Isolation of pathogenic strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from mobile phones in a tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria

The health implications of mobile phones emission have been a matter of concern to health practitioners for decades but little or no attention has been given to the mobile phones as potential fomites for pathogens. This study isolated and characterised methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on mobile phones of students in a tertiary institution in Ibadan, Nigeria. One hundred swab samples were obtained from the surfaces of mobile phones of students in a cross-sectional study conducted between July and August, 2019. Presumptive staphylococci were isolated on mannitol salt agar and identities were confirmed by standard biochemical test and Gram-staining. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by disc-diffusion method and mecA or mecALGA251, tsst-1, eta and etb genes screened by PCR technique. Among the 200 presumptive S. aureus isolated, 163 (81.5%) were confirmed as S. aureus exhibiting resistance to ofloxacin (1.8%), gentamicin (3.7%), ceftriaxone (29.4%), ceftazidime (57.7%), cefoxitin (61.3%), cefuroxime (64.4%), erythromycin (85.3%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (86.5%) and cloxacillin (92%). Proportion of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) were 61.3% and 38.7% respectively with significant difference in their level of antibiotic resistance to the cephalosporins (excluding ceftriaxone), penicillins, erythromycin and ofloxacin (p<0.05). All the MRSA strains were multidrug resistant (MDR) harbouring mecA or mecALGA251 (56.3%), tsst-1 (56.3%), etb (31.3%) and eta (12.5%) genes. This study detected a high proportion of methicillin-resistant, virulent S. aureus as fomites on surfaces of mobile phones among students of a tertiary institution. This is of public health concern and thus requires strong public education to avoid imminent spread and outbreaks

Characteristics and Blood Pressure Profile of Goitre Patients in A Tertiary Hospital in South-West Nigeria

Background: Goitre remains endemic in iodine deficient areas of the world despite widespread introduction of iodine fortified food. In Nigeria, it is the second most common condition in endocrinology clinic. There is a therefore a need to document the blood pressure profile and clinical characteristics of this condition.Objective: This study assessed the clinical characteristics, biochemical and blood pressure profile of patients with goitre in the study area and assessed their knowledge and practice of preventive measures against goitre.Methodology: A comparative study of 103 adults with goitres and 103 healthy controls. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used and venous blood samples were obtained for analyses. Variables of interest included socio-demographic, anthropometric, thyroid function, and blood pressure.Results: The mean age of the goitre group was 46.92 ± 13.85 years with 86.4% carrying the swelling for up to 5 years. Anthropometric parameters, social habits, knowledge, and practice of the preventive role of iodized salt were similar between the goitre and control&nbsp; groups. Forty-six percent of the goitrous subjects were hyperthyroid. Weight and BMI were significantly higher among the hypothyroid subgroup (p&lt;0.001), with subjects in the hyperthyroid subgroup having significantly higher pulse rate and systolic blood pressure&nbsp; (p&lt;0.001). The hypothyroid subgroup had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure and lower pulse pressure (p&lt; 0.001).Conclusion: This study concluded that patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were more likely to have elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Routine cardiovascular status check is therefore important in goitrous patients