BackgroundRenal involvement in sickle cell disease (SCD) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) amongst SCD patients, and how basic clinical variables differ across haemoglobin genotypes.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted from December 2013 to May 2014 at the Sickle cell clinic of the Tema General Hospital. One hundred and ninety-four (194) participants with SCD, receiving medical care at the outpatient sickle cell clinic were enrolled onto the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain information on demography, clinical history, blood pressure and anthropometry. Blood and urine samples were taken for serum creatinine and proteinuria determination respectively. The estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI and Schwartz equations. CKD was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. Analysis was performed using GraphPad prism and P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsCKD was present in 39.2 % of participants. Using KDIGO guidelines, 40.8 % of the HbSS participants had stage 1 CKD and none had stage 2 CKD. In addition, 30.8 % of the HbSC participants had stage 1 CKD and 3.8 % had stage 2 CKD. There was a trend of increasing age across CKD stages and stage 2 CKD participants were oldest (P < 0.001).ConclusionResults from the current study suggest that CKD is common amongst SCD patients and prevalence and intensity increases with age. Proteinuria and CKD was more common in HbSS genotype than in HbSC genotype.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12882-015-0072-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: Schistosomiasis remains one of the most common parasitic diseases worldwide causing considerable deaths especially among people in the Sub-Saharan region. This study determined the association between urinary Schistosomiasis and lipid profile among school children in Fante Akura, Yeji. Materials and Methods: This simple randomized case-control study was conducted among 50 primary school students with Schistosoma haematobium infection and 50 healthy control students in Fante Akura, Yeji, from January, 2014 to March, 2014. Urine and blood samples were obtained and examined for the presence of S. haematobium and assessed their lipid profile respectively. A structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information from the study participants on their socio-demographic characteristics as well as on the risk factors that can predispose study participants to S. haematobium infection. Results: The mean serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was reduced significantly in schistosome-infected participants in comparison to controls (P<0.001). The mean serum levels of triglyceride (TG) (p=0.028), LDL-C (p=0.011) were significantly higher in participants with light S. haematobium infection intensity compared to participants with heavy S. haematobium infection intensity (P=0.028). The mean serum level of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were higher (P>0.05) in participants with light SH infection intensity compared to participants with heavy SH infection intensity. Conclusion: S. haematobium infection presented significant changes in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins in participants infected with S. haematobium with a corresponding raised urine parasite count.

Background: Globally, urinary schistosomiasis has devastating implications on school children. It predisposes them to dysuria, haematuria among others which can negatively influence their academic performance. This study determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis among basic school children in the Akyemansa district.  Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design using multi-stage sampling was used to enroll 504 basic school children from six communities of the Akyemansa District into study. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information on risk factors. Urine samples were collected and microscopically examined for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium (SH) ova. The observed ova were then quantified as light or heavy. Results: Prevalence of SH infection among school children in Akyemansa District was 10.32% [95% CI: 7.80 -13.31%]. Out of 52 participants who were infected, 69.2% had light infection whilst the rest had heavy infection. Female participants were less likely to be infected with SH than males [OR=0.47; 95% CI: 0.23-0.97], children who do not stay by the river/stream were also less likely to be infected with SH compared to those who lived near waterbodies [OR=0.35; 95% CI: 0.17-0.72]. Additionally, participants who did not play around water bodies were also less likely to be infected with SH compared to those who did [OR=0.17; 95% CI= 0.04-0.71; p=0.015]. However, inhabitants of Kotokuom were more likely to be infected compared to those in Pawuda [OR=8.54; 95% CI: 1.91-38.27; p=0.005] Conclusion: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among basic school children in the Akyemansa district was found to be 10.32% [95% CI: 7.80 -13.31%]. Gender, staying around river/ stream, playing at river/ stream and habitation of participants were significantly associated with the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection. The study therefore recommends that periodic drug administration and a comprehensive intervention strategy should be designed and implemented to reduce schistosomiasis prevalence.