African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Predominant amino acid substitutions in NS5B gene of hepatitis C virus in blood donors and treatment-naïve hepatitis and HIV patients in Nigeria","authors":"G. Odaibo, D. Olaleye, Prof. S. S. Taiwo, J. A. Shenge","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.4","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome undergoes high rate of mutation, which results in generation of genetically diverse HCV isolates. There is paucity of data on mutations in the nonstructural 5b (NS5b) gene of circulating HCV and their implications in the Nigerian population. Here, we identified clinically-important mutations in HCV isolates, which may influence response to therapy and disease prognosis. \u0000Methodology: HCV RNA was extracted from a total of 301 blood samples collected from 99 symptomatic treatment-naïve hepatitis patients, 125 HIV-infected individuals and 77 asymptomatic blood donors in Ibadan, Nigeria. The RNA was reverse–transcribed to complimentary DNA and HCV NS5B gene amplified by nested PCR. The amplified products of 42 HCV were sequenced and sequences were aligned with those from GenBank and HCV databases in MEGA 7.0. Nucleotide sequences were translated to amino acids while substitutions in the amino acids were analyzed with reference to H77 prototype strain of HCV. \u0000Results: A total of 10 amino acid polymorphisms were observed from the 42 sequenced NS5B gene, with the major clinically-important amino acid mutations being S15G in 28 (66.7%) participants, T7N (24, 57.1%), G61R (23, 54.8%), S54L (22, 52.4%), G89E (14, 33.3%), T79M (12, 28.6%), and T711 (11, 26.2%). Others were Q67R (7, 16.7%), Q47H (7, 16.7%) and S84F (2, 4.8%). S15G/A/V mutations were more predominant in patients with HIV (76.9%, 10/13) followed by patients with clinical hepatitis (75.0%, 12/16) and blood donors (46.1%, 6/13). Q67R and T71I mutations were not predominant in patients with clinical hepatitis as they were detected in only 31.3% (5/16) and 43.8% (7/16) participants respectively, compared to S15G (75.0%, 12/16), S54L (68.8%, 11/16), G61R/E (68.8%, 11/16) and T7N/S (56.3%, 9/16). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of each of the 10 amino acid polymorphisms detected within patients with symptomatic clinical hepatitis (x2=9.311, p=0.409), HIV-infected patients (x2=13.431, p=0.1440) and asymp- tomatic blood donors (x2=3.775, p=0.9256). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the distribution between the 3 categories of the study participants except for T79M mutation, which was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients (61.5%, 8/13) compared to patients with clinical hepatitis (18.8%, 3/16) and asymp- tomatic blood donors (7.7%, 1/13) (x2=10.456, p=0.0054). \u0000Conclusion: Mutations in the NS5B gene could be associated with worse prognosis of the disease or antiviral failure due to viral resistance in patients undergoing therapy. The absence of Q47H mutations in majority of the study participants in our study implies that they will not respond well to daprevir and mericitabine. Screening of patients for pre-existing resistant mutations before commencement of therapy and monitoring during and after therapy are recommended.","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"649 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140749382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phylogenetic diversity and susceptibility of Candida species from women using contraceptive devices in northcentral Nigeria","authors":"L. Adogo, A. Chuku, N. F. Joseph, A. Ombugadu, R. C. Reuben, B. Ajide,","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.9","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The use of contraceptive devices predisposes women to vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) globally. Despite the high incidence of VVC and antifungal resistance to azoles, the genetic diversity and resistance pattern among contraceptive users in Nigeria is poorly investigated. This study therefore sought to characterize and determine the phylogenetic breadth of Candida species as well as their resistance to antifungal agents.\u0000Methodology: This study recruited 1,600 women using contraceptive devices who visited selected gynaecology and obstetrics clinics in northcentral Nigeria. Candida species were isolated and characterized using conventional methods and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was used to characterize the diversity of Candida species and primer-specific PCR was used to detect the presence of resistant genes. Agar well diffusion technique was used for the determination of antifungal susceptibility profiles. Data analysis was done by Kruskal-Wallis Chi-square test on R Console software version 3.2.2, followed by post-hoc Wilcoxon rank sum test with Bonferroni correction for multiple pairwise comparisons of means where there was a significant difference between the antifungal agents. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.\u0000Results: A total of 710 (44.3%) out of the 1,600 women using contraceptive devices had VVC with five species of Candida identified in them. Although Candida albicans was the predominant (43.2%, n=307) species, other non-albicans Candida species include Candida (Nakaseomyces) glabrata (19.0%, n=135), Candida tropicalis (15.8%, n=112), Candida parapsilosis (8.9%, n=63), and Candida akabanensis (13.1%, n=93) which were phenotypically identified as Candida (Nakaseomyces) glabrata. All the Candida species showed varying degrees of susceptibilities to voriconazole, fluconazole and nystatin. However, resistance of C. albicans to fluconazole was 29.0%, C. tropicalis to nystatin (46.0%) and to voriconazole (14.0%), while C. akabanensis was 100.0% resistant to voriconazole and fluconazole. Kruskal-Wallis Chi-square test showed nystatin as the most effective antifungal agent against the Candida species (χ2=786.03, df=2, p<0.001). Also, resistant gene Erg11 was identified in all the Candida species that were phenotypically resistant to the antifungal agents tested.\u0000Conclusion: Women using contraceptive devices in northcentral Nigeria harbor phylogenetically diverse Candida species including C. akabanensis, an uncommon cause of VVC. Of these Candida species, C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. akabanensis were notable for multidrug drug resistance as well as harboring Erg11 resistance gene.\u0000Contexte: L'utilisation de dispositifs contraceptifs prédispose les femmes à la candidose vulvo-vaginale (CVV) à l'échelle mondiale. Malgré l'incidence élevée de la CVV et de la résistance antifongique aux azoles, la diversité génétique et les modèles","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"25 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140746178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular detection of hepatitis E virus among swine and poultry birds in Lagos, Nigeria","authors":"O. Salu, B. P. Mutiu, M. J. Etok, M. R. Orenolu, R. Anyanwu, M. A. Abdullah, B. A. Saka, I. A. Abdus-Salam, R. M. Macaulay, K. S. Oyedejo, S. Omilabu","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.11","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the only hepatitis virus that replicates in humans and a wide range of animal hosts, is a significant public health enteric virus with a growing trend of infection globally. The public and environmental implications associated with HEV as a zoonotic transmitted virus remain to be fully elucidated. Thus, with the limited information on HEV in other species other than humans in Nigeria, this study aimed to detect by molecular methods HEV among some livestock in Lagos, Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 172 (42.0%) poultry birds aged between 5 and 18 months, and 238 (58.0%) swine aged between 2 and 18 months purposively selected from Ojo, Ikorodu and Agege Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, Nigeria between November 2017 and July 2019 was conducted. A total of 410 non-repetitive stool samples collected were analysed by molecular technique for the detection of HEV RNA. Descriptive statistics were computed for all relevant data. The association between gender and age with HEV RNA positivity was tested using Chi-square. All significant associations were recorded at p≤0.05.Results: On the overall, 15 (3.7%) of the 410 stool samples were positive for HEV RNA with 5 (2.9%) and 10 (4.2%) of the 172 and 238 poultry birds and swine respectively. More female livestock (6.0%) had detectable HEV RNA than their male counterparts (1.0%) and the infection clustered majorly among age groups 1-6 months, and 7-12 months with a detection rate of 9.3%, 3.2% and 5.6%, 3.2% for both the swine and poultry birds respectively. Approximately 11.1% of the swine and 5.0% of the poultry birds’ samples from Ikorodu LGA were positive for HEV RNA. Only 3.0% of the swine samples from Ojo LGA had detected HEV RNA. No sample from Agege LGA had detectable HEV RNA.Conclusion: The detection of HEV in both the swine and poultry birds in Lagos, Nigeria further confirms the endemicity of HEV and a cause for public health concern regarding the epidemiology of HEV in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for active and continuous surveillance to further detect and subtype the circulating HEV among livestock to prevent the advent of virulent strains that may be transmitted to handlers and the community at large. \u0000Contexte: Le virus de l'hépatite E (VHE), le seul virus de l'hépatite qui se réplique chez l'homme et chez un large éventail d'hôtes animaux, est un virus entérique important pour la santé publique avec une tendance croissante d'infection à l'échelle mondiale. Les implications publiques et environnementales associées au VHE en tant que virus transmis par des zoonoses restent à élucider pleinement. Ainsi, compte tenu des informations limitées sur le VHE chez d'autres espèces autres que les humains au Nigeria, cette étude visait à détecter par des méthodes moléculaires le VHE chez certains animaux d'élevage à Lagos, au Nigeria. \u0000Méthodologie: Une étude transversale portant sur 172 (42,0%) volailles âgées de 5 à 18 mois et 238 (58,0","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"284 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140748715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV status of individuals who underwent pre-employment medical screening at a federal tertiary health institution in southeast Nigeria","authors":"F. E. Ehidiamhen, U. M. Agwu, G. O. Eze, S. E. Ogbata, C. G. Chukwu, C. N. Akujobi, M. A. Nnoli","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.16","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.16","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets the host immune system, particularly the CD4 T cells. The host resistance to opportunistic and non-opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, fungal infections, severe bacterial infections, and several malignancies is weakened as a result of destruction of these CD4 cells by HIV. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV among individuals who participated in pre-employment medical screening at David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, with the aim of connecting those who are HIV-positive to voluntary counseling and treatment programs. \u0000Methodology: This was a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 537 eligible participants who underwent pre-employment medical screening exercise, and whose blood samples were tested for presence of HIV antibodies at the University Teaching Hospital, using the Determine HIV-1/2 (T1) and Unigold HIV-1/2 (T2), and the tie breaker Statpak HIV-1/2 (T3) tests. The serological results were interpreted according to the national HIV testing algorithm, with test result declared negative for HIV antibodies if T1 was negative or if only T1 was positive but T2 and T3 were both negative. \u0000Results: Of the total record of 756 pre-employment participants for the medical screening exercise, only 537 met the inclusion criteria for the study. The mean age of the 537 participants was 34.2±6.9 and age range of 18-67 years; 325 (61.0%) were females while 212 (39.0%) were males. The seroprevalence of HIV among the study participants was 2.4% (13/537), with 1.4% (3/212) in the males and 3.1% (10/325) in the females (x2=0.879, OR=0.45; 95% CI=0.12-1.60, p=0.3485). Only participants in the age range 26–35 and 36–45 years were HIV seropositive, with prevalence of 2.9% (9/310) and 2.4% (4/169) respectively but the HIV seroprevalence was not significantly associated with age and gender of the participants (p>0.05). \u0000Conclusion: The study findings provide useful information for the hospital administration of the HIV situation of its planned workforce, which will help with decisions on HIV positive participants to enrol in antiretroviral therapy program. \u0000Contexte: Le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) cible le système immunitaire de l'hôte, en particulier les lymphocytes T CD4. La résistance de l'hôte aux infections opportunistes et non opportunistes telles que la tuberculose, les infections fongiques, les infections bactériennes graves et plusieurs tumeurs malignes est affaiblie en raison de la destruction de ces cellules CD4 par le VIH. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence du VIH chez les personnes ayant participé à un dépistage médical préalable à l'emploi à l'hôpital universitaire fédéral David Umahi d'Uburu, dans l'État d'Ebonyi, au Nigeria, dans le but de connecter les personnes séropositives à des conseils volontaires et des programmes de traitement. \u0000Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'u","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"11 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140746385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 in children aged 0-15 years seen at Amirou Boubacar Diallo National Hospital in Niamey, Niger, 2020-2021","authors":"H. Idé Amadou, Yacouba M. Mahamadou, B. Dodo, O. Boua Togola, S. Aboubacar, A. Ousmane, M. Garba, S. Mainassara","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.3","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic affected all age groups. Although COVID-19 is generally benign in children, a diagnostic problem may arise due to clinical similarities with certain pathologies such as malaria, dengue fever and influenza. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile of COVID 19 in children seen at consultation and to determine the prevalence of influenza, malaria and dengue fever as differential diagnoses.\u0000Methodology: We conducted a prospective cohort analytical study from October 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 in COVID-19 suspected children aged 0 to 15 years admitted to the pediatrics department at the hospital. We used EPI INFO 7.2.4. software for data entry and analysis. Frequencies and proportions were calculated.\u0000Results: A total of 570 suspected cases of COVID-19 were enrolled. Of the suspected cases, 53.2% were males and 46.9% were females, with a M/F ratio of 1.13. The median age was 2 years (IQR: 1- 3 years), with age range of 0 to 15 years, and 68,8% in the age range 1 to 5 years. Exposure factors were travel (3.7%), contact with a suspected case of COVID-19 (1.0%), while only 2.6 % (15/570) of suspected cases were confirmed positive for COVID-19. The median age of COVID-19 confirmed children was 2.7 years (IQR 0.33-5). There were more male positive cases, with a M/F ratio of 2. Fever (100%) and cough (53.3%) were the predominant symptoms. The prevalence of malaria, Dengue fever and influenza among suspected COVID-19 cases were 16.8%, 0% and 54.7% respectively, while the respective prevalence in COVID-19 confirmed cases were 66.7%, 0% and 33.3%\u0000Conclusion: COVID-19 should be investigated in children presenting with symptoms and signs of malaria, influenza or Dengue fever.\u0000Contexte: en 2020, la pandémie de COVID-19 a touché toutes les tranches d’âge. Bien que le COVID-19 soit généralement bénin chez l’enfant, un problème de diagnostic peut surgir en raison de similitudes cliniques avec certaines pathologies comme le paludisme, la dengue et la grippe. L'objectif de cette étude est de décrire le profil épidémiologique du COVID 19 chez les enfants vus en consultation et de déterminer la prévalence de la grippe, du paludisme et de la dengue comme diagnostics différentiels.\u0000Méthodologie: Nous avons mené une étude prospective descriptive de cohorte du 1er octobre 2020 au 28 février 2021, chez des enfants suspects de COVID-19 âgés de 0 à 15 ans admis au service de pédiatrie de l'hôpital. Nous avons utilisé EPI INFO 7.2.4. Logiciel de saisie et d'analyse de données. Les fréquences et les proportions ont été calculées.\u0000Résultats: Au total, 570 cas suspects de COVID-19 ont été recrutés. Parmi les cas suspects, 53,2% étaient des hommes et 46,9% des femmes, avec un ratio H/F de 1,13. L'âge médian était de 2 ans (IQR: 1-3 ans), avec une tranche d'âge de 0 à 15 ans, et 68,8% dans la tranche d'âge de 1 à 5 ans. Les facteurs d'exposition étaient les voyages (3,7%), le contact avec un cas suspect de CO","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"63 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140748089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of antimicrobial properties of five medicinal plants used against bacterial infections in Jalingo, Nigeria","authors":"D. A. Zenoh, B. Josephus, N. Halley, Endurance Okpan, Henry Chukwuemeka, Akumbo Gemenen","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.13","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The prevalent utilization of medicinal plants in communities underscores their promise as antimicrobial agents amid rising antibiotic resistance. This study assesses five medicinal plants; Bambusa vulgaris, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Heteropogon contortus, Moringa oleifera, and Carica papaya against clinical isolates of Salmonella Typhi and Shigella dysenteriae.\u0000Methodology: Five medicinal plants were chosen based on traditional knowledge and ethnobotanical practices. Phytochemical analysis followed standard methods. Plant extracts were prepared using ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and hexane. Various concentrations (R conc., D1 conc., D2 conc, D3 conc, and D4 conc) of the extracts were evaluated using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion and broth dilution methods to ascertain antimicrobial properties, including minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC).\u0000Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed abundant saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, phenolics, and tannins, notably higher with ethanol extraction. Hibiscus sabdariffa demonstrated potent activity against S. Typhi with inhibition zone diameters of 29.00 mm (R conc), 27.00 mm (D1 conc), 14.00 mm (D2 conc), and 4.00 mm (D3 conc). Heteropogon contortus exhibited activity against S. dysenteriae with inhibition zone diameter of 25.05 mm (R conc), 15.00 mm (D1 conc), 10.00 mm (D2 conc), and 5.00 mm (D3 onc). The inhibition zone diameters of B. vulgaris were 18.50 mm (R conc), 17.00 mm (D1 conc), and 10.00 mm (D2 conc) against S. dysenteriae. The MIC and MBC were similar for both organisms, with H. sabdariffa (MIC: D3-4.27 mg/mL, MBC: D1-68.25 mg/mL) and H. contortus (MIC: D3-4.69 mg/mL, MBC: R-75.00 mg/mL), while M. oleifera, C. papaya, and B. vulgaris had negligible antimicrobial activity.\u0000Conclusion: Hibiscus sabdariffa and H. contortus exhibited potent antimicrobial effects against Salmonella, with MICs of 4.27 mg/mL and 4.69 mg/mL, and MBCs of 68.25 mg/mL and 75.00 mg/mL respectively. Their consistent low MICs against Shigella suggest their potentials for antibiotic production.\u0000Contexte: L’utilisation répandue des plantes médicinales dans les communautés souligne leur promesse en tant qu’agents antimicrobiens dans un contexte de résistance croissante aux antibiotiques. Cette étude évalue cinq plantes médicinales; Bambusa vulgaris, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Heteropogon contortus, Moringa oleifera et Carica papaya contre les isolats cliniques de Salmonella Typhi et Shigella dysenteriae.\u0000Méthodologie: Cinq plantes médicinales ont été choisies sur la base des connaissances traditionnelles et des pratiques ethnobotaniques. L'analyse phytochimique a suivi les méthodes standard. Des extraits de plantes ont été préparés en utilisant de l'éthanol, de l'acétate d'éthyle, du dichlorométhane et de l'hexane. Diverses concentrations (R conc., D1 conc., D2 conc., D3 conc et D4 conc) des extraits ont été évaluées à l'aide des méthodes de d","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"10 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140748446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydroxychloroquine and zinc ameliorate interleukin-6 associated hepato-renal toxicity induced by Aspergillus fumigatus in experimental rat models","authors":"J. O. Okoye, A. T. Basil, O. Okoli, P. O. Achebe, C. M. Obi, N. E. Ekekwe","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.10","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In Nigeria, immunocompromised persons, particularly those living with HIV, are at an increased risk of developing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Interestingly, this condition produces symptoms that can be easily mistaken for those of COVID-19. This misdiagnosis results in their treatment with zinc and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). To better understand the pathophysiology of aspergillosis and determine the therapeutic and toxic effects of zinc and HCQ, this study examined liver and renal functions in experimental rat models. \u0000Methodology: Twenty-eight Albino rats, randomised into 7 groups (n=4 each) designated A to G, were used for this study. Group A rats received standardized rat chow and distilled water only. Group B rats received moderate dose of HCQ only. Group C to G rats received immunosuppressive agents (an alkylating agent: cyclo- phosphamide and a steroid: hydrocortisone) to simulate an immunocompromised state before being infected with A. fumigatus suspension (AFS). Group C rats received AFS without treatment. Group D rats simultaneously received AFS and low dose of HCQ. Group E rats simultaneously received AFS and moderate dose of HCQ. Group F rats simultaneously received AFS and high dose of HCQ, and Group G rats simultaneously received AFS and moderate dose of HCQ and zinc. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, liver enzymes, and renal parameters were measured using standard methods. The weights of the lungs, liver, and kidneys of each rat were measured after being sacrificed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means (±SD) of the biochemical variables and relative weight of the organs, while Post Hoc test was used for group comparison. Pearson's correlation was used to determine relationship between parameters, with significant levels established at p<0.05. Results: Higher levels of serum alanine transaminase, creatinine, and urea and lower relative lung weight were observed in group C rats (infected but untreated) compared to rats in other groups (p<0.001). Higher IL-6 levels and IL-6/IL-10 ratio were also observed in group C rats compared to rats in other groups (p>0.05). \u0000Conclusion: This study revealed that HCQ and zinc ameliorate oxidative stress and hepato-renal damage induced by A. fumigatus in Albino rats. \u0000Contexte: Au Nigeria, les personnes immunodéprimées, en particulier celles vivant avec le VIH, courent un risque accru de développer une aspergillose pulmonaire invasive causée par Aspergillus fumigatus. Il est intéressant de noter que cette maladie produit des symptômes qui peuvent facilement être confondus avec ceux du COVID-19. Cette erreur de diagnostic entraîne leur traitement au zinc et à l'hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Pour mieux comprendre la physiopathologie de l'aspergillose et déterminer les effets thérapeutiques et toxiques du zinc et de l'HCQ, cette étude a examiné les fonctions hépatiques et rénales dans des modèles expérimentaux de rats","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"93 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140747375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serological and molecular detection of hepatitis C virus among students in a tertiary educational institution in Calabar, Nigeria","authors":"M. Mbah, V. O. Nwabunike, S. S. Akpan, E. E. Tangban, E. E. Bassey","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.5","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem and continues to be a major disease burden in the world, associated with serious health challenges including liver cirrhosis, cancer, lymphomas and death. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among students of the University of Calabar.\u0000Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, 200 students were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies using a rapid immunochromatographic (ICT) assay (CTK Biotech, Inc. USA). Seropositive samples were confirmed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detection of HCV RNA. Structured questionnaires were used to collect subjects’ socio-demographic data and risk factors of infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.\u0000Results: Of the 200 students screened, the seroprevalence of HCV was 15.0% (n=30) and 9.5% (n=19) was positive for HCV RNA by RT-PCR assay. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was significantly higher in females (18.8%, 12/64) than males (13.2%, 18/136) (x2=3.84, p=0.036). Alcohol consumption (OR=4.67, 95% CI=2.04-10.67, p=0.002), skin piercing (OR=32.99, 95% CI=5.95-72.37, p<0.0001), multiple sexual partners (OR=4.03, 95% CI=1.7-9.6, p=0.0018), and history of blood transfusion (OR=8.00, 95% CI=2.97-21.58, p<0.001) were risk factors significantly associated with HCV infection in the study participants.\u0000Conclusion: The findings of 15.0% and 9.5% prevalence of HCV infection by anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA, respectively in this study, showed that there is relatively high prevalence of HCV infection among the students’ population in University of Calabar, Nigeria. Hence, routine medical screening of students for HCV infection using rapid ICT and RT-PCR techniques is hereby recommended.\u0000Contexte: L'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C (VHC) est un problème de santé mondial et continue de représenter un fardeau de morbidité majeur dans le monde, associé à de graves problèmes de santé, notamment la cirrhose du foie, le cancer, les lymphomes et la mort. Cette étude a été réalisée pour déterminer la prévalence de l'infection par le VHC parmi les étudiants de l'Université de Calabar.\u0000Méthodologie: Dans une étude transversale, 200 étudiants ont été testés pour la présence d'anticorps anti-VHC à l'aide d'un test immunochromatographique rapide (ICT) (CTK Biotech, Inc., USA). Les échantillons séropositifs ont été confirmés à l’aide d’un test de réaction en chaîne par transcriptase inverse-polymérase (RT-PCR) pour la détection de l’ARN du VHC. Des questionnaires structurés ont été utilisés pour collecter les données sociodémographiques des sujets et les facteurs de risque d’infection. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de SPSS version 16.0, avec le niveau de signification fixé à p<0,05.\u0000Résultats: Parmi les 200 étudiants dépistés, la séroprévalence du VHC était de 15,0% (n=30) et 9,5% (n=19) étaient positifs à l'AR","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"15 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140747362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prematurity as a secondary immunodeficiency disorder with increased risk of infections: A mini-review","authors":"R. M. Ibraheem, A. Issa","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.2","url":null,"abstract":"Prematurity significantly increases neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Underdeveloped immune systems and prolonged hospitalization elevate the risk of secondary immunodeficiency leading to heightened vulnerability to healthcare-associated infections, including neonatal sepsis from various sources like intrauterine, intrapartum, and postnatal agents. This review explores the impact of prematurity on infection susceptibility and the role of immature immunity. A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar identified relevant articles published between January 1980 and December 2022, focusing on terms such as \"preterm,\" \"prematurity,\" \"neonatal sepsis,\" and \"secondary immunodeficiency.\" Despite neonatal susceptibility to sepsis, accurate incidence estimates are lacking in many countries, and preterm infants face higher morbidity and mortality risks compared to full-term babies. Early-onset infections usually manifest within the first 72 hours post-delivery, while late-onset neonatal sepsis occurs after this period. Immaturity affects various immune system components, with gestational age influencing functionality. The compromised innate immune response in preterm infants involves factors such as fragile skin, reduced tear/mucus production, and low antimicrobial peptide levels. Complement deficiencies and impaired neutrophil function increase susceptibility to infections. Macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells exhibit reduced activity, impacting viral clearance. Preterm infants also have lower immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels, contributing to a weakened adaptive immune response. Hypogammaglobulinaemia heightens susceptibility to infections relying on antibody-mediated protection, while low secretory IgA production and delayed antibody response predispose to gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. The combined effect of immature immunity and medical interventions heightens preterm infants' susceptibility to pathogens. Recommendations for mitigating infection risks include antimicrobial stewardship, prompt initiation of exclusive breastfeeding, and timely administration of routine vaccinations. \u0000La prématurité augmente considérablement la mortalité néonatale en Afrique subsaharienne. Un système immunitaire sous-développé et une hospitalisation prolongée augmentent le risque d'immunodéficience secondaire conduisant à une vulnérabilité accrue aux infections nosocomiales, y compris la septicémie néonatale provenant de diverses sources telles que les agents intra-utérins, intrapartum et postnatals. Cette revue explore l'impact de la prématurité sur la susceptibilité aux infections et le rôle d’une immunité immature. Une recherche documentaire utilisant PubMed et Google Scholar a identifié des articles pertinents publiés entre janvier 1980 et décembre 2022, se concentrant sur des termes tels que “prématuré\", “prématurité ”, “septicémie néonatale” et “immunodéficience secondaire”. Malgré la susceptibilité néonatale au sepsis, des","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"43 1‐10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140747868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Urinary tract infections in pregnancy caused by carbapenemresistant Enterobacteriaceae in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria: An emerging therapeutic threat","authors":"G. I. Ogban, A. A. Iwuafor, C. U. Idemudo, S. A. Ben, S. Ushie, U. Emanghe","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v25i2.7","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Severe infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have mortality rate exceeding 50%. On the strength of this, this study sought to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnancy caused by CRE and associated risk factors in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Nigeria, with the aim of making recommendations that can stem the tide of UTI caused by this bacterial strain in the hospital.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 349 consecutively selected pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of UCTH, Calabar, Nigeria, between September 2020 and August 2021. Demographic/ clinical data and risk factors were collected with semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Voided mid-stream urine (MSU) sample was collected from each participant and transported to the medical microbiology laboratory of the hospital for microbiological analysis using conventional culture and biochemical identification methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) on each isolate was performed by the disk diffusion technique against selected antibiotics. Phenotypic carbapenemase production from presumptive carbapenem resistant isolates following AST was confirmed by the modified Hodge test (MHT). Data analysis was done on SPSS version 19.0. Association of risk factors with prevalence of UTI caused by CRE was determined using Chi square or Fisher Exact test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: The prevalence of UTI among the pregnant women was 10.0% (35/349), with prevalence of 6.6% for Escherichia coli (23/349) and 3.5% (12/349) for Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotic susceptibility test result showed that piperacillin-tazobactam was the most active antibiotic in vitro, with 82.9% isolates sensitive to it while sensitivity to imipenem (60.0%) and meropenem (40.0%) was low. A total 17 (48.6%) of the 35 isolates were resistant to carbapenems in the AST and 12 (34.3%) were carbapenemase-producing strains on MHT while 5 (14.3%) were non-carbapenemase-mediated resistance (NCMR). None of the demographic characteristics or risk factors analysed was significantly associated with UTI caused by CRE in the pregnant women (p>0.05).Conclusion: To stem the rising trend of UTIs in pregnancy caused by carbapenem resistant uropathogens,pregnant women receiving antenatal care in UCTH, Calabar should be routinely screened for UTI and offeredappropriate treatment if indicated based on microbiological test results. \u0000Contexte: Les infections graves causées par des entérobactéries résistantes aux carbapénèmes (CRE) ont un taux de mortalité supérieur à 50 %. Forte de ces éléments, cette étude a cherché à déterminer la prévalence des infections des voies urinaires (IVU) pendant la grossesse causée par la CRE et les facteurs de risque associés à l'hôpital universitaire de Calabar (UCTH), au Nigeria, dans le but de formuler des recommandations qui peuvent endiguer la marée d'infe","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"348 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140750219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}