Comparative gender analysis of the seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus among HIV-infected individuals receiving care at Offa, north-central Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Society for Clinical and Experimental Microbiology
Abstract
Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections are common and contribute substantially to morbidity and
mortality among HIV-infected patients. This study was conducted to determine the level of exposure, compare
the gender distribution pattern and correlate with CD4 count, history of chicken pox and demographics among
HIV patients.
Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 273 randomly selected HIV-positive patients (93 males and
180 females) receiving care and management at the General Hospital Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, between
September 2019 and March 2020, after obtaining informed consent. Sera were separated from the blood samples
and tested for the presence of VZV-specific IgG antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
Results: The seroprevalence rate of VZV in the selected HIV patients was 76.9% (210/273), which was similar
in both male (83.9%, 78/93) and female (73.3%, 132/180) patients (χ2=3.265, p=0.071). The seroprevalence
rates of VZV in both male and female patients were significantly associated with marital status, occupational
status, and CD4+ cell count (p<0.05), however, age group was not significantly associated with VZV
seroprevalence in both male (χ2=8.014, p=0.155) and female (χ2=4.689, p=0.455) patients. The seroprevalence
of VZV in males (32%) who reported history of chicken pox was about twice that of females (17.4%) (OR=2.235,
95% CI=1.162-4.302, p=0.023).
Conclusion: The level of exposure of HIV-infected individuals to VZV in Offa, Nigeria is high and is similarly
distributed in both male and female genders. However, more males with VZV exposure reported history of chicken
pox (acute infection) than their female counterparts.
Description
Keywords
Seroprevalence; VZV; HIV; gender; Nigeria