Clara N. Kwanashie

Erythrocyte sialic acid in human sickle-cell disease

Membrane-bound erythrocyte surface sialic acid concentrations in sickle-cell human patients (SS) and in control patients with sickle-cell trait (AS) and normal genes (AA) were assayed. The erythrocyte sialic acid concentration was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in sickle-cell patients than in non-sicklers and although the concentration was higher in AS than AA individuals the difference was not significant (P greater than 0.05). The anaemic state of the SS patients was shown by a significantly (P less than 0.001) lower PCV than in non-sicklers. This finding is discussed in relation to membrane toughness and subsequent membrane loss leading to irreversible sickling of red cells in the deoxygenated state.

Erratum to: Antimicrobial resistance and virulence profile of enterococci isolated from poultry and cattle sources in Nigeria

This study investigated the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance and virulence of Enterococcus from poultry and cattle farms. Three hundred and ninety samples: cloacal/rectal swabs (n = 260) and manure (n = 130] were processed for recovery of Enterococcus species. Standard bacteriological methods were used to isolate, identify and characterize Enterococcus species for antimicrobial susceptibility and expression of virulence traits. Detection of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes was carried out by polymerase chain reaction. Enterococcus was recovered from 167 (42.8%) of the 390 samples tested with a predominance of Enterococcus faecium (27.7%). Other species detected were Enterococcus gallinarum, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus mundtii and Enterococcus durans. All the isolates tested were susceptible to vancomycin, but resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin and gentamicin was also observed among 61.0, 61.0, 45.1 and 32.7% of the isolates, respectively. Sixty (53.1%) of the isolates were multidrug resistant presenting as 24 different resistance patterns with resistance to gentamicin-erythromycin-streptomycin-tetracycline (CN-ERY-STR-TET) being the most common (n = 11) pattern. In addition to expression of virulence traits (haemolysin, gelatinase, biofilm production), antibiotic resistance (tetK, tetL, tetM, tetO and ermB) and virulence (asa1, gelE, cylA) genes were detected among the isolates. Also, in vitro transfer of resistance determinants was observed among 75% of the isolates tested. Our data revealed poultry, cattle and manure in this area are hosts to varying Enterococcus species harbouring virulence and resistance determinants that can be transferred to other organisms and also are important for causing nosocomial infection.

Equine Dermatophytosis: A Survey of Its Occurrence and Species Distribution among Horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria

This study was designed to determine the occurrence and species distribution of dermatophyte from cutaneous skin lesions of horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 102 skin scrapings were collected from 102 horses with skin lesions. Mycological studies were carried out using conventional techniques. Dermatophytes were isolated from 18 (17.6%) of the 102 samples collected. The 18 dermatophytes were distributed into 10 different species belonging to Microsporum (n = 5) and Trichophyton (n = 5) genera. T. verrucosum (n = 4) was the most predominant species isolated followed by M. equinum (n = 3), T. vanbreuseghemii (n = 2), M. gypseum (n = 2), and M. canis (n = 2). Others include M. fulvum (n = 2), T. mentagrophytes (n = 1), T. equinum (n = 1), T. soudanense (n = 1), and M. gallinae (n = 1). The present study reveals the occurrence of dermatophytes in cutaneous skin lesions of horses in Kaduna State, Nigeria. In addition for the first time in this environment the anthropophilic dermatophyte T. soudanense was isolated from horses. These findings have great economic, veterinary, and public health significance as they relate to the cost of treatment and dissemination of zoonotic dermatophytes.

Severe generalized skin lesions due to mixed infection with Sporothrix schenkii and Dermatophilus congolensis in a bull from Jos, Nigeria.

Sporothrix schenkii and Dermatophilus congolensis were isolated from a bull with severe generalized skin lesions. The lesions were thick, crusty and scabby on the dorsal part while few scabby and several nodular lesions were seen on the lower limbs especially the thighs. Scab samples and exudates from the nodules were aseptically collected and processed for bacteriology and mycology. Gram stained smears revealed Gram-positive, filamentous organism that had longitudinal and transverse septa suggestive of D. congolensis. Colonies on 5% defibrinated sheep blood agar were small, rough, grayish-white, β-hemolytic and adherent to the medium. It was catalase positive, urease positive and fermented glucose and maltose but not sucrose, lactose, mannitol, sorbitol and xylose. Colonies on Sabourauds dextrose agar were small, round, white and opaque, delicate and smooth. It liquefied gelatin and fermented glucose and sucrose but not galactose, menite, and glycerin. The isolate was Gram-positive, cigar-shaped and yeast-like suggestive of S. schenkii. Dermatophilosis is common in domesticated ruminants while sporotrichosis is very rare in cattle. This may be the first report of bovine sporotrichosis from Africa.

Leptospirosis among zebu cattle in farms in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract Objective To assess the occurrence of Leptospira spp serovar Hardjo among Zebu cattle in some livestock producing areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods Sera samples were obtained from 164 Zebu breed of cattle above one year osf age in seven cattle farms were screened for antibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Antibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo were detected in eighteen (10.98%) out of the 164 animals sampled. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in seropositivity between the different age groups or between different Zebu breeds. Conclusion The presence of Leptospirosis among the Zebu breeds of cattle may poses a threat to livestock production and has public health implication due to its zoonotic potential.

Characterization of high level ampicillin- and aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci isolated from non-hospital sources

Purpose. High level ampicillin‐ and aminoglycoside‐resistant enterococci are being increasingly reported from non‐hospital sources. This study was carried out to characterize these strains from non‐hospital sources in Nigeria. Methodology. A collection of Enterococcus faecium isolated from vegetables, soil, farm animals and manure and observed to be resistant to ampicillin (n=63) and gentamicin (n=37) discs, were screened for resistance to high levels of ampicillin and aminoglycoside using E‐test strips. Putative high level ampicillin‐ and aminoglycoside‐resistant strains were screened for pbp5 and aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes, respectively, by PCR. The C‐terminal region of the amplified pbp5 gene was also sequenced. Results. Five (5/63) and thirty‐five (35/37) of the ampicillin‐ and aminoglycoside‐resistant strains were identified as high level ampicillin‐ and aminoglycoside‐resistant E. faecium strains, respectively, based on the MIC results. The amplified pbp5 gene from the high level ampicillin‐resistant isolates displayed 96‐99% nucleotide sequence similarity with the reference strains and three novel insertions (500Glu→Leu, 502Asp→Arg and 614Ile→Phe) in the amino acid sequence. Aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes aac(6′)‐Ie‐aph(2″) (100%), aph(2′)‐Ic (88.8%), aph(3′)‐IIIa (90%) and ant(4′)‐Ia (40%) were detected among the high level aminoglycoside‐resistant isolates. Conclusion. This is the first report on the characterization of high level ampicillin‐ and aminoglycoside‐resistant Enterococcus faecium among animals and vegetables in Nigeria. The results show that non‐hospital sources can constitute a reservoir for potential dissemination of these strains and genes to humans via the food chain or by direct contact.