Serological profile of hepatitis B virus infection among traditional birth attendants and the attending pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Although a sizable number of pregnant women patronize Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) for deliveries in Nigeria, efforts to prevent or reduce the risk of HBV transmission are not targeted at the TBAs and the pregnant women patronizing them. This may be linked to the dearth of information on the serological profiles of HBV among this cohort. We, therefore, show the serological profiles of HBV among the cohort. One hundred and seventy pregnant women and 91 TBAs participated in this study between May and July 2019. Serological markers of HBV infection were assayed using ELISA. A prevalence of, 8.0% (95% CI: 5.0% - 11.5%) for HBsAg, 0.8% (95% CI: 0.0% - 1.9%) for HBeAg, 2.7% (95% CI: 0.8% - 5.0%) for HBcIgM, 26.1% (95% CI: 20.7% - 31.4%) for anti-HBs, 21.5% (95% CI: 16.5% - 25.4%) for anti-HBe and 67.0% (95% CI: 60.9% - 72.8%) for anti-HBc was found indicating a high percentage of carriers. Although 32 (12.3%) of the entire participants claimed to be fully vaccinated, serological evidence was only detected in 4 (12.5%). The high percentage of carriers and low evidence of vaccination necessitate intensified efforts to ensure that adequate interventions are made available and accessible to the TBAs and the pregnant women patronizing them (including newborn babies).

Genotypes of rhinovirus detected among children in two communities of South-West Nigeria.

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are the most common etiological agent implicated in respiratory infections among infants and children. There are currently no approved antivirals and vaccine for use against the virus; hence, the need for information on the genotypes of rhinovirus from developing countries of the world with high burden of the infection. This study determined the genotypes of rhinovirus circulating among children in selected cities in Nigeria. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples were carefully collected from children showing signs of respiratory infection in two communities in South-west Nigeria. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to amplify the hypervariable part of the 5'- non-coding region, the entire viral protein gene 4 and the 5' terminus of the VP2 gene of RV. Nucleotide BLAST and phylogenetic analyses were used to genotype the isolates. Of the samples analysed, 12.7% showed rhinovirus positivity. All the three genotypes of rhinovirus were detected with genotype C (71.4%), being the predominant. Multiple strains of rhinovirus were found circulating. We showed for the first time the genotypes and strains of rhinovirus circulating in Nigeria. Further studies are required to highlight transmission patterns and disease severity among rhinovirus species in Nigeria.

Molecular characterisation of genital human papillomavirus among women in Southwestern, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Persistent infections with high-risk genital Human papillomavirus (HPV) especially types 16 and 18, are associated with cervical cancer. However, distribution of HPV types varies greatly across geographical regions and the available vaccines target only few types. This study was designed to determine the HPV types circulating in Southwestern Nigeria, thereby providing necessary information for effective control of the virus. METHODS: Endocervical swab samples were collected from a total of 295 consenting women attending routine cervical cancer screening, STI clinics and community-based outreach programme. Viral DNA was extracted from the samples and the consensus region of the HPV DNA was amplified by PCR using GP-E6/E7 primers. Type-specific nested multiplex PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to genotype the HPV isolates. RESULTS: In this study, 51 (17.3%) individuals were positive for HPV DNA using consensus primers that target the E6/E7 genes but only 48 (16.3%) were genotyped. A total of 15 HPV types (HPV-6, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 42, 43, 44, 52, 58, 66, 74, 81, 86) were detected, with HPV-31 being the most predominant (32.8%), followed by HPV-35 (17.2%) and HPV-16 (15.5%). Two rare HPV types; 74 and 86 were also detected. The HPV-74 isolate had three nucleotide (CCT) insertions at E7 gene that translated into amino acid proline. Highest nucleotide substitutions (n = 32) were found in HPV-44 genotype. Among positive individuals, 20.8% had dual infections and 86.2% had High-risk HPV types. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple Human papillomavirus types co-circulated in the study. Most of the circulating Human papillomavirus are high-risk type with type 31 being the most predominant. Although the implication of HPV-74 with proline insertion detected for the first time is unknown, it may have effect on the transformation potential of the virus. Polyvalent HPV vaccine will be more effective for the infection control in Nigeria.

Hepatitis B virus infection among sexually active individuals in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health challenge in sub-Saharan African countries. Chronic HBV infection is a risk factor for severe disease progression. Perinatal and sexual transmissions of Hepatitis B virus are the main routes of infection in HBV endemic countries like Nigeria. However, there is paucity of data as regards the major contributory route of transmission to chronic HBV infection in this region. Also, in Nigeria, not everyone at high risk of the infection has been identified. Therefore our study investigated the prevalence of HBV infection among sexually active individuals in Nigeria. METHODS: Blood samples collected from 463 participants (360 sexually active individuals and 103 teenagers) recruited from health institutions across the country were tested for the presence of HBsAg, and HBV nucleic acid related antigen (HBVNRAg) by ELISA. Positive samples were further tested for the presence of HBeAg and antiHBe by ELISA. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and binary logistic regression at p = 0.05. RESULTS: HBsAg and HBVNRAg were detected in 10.4% and 7.6% of the participants respectively. STI clinic attendees had the highest prevalence for HBsAg (17%; p = 0.002). Teenagers had the lowest HBsAg (1.9; p = 0.002) and HBVNRAg (2.9%; p = 0.0001) prevalence rates. Male gender (p = 0.01) and reproductive age group (p=0.009) were the major predictors of chronic HBV infection. CONCLUSION: Sexual transmission was identified as the major contributor to chronic HBV infection. Sexually active individuals especially those with STIs are high risk groups for chronic HBV infection. Interventions targeted at this group is therefore recommended.