Background and objectives : Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a popular biomarker used for hepatocellular carcinoma, but it has poor sensitivity and specificity for other chronic liver diseases. Many studies suggest Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) could offer better prospect. This study aimed to assess alpha-fetoprotein and cancer antigen-125 in Chronic Liver disease patients in Jos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods : This is a laboratory-based analytical study. A total of 80 patients with confirmed cases of chronic liver disease were recruited from April to July 2024. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to analyse the blood samples. Results : Our data showed that the median levels of AFP and CA 125 varied significantly across the stages of liver disease. In AFP, the median levels were 3.7 ng/mL for hepatitis, 2.9 ng/mL for fibrosis, 5.7 ng/mL for cirrhosis, and 18.8 ng/mL for HCC, with a statistically significant difference across all stages (Kruskal-Wallis P = 0.049). Similarly, CA 125 levels increased progressively, with medians of 6.9 U/mL for hepatitis, 9.4 U/mL for fibrosis, 68.5 U/mL for cirrhosis, and 72.4 U/mL for HCC, demonstrating a highly significant difference across CLD stages (P < 0.005). The lack of significant impact of AFP in this regression model implies it may not play a major role in determining the progression or severity of CLD. A significant relationship between CA-125 and chronic liver disease suggests that rising CA-125 mirrors disease progression. Moreover, the regression model points to a stronger and significant role for CA-125; this indicator is more critical for assessing the severity of chronic liver diseases. Conclusion : Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) was a more sensitive biomarker than alpha-fetoprotein in detecting chronic liver diseases.
Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections recognized globally. Infection is associated with increased risk of sequelae in women, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy and tubal subfertility. Molecular methods such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) are considered as gold standard and highly specific diagnostic test for its detection. This study aimed at comparing both C. trachomatis specific IgM and IgG antibody detection by ELISA with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to see the practicability of using only serological methods for routine screening and diagnosis especially in low and middle income countries. Method: Three hundred and twenty-five women of reproductive age group who were attending gynecological clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo university Teaching Hospital Sokoto were enrolled in the study. Patients were administered questionnaires requesting information on biomedical and sociodemographic data. Endocervical specimens were collected, subjected to DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers from Inqaba Biotechnical industries, South Africa. Blood samples were also collected for indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies specific to C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP). Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using IBM Corp. Released 2015. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results: The overall results showed that C. trachomatis specific IgM antibody was detected in 7 (7/325) 2.2%, C. trachomatis specific IgG antibody was also detected in 5 (5/325) 1.5% using ELISA, while the rate of C. trachomatis infection confirmed by PCR was 12 (12/325) 3.7%. Using PCR as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 73.3% and 100% respectively. While the positive predictive value, negative predictive value was 100% and 1.3% respectively. Conclusion: C. trachomatis specific IgM and IgG antibody detection by ELISA gave comparable results in more than 70% of true positive samples detected by PCR. Thus, it suggests that they are practicable and cheaper alternatives to the molecular techniques for routine screening and diagnosis especially in low and middle income countries.
Insulin resistance (IR) is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Because only triglyceride levels and fasting blood glucose are required to measure the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and the insulin test, which is used in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) calculation, is costly and unavailable in the majority of laboratories in the cities of developing countries. Thus, the goal of our study was compared the predictive power of HOMA-IR and the TyG index for assessing IR, as well as the incidence and prevalence of T2DM. Methods: From January 2025 to July 2025, a cross-sectional study was carried out at Aulaqi Specialized Med. Lab. Several risk factors were evaluated among 215 participants, 110 of whom had T2DM and 105 of whom without diabetes. The following analysis data were collected; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HBA1c, C-peptide, TyG index and HOMA-IR. The results of the statistical test were considered significant if the P value>0.05. Results: The T2DM participants had higher mean TyG index (4.87 ± 0.32 vs. 4.66 ± 0.31, P<0.001) and HOMA-IR (3.07 ± 1.99 vs. 2.32 ± 1.07, P=0.001) values than non-diabetes. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the TyG index demonstrated a better performance [area under the curve (AUC) 0.832), with 76.7% sensitivity and 73.8% specificity] in predicting T2DM compared to HOMA-IR (AUC 0.700), which had 67.0% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity (P<0.001). Conclusion: The TyG index correlates with HOMA-IR and outperforms it in terms of T2DM detection and prediction, furthermore, the TyG index regarded as useful and valuable surrogate for estimating IR and for predicting T2DM in individuals who appear to be healthy.
Foodborne pathogens contaminating meat products represent a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with suboptimal hygiene standards. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria further complicate treatment options and increase morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the distribution of foodborne bacterial pathogens, their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and contamination levels in retail meat samples from Kathmandu, Nepal. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted over six months (October 2023–March 2024) at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences. A total of 80 raw meat samples (40 chicken and 40 buffalo) were collected from retail shops in Kathmandu. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Phenotypic detection of β-lactamase (ESBL, MBL, AmpC) and MRSA was performed. Total viable count (TVC) was determined using the pour plate method. Out of 204 bacterial isolates, Escherichia coli (59, 28.92%) was the predominant isolate, followed by Klebsiella spp. (28, 13.74%), Proteus spp. (26, 12.75%), Citrobacter spp. (19, 9.31%), and Salmonella spp. (16, 7.84%). Among gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 16 (7.84%) isolates and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 7 (3.43%) isolates. The distribution of MDR isolates was 136 (66.7%). Among gram-negative bacteria (n=181), ESBL producers comprised 5 (2.76%), MBL producers 47 (25.96%), and AmpC producers 36 (19.88%) of isolates. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was detected in 10 (62.5%) of the 16 S. aureus isolates. Mean total viable count was higher in chicken (5.66 log₁₀ CFU/g) compared to buffalo meat (5.64 log₁₀ CFU/g). This study demonstrates a high prevalence of MDR, MBL, and AmpC β-lactamase-producing bacteria in retail meat samples, though ESBL producers were relatively uncommon. These findings underscore the urgent need for stringent hygiene standards and sanitation practices in meat handling and retail environments to ensure consumer safety.
Malaria is classified as either uncomplicated (UM) or severe (SM), but the mechanism underlying the progression from uncomplicated to severe is still unclear. This study aimed to assess haematologic and biochemical parameters as potential prognostic biomarkers for differentiating SM from UM in a Ghanaian population. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to sample 166 participants, comprising 42 healthy controls, 78 uncomplicated malaria cases, and 46 severe malaria cases. Blood samples were analysed for full blood count, liver function test, renal function test, and serum angiopoietins. Statistical analyses were carried out using GraphPad Prism 9 software. Median and interquartile ranges, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis analysis were done to compare groups. The haemoglobin and platelet counts of SM patients were significantly lower than those of the UM group (p < 0.05). However, the White Blood Cell (WBC) counts of severe malaria patients (7.4, IQR: 5.4 - 10.6) were significantly higher than the uncomplicated malaria population (5.7, IQR: 5.0 - 6.5) (p < 0.001). Serum levels of bilirubin (total and direct), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total proteins in severe malaria were significantly higher than uncomplicated malaria group (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that haemoglobin, platelet, creatinine, urea, AST, ALT, GGT and bilirubin levels may serve as biomarkers for distinguishing severe from uncomplicated malaria.
