Browsing by Author "Mawuli, G."
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Item Aetiology of viral hepatitis among jaundiced patients presenting to a tertiary hospital in Ghana(PLoS ONE, 2018-09) Owusu, M.; Bonney, J.K.; Annan, A.A.; Mawuli, G.; Okyere, K.; Mutocheluh, M.; Aryeequaye, J.; Adjei, N.K.; Afihene, M.; Spangenberg, K.et.al.Background Viral hepatitis continues to play significant role in causing morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Apart from the few population based studies available, not many have investigated the burden of these viruses in jaundiced patients. Among the few studies, hepatitis E is the least studied among jaundiced patients. This study was aimed at describing the frequency, distribution and risk of the different hepatitis viruses among jaundiced patients reporting to the second largest teaching hospital in Ghana. Methods From November, 2015 to April, 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted among jaundiced patients attending the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Between 3–5 ml of blood was collected from each patient and screened for viral hepatitis agents using both serologic and molecular-based assays. Results In the 155 patients recruited, hepatitis B was the most prevalent [54.2% (95% CI = 46.0%–62.2%)] followed by hepatitis E [32.9% (95% CI = 25.6–40.9%)]. Most cases of hepatitis E occurred as co-infections with hepatitis B (18%), with the predominant clinical feature being hepatocellular carcinoma. Risk factor variable analysis showed middle and older aged individuals were more at risk of hepatitis B exposure whereas younger age groups (<18 years) were more at risk of hepatitis E virus infection. Conclusion Hepatitis viruses are still important in the viral aetiology of jaundice in Ghana. Hepatitis B and hepatitis E co-infections could play significant roles in causing severe disease. A more aggressive approach needs to be adopted in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis causing viruses in Ghana and other developing countries.Item Circulation of hepatitis delta virus and occult hepatitis B virus infection amongst HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Korle-Bu, Ghana(PLOS, 2021) Attiku, K.; Bonney, J.; Agbosu, E.; Bonney, E.; Puplampu, P.; Ganu, V.; Odoom, J.; Aboagye, J.; Mensah, J.; Agyemang, S.; Awuku-Larbi, Y.; Arjarquah, A.; Mawuli, G.; Quaye, O.Background Within HIV/HBV infected patients, an increase in HDV infection has been observed; there is inadequate information on HDV prevalence as well as virologic profile in Ghana. This study sought to determine the presence of HDV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana. Methods This was a longitudinal purposive study which enrolled 113 HIV/HBV co-infected patients attending clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. After consenting, 5 mL whole blood was collected at two-time points (baseline and 4–6 months afterwards). The sera obtained were tested to confirm the presence of HIV, HBV antibodies and/or antigens, and HBV DNA. Antibodies and viral RNA were also determined for HDV. Amplified HBV DNA and HDV RNA were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis carried out with reference sequences from the GenBank to establish the genotypes. Results Of the 113 samples tested 63 (55.7%) were females and 50 (44.25%) were males with a median age of 45 years. A total of 100 (88.5%) samples had detectable HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and 32 out of the 113 had detectable HBV DNA. Nucleotide sequences were obtained for 15 and 2 samples of HBV and HDV, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was predominantly genotype E for the HBVs and genotype 1 for the HDVs. Of the 13 samples that were HBsAg unreactive, 4 (30.8%) had detectable HBV DNA suggesting the incidence of occult HBV infections. The percentage occurrence of HDV in this study was observed to be 3.54. Conclusion Our data suggest the presence and circulation of HDV and incidence of occult HBV infection in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana. This informs health staff and makes it imperative to look out for the presence of HDV and occult HBV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients presenting with potential risk of liver cancers and HBV transmission through haemodialysis and blood transfusions.Item Drug resistance mutations and viral load in human immunodeficiency virus type 2 and dual HIV-1/HIV-2 infected patients in Ghana(Medicine, 2019-02) Abana, C.Z.; Sagoe, K.W.C.; Bonney, E.Y.; Maina, E.K.; Aziati, I.D.; Agbosu, E.; Mawuli, G.; Styer, L.M.; Ishikawa, K.; Brandful, J.A.M.; Ampofo, W.K.Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and drug resistance studies worldwide have focused almost exclusively on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). As a result, there is limited information on ART and drug resistance in HIV-2 patients. In Ghana, the HIV epidemic is characterized by the domination of HIV-1, with cocirculating HIV-2. We, therefore, sought to determine viral load and drug resistance mutations in HIV-2 patients to inform the clinical management of such individuals in Ghana. We used purposive sampling to collect blood from 16 consented patients, confirmed as HIV-2 or HIV-1/2 dual infections by serology. A 2-step real-time RT-PCR assay was used to determine plasma HIV-2 RNA viral loads. For drug resistance testing, nucleic acids were extracted from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The reverse transcriptase and protease genes of HIV-2 were amplified, sequenced and analyzed for drug resistance mutations and HIV-2 group. HIV-2 viral load was detected in 9 of 16 patients. Six of these had quantifiable viral loads (range: 2.62–5.45 log IU/mL) while 3 had viral loads below the limit of quantification. Sequences were generated from 7 out of 16 samples. Five of these were classified as HIV-2 group B and 2 as HIV-2 group A. HIV-2 drug resistance mutations (M184V, K65R, Y115F) were identified in 1 patient. This study is the first to report HIV-2 viral load and drug resistance mutations in HIV-2 strains from Ghana. The results indicate the need for continuous monitoring of drug resistance among HIV-2- infected patients to improve their clinical management.Item Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection among Sickle Cell Disease Patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Mawuli, G.Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Disease progression has been implicated with circulating genotypes of HCV. Determination of RNA and genotypes of HCV in sickle cell disease patients may give an indication of their contribution to the observed clinical manifestations and disease progression which will inform appropriate clinical management. Aim: This study sought to identify and characterize HCV in sickle cell disease patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which enrolled 142 sickle-cell patients from the Ghana Institute for Clinical Genetics, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Patient information was obtained through a questionnaire and 3/mls of whole blood was collected. The plasma obtained was screened by serology and the viral nucleic acid extracted was amplified by reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with primers targeting the HCV core gene. Amplified DNA were purified and sequenced. Sequenced products were purified and put into the genetic analyzer for analysis. HCV genotypes were obtained by phylogenetic analysis. Results: A total number of 142 SCD patients were recruited in this study with majority of them being females (64%). The median age was 25 years. Seventy-two (51%) had been transfused. Out of the 142 patients’ samples collected 12 (9%) were sero-positive for anti- HCV total antibodies. HCV RNA was amplified from 8 (6%) out of the 142 patients’ samples. One of the 12 seropositives was HCV RNA positive. Five (63%) out of the HCV RNA positive samples were successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic tree constructed with GenBank reference sequences, clustered all five sequences from our study into genotype 1, specifically 1b. Conclusion: This study established the seroprevalence of 9% of total antibodies to HCV among sickle cell patients whilst circulating HCV among the study population were found to be genotype 1 strain.Item Molecular investigations of viral meningitis among HIV-infected adults in Accra, Ghana(BMC Research Notes, 2018-08) Adjei, E.F.; Adiku, T.K.; Mawuli, G.; Bonney, J.H.K.Objective Meningitis is one of the leading causes of death among patients living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Based on clinical presentations alone, the different types of meningitis may not be distinguished from each other, consequently accurate laboratory diagnosis is extremely essential. Viruses such as Enteroviruses (EV), Mumps virus (MuV) and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) are implicated in cases of meningitis. We sought to detect and characterize viral aetiologies of meningitis among HIV-infected adults with the use of molecular tools. Results As a subset of a main research work, cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected from a cross-section of HIV patients at the Fevers Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital with clinical features suggestive of meningitis but without laboratory confirmation. Laboratory investigations were performed with the use of the real time polymerase chain reaction for pan EV, MuV and HSV-1. None of the viruses investigated in this study was found to be positive for meningitis. However, lymphocytic pleocytosis, normal glucose and elevated protein levels were observed in some of the study participants.Item Phylogenetic and genetic characterization of influenza A H9N2 viruses isolated from backyard poultry in selected farms in Ghana(Wiley, 2022) Kotey, E.N.; Asante, I.A.; Adusei-Poku, M.; Arjarquah, A.; Ampadu, R.; Rodgers, D.; Nyarko, E.O.; Asiedu, W.; Dafeamekpor, C.; Wiley, M.R.; Mawuli, G.; Obeng, R.A.; Nyarko, S.O.; Magnusen, V.; Kodua, E.; Attram, N.; Nimo-Paintsil, S.C.; Pratt, C.; Fox, A.T.; Letizia, A.; Ampofo, W.K.Introduction: Avian influenza viruses (AIV) cause significant economic losses to poul- try farmers worldwide. These viruses have the ability to spread rapidly, infect entire poultry flocks, and can pose a threat to human health. The National Influenza Centre (NIC) at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with the Ghana Armed forces (GAF) and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Ghana Detachment (NAMRU-3) performs biannual surveillance for influenza viruses among poultry at military barracks throughout Ghana. This study presents poultry surveil- lance data from the years 2017 to 2019. Methodology: Tracheal and cloacal swabs from sick and healthy poultry were col- lected from the backyards of GAF personnel living quarters and transported at 4◦C to the NIC. Viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) was isolated and analyzed for the presence of influenza viruses using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Viral nucleic acids extracted from influenza A-positive specimens were sequenced using universal influenza A-specific primers. Results: Influenza A H9N2 virus was detected in 11 avian species out of 2000 samples tested. Phylogenetic analysis of viral haemagglutinin (HA) protein confirms the possibility of importation of viruses from North Africa and Burkina Faso. Although the detected viruses possess molecular markers of virulence and mammalian host adapta- tion, the HA cleavage site anlaysis confirmed low pathogenicity of the viruses.