Molecular characterization of environmental Cryptococcus neoformans VNII isolates in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii are encapsulated yeasts able to cause fatal neurological infections in both human and other mammals. Cryptococcosis is the most common fungal infection of the central nervous system and has a huge burden in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Bird excreta are considered an environmental reservoir for C. neoformans in urban areas, therefore a study aimed at isolating and characterizing this yeast is important in disease management. In this study, one hundred samples of pigeon droppings were collected in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. C. neoformans was isolated from three samples and initially identified using standard phenotypic and biochemical tests. Molecular analysis revealed that all three isolates belonged to C. neoformans genotype VNII, mating type α and were assigned to the sequence type ST43 by multilocus sequence typing analysis. This study reports, for the first time, the molecular characterization of C. neoformans in Nigeria, where little is still known about the environmental distribution of the genotypes, serotypes and mating types of this important human pathogen.

Phytochemical and antifungal activities of Uvaria. chamae leaves and roots, Spondias mombin leaves and bark and Combretum racemosum leaves.

The effects of crude and dilutions of aqueous, methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Uvaria chamae (roots and leaves), Spondias mombin (leaves and bark) and Combretum racemosum (Leaves), on pathogenic candida albicans and aspergillus niger was studied. The aim was to contribute to the search for a cheaper, conventional cure for both fungi. Phytochemical analysis revealed varying degrees of alkaloids, glycosides, saponin, lipid and oil, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids and acids. Agar diffusion method was used for anti fungal assay. Minimum inhibitory concentration (mic) used was 10 mg/ml of extract and dilutions of the non polar solvents of 10 (-1) and 10(-2) was used. Results showed that none of the plant parts was active against aspergillus niger. Combretum racemosum had no antifungal effect on tested organisms as well as the different dilutions. However crude methanolic extract of uvaria (roots and leaves), spondias ( bark and leaves ), and n-hexane extracts of uvaria (leaves and roots), produced anti candidal effects with diameters in this order 14.67 +/- 0.72mm, 10.67 +/- 0.52 mm, 11.00 +/- 0.47 mm, 15.00 +/- 0.47 mm, and 14.67 +/- 0.72 mm respectively. Some of the plant parts especially uvaria had zones of inhibition at a confidence limit comparable with control drug which is ketoconazole and it had inhibitory effects at a diameter of 20.06 +/- 0.40 mm.

Prevalence of rubella antibody in pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information on the incidence and prevalence of rubella infection in Nigeria. The risk of congenital rubella in sero-negative pregnant women has been found to produce congenital abnormalities even in developed countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of rubella virus antibody in pregnant women. SETTING: The place of study is the antenatal care clinic of Adeoyo State Hospital, Ibadan. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study of primigravida women attending the antenatal care facilities in a general hospital The rubella IgG antibody of the women was detected in sera using the RUB IgG Test kit. This is a quantitative ELISA technique. RESULT: The prevalence of rubella antibody in 159 pregnant women that participated in this study was 68.5% with a confidence interval of 64.8% - 72.2%. Women living in rural -urban areas have statistically significant higher prevalence of antibody than those in urban areas. CONCLUSION: This prevalence of rubella antibody in pregnant women suggests 1 in 4 pregnant woman is susceptible and the foetus at risk of congenital rubella malformation.

Effect of contraceptives on the prevalence of vaginal colonization with Candida species in Edo State, Nigeria.

High vaginal swabs (HVS) obtained from 500 volunteers in Edo State, Nigeria which comprised 394 contraceptive users and 106 non-contraceptive users were screened for the prevalence of Candida species using standard procedures. Results revealed the isolation of Candida species in 246 of volunteers. These included Candida albicans 174 (38.4%), Candida pseudotropicalis 20 (4%), Candida stellatoidea 15 (3%), Candida krusei nine (1.8%), Candida guilliermondii 12 (2.4%), Candida tropicalis 11 (2.2%) and Candida glabrata five (1%). Of the 394 contraceptive users, 203 (51.5%) had Candida species isolated from them compared to 43 (40.6%) from 106 non-contraceptive users. There was significant relationship (P<0.001) between the type of contraceptive used and the prevalence of vaginal colonization. Age and marital status of the volunteers sampled had significant relationship (P<0.001) with the prevalence of vaginal colonization. Results have revealed an association between use of contraceptive and the prevalence of vaginal colonization in our environment.

Fungal carriage in lizards.

The occurrence of fungi was investigated in the gut of 200 common garden lizards (Agama agama). The most important pathogenic fungus isolated was Basidiobolus haptosporus, an aetiological agent of subcutaneous zygomycosis. It was recovered from the intestinal contents of 112 (56%) lizards. Other important fungi isolated included Aspergillus spp. in 24 (12%) lizards, Candida spp. in 12 (6%), Penicillium spp. in 12 (6%) and Fusarium spp. in 12 (6%). Mucor spp. were isolated from eight (4%) male lizards only. Agamid lizards are plentiful in rural and urban areas of Nigeria. As they live in close vicinity to man, they are likely to play an important role in the spread of disease that may be caused by these fungi and its transmission to man. None of the animals investigated that yielded fungal cultures revealed any external fungal infection.

Prevalence of otomycosis in malnourished children in Edo State, Nigeria.

Out of the total number at 200 suspected cases of otomycoses consisting of 40 malnourished and 160 apparently healthy children examined in this study between the months of July and August in Edo State, 64 Cases (32%) were identified to be of fungal aetiology on the basis of positive culture and careful microscopic examination. The state at protein energy malnourishment was deterwined using physicians' comments in their case files. The fungal agents isolated were Aspergillus niger 28 (43.8%); A. fumigatus 4 (25%); Fusarium solari 4 (6.3%); Candida albicans 8 (12.5%); and Hendersonula teruloidea types torn B 5 (6.3%). Of these isolates, A. niger having an solation rate of (43.8%) was found to be the most predominant fungal species associated with otomycosis.

Importance of anti-Plesiomonas antibody in the protection of rats against infection by Plesiomonas Shigelloides.

Rabbit anti-antibody raised against Plesiomonas shigelloides infections using standard immunological procedures. Ten (50%) of 20 rats died when only P. shigelloidess was injected while 2(10%) died [P < 0.05]; following injection of another group of 20 rats with P. shigelloides 24hours after administration of rabbit-Plesiomonas anti-antibody. In another scheme, 14(70%) of 20 rats died when p.shigelloides and colloidal carbon particles (CCP) were administered while only 4(20%) died (p<0.05) following injection of P. shigelloides and CCP 24 hours after administration of rabbit-Plesiomonas anti-antibody. No death was recorded for control rats which received only CCP. This study highlights a novel approach in the management or prevention of P. shigelloides infection in our environment.

Dermatophytosis in schoolchildren in Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Of 1400 pupils from two public primary schools in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, who were screened for dermatophyte infection, 188 (13.4%) were infected. The causative agents isolated included Microsporum audouinii in 88 (46.8%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 48 (25.5%), T. rubrum in 40 (21.3%), T. tonsurans in four (2.1%) and Epidermophyton floccosum in eight (4.3%). There were significant differences in the rate of infection between male and female schoolchildren as well as between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Importance of Anti-Plesiomonas Antibody in the Protection of Rats against Infection by Plesiomonas Shigelloides

Rabbit anti-antibody raised against Plesiomonas shigelloides infections using standard immunological procedures. Ten (50) of 20 rats died when only P. shigelloidess was injected while 2(10) died [P 0.05]; following injection of another group of 20 rats with P. shigelloides 24hours after administration of rabbit-Plesiomonas anti-antibody. In another scheme; 14(70) of 20 rats died when p.shigelloides and colloidal carbon particles (CCP) were administered while only 4(20) died (p0.05) following injection of P. shigelloides and CCP 24 hours after administration of rabbit-Plesiomonas anti-antibody. No death was recorded for control rats which received only CCP. This study highlights a novel approach in the management or prevention of P. shigelloides infection in our environment

Bacterial agents causing chronic suppurative otitis media.

Ear swabs from 350 patients with chronic otitis media attending different orthorhinolaryngological clinics at different hospitals and health centres in Benin City and Ekpoma in Edo State were screened for the presence of bacterial agents of chronic otitis media. Results revealed the presence of 19 different species indicating polymicrobial infections. Species isolated comprised Staphylococcus aureus (33.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.3%), Proteus mirabilis (17%), Alcaligenes faecalis (6.2%) and Klebsiella aerogenes (4.3%). Others included Escherichia coli (3.3%), Proteus rettgeri (2.8%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Acinetobacter spp, Proteus morgani, Haemophilus influenzae, Providencia spp, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus faecalis, non-haemolytic streptococci and Diphotheroids, each accounted for less than 2% of isolates. The study also showed a higher prevalence of chronic otitis media among males (55.7%) than females (44.3%). Cases of chronic otitis media were highest among the age groups (0-5 years) with a prevalence rate of 50% and least among the 6-10 year age group with a prevalence rate of 14.9%. Antibiogram of isolates revealed marked sensitivities (over 90% of the isolates) to ciproxin, tarivid, rocephin and fortum whereas over 70% were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. Results have indicated that Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis are leading bacterial agents of otitis media and highlights the high risk involved in the use of penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, cloxacillin and septrin in the management of chronic otitis media in our locality.

Prevalence of Candida species in Nigerian children with diarrhoea.

A total of 257 stool specimens comprising 203 from diarrhoeal children and 54 asymptomatic controls were collected from patients attending different hospitals/clinics in Lagos and Ekpoma, Nigeria and were screened for fungal agents using standard methods. Of the total number screened, 165 (64.2%) patients had fungal agents in their stools. Of these, 157 (77.3%) patients had diarrhoea and 8 (14.8%) patients were asymptomatic. Of these total number of positive isolates, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. glabrata and C. parasilosis accounted for 59.4%, 30.9%, 5.0%, 3.0% and 1.8% in that order. Results revealed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between fungi and incidence of diarrhoea in children. There was no significant relationship (p > 0.05) between the age group studied and the incidence of fungal diarrhoea in children. The sex of the children also showed no significant relationship (p > 0.05) with the incidence of fungal diarrhoea. Results have revealed the emergence of Candida species in cases of childhood diarrhoea in our environment.

The incidence of candidiasis amongst the asymptomatic female students of the University of Jos, Nigeria.

A survey was carried out on the incidence of candidiasis amongst the asymptomatic female students of University of Jos. One hundred and three students were selected at guided random. Their first stream urine samples were collected with the aid of sterile McCarthney bottles. The deposits of the centrifuged urine samples were plated out on sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) fortified with antibiotics (penicillin G and streptomycin). A total number of 42 positive Candida cases were obtained. This represented 40.78% of the total samples (103) examined. The Candida species isolated included C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. guilliermondi, C. parapsilosis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. stellatoidea, C. tropicalis and C. viswanathii. C. albicans and C. tropicalis were more predominant than the other species. C. albicans had 38.10% frequency of occurrence while C. tropicalis had 21.43% occurrence. The least percentage occurrence was recorded for C. viswanathii which had 2.38%. There were significant relationships between the incidence of candidiasis and the predisposing factors like drug administration (antibiotics and contraceptive pills), cases of pregnancy and previous cases of urinogenital tract infection. Neither the marital status nor the age groups of the test female students had significant effects on the incidence of this disease. The pH values of the infected urine samples had a significant effect on the incidence of the disease.

The distribution of ringworm infections amongst Nigerian nomadic Fulani herdsmen.

There are very few medical reports on the nomadic peoples of the world. In Nigeria such reports are non-existent. The present work has looked at the distribution of ringworm infections among the Nigerian nomadic Fulani herdsmen. An examination of their infected herds of cattle revealed similarities in the species of dermatophytes isolated from the herdsmen and those isolated from their cattle. Some of the leaves of the plants that lined the cattle tracks normally used by both the herdsmen and their cattle yielded some of the species of dermatophytes isolated from the herdsmen and their cattle. The possible origins of the dermatophytes that caused the ringworm infections amongst the nomads are discussed.