An ethnobotanical survey of Bauchi State herbal plants and their antimicrobial activity

A survey of medicinal plants used locally in the treatment of various diseases was carried out in Bauchi State-Nigeria. A total of 84 medicinal plants were listed. Preliminary antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extracts of the plants was investigated. The results indicated that out of 84 plants, 75 exhibited antimicrobial activity against one or more of the test organisms at a concentration of 200 mg/ml. The extracts were found to show potentially interesting activity against Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.     

Cervical Cancer in Ethiopia: Survival of 1,059 Patients Who Received Oncologic Therapy

Background.

Almost 500,000 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer (CC) every year, the majority from developing countries. There is little information on the survival of these patients. Our primary objective was to evaluate consecutive CC patients presenting over 4 years at the only radiotherapy center in Ethiopia.

Methods.

All patients with CC from September 2008 to September 2012 who received radiotherapy and/or surgery were included (without brachytherapy). Vital status was obtained through telephone contact or patient cards.

Results.

Of 2,300 CC patients, 1,059 patients with standardized treatment were included. At the end of the study, 249 patients had died; surviving patients had a median follow-up of 16.5 months; the 10% and 90% percentiles were 3.0 and 32.7 months, respectively. Mean age was 49 years (21–91 years). The majority of patients presented with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIb–IIIa (46.7%). Because of progression during the waiting time (median 3.8 months), this proportion declined to 19.3% at the beginning of radiotherapy. The 1- and 2-year overall survival probabilities were 90.4% and 73.6%. If assuming a worst-case scenario (i.e., if all patients not available for follow-up after 6 months had died), the 2-year survival probability would be 45.4%.

Conclusion.

This study gives a thorough 4-year overview of treated patients with CC in Ethiopia. Given the limited treatment availability, a relatively high proportion of patients survived 2 years. More prevention and early detection at all levels of the health care system are needed. Increasing the capacity for external-beam radiation as well as options for brachytherapy would facilitate treatment with curative intention.     

Predictors of impaired renal function among HIV infected patients commencing highly active antiretroviral therapy in Jos, Nigeria

Background:

Kidney disease is a common complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection even in the era of antiretroviral therapy, with kidney function being abnormal in up to 30% of HIV-infected patients. We determined the predictors of impaired renal function in HIV-infected adults initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective study among HIV-1 infected patients attending the antiretroviral clinic at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), between November 2005 and November 2007. Data were analysed for age, gender, weight, WHO clinical stage, CD4 count, HIV-1 RNA viral load, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody status. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info 3.5.1.

Results:

Data for 491 (294 females and 197 males) eligible patients were abstracted. The mean age of this population was 38.8±8.87 years. One hundred and seventeen patients (23.8%; 95% CI, 20.2-27.9%) had a reduced eGFR (defined as <60 mL/min), with more females than males (28.6% vs. 16.8%; P=0.02) having reduced eGFR. Age and female sex were found to have significant associations with reduced eGFR. Adjusted odds ratios were 1.07 (95% CI, 1.04, 1.10) and 1.96 (95% CI, 1.23, 3.12) for age and female sex, respectively.

Conclusions:

Older age and female sex are independently associated with a higher likelihood of having lower eGFRs at initiation of HAART among our study population. We recommend assessment of renal function of HIV-infected patients prior to initiation of HAART to guide the choice and dosing of antiretroviral drugs.     

Sex prediction using ridge density and thickness among the Hausa ethnic group of Kano state,Nigeria

The aim of the study was to determine sexual dimorphism and to predict sex using thumbprint ridge density and thickness among the Hausa ethnic group of Nigeria. A total of 283 subjects comprising 147 males and 136 females participated in the study. The density was determined from the count of ridges found diagonally within 25 mm² using an indirect method of ridge thickness measurement. The results showed that the ulnar ridge density of males (10.01 ± 1.31) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of females (10.91 ± 1.69) in the right thumb. The ridge thickness was observed to have an inverse relation with ridge density. It was also noted that the right ulnar ridge count was the single best variable to predict sex (63.4% accuracy). For the left thumbprints, the proximal ridge thickness predicted the sex (62.8% accuracy). The predicted probabilities of binary logistic regression showed that ulnar ridge count and proximal ridge thickness were the best predictors with a higher area under the curve (>0.5) in the right and left thumbprints respectively. In conclusion, different regions of thumbprints have different potentials in term of sex prediction. Ridge density and thickness hold potential as tools for sex inference among the Hausa population of Nigeria.     

Prevalence of Trachoma in Bauchi State,Nigeria: Results of 20 Local Government Area-Level Surveys

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF) and trichiasis in each of the 20 local government areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Methods: We undertook a population-based prevalence survey in each LGA in Bauchi State, employing the Global Trachoma Mapping Project methodology. We used a 2-stage, systematic and quasi-random sampling strategy. Using probability proportional to size, we selected 25 clusters, in each of which 25 households were selected by random walk. All residents of selected households 1 year and older were examined for TF, trachomatous inflammation – intense, and trichiasis, using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme.

Results: Only two LGAs in Bauchi State had TF prevalences in 1–9-year-olds over 5%, with none having TF prevalences of 10% or greater. Only one LGA had a trichiasis prevalence in adults below the elimination threshold; all the others had trichiasis at levels suggestive of public health significance. In all 20 LGAs, more than 60% of households were within 1 km of an improved source of water for hygiene.

Conclusion: Efforts need to be made in Bauchi State to provide trichiasis surgery in order to avert trachomatous blindness. Water supplies needs to be sustained and good personal hygiene practices assured so that elimination of trachoma as a public health problem will be achieved and sustained.     

Penile gangrene due to calcific uremic arteriopathy

Calcific uremic arteriopathy (CUA) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism. It typically presents with ischemic necrosis involving areas of adiposity in the body mainly the trunk, buttocks, or proximal extremity. Patients can also present with digital ischemia and more rarely penile gangrene. The pathogenesis of CUA is not yet clear but several putative factors, mainly hyperparathyroidism and related metabolic abnormalities are implicated. A number of conditions can mimic CUA clinically and should be differentiated from it. We present in the current study, a patient who presented with progressive penile gangrene and skin necrosis due to CUA. We review the current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis/differential diagnosis, and management of this rare but potentially life-threatening complication of ESRD.