Background:Co-infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common as both viruses share common routes of transmission. HIV significantly affects the natural history of HBV, hence the need to determine the prevalence of co-infection.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective study between 2005 and 2009, in which is a total of 2018 subjects who reported at our University Teaching Hospital blood bank and human immunodeficiency virus clinic were studied. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested for using a one step lateral flow rapid chromatographic immunoassay (Acumen labs and diagnostic centre, Bangalore, India) and HIV 1/2 was tested using two kits, Determine (made by Abbot, Japan for Inverness Medical, Japan).Results:A total of 2018 subjects were studied out of which 1176 were HIV positive (964 males and 212 females) and 842 (334 males and 508 females) were negative. The prevalence of HBsAg positivity in the study population was 5.9%. It was 6.3% and 5.6% in the HIV-infected and un-infected population, respectively. Although the prevalence was higher in those who are HIV infected, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.52). Males who were HIV positive were found to be more likely to have co-infection than females (8.7% vs. 4.2%, P=0.02, OR=1.917).Conclusion:This study showed that in south-eastern Nigeria, infection with HBV is relatively common in both HIV-infected and un-infected individuals. Routine screening for HBV should be done for all HIV positive individuals.
Background:Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has continued to ravage the teeming populations in Nigeria, with disastrous consequences. Despite many studies and progress on HIV/AIDS in Africa, the data on the status of the patients at the commencement of therapy is lacking.Aim:The aim of this study is to determine the demographic, clinical and some laboratory features of adult HIV/AIDS patients, seen at the commencement of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, south-east Nigeria between July 2002 and October 2004.Subjects and Methods:The study was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Adult patients living with HIV/AIDS were studied using an interview administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Epi Info 2008 version 3.5.1.Results:A total of 400 respondents participated in this study. The mean age was 36.8 (8.8) years. Almost 60% patients were married and the HIV concordance rate was 53.3% (136/255). Nearly 30% of the families had at least one child positive for HIV. The most common associated risky behavior was injection administered in patent medicine stores 74.5%(302/400) and the most common clinical symptom was respiratory. Of the 400 patients recruited in this study, 19 (4.8%) were lost to follow-up on the 6 months’ visit, giving a follow-up rate of 95.2% (381/400). There was statistically significant difference in the mean body weight (P = 0.02), mean total white blood cell count (P < 0.001) and mean CD4+ count (P < 0.001) at presentation and after 6 months of ART therapy.Conclusion:HIV/AIDS patients present late and body weight, CD4+ count and total white blood cell count seemed to recover quickly on commencement of ART. The prevalence of concordance among couples and mother to child transmission rates tended to be high. Administration of injectable at patent medicine stores and multiple sexual partners are the most significant risk factors.
Background:Biochemical parameters vary in subjects with different hemoglobin phenotypes, compared with normal controls.Aim:The aim was to evaluate serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and inorganic phosphate concentrations in Nigerian adults with homozygous and heterozygous hemoglobin phenotypes.Subjects and Methods:A prospective study, carried out at the hematology out-patient clinic of our hospital, a community health center and a private hospital, all in Anambra state. Subjects included hemoglobin phenotypes AA, AS, and SS, in steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Samples were collected for serum CK activity and inorganic phosphate concentrations. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). Means were compared using the Student's t-test and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.Results:A total of 100 subjects participated in the study. There was a statistically significant difference in the means of serum CK activity in hemoglobin SS (HbSS) in VOC versus hemoglobin AA (HbAA) (P = 0.01) and HbSS in steady state versus HbAA (P = 0.02) but not in hemoglobin AS (HbAS) versus HbAA (P = 0.79) and HbSS in VOC versus HbSS in steady state (P = 0.06). A statistically significant difference was noted in the means of serum inorganic phosphate concentration in HbSS in VOC versus HbAA (P = 0.01), but not in HbSS in steady state versus HbAA (P = 0.43), HbSS in VOC versus HbSS in steady state (P = 0.09) and HbAS versus HbAA (P = 0.20).Conclusion:Sickle cell disease is a predictor for high serum CK activity and low serum concentration of inorganic phosphate, particularly in VOC. There may be a need to monitor serum CK activity in HbSS subjects presenting with major VOC.
Background of study: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder affecting red blood cells accompanied with fertility challenges. Apart from distortions in sex hormone levels, accessory sex organs abnormalities may occur. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fertility status of male subjects with sickle cell disease using progesterone, testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels as markers. Materials and methods: A total of 90 male subjects (consisting of 30 HbSS subjects in steady state, 30 HbAS individuals and 30 normal subjects (HbAA) as the control subjects) aged 18 to 65 years were randomly recruited for this study. The genotypes of the subjects were determined using electrophoretic procedure while the serum testosterone, FSH and progesterone levels were assessed using ELISA technique. Full blood count was determined by the Sysmex automated procedure and the disease severity was evaluated using the severity scoring technique. Result: There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the mean serum level of testosterone in the different blood genotype groups. Furthermore, a non-significant positive correlation existed between the serum levels of testosterone (r = 0.287), progesterone (r = 0.198) and FSH (r = 0.078) when compared with disease severity in HbSS subjects in steady state (r = 0.287) (P > 0.05) respectively. Conclusion: The significantly decreased serum level of testosterone in HbSS subjects compared with the HbAS and HbAA individuals suggests that there is an increased risk of infertility in male individuals with sickle cell disease.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.