George O. Akpede
A5011596572- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Disaster Response and Management
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
- Hematological disorders and diagnostics
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Malaria Research and Control
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Pleural and Pulmonary Diseases
- Global Health Care Issues
Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital
2013-2024
Ambrose Alli University
2001-2024
Redeemer's University
2018
University of Maiduguri
1993-2004
University of Benin
1992-1994
University of Benin Teaching Hospital
1992-1993
The 2018 Nigerian Lassa fever season saw the largest ever recorded upsurge of cases, raising concerns over emergence a strain with increased transmission rate. To understand molecular epidemiology this upsurge, we performed, for first time at epicenter an unfolding outbreak, metagenomic nanopore sequencing directly from patient samples, approach dictated by highly variable genome target pathogen. Genomic data and phylogenetic reconstructions were communicated immediately to authorities World...
During 2018, an unusual increase in Lassa fever cases occurred Nigeria, raising concern among national and international public health agencies. We analyzed 220 virus genomes from infected patients, including 129 the 2017-2018 transmission season, to understand viral populations underpinning increase. A total of 14 initial 2018 samples were generated at Redeemer's University findings shared with Nigerian Center for Disease Control real time. found that was not attributable a particular...
Background Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic endemic in West Africa. However, none of the hospitals areas Nigeria has capacity to perform virus diagnostics. Case identification and management solely relies on non-specific clinical criteria. The Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) central senatorial district Edo State struggled with this challenge for many years. Methodology/Principal Findings A laboratory molecular diagnosis fever, complying basic standards diagnostic PCR facilities,...
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has the potential to transform discovery of viruses causing unexplained acute febrile illness (UAFI) because it does not depend on culturing pathogen or a priori knowledge pathogen's nucleic acid sequence. More generally, elucidate complete human virome, including that cause no overt symptoms disease, but may have unrecognized immunological developmental consequences. We used NGS identify RNA in blood 195 patients with UAFI and compared them those found 328...
ABSTRACT Recent Lassa virus strains from Nigeria were completely or partially sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the predominance of lineage II and III strains, existence a previously undescribed (sub)lineage in Nigeria, directional spread southern part country. The Bayesian also provided estimates for divergence times within clade.
Lassa virus is the causative agent of fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever with case fatality rate approximately 30% in Africa. Previous studies disclosed geographical pattern distribution strains and westward movement across West Africa during evolution. Our study provides deeper understanding geography genetic lineages sublineages Nigeria. In addition, we modeled how spread country. This knowledge allows us to predict into which areas might future prioritize for surveillance. not only aimed...
Background: The general lack of comprehensive data on the trends Lassa fever (LF) outbreaks contrasts with its widespread occurrence in West Africa and is an important constraint design effective control measures. We reviewed contribution LF to admissions mortality among hospitalized patients from 2001 2018 bid address this gap. Methods: Observational study caseload 18 terms confirmed deaths, case fatality (CF) at a specialist center Nigeria. diagnosis was using reverse transcription...
Abstract Fifty patients with unexplained fever and poor outcomes presented at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) in Edo State, Nigeria, an area endemic for Lassa fever, between September 2018 - January 2019. After ruling out plasma samples from these epidemiologically-linked cases were sent to the African Centre of Excellence Genomics Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun where we carried metagenomic sequencing which implicated yellow virus (YFV) as etiology...
Convulsions with fever in children are a common neurologic emergency the tropics, and determining contribution of endemic viral infections can be challenging. In particular, there is dearth data on prevalence clinical differentiation Lassa virus disease (LVD) febrile areas Nigeria, which has multiple lineages virus. The aim this study was to determine presentation LVD without convulsions.This prospective consecutive aged ≥1 month- 15 years admitted Children's Emergency Room Irrua Specialist...
Abstract Lassa fever in pregnancy causes high rates of maternal and fetal death, but limited data are available to guide clinicians. We retrospectively studied 30 pregnant patients treated with early ribavirin therapy a conservative obstetric approach at teaching hospital southern Nigeria during January 2009–March 2018. Eleven (36.7%) women died, 20/31 (64.5%) pregnancies ended or perinatal loss. On initial evaluation, 17/30 (56.6%) had dead fetus; 10/17 (58.8%) these compared 1/13 (7.7%)...
Lassa fever is an acute arena viral haemorrhagic with varied neurological sequelae. Sensorineural hearing loss one of the rare complications which occur usually during convalescent stage infection.The cases two female patients aged 19 and 43 years old, respectively, clinical features suggestive confirmed by immunoserological/Lassa-virus-specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction are presented. Both developed severe sensorineural at phases infections.Sensorineural from...
Background: Researchers in medicine and related fields Nigeria have usually made recourse to the instrument developed by Olusanya et al Oyedeji past three-and-a half decades for determination of socioeconomic status (SES). Beside question their age, however, these instruments were purposive might no longer be suitable because changes parameters on which they based.Objective: To develop a robust but generic scheme that takes into consideration nation’s space succeeding three decades.Methods:...
Abstract Infection with Lassa virus (LASV) can cause fever, a haemorrhagic illness an estimated fatality rate of 29.7%, but causes no or mild symptoms in many individuals. Here, to investigate whether human genetic variation underlies the heterogeneity LASV infection, we carried out genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as well seroprevalence surveys, leukocyte antigen typing and high-throughput variant functional characterization assays. We analysed fever susceptibility fatal outcomes 533...
Abstract Lassa virus (LASV) is the causative agent of fever (LF), an often-fatal hemorrhagic disease. LF endemic in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and other West African countries. Diagnosis LASV infection challenged by genetic diversity virus, which greatest Nigeria. The ReLASV Pan-Lassa Antigen Rapid Test (Pan-Lassa RDT) a point-of-care, vitro diagnostic test that utilizes mixture polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant nucleoproteins representative strains from three most prevalent...
Lassa fever, an endemic zoonotic viral infection in West Africa, presents with varied symptoms including vomiting, retrosternal pain, abdominal sore-throat, mucosal bleeding, seizures and coma. When fever pain are the main presenting symptoms, a diagnosis of acute abdomen is entertained, rarely considered differential diagnosis, even areas. Rather suspected only after surgical intervention. Therefore, such patients often undergo unnecessary surgery resultant delay commencement ribavirin...
The year 2020 made 52 years since the first report of Lassa fever (LF) outbreaks from Nigeria, but what progress has been in its control? We sought to answer this through an epidemiologic analysis temporal and spatial trends 1969 2020. showed overall strengthening outbreaks, hallmarked by change irregular regular annual limited local nationwide while there was a sharp contrast between upward trend case numbers downward fatality. Pending availability effective vaccines, greater effort is...
Under-fives in 461 households were assessed clinically to determine the prevalence of rickets sub-urban and rural communities Sahel savanna. Overt was found 11 (2.4%) abnormalities suggestive 69 (14.9%). There significant variations (p < 0.05) association with ethnic grouping (higher southerners non-Kanuri, non-Hausa-Fulani northerners), religion (more prevalent among Christians), mother's occupation educational status working class mothers at least a primary education). A significantly...