African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research

African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 2756-3340 Vol. 12 (3), pp. 001-009, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Vaccines Over Antibiotics: Saudi Arabia's Journey of Managing Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis

Rebecca Philips MD^1,2, Emily R. Johnson³ Medical Student, Sarah L. Williams³ Medical Student, Michael T. Brown³ Medical Students, David A. Thompson MBBS^,4,5 Robert C. Lee MPH¹

¹George Washington Milken School of Public Health, Washington, DC, United States.
²Pediatric Department, Bronxcare Health System, New York, NY, United States.
³College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴Microbiology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁵King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Received 03 March, 2025; Revised 22 March, 2025; Accepted 24 March, 2025; Published 27 March, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Saudi Arabia had high rates of bacterial meningitis in the late 90s. Children are at highest risk of this devastating disease with poor outcomes.  Objective: The study aims to evaluate the prevalence, causative pathogens, and antibiotic resistance patterns in pediatric bacterial meningitis cases at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Single-center retrospective chart review and cross-sectional methodology was conducted at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) from 2015 to 2023. Result: Reviewing 8 years of CSF culture results only yielded 37 cases. This is only 0.5% of total hospital admissions over 8 years. The majority of cases were for children under the age of 2 years (82%). Gender of cases was almost equal and there was no seasonal variation. The most common organisms were gram-positive (14, 38%) including Group B streptococcus (GBS) (4, 11%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (4, 11%). Gram-negative organisms caused 8 cases (22%) by 5 different organisms. There was no Hemphlus influenza type B or meningococcus found in any of the CSF cultures. The single sample of Staphylococcus aureus was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and three gram-negative organisms were multidrug resistant. Conclusion: Saudi Arabia provides an example of the success of a mass vaccination program to curb the burden of pediatric bacterial meningitis. Future efforts should focus on antibiotic stewardship, mass screening of GBS, and adopting additional strains for the pneumococcus vaccine. Further research is needed to address the rising number of gram-negative organisms causing pediatric bacterial meningitis in Saudi Arabia and globally.  

Keywords: Saudi Arabia, Bacterial Meningitis, Vaccines, Antibiotics, Drug Resistance.

African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 2756-3340 Vol. 12 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Characterization and Distinction of Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma congolense Strains from Nigeria

C. I. Ogbaje¹*, I. A. Lawal¹ and J. K. P. Kwaga²

¹Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture,
Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Received 28 February, 2024; Accepted 24 October, 2024

The present study was conducted to assess the molecular discrimination of field isolates of Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma vivax of Nigeria origin in vitro (PCR) whether there will be genetic alteration of the parasites as the infections of the isolates in Yankasa sheep progresses from acute through relapses to chronic stages. A total of thirty Yankasa sheep were acquired from Kastina State in the northern part of Nigeria, screened for haemo-, ecto- and endo-parasites, treated against anaplasmosis, coccidiosis and conditioned in arthropod-free pens for two weeks. They were randomly divided into five groups of six animals each. Two groups each were infected intravenously with approximately 2.0×106 of T. vivax and T. congolense. One group served as uninfected control. A group each from T. vivax-infected and T. congolense-infected groups were treated with trypanocide 6 days post parasitaemia. The other infected groups were left untreated. The animals were monitored for 8 weeks post infection (pi). Incubation period of 6 days was recorded for both parasite species. Multiplex primers polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and T. vivax species-specific PCR confirmed that the isolates used were T. congolense and T. vivax at molecular band sizes of 750 and 175 bp, respectively. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR showed that the band sizes associated with the chronic form of the infection of T. congolense differed from those of the acute and relapse forms, whereas the band weights of the relapse form of the T. vivax differed from those of acute and chronic forms. Molecular characterization of T. vivax and T. congolense revealed differences through the variations in band weights of the parasites derivatives in the acute, chronic and relapse infections and this may translate into differences in antigenicity.

Key words: Trypanosoma, infection, parasitaemia, parasite, relapse, band, amplicon.

African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 2756-3340 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Post-Operative Nurses on Surgical Site Infection Prevention in a Tertiary Health Facility in North-Central Nigeria

Oluwakemi Ajike Kolade^1, Salisu Abubakar^3, Sanusi R. Adejumoke^3, Hanson Victoria Funmilayo^2, and Adelani Tijani^3*

¹Department of Nursing, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
²Ras AL Khaimah Medical and Health Science University, RAKCON, United Arab Emirate.
³Department of Nursing Sciences, Bayero University, Kano State, Nigeria. x*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348184438100.

Accepted 17 November, 2024

Abstract

Surgical operations are vital procedures in the health care delivery system. Advancement in surgery has played a pivotal role in managing and treating complex health challenges requiring the process. However, the process and procedure involved in surgical operations could significantly endanger the life of the patient. Healthcare associated infections (HAI) pose grave danger to patients and health workers alike. Empirically establishing the level of knowledge, attitude and actual practices of surgical site Infections (SSIs) infection prevention among nurses is therefore an issue for research if the alarming rate of SSIs in developing countries is to be checked. The study adopted cross-sectional survey and the population comprised surgical ward nurses in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin. Data were generated using self-developed questionnaire with a reliability estimate of 0.88 on the Cronbach alpha scale. These data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages and inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.01 alpha. Findings showed that respondents demonstrated relatively high level of knowledge on SSIs prevention, relatively poor attitude towards SSIs prevention and unsatisfactory level of SSIs prevention. When associations among the variables were examined, findings showed that there is positive association between all the variables studies. Findings showed that there is positive and moderate correlation between knowledge and attitude towards SSIs prevention (r = 0.695, p = 0.000<0.01) as well as between knowledge and practice (r = 0.570, p = 0.000<0.01). High correlation was however found for attitude and practice of SSIs prevention (r = 0.763, p = 0.000<0.01). Nurses’ level of knowledge does not translate to desired attitude and practices on SSIs prevention. Improving attitude and practice of SSIs through close supervision, patients’ rights education, in-service training and provision of supplies and consumables were recommended.

Key words: Surgical site infections, knowledge, attitude, practices, prevention, nurses.

African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 2756-3340 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the In-Ovo Biological Effects of Phyllanthus amarus Leaf Extracts on Newcastle Disease Virus

Faeji, C. O.^1*, Oladunmoye, M. K.^2, Adebayo, I. A.³ and Adebolu, T. T.²

¹Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, CHMS, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
²Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
³Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 15 October, 2024

Abstract

Newcastle disease virus is a paramyxovirus which causes Newcastle disease in birds. Investigation was done on the effect of leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) using an in-ovo assay. Nine to eleven day-old viable embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) were used for the assay, these were divided into six groups of six eggs each. Methanol, aqueous and n-hexane extracts of the plant leaves were administered to the various groups at concentrations varying from 50 to 5 mg/ml. Embryonated eggs were incubated and embryo survival was monitored daily. Negative control and diluents control groups received phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and dimethly suphoxide (DMSO), respectively. The other group was uninoculated while a virus control group received 100 EID50/0.1 ml NDV alone. Bacteria free allantoic fluid from the embryonated eggs in different treatment groups were harvested and collected for spot hemagglutination (HA) test and HA assay to detect the presence of NDV viral particles and the viral titre, respectively. Leaf extracts were assayed for presence of phytochemicals and antioxidant potentials. It was observed from the results that the extract was toxic to the embryo at a concentration above 50 mg/ml and further results showed that the HA viral titre reduction was directly proportional to increasing extract concentration. The phytochemical assays of leaf extract revealed the presence of phytochemicals including alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, glycosides. The current findings have demonstrated that leaf extract from P. amarus has potentials of medicinal value as well as antiviral activity against NDV in-ovo. Further experimental assays using live animal models are recommended to validate the use of P. amarus plant extract in therapeutic measure in chickens.

Key words: Antiviral, Phyllanthus amarus, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), embryonated chicken eggs (ECE).
 

African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 2756-3340 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Epidemiology and resistance patterns of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a major city in Burkina Faso

Dissinviel Stéphane Kpoda1,2*, Nathalie Guessennd6, Juste Isidore Bonkoungou1,2, Mohamed Baguy Ouattara6, Fernique Konan6, Abraham Ajayi7, Jacques Simpore1,5, Rasmata Ouedraogo1,4, Koiné Maxime Drabo2, Lassana Sangare1,3, Mireille Dosso6 and Alfred Traore1

1Laboratoire des Sciences Appliquées et Nutritionnelles (LabSAN), Université Ouaga 1 Pr Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.

2Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, 09 BP 24, Ouagadougou 09, Burkina Faso.

3Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado OUEDRAOGO, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.

4Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles De Gaulle, 01 BP 1198 Ouagadougou 01, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

5Hôpital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou, 09 BP 444, Ouagadougou 09, Burkina Faso.

6Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire, 01 BP 490, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.

7Department of Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Accepted 4 November, 2023

Abstract

Increasing bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents has become an issue of concern. A major problem of the treatment of infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae using antibiotics is the emergence of Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. This study aims to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and describe their resistance profile to other antibiotics commonly used in the infections treatment. 486 clinical strains of Enterobacteriaceae were obtained from patients attending three health centers in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) from November 2014 to October 2015. Biochemical identification was performed and antibiotics susceptibility test was performed using the disk diffusion method. Data was analyzed with the Excel and ANOVA one-way software GraphPad Prism version 5.01 software. Results revealed occurrence of Escherichia coli (60.9%, 194) predominated followed by Klebsiella spp. (22.4%, 109). Antibiotics susceptibility test revealed that 86.8% strains were resistant to amoxicillin, 81.3% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 61.9% to ceftriaxone, 58.6% to cefotaxime and 58.4% to cefepime. It was observed that 99.8% were susceptible to imipenem while 16.6% were resistant to fosfomycin and 12.3% to amikacin. However, 38.5% (187/486) of the strains were ESBL-producing, 67.9% (127/187) of which came from Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital Center, 23.5% (44/187) from Charles De Gaulle Paediatric University Hospital Center and 8.6% (16/187) from Saint Camille Hospital. This study thus showed a high prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Β-Lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae strains in Ouagadougou (38.5%). It underlined the need for routine detection and systematic reporting of ESBL strains in different health facilities in Burkina Faso, so that measures could be taken to prevent their spread and treatment failures.

Key words: Enterobacteriaceae, Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamases (ESBL), Burkina Faso.

African Journal of Infectious Diseases Research ISSN 2756-3340 Vol. 11 (1), pp. 001-012, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Harnessing potential antagonistic bacteria for managing Magnaporthe grisea in rice crops

David P. Tokpah^{1, 2*}, Hongwei Li¹, John T. Newmah², Zipporah Page², Zogbo Luther², Charles F. King², Melissa S. Smith² and Victor M. Voor²

¹Department of Plant Pathology, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu, China.

²Central Agricultural Research Institute, Suakoko, Bong County, Liberia.

Accepted 4 July, 2023

Abstract

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe grisea, frequently affects rice in the world. This research is intended to screen biological control agents for controlling M. grisea, referencing the study biological control agents testing approaches, since biological control is an environmentally friendly plant disease controlling approach. 710 bacterial isolates were discovered from rice tissues, of which hopeful biological control scores were discovered referencing their abilities in antagonism inhibition and secreting extracellular hydrolytic enzyme. Biological control discovery against M. grisea were experimented on 35 bacterial strains with hopeful biological control characteristic examining through amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and BOX analysis on isolates with high assessment scores. Five biological control agents (BCAs) with protection efficacy of more than 40% in greenhouse and field experiment were discovered. Pantoea ananatis HS-8 and Bacillus cereus DL-7 performed well in greenhouse experiment, and field test respectively. In general, correlation coefficient is 0.95 between assessment scores of 35 experimented BCAs and correlation coefficient between antagonism test and biological control efficacy show 0.72 against M. grisea. Biological control efficacies results in greenhouse and field experiments showed positive correlation with assessment scores, proposing that the BCAs evaluating and screening method set-up is reference for screening BCAs for controlling M. grisea.

Key words: Biological control agents (BCAs), biological control efficacy, extracellular metabolites, Magnaporthy grisea.