Haemorheologic and fibrinolytic activity in Nigerian HIV infected

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, especially those on antiretrovirals are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The haemorheologic and fibrinolgtic activity of treatment naïve Nigerian HIV-infected patients were investigated. Methods: Blood was collected from 50 newly diagnosed treatment naïve HIV-infected patients and 50 apparently healthy HIV seronegative individuals that served as controls. Haematocrit values, plasma and serum viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentration and euglobin lysis time were determined. Result: The mean ± standard deviation of haematocrit value of HIV infected patients (31.70 ± 6.33%) was significantly lower (

Plasma Fibrinogen Estimation: a Comparison of the Heat Precipitation and Dry Weight Methods

Plasma fibrinogen occupies a central role in coagulation as well as being a predictor of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Thus a simple and rapid method for its estimation will be advantageous. A total of 80 apparently healthy volunteers were used in this study and plasma fibrinogen was estimated by a heat precipitation and a dry weight method. Correlation between the two techniques was r =0.4512, (p 0.05).Within-run precision expressed as coefficient of variation (CV) showed that the heat precipitation method had a lower CV of 32.12% compared with dry weight method with a CV of 55 .3% and is more precise (

Prevalence of Malaria Parasitaemia and Anaemia Among Pregnant women in Warri, Nigeria

A total of 319 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Central Hospital, Warri had their haemoglobin levels estimated using standard haematological methods. Forty-seven (14.7%), expectant mothers were found to be anaemic (haemoglobin level less than 9.0g/dl). The Malaria parasites, the agent of malaria and a major cause anaemia in pregnancy were found in 105 (32.9%) expectant mothers, based on the examination of peripheral blood smears. Multigravidae recorded 33.2% prevalence of malaria parasitaemia that was comparable with that among primigravidae. There was a statistically significant relationship between malaria parasitaemia and haemoglobin levels of pregnant women (p < 0.05). This study emphasizes the need for pregnant women to undergo routine haemoglobin estimation considering the deleterious effects of anaemia on them and their foetuses. An early malaria prophylaxis is recommended if a significant increase in haemoglobin levels in the second trimester is to be achieved. Key words: anaemia, pregnancy, haemoglobin, malaria parasitaemia Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol.12(1) 2003: 53-5

Correlation of CD4 Count with Platelet Count, Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time among HIV Patients in Benin City, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the effect of CD4 count on platelet count, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) among HIV patients. Method: Blood samples were collected from 100 subjects consisting of 70 HIV treatment naive patients and 30 HIV seronegative individuals. Platelet count, CD4 count, PT and APTT were performed on the blood samples using standard techniques. Result: HIV-positive patients had significantly (p 0.05) between those with CD4 count < 200 cells/μL and those with 200 cells/ μL CD4 count. However, PT and APTT were significantly (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001 respectively) higher in HIV patients with CD4 count < 200 cell/μL. Only PT significantly correlated with CD4 count (r = 0.5406, p < 0.001) and this correlation was observed only among HIV patients with CD4 count < 200 cell/μL (r = 0.6227, p < 0.001). Conclusion: HIV patients with CD4 count < 200 cell/μL have higher PT and APTT values; PT only correlated with CD4 count and endothelial activation is suggested as the possible mechanism for the coagulation defect