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Yeboah R, Gorman R, Acheampong HK, Nyarko-Afriyie E, Aryeetey S, Tetteh HD, Owusu M, Yeboah ES, Adade T, Bonney J, Amoako YA, El-Duah P, Obiri-Danso K, Drosten C, Phillips RO, Sylverken AA. Clinical epidemiology, determinants, and outcomes of viral encephalitis in Ghana; a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297277. [PMID: 38346087 PMCID: PMC10861038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral encephalitis is a rare, yet severe neurological disorder. It poses a significant public health threat due to its high morbidity and mortality. Despite the disproportionate burden of the disease in impoverished African countries, the true extent of the problem remains elusive due to the scarcity of accurate diagnostic methods. The absence of timely and effective diagnostic tools, particularly Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, has led to misguided treatment, and an underestimation of the disease burden in Ghana. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study to determine the viral aetiologies of encephalitis among patients presenting to a major referral hospital in Ghana from May 2019 and August 2022. The study aimed at providing a comprehensive information on the clinical epidemiology, and outcomes of viral encephalitis in Ghana. Clinical samples were collected from patients presenting with signs and symptoms of encephalitis and tested for viral agents using real-time polymerase chain reaction. We assessed the clinical epidemiology, risk factors and outcome of individuals using descriptive and logistic regression analysis. Seventy-seven (77) patients were enrolled unto the study. The participants frequently presented with fever (85.7%), seizures (80.5%), lethargy (64.9%) and headache (50.6%). Viruses were detected in 40.3% of the study participants in either cerebrospinal fluid, rectal or oral swab samples. The most frequently detected viruses were cytomegalovirus (48.4%), enteroviruses (38.7%) and HSV (29.0%). Twenty-one (27.3%) of the patients died while on hospital admission. Gender (OR = 5.70 (1.536-1.172), p = 0.01), and negative polymerase chain reaction test results were identified as significant factors associated with death. Antiviral treatment increased the chance of survival of viral encephalitis patients by 21.8%. Our results validate the crucial role of molecular tools as essential for the rapid diagnosis of viral encephalitis, enabling effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. This study contributes valuable epidemiological and clinical insight into viral encephalitis in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richmond Gorman
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Sherihane Aryeetey
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Titus Adade
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joseph Bonney
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Emergency Medicine Directorate, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Ampem Amoako
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kwasi Obiri-Danso
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Odame Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
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El-Duah P, Sylverken AA, Owusu M, Amoako YA, Yeboah R, Gorman R, Nyarko-Afriyie E, Schneider J, Jones TC, Bonney J, Adade T, Yeboah ES, Binger T, Corman VM, Drosten C, Phillips RO. Genetic characterization of varicella-zoster and HIV-1 viruses from the cerebrospinal fluid of a co-infected encephalitic patient, Ghana. Virol J 2022; 19:122. [PMID: 35883083 PMCID: PMC9327158 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01854-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encephalitis is a serious disease of the brain characterized by prodromal and specific neurological symptoms. HIV infections offer opportunistic viruses, such as Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the chance to cause encephalitis in patients. There is a lack of information on the genetic diversity of VZV in Ghana and other parts of Africa which requires sequencing and characterization studies to address. The active evolution of HIV-1 in West Africa also requires continuous surveillance for the emergence of new genetic forms. CASE PRESENTATION VZV was detected in the CSF sample of an 11-year-old patient presenting with symptoms of encephalitis by real-time PCR diagnostics. To identify possible unknown aetiological pathogens, next-generation sequencing was performed, and revealed an HIV-1 co-infection. Alignments of concatenated HIV-1 genome fragments in the gag, pol, vif, env and nef regions and a near-complete VZV genome were analyzed by Bayesian inference, and phylogenetic trees were generated. The VZV sequence belongs to clade 5 and the HIV-1 sequence is a member of the CRF02_AG predominant circulating recombinant form in Ghana. CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic tests for CSF HIV would be useful where possible in patients presenting with encephalitis due to VZV and other opportunistic viruses in Kumasi to shed light on the role of HIV in encephalitis cases in Ghana. This report reaffirms the role of the CRF02_AG circulating recombinant form in HIV infections in Ghana and also gives a preliminary genetic characterization of VZV in Kumasi, Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip El-Duah
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medical Diagnostics, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Ampem Amoako
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richmond Gorman
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuella Nyarko-Afriyie
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Julia Schneider
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Terry C Jones
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Zoology, Centre for Pathogen Evolution, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Joseph Bonney
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Titus Adade
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Eric Smart Yeboah
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Tabea Binger
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Victor Max Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Richard Odame Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research Into Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. .,Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Sylverken AA, Owusu M, Agbavor B, Kwarteng A, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Ofori P, El-Duah P, Yeboah R, Aryeetey S, Addo Asamoah J, Ekekpi RZ, Oppong M, Gorman R, Brempong KA, Nyarko-Afriyie E, Owusu Bonsu F, Larsen-Reindorf R, Rockson Adjei M, Boateng G, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Sarkodie B, Laryea DO, Tinkorang E, Kumah Aboagye P, Nsiah Asare A, Obiri-Danso K, Owusu-Dabo E, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Phillips RO. Using drones to transport suspected COVID-19 samples; experiences from the second largest testing centre in Ghana, West Africa. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277057. [PMID: 36318579 PMCID: PMC9624400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11 2020, by the World Health Organisation prompted the need for a sustained and a rapid international response. In a swift response, the Government of Ghana, in partnership with Zipline company, launched the use of Unmanned Automated Vehicles (UAV) to transport suspected samples from selected districts to two foremost testing centres in the country. Here, we present the experiences of employing this technology and its impact on the transport time to the second largest testing centre, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) in Kumasi, Ghana. METHODS Swab samples collected from suspected COVID-19 patients were transported to the Zipline office by health workers. Information on the samples were sent to laboratory personnel located at KCCR through a WhatsApp platform to get them ready to receive the suspected COVID-19 samples while Zipline repackaged samples and transported them via drone. Time of take-off was reported as well as time of drop-off. RESULTS A total of 2537 COVID-19 suspected samples were received via drone transport from 10 districts between April 2020 to June 2021 in 440 deliveries. Ejura-Sekyedumase District Health Directorate delivered the highest number of samples (765; 30%). The farthest district to use the drone was Pru East, located 270 km away from KCCR in Kumasi and 173 km to the Zipline office in Mampong. Here, significantly, it took on the average 39 minutes for drones to deliver samples compared to 117 minutes spent in transporting samples by road (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The use of drones for sample transport during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the travel time taken for samples to be transported by road to the testing site. This has enhanced innovative measures to fight the pandemic using technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bernadette Agbavor
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Alex Kwarteng
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng
- University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Patrick Ofori
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Sherihane Aryeetey
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jesse Addo Asamoah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Rita Ziem Ekekpi
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Morrah Oppong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richmond Gorman
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kofi Adjei Brempong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuella Nyarko-Afriyie
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | | | - Gifty Boateng
- National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Badu Sarkodie
- Public Health Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Emmanuel Tinkorang
- Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Anthony Nsiah Asare
- Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Office of the President, Jubilee House, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwasi Obiri-Danso
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ellis Owusu-Dabo
- Department of Global and International Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richard Odame Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
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4
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Amoako YA, El-Duah P, Sylverken AA, Owusu M, Yeboah R, Gorman R, Adade T, Bonney J, Tasiame W, Nyarko-Jectey K, Binger T, Corman VM, Drosten C, Phillips RO. Rabies is still a fatal but neglected disease: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2021; 15:575. [PMID: 34847928 PMCID: PMC8632207 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-021-03164-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rabies, caused by a lyssavirus, is a viral zoonosis that affects people in many parts of the world, especially those in low income countries. Contact with domestic animals, especially dogs, is the main source of human infections. Humans may present with the disease only after a long period of exposure. Nearly half of rabies cases occur in children <15 years old. We report on a fatal case of rabies in a Ghanaian school child 5 years after the exposure incident, and the vital role of molecular tools in the confirmation of the diagnosis. Case presentation The patient, an 11-year-old junior high school Ghanaian student from the Obuasi Municipality in Ghana, presented with aggressive behavior, which rapidly progressed to confusion and loss of consciousness within a day of onset. Her parents reported that the patient had experienced a bite from a stray dog on her right leg 5 years prior to presentation, for which no antirabies prophylaxis was given. The patient died within minutes of arrival in hospital (within 24 hours of symptom onset). Real-time polymerase chain reaction testing of cerebrospinal fluid obtained after her death confirmed the diagnosis of rabies. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis showed the virus to belong to the Africa 2 lineage of rabies viruses, which is one of the predominant circulating lineages in Ghana. Conclusion The incubation period of rabies is highly variable so patients may only present with symptoms long after the exposure incident. Appropriate molecular testing tools, when available as part of rabies control programmes, are vital in confirming cases of rabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y A Amoako
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. .,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - P El-Duah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Institute of Virology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A A Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - M Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - R Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - R Gorman
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - T Adade
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - J Bonney
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - W Tasiame
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Institute of Virology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - T Binger
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - V M Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - R O Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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5
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Yeboah R, Sylverken AA, Owusu M, El-Duah P, Burimuah V, Frimpong Y, Lamptey J, Eckerle I, Meyer B, Antwi C, Agbenyaga O, Folitse R, Emikpe B, Oppong SK, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Drosten C. Sero-molecular epidemiology of hepatitis E virus in pigs and human contacts in Ghana. One Health Outlook 2021; 3:13. [PMID: 34154674 PMCID: PMC8218416 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-021-00043-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is among the leading causes of viral hepatitis in most developing countries. Zoonotic acquisition of HEV genotype 3 from swine has come into focus more recently. Available studies on HEV in Ghana and other countries in the region do not provide enough information towards understanding the epidemiology of HEV in human and animal populations. Towards this end, we conducted a comparative cross-sectional study to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HEV exposure, both in swine and humans working on pig farms in typical local settings. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, along with classification of viral sequences from HEV-positive samples. METHODS Structured questionnaires soliciting information on pigs reared, as well as socio-demographic information including age, sex and educational background of humans was collected. A total of 10 ml and 5 ml of whole blood was collected from pigs and human participants respectively. ELISA and real-time RT-PCR were performed on the sera for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus and viral RNA, respectively. RESULTS Five hundred and forty-four (544) human participants including 264 swine contacts and 280 swine non-contacts were enrolled in the study. Although the proportion of HEV IgG antibodies was higher in contact groups (114; 54.3%) than non-contact groups (96; 45.7%), a multivariate analysis did not show any significant difference. No HEV RNA was detected in human samples. Similarly, 720 pigs were sampled from 18 farms located in five regions in Ghana. Twenty-three (23) of the pigs (3.2, 95%CI = 2.0-4.8) were positive for HEV RNA by real-time RT-PCR testing. Sequences obtained from HEV-positive samples were found to share high sequence identities with each other and clustered with other genotype 3 viruses indicating the existence of circulating zoonotic genotype 3 viruses on farms. Although we did not find evidence of pig to human transmission of HEV genotype 3, the presence of this genotype in pigs shows the potential for possible zoonotic transmission in African farm settings and buttresses the importance of active surveillance for the infection among at risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vitus Burimuah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Benjamin Meyer
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christopher Antwi
- Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Olivia Agbenyaga
- Department of Agroforestry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Raphael Folitse
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Benjamin Emikpe
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Samuel Kingsley Oppong
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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6
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Frimpong M, Amoako YA, Anim KB, Ahor HS, Yeboah R, Arthur J, Dakorah JS, Gborgblovor D, Akrofi S, Sekyi-Djan P, Owusu M, Sylverken AA, Binger T, Phillips RO. Diagnostics for COVID-19: A case for field-deployable, rapid molecular tests for community surveillance. Ghana Med J 2021; 54:71-76. [PMID: 33976444 PMCID: PMC8087371 DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v54i4s.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Across the globe, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing distress with governments doing everything in their power to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) to prevent morbidity and mortality. Actions are being implemented to keep health care systems from being overstretched and to curb the outbreak. Any policy responses aimed at slowing down the spread of the virus and mitigating its immediate effects on health care systems require a firm basis of information about the absolute number of currently infected people, growth rates, and locations/hotspots of infections. The only way to obtain this base of information is by conducting numerous tests in a targeted way. Currently, in Ghana, there is a centralized testing approach, that takes 4–5 days for samples to be shipped and tested at central reference laboratories with results communicated to the district, regional and national stakeholders. This delay in diagnosis increases the risk of ongoing transmission in communities and vulnerable institutions. We have validated, evaluated and deployed an innovative diagnostic tool on a mobile laboratory platform to accelerate the COVID-19 testing. A preliminary result of 74 samples from COVID-19 suspected cases has a positivity rate of 12% with a turn-around time of fewer than 3 hours from sample taking to reporting of results, significantly reducing the waiting time from days to hours, enabling expedient response by the health system for contact tracing to reduce transmission and additionally improving case management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Molecular Medicine, KNUST School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw A Amoako
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo B Anim
- AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Obuasi, Ghana.,Obuasi Health Directorates, Ghana Health Service, Obuasi, Ghana
| | - Hubert S Ahor
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Molecular Medicine, KNUST School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joshua Arthur
- Public Health, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Justin S Dakorah
- AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, Obuasi, Ghana.,Obuasi Health Directorates, Ghana Health Service, Obuasi, Ghana
| | | | - Samuel Akrofi
- Customs Laboratory, Ghana Revenue Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina A Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Tabea Binger
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richard O Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
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7
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Lamptey J, Oyelami FO, Owusu M, Nkrumah B, Idowu PO, Adu-Gyamfi EA, Czika A, El-Duah P, Yeboah R, Sylverken A, Olasunkanmi OI, Owusu-Dabo E, Drosten C, Adu-Sarkodie Y. Genomic and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009335. [PMID: 33901167 PMCID: PMC8101992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Since late 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has rapidly evolved to become a global pandemic. Each country was affected but with a varying number of infected cases and mortality rates. Africa was hit late by the pandemic but the number of cases rose sharply. In this study, we investigated 224 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) in the early part of the outbreak, of which 69 were from Africa. We analyzed a total of 550 mutations by comparing them with the reference SARS-CoV-2 sequence from Wuhan. We classified the mutations observed based on country and region, and afterwards analyzed common and unique mutations on the African continent as a whole. Correlation analyses showed that the duo variants ORF1ab/RdRp 4715L and S protein 614G variants, which are strongly linked to fatality rate, were not significantly and positively correlated with fatality rates (r = -0.03757, P = 0.5331 and r = -0.2876, P = 0.6389, respectively), although increased number of cases correlated with number of deaths (r = 0.997, P = 0.0002). Furthermore, most cases in Africa were mainly imported from American and European countries, except one isolate with no mutation and was similar to the original isolate from Wuhan. Moreover, unique mutations specific to countries were identified in the early phase of the outbreak but these mutations were not regional-specific. There were common mutations in all isolates across the continent as well as similar isolate-specific mutations in different regions. Our findings suggest that mutation is rapid in SARS-CoV-2 in Africa and although these mutations spread across the continent, the duo variants could not possibly be the sole cause of COVID-19 deaths in Africa in the early phase of the outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jones Lamptey
- Centre for Health System Strengthening (CfHSS), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Michael Owusu
- Centre for Health System Strengthening (CfHSS), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Armin Czika
- Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, Brasov, Romania
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Institute of Virology, Charite University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Ellis Owusu-Dabo
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
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8
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Sylverken AA, El-Duah P, Owusu M, Schneider J, Yeboah R, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Gorman R, Adu E, Kwarteng A, Frimpong M, Binger T, Aryeetey S, Asamoah JA, Amoako YA, Amuasi JH, Beheim-Schwarzbach J, Owusu-Dabo E, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Obiri-Danso K, Corman VM, Drosten C, Phillips R. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in northern Ghana: insights from whole-genome sequencing. Arch Virol 2021; 166:1385-1393. [PMID: 33723631 PMCID: PMC7959303 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-04986-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Following the detection of the first imported case of COVID-19 in the northern sector of Ghana, we molecularly characterized and phylogenetically analysed sequences, including three complete genome sequences, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 obtained from nine patients in Ghana. We performed high-throughput sequencing on nine samples that were found to have a high concentration of viral RNA. We also assessed the potential impact that long-distance transport of samples to testing centres may have on sequencing results. Here, two samples that were similar in terms of viral RNA concentration but were transported from sites that are over 400 km apart were analyzed. All sequences were compared to previous sequences from Ghana and representative sequences from regions where our patients had previously travelled. Three complete genome sequences and another nearly complete genome sequence with 95.6% coverage were obtained. Sequences with coverage in excess of 80% were found to belong to three lineages, namely A, B.1 and B.2. Our sequences clustered in two different clades, with the majority falling within a clade composed of sequences from sub-Saharan Africa. Less RNA fragmentation was seen in sample KATH23, which was collected 9 km from the testing site, than in sample TTH6, which was collected and transported over a distance of 400 km to the testing site. The clustering of several sequences from sub-Saharan Africa suggests regional circulation of the viruses in the subregion. Importantly, there may be a need to decentralize testing sites and build more capacity across Africa to boost the sequencing output of the subregion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Julia Schneider
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Richmond Gorman
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Eric Adu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Alexander Kwarteng
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Tabea Binger
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Sherihane Aryeetey
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jesse Addo Asamoah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Ampem Amoako
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - John Humphrey Amuasi
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Global and International Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Ellis Owusu-Dabo
- Department of Global and International Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwasi Obiri-Danso
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Victor Max Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, PMB, UPO, 00233 Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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9
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Burimuah V, Sylverken A, Owusu M, El-Duah P, Yeboah R, Lamptey J, Frimpong YO, Agbenyega O, Folitse R, Emikpe B, Tasiame W, Owiredu EW, Oppong S, Antwi C, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Drosten C. Molecular-based cross-species evaluation of bovine coronavirus infection in cattle, sheep and goats in Ghana. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:405. [PMID: 33109183 PMCID: PMC7590242 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02606-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Apart from the huge worldwide economic losses often occasioned by bovine coronavirus (BCoV) to the livestock industry, particularly with respect to cattle rearing, continuous surveillance of the virus in cattle and small ruminants is essential in monitoring variations in the virus that could enhance host switching. In this study, we collected rectal swabs from a total of 1,498 cattle, sheep and goats. BCoV detection was based on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Sanger sequencing of the partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region for postive samples were done and nucleotide sequences were compared with homologous sequences from the GenBank. Results The study reports a BCoV prevalence of 0.3%, consisting of 4 positive cases; 3 goats and 1 cattle. Less than 10% of all the animals sampled showed clinical signs such as diarrhea and respiratory distress except for high temperature which occurred in > 1000 of the animals. However, none of the 4 BCoV positive animals manifested any clinical signs of the infection at the time of sample collection. Bayesian majority-rule cladogram comparing partial and full length BCoV RdRp genes obtained in the study to data from the GenBank revealed that the sequences obtained from this study formed one large monophyletic group with those from different species and countries. The goat sequences were similar to each other and clustered within the same clade. No major variations were thus observed between our isolates and those from elsewhere. Conclusions Given that Ghana predominantly practices the extensive and semi-intensive systems of animal rearing, our study highlights the potential for spillover of BCoV to small ruminants in settings with mixed husbandry and limited separation between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitus Burimuah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. .,School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. .,Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Augustina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.,Institute of Virology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charite, Germany
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Oppong Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.,Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Olivia Agbenyega
- Department of Agroforestry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Raphael Folitse
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ben Emikpe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - William Tasiame
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.,Institute of Virology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charite, Germany
| | - Eddie-Williams Owiredu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Samuel Oppong
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christopher Antwi
- Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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10
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Burimuah V, Sylverken A, Owusu M, El-Duah P, Yeboah R, Lamptey J, Frimpong YO, Agbenyega O, Folitse R, Tasiame W, Emikpe B, Owiredu EW, Oppong S, Adu-Sarkodie Y, Drosten C. Sero-prevalence, cross-species infection and serological determinants of prevalence of Bovine Coronavirus in Cattle, Sheep and Goats in Ghana. Vet Microbiol 2019; 241:108544. [PMID: 31928696 PMCID: PMC7117134 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.108544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Bovine coronavirus has considerable seroprevalence in cattle across Ghana. Sheep and goats are kept without strict separation from cattle and show seropositivity against bovine coronavirus. Bovine coronavirus seroprevalence is positively correlated with large farm size. Highest bovine coronavirus seroprevalence was found in Ghana´s Northern Province with prevailing arid climate.
Cattle, goats and sheep are dominant livestock species in sub-Saharan Africa, with sometimes limited information on the prevalence of major infectious diseases. Restrictions due to notifiable epizootics complicate the exchange of samples in surveillance studies and suggest that laboratory capacities should be established domestically. Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) causes mainly enteric disease in cattle. Spillover to small ruminants is possible. Here we established BCoV serology based on a recombinant immunofluorescence assay for cattle, goats and sheep, and studied the seroprevalence of BCoV in these species in four different locations in the Greater Accra, Volta, Upper East, and Northern provinces of Ghana. The whole sampling and testing was organized and conducted by a veterinary school in Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana. Among sampled sheep (n = 102), goats (n = 66), and cattle (n = 1495), the seroprevalence rates were 25.8 %, 43.1 % and 55.8 %. For cattle, seroprevalence was significantly higher on larger farms (82.2 % vs 17.8 %, comparing farms with >50 or <50 animals; p = 0.027). Highest prevalence was seen in the Northern province with dry climate, but no significant trend following the north-south gradient of sampling sites was detected. Our study identifies a considerable seroprevalence for BCoV in Ghana and provides further support for the spillover of BCoV to small ruminants in settings with mixed husbandry and limited separation between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitus Burimuah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Augustina Sylverken
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana; Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
| | - Richmond Yeboah
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Yaw Oppong Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Olivia Agbenyega
- Department of Agroforestry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Raphael Folitse
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - William Tasiame
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Emikpe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Eddie-Williams Owiredu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Samuel Oppong
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Yaw Adu-Sarkodie
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
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