Prevalence and associated risk factors for noma in Nigerian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, case-fatality rate, and associated risk-factors of Noma in children in Nigeria. METHODS: Search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases. Data were extraction using a double-blind approach. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis and subgroup analysis was conducted. The study quality was evaluated using standard Critical-Appraisal-Checklist. RESULTS: Of the 1652 articles identified, 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria included 871 cases of Noma. Two studies had high-risk of bias and were excluded in the meta-analysis. Pooled prevalence of Noma was 2.95% (95%CI:2.19-3.71; Z = 7.60; p < 0.00001, I2:100.0). Case fatality was reported in one study. Sex-distribution had a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1. Malnutrition (88.42%, 95%CI:52.84-124.00; I2:100.0), measles (40.60%; 95% CI:31.56-49.65; I2:100.0) and malaria (30.75%; 95% CI:30.06-31.45; I2:100.0) were the most notable associated risk-factors. Prevalence of Noma was non-significantly lower in southern (1.96%,95%CI:1.49-2.44;6 studies) than in northern (4.43%; 95%CI:-0.98-9.83; 4 studies) Nigeria. One study reported the prevalence of Noma in children younger than 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: About every 3 in 100 children in Nigeria had Noma and the prevalence was non-significantly higher in northern than southern Nigeria. Malnutrition, measles, and malaria were major associated risk-factors. Case-fatality rate and prevalence based on different age-groups were inconclusive.

Spice-Induced Metal Contamination and Microbiological Risk Assessment of Instant Noodles Prepared for Human Consumption.

With the rising worries of potential metal contamination in cooked noodles, this study aimed at unravelling, for the first time, the possible source of metal contamination in cooked noodles. Noodles cooked with full spices (CWFS), cooked with half spices (CWHS), cooked with quarter spices (CWQS), and cooked with no spices (CWNS: control) and their spices were analysed for metals using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The microbiological quality of the noodles was also evaluated. Metal concentrations in cooked noodles varied with spice quantity. Noodles CWFS had the highest significant (p < 0.05) concentration of Pb (0.36 ± 0.12 mg/kg), Ni (1.05 ± 0.01 mg/kg), Cd (0.07 ± 0.04 mg/kg), Co (0.02 ± 0.002 mg/kg), and Na (9.45 ± 0.04 mg/kg), compared to the control (CWNS). The mean Pb and Ni of spice and cooked noodles were above the WHO acceptable limits for food and could be harmful to consumers. Pearson's correlation and PCA showed that packed noodle spices introduced metals into the cooked noodles. Although the hazard indices (adults and children) in all noodle's groups were less than 1, children still had the potential to contract cancer from Ni exposure because the carcinogenic risk values of CWQS (2.87 × 10-4), CWHS (3.03 × 10-4), and CWFS (3.21 × 10-4) were greater than 10-4. Microbiological analysis revealed the presence of potential pathogens that showed multidrug resistance and the ability to elaborate protease and amylase enzymes. Given the impending chronic health risks inherent in processed noodles, consistent consumption should be avoided.

Depletion of hydrocarbons and concomitant shift in bacterial community structure of a diesel-spiked tropical agricultural soil.

Bacterial community of a diesel-spiked agricultural soil was monitored over a 42-day period using the metagenomic approach in order to gain insight into key phylotypes impacted by diesel contamination and be able to predict end point of bioattenuation. Soil physico-chemical parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between the Polluted Soil (PS) and the Unpolluted control (US)across time points. After 21 days, the diesel content decreased by 27.39%, and at the end of 42 days, by 57.11%. Aromatics such as benzene, anthanthrene, propylbenzene, phenanthrenequinone, anthraquinone, and phenanthridine were degraded to non-detected levels within 42 days, while some medium range alkanes and polyaromatics such as acenaphthylene, naphthalene, and anthracene showed significant levels of degradation. After 21 days (LASTD21), there was a massive enrichment of the phylum Proteobacteria (72.94%), a slight decrease in the abundance of phylum Actinobacteriota (12.74%), and > 500% decrease in the abundance of the phylum Acidobacteriodota (5.26%). Day 42 (LASTD42) saw establishment of the dominance of the Proteobacteria (34.95%), Actinobacteriota, (21.71%), and Firmicutes (32.14%), and decimation of phyla such as Gemmatimonadota, Planctomycetota, and Verrucromicrobiota which play important roles in the cycling of elements and soil health. Principal component analysis showed that in PS moisture contents, phosphorus, nitrogen, organic carbon, had greater impacts on the community structure in LASTD21, while acidity, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium impacted the control sample. Recovery time of the soil based on the residual hydrocarbons at Day 42 was estimated to be 229.112 d. Thus, additional biostimulation may be required to achieve cleanup within one growing season.

Deterioration of the quality of packaged potable water (bottled water) exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period: An implication for public health.

The exposure of bottled water to sunlight leaches heavy metals into the water, thereby deteriorating its quality and this informed the study. Three plastic bottle brands (n = 100 per brand) were exposed to sunlight for different durations. The leaching of contaminants was exposure duration dependent. The following ranges were recorded for temperature (26.67-29.83 °C), pH (4.73-6.12), conductivity (159.00-298.67 µs/cm), turbidity (0.92-1.22 N.T.U), TDS (98.17-192.77 mg/l), hardness (38.12-78.17 mg/l), Fe (0.01-0.57 mg/l), Mn (BDL - 0.46), Cr (BDL - 0.37 mg/l), Al (BDL - 0.53 mg/l), Cd (0.02-0.21 mg/l), Zn (1.18-9.90 mg/l), Pb (0.03-1.68 mg/l), As (BDL - 1.48 mg/l), and Ni (0.05-1.55 mg/l). Health risk evaluation in all bottled water brands revealed possible Cr, Cd, Pb, As, and Ni toxicity. The carcinogenic risk of Cr, As, and, Ni, indicated potential cancer. Arsenic posed the highest non-carcinogenic risk, while Ni posed the highest carcinogenic risk in all brands after 42 days of exposure. The microbial parameters failed to meet the WHO safety limits. The exposure of bottled water to sunlight should be avoided, to ensure a healthy population.

Antimicrobial analysis of honey against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from wound, ADMET properties of its bioactive compounds and in-silico evaluation against dihydropteroate synthase.

BACKGROUND: One of the main challenges of wound healing is infection with multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The spectrum of antibiotics used to treat them is declining; thus, there is a need for alternatives. Our study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of honey, its pharmacokinetics (ADMET) properties and in-silico analysis of its bioactive compounds against dihydropteroate synthase of S. aureus using trimethoprim as control. METHODS: Standard protocols were employed in collection and preparation of samples, generation of canonical strings, and conduction of microbiological analyses. Bioactive compounds' ADMET properties were evaluated using the SWISSADME and the MCULE toxicity checker tools. The MCULE one-click docking tool was used in carrying out the dockings. RESULTS: The gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry revealed twenty (20) bioactive compounds and was dominated by sugars (> 60%). We isolated a total of 47 S. aureus isolates from the wound samples. At lower concentrations, resistance to trimethoprim (95.74 to 100.00%) was higher than honey (70.21 to 96.36%). Only seven (7) isolates meet Lipinski's rule of five and ADMET properties. The docking scores of the bioactive compounds ranged from -3.3 to -4.6 while that of trimethoprim was -6.1, indicating better binding or interaction with the dihydropteroate synthase. The bioactive compounds were not substrates to P450 cytochrome enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2CI9 and CYP2D6) and p-glycoprotein, indicating better gastrointestinal tract (GIT) absorption. CONCLUSION: The favourable docking properties shown by the bioactive compounds suggest they could be lead compounds for newer antimetabolites for management of MDR S. aureus.

Evaluation of Annona muricata extract against Staphylococcus aureus isolate and in-silico activity of bioactive compounds against Capsular protein (Cap5O).

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus has prevailed against the majority of antibiotics currently in clinical use, making it a significant global public health problem. As a safer alternative, bioactive compounds have been explored. Annona muricata has been shown to possess antimicrobial activity. However, there are few reports on the molecular activity of A. muricata bioactive compounds against S. aureus. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of its crude extract as well as investigating the potential of its bioactive compounds against the Cap5O capsular polysaccharides (CPS) of S. aureus via molecular docking. METHODS: Collection of plant leaves, preparation of extracts, anti-nutrient analysis, phytochemical screening via crude method and gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS), isolation and characterization of S. aureus and the antimicrobial activity test were all done using standard protocols. Molecular docking was done using the MCULE online tool with emphasis on docking scores, toxicity, and other properties. RESULTS: Crude screening of the extracts showed the presence of polyphenols, hydroxyanthraquinones, reducing compounds, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, anthraquinones, phlobatannins and tannins in different concentrations. Anti-nutrient analysis showed the presence of allowable levels of evaluated anti-nutrients. GC-MS revealed a total of twenty-nine (29) bioactive compounds, out of which only 4 (13.80%) docked without toxicity and these were bicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one 6-methyl, trichloromethane, carbonic acid 2-dimethylaminoethyl propyl ester, and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-3-one on either the NAD-binding or C-terminal substrate binding domain of Cap5O. CONCLUSION: Results obtained show that Cap5O could be a potential drug target for multi-drug resistant S. aureus, however, further studies aimed at evaluating these bioactive compounds individually and in combination are highly needed.

Arbovirus and its potential to lead the next global pandemic from sub-Saharan Africa: What lessons have we learned from COVID-19?

Risk and predisposing factors for viral zoonoses abound in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region with significant public health implications. For several decades, there have been several reports on the emergence and re-emergence of arbovirus infections. The lifetime burden of arboviral diseases in developing countries is still poorly understood. Studies indicate significant healthcare disruptions and economic losses attributed to the viruses in resource-poor communities marked by impairment in the performance of daily activities. Arboviruses have reportedly evolved survival strategies to aid their proliferation in favorable niches, further magnifying their public health relevance. However, there is poor knowledge about the viruses in the region. Thus, this review presents a survey of zoonotic arboviruses in SSA, the burden associated with their diseases, management of diseases as well as their prevention and control, mobility and determinants of infections, their vectors, and co-infection with various microorganisms. Lessons learned from the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic coupled with routine surveillance of zoonotic hosts for these viruses will improve our understanding of their evolution, their potential to cause a pandemic, control and prevention measures, and vaccine development.

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

Genetic variation among Clostridium perfringens isolated from food and faecal specimens in Lagos.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium which is commonly present in the gastrointestinal tract of man and animals and causes enteritic diseases in animals and food poisoning in humans. Previous studies have looked at the epidemiological relationship between C. perfringens isolates from outbreak source. In this study, the genetic diversity of C. perfringens strains from non-outbreak food and faecal specimens was investigated for epidemiological purposes. METHODS: We analyzed thirty-eight (38) Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from food and faecal specimens in Lagos State. Bacterial identification was done using colonial morphology, Gram stain reaction, conventional biochemical tests and PCR. Genetic analysis was performed using arbitrary primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) technique with oligonucleotide primer of random sequences (OPA-3) to determine the genetic diversity of C. perfringens. The distance between the different bands produced were analyzed using numerical taxonomy and multivariate system software (NTSYS). RESULTS: Seventeen (44.7%) C. perfringens strains showed at least one polymorphic DNA patterns when genotyped. However, this method identified polymorphisms among the C. perfringens species from which four genetic groups (1, 2, 3 and 4) were established. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that there may be faecal contamination of food products and similar clones of Clostridium perfringens may be incriminated.

Metagenomic insights into effects of spent engine oil perturbation on the microbial community composition and function in a tropical agricultural soil.

Analyzing the microbial community structure and functions become imperative for ecological processes. To understand the impact of spent engine oil (SEO) contamination on microbial community structure of an agricultural soil, soil microcosms designated 1S (agricultural soil) and AB1 (agricultural soil polluted with SEO) were set up. Metagenomic DNA extracted from the soil microcosms and sequenced using Miseq Illumina sequencing were analyzed for their taxonomic and functional properties. Taxonomic profiling of the two microcosms by MG-RAST revealed the dominance of Actinobacteria (23.36%) and Proteobacteria (52.46%) phyla in 1S and AB1 with preponderance of Streptomyces (12.83%) and Gemmatimonas (10.20%) in 1S and Geodermatophilus (26.24%), Burkholderia (15.40%), and Pseudomonas (12.72%) in AB1, respectively. Our results showed that soil microbial diversity significantly decreased in AB1. Further assignment of the metagenomic reads to MG-RAST, Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) of proteins, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), GhostKOALA, and NCBI's CDD hits revealed diverse metabolic potentials of the autochthonous microbial community. It also revealed the adaptation of the community to various environmental stressors such as hydrocarbon hydrophobicity, heavy metal toxicity, oxidative stress, nutrient starvation, and C/N/P imbalance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the effect of SEO perturbation on soil microbial communities through Illumina sequencing. The results indicated that SEO contamination significantly affects soil microbial community structure and functions leading to massive loss of nonhydrocarbon degrading indigenous microbiota and enrichment of hydrocarbonoclastic organisms such as members of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria.

Detection of toxigenic Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium botulinum from food sold in Lagos, Nigeria.

Food-borne diseases contribute to the huge burden of sickness and death globally and in the last decade, have become more frequently reported in Africa. In line with this, food safety is becoming a significant and growing public health problem in Nigeria. Diarrhoea is a common problem in Nigeria and has been reported but there has been little data on the possibility of clostridia as aetiological agents. Clostridium species are ubiquitous in the environment and in the gastrointestinal tract of man and animals and can serve as a marker for faecal contamination. We set out to determine the potential of these foods to transmit Clostridium species. A total of 220 food commodities from six local governments in Lagos State were sampled. Isolates obtained were identified based on cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Toxinotyping was done using multiplex-PCR with primers specific for alpha, beta, epsilon and iota-toxin genes, enterotoxigenic cpe gene and neurotoxigenic BoNt gene. Fifty (22.7%) clostridial species were isolated of which 29 (58%) were identified as C. perfringens. Toxinotyping of the 29 strains showed that 28 (96.6%) were toxin producing C. perfringens type A while one (3.4%) was C. perfringens type D. Two (4%) C. botulinum species were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, both harbouring BoNt/A gene. The contamination rates of food with Clostridium species show that food hygiene is a problem and Clostridium species may be a source of food borne disease in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Prevalence and intensity of bacteraemia following orthodontic procedures.

BACKGROUND: There is a possibility that bacteria may enter the blood stream during some non-surgical manipulation procedures, which include orthodontic treatment procedures (alginate impression taking, separator placement, band cementation, and archwire change). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of bacteraemia associated with orthodontic procedures in patients seen at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A total of 100 subjects who presented at the Orthodontic Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Four orthodontic procedures were investigated: alginate impression taking, separator placement, band cementation and archwire placement. Subjects were randomly placed in one of the four procedure groups. Peripheral blood was collected for microbiologic analysis before the orthodontic procedures and within 2 min of completion of the procedures. The BACTEC automated blood culture system and the lysis filtration method of blood culturing were used for microbiological analysis of the blood samples. The Wilcoxon signed rank test, the McNemar χ(2) test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman and point bi-serial correlations were used for statistical evaluation at the P<0.05 level. RESULTS: A significant increase in the prevalence and intensity of bacteraemia was observed following separator placement. The predominant bacteria isolated from the blood cultures were Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus species. CONCLUSION: Separator placement induced the highest levels of bacteraemia. Use of a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinse is recommended prior to separator placement in orthodontic patients.

The burden, distribution and risk factors for cervical oncogenic human papilloma virus infection in HIV positive Nigerian women.

BACKGROUND: The expected reduction in cervical cancer incidence as a result of increased access to antiretroviral therapy is yet to be seen. In this study we investigated the effect of HIV infection and treatment on high-risk (hr) human papilloma virus (HPV) prevalence and distribution. METHODS: Cervical cells from 515 (220 HIV positive and 295 HIV negative) women, recruited during community cervical cancer screening programme in states of Ogun and Lagos and at the cervical cancer screen clinic, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Lagos were evaluated for the presence of 13 hr HPV genotypes by polymerase chain reaction based assay. RESULTS: The prevalence of high-risk HPV was 19.6% in the studied population. HPV 16 (3.9%), 35 (3.5%), 58 (3.3%) and 31 (3.3%) were the most common hr HPV infections detected. We observed that the prevalence of hr HPV was higher in HIV positives (24.5%) than 15.9% in HIV negative women (OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1-2.7). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a lower hr HPV prevalence in HIV positive women on antiretroviral drugs (OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3-0.5) and with CD4 count of 500 and above (OR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.8). A higher prevalence of hr HPV was also noted in HIV positive women with CD4 count < 200 cells/mm³ (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.7-5.9). CONCLUSION: HPV 16, 35, 58 and 31 genotypes were the most common hr HPV infection in our study group, which could be regarded as high risk general population sample; with higher prevalence of HPV 16 and 35 in HIV positive women than in HIV negative women. The use of antiretroviral drugs was found to be associated with a lower prevalence of hr HPV infection, compared to those not on treatment. This study raises important issues that should be further investigated to enable the development of robust cervical cancer prevention and control strategies for women in our setting.

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.

An assessment of the emergency response among health workers involved in the 2010 cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The 2010 cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria affected over 40,000 people, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of ≥3.75%. We assessed the emergency response of health care workers (HCWs) involved in case management. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study with data collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi info software. RESULTS: A total of 56 HCWs were interviewed. The mean age was 31 years (SD±8.16 years). The majority of the HCWs (80%; n=45) were aged 18-39 years. Most were community health extension workers (60%), and 3.6% (n=2) were medical doctors. Many of the HCWs had less than 2 years of work experience (42%). Additionally, 82% of the respondents had <1 week of cholera emergency response training, and 50% of the HCWs managed >20 suspected cases of cholera per day. Although 78% of HCWs reported the practice of universal safety precautions, 32% (n=18) knew HCWs who developed symptoms of cholera during the epidemic, most of which was believed to be hospital acquired (78%). We also found that 77% (n=43) of HCWs had no access to the required emergency response supplies. CONCLUSION: Inadequate training, a lack of qualified HCWs and a limited supply of emergency response kits were reported. Therefore, the government and stakeholders should address the gaps noted to adequately control and prevent future epidemics.

Cholera epidemiology in Nigeria: an overview.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium, Vibrio cholera. Choleragenic V. cholera O1 and O139 are the only causative agents of the disease. The two most distinguishing epidemiologic features of the disease are its tendency to appear in explosive outbreaks and its predisposition to causing pandemics that may progressively affect many countries and spread into continents. Despite efforts to control cholera, the disease continues to occur as a major public health problem in many developing countries. Numerous studies over more than a century have made advances in the understanding of the disease and ways of treating patients, but the mechanism of emergence of new epidemic strains, and the ecosystem supporting regular epidemics, remain challenging to epidemiologists. In Nigeria, since the first appearance of epidemic cholera in 1972, intermittent outbreaks have been occurring. The later part of 2010 was marked with severe outbreak which started from the northern part of Nigeria, spreading to the other parts and involving approximately 3,000 cases and 781 deaths. Sporadic cases have also been reported. Although epidemiologic surveillance constitutes an important component of the public health response, publicly available surveillance data from Nigeria have been relatively limited to date. Based on existing relevant scientific literature on features of cholera, this paper presents a synopsis of cholera epidemiology emphasising the situation in Nigeria.

Fluconazole susceptibility and ERG11 gene expression in vaginal candida species isolated from Lagos Nigeria.

Fluconazole resistance is an important type of resistance in Candida because in most countries, fluconazole is the drug of choice for vulvovaginal candidiasis. Candida species resist fluconazole by various mechanisms but there is paucity of data on these in our environment. Such mechanisms include among others, over-expression of the ERG11 gene, which codes for synthesis of the target enzymes in the fungus. The aim of this study was to screen Candida spp. resistant to fluconazole for the expression of ERG11 gene. Fluconazole susceptibility test was performed on 28 clinical strains of Candida species previously obtained from students of a School of Nursing in Lagos, Nigeria. They were identified by API Candida, CHROMagar candida and germ tube test. Using 25 mcg discs, fluconazole susceptibility was determined by the disc diffusion method and results were interpreted in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) criteria; sensitive (S), resistant (R) and susceptible dose dependent (SDD). The R and SDD isolates were subsequently evaluated for the presence of ERG11 gene. Of the 28 clinical isolates, 14 were identified as C. albicans and six as C. tropicalis. The remaining isolates were identified as C. glabrata (2), C. famata (2) C. kefyr (2) one each of C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii respectively. In this study, 18 were susceptible (S) to fluconazole, eight were SDD and two were resistant to the antifungal agent. Out of the 14 C. albicans isolates, 12 were susceptible, one showed high level resistance and similar number showed susceptible dose dependence. ERG11 was detected in three susceptible dose dependent Candida species. This analysis demonstrates that susceptible dose dependence should not be overlooked as it may be associated with the presence of ERG11 gene and resistance to fluconazole. There is a need to consider routine antifungal susceptibility testing for Candida species causing vulvovaginitis.

Occurrence of yeasts, pseudomonads and enteric bacteria in the oral cavity of patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of yeasts, pseudomonads and enteric bacteria in the oral cavity of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of head and neck cancer. Fifty patients receiving RT were examined before, during and 30 days after RT. Saliva, mucosa, and biofilm samples were collected and microorganisms were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most prevalent yeasts in patients submitted to RT were Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, and Pseudomonas were the most frequently cultivated bacteria. Before RT, targeted bacteria were cultivated from 22.2 percent of edentulous patients and 16.6 percent of dentate patients; 30 days after RT, these microorganisms were recovered from 77.8 percent edentulous and 46.8 percent dentate patients. By PCR, these microorganisms were detected from all edentulous patients, 78.1 percent of dentate patients. The presence of Gram-negative enteric roads and fungi was particularly frequent in patients presenting mucositis level III or IV. Modifications in the oral environment due to RT treatment seem to facilitate the colonization of oral cavity by members of family Enterobacteriaceae, genera Enterococcus and Candida.

Molecular typing of Salmonella spp isolated from food handlers and animals in Nigeria.

A total of 61 isolates of Salmonella spp (made up of 26 clinical isolates and 20 food handler and 15 animal isolates) were typed by RAPD-PCR for the purpose of screening for epidemiologically related isolates. The RAPD -PCR typing method used comprised six primers namely 787, 797, 784, 1254, RAPD 1 and RAPD 2 but 784 and 1254 did not produce discriminatory patterns and so were dropped. From the 61 strains, RAPD fingerprinting with primers RAPD 1, 2 produced 22 and 24 fingerprint patterns respectively. RAPD fingerprinting with primers 787, 797 produced 17, 11 fingerprinting patterns respectively. Combinations of the two RAPD 1 and 2 primers increased the discrimination of Salmonella strains to 32 patterns rather than the other primers used. Primer 797 was the least discriminatory. This study showed that the RAPD 1 and 2 primers would be useful for epidemiological typing of the Salmonella spp in Nigeria.

Occurrence of yeasts, pseudomonads and enteric bacteria in the oral cavity of patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of yeasts, pseudomonads and enteric bacteria in the oral cavity of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of head and neck cancer. Fifty patients receiving RT were examined before, during and 30 days after RT. Saliva, mucosa, and biofilm samples were collected and microorganisms were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most prevalent yeasts in patients submitted to RT were Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, and Pseudomonas were the most frequently cultivated bacteria. Before RT, targeted bacteria were cultivated from 22.2% of edentulous patients and 16.6% of dentate patients; 30 days after RT, these microorganisms were recovered from 77.8% edentulous and 46.8% dentate patients. By PCR, these microorganisms were detected from all edentulous patients, 78.1% of dentate patients. The presence of Gram-negative enteric roads and fungi was particularly frequent in patients presenting mucositis level III or IV. Modifications in the oral environment due to RT treatment seem to facilitate the colonization of oral cavity by members of family Enterobacteriaceae, genera Enterococcus and Candida.