7 research outputs found
Molecular Characterization of the Circulating Strains of Vibrio cholerae during 2010 Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria
This study aimed at characterizing the phenotypic and toxigenic status
of circulating strains of cholera during outbreaks in Nigeria,
employing molecular typing techniques. Two hundred and one samples of
rectal swabs, stool, vomitus, water (from the well, borehole, sachet,
stream, and tap) and disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite) were collected
from three states in the country. The samples were inoculated on
thiosulphate-citrate bile salt-sucrose (TCBS), Cary-Blair transport
medium and smeared on glass slides for direct examination. The Vibrio
cholerae isolates were serotyped, biotyped, and characterized using
PCR of the cytotoxin gene A (ctxA), wbeO1, and wbfO139 gene primer. Of
the 201 samples screened, 96 were positive for V. cholerae O1 (48%),
with 69 (72%) positive for ctxA gene. The results from this study
showed that the circulating strains of cholera in Nigeria were of Ogawa
serotype, also observed in other outbreaks in Nigeria (1991, 1992, and
1996). However, the strains were of the Classical biotype and were
mainly (72%) ctxA gene-positive. This current investigation has
confirmed the production of cholera toxin by the circulating strains,
and this could be harnessed for possible cholera vaccine production in
Nigeria
Outcome of capacity building intervention for malaria vector surveillance, control and research in Nigerian higher institutions
Abstract Background Despite the availability of effective malaria vector control intervention tools, implementation of control programmes in Nigeria is challenged by inadequate entomological surveillance data. This study was designed to assess and build the existing capacity for malaria vector surveillance, control and research (MVSC&R) in Nigerian institutions. Methods Application call to select qualified candidates for the capacity building (CB) intervention training programme was advertised in a widely read newspaper and online platforms of national and international professional bodies. Two trainings were organized to train selected applicants on field activities, laboratory tools and techniques relevant to malaria vector surveillance and control research. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of participants, knowledge and access of participants to field and laboratory techniques in MVSC&R. Similarly, pre and post-intervention tests were conducted to assess the performance and improvement in knowledge of the participants. Mentoring activities to sustain CB activities after the training were also carried out. Results A total of 23 suitable applicants were shortlisted out of the 89 applications received. The South West, South East and North Central geopolitical zones of the country had the highest applications and the highest selected number of qualified applicants compared to the South South and North East geopolitical zones. The distribution with respect to gender indicated that males (72.7%) were more than females (27.3%). Mean score of participants’ knowledge of field techniques was 27.8 (± 10.8) before training and 67.7 (± 9.8) after the training. Similarly, participants’ knowledge on laboratory techniques also improved from 37.4 (± 5.6) to 77.2 (± 10.8). The difference in the mean scores at pre and post-test was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Access of participants to laboratory and field tools used in MVSC&R was generally low with insecticide susceptibility bioassays and pyrethrum spray collection methods being the most significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions The capacity available for vector control research and surveillance at institutional level in Nigeria is weak and require further strengthening. Increased training and access of personnel to relevant tools for MVSC&R is required in higher institutions in the six geopolitical zones of the country
Molecular Characterization of the Circulating Strains of Vibrio cholerae during 2010 Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria
This study aimed at characterizing the phenotypic and toxigenic status
of circulating strains of cholera during outbreaks in Nigeria,
employing molecular typing techniques. Two hundred and one samples of
rectal swabs, stool, vomitus, water (from the well, borehole, sachet,
stream, and tap) and disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite) were collected
from three states in the country. The samples were inoculated on
thiosulphate-citrate bile salt-sucrose (TCBS), Cary-Blair transport
medium and smeared on glass slides for direct examination. The Vibrio
cholerae isolates were serotyped, biotyped, and characterized using
PCR of the cytotoxin gene A (ctxA), wbeO1, and wbfO139 gene primer. Of
the 201 samples screened, 96 were positive for V. cholerae O1 (48%),
with 69 (72%) positive for ctxA gene. The results from this study
showed that the circulating strains of cholera in Nigeria were of Ogawa
serotype, also observed in other outbreaks in Nigeria (1991, 1992, and
1996). However, the strains were of the Classical biotype and were
mainly (72%) ctxA gene-positive. This current investigation has
confirmed the production of cholera toxin by the circulating strains,
and this could be harnessed for possible cholera vaccine production in
Nigeria