Dengue in parts of the Guinea Savannah region of Nigeria and the risk of increased transmission.

BACKGROUND: Dengue virus (DENV) is spreading to parts of the world where it had not been previously reported. Increased international travel has led to intercontinental importation of dengue by visitors returning from countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although dengue is well documented in the rain forest region of Nigeria, there is a dearth of information in the Guinea Savannah region, which is a major transit point for local and international visitors in the most populous nation in Africa. We provide preliminary evidence of dengue activity in the Guinea Savannah and highlight the risk factors. METHODS: Blood was collected from a cross-section of 200 patients attending four hospitals in Anyigba, Kogi State. Anti-dengue antibody was identified using DENV immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoassays. Questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic variables and risk factors. Data were analysed with SPSS version 16.0 for Windows. RESULTS: Forty-two (20.5%) participants had anti-DENV IgG antibodies. Persons within the 45-59 y age group were more seropositive, with a rate of 35%. Males were more seropositive compared with females. Marriage, formal education, involvement in business activities and the presence of grasses around homes were associated with higher IgG seropositivity. The presence of open water containers around human dwellings and a lack of mosquito net use are predisposing factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified past exposure to DENV among people in Anyigba, located in the Guinea Savannah region. Proper diagnosis of febrile episodes is required to improve case management and curtail off-target treatment. The high rate of previous exposure of patients to dengue indicates the need to strengthen vector control and dengue surveillance programs.

Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Acetylcholinesterase-2 Gene From Culex pipiens And Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicine) in Nigeria.

West Nile virus (WNV) is maintained in an enzootic cycle between ornithophilic mosquitoes and birds. There is paucity of information on population density of these vectors and the molecular details in Nigeria. We determined relative abundance and employed molecular methods to detect Culex species. Mosquitoes were caught from April 2013 to February 2014. Genomic DNA extraction was carried out and acetylcholinesterase 2 gene amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction in different Culex species. Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus and Cx. p. pipiens were identified in different locations, while some other Culex species could not be identified. Culex p. quinquefasciatus were sequenced by Sanger's method. Vector density was 100 Culex species per man hour. Identification of Culex pipiens and Cx. quinquefasciatus from different locations in Ibadan, Nigeria reaffirms the presence of vectors and highlights possibility of enzootic transmission of WNV. Surveillance should be sustained in equine population and bird reservoirs.

High rate of unrecognized dengue virus infection in parts of the rainforest region of Nigeria.

Outbreaks and sporadic dengue virus infections continue to occur in Africa. Several reports of dengue among travellers returning from some African countries to Europe and North America have raised concerns about the epidemiological situation in Africa. We investigated recent dengue infections in febrile patients during the rainy season in various urban centres in the rainforest region of Nigeria, West Africa. This cross-sectional study was conducted for 8 months in 2014 with study participants from Adeoyo Hospital Yemetu - Ibadan, Nigeria. Plasma were collected from 274 febrile patients residing in 11 Local Government Areas of Oyo State. IgM antibodies were determined using semi-quantitative sandwich ELISA. Data was analyzed using Chi - Square and Fisher's exact test with SPSS 16.0. An overall prevalence of 23.4% dengue virus infection was found among study participants. Highest monthly prevalence of 40% was in April and August. The monthly distribution pattern of dengue virus infection indicates efficient virus transmission. Routine diagnosis will enhance dengue virus surveillance and improve patient care in West Africa.

Seroprevalence of infectious bursal disease virus in local chickens in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, South East Nigeria.

Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) poses a great global threat to the poultry industry. Knowledge of the occurrence of the disease is important in the design and implementation of a control program, therefore this study determines the seroprevalence of IBDV in local chickens in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State. 250 chickens were bled by exsanguination and sera obtained were screened using Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test. The seropositivity was 51.6%, which is indicates endemicity of the disease. Biosecurity and good sanitary measures are recommended. Molecular characterization of the strains should be carried out for inclusion in generic vaccines.

Implication of vaccination on measles reduction and elimination in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The availability of a safe and effective vaccine has encouraged the establishment of measles mortality reduction and elimination goals in six World Health Organization regions. In the WHO-AFRO region, they intend to eliminate measles by 2020. This initiative led to the successful elimination of measles in 2012 in the American region. This study mined data from independent investigations in two geographical regions in Nigeria in order to observe the prospects of preventive measures against wild measles virus in a resource limited setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 757 children between the ages of 10 months and 13years were used. 500 were from children in Kano, Northwest Nigeria and 257 from children in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Data analysis was done using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: In all, 386 (75.4%) of the vaccinated children were protected while 121 (23.6%) were not protected. In the unvaccinated children, 63 (25.7%) were protected while 135 (55.1%) were not protected (X2=120.919, p=0.000). In Kano, 81 % of the vaccinated children were protected while 18.4% were not protected. In Ibadan, 95% of the vaccinated were protected (X2=22.129, p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The herd immunity in both Kano and Ibadan is good enough to reduce wild measles virus infection. This finding is encouraging because Kano has suffered several epidemics prior to the vaccination campaigns resulting from religious apathy which is the bane of vaccination efforts. Here is evidence that with the right approach in Northern Nigeria, it is possible to sustain national and global immunization drive.

Rabies unending malady--Nigeria in perspective.

Rabies has been eradicated from many countries in the developed world. However, an upsurge in the incidence of rabies has been observed in recent times in areas earlier thought to be free. A wide range of animal reservoirs of rabies exist in Africa, partly due to the favorable climate and ecology. Inability to vaccinate a significant number of dogs has led to increased rabies related human deaths from dog bites with attendant socioeconomic and public health impacts. We highlighted the burden of rabies in Nigeria and indeed Africa, the monitoring strategies adopted, steps taken to tackle the problem and diagnosis as an effective prevention and control option.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among pregnant women attending Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Primary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy is a frequent and serious threat to the fetus. As there is no vaccine alternative measures are needed to prevent congenital CMV infection. OBJECTIVE: This study determined CMV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody among pregnant women in order to ascertain the immune status of mothers to guide policy makers. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was initially administered to obtain information on demographic details, stage of pregnancy and risk factors. Blood was collected by venipuncture from 180 women attending the antenatal clinic in Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. Sera samples were screened using CMV IgG ELISA kit (Dialab, Austria). RESULTS: Out of 180 pregnant women, 164 (91.1%) were seropositive. Based on stages of pregnancy 6/6(100%), 52/60(86.7%) and 106/114(93.0%) were seropositive among women in the first, second and third trimesters respectively. CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence of pregnant women to CMV Ig G is high, hence the need for CMV - IgM screening to know the extent of active infection. There is also need for public enlightenment on the methods of transmission, effective prevention and control strategies.