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.

Pattern of prevalent Hepatitis B virus genotypes in Zaria, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is hyperendemic in Nigeria. Available literature reveal genotype E as being predominant in West Africa. This study aimed at identifying the current pattern and prevalent genotypes of HBV in Zaria, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four millilitre of blood was collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-container from each of 165 HBV surface antigen-positive participants recruited purposively from the gastroenterology clinic from May to August, 2017. Plasma was separated and frozen at -20°C till analysis. Multiplex-nested polymerase chain reaction using type-specific primers was used to identify the various HBV genotypes. RESULTS: Median (and interquartile range) age of the participants was 31.0 (25.5-39.0) years, with males constituting 107 (64.8%). Majority (83.6%) of the samples analysed were HBV-DNA-positive with 82.6% of the HBV-DNA-positive samples being mixed genotype infections. Irrespective of mode of occurrence, five HBV genotypes were identified with HBV/E (97.1%) being the most predominant, followed by HBV/B (82.6%), HBV/A (24.6%), then HBV/C (17.4%), while HBV/D (0.7%) was the least prevalent. CONCLUSION: In most (99.1%) of the mixed-infection were a combination of genotype E, the predominant genotype, with other genotypes predominantly genotype B. HBV genotypes E, B, A, C and D are the prevalent genotypes in Zaria, Nigeria, as they occur in single genotype and in mixed-genotypes pattern.

Clinical and biochemical correlates of hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: there is an association between hypogonadism and obesity, chronic hyperglycaemia, and ageing in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is known to be associated with low testosterone. There is a paucity of data on the risk factors of hypogonadism in Nigerian men with T2DM. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and biochemical correlates of hypogonadism and clinical predictors of low total testosterone levels in men with T2DM. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study consisting of 358 men with T2DM and 179 non-diabetic men (controls). Structured Androgen Deficiency in the Ageing Male questionnaire was administered. Clinical and biochemical parameters were measured. Free testosterone was calculated from albumin, SHBG and total testosterone using Vermeulen´s method. Hypogonadism was defined as fasting TT as < 8 nmol/L with or without symptoms or TT of 8-12 nmol/L with symptoms of androgen deficiency. Low testosterone was defined as serum total testosterone levels ≤ 12 nmol/L. RESULTS: the mean (±SD) total testosterone of men with T2DM and controls were 8.79±3.35 nmol/L and 15.41±3.79 nmol/L respectively (p < 0.001). The risk of hypogonadism was associated with central obesity (Odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-13.07), systolic hypertension (OR 3.93, 95% CI 0.67-23.10), hyperglycaemia (OR 2.48, 95% CI 0.37-16.46) and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 2.50, 95% CI 0.43-14.61). In a multivariable regression analysis, there was a significant negative correlation between total testosterone and triglycerides (r -1.85, 95% CI -3.58 - 0.12, P = 0.04) and HDL cholesterol (r -1.25, 95% CI -5.95-3.45, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: this study shows that in men with T2DM, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are independent correlates of hypogonadism but not central adiposity, systolic blood pressure and glycaemia. Further large prospective studies are recommended.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus-positive individuals in Zaria, Nigeria, according to risk-associated practices.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 75% of Nigerians are at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure. In an attempt to reduce the menace, the assessment of risk factors associated with HBV infection and general perception of infected individuals is a step in that direction. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study, therefore, identified exposure to risk factors and general perceptions associated with HBV infection in infected individuals in Zaria, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Four milliliters of blood were collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid container from each of 165 HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive participants recruited purposively from the gastroenterology clinic of ABUTH Zaria from May to August 2017. Plasma was separated and used to screen for HBsAg with Fastep® rapid strip. Epi Info® questionnaire database was used to collate data on sociodemographics, risk factors, and perception indices. GraphPad Prism 6 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median interquartile range age of the participants was 31.0 (25.5-39.0) years with 107 (64.8%) male participants. Sharing hair clippers, commercial pedicure, and body piercing among others were some of the risks that the study participants reported to be exposed to. One-quarter of health workers involved in the study had needlestick injury. Less than half of the study participants (47.7%) knew of hepatitis B before testing HBsAg seropositive. Knowledge of the HBV vaccine before testing and adherence was generally poor (38.6% and 44.6%, respectively). There was a significant linear relationship between the level of education and knowledge of hepatitis B. CONCLUSION: Considering the myriads of already established risks of HBV seen in Zaria, massive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked on continuously through all available media, including social media.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Determination of Normal Pituitary Gland Dimensions in Zaria, Northwest Nigerian Population.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the dimensions of normal pituitary gland using T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) and to determine their relationship with age and sex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cranial MRI scans of 100 individuals with clinically normal pituitary function (58 males and 42 females) and in the age range 14-82 years were reviewed in order to obtain volumetric measurements of the pituitary gland. The height, width, and depth of the pituitary were obtained from mid-sagittal and coronal planes, while the volume was calculated from these measured parameters. The data obtained were stratified based on age and sex for analysis. Statistical tests applied included Student's t-test and Pearson correlation. A minimum level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean pituitary volumes were 334.1 ± 145.8 mm(3) and 328.1 ± 129.2 mm(3) while the mean pituitary heights were 6.45 ± 1.7 mm and 6.46 ± 1.57 mm in males and females, respectively. Although there was no statistically significant difference between pituitary height and pituitary volume in both sexes, they correlated negatively with increasing age (r = -202, P = 0.04 and r = -410, P = 0.000, respectively). Both parameters were highest in pubertal subjects and declined steadily with age, with a second peak occurring only for pituitary height in the sixth decade. The mean pituitary widths (9.08 ± 2.59 mm and 9.21 ± 1.86 mm) and depths (10.59 ± 1.71 mm and 10.49 ± 1.57 mm) in males and females, respectively, did not show remarkable changes with age and sex in the individuals studied. CONCLUSION: With this study, we have provided reference values in Nigerian population for the dimensions of normal pituitary gland, in order to facilitate assessment and diagnosis in patients with abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.