Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus genotypes among apparently healthy women with normal and abnormal cervical cytology in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: About 99.7% of cervical dysplasia and cancer cases are caused by persistent genital high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection. Most HPV infections are subclinical and self-limiting but may persists in about 5 to 10% of infected women, resulting in pre-cancerous lesions that can progress to invasive cancer years later. This study is aimed at detecting hrHPV among apparently healthy women of reproductive age in Kaduna State, thus providing more information for effective control of HPV and cervical cancer in Nigeria. Methodology: Cervical smears were taken from 515 randomly selected apparently healthy women across selected secondary and tertiary facilities from 3 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in each Senatorial Zone of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) technique was used to collect cervical smears and prepare smears for cytology study, while the remaining samples were stored at -80oC for molecular studies. HPV DNA were extracted from the samples and amplified by convectional PCR using specific hrHPV (HPV 16,18,31 and 45) primer sets and a broad spectrum MY09/11 and GP5+/6+ primers for a wider range of HPV genotypes. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 and relationship between prevalence of hrHPV and socio-demographic factors such as age and marital status were determined using Chisquare or Fisher Exact test with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of total HPV and hrHPV infections in the study population was 11.8% (61/515) and 9.3% (48/515) respectively. A total of 100 HPV genotypes were detected by PCR in the 61 positive smears, with 66 hrHPV types from 48 women, and 34 other HPV types from 13 women. The frequency of hrHPV genotypes detected was HPV 31 (5.8%, n=30), HPV 45 (4.1%, n=21), HPV 16 (1.7%, n=9), and HPV 18 (1.2%, n=6), with other HPV genotypes (6.6%, n=34). The frequency of cervical dysplasia was 6.4% (33/515), which was significantly associated with all HPV genotypes except HPV 16. Single HPV infection was seen in 31 (51.8%) women while multiple infections were seen in 30 (49.2%), with double infection in 21 (34.4%) and triple infections in 9 (14.7%). Conclusion: The prevalence of hrHPV infection was high among women in Kaduna State, Nigeria. DNA-based screening for hrHPV genotypes and production of new vaccine that will protect against the predominant hrHPV genotypes are thus recommended for the prevention of cervical cancer in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

Sero-prevalence of human parvovirus B19 among patients attending some hospitals in Kano metropolis, Nigeria

Background: Human Parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) belongs to the family Parvoviridae; causes Erythema infectiosum; aplastic crises in persons with blood disorder and prolonged anaemia in immuno-compromised persons. During pregnancy the virus may be transmitted to the foetus which can result in hydrops foetalis; spontaneous abortion or intrauterine foetal death. The study determined the sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies to HPVB19 among patients in Kano metropolis in order to provide information on their immune status and the possible risk factors for acquiring the virus.Method: The study population comprised 460 patients seen at the outpatient department of two hospitals in Kano whose mean age was 28.8 (range 0 -70) years. Questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demography and risk factors. Blood sample was collected from each patient; serum was obtained and analysed for IgG antibodies to HPVB19 by ELISA according to manufacturer's instruction. Result/ Discussions: Sero-prevalence of 41.5) recorded among patients ?51 years old while the lowest prevalence was among those 1 year old (?20.05). Highest seropositivity was observed among farmers (64.2:18/28) while the lowest was among retired persons (27.2:3/11). There was significant association between HPVB19 and level of formal education attained (?2 =10.363; df=4; P=0.03) and number of persons living in a house (?2 =14.30; df=1; P=0.00). There was no association between HPVB19 and marital status (P=0.3) and type of residence (P=0.5). Blood transfusion (OR=2.0:1; P=0.08) and sickle cell anaemia (OR=1.7:1; P=0.08) were important risk factors for HPVB19 transmission in this study. Having blood transfusion showed a 2.0 fold risk while having sickle cell showed a 1.7 fold risk of acquiring HPVB19 infection. During the study; 48.2 of women of child bearing age had antibodies to HPVB19 IgG antibodies leaving about 52 still susceptible to the virus.Conclusion: Seroprevalence to B19 among patients was low leaving a large proportion of the population especially women in Kano still susceptible to B19 infection

Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection among Primary School Children in Kaduna State, Nigeria

The study was carried out in the three geopolitical zone of Kaduna State; comprising Makarfi (Kaduna North) Kagarko (Kaduna South) and Igabi (Kaduna Central). A total of 353 serum samples collected; were tested VZV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a commercial IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence rate was 66.3. Seroprevalence was 51.4in the age group of 4-6 years; 64.7in 7-9 years; 68.4in 10-12 years and 70.0in 13-15 years. The seroprevalence rate of VZV increased with age. There was significant relation between the presence of VZV antibodies and age (P = 0.000). There was no significance difference between the presence of VZV antibodies and sex (P = 0.48). This data show that the younger age group could be considered as a target group for prevention programs against VZV infection