Detection of six periodontopathogens in the subgingival plaque of patients with chronic periodontitis in Lagos, Nigeria

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the occurrence of six periodontal pathogens in the subgingival plaque of patients with chronic periodontitis in Nigeria. Methods: Forty-two subjects with chronic periodontitis participated in the cross-sectional study between June, 2015 and August, 2016. Subgingival plaque samples from one site of ≤3mm depth (gingivitis) and another site with the greatest depth of ≥4mm (periodontitis) respectively were collected from each subject. Culture and PCR assay using 16S rRNA species-specific primers, were performed. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Majority (73.8%) of the subjects were positive for at least one of the organisms. Culture was positive for P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum and P. intermedia in 23.8%, 14.3% and 14.3% of the subjects respectively in sites of ≤3mm and at 33.3%, 23.8% and 33.3% respectively in sites of ≥4mm. PCR was able to detect all six periodontopathogens in sites of ≥4mm, with A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis F. nucleatum P. intermedia, T. forsythia and T. denticola in 4.8%, 31.0%, 40.4%, 45.2%, 4.8% and 2.4% of the subjects respectively. The pathogen with the most frequent total occurrence in all sites was P. intermedia (54.8%). The difference between the occurrence of the organisms in the sites of periodontal probing depth of ≤3mm and ≥4mm was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows the distribution of subgingival periodontal pathogens in chronic periodontitis in a Nigerian population. Wider studies among the Nigerian population are required to assess differences in the pattern of distribution of these bacteria

Assessment of the Knowledge and Perception of Probiotics amon Medical Science Students and Practitioners in Lagos State.

Aim: The study was conducted to assess the knowledge and perception of probiotics among medical science students and practitioners in Lagos state. Study Design: This is a questionnaire based survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Lagos state which is located in the south-western part of Nigeria. The questionnaires were distributed from March to August, 2013. Methodology: Predesigned pilot tested questionnaires were randomly administered to 270 medical science students and professionals from various health institutes in Lagos state. The knowledge level was scored 0-3 as poor, 4-6 as fair and 7-9 as good and analyzed using Epi info version 3.5.3. Results: Of the 270 questionnaires distributed, 265(98.1%) were returned by 164 medical science students and 101 practitioners. The knowledge score of medical science students and practitioners was low (Mean±SD of 3.62±2.7). Ninety-four (57.3%) students disclosed that they have never heard of probiotics before and 139(84.8%) indicated interest in knowing more. Seventy (69.3%) practitioners were familiar with the term probiotics but 42(41.6%) had poor knowledge. Seventy three percent were not aware of any proven probiotic product in Nigeria and none has prescribed probiotic products for any medical condition. All indicated interest in knowing more about probiotics. The comparison of knowledge result across the various groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: There is limited knowledge and poor perception on benefits of probiotic use among medical science students and professionals in Lagos state. The result of this study indicates a need for education on the availability, sources and benefits of probiotics.

A Review of Fusobacterium necrophorum Infections in Humans.

The incidence of human infections caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum is recently on the increase and this is attributed largely to alteration in antibiotic usage pattern, malnutrition and poor oral hygiene. These infections are usually acquired exogenously from animals such as dogs, livestock or humans and ranges from mild sore throat to severe infections like Lemierre’s syndrome and Cancrum oris (NOMA). Fusobacterium necrophorum species produce characteristic toxins and virulent factors which are responsible for the severity of infections. Confirming the presence of these species is recommended during suspected infections. It would help in providing information on the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern so as to guide treatment and control of these severe infections as well as for epidemiological purposes. This review summarizes human infections associated with F. necrophorum providing information on their epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenicity, diagnosis and treatment.

Detection of FUS-1 (OXA-85), a Class D Betalactamase from Fusobacterium nucleatum Subspecies Polymorphum in Nigeria.

Aims: Beta-lactamase production and subsequent resistance to β-lactam drugs has been a global concern in the treatment of Gram negative anaerobes. The aim of this study was to identify F. nucleatum strains producing Class D β-lactamase through the detection of FUS-1 (OXA-85) resistance gene. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, between February 2010 and November 2010. Methodology: Twenty two oral clinical samples were obtained from patients with chronic periodontitis who admitted to previous use of amoxicillin. Antibacterial susceptibility of the bacterial isolates was determined by E-test on Brucella Blood agar. Amplification of the bacterial DNA was carried out by PCR using F. nucleatum species-specific primer, FUS-1 specific for blaFUS-1 and strain-specific primers for subspecies nucleatum,, fusiforme, polymorphum and vincentii. Results: From the 19 samples collected, F. nucleatum was isolated, and the identity of the isolates was confirmed by PCR. Four of the isolates produced similar bands with the control strain, 3 (15.7%) strains were able to produce amplication with FUS-1 primer specific for blaFUS-1 gene found in β-lactamase producing F. nucleatum subsp. polymorphum. Conclusion: This study shows the presence of class D β-lactamase producing F. nucleatum species in Nigeria.

Molecular Characterization of the Circulating Strains of Vibrio cholerae during 2010 Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria.

This study aimed at characterizing the phenotypic and toxigenic status of circulating strains of cholera during outbreaks in Nigeria, employing molecular typing techniques. Two hundred and one samples of rectal swabs, stool, vomitus, water (from the well, borehole, sachet, stream, and tap) and disinfectants (sodium hypochlorite) were collected from three states in the country. The samples were inoculated on thiosulphate-citrate bile salt-sucrose (TCBS), Cary-Blair transport medium and smeared on glass slides for direct examination. The Vibrio cholerae isolates were serotyped, biotyped, and characterized using PCR of the cytotoxin gene A (ctxA), wbeO1, and wbfO139 gene primer. Of the 201 samples screened, 96 were positive for V. cholerae O1 (48%), with 69 (72%) positive for ctxA gene. The results from this study showed that the circulating strains of cholera in Nigeria were of Ogawa serotype, also observed in other outbreaks in Nigeria (1991, 1992, and 1996). However, the strains were of the Classical biotype and were mainly (72%) ctxA gene-positive. This current investigation has confirmed the production of cholera toxin by the circulating strains, and this could be harnessed for possible cholera vaccine production in Nigeria.