Phenotypic detection of extended Spectrum ß-Lactamase and Metallo-ß-Lactamase produced by Escherichia Coli on automated teller machines within Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria

It is no longer a fallacy that environmental objects are grossly contaminated by pathogenic microbes. ATMs especially which is used on daily basis by thousands of people have been reported to be potential habitat for these microbes. The worst-case scenario is the presence and ease of spread of Muti-Drug Resistant (MDR) and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing pathogens via these machines as a result of their huge patronage. The prevalence and fast spread of these MDR and ESBL producing strains constitute an emerging public health concern. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ESBL and MBL producing E. coli isolated on ATMs within Sokoto metropolis. A total of 194 isolates were obtained from the culture samples of 100 ATM swabs. The isolated E. coli were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests using the modified Kirby Baeur disc diffusion method on six (6) commercial antimicrobial discs (Oxoid, UK): Ceftazidime (CTZ, 30µg), Cefotaxime (CTX, 30µg), Gentamycin (CN, 10µg), Augumentin(AMC, 30µg), Ciprofloxacin(CIP, 5µg) and Imipenem(IPM, 10µg). The isolates were further screened for ESBL production and phenotypic confirmatory test. Confirmation of MBL production was also performed using antibiotic discs containing two Carbapenems (Imipenem IPM, 10µg and Meropenem MEM, 10µg). The result was interpreted using CLSI guideline 2015. Proteus spp (43%) were the most frequently isolated bacteria, followed by Shigella spp (31%) and E. coli 31(16%). Drug Resistant (MDR) ESBL producing E. coli of 93.3% and 4% MBL producer was recorded. It can be concluded that MDR and ESBL producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the most prevalent species isolated and that the species isolated are more sensitive to Gentamycin, Ciprofloxacin and Imipenem

Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of developmental delay: a cross-sectional study of under-five Nigerian children

Background: developmental problems or delays are preventable and others may be ameliorated by interventions. Developmental delay and factors associated with it therefore need to be identified in order for early and appropriate interventions to be instituted. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of developmental delay among under-fives and identify the sociodemographic factors associated with the delay.Methods: Four hundred and fifteen Nigerian children, aged 6- 59 months were assessed for development using the Schedule of Growing Skills II tool. Developmental quotient below threshold point of 85% in a developmental domain was used to define developmental delay. Results: Of the 415 children assessed, 147 (35.4%) had delay in the various developmental domains. The highest prevalence was in the manipulative domain (25.8%) followed by visual (17.1%), cognitive skill (13.5%), hearing and language (6.3%), interactive social (5.8%), self-care social (4.4%) and speech and language (4.1%). Low maternal education was significantly associated with delay in locomotive domain (4.3%; OR=5.00; 95% CI=1.04-23.84), manipulative domain (32.4%; OR=1.89; Most 95% CI=1.21-2.95), visual domain (22.9%; OR=2.11; 95% CI=1.25-3.55), speech and language (6.4%; OR=3.03; 95% CI=1.05-8.75), interactive social (8%; OR=3.05; 95% CI=1.32-7.04), self-care social (6.9%; OR=3.30; 95% CI=1.15-9.43), cognitive (17.6%; OR=1.89; 95% CI= 1.07-3.35). Birth order and household size also had significant association with delay in various domains. There was no significant association between socioeconomic class and developmental delay in any of the domains.Conclusion: The study showed that developmental delay was relatively common among under-five children in North-West Nigeria; and has a strong association with some socio demographic factors. There is need to screen children for developmental delay for early intervention

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Stem Bark Extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf.) Herms.

Aims: This study was design to screen the stem bark extract of Pseudocedrela kotschyi for the presence of phytochemical constituents and evaluate the extract for antimicrobial activity on wide range of pathogenic bacteria and fungi species. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, between April 2013 and Oct 2013. Methodology: Plant material was extracted with methanol and phytochemical screening carried out. Sequentially, the methanol extract was partitioned against chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol to afford chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble fractions respectively. All fractions were evaluated against panel of pathogenic bacteria and fungi to include Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Corynebacterium ulcerans, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. Results: Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, anthraquinones, steroids/terpenes as well as alkaloids. The susceptibility test of the fractions at 30mg/ml have displayed activity against S. aureus, S. pyogenes, E. coli, S. dysenteriae, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis at zone of inhibition ranges between 20-28mm while the MIC and MBC/MFC results showed spectrum of antimicrobial activity ranges between 2.5-10mg/ml and 5-30 mg/ml respectively. Conclusion: The activity of the extracts against S. pyogenes, E. coli, S. dysenteriae, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans, justify the traditional use of stem bark of Pseudocedrela kotschyi in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and oral infection which are diseases commonly caused by these organisms.

Modulatory role of Magnesium and Copper Sulphates on Serum Lipid profile and Serum Liver Enzymes in Fructose-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of magnesium and copper sulphates on serum lipid profile and serum liver enzymes in fructose-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of 20% (20g/100ml) of fructose dissolved in distilled water and administered to the animals for a period of six (6) weeks. After which the animals were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Group I served as diabetic negative control were administered 1ml distilled water. Group II were administered Magnesium sulphate (250 mg/kg b w). Group III were administered Copper sulphate (250 mg/kg b w) and Group IV administered Metformin (250 mg/kg b w) served as positive control. All treatments were given orally for a period of seven days. The results obtained showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.05) in the serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in groups administered with 250mg/kg b w of magnesium and copper sulphate when compared to diabetic control group. However, high density lipoprotein serum level was significantly increased (p<0.05) in groups administered with 250mg/kg b w of magnesium and copper sulphate when compared to diabetic control group. The results also showed that magnesium and copper sulphates at dose of 250mg/kg b w produced a significantly decreased (p<0.05) serum levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) in the treated groups when compared to diabetic untreated control group.