Evaluation of serological test in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori and risk factors associated with the infection

Background: Serological testing has been widely used for the diagnosis of H. pylori. This study aimed to evaluate the serological test and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the test in the diagnosis of H. pylori. The study also aimed to address if there are risk factors like blood grouping, Smoking, Age, gender, and residence of the patients associated with H. pylori infection.Methods: A prospective cross‑sectional study was performed among 100 symptomatic patients attending Dr. Suliman dispensary, Elnehoud city in west Kordofan state-Sudan, from March to September 2016. H. pylori were detected on plasma by using Healgen immunochromatography test cards from Xiamen Boson Biotech Co., Ltd (China), and identified from a stool by using monoclonal antigen detection from the same trademarked company. Data for the risk factors associated with the infection were assessed in a participant interview.Results: The serological test showed significant differences when compared to the stool antigen test p-value = 0.000. The statistical analysis showed moderate sensitivity and high specificity of the serological test compared to the stool antigen detection test. The study also showed that smoking [odds ratio (OR): 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.24-4.02) and blood grouping (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: (1.08-1.60) were risk factors for H. pylori infection.Conclusions: The serological test showed high specificity and moderate sensitivity in comparison to the stool antigen test. The increased risk of H. pylori infection associated with smoking and blood grouping

Establishment of Hematological Reference intervals for healthy Children in Elobied City, Sudan

Hemogram Reference intervals are established since a healthy population is critical to accurately interpret laboratory tests, which include Hemoglobin estimation, Red blood cells count and indices, White blood cells count and differential in addition to Platelets count. This study aims to establish the reference interval of the complete hemogram amongst healthy Sudanese children in Elobied city, Sudan. A descriptive cross-sectional study  included 354 healthy children, aged between 3 to 17 years, who were categorized into three groups according to age. A questionnaire was fulfilled, EDTA anti-coagulated venous blood sample was collected from each child then the complete hemogram was performed automated hematological analyzer (Sysmex Xp 300), Finally, Data was analyzed by a software program (SPSS version 21). The hematological reference intervals for healthy children [Hb g/dl, HCT%, RBCs count x106μL, MCV/fL ,MCH /pg., MCHC g/dl ,WBCs count x10³/μL, Neutrophil count%, Eosinophil count %, Basophile count %, lymphocyte count ,Monocytes count%, RDW CV and PLTs count×10³/μL] are [(12.4±1.2),(37±4),(5.0 ±0.4), (82±5.0), (26±3.0), (32±3.0) ,(7.0±2.0) (47±10), (1±0.1) ,(0±0),(45± 10),(7 ± 4), (13±1.8) &(227±91)] respectively. The hematological RI for healthy children in Elobied was established in this study to be representative of this population, there was a significant gender-based difference in all the evaluated hematological parameters, they were found to be higher in males than in females except for basophil (%). Finally, the results of this study would shed a light on the importance of establishing RI for the children population in Elobied

Effect of HbF Level among Different Severity of Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can inhibit the deoxygenation induced polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) that drives the Pathophysiology of sickle cell disease. The aim of this study was to determine fetal Hb level in Sudanese sickle cell disease patients as well as to find out the effect of fetal hemoglobin level on different severity groups. Materials and Methods: This was descriptive cross sectional study included 100 Patients with sickle cell disease diagnosed by Positive sickling test and Hemoglobin electrophoresis. The Patients were attended Sudan sickle cell anemia center (SSCAC), Elobied-Sudan during September 2015 – July 2016. Clinical history was obtained to perform the severity of the disease according to Hedo et al. scoring. Fetal hemoglobin was estimated by Betke's method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software computer program version 21. Results: The mean of HbF level among the studied population was 7.6%. The descriptive analysis showed that, the mean level of HbF in 38 (38%) patients with mild disease was 7.7%, while in 54 (54%) patients with moderate disease the mean level of HbF was 7.6% and the last 8(8%) patients with severe disease showed HbF level 7%. There was no statistical significant differences observed when HbF level was less than 10% (P value = 0.146), while the statistical significant differences was observed among patients with HbF level more than10% (P value = 0.03). Conclusion: The study concluded that Hb F level has no effect in severity of the disease among studied sickle cell patients, unless HbF level more than 10%