Detection of hepatitis C virus among HIV patients in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) a major human pathogen infecting millions of individuals worldwide, thereby increasing the risks for chronic liver diseases and has been discovered that HIV/HCV co-infected patients have a greater risk. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HCV infection among HIV infected people in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methodology: The patients were from the ages of 18 and above attending the antiretroviral clinic for over 6 months. The mean age of the participants was 36.91\ub18.38. Data were gotten from the 550 patients using a modified questionnaire and 5mls of blood samples were collected through venepuncture into EDTA bottles and spun at 3000rpm for 10 minutes separating the plasma from the whole blood. The CD4+ count was gotten from the patients\u2019 file and the samples kept at -700C till analized. HCV antibody was detected using a commercially available third generation kit manufactured by Melsin Medical Co and statistical analysis was done using a Stata version 16. P value was determined using ANOVA Result: Total number positive to the HCV antibody was 24(4.4%) of which 8(33.3%) were males, while 16(66.7%) were females. Prevalence (29.2%) was among patients in the 31\u201335 age range. The CD4+ count ranged from 22-864 cells/\u3bcl with a mean value of 303.08\ub1194. Conclusion: From this study HIV/HCV co-infection occurs among HIV infected people in Port Harcourt. The CD4+ count was discovered to be low and was not age, nor gender dependent. HIV infected people should therefore be routinely screened for HCV

Perceptions of Nigerian Women about Human Papilloma Virus, Cervical Cancer, and HPV Vaccine

Background. Cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) though preventable has claimed the lives of many women worldwide. This study was embarked upon to evaluate the general knowledge and perceptions of Nigerian women on HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine. Methods. Structured questionnaires were administered to a cross section of 737 women randomly selected from the general population in two southwestern States of Nigeria. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS computer software version 16. A value >0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. One hundred and seventy-six (23.9%) of the respondents had knowledge of HPV; 474 (64.3%) are aware of cervical cancer but only 136 (18.5%) know that HPV causes cervical cancer. 200 (27.1%) are aware that there is an HPV vaccine while 300 (40.7%) had knowledge of Pap smear test. Two hundred and sixty (35.3%) of the respondents know that early detection of HPV can prevent cervical cancer and in spite of this, only 110 (14.9%) have taken the Pap smear test before while 151 (20.5%) are not willing to go for the test at all. Conclusions. There is therefore the need to create proper awareness on the HPV and its possible consequence of cervical carcinoma

Detection of Q129H Immune Escape Mutation in Apparently Healthy Hepatitis B Virus Carriers in Southwestern Nigeria

As the global effort to eradicate hepatitis B continues, immune escape mutations (IEMs) and drug resistance mutations (DRMs) affecting its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention are compromising this goal. However, knowledge about the prevalence and circulation of these mutations in Nigeria is scarce. Serum samples (n = 199) from apparently healthy prospective blood donors, pregnant women, and individuals presenting with fever in southwestern Nigeria were analyzed for the presence of IEMs and DRMs by means of nested PCR in the HBV S (HBs) and HBV polymerase (Pol) genes, followed by phylogenetic and mutational analyses. In total, 25.1% (n = 50/199) of samples were positive for HBV, as measured by PCR. In 41 samples (20.6%), both fragments could be amplified, whereas the HBs gene and the Pol gene fragment alone were detected in 0.5% (n = 1/199) and 4% (n = 8/199) of samples, respectively. Sequences were successfully obtained for all 42 HBs gene fragments but for only 31/49 Pol gene fragments (totaling 73 sequences from 44 individuals). All sequences were identified as HBV genotype E. IEMs were present in 18.2% (n = 8/44) of the sequences of HBV-positive individuals with available sequences. IEM Q129H was detected in eight out of the 44 (18.2%) HBV isolates sequenced in this study; however, no DRMs were observed. This study confirms the circulation of HBV IEMs and reports the presence of Q129H IEM for the first time in Nigeria. Intensified research on the dynamics of IEM is necessary in order to enhance the elimination of HBV.Peer Reviewe

Hepatitis E virus infection in high-risk populations in Osun State, Nigeria

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging infection that is of major public health concern, especially in some vulnerable groups like immunosuppressed individuals, pregnant women and HBV-coinfected individuals. HEV is transmitted faecal/oral or zoonotically depending on the HEV-genotype. This study aimed at investigating HEV infections among different at-risk populations in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. A total of 720 serum samples were collected from animal handlers, pregnant women, people living with HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected individuals. Commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) were used for the detection of anti-HEV total and IgM antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out in the HEV seropositive samples and all the samples from individuals infected with HBV. Descriptive analysis and chi-square test of association were performed. The anti-HEV total antibody seroprevalence in HIV-positive individuals, animal handlers and pregnant women was 11.4% (n = 47/411), 7.9% (n = 7/89), and 6.3% (n = 10/160), respectively. Markers of acute HEV infection (anti-HEV IgM) were detected in 2.2% of HIV-positive individuals (n = 9/411) and 1.8% of animal handlers (n = 2/89), respectively, and in 0.6% of pregnant women (n = 1/160). However, all samples were HEV RNA negative. This study analysed the presence of markers of HEV infection among different at-risk populations without clinical symptoms of HEV infection. Our results showed that HEV is an underestimated threat to public health in Nigeria and underlines the need of an HEV surveillance system to understand the distribution and transmission of HEV infection in animals and/to humans.Peer Reviewe

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria and HIV are the two most important health challenges of our time. Haematologic abnormalities are features in Plasmodium falciparum infection, and anaemia is a well-known outcome. The prevalence and haematological impact of P. falciparum parasitaemia were determined among HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria. Parasite detection was carried out using microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Haemoglobin concentration was determined using an automated machine while CD4+ T-cells count was analyzed using flow cytometer. Thirty-seven (18.5%) out of the 200 HIV individuals enrolled had malaria parasites detected in their blood. All the positive cases were detected by PCR while only 20 (10%) were detected by thick blood microscopy. The mean haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) of HIV individuals with malaria parasitaemia were lower compared to those without malaria parasitaemia but the difference was not statistically significant. Also no significant difference was observed in malaria positivity in respect to sex and mean CD4+ cell count. The study highlights the effects of P. falciparum parasitaemia on the haematologic and immune components of HIV individuals

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Parasitaemia and Its Correlation with Haematological Parameters among HIV-Positive Individuals in Nigeria

Malaria and HIV are the two most important health challenges of our time. Haematologic abnormalities are features in Plasmodium falciparum infection, and anaemia is a well-known outcome. The prevalence and haematological impact of P. falciparum parasitaemia were determined among HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria. Parasite detection was carried out using microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Haemoglobin concentration was determined using an automated machine while CD4+ Tcells count was analyzed using flow cytometer. Thirty-seven (18.5%) out of the 200 HIV individuals enrolled had malaria parasites detected in their blood. All the positive cases were detected by PCR while only 20 (10%) were detected by thick blood microscopy. The mean haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) of HIV individuals with malaria parasitaemia were lower compared to those without malaria parasitaemia but the difference was not statistically significant. Also no significant difference was observed in malaria positivity in respect to sex and mean CD4+ cell count. The study highlights the effects of P. falciparum parasitaemia on the haematologic and immune components of HIV individuals

Complete Genome Sequence of a Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1e Strain from an Outbreak in Nigeria, 2017

Hepatitis E virus genotype 1 (HEV-1) is associated with large epidemics. Notably, HEV subtype 1e (HEV-1e) has caused HEV outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa. We report here the second full-length genome sequence of an HEV-1e strain (NG/17-0503) from a recent outbreak in Nigeria in 2017. It shares 94.2% identity with an HEV-1e strain from Chad.Peer Reviewe

Perceptions of Nigerian Women about Human Papilloma Virus, Cervical Cancer, and HPV Vaccine

Background. Cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) though preventable has claimed the lives of many women worldwide. This study was embarked upon to evaluate the general knowledge and perceptions of Nigerian women on HPV, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine. Methods. Structured questionnaires were administered to a cross section of 737 women randomly selected from the general population in two southwestern States of Nigeria. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS computer software version 16. A P value >0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. One hundred and seventy-six (23.9%) of the respondents had knowledge of HPV; 474 (64.3%) are aware of cervical cancer but only 136 (18.5%) know that HPV causes cervical cancer. 200 (27.1%) are aware that there is an HPV vaccine while 300 (40.7%) had knowledge of Pap smear test. Two hundred and sixty (35.3%) of the respondents know that early detection of HPV can prevent cervical cancer and in spite of this, only 110 (14.9%) have taken the Pap smear test before while 151 (20.5%) are not willing to go for the test at all. Conclusions. There is therefore the need to create proper awareness on the HPV and its possible consequence of cervical carcinoma

Prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B and D virus infections among HIV-positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria

Background Coinfections of HIV-positive individuals with Hepatitis B and D virus (HBV and HDV) are common and can be associated with rapid liver damage. Several antiretroviral drugs for HIV exhibit anti-HBV effect; however, the selection of HBV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in individuals under HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been reported but rarely in Nigeria. In this study the HBV/HDV prevalence and HBV DRMs in HIV-positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria were assessed. Methods Plasma samples collected from 310 HIV-positive individuals including 295 ART-experienced and 15 ART-naïve persons attending the HIV clinic in three south-western states of Nigeria between June 2017 and August 2017 were analysed by ELISA for HBsAg and anti-HDV. The presence of HDV RNA and HBV DNA was analysed by (RT)-PCR followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses for genotyping. The HBV reverse transcription (RT) region was amplified and sequenced for the analysis of drug resistance mutations. Results Overall, 16.1% (n = 50/310) of the HIV-positive individuals were positive for HBsAg, most of which were ART-experienced (94.0%; n = 47/50). From the 50 HBsAg-positive samples, 72.0% (n = 36/50) were positive for HBV DNA and 16.0% (n = 8/50) had detectable HDV RNA while 5.6% (n = 2/36) of the HBV-DNA positive samples had anti-HDV total antibodies. Sequences were available for 31/36 of the HBV DNA-positive and 3/8 HDV RNA-positive samples. HBV DNA-positive samples were characterised as HBV genotype E infections exclusively, while HDV genotype 1 was detected in the HDV RNA-positive samples. HBV DRMs V173L, L180M, S202I and M204V/I, which are associated with lamivudine resistance, were detected in 32.2% (n = 10/31) of the HBV DNA-positive samples. Most of these mutations (90.0%; n = 9/10) were present in the ART-experienced cohort. Conclusions This study indicates that HBV/HDV coinfections are common in HIV-positive individuals under ART in Nigeria. Furthermore, a high proportion of HBV DRMs which potentially compromise future treatment options were detected, underscoring the need for HBV screening prior to starting ART. Further studies should be performed to monitor a possible increase in the spread of HDV among populations at risk of HIV and HBV infections.Peer Reviewe