Hepatitis B virus infections in apparently healthy urban Nigerians: data from pre-vaccination tests

Authors

  • Moses P. Adoga Innovative Biotech Ltd, No. 1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P.O.Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
  • Silas D. Gyar Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.
  • Simon Pechulano Innovative Biotech Ltd, No. 1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
  • Obadiah D. Bashayi Innovative Biotech Ltd, No. 1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
  • Samuel E. Emiasegen General Hospital Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Timothy Zungwe Innovative Biotech Ltd, No.1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
  • Odunayo H. Iperepolu Innovative Biotech Ltd, No.1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
  • Chinwe Agupugo Innovative Biotech Ltd, No.1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
  • Simon M. Agwale Innovative Biotech USA Inc, Frederick Innovative Technology Center, 4539 Metropolitan Ct, Frederick MD 21704, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.591

Keywords:

Hepatitis B Virus, prevalence, vaccination, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: In spite of the availability of an effective vaccine since 1982 against hepatitis B, infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV, still persists in most parts of the world with Nigeria being described as an endemic zone. We therefore set out to establish the prevalence of this infection and evaluate its relationship with age and gender in urban Nigerians.

Methodology: During pre-vaccination tests, blood samples were collected by finger-prick and venepuncture from 1,891 subjects aged ≤ 60 years, between 2008 and 2009 after having obtained informed consent and ethical clearance. Smart Check HBsAg (Globalemed, Cape Town, South Africa) and ShantestTM-HBsAg Elisa (Shantha Biotechnics Ltd, Hyderabad, India) were used for initial and confirmatory tests respectively.

Results: Of the 1,891 participants, 957 (50.6 %) were males and 934 (49.4%) were females. Overall 114 (6.0%) were positive, of whom 71 (7.4%) were males and 43 (4.6%) females. Those aged 21-30 years had the highest infection rate, and males were more likely to be infected with the virus than females (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Such a high prevalence of a vaccine-preventable infection questions the effectiveness of the Nigerian vaccination strategies. The Nigerian government hepatitis B vaccination programme, which hitherto is limited to the National Childhood Immunisation Programme, should include the adult population.

Author Biographies

Moses P. Adoga, Innovative Biotech Ltd, No. 1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P.O.Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Department: Virology Department

Rank: Scientist/Laboratory Supervisor

Silas D. Gyar, Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.

Department: Biological Sciences, Microbiology Unit.

Rank: Unit Head

Simon Pechulano, Innovative Biotech Ltd, No. 1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Department: Clinical Services

Rank: Site Coordinator

Obadiah D. Bashayi, Innovative Biotech Ltd, No. 1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Department: Clinical Services

Rank: Nurse

Samuel E. Emiasegen, General Hospital Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Department: Clinical Pathology

Rank: Laboratory Scientist

Timothy Zungwe, Innovative Biotech Ltd, No.1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Department: Virology

Rank: Scientist

Odunayo H. Iperepolu, Innovative Biotech Ltd, No.1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Department: Virology

Rank: Scientist

Chinwe Agupugo, Innovative Biotech Ltd, No.1, Abdu Abubakar Street, GRA, P. O. Box 30, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Department: Statistics

Rank: Statistician

Simon M. Agwale, Innovative Biotech USA Inc, Frederick Innovative Technology Center, 4539 Metropolitan Ct, Frederick MD 21704, USA.

Department: Virology

Rank: Head / CEO

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Published

2010-04-26

How to Cite

1.
Adoga MP, Gyar SD, Pechulano S, Bashayi OD, Emiasegen SE, Zungwe T, Iperepolu OH, Agupugo C, Agwale SM (2010) Hepatitis B virus infections in apparently healthy urban Nigerians: data from pre-vaccination tests. J Infect Dev Ctries 4:397–400. doi: 10.3855/jidc.591

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 06: June 2010

Section

Brief Original Articles

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