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Predominant amino acid substitutions in NS5B gene of hepatitis C virus in blood donors and treatment-naïve hepatitis and HIV patients in Nigeria

*1Shenge, J. A., 2Odaibo, G. N., and 2Olaleye, D. O.
1Virology Research Unit, Biological Sciences, Dominican University, Ibadan, Nigeria 2Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria *Correspondence to: jadamma@yahoo.com; +2348099711012

Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome undergoes high rate of mutation, which results in generation of genetically diverse HCV isolates. There is paucity of data on mutations in the nonstructural 5b (NS5b) gene of circulating HCV and their implications in the Nigerian population. Here, we identified clinically-important mutations in HCV isolates, which may influence response to therapy and disease prognosis. Continue reading “Predominant amino acid substitutions in NS5B gene of hepatitis C virus in blood donors and treatment-naïve hepatitis and HIV patients in Nigeria”

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Haemoglobin phenotypes and the risk of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia among blood donors in northwest Nigeria: clinical implications in the practice of tropical transfusion medicine

1Kani, K. M., 2Ibrahim, Z., 2Habeeb, A.,2Ibrahim, U. A., and *4Ahmed, S. G.

1Department of Haematology, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, Nigeria

2Department of Haematology, Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Dutse, Nigeria

3Department of Paediatrics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

4Department of Haematology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria *Correspondence to: drsagirahmed@yahoo.com; +2348034418015

Abstract:

 Background: In malaria-endemic populations, sickle cell trait (SCT) protects against both severe and non-severe malaria, but inconsistencies exist about protective effect of SCT on asymptomatic malarial parasitemia (AMP). Surprisingly, the effect of Hb-phenotypes on AMP has not been explored among blood donors in Nigeria or other malaria-endemic countries, where risks of AMP and transfusion transmitted malaria (TTM) are high. The objective of this study is to determine risk of AMP with respect to donor Hb-phenotypes (SCT versus HbAA), and elucidate clinical implications of AMP with respect to risk of TTM vis-à-vis the practice of transfusion medicine in Nigeria, and by implication other malaria-endemic tropical countries.

Methodology: Analysis of 100 blood donors with AMP (cases) and 100 donors without AMP (controls) was performed. Frequencies of SCT and HbAA (determined by Hb electrophoresis) among cases and controls were compared by X2-test. Risks of AMP (detected by microscopy) with respect to Hb-phenotypes were expressed as Odds ratios (OR) by case-control logistic regression. Continue reading “Haemoglobin phenotypes and the risk of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia among blood donors in northwest Nigeria: clinical implications in the practice of tropical transfusion medicine”

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Seroprevalence of parvovirus BI9 antibody in blood donors and sickle cell disease patients at Lagos university teaching hospital (LUTH): a comparative study

MC Iheanacho, SA Akanmu, B Nwogoh

 

Abstract

Introduction: Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is a DNA virus transmissible by blood transfusion. It is a major cause of aplastic crisis especially in chronic haemolytic anaemic patients such as sickle cell disease patients.
Objective: The study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of PVB19 in blood donors and sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients and to evaluate its association with blood transfusion in SCA patients.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos Nigeria. Three hundred participants, consisting of 150 voluntary blood donors and 150 sickle cell anaemia subjects were enrolled into the study. Seroprevalence of parvovirus was determined using ELISA kits for IgG and IgM anti-PVB19 antibodies by Immuno-Biological Laboratories, (IBL) inc. Minneapolis, USA. Results was analyzed with SPSS 11 software and presented in tables. Fishers Exact test, Chi-square and student T-test were used as appropriate to compare variables between both groups. P-values <0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Ninety nine (66%) blood donors were positive for anti-PVB19 IgG antibody while ninety two (61.3%) sickle cell patients were positive. Two (1.3%) blood donors were positive anti-PVB19 IgM antibodies while 8 (5.3%) SCD patients were positive for anti-PVB19 IgM antibodies. There was no significant difference in the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antiPVB19 virus in both groups. There was no association of parvovirus seroprevalence with blood transfusion.
Conclusion: The study has shown a high seroprevalence of IgG anti-PVB19 antibodies in both blood donors and SCA patients. Therefore routine screening for parvovirus infection for donor blood is not justified. However seronegative SCA patients who require blood transfusion should have the blood screened for parvovirus to reduce the risk of associated aplastic crisis.

Key words: Seroprevalence, parvovirus B19, blood donors, sickle cell anaemia

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Seroprevalence of parvovirus BI9 antibody in blood donors and sickle cell disease patients at Lagos university teaching hospital LUTH a comparative study

 

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Transfusion transmissible viral infections among potential blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria

AY Afolabi, A Abraham, EK Oladipo, AO Adefolarin, AH Fagbami

 

Abstract

It is evident that proper screening procedures prior blood transfusion is a cost-effective approach for prevention and control of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). Also, it has been documented that sub-standard test kits are mostly used in resource limited settings for transfusion related diagnosis. However, the role of such practice in epidemiology of transfusion transmissible viral infections in a tertiary health care facility would give an insight to the rates of blood transfusion associated viral transmission in the community at large. Therefore, the study was designed to determine the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses among blood donors in a tertiary hospital where quality diagnostic procedures are considered prior recruitment of donors. Post ethical approval, counselled and consenting 507(M= 426; F=81) aged 19 to 68 years (Median age:39) potential blood donors were recruited and tested for HIV, HBsAg and anti-HCV using commercial ELISA testkit in strict compliance with the manufacturer’sprocedures. Overall results show rates of 2.0%, 5.9% and 1.4% for HIV, HBsAg and HCV respectively. Also, highest prevalence rates were recorded among age group 26 to 35 years as 2.6%, 7.2% and 2.1% for HIV, HBV and HCV respectively. Furthermore, higher prevalences rates were noted among unmarried individuals as 2.6%, 6.8% and 2.1% for HIV, HBV and HCV respectively.

Key words: Transfusion Transmissible Infections, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Blood Donors, University College Hospital (UCH), ELISA.

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Transfusion transmissible viral infections among potential blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria

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Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C Virus in patients and blood donors in Kano, Nigeria

O Azeez-Akande, A Sarki, E.E Wokedi, A Olabode, P Alabi

 

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease resulting in cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. It is believed to be widespread in Africa but its epidemiology is incomplete and is yet to be determined in many areas of the sub-saharan Africa including Nigeria. Using third generation enzyme immuno-assay (EIA-3) and recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) technique as confirmatory test, we examined the prevalence of HCV antibodies in 226 blood donors and 226 patients attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano, Nigeria and evaluated the risk factors of HCV transmission in this environment. HCV antibodies were detected in 0.4% and 2.2% blood donors and patients respectively. The overall HCV seroprevalence was 1.3%. There was increased infection acquisition with increasing age; one (16.7%) HCV infection occurred in 25-34 years age group and 5 or 83.3% in subjects > 45 years in age which was significant (P< 0.05). The ratio of infection in male to female was 1:5. Evidence of previous exposure via transfusion was common in HCV seropositive subjects and could be a major risk factor of acquisition in this environment. Adequate screening of blood products in sub- Saharan Africa (Nigeria inclusive) may minimize the risk of HCV transmission and associated health complications.

Key words: Hepatitis C virus, seroprevalence, patients, blood donors, risk factors.

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Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C Virus in patients and blood donors in Kano Nigeria