C Mboto

Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C co-infection in sub-Saharan West Africa.

Abstract Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is becoming a major global problem, leading to increased morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Co-existence in sub-Saharan West Africa of a high prevalence of HIV and HCV, which share similar behavioural risk factors and modes of transmission, must be seen in the broader context of an emerging third epidemic of HIV and HCV co-infection, as many factors that may affect the spread of HIV and HCV co-infection are endemic in the continent, including host factors such as sexual behaviour, presence of other sexually transmitted diseases, female and male circumcision status, percutaneous and perinatal exposure, and poverty. This review examines the epidemiology, risk factors and transmission of HIV and HCV co-infection and draws attention to the possible emergence of an epidemic of HIV and HCV co-infection in the region.

Halophilic Vibrio spp. associated with hard clams (Mercenaria spp.) from the Calabar river estuary

One hundred and ten hard clams (Mercenaria spp.) harvested from the Calabar river estuary were examined for total platable heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. in their mantle fluids using estuarine salts agar and thiosulphate citrate bile salts sucrose agar plates respectively. The mean counts of heterotrophic bacteria and vibrios were 7.9 x 10(6) organisms/ml and 2.5 x 10(2) vibrios/ml respectively. The rate of vibrio infection was 58.2%. Of the clams positive for vibrios, 54 (84%) harboured dual infections (V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus) of the moderate grade (greater than or equal to 10(3) to 10(5) vibrios/ml). Single infections due to V. alginolyticus or V. parahaemolyticus, found in 16% of clams, were either low (less than 10(3) vibrios/ml), moderate (greater than or equal to 10(3) to 10(5) vibrios/ml), or high (greater than 10(5) vibrios/ml). Dual infections only were detected in clams with mantle fluid volumes greater than 30 ml.

Hepatitis C virus prevalence and serotypes associated with HIV in The Gambia

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serotypes are important in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HCV-related disease, but little is known of this connection in West Africa. Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV and its serotypes associated with HIV in The Gambia. A total of 1500 individuals referred to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital for HIV serology between July and December, 2002 were screened for antibodies to HIV and subsequently for HCV, and seropositive samples were typed. This study shows HIV and HCV prevalence of 6.7% and 1.6 %, respectively, with a co-infection rate of 0.6%. Serotype 2 showed the highest prevalence (58.1 %), followed by serotype 1 (19.4%). Prevalence of HCV serotype 3 was 6.5 % and five samples were untypeable. Co-infection of HIV-1 with HCV serotype 1 showed a prevalence of 44.4%, and with HCV serotype 2 of 33.3%. The findings support the evidence to suggest the West African subregion as the origin of HCV serotype 2. It also demonstrates the need for routine HCV screening of HIV-infected persons and blood donations, and calls for further studies to elucidate the sources of the HCV virus.

Hepatitis C antibodies in asymptomatic first-time blood donors in The Gambia: prevalence and risk factors.

Abstract This study evaluates the seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C (HCV) antibodies in asymptomatic first-time blood donors in The Gambia. The study population includes 460 blood donors (age range: 18–40 years [mean: 27.5]) who attended the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital from July to December 2002. Antibodies to hepatitis C are determined using and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test system. The prevalence of hepatitis C found in this study was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.16–1.12). Previous history of sexually transmitted disease, married men in polygamous relationships, and hospital or clinic-based workers were determined to be at risk of acquiring hepatitis C. The study shows that seroprevalence of hepatitis C in The Gambia is low compared to other countries in the region.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in The Gambia and the role of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

ObjectivesHepatocellular Carcinoma is the commonest form of cancer in The Gambia, and although Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are known risk factors, accurate baseline data on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C distribution in the region are limited. Similarly data including information on the involvement of the viruses in HCC remains unknown. The current study was undertaken to estimate the risk of HCC in relation to HCV and HBV in The Gambia.MethodsThirteen patients with histological proven history of HCC and 39 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Each subject blood was screened individually for anti-HCV using ORTHO HCV 3.0 ELISA test system (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc, U.S.A) and for HBsAg using QUADRATECH CHECK 4-HBs one step generation hepatitis B surface antigen test kit (VEDALAB, France) following the manufacturers instructions.ResultsHBsAg and anti-HCV was detected in 38.5 %(5/13) and 7.7% (1/39) of the persons with a history of HCC respectively. HBsAg but not anti-HCV was detected in 12.8% (5/39 of the case control subjects. HBsAg and HCV rates among the HCC patients were higher in men than women. Rates were highest in patients 48 years and above (37.5%; 3/8). No patient was found with anti-HCV and anti-HBV.ConclusionThese results indicate that the involvement of HBV and HCV in HCC in the country is in a ratio of 5:1 and that these two viruses might be independently involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The study revealed a statistically significant association (p = 0.04) between HBsAg and HCC patients.The results also indicate that up to 50% of HCC cases in the country may be due to non viral factors and calls for further studies in this regard. These findings call for provision of diagnostic facilities for these viruses in hospitals and for their routine screening in blood banks while intervention programmes should be put in place.

Plasmid Profile Analysis and Curing of Multidrug-resistant Bacteria Isolated from Two Hospital Environments in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the plasmid profile and curing of environmental isolates from General and Infectious Disease hospitals showing multi-drug resistance. Methods: Isolates were obtained from air and surfaces of two hospitals using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates were then subjected to sensitivity using ofloxacin, reflacine, ciprofloxacin, augmentin, gentamycin, streptomycin, ceporex, nalidixic acid, septrin, amplicin, norfloxacin, amoxyl, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, ampiclox, levofloxacin, ampicillin, cefoxitin, amoxicillin and ceftazidime. Multi-drug resistant isolates were then selected for plasmid DNA analysis, quantification, electrophoresis and curing. Results: The isolates that showed resistance to more than two antibiotics were S. aureus, Original Research Article Mbim et al.; AJMAH, 1(1): 1-11, 2016; Article no.AJMAH.28587 2 E. aerogenes, C. freundii, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, Salmonella species, S. marcescens, Proteus species, S. marcescens, E. coli, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. The extracted plasmid DNA ranged from 1.2 80.5 ng/μl in quantity and showed the presence of SHV, CTX-M and MecA genes in the isolates with sizes of 154, 300 and 600-1000 bp, respectively. All isolates had SHV while a few had CTX-M genes except S. aureus and coagulase-negative S. aureus which had mecA gene in addition. Chi-square and Fisher exact test for SHV gene was significant while CTX-M was not. Treatment with ethidium bromide showed that at a concentration of 0-20 μl, all isolates exhibited very heavy growth (+++), at 50-100 μl, only P. aeruginosa showed very heavy growth (+++) while other organisms showed heavy to moderate growth. However, at 400 to 1,000 μl, no growth was observed. Conclusion: The presence of plasmid-borne multiple resistant genes is of great public health concern and this highlights the need for antibiogram and molecular typing in the control of nosocomial infections.