COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF HAEMOCYTE FROM TWO SPECIES OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAILS (Archachatina marginata AND Achatina achatina)

A study was conducted to evaluate the presence and types of haemocytes inherent in haemolymph of two species of giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina). Haemolymph samples were obtained from three liveweight groups of snails (< 100 g, 101-150 g and >150 g) after removal of the first three whorls of the shell. Smears were made from thin layer of settled portion of the haemolymph after six hours. Staining was carried out after air drying at room temperature with MayGrünwald-Giemsa stain.  Four replicates per liveweight per species were used. Representative slides were selected after viewing under microscope. Dimensions of haemocytes identified were taken followed by photomicrograph. Results showed that four haemocyte types were present in the haemolymph of both species. Those haemocytes identified in Archachatina marginata had significantly (P<0.001) higher dimensions than those found in Achatina achatina. Morphologically, the haemocytes were different in terms of shapes, nucleus position and cytoplasm types. It can therefore be concluded from this study that four circulating haemocytes types are present in both Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina. Furthermore, in terms of dimension, Archachatina marginata had higher values compared to Achatina achatina. Also, morphologically, those four haemocyte types are different from each other in both specie of giant African land snails.Â

COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception, Practices and Preparedness in Nigeria

Since Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 30th of January, 2020. Nigeria, with 343 cases and 10 deaths as at April 14, 2020 is classified as one of the countries at high risk of importation of the disease from China. The ability to limit and control local transmission after importation depends on the application and execution of strict measures of detection, prevention and control. The initial response of some percentage of the population was of doubt due to the ignorance of the far-reaching effect of the virus. More than 1,700 leaders of religious groups and communities in all 36 States and FCT were therefore sensitized to increase awareness level and consequences of COVID-19 among the populace. Major response activities were initiated before the first case was reported and were upgraded within weeks after the number of cases began to rise. Based on previous experience of perception, and awareness of other viral disease outbreaks, COVID-19 infection prevention and control interventions recommended by WHO are yet to be fully entrenched in the Nigerian public health system in order to reduce the general risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 from infected individuals. There is therefore the need to execute strict measures of detection, prevention and control and drive compliance with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and WHO guidelines in Nigeria

Fecal carriage and phylodiversity of communityacquired bla TEM Enteric bacilli in Southwest Nigeria

Purpose: Increasing rates of clonal spread of fecal blaTEM bacilli remains a huge concern to the community health with resultant high morbidity. The fecal carriage and clonal diversity of blaTEM within the communities in Southwest Nigeria were surveyed. Materials and methods: Enteric bacilli obtained from fresh fecal samples randomly collected from community residents were biotyped and profiled for antibiotic susceptibility. Resistant strains were typed for beta-lactamase, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), AmpC and carbapenemase production while the R-plasmid carriage was detected and mating activities were examined. The presence of blaTEM gene was assayed by PCR and its phylodiversity determined with 16sRNA genomic profiling. Results: Escherichia coli have the highest (28.6%) occurrence rate and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.5%) showing significant resistance to beta-lactamase inhibitors (ampicillin, cefuroxime and cefotaxime), and high-level multidrug resistance of more than 15.2% rate to ampicillin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, tetracycline and imipenem. E. coli and Klebsiella oxytoca, are the highest beta-lactamase, ESBL and AmpC producers encoded with high molecular weight R-plasmid (>11.0 kbp) and significant rate of conjugation and transformational activities. Only 2/14, 1/13 and 1/6 ESBL-type of E. coli, K. oxytoca and Enterobacter cloaca, expressed blaTEM gene, clustering into five different phylodiverse groups with close genomic relatedness with other bacilli. Conclusion: This is an indication of clonal dissemination of ESBL blaTEM encoded enteric bacilli having high phylodiverse characteristics through fecal carriage in the Nigerian community which requires public health education, food and environmental hygiene for its preventio

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF GENOTYPING AND CULTURE-BASED TECHNIQUES FOR FUNGAL KERATITIS DETECTION

The study aims to compare the direct polymerase chain reaction with microbial culture for the detection and fungal pathogens in infectious keratitis.  A total of 81 corneal ulcers were culture and analyzed prospectively. PCR was performed with all corneal scrapping with fungal and bacteria specific primers. PCR products were analysed and compared with the culture results using standard methods. Of the 81 samples, 80 were positive by PCR, 51 for fungi and 29 for bacteria. Out of 51 PCR positive samples, 22 samples were culture positive and 29 were culture negative. The majority of PCR genotyped samples matched the positive culture results. The positive detection rate of 80/81 (98.8%) with high suspicion of fungal keratitis and positive detection rate of direct PCR 50/51(98.0%) were observed. The sensitivities for the diagnosis of fungal keratitis with direct PCR and culture were 98.0% (50/51) and 43.1% (22/51) (p< 0.001) whereas the specificities were 100.0% (2/2) and 100.0% (1/1) respectively. The time required to complete the direct PCR was only 3 hours. The direct PCR assay is a rapid diagnostic technique with high sensitivity and specificity for infectious keratitis and it is expected to have impact on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious keratitis. &nbsp

Characterization and Phylodiversity of Implicated Enteric Bacteria Strains in Retailed Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Fruits in Southwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) have very huge health-promoting benefits due to high nutritional composition; however, these fruits are potential reservoir of enteric food-borne pathogens causing major public health concerns. AIM: Characterization and phylo-analysis of implicated enteric bacteria strains in retailed Tomato fruits in southwest Nigeria were studied. METHODS: Ready to be retailed fresh tomato fruits were purchased from common food markets in southwest, Nigeria, which lies between latitudes 6° 21′ to 8° 30′ N and longitudes 2° 30′ to 5° 30′ E. Observation of sample storage potentials at different conditions and bio-typing of associated bacterial strains were carried out for consecutive 14 days. Enteric bacteria strains were genotyped with 16S rRNA assay and further profiled for antibiotic susceptibility to common antibiotics. High population rate frequently consume tomatoes. RESULTS: Early spoilage characterized with yellow fluid, fungal growth and visible lesions were observed at 25°C storage compare to few patches of lesion at 4°C after 14 days. Higher bacterial count of 4.0–7.18 Log CFU/g was recorded at ambient storage compare to refrigerated samples with more than 10% occurrence rate of Citrobacter spp., Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. Identified Citrobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp. showed 100% resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics (ceftazidime, cefuroxime, cefixime, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid). Two-resistant enteric bacteria strains, Klebsiella aerogenes B18 and Citrobacter freundii B27 obtained from Nigerian tomato clustered with Citrobacter strains in food (China), water strains (India, Poland, Malaysia), milk (Germany), and human fecal (China). CONCLUSION: Implicated multidrug-resistant enteric bacilli in retailed tomatoes can cause severe food-borne diseases which public oriented awareness, strategic farm to market surveillance are needed to be intensified

IMMUNOGLOBULIN CLASSES (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN NIGERIAN CEMENT FACTORY WORKERS

Abstract: Crystalline silica has recently been reported to act as an adjuvant which increases inflammation and antibody production. On the basis of new knowledge, it is possible that cement dust may have effects on the immune functions of cement factory workers. Previous studies on Nigerian cement factory workers were concentrated on the pulmonary function tests, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prevalence of chest infections and liver function tests neglecting the immune parameters of the cement workers. The present study determines the levels of serum immunoglobulin classes (IgA, IgM, IgG & IgE) and Alanine aminotransaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase in 45 male cement factory workers that are occupationally exposed to cement dust compared with 30, age and sex-matched, office workers that were not resident in the town of study. Immunodiffusion method was used to determine serum IgA, IgM, IgG while ELISA method was used to determine serum IgE. Alkaline phosphatase(ALP), alanine amino transferase(ALT), bilirubin were determined using Hitachi 902 auto analyser while gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT) was determined using colorimetric method. The levels of IgM and IgA were not statistically different in cement factory workers compared with control (p>0.05) while IgG and IgE were significantly higher in cement factory workers (p<0.05) when compared with corresponding levels in the controls. Also, ALP and bilirubin were higher in the test subjects than in control group (p<0.05). Though the mean levels of ALT and GGT were not statistically significantly higher cement factory workers when compared with control group (p>0.05). This study demonstrated that higher level of IgG may be a mechanism to block anaphylaxis reaction of IgE in Nigerian cement factory workers. The raised ALP and bilirubin levels may suggest hepatotoxic effects of cement dust

Multi-antibiotics Resistant Relatedness of bla-gene Encoded Enteric Bacteria harbouring High Molecular R-plasmids.

Increase prevalence of multi-resistant enteric bacteria isolates encoded with high mobile R-plasmid causing enteric infections was examined among the community residents in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Random cluster sampling of 251 fecal samples of community residents were cultured for enteric bacteria and biotyped. Disc diffusion and Micro-broth dilution assay were used to determine antibiotic susceptibility while R-plasmid was profiled with photo-gel documentation. Antibiotic resistance relatedness was detected using DendroUPGMA construction utility software. Of all isolates obtained, 31.3% were Escherichia coli Klebsiella oxytoca (19.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.3%) and Shigella specie (2.0%). Significant high rate of 62.6% showed resistant to Cefuroxime, 61.6% to Ampicillin and Augmentin (54.2%) while 44.7%, 38.9% and 33.9% resist Cotrimoxazole, Ciprofloxacin and Tetracycline respectively at MIC >16 μg/ml (p= 0.004). Only 54.1% harboured high molecular weight R-plasmid (>11.0kbp) and 2.7% having <5kbp R-plasmid weight. Two distinct clusters revealed significant multi-antibiotic resistant relatedness. Cluster A enteric isolates harboured similar R-plasmid of only one bands with high molecular weight more than 11kbp while Cluster B divided into subgroup a and subgroup b comprising different enteric species having similar high molecular weights with high antibiotic resistant expressing more than two plasmid bands showing computed cophenetic correlation of 0.94. Cluster analysis reveal a related high level multi-antibiotics resistant enteric bacteria strains among the community residents suggesting a continuous dissemination and imminent outbreak of resistant enteric pathotypes with resultant epidemic proportion

Comparative Estimation of Flow Rate Mediated Oxidative Stress Amongst Palaemonid shrimps

The study explored, examined and simulated some selected abiotic factors observed at biodiversity hotspots of Osse River, located in the tropical Rainforest, Edo State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at providing information required for sustainable shrimp husbandry. The research rationale was that the stress levels in shrimps are absolutely a function of flow rates and depths. Shrimp samples were caught from Osse River at night and early morning periods. The shrimp samples were identified, sorted, and counted. Stress levels impacted by abiotic variables such as regulated flow rates and depths were investigated employing Glutathione-S-Transferase, Cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase, Catalase, and Superoxide dismutase. M. vollenhovenii managed the stress the most, followed by M. macrobrachion. These potentials can be attributed to the relatively large and tough morphological characteristics and the animals. Proficiency of regulation of antioxidant enzymes in the animals must have contributed appreciably to the hardiness of the animals. Cultivation of M. vollenhovenii, followed by M. macrobrachion is very much achievable, with optimal results at flow rate of 0.1 m/s. The species have an appreciably wide spectrum of flow rates due to their ability to cope in slightly harsh conditions. The study provided vivid information on the flow rate of shrimp pond to support artificial rearing of the Palaemonid shrimp

Antibiotic Resistance Status of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Isolates in Ogun State

Pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria mostly produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), a feature that confers resistance to some newer generations of antibiotics. The study was aimed at evaluating the antibiotic resistance status of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from September to November 2020 from tertiary care hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred fifty isolates from clinical samples (high vaginal swab, wound, urine, ear, blood) were obtained, and their susceptibility pattern was determined against eight antibiotics. Out of the 150 samples, 27 P. aeruginosa were identified. Anti-microbial susceptibility testing was carried out on the isolates using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and ESBL production was detected phenotypically. The mean age group of the patients was 29.56 years. Gentamicin from the aminoglycoside class showed best activity (74.1%), and ampicillin and penicillin showed little to no activity (100% and 96.3%, respectively). Cephalosporins, ceftazidime and cefuroxime were 100% resistant, while the fluoroquinolones Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin had a mean resistance of 40.7%. The moderate active antibiotic was streptomycin (44.4% susceptible). The poor monitoring of antibiotic usage, the abuse of their availability and the acquisition of resistance elements by organisms in hospitals and the community may be the causes of high antibiotic resistanc

Molecular Detection of ESBLs, TEM, SHV, and CTX‐M in Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates in Ogun State

This study sought to detect the Class A extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases (ESBLs) present in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical samples using molecular methods. Twenty‐seven P. aeruginosa isolates were characterized among one hundred and fifty clinical samples obtained from three major hospitals in Ogun State. Twenty‐five isolates were found to be ESBL producers upon phenotypic screening. DNA was extracted using Zymo DNA extraction kit. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the ESBL genes using specific primers for the CTX‐M, SHV, and TEM genes. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to resolve the amplicons, and they were visualized with a UV transilluminator, 64% (16 isolates) were found positive for TEM, 52 and (13 isolates) for SHV, and 44% (11 isolates) for CTX‐M. Some isolates were found positive for two or more of the screened genes. This research identifies the need for surveillance of ESBL producers within Ogun state