Asymptomatic Rotavirus infections among children in Maiduguri, Borno state, Northeast, Nigeria.

Background: Rotavirus remains one of the main causative agents of gastroenteritis in young children. This happens, especially in countries (e.g., Nigeria) that have not yet introduced the vaccine into the national immunization program. A significant prevalence of Rotavirus infection both in children and adults without major symptoms has earlier been reported. This study aimed at defining the prevalence of asymptomatic Rotavirus infection from apparently healthy children in Maiduguri, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 269 stool samples were randomly collected from apparently healthy children <15 years of age from July 2017 to June 2018. All samples were screened using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for the presence of Rotavirus antigen. The Rotavirus-positive samples were further subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) to determine their RNA electropherotypes. Results: A total of 59 stool samples (19.9%) were Rotavirus positive with peaks observed in the cold dry season, among male children, and 6-10 years of age group. A total of 50 randomly selected Rotavirus-positive samples were subjected to PAGE, and none of the samples showed either long or short profiles. Conclusion: This study shows that Rotavirus can be shed into environments without any signs and symptoms. In view of this, the Rotavirus vaccine should be considered a priority and be introduced in the existing national immunization program in Nigeria, particularly in Borno State.

RésuméContexte: Le rotavirus reste l'un des principaux agents responsables de la gastro-entérite chez les jeunes enfants. Cela se produit, en particulier dans les pays (par exemple, le Nigéria) qui n'ont pas encore introduit le vaccin dans le programme national de vaccination. Une prévalence significative de l'infection à rotavirus chez les enfants et les adultes sans symptômes majeurs a été signalée précédemment. Cette étude visait à définir la prévalence de l'infection asymptomatique à rotavirus chez des enfants apparemment en bonne santé à Maiduguri, dans l'État de Borno, au nord-est du Nigéria. Méthodes: Un total de 269 échantillons de selles ont été prélevés au hasard sur des enfants apparemment en bonne santé âgés de moins de 15 ans de juillet 2017 à juin 2018. Tous les échantillons ont été criblés à l'aide d'un kit de dosage immunosorbant lié aux enzymes disponible dans le commerce pour la présence d'antigène rotavirus. Les échantillons positifs pour le rotavirus ont en outre été soumis à une électrophorèse sur gel de polyacrylamide (PAGE) pour déterminer leurs électrophérotypes d'ARN. Résultats: Un total de 59 échantillons de selles (19,9%) étaient positifs pour le rotavirus avec des pics observés pendant la saison sèche froide, chez les enfants de sexe masculin et le groupe d'âge de 6 à 10 ans. Un total de 50 échantillons positifs au Rotavirus sélectionnés au hasard ont été soumis à PAGE, et aucun des échantillons n'a montré de profils longs ou courts. Conclusion: Cette étude montre que le rotavirus peut être répandu dans des environnements sans aucun signe ni symptôme. Compte tenu de cela, le vaccin contre le rotavirus devrait être considéré comme une priorité et être introduit dans le programme national de vaccination existant au Nigéria, en particulier dans l'État de Borno.

Spectrum of pulmonary fungal pathogens, associated risk factors, and anti-fungal susceptibility pattern among persons with presumptive tuberculosis at Gombe, Nigeria.

Background: Pulmonary mycosis (PM) poses a great diagnostic challenge due to the lack of pathognomonic and radiological features, especially in the absence of mycology laboratory tests. This study was aimed to isolate, phenotypically identify, determine the prevalence of pulmonary fungal pathogens and antifungal susceptibility pattern of isolates of presumptive tuberculosis (PTB) patients attending Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Gombe, Nigeria. Methods: After ethical approval, three consecutive early morning sputa were collected from 216 participants with presumptive of PTB attending FTH Gombe, between May 2, 2017 and May 30, 2018. Samples were processed using standard mycological staining, microscopy, sugar biochemistry, and antifungal susceptibility test protocols. Sociodemographic variables and risk factors of pulmonary fungal infection were assessed through structured questionnaires. Pulmonary fungal infection was defined by the positive culture in at least two sputa. PTB was defined by Genexpert® nested polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 216 participants, 19.9% had PTB and 73.6% had pulmonary fungal pathogens. Among the isolated pulmonary fungal pathogens, Aspergillus fumigatus made the highest occurrence, while 6.5% had PTB-fungal co-infection. No significant association existed between the prevalence of PM with age and sex of participants (P < 0.05). Cigarette smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 15.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9-268.8]), prolong antibiotic use (aOR = 77.9 [95% CI: 4.7-1283]) and possession of domestic pet (aOR = 77.9 [95% CI: 4.7-1283]) were significant risk factors of PM (P < 0.05). Penicillium citrinum, Mucor spp. and Aspergillus flavus are more susceptible to voriconazole, and Candida albicans was found to be more susceptible to Nystatin. Of the 159 fungal isolates, 92.5% were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed high level pulmonary fungal pathogens, especially among PTB patients. A majority of fungal isolates were resistant to fluconazole. It's recommended that persons should do away with or minimize risk factors for pulmonary fungal pathogens identified in this study.

Cooccurrence of predominant Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive sequence type (ST) 152 and multidrug-resistant ST 241 Staphylococcus aureus clones in Nigerian hospitals.

Ninety-six clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Nigeria were characterized phenotypically and genetically. Twelve multidrug-resistant methicillin (meticillin)-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates carrying a new staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element and a high proportion of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were observed. The cooccurrence of multidrug-resistant MRSA and PVL-positive MSSA isolates entails the risk of emergence of a multidrug-resistant PVL-positive MRSA clone.