Molecular identification of rotavirus strains associated with diarrhea among children in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the molecular characteristics of the rotavirus strains associated with diarrhea among children in Kwara state, Nigeria. A total of 150 stool samples were collected from diarrheic children. The stool samples were screened for rotavirus,using Enzyme linked  Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nine (9) stool samples were positive 6%. The prevalence of rotavirus infection according to sex was as follows: Male 3.30% and Female 2.70%. The distribution of infection according to age of the children was as follows; <1-2 years 4% and 3-5 years had 2%. The prevalence of infection in dry months was 4.7% while in wet months it was1.3%. Chi-square test revealed that there was no relationship between the rate of infection and factors such as age and sex of the children except seasonal variations. Molecular identification of the virus indicated P4, P6, G1 and G8 as the common genotypes of rotavirus in Kwara State. Morehospital and community base investigations should be conducted to  ascertain the diversity of the virus in Kwara State.Keywords: Genotypes, prevalence, rotavirus, gastro-enteritis, Enzyme linked immunosorbent, Kwara State

Seroprevalence of Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) Infection among Commercial Sex Workers in Jos

A study of HHV8 seropositivity was conducted among commercial sex workers in Jos aimed at determining the prevalence in relation to history of STD, duration of prostitution, age and number of sexual partners per day. Antibodies to HHV8 were detected by enzyme linked - immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Advanced biotechnologies Inc USA) in serum samples of 90 commercial sex workers, 41 (45%) of cases were positive for HHV8, 15 (17%) of the women were HIV Seropositive. Furthermore eight (8) among the HHV8 seropositive women were HIV seropositive given a co-infection rate of 20%. Of the risk factors evaluated, HIV seropositivity and history of sexually transmitted diseases were found to be significantly associated with HHV8 infection using chi’s square.( P < 0.05). However lack of condom use, number of sex partners and duration of prostitution were found not to be significantly associated with HHV8 infection using chi’s square. (P > 0.05.) we expect that this important seroepidemiologic baseline data will become a powerful tool for evaluating interventions and control measures

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) genetic diversity and prevalence of antiretroviral drug resistance mutations in treatment-naïve adults in Jos, North Central Nigeria

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type-1 diversity has an impact on vaccine efficacy and drug resistance. It is important to know the circulating genetic variants and associated drug-resistance mutations in the context of scale up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of HIV-1 and the prevalence of antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance mutations among antiretroviral treatment-naïve HIV-1 infected patients in Jos, North Central Nigeria. Plasma samples were collected from 105 ARV drug-naïve patients enrolled for HIV care at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) HIV Treatment Center between October 2010 and April 2011. One hundred (100) samples were successfully amplified. Viral subtyping was done using REGA subtyping tool and by phylogenetic analysis using PAUP software. The drug resistance mutations were determined using the Stanford University HIVdb sequence interpretation algorithm. HIV-1 subtypes identified were; CRF02_AG (48.0%), G (41.0%), CRF06_cpx (6.0%) and A1 (5.0%). 8% of the patients’ isolates had at least one major resistance mutation in the RT gene: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: M41L (1%), K65KR (1%), M184IM (1%), M184V (2%) and T215ADNT (1%), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors: K103N (2%), K101E (1%), G190A (1%), P225HP (1%), Y181I (1%), Y188L (1%), and Y181C (1%). Among antiretroviral (ARV) naïve patients in Jos, North Central Nigeria, the common HIV-1 subtypes was CRF_02 and G. And the prevalence of drug resistance mutations was found to be high (8%). Further study and national surveillance will be critically important to understand the clinical impact of transmitted resistance mutations on ART naïve individuals in resource limited settings.Keywords: HIV-1 subtypes, antiretroviral (ARV), treatment-naïve, drug-resistance, mutation, accessory and polymorphisms, NigeriaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(17), pp. 2279-228

Field investigation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus infection in cattle in the northern states of Nigeria

The prevalence of FMD virus serotypes SAT 1 and SAT 2 among Nigerian cattle was determined using Complement Fixation (CF) and Serum Neutralization (SN) Tests in 2000 cattle sera obtained from nine northern states. The disease prevalence by CF and SN were 46.79% and 53.15% respectively. These figures were lower than that obtained in 1987 (55%). Plateau and Bauchi States maintained the highest positive cases with SAT 1 virus serotype using CF test (44.8% and 43.6%) and with SN test, 51.2% and 46.8% respectively. For SAT 2 virus, Borno and Adamawa States had the highest prevalence with CF, 41.00% and 30.50% and with SN maintained the highest prevalence; 46.50% and 29.50% respectively. The two serological tests were very specific and sensitive enough to detect and quantify the antibody levels in the infected animals. These results were very significant since these animals were not vaccinated against FMD. It showed evidence of FMD virus SAT 1 and SAT 2 serological types circulation in the country and may be responsible for set backs and the low output in the livestock sector in Nigeria. Further studies on other FMD virus serotypes in other states are suggested. Other details of the findings have been discussed.Keywords: Foot and Mouth Disease, Virus, Antibodies, PrevalenceNig J. Biotech. Vol. 24 (2012) 20-2

Efficacy of Killed Adjuvanted FMD Vaccine Developed with Indigenous Isolates in Guinea Pigs and Cattle in Nigeria

In this study the potency of  killed Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines serotypes SAT1 (Nig 1/98) and SAT 2 (Nig 2/97) virus isolates, formulated with montanide ISA 206 adjuvant was determined in guinea pigs and cattle by antibody assay using Complement Fixation and Serum Neutralization tests. The antibody titres obtained with single and repeated inoculations gave good responses and protection from the challenge. The SAT1- 146S (Nig. 1/98) antigen maintained a higher mean titres  (CF- 86 and NT-68 in guinea pigs; CF-77 and NT-68 in cattle) than SAT 2 (Nig 2/97) antigen, with mean titres of CF-62 and NT-48 in guinea pigs; and CF-52 and NT-62 in cattle. The formulated vaccines were stable at 4oC throughout the duration of the study. Animals with low and high antibody responses were all protected against FMD. Protection by vaccination may therefore not by strictly dependent on high antibody production in the host. The information obtained from this study showed that it is possible to prepare and use combined or polyvalent montanide ISA 206 adjuvant formulated FMD vaccines for the control of FMD in Nigerian Livestock

Quality and Toxicity Assessments of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Vaccine in Inoculated Guinea Pigs

The quality and toxicity assessment of foot and mouth disease virus vaccine was carried outin inoculated guinea pigs. The vaccine was developed from local isolates for the control andprevention of foot and mouth disease in Nigerian cattle. All the vaccine inputs tested weresterile and the high mean titre levels of complement fixing antibodies (92.8 and 147.2) andserum neutralizing antibodies (1.68 and 2.15), either as single dose or repeated dosesinoculations. The blood immune cells parameters showed a positive immunological responsedue to activation by the vaccine antigens. There were increases in their population ascompared to the controls. The blood enzyme profiles did not show any significant evidenceof tissue or organ damage as all the results obtained were within the reference standardranges of normal healthy guinea pigs. The findings from the study show that the vaccinecould be used for the control and prevention of foot and mouth disease in Nigerian livestock.Keyword: Foot and Mouth Disease, Antibody, Quality, Toxicity, Vaccine

Prevalence of hepatitis B antigen and C antibody among blood donors at Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C (HCV) antibody were determined in 560 blood donor sera using ELISA kits (DIALAB Austria). Out of these 48(8.57%) were positive to hepatitis B virus infection, while 33(5.89%) were positive to hepatitis C virus antibodies. The sex distribution of respondents showed that 40(8.68%) out of 461 males and 8(8.08%) out of 99 females were positive for HBsAg. Similarly, 31(6.72%) males and 2(2.02%) females were positive for HCV. Age group 18 - 28 years had the highest prevalence of both hepatitis B, 25(5.43%) for males and 4(4.04%) for females, and hepatitis C, 20(4.34%) for malesand 2(2.02%) for females. There was evidence of co-infection of hepatitis B and C, and males had higher prevalence than females for the infections among blood donors sampled. This implied that blood donors must be screened against hepatitis B and C alongside other viral diseases. Somesocial and demographic factors were not tested due to unwillingness of the donors to supply useful bio-data. However, further studies on a larger scale that will consider some of these elements as possible predisposing factors are recommended.Keywords: Hepatitis C antibody, hepatitis B antigen, ELISA kit, blood donor

Prevalence of hepatitis b virus surface antigens (HBsag) and Hepatitis C virus antibodies in blood donors at Jos, plateau state, Nigeria

The prevalences of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were determined in 560 blood donors sera using ELISA kits (DIALAB., Austria). Forty eight (8.57%) of these were positive for hepatitis B virus infection, while 33(5.89%) were positive to hepatitis C virus antibodies. The sex distribution of affected individuals showed that 40(8.68%) out of 461 males and 8(8.08%) out of 99 females were positive for HBsAg. Similarly, 31(6.72%) males and 2(2.02%) females were positive for HCV. Age group 18-28 years had the highest prevalence both for hepatitis B, 25(5.43%) in males, 4(4.04%) in females and hepatitis C, 20(4.34%) in males and 2(2.02%) in females. The results highlighted evidence of co-infection of hepatitis B and C, and males had higher prevalence than females for the infections in the donor blood samples, implying that such blood should be screened against hepatitis B and C alongside other viral diseases. Some social and demographic factors were not tested due to unwillingness of the donors to supply useful bio-data. It is recommended that further larger scale studies be carried out since some of these elements are possible predisposing factors.Keywords: Hepatitis C virus antibody, hepatitis B virus antigen, blood donors, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(4): 398-401, 200

Serological Detection of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (Fmdv) Sat 1 and Sat 2 Antibodies in Nigerian Cattle

The prevalence of Foot and Mouth Disease virus (FMDV) serotypes SAT 1 and SAT 2 antibodies among Nigerian cattle was determined using complement fixation (CF) and neutralization tests (NT) in 2000 cattle sera obtained from nine northern states. The two serological tests were very specific and sensitive enough to detect and quantify the antibody levels in the infected animals. The disease prevalence by CF and NT were 46.79 and 53.15% respectively. These figures were lower than that obtained in 1987 (55%). Plateau and Bauchi States maintained the highest positive cases with SAT 1 virus serotype using CF (44.8 and 43.6%) and also using NT tests, (51.2 and 46.8%) respectively. For SAT 2 virus, Borno and Adamawa States had the highest prevalence with CF, (41.00 and 30.50%) and with NT (46.50 and 29.50%) respectively. These results are of economic significant, since the animals were not vaccinated against FMD. Further studies on other FMD virus serotypes in other states are advocated

Prevalence of foot and mouth disease virus, SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes antibodies in Nigerian cattle

No Abstract.Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 4 (2) 2008: pp. 157-16