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
Global burden of chikungunya virus infections and the potential benefit of vaccination campaigns Gabriel Ribeiro dos Santos, Fariha Jawed, Christinah Mukandavire, Arminder Deol, Danny Scarponi, et al. Nature Medicine, 2025 The first vaccine against chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has now been licensed; however, due to a limited knowledge of the underlying global burden, its potential to reduce disease burden remains unknown. We used data from seroprevalence studies, observed cases and mosquito distributions to quantify the underlying CHIKV burden in 180 countries and territories, and we explored the potential impact of vaccination campaigns. We estimate that 104 countries have experienced CHIKV transmission, covering 2.8 billion people, and that, in epidemic settings, the mean duration between outbreaks is 6.2 years, with 8.4% of the susceptible population infected per outbreak. Globally, there are 35 million annual infections, mainly in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Americas. Assuming a vaccine efficacy against disease of 70% and a protection against infection of 40%, vaccinating 50% of individuals over 12 years of age in places and times where the virus circulates would avert 4,436 infections, 0.34 deaths and 17 disability-adjusted life years per 100,000 doses used. These findings highlight the global burden of chikungunya and the potential of CHIKV vaccination campaigns.
Sero-evidence of silent Japanese Encephalitis Virus infection among inhabitants of Ilorin, North-central Nigeria: a call for active surveillance Augustine Okechukwu Udeze, Mutiat B Odebisi-Omokanye Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry, 2022 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.
Polymorphisms and drug resistance analysis of HIV-1 isolates from patients on first line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South-eastern Nigeria Augustine O. Udeze, David O. Olaleye, Georgina N. Odaibo Plos One, 2020 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.
Serological detection of human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II among pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria Augustine Okechukwu Udeze, Mutiat B. Odebisi-Omokanye, Adedayo Faneye, Babatunde Adebiyi Olusola, Olukunle Ogunsemowo, et al. Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry, 2018 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.
Cytomegalovirus infection among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals on highly active anti-retroviral therapy in North-Central Nigeria Augustine Udeze, Mutiat Odebisi-Omokanye, Toluwani Ajileye African Health Sciences, 2018 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.
In vitro antimicrobial activities of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. gray extracts on two bacteria and fungus isolates Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2014
Incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms in some poultry feeds sold in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria Electronic Journal of Environmental Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010
Assessment of bacteriological quality of fresh meats sold in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria Electronic Journal of Environmental Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010
Detection of urinary tract infection (UTI) among pregnant women in Oluyoro Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria Malaysian Journal of Microbiology, 2010
The role of laboratory confirmations and molecular epidemiology in global eradication of measles African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009
Incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among pregnant women in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria African Journal of Biotechnology, 2009
The role of vaccines in elimination and global eradication of measles: A review of literature African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2009
Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus and its implications for polio surveillance and eradication in Nigeria: A review of the literature Scientific Research and Essays, 2009
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Author Correction: Global burden of chikungunya virus infections and the potential benefit of vaccination campaigns (Nature Medicine,(2025), 31, 7,(2342-2349), 10.1038/s41591 … G Ribeiro dos Santos, F Jawed, C Mukandavire, A Deol, D Scarponi, ... Nature Research , 2025 2025
Author Correction: Global burden of chikungunya virus infections and the potential benefit of vaccination campaigns G Ribeiro dos Santos, F Jawed, C Mukandavire, A Deol, D Scarponi, ... nature medicine, 1-1 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Abasyn Journal of Life Sciences MB Odebisi-Omokanye, MM Suleiman, AO Udeze, AG Olayiwola 2025
First serological evidence of Cytomegalovirus infection among eligible blood donors in Ilorin, Nigeria and its implications for transfusion safety. AGO MB Odebisi-Omokanye, SM Mustapha, AO Udeze Abasyn Journal of Life Sciences 8 (2), 45-55 , 2025 2025
HTLV-1/2 serodetection and predictors among HIV-positive individuals receiving combination antiretroviral therapy in Ogbomoso, Nigeria AO Udeze Tanzania Journal of Health Research 26 (6), 3050-3057 , 2025 2025
Risk Modelling and Seroprevalence of Dengue Virus Non-structural protein-1 Antigenemia and Antibodies among Febrile Patients in Ilorin, Nigeria OSO Mutiat Busayo Odebisi-Omokanye, Suleiman Muhammed Mustapha, Udeze ... Rwanda Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 8 (2), 262-272 , 2025 2025
Global burden of chikungunya virus infections and the potential benefit of vaccination campaigns G Ribeiro dos Santos, F Jawed, C Mukandavire, A Deol, D Scarponi, ... Nature medicine 31 (7), 2342-2349 , 2025 2025 Citations: 74
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ILORIN, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA M Odebisi-Omokanye, A Udeze, S Mustapha, AO Ahmad-Tijani, ... ABUAD International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences 4 (2), 81-87 , 2024 2024
The global burden of chikungunya virus and the potential benefit of vaccines G Ribeiro dos Santos, F Jawed, C Mukandavire, A Deol, D Scarponi, ... medRxiv, 2024.10. 24.24315872 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Hepatitis B and C viral infections and correlates among pregnant women in Ilorin, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. AO Udeze, CN Udeze-Okey, MB Odebisi-Omokanye, GC Njoku African Journal of Clinical & Experimental Microbiology 25 (4) , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Comparative gender analysis of the seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus among HIV-infected individuals receiving care at Offa, north-central Nigeria. AO Udeze, M Odebisi-Omokanye African Journal of Clinical & Experimental Microbiology 24 (2) , 2023 2023 Citations: 2
Prevalence of enteric Adenovirus among diarrheic children less than five years in Children’s Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria MB Odebisi-Omokanye, AO Udeze, OD Akinfaye, ST Agbaje African Scientist 23 (4), 338-345 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Sero-evidence of silent Japanese Encephalitis Virus infection among inhabitants of Ilorin, North-central Nigeria: a call for active surveillance AO Udeze, MB Odebisi-Omokanye Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry 43 (3), 250-258 , 2022 2022 Citations: 7
Anti-West Nile virus immunoglobulin G and M profiles of patients with Pyrexia of unknown origin In Ilorin, Nigeria AO Udeze, HK Shittu, OS Ashaka, A Jakkari, AO Oyefolu Biokemistri 34 (3), 34432-40 , 2022 2022 Citations: 1
Phylogeny of partial gag, pol and env genes show predominance of HIV-1G and CRF02_AG with emerging recombinants in south-eastern Nigeria AO Udeze, DO Olaleye, GN Odaibo Heliyon 6 (8) , 2020 2020 Citations: 3
Polymorphisms and drug resistance analysis of HIV-1 isolates from patients on first line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South-eastern Nigeria AO Udeze, DO Olaleye, GN Odaibo PLoS One 15 (4), e0231031 , 2020 2020 Citations: 12
Screening of immunoglobulin G antibodies against chikungunya virus among urban population in Ilorin Nigeria AO Udeze, BM Odebisi-Omokanye, AB Onoja, DM Daodu, OJ Olasomi Nigerian Veterinary Journal 40 (3), 227-238 , 2019 2019 Citations: 11
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF HIV-1 ISOLATES FROM DELTA, ANAMBRA AND IMO STATES, NIGERIA AO UDEZE 2019
High Burden of On-Going HSV-1 and -2 Infections in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals in a Secondary Healthcare Facility in Imo State, Nigeria SWF Udeze A.O, Adeoti O.T, Ogunrinola O.T Nigerian Journal of Microbiology 33 (1), 4387-4396 , 2019 2019 Citations: 2
Cytomegalovirus infection among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals on highly active anti-retroviral therapy in North-Central Nigeria A Udeze, M Odebisi-Omokanye, T Ajileye African health sciences 18 (4), 1057-1065 , 2018 2018 Citations: 34
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among pregnant women in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria AON IO Okonko, LA Ijandipe, OA Ilusanya, OB Donbraye-Emmanuel, J Ejembi, AO ... African Journal of Biotechnology 8 (23) , 2009 2009 Citations: 220
Antimicrobial activity of Carica papaya (pawpaw leaf) on some pathogenic organisms of clinical origin from South-Western Nigeria II Anibijuwon, AO Udeze Ethnobotanical leaflets 2009 (7), 4 , 2009 2009 Citations: 216
Assessment of bacteriological quality of fresh meats sold in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria. IO Ukut, IO Okonko, IS Ikpoh, AO Nkang, AO Udeze, TA Babalola, ... Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural & Food Chemistry 9 (1) , 2010 2010 Citations: 157
Antibiotics sensitivity and resistance patterns of uropathogens to nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid in pregnant women with urinary tract infections in Ibadan, Nigeria A Udeze Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research , 2009 2009 Citations: 96
Detection of urinary tract infection (UTI) among pregnant women in Oluyoro Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria I Okonko Malaysian Journal of… , 2009 2009 Citations: 94
Prevalence of malaria plasmodium in Abeokuta, Nigeria IO Okonko, FA Soleye, TA Amusan, AA Ogun, AO Udeze, AO Nkang, ... Malaysian Society for Microbiology , 2009 2009 Citations: 76
Global burden of chikungunya virus infections and the potential benefit of vaccination campaigns G Ribeiro dos Santos, F Jawed, C Mukandavire, A Deol, D Scarponi, ... Nature medicine 31 (7), 2342-2349 , 2025 2025 Citations: 74
Assessment of antibiotics susceptibility profiles of some selected clinical isolates from laboratories in Nigeria AO Nkang, IO Okonko, OK Mejeha, OG Adewale, AO Udeze, A Fowotade, ... Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobials 1 (2), 019-026 , 2009 2009 Citations: 56
Incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms in some poultry feeds sold in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria. IO Okonko, AO Nkang, EA Fajobi, OK Mejeha, AO Udeze, BO Motayo, ... Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural & Food Chemistry 9 (3) , 2010 2010 Citations: 55
Comparative prevalence level of Plasmodium in freshmen (first year students) of Nnamdi Azikwe University in Awka, South-Eastern, Nigeria AC Ibekwe, IO Okonko, AI Onunkwo, AA Ogun, AO Udeze Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 5 (1), 51-54 , 2009 2009 Citations: 44
Cytomegalovirus infection among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals on highly active anti-retroviral therapy in North-Central Nigeria A Udeze, M Odebisi-Omokanye, T Ajileye African health sciences 18 (4), 1057-1065 , 2018 2018 Citations: 34
Seroprevalence of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi among the first year students of University of Ilorin, Ilorin - Nigeria. AO Udeze, F Abdulrahman, IO Okonko, II Anibijuwon 2010 Citations: 33
Global eradication of measles: a highly contagious and vaccine preventable disease-what went wrong in Africa IO Okonko, AO Nkang, AO Udeze, AO Adedeji, J Ejembi, BA Onoja, ... J Cell Anim Biol 3 (8), 119-40 , 2009 2009 Citations: 33
The effect of Klebsiella pneumoniae on catfish (Clarias gariepinus) AO Udeze, M Talatu, MN Ezediokpu, JC Nwanze, C Onoh, IO Okonko Researcher 4 (4), 51-59 , 2012 2012 Citations: 30
Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at OLA Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria IO Okonko, AO Udeze Nature and Science 9 (11), 54-60 , 2011 2011 Citations: 28
Seroprevalence of HBsAg among patients in Abeokuta, South western Nigeria IO Okonko, FA Soleye, TA Amusan, AO Udeze, JA Alli, MO Ojezele, ... Global Journal of Medical Research 10 (2), 40-49 , 2010 2010 Citations: 27
Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies amongst blood donors in Ibadan, Southwestern, Nigeria AO Udeze, IO Okonko, E Donbraye, WF Sule, A Fadeyi, LN Uche World Appl Sci J 7, 1023-1028 , 2009 2009 Citations: 27
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody detection among first year students of University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria AO Udeze, RA Bamidele, IO Okonko, WF Sule World J of Med Sci 6, 162-167 , 2011 2011 Citations: 25
Antibiotics susceptibility profiles of bacteria from clinical samples in Calabar, Nigeria AO Nkang, IO Okonko, A Fowotade, AO Udeze, TA Ogunnusi, EA Fajobi, ... Journal of Bacteriology Research 1 (8), 089-096 , 2009 2009 Citations: 24
HBV infection among intending blood donors who incidentally tested positive to HIV antibody in two blood banks in Ibadan, Nigeria OA Lawal, AS Bakarey, LN Uche, AO Udeze, IO Okonko World Applied Science Journal 7 (10), 1269-1274 , 2009 2009 Citations: 20
