Enteropathogenic viruses associated with acute gastroenteritis among African children under 5 years of age: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gastroenteritis viruses are the leading etiologic agents of diarrhea in children worldwide. We present data from thirty-three (33) eligible studies published between 2003 and 2023 from African countries bearing the brunt of the virus-associated diarrheal mortality. Random effects meta-analysis with proportion, subgroups, and meta-regression analyses were employed. Overall, rotavirus with estimated pooled prevalence of 31.0 % (95 % CI 24.0-39.0) predominated in all primary care visits and hospitalizations, followed by norovirus, adenovirus, sapovirus, astrovirus, and aichivirus with pooled prevalence estimated at 15.0 % (95 % CI 12.0-20.0), 10 % (95 % CI 6-15), 4.0 % (95 % CI 2.0-6.0), 4 % (95 % CI 3-6), and 2.3 % (95 % CI 1-3), respectively. Predominant rotavirus genotype was G1P[8] (39 %), followed by G3P[8] (11.7 %), G9P[8] (8.7 %), and G2P[4] (7.1 %); although, unusual genotypes were also observed, including G3P[6] (2.7 %), G8P[6] (1.7 %), G1P[6] (1.5 %), G10P[8] (0.9 %), G8P[4] (0.5 %), and G4P[8] (0.4 %). The genogroup II norovirus predominated over the genogroup I-associated infections (84.6 %, 613/725 vs 14.9 %, 108/725), with the GII.4 (79.3 %) being the most prevalent circulating genotype. In conclusion, this review showed that rotavirus remains the leading driver of viral diarrhea requiring health care visits and hospitalization among under-five years children in Africa. Thus, improved rotavirus vaccination in the region and surveillance to determine the residual burden of rotavirus and the evolving trend of other enteric viruses are needed for effective control and management of cases.

Coinfection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients with Hepatitis B Virus in Lokoja, North Central Nigeria.

Globally, coinfection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is associated with an accelerated progression of HIV disease and higher mortality resulting from complications of liver-related disease. Despite the public health importance, data are lacking on this subject in the study area. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for HIV/HBV coinfection among HIV patients accessing antiretroviral treatment in Lokoja, Nigeria. In a cross-sectional study, sera from randomly selected 200 consenting HIV patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using The Commercial Rapid Immunoassay Test Kit. Demographic variables and putative risk factors of HBV transmission were obtained using structured questionnaire. HBsAg prevalence was 8.0% in the sampled group with higher seropositivity rate in the age group, 40-49 years, followed by those 20-29 years of age, whereas the other age groups had zero positivity rates each. The difference between seroprevalence rates in relation to patients' age and sex was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Patients with no formal education, who were married and were housewives, had higher rates of HBV infection compared with others in the group. Although not statistically significant (p > 0.05), the likelihood of exposure to HBV was higher among patients who were engaged in multiple sexual behaviors, alcoholism, smoking, sharing of sharps, ear piercing, and had history of blood transfusion. Conclusively, HIV/HBV coinfection rate in our study is comparable to other localities and thus, affirm the endemicity in the study area. The need to strengthen health education of the masses to desist from risky behaviors is recommended to reduce the morbidity and mortality arising from HIV/HBV comorbidity.

Prevalence of Newcastle Disease Antibodies in Local Chicken in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria.

Newcastle disease is a contagious disease of birds and is the greatest constraint to the development of rural poultry production in Nigeria and most developing countries. The only effective means of control is vaccination which is not properly carried out in Nigeria. Therefore, this project determined the prevalence rate of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in local chicken in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. About 5 mL of blood was collected from each of 200 chickens at the point of sale by exsanguination and sera obtained were analyzed using Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test to determine the prevalence of NDV. Of the 200 samples screened 34 were positive for HI antibody to NDV giving a prevalence rate of 17%. The prevalence rate obtained in this study is significant (P < 0.05) and indicates endemicity of the disease. There was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) difference in the seroprevalence of NDV antibodies among the four markets studied. Further studies are required to determine the strains circulating for appropriate preventive and control measures.