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Background: Helicobacter pylori infection occurs worldwide with higher seroprevalence rates in the childhood populations of developing countries. In Nigeria, there is a dearth of information concerning its occurrence in children and infection enhancing factors. A prospective seroepidemiologic survey to determine the prevalence rate and possible associations of environmental and socio-demographic factors with its seropositivity was therefore conducted., Methods: The subjects were children seen at the Children's Emergency Unit of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in southern Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty subjects, comprising 132(57.4%) males and 98(42.6%) females (male: female ratio= 1.3:1.0) with an age range of 0.5-15 years and a mean age of 5.0 (SD ± 4.0) years were recruited. The median age was 4.0 years. H. pylori immunoglobulin G (1gG) antibody was determined from serum samples stored at -200C using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit, VicTorch., Results: The overall seroprevalence rate was 30.9% with a peak prevalence of 40.7% for the 6.0 to 10.0 years age group. H. pylori seroprevalence in our children is associated with low social class (p=0.038), increased household population (p=0.009), source of drinking water (p=0.014), type of convenience used (p=0.019) and the method of disposal of household waste (p=0.043)., Conclusion: The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Nigerian children is high and is associated with low social class, poor domestic water and poor sanitation. Improvement of water supply, human and domestic waste disposal systems and ultimately poverty alleviation would control this bacterial infection that has severe long term consequences.

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease and antibodies formed are known to decline with time. The aim of this study was to measure Bordetella pertussis/ toxin immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in different age groups of Nigerian children and determine the age at which booster dose may be required. A total of 422 children, aged 6 to 60 months, were tested for the presence of B. pertussis/ toxin IgG antibodies by ELISA (enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay). The highest positivity rate was in the 6 to 11 months of age group, while the highest negativity rate was in the age group of 24 to 35 months. We conclude that B. Pertussis/ toxin IgG antibodies response is weak in Nigerian children after three doses of DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus)/pentavalent vaccination, and there is a rapid decline of antibody levels between 12 and 35 months. We recommend that booster vaccination should be given at 12 to 15 months of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatitis E is a hepatotropic virus transmitted through the fecal-oral route and is prevalent in developing countries where sanitation is still a public health issue. There is no epidemiological data about this virus in Nigerian children. All the existing studies are hospital based, with obvious limitations. This study was conducted to establish the seroprevalence and predictors of viral hepatitis E antibody in children in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a community-based, cross-sectional study. A multi-staged sampling technique was used to select ten communities from which 406 children were recruited. The study period was April to June 2012. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Blood samples were screened for anti-HEV IgG antibody using the enzyme-linked immunoassay technique. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors that independently predicted the occurrence of the anti-HEV IgG antibody. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The seroprevalence rate of anti-HEV IgG antibody was 7.7% (95% CI = 5.1-10.3). The study population mainly (94.1%) comprised the lower social class. Levels of social amenities in these communities were generally poor, with virtually no piped water and modern sewage disposal systems. After multivariate analysis, the predictor of infection was the duration of residence in the study communities. Conclusions: HEV infection was prevalent in the study population. Educational campaigns and provision of good sewage disposal and piped water are of high necessity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]