Browsing by Author "Fowotade, A. A."

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Multiple expansions of globally uncommon SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Nigeria
(Nature Portfolio, 2022) Ozer, E. A.; Simons, L. M.; Adewumi, O. M.; Fowotade, A. A.; Omoruyi, E. C.; Adeniji, J. A.; Olayinka, O. A.; Dean, T. J.; Zayas, J.; Bhimalli, P. P.; Ash, M. K.; Maiga, A. I.; Somboro, A. M.; Maiga, M.; Godzik, A.; Schneider, J. R.; Mamede, J. I.; Taiwo, B. O.; Hultquist, J. F.; Lorenzo-Redondo, R.
Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance have limited our understanding of the viral population dynamics and may delay identification of globally important variants. Despite being the most populated country in Africa, Nigeria has remained critically under sampled. Here, we report sequences from 378 SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected in Oyo State, Nigeria between July 2020 and August 2021. In early 2021, most isolates belonged to the Alpha “variant of concern” (VOC) or the Eta lineage. Eta outcompeted Alpha in Nigeria and across West Africa, persisting in the region even after expansion of an otherwise rare Delta sublineage. Spike protein from the Eta variant conferred increased infectivity and decreased neutralization by convalescent sera in vitro. Phylodynamic reconstructions suggest that Eta originated in West Africa before spreading globally and represented a VOC in early 2021. These results demonstrate a distinct distribution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Nigeria, and emphasize the need for improved genomic surveillance worldwide.
Multiple expansions of globally uncommon SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Nigeria
(Nature Portfolio, 2022) Ozer, E. A.; Simons, L. M.; Adewumi, O. M.; Fowotade, A. A.; Omoruyi, E. C.; Adeniji, J. A.; Olayinka, O. A.; Dean, T. J.; Zayas, J.; Bhimalli, P. P.; Ash, M. K.; Maiga, A. I.; Somboro, A. M.; Maiga, M.; Godzik, A.; Schneider, J. R.; Mamede, J. I.; Taiwo, B. O.; Hultquist, J. F.; Lorenzo-Redondo, R.
Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance have limited our understanding of the viral population dynamics and may delay identification of globally important variants. Despite being the most populated country in Africa, Nigeria has remained critically under sampled. Here, we report sequences from 378 SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected in Oyo State, Nigeria between July 2020 and August 2021. In early 2021, most isolates belonged to the Alpha “variant of concern” (VOC) or the Eta lineage. Eta outcompeted Alpha in Nigeria and across West Africa, persisting in the region even after expansion of an otherwise rare Delta sublineage. Spike protein from the Eta variant conferred increased infectivity and decreased neutralization by convalescent sera in vitro. Phylodynamic reconstructions suggest that Eta originated in West Africa before spreading globally and represented a VOC in early 2021. These results demonstrate a distinct distribution of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Nigeria, and emphasize the need for improved genomic surveillance worldwide.
Prevalence of hepatitis B virus core antibodies among blood donors in Nigeria: implications for blood safety
(AOSIS, 2022-09) Fasola, F. A.; Fowotade, A. A.; Faneye, A. O.; Adeleke, A.
Background: Anti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) testing improves transfusion safety by detecting past and current hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection while detecting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serology-negative HBV infection. However, occult HBV infection (OBI) (serum or liver HBV DNA-positive but HBsAg-negative) remains unaddressed among replacement blood donors – family members or friends who donate to replace blood transfused to a relative. Objective: This study assessed risk factors for a positive anti-HBc test among donors with OBI and determined the anti-HBc-positive status of replacement donors. Methods: The study was conducted at the University College Hospital Blood Bank, Ibadan, Nigeria, using blood samples collected from blood donors between April 2019 and May 2019. Donors were screened for HBsAg by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and anti-HBc by ELISA, while HBV DNA was detected using a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 274 participants, 15 (5.5%) were HBsAg-positive by RDT and 36 (13.1%) by ELISA, while 133 (48.5%) were anti-HBc positive. Out of 232 HBsAg-negative donors, 107 (46.1%) were anti-HBc positive. Of the 107 HBsAg-negative but anti-HBc-positive samples, only one (0.93%) was HBV DNA-positive. The HBV DNA-positive donor was HBsAg-negative by both RDT and ELISA tests. Conclusion: This study establishes a potential risk for HBV transmission from isolated anti-HBc-positive donors to blood recipients. HBc immunoglobulin (antibody) M testing to identify blood units requiring further screening with polymerase chain reaction to detect OBI can prevent HBV transmission through blood transfusion.