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Detection of influenza virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on archived COVID-19 respiratory specimens in Ibadan, Nigeria

*[1],[2]Ogunbode, J. O., ²Olatunji, O. A., and 1,2,3Fowotade, A.

¹Clinical Virology Unit, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

²Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

³Biorepository Clinical Virology Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: oluyemijoseph8@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: Every year, influenza virus affects millions of people, causing morbidity and mortality among adults and children prompting many to seek outpatient care. Influenza is largely undetected among infected individuals in lower-middle-income settings. Influenza co-infection with other respiratory viral infections is associated with a severe clinical presentation and a worse clinical outcome. The current study aimed to detect influenza A and B viruses from respiratory samples of patients with suspected CoVID-19, in order to establish possible co-infection, and its implications. Continue reading “Detection of influenza virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on archived COVID-19 respiratory specimens in Ibadan, Nigeria”

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Antimicrobial resistance patterns of enteric bacteria in HIV sero-positive patients: A regional hospital-based cross-sectional survey in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana

[1]Obeng-Mensah, D., *[2]Boamah, V. E., 2Boakye, Y. D., and 2Agyare, C.

 

1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of pharmacy and pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

2Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

*Correspondence to: veboamah.pharm@knust.edu.gh; etsiapa@yahoo.com

 

Abstract:

Background: Enteric bacterial infections are at least ten times more common in HIV individuals compared to the general population. This results in frequent consumption of antibiotics either for prophylactic or treatment purposes, resulting in a rise in emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The paucity of research on antibiotic resistance in enteric bacteria among HIV individuals in secondary and primary healthcare settings in Ghana necessitated this study, which investigated the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance patterns of enteric bacterial isolates from HIV-positive individuals at three healthcare facilities in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. Continue reading “Antimicrobial resistance patterns of enteric bacteria in HIV sero-positive patients: A regional hospital-based cross-sectional survey in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana”

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Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial isolates of pyogenic infections in a tertiary care centre in Southern India

Banerjee, A., and *Pavani, G

 

Department of Microbiology, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad, India

*Correspondence to: drpavanic@gmail.com

 

Abstract:

 Background: Pyogenic infections, characterized by pus formation due to acute inflammation, remain a common clinical problem, particularly in hospital settings. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among causative bacterial pathogens poses a significant threat to treatment efficacy. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from pyogenic infections in a tertiary care hospital in Southern India.

Methodology: An observational laboratory-based study was conducted from January to April 2025 in the Microbiology Department of Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad, India. A total of 138 pus, aspirates and wound swab samples were processed using standard aerobic culture techniques. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the VITEK 2 Compact system following the CLSI 2025 guidelines. Continue reading “Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial isolates of pyogenic infections in a tertiary care centre in Southern India”

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Genotypic identification and antibiotic susceptibility of coagulase negative staphylococci isolates from urine samples of patients in southwest Nigeria

[1],2Oluwatobi, O. B., *1,3Igbokwe, C. O., 1,4Famojuro, O. B., and 1Adeleke, O. E.

 

1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Atiba University, Oyo, Nigeria

3Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Lead City University Ibadan, Nigeria

4Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: igbokwe.christopher@lcu.edu.ng; +2348062895635; ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000–0001–7379–6503

 

Abstract: 

 Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) largely affects women and is mostly caused by bacteria, among which coagulase negative staphylococci has received little attention. The objectives of this study are to isolate and genotypically identify coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) from urine samples of adult females attending selected healthcare facilities from three States (Oyo, Osun and Ogun) in southwest Nigeria, and to determine their susceptibility to selected antibiotics. Continue reading “Genotypic identification and antibiotic susceptibility of coagulase negative staphylococci isolates from urine samples of patients in southwest Nigeria”

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Prevalence of β-lactamase-encoding genes in Salmonella Typhi isolates from patients attending secondary healthcare facilities in Benue south senatorial district, northcentral Nigeria

[1],[2],[3]Adikwu, P., *1Oche, D. A., 2Umeh, E. U., 2Ogbonna, I. O., 2Iheukwumere, C. C., [4]Obande, G. A., [5]Oyiwona, G. E., 2Adole, P. I., 1Agbo, A. A., 2Ochekpe, S. O., 3Okoh, M. E., and 3Soom, S. T.

[1] Département de Microbiologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université Fédérale des Sciences de la Santé d’Otukpo, État de Benue, Nigéria

[2] Département de Microbiologie, Université Fédérale d’Agriculture, Makurdi, État de Benue, Nigéria

[3] 3Département de Microbiologie, Université d’État de Benue Makurdi, État de Benue, Nigéria

[4] 4Département de Microbiologie, Université Fédérale, Lafia, État de Nasarawa, Nigéria

[5] Département de Technologie de Laboratoire Scientifique, École Polytechnique de l’État de Benue, Ugbokolo,

Abstract:

 Background: The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhi poses a major challenge in the treatment of typhoid fever using commonly available antibiotics. However, in many rural and semi-urban communities of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), routine surveillance for MDR S. Typhi is scarcely undertaken. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of β-lactamase genes in MDR S. Typhi isolated from patients in nine secondary healthcare facilities in Benue south senatorial district, northcentral Nigeria. Continue reading “Prevalence of β-lactamase-encoding genes in Salmonella Typhi isolates from patients attending secondary healthcare facilities in Benue south senatorial district, northcentral Nigeria”

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Genomic characterization of an extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolate

*[1]Danjuma, I., [2]Timan, T. E., 1Daikwo, M. A., and 1Anunobi, O. O.

1Department of Biochemistry, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

 2Zankli Research Center, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: idanjuma4real@gmail.com; +2348063471293

Abstract:

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, constitutes a predominant infectious disease with high mortality on a global scale, especially in Nigeria. The emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB poses a significant challenge to the control of this disease, underscoring the necessity for the identification of underlying genetic mutations to facilitate informed treatment decisions and mitigate transmission. Continue reading “Genomic characterization of an extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolate”

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Prevalence of bacterial pathogens and molecular detection of metallo-β-lactamases in Gram-negative bacteria from mobile phones of healthcare workers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

*[1]Famojuro, O. B., [2]Famojuro, T. I., 3Adewusi, O. M., and 4Oluwatobi, O. B.

1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria

2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bingham University,  Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

3Seal Healthcare Limited, Ipaja, Lagos State, Nigeria

4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: olaniran.oluwatoyin@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng; +2349062214760

Abstract:  

 Background: The increasing usage of mobile phones in healthcare settings is cause for concern because these gadgets could be used to disseminate harmful bacteria. This study aimed to detect the presence of bacterial pathogens and carriage of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) genes in Gram-negative bacteria from mobile phones of healthcare workers (HCWs) and medical students at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Ogun State, Nigeria.                                                              Continue reading “Prevalence of bacterial pathogens and molecular detection of metallo-β-lactamases in Gram-negative bacteria from mobile phones of healthcare workers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital”

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Environmental contamination rates by extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Acinetobacter baumannii in selected hospitals in southwest Nigeria

Department of Microbiology, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria

Correspondence to: ayorinde.akinbobola@aaua.edu.ng

 

Abstract:

 Background: Acinetobacter baumannii poses significant threat in healthcare facilities due to its innate ability to persist on harsh environmental surfaces for extended periods and its common resistance to multiple antibiotics, through mechanisms such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production. Healthcare-associated (HAI) A. baumannii infections are a growing concern in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), with environmental surfaces serving as important reservoirs for transmission. However, there is limited information on A. baumannii contamination rates of environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities. This study determined the contamination rates and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of A. baumannii from high-touch surfaces in selected hospitals in Akoko area of Ondo State, southwest Nigeria. Continue reading “Environmental contamination rates by extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Acinetobacter baumannii in selected hospitals in southwest Nigeria”

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Knowledge and practices of hepatitis E virus disease prevention among pig handlers in selected local government areas of Enugu State, Nigeria

*1Eya, N. J., 1Onyemelukwe, F. N., 2Chukwubike, M. C., and [1]Chukwukelu, N. V.

1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria

2Molecular Virology Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria

3Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: nnennajuliet2017@gmail.com; +2348064519137

 

Abstract:

 Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with significant public health implications, particularly among pig handlers who are at increased risk due to occupational exposure. Despite the growing pig farming industry in Enugu State, Nigeria, awareness and preventive practices related to HEV remain poorly understood. This study assessed the knowledge and preventive measures of HEV among pig handlers in Enugu State, identifying key demographic factors influencing awareness and hygiene practices. Continue reading “Knowledge and practices of hepatitis E virus disease prevention among pig handlers in selected local government areas of Enugu State, Nigeria”

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In vitro antimicrobial activities of two medicinal plant extracts against selected urinary pathogens and their synergistic effects with synthetic antibiotics

*1,2Baba, R. T., 1Oluboyo, B. O., 1Egbebi, A. H., 2Dangana, Z. A., 2Muhammad, Z. K.,

2Sowole, H. B., 2Sani, H. U., 2Yakubu, F., 3Aladodo, M., 2Babatunde, S. K., and 4Muhammed, T. O.

 

1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria

3Department of Immunology, Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, University of Abuja, Nigeria

4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin,  Ondo State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: omotayo.rasheedat@gmail.com; rtbaba@alhikmah.edu.ng;

+2347065391534; +2349026144501

Abstract:

Background: Antibiotic resistance is currently a major global health concern. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are emerging and spreading rapidly, threatening the ability to treat common infectious diseases such as urinary tract infection (UTI). The objective of this study is to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activities of two medicinal plants (Euphorbia hirta and Senna alata) and their synergistic effects with synthetic antibiotics. Continue reading “In vitro antimicrobial activities of two medicinal plant extracts against selected urinary pathogens and their synergistic effects with synthetic antibiotics”