Co-infection of Helicobacter Pylori and intestinal parasites in children of selected Low-income communities in Lagos State, Nigeria

Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasites cause gastrointestinal diseases with a high prevalence in children in resource limited developing countries. There is paucity of information in Nigeria on co-infection of H. pylori and intestinal parasites. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of H. pylori and parasite co-infection in children from selected low-income communities in Lagos, Nigeria. Fecal samples were collected from 151 healthy children aged ≤11 years across six low-income communities in Lagos. H. pylori was detected using stool antigen test and conventional PCR assay, intestinal parasites were detected using formol-ether concentration and nested PCR assay. Structured questionnaires were administered to parents and legal guardians of the children by an interviewer to collect relevant data on demographic and lifestyle factors. The prevalence of H. pylori was 31.79% (48), with a higher prevalence in children aged 2-3 years. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 21.19% (32) with the lowest frequency found in children aged 8-9 years. The parasites detected include: A. lumbricoides (10.6%), G. intestinalis (7.3%), hookworm (1.99%), E. histolytica (0.66%), S. mansoni (0.66%). There was co-infection prevalence of 10.6% (16) which was associated with the parasites: G. intestinalis (7.3%) and A. lumbricoides (3.97%). Polyparasitism with G. intestinalis and A. lumbricoides was reported in 2 children infected with H. pylori. This study which is the first reported in Lagos established a low prevalence of H. pylori and intestinal parasite co-infection in children and provides better understanding of the epidemiology of H. pylori infection associated with intestinal parasites in Nigeria.

Molecular epidemiology of astrovirus in children with gastroenteritis in southwestern Nigeria

Human astrovirus (HAstV) is recognized as one of the major causative agents of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Data on the genetic diversity of HAstV in Nigeria are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of classical HAstV in children under 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis in Ogun State, Nigeria. Fecal samples (331) as well as socio-demographic and clinical data were collected across the three senatorial districts of the state from February 2015 to April 2017. One hundred seventy-five samples were randomly selected and analyzed for the presence of HAstV using RT-PCR. PCR amplicons from positive samples were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was done to determine genotypes and lineages. The overall prevalence rate was 19.4% (34), with the highest occurrence observed in 2015 (41.4%). Viral coinfections were detected in 13 cases (38.2%). HAstV infection occurred throughout the year and in all age groups, mainly in the age group of 0-12 months. There was significant association between prevalence rate and collection year; however, no association was observed with gender, age, symptoms or risk factors. HAstV-5 was the predominant genotype (76.5%) circulating throughout the study period, followed by HAstV-1 (23.5%), which circulated only in the first 2 years of the study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all HAstV-5 strains detected belonged to the 5a lineage, while HAstV-1 strains were grouped into lineage 1b. This study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first comprehensive report on molecular characterization of classical HAstV among children with gastroenteritis in the country, and this will serve as baseline information for implementing appropriate infection control practices.

Isolation and characterization of microorganisms from instruments used by pedicurists operating within Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Eight bacterial and five fungal species were isolated from swab samples taken from instruments used by pedicurists operating at three different sites in Lagos, Nigeria. The bacterial isolates included Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Hafnia spp, Shigella spp, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus spp. The five fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Mucor spp, Trichophyton spp and Candida albicans. The presence of these microorganisms, some of which are pathogenic, is an indication that pedicurists could be contributing towards the spread of skin and nail infections within the Lagos metropolis.

Isolation and characterisation of antibiotic producing microorganisms in composted Nigerian soil

Compost samples obtained from different locations within the premises of the university of Lagos were analysed to determine the presence and types of antibiotic-producing bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes using nutrient agar, potato Dextrose agar and starch casein nitrate agar respectively as culture media. A variety of bacteria were isolated and these included Staphylococcus aureus, B. subtilis, B. pumilis, B. lactesporus, B. megaterium, B. pulvifaciens, B. licheniformis, Streptococus spp., Corynebacterium spp. and E. coli. The fungal isolates encountered were Aspergillus niger, A. flarus, T. viridae, P. chrysogenum, P. pinofylum and Absida spp., while the following actinomycetes were identified: Norcadia spp., Micromonospora spp., Streptomyces scabies, S. reticuli and S. hygroscopicus. When these organisms were screened for antibiosis, the following species were found to be antibiotic producers: B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum, Streptomyces reticuli, S. hygroscopicus and Micromonospora spp. The fungus Penicillium chrysogenum had the highest rate of antibiotic production with an inhibitory zone width of 17mm while Trichoderma viridae produced toxins lytic to other fungal hyphae.

Effect of some herbicides used in Nigeria on Rhizobium phaseoli, Azotobacter vinelandii and Bacillus subtilis

The effect of three herbicides namely Agroxone, Atranex 50SC and 2,4-Damine on Azotobacter vinelandii, Rhizobium phaseoli and Bacillus subtilis were studied. These bacteria were isolated from a bean-garden in Lagos. The results revealed that 2, 4-Damine was the most toxic of the three herbicides studied and Azotobacter vinelandii was found to be most sensitive to the herbicides. There was a reduction in LC50 of herbicides with increased number of days. The percentage survival decreased with increased concentration of herbicides and days for Rhizobium phaseoli and Azotobacter vinelandii while an initial reduction in population was followed by increased percentage survival of organisms for Bacillus subtilis.

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of local cough mixtures on upper respiratory tract bacterial pathogens

The punched-hole and the paper disc diffusion methods were used in screening for the antimicrobial activity of six common ingredients used locally in cough mixtures, against the following bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus. Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella dysenteria, Shigella sonnei and Candida albicans. The results, evaluated as the diameter of zone of inhibition of microbial growth, showed that lime, garlic onion, onion and honey were active against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Shigella dysenteriae. Bitter-kola nut extract and palm kernel oil showed no antimicrobial activities against any of the tested organisms. None of the extracts inhibited the growth of Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella sonnei and the most susceptible organisms were Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.

Physicochemical and microbiological assessment of Oko-oba--a Nigerian abattoir

The physicochemical and microbiological assessments of Oko-oba abattoir were carried out during dry and wet season to determine whether the waste discharges are within tolerable limits. All the physicochemical parameters studied showed seasonal variations. Higher temperature and lower pH values were recorded during the dry season than wet season. Similarly, the BOD of wastewater from the slab decreases from 10000 mg/ml during the dry season to 6000 mg/ml in the wet season. Conversely, the BOD of the final waste discharge was 4000 mg/ml during the dry season and 3,500 mg/ml during the wet season. The COD showed similar trend, with values ranging from 12,200 to 18,500 mg/ml depending on the season. The suspended solid values ranged from 1200 to 1950 mg/ml. The phosphate and nitrate ions were in the range of 41-75 mg/l and 22.5- 960 mg/ml respectively. Heavy metals detected were Chromium at 104 -114 mg/ml, Copper 16 -75 mg/ml and Iron 55- 114 mg/ml. The following bacteria species were also encountered: B. cereus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. faecalis, S. lactis, Micrococcus sp, A. aerogenes, P. vulgaris, and S. typhi. The results showed significantly high level of pollutants in the waste discharged.

Plasmid profiles of Shigella and Salmonella spp. isolated from diarrhoeic humans in Ibadan, Nigeria

Clinical isolates of Shigella flexneri, S. dysentariae, S. boydii and Salmonella spp. were screened for the presence of plasmids. Most of the isolates harboured more than one plasmid ranging in molecular size from 1.3 to 36.1 x 10(6) daltons. Very large plasmids were not encountered.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns and plasmid survey of Salmonella and Shigella isolated in Ibadan, Nigeria

Antibiotic resistance patterns among Salmonella and Shigella spp isolated from diarrhoeic human beings were studied. Eleven antibiotic resistance patterns were observed. Plasmid survey of the isolates revealed the presence of multiple plasmids in thirty two of the fifty three strains. More plasmid patterns than antibiotic resistance were observed. Incidence of Salmonellosis and Shigellosis in this environment is caused by genetically unrelated Salmonella and Shigella strains although with identical drug resistance patterns.

Conjugal transferability of multiple antibiotic resistance in three genera of Enterobacteriaceae in Nigeria

Ninety-eight enteric bacteria were isolated from stool samples of 3,000 diarrhoeal patients during 1988-1989 in Ibadan, Nigeria. The isolates were: 20 Salmonella, 28 Shigella and 50 Escherichia coli. S. typhi and S. Flexneri were most prevalent while serotypes 055, 026 and 0128 were most common among the E. coli. Eight resistance patterns to ampicillin (Ap), streptomycin (Sm), tetracycline (Tc) and chloramphenicol (Cm), the four commonly used drugs in this environment were observed in the isolates. Resistance to all four drugs was common in the Shigella isolates. Conjugation experiments showed that 92% of the isolates tested were able to transfer all or part of their resistance to the recipient E. coli. The Salmonella and Shigella isolates were more efficient in this respect as all the isolates tested (100%) transferred all or part of their resistance character. Ability of the latter two genera to transfer the Ap, Sm, Tc, Cm complete linkage might be enhanced by using more efficient recipient or by mobilisation. Control of antibiotic usage and improvement of personal hygiene were recommended to prevent the spread of drug resistance among the enteric pathogens.