Haematological profile of HIV seropositive HAART naive clients in Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Kogi State. Nigeria

Examination of haematological profile is useful for baseline assessment, treatment monitoring and prognostic evaluation in Hiv/AIDS management. The objectives of the study was to assess the haematological profile of HIV seropositive HAART naive patients who attended Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014. The study was prospective experimental research. Ethical clearance was obtained from ethical committee of Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba. Written and verbal informed consent was taken from all patients. A total of 404 HIV seropositive HAART naive patients comprising 147 (36.4%) males and 257(63.6%)females were examined. The overall mean age of patients was 33.0 ±12.7 years and female-male ratio was 1.7: 1. Half of respondents 200(50.4%) accessed HIV care and treatment for the time in stage three HIV disease. Patients had overall mean CD4 cells count of 381.8 ± 240.8 cells/mm3 , white blood cells count of 5.8 ± 3.6 × 109/L, lymphocyte count 2.3 ±1.3, granulocyte count 0.8 ± 0.8 and platelet count of 260.0 ± 109.1 × 109/L. The mean packed cell volume was 34.1± 5.9 %, haemoglobin 11.3 ± 2.1 g/dl and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was 31.5 ± 14.3 g/dl. The packed cells volume (p=0.0001, T test= 4.0259) and haemoglobin (p=0.0001, T test= 4.1534) profiles of HIV clients were respectively statistically significance with gender, while CD4 cells count ( p=0.004, F= 4.523) and platelet count (p= 0.008, F = 3.974) were significance respectively with HIV disease staging. The study recommended the need for awareness programs, nutritional education and micronutrients supplementation including multivitamins for HIV clients.Keywords: Haematological, HIV, HAART, patients, KSUTH, Nigeri

Review Article: Autopsy and the religious beliefs of Christains, Muslims and Jews; a short review of the historical perspective

Even though the advantages of autopsy were acknowledged by Christians, Muslims and Jews, it is still not completely accepted by these religions due to some ethical questions raised by their religious beliefs. A good look at the literatures has shown that, none of these three religions absolutely prohibited the performance of autopsy, but Muslims and Jews will appreciate the release of the body within the shortest possible time for the purpose of burial.Keywords: Autopsy, religious beliefs, history, christains, muslims, jew

CD4 CELLS PROFILE OF HAART NAIVE HIV SEROPOSITIVE C LIENTS IN KOGI STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ANYIGBA, KOGI S TATE. NIGERIA

CD4 lymphocyte cells are the primary targets of Human immune-deficiency virus (HIV). Enumeration of CD4 T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood is used in the assessment of disease clinical stage, risk of opportunistic infections, evaluation of prognosis and guide decision on the commencement of antiretroviral therapy. The objective was to determine CD4 cells profile of HIV sero-positive naïve patients in Kogi State University Teaching Hospital( KSUTH) Anyigba. A total of 404 HIV sero-positive Highly Active Anti Retro Viral Treatment ( HAART) naïve patients comprising 147(36.4%) males and 257 (63.6%) females were examined. Approval was obtained from ethical committee of Kogi State University Teaching Hospital (KSUTH), Anyigba. Written and verbal informed consent was taken from all patients. The overall mean age of patients was 33.0 ± 12.7 years and female-male ratio was 1.7:1. Majority of patients were in the clinical stage two 121(30.5%) and three 200(50.4%). Patients had overall mean CD4 cells count of 381.8 ± 240.8 cells /mm3. Patients CD4 cells count varied statistically with the HIV clinical staging (F =4.512 & P value=0.004) and statistically insignificant with gender (P value = 0.7562 & t Test= 0.3106) and tuberculosis status (P value=0.223 & F= 1.505).Conclusion: This study showed HIV sero-positive HAART naive patients presented in KSUTH with mean age of 33 years. Majority of patients presented in disease clinical stage two and three with a mean CD4 cells counts of 381.8 cells/mm3 . This study recommend the need to reduce stigmatization, discrimination and promote early access to treatment , care and support services

Effect of treatment with trypanocides on Trypanosoma brucei induced oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in dogs

Oxidative stress and alteration of endogenous antioxidant enzymes play roles in the pathophysiological mechanism of trypanosomosis. The oxidative stress marker: malondialdehyde- MDA and antioxidative stress markers: Serum catalase- CAT, Serum Reduced Glutathione -GSH-Rd and Serum Superoxide dismutase- SOD of Nigerian local dogs (NLD) experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei were evaluated after treatments with diminazene aceturate (DA) and isometamidium chloride (IMC). Twenty dogs of age 3 – 4 months were assigned to any of the four groups of five dogs each as follows: 1 = infected and treated with DA (7.0 mg/kg); 2 = uninfected untreated; 3 = infected and untreated; 4 = infected and treated with IMC (0.5 mg/kg). DA and IMC cleared the parasites from the blood, following treatment of the dogs. Relapse was recorded in two dogs in group 1 and one dog in group 4 on days 35 and 56 post-infection (PI) respectively. No dog died except one in group 1. The levels of malondialdehyde- MDA increased significantly by day 7 post-infection in all the infected groups. However, by day 14 post-infection the malondialdehyde levels in group 4 became similar with group 2. The MDA level in group 1 remained significantly higher than in group 2. As from days 7 – 14 post-infection Catalase, Reducedg glutathionend superoxide dismutase levels in the infected groups were significantly lower than group 2. Nevertheless, both trypanocides did not return the levels of CAT, GSH, and SOD to pre-infection values before the termination of the experiment. The findings suggested that the two trypanocides could neither reverse the induced oxidative stress nor normalize the antioxidant capacity of the dogs infected with T. brucei