Seroprevalence of Influenza A/H1N1 virus among patient with Chronic Kidney Disease in North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza A H1N1 infection can cause respiratory and multiple organ failure, which can lead to fatality. The prevalence of circulating Influenza A H1N1 viral IgG antibodies among patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of circulating Influenza A H1N1 viral IgG antibodies among patients with CKD.

Methods: The study was conducted at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) from January to November 2020. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Ethical Committee, and informed consent was obtained from participants. Patients with a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) of less than or equal to 90mL/min with associated CKD risk factors and proteinuria were included, while patients with a GFR of 90 mL/min without CKD risk factors and patients with a GFR greater than 90 mL/min were excluded. One hundred and sixty consented subjects had their blood samples collected and analyzed for H1N1 IgG antibodies using ELISA technique. Other sociodemographic and health information were obtained from patient health records. Data analysis was carried out using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSSTM) version 20.0.

Results: Out of 160 CKD blood samples tested, 23 (14.4%) were seropositive for circulating influenza A (H1N1) IgG antibodies. The seroprevalence of influenza A/H1N1 circulating antibodies was higher in the age groups of 35-44 years and 55-64 years (8 or 34.8%). The seroprevalence was higher among females (17 or 73.9%) than males (6 or 26.1%). Most of the study subjects had a normal body mass index (10 or 43.5%). Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3 patients had the highest number of patients with circulating H1N1 antibodies (10 or 43.5%) with a P value > 0.594.

Conclusion: This study suggests that H1N1 virus may be considered as an additional risk factor in CKD patients, particularly CKD Stage 5 - End Stage Renal Disease