Browsing by Author "Adiku, T.K."

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Aetiology of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections among Children Under Five Years in Accra, Ghana
(Pathogens, 2015) Adiku, T.K.; Asmah, R.H.; Rodrigues, O.; et al.
The study aimed to investigate the aetiological agents and clinical presentations associated with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) among children under five years old at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study carried from February to December 2001. Nasopharyngeal aspirates and venous blood specimens obtained from 108 children with features suggestive of ALRI, were cultured and the isolated bacterial organisms were identified biochemically. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were also tested for Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) antigen using a commercial kit (Becton Dickinson Directigen RSV test kit). A multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was also used to detect and characterize RSV using extracted RNA. Socio-demographic and clinical data were also obtained from the study subjects. Bronchopneumonia (55.5%), bronchiolitis (25%), lobar pneumonia (10.2), non-specific ALRI (4.6%), TB, bronchitis and respiratory distress (0.67%) were diagnosed. The prevalence of septicaemia was 10% and bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and enteric bacteria, including Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp and Klebsiella spp, were isolated. Out of the 108 cases, 18% tested positive for RSV, with two cases having RSV as the only aetiological pathogen detected. The subtyping analysis of RSV strains by a multiplex RT-PCR showed that subgroups A and B circulated in the season of analysis.
Aetiology of acute lower respiratory infections among children under five years in Accra, Ghana
(Pathogens, 2015-01) Adiku, T.K.; Asmah, R.H.; Rodrigues, O.; Goka, B.; Obodai, E.; Adjei, A.A.; Donkor, E.S.; Armah, G.
The study aimed to investigate the aetiological agents and clinical presentations associated with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) among children under five years old at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study carried from February to December 2001. Nasopharyngeal aspirates and venous blood specimens obtained from 108 children with features suggestive of ALRI, were cultured and the isolated bacterial organisms were identified biochemically. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were also tested for Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) antigen using a commercial kit (Becton Dickinson Directigen RSV test kit). A multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was also used to detect and characterize RSV using extracted RNA. Socio-demographic and clinical data were also obtained from the study subjects. Bronchopneumonia (55.5%), bronchiolitis (25%), lobar pneumonia (10.2), non-specific ALRI (4.6%), TB, bronchitis and respiratory distress (0.67%) were diagnosed. The prevalence of septicaemia was 10% and bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and enteric bacteria, including Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp and Klebsiella spp, were isolated. Out of the 108 cases, 18% tested positive for RSV, with two cases having RSV as the only aetiological pathogen detected. The subtyping analysis of RSV strains by a multiplex RT-PCR showed that subgroups A and B circulated in the season of analysis. © 2015 by the authors
Antiulcer and antioxidant properties of Cassia seiberiana root extract
(Revision -Jornal of Ethnopharmacology, 2008) Adiku, T.K.; Nartey, E.T.; Addo, P.G.; Okine, L.K.; Nyarko, A.K.
Arbovirus circulation among febrile patients at the greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana
(BMC Research Notes, 2019-06-07) Adiku, T.K.; Manu, S.K.; Bonney, J.H.K.; Pratt, D.; Abdulai, F.N.; Agbosu, E.E.; Frimpong, P.O.
Objective: Arboviruses, Dengue and Chikungunya have become major international public health concerns due to their epidemics and introduction in new areas. In Ghana, little is known is about Dengue and Chikungunya viruses though the country has been listed as part of the 34 countries in which the viruses are endemic. This has been attributed partly to the lack of diagnostic tools for these viruses in several health facilities and institutions across the country. The purpose of this study was to detect and characterize these viral pathogens among febrile patients in Accra Ghana. Results: This hospital-based cross-sectional study enrolled 260 suspected Dengue and/or Chikungunya febrile patients who submitted their clinical specimens of serum. Out of the total number tested with both molecular and serological tools, Chikungunya and Dengue specific total antibodies were detected from 72 (27.69%) and 180 (69.23%) respectively. None of the participants tested positive for Dengue and Chikungunya by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and with the Dengue-specific NS1 antigen strip kits. Our findings suggested that Dengue and Chikungunya viruses may be circulating but are being missed among febrile patients. Differential diagnosis work-up in febrile patients should be made to include Dengue and Chikungunya infections.
Bacterial contamination of blood and blood components in three major blood transfusion centers, Accra, Ghana
(Japan Journal Infect Dis., 2009) Adiku, T.K.; Adjei, A.A.; Kuma, G.K.; Tettey, Y.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Opintan, J.; Apeagyei, F.; Ankrah, J.O.; Narter-Olaga, E.G.
Reports from studies conducted in several countries indicate a high incidence of bacterial contamination of donor blood. The prevalence of bacterial contamination of blood and its products in Ghana is not known. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination of blood and its products at the three major blood transfusion centers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Stored whole blood and its products were cultured on different media, and isolates were identified using standard biochemical and bacteriological methods. The susceptibility of the isolates to selected antimicrobial agents was also determined by the disc diffusion method. The overall prevalence rate was 9% (28/303; whole blood, 13% [24/192]; plasma, 3% [2/79]; platelet, 9% [2/22]). The Gram-positive bacteria isolated were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, S. aureus, and Bacillus spp., and the Gram-negative organisms were Yersinia enterocolitica, Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to cloxacillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin but resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, cefuroxime, and cotrimoxazole, while the Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to amikacin and gentamicin but resistant to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, ampicillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime (except Y. enterocolitica), and cotrimoxazole. Our results suggest that bacterial contamination of blood and its products is prevalent in Ghana.
Cervical human papillomavirus infection in Accra, Ghana.
(2008) Domfeh, A.A.; Wiredu, E.; Adjei, A.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.; Adiku, T.K.; Tettey, Y.; Gyasi, R.; Armah, H.
Background: This study was aimed at estimating the human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and its determinants among a sample of Ghanaian women. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: Gynaecology outpatient clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana; the largest tertiary care gynaecology outpatient clinic in Ghana. Participants: Convenient sample of 75 consenting women visiting the clinic. Methods: Information was obtained through personal interviews using structured questionnaire, Pap smears obtained, and laboratory testing of cervical exfoliated cells was performed. HPV DNA was detected using a GP5+/6+ polymerase chain reaction assay. These data were analyzed using both univariate and bivariate techniques. Results: The mean age of participants was 33.3 years (standard deviation, 9.2) and the percentage of lifetime monogamy was 21.3%. The crude HPV DNA prevalence was 10.7%. Unlike most populations studied so far, HPV prevalence was high not only among young women, but also in middle and old age. Independent HPV determinants were being illiterate (prevalence odds ratio [POR], 13.9; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 1.9-100) and reporting more than three lifetime sexual partners (POR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.0-22.2). Conclusions: The study indicates a high crude prevalence of HPV in a largely polygamous Ghanaian population with a high crude prevalence in older age groups, which may be a distinctive feature of polygamous populations where HPV transmission continues into middle age and cervical cancer incidence is very high.
A comprehensive model of purine uptake by the malaria oarasite Plasmodium falciparum: identification of four purine transprt activities in intraerythrocytic
(Biochemistry Journal 411(2): 287-95, 2008) Adiku, T.K.; Quashie, N.B.
Cryptosporidium oocysts in Ghanaian AIDS patients with diarrhoea.
(East African Medical Journal, 2003) Adjei, A.; Lartey, M.; Adiku, T.K.; Rodrigues, O.; Renner, L.; Sifah, E.; Bosompem, K.M.
Background:Although Cryptosporidium spp.infections in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients (AIDS) with chronic diarrhoea have been reported in several African countries, there is no information regarding cryptosporidial diarrhoea in Ghanaian AIDS patients. Objective:To investigate the occurrence of C. parvumand other gastrointestinal parasitic agents in Ghanaian AIDS patients with chronic diarrhoea. Design:Prospective study of HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhoea over a nine month period. Setting:Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Korle-Bu Polyclinic Accra, Ghana. Results:Analysis of stool specimens from clinically diagnosed HIV/AIDS (n=2I; mean CD4 count was 288 cells per microliter, 95% confidence interval of 237 to 340 cells per microliter) and HIV-seronegative (n=27) patients revealed C. parvumin six (28.6%) of HIV/AIDS and 10 (37.0%) of the HIV-seronegative patients, respectively. Three other HIV/AIDS cases had other infections involving Strongyloides stercoralis 4.8% (l/21) and Salmonella spp . 9.5% (2/21). There was no concomitant association between C. parvumand any other parasites found. Also, no enterobacteria was found in the HIV-seronegative patients. Conclusion:This study demonstrates the prevalence of Cryptosporidiumsp. in both HIV/ AIDS and HIV-seronegative individuals in Ghana. However, there was no statistical association between cryptosporidiosis and HIV/AIDS (p>0.05).
Cryptosporidium Spp., a Frequent Cause of Diarrhea among Children at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
(Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2004) Adjei, A.A.; Armah, H.; Rodrigues, O.; Renner, L.; Borketey, P.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.; Adiku, T.K.; Sifah, E.; Lartey, M.
This report presents the results of a study conducted at the Child Health Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, between the months of October 2001 and June 2002. Stool samples from 227 children with diarrhea and 77 children without diarrhea, aged less than 5 years, were tested for Cryptosporidium spp. Prevalence rates were 27.8 and 15.6% in children with and without diarrhea, respectively. Cryptosporidium infection was found to be high in children between the ages of 6 and 24 months. Cryptosporidium spp. was more common in malnourished children, but was not isolated in children under 6 months of age who were exclusively breastfed. Neither the presence of domestic animals, abdominal pain, blood in stool, nausea, vomiting, nor the consumption of untreated water was associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection. Shigella, Salmonella, and yeast-like organisms were the most frequently identified enteropathogenic bacteria. In summary, this study demonstrates the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. among Ghanaian children.
Detection of Artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in malarial infection: a Brief Review of Methods
(Journal of Trop. Pediatr, 2009) Adiku, T.K.; Quashie, N.B.
Diagnosis of dual human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 infections in a resource-limited setting.
(2009) Sagoe, K.W.C.; Agyei, A.A.; Lartey, M.; Adiku, T.K.; Mingle, J.A.A.; Arens, M.
Background: The presence of dual HlV-l/HIV-2 infection in Ghana and the different drug requirements for the treatment of HlV-1 and HIV-2 presents difficulties for the treatment of dual infections with both viruses. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of the dual sero-positive profile in treatment naive patients at a principal ART Clinic in Accra, Ghana and to investigate if rapid screening assays could be useful for diagnosis. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: A principal antiretroviral treatment centre in Accra, Ghana. Subjects: Three hundred and twenty eight antiretroviral treatment naive patients. Results: A total of 12 (3.7%) of patients seen were dual seropositive. There was a slight tendency of dual seropositive females being older than their HIV-l counterparts (p=0.088, CI=-l 0.833 to 0.753). Eight of the 12 of the dual seropositives were reactive for Genie II and were considered as possibly infected with both HIV-I and HIV-2. Seven (87.5%) of Genie II dual seropositives had strong intensities (> 1+) on both HIV-2 specific bands (sgp105 and gp36) on Innolia. CD4 counts were not significantly different in dual seropositives as compared to HIV-1 infected patients. Conclusions: Dual HIV-l/HIV-2 seropositives (and possibly infections) may be common especially in older women. The Genie II will be useful as a supplemental rapid test for rapid and accurate differentiation of HIV-l and HIV-2 antibodies at treatment centres.
Effect of concomitant artesunate administration and cytochrome P4502C8 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of amodiaquine in Ghanaian children with uncomplicated malaria
(Antimicrob Agents Chemother 52(12): 4400-6, 2008) Adiku, T.K.; Adjei, G.O.; Kristensen, K.; Goka, B.Q.; Hoegberg, L.C.; Alifrangis, M.; Rodrigues, O.P.; Kurtzhals, J.A.
Epidemic acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis due to coxsackie virus A24 variant in Ghana.
(East African Medical Journal, 1990) Brandful, J.A.; Yoshii, T.; Addy, E.T.; Adiku, T.K.; Osei-Kwasi, M.; Mingle, J.A.
An outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) occurred in Accra, Ghana, reaching a peak in July 1987. Individuals ranging from infants to adults over 50 years were infected, with those between 20 and 30 years being the most affected group. There was a female preponderance. Clinical features included conjunctivitis, subconjunctival haemorrhage and ocular pain. Some patients reported of blurred vision due to mild keratitis. Isolation of virus from clinical specimens of AHC patients was successful only in cells of human origin such as HeLa and FL. Coxsackie virus A24 variant (CA 24v) was identified as the aetiologic agent. This is the first report to associate CA 24v with an epidemic of AHC in Africa, south of the Sahara, which is outside the endemic area of Southeast Asia and the Caribbeans. This finding suggests that earlier outbreaks of AHC in Ghana and Africa may have been due to CA 24v but went undetected. The results of various tests performed during this study suggest that, at least, two antigenically different viruses of CA 24v circulated during the course of this epidemic.
Evaluation of a rapid serological chromatographic immunoassay for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Accra, Ghana
(Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2003) Adjei, A.A.; Armah, H.; Duah, A.A.; Adiku, T.K.; Hesse, I.F.
Advances in serologic assays for tuberculosis (TB) have made serology an attractive surveillance tool. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of these new assays have been well established. We employed an immunochromatographic serodiagnostic test for detecting antibodies (immunoglobulin [Ig] G, IgA, and IgM) specific for mycobacteria-specific antigen 60 (A60) in the serum of suspected TB patients (n=310) attending the Chest Clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Compared to the gold standard, sputum culture, the performance indexes of the test kit indicated a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 98.2%, respectively. The positive predictive value and the likelihood ratios for positive and negative results were 96.6, 44.4, and 0.2%, respectively, when compared to sputum culture. Our results suggest that the serodiagnostic test kit may be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of TB, and can provide simple and satisfactory results, particularly in cases in which TB is clinically difficult to diagnose by the usual clinical and laboratory tests.
Genetic analysis of Ghanaian G1P[8] and G9P [8] rotavirus A strains reveals the impact of P [8] VP4 gene polymorphism on P-genotyping
(PLOS ONE, 2019-06-10) Damanka, S.A.; Agbemabiese, C.A.; Dennis, F.E.; Lartey, B.L.; Adiku, T.K.; Enweronu-Laryea, C.C.; Armah, G.E.
The World Health Organisation rotavirus surveillance networks have documented and shown eclectic geographic and temporal diversity in circulating G- and P- genotypes identified in children <5 years of age. To effectively monitor vaccine performance and effectiveness, robust molecular and phylogenetic techniques are essential to detect novel strain variants that might emerge due to vaccine pressure. This study inferred the phylogenetic history of the VP7 and VP4 genes of previously non-typeable strains and provided insight into the diversity of P[8] VP4 sequences which impacted the outcome of our routine VP4 genotyping method. Near-full-length VP7 gene and the VP8* fragment of the VP4 gene were obtained by Sanger sequencing and genotypes were determined using RotaC v2.0 web-based genotyping tool. The genotypes of the 57 rotavirus-positive samples with sufficient stool was determined. Forty-eight of the 57 (84.2%) had the P[8] specificity, of which 43 (89.6%) were characterized as P[8]a subtype and 5 (10.4%) as the rare OP354-like subtype. The VP7 gene of 27 samples were successfully sequenced and their G-genotypes confirmed as G1 (18/27) and G9 (9/27). Phylogenetic analysis of the P[8]a sequences placed them in subcluster IIIc within lineage III together with contemporary G1P[8], G3P[8], G8P[8], and G9P[8] strains detected globally from 2006–2016. The G1 VP7 sequences of the study strains formed a monophyletic cluster with African G1P[8] strains, previously detected in Ghana and Mali during the RotaTeq vaccine trial as well as Togo. The G9 VP7 sequences of the study strains formed a monophyletic cluster with contemporary African G9 sequences from neighbouring Burkina Faso within the major sub-cluster of lineage III. Mutations identified in the primer binding region of the VP8* sequence of the Ghanaian P[8]a strains may have resulted in the genotyping failure since the newly designed primer successfully genotyped the previously non-typeable P[8] strains. In summary, the G1, G9, and P[8]a sequences were highly similar to contemporary African strains at the lineage level. The study also resolved the methodological challenges of the standard genotyping techniques and highlighted the need for regular evaluation of the multiplex PCR-typing method especially in the post-vaccination era. The study further highlights the need for regions to start using sequencing data from local rotavirus strains to design and update genotyping primers.
Genetic analysis of Ghanaian G1P[8] and G9P [8] rotavirus A strains reveals the impact of P [8] VP4 gene polymorphism on P-genotyping
(PLOS ONE, 2019-06-10) Damanka, S.A.; Agbemabiese, C.A.; Dennis, F.E.; Lartey, 'B.L.; Adiku, T.K.; Enweronu-Laryea, C.C.; Armah, G.E.
The World Health Organisation rotavirus surveillance networks have documented and shown eclectic geographic and temporal diversity in circulating G- and P- genotypes identified in children <5 years of age. To effectively monitor vaccine performance and effectiveness, robust molecular and phylogenetic techniques are essential to detect novel strain variants that might emerge due to vaccine pressure. This study inferred the phylogenetic history of the VP7 and VP4 genes of previously non-typeable strains and provided insight into the diversity of P[8] VP4 sequences which impacted the outcome of our routine VP4 genotyping method. Near-full-length VP7 gene and the VP8* fragment of the VP4 gene were obtained by Sanger sequencing and genotypes were determined using RotaC v2.0 web-based genotyping tool. The genotypes of the 57 rotavirus-positive samples with sufficient stool was determined. Forty-eight of the 57 (84.2%) had the P[8] specificity, of which 43 (89.6%) were characterized as P[8]a subtype and 5 (10.4%) as the rare OP354-like subtype. The VP7 gene of 27 samples were successfully sequenced and their G-genotypes confirmed as G1 (18/27) and G9 (9/27). Phylogenetic analysis of the P[8]a sequences placed them in subcluster IIIc within lineage III together with contemporary G1P[8], G3P[8], G8P[8], and G9P[8] strains detected globally from 2006–2016. The G1 VP7 sequences of the study strains formed a monophyletic cluster with African G1P[8] strains, previously detected in Ghana and Mali during the RotaTeq vaccine trial as well as Togo. The G9 VP7 sequences of the study strains formed a monophyletic cluster with contemporary African G9 sequences from neighbouring Burkina Faso within the major sub-cluster of lineage III. Mutations identified in the primer binding region of the VP8* sequence of the Ghanaian P[8]a strains may have resulted in the genotyping failure since the newly designed primer successfully genotyped the previously non-typeable P[8] strains. In summary, the G1, G9, and P[8]a sequences were highly similar to contemporary African strains at the lineage level. The study also resolved the methodological challenges of the standard genotyping techniques and highlighted the need for regular evaluation of the multiplex PCR-typing method especially in the post-vaccination era. The study further highlights the need for regions to start using sequencing data from local rotavirus strains to design and update genotyping primers.
Hepatitis E virus infection is highly prevalent among pregnant women in Accra, Ghana
(2009-07-20) Adjei, A.A.; Tettey, Y.; Aviyase, J.T.; Adu-Gyamfi, C.; Obed, S.; Mingle, J.A.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Adiku, T.K.
Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly endemic in several African countries with high mortality rate among pregnant women. The prevalence of antibodies to HEV in Ghana is not known. Therefore we evaluated the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM among pregnant women seen between the months of January and May, 2008 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Results One hundred and fifty-seven women provided blood samples for unlinked anonymous testing for the presence of antibodies to HEV. The median age of participants was 28.89 ± 5.76 years (range 13–42 years). Of the 157 women tested, HEV seroprevelance was 28.66% (45/157). Among the seropositive women, 64.40% (29/45) tested positive for anti-HEV IgM while 35.60% (16/45) tested positive to HEV IgG antibodies. HEV seroprevalence was highest (46.15%) among women 21–25 years of age, followed by 42.82% in = 20 year group, then 36.84% in = 36 year group. Of the 157 women, 75.79% and 22.92% were in their third and second trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Anti-HEV antibodies detected in women in their third trimester of pregnancy (30.25%) was significantly higher, P < 0.05, than in women in their second trimester of pregnancy (25.0%). Conclusion Consistent with similar studies worldwide, the results of our studies revealed a high prevalence of HEV infection in pregnant women.
Hepatitis E virus infection is highly prevalent among pregnant women in Accra, Ghana.
(2009-07-20) Adjei, A.A.; Tettey, Y.; Aviyase, J.T.; Adu-Gyamfi, C.; Obed, S.; Mingle, J.A.A.; Ayeh-Kumi, P.F.; Adiku, T.K.
Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly endemic in several African countries with high mortality rate among pregnant women. The prevalence of antibodies to HEV in Ghana is not known. Therefore we evaluated the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM among pregnant women seen between the months of January and May, 2008 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Results One hundred and fifty-seven women provided blood samples for unlinked anonymous testing for the presence of antibodies to HEV. The median age of participants was 28.89 ± 5.76 years (range 13–42 years). Of the 157 women tested, HEV seroprevelance was 28.66% (45/157). Among the seropositive women, 64.40% (29/45) tested positive for anti-HEV IgM while 35.60% (16/45) tested positive to HEV IgG antibodies. HEV seroprevalence was highest (46.15%) among women 21–25 years of age, followed by 42.82% in = 20 year group, then 36.84% in = 36 year group. Of the 157 women, 75.79% and 22.92% were in their third and second trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Anti-HEV antibodies detected in women in their third trimester of pregnancy (30.25%) was significantly higher, P < 0.05, than in women in their second trimester of pregnancy (25.0%). Conclusion Consistent with similar studies worldwide, the results of our studies revealed a high prevalence of HEV infection in pregnant women.
Hepatitis E virus infection is highly prevalent among pregnant women in Accra. Ghana.
(2009) Adjei, A.A.; Tettey, Y.; Aviyase, J.T.; Adu-Gyamfi, C.; Obed, S.; Mingle, J.A.; Adiku, T.K.
Background. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly endemic in several African countries with high mortality rate among pregnant women. The prevalence of antibodies to HEV in Ghana is not known. Therefore we evaluated the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG and anti-HEV IgM among pregnant women seen between the months of January and May, 2008 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. Results. One hundred and fifty-seven women provided blood samples for unlinked anonymous testing for the presence of antibodies to HEV. The median age of participants was 28.89 5.76 years (range 13-42 years). Of the 157 women tested, HEV seroprevelance was 28.66% (45/157). Among the seropositive women, 64.40% (29/45) tested positive for anti-HEV IgM while 35.60% (16/45) tested positive to HEV IgG antibodies. HEV seroprevalence was highest (46.15%) among women 21-25 years of age, followed by 42.82% in = 20 year group, then 36.84% in = 36 year group. Of the 157 women, 75.79% and 22.92% were in their third and second trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Anti-HEV antibodies detected in women in their third trimester of pregnancy (30.25%) was significantly higher, P < 0.05, than in women in their second trimester of pregnancy (25.0%). Conclusion. Consistent with similar studies worldwide, the results of our studies revealed a high prevalence of HEV infection in pregnant women.
HIV-1 CRF 02 AG polymerase genes in Southern Ghana are mosaics of different 02 AG strains and the protease gene cannot infer subtypes
(2009-02-26) Sagoe, K.W.; Dwidar, M.; Adiku, T.K.; Arens, M.Q.
Abstract Background Little is known about the detailed phylogeny relationships of CRF 02_AG HIV-1 polymerase genes in Ghana. The use of the protease gene of HIV-1 for subtyping has shown conflicting results. Methods The partial polymerase gene sequences of 25 HIV-1 strains obtained with Viroseq reagents were aligned with reference subtypes and alignments trimmed to a 300 bp protease, 661 bp and 1005 reverse transcriptase sequence alignments. Phylogenetic relationships of these alignments were determined with the Neighbour-Joining method using 1000 replicates and recombination patterns determined for the sequences with RIP 3.0 in the HIV sequence database. Results Unlike the other alignments, the protease gene had nodes with bootstrap values < 100% for repeat control sequences. Majority of the CRF 02_AG sequences from Ghana were made up of fragments of several strains of CRF 02_AG/AG strains. The protease gene alone is not suitable for phylogenetic analysis. Conclusion The polymerase genes of HIV-1 strains from Ghana are made up of recombinants of several CRF 02_AG strains from Ghana, Senegal and Cameroon, but the clinical implications are unknown. Using the HIV-1 protease gene for subtyping will not infer subtypes correctly.