Phenotypic and Molecular Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase in Escherichia coli from Patients in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Medical Services, Abuja, Nigeria

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the presence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) among Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the urine of patients in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Medical Services, Abuja, Nigeria using a phenotypic and molecular method. Methodology: Forty five (45) confirmed E. coli recovered from urine of patients with suspected UTIs were obtained; Phenotypic detection of ESBL was done on isolates resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime by the double disc synergy test method. Molecular detection of ESBL genes in phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers was done using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Of the 40 cefotaxime and ceftazidime-resistant isolates tested, 12 (30.0%) were phenotypically confirmed as ESBL producers. ESBL genes were detected in the order (blaTEM: blaSHV: blaCTX-M): 75.0%: 58.3%: 25.0%. Some (16.7%) of the ESBL isolates harboured both blaTEM and blaSHV; and some harboured other combinations of the ESBL namely blaTEM/blaCTX-M (8.3%), blaSHV/blaCTX-M (8.3%) and blaTEM/blaSHV/blaCTX-M (8.3%). Conclusion: Many of the E. coli isolates were ESBL producers; and they harboured blaTEM genes most frequently. Further studies on molecular diversity of the ESBL producing E. coli from urine in the study location should be carried out.

Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Primary School Children in Gadabuke District, Toto LGA, North Central Nigeria.

Aim: This study was aimed at determining the number of children infected in relation to study population. Study Design: Cross sectional Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among school children in Gadabuke and Garagwa LGEA Primary schools in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria between October-December, 2012. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 samples were collected comprising 192 urine and 58 faecal samples. Samples were investigated using standard World Health Organisation guidelines for identification of parasites. Samples were analysed macroscopically and microscopically. Results: Out of the 192 children screened. Gadabuke LGED primary school had a prevalence of 58.1% while Garagwa LGED primary school had a prevalence of 22.7% and the overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the two schools is 44.3%. There was no significant difference in prevalence rate of urinary schistosomiasis between Gadabuke and Garagwa primary schools (P>0.05). On the other hand, Gadabuke had a prevalence of 5.3% for S.mansoni and 0% prevalence for Garagwa LGED. On the whole, the prevalence of S. mansoni was 3.4% in the study area. Children of age group (8 – 14) were more infected with urinary schistosomiasis. Male had higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis 50 (50%) than the female 35 (35%). Statistically there was significance difference in prevalence infection of Schistosoma haematobium among males and females investigated. Children whose parents are farmers and fishermen had the highest prevalence infections, followed by Artisan, civil servant and the businessmen. Conclusion: Urinary schistosomiasis in some selected primary schools in Gadabuke district of Toto LGA in Nasarawa State have been documented.

Detection of anti-Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in Patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Abuja, Nigeria

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are among the sexually transmitted diseases known to increase the risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Serum samples from 34 consenting AIDS patients which attended the Government-approved Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Facility at the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja between April 2005 and March 2006 were screened by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for the presence of anti-CT antibodies using ImmunoComb® Chlamydia Bivalent IgG Test kit (Orgenics, Israel). Anti-CT antibodies were detected in ten (29.4%) of the thirty-four patients tested. The detection rate was higher among the females (33.3%) than the males (23.1%). Patients of the age group 31-45 years had the highest detection of anti-C. trachomatis antibodies, followed by those of age group 16-30 years. The result of the present study suggests the presence of anti-CT antibodies in AIDS patients, and reinforces the need for routine screening for anti-CT antibodies as a necessary intervention to reduce the burden of chlamydial diseases and to reduce the risk of HIV and its spread in Nigeria. The outcome of this study also provides justification for the possible inclusion of anti-chlamydial agents in the National AIDS Management Plan to treat associated C.trachomatis infections.