Detection of Influenza A Virus in Pigs in Lagos, Nigeria

This study detected and subtyped strains of influenza virus from pigs in Lagos, South-western Nigeria. A total of 116 (58 nasal and 58 throat) samples from healthy pigs were analysed from two different sites in Ayedoto farm at Ojo Local Government between June and September, 2010 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Influenza virus type A 31(26.7%) was detected. Subtyping was done using RT-PCR with H1, H3 and H5 primers and only subtypes H1 [5(16.1%)] and H5 [5(16.1%)] were detected. No positive detection was made for subtype H3. This research work is the first documented detection of influenza A virus in pigs in Lagos, Nigeria and demonstrates the need for a sustainable surveillance mechanism of swine and other influenza viruses to be able to prevent influenza epidemic in the environment.Keywords: Subtype, Influenza A, Pig, Lago

Antibody response to routine measles vaccination among a population of Nigerian children and evaluation of vaccine potency

Background: Despite a global decline in mortality and morbidity from measles in the last decade, outbreaks continue to occur in some parts of the world including Nigeria.Objective: To determine antibody response to routine measles vaccinationin Nigerian children and evaluate vaccine potency.Methods: A prospective study of 234 children selected from 3 health centres in an urban area of Lagos, Nigeria. Blood was obtained before and 8-12 weeks after routine vaccination with Edmonston-Zagreb strain of measles vaccine. Antibodies were detected using the measles antibody neutralization test. Reconstituted vaccines samples were analysed forpotency on monolayers of Vero slam cells in 96-well tissue culture plates.Results: Twenty seven(11.5%) had pre-vaccination antibodies. Seroconversion rate among the 195 who returned for postvaccinationsampling was 69.2%: It was however 74.2% in children with no pre-vaccination antibodies compared to 17.6% in those with antibodies. (p<0.05). Only six (50%) of the measles vaccine vials were potent. Seroconversion rate among subjects vaccinated from potent vials was 74.3% compared with 42.9% in those vaccinated from non-potent vials (p = 0.006).Conclusion: Seroconversion to measles vaccination in our environmentis sub-optimal, partly attributable to low vaccine potency. Improvement of vaccine handling processes and booster doses of the vaccine are recommended

Sero-prevalence of hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lagos, Nigeria

The prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), one of the causative agents of viral hepatitis was investigated. One hundred and sixty-seven (167) blood samples from donors which were sero-negative to hepatitis B virus markers were screened for presence of HCV IgM antibodies using a third generationELISA kit. Out of the 167 sample tested 14 (8.4%) were positive for anti-HCV with the highest prevalence rate recorded in the age group 30-39 years. There is no statistically significant association between thesex and the rate of HCV infection (p0.05)

Molecular epidemiology of group A human rotaviruses in North West region, Cameroon

Background: Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children <5 years of age worldwide accounting for 527,000 deathsannually. Over 80% of these deaths occur in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. RV vaccines have significantly reduced RV-associated morbidityand mortalities in several countries like the United States and Mexico while vaccine trials have proved efficacious in Ghana and other developingcountries. However, there is paucity of data on RV infection in Cameroon where diarrhea is a major childhood disease. Methods: A total of 534 stool specimens collected between January 2003 and December 2004 from children with acute gastroenteritis in five health districts in the NWR of Cameroon were screened for group A human rotavirus antigen by ELISA and their electropherotypes determined by Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.Results: RV was detected in 153 (28.7%) diarrheic specimens with infection occurring throughout the year, being more commonin children under two years of age (P < 0.01) with the highest incidence in the 7-9 months age group (P <0.05). Sub clinical infections (9%)occurred mostly in children aged 0 - 6 months old (P<0.01). Source of drinking water was not associated with RV infection. Elevenelectropherotype patterns were detected with predominance of long electropherotypes (92.8%) and mixed electropherotypes were seen only inhospitalized children. Some isolates showed overlapping or merged genome segments 7 and 8 or 9 and presenting with 10 segments of the RV genome. Conclusion: RV is a significant cause of pediatric diarrhea in the NWR affecting mostly children under 2 years of age. Continuous RVsurveillance and nationwide surveys are recommended to improve the health of young children in Cameroon. More research is needed to fullycharacterize the isolated RV strains.Key words: Rotavirus, diarrhea, molecular epidemiology, electropherotype

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by 7427 Australian women with cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort: A cross-sectional study

© 2016 Fisher et al. Background: To assess the prevalence of cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort and to detail the pattern of complementary and alternative (CAM) use adopted by women for the treatment of these symptoms. Methods: Data from the 2012 national Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health (ALSWH) cross-sectional survey of 7427 women aged 34-39 years were analysed to estimate the prevalence of endometriosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irregular or heavy periods and severe dysmenorrhoea and to examine the association between their symptoms and their visits to CAM practitioners as well as their use of CAM therapies and products in the previous 12 months. Results: The prevalence of endometriosis was 3.7 % and of the perimenstrual symptoms assessed, PMS was most prevalent at 41.2 % whilst irregular bleeding (22.2 %), heavy periods (29.8 %) and severe period pain (24.1 %) were reported at lower levels. Women with endometriosis were more likely than non-sufferers to have consulted with a massage therapist or acupuncturist and to have used vitamins/minerals, yoga/meditation or Chinese medicines (p < 0.05). PMS sufferers were more likely to consult with an osteopath, massage therapist, naturopath/herbalist or alternative health practitioner and to have used all forms of CAM therapies except Chinese medicines than women who had infrequent PMS (all p < 0.05). Women with irregular periods did not have different patterns of CAM use from non-sufferers and those with heavy periods did not favour any form of CAM but were less likely to visit a massage therapist or use yoga/meditation than non-sufferers (p < 0.05). For women with severe dysmenorrhoea there was no difference in their visits to CAM practitioners compared to non-sufferers but they were more likely to use aromatherapy oils (p < 0.05) and for more frequent dysmenorrhoea also herbal medicines, Chinese medicines and other alternative therapies compared to non-sufferers (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort amongst women in this age group. Women were using CAM differentially when they had specific symptoms of cyclic perimenstrual pain and discomfort. The use of CAM needs to be properly assessed to ensure their safe, effective use and to ascertain their significance as a treatment option enabling women with menstrual problems and their care providers to improve their quality of life

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women at the Antenatal Booking Clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos Nigeria

Objectives: The objectives were to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and assess the major risk factors among Nigerian pregnant women.Subjects and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional descriptive study carried out among pregnant women at the antenatal clinic of a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. A total number of 150 consenting pregnant women were selected for the study. A structured pretested interviewer‑administered questionnaire was used for the data collection. Sera were collected and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).Results: Of the150 women screened during the study, 11 (7.3%) were seropositive for HBsAg. Of these 11 women, 4 (36.4%) were also positive for HBeAg. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean ages of participants who were seropositive for HBsAg and those who were negative for the virus (P = 0.888). There were statistically significant differences in the seroprevalence of HBsAg recorded among respondents with previous surgery (odd ratio [OR] ‑ 2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] ‑ 1.08‑16.67; P = 0.046), previously affected sibling or spouse (OR ‑ 5.03; 95% CI ‑ 1.11–25.27; P = 0.001) and those with two or more lifetime sexual partners (OR ‑ 4.11; 95% CI ‑ 2.85–9.22; P = 0.024).Conclusion: The sero‑prevalence rate of HBV infection and also its infectivity is high in Lagos, Nigeria. These findings thus support the need for a nationwide policy of routine and widespread HBV screening among pregnant women.Keywords: Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis B Virus, Infectivity, Lagos, Nigeria, Seroprevalenc

Hepatitis Be Antigen (HBeAg) and Antibody (HBeAb) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Seropositive Patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

This preliminary study investigated the incidence of HBeAg and anti-HBe antibodies in the sera of HIV patients in Lagos, Nigeria, during the month of June, 2005. A total of 96 patients, aged 5-65 years who had positive HIV sera comprised the study population. The confirmation test was done at NIMR, Lagos. HIV sera were characterized by Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA) for HBeAg and HBeAb. Hepatitis Be antigen were present in the sera of seropositive HIV patients. In the studied group the incidence rate is low with the presence of antibodies in some cases. It is difficult to categorize those with antibodies as immune because their surface antigens were not known. Three samples were positive for the antigen, a male in the age group 11-20 and two females in the group 21-30. The presence of antibodies cut across the various age groups: 1 in 1-10, 2 in 21-30 group with each sex having one each; five females and two males in age groups 31-40; one male in age group 41-50; 1 female in age group 51-60. Age groups 1-10 and 61-70 have no positive antibodies in their sera. It is suggested that this preliminary study is practiable, but that it is only a pointer, and a rough guide to the incidence in Lagos

Infant immunization coverage in difficult-to-reach area of Lagos metropolis

A retrospective survey of infant immunization coverage was conducted among 210 children aged 12 to 23 months in difficult-to-reach coastal suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. This was to assess immunization coverage for BCG, DPT, OPV and measles vaccination and to investigate reasons for failure to be immunized and evaluate the drop out rate as well as missed opportunities. An EPI cluster method was used. Questionnaires were administered with WHO cluster form for infant immunization. Recall history and card records of immunization were the tools used. The result showed that 82 (39%) of the 210 children assessed were not immunized, 84 (40%) were partially immunized and only 44 (21%) were fully immunized. At one year of age, only 21 (10%) of the children completed their immunization. Observation of the follow up of vaccination showed that 65.5% of 127 children who started BCG vaccination dropped out as at the time of receiving measles vaccination. Reasons advanced for failure to immunize or complete immunization of the children included obstacles in 47.7%, lack of information 40.7% and lack of motivation in 11.6%. These factors contributed to missed opportunities. Only 9 (11%) of 82 children not vaccinated against measles attributed non vaccination to illnesses. Lack of health facilities and the terrain that is difficult to reach contributed to low coverage. Also, low literacy level, poor maternal health education, poor socioeconomic status and poor advocacy to community leaders and lack of commitment of health workers contributed to low coverage. For immunization coverage to improve in this area, these factors must be addressed. Keywords: infant, immunization, coverage, antigens, advocacy African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 6 (3) 2005: 227-23

First isolation of West Nile virus from a dromedary camel

Although antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in the sera of dromedaries in the Middle East, North Africa and Spain, no WNV has been isolated or amplified from dromedary or Bactrian camels. In this study, WNV was isolated from Vero cells inoculated with both nasal swab and pooled trachea/lung samples from a dromedary calf in Dubai. Complete-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis using the near-whole-genome polyprotein revealed that the virus belonged to lineage 1a. There was no clustering of the present WNV with other WNVs isolated in other parts of the Middle East. Within lineage 1a, the dromedary WNV occupied a unique position, although it was most closely related to other WNVs of cluster 2. Comparative analysis revealed that the putative E protein encoded by the genome possessed the original WNV E protein glycosylation motif NYS at E154–156, which contained the N-linked glycosylation site at N-154 associated with increased WNV pathogenicity and neuroinvasiveness. In the putative NS1 protein, the A70S substitution observed in other cluster 2 WNVs and P250, which has been implicated in neuroinvasiveness, were present. In addition, the foo motif in the putative NS2A protein, which has been implicated in neuroinvasiveness, was detected. Notably, the amino-acid residues at 14 positions in the present dromedary WNV genome differed from those in most of the closely related WNV strains in cluster 2 of lineage 1a, with the majority of these differences observed in the putative E and NS5 proteins. The present study is the first to demonstrate the isolation of WNV from dromedaries. This finding expands the possible reservoirs of WNV and sources of WNV infection