Studies on the Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among Children with Splenomegaly in Aba Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

Etusim P.E.1, Kalu C.1, Nduka F.O.2, Kalu E.C.3,
Melariri P.E.4, Nwoke M5, and Aduaka A.C.6,
1Unit of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
2Unit of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
3Department of Medicine, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
4Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town Medical School K45, South Africa.
5Department of Paediatrics, Living Word Mission Hospital, Aba, Abia State.
6Departmentt of Paediatrics, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
Email: etusimp@gmail.com,floxai@yahoo.com,
ABSTRACT
Malaria has been one of the prominent and ancient diseases which has been profiled and studied. It is the second leading health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for over 1 million deaths yearly in the region. This study was conducted in six treatment centres to determine the prevalence level of malaria parasite among children with splenomegaly. The role of treatment option, age, gender and control measures in the prevalence of malaria parasite and splenomegaly was studied. 403 patients in clinical state with confirmed cases of splenomegaly were tested with carestartTM2 malaria test kit for the presence of malaria parasite. Questionnaires were issued to their parents to help collect information relating to age, gender and malaria control measures. Out of the 403 persons sampled, 338(83.9%) were infected with malaria while 65(16.1%) were not. There is a significantly positive relationship between malaria incidence and splenomegaly. Of the 403 infected with splenomegaly, 114(75.4%) consulted qualified medical doctors for diagnosis and treatment while 289(87.2%) consulted traditional healers for treatment. The persons that consulted traditional healers recorded higher prevalence rate 252(87.2%) of Research Studies on the Prevalence of Malaria Parasite among Children with Splenomegaly in Aba Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria 57 concomitant malaria infection than those that visited qualified doctors 86(75.4%). The difference in the prevalence level was however insignificant (X2 cal =0.62, P < 0.05, df = 1). Age group 1 – 3 years recorded the highest infection rate 172(89.5) while age group 13 – 15 years recorded the least infection rate 21(100%). The role of age in the prevalence level of malaria was found to be insignificant (X2 cal = 2.7, P < 0.05 and df = 4). Of the 403 people found with SPR, 237(58.8%) were males while 166(41.2%) were females. The prevalence of malaria was higher 199(84%) in males than in female 139(83.7%), but this was statistically insignificant (X2 cal = 0.0032, P < 0.05 and df = 1). Children living in homes where no control measures was adopted recorded the highest infection rate of malaria 125(95.4%) while those that used insecticide spray together with windows and door nets had the least prevalence of infection 33(78.6%). The difference in revalence rate among people using different control measures was however insignificant (X2 cal = 2.51, P < 0.05 and df = 4).Traditional healers though not yet well recognized play an important role in the management of splenomegaly in Aba metropolis. Some well known control measures for malaria failed to reduce prevalence significantly in this study.

Sensitivity of Three Diagnostic Methods (PF Antigen Test, QBC and Blood

Smear) in Determining Malaria Prevalence among Patients Referred to
Goodnews Medical Laboratory, Umuahia, Nigeria
Etusim P.E1, Nwosu E.C2, Uzoanya C.E1, Melariri P.E3, and Ukpai O4.
1Unit of Medical Parasitology and Entomology,
Abia State University, Uturu. Nigeria
2Unit of Parasitology and Pest Management
Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
3Division of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine,
University of Cape Town Medical School K45, South Africa.
4Unit of Medical Parasitology,
Michael Okpara Federal University of Agriculture, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
E-mail: etusimp@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Three diagnostic methods were used in malaria screening of patients referred to Goodnews diagnostic laboratory, Umuahia to determine their sensitivity as well as the infection prevalence. Blood samples were collected from 150 patients and subjected to three different malaria tests namely: PF antigen test (P.f), Blood Smear method (BS) and Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) method. Highest infection prevalence (60.69%) was recorded by the Pf antigen test followed by the BS method which recorded 58.67% infection rate. The least infection rate 55.33% was recorded by the QBC method and the differences were not statistically significant (X2 = 0.90, p<0.05). Males were more infected (73.02%, 60.34% and 69.84%) than females (50.57%) in Pf antigen, QBC and BS methods respectively but differences were not statistically significant (X2 = 2.25, P<0.05). Infection was highest in patients of 71 years and above (100%) followed by those in 1-10 years of age (70.59%). The blood smear method showed the highest sensitivity (100%) followed by Pf antigen test (96.70%) and QBC yielded 94.62%. the high sensitivity of the three methods recommends them for use, but for clinical diagnosis the Pf antigen test should be supplemented with either QBC or BS method.

Microbial Contamination of Herbal Mixtures (Local Concoctions) Used in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever, Malaria Fever, and Dysentery in Makurdi Metropolis. Akande, T., Agbulu C.O., and Oche, M. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria Email: atitilayo@ymail.com

ABSTRACT

Microbiological analysis of Herbal mixtures (local concoctions) used in the treatment of typhoid fever, malaria fever and dysentery was carried out to investigate and evaluate the microbial qualities. The study was carried out on five sales outlets namely; North Bank, Wurukum, High Level, Modern Market and Wadata. The viable plate count rangesbbetween 1.0-9.4 X 10-5cfu/ml for bacteria and 1.0 – 8.0 x 10-5cfu/ml for fungi. The highest viable count of bacteria were from typhoid fever samples collected from modern market which was about 9.4 x 10-5cfu/ml and it shows a higher level of contamination with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. Malaria fever samples collected from Modern Market
also had the highest viable count of fungi which was about 8.0×10-5 and it also shows a high level of contamination with Alternaria species and Rhizoid species. The quality of most of the herbal medicine was unaccepted as Escherichia coli, Candida species, Salmonella species, Bacillus species, Alternaria were isolated. Most of the herbal medicine can cause harm to consumers and can be source of enteropathogenic organisms that cause anthrax, typhoid fever, hepatitis which can lead to death. There is need to institute not only sanitary measures, but also infrastructural development since most of these herbal medicine were contaminated due to failed storage, packing, handling of raw materials.

A Review on Anthropometric Parameters of the Normal Radiological Knee and Leg Bones in the Evaluation of Sexual Dimorphism and Racial Variations Bienonwu E.O. Department of Anatomy, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria Email: ossybien@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
A review is presented on the anthropometric parameters of the normal radiological knee and leg bones that can be used to ascertain sex and identify race. Sexual dimorphism has been shown to exist between species but the degree of dimorphism may vary and remain uncertain except through certain anthropometric parameters. The Tibio femoral angle, femoral condyle angle, Tibia condyle angle, Quadriceps angle, distal femur anthropometry as well as knee height ratios have been researched and shown not only to be sexually dimorphic but also identify race. These parameters have shown significant differences between males and females in Africans (Nigerians and Malawians) as well as Caucasians and comparison between African values and Caucasians have shown significant differences defining race. Knee height ratios although not sexually dimorphic in Nigerians as with Caucasians; show racial differences between Nigerians and Caucasians.
This knowledge could help in implants design and prosthesis for
particular sex and race and also help in forensics to determine gender and race in skeletal remains and specimen.

Personal Dosimetry for Geriatrics (Old Patients) Udeajah V.N. and Nworie A. Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki Email:vakaduja45@gmail.co,nworieamos@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
Radiation dosimetry is the measurement and calculation of the absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to indirect and direct ionizing radiation. It is a scientific subspecialty in the fields of health physics and medical physics that is focused on the calculation of internal (Internal dosimetry) and external doses from ionizing radiation.
Dose is reported in gray (Gy) for matter or sieverts (Sv) for biological tissue, where 1 Gy or 1 Sv is equal to 1 joule per kilogram. Non-SI units are still prevalent as well, where dose is often reported in rads and dose equivalent in rems. By definition, 1 Gy = 100 rad and 1 Sv = 100 rem. Interventional radiology and cardiac catheterizations are developing into preferred alternatives to surgical procedures that tend to lead to hospitalization of patients for longer time periods. Inflicting less physical damage due to minimal invasive procedures not only means a decreased
burden to the patient, but society in general also profits when the
patient returns sooner to normal life. The medical application of
radiation, however, requires proper justification and optimization.

Effect of Fish Oil on High Lipid Fed Albino Rats *Luka, C.D and **Mohammed, A.

*Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Jos
**Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure & Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari
Email:carrll42@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of fish oil
(Omega-3-fatty acid) on lipid profile of Albino rats. The rats were
randomly separated into four group A, B, C and D comprises of males and females in the same group, the cholesterol was introduced by feeding the rats with margarine (butter) for eighteen days and 0.2ml of fish oil was used for the treatment for eleven days in the groups as follows, Group A fed with butter and treated with fish oil, Group B
fed with butter and not treated with fish oil (control), Group C fed
with normal diet and not treated with fish oil (control), Group D fed
with normal diet but treated with fish oil. After the treatment the
effect of fish oil on Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, High Density
Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and bilirubin
concentrations were analyzed. The toxic effect of the fish oil was
also determined using biochemical enzymes markers. Treatment with
fish oil shows significant (P<0.05) decrease on cholesterol, Low
Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Triglyceride levels while there was
significant (P<0.05) increase in High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). The
fish oil shows no toxic effect by lowering significant (P<0.05) the
levels of ALP, AST and ALT. There was also significant (p < 0.05)
decrease in the level of bilirubin.