Body Mass Index Trends in Children and Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in Nigeria: A Prospective Evaluation of Regimen-Specific Effects

Children and adolescents living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (CALHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are susceptible to metabolic changes as they develop into adulthood, including significant variations in body mass index (BMI). This study evaluates the relationship between ART regimens and BMI trends in a cohort of paediatric population, exploring demographic influences and regimen-specific outcomes. This prospective observational study analyzed BMI trends in 147 children and adolescent living with HIV (CALHIV) (aged 2-16 years) on various ART regimens across three clinic visits. Participants were grouped into six ART regimen categories, including DTG- and LPV/r-based therapies. BMI (calculated from weight and height), CD4 counts, and viral load data were collected and analyzed to assess changes over time in each clinic visit. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20, with descriptive statistics and BMI changes assessed across visits; significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean participant age was 10.87±3.64 years, with most (95) aged ≥10 years and a male predominance (85 males, 62 females). BMI increased across all groups, with the TLD regimen showing the highest increase (22.99±3.45, 24.94±4.20, 26.79±4.97; p<0.05). BMI increases were progressive across the 3 visits in the TLD group with a consistent >85th percentile CDC BMI category. Adolescents (mean age: 13 years) had higher BMI, while gender had no significant impact (p=0.48). Despite BMI increases, CD4+ counts remained stable, and viral load was notably higher in ALD and ALE groups, though not statistically significant (p>0.05). Dolutegravir-based ART regimens, particularly TLD, are linked to significant BMI increases while maintaining virological while maintaining immunological stability, with variable viral load outcomes. Routine metabolic monitoring and targeted interventions are essential, especially for adolescents. Future studies should explore long-term metabolic outcomes and ART optimization in pediatric populations

Detection of hepatitis B virus isolates with mutations associated with immune escape mutants among pregnant women in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its associated immune escape mutants (IEMs), is the major vehicle through which a population of chronically infected people who serve as infectious HBV reservoirs is maintained in communities. Therefore, to assess the risk of perinatal transmission, 272 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in Ibadan metropolis, southwestern, Nigeria, were screened for HBsAg using ELISA technique. Samples positive for HBsAg were subjected to HBV DNA detection by PCR amplification of the S-gene and amplicon sequencing. Isolates were genotyped and subtyped using a combination of molecular techniques. Fifteen (5.5%) of the pregnant women were positive for HBsAg of which HBV DNA was detected in seven. Five of the isolates were typed as genotype E subtype ayw4 using amino acid residues at positions 122, 127, 134 and 160. Another could only be typed as genotype E subtype ayw4 by further phylogenetic analysis. The remaining one isolate did not belong to any of genotypes A – H. Three of the HBV isolates including the untypable, had mutations in the ‘a’ determinant associated with IEMs. This study confirms the endemicity of HBV, the risk of perinatal transmission and the circulation of genotype E subtype ayw4 in Nigeria. It further demonstrates the presence of IEMs in Nigeria.</jats:p

A year of genomic surveillance reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolded in Africa.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants

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

Serological Profile of Convalescent COVID-19 Patients at an Infectious Diseases Hospital in Nigeria

Background: IgG antibodies may serve as promising targets to detect and evaluate immune responses against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Both IgA and IgM antibodies target the spike protein’s receptor binding domain and are rapidly decayed, while IgG antibodies remain relatively stable for longer periods in COVID-19 patients.&#x0D; Objectives: The current study was designed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among convalescent COVID-19 patients and to evaluate the relationship between these antibodies, the symptom grade and their baseline Cycle Threshold (CT) by RT-PCR.&#x0D; Methods: Eighty-nine convalescent COVID-19 patients on admission were recruited and tested until negative by RT-PCR. Sera obtained from participants were screened for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies using rapid lateral flow assays.&#x0D; Results: It was observed that 93,3% and 77,5% respectively had IgM and IgG antibodies against the S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2.  Majority (74,0%) presented with mild COVID-19 symptoms with a mean RT-PCR Ct value of 31,4.&#x0D; Conclusion: Convalescent COVID-19 patients develop a fairly good level of IgG antibodies. The antibody status is not dependent on CT value or symptom grade. However, there was a significant correlation between baseline CT and time taken to test negative by RT-PCR.</jats:p

The Impact of Manpower Development on Employee Productivity in the Manufacturing Industry in Nigeria: A Case Study of Guinness Nigeria Plc

This study discussed the connexion between manpower development and the productivity of employees in the Manufacturing industry in Nigeria using the case study of the Guinness Nigeria Plc. The study aimed at answering the question of whether structured training and development programmes are relevant to the skills and effectiveness of employees; and their productivity in general. It also covered setbacks related to development of manpower, including misconceptions of training as lexuses and the lack of assessment techniques. Questionnaires and subsequent interviews were administered to a purposive sample of 100 employees in a brewery in Ikeja, Lagos, resulting in a valid sample of 80 employees. We used both descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess the data and test the hypothesised statements. Analysis involved the correlation between training exposure and increases in employee performance, job commitment and progression. The result indicated that there existed a strong positive relationship between manpower development and productivity, where 81% of the respondent validated that training enhanced their efficiency. After undergoing training programmes, the employees said that they felt sufficiently equipped in their pertinent skills and felt more dedicated to their jobs and more hopeful about their chances of climbing upwards in their careers. The difference in statistical tests were statistically significant, and it is therefore seen that consequences of manpower development has an illustrable impact on the performance outcomes. However, the study also identified challenges, including insufficient funding, inadequate identification of training requirements, and the perception of training as a time-consuming activity, which hindered its effectiveness in some instances. Finally, development of manpower is crucial in supporting the sustenance of productivity and competitiveness in manufacturing. In the case of companies like Guinness Nigeria Plc, every time investment in personnel growth is necessary including using trainers who are credible, efforts to assess results are organised and systematic. The results suggest that training must be considered an investment in genetic and organisational development instead of a contingent expenditure

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis D virus circulating in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections are major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas it is known that HBV infection is endemic in Nigeria, there is only little data about HDV prevalence available. Here, we assessed the HDV seroprevalence and determined the HDV and HBV genotypes distribution among HBsAg positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 188 serum samples from HBsAg positive outpatients recruited at four tertiary hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria. Anti-HDV antibodies were detected by ELISA while HDV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR. Sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses and HBV genotype-specific PCR were used to characterize HDV and HBV genotypes, respectively. Results: Out of 188 HBsAg positive serum samples, 17 (9 %) showed detectable HDV-RNA. Anti-HDV antibodies test was possible from 103 samples and were observed in 4.9 % (5/103) patients. There was no significant difference in HDV prevalence between four main cities across the country. 64.7 % of HDV-RNA positive samples were from males and 35.3 % from females (P

Serosurvey of human T cell lymphotropic virus I/II among blood donors in Gombe (Nigeria)

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of human T cell lymphotropic virus I/II (HTLV I/II) among blood donors at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe (FTHG), North-eastern, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 355 blood donors were recruited at the hematology department of FTHG for a hospital based cross-sectional study and were screened/confirmed for HTLV I/II by ELISA and western blot methods. Results: Seroprevalence of HTLV I/II among the 355 participants with mean age of 30.77 years (±8.27) was 6.5% on screening with ELISA but confirmed to be 0% by western blot. Majority were males, 352 (99.2%) and mostly (45.9%) between 21–30 years of age. Donors for family replacements predominated (85.1%) with more than half (58.6%) being first time blood donors. Conclusion: This study reveals the absence of HTLV I/II among blood donors in Gombe North-eastern Nigeria. It also highlights the possibility of false positivity in some of the reported prevalence of HTLV I and II from some parts of Nigeria that were based on screening tests only. The importance of confirmatory testing in all research works on HTLV (including HTLV 3 and HTLV 4) is further strengthened with this study. There is however the need for a larger study and the use of molecular diagnostics to reconfirm this assertion. </jats:p