Seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 and its clinical effect among anaemic SCA patients in Northeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a globally widespread genetic disorder affecting 5% of the world's over 6 billion people. Parvovirus infection and the resulting aplastic crisis is a recognised complication in individuals with SCA. Aplastic crisis increases the need for blood transfusion and its attendant risk of Transfusion Transmissible Infection (TTI). Hence there is a vicious cycle in which Parvovirus B19 causes aplastic crisis which in turn causes increased transfusion need; and transfusion increases risk of transfusion transmissible infection in which parvovirus B19 is included in certain parts of the world. Sickle cell anaemia is associated with foetal death and infection with parvovirus B19 increases the risk to early mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 among SCA and compare with that of controls in the study area. Furthermore clinical and laboratory profile of subjects were analysed to identify possible correlation with parvovirus B19 seropositivity and explore the possibility of involvement of white cell and platelets. A total of 90 subjects comprising 45 consecutive SCA case subjects and 45 age-and sex-matched non SCA controls were studied in a cross sectional comparative study. Ten millilitres of blood was drawn from the antecubital fossa of each subject after obtaining informed consent. The 10mls of blood was divided into two aliquots, 4.5 mls was added into EDTA anticoagulated bottle and was used for basic complete blood count (CBC), while the remaining 5mls was added into a plain specimen container allowed to clot and serum obtained to test for anti-parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM using an immunochromatography based technique specifically BIOCARD TM Parvo B19 diagnostic test kit. There was male preponderance in the study. The SCA subjects comprised 26 males and 19 females (male to female ratio = 1.4:1), while the non-SCA controls comprised 25 males and 20 females (male to female ratio 1.3:1).. The analysis of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG antibody revealed a prevalence of 23.3% among SCA cases with 18.9% among controls. The haematological profile is not affected by IgG seropositivity. However pregnancy outcome revealed that the total number of stillbirths is 12 among IgG seropositive SCA cases which is higher than the 6 encountered in IgG seronegative SCA subjects; the difference is statistically significant (p=0.04)

An update of malaria infection and anaemia in adults in Buea, Cameroon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Anaemia is caused by many factors in developing countries including malaria. We compared anaemia rates in patients with malaria parasitaemia to that of patients without malaria parasitaemia.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2007 to July 2008 in health units in Buea, Cameroon. Adult patients with fever or history of fever were included in the study. Information on socio-demographic variables and other variables was collected using a questionnaire. Malaria parasitaemia status was determined by microscopy using Giemsa stained thick blood smears. Haemoglobin levels were determined by the microhaematocrit technique.</p> <p>The study population consisted of 250 adult patients with a mean age of 29.31 years (SD = 10.63) and 59.44% were females. 25.60% of the patients had malaria parasitaemia while 14.80% had anaemia (haemoglobin < 11 g/dl). Logistic regression revealed that those with malaria parasitaemia had more anaemia compared to those without malaria parasitaemia(OR = 4.33, 95%CI = 1.21-15.43, p = 0.02) after adjusting for age, sex, rural residence, socioeconomic status, use of antimalarials, use of insecticide treated nets(ITN) and white blood cell count.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In adult patients with fever in this setting, malaria parasitaemia contributes to anaemia and is of public health impact. Our results also provide a baseline prevalence for malaria parasitaemia in febrile adults in health units in this setting.</p

Evaluation Of Blood Component Request And Ultrasound In Maiduguri North Eastern Nigeria

Background: Lives can be saved through blood and blood component transfusions. However, people still die or remain at risk of transfusion-transmissible infections due to poor donor recruitment and selection, use of poorly screened blood and inappropriate use of blood and blood components. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of blood component request and utilisation in north eastern Nigeria. Setting: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Northeastern Nigeria. Results: A total of 1097 blood component was requested for transfusion. Out of these, 1066 were used and 31 were returned and later discarded due to contamination. The commonest prescribed blood type was whole blood (81.1%) Blood used was higher for obstetrics and gynaecological cases and least for paediatric surgical cases. The number of patients transfused with only one unit of blood constitutes 49.3%. The proportion of donor category was 47.3% for directed or family replacement, 39.7% for commercial or paid donors, 12.2% for predeposit autologous donors and only 0.8% for voluntary donors. Conclusion: This study has shown that family replacement and paid donors, which are associated with high prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections, still provide most of the blood components used in this environment. Keywords: Blood component requests, Northeastern Nigeria., transfusion.Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 5 (1) 2007 pp. 28-3

Utilisation of blood transfusion service in north eastern Nigeria.

Background: Life can be saved through blood and blood component transfusions. However, people still die or remain at risk of transfusion-transmissible infections due to poor donor recruitment and selection, use of poorly screened blood and inappropriate use of blood and blood components. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of blood component utilisation in northeastern Nigeria Setting: Department of Haematology and Blood transfusion of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: Both retrospective and prospective evaluation of records of the blood transfusion unit of the hospital from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Data were collected on the number of unit requested, the source of the blood, whether from autologous, commercial or voluntary donation as well as family replacement or directed donations etc. Results: A total of 1066 blood component was requested for transfusion. The commonest prescribed blood type was whole blood (81.1%). Blood used was higher for Obstetrics and Gynaecological cases and least for paediatric surgical cases. The number of patients transfused with only 1 unit of blood constituted 49.3%. The proportion of donor category was 47.3% for directed or family replacement, 39.7% for commercial or paid donors, 12.2% for predeposit autologous donors and only 0.8% for voluntary donors. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is inappropriate utilisation of blood component in the Hospital. There is a need to evaluate blood- transfusion practices and blood- banking services in all Nigerian hospitals in accordance with the National Blood Transfusion Policy. Keywords: Blood component utilisation, Northeastern Nigeria. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 5 (2) 2007 pp. 27-3

Utilisation of blood transfusion service in north eastern Nigeria.

Background: Life can be saved through blood and blood component transfusions. However, people still die or remain at risk of transfusion-transmissible infections due to poor donor recruitment and selection, use of poorly screened blood and inappropriate use of blood and blood components. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of blood component utilisation in northeastern Nigeria Setting: Department of Haematology and Blood transfusion of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: Both retrospective and prospective evaluation of records of the blood transfusion unit of the hospital from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Data were collected on the number of unit requested, the source of the blood, whether from autologous, commercial or voluntary donation as well as family replacement or directed donations etc. Results: A total of 1066 blood component was requested for transfusion. The commonest prescribed blood type was whole blood (81.1%). Blood used was higher for Obstetrics and Gynaecological cases and least for paediatric surgical cases. The number of patients transfused with only 1 unit of blood constituted 49.3%. The proportion of donor category was 47.3% for directed or family replacement, 39.7% for commercial or paid donors, 12.2% for predeposit autologous donors and only 0.8% for voluntary donors. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is inappropriate utilisation of blood component in the Hospital. There is a need to evaluate blood- transfusion practices and blood- banking services in all Nigerian hospitals in accordance with the National Blood Transfusion Policy. Keywords: Blood component utilisation, Northeastern Nigeria. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 5 (2) 2007 pp. 27-3