Frederick Olusegun Akinbo

Background: In low-and middle-income countries, high burden of cervical cancer is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) due to poor screening and diagnostic methods at early stage. Reports showed that there are discrepancies in data correlating HPV-infection with development of cervical cancer while the functional roles of P53 oncogenic mutation are controversial. Furthermore, the molecular pathogenesis of multiple HPV-genotypes remains an open question. Thus, advancing investigations on HPV-associated cervical abnormalities would add to early diagnostic precision. Methods: Two hundred (n=200) cervical samples were collected from apparently healthy, active adult women following an ethical approval. Laboratory analyses were conducted through cytological assessment and histochemistry screening using the Papanicolaou smear. PCR methods were used to characterize HPV-DNA genotypes and P53 gene mutations. Positive cervical dysplasia cases were matched with HPV-DNA, and the HPV-genotypes were used to evaluate the prevalence of various HPV-subtypes and the risk of cervical cancer. Results: Twenty-six (n=26) cervical dysplasia and fifty-one (n=51) HPV+ were identified comprising single and multiple genotypes. While nine cases (n=9) showed p53 gene mutation with concurrent multiple high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes, none of the single hrHPV genotypes had p53 mutation. More so, individuals with coexisting p53 mutation and multiple hrHPV-genotypes already manifesting cervical dysplasia were 22.2% of the group, while 77.8% had normal cervical architecture, the fate of whom was unknown during investigation. There was a higher cervical dysplasia among those with HPV oncogenes; there were connections between the HPV positivity with some genotypes (hrHPV16,18,31 and 33, respectively) and p53 mutation. Conclusion: P53 gene mutation was independent of HPV-associated cervical abnormalities in single hrHPV-genotype, though other mechanistic drivers attributed to p53 dysfunction by E6 and E7 remain plausible. On the other hand, infection with multiple hrHPVs showed a concomitant predominance with the P53 mutation, implying a potential interplay and an increased risk of cervical cancer.

Co-infection of Parvovirus B19 and Plasmodium falciparum among Sickle Cell Disease patients in Benin City, Nigeria

Trichomonas vaginalis infection among adolescent girls in some secondary schools in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria

Molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi has led to better understanding of microsporidiosis transmission in humans. This study aimed to detect and genotype E. bieneusi in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. Stool specimens were collected from 463 HIV-infected patients and analyzed for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer. E. bieneusi was detected in 77 HIV patients. CD4 cell counts < 200 cells/μL was associated with E. bieneusi infection (P = 0.09). E. bieneusi was significantly associated with weight loss (P < 0.0001), diarrhea (P = 0.006), fever (P < 0.0001), not being married (P < 0.0001), and flush type of toilet (P = 0.0007). Six known genotypes of D, A, IV, CAF2, EbpA, and Peru 8 in 31, 22, 14, 2, 1, and 1 patients, respectively, five novel genotypes of E. bieneusi, and one infection with mixed genotypes were observed in this study. Three of the novel genotypes were genetically distant to the genotypes commonly found in humans.

Plasmodium falciparum infection is endemic in most tropical countries and will definitely infect Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients living in this region at one time or the other during the course of their infection. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malaria infection in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 285 (84 males and 201 females) adults attending the hospital were enrolled in this study between July 2010 and June 2011. Blood specimens were collected from each participant and processed for CD4 counts, P. falciparum detection and hemoglobin concentration using standard procedures. The software INSTAT (GraphPad Software Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA) was used for all statistical analyses. A total of 6 (2.11%) out of 285 HIV infected patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment had malaria and anemia. CD4 count < 200 cells/microl was significantly associated with P. falciparum infection with odd ratio estimate of 11.61 (95% CI: 2.06, 65.48; P < 0.004). Anemia was significantly associated with asymptomatic malaria infection among HIV patients on HAART with an odd ratio of 16.47 (95%: CI: 0.919, 295.5; P = 0.021). The study reveals a low prevalence of asymptomatic malaria among HIV patients on HAART. Measures to reduce malaria infection and anemia among HIV patients on HAART are advocated.

Introduction: Human co-infection with Plasmodium falciparum and helminthes is ubiquitous throughout Africa. This study aimed to determine the co-infections of Plasmodium falciparum infection in HIV and intestinal parasitic infections, and their immunological distribution, in Benin City, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 2,000 stool specimens from HIV-positive patients and 500 controls (HIV-negative individuals) were examined for ova, cysts, or parasites using standard procedures. In addition, patients' blood samples were analyzed for CD4 counts by flow cytometry and examined for Plasmodium falciparum by microscopy. Results: The prevalence of single parasitic infection among HIV patients was 18.1% in males and 16.9% among females with no significant difference (p = 0.536) while gender was a risk factor in multiple parasitic infections (male versus female: 4.2% and 1.8% OR = 2.384; 95% CI = 1.371, 4.147) (p = 0.0025). Increasing age was not associated with increased risk of both single and multiple parasitic infections (p = 0.083; p = 0.248). CD4 + T cell count less than 200 cells/µl was a risk factor for acquiring single and multiple parasitic infections among HIV patients (OR = 5.565; 95% CI = 4.136, 7.486; p = 0.0001; OR = 4.283; 95% CI = 2.424, 7.566; p = 0.0001). The most common co-infection observed was between Plasmodium falciparum and Ascaris lumbricoides 43% (10) among HIV patients. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of co-infections between Plasmodium falciparum and intestinal parasites. Diagnosis of parasitic infections among HIV patients is advocated as this will enhance better management of HIV-infected patients.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to CD4 counts and anaemia among HIV-infected patients in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, and the effect of CD4(+) T cell counts and demographics on its prevalence among HIV-positive patients in Benin City, Nigeria. Urine and blood samples were collected from 2000 HIV-positive subjects. A wet preparation of the urine deposit was examined microscopically to identify ova of Schistosoma haematobium. The blood specimens were analyzed using the flow cytometry for CD4 (+) T-lymphocyte count. An overall prevalence rate of 0.3% was reported. Gender and CD4 count <200 cells/µL did not affect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, while HIV patients that were single had significantly higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis (p=0.002). The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among HIV patients in Benin City is low. CD4(+) count did not affect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV patients in Benin City, Nigeria