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Biomedical subjects

T O Harry

Publications and source records attributed to T O Harry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Subtype G and multiple forms of A/G intersubtype recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in Nigeria.

Multiple human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genetic subtypes, intersubtype recombinants, and group O have been found in west central Africa. In Nigeria, where HIV-1 prevalence is rising rapidly, characterization of HIV-1 strains has been limited. Each of three full-length genome sequences acquired to date shows evidence of recombination: two are largely subtype G with subtype A segments in the midgenome accessory region; the third, IbNG, is subtype G with the long terminal repeats and two segments of pol from subtype A. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained in 1994-1995 from 10 patients hospitalized in northeastern Nigeria were evaluated by sequencing of the complete envelope and, from 7 patients, a portion of gag. Four patients harbored subtype G viruses and six patients had recombinant viruses. Two had strains sharing the A/G recombinant structure of IbNG. Two had a previously undescribed recombinant, mostly subtype A, whose carboxyl-terminal gp41 could not be classified. An A/G recombinant different from IbNG but similar to CA1, a Cameroonian strain, was found in one patient. The remaining patient had a strain that was otherwise subtype G but shared an unclassified carboxyl-terminal gp41 segment with the CA1-like strains. Other subtypes and group O were not found.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Presentation and outcome of HIV-1 infection in hospitalised infants and other children in north-eastern Nigeria.

There is limited information on HIV infection in children in West Africa. This prospective case series study was done to determine the size of the problem and the feasibility of selective screening for infection based on clinical presentation. It involved infants and other children admitted to the Children's Emergency Ward and Paediatric Medical Ward of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, from the beginning of September 1992 to the end of September 1994. Clinical evaluation followed by serologic tests (ELISA and Western blot techniques) was undertaken. Descriptive study; frequencies were compared using chi 2 test for Fisher's exact test as appropriate. One hundred and ninety nine (10.9%) of 1,822 admissions were screened. One hundred and fifty eight (79.4%) were ELISA negative and 17 (8.6%) ELISA and WB positive; a further 10 (5%) were ELISA positive but WB indeterminate and 14 (7%) were ELISA positive but WB negative in 12 or untested in two. All the infections were HIV-1. Sixteen (39%) patients (nine WB positive, three WB indeterminate and four ELISA positive only) are dead, 14 from HIV-related illnesses, two (4.9]) are alive and 23 (56.1%) lost to follow up; 11 of the HIV-related deaths involved infants. Presence of persistent diarrhoea, prolonged fever, oral thrush, hepatosplenomegaly, diagnosis of tuberculosis and severe malnutrition with gastroentereritis, and multiple (> 3) diagnosis on admission were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with WB confirmed HIV-1 seropositivity and could serve as indicators for selective screening. HIV-1 infection in hospitalised infants and children has become an important problem in Nigeria, presentation in infancy is associated with a high case fatality rate, and the practice of selective screening based on clinical presentation would appear to be feasible.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors and pregnant women in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV), and sequelae such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are very common in the Maiduguri area of Nigeria. In a serological survey of 287 blood donors (all males) and 224 pregnant women, we found that 22.0% of the blood donors and 11.6% of the pregnant women were positive of HBsAg. For HBeAg the prevalence rates were 6.64% and 1.39% respectively. These findings make it imperative that all blood donations and pregnant women be screened for HBsAg. All positive blood units should be discarded and all children born to positive women be vaccinated against hepatitis B, preferably during the first year of life. In addition, a more extensive programme against hepatitis B needs to be undertaken. It is suggested that HBV vaccination be included in the expanded programme of immunization, so that all children, irrespective of the serological status of their mothers, will be vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

HIV infection among pregnant women. A worsening situation in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

A serosurvey of 1,233 pregnant women aged 15-41 years, and attending antenatal clinics in Maiduguri, Nigeria from July 1991 to February 1993 showed that 28 (2.3%) of the women were positive for HIV antibodies. Twenty-four (1.9%) were positive for HIV-1 only, 1 (0.08%) was positive for HIV-2 only and 3 (0.24%) were reactive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. The overall seroprevalence rose gradually from 2.1% in 1991 to 2.3% in 1992, and to 2.6% so far in 1993. From July 1992 to February 1993 6 children aged 24 hours to 8 months were found HIV-positive in the same hospital where this survey was carried out. The only known risk factor for HIV infection applicable to the pregnant women studied was heterosexual intercourse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Seroepidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Borno State of Nigeria by sentinel surveillance.

A serosurvey for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was carried out in three well-separated population centers in Borno State of Nigeria in 1989-1990. The study subjects were 1,259 made up of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attenders, pregnant women, female prostitutes, and blood donors. Sera were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmation was done by Western blotting. The overall seroprevalence was 1.67% (21/1,259), with no significant differences from one population center to another. There were, however, significant differences among the population groups studied: prostitutes, 4.24%; STD clinic attenders, 1.67%; blood donors, 0.71%; and pregnant women, 0.24%. Of the 21 seropositives, 18 were positive for HIV-1 only; 1 was positive for HIV-2 only; and 2 were positive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. All three HIV-2-positive sera were from prostitutes. Prevalence rates found in this study showed marked increases from 2 to 3 years earlier. There is therefore the need for a vigorous and sustained intervention program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Increasing risk of transfusion-associated AIDS as the pandemic spreads: experience in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Complacency and financial considerations have led many hospitals in developing countries with low HIV antibody prevalence to disregard the importance of pre-screening for HIV antibodies blood meant for transfusion. This report shows that during the year 1987 in which mandatory screening of donated blood was introduced at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, HIV antibody prevalence in donated blood units was 0%. However, four years later the prevalence had risen to 2.76%. This observation underlines the increasing risk to which transfusion recipients are exposed if given unscreened blood as HIV spreads with time. This spread can be rapid.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus-infection among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria.

A seroepidemiological survey conducted among 1,059 pregnant women in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria from September, 1988 to April, 1990 showed that 5 women or 0.47% were positive for HIV antibodies. Three of the women (0.28%) were positive for HIV-1 while 2 others (0.19%) were positive for HIV-2; this is consistent with the known fact that both viruses are active in West Africa, a sub-region of which Nigeria is part. Detailed information available on 4 of the 5 seropositive women and their husbands did not reveal any known risk factor favouring HIV-infection. In addition to the 5 confirmed seropositive women, 10 others (0.94%) gave Western blot patterns that were neither HIV-1 nor HIV-2. The significance of this observation, if any, needs to be clarified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Trial of economical regimens of suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine for postexposure prophylaxis in Lagos, Nigeria.

The suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine, recommended for production and routine use in Nigeria from our previous study, was investigated in the present study in an effort to reduce the cost of antirabies treatment in the country. This is needed for economic reasons. Instead of seven daily doses followed by three boosters, we tried five daily doses followed by three boosters, with or without equine hyperimmune serum given on day 0 (40 IU per kg body weight). Fifty dog-bite, victims, aged 3-81 years, were placed on this regimen, 25 with serum and 25 without serum, according to the history of the case. The serum had no effect on the kinetics of antibody development and both serum and vaccine were well tolerated. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) of antirabies antibodies in the sera of recipients of vaccine alone on days 10, 28 and 90 were 3.05 equivalent units ml-1 (EU ml-1), 4.35 EU ml-1 and 2.54 EU ml-1 respectively. Among those who had received antiserum and vaccine the titres were respectively 3.19 EU ml-1, 4.35 EU ml-1 and 3.02 EU ml-1. Of the 50 subjects, 49 showed detectable antibodies by day 28, and all the 50 survived. This regimen is therefore recommended for further trial in countries where rabies is endemic but potent antirabies vaccines are scarce and expensive. Another 23 subjects, considered not to be at risk of rabies, were given a one-tenth dose, two-site intradermal inoculation of the same vaccine on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 90.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

AIDS: a faltering step.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Anti-rabies treatment of dog-bite victims in Lagos, Nigeria: trial of suckling mouse brain and fetal bovine kidney cell rabies vaccines.

Human rabies is common in Nigeria, a country known for rabies endemicity. Yet the supply of anti-rabies vaccines for human use (adult sheep brain origin, produced locally, and duck embryo and human diploid cell vaccines, imported) is grossly inadequate. This study involved controlled treatment of dog-bite victims with suckling mouse brain (SMBV) or fetal bovine kidney (FBKV) rabies vaccines in an effort to determine which type to recommend for production and use in Nigeria. Dog-bite victims treated were aged three to 74 years, with about equal numbers of males and females. Of the 136 patients, 116 (85.3%) completed at least the primo-series of vaccinations, and all have survived without any evidence of clinical rabies. Recipients of the SMBV showed local and generalized reactions in 11.1% and 2.5% of the cases, respectively. Recipients of the FBKV administered subcutaneously showed local and generalized reactions, in 12.5% and 9.4% of cases, respectively. There were no side effects attributable to the vaccine among patients who received the FBKV intramuscularly. By day 7, 26.7% of SMBV recipients and 28.6% of FBKV recipients showed antibody response, with titres of at least one Equivalent Unit ml-1. These percentages increased to 95.1 and 81.1, respectively, by day 14, and by day 20 (for SMBV recipients) or day 30 (FBKV recipients) the response was 100%. Titres dropped by day 90, but in no case to below 1 EU ml-1. We have concluded that both vaccines are equally efficacious and well tolerated. In view of the simple technology required, and the resultant lower cost, the SMBV is being recommended for production and use in Nigeria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Stability of viability and immunizing potency of lyophilized, modified equine arteritis live-virus vaccine.

The Bucyrus strain of equine arteritis virus, previously modified to avirulence and vaccinal virus by 131 serial passages in primary cell cultures of horse kidney followed by 111 passages in primary cell cultures of rabbit kidney, was further passaged in cultures of the E. Derm (NBL-6) cell line, a continuous diploid cell line. Pools of the 16th and 25th passages of the virus in this last equine dermal cell line were lyophilized and stored in lots at 37 C, 23 to 28 C, 4C, and -20 C. The viability of the vaccinal virus deteriorated rapidly during storage at 37 C and at 23 to 28 C, but was relatively stable at 4 C and at -20 C for at least 1 year. The vaccine stored at 4 C for 9 months protected 2 horses, subsequently inoculated with avirulent virus, from arteritis, whereas the 2 nonvaccinated control horses inoculated simultaneously developed severe signs of the disease and died of acute arteritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Anti-measles IgM in healthy adult Nigerians.

Measles is a common and serious disease of children in Nigeria. In the present study sera from healthy adult Nigerians were titrated for anti-measles haemagglutination inhibiting antibody, and for levels of anti-measles HI IgM antibody. Of those tested, 43.6% showed anti-measles antibody activity without specific IgM, while 30.8% showed both total antibody and specific IgM activity. The presence of anti-measles IgM implies recent contact with the virus. The implication of such recent subclinical infections of adults in the transmission of the virus to susceptible children is discussed.

Adult↗