The trend of hepatitis B surface antigenimia among teaching hospital patients in Kano

No Abstract. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 7(3) 2006: 143-14

Puerperal Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis is a rare and often misdiagnosed disorder. Its occurrence with pulmonary embolism (PE) is much rarer, more so when it occurs in the setting of puerperium. Although cerebral sagittal sinus thrombosis can occur at any time during life, women are particularly vulnerable before delivery and during the puerperal period due to the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy. We report a case which describes the challenging clinical course of a young woman who developed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and PE during puerperium.Keywords: Embolism, puerperium, pulmonary, sagittal sinus, thrombosi

Alpha-Fetoprotein in Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Virus Infected Subjects

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is high in sub-Saharan Africa. A great number of the infected individuals are asymptomatic and are commonly diagnosed by chance. Alpha-fetoprotein and liver functiontests were evaluated in asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive subjects to ascertain those that are at immediate risk of hepatocellular disease. Fifty subjects (37 males and 13 females), were recruited from among blood donors and general Outpatient clinics of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. They were seropositive for HBsAg but asymptomatic on routine medical check. HBsAg, alpha fetoprotein and liver enzymes activities were analyzed using strip and latex agglutination technique, ELECSYS 1010 and Express Plus auto analyzers respectively. There were no statistically significant changes in the level of alpha fetoprotein and liver function tests in HBsAg positive but asymptomaticsubjects when compared with control subjects, except in one subject who had serum alpha fetoprotein, asparate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase activities twice the value for the control subjects. But alkaline phosphate, bilirubin, total protein and albumin remained unchanged. Only one subject could be regarded to be at risk of developingliver disease at the time the study was carried out. Since hepatocellular pathology takes years to develop, it is therefore suggested that a twice yearly programme of alpha-fetoprotein testing be established in both urban and rural areas. This will help to reduce mortality and morbidity often associated with hepatic diseases due to HBV infection

Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitus B virus co-infection amog patients in Kano Nigeria

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 15(3) July-September 2006: 227-22

Biochemical changes in adult Nigerians with pulmonary tuberculosis in Kano-Nigeria

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the re-emerging diseases often associated with poverty and HIV/AIDS especially in sub saharan Africa. Hypercalcaemia is known to be associated with chronic granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and lymphoma. Reports of changes in biochemical parameters in patients with TB have been reported elsewhere. Aim: This study was aimed at assessing changes in some biochemical parameters in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Subjects and Methods: Fifty seven TB patients confirmed by culture and/or sputum smear were recruited consecutively over a period of twenty months. Serum calcium, inorganic phosphate, transaminases, proteins, urea, electrolytes and creatinine were assayed using Express plus chemistry autoanalyzer and fp 20 flame photometer. 50 male and 7 female subjects were recruited from among staff and students of the hospital as controls. Results: The mean corrected calcium level was 2.54±0.02mmol/l,albumin 24.0±1.27g/L, aspartate aminotransferase 47.6+3.0U/l, alanine aminotransferase 26±1.6Ul, sodium 135±0.8 mmol/l and bicarbonate 20±0.82mmol/l. Statistically significant difference (

HIV seroprevalence rates among prospective service personnel in a Nigerian security facility

Background: There is no doubt that the greatest health problem threatening the human race in these times is the HIVIAIDS pandemic. The greatest burden of this scourge is in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the joint United Nations Committee on HIVIAIDS (UNAIDS), over 40 million people have been infected with the disease as of the end of 2001 and of which over 28 million are in sub-Saharan Africa. These are the group presenting themselves for paramilitary recruitment in Nigeria. Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study is firstly to analyse the results of the HIV antibodies screening and confirmatory tests in order to determine the seroprevalence rate of HIV infection among this prospective service personnel. Secondly, to compare the prevalence rates between the males and females. Finally, to compare the seroprevalence rate in 2003 with that of 2002 among similar group. Methodology: A total of 900 consecutive prospective recruits were screened for HIV antibodies using double technique. Confirmatory tats were then performed on positive sera using Immunoconfirmatory kits. Chi square was used to analyze the results. Of the 900 tested 8l7 are males while 83 are females.Results: The prevalence is 1.4%. Overall in 2002, out of 431 officers screened in both groups, 8 (1.86%) were positive for HIV antibodies comprising 5 men (1.16%) and 3 women (0.69%). In 2003, out of a total of 900 recruits tested for HIV seropositivity, 13 (1.4%) were found to be seropositive with a 95% confidence interval of 1.0% to 1.8%. Discussion and Conclussion: Our results show a seroprevalenee of 1.44% among members of this security outfit and it is quite low compared to the national average of 5%. Our findings are low compared to seroprevalenee rata among ANC clients, Tb patients, STD clients and blood donors. However, it is comparable to 1.7% among another group of paramilitary in 2002, 1.4% among people with leprosy and 1.8% in Jigawa State sentinel survey. Health education is advised. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 7(2) 2006: 101-10

Bone marrow morphologic changes in Nigerian patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

No Abstract.Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(2) 2005: 33-3

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) P24 Antigen Among HIV Antibody - Negative Blood Donors in Kano, Nigeria

We investigated the possible risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission through transfusion of screened HIV-I and II antibody negative blood by evaluating the prevalence of HIV-I P24 antigen in screened bloodunits. A total of 330 consecutive HIV-I antibody negative blood units were tested for HIV-I P24 antigen by direct ELISA. Eleven of 330 (3.3%) tested positive to HIV-1 P24 antigens. Highest prevalence of 2.1% was observed among the 113 donors within the age group of 31 – 40 years. Blood units of all female donors tested negative to HIV-1 P24 antigens. This calls for the need to supplement the HIV antibody testing with antigen test to reduce the risk of viral transmission through blood donated at the window period of HIV infection