Saida Osman

Genetic diversity of HIV type 1 along the coastal strip of Kenya.

A study on the genetic diversity of HIV-1 subtypes present along the coastal strip of Kenya, i.e., Kilifi, Mombasa, Msambweni, and Malindi districts, was carried out. DNA sequences for regions encoding a portion of the env-gp41 region of the virus were generated by PCR and sequenced directly. Eighty six samples that were successfully sequenced were analyzed. From the analysis, 86% (74) were subtype A1, 5% (4) were subtype C, 8% (7) were subtype D, and 1% (1) was subtype G. This study shows that HIV-1 subtype A1 is the most dominant subtype in circulation in this region.

Molecular Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus in Kenya

Eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (A-H) and subgenotypes have been recognized worldwide. However, there is limited information on prevalent genotypes in many countries in Africa. This study was undertaken to determine the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Kenya. Seropositive HBV blood samples from a blood donor setting were used in the study. HBV genotypes were determined in 52 nucleic acid-positive samples using specific primer in a nested PCR and sequencing employed in the HBV genotyping. This study shows presence of HBV variants with genotypes A (88%), E (8%) and D (4%). In conclusion, we found that HBV genotype A is the most predominant genotype in Kenya with both subgenotype A1 and A2 present. Genotype D and E are also present in our population. This demonstrates that there could be a high genetic diversity of HBV in Kenya.

The changing trend of HIV type 1 subtypes in Nairobi.

Monitoring the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants among infected individuals has become a priority in HIV therapy. A laboratory analysis of samples collected from HIV-positive patients attending an STI clinic in Nairobi was done between March and May 2004. PCR was carried out on pol (intergrase) and env (C2V3) regions and resulting data on the 54 samples successfully analyzed revealed the following as circulating subtypes: 35/54(65%) were A1/A1, 5/54(9%) were A/C, 4/54 (7%) were A1/D, 1/54 (2%) was C/D, 1/54 (2%) was D/D, 1/54 (2%) was A1/A2, 1/54 (2%)was G/G, 1/54 (2%) was A2/D, 1/54 (2%) was C/C, and 4/54 (7%) were CRF02_ AG. The results show an increase in HIV-1 recombinants with the emergence of A1/A2 and an increase in CRF02_AG recombinants. Subtype diversity in the advent of ARV use will impact negatively on treatment outcomes. As such, increased viral evolution and recombination will call for continuous evaluation of available anti-HIV regimens for better management of those infected with HIV-1.

Prevalence, awareness and risk factors associated with Hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction Hepatitis B Viral Infection (HBV) remains one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally accounting for 38-53% of chronic liver diseases and about 686,000 deaths annually. The prevalence of HBV is 9-20% in Sub-Saharan Africa, and in Kenya it is 5-30% among the general population and 9.4% among pregnant women. This study was aimed at identifying the prevalence, awareness and risk factors associated with HBV infections among pregnant women attending Antenatal clinic (ANC) at Mbagathi District hospital, Nairobi. Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 287 pregnant women enrolled for three months (September to December 2014) from Nairobi and neighbouring counties. A structured questionnaire that captured social, demographic and explanatory variables was administered to the study participants. Blood samples were also drawn from the participants and tested for HBV using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) system. Results The study established that the prevalence of HBV infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Mbagathi District Hospital was 3.8% with highest infection rate among the 20-24 years age group. Seventy six (60.8 %) of the participants reported sexual encounters in less than a month before the interview of which 5 (7.6%) reported encounters involving other partners apart from their spouses. HBV awareness among the study participants was 12.2%. Before the interview, those with at least tertiary education (Mean =1.33, SD = 1.131), were more informed about HBV infection as compared to those with primary and secondary education (Mean = 0.63, SD = 0.722; (Mean =0.31, SD= 0.664). In regards to assessment of the risk factors; type of family (χ² =19.753 df2 p<0.01), parity (χ² =7.128 df2 p<0.01), History of abortions (χ²=9.094 df1 p<0.01), early age (11-15 years) at first sexual encounter (χ² =8.185 df1 p<0.01) were significantly associated with HBV positivity. Conclusion The prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women attending Antenatal clinic (ANC) at Mbagathi District hospital, Nairobi was lower (3.8%) than the prevalence among pregnant women nationally (9.4%). These women also showed a low level of HBV awareness (12.2%.).