Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Kadun State

Objective: To determine the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and subtypes among blood donors and outpatients attendees positive for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). Justification: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to be a major disease burden on the world and Man is the only known natural host of Hepatitis C virus (Chivaliez and Pawlotsky; 2007). There is no published data on the prevalence of the genotypes and subtypes of HCV in Kaduna State. Setting: Three hospitals one in each of the 3 senatorial zones in Kaduna State. Patients: Blood donors who reported for blood donation and outpatient department attendees. Method: Antibody detection by a third generation HCV ELISA (Biotech Laboratories; UK); HCV RNA and genotyping by Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with genotype-specific primers. (Sacace Biotechnologies; UK). Results: of the 259 plasma specimens screened for Hepatitis C virus in this study; 20(7.7) were positive for anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA and 16(6.2) of the antibodies positive specimen were positive for HCV RNA. Of the 139 blood donors tested; 8 (5.8) were HCV RNA positive. Similarly; 120 were tested from the outpatient Department attendees and 8 (6.7) were HCV RNA positive. Hepatitis C virus genotype 1b was found in the entire HCV RNA positive sample. Conclusions: The findings of 6.2prevalence of HCV infection based on HCV RNA test confirmed that there is Hepatitis C virus in Kaduna State with genotype 1b as the predominant genotype found in all the three senatorial zones

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies amongst blood donors in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) Kaduna

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most common transfusion transmissible infections hence the introduction of routine screening for its antibodies in blood donors in most blood banks. Methods: This was a retrospective study in which the blood donor screening register for all intending donors were reviewed and analyzed. Results: There were 4;731 potential donors with age range 20-41years. Eighty six (1.8) were sero-positive to HCV antibodies with a decreasing incidence over the period under review. The highest incidence was recorded the age group 31-40 years. Aim: To determine the sero-prevalence of HCV among blood donors in ABUTH Kaduna. Conclusion: HCV infection is not uncommon in our environment hence the need to emphasize it's routine screening among all potential donors

Severe Depression Following a-interferon Usage in a Patient with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Background: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML); with a median age of 40 years; is one of the commonest haematological malignancies in Nigeria. Cytoreductive agents; which were hitherto the mainstay of treatment; neither induce cytogenetic nor haematologic remission. Alpha-interferon (a-IFN); an endogenous glycoprotein with cytotoxic and natural killer cell enhancer effects has been found to induce haematologic and cytogenetic remission in patients with CML; but neuro- psychiatric complications of a -interferon (a-IFN) usage were not reported in Nigeria. Objective: To report a case of deliberate self-harm in University Lecturer as a side effect of a-IFN in the treatment of CML. Method: Clinical and laboratory follow up of a patient receiving a-IFN in the management of CML from the time of diagnosis of CML to the point of loss of contact. Result: Severe depression is a complication that may adversely influence the clinical outcome of a-IFN usage Conclusions/Recommendations: Although interferon related depression is uncommon; it is suggested that pre-therapy interferon assays and neuro-psychiatric assessment are carried out in prospective users of a-IFN