Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been noted a major public health problem with no vaccines available currently. This study aims at optimizing 'safe blood' practice by advancing HCV testing beyond Diaspot rapid enzyme immunoassay in current use in Nigerian Health Institutions. Between August, 2014 and November, 2015, a total of 300 blood donors' plasma samples were screened with both Diaspot and HCV Ag-Ab enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. HCV-RNA confirmation and quantification were performed with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was performed on confirmed positive blood donor for treatment purpose. The overall gender ratio and mean age of blood donors screened for HCV were 1.5:1 and 27.67 ± 7.77 years respectively. Of the 300 blood donors screened, 5 (1.67%) and 1 (0.33%) were seropositive for HCV on the basis of Diaspot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques respectively. Diagnostic odds ratio showed that ELISA is nearly 9-fold a better diagnostic tool compared to Diaspot technique. Real-time PCR assay confirmed positivity of 1 (0.33%) of the blood donor for hepatitis C. HCV-RNA viral load and plasma ALT of the lone sample were 133, 209 IU/mL and 11.1 IU/L respectively. HCV prevalence among blood donors in Ekiti state is low, 0.33%. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique should be the starting point of HCV serologic screening and a surrogate technique for real-time PCR. The development of workable algorithm to reduce risks associated with blood transfusion and enhances both blood donors' and recipients' safety is highly imperative.
Background and Aim: Obstetric complications are part of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of complications on the Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and platelet count (PLC). Women with obstetric complications were recruited as subjects). Pregnant women without complications were included as controls. Study Design: This is a case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Specialist Hospital Sokoto and the duration was six months. Methodology: Pregnant women aged 18–41 years (mean age 29.5 years) were recruited for the study. The determination of PT and APTT was done by manual methods using commercially prepared Agappe reagent kits, whereas PLC was done by manual methods using a haemocytometer (Improved Neubauer counting chamber). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The results of PT and APTT were significantly higher among women with obstetric complications (14.26±0.23 seconds and 31.32±0.70 second) compared to normal pregnant women (13.00 ± 0.13 seconds and 29.66±0.33) (P<0.05). The PLC was significantly lower among women with obstetric complications compared to women without obstetric complications (P< 0.05).Obstetric complications in subject show a significant association when compared with PT and APTT (P< 0.05). The age group of subjects shows a significant association when compared with APTT (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Findings from this study have shown that obstetric complications causes decrease in platelet count and prolongation in PT and APTT. There is need to assess the PT, APTT and Platelet count routinely for pregnant women to improve the ante-natal care in Specialist Hospital Sokoto.
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