Seroprevalence of HBV among people living with HIV in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Background: Co-infection of HBV with HIV is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. In spite of increasing reports of HIV/HBV co-morbidities in Nigeria, little or no data exists on this subject in Anyigba. Therefore,we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia among HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral treatment programme in Anyigba, Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.Methods: Sera samples obtained from 200 consented HIV patients were screened for HBsAg using the commercial rapid test membrane-based qualitative immunoassay. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patients’ demographic variables and probable risk factors for HBV transmission.Results: Overall, 3.5% of HIV patients were seropositive to HBsAg and the difference between seroprevalence rates and patients’ age as well as gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant difference between patients’ demographicvariables such as marital status (p=0.013) and educational level (p=0.004) and HBsAg seropositivity. Patients with a history of surgical applications (p=0.01) and who indulged in alcoholism (p=0.03) significantly had higher rates of concomitant HIV/HBV infection in the study area.Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of routine screening for HBV in the HIV infected populations especially in developing countries where the infection is endemic. We advocate for public enlightenment programmes on routes of virus acquisitions with a view to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated HIV/HBV co-infection.Keywords: HBV, HIV, co-infection, risk factors, Nigeria

Seroprevalence of HBV among people living with HIV in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Background: Co-infection of HBV with HIV is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. In spite of increasing reports of HIV/HBV co-morbidities in Nigeria, little or no data exists on this subject in Anyigba. Therefore,we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia among HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral treatment programme in Anyigba, Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria. Methods: Sera samples obtained from 200 consented HIV patients were screened for HBsAg using the commercial rapid test membrane-based qualitative immunoassay. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patients\u2019 demographic variables and probable risk factors for HBV transmission. Results: Overall, 3.5% of HIV patients were seropositive to HBsAg and the difference between seroprevalence rates and patients\u2019 age as well as gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant difference between patients\u2019 demographic variables such as marital status (p=0.013) and educational level (p=0.004) and HBsAg seropositivity. Patients with a history of surgical applications (p=0.01) and who indulged in alcoholism (p=0.03) significantly had higher rates of concomitant HIV/HBV infection in the study area. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of routine screening for HBV in the HIV infected populations especially in developing countries where the infection is endemic. We advocate for public enlightenment programmes on routes of virus acquisitions with a view to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated HIV/HBV co-infection. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.17 Cite as: Omatola CA, Idofe J, Okolo M-LO, Adejo PO, Maina MM, Oyiguh JA. Sero-prevalence of HBV among people living with HIV inAnyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Afri Health Sci.2019;19(2): 1938-1946. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i2.1

Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Febrile Patients in Ankpa, Kogi State, Nigeria

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has become a significant public health problem in developing countries, and the high rate of morbidity and mortality from acute and chronic infections is worrisome. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence of HBV and associated risk factors in Ankpa, Kogi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods. Sera randomly collected from 200 participants in three public hospitals in Ankpa were screened for HBsAg using commercially available HBsAg rapid test kit (Swe-Care (R), China). Structured questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic details and history of exposure to risk factors. Results. Seventeen (8.5%) of the 200 patients were positive for HBsAg. Males had higher prevalence (10.89%) than females (6.06%). The age group with the highest rate of infection was 24–44 years. Patient’s occupation and marital status were significantly higher in relation to HBsAg seropositivity. Risks of HBV infection in Ankpa are sharing of sharp objects (OR = 11.62, 95% CI, 3.59–37.59), multiple sexual partners (OR = 3.39, 95% CI, 1.23–9.38), blood transfusion (OR = 13.74, 95% CI, 4.22–44.71), surgeries (OR = 3.02, 95% CI, 1.03–8.83), alcoholism (OR = 6.94, 95% CI, 2.32–20.75), mouth-to-mouth kissing (p=0.001), and contact with HBV patient (OR = 4.14, 95% CI, 1.01–17.06). People without prior knowledge of HBV infection were more infected. Conclusion. This study reaffirms the endemicity of HBV in a part of sub-Saharan African country. Public health practitioners should focus attention on apparently healthy patients in developing countries. We suggest inclusion of HBsAg screening for patients coming for routine hospital care

Recurrent Episodes of Some Mosquito-Borne Viral Diseases in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Different ecological zones favor the breeding of Aedes species. The molecular epidemiology of dengue virus (DENV), yellow fever virus (YFV), and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was determined from outbreaks and surveillance activities in Nigeria. Twenty-eight DENV, twenty-five YFV, and two CHIKV sequences from Nigeria were retrieved from GenBank. Genotyping was performed with a genome detective typing tool. The evolutionary comparison was performed by the Maximum Likelihood method on MEGA. Chi-square was used to compare the association between the proportions of viral infections at different times. Six DENV-1 were detected in 1964, 1965, 1978, 2007, and 2018. Nineteen DENV-2 strains were reported, four belonging to sylvatic VI, one belonging to cosmopolitan II, and twelve to Asian I genotype V. DENV-2 genotype VI was detected in 1966, and genotypes II and V in 2019. All three DENV-3 were detected in 2018, while only one DENV-4 was identified in 2019. YFV was reported in 1946 and then in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2018, and 2019 with reports to date. CHIKV is still circulating following its identification in 1964 and 1965. Recurrent episodes of dengue, Chikungunya, and yellow fever continue unabated. Vector control initiatives and immunization should be greatly sustained

Enteropathogenic viruses associated with acute gastroenteritis among African children under 5 years of age: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Gastroenteritis viruses are the leading etiologic agents of diarrhea in children worldwide. We present data from thirty-three (33) eligible studies published between 2003 and 2023 from African countries bearing the brunt of the virus-associated diarrheal mortality. Random effects meta-analysis with proportion, subgroups, and meta-regression analyses were employed. Overall, rotavirus with estimated pooled prevalence of 31.0 % (95 % CI 24.0–39.0) predominated in all primary care visits and hospitalizations, followed by norovirus, adenovirus, sapovirus, astrovirus, and aichivirus with pooled prevalence estimated at 15.0 % (95 % CI 12.0–20.0), 10 % (95 % CI 6–15), 4.0 % (95 % CI 2.0–6.0), 4 % (95 % CI 3–6), and 2.3 % (95 % CI 1–3), respectively. Predominant rotavirus genotype was G1P[8] (39 %), followed by G3P[8] (11.7 %), G9P[8] (8.7 %), and G2P[4] (7.1 %); although, unusual genotypes were also observed, including G3P[6] (2.7 %), G8P[6] (1.7 %), G1P[6] (1.5 %), G10P[8] (0.9 %), G8P[4] (0.5 %), and G4P[8] (0.4 %). The genogroup II norovirus predominated over the genogroup I-associated infections (84.6 %, 613/725 vs 14.9 %, 108/725), with the GII.4 (79.3 %) being the most prevalent circulating genotype. In conclusion, this review showed that rotavirus remains the leading driver of viral diarrhea requiring health care visits and hospitalization among under-five years children in Africa. Thus, improved rotavirus vaccination in the region and surveillance to determine the residual burden of rotavirus and the evolving trend of other enteric viruses are needed for effective control and management of cases

Noroviruses: Evolutionary Dynamics, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Vaccine Advances—A Comprehensive Review

Noroviruses constitute a significant aetiology of sporadic and epidemic gastroenteritis in human hosts worldwide, especially among young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. The low infectious dose of the virus, protracted shedding in faeces, and the ability to persist in the environment promote viral transmission in different socioeconomic settings. Considering the substantial disease burden across healthcare and community settings and the difficulty in controlling the disease, we review aspects related to current knowledge about norovirus biology, mechanisms driving the evolutionary trends, epidemiology and molecular diversity, pathogenic mechanism, and immunity to viral infection. Additionally, we discuss the reservoir hosts, intra–inter host dynamics, and potential eco-evolutionary significance. Finally, we review norovirus vaccines in the development pipeline and further discuss the various host and pathogen factors that may complicate vaccine development