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DETECTION OF HBc IgM ANTIBODIES AMONG FEBRILE PATIENTS ATTENDING A MODEL HEALTH CENTRE, RUMUEME, PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

¹Okonko, B. J., ²Chindah, J. O., ³Awanye, A. M. & ^*2Okonko, I. O.

¹Medical Microbiology & Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, Madonna University Nigeria, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Virus & Genomics Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

³Immunology Research Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author’s E-mail address: iheanyi.okonko@uniport.edu.ng; Tel: +2347069697309

ABSTRACT: The primary laboratory technique for identifying hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in feverish patients is hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing. But depending only on HBsAg could miss acute or undetected HBV infections. The prevalence of hepatitis B core IgM antibody (anti-HBc IgM) in the South-South region of Nigeria is presently unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the serological prevalence of anti-HBc IgM in patients with fever in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Here, 92 febrile patients were tested for anti-HBc IgM using test kits in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions as part of a cross-sectional study. While 64.1% of participants tested negative, the overall prevalence of anti-HBc IgM was 35.9%. Higher prevalence rates were observed among older adults (44.7%), women (53.3%), single people (42.9%), people with postsecondary education (42.2%), and civil servants (47.4%). Nevertheless, anti-HBc IgM positivity was not statistically significantly predicted by any of the sociodemographic factors we evaluated. Crucially, the sole serological indicator of HBV infection in 33 (35.9%) febrile patients was anti-HBc IgM. This suggests a recent or acute infection that HBsAg screening might miss. The risk of HBV transmission to the general population from feverish individuals with isolated anti-HBc IgM positivity is highlighted by this finding. As a result, patients with fever in Port Harcourt frequently have anti-HBc IgM antibodies. For Nigerian patients with fever, we strongly advise routine screening for anti-HBc IgM. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the prevalence of anti-HBc IgM in Nigeria's South-South region.

[Okonko, B. J., Chindah, J. O., Awanye, A. M. & Okonko, I. O. Detection of HBc IgM Antibodies among Febrile Patients attending a Model Health Centre, Rumueme, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Life Sci J 2026;23(2):1-7]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 01. doi:10.7537/marslsj230226.01

Keywords: Antibodies; anti-HBc IgM; Prevalence; Febrile Patients; Nigeria

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Assessment of Community Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Rabies in Pawi District, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, North Western Ethiopia

Addisu muleta, Asmamaw Aki,  Haimanot Disassa, Mekonen Damtew, Bihonegn

Pawe, Poultry Multiplication center, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, North western Ethiopia

Assosa, Regional Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 326, Email: asmamawaki@gmail.com, Cellphone: +251-902330029

Assosa University College of Agriculture and Natural Resource Department of Veterinary Science

ABSTRACT: Back ground: Rabies remains a major public health challenge in Ethiopia, where the country records the second-highest number of human rabies related deaths in Africa. Objectives:  This study aimed to assess community knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward rabies in Pawi District, Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State, North Western Ethiopia. Methods:  A community-based cross- sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to May 2025 using a structured questionnaire. A total of 384 participants were selected through a multistage sampling technique from selected kebeles. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors with rabies-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results: The result revealed that majority of respondents(73.2%) were male, with48.7% aged 30–45years. Only52% of the participants demonstrated adequate knowledge of rabies, and 70% incorrectly believed that consumption of infected meat could transmit the disease. Most respondents (93.2%) were aware that post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent rabies following an animal bite, and 93.8% recognized dog vaccination as a key preventive measure. Regarding attitudes, 94.01%acknowledgedthat rabies is fatal if not treated promptly; however, only 40.1% demonstrated an overall positive attitude toward rabies prevention. Community practices were suboptimal, with 88.0% reporting failure to vaccinate dogs and 60.0%relyingonherbalremedies following animal bites. Overall, 52.1% had good knowledge, 40.1% had positive attitudes, and 48.2% exhibited acceptable preventive practices. Moreover, the results of multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that good knowledge score was significantly higher in respondents from urban than rural area (OR = 0.67; p < 0.05), in male than female(OR=1.90;p <0.05).Positive attitudes toward rabies prevention and control were significantly associated with male sex (OR = 2.40; p < 0.05). Good rabies prevention practicesweremorelikelyamongurbanresidents(OR=0.88;p<0.05),males(OR=1.95;p< 0.05). Conclusion and Recommendations:  In conclusion the study revealed substantial gaps in community knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward rabies in Pawi District, particularly among older individuals, females, and those with lower educational attainment. Therefore, targeted community education, improved access to rabies vaccines, and strengthened inter-sectoral collaboration are urgently needed to enhance rabies prevention and control. These findings provide critical evidence to inform public health interventions aimed at reducing rabies-related morbidity and mortality in rural Ethiopia.

[Addisu muleta, Asmamaw Aki,  Haimanot Disassa, Mekonen Damtew, Bihonegn. Assessment of Community Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Rabies in Pawi District, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, North Western Ethiopia. Life Sci J 2026;23(2):8-29]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 02. doi:10.7537/marslsj230226.02

Keywords: Attitude; Ethiopia; Knowledge; Pawi; Practice; Rabies

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Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanowires Length On Efficiency Of Dye Solar Cells Sensitized

Mohammad Kazem Tabatabaei ¹, Ahmad Afifi ²

^1. Department of Electrical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Hafez Ave, Tehran, Iran

^2. MUT- Department of Electrical Engineering , Tehran, Iran

Smk_tabatabaee@yahoo.com

Abstract: Long and vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays were synthesized using fast-microwave-hydrothermal process and was used in dye sensitized solar cell. Effects of different lengths of ZnO nanowire arrays on efficiency changes of dye sensitized solar cell and also absorption of dye were studied. J–V curves of the fabricated ZnO nanowire-based mercurochrome-sensitized solar cells indicated that the short-circuit current density is increased with increasing the length of the nanowire array. Vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays were investigated by FESEM image.

[Tabtabaei M.K, Afifi A. Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanowires Length On Efficiency Of Dye Solar Cells Sensitized. Life Sci J 2026;23(2):30-35]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 03. doi:10.7537/marslsj230226.03  

Keywords: zinc oxide; solar cell; hydrothermal; nanowire

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Assessment of natural regeneration status of woody species: A case study Wadi Burma, Western District, K.S.A

A. K.  Elsafori

Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Elsafori2@yahoo.com

Abstract:

       This study has been carried out to investigate the natural regeneration of woody species at Wadi Burma, Western District,  K. S. A. The natural regeneration of woody species in the study area is composed of Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia tortilis and Acacia raddiana seedlings. The density of natural regeneration was differing differs according to seasons, as in season 2018 was found 200 seedlings/ha, while in season 2019 was 1427 seedlings/ha. Seedlings’ density in year 2018 found to be highest for Acacia ehrenbergiana (134 seedlings/ha), moderate for Acacia tortilis ( 60 seedlings/ ha) and the lowest for Acacia raddiana ( 16 seedlings/ha) in season.  The density of natural regeneration of season 2019 increased for all of the three species to amount to 995 , 313 and 120 seedlings for Acacia ehrenbergiana ,  Acacia tortilis   and  Acacia raddiana, respectively. The study also revealed an overall season effect. It shows difference in seedlings’ regeneration according to the rainfall took place in the seasons (2018 and 2019). In season 2019(with rainfall range of 4.2, 70.9mm), resulted in an overall density of 1427seedlings/ha, which revealed statistically to be significantly higher than that of season 2018 of 22.3, 36.2mm rainfall range and only 200seedlings/ha density. The average density of natural regeneration of woody species in the study area was found to be 814 seedlings /ha.

[A. K.  Elsafori. Assessment of natural regeneration status of woody species: A case study Wadi Burma, Western District, K.S.A. Life Sci J 2026;23(2):36-39]. ISSN 1097-8135 (print); ISSN 2372-613X (online). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 04. doi:10.7537/marslsj230226.04

Keywords: Assessment; natural regeneration; woody species; Wadi Burma; Western District

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