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

Anaemia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus attending regular Diabetic Outpatient Clinic in Maiduguri, Nigeria

To investigate the occurrence of anaemia in diabetic patients that came for routine clinic visit in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State. From August 2003 to February 2004, 53 patients that came for routine diabetic clinic visit had their fasting blood glucose, 2 hours post-prandial and haematocrit estimated as well as examining their peripheral blood film for morphological classification of anaemia. Twenty-one (39.6%) of the 53 patients were found to have anaemia, Sixteen (76.2%) had microcytic hypochromic anaemia and 5 (23.8%) had normocytic normochromic anaemia. Anaemia is commoner in males than females, and is seen in 13(50.0) of patients with good glycaemic control (Fasting blood glucose of less then 7.0mmol/L). Anaemia was seen in 3(75.0%) of the patients with documented chronic renal insufficiency. Anaemia is common in patients with diabetes mellitus. Since most patients with diabetes are rarely concerned about anaemia, they may not seek medical help unless their physician raises the suspicion. There is a need to suspect, investigate and treat anaemia in patients with diabetes presenting with non-specific complaints such as numbness and weakness. The services of dieticians should be employed for dietary counseling because some patients may omit important food items in their daily diet for fear of increasing their blood sugar level. KEY WORDS: Anaemia, diabetes mellitus. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 1-

Evaluation of clinical model for deep vein thrombosis: a cheap alternative for developing countries

Background: Deep vein thrombosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The clinical features are non-specific and the clinical diagnosis is unreliable. The objective testing for the correct diagnosis is not usually available in most developing countries and the expertise are not readily available couple with the high cost of such investigations.Objectives: This study was intended therefore to evaluate a validated clinical model for deep vein thrombosis and to see if there is correlation between the clinical model and results of the Doppler sonography, in suspected cases of deep vein thrombosis.Method: A prospective evaluation of 21 inpatients with suspected deep vein thrombosis seen at the department of Haematology and Radiology of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital over a period of 24 months from October 2002 to October 2004.Results: Twelve (57.1% of the 21 patients evaluated had a high pretest clinical probability score of 3 and above, 6(28.6%) of them had intermediate score of 1 or 2 and 3 (14.3%) had a low score of 0 or less. There was a 100% correlation between the high-risk categories and the ultrasound findings and no correlation for both the intermediate and the low-risk categories. Conclusion: The study suggest that a high pretest clinical probability score of 3 and above is reliable for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and treatment can be initiated in at least emergency situation without much delay. Also a D-dimer assay is recommended for all patients with a low or intermediate pretest clinical probability score so as to avoid unnecessary use of ultrasonography.Keywords: clinical model, DVT, developing countriesSahel Medical Journal Vol. 9(1) 2006: 15-1

Pure red cell aplasia in a 42 year old Nigerian with HIV-infection and pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report

Anaemia is very common in HIV-infected individuals at all stages of disease and most often Marrow examination are not done to elucidate some of the causes of anaemia.We describe a 42 year old Nigerian with HIV-infection and pulmonary tuberculosis on combivir and anti TB therapy (Rifampicin, INH, Pyrazinamide and ethambutol) with pure red cell aplasia who responded to steroid therapy and withdrawal of combivir (lamivudine + zidovudine). KEY WORDS: Pure Red Cell Aplasia; HIV-Infection; Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Sahel Medical Journal Vol.7(2) 2004: 77-7

An observational study of the prevalence of anaemia in clinical AIDS, immunological AIDS And HIV infection in Maiduguri, north eastern Nigeria

Aim: To deterime the prevalence of anaemia in patients with clinical AIDS. Methodology: A retrospective small observational study of the prevalence of anaemia in 114 patients with confirmed HIV/AIDS seen at the department of medicine of the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January, 2002 and June, 2004 are reported. Results: One hundred and three (90.4%) patients had anaemia and only 11 (9.6%) did not have anaemia. Forty one (36%) patients had immunological AIDS and anaemia was seen in 39 (95.1%) of them with median haematocrit of 31 %± 4.7SD. Thirty-four (29.8%) had clinical AIDS and anaemia was seen in 31 (91.2%) of them with median haematocrit of 32.5% ± 6.1SD. Thirty-nine (34.2%) had HIV infection and anaemia seen in 33(84.6%) of them with median haematocrit of 35% ± 7.4SD. Regression of anaemia and opportunistic infection showed a positive correlation (p-value = 0.003). Conclusion: The study shows that anaemia is a common finding in patients with HIV/AIDS with opportunistic infection being the most likely contributing factor in our environment. A large collaborative observational cohort study design and a prospective follow up design is necessary to address questions regarding causal relationship of anaemia and survival and whether HAART may have a positive impact on reducing the prevalence of anaemia in HIV/AIDS patients. Keywords: prevalence, anaemia, HIV/AIDS Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 8(1) 2005: 12-1

Seroprevalence of hiv and hepatitis viruses in directed blood donors: a preliminary report

Background: The seroprevalence of HIV and Hepatitis B viruses in directed blood donors is lacking in this environment. Some patients anticipating the need for transfusion have turned to family members and friends as a means of protecting themselves against these transfusiontransmissible infections. Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV and Hepatitis B viruses in directed blood donors in Nguru and also to see if there is co-infection of these viruses in this category of donor population. Method: This is a prospective study carried out at the blood bank of the Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe State between January 2005 to July 2005. Consent were obtained from all prospective donors before collection of blood sample for the screening. Results: Two hundred and fifty four prospective directed blood donors were screened for the presence of HIV and Hepatitis B viruses in their blood. Twenty two (8.7%) of the directed blood donors were positive for HIV while 3 donors (1.2%) were positive for Hepatitis B virus. Only 1 (0.4%) was positive for both HIV and Hepatitis B viruses. Conclusion: Directed blood donors are not safer than homologous blood donors. There is the need to screen all prospective blood donors irrespective of the donor category for all transfusion-transmissible infections so as to prevent the spread of these viruses through blood transfusion. Keywords: seroprevalence, HIV & Hepatitis B, directed blood donors Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 3(2) 2005: 76-8

Primary Testicular Lymphoma In Nigerian Males: Case Report and Clinicopathological Review

A review of cases of primary testicular lymphoma seen within a period of twelve years at the OAUTHC Nigeria was carried out. Three cases of primary testicular lymphoma were seen during the study period. Their ages range between 20-45 years (median age 25 ). The histological types were diffuse large cell lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma. The clinical features and management of one of the patients is also presented. The prevalence of primary testicular lymphoma in this environment is similar to the prevalence elsewhere but the age at presentation differs. There is a need to be on the lookout for the disease not only in the elderly but also in young patients presenting with testicular masses. Key Words: testicular, lymphoma, Non- Hodgkin Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 48 (1) 2005:14 - 1