Serum Interferon Gamma (IFN-ɣ) Levels and Hematological Indices in Patients with HIV-MTB Co-Infection in North-Eastern Nigeria

Introduction: The dual epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) poses significant health challenges, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the immune response and hematological changes in HIV-MTB co-infection is crucial for better management of affected individuals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of IFN-ɣ and hematological indices in patients with HIV-MTB co-infection in North-Eastern Nigeria, as well as explore any potential relationships between these factors. Methods: A total of 88 participants were enrolled in the study, including 44 antiretroviral therapy-naive patients with HIV-MTB co-infection (study group) and 44 HIV mono-infected individuals as controls. Data on personal biodata and clinical details were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from each participant and analyzed for IFN-ɣ levels using ELISA and hematological indices using an automated hematology analyzer. Statistical analysis, including Mann-Whitney U test, independent samples t-test, and Pearson's correlation analysis, was conducted to compare the study and control groups and assess the relationship between IFN-ɣ levels and hematological parameters. Results: Serum IFN-ɣ was insignificantly increased in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.093). The WBC count was also significantly reduced in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.038). The HGB, HCT, MCV and MCH were significantly reduced in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.001, 0.001, 0.002 and 0.001) respectively. Participants with HIV-TB co-infection have insignificantly increased serum IFN-ɣ levels, low total WBC, lymphocyte and monocyte counts compared to those with HIV mono-infection. In conclusion, participants with HIV-TB co-infection have insignificant increased serum IFN-ɣ levels, low total WBC, and lymphocyte and monocyte counts compared to those with HIV mono-infection. There was no correlation of IFN-ɣ with any of the haematological indices

Role of Pre-eclamptic Toxaemia or Eclampsia in Hypertensive Women Attending Cardiac Clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia constitute a special high risk group for future hypertension. They require a long term follow up to be able to detect and treat emerging hypertension early enough to prevent complications. Unfortunately, this is not so. This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of history of pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic and to also determine the incidence of complications of hypertension in those with previous history of PET. Methods: Fifty consecutive female hypertensive patients seen in cardiac clinic were recruited. Detailed history including full obstetric and family history was taken. A full clinical examination was done including blood pressure and a search for complications of hypertension. Findings were then analyzed and various frequencies determined. Results: Forty-nine patients were studied. The mean age was 47.29\ub111.46 years. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP were 143.18\ub125.05, 90.49\ub114.19 and 108.12\ub116.71mmHg respectively. Between the last child birth and the time of established hypertension in those who had PET ranged from 3-25 years. Sixteen, (32.7%) of the 49 patients had history of PET and 7(43.75%) of these 16 patients had complications of hypertension. Conclusion: The incidence of history of PET in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic is significant (32.7%). Also the 43.8% incidence of complications of hypertension seen in those patients with history of PET in this study is high. PET patients, therefore, constitute a special risk group for future hypertension. Therefore collaboration between the Obstetricians and the Cardiologists is important for patients with PET and eclampsia.Contexte: Les patientes ayant une tox\ue9mie gravidique ou une \ue9clampsie sont un groupe \ue0 haut risque d\u92hypertension ult\ue9rieure. Elles n\ue9cessitent un suivi a long terme afin de d\ue9tecter et traiter une hypertension \ue9mergente suffisamment t\uf4t afin de pr\ue9venir les complications. Cela ne se passe malheureusement pas ainsi. Cette \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 initi\ue9e afin de d\ue9terminer l\u92incidence des ant\ue9c\ue9dents de tox\ue9mie gravidique chez nos patientes hypertendues consultant \ue0 la clinique de cardiologie. Il s\u92agissait \ue9galement de d\ue9terminer l\u92incidence des complications hypertensive chez celles pr\ue9sentant un ant\ue9c\ue9dent de tox\ue9mie gravidique. M\ue9thode: Nous avons recrute de mani\ue8re cons\ue9cutive cinquante patientes hypertendues re\ue7ues a la clinique de cardiologie. L\u92histoire de la maladie a \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9taill\ue9e en insistant sur les ant\ue9c\ue9dents obst\ue9tricaux et familiaux. Un examen clinique complet a \ue9t\ue9 effectue incluant la mesure de la pression art\ue9rielle et la recherche de complications de l\u92hypertension.les donn\ue9es recueillies ont \ue9t\ue9 ensuite analys\ue9es et les diff\ue9rentes fr\ue9quences d\ue9termin\ue9es. R\ue9sultats: Quarante neuf patientes ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9tudi\ue9es. L\u92\ue2ge moyen \ue9tait de 47,29\ub111,46 ans. Les moyennes de pression art\ue9rielle systolique, diastolique et moyenne \ue9taient respectivement de 143,18\ub125,05 ; 90,49\ub114,19 and 108,12\ub116,71mmHg. Le d\ue9lai entre le dernier accouchement et le diagnostic d\u92hypertension chez celles qui avaient un ant\ue9c\ue9dent de tox\ue9mie gravidique s\u92\ue9tendait de 3 a 25 ans. Seize (32,7%) des 49 patientes avaient un ant\ue9c\ue9dent de tox\ue9mie gravidique et 7 (43,75%) ; parmi eux 16 ont eu des complications hypertensives. Conclusion: L\u92incidence des ant\ue9c\ue9dents de tox\ue9mie gravidique chez nos patientes hypertendues consultant a la clinique de cardiologie est significative (32,7%). L\u92incidence de complications hypertensive (43,8%) observ\ue9e dans le groupe de patientes ayant un ant\ue9c\ue9dent de tox\ue9mie gravidique dans cette \ue9tude est \ue9lev\ue9e. Les patientes pr\ue9sentant une tox\ue9mie gravidique constituent de ce fait un groupe particulier \ue0 risque pouvant d\ue9velopper une hypertension art\ue9rielle. La collaboration entre obst\ue9triciens et cardiologues est de ce fait importante pour les patients ayant une tox\ue9mie gravidique et une \ue9clampsie

Role of Pre-eclamptic Toxaemia or Eclampsia in Hypertensive Women Attending Cardiac Clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia constitute a special high risk group for future hypertension. They require a long term follow up to be able to detect and treat emerging hypertension early enough to prevent complications. Unfortunately, this is not so. This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of history of pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic and to also determine the incidence of complications of hypertension in those with previous history of PET. Methods: Fifty consecutive female hypertensive patients seen in cardiac clinic were recruited. Detailed history including full obstetric and family history was taken. A full clinical examination was done including blood pressure and a search for complications of hypertension. Findings were then analyzed and various frequencies determined. Results: Forty-nine patients were studied. The mean age was 47.29±11.46 years. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP were 143.18±25.05, 90.49±14.19 and 108.12±16.71mmHg respectively. Between the last child birth and the time of established hypertension in those who had PET ranged from 3-25 years. Sixteen, (32.7%) of the 49 patients had history of PET and 7(43.75%) of these 16 patients had complications of hypertension. Conclusion: The incidence of history of PET in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic is significant (32.7%). Also the 43.8% incidence of complications of hypertension seen in those patients with history of PET in this study is high. PET patients, therefore, constitute a special risk group for future hypertension. Therefore collaboration between the Obstetricians and the Cardiologists is important for patients with PET and eclampsia.Contexte: Les patientes ayant une toxémie gravidique ou une éclampsie sont un groupe à haut risque d hypertension ultérieure. Elles nécessitent un suivi a long terme afin de détecter et traiter une hypertension émergente suffisamment tôt afin de prévenir les complications. Cela ne se passe malheureusement pas ainsi. Cette étude a été initiée afin de déterminer l incidence des antécédents de toxémie gravidique chez nos patientes hypertendues consultant à la clinique de cardiologie. Il s agissait également de déterminer l incidence des complications hypertensive chez celles présentant un antécédent de toxémie gravidique. Méthode: Nous avons recrute de manière consécutive cinquante patientes hypertendues reçues a la clinique de cardiologie. L histoire de la maladie a été détaillée en insistant sur les antécédents obstétricaux et familiaux. Un examen clinique complet a été effectue incluant la mesure de la pression artérielle et la recherche de complications de l hypertension.les données recueillies ont été ensuite analysées et les différentes fréquences déterminées. Résultats: Quarante neuf patientes ont été étudiées. L âge moyen était de 47,29±11,46 ans. Les moyennes de pression artérielle systolique, diastolique et moyenne étaient respectivement de 143,18±25,05 ; 90,49±14,19 and 108,12±16,71mmHg. Le délai entre le dernier accouchement et le diagnostic d hypertension chez celles qui avaient un antécédent de toxémie gravidique s étendait de 3 a 25 ans. Seize (32,7%) des 49 patientes avaient un antécédent de toxémie gravidique et 7 (43,75%) ; parmi eux 16 ont eu des complications hypertensives. Conclusion: L incidence des antécédents de toxémie gravidique chez nos patientes hypertendues consultant a la clinique de cardiologie est significative (32,7%). L incidence de complications hypertensive (43,8%) observée dans le groupe de patientes ayant un antécédent de toxémie gravidique dans cette étude est élevée. Les patientes présentant une toxémie gravidique constituent de ce fait un groupe particulier à risque pouvant développer une hypertension artérielle. La collaboration entre obstétriciens et cardiologues est de ce fait importante pour les patients ayant une toxémie gravidique et une éclampsie