ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the seroprevalence and trends of Hepatitis B, C and HIV sero markers in healthy blood donors of Northern Pakistan. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Blood donated by healthy donors from both Armed Forces and civilian population, collected from Jan 1996 to Dec 2000 were tested by Enzyme Linked Immunoassay at Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Demographic data of these donors was also studied. RESULTS: Of 103858 blood donors, 3.3% (95% CI 3.20%-3.41%) were HBsAg, 4.0% (95% CI 3.91%-4.11%) were anti HCV and 0.007% anti HIV positive. Their average was 28 years. HBsAg positive donors were a decade younger than anti HCV positive donors. Pattern in Armed Forces and civilians donors was similar but there was significant reduction in the prevalence of HBsAg carriage in all blood donors. CONCLUSION: This study supports the changing trends in HBV/HCV seroprevalence in blood donors and a low prevalence of HIV in Pakistani population.
Subject(s)
Blood Donors , HIV Seroprevalence , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , HIV Seroprevalence/trends , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pakistan/epidemiology , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of various blood group antibodies responsible for haemolytic disease of the new born (HDN). DESIGN: A prospective study of all neonates and still born foetuses suspected to have haemolytic disease of the new born and their mothers. SUBJECTS: Neonates suspected to have HDN as per study criteria along with their mothers and mothers of still born foetuses with hydrops foetalis. METHODS: Pertinent serological tests, serum bilirubin estimation, haemoglobin estimation and reticulocyte count on neonate's blood samples and demonstration/titration of blood group specific antibodies in maternal blood samples. RESULTS: Six cases of HDN due to blood group antibodies were detected so far. Four were due to anti-D and all were of mild severity as per study criteria. Two cases were of severe haemolytic disease (hydrops foetalis). Both were due to anti Kell. Both women had history of previous blood transfusion and abortions. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive antibody screening should be performed during antenatal period in women who have received blood transfusion and/or have history of un-explained abortions.
Subject(s)
Blood Group Incompatibility/diagnosis , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/prevention & control , Prenatal Diagnosis , Blood Group Incompatibility/blood , Blood Group Incompatibility/complications , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/epidemiology , Erythroblastosis, Fetal/etiology , Female , Humans , Hydrops Fetalis/blood , Infant, Newborn , Kell Blood-Group System , Pakistan/epidemiology , Pregnancy , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
The incidence of aplastic anemia appears to be relatively high in some parts of the world, including Pakistan. Since some of the etiological factors are shared by aplastic anemia and the preleukemic syndrome, there is a strong possibility that a proportion of cases of aplastic anemia may in fact be preleukemia. The study of chromosomes offers a relatively easy method of detecting cases of preleukemia, because some chromosomal abnormalities are frequently observed in this condition. Chromosomal studies were carried out in peripheral blood cell cultures of 31 patients with otherwise typical aplastic anemia. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 7 (22.5%) cases. The most common chromosomal abnormality detected was trisomy 8, seen in four cases. Other abnormalities detected were 22q-, t(14;22) and t(15;21), in one case each. These abnormalities have been found to be associated with AML, MDS, ALL, and NHL as well. We hypothesize that a proportion of cases of otherwise typical aplastic anemia may in fact be due to a leukemic process in evolution.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Aplastic/genetics , Chromosome Aberrations , Chromosome Disorders , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics , Translocation, Genetic , Trisomy , Adolescent , Adult , Anemia, Aplastic/diagnosis , Child , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 , Female , Humans , Infant , Karyotyping , Male , Middle Aged , Myelodysplastic Syndromes/diagnosisABSTRACT
To make bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy less painful and more acceptable in children a short acting anaesthetic ketamine was used in a dose of 1-2 mg/kg body weight intravenously or 4-5 mg/kg intramuscularly. One hundred cases aged 2 to 13 years were studied. The actual procedure time ranged between 20 seconds and 3 minutes, adequate samples were obtained in 80% of children on first attempt. Vomiting was the only side effect noted in two children. Ketamine is safe and recommended in all children undergoing bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsies.
Subject(s)
Anesthetics, Dissociative , Bone Marrow Examination/methods , Ketamine , Adolescent , Biopsy/methods , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
Five hundred apparently healthy adults from northern parts of Punjab and NWFP were screened for the prevalence of heterozygous beta-thalassemia. The trait was detected in all ethnic groups with an overall prevalence rate of 5.4% (27/500). Pathans had significantly (P less than 0.02) higher prevalence rate (7.96%) than Punjabis (3.26%).
