PATTERN OF RENAL DISEASES AMONG CHILDREN ATTENDING PAEDIATRIC NEPHROLOGY CLINIC, FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE

Introduction

Children present with a spectrum of renal diseases depending on age, sex, and geographic location among other factors. With the absence of a paediatric renal registry in Nigeria, this will provide part of the regional data necessary for the Nigerian renal registry.

Methodology

A retrospective study where cases of renal diseases that presented in a nephrology clinic over a 2-year period were retrieved from the nurses' and doctors' records and analysed.

Results

A total of 147 children were reviewed, male and female were 101 and 46 respectively with M: F being 2.2: 1. Mean age was 9.59 ± 4.58 years, age distribution were <5 years (23.0; 15.6%), 5-9 years (52; 35.4%) and ≥ 10 years (72.0; 49.0%). The majority (77.0; 52.4%) had low socioeconomic status. Majority (145; 98.6%) were acquired renal diseases while ectopic kidney (2.0; 1.4%) was the only CAKUT. Acute glomerulonephritis (49; 33.3%), urinary tract infections (37; 25.2%) and nephrotic syndrome (30.0; 20.4%) were the major acquired renal diseases. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were seen in 9 (6.1%) and 13 (8.8%) respectively. Urolithiasis, sickle cell nephropathy, and primary enuresis were seen in 5(3.4%) and 1 (0.7%) respectively. The mean age of children with CAKUT and acquired renal diseases were13.00 ±1.41 and 9.54±4.59 years (P=0.290) while that of AKI and CKD were 10.89±5.21 and 14.15±3.24 years respectively (P= 0.084).

Conclusion

Childhood renal diseases increase with age and are more common among adolescents, especially the chronic forms. Regular screening and aggressive treatment are recommended in adolescents.

Personality traits, rank attainment, and siring success throughout the lives of male chimpanzees of Gombe National Park

Personality traits in many taxa correlate with fitness. Several models have been developed to try to explain how variation in these traits is maintained. One model proposes that variation persists because it is linked to trade-offs between current and future adaptive benefits. Tests of this model's predictions, however, are scant in long-lived species. To test this model, we studied male chimpanzees living in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We operationalized six personality traits using ratings on 19 items. We used 37 years of behavioral and genetic data to assemble (1) daily rank scores generated from submissive vocalizations and (2) records of male siring success. We tested whether the association between two personality traits, Dominance and Conscientiousness, and either rank or reproductive success, varied over the life course. Higher Dominance and lower Conscientiousness were associated with higher rank, but the size and direction of these relationships did not vary over the life course. In addition, independent of rank at the time of siring, higher Dominance and lower Conscientiousness were related to higher siring success. Again, the size and direction of these relationships did not vary over the life course. The trade-off model, therefore, may not hold in long-lived and/or slowly reproducing species. These findings also demonstrate that ratings are a valid way to measure animal personality; they are related to rank and reproductive success. These traits could therefore be used to test alternative models, including one that posits that personality variation is maintained by environmental heterogeneity, in studies of multiple chimpanzee communities.

Antimicrobial Resistance Creates Threat to Chimpanzee Health and Conservation in the Wild

Infectious disease is recognized as the greatest threat to the endangered chimpanzees made famous by the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jane Goodall at Gombe National Park (GNP), Tanzania. The permeable boundary of this small protected area allows for regular wildlife–human and wildlife–domestic animal overlap, which may facilitate cross-species transmission of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. Few studies have examined the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in wild ape populations. We used molecular techniques to investigate the presence of genes conferring resistance to sulfonamides (often used to treat diarrheal illness in human settings in this region) and tetracycline (used in the past—though much less so now) in fecal specimens from humans, domestic animals, chimpanzees, and baboons in and around GNP. We also tested stream water used by these groups. Sulfonamide resistance was common in humans (74%), non-human primates (43%), and domestic animals (17%). Tetracycline resistance was less common in all groups: humans (14%), non-human primates (3%), and domestic animals (6%). Sul resistance genes were detected from 4/22 (18%) of streams sampled. Differences in sul gene frequencies did not vary by location in humans nor in chimpanzees.

Applying the WHO ICD-PM classification system to stillbirths in a major referral Centre in Northeast Nigeria: a retrospective analysis from 2010-2018

Background

Lack of a unified and comparable classification system to unravel the underlying causes of stillbirth hampers the development and implementation of targeted interventions to reduce the unacceptably high stillbirth rates (SBR) in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aim was to track the SBR and the predominant maternal and fetal causes of stillbirths using the WHO ICD-PM Classification system.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study in a major referral centre in northeast Nigeria between 2010 and 2018. Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists assigned causes of stillbirths after an extensive audit of available stillbirths’ records. Cause of death was assigned via consensus using the ICD-PM classification system.

Results

There were 21,462 births between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018 in our study setting; of these, 1177 culminated in stillbirths with a total hospital SBR of 55 per 1000 births (95% CI: 52, 58). There were two peaks of stillbirths in 2012 [62 per 1000 births (95% CI: 53, 71)], and 2015 [65 per 1000 births (95% CI, 55, 76)]. Antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths were almost equally prevalent (48% vs 52%). Maternal medical and surgical conditions (M4) were the commonest (69.3%) cause of antepartum stillbirths while complications of placenta, cord and membranes (M3) accounted for the majority (45.8%) of intrapartum stillbirths and the trends were similar between 2010 and 2018. Antepartum and intrapartum fetal causes of stillbirths were mainly due to prematurity which is a disorder of fetal growth (A5 and I6).

Conclusions

Most causes of stillbirths in our setting are due to preventable causes and the trends have remained unabated between 2010 and 2018. Progress toward global SBR targets are off-track, requiring more interventions to halt and reduce the high SBR.

Coprological detection of equine nematodes among slaughtered donkeys (Equus asinus) in Kaltungo, Nigeria

Aim:

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of nematode infection among slaughtered donkeys in Kaltungo, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 72 fecal samples were examined by salt flotation and the modified McMaster fecal egg count technique to morphologically identify nematodes eggs and determine their egg per gram (EPG) outputs.

Results:

Out of a total of 72 (100%) donkeys sampled, 36 (50%) tested positive, but the prevalence of nematodes was independent of the age, sex, and breed of donkeys (p>0.05). Among the four species of nematodes identified in single and mixed infections, Strongylus spp. (27.8%) and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (13.9%) were the most prevalent followed by Strongyloides westeri (5.6%) and Trichonema spp. (5.6%). Infected donkeys had moderate overall mean EPG (801.39±611.3) with no statistical differences between age groups and sexes (p>0.05), but means of EPG were significantly higher (p<0.05) in Duni (1026.92±719.55) than Idabari (673.91±514.75). Light EPG count was recorded among 63.9% of infected donkeys, while 16.7% and 19.4% had moderate and severe infections, respectively.

Conclusion:

The prevalence and importance of equine nematodes were discussed in connection to their epidemiology and control. Furthermore, the preponderance of light infection may suggest that donkeys in this environment developed resistance to nematode infection and are potential reservoirs for other equines.

Delineation of aquifer potential zones using hydraulic parameters in Gombe and environs, North-Eastern, Nigeria

This research is aimed at delineating the groundwater potential zones in Gombe and environs using Dar Zarrouk parameters. The study area is located within longitudes 11°7′0″E to 11°14′0″E, and latitudes 10°15′0″N to 10°21′0″N, it is basically underlain by basement Complex rocks represented by Diorite and Granites, and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks represented by Bima, Yolde, Fika and Gombe Formations. Thirty two (32) vertical electric soundings (VES) using Schlumberger array method with the aid of ABEM Signal Averaging System (SAS) Terrameter was used for the data acquisition. The result of the interpretation shows four to six geo-electric layers. The geo-electric section revealed the major aquifers to be confined and semi confined and consist of Medium grain sandstones, with varying thicknesses. The aquifer hydraulic characteristics indicated that the transverse resistance, ranges from 235.2Ωm² to 6317.87Ωm² with an average value of 1789.50Ωm². The Longitudinal conductance, S, ranges from 0.1415Ωm to 31.933Ωm with an average of 2.002Ωm. The Hydraulic conductivity value range from 2.62m/day to 138.66 m/day with a mean value of 20.662 m/day. The transmissivity values obtained for the various layers range from 78.34 m²/day to 13284.02m²/day, with the average value been 893.57 m²/day. Four groundwater potential zones were delineated including medium grain sandstones, Sandstones, clayey sand and shaly sand.

Are roadside petrol dispensers at risk of oxidative stress? a study from gombe, North East Nigeria

Background

Gasoline is one of the most frequently utilized chemicals whose use is on the increase. Exposure to the volatile constituents of gasoline generates free radicals leading to oxidative stress. This is associated with nucleic acid, lipids, and protein damages leading to chronic diseases including cancers. Occupational exposure to this product is of public health concern, especially in the developing countries where the awareness and enforcement of safety measures are not adequate.

Materials and Methods

Plasma level of total antioxidant status (TAS) was compared between 90 roadside dispensers of gasoline and 90 age- and sex-matched controls. TAS was measured using standard colorimetric method.

Results

The mean age of the exposed and control groups is 29.03 ± 3.7 and 29.24 ± 3.5 years, respectively. The mean plasma TAS level of the exposed (0.60 ± 0.33 mmol/L) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of the controls (1.29 ± 0.25 mmol/L).

Conclusion

Our data have demonstrated higher level of oxidative stress in roadside dispensers of gasoline compared to the controls. This is an indication that roadside gasoline dispensers are probably at greater risk of developing chronic diseases associated with increased oxidative stress. Antioxidant supplementation may be of benefit to the roadside gasoline dispensers. Legislation on roadside gasoline dispensing should be enforced to reduce the incidence of long-term complications from repeated exposures.

Retrospective study of bovine tuberculosis in Gombe Township Abattoir, Northeastern Nigeria

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are 8 million new cases and 3 million deaths in humans due to the disease each year. A retrospective abattoir study of bovine tuberculosis in Gombe Township Abattoir in Northeastern Nigeria was carried out from 2008 to 2015 using the abattoir records. Out of 154,562 slaughtered heads of cattle examined at postmortem, 1202(0.78%) had typical tuberculous lesions and overall total prevalence rate of 0.78%. The annual prevalence was significantly higher in 2015(1.04%) with the lowest records in 2011(0.34%). The annual prevalence rate showed intermittent increase in levels above the expected prevalence and there was a statistically significant difference in the relative annual prevalence rate of the disease in the abattoir. The distribution and occurrence of the disease in rainy season were higher than that in the dry season. The disease also appeared to be more prevalent in the rainy season 792(65.90%) compared with the dry season 410(34.10%) and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 15.45, p < 0.05). It was concluded that bovine TB is prevalent in Northeastern Nigeria, with indications of epidemics status in Gombe state.

Head and neck malignant tumours in gombe, northeast Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Head and neck cancer is the 10(th) most common cancer in the world constituting 5-8% of total cancer burden in Europe and America. However, it is difficult to appreciate the burden in Nigeria because of inadequate data. This retrospective study analysed the clinicopathological variables of head and neck malignancies seen over a 10-year period at a northeastern Nigerian referral centre.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The demographics and clinical findings of the patients were obtained from the case files while histology reports were retrieved from the histopathology department of the hospital. Malignancies involving the eye, brain and thyroid were excluded.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety five cases of head and neck malignancies were recorded over the ten year study period. The mean age of the patients was 38.3years (+20 SD) while a male: female ratio of 1.3:1 was recorded for all cases. The neck was the most frequent site of tumours, accounting for 57(29%) cases. While epithelial malignancies were 56.9% of all cases, lymphomas constituted 21.5%, sarcomas constituted 10.3% and others malignancies accounted for 11.3%. There was no sex predilection for carcinomas (1:1), but there were slightly more lymphomas 26(23%) in males than 16(19%) in females. Carcinomas were more prevalent in those above 51years of age; sarcomas were most common within the 21-30year age group while 42.8% of cases of lymphoma were in the 2(nd) and 3(rd) decades of life.

CONCLUSION

While malignant head and neck tumours showed no sex predilection, carcinomas remained the most frequent head and neck malignancies in this study.