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Phenotypic methods versus PCR-RFLP for the identification of dermatophyte species isolated from patients with dermatophytosis in Egypt

N.M. Gohar, H.M. El-Batal, B.A. Elawady, N Samir

 

Abstract

Background: Dermatophytes are major causative agents of cutaneous fungal infections worldwide. Identification of dermatophyte species is based on macroscopic and microscopic morphology on different culture media. Molecular methods such as PCR-RFLP are rapid, reliable and precise identification methods. This local study aimed to identify the spectrum of dermatophyte species among the studied patients population using different phenotypic and genotypic methods.

Materials and methods: Hair, skin and nail specimens were collected from 135 patients with clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis. All specimens were subjected to microscopic examination using KOH and culture on SDA and dermasel agar. Phenotypic identification was done by colony and microscopic morphology, and subculture on malt, PDA, lactrimel and urea agar plates. Molecular identification was done by PCR-RFLP using MvaI.

Results: Out of 135 patients included in the study, 78 (57.8%) were positive by culture for dermatophytes. Five different species were identified, the most commonly isolated species was M. canis (51.3%) followed by T. violaceum (42.3%). PCR-RFLP correctly identified the isolated dermatophyte species, producing unique restriction patterns.

Conclusion: Dermatophytosis is common in Egypt where humid hot climate and animal contact play important role in the spread of these fungi. The use of PCR-RFLP directly on clinical specimens rather than its use in the identification of dermatophytes from culture media is recommended.

Keywords: Dermatophytosis, Dermasel agar, SDA, Sporulation media, PCR-RFLP

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Phenotypic methods versus PCR-RFLP for the identification of dermatophyte species isolated from patients with dermatophytosis in Egypt

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Micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum infection in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

F.O. Akinbo, L.O. Alabi, J.A. Aiyeyemi

 

Abstract

Background: Two important barriers to a successful pregnancy outcome are maternal under nutrition and malaria. This study was conducted to determine some micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women infected with Plasmodium falciparum in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Material and methods: Two hundred and fifty four participants aged 18 to 42 years consisting of 154 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of the Federal Medical Center, Owo, and 100 apparently healthy non-pregnant women as controls were randomly enrolled in this study. Blood specimen was collected and analyzed for the detection of P. falciparum using 10% Giemsa staining technique while micronutrients (calcium, copper, iron and zinc) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).

Results: Out of 154 pregnant women studied, 91 (59.1%) had micronutrient deficiency (MND) while 5 out of 100 (5.0%) non-pregnant control had micronutrient deficiency (p < 0.0001). Forty three (27.9%) of the 154 pregnant women and 3 (3.0%) of 100 non-pregnant control had P. falciparum infection (p < 0.0001). Forty three of the 91 (47.3%) pregnant women and 3 of the 5 (60%) non-pregnant women with MND had P. falciparum infection (p = 0.6681). All 43 pregnant women with MND but none of the 63 pregnant women without MND had P. falciparum infection (p < 0.0001). Similarly, all 3 non-pregnant women with P. falciparum infection had MND but none of the 95 non-pregnant women without MND had P. falciparum infection (p < 0.0001). Multiple micronutrient deficiencies of iron and calcium (65.3%), iron and zinc (16.1%) and iron and copper (18.6%) were observed among pregnant women but none among non-pregnant women. Factors significantly associated with P. falciparum infection among pregnant women with MND were age group 23-27 years (p = 0.0109), first trimester gestational age (p = 0.0234), primiparity (p = 0.0303) and wet season (p < 0.0173). There was no significant association between anaemia and prevalence of P. falciparuminfection in pregnant women with MND (p = 0.1327) but pregnant women with iron deficiency were more likely to be infected with P. falciparumthan those with other micronutrient deficiencies (p = 0.0013)

Conclusion: This study reported a higher prevalence rate of 27.9% for P. falciparum infection in pregnant women compared to 3% in non-pregnant women population, but a much higher rate of 47.3% among pregnant women with micronutrient deficiencies.

Keywords: Micronutrient deficiencies, Plasmodium falciparum, pregnant women, Owo

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Micronutrient deficiencies among pregnant women with Plasmodium falciparum infection in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

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In vitro, acidic, non-proteinaceous antifungal activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from salad vegetables against human pathogenic Candida albicans

T.A. Bamidele, B.A. Adeniyi, S.I. Smith

 

Abstract

Background: The antagonistic abilities of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) against clinical isolates of Candida albicans are not quite widely reported and such are even scarce in Nigeria. This study therefore investigated inhibitory potentials of LAB isolated from locally grown cabbage, cucumber and lettuce against four (4) clinical isolates of C. albicans.

Methods: The cell free supernatants (CFS) generated from LAB culture filtrate was evaluated for anti-candida activity using agar well diffusion method, and the CFS-LAB pH was measured and neutralized using standard methods. The proteinaceous inhibitory metabolites were assayed for using sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique. The LAB strains used were previously isolated and identified by 16S rRNA partial sequencing and their data submitted to GenBank for accessioning.

Results: The CFS of six (6) LAB strains showed varying degrees of anti-candida activity. Pediococcus pentosaceus BTA 51 from cucumber showed the widest inhibition zone of 14 mm while at neutral pH, it was 12 mm diameter. Weissella confusa BTA 20, BTA 40 isolated from cabbage and lettuce produced 10 mm and 12 mm zones of inhibition at acidic and neutral pH respectively. Lactobacillus plantarum BTA 07 from lettuce showed inhibition zone of 12 mm while L. fermentum BTA 47 and BTA 62 from cucumber showed zones of 14 mm each in acidic pH only. The SDS-PAGE did not detect any proteinaceous substances.

Conclusion: In conclusion, LAB isolated from cabbage, cucumber and lettuce produced organic acids, non proteinaceous metabolites at neutral pH, exhibiting invitro inhibitory abilities against clinical isolates of C. albicans.

Keywords: In vitro, Lactic acid bacteria, 16S rRNA, antifungal, SDS-PAGE, salad vegetables

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In vitro, acidic, non-proteinaceous antifungal activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from salad vegetables against human pathogenic Candida albicans

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Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus and HIV among adults presenting for health screening in Lagos

P.O. Oshun, E Odeghe

 

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus is an important cause of chronic liver disease with 71 million people worldwide living with chronic HCV infection as at 2015. Nigeria has the second largest burden of HIV in Africa, with 3.2 million Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS in 2016. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus are asymptomatic and often unaware of their infection. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for HCV and HIV infections among apparently healthy individuals in Lagos.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study in which the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and HIV was determined among apparently healthy individuals who presented for health screening at a private laboratory facility in Lagos from May 2014 to June 2016. The health records of those who met the inclusion criteria were systematically reviewed to extract demographic and clinical information including age, sex, history of blood transfusion, alcohol use, surgery and results of serological tests for antibodies to hepatitis C virus and HIV.

Results: Out of 1379 apparently healthy individuals included in the study, 60.1% were male. The prevalence rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV antibody) and HIV were 0.7% and 2% respectively. Hepatitis C virus infection was not significantly associated with history of blood transfusion, alcohol use, prior surgery and age. HIV infection was significantly associated with only prior history of surgery (OR 4.72, p=0.02).

Conclusion: In this study of apparently healthy Nigerians, the prevalence rates of HCV and HIV were low, no documented HCV-HIV co-infection and surgery was a risk factor for HIV infection. Screening of healthy individuals for HIV and HCV infection is very import Conclusion:ant to determine those who are infected and need to access treatment.

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Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus and HIV among adults presenting for health screening in Lagos

 

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Prevalence and pattern of infectious dermatoses referrals to clinical microbiologists in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria

I.I. Osaigbovo

 

Abstract

Background: Infectious dermatoses are rife in low resource tropical countries. The consultative roles of clinical microbiologists in these countries are not portrayed in the literature. Specifically, their role in the management of infectious dermatoses has not been emphasized. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of infectious dermatoses referrals to an out-patient infectious disease clinic run by clinical microbiologists.

Method: A retrospective analysis of all outpatient referrals to the clinical microbiologists in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria from October 2016 to September 2018 was conducted. The infectious dermatoses referrals were further analysed for patient demographics and frequency of clinical diagnosis.

Results: A total of 545 consults were received, 82 (15.0%) of which were outpatient referrals. Infectious dermatoses accounted for 67 (81.7%) of the outpatient referrals. The male to female ratio was 0.9:1 and mean age was 39.7 ± 17.9 years. Paediatric referrals accounted for 10.4%. The commonest referral diagnoses were tinea corporis/capitis in 28 (41.8%), onchodermatitis in 15 (22.4%) and onychomycosis in 10 (14.9%). Leprosy was suspected in 5 cases (7.5%), lymphatic filariasis in 5 cases (7.5%), and pityriasis in 2 cases (3.0%). Referral diagnosis in 27 cases (38.8%) was a skin-related neglected tropical disease. Microbiological testing confirmed clinical suspicion in 31.3% of cases.

Conclusion: Infectious dermatoses referrals constitute a substantial proportion of referrals to clinical microbiologists in the study location. Clinical microbiologists must be adept in the diagnosis of mycotic and parasitic dermatoses. The trending global health interest in integrated management of skin NTDs should be exploited to advocate for more sensitive diagnostic testing for infectious dermatoses.

Keywords: Clinical, Microbiology, Infectious dermatoses, Consultation, Nigeria

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Prevalence and pattern of infectious dermatoses referrals to clinical microbiologists in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria

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Non detection of mecA gene in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from pigs

C.N. Nwaogaraku, S.I. Smith, J.A. Badaki

 

Abstract

Background: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a global health problem causing infections in both humans and livestock, ranging from skin and soft tissue to life threatening blood stream infections. The mecA gene is known to confer resistance to MRSA isolates. This study investigated the carriage of mecA gene by MRSA isolates from pigs.

Methods: One hundred non duplicate staphylococcal isolates recovered from blood samples of pigs in Bariga district of Lagos State at the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology unit of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research were used in the study. S. aureus was identified by cultural characteristics, and positive catalase, coagulase and deoxyribonuclease tests. Phenotypic methicillin resistance was determined by the modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and mecA gene was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

Results: Twenty-five S. aureus were identified, of which 11 (44%) were MRSA by phenotypic method. All the isolates were mecA negative on PCR.

Conclusion: The MRSA phenotype observed in the pig isolates in this study appears not to be the classical mecA mediated resistance. There may be alternative mechanisms of resistance in MRSA isolates in pigs.

Keywords: MRSA, phenotypic, mecA gene, PCR, pigs

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Non detection of mecA gene in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from pigs

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Malaria prevention in the Buea health district in Cameroon: factors influencing Mosquito bed net use in households

FHL Kamga, P Nde-Fon, C. Morfaw, NDS Nsagha

 

Abstract

Background: Insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs), though proven to be effective in preventing malaria will have little impact unless people sleep under them. Several studies have shown that owned ITNs are usually not used and that ITN use is influenced by several factors that vary between communities.
Objective: To investigate the factors influencing the use of mosquito bed nets in households in the Buea Health District (BHD) in Cameroon.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study with two-stage cluster sampling included 420 households from 35 sites. Questionnaires adapted from the Malaria Indicator Survey were used. CSPro 4.1 and Epi info 3.5.3 were used to create database and analyze respectively.
Results: ITN ownership in the BHD was high (92.6%; 95% CI: 89.6%-94.9%) but ITN use was less than average (41.2%; 95% CI: 39.2%-43.3%). ITN use was least likely in the age group 5-15 years (P<0.01), in educated individuals (P<0.01) and in households with less than one ITN for two persons (P<0.01). White ITNs were less likely to be used (P<0.01). Conclusion: There is a gap between ITN ownership and use in the malaria holoendemic BHD and ITN use is associated with age of individual, level of education, colour of ITNs and household net density. Use of the highly owned ITNs could be increased by targeting the least protected 5-15 years age group and schooling individuals; by promoting school-based education on ITN use.

Keywords: Insecticide-treated nets, malaria, Buea Health District

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Malaria prevention in the Buea health district in Cameroon factors influencing Mosquito bed net use in households

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Profile of septic work up among patients admitted into the intensive care unit in University of Abuja teaching hospital Gwagwalada, Abuja

T. Yunusa, A.M. Adeoye, O.A. Akitoye

 

Abstract

Background: Several infectious agents are responsible for sepsis in all age groups presenting with fever which can have devastating consequences if not adequately treated. Sepsis may arise from bacteria, fungi and viral origin but are localized in particular organ or system with systemic affectation. Febrile illness is a leading reason for admission to the intensive care unit of hospitals in the tropics and these patients comes mostly from inpatients rather than from outpatients. Diagnostic apparatus needed for sepsis work up are usually not available in most cases and the data regarding septic work up are very scanty. Therefore, this research set out to determine the pattern of isolates from septic work-up among patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Abuja.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Sixty-four consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit with symptoms such as fever were involved in the study in a view to determine the septic state of the patients. Samples were collected. Blood culturing was performed using the BACTEC 9050® system and biochemical analytical profile index were used for identification and confirmation of bacterial isolates.
Results: The mean age of the patients admitted to ICU was 40.9±3.2 with the highest proportion within the age range of 31-40 years accounting for 31.7% of the patients enrolled and the lowest proportion being 10-20 years group accounting for 5.0%.Out of the 64 patients investigated in the ICU 60 patients had clinical and positive cultures with an overall positive and negative infection rate of 93.8% and 6.3% respectively. From the positive cultures yields 86.7% were bacteremia and 13.3% were fungaemia. Multiple infections were observed among the male patients, Multi-drug resistance bacteria were observed among Klebsiella pneumonia, E. coli and P. aeroginosa isolates.
Conclusion: Bacterial and fungal isolates were found in this study but increased rate of polymicrobial isolation and nosocomial infections calls for concern.

Key words: Profile of infectious agents, sepsis, fever, septic work up, Abuja

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Profile of septic work up among patients admitted into the intensive care unit in University of Abuja teaching hospital Gwagwalada, Abuja

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Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from apparently healthy individuals in Malete, Kwara state, Nigeria

M. I Bale, S. K. Babatunde, M. R. Adedayo, A. E. Ajiboye, A. T. Ajao

 

Abstract

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a common and continuously growing cause of nosocomial and community-acquired staphylococcal infections around the world. Screening for colonization with MRSA is a major aspect of control and limiting the spread of infections cause by this organism. We investigated the carriage of MRSA among apparently healthy individuals in four rural villages: Eleburu, Tapa, Atere and Apo all around semi-urban town-Malete, in Moro Local Government of Kwara State, Nigeria.
Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from volunteered individuals and were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar for isolation and identification of Staph aureus using standard microbiological techniques. Susceptibility to cefoxitin disc (30 ag) was used to determine MRSA status of the isolates. Molecular method was used to detect the gene responsible for resistance among MRSA isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility test to commonly prescribed antibiotics was carried out using discs diffusion method.
Results: Total number of individuals carrying Staph aureus in their nostrils was 42 (37.2 %). Antibiotics susceptibility profile of Staph aureusisolates showed 100 % resistance to cefuroxime, cefotaxime, cloxacillin and augmentin, and were 87 %, 81 %, 69 % and 23.8 % and 19 % resistant to tetracycline, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, ofloxacin and gentamicin respectively. A total of 6 (14%) Community –Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolates were recovered from individuals living in these villages. Molecular method detected muc and mecA genes in all the 6 (100%) CA-MRSA isolates and lukS-lukF was detected in 3 (50%) of the isolates.
Conclusion: Detection of CA-MRSA strains among these rural dweller indicates that they are harbouring enhance virulence organism that may manifest a more severe disease condition. The danger associated with high prevalence of multidrug resistant Staph aureus and CAMRSA; and its consequential effects of poor drug administration in Nigeria was discussed. There is need to establish a more strict legislation and enforcement on drug control; and a body that would monitor production and appropriate use of antibiotics in the Nigeria.

KEYWORDS: CA-MRSA, Staph aureus, Antibiotics, Rural Villages and Molecular Characterization

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Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from apparently healthy individuals in Malete, Kwara state, Nigeria

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The characterization of multidrug resistant type 1 S-fimbriated Escherichia coli from women with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIS) in Bangladesh

M. K. Hasan, F. Momtaz, M.J. Foysal, M.H. Ali, K. Islam, S.H. Prodhan

 

Abstract

Background: Escherichia coli is a bacterial species that is most frequently associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) worldwide. Recurrent UTIs (RUTIs) pose a major threat to health, especially in women. However, studies on the pathogenic potentials of E. coli isolates associated with RUTIs has yet to be done. The present study was designed to characterize the isolates of E. coli from women, suffering from repeated UTIs in Bangladesh.
Methods: A total of 15 isolates of E. coli, collected from women with RUTIs in the Sylhet city of Bangladesh, were analyzed by a series of biochemical and molecular tests.
Results: The PCR amplification of the mannose-resistant type 1 S-fimbriae gene (sfa1) confirmed all sfa1+ isolates of E. coli. In an antibiogram assay, all the isolates of E. coli were found to be completely resistant to at least five of the ten commercial antibiotics and drug resistance were found to be correlated with the weight of the RUTIs patient. Analysis of the 16S rRNA data of the two most drug-resistant and clinically significant isolates were found to be clustered with the drug-resistant UTI-causing E. coli isolates, circulated in India.
Conclusions: This study could pave the way of RUTIs diagnosis and treatment strategy for women in Bangladesh.

Keywords: RUTIs, E. coli, sfa1, multidrug-resistant isolates, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, correlation analysis.

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The characterization of multidrug resistant type 1 S-fimbriated Escherichia coli from women with recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTIS) in Bangladesh