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Prevalence of Escherichia coli virulence genes in patients with diarrhoea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

N. S. Somda, O. J. I. Bonkoungou, C. Zongo, D. S. Kpoda, F. Tapsoba, I. H. N. Bassolé, Y. Traoré, A. Savadogo

 

Abstract

Objective: Diarrhoeagenic E. coli (DEC) strains are important causes of diarrhoea in the developing world and, to a lesser extent, inthe developed world. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of the virulence genes specific for five major pathogroups of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in primary cultures from diarrhoeagenic patients in Burkina Faso.
Methodology: From September 2016 to Mars 2017, a total of 211 faecal samples from diarrhoeagenic patients from urban hospitals of Ouagadou, Burkina Faso have been analysed. A 16-plex PCR was used to detect simultaneously, the five major DEC pathotypes (enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)).
Results: At least one diarrhoeagenic E. Coli pathotype was detected in 31 samples (14.7%) in children and adults with diarrhoea. EAEC was the most common pathotype detected 9.5% (20/211), followed by EIEC2.4% (05/211) and STEC 0.5% (01/211). More than one DEC pathotype were detected in 2.4% (05/211) patients. EPEC and ETEC were not detected in single infection but in co-infection with others pathotypes.
Conclusion: DEC, especially enteroaggregative, may be important responsible of diarrhoeas in Burkina Faso from all ages patient.

Key Words: Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli, 16-plex PCR, Burkina Faso, human diarrhoeas stool.

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Prevalence of Escherichia coli virulence genes in patients with diarrhoea in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

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The bacteria profiles of wounds in diabetic patients hospitalized in northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

W. Mthembu, D Penduka, R Mosa, B Shoba, A Zobolo, A Opoku

 

Abstract

Diabetic wound infections still remain a health concern such that correct identification of bacteria is essential in monitoring the spread of the infections as well as in the administration of the correct treatment. This study therefore focuses on isolating and identifying bacteria present in diabetic wounds of hospitalized patients in northern KwaZulu-Natal and assessing their distribution.The wound specimen were collected and swabbed onto selective and differential media. The bacteria identities were presumptively ascertained through biochemical characterization (Gram-stain, catalase test, oxidase test and API) and then confirmed through 16S rDNA sequencing.A total of 42 isolates were recovered from 83% of the patients sampled from the three participating hospitals (X, Y, and Z). Gram-negative bacilli from Enterobacteriaceaewere predominant followed by Staphylococci spp and Enterococcus faecaliswith 43% polymicrobial cases from hospital Z and 29% from hospital X. Distribution of some opportunistic pathogens and nosocomially-acquired pathogens were also observed across the patients with five bacterial identities distributed among hospital X and Z. The adverse effects associated with the recovered bacteria in diabetic wounds pose a serious health concern and preventive measure should be taken.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, wounds, bacteria, infection

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The bacteria profiles of wounds in diabetic patients hospitalized in northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

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Distribution and types of water-borne bacterial pathogens in River Sokoto, Nigeria and their health implication

M.I.O. Raji, Y.J. Oyeniyi

 

Abstract

The quality of water from River Sokoto was assessed to determine its bacterial load and types. Standard bacteriological techniques were used to perform the total heterotrophic bacteria, faecal coliform and enterococci counts of water samples collected from six sampling points on the river and distribution of bacteria in the water samples was also determined using standard procedures. The study indicated high heterotrophic bacteria, faecal coliform and enterococci counts above permissible limits for drinking and recreational waters according to World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). A total of 434 bacteria organisms were isolated comprising nineteen different species. Among the Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, which are human pathogenic organisms, had the highest percentage (11.98%) followed by Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumonia. Pseudomonas aeruginosaconstituted the majority of non-Enterobacteriaceae Gram negative organisms. Staphylococcus aureus was the highest among the Gram positive organisms followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (5.99%). Other isolates in significant numbers are Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Elizabethkingia meningoseptica and Aeromonas sobria. Bacteria of aquatic habitat like Providencia rettgeri, Raoultella ornithinolytica, Staphylococcus cohnii subspecies urealyticus and Staphylococcus chromogenes that have not been isolated before in the study area were also isolated. River Sokoto predominantly contained E. coli which is an indication of faecal contamination and that makes it unsuitable for drinking and agricultural uses. People in the area should be encouraged to practice adequate sanitation.

Key words: River Sokoto, water quality, bacterial pathogens, E. coli, health implication.

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Distribution and types of water-borne bacterial pathogens in River Sokoto, Nigeria and their health implication

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Genetic diversity of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus section Nigri, using RAPD and VCG techniques

B.T. Thomas, L.A. Ogunkanmi, B.A. Iwalokun, D. Popoola

 

Abstract

This study evaluates the genetic diversity of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus section Nigri using RAPD and VCG techniques. Results obtained revealed OPX 07 as the most informative of the tested RAPD markers generating 12 polymorphic bands while the least bands were generated by OPR 19. Of the 40 Aspergillus section Nigri (20 each of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus carbonarius), 22 VCGs and 27 RAPD haplotypes were delineated. The two techniques demonstrated similar resolution except in few cases where the RAPD technique further sub divided some VCGs into simpler haplotypes. The average percentage of variable VCG and RAPD reactions were 25 and 50% in that order of sequence while 75 and 50% of the isolates were resolved as same isolates by these techniques respectively. It was also found that the Simpson index of genetic diversity approached one for the isolates from the four geopolitical zones of Ogun State, Nigeria with the mean genetic diversity within isolates (GL) contributing significantly approximately 89% of the total diversity observed within the isolates (F=22.23, p<0.05). The remaining 11% of variation could only be allotted to diversity among isolates (GS). On the whole, the total genetic diversity (HT) was found to be approximately 48%. In conclusion, RAPD markers provided better resolution than the classical VCG typing technique.

Keywords; Genetic Diversity, Ochratoxigenic Aspergillus, RAPD and VCG

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Genetic diversity of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus section Nigri, using RAPD and VCG techniques

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Transcriptional factor influence on OTA production and the quelling attribute of Sirna on the OTA producing strains of Aspergillus section Nigri

B.T. Thomas, L.A. Ogunkanmi, B.A. Iwalokun, G.C Agu

 

Abstract

This study determined the influence of some transcriptional factors on ochratoxin A production as well as investigates the quelling attributes of some designed siRNA on the OTA producing Aspergillus section Nigri using standard recommended techniques. Results obtained following comparison of the pks gene promoter sequences from 15 isolates depicts differences in length and homology with the pks gene ranging from 218bp in a strain of the Aspergillus niger to 700bp in Aspergillus carbonarius. The alignment of the pks gene promoter region revealed that six and two of the aligned genes have Aba A binding site corresponding to CATTCT and CATTCC respectively while Brl A binding site was absent in all the isolates. Pac C binding site corresponding to CCTGGC and GCCAAG was also found in two and three of the pks gene promoter region respectively. The three designed siRNA shows significant impact on OTA inhibitions with no significant statistical differences (80.9, 74.4 and 75.3% for pks_Ia, pks_Ib and pks_Ic respectively) (F= 3.830, p>0.05). It can be concluded that Are A and Aba A are potential enhancers for ochratoxin A biosynthesis and none of the investigated transcriptional factors is enough for the activation of ochratoxin A production. However, pks gene was seen as a good target gene for inactivation in order to develop efficient means for ochratoxin A control using RNA silencing technology.

Key words: Transcriptional factors, Ochratoxin A, siRNA, Quelling , Aspergillus section Nigri

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Transcriptional factor influence on OTA production and the quelling attribute of Sirna on the OTA producing strains of Aspergillus section Nigri

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Containment of ebola – steps to prevent spread of emerging infectious diseases, the Nigeria example

Y.J. Peter

 

Abstract

Emerging infectious diseases are diseases whose incidence in humans have increased in the past decades or threaten to increase in the near future. The epidemiological and Laboratory techniques needed to detect, investigate and contain a deliberate outbreak are the same as those used for natural outbreaks. The threat to Nigeria posed by the arrival in Lagos of a patient acutely ill with Ebola was potentially enormous. Six response teams were deployed within the Emergency Operations Centre; 1) Epidemiology/ Surveillance, 2) Case Management/ Infection Control, 3) Social mobilization, 4) Laboratory Services, 5) Point of Entry and 6) Management / Coordination. The strategy group reviewed and approved all of the teams work and needed resources. Eleven patients with laboratory confirmed Ebola were admitted and discharged, an additional patient was diagnosed at convalescent stage while eight patients died. Several issues were observed by the response team during Nigeria Ebola outbreak that could in retrospect have been mitigated through additional preparedness planning for public health emergencies:- 1) Financial resources were slow to arrive, 2) Political leadership did not appreciate the enormous consequences that even a small Ebola outbreak could have on civil institutions, 3) Lack of Nigerian health workers willing to care for Ebola because of a lack of information and training on how to care for Ebola patients, 4) Inappropriate coordination of private sector engagement and 5) Partners and parts of government were unfamiliar with EOC/IMS system and its use as a means of streamlining coordination and response elements into one unified approach.

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Containment of ebola – steps to prevent spread of emerging infectious diseases, the Nigeria example

 

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Trichomonas vaginalis infection among adolescent girls in some secondary schools in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria

F. O Akinbo, I. S. Oronsaye

 

Abstract

Trichomonasvaginalisis the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) and one of the neglected parasitic infections. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. vaginalisinfection among adolescent girls in some secondary schools in Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 272 girls were recruited in this study. The participants’ age ranged from 13 to 18 years. Two high vagina swab specimens were collected from each participant. The specimens were analyzed using wet mount examination and culture methods. A prevalence of 9.2% of T. vaginalis was observed among adolescent girls in this study. Level of education of parents, occupation of mothers, sexual relationship and clinical manifestation of participants significantly affected the prevalence of T. vaginalisinfection among adolescent girls attending secondary school. Culture method detected more cases of T. vaginalis infection than the wet mount technique. The use of culture method in routine diagnosis of T. vaginalisinfection is advocated as this will reduce cases of infertility resulting from undetected and untreated infection as well as the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition.

Key words: Adolescent girls,Benin City, Trichomonas vaginalis

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Trichomonas vaginalis infection among adolescent girls in some secondary schools in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria

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Impact of malaria on inflammatory proteins, haematological and biochemical indices in pregnancy

A.K. Digban, T.O Digban, A.O. Adelabu, M. V. Ndukwea

 

Abstract

Malaria morbidity and mortality has remained a major health burden in the developing countries especially in tropical Africa. Thus malaria association in pregnancy and its associated complication remains a major health problem to the expectant mothers. In this study a total of five hundred and fifty (550) blood specimens were obtained from both pregnant and non-pregnant mothers with and without malaria parasitaemiawho consented to the study. Selected biochemical and haematological parameters were assessed using conventional methods. The result showed that the malaria parasite species isolated was plasmodium falcipariumwhich accounted for about 80% of the total population; the age group of 26-35years had the highest malaria density for those classified as low (53.7%), average (55.7%) and high (70.4%). This accounted for 60.7% of the total malaria parasite density. Further analysis of the malaria parasite density on pregnancy according to their trimester showed that women on their second trimester of pregnancy had the highest percentage of malaria parasite density of 55.7% and this was statistically significant (P>0.05). The result also show that pregnancy with malaria parasitaemia had the highest mean ± standard deviation of 20.37± 15.55 while those grouped as having ‘malaria parasitaemia without pregnancy’ had the lowest (6.09± 3.76) level of C- reactive protein (CRP). This was also statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusively, the findings recorded in this study have now shown that malaria parasite infections during pregnancy have a significant impact on both the biochemical and haematological indices and the prevalent species of the parasite is plasmodium faciparium.

Keywords: plasmodium faciparium, pregnancy, malaria parasitaemia, morbidity, mortality.

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Impact of malaria on inflammatory proteins, haematological and biochemical indices in pregnancy