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Methicillin resistance, mediated by the mecA gene in staphylococci and mammaliicocci, has caused tremendous setbacks in the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine due to its high potential of presenting the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. Three other mec analogs exist, of which the mecC has evolutionary been associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in wild animals, thus loosely referred to as the wild MRSA. In this study, we present an epidemiological review and genomic analysis of non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci that carry the mecC-mediated methicillin resistance trait and determine whether this trait has any relevant link with the One Health niches. All previous studies (2007 till 2023) that described the mecC gene in non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci were obtained from bibliometric databases, reviewed, and systematically analyzed to obtain the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence determinants, mobilome, and other genetic contents. Moreover, core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis was used to assess the relatedness of these strains. Of the 533 articles analyzed, only 16 studies (on livestock, environmental samples, milk bulk tanks, and wild animals) were eligible for inclusion, of which 17 genomes from 6 studies were used for various in silico genetic analyses. Findings from this systematic review show that all mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci were resistant to only beta-lactam antibiotics and associated with the classical SCCmec XI of S. aureus LGA251. Similarly, two studies on wild animals reported mecC-carrying Mammaliicoccus stepanovicii associated with SCCmec XI. Nevertheless, most of the mecC-carrying Mammaliicoccus species presented an MDR phenotype (including linezolid) and carried the SCCmec-mecC hybrid associated with mecA. The phylogenetic analysis of the 17 genomes revealed close relatedness (M. sciuri and M. lentus strains in livestock farms in Algeria, Tunisia, and Brazil. Furthermore, closely related M. sciuri strains from Austria, Brazil, and Tunisia (mecC within the non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci. It could be hypothesized that the mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci are evolutionarily related to the wild MRSA-mecC. The potential implications of clonal development of a lineage of mecA/mecC carrying strains across multiple dairy farms in a vast geographical region with the dissemination of MDR phenotype is envisaged. It was observed that most mecC-carrying non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci were reported in mastitis cases. Therefore, veterinarians and veterinary microbiology laboratories must remain vigilant regarding the potential existence of mecA/mecC strains originating from mastitis as a potential niche for this resistance trait.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) present with high morbidity and reduce patient's quality of life. There is a gross paucity of data on biofilm-producing bacteria in DFU Infection in North-Western Nigeria. The study sought to determine the biofilm-forming ability of bacteria isolates from DFUs and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study of patients with DFUs was conducted from June 2018 to February 2020. Consecutive biopsies were aseptically collected. Bacteria were isolated and identified using a Microgen kit. Biofilm forming ability and antibiogram of isolates were determined using microtitre plate and disk diffusion methods, respectively. Results: Of the 225 participants enrolled, males constituted the majority, 144 (64.0%) with 88 (36.0%) females, the median age of participants was 54 (48–60) years, and the age range was 36–77 years. A total of 172 bacteria were isolated, and 123 (71.5%) were biofilm producers. Staphylococcus aureus (26.7%) was the highest biofilm producer, while Citrobacter freundii and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were the least biofilm producers, 1 (0.6%) each. A disproportionate resistance pattern was demonstrated among the biofilm and non-biofilm producers against the cephalosporins tested, ceftazidime (68% vs. 18%), ceftriaxone (50% vs. 8.0%) and cefotaxime (21% vs. 0.0%). About 46% and 68% of the biofilm producers were resistant to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. While only 2% of the non-biofilm producers were resistant to imipenem, 11% of the biofilm producers were resistant to it. Conclusion: These findings revealed a high proportion of biofilm-producing bacteria and were more resistant than non-biofilm producers.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Programs that appropriate antibiotic use such as antimicrobial stewardship, is a global health strategy adopted by the World Health Organization to contain threats posed by AMR. Unfortunately, many LMICs are at best left behind in the process of developing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). We highlighted the roles of the clinical microbiology laboratory in antimicrobial stewardship and challenges associated with the program in LMICs. We further suggested ways forward in the adoption and implementation of existing programs in resource-limited settings. There is generally nonexistent or at best, fewer ASP in the LMICs. More efforts need to be channeled toward fighting the AMR scourge, primarily by adopting ASP while utilizing the little resources available.

Background: Pulmonary mycosis (PM) poses a great diagnostic challenge due to the lack of pathognomonic and radiological features, especially in the absence of mycology laboratory tests. This study was aimed to isolate, phenotypically identify, determine the prevalence of pulmonary fungal pathogens and antifungal susceptibility pattern of isolates of presumptive tuberculosis (PTB) patients attending Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Gombe, Nigeria. Methods: After ethical approval, three consecutive early morning sputa were collected from 216 participants with presumptive of PTB attending FTH Gombe, between May 2, 2017 and May 30, 2018. Samples were processed using standard mycological staining, microscopy, sugar biochemistry, and antifungal susceptibility test protocols. Sociodemographic variables and risk factors of pulmonary fungal infection were assessed through structured questionnaires. Pulmonary fungal infection was defined by the positive culture in at least two sputa. PTB was defined by Genexpert® nested polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 216 participants, 19.9% had PTB and 73.6% had pulmonary fungal pathogens. Among the isolated pulmonary fungal pathogens, Aspergillus fumigatus made the highest occurrence, while 6.5% had PTB-fungal co-infection. No significant association existed between the prevalence of PM with age and sex of participants (P < 0.05). Cigarette smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 15.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9–268.8]), prolong antibiotic use (aOR = 77.9 [95% CI: 4.7–1283]) and possession of domestic pet (aOR = 77.9 [95% CI: 4.7–1283]) were significant risk factors of PM (P < 0.05). Penicillium citrinum, Mucor spp. and Aspergillus flavus are more susceptible to voriconazole, and Candida albicans was found to be more susceptible to Nystatin. Of the 159 fungal isolates, 92.5% were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed high level pulmonary fungal pathogens, especially among PTB patients. A majority of fungal isolates were resistant to fluconazole. It's recommended that persons should do away with or minimize risk factors for pulmonary fungal pathogens identified in this study.

Background: This cross-sectional study evaluated Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor and cluster of differentiation-4+ (CD4+) T-cell counts in patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Bauchi, Nigeria. Methods: This involved 180 blood samples from 90 tuberculosis (TB)-infected patients and 90 of their close contacts at home or attending Federal Medical Center Azare and Infectious Disease Hospital Bayara, Bauchi, Nigeria. The blood samples were analyzed for Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor (Apaf-1) expression using ELISA and CD4+ T cells using cyflow counter. Structured questionnaires were also used to collect the sociodemographic and clinical data of the study participants. Results: Eighty-six of the TB-infected patients had pulmonary TB (PTB), two had spine TB, and two had pleural TB. No statistically significant difference was recorded in CD4+ T-cell counts (P = 0.2935) between participants with PTB (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 680.4 ± 235 cells/mm3) and those with extra-PTB (mean ± SD: 553.0 ± 130.5 cells/mm3). Similarly, there was no significant difference in Apaf-1 concentration (P = 0.1432) between participants with PTB (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]: 320.3 ± 35.4 pg/ml), and participants with extra-PTB (mean ± SEM: 143.7 ± 7.8 pg/ml). No significant difference was recorded in CD4+ T-cell counts (P = 0.4299) between the participants on treatment (mean ± SD: 758.6 ± 358.6 cells/mm3) and those who are treatment naïve (mean ± SD: 637.7 ± 208.4 cells/mm3). Similarly, there was no significant difference in Apaf-1 concentration (P = 0.6829) between the study participants on treatment (mean ± SEM: 336.3 ± 34.7 pg/ml) and those who are not on treatment (mean ± SEM: 381.2 ± 176.8 pg/ml). The CD4+ T-cells count was significantly higher in the controls (866.7 ± 288.4 cells/mm3) compared to the TB (675.0 ± 232.7 cells/mm3) patients (P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in Apaf-1 expression between the control (312.4 ± 34.6 pg/ml) and the TB patients (329.1 ± 44.0 pg/ml) (P = 0.7658). Conclusion: Findings from this study showed a lower T-cell immune function during TB infection. However, Apaf-1 has no relevance on TB progression and control.

Background There are several malaria preventive measures. The availability of a particular method does not guarantee its adherence and effective usage. This eventually may not provide the desired results for the fight against malaria. Pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting malaria, and therefore it is necessary that they should be protected against the infection. Objective of the study This cross-sectional study investigated the significant roles of various preventive measures against malaria infection among pregnant women attending four selected secondary health facilities in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Materials and methods Blood samples were collected from 353 pregnant women attending selected hospitals. Malaria parasite microscopy was conducted on the basis of standard protocols. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data with regard to subject knowledge and practice of preventive measures against malaria. Results Out of the 353 subjects tested, 79 (22.4%) had malaria parasitaemia. One hundred and fifteen (32.6%) subjects used no preventive measure, 45 (12.7%) used sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine prophylaxis, 53 (15.0%) used insecticide treated nets (ITNs), 72 (20.4%) used indoor insecticide house spray, while 68 (19.3%) used > 1 preventive measures. Out of the 79 subjects infected with malaria, 57 (72.2%) do not know how to prevent malaria, while 22 (27.8%) had prior knowledge of malaria prevention. Highest cases (41 [51.9%]) of malaria parasitaemia were recorded in women with no knowledge of preventive measures during pregnancy, while women who used > 1 measures have the least cases (5 [6.3%]) of malaria parasitaemia. There was statistical association between the use of preventive measures and decreased malaria parasitaemia (P

Objective: Ovarian cancer in Black women is common in many West African countries but is relatively rare in North America. Black women have worse survival outcomes when compared to White women. Ovarian cancer histotype, diagnosis, and age at presentation are known prognostic factors for outcome. We sought to conduct a preliminary comparative assessment of these factors across the African diaspora., Methods: Patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer (all histologies) between June 2016-December 2019 in Departments of Pathology at 25 participating sites in Nigeria were identified. Comparative population-based data, inclusive of Caribbean-born Blacks (CBB) and US-born Blacks (USB), were additionally captured from the International Agency for Research on Cancer and Florida Cancer Data Systems. Histology, country of birth, and age at diagnosis data were collected and evaluated across the three subgroups: USB, CBB and Nigerians. Statistical analyses were done using chi-square and student's t-test with significance set at p<0.05., Results: Nigerians had the highest proportion of germ cell tumor (GCT, 11.5%) and sex-cord stromal (SCST, 16.2%) ovarian cancers relative to CBB and USB (p=0.001). CBB (79.4%) and USB (77.3%) women were diagnosed with a larger proportion of serous ovarian cancer than Nigerians (60.4%) (p<0.0001). Nigerians were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancers at the youngest age (51.7± 12.8 years) relative to USB (58.9 ± 15.0) and CBB (59.0± 13.0,p<0.001). Black women [CBB (25.2 ± 15.0), Nigerians (29.5 ± 15.1), and USB (33.9 ± 17.9)] were diagnosed with GCT younger than White women (35.4 ± 20.5, p=0.011). Black women [Nigerians (47.5 ± 15.9), USB (50.9 ± 18.3) and CBB (50.9 ± 18.3)] were also diagnosed with SCST younger than White women (55.6 ± 16.5, p<0.01)., Conclusion: There is significant variation in age of diagnosis and distribution of ovarian cancer histotype/diagnosis across the African diaspora. The etiology of these findings requires further investigation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 George, Omotoso, Pinto, Mustapha, Sanchez-Covarrubias, Umar, Umar, Oluwasola, Okolo, Anthony, Ukekwe, Bakari, Dahiru, Abdullahi, Abimiku, Abdurrahman, Usman, Ahmed, Usman, Kabir, Eleje, Chiemeka, Nzeribe, Nweke, Kadas, Suleiman, Ekanem, Uche, Paul, Agwu, Edegbe, Anorlu, Banjo, Ajenifuja, Fawole, Kazeem, Magaji, Silas, Athanasius, Tamunomie, Bassey, Abudu, Ango, Abdullahi, Lawal, Kabir, Ekanem, Ezeanochie, Yahaya, Castillo, Bahall, Chatrani, Brambury, Bowe, Halliday, Bruney, Butler, Ragin, Odedina, Chamala, Schlumbrecht and Audu.)