Frequencies of some human genetic markers and their association with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Background & objectives: There is paucity of information on the association between Plasmodium falciparum malaria and some human genetic markers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Hence, a study was undertaken in children to assess the current level of subclinical malaria due to P. falciparum. Methods: Blood groups ABO and Rhesus factor, haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern, G-6-PD deficiency status and malaria were determined among 240 apparently healthy children in a crosssectional descriptive study using standard procedures. Results: The prevalence of P. falciparum malaria in this region was high (27.5%). Blood group O (51.3%) dominated the study population, followed by B (23.8%), A (21.3%), and AB (3.8%). Rhesus D positive accounted for 91.3% while Rh D negative was 8.7%. Sickle-cell trait (HbAS) prevalence was 12.5% while HbAA accounted for 87.5%. In all, 5.42% of the children were G-6- PD deficient while 94.58% had normal G-6-PD status. Chi-square analysis revealed that only blood group O and Rh D negative had a significant association with P. falciparum malaria (2= 4.3636, p <0.05 and 2 = 5.760, p <0.02 respectively). No significant association was found to exist between P. falciparum malaria and other genetic markers. Conclusion: This study has provided the current prevalence rates of some genetic markers in a malaria endemic region of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Of all the genetic markers tested, only Blood group O and Rh D negative had significant and positive associations with P. falciparum infection.

Defining Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Pregnancy: the Diagnostic Role of Serum Iron Indicators and C-reactive Protein

Background: Definition of iron deficiency anaemia could be problematic in areas where iron deficiency co-exists with infection. Aim: This study was aimed at providing the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in Port Harcourt and to examine the diagnostic role of serum iron indicators and C- reactive protein in defining iron deficiency anaemia. Methods: Iron status indicators; serum iron; TIBC; percentage transferrin saturation; serum ferritin; haemoglobin concentration and C-reactive protein were assessed in 1;371 pregnant women and 60 age-matched non-pregnant controls using standard colorimetric; immunoassay and serologic procedures. Results: Iron deficiency anaemia was present in 5of our apparently healthy non-pregnant women and in 8.9of the pregnant women. Iron deficiency (ferritin 12 ng/ml) accounted for 15of anaemia in the control group and 18.0of anaemia in the pregnant women. Elevated C-reactive protein (20 mg/l) was found to be common with the anaemic pregnant women (40.2) compared with 6.7among non-pregnant control group (p0.0001). The Hb; serum iron; TIBC;transferrin saturation and serum ferritin levels in anaemic pregnant women were found to be significantly lower than the non-pregnant control group (p0.0001) while the C-reactive protein level in the anaemic pregnant women was significantly higher than the non-pregnant control group (p0.0001). Conclusion: The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among apparently pregnant women in this locality is high. Part of the contributory factor may be infection or inflammation; hence; ferritin alone may not reliably define anaemia in pregnancy. A combination of haemoglobin concentration; transferrin saturation and serum ferritin concentration should form a regular practice in order to assist in reducing the incidence of anaemia in pregnancy

Seroprevalence of HIV and Frequencies of Haemoglobin Genotypes; ABO and Rh Blood Groups among Premarital Couples in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Premarital screening is fast gaining grounds as a pre-requisite condition for the solemnization of holy matrimony by many faith based organizations in Nigeria yet there is scanty literature on the subject.Methods: Fifty (50) premarital heterosexual couples (50 males and 50 females) were screened for the presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); haemoglobin genotypes; ABO and Rh blood groups using standard laboratory procedures.Results:The prevalence of HIV in this study was found to be 2.0. The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotypes were as follows; HbAA (72); HbAS (26) and HbAC (2.0) while that of ABO and Rh blood groups were: group A (22); B (14); AB (0); 0 (64); Rh 'D' Positive (96) and Rh 'D' Negative (4.0). The distribution of these variables between the sexes was statistically significant. (?2 = 21.630; p 0.01). The frequencies of the haemoglobin genotype combinations of the intending couples were as follows; HbAA/AA (52); AA/AS (36); AA/AC (4.0) and AS/AS (8.0). This distribution pattern was also found to be highly statistically significant (? 2