Publications by authors named "Oragwa A"

Using a metagenomic sequencing approach on stool samples from children with Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), we describe the genetic diversity of Sapoviruses (SaVs) in children in Nigeria. We identified six complete genome sequences and two partial genome sequences. Several SaV genogroups and genotypes were detected, including GII (GII.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the prevalence and diversity of the orf virus (ORFV), a contagious disease affecting small ruminants, across various regions in Nigeria.
  • Out of 54 small ruminants tested, 25 were found positive for ORFV, with the highest rates in Plateau State (50.0%) and the lowest in Oyo State (42.9%).
  • The ORFV sequences identified were similar to those found in countries like Taiwan, Iran, USA, and France, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and further studies to understand the virus's transmission and evolution.
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Article Synopsis
  • - The study highlights the importance of monitoring bats, as they are key reservoirs for coronaviruses (CoVs), particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases like SARS-CoV, which have potential implications for human health.
  • - Researchers sampled 409 bats from various species in Nigeria between 2019 and 2021, finding CoV RNA in 39 bats (about 9.5% of samples), with some samples showing co-infection by different CoV lineages.
  • - The findings indicate a rich diversity of coronaviruses among bats in Nigeria, suggesting ongoing evolutionary changes and host switching, thus calling for increased surveillance to understand and track emerging CoVs better.
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Introduction: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease caused by RVF virus (RVFV) and transmitted primarily by mosquitoes and contact with fluids and tissues of infected animals. First described in Kenya, it has spread to many African countries and beyond. In humans, it is sometimes misdiagnosed because the symptoms resemble those of influenza and/or malaria.

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We recently investigated the presence of enteroviruses (EVs) in non-human primates (NHPs) in Northern Nigeria and documented the presence of EV-A76 of South-East Asian ancestry in an NHP. In this study, we go further to ask if we could also find EVs in NHPs indigenous to the forested South-south Nigeria. Fresh faecal samples were collected from the floor of 10 cages housing NHPs in Cross River Nigeria, re-suspended in PBS and subjected to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, PanEnt 5'-UTR and PanEnt VP1 PCR assays.

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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV genotype E (HBV/E) is the predominant genotype in West Africa and has been linked epidemiologically with chronic and occult HBV infections as well as development of HCC. Mutations in the surface and polymerase genes of HBV have been associated with occult infection, drug resistance, vaccine escape, as well as HCC.

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African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious fatal infectious disease of pigs and wild suids. The disease has a worldwide occurrence and significant impact on pig production. Two adult intensively raised large white boars from two farms in Jos with a history of sudden death were diagnosed of ASF between July and August 2019.

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The genomes of seven novel members of previously described DNA and RNA virus families are described here. These viruses were recovered using a viral metagenomic approach from the stool of a drill monkey () housed in a sanctuary in Cross River State, Nigeria.

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Recently, a reverse transcriptase semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-snPCR) assay was recommended by the WHO for direct detection of enteroviruses in clinical specimens. In this study, we use this assay and a modification thereof to screen acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) samples that had previously tested negative for enteroviruses by the RD-L20B algorithm. Thirty paired stool suspensions collected in 2015 as part of the national AFP surveillance program in different states of Nigeria were analyzed in this study.

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