The role of Hepatitis viruses, particularly Hepatitis c virus (HCV) as human pathogen and their transmission have been of interest over the years. The virus is a small (55-65nm in size), included in Group IV, enveloped, positive sense, single stranded RNA virus, the family Flaviviridae, genus Hepacivirus, and Hepatitis c virus type species. Based on genetic differences between HCV isolates, the virus species is classified into six genotypes (1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype (represented by letters). Persistent infection with Hepatitis c virus (HCV) has emerged as one of the primary causes of chronic liver disease with an estimated 170 million people infected by HCV, more than 4 times the number of people living with HIV throughout the world. The present review looks at the genetic and molecular nature of this virus with the view to provide more information about its biology which may be useful to the present and feature researchers.

The roles of fusion gene in the virulence of Newcastle disease virus are well established, but the extent of its variation among the XIV, XVII, and XVIII genotypes reported in Central Africa and West Africa has until recently been understudied. In this study, virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) was isolated from dead chickens among vaccinated flocks between March and April 2020. Fusion (F) gene was sequenced and analysed for characterization and information about genetic changes. Many substitutions were observed along the region and some of their functions are yet to be determined. Results showed that all study isolates have virulent cleavage site sequence 112-RRRKR-116/F117 and clustered within genotype XIVb. Sequence analysis showed K78R mutation in the A2 antigenic epitope in all isolates and more along the F-gene which varied in some instances within the isolates. Mutation in this A2 antigenic epitope has been reported to induce escape mutation to monoclonal antibodies generated using the NDV LaSota strain. The range of percentage nucleotide and amino acid homology between the study isolates and commercially available vaccine strains is 81.14%–84.39% and 0.175–0.211, respectively. This report provides evidence of vNDV among vaccinated chicken flock and molecular information about circulating vNDV strains in Kano State, Nigeria, which is useful for the development of virus matched vaccines. Newcastle disease (ND) surveillance and molecular analysis of circulating strains in this region should be encouraged and reported. Furthermore, ND outbreaks or cases among vaccinated poultry presented to veterinary clinics should be reported to the state epidemiologist. Nucleotide sequences were assigned accession numbers OK491971–OK491977.

Background: Bronchial asthma in adults is typified by lingering allergic inflammation associated with elevation in the levels of certain acute phase reactants and indicators of mast cell activation. This study investigated the effect of corticosteroid treatment on the levels of C reactive protein (CRP), serum baseline tryptase (sBT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) among asthmatics. Method: Forty five adult patients with bronchial asthma on treatment with inhaled corticosteroids were enrolled. Forty five blood donors were used as control. Serum levels of CRP, sBT, ESR and GM-CSF were measured using sandwich ELISA. Result: The GM-CSF, CRP, ESR and sBT were significantly elevated among asthmatics on treatment compared to normal healthy control. Significant difference in the level of GM-CSF, ESR and CRP was observed between asthmatics with mild and moderate disease severity. Conclusion: Treatment with inhaled corticosteroids does not restore the levels of GM-CSF, CRP, sBT and ESR to normalcy among asthmatics.