord blood malaria, infant birth weight, and cord blood PCV. Prophylaxis with CTX effectively reduced placental and infants’ malaria parasitaemia compared to the standard SP. Continuous monitoring of haemoglobin status of HIV-infected pregnant women with low CD4+ count should be strengthened for promptly treatment of anaemic patients.Item Correlative Assessment of the Bacteriological and Physicochemical Parameters of Water Sources in Magama and Bolgang Villages of Langtang South, Plateau State, Nigeria(http://www.sciencepub.net/researcher 1 Correlative, 2017) Ocheme Julius Okojokwu; Denfa Dennis Butko; Andefiki Ubandoma; Michael Macvren Dashen; Tarfena Yoila Amapu; Hezekiah Yusuf Azi; Otumala John Egbere; Patricia Fremu ChollomThis study was carried out to determine the relationship between bacteriological and physicochemical parameters of water from wells, streams, ponds and boreholes which serve as drinking water sources to inhabitants of Magma and Bolgang villages of Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The water sample were collected from fourteen (14) wells, two (2) streams, two (2) ponds and two (2) boreholes in three (3) batches making a total of 60 samples and subjected to physicochemical tests and bacteriological analysis by membrane filtration techniques. In Magama village, total heterotrophic counts showed bacteria growth in varying degrees with water samples from pond being the most contaminated (7.7 ×105 ± 0.0 ×105 cfu/ml), followed by wells (6.3 ×105 ± 0.7 ×105 cfu/ml) and the least contaminated was from boreholes (1.9 ×105 ± 0.0 ×105 cfu/ml). the total coliform was highest in well water (5.2 x 105 ± 0.3 x 105 cfu/ml) followed by ponds (5.1 x 105 ± 0.0 x 105 cfu/ml) while borehole water had the least count. The heterotrophic bacterial count in Bolgang was highest in ponds (7.6 x 105 ± 0.0 x 105 cfu/ml) and borehole had the least count (1.1 x 105 ± 0.0 x 105 cfu/ml). On the other hand, the total coliform count was highest in well water (5.2 x 105 ± 0.3 x 105 cfu/ml) and least in borehole. Only two of the water samples (Magama and Bolgang Centre boreholes) met the WHO standard for drinking water of 0 coliform as coliforms were isolated from other sources except two. The enteric bacteria isolated included Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella typhi and Proteus mirabilis. The water from the two villages were found to be unsuitable for consumption and recreational purposes without treatment. Generally, correlation studies revealed that pH, alkalinity and total hardness have a strong positive association with total heterotrophic and coliform counts. Therefore, as compared to standards, the waters studied could be regarded as physicochemically acceptable but bacteriologically unsafe for use as raw water for drinking, animal herding, recreational activities and the irrigation of food crops to be consumed raw. There is need to control the faecal bacteria, the indicator for the faecal pollution of the water bodies. Improvement in water quality and availability will aid hygienic practices and interrupt the transmission of enteric pathogens through contaminated water in the study area. Public health education aimed at improving personal, household and community hygiene is imperative. The waters studied was considered physicochemically acceptable but bacteriologically unsafe for use as raw water for drinking, animal herding, recreational activities and the irrigation of food crops to be consumed raw. [Okojokwu OJ, Butko DD, Ubandoma AMD, Dashen MM, Amapu TY, Azi HY, Egbere OJ, Chollom PF. Correlative Assessment of the Bacteriological and Physicochemical Parameters of Water Sources in Magma and Bolgang Villages of Langtang South, Plateau State, Nigeria. Researcher 2017;9(7):1-10]. ISSN 1553-9865 (print); ISSN 2163-8950 (online). http://www.sciencepub.net/researcher. 1. doi:10.7537/marsrsj090717.01.Item Clinical Features and Risk Factors Associated with Cryptosporidiosis in Diarrhoiec Patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria(2018-06-22) Ocheme Julius Okojokwu; Bashiru Shafa Abubakar; Hezekiah Yusuf Azi; Edoama Edet Akpakpan; Joseph Aje; Anejo-OkopiAbstract: Background: Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in developing countries vary widely implying that the infection can be more common than surveys of stool oocysts excretion demonstrate. Diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium species in childhood may be associated with subsequent impaired physical and cognitive development. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors with the presence of Cryptosporidium species oocysts in human stool. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey carried out in Kaduna State. The study was a prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 600 diarrhoeic stool samples were collected and screened for oocysts of Cryptosporidium species using Sheather’s sugar flotation method. Results: The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 4.5%. Children under 5 years were found to have significantly (χ2 = 4.761, p = 0.029) higher prevalence (6.6%) than older patients (2.9%). Symptoms including abdominal pain (Fisher’s exact test = 0.001), fever (Fisher’s exact test = 0.016) and stool characteristics (Fisher’s exact test = 0.002) were also demonstrated to be significantly associated with cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium infection in Kaduna State also had significant association (p ≤ 0.05) with place of residence (χ2 = 6.559, p = 0.010), where rural dwellers had 7.0% (18/257) prevalence and urban dweller had 2.6% (9/343); animal contact (χ2 = 12.848, p < 0.001), patients who admitted having contact with animals had 7.0% (25/357) prevalence as against 0.8% (2/248); and method of water treatment (χ2 = 16.486, p < 0.001), 7.1% (27/379) of subjects who did not treat their water before consumption had cryptosporidiosis. Conclusion: These findings show that cryptosporidiosis is prevalent in Kaduna State, Nigeria and pose a threat to public health. Important factors in dissemination of the parasite are age of patient, place of residence, animal contact and method of treatment of water. It was also found that clinical manifestation of the infection include abdominal pain, fever and stool characteristics. [Ocheme Julius Okojokwu, Bashiru Shafa Abubakar, Hezekiah Yusuf Azi, Edoama Edet Akpakpan, Joseph Aje Anejo-Okopi. Clinical Features and Risk Factors Associated with Cryptosporidiosis in Diarrhoiec Patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Life Sci J 2018;15(6):61-65]. ISSN: 1097-8135 (Print) / ISSN: 2372-613X (Online).Item Prevalence and drug-resistance profile of plasmid borne extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs) resistance genes in multidrug resistant Escherichia coli from HIV-1 positive individuals in Jos, Nigeria(2020-09-10) Murna Ahmed Ali; Ocheme Julius Okojokwu; Ujeh Anthony Augustine; Chad Achenbach; Joseph AjeAnejo-Okopi; Patricia MankoLar; Godwin Imade; Atiene Solomon SagayProduction of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) can lead to treatment failures when the antibiotics are used. This study detected ESBLs genes on Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli from HIV-infected individuals attending some hospitals in Jos. Eighty (80) isolates of multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli were screened for plasmids. ESBLs genes including bla-CTX, bla-TEM and bla-SHV were detected on the plasmids using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with 100 bp DNA ladder as DNA molecular weight marker. Out of the total 38 plasmids tested, ESBLs genes occurred in 13 (34.21%), with the bla-TEM dominating [7 (53.85%)] over the bla-CTX [4 (30.77%)]. Two (15.38%) of the isolates carried both genes. None of the isolates carried the bla-SHV gene in our study. All the strains showed resistance to SXT, AMC and CTX. Resistance was most frequently observed against SXT (13), AMC (13), CTX (13), CFM (12), F (8), NA (6), GN (5), CRO (4), OFX (2) and CIP (1). None of the ESBLs-bearing strains showed resistance to IPM. Result showed 34.21% prevalence of ESBLs and suggested the need to be more cautious with the clinical use of third generation Cephalosporins especially for the treatment of acute infections caused by E. coli due to the high resistance recorded.Item Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among pregnant women in Jos north, Jos, Nigeria: A hospital based cross-sectional study(International Journal of Bioscience and Biochemistry, 2019-12-04) Ocheme Julius Okojokwu; Innocent Ajegba Onaji; Bashiru Shafa Abubakar; Maryam Bisola Adebayo; Nanman Ladul Mwankat; Ibrahim Abubakar Yusuf; Francis Ofuowoicho Ukah; Entonu Elijah Entonu; Murna Ahmed Ali; Amos Obaje Ogaji1; Joseph Aje Anejo-OkopiBackground: Chlamydia, infection caused by Chlamydial trachomatis, is recognized as one of the most prevalent curable sexually transmitted infections. Chlamydial infections during pregnancy have been considered as significant factors in the causation of poor pregnancy outcome and complications like ectopic pregnancy, low weight birth, still birth etc. Objectives: The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection among pregnant women accessing antenatal care in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 200 endocervical swabs were collected from consenting pregnant women who were attending antenatal clinic in Faith Alive Foundation Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demography and risk factors. The samples were analyzed using lateral flow immunoassay – Rapid Test Device (Swab/Urine) (International Ltd. China). Results: Chlamydia prevalence of 48.5% was established in the current study. The age group 24 – 28 years had the highest prevalence of 67.1% while the least prevalence (23.5%) was recorded among women older than 43 years. This variation of chlamydia prevalence was significantly associated with age group (χ2 = 16.541; p = 0.001). demographics such as marital status and educational status were not associated (p > 0.05) with chlamydia but in addition to age, occupation of the women was significantly associated (χ2 = 44.490; p = 0.001) with the infection. Unskilled women had the highest chlamydia prevalence (74.7%) as opposed to 20% recorded in skilled women and 47.1% among the semi-skilled women. Risk factors like HIV status was significantly associated (χ2 = 27.205; p = 0.001) with chlamydia. HIV positive women had chlamydia prevalence of 83.7% compared with 38.9% in their HIV negative counterparts. Conclusion: The study demonstrated chlamydia prevalence of 48.5% in this study. Age group, history of STI, use of IUD, history of abortion among others were identified as risk factors associated with the infection.Item Ascertaining the Bacteriological Quality of Water Drawn from Cast and Non-cast Wells in Zaria, Nigeria(International Journal of Pathogen Research, 2020) Danjuma, Florence Yachim; Onaji, Ajegba Innocent; Ocheme Julius Okojokwu; Danladi Yakubu PapiLack of access to safe drinking water is a threat to public health and wellbeing of the people as it exposes them to risk of waterborne diseases. This study assessed the bacteriological quality of well water samples obtained from Zaria communities and compared the level of contamination between wells with internal wall casting (cast wells) and wells without internal wall casting (non-cast wells). Water samples from 142 wells were collected for a period of six months encompassing both rainy and dry seasons (July to September for rainy season and November to January for dry season). The water samples were collected and analysed for faecal contamination using membrane filtration technique. The water samples contained high density of bacterial counts ranging from 1.73x103±2.73x102 – 2.02x102±1.85x102cfu/100ml during the raining season and 4.17x102±3.07x101 – 1.39x103±3.27x102cfu/100ml during the dry season. Coliforms and E. coli were present in all the samples with total coliform counts ranging from 1.06 x 103 – 2.12 x 104 cfu/100 ml and E. coli counts ranging from 5.10 X 102 – 5.0 X 104 cfu/100 ml Counts were higher during the raining season in all the locations compared to the dry season. Faecal coliform counts were higher in wells without casting (91.9%) compare to wells with casting (91.2%) while E. coli counts were higher in wells with casting (77.9%) compared to wells without casting (66.2%). There was no significant difference in the bacterial counts between cast and non-cast wells (p-values were all greater than 0.05).A total of 168 organisms were isolated from this study and they include; E. coli(48.3%), Klebsiella pnuemonaie(11.8%), Klebsiella ozanae(13.2%), Enterobacter agglomerans(11.8%), Enterobacter gergoviae(14.7%), Enterobacter aerogenes (8.8%), Citrobacter freundii(8.8%), Proteus mirabilis (5.9%), Serratia liquefaciens(10.3%) and Acinetobacter lwoffii (2.9%). E. coliwas isolated more frequently (48.3%) compared to other species and was more frequent in non-cast wells (50.0%) compared to cast wells (47.1%). Other species were more frequent in cast wells. The bacteria isolated from this study are mostly of enteric origin; these organisms acquire public health significance under certain conditions, therefore, their removal in drinking water should be given moderate priority. The wells in this study fail to meet the minimum standard for safe drinking water and are therefore not safe for domestic purposes especially for drinking purpose without adequate treatment.