The Epidemiological features of lymphoid malignancies in Benin City, Nigeria: a 15 years study

Introduction: Lymphoid malignancies compose a wide spectrum of different morphologic and clinical syndromes known to vary widely throughout the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and time trends of lymphoid malignancies. Methods: A 15 (May 1st 1996-April 30th 2010) years study of all patients who had lymph node biopsy at the Department of Haematology and Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Results: The 391 patients had a male preponderance (M:F; 1.6:1). An increase in the lymphoid malignant cases was noted from 95 cases in the first 5-year interval (1996-2000) to 179 cases in the last 5-year interval (2006-2010) giving an average increase of 84.0%. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (61.1%) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (18.2%) were the most frequent followed by Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloma with equal proportions of 9.0% each. A positive correlation with a significant linear trends was obtained (r=0.1949, p<0.0001). Geographic areas at risk were found mainly in patients residing in Delta State (67.0%) which is a major oil producing state and Edo State (30.4%) where the hospital is located, both in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Conclusion: Future research into environmental agents and genetic makeup/HLA typing of patients can be carried out

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Syphilis Co-Infections among HIV Infected Patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City

Background: Victims of HIV infection may suffer a co-infection with hepatitis B and C viruses that share similar mode of transmission. Syphilis, a major cause of Sexually Transmitted Infections, is known to predispose to the transmission of these infections. Aim: The objective of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and Syphilis co-infections with HIV. Methodology: It is a cross sectional study conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin City. Consecutive patients were sampled using an interviewer administered questionnaire after obtaining an informed consent. Venous blood sample was collected from each patient. HBsAg, Anti-HCV, was tested using one-step rapid test kits by Clinotech’s Diagnostics, Canada. Anti-Treponema pallidum testing was done using rapid test strip by Global Strip Reagents, USA and CD4+ count analyzed by Cyflow SL3 Green Germany. Results: A total of 320 patients were analyzed. Twenty eight (8.8%) had HBV co-infection,16 (5%) had HCV co-infection and 12 (3.8%) had syphilis co-infection with HIV. There was no significant difference in the mean CD4+ counts of patients with HBV, HCV and syphilis co-infections and those who were not co-infected as P values were 0.52, 0.52 and 0.75 respectively. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of HBV, HCV and Syphilis co-infection in this locality. The high prevalence, not related to CD4+ count, suggests that the co-infection is not an opportunistic event associated with Immunosuppresion of HIV disease. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Coinfection, Benin Cit