Pattern of Lipid Profile in Adult HIV Seropositives in Nnewi, Nigeria

To determine the lipid profile level in adult HIV seropositive participants. Blood samples collected from the 300 randomly recruited participants were used for HIV screening, CD4+ T cell count, total Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Triglyceride. Standard Laboratory methods were used for the analysis. The results showed that the mean serum total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride and CD4+ T cell levels were significantly different amongst the groups studied. The mean serum total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglyceride levels were significantly lower in symptomatic HIV participants on antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with those not on ART (P<0.05) but no significant difference was observed between the groups in CD4+ T cell level (p>0.05). The mean serum total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride and CD4+ T cell levels were significantly lower in  symptomatic HIV participants on ART compared with control group (in each case). Also, the mean serum HDL and CD4+ T cell levels were significantly lower while the mean LDL was significantly higher in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART compared with  control subjects (P<0.05) but the values seen in total Cholesterol and Triglycerides were the same in both groups (P>0.05). Hypolipidaemia was seen in HIV positive participants. Keywords: HIV, lipid profile, participants.

Assessment of Some Cardiac Biomarkers in Adult HIV Seropositives in Nnewi, Nigeria.

Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased of developing heart disease. Information on cardiac status in HIV infected in Nigerians is lacking. We assessed the impact of HIV infection on serum Myoglobin, Troponin, total CK, CK-MB, LDH and AST of HIV infected adults presenting at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State. The aim of this study is to determine some cardiac biomarkers in adult HIV seropositive participants, blood samples collected from the 300 randomly recruited participants were used for HIV screening, CD4+ T cell count, serum Myoglobin, Troponin, total CK, CK-MB, LDH and AST. Standard Laboratory methods were used for the analysis. The results showed that the mean serum Myoglobin and Troponin levels were significantly higher in symptomatic HIV participants not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with asymptomatic HIV participants at P< 0.05, in each case. Also, the mean serum Myoglobin and Troponin levels were significantly higher in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART compared with HIV asymptomatic HIV participants at P<0.05 in each case. Again, the mean serum total Creatine kinase, CK-MB, LDH and AST were significantly higher in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART compared with asymptomatic HIV participants at P<0.05 respectively. Similarly, the mean serum total Creatine kinase, CK-MB, LDH and AST were significantly higher in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART compared with HIV seronegative control subjects at P<0.05 in each case. Once again, the mean serum total Creatine kinase, CK-MB and AST were significantly higher in asymptomatic HIV participants compared with HIV seronegative control subjects at P<0.05 respectively. Increased levels of some cardiac markers were seen in HIV infected participants. Keywords: HIV, cardiac markers, participants

Serum apolipoprotein B increased among tuberculosis patients compared to healthy subjects

Background The burden of tuberculosis (TB) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is enormous worldwide. Public health programs have been challenged with the overlapping of TB and CVD epidemics.Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is also a main driver of atherogenesis, suggesting a potential pathogenic role of tuberculosis in cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to compare the serum levels of apolipoprotein B (apo B), apolipoprotein B48 (apo B48) and apolipoprotein B100 (apo B100) between patients with tuberculosis and healthy subjects. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 251 subjects consisting of 120 treatment naïve active TB patients [26 HIV co infected (TB+HIV+) and 82 TB+), 12 malaria parasite co-infected (TB+MP+)], 26 latent TB infected (LTB) and 105 healthy controls. Their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was determined by Ziehl-Nelseen (ZN) sputum smear microscopy and confirmed positive using GeneXpert. Latent TB was determined by Mantoux test, MP was evaluated by microscopy while HIV by immunochromatographic techniques using serial algorithm. Apolipoproteins were determined using spectrophotometry. A one-way ANOVA test and LSD’s post hoc multiple comparisons were used for statistical analyses. Results Significantly lower mean levels of BMI were observed in LTB, TB+, TB+HIV+ and TB+MP+ compared with the controls (p<0.005). The mean serum levels of apo B, apo B48 and B100 were significantly higher in LTB, TB+, HIV+TB+ and TB+MP+ compared with apparently healthy controls (p<0.05). Conclusion Elevated levels of apolipoproteins among infected TB individuals might predispose them to cardiovascular disease

Cobalt, copper, selenium and zinc levels in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria

Background: The effect of oestrogen deficiency after menopause on the trace elements may give rise to some metabolic disturbances leading to osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, arterial hypertension, thyroid disorders and many other pathological conditions.Objective: This study was meant to unravel the possible effects of menopause on some select trace elements.Methodology: A total of 100 subjects were selected for this study which comprised 50 pre-menopausal (control) and 50 post-menopausal (test). The subjects were divided into different age categories and duration. Determination of the concentrations of trace elements was performed using the FS-240 atomic absorption spectrophotometry method.Results: There was a significant decrease in the mean concentrations of zinc and cobalt in the post-menopausal subjects (test), compared with the pre-menopausal group (p&lt;0.01). However, a significant increase was observed in the mean levels of selenium in the post-menopausal group (test), compared with that of the pre-menopausal individuals (p&lt;0.01), while there was no significant difference in the mean concentration of copper in the post-menopausal subjects, compared with the pre-menopausal group (p=0.428).Conclusion: Oestrogen deficiency after menopause may be the cause of some fluctuations in the serum concentrations of trace elements. This work has established that the serum concentrations of zinc and cobalt are diminished with a concomitant increase in selenium in post-menopausal women. The precise impact of this deficiency and possible influence of oestrogen therapy on trace element status in post-menopausal women need further larger-population studies.Keywords: Oestrogen deficiency, serum concentrations, trace elements, wome