Introduction: Accurate rapid diagnosis is one of the most important steps in the effort to reduce morbidity and mortality of malaria. Blood-specific malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are currently in use but reports on their sensitivity and specificity and comparison with the established blood film microscopy methods are dearth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of Nova and SD bioline RTDs and compare with microscopic method as a reference standard to detect the presence of malaria parasites in the blood. Methods: A total of 100 subjects were conveniently selected from consented subjects attending out-patient Department of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, and the samples were analyzed using blood film examined with Giemsa staining technique and Nova and SD bioline kits. Results: Of the 100 samples examined, 57(57%) were positive for malaria parasite by light microscopy, 37(37%) were positive by Nova and 22 (22%) were positive by SD bioline. The sensitivity of the two RDTs used were found to be 54% for Nova and 30% for SD bioline, the specificity were 86% for Nova and 88% for SD bioline, the PPV for Nova was 83% and 77% for SD bioline while the NPV for Nova was 59% and 49% for SD bioline. Percentage positivity of 50.9% and 49.1% for males and females respectively means that both sexes are equally susceptible to malaria parasites. There was a slight increase in parasitaemia in females (1931±2801) than males (1139±2415) but these results were not statistically significant (P >.27). Conclusion: The SD bioline showed a very poor sensitivity in contrast to Nova and light microscopy. Inspite of the relative advantages of RDTs, microscopy remains the best method of detecting malaria parasite and Nova should be preferred to other RDTs.

Aim: The study was designed to comparatively assess the degree of fibrinolytic response amongst   malaria-positive pregnant women, and non-malaria positive subjects in Rivers State, Nigeria. Methods: The study area covered University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt [UPTH] and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, [RSUTH] both in Port Harcourt metropolis Rivers State.  It was a cross-sectional study carried out on a total of two hundred and forty female attendees at the obstetrics and gynecology clinics of the two hospitals. The subjects were grouped into three comprising of eighty subjects in each group; malarious pregnant women, non- malarious pregnant women and apparently healthy non-pregnant women. Venous blood sample measuring 5 milliliter volume was drawn from each subject, The sample was dispensed into two separate EDTA anticoagulant bottles, 3 milliliter and 2 milliliter meant for measuring the levels of markers of fibrinolysis which were Plasminogen, Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, Plasminogen activator inhibitor-2, Tissue Plasminogen activator, alpha-2-antiplasmin, D-dimers and fibrinogen, and      preparation of blood films for malaria microscopy respectively. Results: Fibrinogen result; 760.44±16.18 ng/ml of malaria-positive pregnant women was elevated compared to the malaria-negative women; 697.70±18.84 ng/ml and the non-pregnant control values of 704.73±15.25 ng/ml. These values were significantly different [P<.011] between the study groups. Results of tissue plasminogen activator [tPA]; 46.39±2.69 ng/ml, D-dimer; 77.64±6.94 ng/ml, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1]; 89.73±2.14 ng/ml, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 [PAI-2]; 568.00±12.51 ng/ml, plasminogen; 23.82±0.75 ng/ml and 2-antiplasmin; 1314.06±34.64 ng/ml of the malaria-positive pregnant women were significantly different [P=0.0001] from  non-positive pregnant women; tPA; 28.87±1.38 ng/ml, D-dimer; 53.90±1.18 ng/ml., PAI-1; 80.00± 1.81 ng/ml, PAI-2; 456.31±5.94 ng/ml, Plasminogen; 16.63±0.67 ng/ml and 2-antiplasmin; 1130.61±29.74 ng/ml . Both results were significantly different [P=0.0001] from the non-pregnant control group; tPA; 31.34±1.64 ng/ml, D-dimer; 30.24±1.04 ng/ml, PAI-1; 65,47±2,33 ng/ml, PAI-2; 427.86±6.95 ng/ml, plasminogen; 16.49±0.04 ng/ml and 2-antiplasmin; 1016.98±24.51 ng/ml. Conclusion: The study witnessed significantly high concentrations of fibrinolytic markers in malaria-positive pregnant women. This could be due to compromised endothelial cell function resulting to overproduction of biomarkers of fibrinolysis. The implication is thrombus formation and excessive bleeding in pregnancy which could lead to miscarriages, fetal death or maternal mortality.

Aim: Haematological and anthropometric profile of pregnant women who had gestational diabetes and non-diabetic pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a Tertiary Hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria were evaluated, Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 70 pregnant women comprising of 40 diabetic and 30 non-diabetics for the purpose of comparing haematological and anthropometrical parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women. Using standard venipuncture technique,5ml blood sample was aseptically drawn from the subjects and 2.5ml dropped into each of two different anticoagulant sample bottles -Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic Acid(EDTA) and fluoride-oxalate bottles respectively. The methods of choice for estimation of parameters were Enzymatic Colorimetric method for glucose and Automation using Sysmex KX-21N Haematology Analyzer for full blood count. Results were statistically analyzed using Graph Pad prism version 5.0 and statistical significance set at P<0.05. Results: Mean± SD results for diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant women respectively showed Haemoglobin concentration (10.99±0.69g/dl versus 10.69±1.01g/dl), Packed cell volume (31.7±1.96% versus 32.89±3.89%), Red blood cell(3.99±0.29106/µl versus 3.85±0.39×106/µl), Mean cell haemoglobin (27.51±1.22pg versus 27.54±2.22pg), Platelets count (223.3±52.67103/µl versus 205.5±45.09×103/µl), Mean cell haemoglobin concentrations(34.49±1.19g/dl versus 32.54±3.17g/dl)these results were not statistically significantly different(P>0.05). The mean± SD of white blood cell (9.73±0.49103/µl versus 7.27±1.66×103/µl) and mean cell volume (79.3±4.16 fl and 85.24±0.39fl) were statistically significantly different (P<0.05).Mean± SD of subject’s blood pressure showed, Systolic (116±11.52 mm/Hg and 105±5.72 mm/Hg),Diastolic (77±17.86 and 68±1.11 mm/Hg), results were statistically significantly different (P<0.001).Age did not show statistical significant difference (P>0.05).Body mass index (BMI) 28.33±3.81 kg/m2, 32.86±5 kg/m2, 37.96±.3.44 kg/m2 showed statistically significant difference (P<0.05) at the Gestational ages of(1-3), (4-6) and (7-9) months respectively while that of the non-diabetic were obviously not statistically significantly different (P>0.05). Conclusion: Gestational diabetes is capable of causing changes in haematological parameters; but it could improve or disappear after child birth. Factors such as lifestyle activities and diet can predispose pregnant women to gestational diabetes mellitus and this can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby.

Cement dust exposures has been reported to result in significant occupational health problems and long term complications and symptoms. This study was aimed at assessing the impact of work hours on haematological parameters of cement workers. 100 cement loaders were selected in a simple random technique from cement site and depot in Port Harcourt who have worked for at least 3months. The subjects were divided into three groups based on work hours: Group 1 which comprised 27 subjects composed of subjects with 1-5 work hours; Group 2 which had 62 subjects were subjects with 6-10 works hours; Group 3 which had 11 subjects were subjects with more than 10 work hours. Blood collected in EDTA using venipuncture method was assayed for full blood count (FBC) using haematology analyzer and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) using Westergreen method. The results were statistically compared among the groups for test of significance using ANOVA. ESR levels among the groups were not significant (p=0.9812). WBC levels among the groups were not significant (p=0.1289). RBC levels among the classes were statistically non-significant (p=0.1038). Hb level among the classes was statistically non-significant (p=0.3408). MCV level among the classes was not significant (p=0.6768). MCH level among the classes was not significant (p=0.7109). MCHC level among the classes was statistically non-significant (p=0.9776). PLT level among the classes was not significant (p=0.9776). MPV level among the classes was not significant (p=0.1759). Lymphocyte level among the classes was not significantly different (p=0.5882). Neutrophil level among the classes was not significantly different (p=0.2244). Eosinophil level among the classes was significantly different (p=0.0544). Basophil level among the classes was not significantly different (p=0.2213). Monocyte level among the classes was not significantly different (p=0.9977). This study has shown that working hours does not have any significant effect on haematological parameters among cement loaders in Port Harcourt.

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