Serum hormonal levels in HIV/AIDS infected male subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nnewi, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the serum hormonal levels (Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol) in symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects on ART. A total of 411 participants aged between 17 and 58 (43 ±10) years were randomly recruited for the study. The participants were staged and grouped as follows: symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects on ART (n= 139), symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects not on ART (n= 136) and HIV seronegative subjects (n= 136). Blood samples were collected from the participants for the determination of HIV status by immunochromatography and HIV confirmation by Western Blot. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay for FSH, LH, Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol levels. Their results showed significant rise in FSH, LH in HIV seropositive participants on ART compared respectively to those not on ART and the HIV seropositive subjects (p< 0.05). On the other hand, the Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol were all raised in symptomatic HIV seropositive participants not on ART compared respectively to the symptomatic HIV seroposive on ART and the HIV seronegative groups(p< 0.05). The testosterone levels significantly decreased in both symptomatic HIV infected subjects on ART and those not on ART compared with the HIV seronegative controls (p< 0.05). The relevance of HIV infection on the serum hormonal status is that HIV infection causes hypogonadism as well as primary testicular failure in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART. Also, HIV infection causes hyperprolactinaemia,hyperprogesteronaemia and hypercortisolism in symptomatic HIV  participants not on ART

Reduced serum tetanus antibody titre in HIV infected subjects with malaria co-infection in a malaria endemic area of Nigeria

Tetanus infection is widespread and difficult to completely eradicate. Thus the present study was designed to assess the tetanus antibody titre in HIV infected subjects in relation to the presence or absence of malaria parasitaemia. 107 subjects consisting of asymptomatic group (asymptomatic HIV, n=17 and asymptomatic HIV-Malaria co-infection, n=17), symptomatic group (symptomatic HIV, n=18 and symptomatic HIV-Malaria co-infection, n=17), and control group (control without malaria, n=19 and control with malaria, n=19) participated in the study. Blood sample collected from the participants were used for the determination of packed cell volume, CD4+ T cell count, malaria parasite, HIV seropositivity and tetanus antibody titre using standard laboratory methods. The tetanus antibody titre was significantly reduced in symptomatic HIV infected subjects with malaria co-infection compared with symptomatic HIV infected subjects without malaria (

Assessment of the validity of rapid diagnostic test kits available in the Nigerian market for Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Early diagnosis is important in TB disease control. The use of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits drastically reduces the time required for reaching clinical diagnosis and this has been successful in diagnosis of HIV, syphilis and more recently malaria to mention a few. What is the case for RDTs for diagnosis of tuberculosis? Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the performances of results produced by different rapid diagnostic test strips available in the Nigerian market for TB. A total of one hundred and eighty-four (184) subjects aged between 12-68 years were recruited for the study. These were referred from the chest clinic with a high index of suspicion of TB. Sputum samples were collected for AFB detection using the Ziehl-Neelsen and Auramine-phenol staining techniques. Blood samples were collected for serology tests using five (5) different rapid diagnostic test kits from different manufacturers, HIV status determination and evaluation of the haematological parameters we carried out. As a result, there were significant differences in the results obtained between AFB tests and serological methods with P<0.01 in all cases. The sensitivity and specificity respectively of the five different kits were 28.6% and 32.0% (Nova), 19.5% and 29.2% (Fistech), 9.1% and 27.1% (Diaspot), 12.4% and 27.7% (Abcon) and 12.4% and 27.7% (Global).finally, findings from this study show that these rapid serological tests are poor in diagnosing tuberculosis and cannot be recommended for use in this environment.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Tuberculosis, rapid diagnostic tests, acid fast bacill

Use of absolute lymphocyte count or neutrophil ingestion rate of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) as alternative index to CD4+T-cell count to initiate ART in the management of HIV/AIDS disease

The present study was designed to evaluate absolute lymphocyte count or neutrophil ingestion rate of NBT as alternative indices to CD4+ T cell count in the management of HIV/AIDS subjects. 158 adult participants (male = 70, female = 88) were recruited for the study and grouped as: (i) Symptomatic HIV subjects with or without malaria (ii) Asymptomatic HIV subjects (iii) HIV seronegative subjects with or without malaria. Blood samples taken from these participants were analyzed using standard procedures for absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophil ingestion rate of NBT and CD4+ T cell count. The result showed that the mean absolute lymphocyte and neutrophil ingestion rate of NBT were significantly reduced in both symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV subjects with or without malaria infection when compared to the control group. The CD4+ T cell count was significantly reduced in the two groups and positively correlated with the absolute lymphocyte count (r = 0.301, P<0.05, r = 0.403, P<0.05) and neutrophil ingestion rate of NBT (r = 0.116, P = 0.01, r = 0.359, P<0.01) with or without malaria infection respectively. This finding suggests that in resource limited settings, absolute lymphocyte count or neutrophil ingestion rate of NBT could be used as alternative to CD4 count to monitor or initiate ART where the later is not easily accessible especially in a malaria endemic area.Keywords: Absolute lymphocyte count, NBT, ART, CD4+ T-cell count, HI

Sex Hormones And Biochemical Profiles Of Male Gossypol Users In South-Western Nigeria

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of gossypol administration on sex hormones and biochemical parameters of male subjects. Twelve male subjects receiving 20mg daily gossypol at the family planning clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan were studied. Blood samples collected from the subjects before, at 16 weeks and 28 weeks of treatment with gossypol were used to determine the blood levels of sex hormones and biochemical parameters. There were significant reduction in spermatozoa count (

Serum Chilamydia trachomatis –IgG antibody in Nigerians attending infertility clinic

Objective and Design: The present study was designed to detect serum concentration of Chlamydia trachomatis –IgG antibody in Nigerian men and women as non –invasive test for the detection of C. trachomatis infection in Lagos,Nigeria. Subjects, Outcome Measures: Two hundred and twenty seven (184 women and 43 men) subjects aged 25 -40years were recruited for the study at a fertility clinic. Venous blood samples were drawn from the subjects and serological detection of C. trachomatis –IgG antibody was assyed by solid phase immunoassay technique. Results: The results showed that 75 (41%) and 22(51%) of the women and men respectively had positive C. Trachomatis – IgG titres. However, the prevalence in women and men were similar (X2 = 1.15, P =02). The subjects positive for C. Trachomatis infection had different C. trachomatis antibody titers. This might be a reflection of the severity of the infection in the positive individuals. The severity of the infection is not sex associated ( X2 = 1.91, p =0.38). Conclusions: In conclusion, there is high incidence of C. trachomatis infection amongst Nigerian men and women. This may portend grave consequences if undetected early as it could lead to damage of the reproductive tract. Key Words: Chlamydia trachomatis, IgG antibody , men women, Nigeria. Tropical Journal of Medical Research Vol.8(1) 2004: 1-

Effect of aging on some tissues and organs in Nigerians

This study was designed to use serum biochemical parameters as markers of impact of aging on some tissues and organs. One hundred apparently healthy ambulant individuals aged 20-89 were used for the study. They were divided into different age groups of 70-89(A), 60-69(B), 50-59(C) and 20-49(D) years. Blood samples collected from the subjects were used for the determinations of serum alkaline phosphatase activity, creatinine, urea and albumin concentrations by standard routine laboratory methods. The results showed significant differences in mean serum concentration of creatinine in group ‘A' (

Effect of short term antiretroviral therapy on CD4* cells and immunoglobulins in HIV sero positive subjects

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Pattern and distribution of sexually transmitted diseases in Lagos Nigeria

This study was designed to investigate the pattern and distribution of sexually transmitted diseases. A total of 134 adult Subjects (89 women and 45 men) presenting with various signs and symptoms of lower genital tract infections were recruited for the study. Samples such as urine, urethral swab, high vaginal swab and/or semen were collected from the subjects and cultured. Identification of organisms was made using biochemical analytical profile index (API). The most common organisms encountered were Staphylococcus aureus (41%), Escherichia coli (21%), Candida spp. (14%) and klebsiella spp. (13%) while the least encountered organisms were Pseudomonas spp. (0.7%) and Neisseria gonorrhoea (0.7%). The pattern of distribution of these organisms was similar in both male and female subjects although different prevalence was observed. Staphylococcus aureus was consistently isolated from the semen cultures of men with low sperm count. The emergence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as the most predominantly isolated organisms from the subjects studied needs critical attention. Key Words: Lower genital tract, Sexually transmitted disease. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol.2(2) 2004:63-6

Changes in lipids and glucose concentration after voluntary wheel-exercise, high magnesium diet and magnesium fortification in rats

In this study, the effects of voluntary exercise and magnesium fortification on lipid and glucose concentrations in growing rats were examined. Thirty-six 5-week old male wistar rats were divided into 4 groups; CR, SR, EG and ESG (N=9) respectively. 500ppm of elemental magnesium as MgCl2 was provided in the drinking water of Mg- fortified groups. After one week of acclimatization and four weeks of Mg-fortification and/or exercise, the animals were fasted and sacrificed. Total magnesium concentration was similar in EG, ESG, and CR rats, but were all-lower than the concentration in SR rats (