In the first four months (4/12) of 2019, specifically in April we published 7 articles representing Volume 29 (Number 1) with the support and relentless efforts of some reviewers. In August this year (8/12) of 2019, we are publishing 8 articles (Volume 29 Number 2). Cover page: In the last published edition we introduced the cover page design for every number or series whereby the chief editor will pick one interesting article and highlight the features on the cover page. Now we would like to make the selection open to any author(s) whose article has been accepted, to propose and give reasons why his or her article should be featured on the cover page. Any article selected should provide high quality figures to showcase important findings from the article. Orcid iD: We have also introduced incorporation of ORCiD number to every article published in the Journal of Medical laboratory Science. ORCiD is a digital non-proprietary alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies scientific authors and other academic contributors. All corresponding authors are now mandated to apply for ORCiD identification number from https://orchid.org and every manuscript submitted must be accompanied with ORCiD number. In this volume 29, No.2, we are grateful to our esteemed reviewers who found seven (8) manuscripts worthy of publication. Other manuscripts received from April to August 2019 that are not published in this volume, are either rejected as recommended by the reviewers or still undergoing peer review

OBJECTIVE: Cytomegalovirus is considered to be one of the most serious pathogens affecting immunosuppressed individuals particularly HIV/AIDS and glycoprotein B (gB) is essential for viral infectivity as they play a role in attachment and penetration of the host cells during viral transmission and fusion into infected cells. This study was conducted to determine the molecular diversity of gB glycoproteins of CMV strains distribution among HIV positive patients in Federal Medical Centre Bida. METHODS: Blood samples were collected for IgM ELISA and CD4+ cell counts. Viral DNA extraction was carried out on all IgM positive samples and genotyping of glycoprotein B gene (UL 55 region) was detected by multiplex nested PCR. RESULTS: Out of the three hundred and eighty five (385) HIV positive subjects, a prevalence of 19.8% CMV IgM was found among patients with HIV in Bida. PCR revealed that gB1 was more prevalent (83.7%) followed by gB2 (16.3%) among subjects. The absence of mixed infection confirmed that there was no case of reinfection as all the primary infections were cases of reactivation of CMV infection among HIV patients. CONCLUSION: This study found significant relationship in marital status, location and educational status with gB genotype distribution in Bida. Although, there was paucity of reports on CMV gB genotype distribution with socio demographic factors and behavioral data, this study provided baseline information on CMV molecular diversity of CMV genotypes gB1 and gB2 among HIV positive patients in Nigeria, more studies on CMV glycoprotein B genotype from Nigeria may help to determine the optimal strains for CMV vaccine development in Nigerian population.

Background: The occurrence of typhoid fever and malaria co-infection among patients clinically diagnosed of malaria/ and or typhoid fever was investigated in Calabar, Nigeria. Both disorders present with febrile illness. Materials and Methods: Venous blood collected from the study subjects were examined for the presence of Salmonella antibodies using the Slide Widal test (screening test) and the Tube Widal test (confirmatory test) whereas the diagnosis of malaria was based on the examination of a thin and thick blood films stained with 2% Giemsa. Results: The prevalence of malaria and typhoid was 26.7% and 43.3% whereas the prevalence of co-infection of typhoid and malaria was 14.6%. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of malaria by age of patients (P?0.05, X2=2.934). Males 21(30.9%) were more infected with malaria than females 19(23.2%), although there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of infection by gender (P?0.05, X2=0.651). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of typhoid by age of subjects (P?0.05, X2 =7.3). More females 38(46.3%) were infected with typhoid fever than males 27(39.7%) although there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of typhoid by gender (P?0.05, X2= 0.269). Age (P?0.05, X2 =14.66) and gender (P?0.05, X2 =7.62) did not significantly affect the prevalence of coinfection of malaria and typhoid. Subjects aged 46-60 years had the highest co-infection rate of 5(20.0%) while those aged 1-15 years had the least infection 1(5.0%). The occurrence of co-infection among males and females were 9(13.2%) and 12(14.6%) respectively. Conclusions: This study confirmed a high prevalence of malaria (26.7%), typhoid fever (43.3%) and co-infection of malaria and typhoid fever (14.0%) among subjects clinically diagnosed of malaria and / or typhoid fever. This study has confirmed that relying solely on the diagnosis of typhoid fever on results of slide widal test leads to over diagnosis of the infection and unwarranted administration of antibiotics.

Introduction: Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and it contains several biologically active components which may have an impact on human health. Aim: This is an experimental study designed to evaluate the effect of coffee intake on plasma glucose and serum lipid profile levels in male students of College of Health Science, Anambra State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 30 male participants aged between eighteen (18) and thirty (30) years were randomly recruited for the study. Five milliliters (5mls) of baseline samples (after an overnight fast) were collected from participants at day 0 as baseline samples and levels of glucose and lipid profile were evaluated. Subsequently, in addition to their normal diet, each of the participants received a cup of caffeinated coffee prior to their breakfast daily for a period of 21 days.After overnight fasting, post research (test 1st & 2nd) samples (fasting blood sample) were collected on days 11 and 22 respectively and the levels of glucose and lipid profile were re-evaluated. Plasma glucose and lipid concentrations were determined using enzymatic methods respectively. Also, the body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure readings of participants were determined before and after coffee consumption. Results: The results showed that there were significant increases in the mean plasma glucose and serum HDL-C concentrations 11 days (intermediate consumption) and 22 days (post consumption) following coffee intake when compared with baseline levels respectively (p<0.05). However, the mean BMI, SBP, DBP and serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C remained unaltered after coffee consumption (p>0.05) respectively. Conclusion: The present study has shown that short term consumption of coffee may cause significant alterations in plasma concentration of glucose and serum HDL-C levels with no significant effects on BMI and serum concentrations of TC, TG and LDL-C. However, further studies using larger population size may be necessary in validating these findings.

Background: Epidemiologic surveillance is an indispensible tool in understanding the clonal nature and evolution of pathogens. From a previously unstudied region we conducted a study on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Sokoto, Nigeria. This research was conducted to study the prevalence of methicillin-resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus among patients attending some selected hospitals in Sokoto metropolis. Methods: A total of 936 non-repetitive clinical specimens from patients attending three selected hospitals were processed during the study period. Specimens were cultured and isolates identified using standard bacteriologic methods. Methicillin resistance was determined in parallel using 30µg cefoxitin disk and Brilliance™ MRSA 2 Agar. Results: From the 936 specimens analysed, 367(39.2%) staphylococci were isolated. Of these isolates, 234(25%) were identified as S. aureus using standard bacteriologic techniques. The prevalence of MRSA was found to be 43.2% (101/234). The distribution of MRSA by study centre shows that there was no significant difference (p=0.282) in the prevalence of MRSA among the 3 hospitals. Ear swabs had the highest prevalence of MRSA of 75%. The prevalence of MRSA was significantly higher in females, similarly, the prevalence was found to be significantly higher in in-patients (55.8% vs. 25%) than out-patients (p=0.000). Conclusions: The study has established, as a baseline study, the prevalence of MRSA in healthcare centres within the study area at 43.2%. The female gender and hospitalisation were found to be significant risk factors for infection with MRSA

Background: This study aimed to determine the knowledge of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), its impact on the social, economic life and the use of probiotics for prevention and treatment among reproductive aged Nigerian women. Method: A total of 171 participants comprising 86 female students and 85 healthcare practitioners were randomly selected for this study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic, social, health burden and knowledge on BV among the students. Data on knowledge, recurrences and financial burden of BV were collected from the healthcare practitioners. Results: Of the participants, 79.5% had heard of bacterial vaginosis from school (43.5%). Majority (45.1%) alleged that vaginal discharge is the most common symptom associated with BV while 34.6% admitted previous BV infection and 41.7% reported recurrences. Social burden of BV revealed that 53.7% indicated that BV makes them avoid having sex while 29.5% avoid closeness with people. Though 42% of the healthcare professionals indicated treatment of BV as combination therapy, none of them have ever used Probiotics to treat BV. The estimated cost for treatment of BV were between 2,500 – 10,000 naira. Conclusion: BV has an impact on the health, social and economic status of females. Appropriate treatment and education on BV is crucial

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the pattern of catheter-associated bacteriuria and to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at National Obstetric and fistula center Ningi, Bauchi state. A total of 305 urine samples were collected from three stages (Pre analytical, analytical and post analytical) of sample collection and investigated using standard microbiological technique. All the urine samples were cultured on CLED agar and blood agar. Antibiotics susceptibility test was performed using standard disc diffusion method to determine susceptibility of bacterial agents to antibiotics. Sociodemographic and risk factors were obtained using structured questionnaire. Results:The prevalence of catheter associated bacteriuria was 71.1% and significant bacteriuria was found among age range of 16-25years 85(81.0%). The bacteria isolated were E coli 85(39.1%), Proteus spp 38(17.5%), klebsiella spp 29(13.4), Staphylococcus aureus 14(6.5%), Serriatiaspp 3(1.4%), Citrobacter spp 4(1.8%), Enterobacter spp5(2.3%), Coagulase Negative Stapylococcus 21(9.7%). All the bacterial isolates showed complete resistant to Ampiclox (100%) and Gentamicin (100%).Some isolates showered multiple drug resistant to Sparfloxacin (79%), Septrin (77%), Amoxillin (68%) and Ciprofloxacin (55%). The isolates were sensitive to Streptomycin (74%), Rocephin (74%) and Oflaxacin (60%). This study suggests that for better management of VVF clients, urine culture should be part of routine diagnosis and use of antibiotic should be after antimicrobial susceptibility screening. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in isolates from the three stages of sample collection with p value < 0.05, while ciprofloxacin was sensitive to bacteria isolated from fistula patients who were undergoing the surgery for the first time compare to those their fistula repair was more than two time

Background: It is logical to assume that HIV positive subjects are more at risk to malaria infection than HIV negative subjects. Objective: The objective of this comparative cross-sectional study is to determine malaria infection in HIV positive and HIV negative subjects, and relate malaria infection to differential CD4 T cell counts in subjects who are infected with HIV. Method: Giemsa staining technique was used to stain thin and thick blood film of consenting HIV positive and HIV negative controlled subjects, and observed under the microscope for the presence of malaria parasites. A positive test to malaria was defined as the presence of malaria parasites irrespective of species and density. CD4 T cell analysis was carried out on HIV positive subjects, using the Partec cyflow machine following the standard operating procedure. Result: Among the two hundred and ten (210) HIV positive subjects, 10(4.8%) were positive for malaria. Out of the one hundred (100) HIV negative control subjects, 3(3%) were positive for malaria. Malaria recorded 6(2.9%) positive in CD4 counts = 300 cells /µl, 3(1.4%) positive in CD4 counts 301-833 cells /µl, 1(0.5%) in CD4 counts 834-1365 cells / µl, and 0(0%) in CD4 counts 1366+ cells /µl. We analyzed our findings using the SPSS version 21 and results show there was no significant difference in malaria infection between HIV infected and HIV noninfected subjects. Nonetheless, we also observed that 6 out of the 10 malaria positive subjects were those whose CD4 counts were = 300 cells /µl. This may suggest that either malaria or low CD4 Counts affects the outcome of the other. Conclusion: Our findings statistically revealed that was no significant difference in malaria infection between HIV infected subjects and HIV negative control subjects.

Background The job of the Public health supply chain is to manage the Public health laboratory commodities from production to service delivery point. This study analyzed Public health laboratory commodity supply chain management in Nigeria and the role of medical laboratory scientists. Methods: Literatures were obtained from Global Health and PubMed databases; USAID Deliver Project and other relevant websites using Eldis search engine. The conceptual framework for analysing public health laboratory supply chain management in Nigeria and the role of medical laboratory scientists was adapted from USAID Deliver Project Logistics Cycle framework. Findings: Non-medical laboratory scientists dominated Public health laboratory supply chain management in Nigeria. At the federal and state ministries of health, supply chain management of Public health commodities (Pharmaceuticals and Laboratory supplies) were domicile in the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services. Weak human resource capacity, poor supply/demand management, inadequate funding/infrastructure as well as professional interferences were found to affect laboratory commodity supply chain management. Conclusion: Robust laboratory supply chain management ensures commodity security with an overall impact on quality of care. The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Medical Laboratory Scientists, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders should ensure management of laboratory supplies by experts