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

Comparative Evaluation of Genexpert MTB/RIF with AFB Smear Microscopy Methods in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis

In recent times, emphasis has shifted from older phenotypically and biochemical methods of diagnosis to molecular methods especially Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.  This study aims at assessing the performance of Ziehl-Neelson (ZN) acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy in comparison with GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin assay (MTB Rif assay), a real time PCR method in the diagnosis of Mycbacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and to observe the diagnostic value of AFB smear at a tertiary hospital (University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu) in Nigeria, a resource limited setting.Bacteriologic diagnosis and identification of MTB was made using ZN AFB smear microscopy and Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF system. This research was a descriptive study based on retrospective data from a total of six hundred and fourteen (614) samples collected from presumptive TB patients who attended UNTH- ART TB laboratory. Frequency and percentages were used to summarize categorical variables while means and standard deviations were obtained for continuous variables. Associations between categorical variables were done using chi square while accuracy of the test was done using receiver operating characteristics. P value less than 0.05  were  regarded as significant A total of 614 adults and paediatric patients were enrolled into the study, 381 (62%) were females while 233 (38%) were males. The mean age was 42.90yrs with standard deviation of 16.09yrs. Sixty-five (65) patients had pulmonary TB (PTB). Among the patients diagnosed with PTB, 51 (78.5%) were correctly classified positive with AFB smear result while 65 (100%) had MTB detected by Cepheid GeneXpert method We evaluated the outcome of the performance of GeneXpert with AFB smear microscopy methods in the diagnosis of PTB and observed 78% concordance between GeneXpert and smear result. Diagnostic value of ZN AFB smear method when compared to GeneXpert is significantly high and it is therefore an indispensable tool for the diagnosis of TB in Nigeria, a resource limited setting. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, Ziehl- Neelson Acid Fast Bacilli (ZN-AFB), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Attitude, Perception and Concern towards Children’s Vaccination amidst COVID-19 Pandemic among Selected Workers in a Nigerian Population

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a vaccine-preventable disease amongst all ages; however, parental attitudes, perceptions and concerns towards children’s vaccination can hamper immunization efforts and leave this vulnerable group of the society unprotected. The aim of this study is to assess the attitude, perception and concern towards children’s vaccination amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic among selected workers in a Nigerian population. Methods: This web-based study was conducted among a selected Nigerian population between the month of February and May 2021 using an online self-administered structured questionnaire hosted by Survey Monkey. The invitation to take part in the poll was sent out to a total of 180 persons through social networking platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Version 25 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data collected and results presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts. The cutoff point was established at a level of significance equal to P &lt; 0.05. Results: Vaccine hesitant score on childhood acceptance rates shows that 28 (15.6%) had low acceptance rates, 125 (69.4%) had moderate acceptance rates, and 27 (15.0%) had high acceptance rates. There was significant association between age and overall vaccine hesitance on children’s vaccination acceptance rates at χ2 = 16.804, P = 0.032. Conclusion: More than two-thirds of study participants supported children's vaccination. Those with low compliance may lack a realistic perception of infection risk, poor-quality information about immunizations and the disease, and general understanding