Bi- and Monoallelic Variants and Chronic Kidney Disease in West Africans.

Background: Apolipoprotein L1 gene () variants are risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Black Americans. Data are sparse on the genetic epidemiology of CKD and the clinical association of variants with CKD in West Africans, a major group in the Black population.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study involving participants from Ghana and Nigeria who had CKD stages 2 through 5, biopsy-proven glomerular disease, or no kidney disease.

Detection of Transversions and Transitions in HBG2 Cis-Elements Associated with Sickle Cell Allele in Ghanaians.

Short tandem repeats located 5' prime to the β-globin gene, have been observed to be in linkage disequilibrium with the HbS allele, and thought to affect the severity of sickle cell disease. Here, we report on new mutants within the HBG2 region that may impact sickle cell disease. To determine the cis-acting elements microsatellites, indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), within the HBG2 region by sequencing, in subjects with sickle cell disease.

Global geographic differences in healthcare utilization for sickle cell disease pain crises in the CASiRe cohort.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by frequent, unpredictable pain episodes and other vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) leading to significant healthcare utilization. VOC frequency is often an endpoint in clinical trials investigating novel therapies for this devastating disease.

Procedure: The Consortium for the Advancement of Sickle Cell Research (CASiRe) is an international collaboration investigating clinical severity in SCD using a validated questionnaire and medical chart review standardized across four countries (United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Ghana).

A study of the geographic distribution and associated risk factors of leg ulcers within an international cohort of sickle cell disease patients: the CASiRe group analysis.

Vasculopathy is a hallmark of sickle cell disease ultimately resulting in chronic end organ damage. Leg ulcer is one of its sequelae, occurring in ~ 5-10% of adult sickle cell patients. The majority of leg ulcer publications to date have emanated from single center cohort studies.

Haematological Changes among HIV-Positive Persons on Antiretroviral Therapy at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana.

Background: Haematological abnormalities such as anaemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia are common complications of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Few researchers have studied the changes in HIV positive patients before and during antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ghana. This study is aimed at determining the haematological profile of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at baseline and whilst on ART in a tertiary facility in Cape Coast, Ghana.