Browsing by Author "Addo-Osafo, K."
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Item A survey of pathogens associated with Cyperus esculentus L (tiger nuts) tubers sold in a Ghanaian city(2014-06-06) Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Duedu, K.O.; Obeng, A.S.; Addo-Osafo, K.; Mortu, S.; Asmah, R.H.Abstract Background Cyperus esculentus L, is a minor but important crop in Ghana. They are noted mostly by their aphrodisiac properties among others. The nuts are often eaten raw as an unprocessed snack due to its rich flavour and texture. Though eaten raw, the nuts are sometimes handled unhygienically, posing a public health threat. This study therefore aimed at determining the level and distribution of parasitic and bacterial contaminants associated with the crop as it is sold. Results Four types of intestinal parasites were identified, and the most prevalent was Cryptosporidium parvum (30.0%). Nuts contaminated with parasites were found only among street vendors. Bacteriological examination showed three different groups of bacterial isolates with the most prevalent being coliforms (54.2%). Unlike parasites, bacteria isolates were found among samples from both street vendors and market places. Multiple drug resistance was displayed by Proteus vulgaris. Conclusions Buying and eating nuts as well as other fruits taken raw from street vendors and market places could pose a significant public health threat. There is a need for efficient monitoring systems for food borne pathogens in Ghana.Item Cytological and Wet Mount Microscopic Observations Made in Urine of Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children: Hint of the Implication in Bladder Cancer(Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, 2019-09-02) Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Akuetteh, B.K.; Owusu, I.A.; Quayson, S.E; Attah, S.K.; Armah, R.; Afutu, E.; Afrah, A.; Addo-Osafo, K.; Smith, C.; Gyasi, R.K.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.Background. Schistosomiasis is the second major human parasitic disease next to malaria, in terms of socioeconomic and public health consequences, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) is a trematode and one of the species of Schistosoma that cause urogenital schistosomiasis (urinary schistosomiasis). Although the knowledge of this disease has improved over the years, there are still endemic areas, with most of the reported cases in Africa, including Ghana. Not much has been done in Ghana to investigate cytological abnormalities in individuals within endemic communities, although there are epidemiologic evidences linking S. haematobium infection with carcinoma of the bladder. Aim. +e aim of this study was to identify microscopic and cytological abnormalities in the urine deposits of S. haematobium-infected children. Methodology. +ree hundred and sixty-seven (367) urine samples were collected from school children in Zenu and Weija communities. All the samples were examined microscopically for the presence of S. haematobium eggs, after which the infected samples and controls were processed for cytological investigation. Results. S. haematobium ova were present in 66 (18.0%) out of the 367 urine samples. Inflammatory cells (82%, 54/66), hyperkeratosis (47%, 31/66), and squamous cell metaplasia (24%, 16/66) were the main observations made during the cytological examination of the S. haematobium-infected urine samples. Conclusion. Cytological abnormalities in S. haematobium-infected children may play an important role in the severity of the disease, leading to the possible development of bladder cancer in later years, if early attention is not given. +erefore, routine cytological screening for urogenital schistosomiasis patients (especially children) at hospitals in S. haematobium-endemic locations is recommended.Item Cytological and Wet Mount Microscopic Observations Made in Urine of Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children: Hint of the Implication in Bladder Cancer(Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, 2019-09-02) Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Akuetteh, B.K.; Owusu, i.A.; Quayson, S.E.; Attah, S.K.; Armah, R.; Afutu, E.; Afrah, A.; Addo-Osafo, K.; Smith, C.; Gyasi, R.K.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.Background. Schistosomiasis is the second major human parasitic disease next to malaria, in terms of socioeconomic and public health consequences, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) is a trematode and one of the species of Schistosoma that cause urogenital schistosomiasis (urinary schistosomiasis). Although the knowledge of this disease has improved over the years, there are still endemic areas, with most of the reported cases in Africa, including Ghana. Not much has been done in Ghana to investigate cytological abnormalities in individuals within endemic communities, although there are epidemiologic evidences linking S. haematobium infection with carcinoma of the bladder. Aim. +e aim of this study was to identify microscopic and cytological abnormalities in the urine deposits of S. haematobium-infected children. Methodology. +ree hundred and sixty-seven (367) urine samples were collected from school children in Zenu and Weija communities. All the samples were examined microscopically for the presence of S. haematobium eggs, after which the infected samples and controls were processed for cytological investigation. Results. S. haematobium ova were present in 66 (18.0%) out of the 367 urine samples. Inflammatory cells (82%, 54/66), hyperkeratosis (47%, 31/66), and squamous cell metaplasia (24%, 16/66) were the main observations made during the cytological examination of the S. haematobium-infected urine samples. Conclusion. Cytological abnormalities in S. haematobium-infected children may play an important role in the severity of the disease, leading to the possible development of bladder cancer in later years, if early attention is not given. +erefore, routine cytological screening for urogenital schistosomiasis patients (especially children) at hospitals in S. haematobium-endemic locations is recommended.Item Malaria, helminths and malnutrition: a cross-sectional survey of school children in the South-Tongu district of Ghana(2016-04-27) Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Addo-Osafo, K.; Attah, S.K.; Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Obeng-Nkrumah, N.; Awuah-Mensah, G.; Abbey, H.N.A.; Forson, A.; Cham, M.; Asare, L.; Duedu, K.O.; Asmah, R.H.Abstract Background As part of malaria characterization study in the South-Tongu district of Ghana, the current study was conducted to explore relationships between malaria, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths and malnutrition in riparian community settings that had hitherto encountered episodes of mass deworming exercises. Methods School-age children were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from April through July 2012. Stool and urine samples were examined respectively for helminths and Schistosoma haematobium. Blood samples were analyzed for malaria parasites and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, respectively. Anthropometric indices were measured. Relationships were determined using generalized linear models. Results The results show low numbers of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum (9.2 %, n = 37/404) and S. haematobium (2.5 %, n = 10/404) infections. The associations between significance terms in the multivariate analysis for P. falciparum infections were further assessed to test the significance of the product terms directly i.e., age in years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 3.1; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1–5.6], Hb concentration (AOR = 0.71; 95 % CI 0.42–2.3), and stunted malnutrition (AOR, 8.72; 95 % CI 4.8–25.1). The P. falciparum-associated decrease in mean Hb concentration was 2.82 g/dl (95 % CI 1.63–4.1 g/dl; P = 0.001) in stunted children, and 0.75 g/dl (95 % CI 1.59–0.085 g/dl; P = 0.076) in the non-stunted cohort. The anaemia-associated decrease in mean parasitaemia in stunted children was 3500 parasites/µl of blood (95 % CI 262.46–6737.54 parasites/µl of blood; P = 0.036), and in non-stunted children 2127 parasites/µl of blood (95 % CI −0.27 to 4.53; P = 0.085). Stunted malnutrition was the strongest predictor of S. haematobium infection (AOR = 11; 95 % CI 3.1–33.6) but significant associations as described for P. falciparum infections were absent. The population attributable risk of anaemia due to P. falciparum was 6.3 % (95 % CI 2.5–9.3), 0.9 % (95 % CI 0.4–2.3) for S. haematobium, and 12.5 % (95 % CI 9.11–19.52) for stunted malnutrition. Conclusion Plasmodium falciparum, S. haematobium, intestinal helminths and their co-infections were uncommon in our school-age children. Stunting exacerbated the extent to which malaria was associated with loss in Hb concentration.Item Malaria, helminths and malnutrition: A cross-sectional survey of school children in the South-Tongu district of Ghana(BioMed Central Ltd., 2016) Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Addo-Osafo, K.; Attah, S.K.; Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Obeng-Nkrumah, N.; Awuah-Mensah, G.; Abbey, H.N.A.; Forson, A.; Cham, M.; Asare, L.; Duedu, K.O.; Asmah, R.H.Background: As part of malaria characterization study in the South-Tongu district of Ghana, the current study was conducted to explore relationships between malaria, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths and malnutrition in riparian community settings that had hitherto encountered episodes of mass deworming exercises. Methods: School-age children were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from April through July 2012. Stool and urine samples were examined respectively for helminths and Schistosoma haematobium. Blood samples were analyzed for malaria parasites and haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, respectively. Anthropometric indices were measured. Relationships were determined using generalized linear models. Results: The results show low numbers of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum (9.2 %, n = 37/404) and S. haematobium (2.5 %, n = 10/404) infections. The associations between significance terms in the multivariate analysis for P. falciparum infections were further assessed to test the significance of the product terms directly i.e., age in years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 3.1; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1-5.6], Hb concentration (AOR = 0.71; 95 % CI 0.42-2.3), and stunted malnutrition (AOR, 8.72; 95 % CI 4.8-25.1). The P. falciparum-associated decrease in mean Hb concentration was 2.82 g/dl (95 % CI 1.63-4.1 g/dl; P = 0.001) in stunted children, and 0.75 g/dl (95 % CI 1.59-0.085 g/dl; P = 0.076) in the non-stunted cohort. The anaemia-associated decrease in mean parasitaemia in stunted children was 3500 parasites/μl of blood (95 % CI 262.46-6737.54 parasites/μl of blood; P = 0.036), and in non-stunted children 2127 parasites/μl of blood (95 % CI -0.27 to 4.53; P = 0.085). Stunted malnutrition was the strongest predictor of S. haematobium infection (AOR = 11; 95 % CI 3.1-33.6) but significant associations as described for P. falciparum infections were absent. The population attributable risk of anaemia due to P. falciparum was 6.3 % (95 % CI 2.5-9.3), 0.9 % (95 % CI 0.4-2.3) for S. haematobium, and 12.5 % (95 % CI 9.11-19.52) for stunted malnutrition. Conclusion: Plasmodium falciparum, S. haematobium, intestinal helminths and their co-infections were uncommon in our school-age children. Stunting exacerbated the extent to which malaria was associated with loss in Hb concentration.Item A survey of pathogens associated with Cyperus esculentus L (tiger nuts) tubers sold in a Ghanaian city(BMC Research Notes, 2014-06) Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Tetteh-Quarcoo, P.B.; Duedu, K.O.; Obeng, A.S.; Addo-Osafo, K.; Mortu, S.; Asmah, R.H.Background: Cyperus esculentus L, is a minor but important crop in Ghana. They are noted mostly by their aphrodisiac properties among others. The nuts are often eaten raw as an unprocessed snack due to its rich flavour and texture. Though eaten raw, the nuts are sometimes handled unhygienically, posing a public health threat. This study therefore aimed at determining the level and distribution of parasitic and bacterial contaminants associated with the crop as it is sold. Results: Four types of intestinal parasites were identified, and the most prevalent was Cryptosporidium parvum (30.0%). Nuts contaminated with parasites were found only among street vendors. Bacteriological examination showed three different groups of bacterial isolates with the most prevalent being coliforms (54.2%). Unlike parasites, bacteria isolates were found among samples from both street vendors and market places. Multiple drug resistance was displayed by Proteus vulgaris. Conclusions: Buying and eating nuts as well as other fruits taken raw from street vendors and market places could pose a significant public health threat. There is a need for efficient monitoring systems for food borne pathogens in Ghana. © 2014 Ayeh-Kumi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.