Browsing by Author "Adu-Sarkodie, Yaw"

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    Accuracy of clinical diagnosis, mammography and ultrasonography in preoperative assessment of breast cancer
    (Ajol.Info, 2018-09) Badu-Peprah, Augustina; Adu-Sarkodie, Yaw; 0000-0003-0979-4006
    Background: Cancer of the breast is the most common malignancy affecting women in many parts of the world. Its early detection has, therefore, become necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, radiological imaging, histology and management programs are associated with challenges. Objectives: This study seeks to assess the validity of clinical diagnosis, mammography and breast ultrasonography in the preoperative assessment of suspected breast cancer patients for accurate detection of the disease to enable appro priate management. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the Radiology Department of Komfo Anokye Teach ing Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, between November 2007 and July 2008 with a sample size of 103. All patients with a clinical suspicion of breast cancer who gave informed consent were recruited, underwent bilateral mammography and whole breast ultrasonography and then biopsy for all BIRADS categories 4 or 5 lesions. The histopathology results were retrieved to complete the study. Result: In this study the definition of malignancy was made using histology as the gold standard. A total of 103 patients were recruited for this study with mean age of 55(+15) years, out of which 52 (50.5%) had malignant lesions. The overall sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was 50.5%. While the overall sensitivity and specificity for mammogram and ultrasound were 73.0%, 80.0% and 100%, 80.4% respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that clinical diagnosis, ultrasound and mammography can potentially predict breast cancer disease with considerable sensitivity and specificity.
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    Aetiological agents of cerebrospinal meningitis: a retrospective study from a teaching hospital in Ghana
    (Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 2012) Owusu, Michael; Nguah, Samuel Blay; Boaitey, Yaw Agyekum; Badu-Boateng, Ernest; Abubakr, Abdul-Raman; Lartey, Robert Awuley; Adu-Sarkodie, Yaw; 0000-0001-5066-150X; 0000-0002-2118-7711; 0000-0002-0496-5155
    Background: Meningitis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings. In sub-Saharan Africa, the meningitis belt has been characterized by particularly high and seasonal incidences of bacterial meningitis extending throughout life. Despite the progress being made in treating the condition, the mortality rates continue to be high, ranging between 2% and 30% globally. In Ghana, the mortality rate of meningitis has been estimated to range from 36% to 50%. However little information is available on the pathogens contributing to meningitis and their antimicrobial susceptibilities. Updated information is essential to adjust the recommendations for empirical treatment or prevention of meningitis which could have immense implications for local and global health. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed laboratory records of all patients suspected of bacterial meningitis who underwent a lumbar puncture from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Data were retrieved from laboratory record books and double entered into a MicrosoftW excel spreadsheet. Results: Records of 4,955 cerebrospinal fluid samples were analysed. Of these, 163 (3.3%, 95%CI: 2.8% to 3.8%) were confirmed meningitis and 106 (2.1%, 95%CI: 1.7% to 2.6%) were probable meningitis cases. Confirmed meningitis cases were made up of 117 (71.8%) culture positive bacteria, 19 (11.7%) culture positive Cryptococcus neoformans and 27(16.6%) Gram positive bacteria with negative culture. The most prevalent bacteria was Streptococcus pneumoniae 91 (77.7%), followed by E.coli 4 (3.4%), Salmonella species 4 (3.4%), Neisseria meningitidis 3 (2.5%), Pseudomonas species 3(2.5%) and others. Pneumococcal isolates susceptibility to penicillin, chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone were 98.9% (95%CI: 94.0% to 100.0%), 83.0% (95%CI: 73.4% to 90.1%) and 100.0% (95%CI: 95.8% to 100.0%) respectively. Conclusion: Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of meningitis among all age groups and its susceptibility to penicillin and ceftriaxone still remains very high. Ghanaians of all ages and possibly other developing countries in the meningitis belt could benefit from the use of the pneumococcal vaccine. Other bacterial and fungal pathogens should also be considered in the management of patients presenting with meningitis.
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    Aetiological agents of pneumonia among HIV and non-HIV infected children in Ghana: A case-control study
    (plos one, 2024-03) Owusu, Michael; Adu, Eric; Kalu, , Lotenna Elsie; Martey, Eugene; Acheampong, Godfred; Enimil, Anthony; Appiah, John Adabie; Badu-Peprah, Augustina; Sylverken, Justice; Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; Nguah, Samuel Blay; Westeel, Emilie; Pouzol, Stephane; Drosten, Christian; Adu-Sarkodie, Yaw; 0000-0003-0979-4006
    Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children, however, the microbial aetiology of pneumonia is not well elucidated in low- and middle-income countries. Our study was aimed at determining the microbial aetiologies of childhood pneumonia and associated risk factors in HIV and non-HIV infected children. We conducted a case-control study that enrolled chil dren with pneumonia as cases and non-pneumonia as controls from July 2017 to May 2020. Induced sputum and blood samples were investigated for microbial organisms using stan dard microbiological techniques. DNA/RNA was extracted from sputum samples and tested for viral and bacterial agents. Four hundred and four (404) subjects consisting of 231 (57.2%) cases and 173 (42.8%) controls were enrolled. We identified a significant (p =0.011) proportion of viruses in cases (125; 54.1%, 95%CI: 47.4–60.7) than controls (71;33.6%, 95%CI: 33.6–48.8) and these were mostly contributed to by Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Staphylococcus aureus (16; 4.0%), Klebsiella spp. (15, 3.7%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (8, 2.0%) were the main bacterial agents identified in sputum or induced spu tum samples. HIV infected children with viral-bacterial co-detection were found to have verysevere pneumonia compared to those with only viral or bacterial infection. Indoor cooking (OR = 2.36; 95%CI:1.41–3.96) was found to be associated with pneumonia risk in patients. This study demonstrates the importance of various microbial pathogens, particularly RSV, in contributing to pneumonia in HIV and non-HIV paediatric populations. There is a need to accelerate clinical trials of RSV vaccines in African populations to support improvement of patient care
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    Sero-epidemiology of human coronaviruses in three rural communities in Ghana
    (Pan African Medical Journal, 2021) Owusu, Michael; Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; El-Duah, Philip; Acheampong, Godfred; Mutocheluh,, Mohammed; Adu-Sarkodie, Yaw; 0000-0001-5066-150X; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0003-1671-0755; 0000-0003-2495-9235; 0000-0002-1396-5085; 0000-0003-2093-1534
    Introduction: acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) are responsible for significant proportions of illnesses and deaths annually. Most of ARIs are of viral etiology, with human coronaviruses (HCoVs) playing a key role. This study was conducted prior to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to provide evidence about the sero-epidemiology of HCoVs in rural areas of Ghana. Methods: this was a cross sectional study conducted as part of a large epidemiological study investigating the occurrence of respiratory viruses in 3 rural areas of Ghana; Buoyem, Kwamang and Forikrom. Serum samples were collected and tested for the presence of IgGantibodies to three HCoVs; HCoV-229E, HCoV OC43 and HCoV-NL63 using immunofluorescence assay. Results: of 201 subjects enrolled into the study, 97 (48.3%) were positive for all three viruses. The most prevalent virus was HCoV-229E (23%; 95% CI: 17.2 - 29.3), followed by HCoV-OC43 (17%; 95% CI: 12.4 - 23.4), then HCoV-NL63 (8%, 95% CI: 4.6 - 12.6). Subjects in Kwamang had the highest sero-prevalence for HCoV-NL63 (68.8%). human coronaviruses-229E (41.3%) and HCoV-OC43 (45.7%) were much higher in Forikrom compared to the other study areas. There was however no statistical difference between place of origin and HCoVs positivity. Although blood group O+ and B+ were most common among the recruited subjects, there was no significant association (p = 0.163) between blood group and HCoV infection. Conclusion: this study reports a 48.3% sero-prevalence of HCoVs (OC43, NL63 and 229E) among rural communities in Ghana. The findings provide useful baseline data that could inform further sero-epidemiological studies on SARS-CoV-2 in Africa.