Background: Hepatitis and HIV are the most common co-infections in tuberculosis (TB) patients and may have an effect on the liver enzymes in these co-infected TB patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV in patients infected with TB in Western Cameroon and assess the effects of co-infection on their liver function. Materials and Methods: All TB infected patients referred to the Tuberculosis Research centres, from November 2014 to July 2015, and who gave their consent were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) & Hepatitis C virus (VHC) antibodies using enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). HIV infection was confi rmed using a combination of two rapid tests, namely, Combaids and Tridot. All HIV positive patients were on antiretroviral therapy during the study period. The data was entered and analysed using statistical Package for social sciences 21 (SPSS-21), and the means and proportions were calculated. Results: Of the 189 tuberculosis patients recruited in this study, HBsAg were detected in 24 (12.7%), anti-VHC antibodies in 8 (4.23%), HIV antibodies in 62 (32.8.0%), HBsAg and anti-VHC antibodies in 1 (0.53%), HBsAg and HIV antibodies in 9 (4.9%), and anti-VHC and HIV antibodies in 2 (1.1%). Estimation of liver enzymes in all co-infected and TB patients showed that a substantial proportion of our patients had normal ALP and GGT levels whereas a substantial proportion of our patients had abnormal levels of ALT and AST with patients having up to two to threefold. All the study groups had higher baseline AST and ALT values with VHB co-infected groups having the biggest mean values. Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C coinfection was fairly high in this largely heterosexual population supporting the use of more careful screening methods for these viruses in tuberculosis persons in these regions. High levels of transaminases were found in our study population suggesting that all TB patient should be screened for VHB, VHC and HIV infections, then monitored carefully following the initiation of therapy.

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Aims: Lipids serve several important physiologic functions like energy homeostasis or biosynthesis of hormone within the human body. The deterioration of lipid metabolism which is favoured by menopause is the source of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine the plasma lipid profile and dyslipidemia prevalence of some Cameroonian women. Methodology: To achieve this goal, two sets of 105 postmenopausal and 127 premenopausal Nkeunen et al.; IJBCRR, 25(4): 1-11, 2019; Article no.IJBCRR.48605 2 participants were enrolled in this study. 5ml of blood were collected on EDTA coated tubes from each participant. Enzymatic methods were used to evaluate total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride, while LDL cholesterol was determined using the Friedewald equation. These biological parameters were used to determine dyslipidemia. Thereafter, they were compared within age and year since menopause subgroups. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean values of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C as well as triglyceride between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The mean HDL-C concentration was stable in the age subgroups while the mean total cholesterol and LDL-C were slightly increasing as postmenopausal participants got older. LDL-C level was significantly higher in women who had been in menopause for more than 15 years. The overall dyslipidemia prevalence was 53%. Dyslipidemia was significantly higher in the subgroup of women who had freshly entered menopause. Conclusion: Even though there was no change in the mean concentration of the plasma lipid parameters, of pre-and postmenopausal participants there was a general need to improve their lifestyle in order to reduce dyslipidemia prevalence. Original Research Article

Aims: A healthy skeletal system with strong bones is essential to overall health. This study aimed to assess lifestyle and bone’s biomarkers of women. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The enrollment took place at the Yaounde Military Hospital from November 2016 to July 2017. Methodology: A set of 105 postmenopausal and 127 premenopausal participants were enrolled from November 2016 to July 2017 in Yaounde. Their physical activities level was evaluated using a questionnaire. Sunlight exposure between 10:00AM and 4:00PM was assessed. Colorimetric methods were used to evaluate calcium, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma. These parameters were then compared within year since menopause (YSM) and osteoporosis risk assessment instrument (ORAI) sub-groups. Results: 13.4% participants were moderately active. Only 22.8% participants had at least 30 minutes sun exposure daily. A multivariable analysis of demographic, lifestyle, biochemical characteristic revealed age, BMI, albumin and calcium were the main factors that influenced bone health among our participants. A significant difference of calcium concentration was found between the two groups whereas albumin was significantly higher in premenopausal than postmenopausal. Albumin was the only variable with a significant difference in the YSM sub-groups while only calcium was non-significantly higher among the ORAI sub-groups. Conclusion: Elevated plasma level of calcium, albumin and alkaline phosphatase could be indicators of high bone turnover.