Dr. Udeze Augustine O.
@unilorin.edu.ng
Lecturer, Faculty of Life Sciences
University of Ilorin
Dr. UDEZE Augustine Okechukwu is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin. He is a teaching and research Virologist. He was once the Departmental SIWES coordinator; Secretary Departmental Academic Board; Seminar/Project Coordinator; 400 Level Adviser; Sub-dean, Faculty of Life Sciences. He has represented the Faculty at the Senate; Boards of Faculties of Basic Medical and Physical Sciences; Member, Faculty Ethical Review Committee; Member, Time-table and Room Usages Committee. He is currently the departmental Post Graduate Coordinator; Representative of the Faculty of Life Sciences at the Board of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and at Staff Disciplinary Committee, University of Ilorin. My research interests are focused on Serological and Molecular Epidemiology of Viral Infections especially Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and its co-morbidities, Arboviral Infections and Determination of Antiviral Resistance Patterns.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Virology, Immunology, Microbiology, Immunology and Microbiology
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Augustine Okechukwu Udeze and Mutiat B Odebisi-Omokanye
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Infection by Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) causes viral encephalitis in humans. It is endemic in Asia and western Pacific regions with no reported case in Nigeria so far. This study aimed at detecting evidence of circulation and pattern of exposure of individuals in Ilorin, Nigeria to JEV. A total of 139 febrile patients attending outpatient departments of Sobi specialist hospital, Civil service hospital and University of Ilorin health center participated in the study. About 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each participant and the plasma tested for the presence of anti-JEV IgG antibody using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Anti-JEV IgG antibody was detected in 32% (45/139) of the participants. Males were more exposed (37%) than female participants (27.3%). Similarly, participants with travel history outside of the country were more exposed (44.4%) than those without travel history (29.5%). Further analysis on the basis of age, marital and working status showed no statistical association between these variables and anti-JEV positivity (p˃0.05). This study has provided serological evidence of the circulation of JEV among Ilorin inhabitants and therefore calls for active surveillance for the infection in order to forestall any future major outbreak.
Augustine O. Udeze, David O. Olaleye, and Georgina N. Odaibo
Elsevier BV
Augustine O. Udeze, David O. Olaleye, and Georgina N. Odaibo
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Acquisition of resistance mutations by HIV-1 isolates causes treatment failure among infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study determined patterns of drug-resistance mutations (DRMs) among HIV-1 isolates from patients receiving first-line ART in South-eastern Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from HIV-1 infected patients accessing antiretroviral treatment centers at General Hospital Awo-Omamma, Imo state, State Hospital Asaba, Delta state and St Joseph’s Catholic Hospital Adazi, Anambra state and used for HIV-1 DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. DRMs were scored using combination of Stanford algorithm and the 2015 International Antiviral Society-USA list while drug susceptibility was predicted using Stanford algorithm. Twenty eight of the HIV-1 isolates were sequenced and identified as subtypes G (35.7%), CRF02_AG (57.1%) and unclassifiable, UG (7.1%). Major PI resistance-associated mutations were identified at two sites including M46L (16.7% of subtype G/UG) and V82L (6.3% of CRF02_AG). Minor PI resistance-associated mutations identified among subtype G/UG are L10V/I (8.3%) and K20I (100%) while L10V/I (50%), K20I (100%), L33F (6.3%) and N88D (6.3%) were identified among CRF02_AG. Other polymorphisms found include; I13V/A, E35Q, M36I/L, N37D/S/E/H, R57K/G, L63T/P/S/Q, C67E/S, H69K/R, K70R, V82I and L89M in the range of 28.6% to 100% among the different subtypes. Interpretation based on Stanford algorithm showed that Darunavir/ritonavir is the only regimen whose potency was not compromised by the circulating mutations. Identification of major and minor PI resistance mutations in this study underscores the need for drug resistance testing prior to initiation of second line antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria.
Augustine Okechukwu Udeze, Mutiat B. Odebisi-Omokanye, Adedayo Faneye, Babatunde Adebiyi Olusola, Olukunle Ogunsemowo, Cecilia Iwuoha, and Victoria Atoyebi
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT Human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I/II (HTLV-I/II) is endemic in some parts of the world including Nigeria. Reported prevalence rates in Nigeria have largely focused on blood donors. This study aims at determining the prevalence of HTLV infection among pregnant women in Ilorin North-central Nigeria. Serum samples from 276 pregnant women who were antenatal clinic attendees at General and Civil Service Hospitals in Ilorin were tested for the presence of HTLV-I/II antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay test kits from Diagnostic Automation INC., USA. Out of the 276 women tested, 3 tested positive giving a prevalence rate of 1.1%. The result was analyzed on the basis of age, marital status, nature of family, educational status, occupation, religion, parity, and gestational stage of the women. There was no statistical association of HTLV positivity with any of the variables. Although relatively lower than prevalence rate recorded among similar study groups in other parts of the country, the 1.1% prevalence in this study underscores the need for proper education and creation of awareness among antenatal clinic attendees, so as to reduce viral transmission and incidence of HTLV-related diseases.
Augustine Udeze, Mutiat Odebisi-Omokanye, and Toluwani Ajileye
African Journals Online (AJOL)
Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common among HIV-infected individuals. Its contribution to morbidity and mortality became more apparent following introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) which improved survival among HIV-infected individuals. Objectives This study aimed at determining the prevalence of both active and latent CMV infections among HIV-infected individuals on HAART in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods A total of 360 consented HIV-1 patients were recruited for the study. About 5ml of blood and socio-demographic data were collected from each patient. Plasma from the blood was tested for anti-CMV IgM and IgG presence using ELISA. Results Of the 360 participants tested, 42 (11.7%) and 265 (73.6%) were respectively anti-CMV IgM and IgG antibodies positive representing active and latent infection rates respectively. Gender and age were the correlates of IgM seropositivity while age, occupation and marital status correlated with IgG seropositivity. Occupation, marital status, use of HAART and CD4+ count were not statistically associated with IgM level while gender, use of HAART and CD4+ count did not correlate with IgG level. Conclusions This study has demonstrated high level of latent and active CMV infection among HAART recipients in Ilorin and highlighted the need for incorporation of anti-herpes drugs in the treatment regimen.