Assessment of thyroid function of newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: the outbreak and rapid spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has evolved into an unprecedented global pandemic. The infection impairs several human organs and systems, however, it is not clear how it affects thyroid function. The study therefore aimed at measuring plasma levels of thyroid hormones and Hs-CRP in COVID-19 patients and apparently healthy uninfected controls to assess the possible effect of SAR-CoV-2 infection on thyroid function. METHODS: in this cross-sectional study carried out between May-August 2020, 90 consenting participants comprising 45 COVID-19 patients and 45 apparently healthy uninfected controls were recruited. Plasma FT3, FT4, TSH and Hs-CRP were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: the mean plasma FT3 and TSH concentrations were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). Euthyroidism was observed in all uninfected controls, whereas 35 (77.8%) COVID-19 patients were euthyroid. Sick euthyroid and subclinical hypothyroidism was observed in 7 (15.6%) and 3 (6.7%) COVID-19 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: though there was a preponderance of euthyroidism among COVID-19 patients, significantly higher mean plasma levels of TSH and FT3, sick euthyroid syndrome and subclinical hypothyroidism observed among some COVID-19 patients may be indicative of disease-related thyroid function changes. Hence, there is need to pay attention to thyroid function during and after treatment of COVID-19.

Serum Levels of Cytokines and IgE in Helminth-Infected Nigerian Pregnant Women and Children.

BACKGROUND: Helminth infection is an important health challenge. Because of modulation of the immune response toward T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, the immunologic interplay that manifest during the coexistence of helminth infection with other conditions is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the pattern of alteration in selected cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in pregnant women, preschool aged children, and school-aged children with helminth infection compared with uninfected groups. METHODS: Seventeen pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 60 school-aged children with helminth infection (HI) were recruited into this study. They were matched with 21 pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 50 school-aged children without helminth infection (HN) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant and analyzed for serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IgE. Statistical analysis was done using the Student t test, and P < .05 was considered as statistically significant. FINDINGS: Only serum level of IgE was significantly elevated in HI pregnant women compared with HN pregnant women. In HI preschool- and school-aged children, serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, and IgE were significantly elevated compared with HN children. However, preschool- and school-aged children with HI had similar levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 compared with their corresponding HN groups. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that altered cytokines expression in children and pregnant women with helminth infection might have some implications on need for deworming programs to improve pregnancy outcomes and vaccine responses.

Serum Micronutrients in Helminth-infected Pregnant Women and Children: Suggestions for Differential Supplementation During Anti-helminthic Treatment.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of helminth infection, which is known to affect nutritional status of the host, varies with age. The complex interplay between ages, nutrient requirements, and infection necessitated the need to recommend micronutrient supplementation during helminth infection among different age groups. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alteration in selected micronutrients in pregnant women and preschool- and school-aged children with helminth infection. METHODS: We screened 245 pregnant women and 349 children for helminth infection. Of these, 17 (6.9%) pregnant women and 102 (29.2%) children (42 preschool- and 60 school-aged) had helminth infection. Only Ascaris lumbricoides was found in pregnant women, whereas the children had A lumbricoides, hookworm, Fasciola hepatica, and Trichuris trichiura infections. The helminth-infected (HI) pregnant women, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children were matched with helminth-negative (HN) pregnant women (n = 21), preschool-aged children (n = 42), and school-aged children (n = 50) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were obtained and analyzed for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and vitamins A and C. Statistical analysis was done using Student's t test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: Serum levels of Fe, Zn, and Se were significantly lower in HI pregnant women than HN pregnant women. In preschool-aged children, serum levels of Fe, Zn, and vitamin A were significantly lower in the HI than in the HN group. Similarly, serum levels of Zn and vitamin A were significantly lower in HI school-aged children than in the HN group. However, serum levels of Se were significantly higher in HI children (both age groups) than in the corresponding HN group. CONCLUSION: Helminth infection alters different types of micronutrients in children and pregnant women. Results from the present study therefore suggest monitoring Fe, Zn, or vitamin A supplementation with an anti-helminthic regimen.