Abstract Title
Molecular Detection of Noroviruses in Environmental Wastewater in Lagos State, Nigeria
Presenter
Olumuyiwa Babalola Salu, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
Co-Author(s)
Salu, Olumuyiwa Babalola1,2; Lay, Margarita Kam-Lem3; Aboderin, Dorcas Olabunmi2; Ebuara, Francis Ushie2; Jolaawo, Osarenren2; Salami, Saheed Adekunle2; Orenolu, Mercy Remilekun1; Anyanwu, Roosevelt Amaobichukwu1; Abdullah, Maryam Abiodun1 and Omilabu, Sunday Aremu1,2
1 Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology, Central Research Laboratory, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
2 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
3 Research Center for Immunology and Biomedical Biotechnology of Antofagasta, , Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Marine Sciences and Biological Resources, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile
Abstract Category
Food & Environmental Virology-II (Wastewater & others)
Abstract
Abstract
Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are recognised as the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) with an important global health concern, especially among children less than 5 years old due to their rapid rates of genetic and antigenic evolution. They are shed in high numbers by infected individuals and can persist over a long period of time within the environment. In Lagos, Nigeria, the human health hazard posed by HuNoV is underestimated due to lack of diagnostic capacity and under-reporting. These hazards may be a public health concern due to rapid population expansion, urbanisation, poor sanitation, non-availability/accessibility of potable water source and epileptic wastewater treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to detect HuNoV in wastewater collected from three geographic divisions of Lagos State, Nigeria. 268 wastewater samples were analysed for HuNoV GI and GII by Real Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) at the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. 59 (22%) were positive for HuNoV GI while 96 (35.8%) were positive HuNoV GII. Primary drain/canal has the highest prevalence for both genotypes with 18 (6.7%) and 39 (14.6%) respectively. Ikeja Division has the highest burden for HuNoV with Mushin Local Government Area (LGA) being the most burdened LGA with HuNoV. The high burden of HuNoV in wastewater samples could serve as contamination sources for the continued sporadic cases of HuNoV. Thus, there is an urgent need to determine the role of wastewater contamination in the epidemiology of this virus in Lagos, Nigeria.
Keywords: Human noroviruses, Genotype, Wastewater, Real Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction, Lagos.
Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are recognised as the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) with an important global health concern, especially among children less than 5 years old due to their rapid rates of genetic and antigenic evolution. They are shed in high numbers by infected individuals and can persist over a long period of time within the environment. In Lagos, Nigeria, the human health hazard posed by HuNoV is underestimated due to lack of diagnostic capacity and under-reporting. These hazards may be a public health concern due to rapid population expansion, urbanisation, poor sanitation, non-availability/accessibility of potable water source and epileptic wastewater treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to detect HuNoV in wastewater collected from three geographic divisions of Lagos State, Nigeria. 268 wastewater samples were analysed for HuNoV GI and GII by Real Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) at the Centre for Human and Zoonotic Virology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. 59 (22%) were positive for HuNoV GI while 96 (35.8%) were positive HuNoV GII. Primary drain/canal has the highest prevalence for both genotypes with 18 (6.7%) and 39 (14.6%) respectively. Ikeja Division has the highest burden for HuNoV with Mushin Local Government Area (LGA) being the most burdened LGA with HuNoV. The high burden of HuNoV in wastewater samples could serve as contamination sources for the continued sporadic cases of HuNoV. Thus, there is an urgent need to determine the role of wastewater contamination in the epidemiology of this virus in Lagos, Nigeria.
Keywords: Human noroviruses, Genotype, Wastewater, Real Time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction, Lagos.