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Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic serovars of Leptospira spp. Wild rodents (Rattus norvegicus) are considered principal reservoir for Leptospira spp. The aim of this study was isolation and identification of Leptospira spp circulating amongst wild rodent’s population in Zaria and its environs. Based on convenience sampling, three hundred and five (305) wild rodents (Rattus Norvegicus) from different locations in Zaria and its environs were trapped using 30 steel local wire traps (18+12+28 cm). The traps were baited with dry fish, groundnut, peanut and were placed in selected sampling points of abattoir, poultry farms, settled cattle farms, grain markets, feed stores and bushes. A total of 305 kidney tissue samples were collected aseptically into a sterile-labeled-sample bottles from the trapped wild rodents following euthanasia. Small pieces (2 cm) of the kidney tissues were cut off and placed into a sterile syringe without needle, and further squeezed into Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) media. The EMJH media with the inoculated kidney tissues were kept at 30oC in an incubator for 8 weeks before confirmation of positive isolates using dark field microscopy. Genomic DNA was extracted directly from 24 kidney tissue samples for molecular detection of pathogenic Leptospira spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results of the culture indicates that the overall occurrence of Leptospira spp in wild rodents (Rattus norvegicus) was 57.70%, with 2.62% in NAPRI Shika, 2.85% in Angwan Rimi, 3.60% in Hunkuyi, 5.24% in Bomo, 8.52% in Bassawa 15.74% in Panhauya and 19.01% in Goruba respectively. The molecular characteristics of Leptospira spp. in the study location as indicated by distinct bands showed expected band size (423bp) indicative of pathogenic Leptospira spp. In conclusion, wild rodents may be source of infection to other domestic animals and man in Zaria and its environs evident from the high prevalence observed in this study, hence, raises serious public health concern.

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The global terror instigated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cannot be underestimated and the need for drastic measures towards its control cannot be overemphasized. Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) following attachment of the virus to specifi c receptors in the body. The distribution of these specialized receptors in various organs and tissues of the body is responsible for the various clinical presentations associated with the disease after infection. Despite the higher risk of spread of the infection, autopsies have been carried out though with maximum precautionary measures and information provided to further elucidate the extent of damages caused by the disease. Pathologic mechanisms leading to death from COVID-19 include respiratory failure due to surfactant defi ciency and consequent alveolar collapse, cardiac syncope from direct damage to cardiac muscles, peripheral paralysis, cytokine storm and excessive haemorrhage from impaired coagulation. In patients that recover, potential outcomes which could be short-and/or long-term have been recognized. As a means to develop effective control, eradication and prevention strategies, a proper understanding of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection will fully ensure a positive breakthrough. Hence, in this article, the pathologic basis of COVID-19 are provided based on extensive literature searches, and proposed mechanisms of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, autopsy fi ndings and sequelae are being described.