South African HIV-1 subtype C transmitted variants with a specific V2 motif show higher dependence on α4β7 for replication.

CAPRISA, 2015.Abstract available in pdf

©2010 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Microbial agents of abnormal vaginal discharge in pregnant mothers attending Primary Health Care Centers of Jos, Nigeria

Infective genital discharge in a pregnant mother poses a greater risk of transmission of HIV to the unborn child and other complications such as abortion, premature rupture of membrane, prematurity and low birth weight. To detect some common microbial agents of abnormal vaginal discharge in pregnant women in order to improve the early diagnosis and prompt treatment in line with current syndromic management. A prospective study of female genital swabs from pregnant women collected from Primary Health Care Centers, Jos and analysed for microscopy, culture and sensitivity in Jos University Teaching Hospital, December 2006 to December 2007. Data on epidemiologic indices were collected from the patients, using structured interviewer- administered questionnaires. Microbial agents were detected in 54.3 % (n = 380) of a total 700 female genital swab from the pregnant mothers studied. Candida species were at the peak of the group of causative agents with 80.0 % (n = 304) of the 380 positive genital swab samples, other causative agents were Gardnerella vaginalis, an agent of bacteria vaginosis with 7.6 % and Trichomonas vaginalis, 1.8%. The distribution of abnormal vaginal discharge was highest in the multigravida (73.3%) and is commonest in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy with 44.7 and 39.5 % respectively. Abnormal vaginal discharge was prevalent in the multigravida group and the commonest microbial agents of infective vaginal discharge among the pregnant mothers wer

Treatment Penetration and Correlates of Diagnostic Parameters among Hepatitis B Seropositive individuals in Ondo State, Nigeria

Our aim is to determine Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection's treatment penetration among infected patients and levels of correlation between serologic, biochemical and molecular tests. Serologic tests considered were, Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis B surface Antibody (HBsAb), Hepatitis B 'e' Antigen (HBeAg), Hepatitis B core Antibody (HBcAb) and Hepatitis B 'e' Antibody (HBeAb); biochemical tests included alanine transaminase (ALT) and the molecular test was HBV viral DNA load. These parameters were considered among Hepatitis B seropositive patients so as to evaluate individual relevance of these tests to disease management in an endemic population. In this retrospective study, data of patients who attended Viral Hepatitis Clinics in University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Complex, Ondo, Nigeria from 2014 to 2019 were extracted. Serological profiles (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, hepatitis B core antibody; HBcAb), antibody against HBeAg (HBeAb); biochemical markers (alanine transaminase; ALT); and HBV viral DNA loads were collated. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0. Among a total of 630 HBsAg sero-positive patients, 48 completed the three series of tests and commenced treatment; giving a treatment penetration rate of 7.6%. Among these, 28 were males and 20 were females (1.4:1) with mean age of 34years. All had detectable viral load above 20 iu/mL and were all HBcAb positive; 26 (54.2%) had viral load below 2,000 iu/mL. Among the total of 48 patients 2 were HBeAg positive while 46 were negative. Among 46 which were HBeAg seronegative, 20 (43.5%) had viral load above 2,000 iu/mL. The 2 patients with HBeAg had viral load above 20,000 iu/mL and were also positive for HBeAb. Among the 19 (39.6%) which had ALT values greater than 20iu/L, nine (47.4%) had viral load above 2,000 iu/mL, while among 29 (60.4%) with ALT below 20 iu/L, 13 (44.8%) had viral load greater than 2,000iu/L. We concluded that wide gaps exist between HBsAg sero-positivity and treatment penetration in our environment. Neither serology, ALT nor viral loads can single handedly predict needs for patients' treatment. The presence of HBeAb was not protective against HBeAg. The need for special national hepatitis programs for adequate provision of treatment and follow-up services cannot be overemphasized