EVALUATION OF ZINC AND COPPER AMONG PATIENTS WITH SALMONELLOSIS ATTENDING MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL

ABSTRACT Salmonella infections are of significant global public health concern affecting individuals of all ages. Understanding the prevalence of salmonella infections and their potential associations with trace elements such as zinc and copper is crucial for effective prevention and management. The aim of this study was to evaluate zinc and copper among subjects with salmonellosis attending Madonna University Teaching Hospital(MUTH) Elele, Rivers State. A total of 40 participants, comprising 11 males and 9 females, were included in the study. Salmonella infection was determined bacteriologically using serial dilution methods. Zinc and copper levels were estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Results obtained were expressed as mean ± SD. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance which was used to compare mean, values and considered significant at p0.05. The result show that there is no significant level of difference (p > 0.05=0.073) in the mean values of serum zinc (0.185±0.40 ppm) when compared with apparently healthy individuals (0.151±0.07) and also no significant level of difference (p > 0.05=0.135) in the mean values of serum copper (0.253±0.22 ppm) when compared with apparently healthy individuals (0.149±0.17). Furthermore, results showed that there is no significant level of difference (P>0.05) in zinc and copper concentrations between the test and control groups based on gender and across all age group categories used in the study as all the p-values were greater than 0.05. Furthermore, post hoc analysis, which compares specific sex groups and age groups between test and control subjects, also confirms that there are no significant differences between these groups, as all the p-values are above 0.05. Conclusively, salmonella infection did not alter the mean concentration of serum zinc and serum copper. Furthermore, gender and age did not did not significantly alter zinc and copper levels, suggesting that the trace elements remained stable despite the presence of the infection. Additional research is warranted to investigate the potential long-term health effects of salmonella infection, as well as its impact on various aspects of nutrition and other trace elements.