Myelofibrosis in a 24-Year Old Nigerian

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder that is uncommon and for which transfusion of red cells is an integral part of management. Treatment with cytoreductive agents, corticosteroids and androgens has so far been unrewarding. Stem cell transplantation may improve treatment outcome. We hereby report MF in a young Nigerian illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties encountered in the management of myelofibrosis in resource poor settings.La my\ue9lofibrose est un d\ue9sordre my\ue9loprolif\ue9ratif chronique rare dont la transfusion des globules rouges fait partie int\ue9grante de sa prise en charge. L'utilisation des agents cytor\ue9ductifs, des corticost\ue9ro\uefdes et d'androg\ue8nes a jusqu'\ue0 l\ue0 donn\ue9 que des r\ue9sultats d\ue9cevants. La transplantation des cellules \ue0 l'origine d'un clone (pr\ue9curseur) pourrait am\ue9liorer le r\ue9sultat du traitement. Nous rapportons ici le cas d'une my\ue9lofibrose chez un jeune nig\ue9rian illustrant les difficult\ue9s diagnostiques et th\ue9rapeutiques rencontr\ue9es dans la prise en charge de cette maladie dans un contexte de ressources \ue9conomiques limit\ue9e

Clinical correlates of plasma antithrombin and protein C levels in patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate 17% of pregnancies in Sokoto, Nigeria with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia accounting for 6% and 4.29% respectively. Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia stand out as major causes of poor pregnancy outcomes with eclampsia contributing 46% of adolescent maternal mortality in Sokoto. These disorders increase risk of venous thromboembolism, DIC, placental abruption, IUGR, premature delivery and recurrent pregnancy loss. The roles of antithrombin and protein C in disease severity and outcomes of pregnancies in pre-eclampsia/eclampsia are subject of recent researches albeit with conflicting findings. The aim of the study was to determine the plasma antithrombin and protein C levels of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in Sokoto with a view to assessing any relationship with clinical severity and pregnancy outcomes.Methods: Prospective comparative study involving 31 each of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and normotensive pregnancy. Plasma antithrombin and protein C levels were determined via kinetic method using S4 Nortek semi-automated coagulometer. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0.  Results: The mean plasma antithrombin and protein C levels for eclampsia, pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnancy were (61.17±9.13 and 60.00±5.76) vs (71.24±13.15 and 71.06±6.16) vs (85.54±8.77 and 89.64±7.61) respectively; p=0.0001. Severe pre-eclampsia when compared with mild pre-eclampsia had lower antithrombin (70.21±13.58 vs 73.74±12.43; p=0.507) and protein C (70.52±6.27 vs 72.40±6.00; p=0.451) levels respectively, though without statistical significance. Pre-eclampsia with low plasma antithrombin levels had increased risk of preterm delivery when age, gravidity and booking status were factored (OR, 1.2, 95% CI 0.035 to 0.348, p=0.017).Conclusions: Lower plasma antithrombin and protein C levels were found with eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia suggesting consumptive depletion of anticoagulants with disease progression. Women with pre-eclampsia and low plasma antithrombin levels were found to have increased odds of having preterm delivery when age, gravidity and booking status were considered

Assessment of Selected Heavy Metal Content on Dumpsites Soil and Vegetables Grown in Muwo Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria

This study examines the concentration of heavy metals in soil samples and some vegetables (spinach, water leaf, bitter leaf and jute mallow) cultivated around dumpsites in Muwo Metropolis, Niger State, Nigeria. The soil samples and vegetable were analyzed for Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd using AA500 spectrophotometer after acid digestion. Data obtained show that, the Pb (1.684 mg/kg of Jute) content was high compared to other metals study in this work. Concentration of Zn was 1.993, 0.862 and 0.443 mg/kg for water leaf, soil and control sample respectively. The content of Pb was 1.727, 1.738 and ND mg/kg for water leaf, soil and control sample respectively. Also, the concentration of Pb was 1.736, ND and 0.457 mg/kg for spinach, soil and control sample respectively. However, the content of Zn was 0.786, 0.751 and 0.554 mg/kg for spinach, soil and control sample respectively The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is of increasing concern because of, potential health risks, food safety as well as its detrimental effects on the soil ecosystem and human health. The pollution indexes of Ni contents are 0.439, 0.378, and 0.083 for jute, soil and control sample respectively. While Zn concentration was 1.117, 0.858 and 0.492 for jute, soil and control sample respectively. The result of this study shows that Pb concentrations are present in high levels in the study area at the different level of contamination

The impact of educational attainment on household poverty in South Africa: A case study of Limpopo province

Poverty is a phenomenon that is multidimensional in nature and its meaning varies from one individual to another (Alkire and Foster 2011; Batana 2013; Bossert, Chakravarty, and D'Ambrosio 2013; Jansen et al. 2015). It can be seen as a failure to attain certain capabilities, absolute or relative,2 or a lack of income to meet a certain standard of living in a given society (Jansen et al. 2015). It can be chronic or temporary3, is often linked with underdevelopment, economic exclusion and vulnerabilities, and sometimes closely correlated with inequality (Mbuli 2008; Van der Berg 2008; Jansen et al. 2015). The definition of poverty employed determines its measurement

Myelofibrosis in a 24-Year Old Nigerian

Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder that is uncommon and for which transfusion of red cells is an integral part of management. Treatment with cytoreductive agents, corticosteroids and androgens has so far been unrewarding. Stem cell transplantation may improve treatment outcome. We hereby report MF in a young Nigerian illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties encountered in the management of myelofibrosis in resource poor settings.La myélofibrose est un désordre myéloprolifératif chronique rare dont la transfusion des globules rouges fait partie intégrante de sa prise en charge. L'utilisation des agents cytoréductifs, des corticostéroïdes et d'androgènes a jusqu'à là donné que des résultats décevants. La transplantation des cellules à l'origine d'un clone (précurseur) pourrait améliorer le résultat du traitement. Nous rapportons ici le cas d'une myélofibrose chez un jeune nigérian illustrant les difficultés diagnostiques et thérapeutiques rencontrées dans la prise en charge de cette maladie dans un contexte de ressources économiques limitée

Prevalence of anaemia in antiretriviral naive HIV/AIDS patients in Zaria

No Abstract. Annals of Nigerian Medicine Vol. 2 (1) 2006: pp. 21-2

Radial Aplasia Syndrome - A Case Report

A four day-old girl presented with abnormality of both upper limbs. Pregnancy and delivery had been uneventful. Clinical, radiological and haematological evaluations were consistent with radial aplasia syndrome. The case is reported as a rare congenital malformation of unknown aetiology (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:92-94) KEY WORDS: Radial aplasia syndrom

Zidovudine induced bone marrow toxicity: a case report

The treatment of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC) with azidothymidine (Zidovudine) is limited by its major haematological toxicity. This is manifested as anaemia, granulocytopenia and bone marrow aplasia/hypoplasia. Zidovudine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), is one of the earliest antiretroviral agents used as a combination in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV infection. We report a case of anaemia with bone marrow hypoplasia with a view to suggesting the need for adequate haematological evaluation and adherence to national HIV treatment guidelines in the initiation of HAART. Keywords: Zidovudine, Pure Red Cell Aplasia, Bone Marrow Hypoplasia.Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 5 (1) 2007 pp. 98-10

Severe depression following á-interferon usage in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia

Background: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), with a median age of 40 years, is one of the commonest haematological malignancies in Nigeria. Cytoreductive agents, which were hitherto the mainstay of treatment, neither induce cytogenetic nor haematologic remission. Alpha-interferon (á-IFN), an endogenous glycoprotein with cytotoxic and natural killer cell enhancer effects has been found to induce haematologic and cytogenetic remission in patients with CML, but neuro- psychiatric complications of á -interferon (á-IFN) usage were not reported in Nigeria. Objective: To report a case of deliberate self-harm in University Lecturer as a side effect of á-IFN in the treatment of CML Method: Clinical and laboratory follow up of a patient receiving á-IFN in the management of CML from the time of diagnosis of CML to the point of loss of contact. Result: Severe depression is a complication that may adversely influence the clinical outcome of á-IFN usage Conclusions/Recommendations: Although interferon related depression is uncommon, it is suggested that pre-therapy interferon assays and neuro-psychiatric assessment are carried out in prospective users of á-IF

Distribution of Virulence Genes in <em>Salmonella</em> Serovars isolated from poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria

This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence and detection of virulence genes in Salmonella isolated from poultry farms in Kwara State, Nigeria. Ten commercial layer farms located in three senatorial districts of the state were sampled. The presence of Salmonella was investigated using standard bacteriological techniques, the isolates obtained were serotyped and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect presence of two genes (fimA and sefC) in the isolates. Of the 300 samples collected, 24 (8.0%) were positive for Salmonella; 4 different serovars were identified; Salmonella Larochelle, S. Muenster, S. enterica ser. 6, 7:d, S. enterica ser. 45:d:1,7 and Salmonella Typhimurium, the most frequent being Salmonella Typhimurium (3%). Varying distribution patterns of the studied genes were observed among the isolates. While, fimA was found in all the 24 (100%) isolates, sefC was found only among the Salmonella enterica ser. 45: d: 1,7. The study indicates that the fimA gene is widely distributed among Salmonella irrespective of the serovars. However, the sefC gene appears to be serovar specific. The prevalence of Salmonella in chicken and poultry farms constitutes a major public health concern. Hence, further epidemiological studies are necessary