Godwins O. Echejoh

Hepatic histopathological findings in HIV patients at postmortem in Jos university teaching hospital, Nigeria

Multi-organ involvement by opportunistic infections and neoplasms is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS. We determined the spectrum/frequency of hepatic histopathological lesions in a prospective study of postmortem liver biopsies from 100 patients (50 females and 50 males, age range 18-55 years) who died from HIV/AIDS in Jos university teaching hospital, Nigeria. The majority of the patients, 65 (65%), had clinical tuberculosis. Granulomatous hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, non-specific reactive hepatitis (NSRH) and steatosis were the commonest hepatic histopathologic lesions occurring in 34, 20,15 and 12% of patients, respectively. Seven (7%) had normal histological features. This study shows that the liver is affected in HIV/AIDS as reported elsewhere in the world. Therefore, liver biopsy in HIV patients may be helpful in the management of these patients.

The Association between Body Mass Index and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Background: Over three hundred million people worldwide were estimated to be become diabetic by year 2025. The rates of both obesity and malnutrition are on the increase worlwide. The goal of this study was to describe the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in persons with diabetes mellitus. Research design and methods: A cross-sectional analysis of BMI and peripheral neuropathy was conducted among one hundred and twenty diabetic subjects, who were grouped based on presence or absence of DPN. Ninety of the diabetic persons had peripheral neuropathy, while thirty of the diabetic persons had no neuropathy. DPN was determined only by clinical assessment using an aspect of the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI). Result: The two groups were not different in BMI, total cholesterol and high density lipoproteins (HDL). The group without peripheral neuropathy had better glycaemic control; HB A1C = 5.9 ± 2.5 (%), shorter mean duration of diabetes = 5.3 ± 3.6 ...

HIV/TB Co-infection: Liver Biopsy Findings

Abstract Background: Human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis (HIV/TB) co-infection in an individual constitutes a serious diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Objective: To determine liver pathology in patients with HIV and TB co-infection. Methods: Postmortem liver biopsy was done on patients with HIV/TB co-infection. The tissues were subjected to routine histological processing. The sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, including special stains. Results: Sixty-seven biopsies from 67 patients (33 men and 34 women) were analysed. Thirty-nine (58.2%) had pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) while 26 (38.8%) had disseminated tuberculosis (DTB). Two (3%) had tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Fourteen (36%) patients with PTB, 10 (38%) with DTB and one (50%) with TBM had hepatic granuloma with caseation. Histologically granuloma 25 (37.4%), chronic hepatitis 13 (19.4%), nonspecific reactive hepatitis (NSRH) 11(16.4%), steatosis nine (13.4%) and cirrhosis seven (10.4%) were found. Conclusion: This study...

Chorioamnionitis in pregnancy: a comparative study of HIV-positive and HIV-negative parturients

Chorioamnionitis is an important risk factor for vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS. We compared the prevalence and correlates of histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) in HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women. HIV-positive and -negative parturients were interviewed, examined and had their placentas examined histologically for chorioamnionitis. Data regarding HIV were also retrieved from their hospital records. A total of 298 parturients (150 HIV positive and 148 HIV negative) were enrolled. The two groups were similar in socio-demographic and obstetric parameters except for age. The prevalence of HCA was 57.1% in HIV-positive women and 61.6% in HIV-negative women (p = 0.43). HCA staging was associated with the number of intrapartum vaginal examinations in HIV-positive subjects and nulliparity in HIV-negative subjects. The number of intrapartum vaginal examinations and coitus in the week prior to delivery significantly affected the grade of HCA in HIV-negative subjects. The prevalence of HCA in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative is high. Most variables did not affect the occurrence of HCA in both groups studied except number of intrapartum examinations, coitus in the preceding one week and nulliparity, which were related to severity of the disease.