ABSTRACT
Introduction: sequel to the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its subsequent spread to all continents of the world, humans have continued to experience severe devastation to their health and economies. To control the spread of this virus, it is important to detect the infection in recently infected and asymptomatic individuals who are capable of infecting others. This study was designed to detect ongoing SARS-CoV-2 Infection among asymptomatic individuals in open markets across three geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Methods: nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 2,158 study participants between December 20th, 2020 and March 20th, 2021 from large open markets across three geo-political zones (Southwest, Northwest and Southeast) of Nigeria. Virus RNA was extracted from these swab samples and real time RT-PCR was carried out for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific genes. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: a total of 163 (7.6%) of the 2,158 participants enrolled for the study tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. The rate of infection was significantly higher in the North-western states of the country when compared to the western and Eastern regions (P=0.000). Similarly, the rate of infection was higher among buyers than sellers (P=0.000) and among males when compared with females, though the difference was not significant (p=0.31). Conclusion: this study shows that there is a continuous spread of SARS-CoV-2, especially among active, asymptomatic individuals across many states in the country. There is therefore need to continuously educate citizens on the need to adhere to both the non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical preventive measures to protect themselves and ultimately curb the spread of the virus.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Diagnosis , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Aim: Infant mortality attributable to diarrhea continue unabated, without the precise determination of the viral etiologies. Few studies exist on enteric adenoviruses and norovirus infections in infants and young children in Nigeria. This study was aimed at the detection and determination of the baseline prevalence of enteric adenoviruses and norovirus pathogens among under -5 years children hospitalized for acute diarrhea in Ondo state, Nigeria. Methods: In a cross sectional descriptive study conducted between November 2013 and April 2014, fifty (50) fecal specimens collected from diarrheic children below 5 years and age matched non-diarrheic controls were screened for the presence of enteric adenovirus and norovirus antigens using a 4th generation quadruple Rapid Immuno- chromatographic Enzyme Immuno Assay kits. Results: Adenovirus antigen was detected in 9/50 (18%) in November 2013, and February to April 2014 while norovirus was found in 4/50 (8%) of the diarrheic children, in the months of December 2013 to February 2014. The prevalent age at infection were 0-6 months for adenovirus and 31-36 months for norovirus, while the male-to-female ratio was 1.8:1. Co-infection of adenovirus with rotavirus was detected in children between 7-12 months, while co-infection of adenovirus with norovirus was detected in children between 31-36 months old at a rate of 2% respectively. There was no significant difference in the induction of diarrhea in children by each of the two viruses (χ2=1.78), and no significant difference in the rate of adenovirus (χ2=0.605) and norovirus infections (χ2 =1.09) between male and female, in the study population. Conclusion: The baseline prevalence of enteric adenovirus diarrhea was 18% (occurring in November, February to April), norovirus was 8% (occurring in December to February), dual infection by adenovirus cum rotavirus, and adenovirus cum norovirus was 2% respectively, in children below 3 years in Ondo state Nigeria. The findings suggests that human enteric adenoviruses and norovirus are becoming established etiologies of infantile diarrhea in southwest Nigeria, and vaccines should be developed and vaccination implemented alongside rotavirus.