Iron supplementation and blood donation in Nigeria: Effect on Hemoglobin, red cell indices, and iron stores - The ranferon™ study.

Background: Iron-deficiency anemia is an important limiting factor to a sustainable supply of blood units, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Blood transfusion practice in Nigeria is poorly developed and structured with paucity of voluntary nonremunerated blood donors and high rate of donor deferrals resulting from low hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Aims: This study aimed to assess the effect of daily supplementation of iron using Ranferon-12 on Hb level, red blood cell (RBC) indices, iron level, ferritin level, and Hb recovery in blood donors in Nigeria. Methodology: This longitudinal study was conducted at a tertiary hospital blood transfusion center from March to July 2020. Blood samples of regular donors were collected at three points in the study for the measurement of Hb and hematocrit (HCT); RBC indices including mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC); and iron stores including serum iron, serum ferritin, and serum transferrin. The first point was at recruitment before donation of one unit of blood; the second point after the blood donation; and the third point at 6 weeks post blood donation. Following donation, participants were placed on Ranferon capsules (iron fumarate - 100 mg elemental iron) and 100 mg of tablet Vitamin C, for 6 weeks. Results: There was a moderate significant positive correlation between administration of Ranferon and change in the values of HCT, MCV, MCH, red cell distribution width, ferritin, and transferring (P < 0.05). Percentage recovery of Hb, red cell indices, and iron stores parameters after 6 weeks of daily Ranferon ranged between 89% and 100%. Conclusion: Iron supplementation using Ranferon capsule daily for 6 weeks enhances recovery of Hb, red cell indices, and iron stores with attainment of benchmark Hb levels for donation.

Résumé Contexte: L'anémie ferriprive est un facteur limitant important pour un approvisionnement durable en unités de sang, en particulier dans les pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire (PRFI). La pratique de la transfusion sanguine au Nigéria est peu développée et structurée avec une pénurie de donneurs de sang volontaires non rémunérés (VNRD) et un taux élevé d'exclusion des donneurs résultant de faibles taux d'hémoglobine (Hb). Objectifs: Cette étude visait à évaluer l'effet de la supplémentation quotidienne en fer à l'aide de Ranferon-12 sur le taux d'hémoglobine (Hb), les indices de globules rouges (RBC), le taux de fer, le taux de ferritine et la récupération de l'Hb chez les donneurs de sang au Nigeria. Méthodes: Cette étude longitudinale a été menée dans un centre de transfusion sanguine d'un hôpital tertiaire de mars à juillet 2020. Des échantillons de sang de donneurs réguliers ont été prélevés à trois points de l'étude pour mesurer l'Hb, l'hématocrite (HCT) ; Les indices RBC, y compris le volume cellulaire moyen (MCV), l'hémoglobine cellulaire moyenne (MCH) et la concentration moyenne d'hémoglobine cellulaire (MCHC) ; et les réserves de fer, y compris le fer sérique, la ferritine sérique et la transferrine sérique. Le premier point concernait le recrutement avant le don d'une unité de sang ; deuxième point ­ après le don de sang ; et troisième point ­ six semaines après le don de sang. Après le don, les participants ont reçu des gélules de Ranferon (fumarate de fer --100 mg de fer élémentaire) et 100 mg de vitamine C en comprimé, pendant 6 semaines. Résultats: Il y avait une corrélation positive significative modérée entre l'administration de Ranferon et le changement des valeurs de HCT, MCV, MCH, la largeur de distribution des globules rouges, la ferritine et le transfert (p < 0,05). Le pourcentage de récupération de l'Hb, des indices de globules rouges et des paramètres des réserves de fer après 6 semaines de Ranferon quotidien variait entre 89 % et 100 %. Conclusion: La supplémentation en fer à l'aide de la capsule de Ranferon quotidiennement pendant 6 semaines améliore la récupération de l'Hb, des indices de globules rouges et des réserves de fer avec l'atteinte des niveaux d'hémoglobine de référence pour le don. Mots-clés: Transfusion sanguine, donneurs de sang, ferritine, hémoglobine, anémie ferriprive.

Secondary bacterial isolates from previously untreated Buruli ulcer lesions and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in Southern Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION:: Mycolactones, secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans, were previously believed to prevent super infection in Buruli ulcer lesions. However, little is known about secondary bacterial infections in these lesions. This study evaluated contaminating bacterial flora and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in cases of previously untreated Buruli ulcer disease from three states in Southern Nigeria. METHODS: A prospective analysis was conducted between January and June of 2015 using wound swabs from eligible patients with Buruli ulcer disease, confirmed by quantitative-polymerase chain reaction, with active ulcers. Microbiological analyses including isolation of bacteria, species identification of isolates, and drug susceptibility tests were performed. RESULTS: Of 51 patients, 27 (52.9%) were female. One or more bacterial species of clinical importance was isolated from each patient. A total of 17 different microbial species were isolated; 76.4% were Gram-negative and 23.6% were Gram-positive isolates. The most common bacterial species detected was Staphylococcus aureus (24%), followed by Aeromonas hydrophila (13%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11%). Drug susceptibility tests showed a particularly high frequency of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials in Nigeria for Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSIONS: Super bacterial infections occur in Buruli ulcer lesions in Nigeria, and these infections are associated with high rates of resistance to commonly used antibiotics in the country.

Secondary bacterial isolates from previously untreated Buruli ulcer lesions and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in Southern Nigeria

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Mycolactones, secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans, were previously believed to prevent super infection in Buruli ulcer lesions. However, little is known about secondary bacterial infections in these lesions. This study evaluated contaminating bacterial flora and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in cases of previously untreated Buruli ulcer disease from three states in Southern Nigeria. METHODS A prospective analysis was conducted between January and June of 2015 using wound swabs from eligible patients with Buruli ulcer disease, confirmed by quantitative-polymerase chain reaction, with active ulcers. Microbiological analyses including isolation of bacteria, species identification of isolates, and drug susceptibility tests were performed. RESULTS Of 51 patients, 27 (52.9%) were female. One or more bacterial species of clinical importance was isolated from each patient. A total of 17 different microbial species were isolated; 76.4% were Gram-negative and 23.6% were Gram-positive isolates. The most common bacterial species detected was Staphylococcus aureus (24%), followed by Aeromonas hydrophila (13%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11%). Drug susceptibility tests showed a particularly high frequency of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials in Nigeria for Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSIONS Super bacterial infections occur in Buruli ulcer lesions in Nigeria, and these infections are associated with high rates of resistance to commonly used antibiotics in the country.

Tubercular endometritis detected through Pap smear campaign in Enugu, Nigeria.

In a series of 3,267 cervical smears examined in Enugu, Nigeria, from 1993 through 2010, there was a single positive case of tuberculosis (TB). It was found in a 55-year-old, Para 7, postmenopausal woman. Treatment for tuberculosis was instituted successfully.