This survey was designed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and Salmonella Typhi among febrile HIV/AIDS patients in Ekpoma. Malaria and typhoid risk factors in Ekpoma included occupation, poor health facilities and poor sanitation. Malaria and typhoid are highly prevalent among Ekpoma HIV/AIDS patients.
Aim: More than 50% of the world's population harbor Helicobacter pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract. Infection is more prevalent in developing countries, and the incidence is decreasing in the West. This study aims to determine the health prevalence rate H. pylori in Central Hospital Warri. Method: All patients suspected of dyspepsia or/and gastritis from 2012 to 2014 were tested for H. pylori. Subjects were screened for H.pylori antibodies using qualitative membrane immunoassay. Results: A total of 936 patients were tested. A prevalence rate of 12.7% was obtained. Also, prevalence of 8.1% and 4.6% were recorded for females and males respectively. The highest prevalence of 3.5% was observed in the age group of 31-40 years. While the lowest prevalence of 0.3% and 0.2% was obtained among the children and the elderly Conclusion: This study has shown a decline in the trend of H. pylori infection in the study area.
Aim: Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) is one of most dreaded diseases today. This study aims at the determination of electrolyte profile (Na + , K + , Cland HCO 3-), urea levels and CD 4 count of patients diagnosed with HIV infection in Ekpoma, Nigeria. Methods: Sixty patients and 40 apparently healthy individuals as controls were examined from January 2013-September 2014. Electrolytes were assayed using flame photometry and titration method for Na + , K + , Cl-and HCO 3 respectively. Urea was determined using Urease-berthlot method and CD 4 count by partec cyflow counter. Results: The mean values of K + ; 3.59±0.43, Na + ; 133.48±3.79, HCO 3-; 23.44±3.78, and CD 4 count; 502.77±317.74 were decreased and showed a significant difference (p<0.05) when compared to controls; 3.98±0.28, 137.18±2.44, 27.40±2.40 and 847.98±69.25 respectively. The level of urea; 22.2±8.95 was raised but showed no statistical significance (p>0.05) when compared to the control; 20.87±6.49 while that of Cl-; 100.08±1.93 was decreased but showed no statistical significant difference (p>0.05) when compared to the control; 100.55±2.01. Conclusion: This study has shown that decreased K + , Na + , Cl-, HCO 3-, CD 4 count and raised urea level may be a valuable index in the diagnosis and monitoring of HIV infected patients.
BackgroundDerangement in fibrinolytic markers can result in thrombosis and cardiovascular problems. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been reported to affect the levels of these markers. It is unclear how long a patient can be exposed to ART before the effect of the drugs on the fibrinolytic markers becomes noticeable; this short-term antiretroviral therapy (START) study aimed to answer this question.MethodsTwenty human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive subjects on ART and 20 controls (non-ART) were progressively monitored for three months. CD4 T-cell count was determined while D-dimer, t-PA, and PAI-1 parameters were determined.ResultsCD4 T-cell count increased from 192 μL/mL at baseline to 323 μL/mL at month 3 among patients on ART. D-dimer concentrations decreased from 301.0 μL/mL at baseline to 172.0 μL/mL at month 2, then increased to 226.0 μL/mL at the end of the third month. The median baseline concentration of PAI-1 at the beginning of therapy was 14.0 μg/mL, which increased progressively to 18.2 μg/mL at the end of the third month. The baseline concentration of t-PA at the beginning of therapy was 5.15 μg/mL. This progressively declined to 1.10 μg/mL at the end of the first month and reached 1.45 μg/mL and 1.5 μg/mL at the end of the second and third months, respectively. D-dimer was positively and significantly correlated with CD4 cell counts in both AIDs-associated retrovirus (ARV) and non-ARV patients (r = −0.304, P < 0.01 vs r = −0.477, P < 0.001). t-PA was negatively correlated with CD4 T-lymphocytes in those undergoing ART (r = −0.294, P < 0.01).ConclusionA progressive increase in PAI-1 and steady decline in t-PA concentrations within 3 months of commencement of ART could predispose patients to thrombotic disorders earlier than is expected. Pre-thrombotic assessment during therapy is therefore advocated.
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