Appraisal of the knowledge, attitude, perception and practices among northern Nigerians in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Aim: The aim of this study was to measure the knowledge, attitude, perception and practices of northern Nigerians toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results & discussions: There were 713 participants, of which 54.0, 57.4, 67.6, 36.2 and 28.9% were between 18 and 30 years of age, married, males, having bachelor's degree and civil servants, respectively. High level of knowledge, attitude, perception and practice was found. Pearson correlation analysis found strong positive (r = 0.622; p < 0.001) relationships between knowledge, attitude, perception (r = 0.454; p < 0.001) and at last, practice (r = 0.282; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Young, male and married northern Nigerians of high socio-economic status had better knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices toward COVID-19.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of orf virus isolated from goats in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria.

AIM: The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize orf virus isolated from clinical infections in goats in Sokoto metropolis. MATERIALS & METHODS: Embryonated chicken eggs were used to isolate orf virus according to the established protocol. Viral DNA was extracted and full coding region of B2L gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced and blasted for identification and phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The B2L gene sequences of the isolate showed slight variability (96-98.7%) with the reference sequences as it clustered within the same clade with Korean, Zambian and Ethiopian strains, signifying a close genetic relationship. Unique amino acid substitutions were noted. This is the first genetic characterization of B2L gene of orf virus circulating in Nigeria. CONCLUSION: This study has provided in sight into the genetic diversity of orf virus in the study area.

Risk of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infection from Raw and Fermented Milk in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an enteric foodborne pathogen associated with life threatening disease conditions. The enterobacteria are frequently found in cattle gastrointestinal tract with high potential of contaminating animal products such as meat, milk, and cheese. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in milk products sold within Sokoto metropolis. Two hundred and sixty (260) samples (comprising 160 raw and 100 fermented milk samples) were collected from different sources within the study area. Bacteriological isolation and biochemical characterization yielded Escherichia coli with a detection rate of 9.23% (24/260). Molecular identification of the recovered isolates by PCR amplification of the Stx1 gene revealed Escherichia coli O157:H7 with a positive rate of 20.83% (5/24). The overall prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was 1.92% (5/260) and the positive proportions for raw and fermented milk samples were 1.86% (3/160) and 2.0% (2/100), respectively. Fisher's Exact test showed a nonsignificant association between the isolates and the different milk types (p = 0.943; OR = 0.94; [95% CI: 0.154-5.704]). The results revealed presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in raw and fermented milk sold within Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria. The findings indicate possible feacal contamination of the milk products, with serious public health consequences. This necessitates the need to screen other milk products produced in the area such as butter and cheese. Health authorities in the State need to enlighten dairy farmers on the zoonotic potential of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and the role of cattle in the spread of the pathogen.