African
Journals Online
Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences
Volume 2, No. 2, July–December, 2003
Abstracts
Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamases in isolates of Klebsiella spp and Escherichia coli from Lagos, Nigeria
Ibukun Aibinu*, Tolu Odugbemi* and Brian J. Mee*
* Department of Medical Microbiology and
Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos,
P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
**
Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Chemical Science, The University of
Western Australia, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, 6009, Western
Australia, Australia.
correspondence
to: Ibukun Aibinu
Department
of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of
Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Summary
Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of Extended-Spectrum
Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) enzymes in isolates of Klebsiella spp and E.coli
from various health institutions in Lagos.
Methods: From December 2000 to October 2001, 356 isolates of
Klebsiella spp (200) and Escherichia coli (156) were investigated
for ESBL production. These isolates were obtained from the Microbiology
laboratories of 7 hospitals in Lagos metropolis.
Results: Seventy four (20.8%) were found to be
ESBL-producers using the double-disk test (DD test). Amongst the
ESBL-producers, Klebsiella pneumoniae
(60.8%) was the most represented followed by E.coli (31.1%). All strains positive to DD tests were confirmed for
the carriage ESBL genes by polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR amplification). A
total of 54 (73%) strains were positive for PCR, of which 12 (22.2%) were of
the TEM-type, 26 (48.2%) of SHV-type and 16 (29.6%) of both types. About 27% of
the ESBL-producers could not be amplified by PCR using TEM and SHV primers.
Isoelectric focusing analysis showed the presence of 2 enzsymes with pI of 7.0
and 8.5 which were non-TEM and non-SHV enzymes in addition to enzymes with pl
of 8.2, 7.6 and 5.8 which were of the TEM and SHV-type. A very low number, 10
(13.5%) of the ESBL-producers transferred ESBL resistance by conjugation
experiment suggesting that ESBL-resistance in Lagos hospitals, may be generally
chromosomal or carried by non-self transferable plasmids.
Conclusion: The production of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase
enzymes by clinical isolates compromise the efficacy of beta-lactam antibiotics,
particularly the extended-spectrum cephalosporins which are widely used in the
treatment of serious gram-negative infections. There are now increasing
clinical evidence that shows the importance of detecting strains producing this
enzyme in our environment to prevent their spread.
Key Words:Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase, Klebsiella spp, E. coli.
Oxidative
Stress during the Various Trimesters of Pregnancy
in Humans
O. A. T. Ebuehi1*, O. I. Giwa Osagie1, O. M. Ebuehi1
and O. F. Giwa – Osagie2
Department
of Biochemistry1, Obstetrics and Gynaecology2 College of
Medicine, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Correspondence to: Dr. O.A.T. Ebuehi (E-mail: [email protected])
Summary
Oxidative stress during the various trimesters of
pregnancy in humans was investigated. Venous blood was taken from 30 pregnant
women, comprising 10 each at first, second and third trimesters. Additionally,
blood was taken from 10 non-pregnant women, and was used as control. The plasma
was quickly extracted and assayed for triglyceride, glucose, protein and
cholesterol. The plasma lipid peroxidation level and catalase activity were
determined. Results of the study showed that the plasma cholesterol and
triglyceride levels in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy
were significantly (p<0.01) higher than in the 1st trimester in
pregnant women and the control. Plasma glucose and protein concentrations were
significantly (p<0.01) higher in the 1st trimester of pregnancy
and in the control than in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters of
pregnancy. The plasma lipid peroxidation level and catalase activity were
significantly (p<0.01) increased in the 2nd and 3rd
trimesters of pregnancy as compared to the first trimesters of pregnancy or
control. Data of the study indicate that oxidative stress is more vulnerable
especially during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of
pregnancy. Increased levels of plasma lipid peroxidation and catalase activity
during 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy was probably
as a result of oxidative damage of maternal lipids and proteins and
carbohydrates.
Key Words: Oxidative Stress, Trimesters in pregnancy, Blood chemistry and
Lipid peroxidation, Catalase.
The
Impact of Education Intervention on the Blood Pressure Control of the Elderly
Nigerian Hypertensives
S. O. Olayemiand A. F. B. Mabadeje
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine,
University of Lagos.
2Correspondence:
S. O. Olayemi Department of
Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Summary
Hypertension plays a major role in morbidity
and mortality in Nigeria. Evidence from developed countries showed that
intensive patient education has resulted in improved compliance to therapy
reducing morbidity and mortality. There was a need to explore the impact of
health educational intervention on the blood pressure control among elderly
hypertensives. Ninety-five hypertensive patients aged sixty and above attending
the Hypertension Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital were
recruited. An initial level of their awareness of hypertension, its risk
factors and management were assessed through a structured research
questionnaire. A score of 60% was deemed adequate. Over a two year period,
health talk on the need to comply with life style modification and drug therapy
followed by a question and answer session was given on each clinic day.
Adequate blood pressure control was defined <140/90-mmHg or mean blood
pressure <106.7mmHg. 88.4% of the patients had improved awareness of
hypertension, it risk factors and management after education intervention
compared to 56.8% pre-intervention (p=0.0001). 90.5% had adequate blood
pressure control after education intervention compared to 69.5%
pre-intervention (p=0.0003). Health education as intervention directed at the
hypertensive patients improved the blood pressure control and patient’s
awareness of the disease.
Key Words:Education, blood pressure control,
pre-intervention, post-intervention
Oro-facial injuries and mouth guard use in sports: Knowledge
and Attitudes of Coaches in Nigeria
C. O. Onyeaso
Department
of Preventive Dentistry, College of Medicine, University College Hospital,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Correspondence to: C. O. Onyeaso Department of Preventive
Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Summary
Sport development in Africa has suffered
some setbacks due to many factors such as lack of good training environment,
lack of good coaches and incentives. The use of mouth protectors in contact
sport is still poorly practised in Africa. This study aimed that assessing the
perceptions of coaches in Nigeria about oro-facial injuries and mouth guard use
in sports. A 10-item, self completion questionnaire was structured and
distributed to 50 coaches representing all the sporting activities in the 36
State of Nigeria including Abuja during the last 2002 National Sports Festival
in Benin city, Nigeria. Forty coaches completed and returned the forms (80%
response rate). Majority of the coaches (70.0%) indicated football (Soccer) as
a sport requiring the use of mouth guards followed by basketball and bicycling
accounting for 10.0% each. Over 97% of the coaches believed that mouth guard
prevents sports-related oro-facial injuries while 95.0% of them would want more
information on mouth guards. Quality and degree of oral protection was the
major factor (52.5%) that would influence the choice of mouth guard by the
coaches for their athletes. Coaches’ rule was the reason for 50% of them who
claimed requesting their athletes to procure mouth guards. The coaches in
Nigeria claimed to recognise the importance of mouth guards in prevention of
oro-facial injuries during sports but need more information in this regard.
Key Words: Oro-facial injuries;
mouth guard; sports; knowledge and attitude; Nigerian Coaches.
Renal Function in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in
Calabar, Nigeria
A. O. Obembe, A. B. Antai and J. O. Ibu*
Department
of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 115
Calabar, Nigeria.
Correspondence to: J. O. Ibu Department of Physiology, College
of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar.
Summary
Pregnancy affects the physiology of the
pregnant woman, particularly the cardiovascular, renal and endocrine systems.
In this study 120 adult women were divided into four groups of two non-pregnant
and two pregnant women consisting of 30 women each. The non-pregnant were the
nulliparous (control of 30 women) and grand multiparous women who had stopped
gestation (GMS) for at least 2 years (30 women). The sixty pregnant women were
divided into primigravidal (PG) of 30 women and gradmultiparous (GMP) of 30
women also. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured in these women using
endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr). The pregnant women were studied during
their 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. The results show that control, PG, GMP and
GMS groups had a mean GFR of 99.20 + 2.16, 115 + 3.41, 113 + 3.08 and 114 +
3.20 respectively. The mean GFR increased significantly (P<0.05) in
gestational women compared with control women. The highest increase in GFR is
during 2nd trimester which was significantly higher than 1st or 3rd trimester
(P<0.001). It is concluded that renal function is affected during pregnancy
by a significant increase in GFR.
Key Words: Pregnancy, gestation, nulliparous, primigravida, grandmultiparous, GFR
(glomerular filtration rate), creatinine clearance.
HDL-LDL Ratio: A Significant Predisposition to the Onset of
Atherosclerosis
J. C. Igweh, *C. P. Aloamaka and N. Mgbor
Department of Physiology, College of
Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
*Department of Physiology, College of Medicine,
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.
**Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine,
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
Correspondence: J. C. Igweh Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of
Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
Summary
The significance of high-density
lipoprotein/low density lipoprotein (HDL-LDL) ratio as a predisposing factor to
the onset of atherogenesis has been studied. Standard enzymatic method using
Cholesterol kit to extract cholesterol was used. HDL was analysed using
standard HDL Kit and LDL concentration was derived by a standard mathematical
formula. There is a significant difference between HDL and LDL concentration
within the hypertensive group, whereas this is not the case with the
normotensive group. HDL is responsible for reverse cholesterol transport from
peripheral tissues and LDL does the opposite. It is thus clear why the overwhelming
concentration of LDL in Hypertensive could be atherogenic.
Key Words: Hypertension, atherosclerosis,
cholesterol, lipoprotein.
Replantation of Avulsed Permanent Anterior Teeth: A case
report
*I.
L. Utomi, *O. O. Sanu, **B. A. Obisesan, *I. A. Aluko and *M. C.
Isiekwe
*Department of Child Dental Health,
**Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,
College of Medicine, University of Lagos. P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
*Correspondence
Dr. I. L. Utomi
Department
of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos. P.M.B. 12003,
Lagos, Nigeria.
Summary
Tooth avulsion in the permanent dentition
constitutes a dental emergency. Replantation of the avulsed tooth restores
aesthetics and occlusal function shortly after the injury. This article
describes the management of a 13-year old male with four avulsed anterior
maxillary permanent teeth. The avulsed teeth were replanted and root canal
treatment carried out after a short fixation. The result obtained was very
satisfactory and the teeth remain in good functional status one year after
replantation. Early treatment and regular attendance to clinic following
replantation is an important factor for good result.
Key Words: Permanent teeth, avulsion, replantation.
Aqueous extract of the Bark of Kigelia africana reverses early testicular damage induced by
methanol extract of Carica Papaya
*A. I. R. Abioye, **F. I. O. Duru, **C. C. Noronha and **A. O. Okanlawon
*Department of Anatomy, Factory of Health
Sciences, University of Ilorin P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
**Department of Anatomy College of Medicine,
University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Correspondence:
Dr. A. O.
Okanlawon Department of Anatomy, College of
Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Summary
An experiment was designed to test whether extracts from Kigelia africana have beneficial effect
on male fertility following exposure to Carica
papaya, a known testicular toxin. Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley
rats weighing 185–220g were used for the study. The dose of Kigelia africana and Carica papaya extracts used for all
treated animals was 50mg/kg body weight orally through a metal oropharyngeal
cannula. The first group of animals (n = 8) had 1.5ml of distilled water daily
orally for 12 weeks. The second group (n = 8) received extract of Carica papaya for 10 weeks followed by Kigelia for another 10 weeks. The third
group (n = 8) received the Papaya extract
for the first four weeks and then had Kigelia
added for another 12 weeks. The fourth group (n = 8) had both extracts
orally daily for 12 weeks. The fifth group had 50mg/kg body weight of the
extract of Carica papaya for four
weeks and animals were observed for another 12 weeks, while the sixth group had
only Kigelia extract for 12 weeks. At
the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, cauda epididymes removed
for semen analysis and trunk blood collected for plasma testosterone
estimation. The results suggest that Kigelia
africana extract if given within 4 weeks of treatment with Carica papaya reversed the deleterious
effects on semen parameters, whereas if given after 10 weeks, the damage
remains unreversed. When both extracts are given from the beginning, semen
parameters remain very poor. Our data suggest that Kigelia africana is able to reverse papaya induced testicular damage if administered within a certain
window period.
Key Words: Kigelia
africana, Carica papaya, testicular damage.
Comparative Study of Antibacterial Activities of the Fresh
and Dried Fruit of Capsicum Species
*S. Umukoro and R. B. Ashorobi
Department of Pharmacology, College of
Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Summary
The fresh and dried fruit extracts of Capsicum
species were screened for antibacterial activities against Staph. aureus, S. typhi and B. subtilis using two assay methods. The
filter disk and agar plate diffusion were the assay methods employed in the
study. The results of the study revealed that the extracts obtained from the
fresh tissue of C. annuum and C. longum more potently inhibited the
growth of Staph. aureus and S. typhi. Furthermore, they were more
active against these pathogenic organisms when the filter disc was used as the
assay method. However, the extracts obtained from either the dried or fresh
tissue of C. frustescens, C. pubescens and
C. grossum demonstrated no activities
against the tested organisms in the two assay methods used.
Key Words: Fresh fruit, Capsicum
species, antibacterial spectrum.
Carica Papaya Seed
Extract Enhances Cellular Response to Stress in U937
O. Dosumu, *A. Chionna, *P.
Pagliara, O. Akinola, *L. Dini
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Nigeria.
*Laboratory for comparative Anatomy, Department of
Biological Sciences, University of Lecce, Via per Monteroni, 73100, Lecce,
Italy.
Correspondence:
O. O.
Dosumu Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515 Ilorin, Nigeria.
Summary
Cell death via apoptosis is involved in a wide range of biological and
pathological processes and has been associated with oxidative stress in a
number of cell systems. Therefore, the present study was carried out to
investigate the role of Carica papaya seed (CPS) extract that contains, Benzyl Isothiocyanates,
one of the inducers of phase II enzymes in the regulation of cellular stress.
The cellular responses were observed in U937 cells (human monocyte/macrophage
cell line) at the concentration: 200, 500 and 1000µg/mI (PPM) for 24–48 hours.
Results indicated that the cells cultured with different concentration of CPS
extract at all dose regimen had lower population of apoptotic/transformed cells
in a dose dependent manner, with active proliferation of cells.
Key Words: U937 cells; Carica papaya. Benzyl
Isothiocyanates; apopotosis
Schistosoma Mansoni: Post-aestivation
studies on the Fecundity and Growth of Infected and Uninfected Biomphalaria pfeifferi
L. I. Badger-Emeka and J. P. O. Oyerinde
Department of
Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Lagos State University College of
Medicine, P.M.B. 21266, Ikeja, Lagos.
Correspondence:
Dr. L. I. Badger-Emeka
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Lagos State University
College of Medicine, P.M.B. 21266, Ikeja, Lagos.
Summary
First
generation of laboratory bred Biomphalaria
pfeifferi measuring approximately 8mm in diameter were collected and
grouped into four batches. Batches 1, 2 and 3 consisted of uninfected snails
aestivated for 7, 14 and 21 days respectively. The fourth group had snails
which been infected with Schistosoma
mansoni miracidia and then aestivated 7 days post miracidial exposure, for
one week. Results obtained showed that there was a significant increase in the
growth of reactivated infected and uninfected snails. Weekly monitoring of
fecundity showed that ovipository activity was lower among the infected group
of snails. A higher level of egg production was also seen in reactivated snails
than in the unaestivated B. pfeifferi.
Key Words: Schistosoma mansoni, aestivation, fecundity and growth.
Coping Strategies and Depression in Caregivers of Patients
with Mental Disorders: A Case Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria
Esther Aduke Ayeni
Department of Psychology, University of
Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.
Tel: 08023045582.
E-mail: [email protected]
Summary
Caregivers
of mental patients are assumed to be of sound mental health to be able to give
care for such patients. Observation has however shown that this assumption may
not be true. The objectives of this study include finding out the coping
strategies used by these caregivers of mental patients and the level of anxiety
and depression of these caregivers in a hostile situation. This study was on 57
caregivers (36 males and 21 females) attending to patients who were receiving
psychological treatments for mental disorders in Obafemi Awolowo University
Teaching Hospital complexes at Ile-Ife and Ilesa in Nigeria. Three standardized
instruments viz Coping Strategies, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State
Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used for measuring depression and anxiety.
Regression and Correlation were used to find the levels of depression and
anxiety and their relationship with coping strategies. The result shows that
these respondents used two (avoidant and problem solving) out of the three
coping strategies. Mild to moderate depression was found in 21 (36.8%) of the
respondents while (10.5%) had moderate to severe depression. All the
respondents experienced anxiety ranging from mild to severe. A positive insignificant
correlation was found between BDI and STAI of those using problem solving
coping strategy. The implication of these findings is the necessity for urgent
therapeutic intervention for caregivers of mental patients. Further
investigation on the role of social support and other environmental factors
affecting care giving should be conducted.
Key Words: Coping
strategies, depression, caregivers, patients and mental disorders.
Aspirin
augments hyaluronidase induced adhesion inhibition
A. A. Oremosu, F. I. Duru* and A. A. Okanlawon
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine,
University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria. Correspondence to: F. I. Duru
Summary
Postoperative adhesions occur after virtually all abdomino-pelvic surgery
and are the leading cause of intestinal obstruction and other gynaecologic
problems. We used an animal model to test the efficacy of combined
administration of aspirin and hyaluronidase on adhesion formation. Adhesions
were induced using standardized primary adhesiogenic traumatic lesion to the
uterine serosa at laparotomy. Operated rats were randomly divided into 4 groups
and various solutions were left in the peritoneal cavity before operative
closure. Group I had 10mls of saline, group II had 10mls of aspirin (0.5mg/ml),
group III 10mls hyaluronidase (1.5 i,m/ml), and group IV had 10mls mixture of
aspirin and hyaluronidase (5mls aspirin and 5mls hyaluronidase) containing
0.5mg and 1.5 i.u. respectively. After 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed and
laparotomy was performed to evaluate adhesions. A modified version of the
Swolin scoring system was adopted in estimating adhesion formation based on
width, thickness and strength of the adhesions. Scores were subjected to
statistical analysis using analysis of variance. Scores for animals receiving
the combined aspirin and hyaluronidase was signficantly lower than the three
controls (P<0.05). In our model, there is no significant difference between
aspirin and hyaluronidase in adhesion inhibition, though both have a more
potent anti-adhesion effect than saline (P<0.01).
Key Words: Aspirin, hyaluronidase, Adhesion, prostaglandins.
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