The burden of Hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia in Jos – Nigeria

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an important public health problem in Nigeria associated with frequent blood transfusion. Patients with this disease are at increased risk of contracting hepatitis B and C virus through blood transfusions.Objective: The study aimed at determining the burden of hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anaemia and the role of blood transfusion in these infections acquisition in Jos.Materials and methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted on patients with SCA attending the Haematology Out-patient Clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital,between November 2014 and August 2015.Consenting patients with SCA had their blood screened for anti- HBV and HCV antibodies using fourth generation Elisa techniques after completing a questionnaire.Results: One hundred and eleven patients with SCA participated. Antibodies to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was detected in 21 (18.9%) while that to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was found in 16 (14.7%). Seventy six (68.5%) of the participants had history of blood transfusion while 35 (31.5%) were never transfused. 22.4% and 15.8% of those transfused were positive for HBV and HCV antibodies respectively. There was no significant difference in the proportion of those positive for anti HBV or HCV with respect to their transfusion status (p=0.24 and 0.81 respectively).Conclusion: The proportion of our patients with SCA that were anti HBV and anti-HCV positive was high. Blood transfusion did not significantly influence their positive status. Strategies aimed at controlling these viral infections in these patients and the general population should be enforced after public awareness campaigns and advocacy are instituted.Keywords: Sickle Cell Anaemia, burden, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis CVirus, infection, Blood Transfusio

Evaluation of andrological indices and testicular histology following administration of varied doses of nicotine

This study is aimed at determining the effect of Nicotine on male fertility by evaluating some andrological parameters of male Wistar rat such as sperm parameters (spermatozoa count and motility), serum concentration of testosterone and testicular weight. Histopathology of the testis was also carried out on the effect of nicotine on testicular microstructure. 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, the test groups were administered with 0.2mg/100g, 0.4/100g and 0.6/100g body weight daily for 30 days while the control were administered with 2mls 0.9% physiological saline. Nicotine caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) and (P< 0.01) in the mean values of sperm count, serum testosterone concentration and testicular weight in the test when compared with the control. Also, in the test group, the deleterious effect of nicotine on the sperm parameters and testosterone concentration was corroborated by histopathology which revealed a marked degeneration of germ cell layers in the seminiferous tubule and disruption of interstitial cells of the testis thereby interfering with spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion while there was no visible change in the control group. It was concluded that nicotine exerted toxic effect on the germ cell layers in seminiferous tubule with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat whilst showing no significant change in sperm motility. Nicotine and nicotine based products should therefore be taken with caution in cases of infertility. Key words: germ cells, testes, testosterone, fertility, spermatogenesis

Evaluation of Mineral and Amino Acid Composition of Leaves of Ocimum Gratissimum (L.)

The study was conducted to determine the mineral and amino acid composition of the leave of Ocimum gratissimum. The mineral composition showed major minerals such as Na, K, Ca and Mg should essential and non-essential amino acids. The amino acids compared favorably with FAO reference protein. The leave were also found to be rich in essential amino acids especially lysine and leucine. Amino acid composition of Ocimum gratissimum both essential and non-essential acids. The level of essential of amino acids are adequate when compared with the reference values, therefore this result provide scientific basis for the consumption of O. gratissimumleave in Nigeria.. Keywords: Mineral, amino acids, Ocimum gratissimum, composition Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 15-1

Distribution Of Abo, Rhesus Blood Groups And Haemoglobin Electrophoresis Among The Undergraduate Students Of Niger Delta University Nigeria

The distribution of ABO, Rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among 200 undergraduate students of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria randomly selected were studied. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from the antecubital vein. The blood sample were transferred into EDTA bottle and mixed. The determination of the ABO, Rhesus (RhD) blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis was done. The results showed that blood group O had the highest percentage distribution of 49% followed by blood groups A and B with 22% respectively and the least percentage distribution was blood group AB which is 7%. Rh-D positive rate was 98% and that of Rh-D negative was found to be 2%. The percentage distribution for the haemoglobin electrophoresis pattern for HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbAC and HbSC were 66%, 26%, 2%, 2%, and 4% respectively. HbAA and HbAS occurred more frequently than other haemoglobin variants in this study

Epidemiology of anaemia necesitating bone marrow aspiration cytology in Jos

Objective: The study aims at investigating, identifying and classifying the various causes of anaemia necessitating bone marrow aspiration cytology in our enviromnent. Methodology:A retrospective review of all bone marrow aspiration cytology reports of patients referred to Haematology and Blood Transfusion department of the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2008 on account of anaemia was carried out. Results: The commonest cause of anaemia was acute leukaem is (n=45: 24.3%); followed by combined megaloblastic and iron deficiency anaemia (nutritional deficiency anaemia) (n=34: 18.4%); and bone marrow failure (Aplastic anaemia) (n=20: 10.8%). Bone marrow aspiration cytology alone failed to identify causes of anaemia in a few patients (n=6: 3.2%). Conclusion: The study provides a valuable insight into the causes of anaemia in our environment. In contrast to the general opinion that iron deficiency is the commonest cause of anaemia, acute leukaemia was found to be the commonest cause of anaemia in this environment followed by deficiency of nutritional factors and bone marrow failure. Lack of laboratory facilities has hindered further investigation of causes of anaemia in this environment. More emphasis should be placed on identifying and managing the specific cause of anaemia rather than the current broad based approach to management. Public enlightenment on the need for early presentation to hospital and thorough investigations is necessary as early diagnosis affects positively the overall outcome of haematological diseases

SAFETY AND HYPOGLYCAEMIC PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum

Glucose -6- Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Activity And Deficiency In A Population Of Nigerian Males Resident In Jos

The activity of red blood cell Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in one hundred and twenty six healthy male individuals who are Nigerians residing in Jos was evaluated. The enzyme activity was determined quantitatively by spectrophotometer assay method. The activity of red cell G6PD enzyme was subnormal in 20% of the population studied. This agrees with previous report of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Nigerian males from the Western region of the country which is between 20 and 26%. The proportion of Nigerian males with subnormal G6PD activity is relatively constant irrespective of their geographical location

Seroprevalence and risk factors for human T cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 among blood donors in Jos, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Aims: To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of human T cell Lymphotrophic viruses 1 and 2 among blood donors in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study of 500 consecutive blood donors from the blood bank of Jos University Teaching Hospital and National Blood Transfusion Services Jos were recruited into the study. Questionnaires were administered and blood samples were collected from all participants. Sera of the blood donors were assayed for HTLV 1 and 2 using microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using Epi Info version 3.5.1 and statistical significance was set at p-values ≤0.05. Results: The mean age of the study population was 29.9±8.9 years with a male -female ratio of 4. donors had different forms of exposure to risk factors, none was positive for HTLV-1 or HTLV-2. Conclusion: Human T cell lymphotrophic virus had zero seroprevalence among tested blood donors in Jos. However, continuous surveillance is necessary to keep the prevalence at low ebb. Further studies using larger sample size to include other healthy adults, commercial sex workers and pregnant women should be carried out in the entire country to define the prevalence of the virus in Nigeria

Outcome of HIV-associated lymphoma in a resource-limited setting of Jos, Nigeria

Abstract Background Lymphoma is a leading cause of cancer-related death among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals in the current era of potent anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Globally, mortality after HIV-associated lymphoma has profound regional variation. Little is known about HIV-associated lymphoma mortality in Nigeria and other resource-limited setting in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we evaluated the all-cause mortality after lymphoma and associated risk factors including HIV at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Nigeria. Methods We conducted a ten-year retrospective cohort study of lymphoma patients managed in JUTH. The main outcome measured was all-cause mortality and HIV infection was the main exposure variable. Overall death rate was estimated using the total number of death events and cumulative follow up time from lymphoma diagnosis to death. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess factors associated with mortality after lymphoma diagnosis. Results Out of 40 lymphoma patients evaluated, 8(20.0%) were HIV positive and 32(80.0%) were HIV negative. After 127.63 person- years of follow-up, there were 16 deaths leading to a crude mortality rate of 40.0 per 100 person-years. The 2-year probability of survival was 30% for HIV-infected patients and 74% for HIV-uninfected. Median survival probability for HIV-infected patients was 2.1 years and 7.6 years for those without HIV. Unadjusted hazard of death was associated with late stage, HR 11.33(95% CI 2.55, 50.26,p = 0.001); low cumulative cycles of chemotherapy, HR 6.43(95% CI 1.80, 22.89,p = 0.004); greater age, HR 5.12(95% CI 1.45,18.08,p = 0.01); presence of comorbidity, HR 3.43(95% CI 1.10,10.78,p = 0.03); and HIV-infection, HR 3.32(95% CI 1.05, 10.51,p = 0.04). In an adjusted model only stage was significantly associated with death, AHR 5.45(1.14–26.06, p = 0.03). Conclusion Our findings suggest that HIV- infection accounted for three times probability of death in lymphoma patients compared to their HIV-uninfected counterparts due to late stage of lymphoma presentation in this population. Also initiation of chemotherapy was associated with lower probability of death among lymphoma patients managed at JUTH, Nigeria. Earlier stage at lymphoma diagnosis and prompt therapeutic intervention is likely to improve survival in these patients. Future research should undertake collaborative studies to obtain comprehensive regional data and identify unique risk factors of poor outcomes among HIV-infected patients with lymphoma in Nigeria