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Emergence of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Enterobacterales from water sources: an impending public health challenge in Adamawa-north senatorial zone, Nigeria

*[1]Tula, M. Y., [2]Enabulele, O. I., 2Ophori, E. A., 2Okojie, R. O., and [3]Joel, F.

 1Department of Biological Science Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, PMB 035 Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria

3Department of Microbiology, Adamawa State University Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: birtyty@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: The emergence of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) among Enterobacterales in water sources has raised a major public health concern and constitute critical threat to human health as these organisms exhibits high level of resistance to available potent antibiotics. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of NDM1 gene among carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) isolates from water sources.   Continue reading “Emergence of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) producing Enterobacterales from water sources: an impending public health challenge in Adamawa-north senatorial zone, Nigeria”

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Emergence of clinical vanA-type vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano, Nigeria

*[1],3Abdulrahim, U., [2]Oche, D. A., [3]Kachallah, M., 4Adeshina, G. O., and 4Olayinka, B. O.

 1Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences,              Central South University, Hunan Province, China

2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of               Health Sciences Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria

3Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria                                                  4Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria                       *Correspondence to: uabdulrahim@csu.edu.cn and uabdulrahim@unimaid.edu.ng

Abstract:  

Background: The increasing prevalence of multi drug resistance (MDR) in strains of Staphylococcus aureus is a major challenge in the selection of an appropriate therapeutic agents, especially in persistent orthopaedic infections. This study investigated the patterns of antimicrobial resistance and identified the genetic determinants of resistance in S. aureus isolates from orthopaedic patients. Continue reading “Emergence of clinical vanA-type vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano, Nigeria”

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Phenotypic characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Vibrio cholerae isolates during the October 2022 and January 2023 outbreak in North-Kivu province, The Democratic Republic of Congo

*1,2Kabangwa, R. K. S., 2Mulasi, K. H., 2Moyengo, B. T., 2Byamungu, J. M.,              and 2Mobile, P. K.

1Department of Biology, University of Goma, Goma, The Democratic Republic of Congo

2Appui Médical Intégré aux Activités de Laboratoire (AMI-LABO), North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo                                                             *Correspondence to: amilabogm@gmail.com; +243 994 907 798

Abstract:  

Background: Cholera is an infectious disease characterized by severe watery diarrhea, frequently occurring in outbreaks which affects many communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). At the end of October 2022, a cholera outbreak was declared in the camp of internally displaced people (IDP) of Kanyaruchinya, 20 kilometers north of Goma, the provincial capital of the North-Kivu province in DRC, as well as in other IDP camps and settlements around the city of Goma. The aim of this study was to phenotypically characterize Vibrio cholerae isolates associated with this outbreak, and to determinate their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. Continue reading “Phenotypic characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Vibrio cholerae isolates during the October 2022 and January 2023 outbreak in North-Kivu province, The Democratic Republic of Congo”

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A review of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

1Medugu, N., 1Imran, J., 2Musa-Booth, T. O., 3Makun, B., and *1Adegboro, B.

 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

21928 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn, Maryland 21207, USA     

3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmai.com; boaz.adegboro@nileuniversity.edu.ng

Abstract:

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is characterized by widespread epithelial necrosis and/or superficial blistering of the skin following infection by some toxigenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The disease primarily affects children under the age of 5 years, but it can also occur in adults. Continue reading “A review of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome”

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Potentials and limitations of cold-adapted hydrogen producing bacteria: a mini review

*1Mohammed, A., 2Abdul-Wahab, M. F., 1Mohammed, J. N., 1Mohammed, I, L., 1Sani, R. A., and 1Majiya, H.

1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Science, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, M.B 11, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria

2Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia Correspondence to: ibrahimnusaiba2@gmail.com

Abstract: 

Low-temperature bacteria have potential to produce biohydrogen and are often considered a potential renewable energy generator for the future. However, the bacteria have presented poor hydrogen yield due to slow metabolic rate and prolonged lag phase often caused by their restricted growth temperature limit. The ineffective search for new biocatalysts from Continue reading “Potentials and limitations of cold-adapted hydrogen producing bacteria: a mini review”

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Artemisinin drug resistance and monitoring: a narrative review

*1Iwuafor, A. A., 1Ogban, G. I., 1Emanghe, U. E., 2Erengwa, P. C., 2Offiong, A. B.,      2Nsor, G. E., and 2Owai, P. A.

1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: tonyiwuafor@unical.edu.ng; +2348033441539; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6796-3870

 

Abstract:

Artemisinin drug resistance is one of the major reasons for malaria treatment failures in the sub-Saharan African countries where artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. The occurrence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is found to correlate with antimalarial drug resistance. With artemisinin, the SNPs occurs at the Kelch 13-propeller gene locus on chromosome 13. The artemisinin drug resistance surveillance strategy involves continuous monitoring of Kelch 13-propeller biomarker to detect emergence of mutations which could herald drug resistance in the region. In this narrative review paper, we examined existing literature to bridge the knowledge gap and accentuate the importance of routine surveillance for artemisinin resistance in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted our search on PubMed database and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed articles, reports, and abstracts on artemisinin drug resistance using the following keywords; ‘artemisinin drug resistance’, ‘antimalarial drug resistance’, ‘artemisinin-based combination therapy’, ‘Kelch 13-propeller’, ‘K13propeller gene’, and ‘K13 molecular marker’. The review provided pertinent information on artemisinin derivatives, artemisinin-based combination therapy, molecular action of artemisinin, definition of artemisinin resistance, genetic basis of artemisinin drug resistance and discovery of Kelch 13, and the importance of artemisinin resistance surveillance. Molecular surveillance can provide healthcare policy makers a forecast of impending threats to malaria treatment. This is more so when drugs are in combination therapy, for instance, molecular surveillance can give a hint that one drug is failing despite the fact that in combination, it is still apparently clinically effective. Continue reading “Artemisinin drug resistance and monitoring: a narrative review”

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A review of the current diphtheria outbreaks

1Medugu, N., 2Musa-Booth, T. O., *1Adegboro, B., 3Onipede, A. O., 4Babazhitsu, M., and 5Amaza, R.

 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

21928 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn, Maryland 21207, USA

3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria 

4Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

5Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria  

*Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmail.com; boaz.adegboro@nileuniverity.edu.ng

Abstract:

Corynebacterium diphtheriae is responsible for both endemic and epidemic diphtheria. The predisposing factor for this disease is the failure to immunize during childhood. Humans are the only hosts of the organism and is present in the upper respiratory tract. The organism is transmitted via airborne route and can cause respiratory obstruction and heart failure because of the exotoxin it produces. There is presently a resurgence of diphtheria outbreaks in Nigeria. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of suspected diphtheria outbreaks in Lagos and Kano States, Nigeria, in December 2022 and has been issuing monthly reports since that time. This review of the diphtheria outbreaks following online database searches on PubMed and Google Scholar as well as the NCDC/WHO websites and grey literatures, describes the current trend of the outbreaks globally, elucidated the different strains of Corynebacterium responsible for the outbreaks, identified the recent vaccine formulation developed to tackle the outbreaks, and provide information on vaccine delivery and efficacy studies in the country and globally. Continue reading “A review of the current diphtheria outbreaks”

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A review of the recent advances on Lassa fever with special reference to molecular epidemiology and progress in vaccine development

1Medugu, N., *1Adegboro, B., 2Babazhitsu, M. S., 3Kadiri, M., and 4Abanida, E. A.

1Departments of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria 4Epidemiology Unit, World Health Organization, Harare, Zimbabwe                                             

*Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmail.com

Abstract:

Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic in West Africa and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. At least three of the four proposed seven lineages of LASV are found in Nigeria, where the multimammate rat, Mastomys natalensis, serves as the primary reservoir. Endemic countries report approximately 200,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually, with Nigeria experiencing thousands of infections and hundreds of deaths including healthcare workers. The aim of this review is to provide scientific information for better understanding of the evolutionary biology, molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of Lassa fever in Nigeria and other endemic regions worldwide, which can lead to improved control efforts and reduce morbidity and mortality from recurrent epidemics. To achieve this aim, observational studies such as case series, cross-sectional and cohort studies published between December 2017 and September 2022 were searched for on various online databases including Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), Research Gates, PubMed, PMIC, NCDC, and WHO websites. Although the origin and evolutionary history, and the transmission dynamics of Lassa virus have been revealed through recent molecular epidemiological studies, the factors that drive the evolution of the virus remain unclear. Genetic changes in the viral genome may have enabled the virus to adapt to humans. Diagnosis of Lassa fever has also advanced from basic serological tests to more sophisticated methods such as quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and sequencing, which are particularly useful for identifying outbreak strains. Several vaccines, including recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV), virus-like particle (VLP), and DNA-based vaccines, have shown promise in animal models and some have progressed to phase 2 clinical trials. Preventing and controlling Lassa fever is critical to safeguard the health and well-being of affected communities. Effective measures such as rodent control, improved sanitation, and early detection and isolation of infected individuals are essential for reducing transmission. Ongoing research into the genetic and ecological factors that drive the evolution of Lassa virus is necessary to reduce the impacts of Lassa fever. Continue reading “A review of the recent advances on Lassa fever with special reference to molecular epidemiology and progress in vaccine development”

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Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst doctors practising in Cross River State, Nigeria

1Iwuafor, A. A., 1Ogban, G. I., 1Ita, O. I., 2Offiong, A. B., 2Owai, P. A., 1Udoh, U. A., and 3Elem, D. E.

1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

3Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: tonyiwuafor@unical.edu.ng; +2348033441539; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6796-3870

Abstract:

Background: COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most effective public health intervention approaches for prevention of COVID-19. Despite its well-known efficacy and safety, significant proportion of frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers remain hesitant about accepting the vaccine for whatever reasons. This study aimed to determine acceptance rate and determinants of vaccine refusal among doctors in Cross River State, Nigeria. Continue reading “Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst doctors practising in Cross River State, Nigeria”

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Comparative HPV genotype distribution among women with normal and abnormal cervical cytology in Yaoundé, Cameroon

*1Mbimenyuy, C. M., 1Cho, J. F., 2Mugyia, A. E., 3Ikomey, G. M., 4,5Tebit, D. M., and 6Nota, D. A.

1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, P. O. Box 63, Buea, University of Buea, South West Region, Cameroon

2Department of Virology Centre Pasteur Du Cameroun

3Centre for Studies and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), FMBS-University of Yaoundé 1, Box 8445, Yaoundé, Cameroon

4HIV/AIDS and Global Health Research Program, and Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa

5Global Biomed Scientific LLC, P.O. Box 2368, Forest, VA 24551, USA

6Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon

*Correspondence to: cmbimenyuy@yahoo.com

 

Abstract:

Background: The epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the pattern of HPV genotype distribution are parameters needed to assess the risk of cervical cancer. Oncogenic HPV types are well-known pathogen for lower genital tract neoplasias, representing the primary cause of cancer death in Africa and the second in Cameroon. This study was conducted to identify the various genotypes particularly the high-risk HPV types in normal and abnormal cervical cytology from women in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methodology: This was a hospital-based, analytical cross-sectional study carried out on 226 symptomatic women wherein cervico-vaginal samples were obtained during gynaecological examination for Pap smears, HPV-DNA and genotype detection with linear array HPV strip, conducted from November 2019 to January 2021. Continue reading “Comparative HPV genotype distribution among women with normal and abnormal cervical cytology in Yaoundé, Cameroon”