Genetic Findings of Potential Donor Origin following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Recommendations on Donor Disclosure and Genetic Testing from the World Marrow Donor Association.

Following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), recipients are subjected to extensive genetic testing to monitor the efficacy of the transplantation and identify relapsing malignant disease. This testing is increasingly including the use of large gene panels, which may lead to incidental identification of genetic and molecular information of potential donor origin. Deciphering whether variants are of donor origin, and if so, whether there are clinical implications for the donor can prove challenging.

COVID-19 in hematological malignancies: Case series and literature review.

Earlier reports suggest that cancer patients were twice more likely to contract severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this report, we describe two patients with hematological malignancies seen at the peak of the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. A 61-year-old man was referred to our urology unit he was diagnosed with nodular hyperplasia and multiple myeloma and commenced on bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone combination chemotherapy.

Plasma Concentration of 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of 12-Lipooxygenase Gene and Vaso-Occlusion in Sickle Cell Disease.

In the light of previous findings that inflammation predisposes to intercellular adhesion and microvascular occlusion in sickle cell disease (SCD), this study investigated the relationship between the number of vaso-occlusive events in SCD, plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory molecules 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) TNF-α and IL-1β; and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene 12-Lipooxygenase (ALOX-12), which encodes the enzyme 12-Lipoxygenase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of 12-HETE. To evaluate the relationship between vaso-occlusion in SCD and plasma concentrations of 12-HETE, TNF-α, and IL-1β; and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ALOX-12 gene. In 50 HbSS patients, the numbers of vaso-occlusive crisis requiring hospital treatment in the previous 1 year and the vaso-occlusive complications of SCD developed to date (e.

Socio-economic determinants of prenatal anaemia in rural communities of South-West Nigeria: a preliminary report.

Background: Anaemia is common worldwide and pregnant women are one of the most vulnerable group. Although, anaemia in the general population including pregnant women is multi-factorial in aetiology, the most frequent cause in pregnancy worldwide is iron deficiency. In Nigeria, an estimated prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women ranges from 35-75%.

Multiple drug combinations of bortezomib, lenalidomide, and thalidomide for first-line treatment in adults with transplant-ineligible multiple myeloma: a network meta-analysis.

Background: Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow-based hematological malignancy accounting for approximately two per cent of cancers. First-line treatment for transplant-ineligible individuals consists of multiple drug combinations of bortezomib (V), lenalidomide (R), or thalidomide (T). However, access to these medicines is restricted in many countries worldwide.

Acute kidney injury in children: A study of etiology, clinical profile, and short-term outcomes at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria.

A major hindrance in programs designed to reduce deaths from acute kidney injury (AKI) is that the extent and nature of AKI are often unknown. This article reports the etiology, clinical profile, and short-term outcomes of children managed for AKI at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. Children aged one month to 15 years managed for AKI (identified by pediatric RIFLE criteria) from January 2017 to December 2017 were followed up for a short period of four weeks following the AKI.

Clinical and Laboratory Predictors of Frequency of Painful Crises among Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients in Nigeria.

Introduction: The severity of Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in terms of frequency of painful Vaso-Occlusive Crises (VOC) may be affected by clinical and haematological parameters amongst others. Elucidation of these factors in a given disease prevalent environment is necessary for prompt and effective management of patients with frequent painful VOC.

Aim: This study aimed at determining the clinical and laboratory predictors of frequency of painful VOC among SCA patients in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria.

Awareness, Knowledge, and Acceptance of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Sickle Cell Anaemia in Nigeria.

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an inherited condition whose clinical manifestations arise from the tendency of haemoglobin to polymerize and deform red blood cells into characteristic sickle shape. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation offers a cure. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of this beneficial procedure in Nigeria.

Is renal medullary carcinoma the seventh nephropathy in sickle cell disease? A multi-center Nigerian survey.

Introduction: Previous studies had enlisted renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) as the seventh nephropathy in sickle cell disease (SCD). Clinical experience has contradicted this claim and this study is targeted at refuting or supporting this assumption.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of RMC and describe other renal complications in SCD.

Sonographic evaluation of the spleen among sickle cell disease patients in a teaching hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Regional variations in size and parenchyma echo-texture of the spleen among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have been documented in various publications. The objectives of this study were to assess the size and parenchyma echo-texture of the spleen of SCD patients and ascertain the relationship of age, height and weight with the spleen sizes.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 103 each of SCD and age matched control subjects.

Pattern and prevelence of alloimmunization in multiply transfused patients with sickle cell disease in Nigeria.

Background And Study Objectives: Blood transfusion is central in the prevention and treatment of certain chronic complications of sickle cell disease. It is indispensible in correcting anaemias as well as in the practice of exchange blood transfusion. These gains are largely limited by formation of allo-antibodies.

Comparison of absolute neutrophil to CD4 lymphocyte values as a marker of immunosuppression in cancer patients on cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Background: The absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is currently used to assess immune status of patients on cytotoxic therapy. The CD4 lymphocytes have also been shown to be of importance in protection against opportunistic infections. In people of African descent a low baseline ANC has been recorded and the currently accepted neutropaenic threshold may not be appropriate.

Stroke prevalence amongst sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria: a multi-centre study.

Background: Stroke is a life-changing, debilitating complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Previous studies had recorded high stroke prevalence amongst this group of patients. Nigeria has a large population of people affected by this condition and this study aims to assess the stroke prevalence in this large population.

Priapism in homozygous sickle cell patients: important clinical and laboratory associations.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of priapism and important steady-state clinical and laboratory parameters in homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD).

Subjects And Methods: Steady-state clinical and laboratory data were obtained from the medical records of 126 male patients seen in the clinic over a 7-year period. Estimated prevalence rates, correlation coefficients and independent t tests were calculated to assess the relationship between priapism and several important clinical and laboratory indices.

Addition of multimodal therapy to standard management of steady state sickle cell disease.

Most people on folic acid to boost erythropoiesis and prophylactic antimicrobials, the standard management of steady state sickle cell disease (SCD), have unacceptable numbers of crises. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding multimodal therapy with potassium thiocyanate and omega-3 fatty acids to the standard management of steady state SCD. Pre- and post-treatment numbers of crises and other disease indices were compared in 16 HbSS individuals on folic acid and paludrine after 12 months of adding eicosapentaenoic acid 15 mg/kg/day, docosahexaenoic acid 10 mg/kg/day, and potassium thiocyanate 1-2 mL/day, each milliliter of which contained 250 mg of thiocyanate and 100 micrograms of iodine to prevent hypothyroidism: a possible side-effect due to competitive inhibition of the transport of iodide into the thyroid gland by thiocyanate.

Pilot study of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in sickle cell disease.

In a previous retrospective study, it was observed that the greater the amounts of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the blood, the lesser the number of complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the higher the steady state haemoglobin level. SCD causes ischaemia-reperfusion injury and inflammation; which can be ameliorated by a metabolite of DHA that down-regulates expression of pro-inflammatory genes. The objectives of this prospective pilot study were to evaluate the effects of DHA and EPA supplements in SCD, and test the hypothesis that these effects are mediated partly by reducing inflammation.

Challenges for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Following the introduction of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) scene in CML has changed dramatically. The number of patients receiving HSCT in first chronic phase (CP) has declined rapidly, as allogeneic HSCT in CP is now performed in these patients only in case of failure or intolerance of TKIs. Second, those CML patients who undergo allogeneic HSCT represent a selection of high-risk patients due to more advanced disease with high rates of accelerated or blast phase (being associated with an increased relapse risk), advanced age and relevant co-morbidities.

Ophthalmic manifestations of leukemia in a tertiary hospital population of adult nigerian africans.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and pattern of leukemic ophthalmopathy among adults at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, south-eastern, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, observational case series surveyed adult leukemia patients presenting at UNTH's departments of Hematology/Immunology and Ophthalmology from July 2003 to August 2008. The demographic profile, clinical data from for each individual in the cohort were statistically collated and analyzed.

Second allogeneic stem cell transplantation in myeloid malignancies.

For patients with myeloid malignancies who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), one salvage option is a second SCT. We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of the second allo-SCT in 25 patients who received at least 2 allografts from related/unrelated donors due to relapse of acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome or myelofibrosis after the first SCT. A minority of the acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome patients had reached complete hematological remission before the second SCT (6/25, 24%).

Clinical profile and home management of sickle cell-related pain: the Enugu (Nigeria) experience.

Objective: To document the pattern of and ability of sickle cell anemic patients to manage painful crises at home.

Subject And Methods: Confirmed HbSS patients or caregivers attending the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria, were interviewed, using a questionnaire, on their last painful episode.

Results: The limbs were involved in all ages, but involvement of the joints, ribs, and spine was uncommon in patients under 5 years old.

Characterisation of extramedullary relapse in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in advanced disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Recently, higher extramedullary relapse rates following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in myeloid malignancies were reported e.g. because of selection of poor-risk patients.