Serological and Molecular Detection of Hepatitis A Virus among Women of Childbearing Age Attending Some Health Facilities within Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria.
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the primary cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. It is primarily spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, as well as by direct contact (either through sexually or through exchange blood transfusion) with individuals who have been infected. The virus is widespread in low-income nations with unsanitary and poor sociodemographic conditions. In this study a total of 100 blood (plasma) samples consisting of 25 each from women of child bearing age attending clinics in four hospitals (University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; General Mamman Shuwa General Hospital, State Specialist Hospital, and Umaru Shehu Ultra-Modern Hospital) all within Maiduguri Metropolis were screened for HAV- IgM and IgG specific antibodies using One Step Palmatec® Rapid test kit (UK). The women were in the age group of 17 – 38 years with Mean ± SD age of 25.5 ± 5.4 years, of the 100 women tested, only one woman was seropositive for HAV-IgM specific antibody in the study, giving an overall seroprevalence of 1.0%. The seropositive woman was pregnant and aged 31 years, an antenatal clinic attendee of General Mamman Shuwa in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area.Using HAV-specific primers and RNA taken from her plasma, a conventional PCR tested revealed a positive reaction at the 175 bp Amplicon location. This study therefore, reports an overall low seroprevalence rate of HAV-IgM specific antibody of 1.0% in the study area. The implication from this study could be that HAV may not be a common infection in the area. Therefore, in order to determine the actual level of virus activity in the study area, a larger serological survey with a wider range of ages, gender, occupational groups, and geographic area may be required
Keywords: Hepatitis A Virus, Immunoglobulin G, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Maiduguri