Effect of wooddust inhalation on blood rheology

Occupational exposure to wood dust may bring about some changes in blood indices of humans, especially in developing countries where use of protective gadgets like face masks are not in use. This study is aimed at evaluating changes in blood cell indices, haemostasis and CD 4 count on occupationally exposed workers to wood dust. This randomized study consisted of one hundred (100) male sawmill workers who have been exposed to wood dust by working in these environments without any form of protective masks, for over two years as test subjects and fifty male individuals randomly selected who were not exposed to wood dust as controls. Blood samples were obtained from these workers and analysed for complete blood count using PCE ­ 210N haematology analyser, prothnumbin time test (PTT) and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) were manually done using commercially purchased kit and CD4 count was performed using the flow cytometry method. Haemoglobin, haemcitrocrit and granutocyte levels increased significantly in test subjects when compared with control subjects (P= 0.037, P=0.026, p=0.0005. Mean lymphocyte levels decreased significantly in test when compared to control subjects (P=0.028). while there were no changes in the other CBC parameters, PT, APTT and CD4 counts in test when compared with control subjects. This suggest that inhalation of wood dust increases haemotocrit, haemoglobin and granulocyte levels, decreased lymphocyte count and a longer exposure time to wood dust significantly affects these parameters. This may imply there is an increased rate of blood flow in the circulation of these individuals

Blood Bacterial Isolates in Sickle Cell Anaemia

Background:Sickle cell anaemia is a haemoglobinopathy characterized by the presence of sickle haemoglobin. Sickling can occur in these patients with sluggish flow of blood which accentuates the sickling phenomenon and susceptibility to infection. Notable among such infections are those caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae; Salmonella; Staphylococcus and Haemophilus influenzae. Aims: To ascertain the incidence of bacteria isolates among sickle cell individuals and to determine the antibiotics sensitivity pattern of such organism isolated.Methods: Thirty five (35) blood samples were randomly collected from sickle cell anaemia patients attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital; Benin City. Fifteen (15) blood samples comprising seven (7) with Hb-genotype AA and eight (8) Hb-genotype AS served as controls. Verbal informed consent was gotten from them. Cultural method was used in isolating microorganisms present in the blood samples.Results: There was strong association between genotype and bacterial isolates with genotype SS being more infected. A significant weak association exists between gender and bacterial isolate among sicklers. Age; tribe and occupation did not have any association with bacterial isolate among the studied population. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate (66.7); while ciprofloxacin and perfloxacin were the most active drugs against the isolates.Conclusion: From our study; 25.7of sickle cell anaemia patients had bacterial infection with a higher rate in females and Staphylococcus aureus being the most incriminated organism

Effects of breast cancer and mastectomy on fibrinolytic activity in African women.

Reduced blood fibrinolytic activity (FA) has been postulated in cancer. It is good to know if this is also the case in Africans with breast cancer. Africans are known to possess enhanced fibrinolysis. This study was designed to assess the effect o breast cancer on fibrinolytic activity and the effect of mastectomy on fibrinolysis in African women. Sixty histo-patholically proven breast cancer patients aged 25 - 45 years were compared with 50 healthy age-matched controls. Plasma fibrinogen levels and euglobulin lysis time (ELT) were estimated in breast cancer patients and th controls. Patients with breast cancer had significantly increased fibrinogen levels euglobulin lysis time (P < 0.001) compare with controls. There was significant mean difference between pre and post-mastectomy fibrinogen and euglobulin lysis time values (p < 0.05). Progressive significant decrease in fibrinogen levels and euglobulin lysis time values (P < 0.05) were observed over the weeks studied respectively. African women with breast cancer have defective fibrin clearing which could predispose them to thrombotic diathesis and early mastectomy may be beneficial. We suggest that fibrinolytic components may be a prognostic marker for breast cancer.