Antimicrobial activity of moringa on ear, nose and throat associated fungi, and vancomycin resistant cocci isolated at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

M.D. Mukhtar, S.A. Orah, Y Mohammed

 

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of Moringa on ear, nose and throat associated fungi and vancomycin resistant cocci. The plant material was extracted with methanol and petroleum ethe and screened for phytochemical contents. The microbial isolates were obtained from females and males patients (both adults and children) attending ear, nose and throat clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Coccal bacteria and fungi were isolated accordingly. The cocci were screened for vancomycin resistance. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using gradient double (12.5-100mg/mL) assay. The MIC, MBC/MFC and Brine shrimp toxicity test were also conducted. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenesStreptococcus pneumoniaeCandida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus were isolated. Up to 21.4% of S. aureus were vancomycin resistant, 20% of S. pneumoniae isolated were vancomycin resistant and 16.7% S. pyogenes were vancomycin resistant. The plant extracts showed zones of inhibition of 08mm-20mm at concentrations ranging from 12.5-100mg/mL. The most susceptible organism to both extracts was C. albicans and the least susceptible was S. aureus. The MIC of the methanol extracts ranged from 0.78 to 50mg/mL but MBC/MFC ranged from 6.25 to 200mg/mL. The MIC of the petroleum ether was at 50 to 200mg/mL and the MBC/MFC was from 200 to 800mg/mL. The brine shrimp lethality assay showed LC50 value of 93.48μg/mL for Moringa methanol extract while the LC50 value for Moringa petroleum ether extract was 3.691μg/mL. Moringa methanol extract (100mg/mL), showed appreciable activity against the fungal isolates and vancomycin resistant cocci associated with Ear, Nose and Throat symptoms while Moringa petroleum ether extract showed activity only on the fungal isolate C. albicans. The study demonstrated that Moringa methanol extracts was more active than Moringa petroleum ether extracts. The search for novel cytotoxic ingredient in Moringa should be encouraged.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Moringa, Ear, Nose, Throat, Fungi, Vancomycin, Resistant, Cocci

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Antimicrobial susceptibility of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae causing urinary tract infections in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

 

 

Isolation and screening of fungal isolates from bambara (Vigna subterranea) nuts for tannase production

A.A. Ajayi, O.F. Adeniji, A Egunjobi, O.M. Atolagbe, E.A. Onibokun, S.O. Anosike, M.I. Oniha

 

Abstract

Tannase (Tannin acyl hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.20) is an enzyme produced in the presence of tannic acid by various filamentous fungi. They are produced principally by fungi of the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. The enzyme is used in the food and beverage industry as a clarifying agent for wines, beers and fruit juices. In Africa, billions of dollars are expended yearly on the importation of commercial enzymes for the food and pharmaceutical industries and this increases the cost of production and the finished goods. This study was carried out to isolate tannase producing fungal species using Bambara nuts as a substrate in a bid to finding alternatives to the importation of tannase. Fresh Bambara nuts were collected from different locations in Nigeria. They were cleaned, sorted and intermittently moistened with water to encourage fungal growth for fourteen days. The different fungi obtained after fourteen days were inoculated onto Potato Dextrose Agar plates and incubated at 25°C for five days. Subculturing of fungal isolates was carried out to obtain pure cultures of isolates. Tannilytic activity (hydrolysis of tannin) of isolates was assessed by inoculating them in media containing tannin. The plates were incubated at 25°C for 2-5 days after which the plates were observed and zones of hydrolysis measured. A total of eighteen isolates were obtained. They were all members of the Aspergillus genus. 56% (10) of the isolates were able to degrade tannin acid with mean zone of hydrolysis of 39mm ±23.7 mm (Range 10-70mm). This study established members of the Aspergillus genus isolated from Bambara nuts as viable fungi for application in the production of tannase. This study adds to existing reports on fungal production of tannase.

Keywords: Tannase, Fungal isolates, Aspergillus, Bambara nuts, Vigna subterranea

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Isolation and screening of fungal isolates from bambara (Vigna subterranea) nuts for tannase production

 

Altered protein and iron levels of patients with active tuberculosis in a Nigerian reference health facility

P.A. Akpan, I.M. Okafor, S Anakebe

 

Abstract

Backgound: Tuberculosis as a state of chronic inflammation impacts on haematologic functions of the body.

Objectives: This study aimed at assessing iron parameters and serum protein levels of ninety tuberculosis patients aged fifteen to sixty years, enrolled from Dr Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. Ninety apparently healthy individuals age and gendermatched served as control subjects.

Methods: Packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, total protein, albumin and serum ferritin were determined using standard methods. Transferrin saturation, globulin concentration and albumin-globulin ratio were derived by calculation. Data were analysed using student T-test on SPSS version 20 software. Statistical significance was set at P-value less than 0.05.

Results: Packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, albumin levels and albumin-globulin ratio of tuberculosis patients were found to be significantly lower while serum ferritin and globulin were significantly increased (p<0.05) as compared with control values. Serum ferritin improved towards control values as anti-tuberculosis therapy progressed.

Conclusion: A reduction in haemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation and increase in serum ferritin as well as altered serum protein levels, occur in tuberculosis infection.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, iron, serum protein

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Altered protein and iron levels of patients with active tuberculosis in a Nigerian reference health facility

Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes at a tertiary care hospital in southwestern Nigeria

O.A. Adesanya, V.U. Nwadike, O.O. Adesanya, A.B. Lamina

 

Abstract

Hospital acquired infections are a recognized cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. They are frequently caused by organisms residing in healthcare environment, including contaminated medical equipment like stethoscopes. There is limited awareness of health workers of the contribution of contaminated hospital equipment to nosocomial infections. Hence we aimed to determine the level of bacterial contamination and bacterial profile of the isolates from stethoscopes at our centre- a tertiary care hospital in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria.

To achieve this, 2 stethoscopes were selected from each of the clinical care units in the hospital and studied. Specimens were collected using moistened sterile cotton swab from the ear pieces and diaphragms of each stethoscope and processed following standard microbiological techniques. In all, 26 stethoscopes were studied. 46.2% (12) of the diaphragms cultured yielded growth of bacteria while only 11.5% (3) of the ear pieces cultured yielded a growth of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (58.3%) was the most commonly cultured organism. Other organisms cultured included: Diphtheroids, Proteus species and Escherichia coli. 83.3% of the isolated organisms were gram positive while 16.7% were gram negative organisms.In conclusion,the study shows that there is a high level of contamination of stethoscopes in use by health care workers. Disinfection of stethoscopes before and after use is advocated to reduce the spread of infections.

Keywords: Stethoscopes, Contaminated medical equipment, Disinfection, Hospital acquired infections, Health care workers, Bacterial profile

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Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes at a tertiary care hospital in southwestern Nigeria

Hand washing practices and the occurrence of enteropathogenic bacteria among residents of a Nigerian University

F Ayoade, C.H. Ardern

 

Abstract

Hand washing is known to be an important preventive strategy and a major step in infection control. However, compliance is low in most communities. The present work investigated the relationship between the levels of compliance to hand washing and related this to the occurrence of infectious bacteria in the test population. A questionnaire which contained information on bio-demographic characteristics and hand hygiene practices was applied to 100 individuals in the study population. Microbiological samples were obtained, Total Colony Counts was done and the isolates were identified using standard bacteriological methods. The results showed that 46% of the respondents wash their hands before eating food; 40% of the test population washes their hands after using the toilet; while none of the respondents wash their hands after handling money. The highest bacterial load was found in the 0-15 years age group. The most highly occurring isolate was Salmonella enterica(23.7%). These results confirm the low level of compliance to hand hygiene in the test population and underscores the need to effectively break the fecal–oral transmission route via hands through effective interventions such as hand washing with soap and water.

Keywords: enteropathogenic bacteria, hand washing, compliance

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Hand washing practices and the occurrence of enteropathogenic bacteria among residents of a Nigerian University

Multiple antibiotic resistance indices of Aeromonas hydrophila isolates of muscle of catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) from selected markets in Ibadan, Nigeria

B.A. Saka, O.K. Adeyemo, A.O. Odeseye

 

Abstract

The extensive use and misuse of antimicrobials for treatment and prophylaxis in livestock production generally and aquaculture in particular is of great concern to environmental and public health. In Nigeria, regulation and monitoring of aquaculture and other livestock production activities at best is lax. Drug resistance pathogens have therefore been consistently reported in Nigeria.

Ninety-eight adult live fishes weighing an average of 684.88±141.73g were purchased at random from different live-fish selling points fortnightly over a fourteen-week period. Fish were anaesthetized using Tricaine Methane Sulfonate (MS222 and 15g of muscle excised and processed according to standard methods. Growth, isolation and characterization of Aeromonas hydrophila was accomplished using Rimler-Shotts agar medium which had been infused with ampicillin supplement for 24 hours and incubated at 37oC and appropriate biochemical tests.

Ten positive isolates (AH1-AH10) were subjected to culture and sensitivity test using the disc diffusion method on nutrient agar. Zones of growth inhibition around the colonies were observed, measured and characterized as sensitive, intermediate and resistant based on the Manual of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing method. All the isolates had MAR >0.2. Isolate AH9 had the highest MAR index (1). Three of the isolates (AH3, AH5 and AH8) had MAR indices of 0.89, while AH2, AH4 and AH7 had MAR indices of 0.67. This study established the resistance of Aeromonas hydrophila isolates from fish muscle to a wide range of antibiotic. The detection of high MAR A. hydrophila in muscle of fish intended for consumption is significant and could act as a potential source of resistant bacteria for humans. Further investigation into antimicrobial resistance is recommended.

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Multiple antibiotic resistance indices of Aeromonas hydrophila isolates of muscle of catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) from selected markets in Ibadan, Nigeria

 

Antimicrobial activity of Lycoperdon perlatum whole fruit body on common pathogenic bacteria and fungi

U.K. Akpi, C.K. Odoh, E.E. Ideh, U.S. Adobu

 

Abstract

Antimicrobial activities of extracts of fruit bodies of Lycoperdon perlatum against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coliBacillus cereusCandida albicans and Candida glabrata were investigated. Antimicrobial components from the mushrooms were extracted using ethanol, methanol and water. The antimicrobial activities were examined by agar well diffusion method. The MIC, MBC and MFC were evaluated for each extract of the mushroom. The aqueous extract of Lycoperdon perlatum inhibited the growth of all the tested pathogenic organisms except P. aeruginosa while the methanol and ethanol extracts inhibited all the tested organisms. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of varying levels of bioactive compounds. Flavonoids, saponins, protein and carbohydrate were detected in all the extracts while glycosides, alkaloids and tannins were found in some. The results obtained from this study suggest that Lycoperdon perlatum has broad-spectrum of activity against microbial isolates used.

Keywords: Lycoperdon perlatum, antimicrobial, phytochemicals, well diffusion

Antimicrobial activity of Lycoperdon perlatum whole fruit body on common pathogenic bacteria and fungi

Molecular diagnostics by PCR of poxviruses (Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV)) in Cote d’Ivoire West Africa

S Meite, N.D. Coulibaly, C Boni-Cissé, K.S. Koffi, A Sylla, K.S. Kouassi, A.P. Mlan, S.M. Kouame, F.S. Zaba, K.S. Ngazoa, H Faye-Ketté, M Dosso

 

Abstract

The Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and the Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) are Poxviruses involved in viruses skin lesions in humans. OPV infects many vertebrates and MCV mainly infects humans. A diagnostic confusion is often observed between the clinical lesions due to the different Poxviruses firstly and secondly with other viruses like the virus of the chickenpox. In Côte d’Ivoire, the diagnosis of MCV remains essentially clinical and that of OPV is non-existent despite the risk of circulation of the virus. This study aims to implementthe molecular detection of the OPV and the MVC in Côte d’Ivoire. Material and method: Cowpoxvirus DNA and 21 DNA extracts from suspicious cutaneous lesions of the MCV were analyzed by conventional PCR. The consensus primers (EACP1, EACP2) designed from the surface hemagglutin gene were used for the detection of the OPVs and the primers (MCV1, MCV2) targeting the K fragment of the MCV were used for the MCV’s detection . A growing dilution series of the Cowpoxvirus DNA and the MCV allowed the study of the method’s sensitivity used. The DNAs of S.aureus, M. ulceransVZV, HSV, the Measles virus and Varicella virus were used for the specificity tests. Results: The detection of the OPV from the Cowpoxvirus viral strain was positive with a positivity threshold at 10-1 dilution. That of the MCV DNA from the suspected MCV’s lesion was positive with a positivity threshold of up to 10 -6 dilution. No non-specific amplification was observed with the DNAs of the other pathogens responsible for lesions Cutaneous. The clinical diagnosis of the MCV was confirmed by PCR in 18 out of the 21 patients, ie 85.71%. On the 3 patients with a negative MCV PCR, 2 were positive for the OPV PCR , reflecting the risk of confusion between clinical lesions due to Poxviruses.

Keyvords: Molecular diagnostic, Poxviruses, West Africa

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Molecular diagnostics by PCR of poxviruses (Orthopoxvirus (OPV) and Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV)) in Cote d’Ivoire West Africa

Risk factors associated with HIV prevalence in pregnant women in Burkina Faso, from 2006 to 2014

D Konaté, H Dahourou, W Traoré, C Ouedraogo, A Bambara-Kankouan, A Somda, A Guiré, M.J. Sanou, M Lingani, N Barro, A.S. Traoré, L Sangaré

 

Abstract

Purpose of the study: To determine the socio-demographic factors influencing the dynamics of HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Burkina Faso.

Material and methods: A total of 66,597 pregnant women from the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso were included in this study conducted between 2006 and 2014. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for the detection of HIV antibodies according to WHO / UNAIDS strategy II, using the mixed test Vironostika HIV Uniform II Plus O (Bio-Mérieux) and the test discriminating ImmunoCombII HIV-1 & 2 BiSpot (Orgenics). Samples with discordant results between the two tests, as well as those positive to HIV-2 or HIV-1 + 2, were retested with HIV BLOT 2.2 (MP Diagnostics). Sociodemographic data collected from the participants were correlated with their HIV status to determine key risk factors influencing HIV infection prevalence in Burkina Faso.

Results: Sociodemographic data showed that the study population consisted mainly of married women (91.2%) at their first pregnancy (27.1%) with a large majority of them being housewives (86.2%) who did not attend any form of schooling (69.4%). About 88.4% had stayed longer than a year in the health region where they initially participated in the study and 55.8% were between 20 and 29 years of age. Overall HIV prevalence significantly dropped from 2.7 % in 2006 to 1.3% in 2014. However HIV seroprevalence in this study has varied significantly according to socio-demographic characteristics including marital status, parity, occupation, education, age group and the length of stay in the women’s health community (p <0.0001). Factors sustaining HIV transmission included the status of being unmarried (OR=1.67 [1.42-1.97]), primigest (OR=1.64 [1.41-1.89]), having other occupations except being student (OR = 1.68 [1.20-2.33]), aged between 20-49 years (OR=3.14 [2.51-3.93]) and the duration of stay less than a year in their locality (OR=5.33 [4.61-10.16]) and these factors were identified as main risk factors associated with HIV prevalence.

Conclusion: Burkina Faso remains among the countries with concentrated epidemics despite a significant reduction in the prevalence observed in this study. The inclusion of identified risk factors in the national HIV program could improve the quality of the response to the epidemic.

Keywords:

D Konaté, H Dahourou, W Traoré, C Ouedraogo, A Bambara-Kankouan, A Somda, A Guiré, M.J. Sanou, M Lingani, N Barro, A.S. Traoré, L Sangaré

 

Abstract

Purpose of the study: To determine the socio-demographic factors influencing the dynamics of HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Burkina Faso.

Material and methods: A total of 66,597 pregnant women from the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso were included in this study conducted between 2006 and 2014. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for the detection of HIV antibodies according to WHO / UNAIDS strategy II, using the mixed test Vironostika HIV Uniform II Plus O (Bio-Mérieux) and the test discriminating ImmunoCombII HIV-1 & 2 BiSpot (Orgenics). Samples with discordant results between the two tests, as well as those positive to HIV-2 or HIV-1 + 2, were retested with HIV BLOT 2.2 (MP Diagnostics). Sociodemographic data collected from the participants were correlated with their HIV status to determine key risk factors influencing HIV infection prevalence in Burkina Faso.

Results: Sociodemographic data showed that the study population consisted mainly of married women (91.2%) at their first pregnancy (27.1%) with a large majority of them being housewives (86.2%) who did not attend any form of schooling (69.4%). About 88.4% had stayed longer than a year in the health region where they initially participated in the study and 55.8% were between 20 and 29 years of age. Overall HIV prevalence significantly dropped from 2.7 % in 2006 to 1.3% in 2014. However HIV seroprevalence in this study has varied significantly according to socio-demographic characteristics including marital status, parity, occupation, education, age group and the length of stay in the women’s health community (p <0.0001). Factors sustaining HIV transmission included the status of being unmarried (OR=1.67 [1.42-1.97]), primigest (OR=1.64 [1.41-1.89]), having other occupations except being student (OR = 1.68 [1.20-2.33]), aged between 20-49 years (OR=3.14 [2.51-3.93]) and the duration of stay less than a year in their locality (OR=5.33 [4.61-10.16]) and these factors were identified as main risk factors associated with HIV prevalence.

Conclusion: Burkina Faso remains among the countries with concentrated epidemics despite a significant reduction in the prevalence observed in this study. The inclusion of identified risk factors in the national HIV program could improve the quality of the response to the epidemic.

Keywords: HIV-Pregnant Women-Risk Factors-Burkina Faso

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Risk factors associated with HIV prevalence in pregnant women in Burkina Faso, from 2006 to 2014

Residual mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso

A Ky Ba, M Sanou, L Toguyeni Tamini, I Diallo, A.S. Ouédraogo, J Catrayé, P.T. Sanou, C Ki Toe, A.Y. Ky, I Sanou, R Ouédraogo Traoré, L Sangaré

 

Abstract

Background: Burkina Faso is one of the countries in West Africa most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, despite the implementation of a mother-to-child HIV transmission prevention program as a strategy to reduce the risk of vertical transmission of the disease.

Objective: To assess the current risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso.

Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted between December 2014 and July 2016, in the 13 health regions of Burkina Faso. Women who were screened HIV-positive during a prenatal consultation were followed until delivery. Their babies received dry blood spot (DBS) at birth, at week 6 and at 1year, to screen for HIV.

Results: Overall, 186 pregnant women were included in the study, with a mean age of 29.17±6.13 years. Of their children, 430 DBS actually received a PCR test, giving a 91.1% PCR implementation rate. After analyses, 6 (1.3%) babies were identified as carriers of HIV1. The newborn’s serological status was associated with delivery pattern (p=0.000), the administration of antiretroviral drugs to the mother after delivery (p=0.0064), the administration of Nevirapine to the newborn at birth (p=0.022), the use of contraceptive methods after delivery (p=0.028) and the presence of breast affections/infections since delivery (p=0.013).

Conclusion: The results of our study are encouraging and demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions in the mother-tochild prevention program (PMTCT) for HIV-positive pregnant women can be improved through early initiation of triple therapy in early pregnancy and improved adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.

Keywords: Burkina Faso, HIV/AIDS, mother-to-child transmission, antiretroviral drugs, pregnant women

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Residual mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso