Assessment of Antiphospholipid Antibodies, CD4 Count and Some Haematological Parameters in HIV Patients attending a Tertiary Health Institution in South-Western Nigeria

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are the serological markers used in the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). HIV infe ction has been as sociated with an elevated aPls level, but its link to the APS with clin ical thrombosis is still been investigated . This study is designed to determine and correlate serum level of antiphospholipid antibodies with CD4 count and some haematological parameters of HIV se ropositive subjects in comparison to those of healthy controls and also to compare these parameters between an tiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve and treated patients. Methodology: A cohort of 110 patients which consist of 90 HIV positive Patients (22 males and 68 females) and 20 HIV negative patients (10 males and 10 females) which serve as control attending Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) Ilisha n-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria were recruited for the cross-sectional study. HIV anti bodies were detected using 3 rapid diagnostic kits (Determine, Unigold and Stat Pak). CD4+ cells were counted us ing Partec® Cyflow Counter (Germany). The Full Blood Count was analyzed using the Sysmex® Auto mated Haematology Analyzer (Kobe-Japan). Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) were assayed using the Human Anti-Phospholipid Screen IgG/IgM ELISA kit (Alpha Diagnostic International, Texas, U SA). Results: The present study showed that the mean se rum antiphospholipid antibody level was significantly (P<0.001) higher in HIV positive Pa tients (11.83±7.36u/ml) compared to the control group (7.30±3.95u/ml). While on one hand, there was a strong positive correlation between serum aPLs level and PLT (r= 0.044), MCHC (r= 0.084) and LYM (r= 0.105) in HIV infection; on the other hand, there was a strong negative correl ation with CD4 count (r= -0.094), PCV (r= -0.099), Hb (r= - 0.072), RBC (r= -0.003), WBC (r= -0.063), MNO (r= -0 .213), GRA (r= -0.003), MCV (r= -0.023) and MCH (r= -0.005). Also, there was no significant diffe rences (P>0.05) between the aPLs level of HIV group on ART (11.44±7.74 u/ml) and those not on ART (12.00±7.24 u/ml). Some haematological parameters like PLT, PCV, Hb, RBC and red cell indices of the HIV group on ART did not differ significantly from those not on ART. However, the CD4 count (638.89±119.56 cell/ μ L), WBC (5.38±1.49X10 3 / μ L), LYM (51.43±7.99%) and GRA (46.30±10. 18%) of the HIV group on ART were significant higher than those not on ART (465.30±145.92 cell/ μ L, 4.55±1.57X10 3 / μ L, 42.23±10.96% and 39.10±7.81%, respectively). Conclusion: Significant elevated aPLs level is present in HIV infection; however, the information obtained is not sufficient to indicate the occurrence of anti-phospholipid sy ndrome in HIV infection. There was no strong relationship between aPLs level and indicators of immunohaematological abnormalities in HIV infection. This finding is plausible and would therefore require further investigation

PREVALENCE OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 IgG AND IgM ANTIBODIES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL IDO-EKITI, NIGERIA

Background: Human Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a DNA virus, transmitted through respiratory secretions, hand-to-mouth-contact, blood transfusion and trans-placental transfer. It causes high mortality and morbidity in pregnant women, thus contributing to poor maternal and child health. B19V has been neglected due to dearth of epidemiological data. The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of Human Parvovirus B19 antibodies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled pregnant women attending Federal Teaching Hospital Ido-Ekiti from January to May 2019 to obtain sero-epidemiological data. One hundred and twenty-two (122) consenting pregnant women were enrolled following institutional ethical approval. They were administered structured questionnaire and venous blood was collected in plain tubes for serum extraction. &nbsp;Sera samples were analyzed for IgG and IgM antibodies using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Percentages, median, chi-square and multivariate analysis were carried out using SPSS version 17. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Results: The prevalence of IgG was 44.3%(54/122), IgM 41.8%(51/122), and IgG/IgM 28.7%(35/122) leaving 55.7%(68/122) of the population uninfected. The median age of participants was 22 (Interquartile range 18-25) years among which 36-45years had the highest prevalence which was not statistically significant (p=0.09 4.75). There was association between miscarriage, still birth, history of blood transfusion and prevalence of Human Parvovirus B19 (p&lt;0.05). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Conclusion: There is a high Prevalence of B19V among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in this study. This underscores the need for testing and immunization of pregnant women against B19V

Immunosuppressive Acidic Protein- Haematological correlates in HIV infected subjects

Background: Immunosuppressive Acidic protein (IAP) is a marker of the extent of immune defects occurring in most cancers. Its correlation with CD4 cell count used as an indicator of immune function and disease progression in Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection is not well documented. Aims and Objectives: To determine if IAP levels correlates with immunosupression and haematopathology occurring in HIV/AIDS infection. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti. One hundred and five participants consisting of 85 HIV infected test subjects and 20 control subjects were enrolled into the study. CD4 counts was obtained using SL Cyflow machine, IAP levels determined using ELISA kit for human IAP and Full blood count for all participants was obtained using Sysmex KX-21N Haematology Analyzer. Regression and correlation analysis was done on data using SPSS 28. Results: IAP showed a negative correlation with CD4 count (r= -0.6), (r= -0.9) and (r= -0.2) in the ART, NART and control groups. The pattern of the results was similar with other parameters except in Neutrophils (r= 0.2) (r= 0.3) and (0.1), Eosinophil (r= 0.6) (r= -0.4) and (r= -0.2) and Lymphocyte (r = -0.3) (r= -0.02) and (r= 0.05) in the ART, NART and control groups respectively. Conclusion: The outcome of this study show that a strong negative relationship exist between IAP and other immunohaematological parameters used for monitoring Immune status in HIV infection; however the information gotten is not sufficient to indicate IAP as a predictor of immune status in HIV infection. Further studies are therefore required to better elucidate the mechanism of increased IAP levels at different clinical stages of HIV infection

Immunomodulatory Effects of Bio-Clean II Herbal Remedy on C-reactive protein, Corticosterone and Antiphospholipid antibodies in Rats exposed to Purified Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide

Background: Bio-Clean II has been previously shown to fight viral infection, boost immunity, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties by regulating the serum level of inflammatory cytokines, as well as T-Helper 4 and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes in rats exposed to purified bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of Bio-Clean II on the C-reactive protein (CRP), corticosterone (CORT) and anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPLs) levels in rats exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using animal model.Materials and Methods: A total of 36 male Wistar rats weighing 150g±50g (mean±SD) were purchased and randomly assigned to six (6) groups of 6 rats each. Group 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 were induced with a single dose of 5mg/Kg of purified LPS® (E.coli 0127:B8, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA), administered through intraperitoneal route using 1ml sterile needle and syringe, except for group 4 which served as the zero control (given water and food only throughout the experiment). Group 1 served as the inflammation control. Group 2 which served as the positive control received 50 mg diclofenac/kg [bid] and 500 mg ciprofloxacin/kg [bid] (positive control) in place of the Bio-Clean. Group 3 which served as the negative control received sterile phosphate buffer saline (PBS). While rats in group 5 and group 6 were treated orally with the herbal remedy “Bio-Clean II” for 7 days and 14 days, respectively. After which, the rats were killed and a cardiac blood specimen was taken from each rat and transferred to plain bottles to clot. Serum was obtained from the clotted blood by centrifugation. The serum levels of C-reactive protein, corticosterone and antiphospholipid antibodies were assayed using ELISA kits, supplied by Elabscience Biotechnology Inc, USA. Data generated were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Scientists-Version 20 (SPSS-20).Results: The outcome of this results show that the serum level of C-reactive protein of the 7 days (1.05±0.06ng/ml) and 14 days (0.93±0.05ng/ml) Bio-Clean II treated rats was found to be significantly lower (p=0.002 and p=0.000, respectively) when compared to the inflammation control group (1.70±0.07ng/ml). Similarly, the serum level of anti-phospholipid antibodies of the 7 days (6.40±0.67 Uml) and 14 days (4.27±0.66 U/ml) Bio-Clean II treated rats was found to be significantly lower (p=0.02 and p=0.008, respectively) when compared to the inflammation control group (16.47±1.53 Uml). Meanwhile, the corticosterone level of the 7 days Bio-clean treated rats (9.40±1.30ng/mL) was found to be non-significantly lower (p=0.812) in comparison to the inflammation control (13.50±2.50ng/mL); while that of the 14 days Bio-clean II treated rats (6.80±1.00ng/mL) was significantly lower (p=0.026).Conclusion: The outcome of this study underscores the anti-inflammatory potential of Bio-Clean II in the treatment of bacterial inflammatory diseases.<br/

The Potentials of Monoclonal Antibodies as a COVID-19 Intervention Tool

COVID-19 has been ravaging the world since late December, 2019 and it is not slowing down as the global cumulative counts of confirmed cases and fatalities continue to rise every day. Currently, there is no established cure. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are the major therapeutic agents for passive immunotherapy in the fight against viral infection. They are increasingly being recognized as a promising class of drugs to combat the novel coronavirus. Besides their therapeutic potentials, infectious disease experts are hopeful that they may also provide short-term protection and could serve as important components of the COVID-19 pandemic response until vaccines become accessible globally. Since the outbreak assumed a global proportion, several biotechnology companies across the globe are developing monoclonal antibodies with the hope it will become an intervention tool in combating the pandemic. Different randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials are currently enrolling healthy individuals at clinical trial sites in the United States of America and elsewhere. In addition to assessing their safety, the trials are seeking to establish whether mAbs can prevent infection in susceptible individuals or ameliorate disease symptoms in those already infected. This review takes a look at the available literatures on the role of monoclonal antibodies as an intervention tool for combating the COVID-19 pandemic