Emerging spread of β-thalassemia trait in Nigeria

BackgroundChronic anaemia mainly thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia are inherited disorders of haemoglobin. Presently about 7% of the world's populations are carriers of a potentially pathological haemoglobin gene. Sickle cell disease is a common haemoglobinopathy in Nigeria but recently cases of β-thalassemia traits are becoming prominent. This study aimed at screening for β-thalassemia in adults and children with chronic anaemia in Nigeria by assessing the patients’ level of haemoglobin F, haemoglobin A2 and red cell indices.Materials and methodsHaemoglobin F and HbA2 were determined in the chronic anaemia patients by Alkaline Denaturation Method and Beta-Thal HbA2 Quick Column Procedure respectively. Haemoglobin genotype was determined by Haemoglobin Electrophoresis at alkaline medium while Complete Blood count was estimated using Sysmex KX-2IN Autoanalyser.ResultsThe mean HbF, HbA2, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC of the children and adults are 2.56±0.46 and 2.45±0.87 (%); 2.05±0.25 and 1.89±0.60 (%); 0.21±0.31 and 0.21±0.36 (L/L); 81.58±12.59 and 78.69±14.11 (fL); 22.74±5.39 and 23.07±7.36 (pg); 27.52±3.84 and 31.23±14.32 (g/l) respectively. Four percent (2 subjects) of each adult and children population had increased HbF level (>1.5%) and HbA2 levels (>2.8%) and these subjects are composed of 2 children with haemoglobin genotype AA and two adult with haemoglobin genotypes SS.ConclusionsThe outcome of this study reiterates the emergence of β-thalassemia traits and iron deficiency anaemia in different parts of Nigeria irrespective of their haemoglobin genotype status. This requires adequate specialized intervention for their diagnosis and treatment. There is therefore the need for subsequent molecular analysis to determine the β-thalassemia genes present in the studied community

Iron Deficiency Status and Anaemia among Athletes in Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Athletes are highly at risk of minimal iron consumption due to the nature of their diet which is mainly based on calorie consideration without regard for an iron-embedded diet. This study determined the iron deficiency status and anaemia in athletes across all sports in Osogbo, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Seventy (70) subjects comprising 55 and 33 age-sex matched athletes and healthy non–athlete controls respectively, were recruited into this study from Osogbo City Stadium Nigeria. Parameters assessed include packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and the red cell indices; serum iron; total iron-binding capacity; and ferritin. Results: There was a general and gender-specific significant reduction in the mean ±SD level of all haematological parameters (p<0.05) of the athletes compared with the controls with the TIBC, serum iron and ferritin reduced though statistically insignificant. Moderate anaemia was generally observed (64%) in the entire populace while those with severe anaemia, mainly the females (5%). Iron deficiency was present majorly in the female group with one male displaying iron depletion features. Conclusion: Iron deficiency, depleted iron store and anaemia are well observed in the athletes with the females presenting more anaemic conditions than the male counterparts all of which result from their dietary constituents, non-supplementation of haemoglobin, mechanical induced intravascular haemolysis, uncompensated blood loss due to menstrual flow in females and exercise-induced inflammatory cytokine

African Polyherbal Formulation Possesses Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects on Benzene - Induced Leu kemia in Wistar Rats

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective cancer treatment options but they are accompanied by serious side effects and complications such as systemic cytotoxicity, chemo - or radio - resistance. Therefore, more effective therapies are sorely needed. This study investigated the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of a polyherbal formulation on benzene induced eukemia in Wistar rats. The polyherbal formulation is composed of fruits such as Orange, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Grape and Vege tables like; Pumpkin leave, Garden egg suspended in honey medium. Method s : Leukemia was induced by injecting 0.2 ml of benzene solution intravenously through the tail of young rats at 48 h intervals for four times. Leukemia developed in 92% of rats some w eeks after the last benzene injection and following up weekly observation for leukemia development in appropriate rat groups. Leukemia burden was assessed using indicator parameters such as total leukocyte, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. Exactly 0.48 ml of the polyherbal formulation was administered orally by gavage using oral cannular once daily post leukemia induction for four weeks. Results: Leukemia induction reflected in significant reduction in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count and a marked and a significant increase in leukocyte count over the control (p < 0.05). There is significant difference between the chemopreventive group and chemotherapeutic (leukemia positive group treated with poly - herbal f ormulation) and the leukemia positive control group untreated. Conclusion: This study reveals profound activity of the poly - herbal formulation at preventing and reversing experimentally developed leukemia in the rat groups, hence the ability of the polyhe rbal formulation in alleviating the cancer symptom

African Polyherbal Formulation Possesses Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects on Benzene- Induced Leukemia in Wistar Rats

Background: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective cancer treatment options but they are accompanied by serious side effects and complications such as systemic cytotoxicity, chemo- or radio-resistance. Therefore, more effective therapies are sorely needed. This study investigated the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects of a polyherbal formulation on benzene induced leukemia in Wistar rats. The polyherbal formulation is composed of fruits such as Orange, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple, Grape and Vegetables like; Pumpkin leave, Garden egg suspended in honey medium. Methods: Leukemia was induced by injecting 0.2 ml of benzene solution intravenously through the tail of young rats at 48 h intervals for four times. Leukemia developed in 92% of rats some weeks after the last benzene injection and following up weekly observation for leukemia development in appropriate rat groups. Leukemia burden was assessed using indicator parameters such as total leukocyte, red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration. Exactly 0.48 ml of the polyherbal formulation was administered orally by gavage using oral cannular once daily post leukemia induction for four weeks. Results: Leukemia induction reflected in significant reduction in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, red cell count and a marked and a significant increase in leukocyte count over the control (p < 0.05). There is significant difference between the chemopreventive group and chemotherapeutic (leukemia positive group treated with poly-herbal formulation) and the leukemia positive control group untreated. Conclusion: This study reveals profound activity of the poly-herbal formulation at preventing and reversing experimentally developed leukemia in the rat groups, hence the ability of the polyherbal formulation in alleviating the cancer symptom

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy; a Condition to Monitor in the Management of Leukaemia Patients

Background: Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy is a consumption coagulopathy which mostly results from an underlying disease. It occurs as a result of the activation of the coagulation cascade leading to the formation of thrombi which results in haemorrhage due to the excessive consumption of platelet and coagulation factors. Mali gnancy is associated with hypercoagulable state and increased risk for thrombohemorrhagic complications and leukaemia is no exception. Bleeding manifestations are common in acute leukemias, especially in acute myeloblastic leukemia, and are prominent featu res of an initial stage of the disease. This study assessed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) in leukaemia patients in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixteen (116) subjects consisting of 58 leukaemic subjects (AML, CLL, and CM L) and 58 age and sex - matched healthy control subjects were recruited into the study. The parameters estimated in this study were packed cell volume (PCV), platelet count, white blood cell count (WBC), prothrombin time (PT), the international normalised ra tio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and D - dimer assay. Result s : The mean ± SD values of the parameters assessed in the leukaemia patients include 3.7±3.1 μg FEU/mL, 67.5±55.7 seconds, 1.8±0.1, 77.3±31.8 seconds, 194±103 cells/mm 3 , 74±124 cells/mm 3 , 30±5% for D - dimer, PT, INR, aPTT, platelets, WBC and PCV respectively. The results display a significant statistical difference between the leukaemic and the control subjects (p<0.05). Conclusion: The abnormality of these haemostatic par ameters occurring in the leukaemic subjects (AML, CLL, and CML) is highly indicative of the occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in these patients. This study, therefore, shows that disseminated intravascular coagulopathy can occur as a co mplication of various types of leukaemia studied and this requires prompt and appropriate management

Kigelia africana Stem Bark, Fruit and Leaf Extracts Alleviate Benzene-induced Leukaemia in Rats

Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating the potential leukaemia chemotherapeutic activities of various extracts of Kigelia africana stem bark; fruit and leaf by using a benzene-induced model of leukaemia to validate its folkloric use. Evidences from African herbal medicine and traditional applications have shown that Kigelia africana plant has several beneficial therapeutic properties against microbial infections and cancer cell lines. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria and study was conducted between August, 2016 and November, 2016. Methodology: Rats were administered 0.2 mL of benzene solution intravenously through the tail 48-hourly for 4 weeks, tested periodically and observed till leukaemia developed prior to treatment with respective extract of the Kigelia africana stem bark, fruit and leaf in appropriate rat groups after leukaemia was confirmed with haematological protocols. Leukaemic rats were administered with 100 mg/mL contained in 0.5 mL stem bark, 0.5 mL fruit and 0.2 mL of the leaf extract orally by gavage using oral cannula once daily post leukemia induction for four weeks. Haematological parameters and white blood cells differential counts (lymphocytes) were assessed in both control and treatment groups to determine the leukaemia burden. Results: Kigelia africana treatment using the stem bark, fruit and leaf significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated the anaemia indices and reduced the marked leucocytosis usually associated with leukaemia toward the negative control level when compared with the leukaemia control group. Antileukaemic activity however appears to be highest in stem bark, and least in the leaf. Conclusion: This study revealed the potential of ethanol extracts of Kigelia africana stem bark, fruit and leaf to reverse leukaemic effects in benzene-induced leukaemia bearing wistar rats and this suggest that the extracts might be promising natural, non-toxic and anticancer agents

Survival of Treponema pallidum in banked blood for prevention of Syphilis transmission

Background: Every year, millions of people are exposed to avoidable, life-threatening risks through the trans¬fusion of unsafe blood. Aim: To determine the survival time of Treponema pallidum in banked donor blood. Material and Methods: Two groups of male Wistar rats (group A and B) were inoculated intratesticularly with 0.5ml of artificially infected donor blood (final density of Nichols treponemes: 5x105/ml) stored at 4oC for various periods of time. In group A, a pair each of the rats was injected every 12 hours, starting at 0 hr, up to a maximal storage time of 96 hr. In group B, the rats were injected after 72, 120, 192 and 336 hours of storage of the treponemes-blood mixture. Group C which is a control group was injected with blood only, while group D rats were injected with heat-killed treponemes suspended in blood every 12 hours. The detection of Treponema pallidum IgG/IgM was based on the principle of double antigen sandwich immunoassay, in which purified recombinant antigens are employed sufficiently to identify antibodies to Syphilis. The outcomes of interest included the proportion of Syphilis positive rats and the maximal survival hours of T. pallidum in banked blood. Results: 14 rats (77.8%) out of the 18 rats that were involved in group A developed orchitis and positive serology up to 72 hours of storage time, p<0.05. 2 rats (25%) in group B developed orchitis after 72hrs of storage time. All the 18 rats (100%) in the control group C and D showed neither clinical nor serological changes. Conclusion: It was concluded that the survival time of T. pallidum in banked donor blood lies between 72-120hrs in this study. Regardless of blood banking temperature, T. pallidum and other transfusion transmissible infections should be screened for prior to allogeneic transfusion