Diabetes is a disease that has significant financial consequences in the patients and can also be... more Diabetes is a disease that has significant financial consequences in the patients and can also be lethal. There are two types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The former is more prevalent among children, whereas the latter is more prevalent among adults. Diabetes is known to cause severe complications, resulting in misery and premature death. Fortunately, interventions and treatment options are available.
Background Food allergies are adverse reactions to a specific food antigen which is mediated by i... more Background Food allergies are adverse reactions to a specific food antigen which is mediated by immunological mechanisms and are fast rising to become a significant public health concern. Around 1% of the world's adult population suffers from food allergies. The prevalence of food allergies which can be life-threatening is commonly estimated to affect 3–5% of the adult population in North America. Objectives The purpose of this study is to review published food allergy knowledge and training amongst food service workers and identify the policies in place concerning food allergies globally. Methodology Documented food service workers' knowledge and training about food allergies published between September 2006 and February 2021 were comprehensively reviewed. A widespread literature search was carried out using subject headings, search terms, and keywords. Results were examined in groups to explore patterns through research. Results A total of 18 relevant studies that analyzed the food allergies knowledge and training of food service workers were reviewed. Eight studies (44%) were performed in the USA, followed by two studies (11%) in the UK, and one study each (5%) for New Zealand, Turkey, Malaysia, France, Western Romania, Germany, Brazil, and Canada. In the studies, respondents were asked a series of questions to assess their level of knowledge and the types of training relating to food allergies they received. Conclusions This study identified the gaps in policy, as well as knowledge and training among food service workers, to manage food allergies safely, thus emphasizing the importance and need for food allergy training.
Monkeypox (mpox), is a disease from the Poxviridae family that can cause several serious medical ... more Monkeypox (mpox), is a disease from the Poxviridae family that can cause several serious medical issues. This mini-review sought to analyze the existing literature regarding the current mpox outbreak with a focus on the prevalence, diagnostics, and containment measures. Mpox cases have been reported to World Health Organization (WHO) from 85 Member States in all six WHO regions during the period of January 1, 2022, through August 3, 2022. Standardized or optimized guidelines for the clinical care of patients with mpox are limited, particularly in low-resource settings. In an effort to achieve guidance and meet standards, special attention should be paid to this outbreak in order to eradicate such a rare infectious disease by analyzing prevention and control measures. Patient outcomes may also be poor, and their illnesses may last for a long time. The spectrum of clinical symptoms, including complications and sequelae, as well as aspects of the illness may be indicators of sickness severity and complications; therefore, its clinical presentation must be better understood to improve containment measures. In addition, it is important to create and evaluate a standard of care that takes a variety of parameters into account, including antiviral, immune therapies, and clinical metrics that are particular to mpox. The global emergence of mpox has presented new challenges for public health and has called for further investigation into its epidemiological profile across international contexts.
Intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy with Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one... more Intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy with Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one of the potent strategies for preventing malaria in pregnancy (MiP). Factors such as the pregnant woman’s knowledge and very importantly perception or belief about IPTp-SP remains key determinant of IPTp-SP uptake. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of nursing mothers and their uptake of IPTp-SP during pregnancy in the Ho Teaching Hospital. We administered a close-ended questionnaire to 303 nursing mothers and obtained their sociodemographic details as well as information on their knowledge and perception of IPTp-SP utilization. We also reviewed the nursing mothers’ antenatal care (ANC) booklets to ascertain the number of times IPTp-SP was taken during pregnancy. Pearson chi-square was used to determine the association between the sociodemographic variable and the categories of knowledge, perception, and uptake of IPTp-SP. Analysis, was done using SPSS, and the p-value of l...
Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made a global impact on the daily lives of humanity, deva... more Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made a global impact on the daily lives of humanity, devastating health systems, and cataclysmically affecting the world’s economy. Currently, the Standard Public Health Protective practices consist of but are not limited to wearing masks, social distancing, isolating sick and exposed people, and contact tracing. Scientists around the globe undertook swift scientific efforts to develop safe and effective therapeutics and vaccines to combat COVID-19. Presently, as of mid-March 2022, 57.05% of the world population have been fully vaccinated, and 65.3% of the United States of America’s (USA) total population have been fully vaccinated while 76.7% have received at least one dose of the vaccine. This article explores the various vaccines created through modern science and technology, including their safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action. Although the vaccines produced are up to 95.0% efficacious, their efficacy wanes over time, underscoring the...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is responsible for more than 6 million cases worldwide, as of... more Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is responsible for more than 6 million cases worldwide, as of June 1, 2020; a condition characterized by mild-to-severe symptoms ranging from fever, cough, muscle aches to shortness of breath, pneumonia, and chest pain. COVID-19 has spread internationally causing a global pandemic involving 216 countries. At present, nucleic acid-based tests by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serological based tests are available to test for COVID-19. There are no drugs, vaccines, or other therapeutics available to prevent and treat COVID19. The purpose of this case review is to assess cases of children and adolescents who were positive for COVID-19 and presented with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
There have been numerous concerns about the disease and how it affects the human body since the s... more There have been numerous concerns about the disease and how it affects the human body since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic began in December 2019. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effect on the liver is being carefully investigated due to an increase in individuals with hepatitis and other liver illnesses, such as alcoholic liver disease. Additionally, the liver is involved in the metabolism of numerous drugs used to treat comorbidities and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Determining how SARS-CoV-2 affects the liver and what factors place individuals with COVID-19 at a higher risk of developing liver problems are the two main objectives of this study. This evaluation of the literature included research from three major scientific databases. To provide an update on the current impact of COVID-19 on the liver, data was collected and relevant information was incorporated into the review. With more knowledge about the effect of the disease on the liver, better management and therapeutics can be developed, and education can ultimately save lives and reduce the long-term impact of the pandemic on our population.
Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Background The control of asymptomatic malaria is considered a key aspect of malaria control. Thi... more Background The control of asymptomatic malaria is considered a key aspect of malaria control. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of asymptomatic malaria among people in Ho municipality of the Volta region. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled residents of the Ho municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. Using SPSS version 25 statistical software, frequency distributions and proportions were computed for sociodemographic variables while knowledge and perception about asymptomatic malaria were computed into percentages and categorized into three levels based on Bloom's cut-off for further analysis. Findings with p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Among the 200 participants, 197 (98.5%) were aware of malaria. The majority (116 [58.0%]) of the study participants agreed to the possibility of asymptomatic infection, but most (133 [66.5%]) of the co...
Omicron, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant that is now spr... more Omicron, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant that is now spreading across the world, is the most altered version to emerge so far, with mutations comparable to changes reported in earlier variants of concern linked with increased transmissibility and partial resistance to vaccine-induced immunity. This article provides an overview of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) by reviewing the literature from major scientific databases. Although clear immunological and clinical data are not yet available, we extrapolated from what is known about mutations present in the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and offer preliminary indications on transmissibility, severity, and immune escape through existing research and databases.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to cause severe respiratory illness manifesting ... more The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to cause severe respiratory illness manifesting in a spectrum of related disorders. Amidst the continuous evolution of this pandemic which has caused vast devastation globally, it is crucial to note that tuberculosis (TB), which also causes respiratory diseases, has and still affects over a quarter of the world's population. Coinfection of both diseases have severe health implications. Therefore, it is vital to understand the effects of this novel virus on the immune system and coinfection with a bacterial infection, like TB. Based on peer-reviewed cases, there seems to be an associational relationship between COVID-19 and TB; research suggests both weaken the immune system and further complicate clinical outcomes, which was further explored in this paper.
Background Socio-demographic factors influence the magnitude of anemia in endemic areas. The purp... more Background Socio-demographic factors influence the magnitude of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this study is to establish the magnitude of anemia and to determine anemia preventive practices carried out by mothers with children under five years of age in the Kadjebi District of the Volta region of Ghana. Methods This purposive sampling study involved women of reproductive age with children less than five years of age from Saint Mary Theresa Hospital and nurses practicing in the pediatric ward of the hospital. A questionnaire and interview guide were administered respectively, and the data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. Results A total of 150 participants were studied; among which analysis of anemia was carried out on 129 women whose children had their hemoglobin levels checked and recorded in the laboratory. Hemoglobin levels recorded for these children showed that 85.3% were anemic, even though 93.8% of the mothers had...
Since the pandemic began in China in December 2019, thousands of variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emer... more Since the pandemic began in China in December 2019, thousands of variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged globally since late 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) as a variant with increased transmissibility, virulence, and decreased response to available diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. Areas of the emerging variant of concern arise from countries like the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, and India. These mutations carry a lineage from N501Y, D614G, N439K, Y453F, and others, which are globally dominated by clades 20A, 20B, and 20C. SARS-CoV-2 VOC emerged after 11Â months of evolution since the onset through massive human-to-human transmission with five major VOCs recognized by the WHO, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Their emergence could be attributed to changing immunological dynamics in the human population, which has resulted in resistance or escape from neutralizing antibodies, or to mutations and/or re...
Candida auris is an invasive fungal pathogen that has been recognized globally as a serious healt... more Candida auris is an invasive fungal pathogen that has been recognized globally as a serious health threat due to its extensive innate and acquired resistance to antifungal drugs. A growing number of emerging cases of C. auris have been reported with resistance to the standard antifungal treatments including azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes, making it difficult to treat. Unlike other Candida species, C. auris is challenging to diagnose using the standard laboratory methods and are typically prone to misidentification, resulting in inappropriate management. Consequently, C. auris infections have spread globally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that clinical cases of C. auris increased from 329 in 2018 to 1,012 in 2021. The incidence and prevalence of this invasive fungal infection are high in immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Patients who had an organ transplant, are on immunosuppressive agents, are diabetic, recent antibiotic use, catheter use, and prolonged hospital or nursing homestays are vulnerable to C. auris infections. C. auris is rapidly spreading across healthcare settings globally and monitoring of its virulence as well as devising appropriate treatment approaches are thus highly required.
The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a... more The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The impacts of COVID-19 have changed over the past year globally. There were 116 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in more than 220 countries, including 2.5 million deaths, as reported at the end of the first week of March 2021. Throughout this time, different variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged. In early March, the United States of America (USA) led in both confirmed cases and casualties, while India followed in the number of confirmed cases and Brazil in the number of deaths. Vaccines are available in the USA and worldwide to help combat COVID-19. The level of preparedness among multisectoral communities played a role in transmission rates; therefore, lessons learned from past outbreaks, alongside this pandemic, are crucial in establishing policies and regulations to reduce and/or prevent the spread. This narrative li...
COVID-19) has led to a global pandemic with over 42,055,863 confirmed cases and 1,141,567 deaths ... more COVID-19) has led to a global pandemic with over 42,055,863 confirmed cases and 1,141,567 deaths spanning 218 countries. [5] Infections occur once the virus enters the host cell, through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), an entry receptor located predominantly in the
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a severe form of dengue fever (DF), which can be life threateni... more Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a severe form of dengue fever (DF), which can be life threatening. The first recorded epidemic of dengue was reported in the late 18 th century and affected Asia, Africa, and North America. Female mosquitoes, predominantly of the species Aedes aegypti and less commonly, Aedes albopictus, are responsible for the transmission of the dengue virus. As the most dangerous and widespread mosquito-borne viral infection, the dengue virus affects more than 100 countries worldwide. Increasing 30-fold in the last 50 years, the social and economic effects of dengue are far reaching and of worldwide concern. The disease is widespread throughout the tropics with local variations in risk influenced by rainfall, temperature, and unplanned rapid urbanization. Upto 400 million people are infected each year. Currently, vaccines are still under development for DHF; therefore, prevention is of utmost importance in lessening the impact of dengue on a global scale. This review article summarizes the global epidemiology of Dengue Hemorrhagic fever by utilizing the most recent and available information on the topic.
Over a century ago, Artificial Sweeteners (AS) were developed as food additives to provide sweetn... more Over a century ago, Artificial Sweeteners (AS) were developed as food additives to provide sweetness without the associated high caloric content of sugar. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved five artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, neotame and sucralose. These sweeteners have also been deemed safe for people with diabetes and are used to reduce both caloric and carbohydrate intake. However, despite the widespread consumption of artificial sweeteners by lean, overweight and obese individuals alike, obesity and diabetes continue to dramatically rise. This review examines the relationship between artificial sweeteners and diabetes and the need for continued investigation into the consumption of artificial sweeteners.
In the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, varying degrees of clinical manifestations have been ... more In the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, varying degrees of clinical manifestations have been noticed in patients. Some patients who recovered from the infection developed long-term effects which have become of interest to the scientific and medical communities, as it relates to pathogenesis and the multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Long COVID (long-term or long-haul) is the collective term used to define recovered individuals of SARS-CoV-2 infection who have presented with persistent COVID symptoms, as well as the emergence of disorders and complications. Following the review of literature from major scientific databases, this paper investigated long COVID and the resulting post-sequela effects on survivors, regardless of initial disease severity. The clinical manifestations and multisystem complications of the disease specifically, cardiovascular, neurologic and psychologic, hematologic, pulmonary, dermatologic, and other ailments were discussed. Patients with chronic COVID-19 were found to experience heart thrombosis leading to myocardial infarction, inflammation, lung fibrosis, stroke, venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism, "brain fog", general mood dysfunctions, dermatological issues, and fatigue. As the disease continues to progress and spread, and with the emergence of new variants the management of these persisting symptoms will pose a challenge for healthcare providers and medical systems in the next period of the pandemic. However, more information is needed about long COVID, particularly concerning certain patient populations, variability in follow-up times, the prevalence of comorbidities, and the evolution of the spread of infection. Thus, continued research needs to be conducted concerning the disease pathology to develop preventative measures and management strategies to treat long COVID.
Sociodemographic factors influence the prevalence of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this... more Sociodemographic factors influence the prevalence of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this study is to establish the prevalence and causes of anemia and to determine anemia preventive practices carried out by mothers with children under five years of age in the Kadjebi District of the Volta region of Ghana. This homogenous sampling study involved women of reproductive age with children less than five years of age from Saint Mary Theresa Hospital. Interview guides were administered, and the data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. A total of 150 participants were studied. 52.7% of the mothers indicated that their children had never been diagnosed with anemia; however, Hb levels recorded for these children showed that 73.3% were anemic, even though 93.8% of the mothers had been given iron supplements during their pregnancy. Furthermore, anemia prevention practices comprised of whether the child had been given any anti-mal...
In the United States, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)... more In the United States, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine presently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The purpose of this study is to analyze passive surveillance data on COVID-19 vaccine adverse reaction in the United States. We analyzed passive surveillance data on COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions which were retrieved from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database. Retrieved records on demographic information as well as the top 10 common vaccine adverse events were extracted and assessed from 200 of the most recently reported cases for the study analysis. Results: Local and systemic adverse reactions were reported in the study. A significant difference (p<0.05) was recorded for the top 10 systemic reactions by age category (0.041) and by gender (0.002). Analysis of the top five systemic reactions, stratified by vaccine type yielded a significant difference (p<0.05) for chills (p=0.044), and when stratified by age group and type of vaccination received, it yielded a significant difference (p<0.05) for fatigue (p=0.023). Overall, Pfizer had 182 persons (91.0%) reporting adverse events, Moderna with 13 (6.5%), and Janssen with 5 (2.5%). Conclusion: Mild side effects were reported following vaccination with the EUA COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Thus, continuous monitoring and reporting of all adverse events are recommended to ensure the safety of vaccination.
Diabetes is a disease that has significant financial consequences in the patients and can also be... more Diabetes is a disease that has significant financial consequences in the patients and can also be lethal. There are two types: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The former is more prevalent among children, whereas the latter is more prevalent among adults. Diabetes is known to cause severe complications, resulting in misery and premature death. Fortunately, interventions and treatment options are available.
Background Food allergies are adverse reactions to a specific food antigen which is mediated by i... more Background Food allergies are adverse reactions to a specific food antigen which is mediated by immunological mechanisms and are fast rising to become a significant public health concern. Around 1% of the world's adult population suffers from food allergies. The prevalence of food allergies which can be life-threatening is commonly estimated to affect 3–5% of the adult population in North America. Objectives The purpose of this study is to review published food allergy knowledge and training amongst food service workers and identify the policies in place concerning food allergies globally. Methodology Documented food service workers' knowledge and training about food allergies published between September 2006 and February 2021 were comprehensively reviewed. A widespread literature search was carried out using subject headings, search terms, and keywords. Results were examined in groups to explore patterns through research. Results A total of 18 relevant studies that analyzed the food allergies knowledge and training of food service workers were reviewed. Eight studies (44%) were performed in the USA, followed by two studies (11%) in the UK, and one study each (5%) for New Zealand, Turkey, Malaysia, France, Western Romania, Germany, Brazil, and Canada. In the studies, respondents were asked a series of questions to assess their level of knowledge and the types of training relating to food allergies they received. Conclusions This study identified the gaps in policy, as well as knowledge and training among food service workers, to manage food allergies safely, thus emphasizing the importance and need for food allergy training.
Monkeypox (mpox), is a disease from the Poxviridae family that can cause several serious medical ... more Monkeypox (mpox), is a disease from the Poxviridae family that can cause several serious medical issues. This mini-review sought to analyze the existing literature regarding the current mpox outbreak with a focus on the prevalence, diagnostics, and containment measures. Mpox cases have been reported to World Health Organization (WHO) from 85 Member States in all six WHO regions during the period of January 1, 2022, through August 3, 2022. Standardized or optimized guidelines for the clinical care of patients with mpox are limited, particularly in low-resource settings. In an effort to achieve guidance and meet standards, special attention should be paid to this outbreak in order to eradicate such a rare infectious disease by analyzing prevention and control measures. Patient outcomes may also be poor, and their illnesses may last for a long time. The spectrum of clinical symptoms, including complications and sequelae, as well as aspects of the illness may be indicators of sickness severity and complications; therefore, its clinical presentation must be better understood to improve containment measures. In addition, it is important to create and evaluate a standard of care that takes a variety of parameters into account, including antiviral, immune therapies, and clinical metrics that are particular to mpox. The global emergence of mpox has presented new challenges for public health and has called for further investigation into its epidemiological profile across international contexts.
Intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy with Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one... more Intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy with Sulphadoxine Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is one of the potent strategies for preventing malaria in pregnancy (MiP). Factors such as the pregnant woman’s knowledge and very importantly perception or belief about IPTp-SP remains key determinant of IPTp-SP uptake. This study assessed the knowledge and perception of nursing mothers and their uptake of IPTp-SP during pregnancy in the Ho Teaching Hospital. We administered a close-ended questionnaire to 303 nursing mothers and obtained their sociodemographic details as well as information on their knowledge and perception of IPTp-SP utilization. We also reviewed the nursing mothers’ antenatal care (ANC) booklets to ascertain the number of times IPTp-SP was taken during pregnancy. Pearson chi-square was used to determine the association between the sociodemographic variable and the categories of knowledge, perception, and uptake of IPTp-SP. Analysis, was done using SPSS, and the p-value of l...
Therapeutic Advances in Vaccines and Immunotherapy
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made a global impact on the daily lives of humanity, deva... more Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made a global impact on the daily lives of humanity, devastating health systems, and cataclysmically affecting the world’s economy. Currently, the Standard Public Health Protective practices consist of but are not limited to wearing masks, social distancing, isolating sick and exposed people, and contact tracing. Scientists around the globe undertook swift scientific efforts to develop safe and effective therapeutics and vaccines to combat COVID-19. Presently, as of mid-March 2022, 57.05% of the world population have been fully vaccinated, and 65.3% of the United States of America’s (USA) total population have been fully vaccinated while 76.7% have received at least one dose of the vaccine. This article explores the various vaccines created through modern science and technology, including their safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action. Although the vaccines produced are up to 95.0% efficacious, their efficacy wanes over time, underscoring the...
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is responsible for more than 6 million cases worldwide, as of... more Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is responsible for more than 6 million cases worldwide, as of June 1, 2020; a condition characterized by mild-to-severe symptoms ranging from fever, cough, muscle aches to shortness of breath, pneumonia, and chest pain. COVID-19 has spread internationally causing a global pandemic involving 216 countries. At present, nucleic acid-based tests by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serological based tests are available to test for COVID-19. There are no drugs, vaccines, or other therapeutics available to prevent and treat COVID19. The purpose of this case review is to assess cases of children and adolescents who were positive for COVID-19 and presented with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome.
There have been numerous concerns about the disease and how it affects the human body since the s... more There have been numerous concerns about the disease and how it affects the human body since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic began in December 2019. The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effect on the liver is being carefully investigated due to an increase in individuals with hepatitis and other liver illnesses, such as alcoholic liver disease. Additionally, the liver is involved in the metabolism of numerous drugs used to treat comorbidities and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Determining how SARS-CoV-2 affects the liver and what factors place individuals with COVID-19 at a higher risk of developing liver problems are the two main objectives of this study. This evaluation of the literature included research from three major scientific databases. To provide an update on the current impact of COVID-19 on the liver, data was collected and relevant information was incorporated into the review. With more knowledge about the effect of the disease on the liver, better management and therapeutics can be developed, and education can ultimately save lives and reduce the long-term impact of the pandemic on our population.
Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Background The control of asymptomatic malaria is considered a key aspect of malaria control. Thi... more Background The control of asymptomatic malaria is considered a key aspect of malaria control. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of asymptomatic malaria among people in Ho municipality of the Volta region. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study involving questionnaire administration was conducted among randomly sampled residents of the Ho municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. Using SPSS version 25 statistical software, frequency distributions and proportions were computed for sociodemographic variables while knowledge and perception about asymptomatic malaria were computed into percentages and categorized into three levels based on Bloom's cut-off for further analysis. Findings with p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Among the 200 participants, 197 (98.5%) were aware of malaria. The majority (116 [58.0%]) of the study participants agreed to the possibility of asymptomatic infection, but most (133 [66.5%]) of the co...
Omicron, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant that is now spr... more Omicron, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant that is now spreading across the world, is the most altered version to emerge so far, with mutations comparable to changes reported in earlier variants of concern linked with increased transmissibility and partial resistance to vaccine-induced immunity. This article provides an overview of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) by reviewing the literature from major scientific databases. Although clear immunological and clinical data are not yet available, we extrapolated from what is known about mutations present in the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and offer preliminary indications on transmissibility, severity, and immune escape through existing research and databases.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to cause severe respiratory illness manifesting ... more The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is known to cause severe respiratory illness manifesting in a spectrum of related disorders. Amidst the continuous evolution of this pandemic which has caused vast devastation globally, it is crucial to note that tuberculosis (TB), which also causes respiratory diseases, has and still affects over a quarter of the world's population. Coinfection of both diseases have severe health implications. Therefore, it is vital to understand the effects of this novel virus on the immune system and coinfection with a bacterial infection, like TB. Based on peer-reviewed cases, there seems to be an associational relationship between COVID-19 and TB; research suggests both weaken the immune system and further complicate clinical outcomes, which was further explored in this paper.
Background Socio-demographic factors influence the magnitude of anemia in endemic areas. The purp... more Background Socio-demographic factors influence the magnitude of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this study is to establish the magnitude of anemia and to determine anemia preventive practices carried out by mothers with children under five years of age in the Kadjebi District of the Volta region of Ghana. Methods This purposive sampling study involved women of reproductive age with children less than five years of age from Saint Mary Theresa Hospital and nurses practicing in the pediatric ward of the hospital. A questionnaire and interview guide were administered respectively, and the data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. Results A total of 150 participants were studied; among which analysis of anemia was carried out on 129 women whose children had their hemoglobin levels checked and recorded in the laboratory. Hemoglobin levels recorded for these children showed that 85.3% were anemic, even though 93.8% of the mothers had...
Since the pandemic began in China in December 2019, thousands of variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emer... more Since the pandemic began in China in December 2019, thousands of variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged globally since late 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) as a variant with increased transmissibility, virulence, and decreased response to available diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. Areas of the emerging variant of concern arise from countries like the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, and India. These mutations carry a lineage from N501Y, D614G, N439K, Y453F, and others, which are globally dominated by clades 20A, 20B, and 20C. SARS-CoV-2 VOC emerged after 11Â months of evolution since the onset through massive human-to-human transmission with five major VOCs recognized by the WHO, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Their emergence could be attributed to changing immunological dynamics in the human population, which has resulted in resistance or escape from neutralizing antibodies, or to mutations and/or re...
Candida auris is an invasive fungal pathogen that has been recognized globally as a serious healt... more Candida auris is an invasive fungal pathogen that has been recognized globally as a serious health threat due to its extensive innate and acquired resistance to antifungal drugs. A growing number of emerging cases of C. auris have been reported with resistance to the standard antifungal treatments including azoles, echinocandins, and polyenes, making it difficult to treat. Unlike other Candida species, C. auris is challenging to diagnose using the standard laboratory methods and are typically prone to misidentification, resulting in inappropriate management. Consequently, C. auris infections have spread globally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed that clinical cases of C. auris increased from 329 in 2018 to 1,012 in 2021. The incidence and prevalence of this invasive fungal infection are high in immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Patients who had an organ transplant, are on immunosuppressive agents, are diabetic, recent antibiotic use, catheter use, and prolonged hospital or nursing homestays are vulnerable to C. auris infections. C. auris is rapidly spreading across healthcare settings globally and monitoring of its virulence as well as devising appropriate treatment approaches are thus highly required.
The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a... more The new coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The impacts of COVID-19 have changed over the past year globally. There were 116 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in more than 220 countries, including 2.5 million deaths, as reported at the end of the first week of March 2021. Throughout this time, different variants of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged. In early March, the United States of America (USA) led in both confirmed cases and casualties, while India followed in the number of confirmed cases and Brazil in the number of deaths. Vaccines are available in the USA and worldwide to help combat COVID-19. The level of preparedness among multisectoral communities played a role in transmission rates; therefore, lessons learned from past outbreaks, alongside this pandemic, are crucial in establishing policies and regulations to reduce and/or prevent the spread. This narrative li...
COVID-19) has led to a global pandemic with over 42,055,863 confirmed cases and 1,141,567 deaths ... more COVID-19) has led to a global pandemic with over 42,055,863 confirmed cases and 1,141,567 deaths spanning 218 countries. [5] Infections occur once the virus enters the host cell, through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), an entry receptor located predominantly in the
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a severe form of dengue fever (DF), which can be life threateni... more Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a severe form of dengue fever (DF), which can be life threatening. The first recorded epidemic of dengue was reported in the late 18 th century and affected Asia, Africa, and North America. Female mosquitoes, predominantly of the species Aedes aegypti and less commonly, Aedes albopictus, are responsible for the transmission of the dengue virus. As the most dangerous and widespread mosquito-borne viral infection, the dengue virus affects more than 100 countries worldwide. Increasing 30-fold in the last 50 years, the social and economic effects of dengue are far reaching and of worldwide concern. The disease is widespread throughout the tropics with local variations in risk influenced by rainfall, temperature, and unplanned rapid urbanization. Upto 400 million people are infected each year. Currently, vaccines are still under development for DHF; therefore, prevention is of utmost importance in lessening the impact of dengue on a global scale. This review article summarizes the global epidemiology of Dengue Hemorrhagic fever by utilizing the most recent and available information on the topic.
Over a century ago, Artificial Sweeteners (AS) were developed as food additives to provide sweetn... more Over a century ago, Artificial Sweeteners (AS) were developed as food additives to provide sweetness without the associated high caloric content of sugar. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved five artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, neotame and sucralose. These sweeteners have also been deemed safe for people with diabetes and are used to reduce both caloric and carbohydrate intake. However, despite the widespread consumption of artificial sweeteners by lean, overweight and obese individuals alike, obesity and diabetes continue to dramatically rise. This review examines the relationship between artificial sweeteners and diabetes and the need for continued investigation into the consumption of artificial sweeteners.
In the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, varying degrees of clinical manifestations have been ... more In the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection, varying degrees of clinical manifestations have been noticed in patients. Some patients who recovered from the infection developed long-term effects which have become of interest to the scientific and medical communities, as it relates to pathogenesis and the multidisciplinary approach to treatment. Long COVID (long-term or long-haul) is the collective term used to define recovered individuals of SARS-CoV-2 infection who have presented with persistent COVID symptoms, as well as the emergence of disorders and complications. Following the review of literature from major scientific databases, this paper investigated long COVID and the resulting post-sequela effects on survivors, regardless of initial disease severity. The clinical manifestations and multisystem complications of the disease specifically, cardiovascular, neurologic and psychologic, hematologic, pulmonary, dermatologic, and other ailments were discussed. Patients with chronic COVID-19 were found to experience heart thrombosis leading to myocardial infarction, inflammation, lung fibrosis, stroke, venous thromboembolism, arterial thromboembolism, "brain fog", general mood dysfunctions, dermatological issues, and fatigue. As the disease continues to progress and spread, and with the emergence of new variants the management of these persisting symptoms will pose a challenge for healthcare providers and medical systems in the next period of the pandemic. However, more information is needed about long COVID, particularly concerning certain patient populations, variability in follow-up times, the prevalence of comorbidities, and the evolution of the spread of infection. Thus, continued research needs to be conducted concerning the disease pathology to develop preventative measures and management strategies to treat long COVID.
Sociodemographic factors influence the prevalence of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this... more Sociodemographic factors influence the prevalence of anemia in endemic areas. The purpose of this study is to establish the prevalence and causes of anemia and to determine anemia preventive practices carried out by mothers with children under five years of age in the Kadjebi District of the Volta region of Ghana. This homogenous sampling study involved women of reproductive age with children less than five years of age from Saint Mary Theresa Hospital. Interview guides were administered, and the data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. A total of 150 participants were studied. 52.7% of the mothers indicated that their children had never been diagnosed with anemia; however, Hb levels recorded for these children showed that 73.3% were anemic, even though 93.8% of the mothers had been given iron supplements during their pregnancy. Furthermore, anemia prevention practices comprised of whether the child had been given any anti-mal...
In the United States, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)... more In the United States, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine presently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The purpose of this study is to analyze passive surveillance data on COVID-19 vaccine adverse reaction in the United States. We analyzed passive surveillance data on COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions which were retrieved from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database. Retrieved records on demographic information as well as the top 10 common vaccine adverse events were extracted and assessed from 200 of the most recently reported cases for the study analysis. Results: Local and systemic adverse reactions were reported in the study. A significant difference (p<0.05) was recorded for the top 10 systemic reactions by age category (0.041) and by gender (0.002). Analysis of the top five systemic reactions, stratified by vaccine type yielded a significant difference (p<0.05) for chills (p=0.044), and when stratified by age group and type of vaccination received, it yielded a significant difference (p<0.05) for fatigue (p=0.023). Overall, Pfizer had 182 persons (91.0%) reporting adverse events, Moderna with 13 (6.5%), and Janssen with 5 (2.5%). Conclusion: Mild side effects were reported following vaccination with the EUA COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Thus, continuous monitoring and reporting of all adverse events are recommended to ensure the safety of vaccination.
Uploads
Papers by Chuku Okorie