Evaluation of a Chromogenic Medium for the Detection of ESBL with Comparison to Double Disk Synergy Test

Background: Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacterial strains are the major causes of nosocomial and community-acquired infections worldwide. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Brilliance ESBL Agar (BEA) (a chromogenic culture medium) for the detection of ESBL in comparison with Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) and confirm results from both methods by Single-plex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as gold standard. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli were screened for ESBL production using BEA & DDST from various clinical specimens. The antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method using Cefotaxime (30 µg) and Ceftazidime (30 µg) discs on Mueller Hinton agar. ESBL producing strains were detected phenotypically by DDST and BEA at 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Isolates screened by both methods were confirmed using PCR for the detection of blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX-M genes. Results: The prevalence of ESBL was 61%. The sensitivity and specificity of DDST at 24 h and 48hours incubation time was 91.3% and 89.5%, respectively. BEA showed an increase in sensitivity and specificity at 48 h with 97.8% and 98.0%, respectively. All ESBL producing strains detected by phenotypic tests were also found harboring ESBL genes (blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX-M) by PCR. Conclusion: The use of BEA in the screening of ESBL production was found to give much better results than DDST and can be used where PCR cannot be performed

Antifungal susceptibility and test for cure of candida species among vulvovaginal candidiasis patients in a secondary care hospital, Nigeria

Background: Antimicrobial resistance among Candida species is an intense public health concern. The aim of the study was to determine the antifungal susceptibility pattern and test for cure of Candida species among women of child bearing age who visited the General Hospital Onitsha, Nigeria with symptoms suggestive of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC).Materials and Methods: Eight hundred and seventy six female patients participated in the study of which high vaginal swabs were collected and evaluated mycological by standard microbiological methods: microscopic examination and culture using sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Susceptibility of isolates to 4 antifungal agents was tested using agar dilution method. Clinicomycological evaluation was also performed among the patients.Result: Higher minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to azole antifungals was observed predominantly among non-albicans Candida species increasingly involved in VVC. The rate of mycological resolution was higher than symptomatic relief at 2 weeks after treatment with antifungal drug.Conclusion: Efficacious treatment of VVC requires an adequate knowledge of the causative agents and more importantly the antimicrobial to which they exhibit high susceptibility.Keywords: Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Clinico- mycology, Antimicrobial resistance, Candida speciesSusceptibilite antifonique et test pour la cure d'especes de candida entre les patients de candidases vulvovaginales dans un hopital de soins secondaires, NigeriaContexte: La résistance aux antimicrobiens chez les espèces de Candida est un problème de santé publique intense. L'objectif de l'étude était de déterminer le schéma de susceptibilité aux antifongiques et le test de guérison des espèces de Candida parmi les femmes en âge de procréer qui ont visité l'hôpital général de Onitsha, au Nigeria, avec des symptômes suggérant une candidose vulvovaginale (VVC).Matériaux et méthodes: huit cent soixante-seize six patientes ont participé à l'étude des prélèvements vaginaux élevés collectés et évalués par mycologie par méthodes microbiologiques standard: examen microscopique et culture à l'aide de la gélose sabouraud dextrose (SDA). La susceptibilité des isolats à 4 agents antifongiques a été testée en utilisant une méthode de dilution en agar. Une évaluation clinico-mycologique a également été réalisée chez les patients.Résultat: une concentration minimale minimale d'inhibition (MIC) en anatoxines azoliques a été observée principalement chez les espèces non-albicans Candida de plus en plus impliquées dans VVC. Le taux de résolution mycologique était plus élevé que le soulagement symptomatique à 2 semaines après le traitement par un médicament antifongique.Conclusion: Un traitement efficace de la VVC nécessite une connaissance adéquate des agents causaux et, plus important encore, des antimicrobiens auxquels ils présentent une forte susceptibilité.Mots-clés: Candidiase Vulvovaginale, Clinico-mycologie, Résistance Antimicrobienne, Espèces Candid

Microbial Activity in Industrial Cutting Emulsions in the Tropical Environment

Bacterial strains were isolated from in-use metal cutting fluids from 5 locations in Nigeria. They were identified as species of Bacillus, Proteus, Enterobacter, Lactobacillus, Corynebacterium, Chromobacterium and Pseudomonas. Chromobacterium spp had the highest potential of utilizing the cutting fluid while Pseudomonas spp had the highest growth potential with n-dodecane. These isolates appeared to be the bacteria that pioneer the deterioration of metal cutting fluids in this environment

Get Rich Syndrome: Examining the Fight against Cybercrime in Enugu State, Nigeria

Despite the large scale provisions within the Nigerian legal framework that address the issue of cyber frauds, there is an alarming increase in cyber-offences in Nigeria. This necessitated the present study that employed semi-structured interviews to draw data from civil servants from grade level twelve and above and business owners aged 40 years and over [N = 34]. The study participants were recruited through a purposive sampling method and data were analyzed thematically. Results show that individuals and different organizations are often hit through direct hacking, malware planting, and many other more sophisticated means by cyber-criminals. The study calls for the Nigerian leaders to reach a consensus on the meaning of cyber fraud, the effects and roles each community must play to reach an agreed goal. Parents need to also balance euphoria in their children with training and preparations for the harsh environments in the real world

Evaluation of the Effects of Industrial Wastewater Discharge on Surface Water (A Case study of Nigeria Breweries Plc Enugu)

ABSTRACT The need to undertake an evaluative effect of industrial wastewater discharge on surface water with a case study of Nigerian Breweries Plc Enugu into the Ajali River was borne out of the need to ascertain the level of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total suspended Solids (TSS) etc and other characterized effluent been discharged into the water body that determines the level of use and quality of this water for irrigation purposes, human consumption and safe ecological habitation of aquatic lives. To achieve this, laboratory analysis was carried out on the Ajali River and the wastewater discharged from the industry and it was confirmed not to have exceeded the benchmark for required discharge of wastewater into streams and rivers as stipulated by some regulatory bodies. In conclusion, treatment measures and regulatory policies were suggested to checkmate the abuse of this water bodies and the danger it might likely pose to aquatic ecological system if regulatory standards were not complied with

Sequence Analysis Reveals Asymptomatic Infection with Mycoplasma Hominis and Ureaplasma Urealyticum Possibly Leads to Infertility in Females: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Genetic evidence of asymptomatic Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) infection associated with infertility among females is lacking because suitable high throughput molecular methods have not been applied. Objective: This study aimed to explore the occurrence of M. hominis and U. urealyticum in the genital tract of females with asymptomatic infection and infertility as well as determine their genetic relatedness. Materials and Methods: The study group included 100 asymptomatic females and 31 females diagnosed with infertility. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene following DNA extraction was performed directly from endo-cervical swabs. Phylogenetic analysis established the genetic linkage between the isolates from both groups. Results: In asymptomatic females, M. hominis and U. urealyticum were detected with a prevalence of 8% and 2% respectively. Among females with infertility, the prevalence was 6.45% and 3.23% for M. hominis and U. urealyticum respectively. In both groups, M. hominis occurred significantly more frequently. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct clusters in both groups: two with already characterized M. hominis and Ureaplasma species (28.6% of the overall Mycoplasma spp.) and one distinct cluster matched with U. urealyticum. Furthermore, all M. hominis from asymptomatic females clustered significantly with infertility contrary to U. urealyticum. The M. hominis cluster was significantly linked to two strains from China. Conclusion: The sequence analysis of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma in the genital tract of asymptomatic and infertile females showed significant association; therefore, it is paramount to consider them as possible etiologic agents of infertility and genital infection, especially when the etiology of infertility is unknown. Key words: Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Genetic linkage, Asymptomatic infections, Infertility