A Comparison of Creatinine, Cystatin C, and Creatinine-Cystatin C Based Equations in HIV/AIDS Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aim: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS infection, with kidney dysfunction progressing to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We tested the diagnostic performance of creatinine, cystatin c, and the combined (creatinine + cystatin c)-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in assessing kidney dysfunction in HIV/AIDS patients on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Saltpond District Hospital, Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 100 HIV/AIDS patients on ART at the Saltpond District Hospital was conducted.

Iron deficiency anemia and its association with cognitive function among adolescents in the Ashanti Region - Ghana.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a global health concern, and has been associated with cognitive decline. However, very few studies have explored the association between IDA and cognitive function among Ghanaians. We assessed the association between IDA and cognitive function among adolescents in the Ashanti region, Ghana.

Expression patterns of immune checkpoint proteins and -induced cytokines in chronic hepatitis B virus-infected and uninfected individuals: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection remains a major public health problem. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2018 Hepatitis B Guidelines provide that CHB individuals not requiring antiviral therapy yet are monitored to determine the need for antiviral therapy in the future; however, these tests do not include measurement of cytokines and immune cell characterization. This case-control study compared the cytokine and immune checkpoint protein expression profiles between CHB individuals not yet on antiviral treatment and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-negative individuals.

High prevalence of late presentation with advanced HIV disease and its predictors among newly diagnosed patients in Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Late presentation with advanced HIV disease (LP-AHD) remains a significant challenge to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) care, contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite global efforts to enhance early diagnosis, a considerable proportion of individuals with HIV infection are unaware of being infected and therefore present late for HIV care. For the first time in Ghana, this study assessed the prevalence of LP-AHD and associated factors among people diagnosed with HIV (PDWH).

Interplay between vitamin D status, vitamin D receptor gene variants and preeclampsia risk in Ghanaian women: A case-control study.

Background And Aim: Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria mostly after 20 weeks of gestation. It affects 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide, with detrimental consequences for both mother and foetus. Evidence, suggests that genetic factors, including vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms, could contribute to PE complexity.

Investigation of serum level relationship of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines with vitamin D among healthy Ghanaian population.

Background: The interplay between vitamin D status and inflammatory cytokines in a supposedly sufficient sunshine environment has not well been evaluated. The study sought to determine their association.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 500 healthy adult blood donors from some selected hospitals in Ghana enrolled from June to November 2016.

Demographic, Clinical Profile of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Their Association with Disease Severity in Ghana.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the frequent chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disorders with an estimated global prevalence of 1%. RA leads to joint destruction and disability if left untreated. Ghana has seen very few studies on RA, and little is known about the disease's severity and related variables.

Malaria elimination in Ghana: recommendations for reactive case detection strategy implementation in a low endemic area of Asutsuare, Ghana.

Background: Progress toward malaria elimination is increasing as many countries near zero indigenous malaria cases. In settings nearing elimination, interventions will be most effective at interrupting transmission when targeted at the residual foci of transmission. These foci may be missed due to asymptomatic infections.

Frailty syndrome and associated factors among patients with hypertension: A cross-sectional study in Kumasi, Ghana.

Background And Aim: Frailty is a condition marked by accumulation of biological deficits and dysfunctions that come with aging and it is correlated with high morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension. Hypertension continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and premature death globally. However, there is dearth of literature in sub-Saharan Africa on frailty syndrome among hypertensives on medication.

Association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene variants and nitric oxide production in preeclampsia: a case-control study in Ghana.

Evidence suggests that a major cause of PE is endothelial dysfunction emanating from the reduced bioavailability of Nitric oxide (NO). Variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene may lead to decreased NO levels. We explored the association between eNOS gene variants and nitric oxide levels among preeclamptic women in the Ghanaian population.

Evaluating circulating soluble markers of endothelial dysfunction and risk factors associated with PE: A multicentre longitudinal case control study in northern Ghana.

Serpin E1/PAI-1, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTpro-BNP) and neuropilin-1 are markers which have been associated with endothelial dysfunction. However, data on the levels of these markers in PE is limited. The limited data on the pathophysiology of PE in relation to these markers necessitated the study.

Receptors expressions on peripheral lymphocytes and CD4 CD183 as a diagnostics biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis: A case-control study in Ghana.

Background: T cell receptors play important roles in the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Their involvement has been reported in inflammatory autoimmune diseases. However, their role in predicting RA is still under exploration.

Thyroid dysfunction and glycaemic control among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Ghana: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Thyroid disorders and diabetes mellitus coexist and are prevalent endocrinopathies among adult population. Thyroid dysfunction contributes to metabolic imbalances, increase beta-cell apoptosis and glucose intolerance. There is paucity of data and contradicting findings on how thyroid dysfunction influence glycaemic control.

Comparison of Modified Manual Acid-Phenol Chloroform Method and Commercial RNA Extraction Kits for Resource Limited Laboratories.

Method: In a comparative experimental cross-sectional study, RNA was extracted from oral swabs and blood samples from 25 healthy individuals at the Department of Molecular Medicine, KNUST. RNA was extracted by the manual AGPC extraction method and commercial RNA extraction kits. The quantity (ng/l) and purities (260/280 nm) of the extracted RNA were measured spectrophotometrically using the IMPLEN NanoPhotometer® N60.

Memory B-cells are enriched in the blood of patients with acute Buruli ulcer disease: a prospective observational study.

Background: Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) caused by Mycobacterium (M.) ulcerans is characterized by necrotic skin lesions. As for other mycobacterial infections, e.

Diversity of cervicovaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and naturally occurring E6/E7 DNA polymorphisms of HPV-16 in Ghana.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogene expression is essential for cervical carcinogenesis. Evidence exists that E6/E7 variants may have different transforming activities while the risk of HPV-16 variants (A/D) differs by race/ethnicity. We determined the type-specific diversity of HPV infection in women with high grade cervical disease or cervical cancer in Ghana and investigated naturally occurring E6/E7 DNA variants in this population.

Wolbachia Ferrochelatase as a potential drug target against filarial infections.

Filarial infections are among the world's most disturbing diseases caused by 3 major parasitic worms; Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti, and Brugia malayi, affecting more than 500 million people worldwide. Currently used drugs for mass drug administration (MDA) have been met with several challenges including the development of complications in individuals with filaria co-infections and parasitic drug resistance. The filarial endosymbiont, Wolbachia, has emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for filariasis elimination, due to the dependence of the filaria on this endosymbiont for survival.

Reactive Case Detection Strategy for Malaria Control and Elimination: A 12 Year Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from 25 Malaria-Endemic Countries.

Reactive case detection (RACD) is the screening of household members and neighbors of index cases reported in passive surveillance. This strategy seeks asymptomatic infections and provides treatment to break transmission without testing or treating the entire population. This review discusses and highlights RACD as a recommended strategy for the detection and elimination of asymptomatic malaria as it pertains in different countries.

Effect of iron fortification on anaemia and risk of malaria among Ghanaian pre-school children with haemoglobinopathies and different ABO blood groups.

Background: Haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disorder and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency as well as differences in ABO blood groups have been shown to influence the risk of malaria and/or anaemia in malaria-endemic areas. This study assessed the effect of adding MNP containing iron to home-made weaning meals on anaemia and the risk of malaria in Ghanaian pre-school children with haemoglobinopathies and different ABO blood groups.

Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomly clustered trial conducted within six months among infants and young children aged 6 to 35 months in rural Ghana (775 clusters, n = 860).

Assessing the variability and the role of inflammatory cytokines and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in predicting stroke among hypertensives: A case-control study.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a complex lipid-driven inflammatory disease in which numerous cell types and inflammatory mediators are involved in the progression of hypertension to stroke. Mediators' markers that could predict the progression of hypertension to stroke are of research importance. We assessed the predictive value of individual and combined cytokines and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) among hypertensives with or without stroke.

Factors associated with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence among adult people living with HIV (PLWH): A 5-year retrospective multi-centre study in Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is the recommended treatment regimen for people living with HIV (PLWH). Long-term HIV treatment of over 95% adherence inhibits increase in viral load and boosts immune system performance. On the contrary, non-adherence results in treatment failure, accelerated development of HIV drug-resistance and increased mortality.

T-Cell Responses Against Mycobacterium ulcerans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protein Extracts Identify Children With Buruli Ulcer Disease.

Immune-based diagnosis of Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) in children is difficult due to cross-reactivity between mycobacteria. We found that T-cell IFNγ/TNFα responses against Mycobacterium (M.) ulcerans and M.

Profiling vitamin D, its mediators and proinflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis: A case-control study.

Introduction: The active form of vitamin D has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect. Vitamin D is implicated in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its deficiency leads to increased inflammation. Moreover, its production is dependent on concentration of calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

coinfection is associated with improved IgE and IgG3 response against hookworm antigens.

Background: and Hookworm infections are prevalent in West Africa and they cause iron deficiency anemia and protein malnutrition in Children. Immune response of these parasites interact and their interactions could have repercussions on vaccine development and efficacy. The current goal of hookworm eradication lies on vaccination.

Assessing the role of eosinophil-mediated immune response markers in detecting hookworm infection: A case-control study in Kintampo, Ghana.

Background And Aim: Human hookworm disease caused by and is a serious public health problem. Hookworm infection activates eosinophil-mediated tissue inflammatory responses, involving the production of the eosinophil-specific chemokine (eotaxin), recruitment of eosinophils, secretion of the cationic protein, and production of antiparasite immunoglobulin E (IgE). We investigated eosinophil-mediated immune response as markers (CCL11, eosinophil cationic protein [ECP], and IgE) for detecting hookworm infection.