Carriage of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) among humans and animals in Nigeria: coexistence of the cfr, optrA, and poxtA genes in Enterococcus faecium of animal origin

Objectives: In contrast to increasing reports of the emergence of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) emanating from many countries in Europe, Asia, and North America, data on its status and dissemination from the African continent remain scarce, with the information available limited to countries in North Africa. This study investigated the carriage of LRE and the genetic mechanism of resistance among Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis strains recovered from humans and animals in Makurdi, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between June 2020 and July 2021 during which 630 nonduplicate human and animal faecal samples were collected and processed for the recovery of LRE. The genetic mechanisms for resistance were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Results: Linezolid-resistant enterococci were recovered from 5.87% (37/630; 95% CI: 4.17–8.00) of the samples, with the prevalence in animals and humans being 6.22% [(28/450); 95% CI: 4.17–8.87] and 5.00% [(9/180); 95% CI: 2.31–9.28], respectively. All isolates remained susceptible to vancomycin. No known point mutation mediating linezolid resistance was detected in the 23S rRNA and ribosomal protein genes; however, acquisition of one or more potentially transferable genes (cfr, optrA, and poxtA) was observed in 26 of the 37 LRE isolates. Co-existence of all three transferable genes in a single isolate was found in four E. faecium strains of animal origin. Conclusion: This study provides baseline evidence for the emergence and active circulation of LRE driven majorly by the acquisition of the optrA gene in Nigeria. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to report a co-carriage of all three transferable linezolid resistance determinants in E. faecium. Active LRE surveillance is urgently required to understand the extent of LRE spread across sub-Saharan Africa and to develop tailored mitigation strategies

Equine Dermatophytosis: A Survey of Its Occurrence and Species Distribution among Horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study was designed to determine the occurrence and species distribution of dermatophyte from cutaneous skin lesions of horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 102 skin scrapings were collected from 102 horses with skin lesions. Mycological studies were carried out using conventional techniques. Dermatophytes were isolated from 18 (17.6%) of the 102 samples collected. The 18 dermatophytes were distributed into 10 different species belonging to Microsporum (n=5) and Trichophyton (n=5) genera. T. verrucosum (n=4) was the most predominant species isolated followed by M. equinum (n=3), T. vanbreuseghemii (n=2), M. gypseum (n=2), and M. canis (n=2). Others include M. fulvum (n=2), T. mentagrophytes (n=1), T. equinum (n=1), T. soudanense (n=1), and M. gallinae (n=1). The present study reveals the occurrence of dermatophytes in cutaneous skin lesions of horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria. In addition for the first time in this environment the anthropophilic dermatophyte T. soudanense was isolated from horses. These findings have great economic, veterinary, and public health significance as they relate to the cost of treatment and dissemination of zoonotic dermatophytes

RABIES IN A SET OF EIGHT-WEEK OLD PUPPIES IN NIGERIA: THE NEED FOR REVIEW OF CURRENT DOG ANTIRABIES VACCINATION SCHEDULE

Background: Rabies is endemic in Nigeria with clinical cases reported mainly in dogs and occasionally in livestock from all the geo-ecological zones of the country. Detection of rabies virus antigen in puppies at the age of five to ten weeks and in apparently healthy dogs shedding the virus in their saliva have been reported in some parts of Nigeria. Material and Method: This report describes a clinical rabies in a set of eight weeks old puppies confirmed by antigen detection using the direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), the direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT), and RT-PCR. Results: it was positive for all test used including the RT-PCR which amplified at 750 bp from the gel electrophoresis. Conclusion: Occurrence of rabies in puppies of this age, within which they are acquired and owned by other unsuspecting members of the public, is of grave public health consequences. People that love puppies, especially children, who are fond of carrying and playing with them, are also faced with the risk of exposure to rabies. Consequently, review of the existing dog antirabies vaccination schedule at twelve weeks of age in Nigeria, is recommended to ensure effective immunization of this age group of dogs and for the overall safety of the vulnerable members of the public

Avian influenza (H5 subtype) antibodies in village chickens in four local government areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria

Aim: Biosecurity measures are rarely implemented in traditional farming systems especially in the villages. Given the importance of the village chickens as a source of income for rural families and its public health concern due to the frequent contact that exist between these birds and humans a study was conducted to assess the presence of antibodies to the H5 avian influenza virus subtype in village chickens in some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna State. Materials and Methods: A total of 480 sera samples were obtained from apparently healthy local chickens in five LGAs where the avian influenza outbreak has not been reported. The sera were subjected to the Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using the H5N2 avian influenza antigen. Results: An overall prevalence of 2.9% with an individual seroprevalence of 10%, 0.8%, 4.1% and 3.3% in Jaba, Jemma'a, Kaura and Zango Kataf local government areas respectively. There was no association between presence of pigs and detection of avian influenza antibodies, p=0.8723, OR 0.9153 (95% CI: 0.3108–2.695), but there was an association between presence of water birds (Gesse and Ducks) and detection of avian influenza antibodies, p= 0.0203, OR 3.488 (95% CI: 1.146–10.61). Conclusions: This result highlights the important role apparently healthy village chickens may play in virus perpetuation (reservoir) and in the spread of avian influenza to other animals and humans. An enhanced and sustained virological surveillance for the virus in village chickens was recommended. [Vet World 2012; 5(12.000): 713-717

Carriage of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) among humans and animals in Nigeria: coexistence of the cfr, optrA, and poxtA genes in Enterococcus faecium of animal origin

ABSTRACT: Objectives: In contrast to increasing reports of the emergence of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) emanating from many countries in Europe, Asia, and North America, data on its status and dissemination from the African continent remain scarce, with the information available limited to countries in North Africa. This study investigated the carriage of LRE and the genetic mechanism of resistance among Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis strains recovered from humans and animals in Makurdi, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between June 2020 and July 2021 during which 630 non-duplicate human and animal faecal samples were collected and processed for the recovery of LRE. The genetic mechanisms for resistance were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Results: Linezolid-resistant enterococci were recovered from 5.87% (37/630; 95% CI: 4.17–8.00) of the samples, with the prevalence in animals and humans being 6.22% [(28/450); 95% CI: 4.17–8.87] and 5.00% [(9/180); 95% CI: 2.31–9.28], respectively. All isolates remained susceptible to vancomycin. No known point mutation mediating linezolid resistance was detected in the 23S rRNA and ribosomal protein genes; however, acquisition of one or more potentially transferable genes (cfr, optrA, and poxtA) was observed in 26 of the 37 LRE isolates. Co-existence of all three transferable genes in a single isolate was found in four E. faecium strains of animal origin. Conclusion: This study provides baseline evidence for the emergence and active circulation of LRE driven majorly by the acquisition of the optrA gene in Nigeria. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to report a co-carriage of all three transferable linezolid resistance determinants in E. faecium. Active LRE surveillance is urgently required to understand the extent of LRE spread across sub-Saharan Africa and to develop tailored mitigation strategies

A Retrospective Study of the Seroprevalence of Dengue Virus and Chikungunya Virus Exposures in Nigeria, 2010–2018

Arboviruses are important public health threats in many regions of the world. Nigeria has experienced outbreaks of arboviruses over the past decades, leading to concerns of widespread endemicity, which are frequently misdiagnosed. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of dengue virus (DENV) (a flavivirus) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) (an alphavirus) infections in three major population centers of Nigeria. A convenience sample of 701 sera was collected from both healthy and febrile participants between August 2010 and March 2018. Sera were tested for prior exposure to CHIKV virus and DENV using indirect IgG ELISA. Results showed that 54.1% (379/701) of participants were seropositive for anti-DENV antibodies, 41.3% (290/701) were seropositive for anti-CHIKV antibodies, and 20.1% (141/701) had previous exposure to both. The seropositivity for prior CHIKV exposure and prior exposure to DENV and CHIKV was significantly associated with age (CHIKV: OR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7–4.3); DENV and CHIKV: OR = 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2–4.0) for adults compared to participants under 18 years old). Overall, the high seropositivity across all age groups suggests that arboviral infections are prevalent in Nigeria and indicates that surveillance and further epidemiological studies are required to determine the true burden of these infections and the spectrum of diseases associated with these exposures

Concurrent resistance to carbapenem and colistin among enterobacteriaceae recovered from human and animal sources in Nigeria is associated with multiple genetic mechanisms

Resistance to last resort drugs such as carbapenem and colistin is a serious global health threat. This study investigated carbapenem and colistin resistance in 583 non-duplicate Enterobacteriaceae isolates utilizing phenotypic methods and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Of the 583 isolates recovered from humans, animals and the environment in Nigeria, 18.9% (110/583) were resistant to at least one carbapenem (meropenem, ertapenem, and imipenem) and 9.1% (53/583) exhibited concurrent carbapenem-colistin resistance. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of carbapenem and colistin were 2-32 mu g/mL and 8 to >64 mu g/mL, respectively. No carbapenem resistant isolates produced carbapenemase nor harbored any known carbapenemase producing genes. WGS supported that concurrent carbapenem-colistin resistance was mediated by novel and previously described alterations in chromosomal efflux regulatory genes, particularly mgrB (M1V) ompC (M1_V24del) ompK37 (I70M, I128M) ramR (M1V), and marR (M1V). In addition, alterations/mutations were detected in the etpA, arnT, ccrB, pmrB in colistin resistant bacteria and ompK36 in carbapenem resistant bacteria. The bacterial isolates were distributed into 37 sequence types and characterized by the presence of internationally recognized high-risk clones. The results indicate that humans and animals in Nigeria may serve as reservoirs and vehicles for the global spread of the isolates. Further studies on antimicrobial resistance in African countries are warranted