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A review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, vaccines and economic impact of human monkeypox (Mpox) outbreaks

1Musa-Booth, T. O., 2Medugu, N., *2Adegboro, B., and 3Babazhitsu, M.

11928 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn, Maryland 21207, United States of America

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

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

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

Abstract:

The current monkeypox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern and is coming in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Human monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection caused by monkeypox virus, an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus and family Poxviridae that also contain smallpox, cowpox, Orf, and vaccinia viruses. Online databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science were searched to obtain relevant publications on the epidemiology, treatment, vaccines and the economic impacts of the current monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak. Continue reading “A review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, vaccines and economic impact of human monkeypox (Mpox) outbreaks”

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The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review

[1]Alao, J. O., 1Oni, M. O., *[2]Bello, O. O., [3]Bejide, I. O., [4]Alao, O. J., and 3Komolafe O. I.

1Departmental of Microbiology, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria

2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria

3Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Nigeria

4Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: obello@unimed.edu.ng; +2348057892661

Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the twelfth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of worldwide cancerrelated death. Chronic hepatitis B infection, caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and exposure to aflatoxins is fundamental in the formation of HCC in developing countries. This review of scientific publications aims to establish the detrimental effects of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and highlights the correlation between aflatoxin and hepatitis B viral-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Research has shown a significant increase in the occurrence of HCC in HBV-infected individuals exposed to fungal toxins. HBV demonstrates the ability to integrate and bind to p53 protein in the host DNA and propagate hepatocyte vulnerability through carcinogenic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) damage. Although there has been clear evidence about the synergistic interaction of exposure to AFB1 and HBV infection in the induction of HCC, other literature has shown otherwise, mainly because incomplete and vague findings and hypotheses were made in regions where AFB1 and HBV pose a public health risk. Vaccination against hepatitis B and measures such as robust food safety systems to avoid hepatotoxicity and hepatocellular carcinogenesis induced by AFB1 is the most effective methods in the prevention of HCC induced by HBV and AFB1. 

Continue reading “The synergism of hepatitis B and aflatoxicosis in hepatocellular carcinoma development: A mini-review”

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Comparative evaluation of automated KingFisher Flex Purification System 96 (ThermoFisher Scientific) and manual QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) extraction methods for SARS-CoV-2

*[1]Zouré, A. A., 1Compaoré, T. R., 2Beré, J. A., 1Sagna, T., 1Soubeiga, S. T., 1Dabiré, C., 1Nikiema, A. R., 3Barro, N., and 1Ouedraogo, H. G.

1Department of Biomedical and Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences Research (IRSS/CNRST), 03 BP 7047 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso

2Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Science et Technique (UFR/ST), Université Catholique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest Unité Universitaire à Bobo Dioulasso (UCAO/UUB)

3Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, d’Epidémiologie et de Surveillance des Agents, Transmissibles par les

Aliments (LaBESTA), Centre de Recherche en Sciences Biologiques Alimentaires et Nutritionnelles (CRSBAN),

Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

*Correspondence to: abdouazaque@gmail.com; +22625363215; ORCiD: //orcid.org/0000–0002–9423–024X

 

Abstract:

 Background: The extraction step of the viral material of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) influences the quality of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results in diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the automated extraction system “KingFisher Flex Purification System 96 (ThermoFisher)” compared to the manual method with the “QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen)”.

Methodology: From October to December 2020, comparative diagnostic evaluation of two methods of SARSCoV-2 RNA extraction methods was conducted on 159 fresh and 120 frozen nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens collected from travellers and suspected cases or contacts of COVID-19 patients in Burkina Faso. The FastPlexTM Triplex 1-Step COVID 19 Detection Kit (RT-PCR, RNA extraction free) (Precigenome LLC) was used to amplify on the same PCR plate, RNA extracts from manual QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit and automated KingFisher Flex Purification System 96 (ThermoFisher) using the QuantStudio5 thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems). Analysis of the diagnostic performance of the SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay following RNA extraction by the two methods was done using an online OpenEpi software. Continue reading “Comparative evaluation of automated KingFisher Flex Purification System 96 (ThermoFisher Scientific) and manual QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) extraction methods for SARS-CoV-2”

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Prevalence of COVID-19 at the Wahgnion-Gold mining site in Burkina Faso and use of RT-PCR initial cycle threshold to monitor the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 load

+1Cissé, A., +*1,2Lingani, M., 1Tao, M., 1Nana, S., 1Kaboré, B., 3Eric D. A. S., 4Nassouri, A., 1Diagbouga, S., 5Bamba, S., and 1Tarnagda, Z.

1National Influenza Reference Laboratory, Unité des Maladies à Potentiel Epidémique, Maladies Émergentes et

Zoonoses, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Burkina Faso

2Unité de Recherche Clinique de Nanoro, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Nanoro, Burkina Faso

3Teranga Gold Corporation, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

4Wahgnion Gold Operation, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

5Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Université Nazi BONI, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

*Correspondence to: lingani10@yahoo.fr; +joint first authors

 

Abstract:

 Background: To control the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), it is necessary to adequately identify and isolate infectious patients particularly at the work place. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay is the recommended confirmatory method for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARSCoV-2 infection in Burkina Faso and to use the initial cycle threshold (Ct) values of RT-PCR as a tool to monitor the dynamics of the viral load.

Methodology: Between September 2021 and February 2022, oropharyngeal and/or nasopharyngeal swab samples of consecutively selected COVID-19 symptomatic and apparently healthy workers from the Wahgnion mining site in the South-western Burkina Faso who consented to the study were collected according to the two weeks shift program and tested for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR assay. Patients positive for the virus were followed-up weekly until tests were negative. Association of the initial RT-PCR Ct values with disease duration was assessed by adjusted linear regression approach. Two-sided p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Continue reading “Prevalence of COVID-19 at the Wahgnion-Gold mining site in Burkina Faso and use of RT-PCR initial cycle threshold to monitor the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 load”

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Quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria

[1]Adewuyi, B. T., and *[2],3Adewuyi, G. M.  

1Department of Family Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria

2Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria 3Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: gbolawuyi@yahoo.com

 Abstract:

 Background: With the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), life expectancy of HIV-infected persons had increased and the disease is now managed as a chronic one, but the quality of life (QOL) of the patients is now a concern. Social support enhances QOL of patients with chronic illnesses. However, no study has been done to determine the QOL of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in our environment. This study therefore assessed the QOL of PLWHA attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), Edo State of Nigeria

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Two hundred and thirty PLWHA attending the ART clinic of ISTH, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria, were systematically selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to collect data on sociodemographic and clinical profiles of selected participants, and the WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire was used to collect data the QOL of each participant. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 20.0. Continue reading “Quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria”

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Polymerase chain reaction detection of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) in uropathogenic Escherichia coli as a novel diagnostic test for urinary tract infection

[1]Abubakar, N. H., [2]Aliyu, M., *[3]Jibril, M., and 2Mohammed, Y.

1Kano State Secondary Schools Management Board, Kano, Nigeria                     

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

3Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Natural and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: murtalamj@yahoo.com; +2348034453990; ORCID: 0000-0003-2554-5552

 

Abstract:

 Background:  Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and sometime serious infectious disease diagnosed using conventional urine culture as the ‘gold standard’ for identifying Escherichia coli, the most common causative agent. However, due to the slow turn-around-time and other challenges of urine culture, this study explores the use of a novel biomolecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach to detect the presence of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) that encodes a unique virulence factor of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) for its rapid identification in UTI.

Methodology: Primers from UPEC CFT073 and non-pathogenic E. coli K-12 MG1655 strains provided by Nottingham Trent University, England, UK were used to investigate the presence of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) in UPEC. The hlyD primers were developed from hlyD with locus number C_RS01660 on UPEC CFT073 strain using the NCBI, virulence finder, and Island viewer, and used in a PCR assay to target the hlyD in UPEC. Three sets of PCR templates were designed (UPEC, E. coli, and “No template”), each with internal and external controls amplified in a multiplex PCR assay, and agarose gel electrophoresis was used to separate the amplicons, and determine the specificity of hlyD for UPEC. Continue reading “Polymerase chain reaction detection of haemolysin D gene (hlyD) in uropathogenic Escherichia coli as a novel diagnostic test for urinary tract infection”

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Resistance profiles of urinary Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to antibiotics commonly prescribed for treatment of urinary tract infections at Monkole Hospital Center, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

1,2Mukubwa, G. K., 2,3Lukusa, F. N., 4Kavulikirwa, O. K., 5,6Liesse, J. I., *2,7Tshilolo, L. M., and *1,8,9Memvanga, P. B.

1Laboratory of Pharmaceutics and Phytopharmaceutical Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

2Laboratory Service, Monkole Hospital Center, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

3Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa,

Democratic Republic of the Congo

4Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary medicine Catholic University of Graben,

Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

5Laboratory of Experimental and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

6Centre Universitaire de Référence de Surveillance de la Résistance aux Antimicrobiens, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

7Health Training and Support Center, CEFA-Monkole, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

8Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Catholic University of Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

9Pôle interuniversitaire d’Innovation pour la mise en place d’une approche verte de lutte contre la Résistance aux Antimicrobiens (PI-RAM), University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo *Correspondence to: patrick.memvanga@unikin.ac.cd and leon.tshilolo2012@gmail.com

 

Abstract:

Background: The occurrence of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria is increasing worldwide and has become a major public health concern that requires global attention. To promote better treatment outcome of UTI and raise awareness of antibiotic resistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we investigated the antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial pathogens frequently isolated from urine samples of inpatients and outpatients with symptoms of UTI at the Monkole Hospital Center (MHC), Kinshasa from June 2017 to May 2018.

Methodology: This was a retrospective review of results of uro-cultures of urine samples of both inpatients and outpatients who had clinical symptoms of UTI, over a period of one year at the MHC, Kinshasa, DRC. During this period, aerobic uro-cultures of urine were done on MacConkey agar (MAC) or Cystine-LactoseElectrolyte-Deficient (CLED) agar media at 37oC incubation for 24 hours. Identification of bacterial isolates on the culture media and antimicrobial susceptibility to sixteen selected antibiotics were done using the integral system enterobacteria and the Vitek® 2 automated system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The R-studio software was used for statistical analysis. Continue reading “Resistance profiles of urinary Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to antibiotics commonly prescribed for treatment of urinary tract infections at Monkole Hospital Center, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo”

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Antimicrobial properties, safety, and probiotic attributes of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Sauerkraut

*Fadare, O. S., Anyadike, C. H., Momoh, A. O., and Bello, T. K.

Department of Biological Sciences (Microbiology Unit), Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Elizade University, Wuraola Ade Ojo Avenue, P. M. B. 002, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to olalekan.fadare@elizadeuniversity.edu.ng; +2348169001041; ORCiD: 0000-0002-1749-2238

 

Abstract:

 Background: According to the World Health Organization, probiotics have been defined as live microorganisms that when administered in the right amount provide health benefits to the host. This study aims to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Sauerkraut and determine their anti-pathogenic potential and suitability as probiotics.

Methodology: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from fermented cabbage obtained from an open market in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria by inoculating the prepared cabbage suspension on triplet plates of Rogosa agar (Lactobacillus selecting agar) and incubating in an anaerobic jar with gaspaks at 37oC for 72 hours. The LAB isolates were presumptively identified phenotypically by colony morphology, Gram stain reaction, and catalase test. The antibacterial activity of the LAB isolates was then carried out using agar overlay and agar-well diffusion methods. The most efficient LAB isolate was selected based on its strong antibacterial activity, confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing and further evaluated for probiotic activities including bile salt resistance, survival in low pH, hydrophobicity of the cell surface, auto-aggregation, and co-aggregation. The putative probiotic LAB isolate was also evaluated for its safety using in vitro tests (antibiotic susceptibility testing, haemolysis, and DNase tests) and in vivo assays (sub-acute oral toxicity tests in male albino rats). Continue reading “Antimicrobial properties, safety, and probiotic attributes of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Sauerkraut”

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Bacterial contaminants of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) sold in Kaduna, Nigeria, and their susceptibility to antibiotics

Bacterial contaminants of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) sold in Kaduna, Nigeria, and their susceptibility to antibiotics

*[1]Obajuluwa, A. F., 1Yagat, D. S., and [2]Durowaiye, M. T.

1Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

2Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: afobajuluwa@gmail.com; +234 8036207703; ORCID ID: //orcid.org/0000–0003–1679–6616

Abstract:

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge of antimicrobial therapy of infections today. Food-borne bacteria can serve as reservoir for transmission of antibiotic resistant strain. This study was aimed at determining the bacterial contaminants on dates palm fruits sold in Kaduna metropolis and to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of the bacteria isolated.

Methodology: A total of 60 samples of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were collected randomly from five major markets in Kaduna metropolis. Total bacterial and total coliform counts were determined using pour plate method. Gram, staining, microscopy and biochemical tests were carried out to isolate the bacterial contaminants. Antibiotic susceptibility test for commonly prescribed antibiotics was also carried out through agar diffusion method and the percentage antibiotic resistance determined. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics on Microsoft Excel. Continue reading “Bacterial contaminants of Date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) sold in Kaduna, Nigeria, and their susceptibility to antibiotics”

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Association of intestinal helminthic infection and nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe State, Nigeria

Bakari, H. B., *Aliu, R., Manga, M. M., Wasinda, S. B., and Usman, A. S.

Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: aliu.abdurrazaq11@gmail.com; +2348066536823

Abstract:

Background: Intestinal helminthic infections are among the commonest infections worldwide. It often affects the poorest communities and has similar geographic distribution with malnutrition. Intestinal helminthic infection contributes to undernutrition through subtle reduction in digestion and absorption of food, chronic inflammation and loss of nutrients. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infection and its relationship with nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study of 350 pupils selected through multistage random sampling technique from 24 primary schools in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria from July 2018 to January 2019. Demographic information including age, gender, height, and weight were collected from each participant with a designed collection form. The data were analysed using SPSS version 24.0, and presented as frequency distribution and mean ± SD. The Chisquare test (with Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval) was used to test for association between prevalence of helminthiasis and factors such as gender, age group and school type. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval. Continue reading “Association of intestinal helminthic infection and nutritional status of primary school children in Gombe State, Nigeria”