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The COVID-19 pandemic challenged health systems globally. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits for COVID-19 have been widely used in Nigeria. This has greatly improved test turnover rates and significantly decreased the high technical demands of RT-PCR. However, there is currently no nationally representative evaluation of the performance characteristics and reliability of these kits. This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of ten RDT kits used for COVID-19 testing in Nigeria. This large multi-centred cross-sectional study was conducted across the 6 geo-political zones of Nigeria over four months. Ten antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) RDT kits were evaluated, and the results were compared with RT-PCR. One thousand, three hundred and ten (1,310) consenting adults comprising 767 (58.5%) males and 543 (41.5%) females participated in the study. The highest proportion, 757 (57.7%), were in the 20-39 years' age group. In terms of diagnostic performance, Lumira Dx (61.4, 95% CI: 52.4-69.9) had the highest sensitivity while MP SARS and Panbio (98.5, 95% CI: 96.6-99.5) had the highest specificity. For predictive values, Panbio (90.7, 95% CI: 79.7-96.9) and Lumira Dx (81.2, 95% CI: 75.9-85.7) recorded the highest PPV and NPV respectively. Ag-RDTs had better performance characteristics compared with Ab-RDTs; however, the sensitivities of all RDTs in this study were generally low. The relatively high specificity of Ag-RDTs makes them useful for the diagnosis of infection in COVID-19 suspected cases where positive RDT may not require confirmation by molecular testing. There is therefore the need to develop RDTs in-country that will take into consideration the unique environmental factors, interactions with other infectious agents, and strains of the virus circulating locally. This may enhance the precision of rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Background: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a major public health problem in developing countries and often fatal among pregnant women in the third trimester. Objectives: The study investigated the sero-prevalence and risk factors of HEV infection among pregnant women attendee of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out between 4th January 2016 to 30th May, 2016. One hundred and eighty blood samples from pregnant women who consented and enrolled for the study were analyzed for anti – HEV IgM using a quality assured commercial Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Structured questionnaires were used to collate the sociodemographic characteristics and risk factor of study subjects. Results: Out of the 180 pregnant women sampled, the anti-HEV IgM seroprevalence of 13.3% was recorded. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in the age range of 31 – 35 years (26.5%) and least in age range ≤ 20 years (4.9%) (p=0.009). The highest seroprevalence was recorded in the third trimester 14.1% followed by second (p>0.05). After logistic regression, nature of toilet system, and source of water consumption were significant risk factors for active HEV infection (p˂0.05). Conclusion: Based on the 10.8 % pooled national prevalence of HEV infection in Nigeria, this study recorded a significantly high level of anti – HEV IgM seropositivity, an indication of recent and active HEV infection among pregnant women at the study area. Also, these infections are most among the pregnant women in their third trimester. HEV infection was related to personal, water and environmental hygiene.