Co-infection of Lassa Fever with Viral Hepatitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Patients in a Federal Medical Centre in Southwestern Nigeria

Salami WO; Ifeyi GP; Ajoseh SO; Lawal-Sanni AO; Adetunji SB; Muraina TO; Hassan AO

doi:10.61386/imj.v19i1.907

Authors

Salami WO Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2166-790X
Ifeyi GP Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, Nigeria
Ajoseh SO Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 0001, LASU Post Office, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria
Lawal-Sanni AO Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 0001, LASU Post Office, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria
Adetunji SB Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria
Muraina TO Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Hassan AO Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences Ila-Orangun, Osun State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v19i1.907

Keywords:

Lassa fever, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Co-infection, Seroprevalence, Nigeria

Abstract

Context: Lassa fever (LF) and viral hepatitis diseases are major public health threats in Nigeria, but their co-infection patterns remain unclear despite shared risks and overlapping symptoms. Objective: We studied the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in LF patients and analysed demographic, clinical, and outcome disparities.

Materials and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 215 patients at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, from August to December 2023. Consecutive patients with suspected LF were confirmed via Altona RealStar Lassa fever virus RT-PCR, while HBV and HCV were detected from serum samples using serological assays. Demographic, clinical, and mortality data were compared between co-infected and mono-infected groups using chi-square tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Among 215 suspected cases, 37 (17.2%) were confirmed Lassa fever (LF). Confirmed cases primarily involved young adults aged 20–39 years (56.7%, 21/37) and males (67.5%, 25/37; p = 0.03). HBV prevalence was 5.4% (2/37, aged 20–39), and HCV prevalence was 2.7% (1/37, aged 40–59). One LF–HBV co-infection (2.7%) occurred in a male aged 20–39 years, with no LF–HCV co-infections or triple infections (LF+HBV+HCV) observed. Mortality was highest in LF cases (16.2%, 6/37), including one HCV-associated death (100%).

Conclusion: HBV and HCV co-infections are uncommon in Lassa fever cases and do not notably affect mortality; however, the disease is highly lethal, particularly in young adult males, highlighting the importance of improved prevention, early diagnosis, and further research.