Browsing by Author "Thomford, Nicholas E."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    An exploratory pharmacogenetic screening of SLC22A6, SLC22A8, ABCC4 and ABCC10 genes in a cohort of Ghanaian HBV patients
    (2023-07-27) Thomford, Nicholas E.; Adu, Faustina; Gavor-Kwashi, Cyril; Nyarko, Samuel B.; Nsiah, Paul; Ephraim, Richard D.; Adjei, George; Anyanful, Akwasi
    Abstract Background Organic anion transporters and efflux transporters are involved in the metabolism of drugs such as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Given the important role of organic anions and efflux transporters in drug disposition, genetic variations lead to interindividual differences in drug response. Variations in the SLC and ABC transporters have been associated with drug-induced renal dysfunction. Looking at the prevalence of HBV infection in our population and the use of drugs such as TDF in managing this condition, this study aimed to undertake an exploratory analysis of genetic variation in renal transporters SLC22A6, SLC22A8, ABCC10 and ABCC4 in a Ghanaian HBV infected cohort. Methods We genotyped 160 HBV infected patients for SNPs in SLC22A6 (rs12293966, rs4149170, rs6591722, rs955434), SLC22A8 (rs11568487), ABCC10 (rs700008, rs831311) and ABCC4 (rs9282570) genes. Clinicodemographic data was taken, and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the CKD-EPI formula. Genotyping was undertaken using Iplex gold SNP genotyping protocol on the Agena MassARRAY® system. Statistical analysis was undertaken using packages in Stata SE (v17) and GraphPad prism. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, haplotype inference, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) were evaluated using web-based tools LDlink and Shesis. Results The average eGFR was 79.78 ± 33.08 mL/min/1.73 m2 with 31% classified as stage 1 with normal or high GFR (eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 45% with stage 2 CKD (> 60–89.99 mL/min/1.73 m2). All variants were in HWE except rs4149170, rs9282570 and rs700008 where p < 0.05. Strong LD was observed in the variants rs6591722, rs4149170, rs12293966, rs955434 and rs11568487. There was significant association between rs12293966 and eGFR stage under crude dominant inheritance model (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.81; p = 0.019). Under crude model (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.07–0.66; p = 0.008), adjusted model 1 (OR 76, 95% CI 0.39–7.89; p = 0.014) and adjusted model 2 (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12–0.78; p = 0.013) there was significant association observed between rs12293966 and eGFR stage in a codominant inheritance. Conclusion The associations observed in this study point to the need for further evaluation with the population of HBV patients on TDF treatment in addition to other factors that would lead to unfavorable outcomes. This exploratory finding may require confirmation in a larger cohort with proper phenotyping to investigate the exact pharmacogenetic mechanisms.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Zero malaria: a mirage or reality for populations of sub-Saharan Africa in health transition
    (BioMed Central, 2022-11-04) Sarpong, Esther; Acheampong, Desmond O.; Fordjour, George N. R.; Anyanful, Akwasi; Aninagyei, Enoch; Tuoyire, Derek A.; Blackhurst, Dee; Kyei, George B.; Ekor, Martins; Thomford, Nicholas E.
    The global burden of malaria continues to be a significant public health concern. Despite advances made in therapeutics for malaria, there continues to be high morbidity and mortality associated with this infectious disease. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected by the disease, but unfortunately the region is burdened with indigent health systems. With the recent increase in lifestyle diseases, the region is currently in a health transition, complicating the situation by posing a double challenge to the already ailing health sector. In answer to the continuous challenge of malaria, the African Union has started a "zero malaria starts with me” campaign that seeks to personalize malaria prevention and bring it down to the grass-root level. This review discusses the contribution of sub-Saharan Africa, whose population is in a health transition, to malaria elimination. In addition, the review explores the challenges that health systems in these countries face, that may hinder the attainment of a zero-malaria goal.