Prevalence of alloantibodies associated with haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn in pregnant women at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria.

Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is caused by maternal alloimmunization against red blood cell antigens, which could result in fetal anaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, kernicterus, and death. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of alloantibodies against erythrocyte antigens in blood samples of pregnant women during the first trimester which may cause HDFN. A total of 123 consenting pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Ekiti state University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti participated in the study which lasted three months. The participants were within the ages of 16 to 45 years old across the major ethnic group in Nigeria. ABO/Rh typing, screening and identification of red blood cell alloantibodies were carried out using standard protocols. 15 (12.2%) subjects had detectable antibodies known to cause haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). The specificity of the antibodies was as follows: anti-K (5, 33%), anti-k (3, 20%), anti- Jsa (2, 13%), anti-C. (3, 20%), and anti-E (2, 13 %). Based on ethnicity, the prevalence of Kell antibodies was highly significant among the Yorubas as well as anti-C and anti-E. The observation was similar in the Igbo and Hausa groups. There is a need to determine these antibodies and monitor their titre in pregnant women to manage or prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with HDFN during routine antenatal care.

Association between haematological values and heat shock protein 70 of sickle cell disease patients in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Sickle cell disease, a genetically inherited blood disorder is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Nigeria. This condition has significant pathological consequences that result in hemolytic events, induction of inflammatory process, vaso-occlusive episodes, and the stress response that leads to the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 70. Therefore, this study aimed at correlating the level of serum heat shock protein 70 to haematological parameters in sickle cell subjects. A total of eighty-eight (88) consented participants were recruited for this study, which included apparently healthy persons with homozygous hemoglobin (HbAA 20), heterozygous hemoglobin (HbAS 30), homozygous hemoglobin (HbSS 30), and homozygous hemoglobin (HbSC 08). Subjects are in crisis and steady state. Venous blood samples (5 mls) were collected from subjects in ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) container and analyzed hemoglobin variants using hemoglobin electrophoresis, HSP 70 by Elisa method, and full blood count using standard methods. We demonstrated a significant increase (P<005) in HSP 70 levels of sickle cell disease HbSS and HbSC in steady state and crises when compared to the controls HbAA and HbAS. A significant (p<0.0001) increase noticed in the crisis state is higher than in the steady state. While the mean value of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (35.1±43.4), pack cell volume (PCV) (22.4±2.7), hemoglobin (Hb) (8.8±0.9), absolute neutrophil count (386.4±31) and Absolute neutrophil count (7.0±2.1) in steady state subjects was significantly higher (p<0.01), as compared to crisis state (29.5±2.5, 21.8±3.4, 7.3±1.8, 269.5±42 and 6.5±2.5) for the respective parameters, whereas, mean corpuscular volume (30.5±3.1), white blood cell (16.8±3.4), absolute lymphocyte count (5.0±1.3) in sickle cell disease subject in crisis state are significantly higher (p<0.01) than in steady state (29.3±2.2, 11.3±2.8, 4.3±1.1) respectively. The mean value of mean corpuscular volume (87.3±8.2) in the crisis state was higher when compared to the steady state (83.5±7.2) and the mean value of red bloood cell (2.7±0.4) in the steady state was higher when compared to the crisis state (2.3±0.7). The differences were not significant (p<0.01). These findings suggest that an association exists between Hsp 70 and haematological parameters in sickle cell subjects. This implies that Hsp 70 might be a marker in oxidative stress, hypoxia, vaso-occlusion crisis, and increased serum Hsp 70 levels seem to reflect systemic inflammation. However, further studies are required to determine whether circulating Hsp 70 plays a causative role in the pathogenesis of sickle cell.

Acid buffering effects of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum L. in the rabbit stomach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although the gastroprotective properties of Ocimum gratissimum L. have been mentioned, the exact mechanism is yet to be explored. Since acid output plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulceration, the present study was aimed at investigating the effect of leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on gastric luminal pH, acid output, parietal cell mass and gastric mucous cell population in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of pyloric ligation for acid secretion and ulcer study was employed. Prior to the 4 h ligation, male New Zealand rabbits were treated orally with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg b.w aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum twice daily for three weeks. The antisecretory and antiulcer effect of Ocimum gratissimum was compared with omeprazole (20 mg/kg p.o). Parietal cell mass and gastric mucous cell population were determined in the gastric samples by histometry. RESULTS: Aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum caused significant reduction in ulcer formation, gastric secretion volume and acid output in a dose dependent manner (p<0.05). Percentage inhibition was recorded as 29%, 46.2%, 52.9% for ulcer; and 16.2%, 35.9%, 52.1% for acid output upon pretreatment with 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg b.w respectively. Parietal cell mass was also reduced while gastric mucous cell population and luminal pH increased accordingly when compared to the control group. Data were comparable with the antisecretory effect of omeprazole. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the anti-secretory activity of Ocimum gratissimum may be the anti-ulcer mechanism of this plant.

Salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian cigarette smokers: Indication for increased risk of oral diseases.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a worldwide social epidemic and it is one of the main causes of preventable death and disability. Gingivitis, periodontitis, pocket depth, attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss are some of oral pathologies commonly found in cigarette smokers. The aim of this study was to explore, for the first time among Nigerians, the interplay between components of cigarette smoke and salivary levels of immunoglobulin classes so as to provide oral immunological based reasons for oral diseases in cigarette smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected in plain sample bottles from 24 active smokers who smoke at least 6 sticks of cigarette per day and 21 sex and age-matched non-smokers who were apparently healthy. The samples were spun and supernatant stored at -20°C until assayed. The immunoglobulin levels of the samples were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Student's t-test (unpaired) was used to determine significant differences between the two groups. P values less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE. Only IgM was significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers (P = 0.038). The proportion of smokers with detectable level of salivary IgE was lower compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that there is decreased salivary IgM in smokers. This observation suggests that reduced salivary immunoglobulin level of IgM might be involved in the pathogenesis of oral diseases in cigarette smokers.