Phenotypic Characterisation of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Patients in Healthcare Institutions in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is a cosmopolitan and pathogenic microorganism associated with various diseases spectra and antimicrobial resistance of public health importance. AIM: This study determined the phenotypic characteristics of S. aureus isolated from patients in healthcare institutions in Zaria metropolis. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out in 5 healthcare institutions. Four hundred and twenty clinical samples were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Majority of the patients (54.3%) were within the age range 21-40 years and mean age of 26.04 ± 12 years. Approximately, 70% of the respondents had history of antibiotic use prior to consultation in the hospitals and were self-prescribed, and 91.2% were outpatients. The most commonly abused antibiotics were ampicillin-cloxacillin (19.5%) and cotrimoxazole (10.0%), and the mean duration of their use was 3.5 ± 1.3 days. The detection rate for S. aureus was 10% and 5.2% for MRSA. The S. aureus isolates showed the highest frequency of resistance against ampicillin 42 (100%), followed by penicillin G 39 (92.9%) and least was to gentamicin 5 (11.9%). The frequency of resistance for the MRSA were ampicillin 22 (100%), penicillin G 21(95.5%) and least was to gentamicin 2 (9.1%). The minimum inhibitory concentrations of oxacillin were greater than 128 µg /ml. CONCLUSION: The detection rate of S. aureus and MRSA strains are of great public health concern which requires continuous health education on rational use of antibiotics among others.

CONTEXTE: Staphylococcus aureus est un micro-organisme cosmopolite et pathogène associé à divers spectres de maladies et à une résistance aux antimicrobiens d'importance pour la santé publique. OBJECTIF: Cette étude a permis de déterminer les caractéristiques phénotypiques de S. aureus isolé chez des patients dans des établissements de santé de la métropole de Zaria. PLAN DE L'ÉTUDE: Une étude transversale en milieu hospitalier a été menée dans 5 établissements de santé. Quatre cent vingt échantillons cliniques ont été recueillis et analysés. RÉSULTATS: La majorité des patients (54,3 %) étaient âgés de 21 à 40 ans et l'âge moyen était de 26,04 ± 12 ans. Environ 70 % des répondants avaient des antécédents d'utilisation d'antibiotiques avant la consultation dans les hôpitaux et étaient auto-prescrits, et 91,2 % étaient des patients externes. Les antibiotiques les plus fréquemment utilisés étaient l'ampicillinecloxacilline (19,5 %) et le cotrimoxazole (10,0 %), et la durée moyenne de leur utilisation était de 3,5 ± 1,3 jours. Le taux de détection de S. aureus était de 10 % et de 5,2 % pour le SARM. Les isolats de S. aureus ont montré la plus grande fréquence de résistance à l'ampicilline 42 (100%), suivie de la pénicilline G 39 (92,9%) et la plus faible à la gentamicine 5 (11,9%). La fréquence de résistance pour le SARM était de 22 (100%) pour l'ampicilline, 21 (95,5%) pour la pénicilline G et 2 (9,1%) pour la gentamicine. Les concentrations minimales inhibitrices de l'oxacilline étaient supérieures à 128 µg /ml. CONCLUSION: Le taux de détection des souches de S. aureus et de SARM est un grand problème de santé publique qui nécessite une éducation sanitaire continue sur l'utilisation rationnelle des antibiotiques entre autres. Mots clés: S. aureus, MRSA, phénotype, résistance aux antimicrobiens, patients d'hôpitaux, Nigeria.

Serosurvey on Sheep Unravel Circulation of Rift Valley Fever Virus in Nigeria.

Rift Valley fever is an arboviral zoonoses causing severe morbidity and mortality among humans and animals in many African countries. A cross-sectional study in populations of sheep reared around the Gidan-Waya Forest Reserve located in Jema'a LGA of Kaduna State, Nigeria to determine the serological evidence of exposure to Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 200 sheep sampled, 9 (4.5%; 95 CI 2.23-8.33) were positive for antibodies to the RVFV. The detection of antibodies suggests a covert circulation among the sheep and may be indicative of a subclinical infection.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of African swine fever outbreaks in Nigeria, 2002-2007.

African swine fever (ASF) was first introduced into Nigeria through Lagos state in 1997. The disease rapidly spread to Ogun state in 1998 and extended to the Niger Delta (Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states) in the same year. In 1998, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states all north of the country experienced ASF for the first time. Poor farm biosecurity, bad abattoir practices and extensive/free range pig farming systems led to extensive spread of the diseases to about 16 Nigerian states excluding the far northwest and north east. A total of 1036 field samples collected over a 6-year period covering 19 Nigerian states were analysed during the period under review; 805 samples were PCR positive and 231 negative. Positive samples were detected in all three surveillance phases and from all agroecological zones across the country. For the first time since its incursion, ASF was identified in some states; Bauchi, Adamawa Taraba and Gombe with chances of control very slim and further spread of the virus northward envisaged. Outbreaks of the disease are now a perennial problem with an increasing disease burden in areas where high numbers of pigs are produced in the country. The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, since 2002 investigated ASF based on tissue submissions and reports made by individuals, private & commercial farms and agricultural bodies. We present an analysis of geographical and temporal distribution of ASF in the country from 2002 to 2007 and a review of historic outbreaks since the first incursion. Risk factors and prospects for control are discussed.

Serologic and virologic surveillance of avian influenza in Nigeria, 2006-7.

Since January 2006, H5N1 avian influenza has affected Nigeria's poultry population causing enormous loss of resources. The current circulating virus is a potential candidate for pandemic influenza which may severely affect the human and animal population worldwide especially in the resource-poor countries. In this study, we report on our field and laboratory surveillance efforts in Nigeria. A total of 1,821 tissue samples, 8,638 tracheal swabs, 7,976 cloacal swabs and 7,328 avian sera were analysed over a period of two years, with 312 positive results [corrected] We recovered 299 isolates of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 mainly from the diagnostic samples of poultry kept in backyard, small scale and free range farms. This finding emphasised the role played by these farming systems in the dissemination of avian influenza in Nigeria and highlights the need for a continued surveillance in humans since human-animal interaction is a key feature in Africa. Furthermore, there is a need for the strengthening of border controls. Since October 2007, there has been no reported and confirmed outbreak of avian influenza in Nigeria.