Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Gonorrhoea, Trichomoniasis, Candidiasis, Syphilis) and HIV Infection among Young Adults in Oyo, Nigeria
0.0. Ogunribeju, 0. Fabode
School of Health Technology, Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
STD Clinic, State Hospital Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Samples were collected from a total of 50 patients (male and female) attending the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Oyo town, Oyo State of Nigeria. The samples were processed in the medical laboratory of the State Hospital Oyo.
Ten healthy individuals (male and female) without clinical symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases were also examined as control group.
The results showed a high incidence of candidiasis (32%), trichomoniasis (20 %), syphilis (20 %), gonorrhoea (16 %) and HIV (12%). The incidence rate of STD was higher in the sexually active individuals and was age and sex dependent. Infection was also higher among non-condom users than in condom users. These high rates of infection may be due to indiscriminatc sexual habits, abuse of drugs, social and economic factors. Complications resulting from infections may sometimes leave a long-lasting "scar" such as infertility, abortion and social problems, for example, divorce.
Single-Cell Gel Electrophoresis Assay on Bats (chiroptera) Residing in an abandoned Monazite Mine
K.A. Meehan, EJ. Truter
Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Technikon, South Africa
Abstract
lonising radiation has the ability to induce DNA damage. While the effects of high doses of radiation of short duration have been well documented, the biological effects of long-term exposure to low doses is poorly understood. This study evaluated the clastogenic effects of low dose ionising radiation on a population of bats (Chiroptera) residing in an abandoned monazite mine. Bats were sampled from two areas in the mine, with external radiation levels measuring around 20µSv/hr (low dose) and 100µSv/hr (higher dose). A control group of bats was sampled from a cave with no detectable radiation above normal background levels. The single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was used as a means of evaluating clastogenecity of exposure to radiation at the level of individual cells. Bats exposed to radiation demonstrated increased DNA damage as shown by the length of the comet tails. The results of the comet assays indicated not only a statistically significant difference between test and control groups, but also a dose dependent increase in DNA damage. This assay may thus be useful in evaluating the potential clastogenecity of exposure to continuous low doses of ionising radiation.
An Analysis of Non-Conformances after Three Years of Medical Laboratory Accreditation in SA
W. van Rijswijk, S. Peters, G. Dhatt
PathCare Group of Companies
SANAS
Institute of Pathology, NHLS
Abstract
An overview of the development of the accreditation of medical laboratories in South Africa with all the role players is given. A discussing of the various non-conformances found during the initial process, as well as the current non-conformances follows this.
Serum Ascorbate, Cholesterol and Total Protein Levels in Newly Diagnosed Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) among Nigerians
O.O
Oguntibeju, M.A. Fafunso
School of Health Technology, Technikon Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Serum ascorbate, cholesterol, total protein levels were estimated in newly diagnosed non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) attending the diabetic clinic of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria.
Twenty-five newly diagnosed non-insulin dependent diabetic patients as well as twenty-five non-diabetic control subjects were studied. They were between 24 and 73 years of age and were age and sex-matched. The findings were compared with those of control subjects. Plasma ascorbate concentrations were found to be significantly lower (P<0,005) in NIDDM patients than in healthy subjects. Cholesterol level was significantly higher (P<0,005) in the diabetic than in the control subjects while there was no difference (P>0,005) in protein level. There was also a significant (P<0,005) effect of fruit consumption on plasma ascorbate levels. Urinary ascorbate was significantly higher (P<0,005) in the non-diabetic subjects than in the diabetic patients.