African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2010
Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function tests in Nigerians with HIV infection.
The impact of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the respiratory system of Africans has been little studied. This study aimed to determine the pattern of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory functions in HIV infected Nigerians. ⋯ HIV infected patients had more frequent respiratory symptoms and lower ventilatory function values. Further lung function studies and CT scanning in HIV positive patients especially in those with respiratory symptoms are indicated.
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African health sciences · Jun 2010
Serum protein electrophoresis: any role in monitoring for antiretroviral therapy?
Developing world are always looking for monitoring tools during reagent shortage and equipments troubles which are very frequent. The aim of this study was to evaluate Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) as a marker for assessing HIV treatment response. ⋯ In this study, conducted in a setting where the burden of infectious diseases is high, the density of gamma globulin and albumin fractions were significantly associated with HIV status, and among HIV positive patients, with stage of HIV disease and ART. These results suggest that the feasibility of using SPE for monitoring the response of ART in low resource settings should be further explored.
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Alterations of serum lipid profiles have been reported widely among Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients on Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART). However, there are few data on serum lipid profile among treatment naïve HIV positive patients in our environment. ⋯ Abnormality of serum lipid is common among treatment naïve HIV patients seen in Nigeria. The NNRTI regimen is associated with elevation of HDL and some stabilization of TC and TG.
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A survey was undertaken to determine the number of individuals who have access to Mobile phones among those attending our Diabetes clinic in order to explore whether this could replace or become an adjunct to street home address as contact information. ⋯ The results indicate that over two thirds of those with diabetes attending the clinic had active Mobile phone line and this could be used as an adjunct to or replace street address as a contact particular between patients and their professional care givers.
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The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma is increasing worldwide as well as the associated risk factors, some of which include exposure to aflatoxin B1, Hepatitis B (HBV) virus and hepatitis C (HCV) virus. Mutation of tumour suppressor gene p53 at codon 249(ser) at exon 7 has been found to contribute significantly to replication of damaged DNA and subsequent tumour progression. The x gene of HBV (HBx) is the most common open reading frame integrated into the host genome in hepatocellular carcinoma and the integrated HBx is frequently mutated in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mutant HBx proteins still retain their ability to bind to p53 thereby attenuating DNA repair and p53-mediated apoptosis.