Sero-survey of Hepatitis B surface antigen amongst pregnant women attending Infectious Disease Hospital Bayara, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to cause serious health problems in developing countries. Neonatal infection with HBV, which is often acquired during delivery, carries a high risk resulting in persistent infection. This research aims to detect the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women in our location of study. One hundred and eighty (180) sera samples were screened among pregnant women aged 13-49, using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Structured questionnaire were administered to the subjects to obtain demographic and other relevant data. Overall result showed that 31 (17.2%) were found to be positive for HBsAg among the total subjects screened. The highest prevalence was found among those aged 20-29 with 11 (6.1%) seropositivity (x2=7.902; P=0.048). Considering occupational distribution of volunteer subjects, a high prevalence of 12 (6.7%); P<0.05 was recorded among house wives, which shows a measure of significance compared to other women screened. Furthermore, based on various risk factors subjects with history of surgery and use of unsterilized sharp instruments recorded 15 (8.3%) prevalence (P=0.233; P>0.05). How ever, women in their second trimester of pregnancy recorded a higher prevalence of 23 (12.8%):(P=0.080; P<0.05). This study therefore emphasizes the public health importance of HBV among pregnant women and equally suggests that children born to women with Hepatitis B Virus, be closely monitored for infection beyond the one and the half years of age, this also calls for a proper enlightenment on the dangers posed by the virus, while a well designed vaccination schedule is advocated among the general population

Serum levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ& IL-10) in Type-2 diabetic patients with HCV infection

“…of Microbiology, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Baghdad University 52% of persons with both HCV and T2D had risk factors for HCV infection before the onset of diabetes, whereas none had risk factors for HCV infection after the onset of diabetes. In other study, the prevalence rate of HCV infection was 11% among Nigerian type 2 diabetic patients (7). Cross sectional and case-control studies support a role of hepatitis C as a factor implies in the development of T2D in high risk patients (male patients, older than 40 years and overweight) (8).…”