title: Neonatal Tetanus Immunity in Nigeria: The Effect of HIV Infection on Serum Levels and Transplacental Transfer of Antibodies.
abstract: Background. Tetanus toxoid immunisation of pregnant mother has remained the most effective strategy in eliminating neonatal tetanus. Impaired production and/or transplacental transfer of antibodies may affect the effectiveness of this strategy. We studied the effect of maternal HIV infection on serum levels and transplacental transfer of anti-tetanus antibodies. Methods. A total of 162 mother-baby paired serum samples were taken and analysed for anti-tetanus antibody levels using ELISA. Maternal HIV status was also determined by double ELISA technique. Maternal TT vaccination status was also documented. Results. Thirty-eight (23.5%) mothers and 41 (25.3%) babies were seronegative, out of whom 8 mothers were HIV positive and 9 babies were HIV exposed. HIV infected mothers and HIV exposed infants were, respectively, 16.27 times (OR = 16.27, 95% CI = 3.28 to 80.61) and 33.75 times (OR = 33.75, 95% CI = 4.12 to 276.40) more likely to be seronegative for anti-tetanus antibody. Similarly, HIV positive mother-newborn pairs were 7.46 times more likely to have a poor transplacental transfer of tetanus antibodies (OR = 7.46, 95% CI = 1.96 to 28.41). Conclusions. Maternal HIV infection is associated with impaired maternofoetal transfer of anti-tetanus antibodies and seronegativity among mothers and their newborns. Hence, this may hinder efforts to eliminate neonatal tetanus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi 740222, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Muhammad Faruk
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2506-0902
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600243, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Hassan Abdullahi
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4017-7578
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Elechi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600243, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mohammed Garba
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ashir
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600243, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adamu Ibrahim
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Rabasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600243, Nigeria.
authors.forename: David Nadeba
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Bukbuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre Yola, Yola 640101, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ahmadu Baba
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600243, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Modu Gofama
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mustapha
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri 600243, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Mohammad Arab
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alhaji