Showing papers by "Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah published in 2010"
TL;DR: 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.
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 27.345.43 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.
66 citations
TL;DR: Anaemia, iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anaemia are highly prevalent among blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and 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 ofBlood donors, especially among regular blood donors.
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.
51 citations
30 Apr 2010
TL;DR: Standard alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoretic technique with tris-ethylene diamine tetracetic acid borate buffer and hemagglutination techniques were employed for the determination of abnormal hemoglobin variants, ABO and Rhesus blood groups, respectively.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to find the prevalence/spectrum of hemoglobin variants, ABO, and Rhesus blood group distribution among 204 undergraduate students of African descent in Port Harcourt in the heart of the Niger Delta geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Standard alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoretic technique using the Shandon electrophoretic tank with tris-ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) borate buffer and hemagglutination techniques were employed for the determination of abnormal hemoglobin variants, ABO and Rhesus blood groups, respectively.
26 citations
TL;DR: This study has shown a high prevalence of HIV among TB patients, which can be reduced by TB preventive therapy and by universal access to antiretroviral therapy.
Abstract: The joint statement by the American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends that all patients with tuberculosis (TB) undergo testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after counseling. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HIV infection among 120 patients diagnosed with microbiologically proven TB aged 18 to 54 years with a mean age of 39.5 years (standard deviation 6.75). The subjects studied were 36 male (30%) and 84 females (70%). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to screen for HIV infection among the subjects. Of the 120 TB patients tested 30 (25%) were positive for HIV infection. The prevalence of HIV was higher in females 24 (80%) compared to males 6 (20%) and among singles (66.7%) compared to married subjects (33.3%) (χ 2 = 83.5 and χ 2 = 126.2, respectively P = 0.001). HIV-1 was the predominant viral subtype. HIV prevalence was significantly higher in subjects in the 38-47 year and 28-37 year age groups (both 40%) followed by the 18-28 year age group (20%) (χ
24 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Of all the genetic markers tested, only Blood group O and Rh D negative had significant and positive associations with P. falciparum malaria, and no significant association was found to exist between P. Falconerum malaria and other genetic markers.
Abstract: Background & objectives: There is paucity of information on the association between Plasmodium falciparum malaria and some human genetic markers in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Hence, a study was undertaken in children to assess the current level of subclinical malaria due to P. falciparum. Methods: Blood groups ABO and Rhesus factor, haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern, G-6-PD deficiency status and malaria were determined among 240 apparently healthy children in a crosssectional descriptive study using standard procedures. Results: The prevalence of P. falciparum malaria in this region was high (27.5%). Blood group O (51.3%) dominated the study population, followed by B (23.8%), A (21.3%), and AB (3.8%). Rhesus D positive accounted for 91.3% while Rh D negative was 8.7%. Sickle-cell trait (HbAS) prevalence was 12.5% while HbAA accounted for 87.5%. In all, 5.42% of the children were G-6PD deficient while 94.58% had normal G-6-PD status. Chi-square analysis revealed that only blood group O and Rh D negative had a significant association with P. falciparum malaria ( 2 = 4.3636, p <0.05 and 2 = 5.760, p <0.02 respectively). No significant association was found to exist between P. falciparum malaria and other genetic markers. Conclusion: This study has provided the current prevalence rates of some genetic markers in a malaria endemic region of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Of all the genetic markers tested, only Blood group O and Rh D negative had significant and positive associations with P. falciparum infection.
21 citations
20 Apr 2010
TL;DR: There is a high prevalence of early onset neonatal thrombocytopenia cases in this region of Nigeria, the majority of which are mild in nature and there is a need to define a safer lower limit for platelet count to determine which neonates will benefit from treatment.
Abstract: Correspondence: Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah P.O. Box 1437, Diobu, Port Harcourt, 500001, Nigeria Tel +234803 4045636 Email zacjerry@yahoo.com Background: In Port Harcourt, evidence-based guidelines for platelet transfusion therapy in neonatal patients are yet to be defined and the prevalence and pattern of neonatal thrombocytopenia has not yet been reported. Methods: Platelet counts of 132 neonatal patients admitted into the special care baby unit (SCBU) at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Nigeria were assessed using the International Committee on Standards in Hematology (ICSH) approved manual procedures for hemocytometry. Study design: This is a cross sectional study carried out on neonates to determine the prevalence and pattern of neonatal thrombocytopenia. Results: The median platelet count of the neonates was 97.0 × 10/L (interquartile range [IQR] 50–152) while the mean age was 61.7 hours (range 1–336 hours). The overall prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia was 53.0%. Mild thrombocytopenia (platelet count 51–100 × 10/L) was found in 39.4% of the neonates, 12.1% had moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet count 30–50 × 10/L), while severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 30 × 10/L) was detected in 1.5% of the neonates. Of these, 84.84% of the cases occurred within 72 hours (early onset). The most common clinical diagnosis among the neonates was severe birth asphyxia (33.3%), followed by neonatal jaundice (19.7%), neonatal sepsis (16.7%), low birth weight (13.6%), anemia and bleeding (6.1%), and other clinical conditions (10.6%). There was no association between clinical diagnosis and thrombocytopenia (Fisher’s exact test = 10.643; P = 0.923). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of early onset neonatal thrombocytopenia cases in this region of Nigeria, the majority of which are mild in nature. There is a need to define a safer lower limit for platelet count and to determine which neonates will benefit from treatment.
18 citations
TL;DR: It is confirmed that salmonellosis is endemic in Nigeria and that many of the authors' blood donors may be Salmonella carriers, and a positive association between blood groups and typhoid fever is revealed.
Abstract: antibodies to Salmonella in donated blood in Nigeria. Materials and methods. Blood specimens from blood donors presenting at six selected public blood collection centres in the south-western region of Nigeria were analysed for the presence of Salmonella antibodies. Results. Out of the 200 specimen analysed, 106 (53%) were found to be Widal-positive with a minimum titre of 160. Among the positive cases, reactivity was most common to S. typhi (D) antigens (48.6%). The most frequently recorded titre of reactive specimens (i.e., the modal titre) was 160, with 71 donors (35.5%) of the total sample population from the different centres reacting at this level. Thirty-one donors had elevated titres of = 320 and nine donors had a titre of 640. The percentages of Widal-positive cases among donors with A positive and O positive blood groups were 58.7% and 64.2%, respectively; the percentage of Widal-positive cases was lowest among B positive blood donors (26.7%). The p-value for these differences (p<0.05) shows that blood group has a statistically significant impact on Widal reaction in donors. Conclusion. This study confirms that salmonellosis is endemic in Nigeria and that many of our blood donors may be Salmonella carriers. This study also revealed a positive association between blood groups and typhoid fever.
14 citations
01 Jul 2010
TL;DR: Department of hematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Port Harcourt Teaching hospital, Port harcourt, rivers state, nigeriacorrespondence: Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah zacjerry@yahoo.com
Abstract: Department of hematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Port harcourt Teaching hospital, Port harcourt, rivers state, nigeriacorrespondence: Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah Department of Medical Laboratory sciences, niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, nigeria Tel +234 803 404 5636 email zacjerry@yahoo.com
12 citations
TL;DR: A significant observation of this study was that factors like age, parity and ABO/Rh blood groups play prominent roles in the development of these cytotoxic antibodies.
Abstract: The prevalence of alloantibodies to HLA class 1 antigens has not been reported in Nigeria and West Africa. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of anti- HLA class 1 antibody and also evaluates its association with age, blood groups, parity and ethnicity. A cross section of apparently healthy adult multiparous women from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria were screened for alloantibody to HLA class 1 antigens using the GTI PakPlus ® qualitative solid phase ELISA reagent. Their ABO/Rh blood groups were also determined using standard haemagglutination tube technique. The prevalence of alloantibodies to HLA class 1 antigen was 22.0%. ABO/Rh blood groups were obtained as follows. O Rh D + (68%), O Rh D - (4.0%) A RhD + (14.0%), A Rh D + (2.0%), B Rh D + (10%) and AB Rh D (2.0%). Statistical analysis using Fisher’s Exact test revealed that age, parity and ABO/Rh blood groups exerted significant influence on the prevalence of anti-HLA Class I antibodies (Fisher’s Exact test = 14.188, P< 0.001; 10.891, P< 0.01 and 9.046, P< 0.05 for age, parity and blood groups respectively). No association was found between ethnicity and HLA class 1 antibody. This study has revealed a high prevalence rate of HLA class 1 antibodies. A significant observation of this study was that factors like age, parity and ABO/Rh blood groups play prominent roles in the development of these cytotoxic antibodies.
3 citations
12 May 2010
TL;DR: The results indicate that there is a need to initiate platelet serology in tertiary health institutions, as well as educate women on the risk associated with frequent pregnancies, and ensure that adequate caution is taken when recruiting multiparous women.
Abstract: ®qualitative solid phase ELISA reagent. Platelet count was done using the ICSH approved procedure using 1% ammonium oxalate reagent. Study design: A cross-section of apparently healthy adult Nigerian multiparous non-pregnant women, who were staff of a tertiary health facility in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, were screened for alloantibodies to human platelet antigens. Results: Of the one hundred (100) women screened, the prevalence of anti-glycoprotein IIb/ IIIa (anti-HPA-Ia,-3a,-4a) was zero percent (0%), anti-glycoprotein Ia/IIa (anti-HPA-5b) accounted for 30% of results, while anti-glycoprotein Ia/IIa (anti-HPA-5a) was 18%. Parity was found to exert significant influence on the development to HPA antibodies (Fisher’s Exact Test = 11.683, P , 0.05; 13.577, P , 0.01). The platelet count of the women did not appear to exert any influence on the development of the antibodies (P . 0.05). Conclusion: This study has observed a high prevalence of anti-HPA-5b in our sample population. The prevalence of alloantibodies to HPA antigens was found to associate strongly with parity. These results indicate that there is a need to initiate platelet serology in our tertiary health institutions, as well as educate our women on the risk associated with frequent pregnancies, and ensure that adequate caution is taken when recruiting multiparous women