Molecular Characterization and Clinical Description of Non-Polio Enteroviruses Detected in Stool Samples from HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Adults in Ghana

Abstract

In the post-polio eradication era, increasing attention is given to non-polio enteroviruses. Most of the data about enteroviruses in sub-Saharan Africa are related to acute flaccid paralysis surveillance and target the pediatric population. This study aimed to investigate the presence of enterovirus in PLHIV (people living with HIV) and HIV-negative individuals in Ghana. Stool samples from HIV-positive individuals (n = 250) and healthy blood donors (n = 102) attending the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, were screened by real-time PCR for enterovirus. Molecular typing of the VP1 region was performed. Enterovirus-positive samples were tested for norovirus, adenovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus, and cosaviruses. Twenty-six out of 250 HIV-positive subjects (10.4%) and 14 out of 102 HIV-negative individuals (13.7%) were detected enterovirus-positive, not showing a significant different infection rate between the two groups. HIV-negative individuals were infected with Enterovirus C strains only. HIV-positive participants were detected positive for species Enterovirus A, Enterovirus B, and Enterovirus C. Co-infections with other viral enteric pathogens were almost exclusively detected among HIV-positive participants. Overall, the present study provides the first data about enteroviruses within HIV-positive and HIV-negative adults living in Ghana.

The Clinical Features and Immunological Signature of Cyclospora cayetanensis Co-Infection among People Living with HIV in Ghana

“…This cross-sectional observational study is part of a work investigating the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and other gastrointestinal co-infections in HIV-positive and -negative adults and was conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Between November 2011 and November 2012, consecutive HIV-positive patients presenting to the HIV outpatient department, and HIV-negative blood donors presenting to the blood bank of the hospital, were offered participation in the study.…”

Screening for Schistosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. DNA in Serum of Ghanaian Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency

“…The study was performed with a group of 1095 HIV-positive Ghanaian patients and a smaller comparison group of 107 HIV-negative Ghanaian blood donors. Residual serum samples that had been taken in the course of the previous studies, as detailed elsewhere [ 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ], were available for 1083 individuals (980 HIV positive and 103 HIV negative). Clinical information comprised age, sex, HIV status, and the HIV patients’ immunological situation as expressed by the CD4+ lymphocyte count, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and the HIV viral load of the HIV-positive patients from the previous assessments [ 67 , 68 ].…”

Intestinal Colonization with Tropheryma whipplei—Clinical and Immunological Implications for HIV Positive Adults in Ghana

“…This cross-sectional study is part of a larger study investigating the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) and other gastrointestinal pathogens in HIV positive and negative adults in the Ashanti Region, Ghana [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Between November 2011 and November 2012, consecutive HIV positive patients presenting to the HIV outpatient department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and HIV negative blood donors, were offered participation in the study.…”