Critical appraisal of Monkeypox (Mpox) in Africa using scoping and systematic review methods

Africa remains a battlefield for the emergence and re-emergence of deadly aetiologies including the Lassa fever virus from 1969, Monkey pox (mpox) virus from 1970, and Ebola virus from 1976 till date, among others. With the recent index case of mpox following rapid spread from Africa to different continents, a critical appraisal of the disease to x-ray its dynamics in Africa is warranted. This study integrated a mix of scoping and systematic reviews to converse the epidemiology and biosecurity/environmental issues from one health perspective. Our scoping review used major scientific databases based on their relevance and reliability, while the PROSPERO-registered systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Phylogeny analysis was performed to compare recent outbreaks of mpox with the existing genotypic information. The genetic analysis focused on the H3L gene that codes for envelope proteins involved in viral attachment. Transmission of mpox virus was reported mainly in four routes. Animals implicated include monkeys, squirrels, and pigs. Risk factors include age, gender, occupation, climate, travel, political instability, and vaccination status. Different circulating strains were reported with eight-point mutations found to occur in Africa. Observed clustering within the predominant West African (WA) clade and the recent outbreak strains corroborate the reports of WA clade in other non-African and non-endemic countries. Viral adaptation in the WA clade enhanced person-to-person transmissibility, spreading to over 100 countries. Hence, there is need to address Mpox host-associated physiological and biochemical changes, the development of Mpox virus-specific diagnostic kits and vaccines, and studies on the disease's socio-ecological, economic and psychological consequences

Hepatitis B surface antigen among Nigerian students: a multi-campus study

The study aimed to evaluate the incidence, screening, and risk factors of HepB virus infection among students in two tertiary educational institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria. The multi-campus study was conducted among 354 students of the two institutions (177 per institution). A rapid diagnostic test kit was used in screening HepB surface antigen among the respondents. Data were analyzed with the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of the respondents on HepB virus infection testing in Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin (152, 85.9 %), and College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi (158, 89.3 %), were within the age range of 21-25 years. Age has been identified as a stronger influence of HepB infection on the respondents in Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and no such association was observed in the College of Education, (Technical), Lafiagi. In College of Education, (Technical), Lafiagi, there were significant associations between HepB virus infection and infected patients who drank alcohol, wore body tattoo, had pierced ear or body, involved in drug abuse, had blood transfusion history, multiple sex partners, shared toothbrushes, used utensils and shared sharp objects, while at Al-Hikmah University, there was no statistical association between social and medical variables and HepB infection. There was an HepB infection incidence rate of 0.6 % in Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, and 1.7% in the College of Education, (Technical), Lafiagi. The incidence rates of HepB burden in both institutions were low. Significant correlates were associated with HepB infection