Seropositivity and determinants of immunoglobulin-G (IgG) antibodies against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types -1 and -2 in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: This study is the first documented prevalence of IgG antibody against HSV-1&-2 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and thus provides baseline data for future in-depth studies on HSV infection in South-South, Nigeria.Objective: This study determined the seropositivity and determinants of serum IgG antibody against HSV-1 & HIV-2 among pregnant women attending BMSH, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.Methods: Serum samples from 180 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Serum samples were analysed with commercial HSV type-1&-2 specific IgG Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association of infection with socio-demographic variables.Results: Of the 180 pregnant women, 179 (99.4%) were seropositive and 1(0.6%) was seronegative for HSV 1&2 IgG antibody. No statistical association existed between the prevalence of HSV-1&-2 IgG  antibodies and the socio-demographic variables studied (p>0.05) except for marital status which was significantly associated (p<0.05).Conclusion: Our data shows that HSV-1 & 2 seropositivity among pregnant women in Port Harcourt is high; thus serological screening for HSV-1&-2 might be advisable for antenatal attendees.Keywords: BMSH, determinants, ELISA, HSV-1, HSV-2, IgG, seropositivity

Trends in HIV prevalence from 2008 to 2012 among young adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: The pandemic of HIV lines amongst the utmost infectious disease menaces in antiquity. HIV remains a problem worldwide and it’s a grave health snags in developing nations particularly in  Nigeria.Objective: This study focused on “trends in HIV reporting from 2008 to 2012 among young adults in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Methods: Secondary data were collected from BMSH, Port Harcourt using a Performa specifically intended for this determination. Socio-demographic data for the subjects were recovered from coded patients’ medical records kept at BMSH. The data generated was exposed to Fisher’s Exact Test.Results: The study showed that a total of 3081 HIV-positive cases were reported between 2008 and 2012. The HIV trend were not well defined, it peaked in 2009(36.6%) and 2008(32.8%) and a decrease in  2011(16.6%), 2012(8.3%) and 2010(5.7%). A 3.8% increase was observed between 2008 and 2009 and 30.9% decrease between 2009 and 2010. However, the prevalence seemed to stabilize between 2009 and 2012. HIV patterns among various age-groups is not  well-defined, it rose with increasing age and peaked at 26-30years (35.7%) after which it declined. Sex differences (P<0.05) in the trend was observed. Males ages 26–30years showed uniform pattern with an increasing trend while 36-40years showed decreasing trend except in 2009(34.1%). Females ages 26-30years showed uniform pattern with an increasing trend from 2008(21.7%) to 2010(41.9%) and decreased from 41.9% (2010) to 36.5%(2012). The low HIV prevalence in 2010 could be attributed to the fact that the proportion of centers giving ART enlarged from 2005 to date. Health care facilities providing HIV/AIDS counselling and testing services also increased.Conclusion: The long decades fight against HIV especially in Rivers State is making progress, though an unstable one. The observed increase in years with high HIV prevalences calls for an intensified focus of intervention.Keywords: AIDS, Anti-retroviral therapy (ART), Health facilities, HIV, Prevalence Trends

Anti-HCV antibody among newly diagnosed HIV patients in Ughelli, a suburban area of Delta State Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) share common routes of infection and as such, co-infection is expected. Co-infection of the two viruses is of great medical importance as it determines the effect of drugs used for treatment at various stages.Objective: This interplay between HIV and HCV sets the tone for the objective of this study which is to ascertain the seroprevalence of HCV among newly diagnosed HIV patients in Ughelli, a suburban area of Delta State, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 200 newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients were recruited for this study. Each of the sera was tested for anti-HCV antibody using SWE-life HCV ultra rapid test strip. Appropriate  questionnaires were used to ascertain other important information which include social behaviour such as whether the patients were MSM (males), IDU, tattoo and/or have received blood transfusion in the past.Results: The prevalence of HCV among the study population was determined to be 15.0%. A higher seroprevalence was observed among females (16.5%) than in males (13.0%). A higher seroprevalence was also observed among age groups >26 years (16.0%) than in age-groups 14-25 years (13.0%) and 2-13 years (0.0%). Of the 7 patients with tattoos, 1(14.3%) tested positive for HCV compared to  29(15.0%) with no tattoos. We found no significant correlation with transfusion, intravenous drug use  (IDU), men that have sex with men (MSM), tattooing and the seroprevalence of HCV. However,  significant correlation existed with age, sex and HCV prevalence.Conclusion: This study reports a 15.0% seroprevalence of HCV among newly diagnosed HIV patients and that is alarmingly well above several other studies done in the past in Nigeria and other countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Planned prevention, screening, and treatment are needed to reduce further  transmission and morbidity. Future studies involving HCV-RNA assays are needed.Keywords: HIV, HCV, Hepatitis, co-infection, intravenous drug use.

The role of biotechnology in the socio-economic advancement and national development: An Overview

Biotechnology is any technique which involves the application of biological organisms or their components, systems or processes to manufacturing and service industries to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals or to develop micro-organisms for special uses. Since 1953, when James Watson and Francis Crick identified the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the genetic basis of all living organisms, the scientific understanding of biological and genetic processes has dramatically accelerated. The present molecular techniques such as cloning, genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technique and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involve genetic manipulations using microorganisms such as bacteriophages and bacterial plasmids as vectors and bacterial cells as hosts.Biotechnology revolution has spawned new industries focused on manipulating human, animal, plant and microbial agents to create heretofore unattainable products and services. Biotechnology occupiesa very strategic position in the socio-economic advancement and development of the nation in particular and the world at large

Enteroviruses as a possible cause of hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertensive heart failure (HHF) in South western Nigeria

Background: Human enteroviruses have long been associated with various diseases of man resulting into a wide range of acute symptoms involving the cardiac and skeletal muscles, central nervous system, pancreas, skin and mucous membranes.Objective: To assess the role of enteroviruses in the etiology of hypertension, DCM and HHF.Methods: We obtained stool specimens from 70 subjects comprising 65 patients and 5 controls and isolation was carried out on RD, L20B, HEp-2C and Vero cell lines and identified by neutralization with standard antisera (RIVM). Thirty-six enteroviruses were isolated and identified to be Coxsackieviruses-B5, A9, Echoviruses 1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 22, 30 and Poliovirus type 1 and 3.Results: Three most frequently occurring enterovirus serotypes which constitute 60.0% of the 30 NPEV typed and 50.0% of all the isolates were Echoviruses, Coxsackie-B5-virus and Coxsackievirus-A9. Echoviruses constituted 50.0% of all the serotypes while Coxsackieviruses-B5 and A9 accounts for the 27.8 % and 5.6% respectively. Enteroviral isolation rate was higher in age groups 51 years and above. The percentage of study subjects who had Coxsackie-B5-viruses and echoviruses was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cases of hypertension, HHF and DCM than in control subjects. Coxackie-B5-virus, Echovirus-6 and Echovirus-11 were found in both study locations.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that Enteroviruses may likely be involved in the etiology of hypertension, DCM and HHF. Further studies would therefore be necessary for the prevention and control of these diseases.Keywords: Etiology, coxsackieviruses, Echoviruses, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), Enteroviruses, hypertension, hypertensive heart failure (HHF)African Health Sciences 2013; 13(4): 1098 - 110

Triple positivity of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, and HIV and their influence on CD4+ lymphocyte levels in the highly HIV infected population of Abeokuta, Nigeria

Background: Few studies exist on hospital-based seroprevalence of triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV in Nigeria.Objectives: The study aimed at determining the triple positivity of HIV, HBsAg and HCV among  HIV-infected individuals in Abeokuta, Nigeria and defining the influence of these triple infections on CD4+ counts of HIV-infected individuals as antiretroviral therapy improves in Nigeria.Methods: Enumeration of CD4+ levels in 183 HIV-infected persons was done with Partec Flow  Cytometer. Seropositivity of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody was detected with rapid kits.Results: From the result obtained, significance variance (p<0.05) existed between HIV positive persons and persons who tested positive to HIV/HBV/HCV triple infection before and after the commencement of HAART. Of these infections, 31(16.9%) had HBV/HCV/HIV triple infection, while 152(83.1%) had HIV mono infection only, 56(30.6%) had HBV/HIV dual infection only and 43(23.5%) had HCV/HIV dual infection only. Significant variance (p<0.05) also existed between subjects with CD4 counts of <200 cells/μl, 200-499 cells/μl and >500 cells/μl. Highest seroprevalence of HIV (35.0%) was found in age groups 35-44 years and >65 years had the least (2.7%). Significant variance (p<0.05) also existed in the progression of CD4+ lymphocytes cells between subjects with persistent decrease (32.3%) in CD4+ lymphocytes cells and those with fluctuation in their CD4+ lymphocytes cells (12.9%) after the commencement of ART.Conclusion: The study further confirms that triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV infection is common in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Testing of these triple infections should be a big concern in the best choice and commencement of ART. Also, the study showed that consistent and prolonged use of HAART had a  positive impact on the CD4 count of HIV-infected individuals.Keywords: AIDS, ART, HAART, CD4, HIV/HBV/HC

High seropositivity of IgG and IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) among HIV-1 seropositive patients in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a major public health problem in sub-saharan Africa. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been reported to enhance HIV replication and accelerate the progression of HIV infection to AIDS.Objective: This study reports on the high seropositivity of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and M antibodies against CMV and the risk factors for CMV infection among HIV/AIDS patients in Ilorin, Nigeria.Method: A total of 180 consented HIV-1 seropositive patients (age-range 16-56 years; 108 females and 72 males) were consecutively recruited. Socio-demographic/behavioral data and 5 ml blood samples were collected from each patient. Plasma of each sample was assayed for anti-CMV IgG/IgM using a CMV IgG and IgM Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) kit.Results: Twenty (11.1%) of the 180 HIV-1 seropositive subjects were positive for anti-CMV IgM antibody while 169(93.9%) were positive for anti-CMV IgG antibody. Age, marital status, number of sexual partners, CD4 cells counts and previous history of blood transfusion were the main correlates of CMV seropositivity among these patients. However, occupation, sex, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were not statistically associated with CMV seropositivity in this study.Conclusion: This study has shown that greater percentages of HIV-1 seropositive patients had active CMV infection. It has further shown that CMV is hyperendemic in HIV-1 seropositive patients in Ilorin, Nigeria.Keywords: CD4, CMV, HIV/AIDS, IgG, IgM, Risk factors, HAAR

Resistant plasmid profile analysis of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Background: Multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli has become a major threat and cause of many urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Abeokuta, Nigeria.Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the resistant plasmids of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli isolated from (Urinary tract infections)UTIs in Abeokuta.Methods: A total of 120 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from urine samples collected from patients attending inpatient and outpatient clinics presenting UTI; with their biodata. Antibiotics susceptibility was performed and multi-drug resistant isolates were selected for plasmid profiling. Plasmids were extracted by the alkaline lysis method, electrophoresed on 0.8% agarose gel and profiled using a gel-photo documentation system gel.Results: Escherichia coli isolates obtained shows high resistance to cloxacillin (92.5%), amoxicillin (90.8%), ampicillin (90.8%), erythromycin (75.8%), cotrimoxazole (70.0%), streptomycin (70.0%) and tetracycline (68.3%) while 85.8% and 84.2% were susceptible to gentamycin and ceftazidime respectively. Sixteen Escherichia coli strains were observed to be resistant to more than two classes of antibiotics. The resistant plasmid DNA was detectable in 6(37.5%) of the 16 multidrug resistant Escherichia coli having single sized plasmids of the same weight 854bp and were all resistant to erythromycin, cefuroxime, cloxacillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin and cotrimoxazole.Conclusion: This study has highlighted the emergence of multidrug resistant R-plasmids among Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections in Abeokuta, Nigeria. There is a high level of resistance to many antimicrobials that are frequently used in Abeokuta, Nigeria.Keywords: Escherichia coli, UTI, R-plasmid, multidrug resis

Circulating Plasmodium falciparum and HIV 1/2 as Co-infections among Blood Donors in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT: Blood serves as a vehicle for transmission of blood-borne pathogens including hemoparasities. In Nigeria, screening of blood for blood-borne pathogens does not fulfill the standard protocols and screening for malaria parasites is not practiced. Determination of the prevalence of circulating Plasmodium falciparum and HIV as co-infections in a population in general, and blood-donors in particular will certainly help in reviewing the screening procedures and making health policy decisions. In view of the problem of transfusional malaria, the prevalence of malaria Plasmodium in consenting blood donors was assessed. Whole blood was used for the diagnosis of P. falciparum malaria using Malaria P. falciparum Rapid Test Device. The screening for HIV antibodies was carried out using Chembio HIV-1/2 Stat-Pak ® and Abbott Determine HIV-1/2 ® test. All tests were done according to the manufacturers' specifications. Overall prevalence rate of asymptomatic P. falciparum malaria was 17.5% (n=35) and HIV as co-infection was 22.9% (n=8), while the remaining 27(77.1%) had no HIV. The study showed no significant difference between malaria infection either for age groups (17.8% vs 16.6%, P>0.05) or sexes (16.6% vs 22.6%, P >0.05). However, it showed a significantly higher prevalence of HIV as co-infection among blood donors within ages less than 40 years than their counterparts in age groups 40 years and above (29.6% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.001). It also showed a significantly higher prevalence of HIV as co-infection among female donors than males (42.9% vs. 17.9%; P = 0.001). This study however confirmed the presence of P. falciparum malaria infection and HIV as co-infection among blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria. This could be attributed to lack of adequate accommodation and poor sanitary conditions in the area under study. General surveillance and public health education to stop the spread of the infection among blood donors in Ibadan and indeed the whole society is advocated

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Bacteria isolated from Septicaemia Cases in a Tertiary Health Care in Abeokuta

ABSTRACT: The term septicaemia is often used in describing severe bacteraemic infections or a condition in which the blood serves as a site of bacteria multiplication. A total of 120 blood culture samples were collected during year 2011 to 2012. Bacteria isolated were characterized and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns were determined. The antibiotic sensitivity was carried out using Kirby-Bauer diffusion method. Bacteria isolated include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The highest number of bacteria was found among patient age 10 years. Escherichia coli accounted for 12(46.2%) of the bacteria isolated while Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounted for 6(23.1%), 6(23.1%) and 2(7.6%) respectively. The least prevalent isolate Streptococcus pneumoniae was found only in age group 10. Ceftazidime and Levoxin showed high sensitivity rate to most of the bacterial isolates. From this study, the uncontrolled use of antibiotics may have implication for emerging resistance of bacteria to commonly -used antibiotics. [Akingbade OA, Ojo DA, Okerentugba PO, Adejuwon AO, Okonko IO