This study was carried out to determine sero-prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus co-infection among pregnant women. Viral hepatitis during pregnancy is associated with high risk of maternal complications; infections with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are public health problems. Worldwide, there are about 350 million HBV carriers and 130 to 170 million people infected with HCV. The presence of HBV and HCV was determined using third-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA), reactive samples were further confirmed using enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) (Bio-Rad, France). Age group 26-30 and 31-35 had highest frequency of 240 (36.98%) and 206 (31.74%) respectively in HBV and HCV. Sero prevalence of HBV and HCV were 44 (6.78%) and 9 (1.39%) respectively. Prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection was 1 (0.15%) in age group 31-35. Proper management of maternal hepatitis during the prenatal phase ensures better outcomes in the infant, therefore screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B and C virus are necessary in order to identify those neonates at risk of transmission.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to physiological changes that accompany pregnancy, such as congestion of the cervix, edema of the vaginal mucosa, and alterations in the vaginal flora. Syphilis and HIV are both transmitted sexually and so it is not surprise that a substantial number of people are infected with both agents. The rate of HIV and syphilis co-infection varies depending on the prevalence of both infections in the community or the patient group being studied, along with individual risk factors. 1913 apparently healthy pregnant women were recruited for the study after obtained their consent. Detection of HIV p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV1/2 was screened for using BIO-RAD in-vitro diagnostic enzyme immunoassay; syphilis was screen for using DIA-PRO in-vitro diagnostic Bio-probes enzyme immunoassay for the determination of antibodies to Treponema pallidum. Age group 26-

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Anti‐HBc screening and nucleic acid testing for hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA) detection in blood donors are not routinely performed in clinical settings in Nigeria. This raises serious concerns for safety of blood at a time that global health standards advocate for transfusion safety. The aim of this research is to investigate if presence of anti‐HBc in blood donors is actually associated with occult hepatitis B infection through basic and advanced procedures. Prospective blood donors who were seronegative for HBsAg but sero‐positive for anti‐HBc (with or without other markers) among the four hundred and seventy enrolled in a cross‐sectional study were selected for this study. Samples were further screened for hepatitis B core immunoglobulin M by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Nucleic acid testing was performed for confirmation of occult hepatitis B infection. Anti‐HBc was detected in 20 (32.8%) of the sixty‐one HBsAg antigen‐negative blood donors which constituted 13.0% of the total number of enrolled blood donors. Anti‐HBc total‐positive differentiation showed eighteen (90.0%) anti‐HBc (IgG) and two (10%) anti‐HBc (IgM) were detected. Nucleic acid testing showed 5.0% prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection among the anti‐HBc‐positive blood donors with estimated HBV DNA viral load of 58 IU/ml. Demonstration of 5.0% occult hepatitis B prevalence showed the possibility of post‐transfusion hepatitis B infection in transfusion recipients with consequent possible liver damage should hepatitis B surface antigen alone be the continued practice in clinical settings. The inclusion of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen screening in addition to hepatitis B surface antigen marker is an essential step to ensuring optimal blood safety and prevent post‐transfusion hepatitis.

Background/Objective: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) poses significant risk to the wellbeing of a pregnant woman and her fetus; the risk is more when not appropriately diagnosed and managed. The search for accuracy and increased specificity in diagnosis of PROM is an on-going process. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of placental alpha microglobulin-1 (AmniSure ROM