Prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B and D virus infections among HIV-positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria

Background Coinfections of HIV-positive individuals with Hepatitis B and D virus (HBV and HDV) are common and can be associated with rapid liver damage. Several antiretroviral drugs for HIV exhibit anti-HBV effect; however, the selection of HBV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in individuals under HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been reported but rarely in Nigeria. In this study the HBV/HDV prevalence and HBV DRMs in HIV-positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria were assessed. Methods Plasma samples collected from 310 HIV-positive individuals including 295 ART-experienced and 15 ART-naïve persons attending the HIV clinic in three south-western states of Nigeria between June 2017 and August 2017 were analysed by ELISA for HBsAg and anti-HDV. The presence of HDV RNA and HBV DNA was analysed by (RT)-PCR followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses for genotyping. The HBV reverse transcription (RT) region was amplified and sequenced for the analysis of drug resistance mutations. Results Overall, 16.1% (n = 50/310) of the HIV-positive individuals were positive for HBsAg, most of which were ART-experienced (94.0%; n = 47/50). From the 50 HBsAg-positive samples, 72.0% (n = 36/50) were positive for HBV DNA and 16.0% (n = 8/50) had detectable HDV RNA while 5.6% (n = 2/36) of the HBV-DNA positive samples had anti-HDV total antibodies. Sequences were available for 31/36 of the HBV DNA-positive and 3/8 HDV RNA-positive samples. HBV DNA-positive samples were characterised as HBV genotype E infections exclusively, while HDV genotype 1 was detected in the HDV RNA-positive samples. HBV DRMs V173L, L180M, S202I and M204V/I, which are associated with lamivudine resistance, were detected in 32.2% (n = 10/31) of the HBV DNA-positive samples. Most of these mutations (90.0%; n = 9/10) were present in the ART-experienced cohort. Conclusions This study indicates that HBV/HDV coinfections are common in HIV-positive individuals under ART in Nigeria. Furthermore, a high proportion of HBV DRMs which potentially compromise future treatment options were detected, underscoring the need for HBV screening prior to starting ART. Further studies should be performed to monitor a possible increase in the spread of HDV among populations at risk of HIV and HBV infections.Peer Reviewe

Emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2:Current scenario, potential consequences and future direction

Amidst the second wave of the pandemic across the globe, three (3) new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected in recent weeks in the United Kingdom (SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01), South Africa (SARS-CoV-2 501.V2) and Nigeria (SARS-CoV-2 P681H). The SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 variant in particular, has been implicated in more than 1,000 cases especially in South-East of England, purportedly accounting for 60% of new infections in London. It has so far spread to at least 17 countries, causing rising global concerns. Twenty-three (23) separate mutations particularly in the S gene of the variant have been detected at a time, 17 of which were linked to the building blocks of proteins that form the virus. One of the most important is an N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human angiotensin converting enzyme Type-2 (ACE2) receptor. Experts opined that changes in this portion of the spike protein is responsible for the increased transmissibility. The potential implications of this observed mutations in terms of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development is still being studied. Enhanced genomic and epidemiological surveillances is important to stay one step ahead of the virus in the molecular-arm-race. At the moment, Research efforts are ongoing to learn more about the variants to better understand how easily they might be transmitted and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against it. Information regarding the virologic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of the variants are rapidly emerging. This review seeks to examine the current scenario, potential Consequences and future direction for the emerging new variants

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis D virus circulating in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections are major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas it is known that HBV infection is endemic in Nigeria, there is only little data about HDV prevalence available. Here, we assessed the HDV seroprevalence and determined the HDV and HBV genotypes distribution among HBsAg positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 188 serum samples from HBsAg positive outpatients recruited at four tertiary hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria. Anti-HDV antibodies were detected by ELISA while HDV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR. Sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses and HBV genotype-specific PCR were used to characterize HDV and HBV genotypes, respectively. Results: Out of 188 HBsAg positive serum samples, 17 (9 %) showed detectable HDV-RNA. Anti-HDV antibodies test was possible from 103 samples and were observed in 4.9 % (5/103) patients. There was no significant difference in HDV prevalence between four main cities across the country. 64.7 % of HDV-RNA positive samples were from males and 35.3 % from females (P

Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection among HIV Positive Patients in Nigeria

HIV has been known to interfere with the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study we investigate the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) among HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria. Overall, 1200 archived HIV positive samples were screened for detectable HBsAg using rapid technique, in Ikole Ekiti Specialist Hospital. The HBsAg negative samples were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV by ELISA. Polymerase chain reaction was used for HBV DNA amplification and CD4 counts were analyzed by cytometry. Nine hundred and eighty of the HIV samples were HBsAg negative. HBV DNA was detected in 21/188 (11.2%) of patients without detectable HBsAg. CD4 count for the patients ranged from 2 to 2,140 cells/μL of blood (mean = 490 cells/μL of blood). HCV coinfection was detected only in 3/188 (1.6%) of the HIV-infected patients (P>0.05). Twenty-eight (29.2%) of the 96 HIV samples screened were positive for anti-HBc. Averagely the HBV viral load was <50 copies/mL in the OBI samples examined by quantitative PCR. The prevalence of OBI was significantly high among HIV-infected patients. These findings highlight the significance of nucleic acid testing in HBV diagnosis in HIV patients

Assessment of Oral Bacterial Profile and Antibiogram of Patients Attending Dental Clinic of a Private Tertiary Hospital in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: Oral and dental problem is common among many Nigerian populace. The human oral cavity is one of the most dynamic habitats for numerous bacterial species where they undergo intense interspecies competition to form multispecies biofilm structure. Aim: The present study was designed to assess the oral bacterial profile and antibiogram of Adult Patients receiving dental care at Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilishan-Remo Ogun State. Methods: A total of 200 oral swab samples were collected from 200 consenting participants (100 males and 100 females). The oral swab samples were cultured on Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Mannitol salt agar and incubated at 37oC. Gram staining, motility test and routine biochemical tests were done for the identification and characterization of the bacterial isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the disc diffusion method. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS Statistics software package (version 18.0). Results: The bacterial species isolated include: Streptococcus viridans, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter spp, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus feacalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Out of the 288 bacterial isolates obtained, 139 (65.5%) of the oral bacteria isolates were non-pathogenic in nature, while 69 (34.5%) were pathogenic. The pathogenic organism with the highest percentage occurrence was Enterobacter spp (37.7%), followed by Streptococcus pyogenes (24.6%), Enterococcus feacalis (19.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (4.9%) and the least being Escherichia coli (3.3%). Most of the Gram positive bacteria were sensitive to Augmentin, Sulbactomas, Cefroxime, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Erythromycin and Azithromycin; while most of the Gram negative bacteria were sensitive to Augumentin, Cefotaxime, Nalidixic acid, Nitrofurantoin and Gentamycin. Conclusion: Pathogenic bacteria capable of causing oral and dental problems exist in the oral cavity of Patients receiving dental care at BUTH with varied antibiotic susceptibility patterns. The outcome of this study underscored the importance of routine oral/dental checks, adequate oral/dental care and treatment of oral infection with appropriate antibiotics

The Potentials of Monoclonal Antibodies as a COVID-19 Intervention Tool

COVID-19 has been ravaging the world since late December, 2019 and it is not slowing down as the global cumulative counts of confirmed cases and fatalities continue to rise every day. Currently, there is no established cure. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are the major therapeutic agents for passive immunotherapy in the fight against viral infection. They are increasingly being recognized as a promising class of drugs to combat the novel coronavirus. Besides their therapeutic potentials, infectious disease experts are hopeful that they may also provide short-term protection and could serve as important components of the COVID-19 pandemic response until vaccines become accessible globally. Since the outbreak assumed a global proportion, several biotechnology companies across the globe are developing monoclonal antibodies with the hope it will become an intervention tool in combating the pandemic. Different randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials are currently enrolling healthy individuals at clinical trial sites in the United States of America and elsewhere. In addition to assessing their safety, the trials are seeking to establish whether mAbs can prevent infection in susceptible individuals or ameliorate disease symptoms in those already infected. This review takes a look at the available literatures on the role of monoclonal antibodies as an intervention tool for combating the COVID-19 pandemic

The Role of International Flights in Covid-19 Pandemic: Global, Africa and Nigeria’s Narratives

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the novel Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on the 11th of March, 2020. International flights from the epicenter of the outbreak (Wuhan, China) were identified as a key driver of the current pandemic. About 231 international flights were reported to have left China to other parts of the world in January, 2020. Exposed individuals who travelled from the epicenter of the outbreak to different countries by international flights for one reason or the other were responsible for exporting the virus to their various country of destination. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, many countries took some strict measures including the closing down of their airports and air spaces to international flights from high risk countries as the number of confirmed cases and fatalities began to rise. Lack of activities resulted to huge financial losses in the aviation industry with many airline operators laying off their workers. In other to ameliorate the negative impacts of the pandemic on the global economy after several months of lockdown; many countries have now re-open their airports and resume international flight operations; without recourse to the possibility of a second wave. In the absence of strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety guidelines, accidental exposure to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can occur at any point: pre-boarding, boarding or post-boarding. SARS-CoV-2 may be contracted from infected airport workers, cabin crew members or passengers, whether they show symptoms or not. In view of the renewed upsurge of the virus globally, the need to optimize disease surveillance system at various international airports across the globe, as well as ensuring strict compliance to the international travel advisory cannot be overemphasized. This paper seeks to examine the role of international flights in COVID-19 pandemic; including the associated impacts, risk of exposure and guidelines for safe flight operations in the aviation industry amidst the pandemic

Global molecular diversity of Hepatitis E virus in wild boar and domestic pig

Our study aim was to describe and characterize the global Hepatitis E virus (HEV) molecular and genotype geographical distribution in domestic pig and wild boar, which could facilitate the traceability of human cases. We performed a systematic sequence search for HEVs identified in domestic pig and wild boar from the available data in GenBank. Only sequences with lengths greater than 300 nt were included. For all sequences, the sequence length, host (i.e., domestic pig or wild boar), country of origin, and HEV genotype/subtype were recorded. Genotypes were assigned by the HEVnet typing tool. The genotype distributions were described by country and host. In countries with sequences available for both species, the genotype coincidences between both animal populations were analyzed. A total of 1404 viral sequences were included: 32.6% from wild boar and 67.4% from domestic pig. Most sequences were consistent with HEV genotype 3 (n = 1165). Genotype 4 was represented by 193 sequences, while genotypes 5 and 6 were represented by only 6 sequences. Sequences were identified in 39 countries, which included all continents except Antarctica. The genotypes with a wide distribution were 3a and 3f. Twenty-five countries had sequences that were found only in domestic pig, three countries only in wild boar, and 11 countries had sequences in both populations. In all countries with available sequences in both populations, the same viral genotype was identified. Our study shows that the number of swine HEV sequences is small, which limits direct comparisons with the sequences identified in humans. The global distribution of genotype 3, together with the wide distribution of genotype 4 in Asia, strongly limits the interpretation of the molecular analysis in the absence of an epidemiological survey of the cases. Increased HEV sequencing in swine should be a priority