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Objectives: Destruction of blood cells and damage to hepatocytes arethehallmark of hepatitis B viral infection. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate some hematological parameters and biomarkers of liver injury in healthy blood donors infected with the occult and overt hepatitis B attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi, Nigeria Materials and Methods: A total of 20 overt and 14 occult hepatitis B virus-infected blood donors were confirmed and enrolled using Roche ® COBAS q-PCR from 212 consented pooled subjects. Hematological parameters and absolute CD4+T-cell count were determined using the Sysmex hematology analyzer and Partec cyflow counter, respectively. Determination of serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alpha Feto-protein (AFP) levels were done spectrophotometrically and ELISA, respectively.Results: The mean red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, white blood cells, CD4 and platelet count in the overt group were not statistically significantly different from the occult group p>0.05. However, of the 34 infected subjects, 7 (20.6%), 6 (17.7%), 2 (5.9%), 13 (38.2%), 2 (5.9%) and 4 (11.8%) had abnormally low blood values for red blood cells, white blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, CD4 and platelets respectively. The mean ALT and ALP values from the occult and overt groups were not also significantly different (p>0.05).Conclusion: This study found a decrease in the values of some blood cells. However, no significant changes in the liver enzymes were found. These infected individuals should be managed to prevent transmission of HBV infection to other people and subsequent destruction of blood cells and damage to liver cells. Future studies couldfocuson patients with chronic liver diseases/Hepatocellular carcinoma caused by HBV to determine the effects on the liver biomarkers and hematological parameters
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Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the serum/plasma levels of zinc, vitamin C and E in male subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus to establish their concentration pattern.Place and Duration of Study: Medical outpatient clinic, Chemical Pathology Laboratory of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, between January and December 2016.Methodology: This prospective cohort study enrolled 40 male individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 40 apparently healthy control, within the age range of 45-75 years. Zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fasting blood glucose levels were determined at pre-treatment, six months and 12 months into treatment. Results: The mean values of zinc, vitamin E and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher at pre-treatment compared to apparently healthy control values (147. 76 +/-32.95 vs 114.31+/-15.58 μg/dl,11.88+/-3.13 vs 3.42+/-0.21mg/dl and 8.08 +/-3.22vs 5.25+/-0.35 mmol/l respectively) (p=<0.001, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively). At 6 month into treatment in comparison to pre-treatment values, there were significant decreases in vitamin C (3.90+/-0.97 vs 5.15+/-1.43 mg/dl) (p= 0.04). At 12 month into treatment in comparison to pre-treatment values, there were significant decreases in vitamin C (3.25+/-0.16 vs 5.15+/-1.43 mg/dl) (p= <0.001). At pre-treatment, vitamin C significantly decrease from 6.49+/-0.96mg/dl in age group 45-64 years to 4.10+/-0.76mg/dl in age >65 years (p=0.01).Conclusion:The levels of vitamin C were lower at six months, but lowest at 12 month into treatment. Also vitamin C levels were found to be lower in age >65 years.
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Background: A number of processes regulating the thrombolytic balance are impaired in diabetic patients as a result of dysfunction of endothelial cells leading to a hypercoagulative state. Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is an important marker of endothelial dysfunction. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen (PAI-1-Ag), the major physiological inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), is mainly produced by endothelium. The aim of this study is to measure plasma levels of von Willebrand factor, Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and to correlate with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Study Design: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 30 diagnosed type 2 DM patients who were about to start treatment. Place and Duration of Study: Medical outpatient (MOP) clinic of Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTTH), between January and December 2016. Methodology: We included 30 patients (13 men, 17 women; age range 40-80 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Blood samples were drawn from the patients before they commenced treatment, six months into the treatment and at twelve months of the treatment. Blood samples were also drawn from 25 age matched non diabetic patients. Plasma von Willebrand factor and Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen levels were determined by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were also evaluated along with them. Results: This study was conducted on 30 type 2 DM patients consisting of 13 males and 17 females. At treatment naïve, mean levels of vWF were significantly increased (45.48 +/- 6.46) in male type 2 Diabetic patients compared to the control (20.45 +/- 0.26). Six months into treatment mean levels of vWF were significantly increased (48.18 +/- 4.99) in female type 2 Diabetic patients compared to the control (37.64 +/- 7.93). The plasma levels of vWF were significantly and positively correlated with HbA1c at six months into treatment in male type 2 DM patients. The plasma levels of vWF were also significantly and positively correlated with PAI-1 at six and twelve months into treatment in both genders. Conclusion: There was strong significant positive correlation between plasma levels of vWF and PAI-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
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Background: Tuberculosis remains a disease of major public health importance worldwide including Nigeria. Endocrine abnormalities have been reported among Tuberculosis patients with the thyroid inclusive. Aims of Study: The present study was designed to evaluate the thyroid hormones changes and CD4+ T-cell count during menstrual cycle in women infected with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, south east Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 90 premenopausal females aged 15-45 years randomly recruited at Direct Observed Therapy (DOT) Clinic at NAUTH, Nnewi from 2013-2014. 30 participants were Symptomatic TB infected females who were not yet on drugs at the time of sample collection while 30 were Symptomatic TB infected females on Anti tuberculosis therapy. The remaining 30 were apparently healthy hospital staff with regular menstrual cycle. After due consent, a detailed medical history was obtained and routine investigations of pulmonary tuberculosis and confirmation using Ziehl Neelsen and sputum culture techniques for AFB and chest x-ray were done. Blood samples were collected at follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle for analysis of Thyroid hormones (T3, T4 and TSH) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. CD4 T-cell counts was determined using cyflow SL Green Cytometer. Results: Result showed significantly lower T3 and CD4 T-cells with normal TSH values in Symptomatic TB compared with control females at both phases of menstrual cycle (P=.05 respectively). TSH value was significantly lowered in Symptomatic TB than Symptomatic TB on ATT while T3 and CD4 T-cell count were significantly higher in Symptomatic TB on ATT compared to Symptomatic TB at both phases of menstrual cycle (P=.05). Conclusion: Euthyroid sick syndrome was observed among Symptomatic TB females which showed some level of improvements with administration of ATT. A new national strategic plan for TB control is advocated to include routine thyroid function check with special attention paid to the reproductive function.
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Background: One of the biggest challenges in blood donation particularly in Nigeria is the recruitment and retention of voluntary non-remunerated, low cost blood donors. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of repeated blood donations on iron stores and the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among the male blood donors in the Enugu State, Nigeria. Study Design: In this case-control study, two hundred and twenty three randomly selected male blood donors, were grouped into six categories according to the number of units of blood donated in one year, two years, three years and the last group were on their 4th year. Place and Duration of Study: Haematology and blood bank laboratory unit, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria: April 2012 to December 2012. Methodology: Prior to blood donation, blood samples of 202 directed/regular male blood donors and twenty one apparently healthy men with no previous history of blood donation (aged 18- 40years) were collected. Donors were grouped into 0, ≤ 3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and > 13 categories based on the number of units of blood donated. Results: Iron depletion was seen in 1.3% in group 2 (1-3 times) and also in 13.3% of group 4 (7-9 times), iron deficiency was present in 4.4% of group 3 (4-6 times) and in 20% of group 6 (13-15 times) and iron deficiency anaemia was discovered in 4.4% of group 3 (4-6 times). Blood donors with more than seven times instances of blood donation (P<0.05) showed a significant relationship between iron depletion and iron deficiency. Conclusion: This study showed that iron deficiency anaemia in blood donors can occur as a result of increase in number of units of blood donated and also based on iron status of individual at time of donation. Based on findings of this study ferritin test should be done on all male blood donors in Enugu before donating any unit of blood to find out the appropriate time to start iron supplement.
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Aim: To determine the Red cell indices and Reticulocyte count values in HIV-positive patients under antiretroviral treatment and those not under antiretroviral treatments with varying durations of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatments. Study Design: Case-control study. Place and duration of Study: The study was carried out at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Nigeria from March to August 2013. Methodology: 181 subjects were recruited consisting; Sixty (30 males and 30 females) HIV subjects under antiretroviral therapy (ART) with an HIV infection and ART duration of <1–5 years, >5 –8 years and >8–17 years; Sixty (25 males and 35 females) HIV subjects not under ART (non-ART) with an infection duration of <1–3 years, >3–6 years and >6–11 years; and Sixty-one (31 male and 30 female) apparently healthy seronegative control subjects. The Reticulocytes count, Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (HGB), Red blood cell count (RBC), Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status of the study subjects were determined. Results: MCV and MCH for ART and non-ART subjects were significantly increased compared with control group (P<.05) and the differences with varying durations of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy were not significant (P>.05). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the mean HGB, RBC, MCHC of ART and non-ART compared with control (F=8.51; 133.85; 33.32; P<.05 respectively) and their differences with varying durations of infection and antiretroviral therapy were not significant (P>.05). MCV were significantly higher in ART compared with non-ART (P<.05). Conclusion: There is no significant variation in Red cell indices and Reticulocyte count values in HIV patients with differences in duration of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy.