Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from Nigerian currencies (Naira) circulating in some hospitals of Kano metropolis, Kano state, Nigeria

Microbial contamination of fomites such as currency notes is of public health concern as contaminated materials might act as vehicle for the transmission of pathogenic and drug resistant organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from Nigerian currencies circulating in some hospitals of Kano metropolis. Four hundred paper currency notes of all denominations obtained from three hospitals (Hasiya Bayero pediatrics hospital, Murtala Mohammad specialist hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital) and school environment (Bayero university Kano) were investigated. The samples were all screened for bacterial pathogens and some common nosocomial pathogens using standard microbiological procedures. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using disc diffusion method to detect the presence of resistant isolates including multidrug resistant organisms (MDR) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results of the study revealed that 84.7% of currencies were contaminated with pathogenic organisms. Bacteria isolated from currencies circulating in hospital were more resistant to antibiotics than non hospital source isolates (p< 0.05). The prevalence of MDR was found to be (16% and 6% p< 0.005) and (6.8% and 5.9% p>0.05) for MRSA from hospital and non hospital currencies respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus species, Streptococcus species, Proteus species, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most frequent isolated bacteria. Ampicillin, cotrimoxaxole, and amoxicillin/clavulanate showed high levels of inactivity. Ciprofloxacin had the greatest activity (40% to 100%) against the isolates. The study revealed that Currency notes circulating in hospital are highly contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria including drug resistant nosocomial pathogens, MRSA and MDR organisms. Measures should therefore be employed to ensure the safety of currency handlers in the hospital.Key words: Antibiotic, Sensitivity pattern, Bacteria, Nigerian Currencies, Hospital

In vitro efficacy of act drugs on Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolates from Kano and Katsina States, Nigeria

In vitro drug susceptibility profile of Plasmodium falciparum collected between 2012 and 2014 from malaria patients attending some hospitals in Kano and Katsina States was evaluated in this study. This is to provide base line information on current effectiveness of commonly prescribed ACT drugs (Artemether-lumefantrine AL, Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine DHP, Artesunate-amodiaquine AA). Plasmodium falciparum isolates were identified by rapid diagnostic test (malaria HRP2 kit) and microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood films. One hundred and fifty (150) isolates (90 from kano and 60 collected from katsina) were successfully cultivated. In vitro antimalarial drug sensitivity test was carried out using Schizont growth inhibition assay. Fifty percent inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were calculated using Hn nonlin software and dose response curves. The results revealed that all the P. falciparum isolates were 100% sensitive to the three ACTs. The geometric mean IC50 values of the isolates were found to be below the resistance thresholds cut off values as 2.04+0.42nM, 3.67+0.4nM and 4.70+0.43nM for AL, DHP and AA respectively. This suggests that all the ACTs are still efficacious in the treatment of malaria in the two states. Further research is therefore, recommended to confirm these findings using in vivo and molecular approach.Keywords: ACTs, malaria, in vitro, Plasmodium falciparu

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus isolated from kindrimo (locally fermented milk) in Kano State, Nigeria

Silver nanoparticles have gained global popularity because of its application in crucial areas such as medical diagnosis/therapy, solar cell development, water treatment, surface coating and cosmetic production. Bacterial synthesis of silver nanoparticles is regarded as eco-friendly due to minimal waste generated while being energy efficient. This study was aimed at synthesizing silver nanoparticles using Lactobacillus specie isolated from Kindrimo under the influence of sunlight irradiation. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus isolated from Kindrimo was identified using morphological and biochemical techniques and confirmed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The eco-friendly protocol for the extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles was accomplished by treatment of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus extract with silver nitrate solution in the ratio 1:10 under the influence of sunlight irradiation. Synthesized silver nanoparticles were confirmed and characterized using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, Dynamic Light Scattering, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy. The absorbance spectrum preliminarily confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles by revealing characteristic broad peak at 415nm. Dynamic Light Scattering measurements further confirmed synthesis by showing average particle size distribution of 147nm. Micrograph of Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed that the synthesized silver nanoparticles were polyhedral and spherical in shape with size ranging 1.4 to 8.9nm. The elemental composition of the resultant colloidal solution was shown to contain silver nanoparticles when subjected to Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy. This study proved that the effect of sunlight irradiation on Lactobacillus mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles is energy efficient and inexpensive.Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; UV-Visible Spectrophotometry; Dynamic Light Scattering; Transmission Electron Microscopy; Energy Dispersion Spectroscop

Anxiety and depressive disorders among infertile women attending clinic in a Nigeria teaching hospital

Children are highly valued, and childlessness is culturally not acceptable in any typical sub-Saharan African community. Involuntary infertility is associated with significant distress and psychological disturbances, and different psychiatric disorders have been reported among women undergoing fertility treatment. This study aimed to determine prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders and factors that were predictive of these disorders among women with infertility problem that were attending clinic at a Northeastern Nigerian Teaching Hospital. The study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey of two hundred and seven adult women on treatment for infertility. Their sociodemographic variables were obtained by the use of pro formal questionnaire and clinical parameters were obtained from their case notes. Hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to determine the presence of anxiety and/or depression using cut-off point of 11. Eighty-five respondents had anxiety and/or depressive disorders which constituted 41.1% of the studied population. Fifty-seven respondents (27.5%) had anxiety disorders while fifty-three (25.6%) had depression and thirty-seven-people (17.9%) had co-morbidity for both disorders. The factors that were predictive of depression were: previous marriage, lack of support, stigmatizing behaviours, tuba-uterine factor as the cause of infertility and surgical method of treatment. Similarly, factors that were predictive of anxiety disorder were: stigmatizing behaviours and lack of supports. Others were long duration of infertility treatment and surgical treatment for infertility as against medical treatment. This study found high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among women on treatment for infertility and recommend that more attention be paid to their mental health.Keywords: infertility, anxiety disorder, depression, NigeriaAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (May, 2019); 157- 16

The prevalence and clinical pattern of infertility in Bauchi, northern Nigeria

Context: Infertility is a common condition and is now viewed as a global reproductive health issue. The causes of infertility vary widely, both among and within countries.Objectives: To describe the magnitude, pattern, aetiology, outcome of infertility and its associated factors in Bauchi, northern Nigeria.Methods: This was a prospective study of a cohort of infertile women who were recruited at the gynaecological clinics of ATBUTH and FMC, Azare, all in Bauchi State between July 2013 and June 2014. They were followed up till December 2014. A structured form was used to collect relevant clinical information on each participant's clinical presentation and outcome of management. Data were analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 20.Results: There were a total of 1850 new gynaecological cases out of which 443 were infertility cases. This gives a prevalence of infertility of 23.9% in the clinics. Of the 406 enrolled infertile women, 155 (38.2%) had primary infertility while 251 (61.8%) had secondary infertility. Tubal factor was the predominant cause accounting for 167 (46.1%) of infertility cases among the women. Women with a history of vaginal discharge, puerperal sepsis, induced abortion and pelvic surgery were more likely to have tubal factor infertility.Conclusion: Infertility is a common presentation in the clinics and the secondary type is predominant in this setting. The cause of infertility most commonly identified in the studied population was tubal factor and its best option of treatment is not available in the study area.Keywords: Infertility, Prevalence, Women, Nigeri

Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Interpretation: By quantifying levels and trends in exposures to risk factors and the resulting disease burden, this assessment offers insight into where past policy and programme efforts might have been successful and highlights current priorities for public health action. Decreases in behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks have largely offset the effects of population growth and ageing, in relation to trends in absolute burden. Conversely, the combination of increasing metabolic risks and population ageing will probably continue to drive the increasing trends in non-communicable diseases at the global level, which presents both a public health challenge and opportunity. We see considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in levels of risk exposure and risk-attributable burden. Although levels of development underlie some of this heterogeneity, O/E ratios show risks for which countries are overperforming or underperforming relative to their level of development. As such, these ratios provide a benchmarking tool to help to focus local decision making. Our findings reinforce the importance of both risk exposure monitoring and epidemiological research to assess causal connections between risks and health outcomes, and they highlight the usefulness of the GBD study in synthesising data to draw comprehensive and robust conclusions that help to inform good policy and strategic health planning

Antibacterial activity of local honey against Carbapenem Resistant enterobacteriaceae isolated from infected wounds

The increasing incidence of drug resistant organisms such as Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has resulted in difficulties in the management of infected wound. Integration of traditional medicine such as honey and modern antibiotics could be useful in the treatment of such infections. This research work is therefore aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity of local honey against CRE isolated from infected wounds. Four hundred wound swabs (surgical, burn, diabetic foot ulcer, osteomylitis, abscess and laceration wound swab) obtained from Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase hospital Kano were screen for the presence of CRE. The isolates were identified and confirmed using culture, biochemical and meropenem sensitivity test according to standard microbiological techniques. The antibacterial activity and MIC of the honey was evaluated using agar well diffusion and tube dilution method respectively. A total of 253 organisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae from 342 samples that yielded growth were identified. The isolates were Escherichia coli 54 (21.3%), Klebsiella species 92 (36.4%), Proteus species 36 (14.2%), Pseudomonas species 54 (21.3%) and Enterobacter species 17 (6.7%). The study revealed the incidence of CRE as 8.46%. The result of antibacterial activity of honey revealed activity at all concentration (12.5% to 100%) with the diameter of inhibition ranging from 10mm to 38 mm. The result also revealed that 81.8% isolated CRE were sensitive to the local honey with varied bacteriostatic activity. The MIC values of the honey were found in the range of 12.5- 50 %( V/V).The antibacterial activity of honey even at lower strength justify their efficacy in the treatment of wound infection. Honey can therefore serve as potential antimicrobial substance for control of wound infection caused by CRE. Key words: Activity, Honey, Wound, CRE, Agar-well diffusion

Bioethanol production from two varieties of mango kernel using co-culture of Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisiea

Production of bioethanol from solid waste such as mango kernel using microbial culture is an attractive option for waste management and substitute for fossil fuel. This study was carried out to produce ethanol from two varieties of mango kernel using cultures of Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis and Sacchromyces cerevisiae isolated from soil, fermented African locust bean (daddawa), palm wine respectively. The isolates were identified and confirmed using phenotypic identification techniques. The proximate composition of the mango kernels were evaluated using AOAC (2012) methods. The mango kernels ground into powder were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using co-culture of B. subtilis and A. niger. Analysis of reducing sugar residue was performed using Dinitrosalicyclic acid (DNS). Fermentation of the hydrolysates was carried out for 96 hours and the ethanol produced was quantified. The optimum conditions for ethanol production such as pH, temperature, substrate concentration and time of fermentation were determined. The proximate analysis revealed carbohydrate contents of 50.79% and 52.54% in Banginapalli and Benue mangoes, respectively. There is no significant difference (p>0.05) in the proximate composition of the mango kernels. The enzymatic hydrolysis revealed the reducing sugar content of 5.36g/L in Benue mango and 5.34g/L in Banginapalli mango after 5 days of hydrolysis. The fermentation of the hydrolysate of Benue mango yielded the highest quantity of ethanol (19.15%) with a fermentation efficiency of 37.47% after 72 hours fermentation. The results of optimization revealed that pH 4.5, temperature of 30oC, 30g substrate concentrations and fermentation period of 72 hours were the optimum condition for production of the bioethanol. The result of this work has shown that the two varieties of mango could serve as good raw materials in the production of bioethanol, thereby turning the mango waste to potential wealthKeywords: Bioethanol, Fermentation, Substrate, Waste