ABSTRACT
Background: As deaths caused by HIV declines with the use of HAART, liver disease associated with co-infection of HIV with hepatotropic viruses has become an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality. Aim: To assess the effect of HIV-mono and co-infections with hepatotropic viruses on haematological and biochemical markers of the patients. Methodology: 109 HIV patients from tertiary health facilities in northeastern Nigeria were initially screened with Immuno chromatographic kit for HIV antibody and confirmed by western blot prospectively and consecutively. However, Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody were detected on the HIV positive patients by ELISA. Blood donors served as control. The study was conducted between January and October 2012. Results: Of the HIV patients 12.8% and 4.6% had HBsAg and HCV antibody respectively. The prevalence rate of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among males was 12.8% while females had 12.9% but lower rates of HCV were obtained in both males (5.1%) and females (3.3%). However, HIV mono-infections had higher mean baseline values for haemogblobin (Hb), CD4 and platelet counts, protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) in comparison with HIV/ HBV/HCV co-infections (P<0.05). In addition, Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were lower in HIV mono- infection in contrast to co-infections (P<0.05). Similarly, the mean values of Serum liver enzymes such as Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Akaline Phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine were lower in HIV mono-infection compared with HIV/HBV or HIV/HCV co-infection (P<0.05). Total white blood cell count (WBC), total cholesterol (TCH), Random blood sugar (RBS) and potassium (K+) were not significantly different (P>0.05) in both groups. Conclusion: Co-infections of HIV and hepatotropic viruses do occur. Haematological and biochemical parameters serve as pointers for early detection of liver disease in HIV patients. The development of novel therapeutic approaches to impede co-infection of HIV and hepatotropic viruses is encouraged.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The aims of the research were to synthesize, characterize some palmitoyl amino acids and their aromatic analogues and to screen the synthesized compounds for possible antibacterial activity Study Design: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial screening of palmitoyl amino acids and their aromatic analogues. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry/ Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, between September 2012 and January 2013. Methodology: Palmitoylchloride was condensed with the respective amino acids (glycine, β-alanine, γ-amino butyric acid) to form the corresponding palmitoyl amino acids. The opening of the isatoic anhydride ring with the three amino acids and subsequent condensation with palmitoyl chloride led to the formation of the amino acid benzamides. The antibacterial screening was carried out using agar well diffusion method. Results: All the synthesized compounds were obtained in good yield and high purity; they were unequivocally characterized by the combination IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS. The compounds were however found to possess no antibacterial activity against the tested microorganisms Conclusion: This work has shown that both the straight chain and aromatic analogues of saturated long chain lipid amides are inactive against the tested strains of microorganism.