Neutrophils’ Phagocytic Function of Hepatitis B Virus Infected Pregnant Women, Attending Specialist Hospital Sokoto, North Western, Nigeria
Published: 2020-04-30
Page: 131-138
Issue: 2020 - Volume 3 [Issue 1]
C. O. Onwuliri *
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2346, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
C. C. Onyenekwe
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
M. H. Yeldu
Department of Immunology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
A. A. Panti
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 2370, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
A. B. Shuaibu
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B 2346, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
M. Kalgo
Department of Immunology, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus is the causative agent of hepatitis B infection. The virus is a major public health crisis in sub-Saharan Africa with high burden of morbidity and mortality. Vertical transmission is a significant contributor of new cases. This study was designed to access the innate immune competence of Hepatitis B viral infected pregnant women using neutrophil phagocytic function. In this cross sectional comparative observational study, simple random sampling technique was applied. A total of 100 Hepatitis B infected pregnant women and 100 controls were recruited. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS (version 23) software. A P probability value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results showed that proportion of phagocytic function was significantly lower (p < 0.05) for HBV infected subjects compared with control. The findings also revealed that trimester does not influence the percentage neutrophil phagocytic function. Conclusively Hepatitis B infection affects innate immunity. Pregnant women should be screened for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) during routine Antenatal clinic and drugs should be recommended for Hepatitis B infected pregnant women.
Keywords: Neutrophil, NBT, hepatitis B, pregnant women, Sokoto.