Introduction. Adequate and safe blood supply has remained a challenge in developing countries like ours. There is a high dependency on family replacement and remunerated blood donors in our environment which carries an attendant increased risk of transfusion transmissible infection. Objectives. The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary blood donation among healthcare workers (nonphysicians) and to identify and recruit potential voluntary blood donors. Methodology. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. A total of 163 staffs were recruited. Pretest questionnaires were used to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practice of voluntary blood donation. Statistical Analysis. The responses were collated and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16. The association between blood donation practice and gender of respondents, category of ...

The objective was to determine the basic hematological parameters of remunerated blood donors in Benin City and to compare them with those of voluntary donors. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary health facility in Benin City. Pretransfusion samples were obtained from blood bags after gentle mixing and analyzed for hematological parameters. Samples were analyzed using the hematology autoanalyzer MODEL SYSMEX KN21. Result: A total of 215 samples were obtained comprising 160 remunerated (paid) and 55 voluntary donor samples. In the paid donors, the mean hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) 7.7±2.9 and 28.8±8.5 respectively. This was significantly lower than those of voluntary donors who had 13.9±1.2 and 42.2±3.3 with P < 0.001. The mean values of the red cell counts (RBC), white cell counts (WBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly lower in paid donors as P-values were <0.001. MCV was significantly low but not compared to the other parameters as P=0.04. There was no significant difference in the platelet count. Conclusion: Paid donors in Benin City have significantly lower hematological parameters than controls.

The peripheral blood film (PBF) is a laboratory work-up
that involves cytology of peripheral blood cells smeared
on a slide. As basic as it is, PBF is invaluable in the
characterization of various clinical diseases. This article
highlights the basic science and art behind the PBF. It
expounds its laboratory applications, clinical indications
and interpretations in the light of various clinical diseases.
Despite advances in haematology automation and
application of molecular techniques, the PBF has remained
a very important diagnostic test to the haematologist. A
good quality smear, thorough examination and proper
interpretation in line with patient’s clinical state should
be ensured by the haemato-pathologist. Clinicians should
be abreast with its clinical utility and proper application
of the reports in the management of patients.

Introduction: Viruses are implicated in the etiopathogenesis of malignancies. There is a high risk of reactivation of latent viral infections in persons with HMs. The sero-prevalence of some of these virus has not been reported in our environment. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in subjects with HMs; to establish if any its association with specific HMs and blood transfusion history. Method: This is an ambispective study conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. Fifty one patients with HMs were recruited for this study. Data on demographics, daignosis of HMs and transfusion history was obtained with an interviewer administered questionnaire. Sample was collected and analyzed for HBV, HCV and HIV status using rapid kit tests. Results were analyzed with SPSS version 16. Result: The subjects included 30 (58.8%) males and 21 (41.2%) females. The median age of the participants was 48 years. Non Hodgkins lymphoma and CLL are the com...

INTRODUCTION: Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is a DNA virus transmissible by blood transfusion. It is a major cause of aplastic crisis especially in chronic haemolytic anaemic patients such as sickle cell disease patients. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of PVB19 in blood donors and sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients and to evaluate its association with blood transfusion in SCA patients. METHODS: This is a cross sectional study conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos Nigeria. Three hundred participants, consisting of 150 voluntary blood donors and 150 sickle cell anaemia subjects were enrolled into the study. Seroprevalence of parvovirus was determined using ELISA kits for IgG and IgM anti-PVB19 antibodies by Immuno-Biological Laboratories, (IBL) inc. Minneapolis, USA. Results was analyzed with SPSS 11 software and presented in tables. Fishers Exact test, Chi-square and student T-test were used as appropriate to compare variables between both groups. P-values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Ninety nine (66%) blood donors were positive for anti-PVB19 IgG antibody while ninety two (61.3%) sickle cell patients were positive. Two (1.3%) blood donors were positive anti-PVB19 IgM antibodies while 8 (5.3%) SCD patients were positive for anti-PVB19 IgM antibodies. There was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antiPVB19 virus in both groups. There was no association of parvovirus seroprevalence with blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The study has shown a high seroprevalence of IgG anti-PVB19 antibodies in both blood donors and SCA patients. Therefore routine screening for parvovirus infection for donor blood is not justified. However seronegative SCA patients who require blood transfusion should have the blood screened for parvovirus to reduce the risk of associated aplastic crisis.

INTRODUCTION: APLA have been associated with a number of obstetric complications however their role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia has remained an issue of controversy. There is a dearth of information on APLA in preeclamptic women in our environment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in preeclampsia among women presenting to UBTH Benin City and to determine pregnancy outcome in APLA positive women with preeclampsia. METHODS: This is a case control study. Consecutive pregnant women diagnosed of preeclampsia and age-parity matched normal on-going pregnant women were recruited as participants for the study. Antiphospholipid antibodies were assayed using dilute Russel viper’s venom (DRVV) Lupus Anticoagulant (LA screen and confirm kits) and total anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: The prevalence of APLA in preeclampsia was 10% while none (0%) of the controls was posit...

To compare the incidence of polycythemia in newborns of women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) with those of normotensive mothers, to determine the incidence of perinatal stress using Apgar scores and to correlate hematocrit with Apgar scores in these newborn. This was a hospital-based comparative study conducted in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Apgar scores of 200 newborns- 100 from mothers with HDP (case group) and 100 from normotensive mothers (control group)- were taken at 1st and 5th minute of birth and cord blood samples collected to determine hematocrit. The subjects were categorized into polycythemic and non polycythemic using a hematocrit ≥65%. Eight percent of newborns of women with HDP had polycythemia while none of the controls did. Apgar scores in the case group with and without polycythemia at one-minute were 4.1±1.8 and 6.6±2.1, respectively and at 5 minutes were 6.9±1.7 and 8.5±1.4 respectively. Hematocrit correlated positi...

Purpose Novel therapy has dramatically changed the outcome of patients with myeloma. Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines give bortezomib-based combinations a central role in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this survey is to assess the use of bortezomib for the treatment of MM by hematologists practicing in Nigeria. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional observational survey. A structured, prevalidated questionnaire was self-administered to different cadres of hematologists. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 (IBM, Chicago, IL). Results There were 54 respondents from 24 centers across the country. The most frequently used drugs for first-line therapy were thalidomide (66.7%), dexamethasone (54.2%), and bortezomib (48%), and a combination of bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (16.7%) was the most frequently used first-line regimen. Of the 54 hematologists, 39 (72.2%) had prescribed bortezomib previously...

IntroductIon Hemophilia is a lifelong bleeding disorder which is potentially disabling, depending on the bleeding phenotype of the person. It is classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the specific plasma factor levels. Persons with severe hemophilia are prone to repeated and spontaneous bleeds which may occur at an early age, whereas those with mild forms hardly bleed without significant trauma. 1,2 Symptoms manifest as bleeding into the muscles, joints, body cavity, as well as postsurgical bleeds. 3 Mucocutaneous and intracranial bleeds are not uncommon, in severe diseases. 4 These bleeding symptoms invariably determine the health status of persons with hemophilia (PWH). Other factors that may influence their health status include the availability and accessibility of factor replacement therapy, presence of complications of the disease and its treatment, access to care including specific and adjunct care, as well as how the PWH handles his/her condition. 5-7 The management of hemophilia involves the prophylactic or on-demand replacement of the deficient factors, factor (F) VIII in the case of hemophilia A and FIX in the case of hemophilia B, effective in reducing disease-related complications. 8 The hematologist, nurse, physiotherapist, laboratory scientist, and the mental health specialist form the core team of a hemophilia treatment center (HTC). With the inclusion of the dentist, gynecologist, geneticist, orthopedic surgeon, and chronic pain specialist, a comprehensive team is formed. 9,10 Managing a PWH is of high economic impact and not without its challenges. 11,12 It involves a degree of harmony between the team members of a HTC, PWH, as well as his/her family. A quality care when offered, for instance, Background: Most resource-poor countries are yet to develop standard hemophilia treatment center (HTC) despite improved outcome of health status of persons with hemophilia (PWH). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the health status of PWH in Nigeria. Methodology: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, modified prevalidated and pretested questionnaire (National health and Nutrition examination survey (NHANES) 2013 Health Status questionnaire (HSQ)) was consecutively administered to consenting PWH (pediatric and adult) attending the 2018 Annual General Meeting of the Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria. The study's measurable outcome variables were calculated health status and its determinants. Association between the outcome variables and clinical characteristics of PWH was done using SPSS software version 22, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 36 PWH who participated in the survey, 50% had good health status, 38.9% had poor health status, while only 11.1% had excellent health status. A majority (88.9%) had access to HTC with <6 consultations in the past year. Nearly 47.2% were hospitalized for disease-related problem in the past year. There was nonsignificant difference between health status and disease type (P = 0.751) and severity (P = 0.086), treatment plan (0.496), type of treatment facility (P = 0.152), and access to a doctor (P = 0.67). Conclusion: Several PWH in resource-poor settings still suffer serious morbidity that impacts negatively on their health status. More robust (multicenter) research is needed to ascertain the true picture of health status of PWH in resource-poor countries.

Essentials • Sickle cell disease is characterized by alteration of the hemostatic system. • The study was carried out in the hematology department at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. • Hematocrit and VWF were positively correlated in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and inversely correlated in controls. • Elevated VWF may be implicated in the pathogenesis of VOC.

IntRoductIon Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive structural hemoglobin disorder with a highly variable clinical spectrum. The most prevalent form is sickle cell anemia (HbSS), which is due to the inheritance of the sickle gene in a homozygous state. [1] Other forms of SCD include the compound heterozygous forms, in which the sickle beta-globin gene is co-inherited with another abnormal hemoglobin gene such as HbC, β-thalassemia, and HbD among others. [2] SCD is the most common genetic disorder worldwide. The global prevalence of SCD is 20-25 million, and about 12-15 million affected persons are in Sub-Sahara Africa. [3] The WHO estimated that 300,000 children are born annually with SCD, 75% of whom are in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, >150,000 children are born with this disease annually. The overall prevalence of SCD in Nigeria is estimated to be between 2% and 3%; with slight variations from one region to another. Akaba et al. reported a prevalence of 2.28% in South-South Nigeria. Similarly, a prevalence of 2.4% SCD was reported in Southwest Nigeria. [4] SCD is characterized by numerous complications which affect every organ and or tissues in the body, often chronic Background: Nigeria has the largest cohort of sickle cell anemia (SCA) worldwide; the chronic complication in adult sickle cell anemia patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, there is a paucity of studies describing the prevalence of the spectrum of chronic complications encountered by adult SCA patients. This study is aimed at increasing the awareness of chronic complications among adult SCA patients. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 60 SCA patients visiting the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, which was carried out from July 2017 to June 2018. The study involved 23 males and 37 females with ages ranging from 16 to 42 years. Information about the social demographic characteristics and any form of chronic complication of the participants were obtained using a questionnaire. A multisystemic examination was also done to ascertain their claims, and other information regarding chronic complications were obtained from their records at the Adult Haematology Clinic, Department of Haematology, UCTH. Results: The median age of the participants was 23 years. The participants consisted of 23 (38.30%) males and 37 (61.70%) females. The majority (86.70%) were single, whereas the remaining 13.30% were married. Most of the participants had tertiary education (73.30%), whereas the rest (26.60) had only secondary education. The most prevalent complication was avascular necrosis (AVN) with a prevalence of 8.33%, followed by retinopathy (6.67%), pulmonary hypertension, and leg ulcer had a prevalence of 5%, respectively. The least common complications were nephropathy, stroke, and hepatopathy, with a prevalence of 3.33%, respectively. Conclusion: The index study has exposed that adult SCA patients are associated with the spectrum of chronic complications ranging from AVN, retinopathy, pulmonary hypertension, leg ulcer, stroke, nephropathy, and hepatobiliary complication. The prompt intervention will help to improve their quality of life.

Background: Bleeding disorders (BDs) are characterized by abnormal bleeding for which effective management requires a combination of skill, workforce, diagnostic facilities, and adequate therapeutic options. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the capacity of Nigerian hematologists to handle BDs and to assess availability of required infrastructure, equipment, and treatment options. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted during the 2016 scientific conference of the Nigerian Society for Hemetology and Blood Transfusion. A structured questionnaire was distributed to hematologists in attendance. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 55 (76.4%) hematologists from 27 centers responded. The most frequently carried out tests to assess bleeding were hemoglobin or packed cell volume (100%), full blood count (96.3%), and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time (77%). Many cente...

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) poses a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa particularly Nigeria and other parts of the world. Bone pain crisis (BPC) is a major clinical manifestation of SCD among others. BPC rate has not been evaluated in SCD subjects in our environment. Objective: This study aimed at assessing the rate of BPC among Nigerian SCD subjects in Benin City, to identify possible associated factors and control practices in the study group. Methodology: Data were collected from a total of 73 SCD adult patients seen at Haematology Outpatient Department of the University of Benin teaching Hospital using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. P value was set at 0.05. Results: BPC was reported in 98.6% of the subjects and it accounted for 71.4% of hospital admissions. An average BPC rate of 2.58 ± 0.43 per annum was found. ...

Background: Protein C (PC) deficiency has been reported in sickle cell disease (SCD) and postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis as well as clinical manifestations of SCD. However there is paucity of data on PC in Nigerian patients with SCD. Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the levels of Protein C (PC) antigen and activity in SCD subjects; the prevalent type of PC deficiency and association between PC deficiency and parameters such as sex, age, ABO and Rh D blood groups.