Distribution of ABO, Rhesus blood and haemoglobin electrophoresis among the undergraduate students of Niger Delta State University, Nigeria.

The distribution of ABO, Rhesus blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis among 200 undergraduate students of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria randomly selected were studied. Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from the antecubital vein. The blood sample were transferred into EDTA bottle and mixed. The determination of the ABO, Rhesus (RhD) blood groups and haemoglobin electrophoresis was done. The results showed that blood group O had the highest percentage distribution of 49% followed by blood groups A and B with 22% respectively and the least percentage distribution of 7% was blood group AB. Rh-D positive rate was 98% and it was 2% for Rh-D negative. The percentage distribution for the haemoglobin electrophoresis pattern for HbAA, HbAS, HbSS, HbAC and HbSC were 66%, 26%, 2%, 2%, and 4% respectively. HbAA and HbAS occurred more frequently than other haemoglobin variants in this study.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and deficiency in a population of Nigerian males resident in Jos.

The activity of red blood cell Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in one hundred and twenty six healthy male individuals who are Nigerians residing in Jos was evaluated. The enzyme activity was determined quantitatively by spectrophotometer assay method. The activity of red cell G6PD enzyme was subnormal in 20 % of the population studied. This agrees with previous report of the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Nigerian males from the Western region of the country which is between 20 and 26 %of the population. The proportion of Nigerian males with subnormal G6PD activity is relatively constant irrespective of their geographical location.

Osteonecrosis complicating chronic myeloid leukaemia.

BACKGROUND: There are previous reports of osteonecrosis among Nigerians with sickle cell diseases and some other medical conditions. To the best of the authors' knowledge there is, however, no known such report attributed to chronic myeloid leukaemia, especially in Nigeria. Apart from presenting this as the first report, it is also to emphasize the need for early full blood count in persons presenting with otherwise non-haematological condition. METHOD: The case note of the patient and the available literature on the subject were used. RESULT: The 15-year-old girl who presented with a fifteen-month history of right hip joint pain and progressive abdominal swelling with weight loss for five months was found to have chronic myeloid leukaemia and avascular necrosis of the right femoral head. Her gait and walk improved remarkably within two weeks of commencing cytoreductive therapy. However, she still uses crutches due to the extensive bone damage from the prolonged impaired blood supply caused by chronic myeloid leukaemia before presentation. CONCLUSION: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head can complicate chronic myeloid leukaemia from hyperviscosity-induced leucostasis. Early simple peripheral blood examination in diseases presenting with otherwise non-haematological symptoms will reduce, if not prevent, severe complications of diseases.

Safety and hypoglycaemic properties of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The claim by Nigerian traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Ocimum gratissimum leaves has antidiabetic properties was investigated. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the aqueous leaf extract were administered orally to the experimentally diabetic rats for 28 days. Administration of the aqueous leaf extract caused a statistically significant reduction in plasma glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extract appeared nontoxic as evidenced by normal serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TPT, ALB and bilirubin. These data appear to agree with claimed hypoglycaemic effects of Ocimum gratissimum.