Epidemiology of confirmed measles virus cases, surveillance, incidence, and associated factors in Eritrea: 18-year retrospective analysis.

Background: Despite the outstanding measles vaccine coverage (MVC) in Eritrea, sporadic outbreaks are not uncommon. Therefore, understanding the incidence of laboratory-confirmed measles virus cases, related factors, and spatial inequalities in testing and surveillance remains crucial. In this analysis, we evaluated the incidence and spatiotemporal distribution of measles in Eritrea. An evaluation of the factors associated with measles vaccination and IgM positive (+) febrile rash was also undertaken. Methods: A retrospective (period: 2002-2020) study was carried out by abstracting data from the integrated disease surveillance and response database (IDSR). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. Spatial variability and distribution of confirmed cases was evaluated using ArcGIS Pro version 3.0.1. Results: In total, 9,111 suspected cases, 2,767 [1,431 (51.7%) females] were serologically tested. The median (IQR) age, minimum-maximum age were 7 years (IQR: 4-14 years) and 1 month-97 years, respectively. Among the 608(21.9%) laboratory-confirmed cases, 534 (87.8%) were unvaccinated and 53 (9.92%) were < 1 year old. The crude incidence rate for MV was 14/100,000 persons. The age-specific positivity rate per 100,000 suspected cases tested was 21.5 with individuals >30 years presenting with the highest rates (69.9/100,000). Higher odds (OR) of MV test positivity was associated with age at onset - higher in the following age-bands [10-14 years: OR = 1.6 (95%CI, 1.1-2.2, value of p = 0.005); 15-29 years: OR = 7.0 (95%CI, 5.3-9.2, value of p = 0.005); and > =30 years: OR = 16.7 (95%CI, 11.7-24) p < 0.001]. Other associations included: Address - higher in Anseba (OR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.7-3.1, value of p<0.001); Debub (OR = 2.7, 95%CI: 1.9-3.9, value of p < 0.001); Gash-Barka (OR = 15.4, 95%CI: 10.9-21.7, value of p < 0.001); Northern Red Sea (OR = 11.8, 95%CI: 8.5-16.2, value of p < 0.001); and Southern Red Sea (OR = 14.4, 95%CI: 8.2-25.2, value of p < 0.001). Further, test positivity was higher in health centers (OR = 2.5, 95%CI: 1.9-3.4, value of p < 0.001) and hospitals (OR = 6.8, 95%CI: 5.1-9.1, value of p < 0.001). Additional factors included vaccination status - higher in the unvaccinated (OR = 14.7, 95%CI: 11.4-19.1, value of p < 0.001); and year of onset of rash - (higher >2015: OR = 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1-1.7, value of p<0.001). Uptake of measles vaccine associated with a similar complement of factors. Conclusion: In large part, efforts to eliminate measles in Eritrea are hindered by disparities in vaccine coverage, under-surveillance, and low vaccination rates in neighboring countries. Enhanced surveillance and regional micro planning targeting hard-to-reach areas can be an effective strategy to improve measles elimination efforts in Eritrea.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus genotypes among patients with liver disease in Eritrea.

Eritrea is an East African multiethnic country with an intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B. Our aim was to establish the most prevalent genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among patients with liver disease. A total of 293 Eritrean patients with liver disease who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive were enrolled. All sera were tested for liver transaminases, HBV DNA viral load, and hepatitis B seromarkers including HBsAg, anti-HBcAb (total), HBeAg, and anti-HBeAb. Those reactive for HBsAg and anti-HBc (total) were further tested for HBV genotyping. The median (interquartile range) of HBV DNA viral load and ALT levels were 3.47 (1.66) log IU/mL and 28 (15.3) IU/L, respectively. Using type-specific primer-based genotyping method, 122/293 (41.6%) could be genotyped. Irrespective of mode of occurrence, HBV genotype D (21.3%) was the predominant circulating genotype, followed by genotypes C (17.2%), E (15.6%), C/D (13.1%), and C/E (10.7%). Genotypes C/D/E (7.4%), A/D (4.9%), D/E (4.1%), A (2.5%), and B, A/E, B/E, and A/D/C (0.8%) were also present. HBV in Eritrea is comprised of a mixture of HBV genotypes. This is the first study of HBV genotyping among patients with liver disease in Eritrea.

Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B phases in Eritrean patients: a laboratory-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is important for determining optimal management and predicting prognosis in patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of different phases of CHB infection among Eritrean patients and to identify the proportion of patients who are eligible for treatment according to the latest American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 293 CHB patients (213 males and 80 females) between Jan 2017 and Feb 2019. The patients were classified into immune-tolerant, immune-active, and inactive CHB phases of the infection, which is based on the results of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological panel (HBsAg, anti-HBc total, HBeAg, and anti-HBe), ALT levels, and HBV DNA viral load. The 2018 AASLD guidelines were also used to identify patients who needed treatment. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 41.66 ± 13.84 years. Of these, 3 (1.0%) were at the immune tolerant phase, 58 (19.8%) at the immune-active CHB phase, and 232 (79.2%) at the inactive CHB phase. As most subjects (93%) were HBeAg-negative, based on AASLD guidelines, only 5 (1.7%) were currently eligible for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that CHB patients in Eritrea were predominantly in the inactive CHB phase. Although initiating antiviral therapy is not recommended in these patients, periodic assessment of liver function and disease severity should be considered in patients older than 40 years. The immune-tolerant phase had the fewest patients, most of whom were aged above 20 years, attesting to the success of incorporating HBV vaccine in the national childhood immunization program since 2002. Our study shows that adopting AASLD treatment guidelines with adjustments to suit the local setting is a suitable option in the management of Eritrean CHB patients.