Background: Toxoplasmosis due to Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is one of the major global zoonotic diseases that affect man and other animals. About 30% to 65% of all person's worldwide are exposed to T. gondii. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis among women of childbearing age attending Women and Children Hospital in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria. Method and Results: Five (5) mls of venous blood was each collected from the 182 women who consented for the study and transferred into a labeled EDTA container. Samples were then centrifuged at 1400rmp for 10 minutes to obtain plasma and stored at -20°C in a refrigerator. Samples were subsequently analyzed using human T. gondii Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) detection kits (Voyage Medical Co., LTD China, Hong Kong; Batch No: 20200213). Information on sociodemographic and risk factors of all the consented women were collected using structured questionnaire. Of the 182 women who participated in the study, 39 (21.43 %) were positive for anti T.gondii IgG antibodies and 0 (0.00 %) IgM specific antibodies were detected. Risk factors to T. gondii infection were assessed using structured questionnaire, ethnic groups and educational attainment showed that they were statistically significant (p<0.05). Similarly, infection with T. gondii among those who consumed beef, fish, goat, chicken, and other form of meat (dog, rat, and pork) was assessed. Those who consumed other forms of meat were found to have statistically significant association with T. gondii infection (p <0.05). Consumption of suya (roasted meat), pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, washing vegetables and water source were not significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity (p <0.05). Also, there was no statistical association between owning a cat, cleaning of cat excretes and handling of pet animals and T. gondii infection. Number of miscarriages was however significantly associated with T. gondii sero-positivity (p <0.05). Conclusion: Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to T. gondii among women reported in this study indicates past exposure to the parasite, therefore, routine serological screening of women of childbearing age and health education on the prevention and control of T. gondii are strongly recommended.

Background: Intestinal helminth infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals have been widely reported to play an important role in HIV progression. Aim: The study provides data on the prevalence of intestinal helminths among HIV-positive individuals. Methods: A total of 169 consenting HIV-positive individuals were recruited for the study. Stool specimens from the HIV-positive individuals were analyzed for the presence of intestinal helminths using wet mount and formalin-ether concentration methods. Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 21.9% with 5 types of parasites detected. The Intestinal helminth that occurred with the highest prevalence was Ascaris lumbricoides (37.8%), followed by Hookworm (16.2%), Taenia spp. (16.2%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (13.5%) with Trichuris trichiura (8.1%) being the least prevalent. However, there was more single (91.9%) than mixed infections (8.1 %). Concerning socio-demographic factors, there was no significant association (p > 0.05) between intestinal helminths and gender (X 2 (1, N = 169) = 1.239, p = 0.266), although, the parasites were found to be more prevalent among males than females. Infection was reported in 16.1% of those on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 53.8% of those that were HAART-naïve indicating that there was a significant association (X 2 (1, N = 169) = 18.346, p = 0.001**) between intestinal helminth and HAART status. Conclusions: This study reported a low burden of intestinal helminths among HIV-infected individuals on HAART while a higher burden was recorded in the HAART naïve patients. Regular check-up for intestinal parasites, good personal hygiene, and effective therapy for HIV/AIDS positive persons is hereby advocated.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is among the most frequent opportunistic pathogens causing wide range of infections and the emergence and spread of carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae are problems currently threatening global health. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and to detect carbapenem resistance genes in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 19 clinical specimens were collected from