Prolonged blood coagulation time among occupationally exposed automobile technicians in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Automobile technicians in resource-poor settings often work in poor environments and are exposed to chemicals that put them at risk of ill health and disease. These chemical exposures could affect blood coagulation, leading to bleeding disorders or thrombosis. The present study is aimed at assessing prothrombin test (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin test (aPTT) values, serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations, and blood lead level (BLL) among occupationally exposed automobile technicians compared to unexposed controls.

The Evolving Application of DNA-Based Genotyping of Red Blood Cells in Blood Grouping: A Narrative Review.

Blood grouping system is made of diversities of inherited specific antigen markers located on the red cell membrane. Exposure to foreign antigens not present in individual genetic make-up stimulates the production of the corresponding alloantibodies which often times is detrimental to health. The high throughput, specific and cost-effective DNA-based red cell genotyping has improved health care delivery in blood transfusion science by enhancing our understanding of the genetic variations which control the expression of red cell antigens.

Serum Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines in Helminth Infested Pregnant Women and Cord Blood of their Babies in Relation to Pregnancy Outcome.

Pregnancy places a very high demand on physical, physiological and immunological responses of females,especially when aggravated by parasitic infestation. There is strong evidence that maternal infestations with helminth haveprofound effects on immunity to helminths and other pathogens. This case-control study involved 245 pregnant women aged18-40 years (>30 weeks of gestation) recruited from three secondary level hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Serum Micronutrients in Helminth-infected Pregnant Women and Children: Suggestions for Differential Supplementation During Anti-helminthic Treatment.

Background: The prevalence of helminth infection, which is known to affect nutritional status of the host, varies with age. The complex interplay between ages, nutrient requirements, and infection necessitated the need to recommend micronutrient supplementation during helminth infection among different age groups.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alteration in selected micronutrients in pregnant women and preschool- and school-aged children with helminth infection.

Serum Levels of Cytokines and IgE in Helminth-Infected Nigerian Pregnant Women and Children.

Background: Helminth infection is an important health challenge. Because of modulation of the immune response toward T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, the immunologic interplay that manifest during the coexistence of helminth infection with other conditions is still poorly understood.

Objective: This study determined the pattern of alteration in selected cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in pregnant women, preschool aged children, and school-aged children with helminth infection compared with uninfected groups.