Beyond the Wild MRSA: Genetic Features and Phylogenomic Review of mecC-Mediated Methicillin Resistance in Non-aureus Staphylococci and Mammaliicocci.

Methicillin resistance, mediated by the mecA gene in staphylococci and mammaliicocci, has caused tremendous setbacks in the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine due to its high potential of presenting the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. Three other mec analogs exist, of which the mecC has evolutionary been associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in wild animals, thus loosely referred to as the wild MRSA. In this study, we present an epidemiological review and genomic analysis of non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci that carry the mecC-mediated methicillin resistance trait and determine whether this trait has any relevant link with the One Health niches. All previous studies (2007 till 2023) that described the mecC gene in non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci were obtained from bibliometric databases, reviewed, and systematically analyzed to obtain the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence determinants, mobilome, and other genetic contents. Moreover, core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis was used to assess the relatedness of these strains. Of the 533 articles analyzed, only 16 studies (on livestock, environmental samples, milk bulk tanks, and wild animals) were eligible for inclusion, of which 17 genomes from 6 studies were used for various in silico genetic analyses. Findings from this systematic review show that all mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci were resistant to only beta-lactam antibiotics and associated with the classical SCCmec XI of S. aureusLGA251. Similarly, two studies on wild animals reported mecC-carrying Mammaliicoccus stepanovicii associated with SCCmec XI. Nevertheless, most of the mecC-carrying Mammaliicoccus species presented an MDR phenotype (including linezolid) and carried the SCCmec-mecC hybrid associated with mecA. The phylogenetic analysis of the 17 genomes revealed close relatedness (<20 SNPs) and potential transmission of M. sciuri and M. lentus strains in livestock farms in Algeria, Tunisia, and Brazil. Furthermore, closely related M. sciuri strains from Austria, Brazil, and Tunisia (<40 SNPs) were identified. This systematic review enhances our comprehension of the epidemiology and genetic organization of mecC within the non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci. It could be hypothesized that the mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci are evolutionarily related to the wild MRSA-mecC. The potential implications of clonal development of a lineage of mecA/mecC carrying strains across multiple dairy farms in a vast geographical region with the dissemination of MDR phenotype is envisaged. It was observed that most mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci were reported in mastitis cases. Therefore, veterinarians and veterinary microbiology laboratories must remain vigilant regarding the potential existence of mecA/mecC strains originating from mastitis as a potential niche for this resistance trait.

Prevalence and characteristics of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis among under-five children in ahmadu bello university teaching hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.

Background: Rotavirus infection is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in developing countries and, in severe cases even leads to death. The impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction in reducing the rotavirus disease burden in children was well known. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of rotavirus gastroenteritis before the introduction of rotavirus vaccine into Nigeria's routine immunization program. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study involving 735 children aged 0-59 months with acute gastroenteritis hospitalized at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria from September 2017 to August 2020. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained and entered into the World Health Organization standardized case investigation forms. Stool specimens were tested for rotavirus Group A antigen using the ProSpecT™ Rotavirus Microplate Assay by Thermoscientific Oxoid Microbiology UK. Results: One hundred and fifty-three stool samples tested positive for rotavirus giving a prevalence of 20.8%. One hundred and two (66.7%) children with rotavirus gastroenteritis were infants. There were 87 males and 66 females with M: F ratio of 1.3:1. Only 30 (19.6%) children with rotavirus-associated diarrhea presented with severe dehydration. The presence of vomiting was significantly associated with rotavirus diarrhea (P = 0.001). More cases of rotavirus diarrhea occurred in September through February. None of the studied children were vaccinated against rotavirus. Conclusion: The prevalence of rotavirus diarrhea remains high in this study. Infants were recognized as a high-risk group, and none of them were vaccinated against rotavirus and this underscores the urgent need for implementing the rotavirus vaccine in the national vaccination program to reduce the disease burden in the country.

Résumé L'infection à rotavirus est une cause importante de gastro-entérite dans les pays en développement et, dans les cas graves, entraîne même la mort. L'impact de l'introduction du vaccin antirotavirus pour réduire le fardeau de la maladie à rotavirus chez les enfants était bien connue. L'étude visait à déterminer la prévalence et les caractéristiques cliniques de la gastro-entérite à rotavirus avant l'introduction du vaccin antirotavirus dans le programme de vaccination systématique du Nigéria. Matériels et méthodesNous avons mené une étude hospitalière transversale portant sur 735 enfants âgés de 0 à 59 mois atteints de gastro-entérite aiguë. hospitalisé à l'hôpital universitaire Ahmadu Bello Zaria de septembre 2017 à août 2020. Données sociodémographiques et cliniques pertinentes les données ont été obtenues et saisies dans les formulaires normalisés d'investigation de cas de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé. Des échantillons de selles ont été testés pour le rotavirus Antigène du groupe A utilisant le test sur microplaque ProSpecT™ Rotavirus par Thermoscientific Oxoid Microbiology UK. Résultatscent cinquante trois les échantillons de selles ont été testés positifs pour le rotavirus donnant une prévalence de 20,8 %. Cent deux (66,7 %) enfants atteints de gastro-entérite à rotavirus ont été nourrissons. Il y avait 87 hommes et 66 femmes avec un rapport M:F de 1,3:1. Seuls 30 (19,6 %) enfants atteints de diarrhée à rotavirus ont présenté déshydratation sévère. La présence de vomissements était significativement associée à la diarrhée à rotavirus (P = 0,001). Plus de cas de diarrhée à rotavirus se sont produits de septembre à février. Aucun des enfants étudiés n'a été vacciné contre le rotavirus. ConclusionLa prévalence de la diarrhée à rotavirus reste élevé dans cette étude. Les nourrissons ont été reconnus comme un groupe à haut risque et aucun d'entre eux n'a été vacciné contre le rotavirus, ce qui souligne la nécessité urgente de mettre en œuvre le vaccin antirotavirus dans le programme national de vaccination afin de réduire la charge de morbidité dans le pays. Mots-clésGastro-entérite aiguë, diarrhée à rotavirus, vaccin à rotavirus, Zaria.

Prevalence and genetic lineages of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization and urinary tract infection among people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: A systematic review.

To provide an empirical insight on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) nasal colonization and urinary tract infection (UTI) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria, a quantitative synthesis and systematic review were executed. A comprehensive bibliometric search was conducted for published articles using the keywords 'nasal S. aureus carriage', 'Urinary S. aureus', 'nasal MRSA', 'staphylococci-HIV coinfection', 'urinary MRSA' and 'all states of Nigeria'. Eligible studies and the number of subjects (n) were analysed according to the PRISMA criteria. Out of the 79 examined studies, only 6 (n=1181) and 6 (n= 1350) on nasal and urine samples, respectively, were eligible. The pooled prevalence of nasal carriage and UTI of S. aureus were 29.6% and 6.8%, respectively. However, the pooled nasal MRSA carriage was 13.4%. The pooled prevalence of luk-F/S-PV-carrying S. aureus among nasal samples was 13.0%. Molecular typing from 3 studies showed MRSA-ST8-t064 and MSSA-ST15-t084 as the predominant genetic lineages. The S. aureus isolates from both sample types had the highest (>50%) resistance to penicillin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Multi-drug resistance was not significantly higher among S. aureus isolates from urine than nasal samples (60% versus 40.0% of eligible studies) (p= 0.5271). A moderate and high pooled prevalence of genetically diverse MRSA and luk-F/S-PV-carrying S. aureus were obtained from PLWHA, respectively. These findings emphasize the importance of routine screening for MRSA among PLWHA in Nigeria and other HIV endemic countries.

Humoral immunological kinetics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and diagnostic performance of serological assays for coronavirus disease 2019: an analysis of global reports.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rise and second waves are reported in some countries, serological test kits and strips are being considered to scale up an adequate laboratory response. This study provides an update on the kinetics of humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and performance characteristics of serological protocols (lateral flow assay [LFA], chemiluminescence immunoassay [CLIA] and ELISA) used for evaluations of recent and past SARS-CoV-2 infection. A thorough and comprehensive review of suitable and eligible full-text articles was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Wordometer and medRxiv from 10 January to 16 July 2020. These articles were searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms 'COVID-19', 'Serological assay', 'Laboratory Diagnosis', 'Performance characteristics', 'POCT', 'LFA', 'CLIA', 'ELISA' and 'SARS-CoV-2'. Data from original research articles on SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection ≥second day postinfection were included in this study. In total, there were 7938 published articles on humoral immune response and laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. Of these, 74 were included in this study. The detection, peak and decline period of blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM, IgG and total antibodies for point-of-care testing (POCT), ELISA and CLIA vary widely. The most promising of these assays for POCT detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 at day 3 postinfection and peaked on the 15th day; ELISA products detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG at days 2 and 6 then peaked on the eighth day; and the most promising CLIA product detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 at day 1 and peaked on the 30th day. The most promising LFA, ELISA and CLIA that had the best performance characteristics were those targeting total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies followed by those targeting anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG then IgM. Essentially, the CLIA-based SARS-CoV-2 tests had the best performance characteristics, followed by ELISA then POCT. Given the varied performance characteristics of all the serological assays, there is a need to continuously improve their detection thresholds, as well as to monitor and re-evaluate their performances to assure their significance and applicability for COVID-19 clinical and epidemiological purposes.

Phenotypic profile and antibiogram of biofilm-producing bacteria isolates from diabetic foot ulcers in Zaria, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) present with high morbidity and reduce patient's quality of life. There is a gross paucity of data on biofilm-producing bacteria in DFU Infection in North-Western Nigeria. The study sought to determine the biofilm-forming ability of bacteria isolates from DFUs and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients with DFUs was conducted from June 2018 to February 2020. Consecutive biopsies were aseptically collected. Bacteria were isolated and identified using a Microgen kit. Biofilm forming ability and antibiogram of isolates were determined using microtitre plate and disk diffusion methods, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 225 participants enrolled, males constituted the majority, 144 (64.0%) with 88 (36.0%) females, the median age of participants was 54 (48-60) years, and the age range was 36-77 years. A total of 172 bacteria were isolated, and 123 (71.5%) were biofilm producers. Staphylococcus aureus (26.7%) was the highest biofilm producer, while Citrobacter freundii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were the least biofilm producers, 1 (0.6%) each. A disproportionate resistance pattern was demonstrated among the biofilm and non-biofilm producers against the cephalosporins tested, ceftazidime (68% vs. 18%), ceftriaxone (50% vs. 8.0%) and cefotaxime (21% vs. 0.0%). About 46% and 68% of the biofilm producers were resistant to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. While only 2% of the non-biofilm producers were resistant to imipenem, 11% of the biofilm producers were resistant to it. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed a high proportion of biofilm-producing bacteria and were more resistant than non-biofilm producers.

Dengue Virus is Hyperendemic in Nigeria from 2009 to 2020: A Contemporary Systematic Review.

BACKROUND: Data on Dengue virus (DENV) infection prevalence, geographic distribution and risk factors are necessary to direct appropriate utilization of existing and emerging control strategies. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence, risk factors of DENV infection and the circulating serotypes within Nigeria from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one studies out of 2,215 available articles were eligible and included for this systematic review. Relevant articles were searched, screened and included in this study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The risk of bias in primary studies was assessed by Cochrane's method. Heterogeneity of pooled prevalence was calculated using the chi-square test on Cochrane's Q statistic, which was quantified by I-square values. The random-effects analyses of proportions were used to determine the pooled prevalence of DENV antibodies, antigen and RNA from eligible studies. RESULTS: Of these, 3 studies reported co-circulation of all the 4 serotypes, while 2 separately reported co-circulation of DENV-1 &2 and DENV-1 to -3. All the antibody-based studies had significantly high heterogeneity (I² >90%, P <0.05), while the NS1 and PCR-based studies had low heterogeneity (I² <25%, P >0.05). The pooled prevalence of DENV IgM, IgG, RNA, NS1 and neutralizing antibodies were 16.8%, 34.7%, 7.7%, 7.7% and 0.7%, respectively. South-east Nigeria had the highest pooled DENV-IgG seropositivity, 77.1%. Marital status, gender, educational level and occupation status, the proximity of residence to refuse dumpsite, frequent use of trousers and long sleeve shirts were significantly associated with DENV IgG seropositivity (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it can be inferred that Nigeria is hyperendemic for Dengue fever and needs concerted efforts to control its spread within and outside the country.

Seroprevalence and Factors Associated with Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Antenatal Attendees in ABUTH Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria is one of the sub-Saharan African countries within the World Health Organization's (WHO) hyperendemic region for hepatitis B virus infection with prevalence greater than 8%. In this region, mother-to-child transmission is the major route of infection and approximately 90% of newborns of mothers who are seropositive for HBsAg and HBeAg become chronic carriers with a 25% risk of developing chronic liver diseases. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, and factors associated with risk of hepatitis B virus infection among antenatal attendees in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria. Methodology: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women Rattending the antenatal booking clinic of ABUTH, Zaria from August 2017 to January 2018. Systematic random sampling was used. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors for HBV infection. Blood samples were collected and tested using the third generation ELISAkit for HBsAg (Monolisa HBsAg ULTRA BIORAD, France) and HBeAg(HBeAg & Ab, DiaPro Diagnostic Bioprobes Milano Italy). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 (IBM USA, 2011). Statistical testing was carried out with chi-squareand level of significance set as P<0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 26 ± 6.1 years, the highest HBV seropositivity occurred in the age group 21-25 years from a total of 192 participants. The seroprevalence of HBV obtained was 15.1%. Only1(3.4%) woman was positive for HBeAg among the 29 HBsAg seropositive women. Past history of unsafe injections was the only risk factor significantly associated with HBV seropositivity (x2= 5.628 p-value= 0.023). Conclusions: The seropositivity of hepatitis B virus was high among pregnant women. Interventions targeted at injection safety will help reduce the risk of infection.

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.

Evaluation of apoptotic protease-activating Factor-1 and cluster of Differentiation-4+ T-Cell counts in patients-infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis in Bauchi, Nigeria.

Background: This cross-sectional study evaluated Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor and cluster of differentiation-4+ (CD4+) T-cell counts in patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Bauchi, Nigeria. Methods: This involved 180 blood samples from 90 tuberculosis (TB)-infected patients and 90 of their close contacts at home or attending Federal Medical Center Azare and Infectious Disease Hospital Bayara, Bauchi, Nigeria. The blood samples were analyzed for Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor (Apaf-1) expression using ELISA and CD4+ T cells using cyflow counter. Structured questionnaires were also used to collect the sociodemographic and clinical data of the study participants. Results: Eighty-six of the TB-infected patients had pulmonary TB (PTB), two had spine TB, and two had pleural TB. No statistically significant difference was recorded in CD4+ T-cell counts (P = 0.2935) between participants with PTB (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 680.4 ± 235 cells/mm3) and those with extra-PTB (mean ± SD: 553.0 ± 130.5 cells/mm3). Similarly, there was no significant difference in Apaf-1 concentration (P = 0.1432) between participants with PTB (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]: 320.3 ± 35.4 pg/ml), and participants with extra-PTB (mean ± SEM: 143.7 ± 7.8 pg/ml). No significant difference was recorded in CD4+ T-cell counts (P = 0.4299) between the participants on treatment (mean ± SD: 758.6 ± 358.6 cells/mm3) and those who are treatment naïve (mean ± SD: 637.7 ± 208.4 cells/mm3). Similarly, there was no significant difference in Apaf-1 concentration (P = 0.6829) between the study participants on treatment (mean ± SEM: 336.3 ± 34.7 pg/ml) and those who are not on treatment (mean ± SEM: 381.2 ± 176.8 pg/ml). The CD4+ T-cells count was significantly higher in the controls (866.7 ± 288.4 cells/mm3) compared to the TB (675.0 ± 232.7 cells/mm3) patients (P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in Apaf-1 expression between the control (312.4 ± 34.6 pg/ml) and the TB patients (329.1 ± 44.0 pg/ml) (P = 0.7658). Conclusion: Findings from this study showed a lower T-cell immune function during TB infection. However, Apaf-1 has no relevance on TB progression and control.

Efficacy of Parkia biglobosa fruit powder on the control of Striga in cowpea cropping systems in the Sudan-Savanna, Nigeria.

Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano (Latitude 120 03'N and Longitude 80 32'E) and Jigawa State Research Institute Farm, Kazaure (Latitude 120 06'N and Longitude 8047 E) in 2015 rainy season. The study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Parkia biglobosa fruit powder in the control of Striga (Striga gesnerioides (Walp) Vatke), growth and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) under field condition. The treatments consisted of three methods of Parkia fruit powder application (seed coating, basal and the control) and seven cowpea varieties (IT90K-277-2, IT97K-205-8, IT97K-390-2, IT97K-461-4, IT97K-568-11, IT98D-288, IT98K-131-2 and IT03K-378-4). These were laid in a split plot design and replicated three times. Methods of application of Parkia fruit powder were assigned to the main plot, while cowpea varieties were in the subplot. Results of the study showed that the control plots had the highest Striga count m-2 in both locations. The variety IT90K-390-2 recorded the highest number of Striga m-2 (5.11) while 1T97K-205-8 had none. Among the varieties tested, IT90K-277-2 recorded the highest grain yield (1841.3 kg ha-1) while IT03K-378-4 had the lowest grain yield (1439.4 kg ha-1) at BUK. Coating cowpea seeds with Parkia fruit powder recorded lowest stand count on most varieties. Basal application of Parkia fruit powder to IT90K-277-2 recorded higher grain yield (2137 kg ha-1) and lower Striga count m-2 (0.66), and is therefore recommended for Striga control.