Typhoid or enteric fever is caused by Salmonella typhi. It is largely a disease of developing nations due to poor standard of hygiene and unavailability of potable water. The most prominent feature of the infection is fever which gradually rises to a high plateau. The prevalence of typhoid fever has been on the increase which is associated with several hematological parameters. This study was carried out to determine the changes in various hematological parameters in our study subjects. Four Hundred- (400) samples were obtained from volunteer subjects visiting the outpatient department of the Landmark University Medical Center. 200 typhoid positive samples were collected from subjects while 200 typhoid negative blood samples served as controls (From both male and female subjects each). Widal test was carried out as a confirmatory test for typhoid fever and evaluation of the hematological parameters were performed. The hematological parameters considered includes Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Blood Cell count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT), Lymphocyte (LYMP) their implications on both male and female typhoid fever patients were also determined. The result showed a significant reduction in the values for PCV, WBC, ESR and HAE concentration in typhoid positive males in comparison to typhoid negative males. In females, a significant decrease was observed in values for PCV, ESR, HAE concentration and PLT in typhoid positive females when compared to typhoid negative females. These parameters when compared showed a significant decrease recorded in PCV, ESR and HAE concentration of the typhoid positive male patients in comparison to typhoid positive female patients. This study implies that anemia, bone marrow suppression and hemaphagocytosis are likely resulting factors of typhoid fever due to the changes in the hematological parameters. Therefore, these parameters have to be further studied to allow for efficient management of this illness.

Glucose intolerance is observed more in patients with HCV infection compared with control subjects with liver disease, Initial studies suggested that Hepatitis C virus infection may be an additional risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus. This study was therefore carried out to determine the correlation of HCV infection and diabetes.

Enteric fever is an invasive bacterial infection mostly caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, which is a common agent of enteric fever. This illness has been a major public health issue, as it affects a large number of individuals globally. The box-plot analytic method is involved in exploratory data analysis using statistical techniques to identify patterns that may be hidden in a group of numbers used to visually summarize and compare groups of data. We evaluted the effect of enteric fever on various haematologic parameters using the box-plot distribution model. Samples were obtained from 400 volunteer patients as well as healthy subjects (controls). Assay for typhoid fever was carried out using obtained serum samples to detect specific O and H antigens. Antibody titres of 1:80 and higher for anti-TO and 1:160 and higher for anti-TH antibodies were taken as cutoff values to indicate recent infection of typhoid fever. The haematologic parameters were evaluated using an automated haematology analyser. A statistically significant decrease was observed in packed cell volume, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and haemoglobin concentration, while a statistically insignificant difference was observed in the neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes seen in the box-plot distribution analysis. Typhoid fever causes significant haematologic changes which could be helpful in diagnosis. The box-and-whisker plots compared the distributions of the haematologic parameters, spread and overall ranges. Awareness of these parameters could be useful in providing accurate diagnosis and therapy, particularly in underresourced endemic regions in developing countries.

Hepatitis B Virus Sero-Prevalence among Pregnant Females in Northern Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two major public health problems associated with increasing complications and mortality rates worldwide. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in diabetic patients and to investigate the influence of several epidemiological and clinical factors on HCV infection. Method: A total number of one hundred and eighty diabetic patients were recruited for this study. Consented subjects made up of 71(39.4%) males and 109(60.56%) females were recruited for the study. While one-Hundred (100) Non-Diabetics (Controls) were also recruited for the study. Structured questionnaires were administered to the consented participants to obtain relevant data. Sera samples were assayed for antibodies to HCV using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [Inteco Diagnostic Limited]. ELISA technique. Result: Overall prevalence of HCV infection among diabetes patients assayed was 13.3% out of which 8(11.3%) was obtained from the male subjects compared to 16 (14.7%) seropositivity recorded among the females (P = 0.511; P > 0.05). Considering age distribution, Subjects aged 41–50 years recorded, 9 (22.5%) positivity (P = 0.238; P > 0.05).Considering educational status of subjects screened, 22 (14.9%) positivity was rescored among subjects who have attained tertiary status of education.(P = 0.574;P > 0.05).Risk factors considered showed that, 7 (18.9%) seropositive subject were alcoholic consumers(P value = 0.2621;P > 0.05) while 5 (8.9%) recorded history of sharing sharp objects P = 0.2427;P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our study shows a slightly higher prevalence of hepatitis C infection in type 2 diabetics. This call for urgent routine screening exercise among diabetic patients for HCV infection. This study also emphasizes the need for public enlightenment on the association between HCV infection and T2DM, to avert possible complications among diabetic patients.

The nutrients requirement for Cucurbita pepo L. (summer squash) for optimal yield and quality fruits production can be achieved through adequate nutrient supply. A field experiment was carried out during the cropping season of 2015 and 2016 at Landmark University Teaching and Research Farm, Omu-Aran, Nigeria to investigate the impact of Tithonia diversifolia, poultry manure and NPK fertilizer on the growth, yield, mineral and vitamin C content in the fruit of C. pepo. The experiment consisted of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1, poultry manure at 10 tons ha−1, T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + Poultry manure 10 tons ha−1, T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + NPK (20:10:10), NPK (20:10:10) and control (no amendment of any kind) arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The growth and fruit yield of C. pepo using the mean of the two years was increased by 68% and 2% respectively by T. diversifolia + poultry manure as compared to control due to an increase in nutrient availability in the soil with the amendment used. Also, Vitamin C content and Mg value of the fruit was increased by application of T. diversifolia as soil amendments as compared to the control. While the application of NPK fertilizer alone significantly increased the Ca, Mn and Fe contents of fruits. Fruit content of K was increased by 39 % by the application of T. diversifolia + NPK. Therefore, for the purpose of growing squash for the quality of fruits (vitamin C), the use of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 as organic fertilizer is sufficient for the cultivation, while for growing the crop with interest in quantity, application of T. diversifolia at 30 tons ha−1 + poultry manure at 10 tons ha−1 is recommended.