Rotavirus is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children 5 years and below. An epidemiological study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rotavirus in Enugu state and factors that contribute to the incidence in the state. Stool samples were collected from 179 children from different parts of the state. Rotavirus antigen was detected using enzyme immunoassay kit. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to obtain additional information from the parents/guardian of the children. Chi square was used to analyze the results and significance was determined at 0.05. The results showed 31.5% prevalence of rotavirus among children with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and 25.7% prevalence in the general population. The prevalence was highest (60.9%) among children 0-12 months and decreased as the age increased. Rotavirus infection was significantly higher in bottle-fed children than in those feed exclusively breast milk. More viruses were detected in O (48.8%) and A (47.6%) blood group children than in children of other blood groups. More rotavirus caused AGE occurred in dry season compared to wet season, with highest incidence of both AGE and rotavirus infection occurring in January. Rotavirus diarrhoea was significantly associated with fever, vomiting and dehydration. The results of this study show that rotavirus continues to be an important cause of diarrhoea in children in this part of Nigeria and emphasize the need to factor in rotavirus and other viral agents in the diagnosis and treatment of diarrhoea in children 5 years and below.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked as the second most common cause of cancer deaths and the third most common cancer globally. It has been described as a ‘silent disease’ which is often easily treatable if detected early—before progression to carcinoma. Colonoscopy, which is the gold standard for diagnosis is not only expensive but is also an invasive diagnostic procedure, thus, effective and non‐invasive diagnostic methods are urgently needed. Unfortunately, the current methods are not sensitive and specific enough in detecting adenomas and early colorectal neoplasia, hampering treatment and consequently, survival rates. Studies have shown that imbalances in such a relationship which renders the gut microbiota in a dysbiotic state are implicated in the development of adenomas ultimately resulting in CRC. The differences found in the makeup and diversity of the gut microbiota of healthy individuals relative to CRC patients have in recent times gained attention as potential biomarkers in early non‐invasive diagnosis of CRC, with promising sensitivity, specificity and even cost‐effectiveness. This review summarizes recent studies in the application of these microbiota biomarkers in early CRC diagnosis, limitations encountered in the area of the faecal microbiota studies as biomarkers for CRC, and future research exploits that address these limitations.
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