Performance evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 rapid diagnostic tests in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged health systems globally. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for COVID-19 have been widely used in Nigeria. This has greatly improved test turnover rates and significantly decreased the high technical demands of RT-PCR. However, there is currently no nationally representative evaluation of the performance characteristics and reliability of these kits. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of ten RDT kits used for COVID-19 testing in Nigeria. This large multi-centred cross-sectional study was conducted across the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria over four months. Ten antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) RDT kits were evaluated, and the results were compared with RT-PCR. One thousand, three hundred and ten (1,310) consenting adults comprising 767 (58.5%) males and 543 (41.5%) females participated in the study. The highest proportion, 757 (57.7%), were in the 20-39 years' age group. In terms of diagnostic performance, Lumira Dx (61.4, 95% CI: 52.4-69.9) had the highest sensitivity while MP SARS and Panbio (98.5, 95% CI: 96.6-99.5) had the highest specificity. For predictive values, Panbio (90.7, 95% CI: 79.7-96.9) and Lumira Dx (81.2, 95% CI: 75.9-85.7) recorded the highest PPV and NPV respectively. Ag-RDTs had better performance characteristics compared with Ab-RDTs; however, the sensitivities of all RDTs in this study were generally low. The relatively high specificity of Ag-RDTs makes them useful for the diagnosis of infection in COVID-19 suspected cases where positive RDT may not require confirmation by molecular testing. There is therefore the need to develop RDTs in-country that will take into consideration the unique environmental factors, interactions with other infectious agents, and strains of the virus circulating locally. This may enhance the precision of rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Barriers and enablers of post-COVID-19 acute care follow-up in Nigeria from service providers' perspective: a nominal group technique.

BACKGROUND: Despite modest efforts to study and document the complications that arise after acute treatment of patients with coronavirus disease, its ramifications and regional variations are yet to be clearly understood. Progress in sub-Saharan Africa, notably Nigeria, has been impeded by patient disengagement from care and insufficient or non-existent follow-up arrangements. The aim of this study was to describe the barriers and enablers for follow-up services after discharge from COVID-19 care pathway in Nigeria. METHODS: Seventeen experts involved directly in the care of patients with COVID-19 participated in brainstorming using the nominal group technique during a national workshop to review the new guidelines for COVID-19 case management in Nigeria. Participants discussed the barriers and facilitators of post-acute care follow-up of patients discharged from COVID-19 pathway and ranked their recommendations to arrive at three major factors per question. RESULTS: Participants were mostly middle aged and predominantly clinicians. The top three barriers were patients' perception of their symptom severity, lack of organizational clarity/structure/policies on follow-up care after discharge, and financial constraints. Similarly, participants identified providers' initiated education on the reasons for follow-up at discharge, written organizational policies/structure and clarity and free follow-up services as the top three facilitators. CONCLUSION: This study has enumerated barriers to follow-up care after discharge patients with coronavirus disease and highlighted providers, institutional and governmental responses that will facilitator follow-up care after discharge of patients with COVID-19. The implication is that, there is need for clear institutional guidelines for tracking and documenting post-COVID condition. In the future, it would be necessary to assess the achievements and shortcomings of post-COVID condition tracking in Nigeria through the use of implementation science outcomes.

Limited emergence of resistance to integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) in ART-experienced participants failing dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy: a cross-sectional analysis of a Northeast Nigerian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Due to the high prevalence of resistance to NNRTI-based ART since 2018, consolidated recommendations from the WHO have indicated dolutegravir as the preferred drug of choice for HIV treatment globally. There is a paucity of resistance outcome data from HIV-1 non-B subtypes circulating across West Africa. AIMS: We characterized the mutational profiles of persons living with HIV from a cross-sectional cohort in North-East Nigeria failing a dolutegravir-based ART regimen. METHODS: WGS of plasma samples collected from 61 HIV-1-infected participants following virological failure of dolutegravir-based ART were sequenced using the Illumina platform. Sequencing was successfully completed for samples from 55 participants. Following quality control, 33 full genomes were analysed from participants with a median age of 40 years and median time on ART of 9 years. HIV-1 subtyping was performed using SNAPPy. RESULTS: Most participants had mutational profiles reflective of exposure to previous first- and second-line ART regimens comprised NRTIs and NNRTIs. More than half of participants had one or more drug resistance-associated mutations (DRMs) affecting susceptibility to NRTIs (17/33; 52%) and NNRTIs (24/33; 73%). Almost a quarter of participants (8/33; 24.4%) had one or more DRMs affecting tenofovir susceptibility. Only one participant, infected with HIV-1 subtype G, had evidence of DRMs affecting dolutegravir susceptibility-this was characterized by the T66A, G118R, E138K and R263K mutations. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a low prevalence of resistance to dolutegravir; the data are therefore supportive of the continual rollout of dolutegravir as the primary first-line regimen for ART-naive participants and the preferred switch to second-line ART across the region. However, population-level, longer-term data collection on dolutegravir outcomes are required to further guide implementation and policy action across the region.

A national survey of hospital readiness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to overwhelm health systems across the globe. We aimed to assess the readiness of hospitals in Nigeria to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. METHOD: Between April and October 2020, hospital representatives completed a modified World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 hospital readiness checklist consisting of 13 components and 124 indicators. Readiness scores were classified as adequate (score ≥80%), moderate (score 50-79.9%) and not ready (score <50%). RESULTS: Among 20 (17 tertiary and three secondary) hospitals from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, readiness score ranged from 28.2% to 88.7% (median 68.4%), and only three (15%) hospitals had adequate readiness. There was a median of 15 isolation beds, four ICU beds and four ventilators per hospital, but over 45% of hospitals established isolation facilities and procured ventilators after the onset of COVID-19. Of the 13 readiness components, the lowest readiness scores were reported for surge capacity (61.1%), human resources (59.1%), staff welfare (50%) and availability of critical items (47.7%). CONCLUSION: Most hospitals in Nigeria were not adequately prepared to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Current efforts to strengthen hospital preparedness should prioritize challenges related to surge capacity, critical care for COVID-19 patients, and staff welfare and protection.

Low case fatality during 2017 cholera outbreak in Borno State, North Eastern Nigeria.

Background: Cholera is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in areas affected by natural disaster and human conflict. Northeastern Nigeria is experiencing a health crisis due to the destruction of essential amenities such as health infrastructure, sanitation facilities, water supplies, and human resources by Boko Haram insurgents. In 2017, a cholera outbreak occurred in five local government areas (LGAs) hosting internally displaced persons. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres International, and several other organizations supported disease containment. An emergency operating center (EOC) established by the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) then coordinated the outbreak response. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data extracted from the line list utilized by the SMoH to investigate outbreaks. We evaluated the outbreak by time, place, and person. Attack rate by LGA and age-specific case fatality rate (CFR) was calculated based on cases with complete records for age, sex, place of residence, date of symptom onset, and disease outcome. Results: A total of 5889 cholera cases were reported from five LGAs with an overall attack rate of 395.3/100,000 population. Among 4956 cases with documented outcome, the overall CFR was 0.87%, with CFR ranging from 0% to 6.98% by LGA. The age-specific CFR was highest among those aged ≥60 years (1.92%) and least among those aged 20-29 years at 0.3%. The epidemiological curve revealed two peaks that coincided with periods of heavy rain and flooding. Conclusion: This study reports on the largest ever documented cholera outbreak in five LGAs in Borno State. The outbreak was focused in LGA hit hardest by the destructive activities of insurgents and then spread to neighboring LGAs. The low CFR recorded in this cholera outbreak was achieved through timely detection, reporting, and response by the coordinated efforts of the EOC established by the SMoH that harmonized the outbreak response.

RésuméContexte: Le choléra est endémique en Afrique subsaharienne, en particulier dans les zones touchées par des catastrophes naturelles et des conflits humains. Le nord-est du Nigéria traverse une crise sanitaire en raison de la destruction d'équipements essentiels tels que des infrastructures de santé, des installations sanitaires, des réserves d'eau et des ressources humaines par les insurgés de Boko Haram. En 2017, une épidémie de choléra est survenue dans cinq zones de gouvernement local (LGA) accueillant des personnes déplacées. Le Centre nigérian pour le contrôle des maladies, l'Organisation mondiale de la santé, Médecins sans frontières internationaux et plusieurs autres organisations ont plaidé en faveur du contrôle de la maladie. Un centre d'opération d'urgence (EOC) établi par le ministère de la Santé de l'État (SMoH ) a ensuite coordonné la réponse à l'épidémie. Méthodes: Nous avons effectué une analyse rétrospective des données extraites de la liste de lignes utilisée par le SMoH pour enquêter sur les épidémies. Nous avons évalué l'épidémie par heure, lieu et personne. Le taux d'attaque par LGA et de l' âge - le taux de létalité spécifique (CFR) a été calculé sur la base des cas avec des dossiers complets pour l' âge, le sexe, le lieu de résidence, la date d'apparition des symptômes, et le résultat de la maladie. Résultats: Un total de 5889 cas de choléra ont été signalés par cinq LGA avec un taux d'attaque global de 395.3/100,000 personnes. Parmi les 4956 cas dont les résultats ont été documentés, le taux de létalité global était de 0,87%, avec une valeur variant entre 0% et 6,98% par la LGA. L'âge - CFR spécifique était le plus élevé parmi les personnes âgées de ≥60 ans (1,92%) et moins parmi les 20-29 ans à 0,3% âgés. La courbe épidémiologique a révélé deux pics qui coïncidaient avec des périodes de fortes pluies et d'inondations. Conclusion: cette étude fait état de la plus grande épidémie jamais enregistrée dans l' époque du choléra dans cinq LGA de l' État de Borno. L'épidémie était concentrée dans les collectivités locales touchées le plus durement par les activités destructrices des insurgés et s'était ensuite étendue aux collectivités locales voisines. Le faible taux de CFR enregistré dans cette épidémie de choléra a été atteint grâce à une détection, une notification et une réponse rapides, grâce aux efforts coordonnés du COU, mis en place par le SMOH, qui a harmonisé la réponse à la flambée. Mots-clés: Taux de mortalité, choléra, insurrection, nord-est du Nigéria, épidémie.

TOBACCO ABUSE AND ITS HEALTH EFFECT.

Tobacco smoking is still one of the most important risk factor for Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and an estimated 90% of causes of lung cancer are attributable toTobacco smocking and equally 90% of peripheral vascular disease in non-diabetic population is attributable to Tobacco smoking, despite the health effect there is disturbing figures of people who take up smoking habit daily and increase level of failed quit smoking attempts. Environment and genetics still plays major role, and various forms of tobacco is used worldwide and its health consequence has been highlighted. Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies through effective tax laws is paramount to reduction of the tobacco health effects in our environments.

Risk factors for hepatitis C virus sero-positivity among haemodialysis patients receiving care at kidney centre in a tertiary health facility in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important health care problem in haemodialysis. Hepatitis C virus is both a cause and complication of kidney diseases. Yet there are limited information on antibody against HCV in patients on haemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV and the risk factors associated with HCV infection in a cohort of 100 participants on haemodialysis. They were consecutively recruited into the study, anti-HCV testing was made by the 3rd-generation ELISA System (C-100, C-33c, C-22). The prevalence of HCV antibody was 15%, risk factors associated with HCV antibody were history of blood transfusion and duration of session of haemodialysis; the risk increased with increased with the number of blood transfusion and seasons of haemodialysis. The observed high prevalence of HCV antibody among patients on haemodialysis reflect the quality of healthcare services and the standards of infection control practices in our haemodialysis units. Routine screening for HCV should be done before blood transfusion using third generation ELISA assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Safety measures should be taken in our haemodialysis units to prevent cross infection among patients and staffs. These safety measures include; discarding syringes, needles, gloves, bloodlines and dialysers after single use, and the use of sterile dressings on each patient visit.

Changes in Lipid Profiles and Other Biochemical Parameters in HIV-1 Infected Patients Newly Commenced on HAART Regimen.

Abnormalities of lipid metabolism are common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and tend to be accentuated in those receiving antiretroviral therapy, particularly with protease inhibitors (PIs). However, there is a dearth of information on serum lipid profiles and biochemical parameters among treatment-naive HIV-positive patients in our environment. We found that after 24 months of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), there was a significant increase in serum lipids. After 24 months of HAART, renal impairment was associated with a low increase in mean HDL and a high increase in triglycerides (TG). In conclusion, abnormality of serum lipid is common and showed female preponderance among treatment-naive HIV patients in our environment. Patients with HIV infection on HAART should be screened for lipid disorders given their high prevalence as observed in this study, because of its potential for morbidity and mortality in patients on HAART.

Prevalence of Anemia and Immunological Markers in HIV-Infected Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Northeastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in resolving hematological complications. Whereas some studies have reported improvements in hemoglobin and other hematological parameters resulting in reduction in morbidity and mortality of HIV patients, others have reported no improvement in hematocrit values of HAART-treated HIV patients compared with HAART-naïve patients. OBJECTIVE: This current study was designed to assess the impact of HAART in resolving immunological and hematological complications in HIV patients by comparatively analyzing the results (immunological and hematological) of HAART-naive patients and those on HAART in our environment. METHODS: A total of 500 patients participated, consisting of 315 HAART-naive (119 males and 196 females) patients and 185 HAART-experienced (67 males and 118 females) patients. Hemoglobin (Hb), CD4+ T-cell count, total white blood count (WBC), lymphocyte percentage, plateletes, and plasma HIV RNA were determined. RESULTS: HAART-experienced patients were older than their HAART-naive counterparts. In HAART-naive patients, the incidence of anemia (packed cell volume [PCV] <30%) was 57.5%, leukopenia (WBC < 2.5), 6.1%, and thrombocytopenia < 150, 9.6%; it was, significantly higher compared with their counterparts on HAART (24.3%, 1.7%, and 1.2%, respectively). The use of HAART was not associated with severe anemia. Of HAART-naive patients, 57.5% had a CD4 count < 200 cells/µL in comparison with 20.4% of HAART-experienced patients (P < 0.001). The mean viral load log10 was significantly higher in HAART-naive than in HAART-experienced patients (P < 0.001). Total lymphocyte count < 1.0 was a significant predictor of

Cognitive function in HIV-seropositive Nigerians without AIDS.

Studies of cognitive function in individuals with HIV infection who remain relatively asymptomatic have shown widely variable estimates of impairment in different races and countries. Limited data exist on the impact of early asymptomatic HIV infection on cognition in developing nations, and indeed none from Nigeria. Hence, this cross-sectional study sets out to determine whether there are differences between Nigerian asymptomatic HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative subjects, and whether such differences: if any, could be explained by the degree of immunosuppression (i.e. CD4 cell count). A selected population of 60 heterosexual asymptomatic treatment-naive HIV-positive subjects were administered the Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI-D) to assess language, memory, registration, attention and calculation, recall, praxis and orientation. HIV positives differed from individually matched control subjects in certain measures of language expression, registration, attention and calculation, orientation to time, motor response and total CSI-D scores. The CD4 cell count of the HIV-seropositive subjects had no significant correlation with the cognitive test scores.