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Phytochemical study and evaluation of the antiviral activity of aqueous extracts of three medicinal plants; Xylopia aethiopica, Gliricidia sepium and Ocimum gratissimum used in Cote d’Ivoire

*1Bouagnon, J. J. R., 2Bolou, G. E. K., 3Guédé, K. B., 4Sanga, D., 4Koffi, L. R., 4N’Guessan, C. D. R., 5Konan, Y., 5Adjogoua, E. V., 4N’Guessan, J. D.,
4Djaman, A. J., and 1,3Dosso, M.

1Biological Resources Center/Biobank, Institut Pasteur, Côte d’Ivoire

2National Floristic Center, Felix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire

3Department of Bacteriology-Virology, Institut Pasteur, Côte d’Ivoire

4Laboratory of Biology and Health, UFR Biosciences, Felix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire

5Department of epidemic viruses, Institut Pasteur, Côte d’Ivoire
*Correspondence to: ritabouagnon@pasteur.ci

Abstract:
Background: The present work is part of the exploration of new antiviral molecules to combat antimicrobial resistance. In purpose, this study determined the phytochemical analysis, cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of extracts from three Ivorian medicinal plants; Gliricidia sepium, Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica against poliovirus 1, a non-enveloped RNA virus.

Methodology: Aqueous extract of the three plants, which were identified at the herbarium of National Floristic Center Abidjan, was done using a previously described method. The precipitation or staining technique was used to highlight the chemical groups in the three extracts while the polyphenol content of each extract was assessed by the colorimetric method. Cytotoxicity and antiviral activity tests were performed in 96-well plates. Cytotoxicity of each extract on L20B (a genetically engineered mouse cell line) was determined by observation of the cell line carpet. Antiviral activity of three extracts against poliovirus type I was determined after 72 hours using an assay that measures inhibition of the cytopathic effect on cell culture. Continue reading “Phytochemical study and evaluation of the antiviral activity of aqueous extracts of three medicinal plants; Xylopia aethiopica, Gliricidia sepium and Ocimum gratissimum used in Cote d’Ivoire”

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Prevalence and risk factors for extended-spectrum β-lactamaseproducing Gram-negative bacterial infections in hospitalized patients at a tertiary care hospital, southwest Nigeria

*1Adeyemo, A. T., 2Adeyemo, A. T., 3Odetoyin, B. W., and 2,3Onipede, A. O.
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals
Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: adeyemoat@gmail.com; +2347031287078

Abstract:
Background: Clinical infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria constitute great burden to healthcare delivery with these resistant pathogens contributing largely to the magnitude and spread of antimicrobial resistance globally. Hence, knowledge of the risk factors for acquisition of infection caused by ESBL-producing bacteria is crucial to instituting prompt and appropriate treatment as well as prevention and control measures. This study investigated the risk factors associated with the prevalence of ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) infections among hospitalized patients in Uniosun Teaching Hospital (UTH), Osogbo, Nigeria.

Methodology: A total of 359 hospitalized patients with clinical infections from whose clinical samples we isolated non-duplicate GNB were consecutively recruited. GNB were isolated following aerobic cultures of
appropriate clinical samples and MicrobactTMGNB 24E kit was used for species identification. All isolates were screened for ESBL production by the combination disc method. Relevant clinical and demographic information
was obtained using a designed data collection form, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated risk factors. Continue reading “Prevalence and risk factors for extended-spectrum β-lactamaseproducing Gram-negative bacterial infections in hospitalized patients at a tertiary care hospital, southwest Nigeria”

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Baseline health facility assessment of quality assurance for malaria diagnosis in existing government hospital laboratories in Sokoto State, Nigeria

*1Ogboi, J. S., 2Ume, I., 2Mohammed, Z., 2Usman, A., 2Bashaar, A., 3Okoro, C., and 2Lawal, L.

1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria

2IHP, Abuja, Nigeria

3Department of Microbiology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: ogboijb@yahoo.com

Abstract:
Background: Quality laboratory services are needed to direct reasonable malaria case management through malaria
microscopy and rapid diagnostic test. This study assessed the existing diagnostic capacities including laboratory
structures and systems, human resource, skills and competences, using the standardized WHO/NMEP EQA
assessment tool.

Methodology: Data were collected by an assessment team using a standardized assessment instrument/checklist
drawn from WHO/NMEP assessment tool and analyzed with Open Data Kit (ODK) and Open-source suite of tools on
Android mobile devices from September 3-11, 2020. The use of ODK allowed data to be collated offline where internet
services were poor or unavailable and uploaded thereafter. Continue reading “Baseline health facility assessment of quality assurance for malaria diagnosis in existing government hospital laboratories in Sokoto State, Nigeria”

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Prevalence of Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin-B resistance among clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria

*1,2Ade, T. I., 1Osiyemi, J. A., 2Aso, R. E., 3Akinduti, P. A., and 4Sunmola, N. O.
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
2Department of Microbiology, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
3Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
4Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: tolulope.iorwuese@gmail.com; +2347066369670

Abstract:
Background: Inducible antibiotic resistance among Gram-positive cocci is a significant public health challenge that is grossly underreported within Africa, especially Nigeria. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin-B (MLSB) resistance among clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Methodology: Clinical isolates were presumptively identified by Gram’s stain reaction and conventional biochemical tests such as catalase, coagulase, DNase, and mannitol fermentation. Phenotypic MLSB resistance was determined by placing clindamycin and erythromycin discs within 15 mm of each other and observing for a D-zone. Antibiotic sensitivity testing to selected antibiotics including cefoxitin for detection of methicillin resistance, was done using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Continue reading “Prevalence of Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin-B resistance among clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria”

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Comparative analysis of haematological parameters in HIV patients with co-infections of hepatitis B & C, and HIV-negative patients in Rivers State, Nigeria

*1Erasmus, M. A., 2Akani, N. P.,

2Amadi, L. O., and 2Williams, J. O.
1Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B 5064, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University Nkpolu Oroworukwo, P.M.B 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: amakirimartha@gmail.com; nedieakani@yahoo.com; 08038213334; 08033102655

Abstract:

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has continued to be a threat to global health with several deaths
recorded despite the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Co-infection of hepatitis B and C is
now one of the leading causes of death among HIV-infected patients due to some haematological abnormalities and
immunological impairment. This study was conducted to compare some haematological parameters of HIV-infected
patients with hepatitis B and C co-infections from three hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria

Methodology: This was a comparative cross-sectional study of randomly recruited HIV-patients from antiretroviral
therapy (ART) clinic and HIV-negative patients from medical out-patient department (MOPD) of three different
hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria. Socio-demographic information of each participant was obtained with a structured
questionnaire. Four millilitres of blood were collected from each participant by venipuncture; 2 ml each were dispensed
into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) and plain bottles for estimation of full blood count (FBC), cluster of
differentiation 4 (CD4), HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology. Continue reading “Comparative analysis of haematological parameters in HIV patients with co-infections of hepatitis B & C, and HIV-negative patients in Rivers State, Nigeria”

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Bacteriological quality of community well water and public health concerns in Enugu urban, Nigeria

1Obikpo, L., 2Onyia, F. C., 1Offe, I. M., 1Ezeilo, C. M, 3Ezebialu, C., and *4Afunwa, R. A.

1Department of Biological Sciences, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, Nigeria

2Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

3Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria

4Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: missruthus2000@yahoo.com; ra.afunwa@coou.edu.ng

Abstract:
Background: Water is a basic necessity used by humans for both domestic and industrial uses. Next to air, water is essential to life. It takes up about 71% of the earth’s surface. The objective of this study is to determine the bacteriological quality of well water in Enugu urban, Nigeria

Methodology: A total of 60 domestic wells were selected from Abakpa, Obiagu and Achara layouts in Engu urban, Nigeria by stratified random sampling method, with 20 wells selected from each area based on location of well sites and construction parameters. Water samples were collected from each well using a sterile 200ml plastic bottle for bacteriological analysis to estimate total bacteria count in colony forming unit (cfu)/ml, total coliform count in most probable number (mpn)/100ml, and faecal coliform count in most probable number (mpn)/100ml. Bacterial isolates were identified using Gram reaction and conventional biochemical tests including catalase and coagulase for Gram positive bacteria, and oxidase, citrate utilization, hydrogen sulfide, indole, urease, methyl red, Voges Proskauer, and sugar fermentation tests for Gram negative bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of each isolate was performed by the disk diffusion method against selected antibiotics including penicillin G (10μg), ciprofloxacin (5μg), streptomycin (10μg), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (20/10μg), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25μg), and result interpreted using the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) break points. Comparative statistics of the data was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Continue reading “Bacteriological quality of community well water and public health concerns in Enugu urban, Nigeria”

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Molecular detection of vector-borne bacterial pathogens in dromedary camels from Algeria

*1Bessas, A., 2Zaidi, S., 3Noui, A., 4Hezil, Dj., 2Zenia, S., and 5Bitam, I.

1Department of Biology, Benyoucef Benkhedda University of Algiers 1, 16000, Algiers, Algeria

2Higher National Veterinary School, 16000, Algiers, Algeria

3Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Ibn Khaldoun University, 14000, Tiaret, Algeria

4Department of Biology, M’Hamed Bougara University, 35000, Boumerdes, Algeria

5Higher School of Food Science and Agri-Food Industry (ESSAIA), 16000, Algiers, Algeria *Correspondence to: bessas.amina@gmail.com

Abstract:
Background: In Algeria, little focus was placed on camels as hosts of tick-borne bacterial diseases. Recent studies showed a high prevalence of tick infestation in dromedaries. Transmission of various pathogenic microorganisms to camels by ticks imposes considerable economic losses to livestock and greatly impact on human and animal health. The aim of our study was to investigate the occurrence of vector-borne zoonotic bacteria in camels from Algeria.

Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 80 randomly selected camels in Laghouat province, southern Algeria. The samples were screened for Anaplasma spp, Bartonella spp, Rickettsia spp and Coxiella burnetii by qPCR. All positive samples were confirmed by standard PCR followed by sequencing. Data on age, sex, tick infestation and location of the camels were analyzed using the SPSS version 17.0 and association of these with vector-borne bacterial pathogens was determined using Chi-square (χ2) test. P value lower than 0.05 was considered as indicative of significance. Continue reading “Molecular detection of vector-borne bacterial pathogens in dromedary camels from Algeria”

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Assessment of selected liver enzyme activity in patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis receiving treatment at a tertiary healthcare facility, southwest Nigeria

*1Olaniyan, O. A, 2Olowookere, A. K., 3Adelakun, A. A., 4Olaniyi, J. O., 5Zakariyau, T. O., 2Adeniji, T. W., 2Olaniyan, A. M., 2Oguntola, A. M., and 2Taiwo, S. S.
Departments of 1Chemical Pathology, 2Medical Microbiology, and

5Haematology/Blood Transfusion, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

4TB DOTS Clinic, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria *Correspondence to:peace_amazinggrace@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract:

Background: Several anti-tuberculous drugs have been effective in the treatment and management of drug- sensitive and -resistant tuberculosis (TB). While these drug combinations have proven to be highly active against tubercle bacilli, side effects and toxicity may occur with tendency to interrupt or discontinue therapy, resulting in poor compliance. The objective of this study is to assess hepatotoxic potentials of anti-TB drugs among patients with rifampicin-resistant TB (RRTB) undergoing treatment at the directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) clinic of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a prospective study of 40 patients with RRTB on second-line anti-TB therapy including bedaquiline, moxifloxacin, prothionamide, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, isoniazid and clofazimine. RRTB was diagnosed by sputum smear AFB microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF assay at the TB laboratory of Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Forty gender and age-matched apparently healthy persons were used as control. Venous samples (~5ml) were collected from each participant at baseline (prior to commencement of anti-TB therapy) and after completion of 9-11 months therapy, as well as from the controls. Plasma was separated by centrifugation and the activity of ALT, AST and ALP was measured by spectrophotometric analysis, while total protein and albumin levels were determined using routine methods. Data were presented as mean±SD and analysed using SPSS version 21.0. Comparison of the mean enzyme activity at baseline and after completion of therapy as well as with the control was done with unpaired ‘t’ test, and ‘p’ (two tail) value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Continue reading “Assessment of selected liver enzyme activity in patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis receiving treatment at a tertiary healthcare facility, southwest Nigeria”

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Infectious diseases co-morbidities among patients attending Kogi State University Teaching Hospital: a ten-year retrospective study

*1,2Akor, S. E., 1,2Onoja-Alexander, M. O., 1,2Agbanna, B. E., 3Musa, D. A., 2Priscilla, O. O., 2Agama, O. G., and 2Faith, F. J.

1Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria

2Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Nigeria

3Trans-Saharan Diseases Research Centre, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: shedrackegbnunu@gmail.com; +2348065336131

Abstract:

Background: Co-existence of more than one acute or chronic infectious diseases in a person either concurrently or sequentially with consequent economic burden varies differently from one part of the world to another, with regional and population specific patterns. This study aims to provide co-morbid patho-epidemiological pattern of six infectious diseases; HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections.

Methodology: This research is a ten-year retrospective review of records of patients admitted at various wards of Kogi State University Teaching hospital and referred to the Laboratory Department of the hospital for investigations between June 2012 and July 2021. HIV was screened using the national serial algorithm, TB was diagnosed with the GeneXpert MTB, malaria parasite was identified by blood film microscopy, and syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses were screened using rapid diagnostic kits. Data were analysed with SPSS version 23.0 and association of variables with respect to gender and age group was determined using Chi square, with p< 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Continue reading “Infectious diseases co-morbidities among patients attending Kogi State University Teaching Hospital: a ten-year retrospective study”

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Predictive factors of clinical assays on hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 mortality during the first year of the pandemic: a meta-synthesis

*1,2Million, M., 1,2Dudouet, P., 1,2Chabriere, E., 1,3Cortaredona, S., 1,2Roussel, Y., 1,2Brouqui, P., and 1,2Raoult, D.

1IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
2Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
3Aix Marseille Univ., IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
*Correspondence to: Prof. Matthieu Million. MEPHI, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France. E-mail: matthieumillion@gmail.com; Phone: + 33 (0) 4 13 73 24 01; Fax: + 33 (0) 4 13 73 24 02

Abstract:
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a violent debate about the efficacy of a repurposed drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and a new broad-spectrum antiviral (remdesivir) and about randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. To understand conflicting results in the literature, we performed a meta-synthesis to determine whether intrinsic qualitative criteria within studies may predict apparent efficacy or ineffectiveness of HCQ and remdesivir. Continue reading “Predictive factors of clinical assays on hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 mortality during the first year of the pandemic: a meta-synthesis”