Sero-evidence of silent Japanese Encephalitis Virus infection among inhabitants of Ilorin, North-central Nigeria: a call for active surveillance.

Infection by Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) causes viral encephalitis in humans. It is endemic in Asia and western Pacific regions with no reported case in Nigeria so far. This study aimed at detecting evidence of circulation and pattern of exposure of individuals in Ilorin, Nigeria to JEV. A total of 139 febrile patients attending outpatient departments of Sobi specialist hospital, Civil service hospital and University of Ilorin health center participated in the study. About 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each participant and the plasma tested for the presence of anti-JEV IgG antibody using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Anti-JEV IgG antibody was detected in 32% (45/139) of the participants. Males were more exposed (37%) than female participants (27.3%). Similarly, participants with travel history outside of the country were more exposed (44.4%) than those without travel history (29.5%). Further analysis on the basis of age, marital and working status showed no statistical association between these variables and anti-JEV positivity (p˃0.05). This study has provided serological evidence of the circulation of JEV among Ilorin inhabitants and therefore calls for active surveillance for the infection in order to forestall any future major outbreak.

Serological detection of human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II among pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I/II (HTLV-I/II) is endemic in some parts of the world including Nigeria. Reported prevalence rates in Nigeria have largely focused on blood donors. This study aims at determining the prevalence of HTLV infection among pregnant women in Ilorin North-central Nigeria. Serum samples from 276 pregnant women who were antenatal clinic attendees at General and Civil Service Hospitals in Ilorin were tested for the presence of HTLV-I/II antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay test kits from Diagnostic Automation INC., USA. Out of the 276 women tested, 3 tested positive giving a prevalence rate of 1.1%. The result was analyzed on the basis of age, marital status, nature of family, educational status, occupation, religion, parity, and gestational stage of the women. There was no statistical association of HTLV positivity with any of the variables. Although relatively lower than prevalence rate recorded among similar study groups in other parts of the country, the 1.1% prevalence in this study underscores the need for proper education and creation of awareness among antenatal clinic attendees, so as to reduce viral transmission and incidence of HTLV-related diseases.