Factor V- Leiden Gene Mutation Among Natural Population of Maiduguri, North East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The emergence of inexplicable thrombotic events with unrecognised mechanism in the recent times warranted the investigation of otherwise-uncommon risk factors for thromboembolic phenomena. It is a common cause of inherited thrombophilia associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE), recurrent pregnancy loss, infertility, contraceptive or hormone replacement related coagulopathy, and cerebral palsy. This study therefore aimed at exploring the prevelance of factor V –Leiden (FVL) gene mutation among the natural population of Maiduguri.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was carried out between January 2013 and March 2014. Ninety-eight (98) healthy blood donors from ethnic population of Maiduguri, northeast of Nigeria were recruited prospectively & consecutively. They were investigated for factor VLeiden genotype by- Amplification Created Restriction Enzyme Site (ACRES) polymerase chain reaction. Data was presented as percentage and Newman-Keuls post hoc was used to compare variables.
Result: Factor V-Leiden mutation was not detected in any of the 98 subjects screened; all expressed normal genotype for factor V gene (F5) 1619 G/G. Protein C (PC) and Proteins S (PS) analysis revealed that all the subjects had normal plasma percentage (%) activities for these natural anticoagulants.
Conclusion: FVL mutation is probably a rare genetic trait among ethnic population of Maiduguri northeast of Nigeria.