Since their first recognition in human cases about four decades ago, rotaviruses have remained the leading cause of acute severe dehydrating diarrhea among infants and young children worldwide. The WHO prequalification of oral rotavirus vaccines (ORV) a decade ago and its introduction in many countries have yielded a significant decline in the global burden of the disease, although not without challenges to achieving global effectiveness. Poised by the unending malady of rotavirus diarrhea and the attributable death cases in developing countries, we provide detailed insights into rotavirus biology, exposure pathways, cellular receptors and pathogenesis, host immune response, epidemiology, and vaccination. Additionally, recent developments on the various host, viral and environmental associated factors impacting ORV performance in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) are reviewed and their significance assessed. In addition, we review the advances in nonvaccine strategies (probiotics, candidate anti-rotaviral drugs, breastfeeding) to disease prevention and management.
BackgroundCo-infection of HBV with HIV is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. In spite of increasing reports of HIV/HBV co-morbidities in Nigeria, little or no data exists on this subject in Anyigba. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia among HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral treatment programme in Anyigba, Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.MethodsSera samples obtained from 200 consented HIV patients were screened for HBsAg using the commercial rapid test membrane-based qualitative immunoassay. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patients' demographic variables and probable risk factors for HBV transmission.ResultsOverall, 3.5% of HIV patients were seropositive to HBsAg and the difference between seroprevalence rates and patients' age as well as gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant difference between patients' demographic variables such as marital status (p=0.013) and educational level (p=0.004) and HBsAg seropositivity. Patients with a history of surgical applications (p=0.01) and who indulged in alcoholism (p=0.03) significantly had higher rates of concomitant HIV/HBV infection in the study area.ConclusionOur findings underscore the importance of routine screening for HBV in the HIV infected populations especially in developing countries where the infection is endemic. We advocate for public enlightenment programmes on routes of virus acquisitions with a view to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated HIV/HBV co-infection.
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram-positive and catalase-negative microorganisms used to produce fermented foods. They appear morphologically as cocci or rods and they do not form spores. LAB used in food fermentation are from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera and are useful in controlling spoilage and pathogenic microbes, due to the bacteriocins and acids that they produce. Consequently, LAB and their bacteriocins have emerged as viable alternatives to chemical food preservatives, curtesy of their qualified presumption of safety (QPS) status. There is growing interest regarding updated literature on the applications of LAB and their products in food safety, inhibition of the proliferation of food spoilage microbes and foodborne pathogens, and the mitigation of viral infections associated with food, as well as in the development of creative food packaging materials. Therefore, this review explores empirical studies, documenting applications and the extent to which LAB isolates and their bacteriocins have been used in the food industry against food spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens including viruses; as well as to highlight the prospects of their numerous novel applications as components of hurdle technology to provide safe and quality food products.
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