Comparative Studies on the Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Indigenous (Gallus- Gallus domesticus) and Exotic Breeds (Layers) in Benisheikh Town, Borno State

1A.A.G. Benisheikh, 2Isyaka Tom, 3Zainab .Y. Thamus, 4Kyari .A. Sanda and 5Biu. A.A.

¹North-East Zonal Biotechnology Centre of Excellence, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

²Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

³Department of Basic Sciences, Mohamet Lawal College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, Borno State.

⁴Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

⁵Department of veterinary Microbiology, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

E-mail Address: abbaganabenisheikhali@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A survey was conducted to determine the comparative studies between Gallus-gallus domesticus and exotic breeds of chickens and prevalence of coccidiosis in Benisheikh Town, Borno State. A total of 211 chickens were examined in four wards of Benisheikh town. Sixty (60) chickens were examined from North (Lawanti ward), 70 chickens from South (Ajari ward), 37 chickens from West (Mallamti ward), 44 chickens from East (Kasula ward) respectively. 211 chickens surveyed consists of 106 (50.2%) were Gallus-gallus domesticus and 105 (49.8%) were exotic breeds. 122 (57.8%) were between 12 and 36 months (Adults) while 89 (42.2%) were between greater than 18 months (medium). There was however, no statistical difference ages (x2 = 0.60, df = 1, p = 0.44). One hundred and thirty 130 (61.6%) of the chickens had coccidian parasite in their sample. Coccidiosis infection of these 74 (35.1%) were males while 56 (26.5%) were females but the difference was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.005). infection rate was higher among the Gallus-gallus domesticus 32 (38.8%) than the exotic breeds 48 (22.8%) and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The identification of coccidiosis based on their morphometry and region of intestine affected by coccidian species revealed that, E. tenella, E. nacatrix, E. brunetti, E. maxima measured 19 x 22.6, 14.2 x 16.7, 21.7 x 26.8 and 22.6 x 29.3 microns respectively. With E. tenella found in schizont and oocyst in ceca, E. nacatrix found in small intestine oocyst, intestine mucosa, E. brunetti in intestinal wall thicked, and E. maxima found in blood flecks in exudate as their region of intestine affected sites respectively. These findings may be useful to evaluate the infection potential when considering control programs in Benisheikh town and its vicinity.

Trends in Diagnostic Imaging Workload and Utilization in a Teaching Hospital

Arimie C.O.D.

Department of Radiology

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 

E-mail: codarimie@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Diagnostic imaging is an invaluable tool of diagnosis in medicine. Despite its value, diagnostic imaging equipments are expensive and difficult to maintain. To that extent, there is increasing concern among health policy planners that the growth in utilization of high-technology procedures, such as diagnostic imaging procedures, is a major factor responsible for the rapid growth in health care costs. Hence, it was the purpose of this study to determine the trends in workload and utilization rates of diagnostic imaging in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria between January 2010 and December 2012. Data comprising records of attendance of patients to the hospital clinics, the number of diagnostic imaging procedures, and workload measured in Relative Value Units (RVU) for the respective imaging modalities for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 were analyzed. The results show that Conventional radiography is the most widely used imaging modality constituting over 50% of the total diagnostic imaging in the three year period. Ultrasound Scanning (USS) is the second most used modality (over 40%) followed by CT (over 2%), MRI (over 1%) and Mammography (less than 1%). In 2010 the overall diagnostic imaging utilization rate was 908.6 (@ 909) examinations per 10,000 patients. In 2012 the rate was 732.6 (@ 733), representing a 19.4% decrease over 3 years. It was concluded that some of the imaging modalities were not utilized optimally and did not justify government spending on them particularly, MRI, and Mammography although, it was established that equipment breakdowns contributed significantly to this trend.

Some Toxic Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy

Nwozor C.M.

Department of Physiology

Anambra State University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria

E-mail: corneliusnwozor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved the heath conditions of those living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). This has encouraged more HIV-positive patients to be enrolled into care. Problem of side effects exists. Some of these side effects are mild and transient; few are serious and life-threatening. There are short term and long term adverse effects. Some short term effects include headache, nausea, diarrhea, mild central nervous system syndrome of lethargy or confusion. Long term toxicities include; myositis, peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis, and hepatic steatosis. Severe adverse effects have contributed to non-adherence and have caused some patients to delay therapy. Physicians need information on toxicities of ART in order to appropriately weigh the option of second line drugs. HIV- positive patients should be well informed in order to allay anxiety and fear, thereby helping them to adjust to a more tolerable regimen. In conclusion, the numerous benefits of antiretroviral therapy such as decreased risk of progression to AIDS and improvement in physical and mental health far outweigh some adverse effects that may

Evaluation of Hemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) at Different Trimesters of Pregnancy Among Women in Elele, Rivers State

Agbai E.O¹., Nwanegwo C.O¹., Ofoego U.C²., Nwodo F.N². and Nwokoroku U¹

¹Department of Human Physiology

²Department of Human Anatomy

^1&2Madonna University Elele, Rivers State.

E-mail: vivy4okey@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) in 150 pregnant women booked out-patients for routine antenatal care at Madonna University Teaching Hospital (MUTH) Elele, Rivers State and healthy non-pregnant women in Enugu town, Enugu State were used in this study. 2 ml of venous blood each was drawn from 150 pregnant women and 50 non-pregnant women (age; 20-45 years). 50 pregnant women (first trimester, 0-12 weeks), 50 pregnant women (second trimester, 13-26 weeks) and 50 pregnant women (third trimester, 27-41 weeks); blood samples were taken from the antecubital fossa vein by venopuncture in the morning and collected in EDTA bottle. The hematological values were determined within standard 2 hours of collecting the sample. The PCV was estimated using the microhaematocrit method and hemoglobin was estimated using the Sahlis method. Data showed that PCV was statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between non-pregnant (36.17 ± 0.34) compared to first trimesters (30.46 ± 0.12), second trimesters (28.18 ± 0.23) and third trimesters (31.34 ± 0.24). There was no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between first trimesters (30.46 ± 0.12) compared with third trimesters (31.34 ± 0.24). The result on Hb showed statistically significant difference at P < 0.05 between non-pregnant control group (12.82 ± 0.19) compared to first trimesters (11.35 ± 0.12), second trimesters (9.46 ± 0.12) and third trimesters (11.72 ± 0.14). There was also no statistically significant difference at P > 0.05 between first trimesters (11.35 ± 0.12) compared with third trimesters (11.72 ± 0.14). Results showed a decrease in PCV during first trimester and a decrease in Hb during the second trimester suggesting that women at these groups are at risk of poor pregnancy outcome.