Antibiotic sensitivity of true and opportunistic pathogens in dental unit water lines

A total of 38 water samples were obtained from the dental unit water lines in three(3) hospital/clinics within Zaria, Nigeria viz: The Kaduna State Dental Clinic, Tudun Wada, University Health Services (Sick Bay), A.B.U. Zaria, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Nigeria and assessed for true and opportunistic pathogens. Sixteen (16) bacterial isolates consisting of five isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 11 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were recovered. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of K. pneumoniae showed that it was susceptible to gentamicin and nalidixic acid but resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, colistin and nitrofuratoin. Ps.aeruginosa was susceptible to gentamicin and colistin and resistant to streptomycin, ampicillin, nalidixic acid, cotrimoxazole and nitrofuratoin. These true and opportunistic pathogens may pose a health risk to the immuno- comprised patients visiting the dental clinic for surgery and other dental procedures

Prevalence of bacterial gastroenteritis in children attending daycare centers within Kaduna Metropolis

This research was carried out on Prevalence of bacterial gastroenteritis among children attending daycare centers within Kaduna Metropolis. Children between the age of 6-24 months were studied in Chukun Local Government, Kaduna South Local Government and Kaduna North Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Two Hundred and forty (240) stool specimens were collected from eight (8) Daycare centers, where thirty samples were collected from each centre. The samples collected were cultured on Eosin Ethylene blue agar, Salmonella Shigella agar, MacConkey and Nutrient agar. Out of the 240 stools samples collected, E. coli 40%, Salmonella enteric 10%, Shigella sp 6%, proteus sp 8%, Klebsiella pneumonia 6%, Entrobacter sp 5%, Erwinina sp 3%, Citrobacter sp 7%, Yersinia sp 2%, Serriatia sp 3%, Pseudomonas aeroginosa 2%, probidencia sp 1%, Morginella morganii 1%, Alcaligenes sp 1%. The bacteria isolated were found to be sensitive to most Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin and Ofloxacin, Pefloxacin, Chloranphenicol, tarivid, Colistin sulfate. The result obtained revealed that there could be public health breach in the maintenance and management of the Daycare centres within Kaduna Metropolis

Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii from diarrhoeic stools using Polymerase Chain Reaction in Kaduna, Nigeria

Background: Entamoeba species have been reported to cause a high morbidity and mortality rate. Aim: The study was aimed at detecting and differentiating E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii using molecular technique (PCR).Methods: Microscopic examination of the faecal samples was carried out by the Formol-Ether concentration technique. DNA was extracted from microscopic positive stool samples and used to amplify a part of the genus Entamoeba small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA), using the Nested Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (NM-PCR).Results: Of the 528 faecal samples, 46 (8.7%) were positive for Entamoeba by microscopy. The PCR results showed that out of the 46 microscopy positive samples, 16 (34.8%) successfully generated species-specific amplicons of Entamoeba species DNA. The infection with E. dispar (68.8%; 11/46) was the most common, followed by E. histolytica (37.5%; 6/46) and E. moshkovskii (18.8%; 3/46). Of these, 7 (43.8%) were shown to contain only E. dispar, 3 (18.8%) contained only E. histolytica and 2 (12.5%) contained only E. moshkovskii. Mixed infection with E. histolytica and E. dispar was found in 3 (18.8%) and E. dispar and E. moshkovskii in 1 (6.3%) sample.Conclusion: This study therefore highlighted the great importance of the use of molecular techniques to differentiate between E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii because it obviates unnecessary chemotherapy with possible costs, side effects and drug resistance. The use of PCR in the diagnosis of amoebiasis and epidemiological survey in Nigeria is thus recommended.Keywords: Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, DNA, Polymerase Chain Reaction, amoebiasi

Antibacterial activity of some powdered herbal preparations marketed in Kaduna metropolis

The aim of the study was to investigate the phytochemical components and the antibacterial activities of some powdered herbal medicinal preparations sourced from identified herbal shops and retail outlets in different parts of Kaduna metropolis. Extracts obtained from the herbal preparations were screened for the presence of secondary metabolites using established procedures. Also, antibacterial activities of the extracts were evaluated. Carbohydrates and tannins were identified in 105 (70%) and 101 (67.3%) of the samples respectively. Alkaloids were found in 97 (64.7%); saponins were detected in 91 (60.7%), while anthraquinones, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides were identified in 82 (54.7%), 80 (53.3%) and 60 (40%) of the herbal preparations respectively. All the methanolic extracts had inhibitory activities on the test bacterial isolates at various minimum inhibitory concentrations: 81 (54%) had inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, 74 (49.3%) on Escherichia coli, 74 (49.3%) on Salmonella typhi and 63 (42%) on Shigella spp. The uses of these products in herbal medicine are justified. However, further works are needed to identify the chemical nature of the active substances as well as their modes of actions on the bacterial cells and their roles in disease curing. Keywords: Herbal, medicinal, phytochemical, antibacteria

Detection of Genetic markers associated with Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance among malaria patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Malaria is a disease of public health concern in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by intracellular parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The aim of this study was to detect genetic markers associated with Plasmodium falciparum drug resistance among malaria patients in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional study that lasted from May 2018 to October 2018. Three hundred blood samples were collected from consenting individuals attending selected hospitals, in the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire were used to obtain relevant data from study participants. The blood samples were screened for malaria parasites using microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kit. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used for detection of the drug resistance genes. Pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhps and pfatpase6 genes were detected at expected amplicon sizes from the malaria positive samples. The pfatpase6 PCR amplicons were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was created to determine their relatedness. Result showed that Pfcrt (80%) had the highest prevalence, followed by pfdhfr (60%), pfmdr1 (36%) and pfdhps (8%). Pfatpase6 was also detected in 73.3% of the samples, and a phylogenetic tree showed relatedness between the pfatpase6  sequences in this study and those deposited in the GenBank. In conclusion, the study detected that Plasmodium falciparum genes were associated with drug resistance to commonly used antimalarials

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction technique in confirming urinary schistosomiasis among rice farmers in parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a prevalent water-based parasitic disease, ranking second to malaria and killing an estimated 280,000 people each year in the African region alone. The application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a technique was evaluated on filtered urine residues of 12 randomly selected rice farmers from some parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The urine samples were screened for ova of Schistosoma haematobium by microscopy after filtration using polycarbonate membrane filters (Sterlitech, Kent, WA, USA) of pore size 12 μm and 13 mm in diameter. Microscopy revealed a prevalence of 33.3% (4/12). All samples were further subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplification of the schistosome Dra1 repeat. PCR recorded an overall infectivity rate of 66.7% (8/12) among the rice farmers. Four out of the ova negative samples were confirmed to have the Dra1 repeat hence, making them positive for Schistosoma haematobium. Based on these findings, it can therefore be concluded that PCR can be especially useful in diagnosis of infections in nanograms. This will help in assessing the transmission potential of rice farmers living in low endemic areas and improve the effectiveness of surveillance of mass drug administration (MDA) control programmes as recommended by the World Health Organization.Keywords: PCR technique; schistomosiasis; rice farmer

Serological assay for Trichinella antibodies in slaughtered pigs and predisposing factors to trichinellosis in backyard piggeries in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria

Trichinellosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease that affects a large array of mammals, birds and reptiles caused by the eating of raw or undercooked pork containing Trichinella larvae. In this study, 200 pigs slaughtered at abattoirs and slaughter slabs within Kaduna Metropolis were  screened for antibodies to Trichinella excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). An overall prevalence rate of 16% was established. Age of the pigs revealed an association with trichinellosis (p-value=0.001) with juvenile and adult pigs recording prevalence rates of 5% and 11% respectively. Sex of the animals showed no significant association with trichinellosis but the females had a higher prevalence of 9.5% compared to the 6.5% of the males who had a greater odds (O=1.083) compared to the females (O=0.950). The farm management practices: intensive (1%), semi-intensive (2.5%) and extensive (12.5%) recorded a significant relationship with trichinellosis (p-value=0.001). Sources of the pigs whether markets, backyard farms or inheritance was significantly associated with trichinellosis (p-value=0.00) with backyard farm having the highest prevalence of 7%. Poor rodents control program, presence of snakes around and within piggery, feeding of pigs with dead animals and leftovers, lack of knowledge of pork-borne diseases, allowing pigs to scavenge and interaction of the pigs with stray pigs were very important predisposing factors to trichinellosis in pig farms established from this research. The result of this work therefore, is ofpublic health importance because meat and meat products are considered very important sources of daily protein in-take in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Keywords: Antibodies; ELISA; Kaduna Metropolis; Nigeria; trichinella; trichinellosis; predisposing factors; farm management

Serological survey of immunoglobulin g antibody among different populations with assymtomatic shedding of genital herpes in Katsina State

Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a significant public health problem being one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide and the leading cause of genital ulcerative disease that is common both in industrialized and developing countries. Therefore, a study on the serological survey of Immunoglobulins G antibody among different populations with asymptomatic shedding of genital herpes in Katsina State, north-western Nigeria was carried out. A total of 460 (86 HIV, 136 feverish patients, 125 pregnant women and 113 normal Individuals) blood samples were collected from six hospitals located across the three senatorial zones of the State. The serum was separated from the blood and used for the analysis. The participant’s socio-demographic information and clinical presentations were also noted with the aid of a questionnaire. Viral antibodies were detected by HSV-2 IgG ELISA Kits. The HSV-2 IgG was detected in 72.8% of the serum tested. The prevalence among patients presenting with fever was 70.6%, and it was 74.4% in the pregnant women. The prevalence in HIV positive patients was 75.6% while it was 73.5% in the apparently healthy individuals. There was a significant association between HIV positivity, feverish condition and HSV-2 prevalence. Higher prevalence was recorded at General Hospital Dutsinma 89.6% and there was a statistically significant association between prevalence and hospital studied. Generally, older participants were more vulnerable to HSV-2 infection than younger ones. There was no statistical significant association between sex of the participants and HSV-2 infection. None of the sociodemographic factors was significantly associated with HSV-2 infection except marital status. There was no significant association between socio-economic status, sexual activity, use of protection, number of sexual partners, clinical manifestation, level of education, and occupation of the participants with HSV-2 infection. The present study indicates that prevalence of HSV-2 appears to be relatively high and older participants were more vulnerable to HSV-2 infection in Katsina State. There is need for educating populace on HSV-2 infection and its mode of transmission to reduce the level of its spread between individuals in the population. Keywords: HSV-2; IgG; Genital; Serum; Antibody &nbsp