ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus infection is a serious global public health challenge that affects more than two billion people worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the serological pattern of HBV infection in HBV infected patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the serological pattern of hepatitis B infection in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. This was a comparative cross sectional study carried out on 260 hepatitis B patients and blood donors attending hepatitis B clinics, and blood banks in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Military Hospital, Port Harcourt, and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Choba. The study involved the use of hepatitis B panel assay, measurement of prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Port Harcourt, assessment of hepatitis B serological markers in all subjects, determination of the presence and prevalence of occult HBV among participants. HBV 5-parameter (panel) Rapid Test kit was used to assess HBV serological markers. Standard operation procedure, good laboratory practice, External/Internal Quality Control were used accordingly and Quality Assurance ensued. 84.2%
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study assessed the level of plasma haemoglobin concentration in CPDA-1 stored blood with a view to determine the extent of haemolysis during the 35 days storage period. Study Design: This is an observational and comparative case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted using healthy male donors residing in Port Harcourt. Analysis was carried out at the Blood Bank of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, formerly Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from February 1st to March 8th, 2017. Methodology: Blood for transfusion was collected from prospective male blood donor found to be in good health, aged between 18 and 52 years, with haemoglobin level within the range of 13.5 g/dl – 16 g/dl, body weight within 55 kg – 75 kg, and body temperature within 37.0 to 37.50C / 99.50F, into plastic bags containing anticoagulant CPDA-1, and handled under strict sterile condition to prevent bacterial contamination. The blood was stored in a blood bank refrigerator with a constant temperature of +2 to +60C under proper inspection at intervals for colour, turbidity, haemolysis and clot formation. Two milliliters of the sample was collected aseptically at different interval days of collection from the blood bag and analyzed using the HemoCue photometer. Results: Results showed no significant changes in plasma haemoglogin from day 1, 5, and 10, while significant increase in haemolysis occurred from day 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 (p = 0.000), a significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma haemoglobin was observed from day 15 to day 35 of storage. Conclusion: It is pertinent therefore to note that the use of CPDA-1 does not completely stop the changes that occur in RBC as there are several changes occurring in stored blood collectively called “storage lesions”. Therefore, it is advisable that blood should be transfused within 14 days of storage to avoid transfusion of blood products that has lost most of its benefits to recipients, and where possible whole blood should be processed and components separated before storage to reduce the level of non-viable red blood cells.