DEPARTMENT MEDICAL LABOURATORY SCIENCE

The MNS blood group system is often overshadowed by the ABO and Rh systems; it remains clinically relevant due to its potential role in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) and complications related to transfusion therapy. Serological testing was carried out using standard hemagglutination techniques following established protocols. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of M and N antigens, examine their distribution across different trimesters, and assess any associations with parity, gravidity, and ethnic backgrounds. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. A total of 110 venous blood samples were collected aseptically into plain tubes during routine antenatal visits. The age range of participants was 20 to 40 years, and the gestational age at the time of sampling ranged from 2 to 8 months, covering the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State. This study provided important regional data that reinforces the clinical significance of incorporating MNS blood group antigen screening into routine antenatal care. Early identification of potential alloimmunization can help prevent serious complications such as fetal anemia and HDFN, ultimately improving both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Out of the 110 samples tested, 62 (56.4%) were positive for M antigens and 73 (66.4%) were positive for N antigens. This study revealed a higher prevalence of the N antigen compared to the M antigen among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Central Hospital, Benin City. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive blood group antigen screening, including the MNS system, during pregnancy. Early detection of maternal alloantibodies against MNS antigens can help guide appropriate prenatal care, prevent hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), and improve transfusion safety and perinatal outcomes.

Plasmodium berghei, a rodent malaria parasite, has been widely employed as a model for studying malaria-induced pathophysiology. This study investigated the hematological and biochemical alterations associated with graded parasitemia in albino rats experimentally infected with P. berghei. Sixteen (n = 16) female albino rats weighing 130–174 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 4 per group): a control group (uninfected) and three treatment groups infected with low (~1 × 10²), medium (~1 × 10⁴), and high (~1 × 10⁶) concentrations of parasitized red blood cells (iRBCs). Inoculation was performed intraperitoneally and animals were monitored for 42 days under standard housing conditions. Hematological parameters, including WBC, RBC, Hb, PCV, and differential leukocyte counts, were assessed using an automated hematology analyzer, while serum electrolytes, urea, and creatinine were measured to evaluate renal function. The results revealed significant changes in hematological indices across groups (p < 0.05). Rats in the high-infection group showed marked leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and monocytosis, alongside reductions in RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and packed cell volume compared to controls. Lymphocyte percentages were significantly elevated in mediumand high-infection groups, whereas eosinophil counts were markedly reduced in all infected groups. Biochemical analysis indicated a significant rise in serum urea levels in infected groups (p = 0.019), while serum creatinine remained unchanged (p = 0.184). These findings suggest that P. berghei infection induces dose-dependent hematological derangements and renal functional alterations, with elevated urea serving as a potential biomarker of malaria-associated renal stress. Further studies are recommended to delineate the mechanisms linking parasitemia severity to hematological and renal pathology.

Herbal mixtures are widely consumed in Nigeria for their perceived therapeutic benefits, yet concerns about microbial safety, particularly fungal contamination, persist. This study investigated the fungal load and diversity of herbal mixtures sold at selected markets in Benin City, Edo State. A total of 20 samples (powder, liquid, and paste formulations) were collected from Uselu, New Benin, and Ring Road markets. Fungal isolation was performed using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, and identification was based on cultural and microscopic characteristics. Antifungal sensitivity was assessed by incorporating herbal mixtures into culture media. Results showed that 65% of samples were contaminated, with fungal loads ranging from 3.08 ×10³ to 1.72 × 10⁶ CFU/ml. The predominant isolates were Mucor (20%), Fusarium (20%), Aspergillus niger (15%), and Penicillium (10%). Powdered samples showed the highest contamination levels, while Ring Road samples recorded the least growth. Antifungal assays revealed only partial inhibitory effects at high concentrations (3000 mg), indicating limited intrinsic antifungal activity of the herbal mixtures tested. These findings highlight significant fungal contamination in locally sold herbal mixtures, with potential public health risks including opportunistic infections and mycotoxin exposure. Stronger regulation, quality control, and public health awareness are recommended to improve the safety of herbal medicines in Benin City.

Dengue fever is endemic in Nigeria and remains a significant cause of misdiagnosed febrile illnesses, particularly in children. Despite rising Aedes mosquito populations in urban centers, limited data exists on dengue prevalence among pediatric populations in Benin City. This study's aim was to determine the prevalence of dengue virus infection among febrile children attending
various medical centers in Benin City, Nigeria. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 febrile children aged 1 month to 10 years attending selected healthcare facilities in Benin City. Socio-demographic data were collected using structured questionnaires. Blood samples were collected from each participants through sterile aseptic techniques and
dispensed into plain containers. The samples were spun at 3000rpm for 5 minutes to obtain the serum. The overall prevalence of dengue virus IgM antibodies was 4.4% (7/160) among the study population. IgG antibodies prevalence of 3.1% (5/160) while both IgM and IgG antibodies coinfection of 0.6% (1/160) was obtained among the study population. Seroprevalence was highest among the 3-4 years age group, followed by 1-2 years age group with the lowest prevalence found in <11 months age group. Gender and Age did not significantly influence the prevalence of dengue virus antibodies among the study population. Use of mosquito nets and
water storage methods significantly influenced the prevalence of dengue virus seroprevalence among the study population though not statistically significant. This study reveals a notable prevalence of dengue virus infection among febrile children in Benin City, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic considerations and public health surveillance in pediatric fever management.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a major health problem in Nigeria, contributing greatly to illness and death. Nutrition and iron balance play key roles in how the disease progresses. Body mass index (BMI) affects the general health of SCA patients, while changes in iron levels, whether too low or too high, can worsen anemia and related complications. This study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and iron indices among adult sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients attending the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos and to determine their association with disease severity. A cross-sectional analytical design was adopted, involving 45 confirmed HbSS patients and 45 HbAA age- and sex-matched controls. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, pain frequency, and disease severity were obtained using structured questionnaires, the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life
Measurement Information System (ASCQ-ME), and the Modified Disease Severity Scoring System for SCA. Anthropometric variables were measured following
standard protocols, and BMI was classified based on WHO criteria. Blood samples were analyzed for full blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin, and total iron-binding
capacity (TIBC) using standard ELISA and spectrophotometric techniques. Disease severity score was obtained for each Hbss subject by summing up the scores for crisis rate, number of complications and degree of anemia. HbSS total scores of <3 were considered to have mild anemia. Those with score of > 3 but < and =7 were taken have moderately anemia while subjects with scores > 7 were deemed to have severe
anemia. Most participants were young adults. In the SCA group, 46.7% were aged 18–25, while 40% of the control group fell within this range. Participants aged 26–35 constituted 20% of the SCA group and 17.8% of controls. Those aged 36–45
represented 22.2% of the SCA group and 28.9% of the controls. Smaller proportions were observed in the 46–55 age bracket, with both groups recording 8.9%. Only a few
participants were 56 years and above, comprising 2.2% of the SCA group and 4.4% of the control group. The SCA patients had significantly lower hemoglobin (HGB), packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell (RBC) counts compared to controls (p
< 0.001). Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly higher in SCA subjects (p < 0.001). Ferritin concentrations were markedly elevated (p < 0.001), whereas TIBC was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Serum iron levels did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). BMI distribution indicated that 28 (62.2%) of the SCA subjects had normal weight, 13
(28.9%) were underweight, and 4 (8.9%) overweight. Lower BMI correlated with more severe anemia and higher disease severity scores (p < 0.05). Painful crises were common, with vaso-occlusive crisis and acute chest syndrome observed in all patients, while mild to moderate anemia predominated (75.6%). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that low TIBC and elevated serum ferritin are frequent among adult
SCA patients, reflecting chronic inflammation and increased iron stores within the reticuloendothelial system. Nutritional monitoring and iron indices evaluation should be integral to routine care for SCA patients to reduce disease complications and improve quality active life.

Hookworm infection is one of the common parasitic infections in developing countries. They are mainly causing iron deficiency anaemia in exposed patients. It is estimated that up to one-fifth of the world’s population is infected with hookworms. The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of hookworm infection among pupils of Oba Eresoyen Primary School, Benin city, Edo State. A total of 203 stool samples were collected using multistage sampling method on study subjects with the aid of a pre-test questionnaire based on Knowledge of hookworm and
known risk factors. The samples were examined using saline and Iodine microscopy. The result from this study shows an overall prevalence rate of 20.7% hookworm infestation among pupils of Oba Eresoyen Primary School. It was also observed that the prevalence of hookworm infection was higher in females (57.14%) than in males (42.9%) with a P-Value of 0.13 whichwas not statistically significant. The prevalence rate across the age group also shows that, age
group 8-9 years (61.9%) had the highest prevalence, followed by age group 10-11 (28.6%). Age group 12-13 years had the lowest prevalence (9.5%). The result showed that there was a
significant association between age and the prevalence of hookworm infection (P=0.045). A significant association was also observed between some sociodemographic factors such as walking barefooted and handwashing in relation to hookworm infection (p<0.0001). In conclusion, Hookworm infection is more common in children, deteriorating both their psychological and physical development. Special attention should be given to treatment of children in the rural areas of the State by Ministry of Health or the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria.

Recently, social attitude toward the use of marijuana has changed and some have been advocating for legalization of its use. In the same vein, there has been an increasing interest relating to the health risk associated with it and how it affects several organs in the human body including the liver which is a key metabolic organ of the body. The aim of this study was to determine the possible effects of marijuana consumption on liver function parameters. Sixty adult marijuana smokers and 60 age-matched non-marijuana/cigarette smokers were recruited in the study. Socio-demographic data were collected using structured questionnaire. Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein (TP) and albumin were determined by spectrophotometric method. Data were compared using appropriate statistical tool. The results indicate that AST(42.4±8.67),ALT (41.67±14.15)andGGT (29.56±8.48) activities were significantly higher (p<0.05) in marijuana smokers than in nonsmokers (26.34±4.95 24.00±5.97, 14.91±3.36) respectively. Conversely, total protein and albumin concentrations were significantly lower (p<0.05) in marijuana smokers than non- smokers. Serum ALP activity was however not significantly different when compared with controls. Some 48/60 (80%) of marijuana smokers had AST values (44.8±8.44) above the upper limit of the reference range while 34/60 (56.7%) had GGT values (61.3±7.60) above upper limit of the reference range. Marijuana consumption may predispose individuals to liver injury independent of quantity consumed and duration of use therefore the public should aware of the liver health risk associated with marijuana consumption.

The emergence of antifungal resistance necessitates the exploration of plant-based alternatives. This study investigated the antifungal activity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts prepared by Soxhlet and maceration methods. Clove buds were authenticated, extracted using ethanol– water (1:1), and tested against 12 fungal isolates, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using agar well diffusion, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by agar dilution. Ketoconazole served as the standard reference. Results showed concentration-dependent inhibition, with activity evident from 50 mg/ml. Candida albicans was the most sensitive organism, with inhibition zones up to 17.66 mm at 400 mg/ml, while Penicillium showed the least susceptibility. Maceration extracts consistently demonstrated higher efficacy than Soxhlet, yielding larger inhibition zones and lower MIC values (41.66 ± 12.12 µg/ml vs. 200.00 ± 145.5 µg/ml for Candida albicans). MFC assays confirmed fungicidal activity of maceration extracts at 50 µg/ml for Candida albicans, compared to higher concentrations required for other fungi. These findings indicate that Syzygium aromaticum possesses notable antifungal properties, particularly against Candida albicans, with maceration proving the more effective extraction method. The results provide scientific support for clove’s traditional use and suggest its potential as a natural antifungal agent.

Medicinal plants have been used in virtually all cultures as a source of medicine. Assurance of the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicinal plants and herbal products has now become a key issue in industrialized and in developing countries. The widespread use of herbal remedies and healthcare preparations is described in the Vedas and th Bible. Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years to flavor and conserve food, to treat health disorders and to prevent diseases including epidemics.This study seeks to evaluate possible ameliorative and inhibitory effects of some medicinal plants on benzene-induced leukemic rats. In this study, leukemia was experimentally induced in albino rats by Benzene chromosolv at 0.2ml at 1:10 dilution water ½ propanol 50/50 in water daily via tail vein for 4 weeks. The rats were divided into 6 main groups consisting of 6 rats per group. They were administered with the extracts of four different plants viz: Ricinus communis, Rosy periwinkle, Psorospermum febrifugum, and Azadiractha indica separately after the determination of the LD50 for 4 weeks after induction. The LD50 of each of the extracts were Ricinus communis 340mg/kg, Rosy periwinkle 30mg/kg, Psorospermumfebrifugum 548mg/kg, and Azadiractha indica 40mg/kg. The animals were there after weighed and sacrificed, blood samples were collected into lithium heparin and EDTA bottles for laboratory analysis of Full Blood Count (FBC), leucocyte functions assay and antioxidant profiles using standard methodologies. The animals Albino rats were initially weighed prior to plant extracts administration and induction with Benzene chromosolv. Results show a statistically significant decrease in final weight in all groups (pre and post treated with the extracts and a statistically significant increase in White Blood Cell Count (WBC) count in benzene induced rats (P<0.05, respectively) compared with non-induced controls. The induced leukemia was the lymphocytic type. These values reduced significantly with the post treated animals especially with Ricinus communis (P<0.05, respectively). Also, there was statistically significant increase in percentage viability index in Benzene induced rats compared with control and extracts treated rats (P<0.05 respectively). However, there was no significant different between the control and treated rats. Furthermore, there was statistically significant decreases in percentage chemotactic index, percentage phagocytic index and percentage respiratory burst in Benzene induced rats in the pretreated rats’ extracts with concomitant increase in the rats pretreated with Ricinus communis compared with the control group. This is suggesting ameliorative effect in the leucocyte functions by all the extracts with more efficacies in rats treated with Ricinus communis when compared with controls. The anti- oxidanats enzymes exhibited higher activities in all the pretreated groups compared with those post-treated after induction with all the extracts as well. Ultimately, the TGF β-1 gene was significantly expressed in the Ricinus communis treated group and Psorospermum febrifugum but with a high value exhibited by the later. In conclusion, the extracts of Psorospernumfebrifugum, Ricinus communis, Azadiractha indica and Rosy periwinkle demonstrates ameliorative effects in the treatment of leukemia especially with Ricinus communis. The extracts equally showed a significant anti-oxidant enzymes activity in pretreated animals while TGF β-1 gene was significantly upregulated in animals in the leukemic rats treated with Ricinus communis, Resulting in massive apoptosis of the leukemic cells. This study has shown vividly that Ricinus communis is more effective and showed profound efficacy among the four extracts in the treatment of Benzene induced albino rats. It is recommended that extracts of Ricinus communis should be evaluated further for its pharmacological and therapeutic efficacies in the management of leukemia.

Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties, including anti-cancer effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Allium sativum aqueous extract on KIT and FLT3 in male Albino Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male adult Albino Wistar rats were selected into four groups of 5 rats per group. The groups were control (group 1), group 2 (administered 0.2ml intravenous injection of benzene:2-propanol: water mixture (2:5:5 v/v) per body weight), group 3 (induced+400mg/kg extract of Allium sativum extract) and group 4 (400mg/kg extract of Allium sativum extract only). The mRNA expressions of KIT and FLT3, Haematological parameter and Cell morphology was carried out using Polymerase chain reaction, ERMA Haematology Auto analyser PCE-210N and peripheral blood film using Leishman staining technique. Data generated was analyzed using graph pad prism (version 8.02, California, USA). The findings revealed that there was significant increase (p<0.01) in FLT 3 expression in group 2, 3 and 4 when compared to control. Also, group 3 had a significantly higher (p<0.001) FLT 3 mRNA expression when compared to group 2 and 4. There was significant increase (p<0.01) in cKIT mRNA expression in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared to control. In addition, group 2 had a significantly higher (p<0.01) cKIT when compared to groups 3 and 4. For the haematological parameter, neutrophil count was significantly higher in the control group (10±0.5774) compared to group 2 (3.5±0.2887), group 3 (2.667±0.3333), and group 4 (3.333±0.333). Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was significantly higher in the control group (0.122±0.00706) compared to group 2 (0.03885±0.0029), group 3 (0.02754±0.0058), and group 4 (0.03663±0.004)., Lymphocyte count was significantly lower in the control group (82±1.528) compared to group 2 (90±1.414), group 3 (91±1), and group 4 (91±0.5774) (p<0.00). Cell morphology showed relative lymphocytosis and RBC abnormalities including macrocytic cells and target cells in the benzene + isopropanol and A. sativum extracttreated group and Normal leukocyte count with absolute lymphocytosis and normocytic normochromic RBCs, with some polychromatic cells in the A. sativum extract-only treated group at 400mg/kg dose. In conclusion, Allium sativum can influence leukemogenesis by modulating genes like FLT3 and KIT implicated in the development and progression of leukaemia