Browsing by Author "Sylverken Angelina Augustina"

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    Epidemiological profile of SARS-CoV-2 among selected regions in Ghana: A cross-sectional retrospective study
    (PLOS ONE, 2020) Owusu Michael; Sylverken Angelina Augustina; Owusu-Dabo Ellis; Gorman Richmond; El-Duah Philip....et al
    Background Global cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, causing havoc to several economies. So far, Ghana has recorded 48,643 confirmed cases with 320 associated deaths. Although sum maries of data are usually provided by the Ministry of Health, detailed epidemiological profile of cases are limited. This study sought to describe the socio-demographic features, pattern of COVID-19 spread and the viral load dynamics among subjects residing in northern, mid dle and part of the southern belt of Ghana. Methods This was a cross-sectional retrospective study that reviewed records of samples collected from February to July, 2020. Respiratory specimens such as sputum, deep-cough saliva and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from suspected COVID-19 subjects in 12 regions of Ghana for laboratory analysis and confirmation by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results A total of 72,434 samples were collected during the review period, with majority of the sam pled individuals being females (37,464; 51.9%). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 identified
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    Graduate students’ interest in immunology as a discipline
    (Cogent Education, 2017) Kwarteng Alexander; Frimpong Michael; Owusu-Dabo Ellis; Arthur D. Yarhands; Ahuno T. Samuel; Sylverken Angelina Augustina
    Interest and motivation significantly influence achievement; however, interest in immunology remains to be determined. Using a structured questionnaire, the current study assessed for the first time interest in immunology among biomedi cal graduate students in Ghana after a one-week introduction to immunology course. Our results revealed that approximately 80% of study participants expressed an in terest in immunology. In addition, we showed that interest in immunology was inde pendent of age and gender of the study participants. More interestingly, we observed that interest in immunology was primarily influenced by career choice. The findings from the present study have implications on immunology education and calls for investment in building capacity in immunology especially in developing countries.
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    Low risk of SARS-CoV-2 in blood transfusion
    (PLOS ONE, 2021) Owusu Michael; Sylverken Angelina Augustina; El-Duah Philip; Owusu-Dabo Ellis; Amuasi John; Adu Eric...et al
    The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to remain a global challenge. There is emerging evidence of SARS-CoV-2 virus found in the blood of patients from China and some developed countries. However, there is inadequate data reported in Ghana and other parts of Africa, where blood transfusion service heavily relies on voluntary and replacement blood donors. This study aimed to investigate whether plasma of infected individuals could pose significant transfusion transmitted risk of COVID-19 in Ghanaian populations. Methods This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the Kumasi Centre for Collabora tive Research into Tropical Medicine (KCCR), KNUST, Ghana. Study subjects comprised contacts of COVID-19 individuals, those with classical symptoms of COVID-19 and individu als who had recovered based on the new Ghana discharge criteria. Whole blood, sputum or deep coughed saliva samples were collected and transported to KCCR for SARS-CoV-2 testing. Viral nucleic acid was extracted from sputum/ nasopharyngeal samples using Da An Gene column based kit and from plasma using LBP nucleic acid extraction kit. Real-Time PCR was performed specifically targeting the ORF1ab and Nucleocapsid (N) genomic regions of the virus. Results A total of 97 individuals were recruited into the study, with more than half being males (58; 59.7%). The mean age of all subjects was 33 years (SD = 7.7) with minimum being 22 yearS
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    The burden of drug resistance tuberculosis in Ghana; results of the First National Survey
    (PLOS ONE, 2021) Sylverken Angelina Augustina; Kwarteng Alexander; Arthur Agyeiwaa Rejoice; Owusu-Dabo Ellis; Bonsu Frank; Adu-Amoah Louis...et al
    Resistance to Tuberculosis drugs has become a major threat to the control of tuberculosis (TB) globally. We conducted the first nation-wide drug resistance survey to investigate the level and pattern of resistance to first-line TB drugs among newly and previously treated sputum smear-positive TB cases. We also evaluated associations between potential risk factors and TB drug resistance. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on conducting national TB surveys, we selected study participants from 33 health facilities from across the country, grouped into 29 clusters, and included them into the survey. Between April 2016 and June 2017, a total of 927 patients (859 new and 68 previously treated) were enrolled in the survey. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolates were success fully cultured from 598 (65.5%) patient samples and underwent DST, 550 from newly diag nosed and 48 from previously treated patients. The proportion of patients who showed resistance to any of the TB drugs tested was 25.2% (95% CI; 21.8–28.9). The most frequent resistance was to Streptomycin (STR) (12.3%), followed by Isoniazid (INH) (10.4%), with Rifampicin (RIF), showing the least resistance of 2.4%. Resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampi cin (multi-drug resistance) was found in 19 (3.2%; 95% CI: 1.9–4.9) isolates. Prevalence of multidrug resistance was 7 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.5–2.6) among newly diagnosed and 12 (25.0%; 95% CI: 13.6–39.6) among previously treated patients. At both univariate and multi variate analysis, MDR-TB was positively associated with previous history of TB treatment (OR = 5.09, 95% CI: 1.75–14.75, p = 0.003); (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 1.69–17.30, p = 0.004). The higher levels of MDR-TB and overall resistance to any TB drug among previously treated patients raises concerns about adherence to treatment. This calls for strengthening
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    Transmission of SARS‑CoV‑2 in northern Ghana: insights from whole‑genome sequencing
    (SPRINGER, 2021) Sylverken Angelina Augustina; El‑Duah Philip; Owusu-Dabo Ellis; Schneider Julia; Owusu Michael..
    Following the detection of the frst imported case of COVID-19 in the northern sector of Ghana, we molecularly charac terized and phylogenetically analysed sequences, including three complete genome sequences, of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 obtained from nine patients in Ghana. We performed high-throughput sequencing on nine samples that were found to have a high concentration of viral RNA. We also assessed the potential impact that long-distance transport of samples to testing centres may have on sequencing results. Here, two samples that were similar in terms of viral RNA concentration but were transported from sites that are over 400 km apart were analyzed. All sequences were compared to previous sequences from Ghana and representative sequences from regions where our patients had previously travelled. Three complete genome sequences and another nearly complete genome sequence with 95.6% coverage were obtained. Sequences with coverage in excess of 80% were found to belong to three lineages, namely A, B.1 and B.2. Our sequences clustered in two diferent clades, with the majority falling within a clade composed of sequences from sub-Saharan Africa. Less RNA fragmentation was seen in sample KATH23, which was collected 9 km from the testing site, than in sample TTH6, which was collected and transported over a distance of 400 km to the testing site. The clustering of several sequences from sub-Saharan Africa suggests regional circulation of the viruses in the subregion. Importantly, there may be a need to decentralize testing sites and build more capacity across Africa to boost the sequencing output of the subregion.
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    Using drones to transport suspected COVID-19 samples; experiences from the second largest testing centre in Ghana, West Africa
    (PLOS ONE, 2022) Sylverken Angelina Augustina; Owusu Michael; Agbavor Bernadette; Owusu-Dabo Ellis; El-Duah Philip; Aryeetey Sherihane....et al
    The declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11 2020, by the World Health Organi sation prompted the need for a sustained and a rapid international response. In a swift response, the Government of Ghana, in partnership with Zipline company, launched the use of Unmanned Automated Vehicles (UAV) to transport suspected samples from selected dis tricts to two foremost testing centres in the country. Here, we present the experiences of employing this technology and its impact on the transport time to the second largest testing centre, the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) inKumasi, Ghana. Methods Swab samples collected from suspected COVID-19 patients were transported to the Zipline office by health workers. Information on the samples were sent to laboratory personnel