Termites are diverse, ubiquitous and abundant in tropical ecosystems and are major examples of soil-dwelling ecosystem service providers that influence the ecosystem functioning by physically altering their biotic and abiotic surroundings. With increasing development in the environment, there is a gradual loss of their habitat. This study was carried out to determine the subterranean termite species in Rivers State University campus and relate the species and prevalence to their soil types. The study area was divided into 10 zones and from each zone 3 stations were selected randomly for sampling. Samples were collected in January and February 2018. Samples were taken from available mounds and soil in each station and termites were sorted, identified and counted. The temperature, organic content, pH, soil particle analysis and moisture content were determined for the soil samples. Five termite species from two families were identified;Termitidae: Amitermes spp1, Amitermes spp2, and Globitermes spp; Macrotermitidae: Macrotermes gilvusand another Macrotermes spp. The Amitermes spp was the most abundant as it was found in all 10 zones, followed by Macrotermes spp and then the Globitermes spp being the least abundant. Termite abundance, moisture content and soil type were significantly different in the 10 zones (p < 0.05). Total Organic Content was negatively correlated with Macrotermes spp. The Amitermes were more abundant in residential areas as they are wood eating termites suggesting that most destructive aspect of termite behaviour on residential areas may be perpetuated by the Amitermes species. The Macrotermes spp were found only in cultivated areas and from soil with higher percentage of clay, and they are basically soil feeders. M. gilvus and Macrotermes spp were seen in reddish mounds with fresh soil at the peak (showing termite activity) giving it a cone shape whereas the mound Globitermes spp was black, no fresh soil at the peak and had a circular shape. Amitermes was found in abandoned reddish Macrotermes mounds in residential areas. This study has provided some information on the termites in the University community as their habitat is gradually being destroyed with new buildings resulting in biodiversity loss. Moisture and TOC appeared to affect abundance.
Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is usually under diagnosed in resource-constrained countries as Africa. Although Real-time-reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is considered to be the gold standard tool to diagnose or screen for COVID-19, chest imaging is a valuable tool to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Therefore, Radiologists usually play an important role in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, especially in resource-constrained environments. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of chest CT findings in covid-19 pneumonia and to emphasize its diagnostic value in coronavirus disease. Materials and Method: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in a reputable diagnostic center in Port Harcourt and comprised of 13 chest CT images diagnosed of Covid-19 pneumonia that met the inclusion criteria set for this study. All the chest CT examinations were performed by registered radiographers on a 64-slice CT scanner (GE Optima CT660, GE medical systems). Results: Chest CT findings in patients with confirmed covid-19 infection was evaluated and the results revealed that 13 (100%) had GGO. Out of 13 patients with GGO, bilateral distribution of the opacities was found in 11(84.62%), followed by peripheral opacities 9(69%) and the least 2 (15.38%) was unilateral distribution. Conclusion: The commonest chest CT appearance of covid-19 pneumonia is bilateral GGO with a predilection for the lower lobes of the lungs. Radiologists and clinicians should take cognizance of imaging appearances and diagnostic capabilities of Chest CT in covid-19 pneumonia, especially in the context of the current pandemic.
<p>Psoriasis is uncommon in this part of the world, and the pustular variety is even rarer. It is for this reason that the patients are frequently misdiagnosed by their health care providers and presentat late to the dermatologists when complications have already set in. We report a case of a 33 year old female who presented to us with a two year history of pustular eruptions on her hands and feet, pain and swelling of joints in the affected areas and subsequent development of deformities. Prior to her presentation, she has been misdiagnosed as having tuberculosis of the skin as well as leprosy in different hospitals and treated as such with no improvement. On presentation to us, a skin biopsy was done and the specimen sent for histopathology. A diagnosis of pustular psoriasis was made and she was placed on oral methotrexate. She responded to treatment and the lesions resolved in a few weeks except for the joint deformities. This case illustrates the challenges encountered by patients with psoriasis in a resource poor setting like ours as well as the importance of availability of affordable drugs like methotrexate in their management. This is so considering the high cost and non-availability of more modern biologic agents in this part of the world.</p>
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