Falciparum malaria is associated with risk markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus in individuals with or without COVID-19 exposure

Background: Scientific information on the impact of malaria on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited in the Ghanaian context. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between selected risk markers of T2DM in falciparum malaria patients post-COVID-19 or not at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional comparative study of 38-recovered COVID-19 adult participants with malaria and 40 unexposed COVID-19 adults with malaria at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Demographic, anthropometric and levels of glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein and lipid profiles were measured in the two groups of participants under fasting conditions. Parasitaemia was assessed microscopically but insulin resistance and beta-cell function were assessed by the homeostatic model. Results: The COVID-19 exposed participants were older (p=0.035) with lower parasitaemia (p=0.025) but higher mean levels of insulin, insulin resistance, and beta-cell function compared with their unexposed counterparts (p<0.05). Parasitaemia correlated positively with a number of the measured indices of diabetogenic risk markers in the COVID-19 exposed group only, and predicted (Adjusted R2=0.751; p=0.031) by beta-cell function, C-reactive protein and triglycerides with the model explaining about 75% of the observed variation. Parasitaemia could only be predicted (Adjusted R2=0.245; p=0.002) by C-reactive protein with the model explaining just about a quarter of the observed variation in the COVID-19 unexposed group. Insulin resistance and sub-optimal beta-cell function were detected in both groups of participants. Conclusion: Falciparum malaria is associated with risk markers for development of T2DM irrespective of COVID-19 exposure. Insulin resistance, inflammation and sub-optimal beta-cell secretory function may drive the risk. The observed diabetogenic risk is higher in the recovered COVID-19 participants.

CONSUMERS' PREFERENCE AND ASSOCIATED PATHOLOGY OBSERVED IN CATTLE AND GOAT OFFALS IN KUMASI, GHANA.

BACKGROUND: The global population demands high quality meat and the preference for offal continue to be on the increase. This investigation evaluates consumers' preference and associated pathological conditions observed in cattle and goat offal in Kumasi, Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional survey and structured questionnaires involving 200 adult respondents were adopted. 105 samples of cattle and goat offal from selected retailers or vendors were also evaluated for associated pathological conditions. RESULTS: From the questionnaire, results showed that on the average, one (1) pound of offal was consumed by a household of seven (7) per meal twice a week. The most preferred offal was the fore-stomach (52.70%) followed by the liver (38.10%). However, 75% and 50% of the liver sampled had one or more lesions in the goat and cattle respectively with presence of abscesses, metazoan parasites and granuloma. Factors like availability, affordability, nutritional value, taste, customs and level of education influenced the consumer's preference for edible offal. CONCLUSION: Presence of metazoan parasites, granuloma and microabbscesses further undermine the quality of the offal supply in Ghana and it calls for further investigation into causal agents of these pathological conditions; hence, strict inspection and assessment should be enforced and maintained for continual provision of edible and wholesome offal.