Solid waste dumpsite leachate and contiguous surface water contain multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Escherichia coli carrying Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) genes

Dumpsites generate leachates containing bacteria that may carry antibiotic resistance genes, such as extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). However, the contribution of dumpsite leachates in the environmental spread of ESBL genes has not been investigated in greater detail. This study aimed to quantify the impact of Ajakanga dumpsite leachate on the spread of ESBL genes through surface water. The susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from dumpsite leachate and the accompanying surface water to selected antibiotics was assessed by the standardized disc diffusion method. The isolates were evaluated for phenotypic ESBL production using the double disc synergy test (DDST). The detection of ESBL genes in the isolates was carried out using a primer-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Escherichia coli isolates from leachate (n = 26/32) and surface water (n = 9/12) expressed ESBL phenotype. The ESBL-producing isolates showed the highest level of resistance to the 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotics: cefotaxime (100%), cefpodoxime (97%), ceftazidime (97%), with low resistance observed to imipenem (6%) and azithromycin (3%). All the isolates were multidrug-resistant, showing resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics. All the ESBL-producing E. coli obtained carried blaCTX−M, 21/35 (60%) carried blaTEM while none of the isolates bore blaSHV. This study found that ESBL-producing Escherichia coli from dumpsite leachate and nearby surface water had identical resistance signatures indicating the relatedness of the isolates, and that dumpsite leachate could contribute to the transfer of ESBL-producing bacteria and their genes to receiving surface water. This study has necessitated the need for a review of the guidelines and operational procedures of dumpsites to forestall a potential public health challenge

Occurrence of multidrug resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) - producing Escherichia coli in wastewater of two healthcare facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria

Most industries in developing countries of the world, especially hospitals and other clinical settings, lack wastewater treatment facilities, and as such, untreated wastewater from their operations are discharged into water bodies without any form of treatment. This study aimed at the antibiotic sensitivity profile and ESBL production in E. coli isolated from untreated hospital wastewater before discharge into the environment. Untreated wastewater from two hospitals, a State Government-owned hospital (SGH) and a privately-owned hospital (POH) with no wastewater treatment facilities were sampled for a period of four months. Isolation of E. coli was carried out using the pour plate technique on Eosin Methylene Blue agar, while identification was carried out using conventional methods. Determination of ESBL production was done by means of the Double Disc Synergy Technique and antibiotic sensitivity testing was carried out by employing the disc diffusion method. A total of fifty-eight (58) E. coli were obtained: SGH at 55 and POH at 3. Herein, in 100% of the total count, resistance was indicated for ampicillin and ertapenem, while 14%, 11%, 16% and 57% of the total count were resistant to ceftazidime, cefpodoxime, cefotaxime and amoxicillin-clavulanate, respectively. In addition, 94.8% showed resistance to tetracycline, 19% to ciprofloxacin, 6.9% to gentamycin, 39.7% to chloramphenicol and 55% and 47% to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and nalidixic acid, respectively. Furthermore, 94.8% of all the isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), while 29.3% were ESBL positive. Wastewater from the two hospitals under study contained ESBL positive and MDR E. coli, suggesting a need to forestall a potential threat to public health by treating the wastewater generated by both hospitals before discharge into the environment

Cash crops financing, agricultural performance and sustainability: evidence from Nigeria

Purpose One of the challenging factors in achieving sustainable growth is the inability of the Nigerian government to diversify the country's revenue base. This study aims to investigate the relationship between cash crop financing and agricultural performance in Nigeria. Design/methodology Four crops were considered, namely, cotton, cocoa, groundnut and palm oil. The impact of cash crop finance shock on agricultural performance was investigated using the vector error correction model (VECM), while the long-run relationship was examined through the identification of longrun restrictions on the VECM. Findings The variance decomposition showed that financing shock is more sensitive to cause variation in aggregate employment than aggregate agricultural output in palm oil, while for cocoa, cotton and groundnut showed otherwise. The long-run structural equations exert a positive relationship between cash crop financing and agricultural performance, except for oil palm and cocoa financing that has a negative connection with agrarian employment. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the unavailability of data for agriculture sector capital utilisation, which was not used. Practical implications These results show that long-run benefit can be maximised by appropriate funding in cotton and groundnut production to promote sustainable growth. Originality/value The study examines the impact of cash crop financing on agricultural performance with the aim to promote sustainable growth in Nigeria using identified VECM

A comprehensive review of myocardial bridging: Exploring diagnostic and treatment modalities

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary artery anomaly involving an overlying myocardium\u27s partial or complete encasement of a coronary artery segment. The obstruction can lead to significant cardiac symptoms, resulting in myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Several approaches, including invasive and non-invasive methods, have been proposed to diagnose and manage MB. Invasive modalities, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and coronary angiography, offer high specificity and sensitivity. In contrast, non-invasive methods like Doppler ultrasound, multislice computed tomography (MSCT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are advantageous due to their non-invasive nature, high sensitivity and specificity, and cost-effectiveness. Treatment options for MB mainly focus on relieving symptoms and preventing adverse outcomes. The use of pharmacological agents and surgical and percutaneous interventions has been documented in numerous studies. Studies conclude that MB is a treatable cardiac anomaly, and a combined approach of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up is necessary to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition