Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) a malignant proliferation of immature lymphoid cells is a biologically heterogeneous disorder with variable outcomes in adults. We present a case report of a 54-year-old woman who presented with fever, anaemia and peripheral lymphadenopathy of four weeks duration, and was managed for disseminated tuberculosis initially. Full blood count and bone marrow aspiration cytology constituted part of her initial investigations and were found to be in keeping with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL-L3). Patient had supportive treatment and managed with Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine (Oncovin), Cytosine Arabinoside and Prednisolone (COAP Regimen), achieved complete clinical and haematologic remission, and has remained disease free after consolidation and maintenance therapy. No evidence of haematologic or clinical relapse at five years and currently in her ninth-year post diagnosis and treatment. With high index of suspicion, timely investigation and referral, satisfactory outcomes are achievable in managing some patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Aims: To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of human T cell Lymphotrophic viruses 1 and 2 among blood donors in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross sectional study of 500 consecutive blood donors from the blood bank of Jos University Teaching Hospital and National Blood Transfusion Services Jos were recruited into the study. Questionnaires were administered and blood samples were collected from all participants. Sera of the blood donors were assayed for HTLV 1 and 2 using micro- enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using Epi Info version 3.5.1 and statistical significance was set at p-values ≤0.05.
Results: The mean age of the study population was 29.9±8.9 years with a male - female ratio of 4.2:1. Voluntary blood donors constituted 50.6% while family replacement blood donors constituted 49.4%. The mean hemoglobin was 14.9±1.2 g/dl. Although 4% of the blood donors had different forms of exposure to risk factors, none was positive for HTLV-1 or HTLV-2.
Conclusion: Human T cell lymphotrophic virus had zero seroprevalence among tested blood donors in Jos. However, continuous surveillance is necessary to keep the prevalence at low ebb. Further studies using larger sample size to include other healthy adults, commercial sex workers and pregnant women should be carried out in the entire country to define the prevalence of the virus in Nigeria.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a transfusion-transmissible pathogen that poses a significant threat to blood safety. The virus' burden is high in the general population and among blood donors in Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to more donor rejection; blood discards, and increased risk of contamination of the blood supply. Hepatitis B Virus is vaccine-preventable; increased burden of infection may suggest a gap in vaccination. The study aimed to assess the level of hepatitis B virus vaccine uptake and identify factors affecting uptake of the vaccine among voluntary non remunerated blood donors (VNRBD) in Jos, Nigeria. A survey was conducted at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Jos, among consenting VNRBD aged between 18 and 65 years from October to December 2020 using a structured questionnaire to collect information on vaccination status, socio-demographics and others. Of the 120 VNRBD interviewed, 36.7% received one or more doses of the HBV vaccine, while the majority (63.3%) were unvaccinated. Among the unvaccinated donors, 57.9% were unaware that HBV has a vaccine, 21.1% did not know where to get the vaccine, 7.9% had no time to get vaccinated; 3.9 % believed that there was no need to get vaccinated because they tested negative for the virus, while 9.2% gave no reason. Our study found a low uptake of HBV vaccine among VNRBD in our environment. We advocate for increased awareness and strong legislation to ensure universal access to the vaccine by Nigerians.
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