Serological evidence of HIV, Hepatitis B, C, and E viruses among liver disease patients attending tertiary hospitals in Osun State, Nigeria.

Hepatitis infection in HIV positive individuals with liver diseases causes high mortality worldwide. HIV worsens the pathological effect of hepatitis viruses and potentiates reactivation of latent hepatitis infections due to reduced immunity. This research therefore aimed to study the occurrence of HIV and hepatitis viruses among liver diseases patients (LVDP) attending tertiary hospitals in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. A total of 121 LVDP blood samples collected were tested for HIV and Hepatitis B, C, and E using and enzyme linked Immunossorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using packages within SPSS and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Prevalence of 32.2%, 0.8%, 10.7%, and 18.2% for HBsAg, Anti-HCV, HEV-IgM, and HIV were found respectively. Marital status showed a significant association with HEV-IgM infection (χ2 = 9.869, P = .020). The prevalence of HBsAg, HEV, and HIV among LVDP in Osun State is alarming and health education among the patients and general populace is hereby advocated. High HEV-IgM seroprevalence implies that HEV routine screening should be incorporated into blood screening. Since HEV is associated with unhygienic practice, people should be enlightened on how to improve their living conditions.

High seroprevalence of viral hepatitis among animal handlers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Viral hepatitis is a deadly disease which can manifest as acute, chronic, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure. Information about hepatitis is scarce among animal handlers. Due to Federal Government of Nigeria diversification programmes, many people are now involved in animal farming which can make them susceptible to viral hepatitis. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and E viruses among animal handlers in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigerian. A total of 156 subjects were recruited for the study. Sociodemographic and risks factors data were fetched from subjects using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected via venepuncture and tested for HCV, HBV, and HEV using ELISA technique. Results were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0 and P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HEV were 46 (29.5%), 20 (12.8%), and 4 (2.6%) respectively while 6 (3.8%), 1 (0.6%), and 1 (0.6%) had co-infection of HBV-HCV, HBV-HEV, and HCV- HEV respectively. This study concludes that there is high prevalence of hepatitis C and B viruses among animal handlers in Abeokuta, Ogun state which is of significant public health problem, warranting further attention and research.

High Viral Hepatitis Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital Ibadan (AMTHI) Oyo State, Nigeria.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) are highly endemic in several African countries including Nigeria with adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes resulting in fatality. This study aimed to determine the viral hepatitis in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic, AMTHI. Informed consent questionnaire was administered before blood collection via venipuncture. a total of 904 pregnant women plasma samples were tested for HBV, HCV, and HEV using ELISA kit. Data was analyzed using packages within SPSS software and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Out of 904 samples analyzed, the overall prevalence of hepatitis infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in AMTHI was 66(7.3%). High prevalence of the hepatitis infections was found among young women within the age group 21-30 which might be associated with active sex, intravenous drug use, sharing of sharp objects and alcoholism. Blood group O Positive had the highest prevalence of hepatitis. There was statistical significance between blood group and HBsAg infection (P < .05). Genotype AA women had highest prevalence of hepatitis. This study showed significant association between HBsAg, HCV, and HEV positive status with blood group O positive and Genotype AA pregnant women.

Viral gastroenteritis among children of 0-5 years in Nigeria: Characterization of the first Nigerian aichivirus, recombinant noroviruses and detection of a zoonotic astrovirus.

BACKGROUND: Viruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Understanding of the occurrence and genetic diversity of these viruses can help to prevent infections. OBJECTIVES: The present study describes the presence, genetic diversity and possible recombination of five enteric viruses in children with gastroenteritis in Southwestern Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: From August 2012 to December 2013, stool samples and sociodemographic data of 103 diarrheic children <5 years were collected to detect and characterize rotavirus A, norovirus, human astrovirus, aichivirus and sapovirus using PCR techniques followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS: At least one virus was identified in 58.3% (60/103) of the stool samples. Rotavirus, norovirus and astrovirus were detected in 39.8% (41/103), 10.7% (11/103), and 6.8% (7/103) respectively. Notably, aichivirus was detected for the first time in Nigeria (1/103; 0.97%). Sapovirus was not detected in the study. Co-infections with rotavirus were observed in eight samples either with norovirus or astrovirus or aichivirus. Phylogenetic analyses of different genome regions of norovirus positive samples provided indication for recombinant norovirus strains. A novel astrovirus strain closely related to canine astrovirus was identified and further characterized for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: Viruses are the common cause of acute gastroenteritis in Nigerian infants with rotavirus as most frequently detected pathogen. New norovirus recombinants and a not yet detected zoonotic astrovirus were circulating in Southwestern Nigeria, providing new information about emerging and unusual strains of viruses causing diarrhea.

Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Nigerian Blood Donors and Hepatitis B Virus Transmission Risks.

BACKGROUND: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) characterized by the absence of detectable HBsAg remains a potential threat in blood safety. We investigated the actual prevalence, viral factors and genotype of OBI infections in Nigerian blood donors. METHODS: Serum collected from two blood banks were reconfirmed as HBsAg seronegative by ELISA. Forty HBsAg positive samples were employed as controls. HBV-DNA was amplified from all donors and viral loads were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Antibodies to the HBV core, surface and HBe antigen (anti-HBc,anti-HBs,HBeAg) were measured. The PreS/S and PreC/C regions of the HBV genome were sequenced. RESULTS: Of the 429 blood donors, 72(17%) were confirmed as OBI by DNA detection in different reference labs and excluded the concern of possible contamination. Of the 72 OBI samples, 48(67%) were positive for anti-HBc, 25(35%) positive for anti-HBs, and 2(3%) positive for HBeAg. Of the 72 OBI samples, 31(43%) were seropositive for either anti-HBc, anti-HBs or HBeAg, 21 (30%) positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs,one positive for both anti-HBc and HBeAg. None of the OBI samples were positive for all three serological markers. The viral load was <50copies/ml in the OBI samples and genotype E was predominant. The L217R polymorphism in the reverse transcriptase domain of the HBV polymerase gene was observed significantly higher in OBI compared with HBsAg positive individuals (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: High incidence of OBI is relevant in high endemic areas worldwide and is a general burden in blood safety. This study signifies the high prevalence of OBI and proposes blood donor samples in Nigeria should be pre-tested for OBI by nucleic acid testing (NAT) and/or anti-HBc prior to transfusion to minimize the HBV infection risk.

Prevalence and association of human parvovirus B19V with hepatitis B and C viruses in Nigeria.

Co-infection of parvovirus B19 with hepatitis B virus has been found in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis. The clinical significance of parvovirus B19 in hepatitis B co-infected patients is still controversial. In this study parvovirus B19 antibodies and DNA were investigated in serum samples from 76 patients with HBV infection, 17 with HBV/HCV co-infection and 44 healthy controls. In the sera from patients with HBV infection, anti-B19V IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 24/76 (32%) and 25/76 (33%), in 6/17 (35%) and 8/17 (47%) of HBV/HCV co-infected patients, and in 14/44 (32%) and 12/44 (12%) of a non-hepatitis healthy controls, respectively. B19V DNA was detected in 8/76 (11%) of patients with HBV infection and in 3/17 (18%) of patients with a HBV/HCV co-infection, and in 4/44 (9%) healthy controls. The occurrence of parvovirus B19 DNA was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic HBV 4/20 (20%) compared to asymptomatic HBV carrier 4/56 (7%) (P<0.05). Ten of the positive B19V DNA sequences belonged to B19V genotype 1 while two belonged to genotype 3. The results of this study showed a significant difference in the prevalence of parvovirus B19 DNA in symptomatic HBsAg positive as compared to asymptomatic HBsAg positive individuals; however, the conclusion that parvovirus B19 infection increased the frequency of liver disease was not supported. Long-term longitudinal studies are, however, required to determine the synergistic effect of parvovirus B19 infection in HBV or HBV and HCV co-infected persons.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies in a population of students of tertiary institution in Nigeria

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); hepatitis B virus; and hepatitis C viruses (HCV) are major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. They are also among the commonest transfusiontransmissible infectious agents. Students of higher institutions are often used as voluntary unpaid donors by many hospitals in Nigeria. In this study; the prevalence of HIV and HCV and HBsAg is determined in a population of students attending Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in south west Nigeria; to provide background information on the burden of these infections in this population. Materials and Methods: Serum samples were obtained from students of the Pre-degree Science programme of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology; Ogbomosho and tested for antibodies to HIV; HCV and HBsAg using the ELISA procedure. Results: The prevalence rates of antibodies to HIV and HCV in the student population were 0and 4.8; respectively and that of HBsAg was 9.5. Conclusion: The findings of this study which showed that the prevalence of antibodies to HIV and of HBsAg in this group of students is somewhat similar to those carried out in similar populations. This strongly suggests that the viral burden amongst this population of students is similar and that probably similar factors (demographic) are responsible for maintaining this level of viral load. Further studies would be needed to elucidate the reasons why this is the case. Also it would be necessary to reemphasize the methods of prevention of transmission of these viruses; and to ensure their implementation in order to reduce the viral levels and therefore avoid the long term sequalae

Changes in Testes Lipid Profile in Rats Fed on Thermally-Oxidized Soya bean Oil-Based Diets

The effect of thermally-oxidized soyabean oil-based diets on the lipid profile of the testes of rats was studied. For 35 days; two groups of male weanling rats were fed a basal diet containing unoxidised and oxidized soyabean oil. Rats fed the thermally oxidized soyabean oil diets displayed typical signs of essential fatty acids (EFA) deficiency and had their testes weights reduced to about 81 of fats fed unoxidised soyabean oil diets. There was a significant decrease (p0.05) in phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol content and increase in cholesterol (p0.005) content of the testes of rats fed oxidized soyabean oil-based diet compared to those fed unoxidised oil diets

Absence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 seroconversions in a cohort medical students in a Nigerian medical school.

A cohort of 70, HIV-1 and HIV-2 seronegative medical students were followed up for 30 months, after which 65 were retested for HIV antibody. None of the students was infected by HIV during the period of study. A questionnaire survey carried out showed that all the students had a very good knowledge of HIV, its mode of transmission, control and prevention. Most of the students have never had sex or had a single sex partner and used condoms always or most of the time during sexual intercourse.

Rabies and antirabies immunization in South Western Nigeria: knowledge, attitude and practice.

Factors responsible for the continued endemicity of rabies in Nigeria were determined by carrying out a knowledge, attitude and practice study among residents of Osun State. Structured questionnaires were administered to 679 individuals comprising students, traders and civil servants. Only 33.4% of the respondents knew rabies could be prevented by vaccination, while 38.7% believed that the infection could be treated with herbs. Of the 387 victims of dog bite, 240 (62%) never sought prophylactic postexposure treatment. Of the 10 people who received postexposure treatment, only one received the appropriate treatment consisting of washing, disinfection of wounds, tetanus toxoid and complete antirabies immunization.

Neutralizing antibodies against poliovirus serotypes among children in southwest Nigeria.

In May 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis globally by the year 2000. Despite the reported success in national immunization days, acute flaccid paralysis surveillance and accelerated efforts to meet the deadline including 'mopping-up' were executed in 1999 and subsequent years. Nigeria remains one of the major reservoirs for wild poliovirus transmission. Neutralizing antibody titre to the three poliovirus serotypes was determined among children from different communities in southwest of Nigeria, and analysed by age, gender and location. About 0.5-2 ml of blood sample was collected by venepuncture from each child. Aliquot of serum from each blood sample was inactivated prior to neutralization test by the beta method for poliovirus antibodies. A total of 347 (59.6 per cent) out of 500 and 82 children enrolled for the study had at least antibody titre of 1:8 against each of the three poliovirus serotypes. Immunity level to the three poliovirus serotypes increased with age and peaked in children aged 4-6 years. Seven (53.8 per cent) out of 13 unvaccinated children tested in the study had detectable neutralizing antibody to the three serotypes. Immunity pattern of P2 > P1 and P3 was observed but no correlation between gender and antibody to the poliovirus serotypes. The populations had 59.6 per cent herd immunity for the three poliovirus serotypes. In a country with high incidence of poliomyelitis this situation leaves a high number of non-immunized children at the risk of infection with one or more poliovirus serotypes.