Prevalence Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci Among Apparently Healthy Students Attending A Tertiary Institution In Benin City, Nigeria

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) among apparently healthy students of a tertiary institution in Benin City, Nigeria. A total of 350 students were recruited for the study and nasal swabs were collected alongside demographic data. These swabs were processed microbiologically using standard techniques to recover staphylococci. Antimicrobial susceptibility and methicillin-resistance was determined using a phenotypic method (cefoxitin resistance). A total of 148 (42.3%) of 350 students were culture positive for S. aureus, while 72 (20.6%) were positive for CoNS. Students from Faculty of Dentistry showed the highest prevalence of nasal MRSA (40.0%) and MRCoNS (20.0%). Ofloxacin and gentamicin were the most active antibacterial agents against MRSA with 89.1% and 87.3% respectively been susceptible, while gentamicin was the most active antibiotic against MRCoNS (75.0%). Nasal colonization by MRSA and MRCoNS was unaffected by area of residence and gender (P > 0.05). The nasal carriage rate of MRSA and MRCoNS was 37.2% and 33.3% respectively. The study recommends periodic review of nasal colonization rates among apparently healthy subjects. Regulated use of antimicrobial agents is imperative in order to stem the tide of resistance. Keywords: Methicillin-resistance, Staphylococci, Students, Antibiotic

Effects of Urban Sprawl on Meningococcal Meningitis Incidence in Kaduna Urban Area, Nigeria

Meningococcal meningitis is an airborne disease that has overwhelmed the lives of many people for over a century now. There are factors that are connected to the spread of the disease. They include level of income, social behavior, housing condition, climate, environment and urbanization. The “African meningitis belt” which is a region located around west Africa is the most plagued by the disease. This study aims at exploring the deviational distribution and standard distance in relation to the effects that the urban sprawl has on the spatial pattern of the spread of the disease in Kaduna urban area. The Meningococcal meningitis reported cases (confirmed and unconfirmed) were used for the study and it was sourced from the public and private hospitals within Kaduna urban area. For each of those years, satellite images (quick bird) were used by digitizing the urban lands and comparing all the years together. Directional distribution and standard distance analysis were conducted using spatial statistical tools in ArcGIS 10.1. The results of the digitized imageries, the directional distribution, and the standard distance were analyzed so as to determine the relationship between urbanization and the disease spread. It was observed from the result that those years that had higher sprawl are more affected by the disease. Keywords: Spatial Pattern, Meningococcal meningitis, Urban sprawl, Directional Distribution, Standard Distanc

A New Formula for Groundwater Recharge Estimation in Yola, Nigeria

In this paper,relationship between rainfall and groundwater recharge estimation was evaluated. A standard numerical formula that relates rainfall to groundwater recharge estimation was proposed with the aim of providing error-free groundwater estimate from rainfall. Rainfalls measured in a selected location in Yola, Nigeria and standard formula were used to fix the constants (A,B and c) in the new numerical formula using Microsoft Excel Solver. The constants were used to establish new numerical formula. The new numerical formula was used to estimate groundwater recharge from the rainfall. The accuracy of the new numerical formula was evaluated statistically using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), relative error; the degree of accuracy, numerical reliability, Model of Selection Criterion (MSC) and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and compared with the previous formulae in use for field groundwater recharge estimation with Uttar Pradesh (UP) as the reference value of groundwater recharge. The study revealed that groundwater recharge estimated using the formula was similar to groundwater recharge estimated using standard formulae (UP, Modified Chaturvedi, Kumar and Seethapathi and Rao). In all cases there were significant differences between the groundwater recharge estimated using all the formulae. The new formula provided the lowest relative error of 0.887%, the highest MSC of 4.911; the degree of accuracy of 99.113 % and the lowest AIC of 436.306.  The accuracy of the formulae was in the order of new formula greater than Chaturvedi formula greater than Kumar and Seethapathi formula greater than Rao formula. It was concluded that modelling of groundwater recharge using the numerical formula is a promising tool for estimating groundwater recharge with minimum error in water resources management

Review of patients with chronic suppurative otitis media in the National Ear care centre, Kaduna Nigeria.

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the most common condition presenting to Otolaryngological clinics, often patients present late with consequent complications that require surgical intervention. This study aimed to review the mode of clinical presentation, modality and outcome of treatment of CSOM seen at NECC Kaduna. Methodology:This was a retrospective study carried out in the National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna for a period of 3 years; from January 2016 - December 2018. Results: Two hundred and thirty-four patients with CSOM were studied. There were 127 males and 107 females making M: F =1.2:1. The age range was from 8-60years with a mean age of 26.5±12.6years. The age group 11-20 (31.2%) had the highest number. Majority presented with hearing loss and ear discharge 228(97.4%) and 182(77.8%) respectively. Other symptoms were otalgia, tinnitus, vertigo and nasal symptoms. Eleven (4.7%) had complications at presentation. Ninety-two (39.3%) had surgery, 64 had only aural toileting and dressing with topical antibiotic with recorded success as majority achieved dry ear, while 38 patients were lost to follow up. Postoperative complications include; loss of taste sensation, facial nerve palsy, recurrent/persistent ear discharge, persistent dizziness, and infection of the donor site and no mortality was recorded. Conclusion: One-third of the patients who benefitted from surgery had a good outcome and for those with conservative treatment, the majority achieved dry ear. Early presentation is advised to avoid complications

Incidence of organophosphate and carbamate poisoning in dogs within Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria

The persistent application of chemicals in pest control and agricultural processes possess a public health concern as their use are often associated with acute or chronic poisoning cases in both humans and animals. In veterinary medicine, pesticides such as organophosphates and carbamates are exclusively used in ectoparasitic control through pour on, tick bath and fumigation. The incidence of organophosphate or carbamate poisoning in dogs within Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria was assessed using three government approved and licensed veterinary centres. Data were obtained through the review of three years (2016-2018) retrospective cases of organophosphate/carbamate poisoning and administration of questionnaires to actively practising veterinarians. Investigation revealed that organophosphate/carbamate poisoning in dogs within Maiduguri metropolis constituted 37% of poisoning cases and was on the increase in recent years with 22.96% of the total cases reported in 2016, 34.08% in 2017 and 42.96% in 2018. The case was most prevalent at the peak of the rainy season around July and August. The common clinical signs observed include salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, severe weakness and paralysis. Management was usually supportive and symptomatic while antidotal therapy revolved on atropine sulphate only. The effect of ageing in organophosphate poisoning was neglected by most of the clinicians as more than 50% would administer atropine sulphate without considering the duration of the onset of poisoning. It was concluded that the incidence of organophosphate and carbamate poisoning in dogs in Maiduguri constituted 37% of all poisoning cases where 22.96% and 42.96% of it were reported in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Enlightenment programmes for the public and professionals are recommended on the increased cases of poisoning and proper use of antidote in the treatment of chemical toxicosis

Sustainable use of natural and chemical coagulants for contaminants removal from palm oil mill effluent : a comparative analysis

This article aimed at determining the optimum coagulant dose for various coagulants. This is to ascertain coagulant with the potential for higher removal of contaminants. By fixing the initial pH, settling time, coagulant aid dose, rapid mixing speed & time, slow mixing speed & time as constant parameters, the study assessed the process efficiency in terms of percentage removals for TSS, oil & grease, COD, NH3-N, turbidity and colour. The results indicated that the optimum dosage for FeCl3, moringa oleifera, aluminum sulphate, chitosan and zeolite was found to be 1000, 2000, 4000, 400 and 1000 mg/L, respectively. Results were analysed using the one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17 where P-values for all contaminants tested across various coagulants and their dosages found to be <0.05. Thus, the null hypothesis is discredited which indicate there is significant improvement in the removal efficiencies

Evaluation of the physical, chemical, bacteriological and trace metals concentrations in different brands of packaged drinking water

—Human survival largely depends on potable water quality. This study used current analytical procedures and compared with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) drinking water specification to evaluate the physio-chemical and microbiological characteristics of fifteen packaged water brands that are available locally. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine trace metals while instrumental techniques determined the physical and chemical parameters. The evaluation focused on the pH, colour, total dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, fluoride, chloride, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium. In all the samples examined, chromium, manganese, cadmium, and copper were not detected. However, total bacterial counts were discovered in samples (S1, S2, S3, B1 and B2) with values of 2, 3, 5, 3 and 1 cfu/100 ml, respectively. Packaged water containing these type and quantity of bacteria are not fit for consumption by human beings. It requires the most appropriate techniques for processing

Immunoglobulin, glucocorticoid, or combination therapy for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: a propensity-weighted cohort study

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a hyperinflammatory condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, has emerged as a serious illness in children worldwide. Immunoglobulin or glucocorticoids, or both, are currently recommended treatments. Methods: The Best Available Treatment Study evaluated immunomodulatory treatments for MIS-C in an international observational cohort. Analysis of the first 614 patients was previously reported. In this propensity-weighted cohort study, clinical and outcome data from children with suspected or proven MIS-C were collected onto a web-based Research Electronic Data Capture database. After excluding neonates and incomplete or duplicate records, inverse probability weighting was used to compare primary treatments with intravenous immunoglobulin, intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, or glucocorticoids alone, using intravenous immunoglobulin as the reference treatment. Primary outcomes were a composite of inotropic or ventilator support from the second day after treatment initiation, or death, and time to improvement on an ordinal clinical severity scale. Secondary outcomes included treatment escalation, clinical deterioration, fever, and coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN69546370. Findings: We enrolled 2101 children (aged 0 months to 19 years) with clinically diagnosed MIS-C from 39 countries between June 14, 2020, and April 25, 2022, and, following exclusions, 2009 patients were included for analysis (median age 8·0 years [IQR 4·2–11·4], 1191 [59·3%] male and 818 [40·7%] female, and 825 [41·1%] White). 680 (33·8%) patients received primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, 698 (34·7%) with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, 487 (24·2%) with glucocorticoids alone; 59 (2·9%) patients received other combinations, including biologicals, and 85 (4·2%) patients received no immunomodulators. There were no significant differences between treatments for primary outcomes for the 1586 patients with complete baseline and outcome data that were considered for primary analysis. Adjusted odds ratios for ventilation, inotropic support, or death were 1·09 (95% CI 0·75–1·58; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids and 0·93 (0·58–1·47; corrected p value=1·00) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Adjusted average hazard ratios for time to improvement were 1·04 (95% CI 0·91–1·20; corrected p value=1·00) for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids, and 0·84 (0·70–1·00; corrected p value=0·22) for glucocorticoids alone, versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Treatment escalation was less frequent for intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids (OR 0·15 [95% CI 0·11–0·20]; p<0·0001) and glucocorticoids alone (0·68 [0·50–0·93]; p=0·014) versus intravenous immunoglobulin alone. Persistent fever (from day 2 onward) was less common with intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids compared with either intravenous immunoglobulin alone (OR 0·50 [95% CI 0·38–0·67]; p<0·0001) or glucocorticoids alone (0·63 [0·45–0·88]; p=0·0058). Coronary artery aneurysm occurrence and resolution did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Interpretation: Recovery rates, including occurrence and resolution of coronary artery aneurysms, were similar for primary treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin when compared to glucocorticoids or intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoids. Initial treatment with glucocorticoids appears to be a safe alternative to immunoglobulin or combined therapy, and might be advantageous in view of the cost and limited availability of intravenous immunoglobulin in many countries. Funding: Imperial College London, the European Union's Horizon 2020, Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Foundation, UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, and National Institutes of Health

Rapid outbreak sequencing of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone identifies transmission chains linked to sporadic cases.

To end the largest known outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa and to prevent new transmissions, rapid epidemiological tracing of cases and contacts was required. The ability to quickly identify unknown sources and chains of transmission is key to ending the EVD epidemic and of even greater importance in the context of recent reports of Ebola virus (EBOV) persistence in survivors. Phylogenetic analysis of complete EBOV genomes can provide important information on the source of any new infection. A local deep sequencing facility was established at the Mateneh Ebola Treatment Centre in central Sierra Leone. The facility included all wetlab and computational resources to rapidly process EBOV diagnostic samples into full genome sequences. We produced 554 EBOV genomes from EVD cases across Sierra Leone. These genomes provided a detailed description of EBOV evolution and facilitated phylogenetic tracking of new EVD cases. Importantly, we show that linked genomic and epidemiological data can not only support contact tracing but also identify unconventional transmission chains involving body fluids, including semen. Rapid EBOV genome sequencing, when linked to epidemiological information and a comprehensive database of virus sequences across the outbreak, provided a powerful tool for public health epidemic control efforts

Virus genomes reveal factors that spread and sustained the Ebola epidemic.

The 2013-2016 West African epidemic caused by the Ebola virus was of unprecedented magnitude, duration and impact. Here we reconstruct the dispersal, proliferation and decline of Ebola virus throughout the region by analysing 1,610 Ebola virus genomes, which represent over 5% of the known cases. We test the association of geography, climate and demography with viral movement among administrative regions, inferring a classic 'gravity' model, with intense dispersal between larger and closer populations. Despite attenuation of international dispersal after border closures, cross-border transmission had already sown the seeds for an international epidemic, rendering these measures ineffective at curbing the epidemic. We address why the epidemic did not spread into neighbouring countries, showing that these countries were susceptible to substantial outbreaks but at lower risk of introductions. Finally, we reveal that this large epidemic was a heterogeneous and spatially dissociated collection of transmission clusters of varying size, duration and connectivity. These insights will help to inform interventions in future epidemics