Occurrence of haemolysin antibodies among sickle cell anaemia patients within Calabar metropolis of Nigeria

The role of alpha () and beta () haemolysins in blood transfusion has been well documented. However, the occurrence of haemolysins and its attending problems in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients has limited appearance in the literatures especially in black Africa. This study was therefore designed to investigate the occurrence of and haemolysins in SCA patients within Calabar metropolis. A total of 50 normal controls and 54 SCA patients attending the sickle cell clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State of Nigeria, were screened for haemolysins and quantitated using standard techniques. The distribution of haemolysins in the SCA patients was (16.7), (11.1) and + (16.7%). Their ABO blood groups were normally distributed in this order O>>A>B>AB (61.1, 20.4, 11.1 and 7.5%, respectively). The occurrence of haemolysin among the Ogroup was 15.2%, while haemolysin was 12.1% and + haemolysin was 30.3%. Control samples gave non-significantly lower haemolysin values than in SCA patients (P>0.05), but in the same order (, 9.0, , 7.0, and +, 9.0%). The higher prevalence of haemolysins in SCA could be a major limiting factor in donation of blood, blood selection and transfusion into SCA patients. Consequently, greater care should be taken during cross match of blood for SCA patients especially in multiple transfusion procedures

Clinical utility of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate test and haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns among premarital couples in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a relatively non-specific test that is often ignored during the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. However, in recent times, the test is often requested alongside haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern as pre marital test. This study was aimed at determining the ESR values among these apparently healthy populations, correlate this parameter with Hb electrophoretic pattern and evaluate its usefulness in modern medicine.Materials and Methods: Standard haemoglobin electrophoresis run withcellulose acetate paper at pH 8.9 and Westergren method for ESR were used in the determinations.Results: The mean ESR value for the males was 12.48±10.0mm/hr while 20.77 ± 18.8 was obtained for the females. There was significant difference between the male and female values (t = 3.94; p 100mm/hr) was observed in the study population. ESR was found to correlate negatively with gender (r = -0.248;

The use of anti-coagulated and defibrinated blood samples for the evaluation of red cell osmotic fragility

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 4 (3) 2008: pp. 204-20

Platelet and factor threee availability among Nigerian pregnant women

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 4 (3) 2008: pp. 191-19