Genotypic detection of extended spectrum beta lactamases from selected bacterial isolates in the Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria

There are numerous reported cases of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae in Nigeria, with little effort done on the molecular detection. Epidemiological studies around the world have investigated the prevalence of ESBL-producing enterobacteriaceae and they have seen multiple mechanisms of drug-resistance. Our study was designed to detect ESBLs genes such as CTX-M, SHV, and TEM using PCR from clinical isolates in a tertiary hospital in Sokoto metropolis. Clinical isolates from the Microbiology laboratory of the tertiary hospital was collected for 3 months. These isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods. They were tested against 8 antibiotics using the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Multidrug resistant isolates were screened for ESBL production, and further confirmed by the Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST). Genotypic confirmation was carried out using multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A total of 47 isolates made up of 21 E. coli (44.6%), 13 Klebsiella spp (27.6%), 7 Salmonella spp (14.9%), 5 Proteus mirabilis (10.6%), and 1 Enterobacter spp (2.1%) were obtained from urine, stool, and wound swab. Out of the 47 isolates, (45) 95.7% were multidrug resistant. Twenty-five (53.2%) were potential ESBL producers, while only 5 (20.0%) were confirmed phenotypically using a DDST. PCR results revealed 4 out of 5 of the isolates were possessing ESBL genes. It also revealed that 3 isolates co-produce TEM and SHV at 403bp and 293bp respectively. Only 1 isolate produced CTX-M gene at 569bp. The prevalence of ESBL production in the Gram negative enterobacteriaceae in our study did not indicate a high prevalence as reported by some studies in Sokoto and Northwest Nigeria.Keywords: Molecular detection, ESBLs, Clinical isolates, PC

Correlation Between Climate Indicators and COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa

This study examines the relationship between climatic indicators (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) and the spread of COVID-19 using weekly data of confirmed cases and death rates from 3/25/2020 to 12/30/2020 for Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana. Using an ex-post research design and descriptive method of analysis, the results of the study confirm evidence of correlation between climatic variables and the spread of the COVID-19 virus among the three selected countries. However, the policy recommendation that emanates from this study is that climate mitigation policies can be promoted as pandemic prevention policies, thus making a stronger case for their implementation to forestall future reoccurrence

PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF ATRIAL ARRHYTHMIAS

This issue provides a clinical overview of atrial arrythmias, focusing on their pharmacological management which has developed diversely over the last decades. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia diagnosed in clinical practice. Rhythm and rate strategies are considered equivalent for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Moreover, both strategies are intended for improving symptoms and quality of life. There are mostly channel blockers affecting the sodium and potassium channels to prevent rhythm generation or delay its propagation. Maintaining a heart rate of 60-80 bpm at rest or < 115 during exercise is essential for normal body function. The ventricular heart rate control is done using drug categories such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, cardiac glycosides and others.egységes, osztatlanáltalános orvosango