Haematological Changes in Patients with Lymphoid Malignancies on Chemotherapy in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Chemotherapy continues to serve as the best option therapy in treating human malignancies that have undergone metastasis and cannot be managed solely by surgical removal or radiation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical important of haematological parameters in the management of lymphoid malignancy patients on chemotherapy to ascertain the impact of such chemotherapy on them.. This study was carried out in one secondary and one tertiary health institution in Edo State. It was divided into three groups: lymphoid malignancy on chemotherapy, novel lymphoid malignancy and apparently healthy individuals as controls. Using aseptic precaution, 5ml of blood is collected into K2EDTA container for full blood count analysis using KX-21NSysmex automated Haematology analyser 2004 model and data were analysed using student t test. The comparison between novel lymphoid malignant patient and controls indicate WBC, lymphocytes and platelet count increase significantly (P <0.05) while RBC, HGB, HCT decrease significantly (P <0.05) when compared with control. However, MCV, MCH, MCHC, monocytes and granulocytes were not significant (P>0.05). The comparison  between lymphoid malignant patient on chemotherapy and controls shows RBC, HGB, HCT decrease significantly when compared with control (P <0.05) while WBC, lymphocytes, platelet, MCV, MCH, MCHC, monocytes and granulocytes were not significant (P>0.05).When lymphoid malignant patient on chemotherapy and novel lymphoid malignant patient are compared, it shows RBC, HGB, HCT increase significantly when compared with novel lymphoid malignant patients (P <0.05) while WBC and MCHC decrease significantly (P <0.05). However, lymphocytes, platelet, MCV, MCH, monocytes and granulocytes were not significant (P>0.05). we can deduce that full blood count is highly clinically important for an effective management of lymphoid malignant patients on chemotherapy. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/61-04 Publication date: November 30th 201

Detection of Haemoparasites of Blood Donors in 9 Locations in and Around Plateau State, Nigeria

Haemoparasites in the tropics are also endemic in Nigeria. Asymptomatic infections may abound, due to resistance to these infections. This asymptomatic infection has been one of the factors, which has maintained transmission of these pathogens, through many ways, including blood donation and transfusion. In this report, haemoparasitic infections in blood donors have been described, from blood donors within Plateau State, Nigeria. Five hundred and twelve blood donors were selected by means of a random sampling method and their blood samples collected. Serological assay was done using rapid test kits to check for presence of antibodies (in the case of microfilariae) or antigens (in the case of malaria) to the different haemoparasites. Also, Elisa technique was used for the microfilariae. Thick and thin films were made from each blood sample on grease-free slides allowed to dry and stained by 3% Giemsa solution for 45 min which is the Giemsa technique. Results indicate that 270 (52.7%) of the sample population had no infection; 121( 23.6%) of the population were infected with Plasmodium falciparum; 11 (2.1%) were infected with Plasmodium malariae; 69 (13.5%) were infected with HBsAg; 29 (5.7%) were infected with HCV; 7 ( I.4% ) were infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense; 1% were infected with microfilariae, 4( 0.8% ) of the 1% were unsheathed and identified to be Mansonella perstans, while 1(0.2%) were sheathed and identified to be Loa loa. Most blood group types were susceptible to haemoparasitic infections. The result of the study therefore stresses the need to screen blood for haemoparasites before transfusion, owing to the dangers of doing otherwise. The occupations and dwelling places of the donors are predisposing factors to these haemoparasitic infections. Since they have the passion to save lives through blood donation, they should therefore make the necessary adjustments that will make them more suitable lifesavers. It is recommended that the basic transmission factors of these parasites are explained to donors to reduce further incidences. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-22-01 Publication date: November 30th 201