Sero-prevalance of anti-R7V antibody in HIV infected patients in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria

Studies in some parts of the world have shown that Anti-R7V antibodies, which neutralize 100% of the different variant’s panel (targeted against a beta2-microglobulin epitope acquired when the virus is released by budding) in vitro, are found in 30 to 50% of naïve HIV positive patients, but even more in socalled “long-term survivor’’ patients with a close to 90% correlation. The seroprevalence of Anti-R7V antibody was therefore investigated in HIV patients attending clinic within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and compared with HIV negative patients. Correlation between the presence of the antibody and the clinical status of patients was also investigated. The HIV positive patients were categorized intodrug naïve and drug experienced subjects and their Anti-R7V antibody together with CD4 counts were determined using Anti-R7V ELISA kits and BD FACS count, respectively. About 47.2% of the HIVinfected patients tested positive for the Anti-R7V antibody while 25.2% were negative for this antibody. Patients with Anti-R7V antibody had a mean CD4 count (355 ± 19.2) significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of Anti-R7V antibody negative patients (215 ± 42.6). Also it was observed that Anti-R7V antibody was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in drug experienced patients as compared to drug naïve patients. The significance of these findings is discussed. It was concluded that Anti-R7V antibody may be a naturalimmunity against HIV-infection in drug naïve HIV patients and that the synthesis and release of this antibody may decrease with ARD treatment

Quantification of Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 Viral Load using Nucleic Acid Sequence-based Amplification (NASBA) in North Central Nigeria

Viral load (VL) quantification is considered an integral part of the standard care in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals but in Nigeria as in most of sub-SaharanAfrica, this has not reached themajority of patients. We report the first field application of the NucliSens EasyQ HIV-1 platform for the real time quantification of HIV-1 VL combining NASBAamplification and real time detection with molecular beacons among HIV-1 infected individuals in north central Nigeria where the predominant HIV-1 subtypes are CRF02_AGandG.CD4 countswere enumerated using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter system. Of one hundred and forty nine (n=149) plasma sample from patients with mean age of 32 years andmade up of 77males and 72 females, fifty {n = 50 (37.9%); 28males and 22 females}hadVLs below the lower detection limit (LDL=25 IU/ml) set by the assay while eighty- two {n = 82 (62.1%); 39 males and 43 females}hadVLlevels above the LDL. Furthermore, 13 of 82 (15.9%) patientswith viral loads above the LDL had VLs between 26-1000 IU/ml while 69 (84.1%) had VLs of 1001-2400000 IU/ml. 17 (11.4%) of the samples could not be analyzed due to poor viral amplification. Among individuals with both CD4 and VL results (n=56), those with CD4 of 1-418 cell/μl presented with higher VL usually above 45,000 IU/ml when comparedwith thosewithCD4 of over 500 cell/μl. Our findings highlight the pattern, usefulness and feasibility of VL quantification by NucliSens EasyQinmonitoringHIV-1 patients inNigeria.Keywords: HIV-1,Viral load quantitation,Nigeri

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus among female sex workers in Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Nigeria and constitutes a public health menace. The prevalence of HBV infection in many professional groups has been described in Nigeria. However, literature on HBV infection among female sex workers (FSW) in Nigeria is scanty. FSW in Nigeria are not subjected to a preventive control of HBV infection. This study assesses the extent of spread of HBV among FSW in Nigeria. Seven hundred and twenty (n = 720) FSW (mean age = 26.7 years) were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by a double antibody sandwich ELISA method. The overall HBV prevalence among the FSW was 17.1%. FSWs between the ages of 31-35 year (20.5%) and those with 'age-at-first-sex' below 10 years of age (28%) were most affected. This high prevalence of a vaccine preventable disease is unacceptable, therefore, vaccination of this high risk HBV reservoir group should be considered worthwhile.A hepatite pelo vírus B (HBV) é infecção endêmica na Nigéria e constitui problema de saúde pública. A prevalência da infecção HBV em muitos grupos profissionais foi descrito na Nigéria. No entanto, a literatura da infecção HBV entre trabalhadoras do sexo feminino (FSW) na Nigéria é escasso. FSW na Nigéria não são submetidas a um controle preventivo de infecção de HBV. Este estudo avalia a extensão da disseminação de HBV entre FSW na Nigéria. Setecentos e vinte (n = 720) FSW (média de idade = 26,7 anos) foram testadas para antígeno de superfície da hepatite B (HBsAg) pelo método ELISA usando sandwich de duplos anticorpos. A prevalência total de HBV entre o FSW foi 17,1%. FSWs entre as idades de 31-35 anos (20,5%) e abaixo de 10 anos de idade (28%) foram mais afetadas. Esta alta prevalência de doença evitável pela vacinação é inaceitável, portanto, vacinação deste grupo de alto risco de HBV deve ser considerada fundamental

Correspondence: Strengthening capacity, collaboration and quality of clinical research in Africa: EDCTP Networks of Excellence

Developing countries bear 90% of the global disease burden, but only access about 10% of globally available health research funding. Weak south–south networking hampers effective use of limited resources,production of critical mass of quality scientists, career opportunities and incentives to retain the few available scientists. The south must urgently act strategically to accelerate generation of talented scientists, createenabling environment and incentives to retain scientists and attract back those in diaspora. The creation of strong networks of excellence for clinical research among southern academic and research institutions is a novelstrategic approach championed by European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership to achieve the aforementioned goals and mitigate the high disease burden. It will promote strong collaboration, resource sharing and cross-mentorship allowing each partner to grow with complementary capacities that support each other rather than compete negatively. It will enable the south and Africa in particular to participate actively and own the means for solving its own health problems and raise the professional quality and capacity of southern institutions to forge better and equal partnership with northern institutions

Broad Antibody Mediated Cross-Neutralization and Preclinical Immunogenicity of New Codon-Optimized HIV-1 Clade CRF02_AG and G Primary Isolates

Creation of an effective vaccine for HIV has been an elusive goal of the scientific community for almost 30 years. Neutralizing antibodies are assumed to be pivotal to the success of a prophylactic vaccine but previous attempts to make an immunogen capable of generating neutralizing antibodies to primary “street strain” isolates have resulted in responses of very limited breadth and potency. The objective of the study was to determine the breadth and strength of neutralizing antibodies against autologous and heterologous primary isolates in a cohort of HIV-1 infected Nigerians and to characterize envelopes from subjects with particularly broad or strong immune responses for possible use as vaccine candidates in regions predominated by HIV-1 CRF02_AG and G subtypes. Envelope vectors from a panel of primary Nigerian isolates were constructed and tested with plasma/sera from the same cohort using the PhenoSense HIV neutralizing antibody assay (Monogram Biosciences Inc, USA) to assess the breadth and potency of neutralizing antibodies. The immediate goal of this study was realized by the recognition of three broadly cross-neutralizing sera: (NG2-clade CRF02_AG, NG3-clade CRF02_AG and NG9- clade G). Based on these findings, envelope gp140 sequences from NG2 and NG9, complemented with a gag sequence (Clade G) and consensus tat (CRF02_AG and G) antigens have been codon-optimized, synthesized, cloned and evaluated in BALB/c mice. The intramuscular administration of these plasmid DNA constructs, followed by two booster DNA immunizations, induced substantial specific humoral response against all constructs and strong cellular responses against the gag and tat constructs. These preclinical findings provide a framework for the design of candidate vaccine for use in regions where the HIV-1 epidemic is driven by clades CRF02_AG and G

HIV-1 Tat Promotes Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) vIL-6-Induced Angiogenesis and Tumorigenesis by Regulating PI3K/PTEN/AKT/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically associated with KS, the most common AIDS-related malignancy. KS is characterized by vast angiogenesis and hyperproliferative spindle cells. We have previously reported that HIV-1 Tat can trigger KSHV reactivation and accelerate Kaposin A-induced tumorigenesis. Here, we explored Tat promotion of KSHV vIL-6-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Tat promotes vIL-6-induced cell proliferation, cellular transformation, vascular tube formation and VEGF production in culture. Tat enhances vIL-6-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis of fibroblasts and human endothelial cells in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. In an allograft model, Tat promotes vIL-6-induced tumorigenesis and expression of CD31, CD34, SMA, VEGF, b-FGF, and cyclin D1. Mechanistic studies indicated Tat activates PI3K and AKT, and inactivates PTEN and GSK-3β in vIL-6 expressing cells. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, effectively impaired Tat's promotion of vIL-6-induced tumorigenesis. Together, these results provide the first evidence that Tat might contribute to KS pathogenesis by synergizing with vIL-6, and identify PI3K/AKT pathway as a potential therapeutic target in AIDS-related KS patients. © 2013 Zhou et al

Epidemiology of subtypes of HPV type 16 and 18 in Abuja metropolis

Background: Worldwide , invasive  cervical    cancer (ICC) is the second most common  cancer  in women  which is a matter of great concern. Approximately 470,000 new cases  and 230,000 deaths occur  annually. Eighty percent of Invasive Cervical-Cancer related deaths occur in developing countries. The incidence of ICC is highest  in Latin  America, the Caribbean, Subsaharan  Africa and South  Asia and considerably lower in North America and Western Europe. The sole aetiology has been pegged to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).Method: Three thousand eight  hundred  and eighty five [3,885] completely randomized  samples  of cervical, prostate, seminal fluid and anal  tissues  were obtained  by first administering informed consent research questionnaires to the subjects and the health service providers. Koilocytes  were qualitatively assayed for  using the Haematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques; positive samples were further assayed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the post PCR assays(Southern Blotting Assay). Bioinformatics methods  were adopted from gene bank to create molecular genetic information of other related high risk HPV types compared with types 16 & 18 specifically assayed for using the relevant primers and probes. The  forward primer  was  AJ HPV For 5 1 TTT GTT ACCCT GTTG  GTA GAT  ATA  CTA  C 31 and  the reverse Primer was ; AJ HPV Rev 51 GAA AAA TAA  ACT GTA AAT CAT  ATT----31 ; These were used alongside their appropriate probes. Result: The results showed that in male cohort, HPV type 18  E7 had total prevalence of 17/100(17%) (Prostatic tissue14/100 (14% ) and anal tissue 3/100 ( 3%) . In female cohorts, type 18 E7   had total  of  Cervical  tissue scrapings  100/900  and Anal tissue 10/900 (12.2%). HPV type 18  E6 had total prevalence of 28/100 (28%)  Prostatic tissue 24/100 (24%) and anal tissue 4/100 (4%) . In female cohorts, type 18 E6 had total  of Cervical tissue scrapings  170/900  and Anal tissue 22/900 (22.2%). HPV type 16 E7 in male cohort had total prevalence of 17.0/100 (17.0%)  Prostatic tissue 15.0/100 (15.0%) and anal tissue 2.0/100 (2.0%) . In female cohorts, type 16 E7 had total of Cervical  tissue scrapings  110/900  and Anal tissue 10/900  (13.0%). HPV type 16  E6 had total prevalence of 24/100 (24%) ( Prostatic tissue 20/100 (20%) and anal tissue 4/100 (4%). In female cohorts, type 16 E6 had total of (Cervical  tissue scrapings  170/900 and Anal tissue 60/900 (25.5%). Bioinformatics analysis using CLC FREE WORK BENCH revealed that some queried sample sequences aligned perfectly with standard isolates sequences. In Abuja metropolis, we had subtypes similar to the standard HPV 16 and 18 isolates used in the assay.Conclusion: HPV types 18 and 16  are predominant  in  Abuja Metropolis as these samples were randomly collected from different locations, Wuse, Asokoro, Garki, Gwagwalada, and Abaji all in FCT, Nigeria. These were found in significant proportion (P<0.05) in  archival Male cohorts prostatic tissues contrary to the expectations of most clinicians

Serological markers and risk factors for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses among students in a Nigerian university

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections and to analyze associated risk factors among 400 students in a Nigerian. Methods: Participants were interviewed in a faceto-face sessions through a short structured questionnaire. Qualitative rapid immuno-chromatography test were used to screen for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies and these were confirmed by using third generation quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs).Results: Seroprevalence rates were: HBV. All these individuals were asymptomatic and unaware of their hepatitis status prior to thisstudy. We did not detect any case of HBV/HCV co-infection. The risk of being infected with HBV or HCV was not associated with marital status or having facial/tribal (p>0.05). A significant association was found between HCV (not HBV) infection and blood transfusion {OR=5.0(95%CI=0.91-27.47); ÷2=4.15; p=0.04}.Conclusion: Although the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV is lower among university students when compared to blood donors, HIV/AIDS patients and health workers in Nigeria. We have shown that these viruses circulate among the study population and blood transfusion identified as the factors most associated with HCV infection. Routine donor screening needs to be enforced and it is essential to implement prevention strategies focused on university students and youths in general

The role of triple infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 on CD4+ lymphocyte levels in the highly HIV infected population of North-Central Nigeria

We set out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C among human immunodeficiency virus type- 1 (HIV-1) infected individuals in North-Central Nigeria to define the influence of these infections on CD4+ lymphocytes cells among our patients as access to antiretroviral therapy improves across the Nigerian nation. The CD4+ values of 180 confirmed HIV-1 infected individuals were enumerated using a superior fluorescenceactivated cell sorter system. These patients were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and antihepatitis C virus (HCV) using third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Fifty (27.8%) patients had active hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection while 33 (18.3%) tested positive for anti-HCV antibody. Of these infections, 110 (61.1%), 37 (20.6%), and 20 (11.1%) had HIV only, HBV/HIV-only, and HCV/HIV-only respectively. A HBV/HCV/HIV coinfection prevalence of 7.2% (13 patients) was recorded. Patients coinfected with HIV/HBV/HCV appeared to have lower CD4+ counts (mean = 107 cells/μl; AIDS defining) when compared to HBV/HIV-only (mean = 377 cells/μl), HCV/HIV-only (mean = 373 cells/μl) and patients with mono HIV infection (mean = 478 cells/μl). Coinfection with HBV or HCV is relatively common among HIV-infected patients in Nigeria and should be a big consideration in the initiation and choice of therapy