Homocysteine Levels in Nigerian Women with Pre-eclampsis/Eclampsia

Hyperhomocysteinaemia has been linked in various studies worldwide to the occurrence of cardiovascular disorders and endothelial cell injury. In Nigeria with one of the highest maternal/neonatal mortality and morbidity, it is significant to explore means of predicting pregnancy-induced hypertension. This study was carried out at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital which is a major referral center in the South-western part of Nigeria. It was set to determine the mean plasma homocysteine levels and corpuscular haemoglobin in pre-eclamptic/eclamptic Nigerian women. A total of 150 subjects consisting of 100 primigravidae and 25 diagnosed cases of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and 25 non-pregnant females were enrolled in the study. 60 primigravidae were lost to follow up or had incomplete data. The mean value of homocysteine in the control group, and eclamptic group was 7.5±3.4 μmol/L and 16.1±6.5 μmol/L respectively. There is positive and significant correlation between plasma homocysteine in the eclamptic group and the mean MCV (r=0.97, p=0.01), and between plasma homocysteine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the eclamptic group (r=0.944, p=0.0001; r=0.98, p=0.0001). The study further supports earlier findings of increased homocysteine levels in the occurrence of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Keywords: Hyperhomocysteinaemia, Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, Primigravidae, Cardiovascular disorde

Level of Radiofrequency (RF) Radiations from GSM Base Stations and its Biological Effects on Albino Mice, Mus musculus

Levels of radiofrequency radiations around two global systems for mobile communication (GSM) base stations located in the vicinity of a residential quarter and workplace complex were measured. The effects of the radiofrequency radiations on albino mice placed in exposure cages and located around the base stations over a six months period were carried out. The levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiations around the base stations were found to be between 488.51mV/m to 625.49mV/m compared to 59 mV/m in control stations. The results of the weight change experiment showed that over the 180 days of observation, there was weight gain in the exposed and control mice groups. Statistical comparisons of mean weight changes between exposed mice and control mice showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences between the weight of the test animals. The hematological studies revealed an elevation of white blood cell (WBC) counts in mice exposed to RF radiations compared to control group. There was however no significant (P>0.05) difference between the red blood cell counts in the exposed and control mice. There was also no significant (P>0.05) difference in the hemoglobin and glucose levels in the blood of both exposed and control mice groups. The red blood cells in exposed mice were however found to contain a higher number of macrocytes, poikilocytes, polychromatic cells and fewer target cells than the control mice. Histological studies of the heart and kidney of exposed mice showed only slight tissues deformities in kidneys of exposed mice compared to control. The relevance of these findings in setting radiofrequency radiation exposure guidelines and the need for more studies with widely varying biological parameters is very necessary as Nigeria leaps further into the communication age

Stimulation of Haemopoetic Activity in Bone Marrow and Deformation of Red Blood Cells in Albino Mice, Mus musculus Exposed to Radiations from GSM Base Stations

The levels of radiofrequency radiations around two global systems for mobile communication (GSM) base stations located around a residential quarter and workplace complex were measured. The effects of the radiofrequency radiations on albino mice placed in exposure cages and located around the base stations over a six months period were investigated. The levels of radiofrequency (RF) radiations around the base stations were found to range between 383 mV/m to 730 mV/m compared to 59 mV/m in control stations. In the exposed mice, a pattern of pancytosis was observed and significant increases were observed in the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Cell Count (WBC), Platelet count (PLT) and Red Cell Count (RCC) throughout the period of exposure in both stations when compared with control values. No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed in these values when both stations were compared. After 90 days of exposure, marginal increases occurred in the mean cell volume of exposed mice at station 1 and 2 (53.1±3.6fl Vs 55.9±1.8fl and 57.9±0.25fl respectively), with the mean cell haemoglobin concentration showing significant reduction after 180 days of exposure at station 2 (27.9±2.4g/dl Vs 25.7±0.29g/dl;

Care Seeking Determinants among Adolescents in Lagos, Nigeria

Adolescents often lack basic reproductive health information, knowledge, and access to affordable confidential health services for reproductive health. This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to examine the care seeking determinants of adolescents accessing the adolescent friendly services at the Action Health Incorporated Adolescent Clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to elicit information about demographics; past medical history; family history; reproductive/sexual history. The study was explained to the adolescents and their consent was obtained before interviewing them. Data analysis was done using SPSS Version 15. A multiple logistic regression was used to model the relationship between client facility-use status and selected individual characteristics. Odd ratio and confidence interval were computed, and a level of significance of 0.05 was chosen. The mean age of the adolescent was 16.3 ± 2.8 years. A high proportion (77.5%) of them reported not to be sexually active. The logistic regression model identified preferred/adopted contraceptive during last visit (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.35 to 1.00), sexual status (OR = 0.40, 95% C.I= 0.27 to 0.60) and religion OR = 2.04, 95% C.I = 1.43 to 2.92) as determinants of adolescents’ booking for a re-visit to the clinic. The determinants of adolescents’ booking for re-visit to Action Health Incorporated clinic were preferred/adopted contraceptive during last visit, sexual status and religion. The implication of this may be that those who did not book for re-visits felt that they were not adequately benefiting from the services rendered at the clinic. More varieties of adolescent friendly services that meet the needs of all adolescents should be included at the clinic. Key words: Adolescent, Care seeking determinant, Confidential health services, Reproductive healt

Plasma Homocysteine and Haematological Changes in Infertile Women in Lagos, Nigeria

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been described as a risk factor for infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as recurrent/early pregnancy loss, pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Although Nigeria has a high prevalence of infertility, the contribution of homocysteine to female infertility is yet to be studied. This study aim to find possible relationship between elevated plasma homocysteine level and infertility. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among eligible infertile and fertile women seeking care at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The subjects were 100 infertile women randomly selected from the fertility clinic, and the controls were 50 fertile women that have given birth in the last one year. Fasting plasma levels of homocysteine were estimated using enzyme immunoassay technique, while anticoagulated whole blood sample was used to evaluate haematological parameters (Hb, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW %), using the HMX haematology autoanalyser by Beckman Coulter. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and simple logistic regression model for associations and Student t-test for mean differences. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05. Among infertile women, 34.0% (n=34) complained of primary infertility while 66.0% (n=66) had secondary infertility. Mean plasma homocysteine level of subjects and controls were 9.50 ± 1.88μmol/L and 9.44 ± 1.85μmol/L respectively. In the control group, the 95th percentile for homocysteine level was 12.0μmol/L. Differences in mean plasma homocysteine levels between the subjects and controls were not statistically significant (p=0.952).Mean values of haematological parameters did not vary significantly in both groups except for a marginal increase in WBC count of infertile women. Hyperhomocysteinemia may not be a major factor in female infertility in our environment.Key words: Plasma homocysteine, Female infertility, Haematological parameter

Gender and CD4 Values as Correlates for Iron Status in Anaemic HIV Infected Individuals

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Interleukin-8 A Marker of Disease Progression and Therapeutic Response in HIV Infection

IL-8 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Plasma level of IL-8 was determined in HIV infected subjects at the Lagos university Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. These are subjects on anti-retroviral treatment, freshly diagnosed treatment naïve HIV positive individuals, and non-HIV infected controls subjects. This study was conducted to determine the plasma level of interleukin-8 in HIV infected treatment naïve individuals, and individuals who are already on treatment, and compare the outcome with that obtained from HIV negative individuals. The study also compared the distribution of plasma interleukin-8 against variables such as CD4 count, viral load count,white blood cell count (WBC) and Haemoglobin concentration of the subjects. Plasma samples were collected and analyzed for interleukin-8 concentration using Elisa assay method. The optical density was converted to estimates using logarithm graph. The data collated were analyzed using EPI Info version 3.5.3 and SPSS version 17. Significance of differences between groups were determined using the Student's t-test and Chi test. Probability values of (P<0.05) were interpreted as significant. The mean IL-8 concentration was 48.02±6.24, 27.26±0.55, 4.06±2.82 (pg/ml)respectively for the naïve, on treatment and control groups. Showing a 12 fold increase in plasma IL-8 level between subjects and HIV negative control, CD4 and Viral load of the subject were also significantly associated with serum interleukin-8 concentration as immunossupression (CD4 count <200 cells/ul) was associated with higher serum levels of IL-8( 56% of subjects with CD4 <200cells/ul, had IL-8 values >8pg/ml and 73% of subjects with IL-8 levels >8pg/ml where those having CD4 values above 200cells/ul; p=0.00 respectively). Measurement of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) profiles in patients infected with HIV will provide a useful guide for treatment response and useful indicator of disease prognosis.SummaryKey words: Interleukin 8, HIV infection,Errata: This paper was Published in vol. 13, No 1-2 of January-February 2014 edition, but had to be republished in this edition to correct few minor oversight spotted out in the first publication

Anaemia in HIV Infection: Relating Red Cell Indices And Iron Profile

Anaemia -a frequent complication of HIV infection- is multi-factorial, and its incidence is associated with progression of HIV disease. Recognition of iron related anaemia in HIV infection remains a challenge. Exploring red cell indices and iron profile may provide easier and more efficient diagnostic option. This study aims to evaluate iron status of anaemic HIV infected individuals in relation to apparently healthy, non-HIV infected persons, and determine indices that best indicate iron deficiency anaemia in HIV infection. A total of 100 Adults with serologic diagnosis of HIV, and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) <30% (or Hb<10g/dl), were recruited with 50 HIV negative adults, non anaemic apparently healthy subjects as controls. Five mililiters of blood placed in sodium ethylene-diamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) specimen bottle was used for the estimation of Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Packed Cell volume (PCV), Reticulocyte count, along with red cell indices: Mean cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Serum extract was then used for serum iron, serum ferritin and serum transferrin analyses. Of the total 100 HIV positive subjects, 51 of 63(81%) subjects with Hb between 7-10g/dl were in CDC stages B and C while only 12 of 63 (19%), were in stage A. The Hb levels fell with progression of HIV disease. MCV, MCH and MCHC of the control population, were significantly higher than the study population ( 86.3fl vs 82.9fl; 27.8pg vs 26.3pg and 32.2g vs 31.1g; p<0.05respectively). However, Reticulocyte count was significantly higher in the HIV infected study group (1.6% vs 1.3%; p<0.05).Mean serum iron, and mean serum transferrin levels were significantly higher among the HIV negative controls compared with the HIV-positive study population(280.2 μg/dl vs 195.16 μg/dl and 2.3g/l vs 1.47g/l; p< 0.05 respectively). However, mean serum ferritin was significantly higher among the HIV positive study population ( 540.3ng/ml vs 141.6ng/ml; p<0.05). Anaemia in HIV infection is essentially anaemia of chronic disorders. Decreasing serum transferrin level and rising values of serum ferritin associate best with severity of anaemia in HIV infection.Keywords: HIV; Anaemia; Ferritin, Transferrin; Serum Iro

Evaluation of iron and folate deficiencies as possible causes of anaemia in unfit blood donors

BACKGROUND Prospective blood donors are commonly deferred at the Blood Service of the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, a tertiary health facility, majorly due to anaemia. Since experience shows that iron and folate deficiencies are common causes of anaemia in the population, it is desirable to investigate the iron and folate status of prospective donors who fail the blood donor fitness test to confirm whether or not, iron and folate deficiencies are part of the reasons for failure.AIM AND OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to establish whether or not, iron and folate deficiencies are the causes of anaemia in prospective blood donors who fail the  re-donation haemoglobin test.MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 263 prospective donors were recruited, and, based on the Copper Sulphate specific gravity test set at a haemoglobin concentration cut-off of 12.5g/dl, they were divided into unfit (study n=153) and fit (control n=110) groups. Ten (10ml) of venous blood was drawn from each subject and distributed into sodium- EDTA specimen bottle (5ml) for estimation of full blood count within 2 hours of collection and plain disposable plastic tubes (5ml) for the estimation of serum ferritin, serum homocysteine and serum folate in both study and control groups.RESULTS There was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in the haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) of the study group compared to the control. There were 62 correctly rejected unfit donors who had haemoglobin level <12.5g/dL, of these, only 12 (19.36%) had serum ferritin level <15μg/L, 3 (4.8%), had homocysteine level >15μmol/L and 3 (4.8%) had folate level <3ng/ml, indicating iron and folate deficiency, respectively. There was no statistically significant association (P>0.05) between haemoglobin concentration and serum ferritin, homocysteine and folate levels within the study group.CONCLUSION The findings in this study suggest that in only about 20%, and in less than 5% of cases was iron and folate deficiency, respectively, the cause of anaemia, leading to correct rejection as blood donors. Therefore, other factors which may be associated with anaemia in prospective blood donors need to be further investigated