Characterisation of the bacterial isolates from transmissible venereal tumour lesions of dogs and their antibiogram resistance in Nsukka area,Southeastern Nigeria

Bacterial isolates and their antibiogram resistance were studied using swab samples collected from transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) lesions within the vagina (ten dogs) and the vaginal mucosa of another ten healthy dogs. The samples were inoculated into the blood and on nutrient agar plates, incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37 °C and examined with hand lens. The characteristic appearance of different colonies, size, shape, arrangement, colour, pattern of growth, spreading or not and consistency were noted. Also, areas of haemolysis (α and β) were recorded. The cultures were then subjected to the Gram stain reaction. Based on the colonial characteristics, Gram stain and microscopic morphologies, organism suspected to be of significance were sub-cultured on nutrient agar and incubated aerobically for 24 h at 37 °C, after which the bottles were stored at 4 °C for subsequent use. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of the organisms were determined using the disc diffusion method. Staphylococcus spp. (44.4 %) and Escherichia spp. (66.6 %) were isolates from TVT lesions. Staphylococcus spp. (28.6 %), Proteus spp. (14.3 %), Enterobacter spp. (14.4 %), Escherichia spp. (28.6 %) and unidentified coliform spp. (14.3 %) were isolated from the normal dogs. Escherichia coli isolates were 100 % resistant to rifampicin and 20 % resistance to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. Staphylococcal isolates from the TVT dogs were resistant to the tested drugs except gentamycin (25 %) and ofloxacin (25 %). It is concluded that TVT lesions do not encourage bacterial growth. High multi-drug resistant organisms were found in both normal and TVT dogs.     

Improving work-life balance among administrative officers in Catholic primary schools: Assessing the effect of a Christian religious rational emotive behavior therapy

Objective:Work-life balance (WLB) is an essential precursor of workers’ mental health. The theory of rational emotive behaviour therapy proposes that an imbalance in work and family life may result from people''s dysfunctional perceptions of their work and other aspects of their personal life. Also, the constructive philosophies of rational emotive behavior therapy are said to be congruent with most religious belief systems of Christian clients. Therefore, our research examined the efficacy of Christian religious rational emotive behaviour therapy (CRREBT) on WLB among administrative officers in Catholic primary schools.Methods:This is a group randomized trial involving 162 administrative officers from Catholic primary schools in Southeast Nigeria. The treatment process involved an 8-session CRREBT programme.Results:The scores for WLB of the administrative officers enrolled in the CRREBT programme were significantly improved compared to those in the control group at the end of the study. At the follow-up phase, the CRREBT programme proved to be effective over a 3-month period.Conclusion:CRREBT is an effective therapeutic strategy for managing WLB among Catholic school administrative officers.     

A New Nonpolar N-Hydroxy Imidazoline Lead Compound with Improved Activity in a Murine Model of Late-Stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection Is Not Cross-Resistant with Diamidines

Treatment of late-stage sleeping sickness requires drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the parasites located in the brain. We report here the synthesis and evaluation of four new N-hydroxy and 12 new N-alkoxy derivatives of bisimidazoline leads as potential agents for the treatment of late-stage sleeping sickness. These compounds, which have reduced basicity compared to the parent leads (i.e., are less ionized at physiological pH), were evaluated in vitro against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and in vivo in murine models of first- and second-stage sleeping sickness. Resistance profile, physicochemical parameters, in vitro BBB permeability, and microsomal stability also were determined. The N-hydroxy imidazoline analogues were the most effective in vivo, with 4-((1-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)amino)-N-(4-((1-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)amino)phenyl)benzamide (14d) showing 100% cures in the first-stage disease, while 15d, 16d, and 17d appeared to slightly improve survival. In addition, 14d showed weak activity in the chronic model of central nervous system infection in mice. No evidence of reduction of this compound with hepatic microsomes and mitochondria was found in vitro, suggesting that N-hydroxy imidazolines are metabolically stable and have intrinsic activity against T. brucei. In contrast to its unsubstituted parent compound, the uptake of 14d in T. brucei was independent of known drug transporters (i.e., T. brucei AT1/P2 and HAPT), indicating a lower predisposition to cross-resistance with other diamidines and arsenical drugs. Hence, the N-hydroxy bisimidazolines (14d in particular) represent a new class of promising antitrypanosomal agents.     

An assessment of the eye care workforce in Enugu State, south-eastern Nigeria

Background  

The availability and distribution of an appropriate eye care workforce are fundamental to reaching the goals of "VISION 2020: The right to sight", the global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness launched jointly by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness with an international membership of nongovernmental organizations, professional associations, eye care institutions and corporations. Periodic evaluation of these parameters is important in the journey towards achieving these goals. The objectives of the study were to determine the availability and distribution of human resources for eye care delivery in Enugu Urban, south-eastern Nigeria.     

The use of the radial recurrent fasciocutaneous flap in interposition arthroplasty of elbow ankylosis case report and review of literature

Elbow ankylosis and its management remain a challenge in the developing countries like Nigeria because of many factors, including the absence of elbow replacement surgery. Current operative management, which is interposition arthroplasty with fascia lata or arthrodesis in a more functional position, is commonly complicated with donor site morbidity and restricted functionality, respectively. We report the use of the regional radial recurrent fasciocutaneous flap of the arm as an interposition material for an ankylosed elbow after excision of the bone block, with no donor site morbidity and improved range of elbow motion. At 4 years postoperatively, patient is very satisfied with functionality. Additionally, this method of managing elbow ankylosis uses a vascularized and durable flap, is cheap, and has less operation time, and thus is highly recommended.     

Lipid profile in HIV/AIDS patients in Nigeria

Introduction

Alterations of serum lipid profiles have been reported widely among Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients on Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART). However, there are few data on serum lipid profile among treatment naïve HIV positive patients in our environment.

Objectives

To describe the pattern of lipid profile among treatment naïve HIV positive patients and changes following HAART initiation.

Methods

One hundred and thirty HIV positive patients seen in HIV center in an urban area in Nigeria and 44 matched individuals were recruited. Data were collected on socio demographic characters, baseline lipid profiles and CD4 count. Values of lipid parameters were retrieved after 12 months on HAART.

Results

The mean Low density lipoprotein(LDL) was 2.26+ 0.9 mmol/l among the test group compared with 0.96+0.39mmol/L among the control, p value=0.000. The mean High density lipoprotein (HDL) was also significantly lower, 0.8+0.6mmol/L reaching a dyslipidemic level, in the HIV positive group than the control, p value = 0.00. Tuberculosis/HIV co infected patients had a significantly elevated mean LDL, p=0.002.

Conclusion

Abnormality of serum lipid is common among treatment naïve HIV patients seen in Nigeria. The NNRTI regimen is associated with elevation of HDL and some stabilization of TC and TG.     

Traditional eye medicine use by newly presenting ophthalmic patients to a teaching hospital in south-eastern Nigeria: socio-demographic and clinical correlates

Background  

This study set out to determine the incidence, socio-demographic, and clinical correlates of Traditional Eye Medicine (TEM) use in a population of newly presenting ophthalmic outpatients attending a tertiary eye care centre in south-eastern Nigeria.     

Social support as a correlate of depression among people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria

BackgroundDepression is a highly prevalent mental disorder among PLHIV, whilst social support is important in disease prevention, health promotion, therapeutic measure especially for PLHIV.ObjectivesTo ascertain the different types and sources of social support and their association with depression among PLHIV in Nigeria.Materials and MethodsThe study was a correlation with 2515 PLHIV in three teaching hospitals in South-Eastern Nigeria. Data were collected between January to June, 2019 through interviews, using socio-demographic and Clinical Form and a Social Support Scale for PLHIV. SPSS-20 used for data analysis.ResultsIt was shown that average scores of instrumental and emotional social supports (IESS) were satisfactory and not influenced by sex (p = 0.894; p = 0.496), education (p = 0.805; p = 0.182), marital status (p = 0.076; p = 0.446) and length of antiretroviral therapy (p = 0.510; p = 0.136). People diagnosed for less than three years had more instrumental support (p = 0.05) than those diagnosed over three years. The regression score also revealed a high predictive power of IESS on depression of PLHIV.ConclusionPLHIV have satisfactory social support, especially from family not residing in the same household and emotional social support from friends. Analyses identified knowledge gaps in the community regarding the social support received by PLHIV and their depression symptoms.