Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (Hbv) and Hepatitis C Virus (Hcv) and their effects on serum albumin and liver aminotransferases in pregnant women in Jos

Infections due to Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses are significant health problems around the globe, Nigeria inclusive. Asymptomatic Hepatitis B and C infections are common and when occurring in pregnancy can be transmitted to the new born. To determine the prevalence rate of asymptomatic hepatitis B and C infections among pregnant women, 406 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at University Health centre and Our Lady of Apostle hospital, all in Jos, Plateau State were recruited for the study. The study was also carried out to determine whether liver aminotransferases and serum albumin can be affected by hepatitis infection during pregnancy. Demographic and past clinical histories were obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples from each study subject were tested using third-generation enzyme immunoassay kits for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against hepatitis C (HCV). Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were also estimated in all subjects using Reitman-Frankel method. Also serum albumin was measured in all subjects using Bromocresol green (BCG) method by Teitz. The results showed that 10.0% and 1.2% of the 406 blood samples tested positive on HBV and HCV, respectively. Furthermore, 1.2% of the 406 blood samples tested positive with both HBV and HCV. The mean AST levels for HBsAg negative and positive subjects were 10.55 ± 0.05 and 12.16 ± 0.29, respectively while the mean ALT levels were 5.54 ± 0.005 and 8.01 ± 0.01, respectively. The mean AST for anti-HCV negative and positive subject were 10.67 ± 0.01 and 9.01 ± 0.05, respectively while ALT were 5.71 ± 0.01 and 4.01 ± 0.05, respectively. There was a significant increase in levels of AST and ALT between the HBsAg positive and negative pregnant subjects (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mean serum albumin level for HBsAg positive and negative pregnant subjects were 30.60 ± 2.75 and 35.58 ± 3.82, respectively. Also, the mean albumin level for HCV positive and negative pregnant subjects were 28.5 ± 2.12 and 35.55 ± 3.7, respectively. There was a significant increase in albumin level between HBsAg and HCV positive and negative pregnant subjects (P < 0.05). HBV and HCV infection can be present in pregnant women and can alter liver aminotransferases and serum albumin. Routine screening of pregnant women for HBV and HCV should be instituted in order to detect infection early and prevent or reduce vertical or prenatal transmission

Detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies among HIV Seropositive women attending a Rehabilitation centre.

Co-infection with human immunodeficiency Virus HIV and (HCV) is becoming a major global problem, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. This research hence examines the risk factors and transmission of HIV and HCV co-infection. Two hundred and ninety (290) subjects were screened, with HCV global immunochromatographic test kit. Possible risk factors to co-infectious status of subject were determined using a well-structured questionnaire. Out of the 290 sera tested, 25 (8.6%) were positive for HCV antibodies. Considering Age of subjects screened, females aged 11-20 years recorded a high positivity of 3.1 %,( X2 = 2.755, P-value = 0.839; P>0.05).Marital status of subjects showed that single subjects recorded 13(4.5%), (X2 = 0.679,P-value = 0.712 ; P > 0.05)positivity compared to married subjects with 4.1%. There were no significant correlations between HCV infection with Age and Marital Status; P - values = 0.839 and 0.712 respectively (i.e P > 0.05). Significant correlation was found between HCV antibodies and educational status, (Value x2 = 7.957,P-value = 0.047; P < 0.05).However, Volunteers with secondary school level of education recorded 10(3.4%) positivity. The result obtained showed that Seroprevalence to HCV antibodies in this study was high, hence the need for its early diagnosis among HIV patients is strongly advocated to reduce the risk of further complications among these subjects

SCREENING FOR HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN (HBsAg) AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS (HCW) IN AN URBAN COMMUNITY SOUTH –SOUTH NIGERIA

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide, while infection is highest in the developing world particularly Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Healthcare workers (HCW) are at extra risk of acquiring blood-borne viral infections, particularly hepatitis B (HBV), this study is therefore aimed at estimating prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and its associated risk factors among health care workers in Uyo Metropolis. A total of 188 Health personnel, which constitutes Nurses, Doctors, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Technicians/Assistants, Pharmacists And Ward Assistance, were screened for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) using ELISA HBsAg kits (Clinotech diagnostic 3rd generation). A wellstructured questionnaire was used to determine demographic and other relevant data. Out of the one hundred and Eighty-eight (188) respondents screened. Thirty two (32) representing 17.0% were found to be seropositive. Distribution of Hepatitis B Infection based on age showed a higher prevalence of (4.8%) among subjects aged 46-50years; X2Values = 0.708; P>0.05. Considering gender, female subjects recorded (17.3%) prevalence compared to (16.7%) recorded by the Male subjects;X2 Values= 0.538, df = 1, p>0.05.Considering the profession of the subjects screened, the highest prevalence of 6.9% was found among nurses while the least prevalence of 0.53% was recorded among pharmacists. From the result obtained, it is obvious that the prevalence of HBV tends to be high among personnel with high proximity to blood and body fluids, it is therefore important that health personnel be properly informed about their risk to HBV infection, so as to adopt measures to avoid infection, while routine vaccination of health workers against HBV is highly recommended. Keywords: Health Care Workers (HCW), (HBsAg), Screenin

Distribution of HBs Antigenaemia in Pregnant Women-A Community Based Epidemiological Studies

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious public health problem worldwide and leads to a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic carrier state to acute self-limiting infection or fulminant hepatic failure, chronic hepatitis with progression to cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transmission of HBV from carrier mothers to their babies can occur during the perinatal period, and appears to be the most important factor in determining the prevalence of infection in high endemic areas. Three hundred (300) sera samples were screened among pregnant women attending a rural ante-natal clinic, using standard ELISA and the 5-panel test methods to estimate the prevalence, Markers and identify risk factors associated with the infection. Structured questionnaire was administered to subjects to obtain risk factors associated with the Hepatitis B Virus. Result showed a prevalence of 38 (12.6%) among the pregnant women screned.Based on Age, subjects aged 20-24 recorded the highest prevalence of 14(4.7%) years, closely followed by those aged 15-19 with a prevalence of 10(3.3%) This Prevalence on age of subjects in this category was found to be statistically insignificant P>0.005. Subjects at the second trimester of pregnancy recorded a higher prevalence of 34(11.3).P>0.005Seroloical markers showed; 28 (9.3%), 35 (11.6%), 5 (1.7%), 33(11.0%) and 20(6.7) for HBsAg, Anti HBs, HBeAg, Anti HBe and Anti HBc respectively (P< 0.005)}. The findings showed a high prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women. Screening of women in this category therefore would help in the early detection of HBsAg and possible prevention of neonatal transmission; hence the need for routine antenatal screening of all pregnant women

Retracted: Influence of phenotypes on immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria among women in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria.

This article has been retracted by the editor of African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology on 10/02/2014. For further information please contact the editor: [email protected]