Human activities can have dramatic effects on animal populations around urban areas with heavy metal contamination being a primary cause of harm. Amphibians, as residents of aquatic systems and with their semi-permeable skin are especially susceptible to heavy metal contamination. To better understand the effect of heavy metals on Wild African Tiger frogs (Hoplobatrachus occipitalis) and the resulting production of oxidative stress enzymes, the concentrations of the heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) were investigated in the tissues of H. occipitalis as well as in water and sediment samples collected from five different locations in Lagos State, Nigeria. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and level of lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed in the liver of the sampled frogs. Most measured physicochemical characteristics of the water varied significantly across the sampling locations (P<0.05). The levels of metals (mg/kg dry weight) in muscle tissues also varied significantly across the locations (P<0.05) and ranged as follows:

Urban ecosystems are often characterized by the receipt of pollutants, especially heavy metals from diverse anthropogenic activities. To better understand the distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn and Zn), Austroaeschna inermis from five different sites (Unilag, Mile 12, Olushosun Dump site, Imoshe and Badagry) in Lagos, sediments from the respective sites were assessed. This was followed by assessment of lipid peroxidation product; Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidative stress enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in A. inermis. The results indicate widespread heavy metal distribution with Mn and Zn having the highest concentrations of 13.369±0.800 mg/kg and 21.473±2.001 mg/kg in sediment samples from Mile 12 and Olushosun Dump site respectively. Only Cd was bioaccumulated at two sites (Unilag and Badagry) with biota to soil accumulation factor (BSAF) of approximately 2. The oxidative stress biomarkers assessment in the insects did not indicate any trend to link heavy metal concentrations with respective sites. However there was strong (r ≥ 0.5 < 0.7) to very strong (r ≥ 0.7) positive correlation between Pb concentrations in A. inermis and most biomarkers. All enzymes and MDA showed negative correlation with the other heavy metals with values mostly between strong (r ≥-0. 5<-0.7) to very strong (r ≥-0.7) negative. The findings from this study reaffirms the ubiquity of heavy metals in the City of Lagos and the relevance of the insects as pollution indicators were discussed.

The study assessed the epidemiology of Trichomonas vaginalis among 200 pregnant women aged between 15-45 years attending antenatal care in three private hospitals in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Direct wet mount microscopy and culture were used on High Vaginal swabs collected from the consented participants after the administration of questionnaire to collect their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) with regard to the Trichomoniasis. The educational profile showed that 23% had primary education while 60% had secondary education. Age group between 15-25years 174(67%) of the participants were traders. 30(15%) Prevalence were positive for Trichomonas from wet mount microscopy method while no positive was recorded in the cultures. There was a statistical difference between number of sexual partners, occupation, family type and previous sexually transmitted infection. 114(57%) of respondents have not heard of sexually transmitted disease while 173(86%) of respondents were not aware that Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease. The result from this study indicate that trichomoniasis is still a public health problem in Nigeria and little have been done for its control. The risk factors of this disease includes age group, number of sexual partners, trimester and occupation.

Background Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. It is a neglected tropical disease that constitutes a public health challenge in rural endemic communities in Nigeria. This is a debilitating disease of global concern, because of its effect on per capital income and its stigmatization on affected individuals. The Program for Elimination for Lymphatic filariasis has set a goal towards possible elimination. Results Communities in Imobi, in Ijedu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, have been undergoing Mass Drug Administration (MDA). However, there is need for a baseline data to assess, monitor and evaluate the progress of MDA in these communities towards eventual elimination. Systematic random sampling and cluster survey were used to gather 246 participants from six communities in Imobi to a central point at the Local Government Health Centre. Parasitological diagnosis was done using microscopy, while structured questionnaires, which probed into respondents Knowledge, Attitude and Practices, were administered. An overall prevalence of 50 (20.3%) was observed with 17 (21.5%) males being more infected than 24 (19.8%) females. Prevalence of infection was significantly higher in younger age groups 4 (28.6%) than in older age groups 20 (14.6%) at p < 0.05. Overall microfilarial density of 25.7 mf/ml was obtained among infected population. Microfilariae prevalence was not observed in people that had received treatment with both albendazole and ivermectin. Higher prevalence of infection was observed in people who did not made use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets 45 (21.1%), than in people who did 5 (15.2%). However, it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Most of the respondents had little or no knowledge of the disease, its cause, transmission, prevention and treatment. The prevalence level is also higher than 1% for which MDA is required. Conclusions It is recommended that MDA be intensified in the study area, together with vector control and awareness campaign on the disease.

Objective: We evaluated the susceptibility status of Anopheles gambiae in two communities of Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria to DDT, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin and bendiocarb. Methods: Anopheles immature stages were collected from their habitats in the surveyed community and allowed to emerge before exposure adult females to discriminating doses of WHO insecticides including DDT, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, bendiocarb and malathion. PBO synergistic bioassay was conducted for insecticides where the mosquito samples showed resistance. PCR assay was used for the detection of kdr mutation in the mosquitoes. Results: Resistance to DDT (40% and 86%) and lambda cyhalothrin (75% and 84%) in Oke-Ota and Majidun respectively. Suspected resistance to deltamethrin (94.9%) and bendiocarb (93.5%) was recorded in Oke-Ota community and the mosquitoes were susceptible to malathion in both communities. KDR mutation (L1014F) from resistance samples from both locations though with a low frequency that significantly departs from Hardy-Weinberg’s probability (P> 0.01). PBO synergized bioassay was able to increase knockdown, percentage mortality and restore full susceptibility to deltamethrin and bendiocarb. Conclusion: Results from this study indicates that the metabolic resistance mechanism is highly implicated in the resistance to different classes of insecticide in Ikorodu and this should be taken into consideration when implementing vector control activities in this area. Keywords: Malaria; Anopheles gambiae; insecticide resistance; knockdown resistance; metabolic resistance.