This study determined the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization rate among ruminant animals slaughtered for human consumption and contact persons. Nasal and milk product samples were collected from the main abbatoir in Maiduguri and analyzed using standard bacteriological procedures. A total of 510 samples were analyzed, 87 (17.1%) S. aureus isolates were identified, 33 (34.6%) MRSA and 54 (65.9%) methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were detected. 19 (21.8%) MRSA and 17 (19.5) MSSA strains were recovered from cattle, 10 (12.5%) MRSA isolates were recovered from the Red Bororo cattle breed and 12 (17.1) MSSA from carmelius dromedarius. In overall antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, MRSA isolates exhibited multidrug resistance pattern, moderate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (42.2%), tobramycin (36.4%), amikacin (36.4%), streptomycin (42.2%), while majority of MSSA isolates demonstrated high sensitivity pattern (>70%). Six (6.9%) S. aureus isolates (2 MRSA from cattle and 4 MSSA from sheep) exhibited inducible phenotype.In conclusion, the study findings reveal a relatively high MRSA colonization rate and unique resistance pattern, particularly to topical antimicrobial agents (fusidic acid, mupirocin) that are not routinely used in veterinary medical practice in the study area. The study findings provides a baseline epidemiological information for better understanding of MRSA infections in human and veterinary medicine including foods of animal origin.

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Infections caused by biofilm forming bacteria is of major public health concern because of its association with multi-resistance to antimicrobial drugs and host defenses, leading to chronic and recurrent infections. Here, using Congo red agar method, Kirby-bauer disk diffusion technique and the consensus criteria of the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), we determined the acquired resistance profile of biofilm producing phenotypes of clinically derived bacteria, classified as Multidrug resistant (MDR), extensively drug resistant (XDR) and Pandrug resistant (PDR). Fifty (50) de-identified bacterial isolates, comprising of five different species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were sampled for the study. 64.0% of these isolates were observed to produce biofilms. Isolates recovered from urine samples (50.0%) were the most significant biofilm producers, chief among which was Staphylococcus aureus (15.6%) (X2=0.52; p<.05; P=0.9714). 78.0% of the biofilm producing phenotypes were atleast multidrug resistant (31.4% MDR; 31.4% XDR; 15.7% PDR) (f= 0.40678; df=3; p<.05; P=0.7502). Extreme forms of acquired resistance (XDR and PDR) was more pronounced among biofilm producing strains than the non-biofilm producing strains, and was statistically significant (f=5.0; p=.026336; df=14; p<.05). All Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were atleast multidrug resistant, with the biofilm producing strains of the latter being completely resistant to Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin. As such, it can be deduced that resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs is more pronounced among biofilm producing phenotypes of clinically derived bacterial isolates.

Cryptosporidium parvum is among the major pathogens causing diarrheal diseases in children. It is of major public health significance due to its low infectious dose and its oocysts are highly resistant to chlorination, common household disinfectants and survive long periods in the environment. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in stool of hospitalized children under-5 years. One hundred and fifty (150) stool samples were collected from one hundred and fifty children (Male:Female = 1:1.08, Mean Age±S.D=22.08 months ± 21.02) and were processed using the modified Ziehl-Nelson method for identification of protozoan oocysts. Out of the one hundred and fifty (150) stool samples analyzed, 16 tested positive to oocysts of C. parvum, which gives a parasite prevalence rate of 10.7%. This was observed to be higher among male patients (52.0%) and children between the age 32-41 months (31.3%). Parasite prevalence in relation to age of patients was statistically not significant (X2=0.105, DF=1, P-value = 0.74591, p<0.05). Other intestinal protozoan parasites identified include Entamoeba histolytica (1.33%) and Giardia lamblia (2.60%).

Aim: This study was aimed at determining the frequency of occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the susceptibility pattern of isolates to antibiotics.