Transmission transmissible hepatitis B virus markers of infection among sickle cell disease patients receiving care at a tertiary health facility in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus infection attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients are at risk of transmission transmissible viral hepatitis due to their constant need for blood transfusion. However, these patients could have been infected with HBV but may not know their status due to asymptomatic nature of the infection.

A CASE OF PICA FOLLOWING A PARAMILITARY PRE-EMPLOYMENT ORIENTATION CAMP.

Background: Pica is an unusual craving for and ingestion of either edible or inedible substances first observed in pregnant women but has been reported in all groups of people. Pica poses a significant health risk that often requires medical attention but the awareness of pica among physicians seems to be have reduced.

Method: We report a case study of a young lady who presented with anaemia (pcv = 21%) and craving for sand.

Pattern of childhood leukaemia in University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Background: Leukaemias are haematological malignancies characterized by unregulated clonal proliferation of haematopoietic cells.

Objective: To determine the pattern of childhood leukaemia in Ibadan.

Methodology: This was a retrospective study of leukaemia cases diagnosed at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan between January 1991 and December 2010 in children less than 15 years of age.

Treatment of Burkitt lymphoma in equatorial Africa using a simple three-drug combination followed by a salvage regimen for patients with persistent or recurrent disease.

Prior to the introduction of the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR) protocol INCTR 03-06, survival of patients with Burkitt lymphoma at four tertiary care centres in equatorial Africa was probably no more than 10-20%. The results reported here for 356 patients have demonstrated marked improvement in survival through the use of a uniform treatment protocol consisting of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, vincristine, and intrathecal therapy, and the introduction of non-cross resistant second-line (salvage) therapy, consisting of ifosfamide, mesna, etoposide and cytarabine, when patients failed to achieve a complete response to first-line therapy or relapsed early. Overall survival rates of 67% and 62% were observed at 1 and 2 years (relapse is rare after 1 year of remission).

Abdominal pain in adult sickle cell disease patients: a nigerian experience.

Background: Abdominal pain is a relatively frequent occurrence in sickle cell disease. The aetiology of abdominal pain in sickle cell disease is often difficult to diagnose clinically. Despite the frequent occurrence, diagnostic dilemma, and the need for an accurate, early diagnosis, abdominal pain in sickle cell disease has not been rigorously studied.