DEPARTMENT MEDICAL LABOURATORY SCIENCE

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is a common viral infection and a major source of health concern worldwide, including Nigeria, that can be responsible for a spectrum of diseases, ranging from late miscarriages and premature births, anemia in pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, labor anomalies, early neonatal complications and localized skin rashes. The aim of
this research is to explore the current knowledge, awareness, and seroepidemiology of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. In this study a total of ninetysix (96) participants were recruited, consisting of ninety-one (91) number of examined samples and five (5) samples which served as controls. About four (4) milliliters of blood was obtained
from each participant using standard venipuncture technique, dispensed into sterile plain containers, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. The sera obtained were homogeneously mixed and screened for HSV-1 IgM antibodies using ELISA Diasino HSV1 Test Kits according to manufacturer’s instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect data to assess
their knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 infection. The prevalence of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria obtained among 91 participants in this study was 7.69%. The prevalence was highest among the age range of 25 - 29 years (57.14%), followed by age range 30 - 34 years (28.57%), and then 20 - 24 years (14.29%). In this study, a total of 91
participants studied, 40 (43.96%) have previously heard and know about the HSV-1 infection, 51 (56.04%) had never heard of HSV-1 and are not aware of the risks. This study showed the need for enhanced education, screening, and management programs to reduce the burden of HSV-1 infection during pregnancy. Integrating HSV-1 education into school curriculums, conducting public awareness campaigns about HSV-1, and Make HSV-1 testing and treatment more affordable and accessible are recommended to improve knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, NigeriaHerpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is a common viral infection and a major source of health concern worldwide, including Nigeria, that can be responsible for a spectrum of diseases, ranging from late miscarriages and premature births, anemia in pregnancy, chronic placental insufficiency, labor anomalies, early neonatal complications and localized skin rashes. The aim of
this research is to explore the current knowledge, awareness, and seroepidemiology of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. In this study a total of ninetysix (96) participants were recruited, consisting of ninety-one (91) number of examined samples and five (5) samples which served as controls. About four (4) milliliters of blood was obtained
from each participant using standard venipuncture technique, dispensed into sterile plain containers, and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. The sera obtained were homogeneously mixed and screened for HSV-1 IgM antibodies using ELISA Diasino HSV1 Test Kits according to manufacturer’s instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect data to assess
their knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 infection. The prevalence of HSV-1 infection among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria obtained among 91 participants in this study was 7.69%. The prevalence was highest among the age range of 25 - 29 years (57.14%), followed by age range 30 - 34 years (28.57%), and then 20 - 24 years (14.29%). In this study, a total of 91
participants studied, 40 (43.96%) have previously heard and know about the HSV-1 infection, 51 (56.04%) had never heard of HSV-1 and are not aware of the risks. This study showed the need for enhanced education, screening, and management programs to reduce the burden of HSV-1 infection during pregnancy. Integrating HSV-1 education into school curriculums, conducting public awareness campaigns about HSV-1, and Make HSV-1 testing and treatment more affordable and accessible are recommended to improve knowledge and awareness of HSV-1 among pregnant women in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) pose a significant risk to the safety of blood transfusions and public health. This therefore, underscores the need for stringent blood safety measures to mitigate potential infection transmission risks. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and types of transfusion-transmissible infections among prospective donors in the blood bank of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. This study utilized a retrospective study design to investigate the seroprevalence of TTIs over a 12-month period. Coordination was established with the blood bank staff and hospital administration to gain access to the required blood bank records. Specific variables were identified for analysis, including donor ID, donation date, and test results for HIV, HBsAg, HCV, and VDRL, and demographic information such as age and gender. During the initial laboratory investigations, Donor samples were subjected to rapid testing kits and the ABBOTT machine was used to re-affirm positive cases. During the 12 month study period from July 2022 to June 2023, a total of 3241 blood donors were registered. Testing showed an infection-positive test of 248, which gives an overall prevalence of 7.65%. The seroprevalence of Transfusion-Transmissible infections were found to be 0.93%, 2.35%, 1.85% and 2.53%, for HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis as respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the trend of donors over the months. Of the 2707 male donors recorded the seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis were found to be 0.99%, 2.11%, 1.81%, and 2.66% respectively. While 534 female donors recorded, the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis was found to be 0.75%, 3.56%, 2.05%, and 1.87% respectively. Correlation analysis showed no statistically significant association between TTI rates and Gender groups (p>0.05). Correlation Analysis shows a significant association (p = 0.01) between the prevalence of TTI and donor categories considered to be replacement donors and voluntary donors. The findings underscore the importance of continuous vigilance in maintaining blood safety standards and highlight the variable prevalence rates of HIV, HBsAg, HCV, and syphilis among different demographic groups. This study emphasizes the critical role of targeted interventions to mitigate infection transmission, ensuring the safety of the blood supply and the well-being of recipients. Efforts should be continually intensified in ensuring maximum safety of blood for transfusion. This can be achieved by screening, counselling and creating awareness on the need for regular testing of TTIs to reduce transmission among prospective donors