Detection of clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant bacteria in shared fomites, waste water and municipal solid wastes disposed near residential areas of a Nigerian city.

Studies investigating environmental hotspots of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in Nigeria are limited. This study was designed to assess various environmental sources and commonly touched surfaces as potential carriers of ARB and ARGs with implications for public health. A total of 392 samples, including sewage (36), sludge (36), diapers (20), plastics (20), water sachet polythene bags (20), food wastes (20), soil beneath dump sites (20), and frequently touched surfaces such as restroom floors (80), corridors (24), door handles (56), and room floors and walls (60), were collected and screened for the presence of resistant bacteria carrying genes such as bla KPC, bla NDM-1, bla CMY-2, bla IMP, bla OXA66 and MecA. Additionally, we employed standard techniques to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii . We also evaluated the effectiveness of routine disinfection procedures in eliminating ARB from restroom floors. Our findings revealed that sewage, sludge, diapers, food wastes and restroom floors are frequently contaminated with highly and moderately resistant strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and MRSA. Notably, we identified two variants of the bla OXA51-like gene (bla OXA-66 and bla OXA-180) in A. baumannii isolated from these environmental sources. Furthermore, we detected seven ESBL- K. pneumoniae , five ESBL- A. baumannii , two ESBL- E. coli and one ESBL- P. aeruginosa , all carrying one or more ARGs (bla KPC, bla NDM-1, bla CMY-2), in isolates recovered from sewage, sludge, restroom floors and plastics. It is of note that ARB persisted on restroom floors even after disinfection procedures. In conclusion, this study highlights that environmental wastes indiscriminately discarded in residential areas and shared surfaces among individuals are heavily colonized by ARB carrying ARGs of significant public health importance.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and misconceptions in the general population of Katsina State, Nigeria

IntroductionOver six million cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported globally by the second quarter of 2020. The various forms of interventions and measures adopted to control the disease affected peoples social and behavioural practices. AimThis study aims to investigate COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) as well as misconceptions in Katsina state, one of the largest epicentres of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. MethodsThe study is a cross-sectional survey of 722 respondents using an electronic questionnaire through the WhatsApp media platform. ResultsOne thousand five hundred (1500) questionnaires were sent to the general public with a response rate of 48% (i.e. 722 questionnaires completed and returned). Among the respondents, 60% were men, 45% were 25-39 years of age, 56% held bachelors degree/equivalent and above and 54% were employed. The study respondents correct rate in the knowledge questionnaire was 80% suggesting high knowledge of the disease. A significant correlation (P < 0.05) exists between the average knowledge score of the respondents and their level of education ({tau}b = 0.16). Overall, most of the respondents agreed that the COVID-19 will be successfully controlled (84%) and the Nigerian government would win the fight against the pandemic (71%). Men were more likely than female (P < 0.05) to have recently attended a crowded place. Being more educated (bachelors degree or equivalent and above vs diploma or equivalent and below) is associated with good COVID-19 related practices. Among the respondents, 83% held at least one misconception related to COVID-19, with the most frequent being that the virus was created in a laboratory (36%). Respondents with a lower level of education received and trust COVID-19 related information from local radio and television stations and respondents at all levels of education selected that they would trust health unit and health care workers for relevant COVID-19 information. ConclusionAlthough there is high COVID-19 related knowledge among the sample, misconceptions are widespread among the respondents. These misconceptions have consequences on the short- and long-term control efforts against the disease and hence should be incorporated in targeted campaigns. Health care related personnel should be at the forefront of the campaign.

Clinical Significance of IgG Avidity Testing and Other Considerations in the Diagnosis of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Review Update.

Prompt and accurate laboratory testing of women before or during antenatal days is necessary for detecting humoral immunological responses against cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and assessing risk of congenital transmission. CMV is the most common viral etiology with the greatest propensity to induce neonatal pathologies. Most healthcare facilities in developing countries rely solely on anti-CMV IgM and IgG assays in diagnosing CMV infections. However, these parameters have some worrisome limitations. This study reviewed the significance of IgG avidity testing as a highly sensitive and specific tool that improves decisions regarding diagnosis of maternal and congenital CMV infections. We conducted this review from relevant published articles using an extensive literature search made through PubMed, Scopus and Google scholar on the concepts of congenital CMV (CCMV) transmission and clinical significance of IgG avidity testing in diagnosis of CCMV infections. Findings from our review revealed that IgG avidity testing in some developed societies was frequently utilized to resolve dilemmas associated with serodiagnosis of CMV infections, however, there is paucity of information in regards to its use in developing countries. The non-inclusion of IgG avidity testing during serological investigations of CMV could be a reason why congenital CMV infections and associated pathologies often go underdiagnosed in developing countries.

Effects Of First-Line Anti-Retroviral Therapy On Blood Coagulation Parameters Of HIV-Infected Patients Attending A Tertiary Hospital At Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Blood coagulation abnormalities are common in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, few studies showed the association of these abnormalities with anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of ART on blood coagulation parameters of patients infected with HIV attending HIV special clinics of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria. Material and Methods: A total of 191 patients comprising 128 HIV subjects on ART (test subjects) and 63 other HIV patients not on ART (control subjects) were included in the study. CD4+ lymphocyte counts, platelet counts, prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time with kaolin (PTTK) of subjects were determined using flow cytometry, automated hematology analyser and Quick one-stage methods respectively. Results: Of the total test subjects, 21 (16.4%) were CD4 lymphopaenic, and the mean CD4+ cell count for the test subjects was statistically higher than that of the control subjects (578 versus 322 cells/ mm3 ) (p = 0.014). Eight (6.3%) of test subjects had prolong PTTK, and the mean values of PT and PTTK were statistically not significant between test subjects and control subjects (p = 0.358 and p= 0.141 respectively). Eight (6.3%) of test subjects had thrombocytopaenia, the mean platelet count was significantly lower than that of the control subjects (238 versus 278.6 x 109 /L, p = 0.001), and also varied significantly with the duration of ART (p = 0.0086). Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed ART decreased platelet counts of HIV-infected individuals, but did not affect the PT and PTTK results.