Occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases among clinical bacteria isolated from Daura General Hospital, Katsina State, Nigeria

Background: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major global challenge in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. ESBLs are enzymes that confer resistance to third and fourth generation cephalosporins that are produced to counter resistance to normal betalactamase enzymes. Aim: This work was aimed at detecting the occurrence of ESBLs among clinical bacterial isolates at the study site. Methods: Three hundred and ninety nine (399) Gram negative bacterial isolates were collected from the study site and identified using standard biochemical tests. The isolates were screened for ESBLs using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoint and confirmed using Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST). The standard antibiotic discs used were augmentin (AMC 30μg), cefotaxime (CTX 30μg) and ceftazidime (CAZ 30μg) [Oxoid, England]. Results: The results of CLSI breakpoint test showed that 206 (51.62%) were positive for ESBLs which include; Proteus spp 88(22.05%), E. coli 40(10.02%), Klebsiella spp 48(12.03%), Citrobacter spp 18(4.51%), Providencia spp 4(1.01%), Shigella spp 6(1.50%), Salmonella spp 2(0.50%). ESBLs confirmation using DDST revealed that 119 (57.76%) were positive for ESBL production viz; Proteus spp 66(32.04%), E. coli 8(3.88%), Klebsiella spp 28(13.59%), Citrobacter spp 12(5.82%), Providencia spp 2(0.97%), Shigella spp (31.46%), Salmonella spp 0 (0.00%) giving an overall ESBLs occurrence of 29.82%. Conclusion: The high occurrence of ESBLs observed among the clinical isolates implies that the enzymes occur at an alarming rate which may lead to high patient mortality due to treatment failure

Sensitivity of extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates to Annona squamosa extracts

Powdered leaves of Annona squamosa (L.) were extracted with ethanol and methanol using percolation method. The extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of confirmed extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus specie using disc diffusion method. The extracts were further subjected to phytochemical screening for the presence of secondary metabolites. Sensitivity test results showed that methanol extract of the plant was only active on E. coli at 30 μg/disc concentration with 7mm zone of inhibition but inactive against P. specie even at 60 μg/disc concentration. Ethanol extract of the plant was active against all isolates only at 60 μg/disc concentration with P. specie forming slightly wider zone of inhibition (8mm) and the remaining isolates having 7mm zone diameter. The results of phytochemical screening indicated the presence of reducing sugars, saponins and steroids in either or both extracts.Keywords: Sensitivity, ESBLs, Enterobacteriaceae, Annona squamosa, Extract

Prevalence of extended spectrum &#946-lactamases (ESBLs) among clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates obtained from private diagnostic laboratory in Kano - Nigeria

One hundred Gram negative bacterial isolates were collected from a private diagnostic center and identified by subjecting the isolates to biochemical tests using standard procedures. Confirmed Enterobacteriaceae isolates were further subjected to screening for extended spectrum â-lactamases (ESBLs) production using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoint and Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST). Standard discs of Augmentin (AUG 30 ìg) {Optudisc} and Ceftriaxone (CXM 30 ìg) {Medireich} and Ceftazidime (CAZ 30 ìg) {Glaxo-Smithkline} were used in the screening. The results of CLSI breakpoint test showed that 87% were ESBLs producers viz: Citrobacter fruendii (3), Escherichia coli (46), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13), Morganella morganii (1), Proteus vulgaris (23) and Salmonella typhi (1) while that ofconfirmed ESBLs producers using DDST was 49%. These included Citrobacter fruendii (2), Escherichia coli (25), Klebsiella pneumoniae (7), Morganella morganii (1), Proteus vulgaris (13) and Salmonella typhi (1). The implication of the results is discussed

Posttraumatic stress disorder among internally displaced victims of Boko Haram terrorism in north-eastern Nigeria

Background: A large number of youth are often directly involved in armed-conflict, and therefore are at greater risk of developing a wide range of mental disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However little is known about the prevalence of PTSD among youth who constitute a large work force.Objective: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among Internally Displaced youth exposed to Boko Haram terrorism in North-Eastern Nigeria. It also assessed the socio-demographic factors associated with PTSD in this population.Method: A cross-sectional study that employed a consecutive sampling technique to select eligible subjects undergoing a Citizenship and leadership training at Citizenship and Leadership training institute Jos, Plateau State. The posttraumatic stress disorder module of Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to assess for current symptoms of PTSD.Results: The results show that more than two-third of the respondents were unemployed youth with secondary level of education and had low or no stable income. More than 63% of the respondents were diagnosed with PTSD. Educational status (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.001) and income before displacement (p=0.010) were the significant factors associated with PTSD.Conclusions: The results point to the importance of screening and treatment for traumatic armed conflict victims, with particular attention to youth who had low education and low income levels as well as being never married or widowed.Keywords: PTSD, sociodemographic factors, Bokoharam terrorism, North Eastern Nigeri

Isolation and evaluation of in vitro antibacterial potential of endophytic fungi from the leaves of Psidium guajava (Guava)

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Neural stem cell research in Africa: current realities and future prospects

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are immature progenitor cells that are found in developing and adult brains that have the potential of dividing actively and renewing themselves, with a complex form of gene expression. The generation of new brain cells in adult individuals was initially considered impossible, however, the landmark discovery of human neural stem cells in the hippocampus has been followed by further discoveries in other discreet regions of the brain. Investigation into the current state in Africa of the research and use of NSCs shows relatively limited activities on the continent. Information on the African application of NSCs for modelling disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and therapeutics is still limited. The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)-African Regional Committee (ARC), with support from the Company of Biologists, and the Movement Disorder Society, sponsored the first African Basic School on NSC in Ibadan, Nigeria, with the vision of bringing together young neuroscientists and physicians across different fields in neuroscience to learn from leaders who have applied NSCs in stem cell research, the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, neuroanatomy, and neurotherapeutics. Twenty early-career researchers in academic institutions at junior and senior faculty cadres were selected from South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria. The students and organizer of the school, who wrote this review on the state of NSCs research in Africa, recommended the following: (1) other African countries can take a cue from South Africa and Nigeria in probing the phenomena of adult neurogenesis in unique animal species on the continent; (2) Africa should leverage the expertise and facilities of South African scientists and international collaborators in scaling up NSC research into these unique species and (3) Centers of Excellence should be established on the continent to serve as research hubs for training postgraduate students, and facilities for African scientists who trained overseas on NSCs