In vitro anticoccidial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Citrus aurantium L. against Eimeria tenella oocysts

This study was carried out to examine the anticoccidial effect of Citrus aurantium L ethanol leaf extract against the oocysts of Eimeria tenella isolated from broiler chickens. The fresh leaves of C. aurantium were collected from Emirate Garden, Katsina, authenticated, air-dried at room temperature, pulverised by milling and subjected to extraction. Sporulation inhibition bioassay was employed to examine the activity of C. aurantium ethanol extract on the sporulation of E. tenella oocysts. In this assay, deep well petri dishes containing 100 unsporulated oocysts were subjected to 2 ml of five different concentrations of the extract (2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg/ml) in triplicates while oocysts sporulated in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution (K2Cr2O7) and phenol served as control groups. The content of the Petri dishes was stirred to ensure adequate oxygenation. The experimental set-up was incubated at room temperature and examined after 24 and 48 hours for sporulation inhibition. The sporulated and unsporulated oocysts were determined by counting using the Mcmaster apparatus. Phytochemical screening of C. aurantium revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, carbohydrates, steroids and tannins. The result showed that ethanolic leaf extract of C. aurantium to possess anticoccidial activity against unsporulated oocysts of E. tenella in a concentration-dependent manner. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the sporulation inhibition activity, with the highest (97 ± 0.8%) at 30 mg/ml and the lowest activity (8 ± 1.0%) at 2.5 mg/ml concentration of the extract after 48 hours of incubation. There was a general trend of sporulation inhibition with an increase in the concentration of the plant extract. The findings from this study showed ethanol leaf extract of C. aurantium possesses a remarkable In vitro anticoccidial effect that may be further scientifically explicated

Prevalence and Antibiogram Pattern of Some Nosocomial Pathogens Isolated from Hospital Environment in Zaria, Nigeria

Many ordinary surfaces and hands of healthcare givers in hospitals are sometimes inadequately decontaminated with routine disinfection techniques. It is necessary to determine the distribution of these pathogens in the hospitals. In this study 160 swab samples were collected from ten different surfaces including nurses’ hand swab, Nurses’ table top, door knob/handle, toilet seat, operation table, sink, stretcher, floor, bedrail, and cupboard. Biochemical tests were used to identify the bacteria. Kirby-Bauer-Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) modified single disc diffusion technique was used to determine the antibiogram profile of the pathogens at 0.5 scale McFarland’s standard (1.5 × 108 cells/ml). The total percentage prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus was 50.80%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 28.60% and Escherichia coli 20.60%. Out of 20.60% of E. coli isolates7.7% were found to be E. coli O157:H7. S. aureus isolates were highly resistant to ampcillin and cefoxitin P. aeruginosa and E. coli were resistant to tetracycline. The multiple antibiotic resistance indexes of the pathogens were more than 0.2. Among the isolates, S. aureus showed more multidrug resistance (31.30%) and E. coli had the least multidrug. Frequently touched surfaces within the hospital environment are contaminated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These pathogens can be transfer from surfaces to patients and to surfaces again through healthcare workers. The widespread use of antimicrobials, especially over- or inappropriate use of antibiotics, has contributed to an increased incidence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. 

Evaluation of Nitrate Reductase Assay for Detection of Multi-drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among Patients at National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Zaria Nigeria

Aims: To evaluate nitrate reductase assay for detection of multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis among patients at National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Zaria Nigeria. Study Design: Hospital based cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Zaria Nigeria from December 2015 to June 2016. Methodology: A total of 437 re-treatment patients’ samples were screened for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB), 72 were smear positive. Out of 72 smears positive, 62 were culture positive, using Lowenstein Jensen medium, 57 were found to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) using immunochromatographic test. In this study the susceptibility of 57 MTBC isolates to isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), streptomycin (STR) and Ethambutol (EMB) was determined by Lowenstein Jensen proportion method (LJPM) and Nitrate Reductase Assay (NRA) Results: The sensitivity and specificity of NRA compared to that of LJPM were observed to be 98% and 89%, 98% and 92%, 64% and 80%, 68% and 77% for RIF, INH, STR, and EMB respectively. Positive predictive values were 91%, 93%, 87% and 83% for RIF, INH, STR and EMB respectively. Negative predictive values were 80%, 92%, 67% and 90% for RIF, INH, STR and EMB respectively .Overall, the sensitivity, specificity ,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of NRA in detecting MDR-TB were 90%,82%,85%and 73% respectively. Good agreement was found in all the tests with κ values of 0.63, 0.61, 0.61 and 0.62 for RIF, INH, EMB and MDR-TB respectively only STR shows moderate agreements with k value of 0.59. Conclusion: In the emergence of MDR-TB, the NRA may be of great importance due to its higher sensitivity and specificity for the rapid detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance, the two most important drugs for tuberculosis treatment. On the basis of our findings, NRA has the potential to be a useful tool for accurate detection of MDR-TB in the study area

ANTIMICROBIAL SUSEPTIBILITY OF NEISSERRIA GONORRHOEAE ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS ATTENDING VARIOUS CLINICS IN PAMBEGUWA, KADUNA STATE.

Antimicrobial resistant strains of gonococcal isolates have spread in many developing countries. In most African countries, the susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is rarely tested. The antimicrobial susceptibility of one hundred and eight (108) Neisseria gonorrhoeae was therefore determined. Of the 108 isolates tested, 80 (74.07%) were resistant to penicillin, 74 (68.5%) were resistant to ampicillin. The resistance profiles for the remaining antibiotics tested were as follows: Erythromycin (58.3%), Tetracycline (62%) and gentamicin (25.9%). All the isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, cefuroxime and ofloxacin. Of the 80 penicillin resistant strains, 65 (81.3%) were penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Penicillin against 9 gonococcal isolates, Ampicillin against 5 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates and Tetracycline against 2 gonococcal isolates was 32.0µg/ml. A total of 108 isolates were susceptible to 0.125µg/ml of ceftriaxone, cefuroxime and ofloxacin respectively. The high prevalence of PPNG and multiple drug resistance strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is associated with self-medication and sexual interaction between commercial sex workers (CSWs) resident in Pambeguwa and the long-distance truck drivers. Antimicrobial susceptibility test should be carried out on every gonococcal isolate obtained to ensure effective therapy. The present study was undertaken to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of gonococcal isolates recovered from patients in Pambeguwa,Kaduna state, Nigeria

Association of Chlamydia serology with HIV in Nigerian women

This research was carried out to detect the presence of Chlamydia in pregnant women and gynaecologic patients in the North-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Blood samples were collected and analysed by ELISA techniques. The blood samples were also screened for HIV infection. A sero-prevalence of 59.0% was recorded for the study area. The sero-prevalence was higher among the gynaecologic patients (62.0%) than the pregnant women (57.5%). The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0001). Of the four centers chosen for the study, the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) had the highest prevalence (84.7%), while Niger State had the least (28.7%). The difference was also statistically significant (P<0.0001). The prevalence rate of HIV among the participants in the study center was found to be 17.2%. Abuja had the highest prevalence rate of 24.6%, followed by Benue, 16.7%, then Kogi, 12.0% and finally, Niger, 4.7%. Chlamydia was found to be associated with HIV (p<0.0001). The sero-prevalence of chlamydia in the North-Central zone of Nigeria was found to be high. Chlamydia was found to be correlated with HIV in the study area and may have contributed to the zone emerging with the highest HIV prevalence in the country. For an infection that is largely asymptomatic but has devastating effects on populations, only a preventive approach would have beneficial effects in controlling the disease and its effects on women’s health in the country.Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis, HIV, pregnant women, gynaecologic patients, co-infectio

Prevalence of Trichomonas Infection among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Trichomoniasis has emerged to be one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Methods: High vaginal swabs (HVS) were collected from randomly selected 300 women attending antenatal clinics in three public health facilities within Zaria. Results: The prevalence of trichomoniasis amongst three hundred randomly selected women attending three antenatal clinics in Zaria was determined by the direct wet mount examination and culture techniques on high vaginal specimens collected with sterile swabs. Of the total patients screened for trichomoniasis, there was an18.66% prevalence rate 35.71% of which were diagnosed by direct microscopic examination of HVS wet mount preparations. The infection rate was highest among the age group of 16-25 year \u2013which had a prevalence rate of 53.57% followed by the 26-35 year age group with 32.14%. Conclusions: The high recovery rate obtained in this study demonstrates the importance of employing both direct microscopic examinations of wet mount preparation and culture techniques in the diagnosis of trichomoniasis. These findings also confirm the advantage of using culture techniques over the wet mount direct microscopic examination of HVS in the diagnosis of this disease.Introduction: La trichomonase est devenue comme des infections sexuellement transmissible le plus ordinaire. M\ue9thodes: Tampons vaginal \ue9lev\ue9 (TVE) ont \ue9t\ue9s collection\ue9s chez 300 femmes choisises au hasard qui consultent des cliniques ant\ue9natales dans trois centres hospitaliers publiques \ue0 Zaria. R\ue9sultats: La fr\ue9quence de la trichomonase chez trois cents femmes choisises au hasard qui consultent trois cliniques ant\ue9natales \ue0 Zaria \ue9tait d\ue9cid\ue9e par l'examen mouill\ue9 mount directe et techniques de la culture sur des sp\ue9cimens \ue9lev\ue9s vaginal collectionn\ue9s avec tampons st\ue9rile. Parmi toutes les patientes s\ue9lection\ue9es pour la trichomonase, il y avait 18,66% taux de la fr\ue9quence de 35,71% parmi lesquels ont \ue9t\ue9 diagnostiqu\ue9s par examen microscopiques directe de TVE pr\ue9parations mouill\ue9es mounte. Le taux de l'infection \ue9tait le plus \ue9lev\ue9 chez la tranche d'\ue2ge de 16 \u2013 25 ans qui avait un taux de la fr\ue9quence de 53,57% suivie par la tranche d'\ue2ge de 26 \u2013 35 avec 32,14%. Conclusion: Le taux \ue9lev\ue9 de la qu\ue9rison obtenue dans cette \ue9tude indique l'importance de l'utilisation de la pr\ue9paration d'examen microscopique mount mouill\ue9 directe et technique de la culture dans le diagnostique de la trichomonase les deux. Ces r\ue9sultats \ue9galement confirment l'avantage microscopique du mount mouill\ue9 directe de TVE dans le diagnostique de cette maladie

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of anterior abdominal wall defects in sub Saharan Africa; simple but often missed

Background: Congenital anterior abdominal wall defects (AAWD) is a spectrum of abdominal wall defects that includes omphalocele, gastroschisis, bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy, prune belly syndrome and pentalogy of Cantrell. Early Prenatal diagnosis of AAWD provides opportunity for abnormal karyotypes screening and planned delivery in a specialized centre. Ultrasound can detect these defects during pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the detection rate of AAWD during routine obstetric ultrasonography in our region.Methods: A retrospective study of all patients that presented with AAWD to our centre from January 2008 to July 2020. Data included patient’s age, sex, birth weight, diagnosis, resuscitation time, outcome, maternal age, parity and antenatal ultrasound scan (USS) records. Antenatal USS before 12 weeks only, were excluded. Data analysed using excel.Results: Of the 140 with AAWD, 84.29% had omphalocele, 10% gastroschisis, 2.14% prune belly syndrome and 0.71% each with bladder exstrophy, cloacal exstrophy and pentalogy of Cantrell. There were 123 booked pregnancies. Majority (112) had antenatal care elsewhere while 11 attended our Centre. Ultrasonography of 108 pregnancies scanned at12 weeks or beyond, had 4 confirmed prenatal diagnosis of AAWD. All done in our centre. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 24weeks. Outcome was rupture1 (25%) and 25% mortality (prenatally diagnosed) and 51.92% mortality for patients with missed diagnosis.Conclusions: Our obstetric ultrasound detection rate of AAWD is very low. There is a need for improvement in training to improve perinatal care of these defects

Re-calculating the cost of coccidiosis in chickens

Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria species parasites, has long been recognised as an economically significant disease of chickens. As the global chicken population continues to grow, and its contribution to food security intensifies, it is increasingly important to assess the impact of diseases that compromise chicken productivity and welfare. In 1999, Williams published one of the most comprehensive estimates for the cost of coccidiosis in chickens, featuring a compartmentalised model for the costs of prophylaxis, treatment and losses, indicating a total cost in excess of £38 million in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1995. In the 25 years since this analysis the global chicken population has doubled and systems of chicken meat and egg production have advanced through improved nutrition, husbandry and selective breeding of chickens, and wider use of anticoccidial vaccines. Using data from industry representatives including veterinarians, farmers, production and health experts, we have updated the Williams model and estimate that coccidiosis in chickens cost the UK £99.2 million in 2016 (range £73.0–£125.5 million). Applying the model to data from Brazil, Egypt, Guatemala, India, New Zealand, Nigeria and the United States resulted in estimates that, when extrapolated by geographical region, indicate a global cost of ~ £10.4 billion at 2016 prices (£7.7–£13.0 billion), equivalent to £0.16/chicken produced. Understanding the economic costs of livestock diseases can be advantageous, providing baselines to evaluate the impact of different husbandry systems and interventions. The updated cost of coccidiosis in chickens will inform debates on the value of chemoprophylaxis and development of novel anticoccidial vaccines

Community-based intervention is necessary for the control of HIV in North-Central Nigeria.

Objectives: To determine factors associated with the observed high prevalence of HIV in North-Central Nigeria. Methods: In a cross-sectional multisite study conducted in 2007, behavioral, medical, and demographic data were obtained from pregnant women (N = 1011) who were tested for the presence of antibody against HIV-1 and HIV-2. Results: The overall prevalence of HIV-1 in the 1011 women included in the study was 10.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.4–12.2). In the multivariate analysis, HIV-1 seropositivity was significantly associated with women from the Makurdi (odds ratio (OR) 31.3, 95% CI 3.8–255.7) and Minna (OR 15.4, 95% CI 1.7–135.1) sites in comparison with Panyam site. The presence of tuberculosis (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.4–48.3) was also significantly associated with HIV-1 seropositive status. Factors associated with HIV-1 also differed between sites. The presence of antibody against HIV-2 was not observed. Conclusions: The high HIV-1 prevalence observed in this study corroborates previous observations in North-Central Nigeria. Disparity in the prevalence across communities was also seen. This is the only detailed socio-epidemiological and behavioral study that has explored potential factors associated with HIV-1 in North-Central Nigeria, and it revealed that differences in risk factors explain the disparity in prevalence across communities