Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah

Bio: Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah is an academic researcher from College of Health Sciences, Bahrain. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & ABO blood group system. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 47 publications receiving 845 citations. Previous affiliations of Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah include Rivers State University of Science and Technology & United States Public Health Service.

Sero-epidemiology of transfusion-transmissible infectious diseases among blood donors in Osogbo, south-west Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Transfusion-transmissible infectious agents such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis are among the greatest threats to blood safety for transfusion recipients and pose a serious public health problem. This cross-sectional study was undertaken with the aim of determining the seroprevalence of HIV, HCV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and syphilis and correlates the findings with sex and age to ascertain the associations, if any, in the occurrence of the pathogens.

Surveying Infections among Pregnant Women in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Abstract: Background: There is paucity of epidemiological data on infectious diseases among antenatal mothers in Bayelsa State of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the serological markers Human immunodeficiency virus-antibody (HIV-Ab), Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), Hepatitis C virus antibody(HCV-A)and antibodies to T.pallidum among pregnant women in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria. Settings and Design: This is a cross-sectional study which was carried out in Yenagoa city, the heart of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies were detected by using Determine HIV-1/2 test strip (Abbott Laboratories, Japan); hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and antibodies to T. pallidum were carried out using ACON rapid test strips (ACON Laboratories, USA). All positive samples for HIV, HBV and HCV were confirmed using the Clinotech diagnostic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test kits (Clinotech Laboratories, USA), while all reactive samples to Treponema pallidum antibodies were confirmed by the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test (Lorne Laboratories Ltd., UK). All test procedures were carried out according to the manufacturers' instructions. Statistical Analysis Used: The data generated were coded, entered, validated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 12.0, and Epi info. The seroprevalence of syphilis, HBsAg, HCV and HIV was expressed for the entire study group by age, sex and other demographic features using Pearson chi-square analysis. Values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1,000 apparently healthy pregnant women aged between 15 and 44 years with a mean of 27.34΁5.43 years were screened. In terms of percentage, 89.4% of the subjects were married, and 10.6% were without formal husbands. The overall seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis was found to be 4.1%, 5.3%, 0.5% and 5.0%, respectively. Conclusions: High prevalence of some infectious diseases was observed in the present study, which may pose serious health risk to women of reproductive age in this region. It is important to point out that there is need to improve antenatal care of pregnant women by mandatory screening for these infectious diseases.

Abnormal haemoglobin variants, ABO and Rh blood groups among student of African descent in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: Background: Abnormal haemoglobin variants ( HbSS,AS,AC,SC,etc) have been known to be common among blacks. Patients with sickle cell disease are often faced with the risk of alloimmunization from allogeneic blood transfusion Objectives: The study was designed to sample students population of African descents for the purpose of updating information on the prevalence of abnormal haemoglobin variants, ABO, and Rh blood groups and compare the results with previously published data. Methods: Standard electrophoretic and haemagglutination techniques were employed in testing the blood samples. Results: Of the 620 students screened, 80.32% were HbAA and 19.68% HbAS. 22.9% were of blood group A, 17.10% group B, 4.84% group AB and 55.16% group O. 96.77% were Rh.D positive while 3.23% were Rh D negative. Sickle cell gene in homozygous state (HbSS) and other abnormal haemoglobin variants were not encountered in this students population,. Analysis of the students population revealed that 454(73.23%) were females while 166(26.77%) were males. Participants of the age group 26-30 years (35.7%) constituted the majority and in this age group, all blood groups were represented. Conclusion: There is a gradual decline in the prevalence of abnormal haemoglobin variants in our black population. The frequencies of ABO and Rh blood groups however appeared to be stable and consistent with previous published data. Keywords : haemoglobin genotypes, blood groups, ABO, Rh, Nigeria African Health Sciences Vol. 6(3) 2006: 177-181

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in apparently healthy Port Harcourt blood donors and association with blood groups and other risk indicators.

Abstract: Background Testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not yet mandatory in blood transfusion laboratories in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, so the current prevalence rate of this infection in our locality is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV among apparently healthy blood donors in our area and also to assess some of the risk factors associated with the infection.

Anaemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia among blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract: BACKGROUND There is paucity of information on the effect of blood donation on iron stores in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The present study was, therefore, designed to assess, using a combination of haemoglobin and iron status parameters, the development of anaemia and prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in this area of Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three hundred and forty-eight unselected consecutive whole blood donors, comprising 96 regular donors, 156 relatives of patients and 96 voluntary donors, constituted the study population. Three haematological parameters (haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean cell haemoglobin concentration) and four biochemical iron parameters (serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation) were assessed using standard colorimetric and ELISA techniques. RESULTS The prevalence of anaemia alone (haemoglobin <11.0 g/dL) was 13.7%. The prevalence of isolated iron deficiency (serum ferritin <12 ng/mL) was 20.6% while that of iron-deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin <11.0 g/dL + serum ferritin <12.0 ng/mL) was 12.0%. Among the three categories of the donors, the regular donors were found to be most adversely affected as shown by the reduction in mean values of both haematological and biochemical iron parameters. Interestingly, anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia were present almost exclusively among regular blood donors, all of whom were over 35 years old. CONCLUSION Anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia are highly prevalent among blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It will be necessary to review the screening tests for the selection of blood donors and also include serum ferritin measurement for the routine assessment of blood donors, especially among regular blood donors.

Blood Groups in Man.

Abstract: BIOCHEMISTRY IN ANAESTHESIA Modern Trends In Anaesthesia. II. Aspects of Hydrogen lon Regulation and Biochemistry in Anaesthesia. Edited by Prankis T. Evans, M.B., B.S., F.R.C.S., F.F.A. R.C.S., and T. Cecil Gray, M.D., FF.A. R.C.S., Hon.F.F.A. R.A.C.S. (Pp. 219+vii; illustrated. 60s.) London: Butterworths. 1962. In this stimulating book a group of experts have written on hydrogen-ion regulation and biochemistry in anaesthesia. This vast subject has been divided rather artificially and only certain aspects of biochemistry have been covered, and the divisions are more related to clinical practice than basic physiology and biochemistry. TIhe sections have been written by specialists in each field; the material they contain is beyond criticism, and there is valuable practical advice. Some chapters are well written, though others are not so easy to read. All are packed with information, and, what is equally valuable, they provide a source of further information for the inquiring mind, for the references and bibliographies are excellent. It is a pleasure to have complicated electrophysics presented in a readable way (\" Measurement of pH and Pco l\"); \"The Cholinesterases\" is an embracing account of difficult physiological and biochemical problems. Throughout the book there is a wealth of valuable material, indeed so much so that at times too much appears to have been attempted within the space available, as in \" Effects of Hypercapnia.\" These are minor criticisms of a good book, or perhaps it would be wiser to call it a collection of papers on chosen subjects, for there is understandably a lack of cohesion among the various chapters, and even some slight overlapping, which renders the whole less valuable than its several parts. No one can read these papers without interest and profit (and occasionally amusement) and they should fulfil the editor's hope that they will stimulate further interest in basic science. The book is well presented; the printing and paper are good, but the price will not encourage widespread use of the book among the younger members of our specialty. G. E. H. ENDEPBY.

Global distribution of the sickle cell gene and geographical confirmation of the malaria hypothesis

Abstract: It has been 100 years since the first report of sickle haemoglobin (HbS). More than 50 years ago, it was suggested that the gene responsible for this disorder could reach high frequencies because of resistance conferred against malaria by the heterozygous carrier state. This traditional example of balancing selection is known as the 'malaria hypothesis'. However, the geographical relationship between the transmission intensity of malaria and associated HbS burden has never been formally investigated on a global scale. Here, we use a comprehensive data assembly of HbS allele frequencies to generate the first evidence-based map of the worldwide distribution of the gene in a Bayesian geostatistical framework. We compare this map with the pre-intervention distribution of malaria endemicity, using a novel geostatistical area-mean comparison. We find geographical support for the malaria hypothesis globally; the relationship is relatively strong in Africa but cannot be resolved in the Americas or in Asia.