Acute Lassa Virus Encephalitis with Lassa Virus in the Cerebrospinal Fluid but Absent in the Blood: A Case Report with a Positive Outcome

It is rare both to have the central nervous system (CNS) as the main focus in the acute phase of Lassa fever infection without associated bleeding, and to find Lassa virus (LAV) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) but not in the serum. We report the case of a 38-year-old Nigerian woman with mainly CNS manifestation of Lassa fever. She was admitted twice within 11 days because of persistent fever. A clinical diagnosis of acute LAV encephalitis was made because of a high index of suspicion and CNS involvement confirmed by positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for LAV in the CSF, while her blood was repeatedly negative for LAV by RT-PCR test. She recovered fully following supportive care coupled with treatment with an 18-day course of ribavirin, and suffered no long-term neurological complication or relapse. Post-treatment CSF examination by RT-PCR did not detect LAV

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Emergence and spread of two SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest in Nigeria.

Identifying the dissemination patterns and impacts of a virus of economic or health importance during a pandemic is crucial, as it informs the public on policies for containment in order to reduce the spread of the virus. In this study, we integrated genomic and travel data to investigate the emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.318 and B.1.525 (Eta) variants of interest in Nigeria and the wider Africa region. By integrating travel data and phylogeographic reconstructions, we find that these two variants that arose during the second wave in Nigeria emerged from within Africa, with the B.1.525 from Nigeria, and then spread to other parts of the world. Data from this study show how regional connectivity of Nigeria drove the spread of these variants of interest to surrounding countries and those connected by air-traffic. Our findings demonstrate the power of genomic analysis when combined with mobility and epidemiological data to identify the drivers of transmission, as bidirectional transmission within and between African nations are grossly underestimated as seen in our import risk index estimates

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Autologous whole blood patch in the repair of leaking filtering blebs : case report on initial experience

Aim: To show the value of autologous whole blood patch in the management of leaking filtering blebs in Nigerian eyes. Methods: Two male patients who had trabeculectomy and adjunctive application of mitomycin C subsequently developed leaking blebs at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A 27-gauge needle was used to inject 0.75- 1.0ml of whole blood under the conjunctival buttonhole. Result: The procedure succeeded in arresting the bleb leak but the trabeculectomy failed after 7 and 10 months respectively. Repeat trabeculectomy using another site remained successful after 2 years and 18 months respectively. Conclusion: Autologous whole blood patch is successful in sealing leaking blebs complications following trabeculectomy. Keywords: Autologous, Whole blood, Leaking blebs, Trabeculectomy Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (1) 2007: pp. 78-8

Non-Laser Management of Post-Extraction Opacification of the Posterior Capsule.

The objective of this study is to describe an alternative procedure to laser for the management of posterior capsule opacifications after extra capsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Thirty-one patients with posterior capsule opacification had non-laser secondary capsulotomy. The procedure was performed with the aid of a 25 G capsulotomy needle through the opening of the peripheral iridectomy after injection of visco elastic between the posterior capsule and the intraocular lens. There was improvement in the visual acuity of all the patients and there was no significant intraoperative or postoperative complications. The technique described provides an alternative to Nd: yag Laser capsulotomy particularly in centers that do not have yag laser facilities. Keywords: Non Laser, Posterior Capsulotomy, Opacification.Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 101-10

Evaluation of the effectiveness of intra-operative Mitomycin C for Pterygium surgery in Warri, Nigeria

No Abstract. Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 10 (2) 2007: pp. 58-6

Glaucoma Valve Implants in Nigerians: A report of intermediate term (2 years) experience with the Ahmed glaucoma valve

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology Vol. 15 (1) 2007: pp. 5-

Micro – trephination glaucoma surgery in Nigerians (a preliminary report)

This is a preliminary report on eleven serial eyes that had micro-trephination glaucoma surgery at University of Benin Teaching Hospital and DDS Eye Surgery, Benin City between Jan. 1995 and Dec. 1998. Out of these, seven eyes had successful intraocular pressure reduction with average reduction ranging from 6mmHg to 17mmHg while four eyes had unsatisfactory intraocular pressure reduction with average being 2mmHg. The complications encountered were very minimal. It is recommended that Nigerian Ophthalmologists should consider micro-trephination glaucoma surgery as an effective, cheap and simple alternative surgery with minimal risk in intra ocular pressure reduction in developing countries. Keywords: Microtrephination, Glaucoma Surgery, Intra ocular pressure. Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 1 (1) 2002: pp. 62-6