Asian Hematology Research Journal

Systemic Nocardiosis with Cerebral Abscess in a Case of Untreated Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Nocardiosis is a worldwide disease documented as an infection that predominantly affects patients with immunosuppressive conditions. Though localized lesions are well known, systemic nocardiosis is a an extremely rare condition which needs to be recognized and managed early. We describe a case of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, who developed pneumonia, multiple suppurative skin lesions and eventually brain abscess, to which the patient ultimately succumbed.

Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia with Radio-Ulnar Synostosis (ATRUS): A Case Report

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The association of bone marrow failure and skeletal defects is well known. However, the genetic basis for most of these syndromes remains unclear. We describe here a syndrome of congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT) with skeletal abnormality. This case report summarizes the clinical presentation of an infant with anemia and thrombocytopenia in which the basic work up has led to the diagnosis of ATRUS.

Immune Thrombocytopenia in a Case of Severe Congenital Hemophilia A: A Rare Clinical Scenario

Malini Garg, Prakas Kumar Mandal, Debasis Gantait — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The presence of a dual haemostatic defect is extremely rare. Here, we describe a very rare case of newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia in a case of severe hemophilia A.

Anemia in Pregnancy: Correlating CD4 Count and Hemoglobin Values among HIV Infected Women

Lem Edith Abongwa, Ngenwi Annabella A., Fenui Vanessa Sancho — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Anemia is a common and serious complication in both Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and pregnant women. Anemia has shown to have serious implications for both the mother and her fetus. However, the prevalence of anemia in HIV-infected pregnant women in Cameroon has not been well characterized in the era of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). This study seeks to investigate the correlation between CD4⁺count and hemoglobin (Hb) values in pregnant women with HIV infection.

At enrolment, the prevalence of any grade of anemia (Hb < 11 g/dl) was 128(42.2%). The prevalence of anemia was significantly high (p =0.042) in women who were not on treatment 61(49.2%). Moderate grades of anemia 63(20.8%) were common in HIV-infected patients while 3 of the 4 cases of severe grades of anemia were common in patients who were on HAART. The low prevalence of anemia among treated HIV-infected, pregnant women indicate that the treatment of all HIV positive pregnant women at the first antenatal visit is essential.

Transfusion Medicine: From Donors to Recipients; A Gender Perspective

Hamzullah Khan, Adnan Masood, Muhammad Tahir, Saiqa Zahoor, Anwar Khan — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Objectives: To screen the donors for the frequency of ABO & Rh blood groups and gender contribution in blood donation.

Subject and Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out in the Blood bank of Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex, Nowshera from 25^th April 2019 to 5^th Nov 2019. A total of 279 donors were included in the study. Record was taken from available data in Blood bank of Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex Nowshera. Donors & Recipients data were also recorded from the blood issuing form. ABO and Rh blood grouping were done by agglutination method using antisera A, antisera B and antisera D. Data was analyzed using software SPSS Version 25. Descriptive statistics was used for numerical variables like Hb%, Ferritin. Frequency and percentages were used for categorical variables like gender. Spearman’s correlation was used for categories of gender in the recipients and donors.

Results: The total number of the donors was 279, about 243 donors hemoglobin was available on the record. Mean with SD of Hemoglobin of donors was 11.59 g/dl+ 1.48. Mean with SD of Hemoglobin of the recipients was 8.19 g/dl+ 1.72. The frequency of the blood Group in Donors were; O+ (155, 55.6%), A+ (51, 18.3%), AB+ (23, 8.2%), B+ (22, 7.9%), O- & A- each (10, 3.6%), and B- &AB- each (4, 1.4%). The frequency of Rh positive blood group was 89.94% (251), and Rh negative was 10.03% (28).

Out of total 272(97.5%) of the Donors were males while only 7(2.5%) were female donors. Out of the recipients 206(73.8%) were females and 73(26.2%) were males. Spearman’s correlation statistics showed that there was a mild downhill and inverse (negative) statistically significant correlation in gender groups of the donors and the recipients.

Conclusion: The frequency of "Rh-positive blood group" was (O, A, AB and B) respectively. Blood Group “O” was recorded in 55% of the donors as major Rh positive blood group in our population. Male gender is main contributor as donor while female gender as major recipient.

Sickle Cell Hepatopathy: Prevalence and Presentation in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu

C. I. Eneh, S. N. Uwaezuoke, C. J. Chukwu — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Sickle cell hepatopathy (SCH) are liver pathologies related mainly to sickling. These conditions present similarly yet have varied prognosis, high index of suspicion is therefore needed for early and proper diagnosis. In Nigeria literature on SCH is variable and scarce.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory evidences of SCH in Nigerian children with SCA.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, observational study.

Place and Duration: SCD clinic, Department of Paediatrics, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, South-East Nigeria. Three months.

Methods: A presumptive diagnosis of SCH based on icteric or anicteric hepatomegaly with or without right hypo-chondrial pain was made in thirty (30%) of 100 patients, 15 males and 15 females in a ratio of 1:1. Only 10 out of the 30 (33.3%) patients had complete data with final sample size of 10. History of scleral icterus, abdominal pain, multiple blood transfusions and frequent crises were obtained. Patients were examined for sclera icteria, hepatomegaly and right upper quadrant tenderness. LFT, blood film, CBC, hepatitis virus serology, haemoglobin quantitation, serum ferritin and abdominal ultrasonography (USS) were obtained. A definitive diagnosis of SCH was based on significant markedly elevated ALP, ALT and AST, marked total bilirubin with conjugated bilirubin > 50% total for AIHC (but < 50% for AHSS and AHSCC). Moderately elevated AST, ALT, mildly elevated ALP for AHSCC, moderately elevated ALP, normal ALT, normal or mildly elevated AST and significant sudden decline from steady state haemoglobin for AHSS.

Results: Using appropriate statistical tools and software at 5% level of significance, we found that eighty percent (8 out of 10) had mild-to-moderate derangement of LFT but only 1 patient (10%) had LFT suggestive of AIHC. One (10%) patient’s LFT suggested AHSCC. One patient (10%) had features of AHSS.

Conclusions: SCH is rare in children but may present as AHSCC, AHSS and AIHC.

Analysis of Hematological Indices of Pregnant Women Attended Antenatal Care in General Hospital Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State

M. A. Abdulazeez, G. P. Oderinde, M. S. Abdullahi, L. Mudassir, A. Aminu — Sat, 21 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: To investigate hematological indices of pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Dutsin-Ma General Hospital Katsina State.

Place and Duration of the Study: Hematology Unit of Laboratory Department, General hospital Dutsin-Ma (GHDTM), between June, 2019 to November 2019.

Methodology: Structured questionnaire with consent form were administered to 552 participants and data collected contain sociodemographic information, blood pressure measurement, Packed cell volume (PCV), White Blood Cell (WBC) for period of (6 month). Data was analyzed using Graphpad instat version 3.0 and Microsoft office excel 2010.

Results: From the result, the mean age of the participants is (34.5 ± 11.6) years. The frequency of the participants according to trimester grouping were 246 (44.5%) in 1st trimester, 173 (31.3%) in 2nd trimester while 133 (24.0%) were in the 3rd trimester. Also the means PCV (%) were T1 (36.2 ± 0.19), T2 (36.1 ± 0.20), T3 (34.7 ± 0.23); Hb (g/dL) T1 (12.0 ± 0.06), T2 (12.0 ± 0.06), T3 (11.5 ± 0.08) and WBC (X 109l) T1 (7.2 ± 0.04), T2 (7.3 ± 0.05), T3 (7.4 ± 0.05), respectively. No significant difference in Post hoc test for WBC and Hb but PCV shows significant associations among the trimesters. Conclusively, the emphasis on PCV as baseline routine practice for pregnant women during ANC should be encouraged and highly supported as early detection of hematological complications in pregnancy can be overcome.

Anaemia & Fatigue: Role of Taurine

Arif A. Faruqui — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Anaemia is a state in which there is a decreased production of red blood cells (RBCs) or a decreased concentration of haemoglobin in the RBCs. This consequently affects RBCs oxygen-carrying capacity to meet the body’s physiologic demands. Globally, iron deficiency is considered to be the most common cause of anaemia but other nutritional deficiencies, acute and chronic inflammation, parasitic infections and inherited or acquired disorders that affect haemoglobin synthesis, red blood cell production or red blood cell survival, can all cause anaemia. Anaemia roughly affects a third of the world’s population out of which half the cases are due to iron deficiency. It is a major and global public health concern that affects maternal and child mortality, physical performance and referral to health-care professionals. Oral iron is readily available, convenient and inexpensive treatment option for anaemia management. Fatigue is considered as the cardinal symptom of anaemia which needs to be addressed along with increasing haemoglobin. This article highlights the roles played by taurine in increasing the effectiveness of oral iron for increasing hemoglobin in iron deficiency anaemia treatment.