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Overview of human and animal brucellosis in Nigeria and its economic impacts on production

economic impacts on production

*1Ukwueze, C. S., 2Kalu, E., 3Odirichukwu, E. O., 4Ikpegbu, E., and 5Luka, P. D.

1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

2Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

3Department of Veterinary Theriogenology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

4Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

5Biotechnology Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: ukwueze.chigozie@mouau.edu.ng; +2348030793359

Abstract:

 

Background: Helicobacter pylori, which is a causative agent of chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer, presently affects approximately one half of the world population. This study was conducted to assess the epidemiology and risk factors for acquisition of H. pylori among individuals with and without peptic ulcer symptoms in Owerri, Nigeria, in order to provide baseline data and create awareness for effective management and prevention of infection caused by this pathogen.

Methodology: A total of 384 participants, symptomatic and asymptomatic for peptic ulcer, were recruited from the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The symptomatic participants were randomly recruited among patients attending outpatient clinics with symptoms of peptic ulcer disease at the Federal Medical Center Owerri, general hospitals and primary healthcare centers across Owerri LGAs, while asymptomatic patients were recruited from the community. Information on socio-demographic characteristics of each participant and potential risk factors were collected with a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for detection of antibodies (IgG) using a one-step H. pylori test device while faecal samples were collected for detection of occult blood (from peptic ulceration) using faecal occult blood (FOB) test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 and association of risk factors with H. pylori sero-prevalence was determined by the Chi-square or Fisher Exact test (with Odds ratio). P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The sero-prevalence of H. pylori infection among the study participants was 72.4% (285/384) while the prevalence of ulcer by FOB test was 71.1% (273/384). A total of 78.4% (214/273) of those with ulcers were seropositive for H. pylori while 64.0% (71/111) of those without ulcers were sero-positive for H. pylori (p=0.0045). Factors significantly associated with high sero-prevalence of H. pylori were age groups 41-50 (100%), 21-30 (78.4%) and 31-40 (67.6%) years (X2=66.964, p<0.0001), illiteracy (OR=6.888, p<0.0001), unemployment (OR=2.427, p<0.0001), low social class status (X2=28.423, p=0.0003), drinking of unclean water (OR=5.702, p<0.0001), living in crowded rooms (OR=2.720, p<0.0001), eating food bought from food vendors (OR=3.563, p<0.0001), family history of ulcer (OR=12.623, p<0.0001), habits of eating raw vegetables and unwashed fruits (OR=6.272, p<0.0001), non-regular hand washing practices before meal (OR=2.666, p<0.0001) and presence of ulcer (OR=2.043, p=0.0045). However, smoking (OR=0.7581, p=0.2449) and gender (OR=0.6538, p=0.0796) were not significantly associated with sero-prevalence of H. pylori.

Conclusion: There is need for comprehensive strategy including public health education campaign to create awareness on H. pylori, improve personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, provision of safe drinking water by the government to the populace, and discourage indiscriminate and open defecation.

 

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; peptic ulcer; serology; risk factors; association; Owerri

Received Jan 16, 2022; Revised Apr 18, 2022; Accepted Apr 19, 2022

Copyright 2022 AJCEM Open Access. This article is licensed and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attrition 4.0 International License <a rel=”license” href=”//creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/“, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided credit is given to the original author(s) and the source. Editor-in-Chief: Prof. S. S. Taiwo

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Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants: a mini-review

 

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Correlation between faecal indicator bacteria in diarrheagenic stools and hospital wastewaters: implication on public health

Olalemi, A., Oladejo, B., and *Bayode, M.

Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: bayodemcbay@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: Hospital wastewaters contain blends of inorganic, natural constituents and contaminants that carry significant health risk when released directly into the environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between faecal indicator bacteria in diarrheagenic stools and wastewaters generated in University of

Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complex, Akure, Nigeria.

Methodology: Quantification of faecal indicator bacteria was carried out on diarrheagenic faecal samples collected from 55 hospitalized patients and 68 wastewater samples from the medical laboratory science and laundry units of the hospital over of period of 12 weeks. Standard membrane filtration technique was performed using membrane intestinal enterococcus (m-ENT), membrane faecal coliform (m-FC), membrane lauryl sulphate (MLSA), eosin methylene blue (EMB) and Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar plates, which were incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours (MLSA, EMB and SSA), 44ºC for 24 hours (m-FC); and 37ºC for 48 hours (m-ENT). Bacterial colonies on agar plates were counted and expressed as colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of diarrheagenic stool and wastewater. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the level of faecal indicator bacteria in diarrheagenic stools and wastewaters at p<0.05 level of significance (and 95% confidence interval).

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Antibiogram of Pseudomonas isolates and potential public health impact of an abattoir effluent in Benin City, Nigeria

*Odjadjare, E. E. O., and Ebowemen, M. J.

Environmental, Public Health and Bioresource Microbiology Research Group (EPHBIOMREG), Department of Biological Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, P.M.B. 1100 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: eodjadjare@biu.edu.ng

Abstract:
Background: Bacteria from abattoir wastes are often linked to livestock carcasses previously exposed to continuous antimicrobial use and misuse; thereby creating opportunity for community spread of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains such as Pseudomonas spp. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibiogram of Pseudomonas isolates and bacteriological quality of an abattoir effluent in lieu of its potential public health impact.

Methodology: Water samples were collected weekly for six weeks from discharge point (DP) of the abattoir effluent, effluent receiving canal confluence point (CP), and 500 m upstream (US) and 500 m downstream (DS) from points where CP made contact with the Ikpoba River, Benin City, Nigeria. Bacteria spp. were isolated, enumerated (heterotrophic bacterial plate, coliform, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas counts) and identified using standard microbiological techniques. Identity of Pseudomonas isolates was confirmed by PCR while antibiogram of selected isolates was evaluated and interpreted according to the disk diffusion method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Results: Heterotrophic bacteria plate counts (HPC) varied from 1.1×103 ± 0.28 CFU/ml to 1.95×106 ± 0.48 CFU/ml; total coliform counts ranged between 0.0 and 1.2×106 ± 0.28 CFU/ml while mean E. coli count varied from 0.0 to 4.9×105 ± 0.49 CFU/ml, and Pseudomonas counts were between 0.0 to 1.4×103 CFU/ml. The selected strains of Pseudomonas spp (n=50) showed resistance to oxacillin (100%), vancomycin (52%), tetracycline (50%), gentamycin (26%) and ceftriaxone (20%), while they were sensitive to ceftazidime (82%), ofloxacin (80%) and amikacin (74%). MDR phenotype was observed in 9 (18%) of the test isolates.

Conclusion: The study revealed that untreated abattoir effluent was a considerable source of MDR Pseudomonas spp. among other bacteriological pollutants (e.g. HPC, coliform and E. coli) that could compromise the quality of the receiving river in lieu of public health concerns of riverside communities that depend on this vital water resource for their subsistence.

Keywords: Pseudomonas, MDR,  antibiogram, abattoir effluent, public health

Received March 16, 2020; Revised April 24, 2020; Accepted April 26, 2020

Copyright 2020 AJCEM Open Access. This article is licensed and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attrition 4.0 International License <a rel=”license” href=”//creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/”, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided credit is given to the original author(s) and the source.

 

Antibiogramme des isolats de Pseudomonas et impact potentiel sur la santé publique d’un effluent d’abattoir à Benin City, Nigeria

*Odjadjare, E. E. O., et Ebowemen, M. J.

Groupe de recherche sur l’environnement, la santé publique et la microbiologie des bioressources (EPHBIOMREG), Département des sciences biologiques, Université Benson Idahosa, P.M.B. 1100 Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria Continue reading “Antibiogram of Pseudomonas isolates and potential public health impact of an abattoir effluent in Benin City, Nigeria”

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Public health implications of Salmonella species contamination of naira notes obtained from butchers in Abakaliki meat market, Ebonyi state

I.B. Moses, E.N. Ugbo, I.R. Iroha, E.G. Ukpai, S.C. Eluu, D.C. Ilang, S.N. Otozi

 

Abstract

Daily transactions have made paper currencies to pass through many  hands, and pathogens become imposed on them before they are finally deposited in banks. This study evaluates the public health implications of Salmonella species contamination of naira notes obtained from butchers in Abakaliki meat market, Ebonyi State. A total of 95 samples of naira notes in different denominations (N5 to N1000) were randomly collected from butchers within Abakaliki metropolis between the months of March and May, 2016. All the naira note samples were analysed using standard  microbiological procedures. A total of nine (9.5 %) Salmonella spp isolates were obtained from the 95 naira note samples. All the Salmonella spp  isolates were completely resistant (100 %) to ceftazidime. The highest susceptibility frequency was observed for ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, meropenem, imipenem, and ofloxacin with values ranging from 88.9 % – 77.8 %. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean percentage resistance and susceptibility of the Salmonella spp isolates (P ˂ 0.05). Most of the Salmonella spp isolates exhibited multi-drug resistant traits as they were resistant to at least two different classes of antibiotics. The average multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MARI) of the Salmonella spp isolates was 0.35. This study shows that ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, meropenem, imipenem, and ofloxacin are still effective in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by Salmonella spp. Proper and hygienic handling of paper currencies is of public health importance so as to avert health challenges associated with microbial contamination of bank notes especially Salmonella spp.

Keywords: Salmonella, Naira notes, butchers, antibiotics, public health

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Public health implications of Salmonella species contamination of naira notes obtained from butchers in Abakaliki meat market, Ebonyi state

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Efficacy of household cleaning agents against some selected pathogenic bacteria

EO Igbinosa, MA Ibhazukor, OA Eribo, AG Ogofure

 

Abstract

The emergence and spread of microorganisms with reduced susceptibility to antimicrobial agents is a major public health problem. This study evaluated the antibacterial effect of household cleaning agents on selected bacterial isolates. Standard culture-based procedure was used to determine the efficacy of disinfectants on selected bacteria isolates. The activity assessed was against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ariel was found to have more bactericidal effect on Streptococcus pyogenes being sensitive and Staphylococcus aureus. Dettol exhibited antibacterial effect against all tested isolates with zones of inhibition for Streptococcus pyogenes (24±0.12mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (9±0.01mm). Harpic revealed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other tested isolates with average zones of inhibition of 20±0.20mm. Jik was active against Klebsiella pneumoniaand Escherichia coli while Omo showed good inhibitory effect against all tested isolates except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on the present study, the levels of decreased susceptibility to household cleaning agents seem to be increasing, regardless of whether these products used in the home or not. The eventual clinical implications of this decreased susceptibility need continue surveillance.

Key words: Antibacteria, Commensal flora, Disease, Disinfectant, Hygiene, Public health

French Abstract

L’émergence et la propagation des micro-organismes d’une sensibilité réduite aux agents antimicrobiens est un problème majeur a la santé publique. Cette recherche a évalué l’effet antibactérien des agents d’entretien ménager sur isolats bactériens sélectionnés. Procédure fondée de culture Standard a été employé pour déterminer l’efficacité des désinfectants sur des isolats bactériens sélectionnés. L’activité évaluée était contre Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli et Pseudomonas aeruginosa. L’Ariel a été trouvé d’avoir plus effet bactéricide sur Streptococcus pyogenes étant sensible et Staphylococcus aureus. Le dettol a exposé l’effet antibactérien contre tous les isolats testés avec des zones d’inhibition pour Streptococcus pyogenes (24±0,12mm) et Staphylococcus aureus(9±0,01mm). Harpic a révélé l’activité antibactérienne contre Pseudomonas aeruginosa et les autres isolats testés avec des zones moyennes d’inhibition de 20±0,20mm. Jik a été actif contre Klebsiella pneumonia et Escherichia coli tandis que l’Omo a montré un bon effet inhibiteur contre tous les isolats testés sauf Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Fondée sur la recherche de ce moment, les niveaux de la diminution de la sensibilité aux agents d’entretien ménager paraissent être de plus en plus indépendamment du fait que ces produits sont utilisés à la maison. Finalement, les implications cliniques finales de cette diminution de la sensibilité ont besoin d’une surveillance continuelle.

Mots – clés: Antibactérien, Flore commensal, Maladie, Désinfectants Hygiène, Santé publique.

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Efficacy of household cleaning agents against some selected pathogenic bacteria

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ONCHOCERCIASIS – A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

AO Oluwasola, DO Oluwasola, KO Osungbade

 

Abstract

Onchocerciasis is a chronic parasitic disease with a wide range of cutaneous and ocular manifestations. It is caused by the tissue nematode, Onchocerca volvulus, and it is transmitted by the bite of a female black fly, Simulium damnosum. Onchocerciasis is a serious public health and socio-economic problem with 95% of all cases being found in Africa south of the Sahara. The WHO Expert Committee has estimated that over 80 million people are at the risk of infection worldwide, some 18 million infected, and 1 million people visually impaired of which some 340,000 are blind. Nigeria is highly endemic for this disease, to the extent that 40% of all cases worldwide are believed to occur in the country. The prevalence of blindness in villages near to fast flowing rivers may reach 15%, often, affecting males (of working age, perhaps 30-40 years old) more frequently than females. In spite of these ravaging consequences of this disease however, remarkable successes have been achieved by the control effort of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP), which uses chemical and biological larvicides with low environmental impact to kill black fly larvae flies. Other methods of effecting Onchocerciasis control include: (i) Reducing the number of bites by the Simulium fly on man; (ii) Killing the microfilariae with microfilaricides; and (iii) Killing the adult worms. The social and economic consequences of the disease in Nigeria and other African countries are huge, with considerable human suffering. It thus demands unrelenting intensive and concerted effort at the international, national and community levels, making optimal use of the identified modes of control for effective control of this disease which has serious public health and economic consequences.

Key Words: Onchocerciasis, Public Health, Control

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2004; 5(2): 165 – 172.