African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"A review of the recent advances on Lassa fever with special reference to molecular epidemiology and progress in vaccine development","authors":"N. Medugu, B. Adegboro, M. Babazhitsu, M. Kadiri, E. Abanida","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.3","url":null,"abstract":"Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), is endemic in West Africa and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. At  least three of the four proposed seven lineages of LASV are found in Nigeria, where the multimammate rat, Mastomys natalensis, serves as the primary  reservoir. Endemic countries report approximately 200,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually, with Nigeria experiencing thousands of infections and  hundreds of deaths including healthcare workers. The aim of this review is to provide scientific information for better understanding of the evolutionary  biology, molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of Lassa fever in Nigeria and other endemic regions worldwide, which can lead  to improved control efforts and reduce morbidity and mortality from recurrent epidemics. To achieve this aim, observational studies such as case  series, cross-sectional and cohort studies published between December 2017 and September 2022 were searched for on various online databases  including Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), Research Gates, PubMed, PMIC, NCDC, and WHO websites. Although the origin and evolutionary  history, and the transmission dynamics of Lassa virus have been revealed through recent molecular epidemiological studies, the factors that drive the  evolution of the virus remain unclear. Genetic changes in the viral genome may have enabled the virus to adapt to humans. Diagnosis of Lassa fever has  also advanced from basic serological tests to more sophisticated methods such as quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and  sequencing, which are particularly useful for identifying outbreak strains. Several vaccines, including recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV), virus-  like particle (VLP), and DNA-based vaccines, have shown promise in animal models and some have progressed to phase 2 clinical trials. Preventingand controlling Lassa fever is critical to safeguard the health and well-being of affected communities. Effective measures such as rodent control,  improved sanitation, and early detection and isolation of infected individuals are essential for reducing transmission. Ongoing research into the genetic  and ecological factors that drive the evolution of Lassa virus is necessary to reduce the impacts of Lassa fever. \u0000  \u0000French title:Une revue des avancées récentes sur la fièvre de la Lassa avec une référence particulière à l'épidémiologie moléculaire et aux progrès du développement des vaccins \u0000La fièvre de Lassa, une fièvre hémorragique virale causée par le virus de Lassa (LASV), est endémique en Afrique de l'Ouest et est associée à une  morbidité et une mortalité élevées. Au moins trois des quatre lignées proposées de LASV se trouvent au Nigeria, où le rat multimammaire, Mastomys  natalensis, sert de réservoir principal. Les pays endémiques signalent environ 200,000 infections et 5,000 décès par an, le Nigéria connaissant des milliers","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73307844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Malaria treatment failure after Artemisinin-based combination therapy: A case series of children managed at a private tertiary hospital in southwest Nigeria","authors":"O. Fatunla, E. Irek, A. H. Oyebanji, S. Adisa, T.E. Jesulana, T.O. Ajibola","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.12","url":null,"abstract":"Malaria treatment failure is the inability to clear parasitaemia after antimalarial drug administration. There are reports of treatment failure with  artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Nigeria but few reported among children. We report three paediatric cases of treatment failure with ACT  admitted at a private tertiary hospital in Nigeria in early 2022. All three were ‘under-fives’ admitted for open-heart surgery, major flame burns, and  cerebral malaria respectively. They had symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection but one had mixed P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections.  Cases 1 and 2 were initially given oral artemether-lumefantrine while case 3 received intravenous artesunate. Despite appropriate antimalarial drug  compliance, all the 3 still had fever with heavy parasitaemia. They subsequently received intravenous quinine, with improvement within the first 24 hours  of therapy, and no longer had fever at the fourth week of follow-up. Although ACT resistance was not established, poor drug quality may have  contributed to treatment failure. There is a need for pharmacovigilance of anti-malarial in Nigeria.  \u0000  \u0000French title: Échec du traitement du paludisme après une polythérapie à base d'artémisinine: une série de cas d'enfants pris en charge dans un hôpital tertiaire privé du sud-ouest du Nigeria \u0000L'échec du traitement du paludisme est l'incapacité à éliminer la parasitémie après l'administration d'un médicament antipaludique. Il y a des rapports  d'échec de traitement avec la thérapie combinée à base d'artémisinine (ACT) au Nigeria, mais peu ont été signalés chez les enfants. Nous rapportons trois  cas pédiatriques d'échec de traitement avec ACT admis dans un hôpital tertiaire privé au Nigeria au début de 2022. Tous trois étaient des « moins de  cinq ans » admis pour une chirurgie à cœur ouvert, des brûlures graves par la flamme et un paludisme cérébral, respectivement. Ils avaient une  infection symptomatique à Plasmodium falciparum mais un avait des infections mixtes à P. falciparum et Plasmodium vivax. Les cas 1 et 2 ont  initialement reçu de l'artéméther-luméfantrine par voie orale tandis que le cas 3 a reçu de l'artésunate par voie intraveineuse. Malgré une bonne  observance des médicaments antipaludiques, tous les 3 avaient encore de la fièvre avec une forte parasitémie. Ils ont ensuite reçu de la quinine par voie  intraveineuse, avec une amélioration dans les 24 premières heures de traitement, et n'avaient plus de fièvre à la quatrième semaine de suivi. Bien que la  résistance à l'ACT n'ait pas été établie, la mauvaise qualité des médicaments peut avoir contribué à l'échec du traitement. Il y a un besoin de  pharmacovigilance des antipaludéens au Nigeria. ","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"114 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77687506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative HPV genotype distribution among women with normal and abnormal cervical cytology in Yaoundé, Cameroon","authors":"C.M. Mbimenyuy, J. F. Cho, A. E. Mugyia, G. Ikomey, D. Tebit, D.A. Nota","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.5","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the pattern of HPV genotype distribution are parameters needed to assess the risk of cervical cancer. Oncogenic HPV types are well-known pathogen for lower genital tract neoplasias, representing the primary cause of cancer death in Africa and the second in Cameroon. This study was conducted to identify the various genotypes particularly the high-risk HPV types in normal and abnormal cervical cytology from women in Yaoundé, Cameroon. \u0000Methodology: This was a hospital-based, analytical cross-sectional study carried out on 226 symptomatic women wherein cervico-vaginal samples were obtained during gynaecological examination for Pap smears, HPV-DNA and genotype detection with linear array HPV strip, conducted from November 2019 to January 2021. \u0000Results: From the 226 women whose cervical samples were collected for Pap smears, 71 (31.4%) had abnormal cytology results while 155 (68.6%) had normal results. The overall HPV prevalence in the study population was 34.1% (77/226). The HPV prevalence in women with abnormal Pap smears was 100% (71/71) and are distributed in following descending order; LSIL (21.1%, 15/71), HSIL (21.1%, 15/71), ASC-US (19.7%, 14/71), ICC (19.7%, 14/71) andothers (18.4%, 13/71). HPV-DNA was positive in 6 (3.9%) of the 155 women with normal cytology results, 4 (2.6%) of whom were high-risk HPV. There is statistically significant difference in the HPV prevalence between women with abnormal and normal Pap smear results (OR=3289, 95% CI=182.62-59235, p<0.0001). The frequently identified oncogenic HPV types were type 16 (31.2%, 24/77), type 45 (14.3%, 11/77) and type 18 (10.4%, 8/77). \u0000Conclusion: It is evident from our study that symptomatic women with normal Pap smear can have HR-HPV infection and should therefore be screened for HPV and followed up with periodic Pap smears to detect any abnormal change in cervical cytology results, to prevent cervical cancer development. Women should be encouraged to take up cervical screening, through Pap smears, because it is a non-invasive and cost-effective method for early detection of preinvasive lesions. \u0000  \u0000French title: Répartition comparative des génotypes du VPH chez les femmes ayant une cytologie cervicale normale et anormale à Yaoundé, Cameroun \u0000Contexte: L'épidémiologie de l'infection par le virus du papillome humain (VPH) et le schéma de distribution des génotypes du VPH sont des paramètres  nécessaires pour évaluer le risque de cancer du col de l'utérus. Les types de VPH oncogènes sont des agents pathogènes bien connus des néoplasies des  voies génitales inférieures, représentant la première cause de décès par cancer en Afrique et la deuxième au Cameroun. Cette étude a été menée pour  identifier les différents génotypes, en particulier les types de VPH à haut risque dans la cytologie cervicale normale et anormale chez les femmes de  Yaoundé, au Cameroun. \u0000Méthodologie: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale anal","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83267986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst doctors practising in Cross River State, Nigeria","authors":"A. A. Iwuafor, G. Ogban, O. Ita, A. Offiong, P. A. Owai, U. Udoh, D. E. Elem","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.4","url":null,"abstract":"Background: COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most effective public health intervention approaches for prevention of COVID-19. Despite its well-known  efficacy and safety, significant proportion of frontline COVID-19 healthcare workers remain hesitant about accepting the vaccine for whatever reasons.  This study aimed to determine acceptance rate and determinants of vaccine refusal among doctors in Cross River State, Nigeria. \u0000Methodology: This was a cross-sectional survey of doctors using structured online questionnaire administered via the WhatsApp platform of the medical  doctors’ association, in order to assess their rate of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, and reasons for vaccine refusal. The predictors of vaccine  acceptance were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. \u0000Results: Of the 443 medical doctors targeted on the WhatsApp platform, 164 responded to the questionnaire survey, giving a response rate of 37.0%  (164/443). The mean age of the respondents is 38 ±6.28 years, 91 (55.5%) are 38 years old and above, 97 (59.1%) are males and 67 (40.9%) are females,  giving a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. The greater proportion of the respondents are physicians (70/148, 47.3%) and about three-quarter of the  participants (127/164, 77.4%) had received COVID-19 vaccine. The proportion of physicians who had received COVID-19 vaccine (57/70, 81.4%) was more  than the proportion of general practitioners (31/42, 73.8%) and surgeons (24/35, 68.6%). Low perceived benefit of vaccination was the main reason given  for COVID-19 vaccine refusal (45.9%, 17/37). No significant association was found between vaccine refusal and suspected predictors (p>0.05). \u0000Conclusion: Our study revealed high rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among medical doctors especially among the physicians, with the surgeons  showing lowest acceptance rate. A significant proportion would not take vaccine because they perceived it lacks much benefits. To raise vaccine  acceptance among doctors, more efforts on vaccine literacy that would target doctors from all sub-specialties especially surgeons and incorporate  vaccine benefits should be made.","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88298934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awareness of and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection among female sex workers in Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria","authors":"E. Nwagbo, O. Ekwunife, A. C. Mmeremikwu, C. Ojide","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.6","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective preventive measures against HIV infection but its success is strongly based on  adherence, which in turn depends on willingness to use. This study is aimed at assessing the level of awareness and willingness to use PrEP to prevent  HIV infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Anambra State, Nigeria, and to identify factors that influence willingness to use PrEP. \u0000Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional survey involving 265 brothel-based FSWs recruited through snowballing technique. A structured  questionnaire was used to collect relevant information on demographic characteristics, awareness of HIV/AIDS and transmission route,  attitudes/behavior related to HIV/AIDS, and awareness of and willingness to use PrEP. Univariate and bivariate analyses with Chi square test (with Odds  ratio and 95% confidence interval) was used to determine association of socio-demographic and predictive factors with willingness to use PrEP. Statistical  significance was considered when p value was less than 0.05. \u0000Results: Of 265 FSW respondents, only 81 (31.2%) have heard of PrEP, 10 (3.9%) indicated they have previously used PrEP while 91.0% indicated  willingness to use PrEP. Univariate analysis showed that FSWs in Onitsha had a significantly higher odds (OR=28.6, 95% CI=1.718-476.82, p=0.0006) while  those from Awka had a significantly lower odds (OR=0.184, 95% CI=0.0704-0.1812, p=0.0004) of willingness to use PrEP. Also, FSWs with monthly income  less than 18,000 Naira had a lower odd of willingness to use PrEP (OR=0.3980, 95% CI=0.1593-0.9945, p=0.08). Bivariate analysis shows that FSWs who  wish to have more knowledge of HIV/AIDS had higher odd of willingness to use PrEP than those who did not wish to have more knowledge (OR=4.235,  95% CI=1.577–11.374, p=0.0066). Similarly, FSWs who are worried of being discriminated against have a lower odd of willingness to use PrEP than those  who are not worried of being discriminated against (OR=0.3921, 95% CI=0.1582-0.9718, p=0.0439). \u0000Conclusion: Our study showed low awareness but high willingness to use PrEP among FSWs in Anambra State, Nigeria. Cost, HIV/AIDS knowledge and  fear of discrimination are significant predicting factors of willingness to use HIV PrEP and should be considered when formulating PrEP policy. Adequate  enlightenment on PrEP should be emphasized among FSWs \u0000  \u0000French title: Sensibilisation et volonté d'utiliser la prophylaxie pré-exposition pour prévenir l'infection à VIH chez les travailleuses du sexe dans l'État  d'Anambra, au sud-est du Nigéria \u0000Contexte: La prophylaxie pré-exposition (PrEP) est une mesure préventive très efficace contre l'infection par le VIH, mais son succès repose fortement sur  l'observance, qui à son tour dépend de la volonté de l'utiliser. Cette étude vise à évaluer le niveau de sensibilisation et de volonté d'utiliser la PrEP  pour prévenir l'infection par le VIH chez les travailleuses du sexe (FSW","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75218317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacteriological assessment of crab (Pachycheles pubescens) and dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) shellfishes from mesotidal estuarine ecosystem","authors":"A. Nkanang, N. Abraham, D. Udoh, C. Udosen, E. J. Udofa, S. Anene","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.10","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Shellfishes are susceptible to a wide variety of bacterial pathogens, most of which are capable of causing disease in humans but are  considered to be saprophytic in nature. Bacteriological diversity of shellfishes depends on the fishing grounds, habitats and environmental factors  around them. This study assessed the bacteria associated with shellfishes, Pachycheles pubescens (crab) and Nucella lapillus (dog whelk) harvested from mesotidal estuarine ecosystem. \u0000Methodology: The bacteriological assessment of crab (Pachycheles pubescens) and dog whelk (Nucella lapillus) harvested from Okwano Obolo estuary in  Eastern Obolo local government area (LGA), Akwa Ibom was evaluated. The density of heterotrophic and potential pathogens was determined using  standard analytical procedures. The pure bacterial isolates were grouped into recognizable taxonomic units and characterized to their generic level. \u0000Results: The mean (and range) total heterotrophic bacterial count (THBC), total coliform count (TCC), faecal coliform count (FCC), Salmonella-Shigella  count (SSC) and total Vibrio count (TVC) of the crab samples (log10 cfu/g) for the crab samples are; 4.281±0.085 (4.18-4.39); 4.187±0.078 (4.11-4.30); 4.115±0.081 (4.00-4.20); 4.076±0.058 (4.00-4.14); and 4.114±0.085 (4.00-4.23) respectively (p=0.003915). For the dog whelk samples, the mean (and range)  THBC, TCC, FCC, SSC and TVC are 4.232±0.095 (4.11-4.36); 4.185±0.095 (4.04-4.28); 4.082±0.068 (4.00-4.18); 4.062±0.055 (4.00-4.15) and 5.155±0.062  (4.08-4.23) respectively (p=0.028856. Bacterial species isolated from the crab and dog whelk samples included Salmonella, Bacillus, Shigella,    Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio (which was the most frequently isolated bacteria pathogen from both samples in 80%). \u0000Conclusion: Some of the bacteria species especially Vibrio, Salmonella and Shigella isolated from the crab and dog whelk samples are known human  pathogens, that can pose serious health risk if these seafoods are not properly cooked before consumption.","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78128305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates in a hospital setting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: A twelve-year retrospective analysis","authors":"H. Kafando, M. Ouattara, M. Kienou, Y.D. Coulidiaty, K. Ouattara, R. Ouédraogo, M. Sawadogo, C. Guira, A. Ouedraogo, I. Sanou","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.11","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Escherichia coli is the main bacterium responsible for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI). The increasing frequency of antibiotic  resistance in E. coli isolates from UTI poses concern in their therapeutic management. The aim of this study is to describe the current antibiotic resistance  profile of E. coli clinical isolates at the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital of Ouagadougou (CHUYO), Burkina Faso, with a view to revising  the treatment protocols for bacterial UTI. \u0000Methodology: This was a retrospective review and descriptive study of all E. coli isolates from febrile UTI at CHUYO from January 2010 to December 2021.  During this period, two techniques were used to perform antibiotic susceptibility test; agar diffusion from 2010 to 2018 and commercial liquid  susceptibility testing from 2019 to 2021 using the BD Phoenix M50 automated system. The detection of ESBLs was performed using the Expert System of  the automated system or a synergy test combining an amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and a 3 rd generation cephalosporin (3GC) disc. \u0000Results: A total of 2055 non-repetitive strains of E. coli were isolated from UTI over the period of study, with 62.0% (1274) of isolates resistant to 3GC.  Resistance to 3GC by ESBL production was the most dominant mechanism in 83.1% of cases (1059/1274). Among the 781 (38.0%) 3GC-susceptible  isolates, there were high resistance rates to ampicillin (75.2%) and cotrimoxazole (60.2%), but these isolates retained full susceptibility to imipenem  (carbapenem) and fosfomycin. As for the 3GC-resistant strains, there was high resistance to cotrimoxazole (93.0%) and ciprofloxacin (90.3%) but relatively  low to medium resistance to gentamicin (56.0%) and amikacin (26.3%), and low resistance to nitrofurantoin (10.0%), fosfomycin (6.1%) and imipenem  (4.2%). About one third (31.7%) of all the isolates tested were resistant to both ceftriaxone and gentamicin. \u0000Conclusion: In view of the results, the  implementation of rapid diagnostic tools such as the β-lactamase test to guide empirical antibiotic therapy is essential for an early and efficient  management of febrile UTI at the local level in Burkina Faso.","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81695833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artemisinin drug resistance and monitoring: a narrative review","authors":"A. A. Iwuafor, G. I. Ogban, U.E. Emanghe, P.C. Erengwa, A.B. Offiong, G. E. Nsor, P. A. Owai","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.1","url":null,"abstract":"Artemisinin drug resistance is one of the major reasons for malaria treatment failures in the sub-Saharan African countries where artemisinin-based  combination therapy (ACT) is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. The occurrence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is found to  correlate with antimalarial drug resistance. With artemisinin, the SNPs occurs at the Kelch 13-propeller gene locus on chromosome 13. The artemisinin  drug resistance surveillance strategy involves continuous monitoring of Kelch 13-propeller biomarker to detect emergence of mutations which could  herald drug resistance in the region. In this narrative review paper, we examined existing literature to bridge the knowledge gap and accentuate the  importance of routine surveillance for artemisinin resistance in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted our search on PubMed database and Google Scholar to  identify peer-reviewed articles, reports, and abstracts on artemisinin drug resistance using the following keywords; ‘artemisinin drug resistance’,  ‘antimalarial drug resistance’, ‘artemisinin-based combination therapy’, ‘Kelch 13-propeller’, ‘K13- propeller gene’, and ‘K13 molecular marker’. The review  provided pertinent information on artemisinin derivatives, artemisinin-based combination therapy, molecular action of artemisinin, definition of  artemisinin resistance, genetic basis of artemisinin drug resistance and discovery of Kelch 13, and the importance of artemisinin resistance surveillance.  Molecular surveillance can provide healthcare policy makers a forecast of impending threats to malaria treatment. This is more so when drugs are in  combination therapy, for instance, molecular surveillance can give a hint that one drug is failing despite the fact that in combination, it is still apparently  clinically effective. ","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88648891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of the current diphtheria outbreaks","authors":"N. Medugu, T. Musa-Booth, B. Adegboro, A. Onipede, M. Babazhitsu, R. Amaza","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.2","url":null,"abstract":"Corynebacterium diphtheriae is responsible for both endemic and epidemic diphtheria. The predisposing factor for this disease is the failure to immunize  during childhood. Humans are the only hosts of the organism and is present in the upper respiratory tract. The organism is transmitted via airborne  route and can cause respiratory obstruction and heart failure because of the exotoxin it produces. There is presently a resurgence of diphtheria  outbreaks in Nigeria. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) was notified of suspected diphtheria outbreaks in Lagos and Kano States, Nigeria, in  December 2022 and has been issuing monthly reports since that time. This review of the diphtheria outbreaks following online database searches on  PubMed and Google Scholar as well as the NCDC/WHO websites and grey literatures, describes the current trend of the outbreaks globally, elucidated the  different strains of Corynebacterium responsible for the outbreaks, identified the recent vaccine formulation developed to tackle the outbreaks, and  provide information on vaccine delivery and efficacy studies in the country and globally.  \u0000French title: Un examen des épidémies actuelles de diphtérie \u0000  \u0000Corynebacterium diphtheriae est responsable à la fois de la diphtérie endémique et épidémique. Le facteur prédisposant à cette maladie est l'absence de  vaccination pendant l'enfance. Les humains sont les seuls hôtes de l'organisme et sont présents dans les voies respiratoires supérieures. L'organisme  est transmis par voie aérienne et peut provoquer une obstruction respiratoire et une insuffisance cardiaque en raison de l'exotoxine qu'il produit. Il y a  actuellement une recrudescence des épidémies de diphtérie au Nigeria. Le Centre Nigérian de Contrôle des Maladies (NCDC) a été informé des  épidémies présumées de diphtérie dans les États de Lagos et de Kano, au Nigéria, en décembre 2022 et publie depuis lors des rapports mensuels. Cet  examen des épidémies de diphtérie à la suite de recherches dans les bases de données en ligne sur PubMed et Google Scholar ainsi que sur les sites Web  et les littératures grises du NCDC/OMS, décrit la tendance actuelle des épidémies dans le monde, a élucidé les différentes souches de  Corynebacterium responsables des épidémies, identifié les récentes la formulation de vaccins développée pour lutter contre les épidémies et fournir des  informations sur l'administration des vaccins et les études d'efficacité dans le pays et dans le monde. ","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91425732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative gender analysis of the seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus among HIV-infected individuals receiving care at Offa, north-central Nigeria","authors":"A. Udeze, Prof. S. S. Taiwo","doi":"10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/ajcem.v24i2.7","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections are common and contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. This study was conducted to determine the level of exposure, compare the gender distribution pattern and correlate with CD4 count, history of chicken pox and demographics among HIV patients. \u0000Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 273 randomly selected HIV-positive patients (93 males and 180 females) receiving care and  management at the General Hospital Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, between September 2019 and March 2020, after obtaining informed consent. Sera were  separated from the blood samples and tested for the presence of VZV-specific IgG antibodies using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). \u0000Results: The seroprevalence rate of VZV in the selected HIV patients was 76.9% (210/273), which was similar in both male (83.9%, 78/93) and female  (73.3%, 132/180) patients (χ2=3.265, p=0.071). The seroprevalence rates of VZV in both male and female patients were significantly associated with  marital status, occupational status, and CD4+ cell count (p<0.05), however, age group was not significantly associated with VZV seroprevalence in both  male (χ2=8.014, p=0.155) and female (χ2=4.689, p=0.455) patients. The seroprevalence of VZV in males (32%) who reported history of chicken pox was  about twice that of females (17.4%) (OR=2.235, 95% CI=1.162-4.302, p=0.023). \u0000Conclusion: The level of exposure of HIV-infected individuals to VZV in Offa, Nigeria is high and is similarly distributed in both male and female genders.  However, more males with VZV exposure reported history of chicken pox (acute infection) than their female counterparts. ","PeriodicalId":7415,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology","volume":"102 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78166800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}