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The present century health care system has made great innovations for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Despite this, the diagnosis of parainflammation is difficult due to absence of symptoms in individuals. The development of diseases could generally be mitigated by early detection and control of parainflammation since it appears to be a unifying factor for infectious and non-infectious diseases. The present review describes the value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker for the detection of parainflammation in disease asymptomatic (apparently healthy) individuals
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Introduction: The ABO blood group system is unique in immunology and haematology because it is the only system in which antibodies are consistently and predictably present in the serum of normal individuals whose red cells lack the antigens. Several epidemiological studies have reported that the distribution of different ABO blood groups vary markedly among the populations of different geographical areas reflecting racial differences. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the association between ABO blood group and anthropometric indices among apparently healthy young adults of Yoruba ethnicity. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Physiological Sciences and University Health Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between May 2016 to June 2017. Methodology: Eighty apparently healthy young adults who were purposely selected participated in the study after screening for the ABO blood groups following the standard protocol. They were divided into four equal groups; 20 in each of blood groups A, B, AB and O who were age- and sex - matched. The weight (kg) and height (cm) of the participants were measured following standard protocol. Body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were estimated from weight and height using Quetelex and Mosteller formulae respectively. Chi-square was used to compare grouped data while the comparison of means of parameters among the four blood groups was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A p-value of < 0.05 was taken statistically significant. Results: Out of the total 80 participants, 15% were males. The mean ± SD of height(m) of participants with blood groups A, B, O and AB were 1.65 ± 0.06, 1.63 ± 0.08, 1.62 ± 0.08 and 1.63 ± 0.08 (F= 0.349, p= 0.790) respectively. The mean ± SD of weight(kg) of the participants with blood group A,B, O and AB were 56.15 ± 8.71, 56.00 ± 11.21, 57.10 ± 12.73 and 58.05 ± 10.35 (F= 0.154, p= 0.927) respectively. The mean ± SD of BMI in kg/m2 for blood groups A, B, O and AB were 20.74 ± 3.22, 20.86 ± 2.91, 21.79 ± 5.10 and 21.91 ± 4.21 (F= 0.472, p= 0.703) respectively while the mean ± SD of BSA (m2) for blood group A, B, O and AB were 1.60 ± 0.12, 1.59 ± 0.19, 1.60 ± 0.18 and 1.62 ± 0.15 (F= 0.098, p= 0.961) respectively. Conclusion: AB Blood group may be predisposed to metabolic syndrome due to the higher mean of weight, BSA and BMI found in this group.
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Objective To investigate the incidence of leukopenia in superficial healthy population and its correlation with age and sex.Methods A total of 40 031 healthy subjects, including 23 393 males and 16 638 females, were selected from January to July, 2018.Their blood routine tests were performed to analyze the age, sex, neutropenia of leukopenia patients.Results The prevalence of leukopenia was 1.22％ (490/40 031), 0.37％ (151/40 031) in males, 0.85％ (339/40 031) in females.The incidence in females was higher, with statistical significance (P＜0.05).Age:the average age of males was higher.There was no difference between the incidence of leukopenia in the population aged less than 60 years and over 60 years.There was no significant difference in lymphocyte and monocyte counts between men and women with leukopenia (P＞0.05), but there was significant difference in WBC and NEU counts (P＜0.05).Neutropenia was found in 206 leukopenia patients, accounting for 42.04％ (206/490), and thrombocytopenia was found in 21 patients, accounting for4.29％ (21/490), and anemia was found in 71 patients, accounting for 14.49％ (71/490).Conclusion The incidence of leukopenia is 1.22％in the apparently healthy population.The incidence of leukopenia in females is higher than that in males.Leukopenia is more severe in women than in men, neutropenia is more severe too.
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Aim: To determine the level of Salmonella agglutinin and its titre among apparently healthy students of Tertiary Institution in North-eastern Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional study on Seroprevalence of Salmonella agglutinin; Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biological Science Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, between September to December, 2016. Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional study in which 200 apparently healthy students of Federal Polytechnic Mubi were tested for Salmonella agglutinin using both slide and tube agglutination methods. Statistical Analysis: Non-parametric Mann-Whitney statistics and least significance difference (LSD) were used to test for significant difference in all the data obtained. Significance difference was taken when P?0.05. Results: The result showed that the number of male with positive Widal agglutinin was significantly higher than that of female (P=0.028). The number of positive titre was significantly higher in age group 21-25 years (P=0.002) when compared to other age brackets. However, there was no statistical difference between the age bracket 16-20 years and 31-35 years (P=0.747). The result of the agglutination titre showed that more male had Salmonella titre for Salmonella Typhi O (81.8%) and Salmonella Typhi H (72.7%) while more female had Salmonella agglutinin titre for Salmonella Typhi H (44.4%) and Salmonella Paratyphi B-H (33.3%). It was also observed that only agglutinin for Salmonella Paratyphi A-O, B-O, C-O, B-H and C-H were present in the sera of male subjects up to the titre of 160 and at frequencies ranging from 1.6-58.8%. Furthermore, among females, it was observed that only agglutinins for Salmonella Paratyphi A-O, Salmonella Typhi C-H and Salmonella Typhi O and H were present in the sera of the subjects up to the titre of 160 and at frequencies ranging from 2.5-25.0%. Conclusion: Detecting Salmonella agglutinin titre up to 160 among apparently healthy individuals is of public health significance. Thus, there is need to monitor this trend and create awareness on environmental and behavioural risk factors for Salmonella infections.
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Aims: This study was carried out to ascertain the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and its relationship to gender and age among apparently healthy students of a tertiary institution in Northeastern Nigeria. Study Design: Sero-prevalence of HBsAg in relation to gender and age. Place and Duration of Study: Federal Polytechnic Mubi, North-eastern Nigeria, between August 2013 and September, 2014. Methodology: In this study, 200 apparently healthy students of a tertiary institution in North eastern Nigeria were screened randomly to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). To achieve this, 200 blood samples were screened in a step wise order using One Step Strip Style HBsAg test. The blood was allowed to retract and then centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 minutes. The test device was dipped into the serum sample for 3 sec and read after 10 min. Results: The result showed an overall HBsAg seroprevalence of 31.5%. The seroprevalence of HBsAg among males (43%) was higher than that of females (27%) but with no statistical significant difference (p=0.462). The age-specific distribution of HBsAg among subjects in this study showed higher HBsAg prevalence rate among the age group 35 & above (50%), closely followed by the age group 30-34 (48%) with no statistical significant difference between all the age groups (p=0.353). Conclusion: The result of this study confirmed the high endemicity of HBsAg among apparently healthy individuals in North-eastern Nigeria which is alarming. It is therefore recommended that as a matter of urgency Nigerian government should extend HBV vaccination programme to the adult folks and not just limited to the national childhood immunization programme.
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Aims: This study was designed and conducted to establish the normal values of various haematological indices and CD4 absolute count for apparently healthy adult in Ondo State, and to compare these values with those obtained for other populations in both tropical and western countries. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Haematology and the global HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria (GHAIN), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo. Nigeria between July 2013 and June 2014. Methodology: Haematological indices and absolute CD4 count were determined in four hundred and eighty one (481) apparently healthy individuals whose ages ranged between 20–50 years, were randomly recruited into this study from the Haematology department, Federal Medical Centre, Owo. Results: The mean blood levels of HCT, RBC, HB and MONO were significantly lower in female subjects compared with male subjects. Also, the mean blood levels of HCT, RBC and HGB were significantly lower while the mean blood level of Retics and ESR were significantly higher with decrease in age group. The comparative values for males and females in this study were also compared with previous established baseline values in Nigeria, Kenya and US. Conclusion: This study was able to establish normal reference values for hematological indices and CD4 counts in apparently normal adults in Ondo State, Nigeria. This range could be useful as a basis for making some clinical decisions and also in enrolling HIV patients into the ART program when absolute CD4 counts are considered.
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To analyze the prevalence of syphilis in apparently healthy population in Madhya Pradesh during last 6 years. Methods: Serum samples were collected from Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skin and Venereal diseases, Medicine, Surgery, etc., of the period of 6 years. All the serum samples were screened for syphilis by rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test using standard methods. Results: Out of 21,742 samples, 133 (0.62%) serum samples were found to be positive. The highest seroprevalence was observed in the group aged 25-31 years (0.89%) and lowest in 18-24 years (0.31%). Conclusion: RPR testing in this populations group plays a special value in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of syphilis.
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Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study focused on socio-demographic characteristics of volunteers such as age, sex, marital status and location. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out among apparently healthy individuals of Akoko-Edo Local government area of Edo State, Nigeria between October 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: The HBsAg one step hepatitis B surface antigen test strip, a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen in serum/plasma, was used for screening the volunteers. Result: Out of the 455 volunteers screened, 125 people (27.5%) were positive which consist of 49 male (28.7%) and 76 females (26.8%). Age related prevalence for HBsAg was 18.2% and 9.2% among those aged 10-40 and 40-70 years respectively. Among single individuals of 101, prevalence of 25.3% was recorded while only 6% (24) was recorded as prevalence among married individuals. This study also reveals that the highest prevalence of HBsAg was observed in Ojirami-Dam community with 40.3% prevalence while the least was observed in Umeme-Osu community with 16.4% prevalence. Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence of hepatitis B among children and young adult in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The incidence of the infection among individuals between ages of 10-40 years with 83 people infected (66.4%) calls for concern among the people of the area. This provides evidence for urgent public awareness and mass immunization of the people in area.
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Background: Globally prostate cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is present in small amount in the serum of men with healthy prostates, but is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer and other prostate-related disorders. The aim of this present study was to determine the PSA levels among healthy men of African descent resident in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. Methods: Testing was carried out using the CTK Biotech PSA kit (CTK Biotech Inc, San Diego, USA). The Onsite PSA Rapid Test is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in human serum or plasma at a cut-off level of 4.0 ng/mL. Result: We investigated the PSA levels in 106 consecutively recruited men of African descent with age range and mean age of 40-70 years and 44.75 ± 7.91 years respectively. We observed a PSA of > 4ng/mL among 7 (6.6%) of subjects studied. Men > 60 had the highest prevalence of raised PSA level (33.3%) compared to those younger men (p= 0.001). We observed a higher prevalence among farmers (11.1%) compared to business men, civil servants and students. Conclusion: In this present study we observed a high prevalence of PSA >4ng/mL and a positive and significant correlation between age and raised PSA levels among men in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria. We recommend an annual PSA blood test for men ≥ 40 years of age and that those with a PSA value > 4.0 ng/mL should be considered for further evaluation. There is also the need to build capacity among biomedical and medical staff in Nigeria to facilitate effective diagnosis of prostate cancer. There is also the need for increased prostate cancer awareness in the area to facilitate voluntary testing.
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This cross sectional and observational study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet, during the period from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2012 with a view to explore the seropositivity of Hepatitis G virus (HGV) in blood donors, pregnant women, new born and apparently healthy subjects. For this purpose 45 blood donors, 45 pregnant women, 45 new born babies of same mothers and 45 apparently healthy subjects were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The HGV antibody was measured in venous blood from blood donor, pregnant women and apparently healthy subjects; and cord blood from newborn babies with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The mean age of the blood donors, pregnant women and healthy subjects was 24.9 (SD ± 3.5) years; 24.9 (SD ± 3.5) years and 22.1 (SD ± 1.5) years respectively. The overall seropositivity of HGV was 3 (1.7%). The seropostivity of HGV of blood donors, new born babies and healthy subjects was 1 (2.2%) in each group but no HGV antibody positivity among the pregnant women (p=0.797). Among the male patients 2 (2.2%) patients were seropositive for HGV; while in female patients, 1 (1.1%) patient was seropositive for HGV (p=0.547). Among the patients with previous blood transfusion 1 (1.9%) patient was seropositive for HGV; while among patients without previous blood transfusion 2 (1.6%) patients were seropositive for HGV (p=0.882). This study yielded that there is high prevalence of HGV seropositivity among population in this region of Bangladesh. So, screening of blood units for HGV would deserve consideration.
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Blood tests such as aminotransferases are indicators of liver cell injury not liver function, so it would be more appropriate to call them liver tests instead of liver function tests. Liver tests should be interpreted in a clinical context, and follow-up tests are often helpful to assess liver diseases. Abnormal liver tests in apparently healthy individuals can be categorized into four types: (1) isolated elevation of serum bilirubin; (2) isolated elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP); (3) hepatocellular injury; and (4) intrahepatic cholestasis. Mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia without any other test results is frequently suggestive of Gilbert syndrome, which needs no specific therapy, but the possibility of hemolysis should be ruled out. An isolated elevation of ALP can be due to non-hepatic causes such as normal rapid growth, pregnancy, or bone diseases. The source of the elevated ALP can be considered to be of hepatic origin if gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) increases simultaneously. GGT also increases after chronic ethanol ingestion. A significant elevation of ALP also occurs in infiltrative lesions of lymphoma or leukemia. Up to 25% of asymptomatic testees show a mild elevation of aminotransferases. A substantial proportion of them have parenchymal liver diseases such as fatty liver, chronic hepatitis, or early cirrhosis. A history of exposure to hepatotoxins, physical examination, and tests for viral markers are helpful. If ALT is normal, the increased AST is highly likely to be of muscle origin. Serum ALP and GGT increase mainly in intrahepatic cholestasis, and early stage of primary biliary cirrhosis or drug-induced cholestasis should be considered.