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Limited comprehensive molecular typing data exist currently for Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-MSSA) clinical isolates. Characterization of PVL-MSSA isolates by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and spa typing in this study showed a genetic similarity to PVL-positive, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (PVL-MRSA) strains, although three novel spa types and a novel MLST (ST1518) were detected. Furthermore, the detection of PVL phages and haplotypes in PVL-MSSA identical to those previously found in PVL-MRSA isolates highlights the role these strains may play as precursors of emerging lineages of clinical significance.

ABSTRACT:Hand hygiene, particularly hand sanitizing, is essential in reducing infectious disease transmission.The recent outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria both increased public awareness of the practice of hand sanitizing and resulted in the introduction of new products to the Nigerian market. This study set out to explore the actual antibacterial activity of these products against key clinical isolates using both dilution and diffusion susceptibility tests methods. Results showed higher inhibitory activity of the products to Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus than Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall the only local product tested had the least inhibitory activity. In general however, the sanitizers showed good activities, with inhibition of bacteria noted at concentrations as low as 25%. Products tested in this study showed higher zones of inhibition than previously reported, indicating their overall effectiveness. The variations in diffusion and dilution results highlight the effect of texture of the sanitizing product on testing methods and point at a need to properly assess if this could perhaps have any effect in real time on inhibitory activities. The hand sanitizing products tested in this study are suitable in disease prevention. However, regulatory bodies may need to focus on product texture until the effect of this on activity is determined.

The emergence of plasmid borne colistin resistance in recent years has been problematic as a result of the potential for rapid dissemination through bacterial populations. This mcr-1 mediated resistance has been reported from around the globe and active surveillance is essential to monitor the developing issue. This study set out to determine the occurrence of such strains in a group of 60 Escherichia coli isolates using DNA extraction and amplification techniques. Following molecular confirmation of the identities of the E. coli isolates based on the detection of E. coli specific 16sRNA gene fragments, phenotypic colistin resistance of isolates was determined and isolates were screened for the mcr-1 gene using standard procedures. Of the 35 confirmed E. coli isolates, 60% were found to be colistin resistant, with a higher level of resistance noted among the non-clinical isolates. Plasmid mediated mcr-1 resistance was however found to be present in only 8.6% of total isolates, making up 14.3% of the colistin resistant strains. This mcr-1 mediated resistance was only noted in clinical isolates however. This detection of mcr-1 mediated colistin resistance in E. coli isolates from Port Harcourt, Nigeria is worrisome as it could point at a looming epidemic of colistin resistance and hence the development of untreatable bacterial isolates. Further studies are essential to properly assess the scope and spread of this situation.

BackgroundIn past years, much focus has been on tackling the scourge and spread of tuberculosis worldwide. The recent emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis has, however, negatively threatened progress made so far. Nigeria ranks fourth out of the 22 high tuberculosis burden countries in the world and has the highest burden of tuberculosis in Africa. It is therefore necessary to monitor the MDR tuberculosis situation in the country.ObjectivesThis study set out to assess the proportions of MDR tuberculosis in patients attending six directly observed treatment short-course centres in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from October 2015 to October 2016.MethodsSix hundred and nine participants between the ages of 18 and 75 years were enrolled in this study and comprised suspected and newly diagnosed tuberculosis cases. Sputum samples obtained from the participants were screened for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using standard culture and phenotypic biochemical techniques, and drug susceptibility testing was carried out using the 1% proportion conventional method.ResultsOf the 609 participants enrolled, 30 (4.9%) were confirmed as M. tuberculosis-positive cases. A high prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis was noted in this study (14/30, 46.7%), with 26.7% of isolates resistant to streptomycin. MDR tuberculosis, defined as being resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, was detected in only one case (3.3%).ConclusionThis study reports a low rate of MDR tuberculosis and contributes to the sparse data on drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria.

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IntroductionMultidrug resistance (MDR) is a growing problem worldwide. This type resistance often arises due to the sequential acquisition of drug resistance determinants and subsequent clonal spread. It is therefore important to determine possible reservoirs of these MDR gene to help set out control strategies. This study was aimed at analysing susceptibility patterns of various non-clinical Gram negative bacterial strains to determine their potential as reservoirs of MDR.MethodsThirty-five non-clinical Gram negative bacteria were identified and susceptibility profile determined using standard methodologies.ResultsFindings showed a preponderance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia Coli. Resistance rates of above 80% were noted in 50% of antibiotics, though none of the isolates were resistant to Ofloxacin. Majority of isolates (68.6%) had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index greater than 0.5, but only 20% of Escherichia Eoli. were found in this category. A high level of MDR was noted in this study (71.4%), but again only 20% of these were Escherichia Coli.ConclusionGram negative bacteria are the most common group of bacteria frequently encountered in clinical microbiology. In more recent years, infections with these organisms have been further complicated by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Non-clinical isolates have been postulated as possible reservoirs. Findings from this study of widespread multidrug resistance support this idea. This study however highlights the lack of MDR in Escherichia Coli, which is promising. More extensive studies will need to be carried out to properly assess the role of non-clinical isolates as reservoirs of MDR determinants.

Background The increase in multidrug resistance (MDR) among pathogenic bacteria responsible for infectious diseases has led to lack of effectiveness of some antibiotics. The ability of Escherichia coli to harbor resistant genes has made the treatment of infections a major challenge. This study was carried out to assess antibiotic resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production of E. coli from various sources in Aba metropolis, Nigeria. Results From a total of 350 samples collected from clinical and non-clinical sources, 137 were presumptively identified as E. coli by standard phenotypic methods and 83 were confirmed as E. coli by the detection of E. coli specific 16S rRNA gene fragments. The majority of these isolates (52, 62.7%) were from non-clinical sources. The clinical isolates, however, exhibited a higher level of resistance against 62.5% of tested antibiotics. Both group of isolates exhibited similar levels (58.1% vs 53.9%) of MDR, though. A low rate of ESBL production was observed (1.2%) following phenotypic detection of ESBL-producing abilities using the double-disc synergy test. An assessment of the presence of three beta-lactamase gene genotypes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) revealed that none of the three predominant ESBL genotypes was identified in this study. Conclusions This study reports high levels of antibiotic resistance in both clinical and non-clinical E. coli isolates. Though higher rates of resistance were observed among the non-clinical isolates, both group of organisms had similar levels of MDR. Strikingly, however, was the low level of ESBL producers detected in this study and the absence of the three main genotypes associated with ESBL production in this study.