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Background: Multi drug resistant bacterial agents that contaminate seafood cause several diseases in humans and are widely documented as a global public health challenge. Methods: This study evaluated the microbiological and antimicrobial resistance genes profiles of bacterial Isolates from shellfish vended at Iko and Douglas Creeks of Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 540 shellfish (117 clams, 88 oysters, 136 periwinkles) samples were collected from various vendor at the two Creeks were analyzed. The samples were processed using standard microbiological methods to identify bacterial pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assayed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Isolates were screened for antimicrobial resistant genes using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Overall, a total of 135 bacteria isolates were identified. The most common isolate was Alcaligenes species 53(39.2%) followed by Pseudomonas species 44(32.6%), Providencia species 25(18.5%), Vibrio species 6(4.4%), and Paenalcaligenes species 7(5.2%). The isolates showed varying susceptibilities to Imipenem (36%) and amikacin (28%) but were all resistant to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole. Fifty-three isolates had a multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of ≥0.9 - 1.0. Most of the bacterial isolates were detected with TEM genes (82.2%), SHV (51.8%,), VIM (50.3%) resistance genes. None of the isolates expressed Veb gene. Only 40.7% of the isolates expressed QnrB gene while none expressed QnrA and QnrS. Conclusion: The detection of these multidrug resistant clinically relevant bacterial species suggests a significant linkage of commonly consumed seafood in the community and environmental spread of MDR bacteria.

Background: Biofilm production caused by bacteria plays a vital role in catheter associated urinary tract infection (UTI) or bacteriuria being responsible for persistence and recurrent infection. Biofilms forming bacteria are difficult to eradicate due to antimicrobial resistance to the commonly used antibiotic. Biofilms are currently estimated to be responsible for over 65% of nosocomial infections and 80% of microbial infections. This study aimed to perform biofilm detection on uropathogenic bacterial isolates among fistula patients attending National Obstetric Fistula centre Ningi and investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Methods: A total of 217 strains of significant bacteriuria were isolated from vesico vaginal fistula (VVF) patients. A cross sectional study was conducted at the hospital. The urine samples were collected and cultured on CLED and blood agar media while confirmation was done using their biochemical reaction. The detection of biofilms formation on the isolates was performed using tube adherence and Congo red agar method. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. Results: Out of 217 significant bacteriuria isolated, 38 strains produced biofilms;28 strains tested positive on tube adherence method while 15 strains were positive on Congo red agar method. Bacteria that produced biofim showed multiple drug resistance compared to the platonic bacterial cells. All the biofilm producers showed 100% resistant to septrin, ampiclox, gentamycin and amoxicillin. There was no significant value between tube adherence and Congo red agar method with P value > 0.05. Conclusion: Biofilm detection should form part of routine testing while antimicrobial susceptibility testing is paramount on better choice of antibiotic therapy for proper management to reduce economic lost, treatment failure and drug resistance.

Background: Multi drug resistant bacterial agents that contaminate seafood cause several diseases in humans and are widely documented as a global public health challenge. Methods: This study evaluated the microbiological and antimicrobial resistance genes profiles of bacterial Isolates from shellfish vended at Iko and Douglas Creeks of Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 540 shellfish (117 clams, 88 oysters, 136 periwinkles) samples were collected from various vendor at the two Creeks were analyzed. The samples were processed using standard microbiological methods to identify bacterial pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assayed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Isolates were screened for antimicrobial resistant genes using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Overall, a total of 135 bacteria isolates were identified. The most common isolate was Alcaligenes species 53(39.2%) followed by Pseudomonas species 44(32.6%), Providencia species 25(18.5%), Vibrio species 6(4.4%), and Paenalcaligenes species 7(5.2%). The isolates showed varying susceptibilities to Imipenem (36%) and amikacin (28%) but were all resistant to Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole. Fifty-three isolates had a multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of ≥0.9 - 1.0. Most of the bacterial isolates were detected with TEM genes (82.2%), SHV (51.8%,), VIM (50.3%) resistance genes. None of the isolates expressed Veb gene. Only 40.7% of the isolates expressed QnrB gene while none expressed QnrA and QnrS. Conclusion: The detection of these multidrug resistant clinically relevant bacterial species suggests a significant linkage of commonly consumed seafood in the community and environmental spread of MDR bacteria.

Aims: This study evaluated the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase resistance genes in E. coli from stool of diarrheic children in some hospitals in Lafia metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 70 stool samples of children were obtained from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, M & D Hospital, Olivet Medical Centre and Sandaji Medical Centre, Lafia. Escherichia coli were isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was tested using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method. The phenotypic detection of ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase production in some antibiotic resistant isolates were carried out using disc method. The molecular detections of ESBL and AmpC resistance genes were carried out using Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: Of the 70 samples, the occurrence of E. coli was 100%. The isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin (97.14%), ciprofloxacin (90.00%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (84.29%), streptomycin (78.57%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (70.00%); moderate to gentamicin (38.57%), ceftazidime (37.14%) and cefotaxime (30.00%); and less resistant to cefoxitin (15.71%) and imipenem (8.57%). Twenty-one (30.00%) isolates were jointly resistant to both cefotaxime and ceftazidine. Of this number, 66.67% (14/21) were phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers; and the occurrences of ESBL resistance genes were: 7.14% (SHV), 42.86% (CTX-M) and 50.00% (TEM). Out of 11isolates resistant to cefoxitin, 4(36.36%) were phenotypically confirmed as AmpC β-lactamase producers; and the occurrence of AmpC genes were: 50.00% (CIT), 25.00% (FOX) and 25.00% (MOX). Conclusion: The isolates were least resistant to imipenem and cefoxitin and highly resistant to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. TEM and CTX-M ESBL genes were more frequent than SHV. CIT AmpC gene was more frequent than FOX and MOX.

This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance profile and presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in Salmonella typhi from patients attending selected general hospitals in Abuja municipal, Nigeria. Four hundred stool samples from patients with suspected typhoid fever were collected from Asokoro General Hospital Abuja (AGH), Garki Hospital Abuja (GHA), Maitama General Hospital Abuja (MGHA) and Wuse General Hospital Abuja (WGHA) and S. typhi was isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was carried out using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method. Molecular detection of PMQR genes in the ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. The overall occurrence of the isolates was 13.3% (53/400), with the highest hospital-related occurrence at WGHA (18.0%). The occurrence was highest at age 21-30yrs in AGHA (20.0%), GHA (33.3%) and WGHA (45.0%). The occurrence was higher in females at AGHA (12.7%) and GHA (16.0%); but higher in males at MGHA (11.4%) and WGHA (18.2%). Resistance to ciprofloxacin was the least at 30.2%, distributed as follows: AGHA (20.0%), GHA (35.7%), MGHA (36.4%) and WGHA (27.8%). The most common resistance phenotype was: NA-S-XT-AMC-TE-CRO-C-CN with overall occurrence of 9.4% (5/53) observed in AGH (10.0%), GHA (16.7%) and MGHA (18.2%) but not in WGHA. All (100%) isolates were multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) isolates, with MAR indices above 0.2; and the commonest MAR index of 0.6 (30.0%) in AGHA, 0.8 (35.7%) in GHA; 0.8 (45.6%) in MGHA, and was 0.7 (38.9%) in WGHA. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was the commonest at 96.2% (51/53), with occurrences in the selected hospitals as follows: AGHA (90.0%), GHA (100.0%) and MGHA (100.0%) and WGHA (94.4%).The PMQR genes detected had overall frequency in the order: aac(6′)-Ib-cr (50.0%) >qnrB (37.5%) >qnrS (18.8%); qnrS was absent in AGHA and WGHA. The genes co-existed with one another with the qnrB+ aac(6′)-Ib-cr combination, present in isolates from all the hospitals, being the most common at (31.3%). Ciprofloxacin was the most effective antibiotic against the isolates; most isolates were MAR with prior exposure to antibiotics; most isolates were MDR and the ciprofloxacin-resistant isolatesharbored qnrS, qnrB and aac(6′)-Ib-cr PMQR genes, with aac(6′)-Ib-cr being the most prevalent.

Aims: This study investigated the phenotypic detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistance of diarrheagenic E. coli isolated from diarrheic patients attending some major health facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; between December, 2017 to March, 2019. Methodology: A total of 207 confirmed E. coli isolates from loose stool samples of patients with suspected cases of diarrhea (69 from Federal Medical Centre Keffi [MCK] 69 from General Hospital Akwanga [GHA] and 69 from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia [DASHL]) were included in this study. Results: E. coli was isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. The antibiotic susceptibility testing for the isolates was carried out and interpreted in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocol. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production in isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime) was carried out using double disc synergy test. The occurrence of E. coli was 100% in all the hospitals. Age groups 0-5 and 6-10 years have the highest occurrence than age group 35 – >45 years. Isolates from DASHL were more resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (86.9%), Streptomycin (75.0%) and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (68.1%), isolates from FMCK were more resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (84.1%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (69.6%), isolates from GHA were more resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (85.5%) and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (73.0%). Multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) was observed with the order of occurrence: FMCK (98.6%) > DASHL (92.8%) > GHA (89.9%). The most common MAR index of 0.2 in DASHL was 0.4 (20.3%); FMCK was 0.4 (15.9%) and GHA was 0.3 (17.4%). The order of occurrence of classes of antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolates in DASHL was MDR (84.0%) ˃ XDR(7.2%) > PDR and NMDR (4.3%); in FMCK was MDR (91.3%) ˃ XDR(4.3%) ˃ NMDR (2.9%) and PDR(1.4%); and in GHA was MDR (88.8%) ˃ NMDR(5.8%) > XDR and PDR(2.9%). Detection rate of ESBL was 53.6% (30/207), distributed in relation to the location as DASHL (60.0%), FMCK (50.0%) and GHA (52.6%). Conclusion: Most of the isolates from the study locations were antibiotic resistance. Further studies on molecular detection of ESBL, diversity and characterization of the E. coli into pathotypes are ongoing.

Aims: This study investigated the molecular diversity and extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistance of diarrheagenic E. coli isolated from patients attending selected healthcare facilities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, P.M.B 1022, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; between December 2017 and June, 2019. Methodology: A total of 207 confirmed E. coli isolates (using standard microbiological methods) from loose stool samples of patients with suspected cases of diarrhea (69 from Federal Medical Centre Keffi [MCK] 69 from General Hospital Akwanga [GHA] and 69 from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia [DASHL]) were included in this study. Results: Phenotypic detection of ESBL production by β-lactam resistant isolates was done using double disc synergy test. Molecular detection of ESBL genes in phenotypically confirmed ESBL producers was done using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Out of 56 isolates jointly resistant to cefotaxime and/or ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin from DASHL, FMCK and GHA, 53.6% (30/56) were ESBL producers, distributed in relation to the hospitals as follows: blaCTX-M in DASHL was 6(66.7%), FMCK was 11(100.0%), and GHA was 10(100.0%); blaSHV in DASHL was 8(88.9%), FMCK was 7(63.6%), and GHA was 10(100.0%), and blaTEM in DASHL was 9(100.0%), FMCK was 10(90.9%), and GHA was 10(100.0%). Also, the occurrence of blaSHV was 100.0% in GHA but 88.9% in DASHL. The detection DEC was high in DASHL (88.9%) but low inGHA (58.8%). The occurrence of ETEC was high in GHA (60.0%) while EAEC was also high in FMCK (81.8%) and GHA (70.0%). The isolates were distributed into strain A – J based on RFLP pattern and the occurrence of strain A was high in GHA (70.0%) but low in DASHL (33.3%). Conclusion: Most of the isolates were both diarrheagenic and ESBL resistant, and the predominant ESBL and pathotypes genes were blaCTX-M, blaTEM and EAEC. Further studies on molecular detection of sub-types of ESBL and sequencing of diarrheagenic pathotypes genes should be carried out.

Limited treated options to Salmonellosis exist due to the emergence of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs). This study determined the prevalence of common ESBL genes (blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaOXA) and profiled their antimicrobial resistance drug pattern. A descriptive cross-sectional study that involved 16 Salmonella enterica isolates from diarrhoeic children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and 39 isolates from healthy birds in poultry farms within the Calabar metropolis. Standard disc diffusion method determined antimicrobial susceptibility while Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using specific primers identified the beta-lactamase genes. All 55 isolates phenotypically demonstrated ESBL production. All 55 salmonella isolates were resistant to Cefotaxime and Nalixidic acid. All the clinical isolates were susceptible Ciprofloxacin and Norflaxacin. The poultry isolates however exhibited varied degrees of resistance to Ciprofloxacin and Norflaxacin. All 55 Salmonella isolates carried the blaSHV genes, blaCTX-M gene (94.5%) blaOXA gene (18.2%). Molecular characterization identified the blaSHV gene as the most prominent. This study provides relevant data that would help in the implementation of policies regarding the use of antimicrobial agents in clinical and veterinary settings as well provide antimicrobial treatment guidelines that would strengthen infection control processes. Key words: Salmonella enterica, Antimicrobial-resistance, ESBL-genes, Poultry-sources.

This study investigated the co-carriage of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing lactose non-fermenting (LNF) Enterobacteriaceae isolated from poultry birds. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between September, 2016 and March, 2017. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. ESBL screening disc kit was used to detect ESBL activities. Detection of ESBL and PMQR genes was carried out by means of polymerase chain reaction. In total, 207 LNF Enterobacteriaeae isolates were recovered from the cloacal swabs of poultry birds within the Calabar Metropolis. ESBL-producing isolates were 162 (78.3%) while fluroquinolone resistant isolates were 194 (93.7%). Among the ESBL-producing isolates, resistance to Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Nalidixic acid was 55 (34.2%), 26 (16.1%), 35 (21.7%), 50 (31.1%), and 162 (100%), respectively. About 65% of the quinolone resistant isolates were positive for at least one of the PMQR and ESBL genes in this study. Strict antimicrobial screening, surveillance of resistant isolates as well as the judicious practice of antimicrobial administration in the poultry setting with special emphasis on fluoroquinolones is advised given the high prevalence of co-existent ESBL and PMQR genes. Key words: LNF enterobacteriaeae, Extended spectrum beta-lactamases, quinolone resistance

This study investigated the antimicrobial resistance profile of Escherichia coli from urine of patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) in selected general hospitals in Abuja Municipal, Nigeria. Four Hundred and Thirty urine samples were collected between September 2017 and May 2018 from patients attending Asokoro General Hospital (AGH), Garki Hospital Abuja (GHA) and Wuse General Hospital (WGH); and E. coli was isolated and identified by culture, microscopy and biochemical tests. The overall occurrence of E. coli was 52 (12.1%). The occurrences in relation to the hospitals were of the order: GHA (14.7%) > WGH (12.6%) > AGH (9.0%). The highest (50%) occurrence was at age 41-50 years in WGH, and the lowest (4.3%) was at age 31-40 years in AGH. More females than males harboured the bacteria in all the hospitals. Isolates from AGH showed highest (100.0%) resistance to Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim but least (0.0%) resistance to Ciprofloxacin. Isolates from GHA showed the highest resistance to Cefotaxime and Streptomycin (95.2%) but least (23.8%) to Gentamicin and Imipenem. Isolates from WGH showed highest (88.8%) resistance to Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid but least (16.7%) to Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim. The commonest antibiotic resistance phenotype in AGH was Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid-Streptomycin-Cefotaxime-Ceftazidime-Imipenem-Ampicillin (3.9%); in GHA was Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid-Streptomycin-Sulphamethoxazole/Trimethoprim-Cefotaxime-Ceftazidime-Ampicillin (7.7%); and in WGH was Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid-Streptomycin-Cefotaxime-Cefotaxime-Ceftazidime-Imipenem-Ampicillin (3.9%). All the isolates had MAR indices above 0.2; the most common index in AGH was 0.4 (at 30.8%), GHA was 0.7 (at 33.3%) and WGH was 0.7 (at 27.8%). The commonest class of antibiotic resistance was MDR with the order of occurrence as: GHA (92.2%) > WGH (77.7%) > AGH (76.6%). Ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and imipenem were the most effective antibiotics in the study location. However, MAR indices in this study have shown that the isolates originated from an environment where antibiotics are freely available and misused/abused. Hence, there is a need for greater monitoring of antibiotic supplies and use.

Introduction: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) causes infectious diarrhea among children in developing countries. However, in Nigeria, due to limited laboratory resources, the genetic diversity of its virulence factors, which include intimin subtypes, remains undefined. Methodology: EPEC isolates from diarrheic children 60 months of age and younger in Abuja, Nigeria, were analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for EPEC virulence gene, Hep-2 cell adherence, and serotyping were performed. EPEC strains were further subtyped by PCR for the identification of intimin subtype genes α (alpha), β (beta), γ1 (gamma-1), and έ (epsilon). Antibiotic resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Overall, 18 (4.5%) out of 400 children with acute diarrhea had EPEC infection. Typical EPEC (tEPEC) strains were detected in 14 (3.5%), whereas 4 (1.1%) were atypical EPEC (aEPEC). A total of 15 (83.3%) of the EPEC isolated belonged to β intimin subtype gene, while the remaining 3 EPEC isolates possessed the intimin έ subtype. No α and γ intimin subtypes were detected. Traditional EPEC serotypes O114:H14 were detected only in tEPEC strains. Marked resistance to β-lactam agents were observed but no ESBL-producing tEPEC or aEPEC was detected. Conclusions: This is the first report of intimin subtype genes in Abuja, Nigeria. EPEC isolates of diverse serotypes resistant to β-lactam antimicrobial agents were observed. These data will be useful in facilitating the characterization of intimin variants of EPEC and some Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in humans and other animal species.

The wide use of antibiotics to treat urinary tract infection (UTIs) caused by bacteria is compromised by the development of resistance mechanisms in bacteria. This study evaluated the antibiotic resistance inEscherichia colifrom urine of patients with suspected UTI in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria. Four hundred urine samples of suspected UTI patients were collected andE. coliwas isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for the isolates was carried out and interpreted as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The occurrence of the bacterium was 14.5 % (58/400). The occurrence was higher in female (15.8 %) than the male (12.5 %); and highest at > 50 years (31.8 %). The isolates were more resistant to ampicillin (79.3 %), streptomycin (62.0 %) and cefoxitin (58.6 %) but less resistant to gentamicin (15.8 %), imipenem (18.9 %) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (27.6 %). The occurrence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) isolates was 87.9%. The antibiotics namely gentamicin, imipenem and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were very effective against the isolates and most of the isolates were MDR. There is thus a need for the hospital to limit its antibiotic use in the light of these observations.

International audience; Introduction: Escherichia coli are frequently isolated from diarrheic children in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria, but their virulent properties are not routinely evaluated. Therefore, the etiology of childhood diarrheal disease attributable to diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) in Abuja, Nigeria remains unknown. Methodology: Stool specimens from 400 acute diarrheic children between 0 and 60 months of age were studied. E. coli strains isolated were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for nine virulence genes and HEp-2 cell adherence to detect and identify five distinct diarrheagenic E. coli categories. Results: Diarrheagenic E. coli was detected in 51 (12.8%) of the diarrheic children. The observed DEC pathotypes were enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in 18 (4.5%) children, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in 16 (4.0%), enteroaggrative E. coli (EAEC) in 8 (2.0%), enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) in 6 (1.5%), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) in 3 (0.8%). Four (1.0 %) EPEC strains with only the eae+ gene that adhered diffusely to HEp-2 cell were identified as atypical EPEC. All the DEC categories except atypical EPEC were identified in children between 6 and 12 months of age. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for routine evaluation of diarrheic children for virulence properties of infectious DEC. Atypical EPEC are emerging among the DEC pathotypes isolated from childhood acute gastroenteritis in Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) toxin variants of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are enterotoxins associated with diarrhea among children in Abuja, Nigeria. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is also known as a major etiological agent of diarrheal disease among travelers in developing countries. Continuous identification of commonly expressed bacterial components of ETEC can help extend the protective spectra of future candidate ETEC vaccines in Nigeria. Objectives: This study aimed to provide new insights into the distribution patterns of enterotoxins, colonization factor antigens (CFA phenotypes), and serotypes and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of ETEC strains from children with acute diarrhea in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: Escherichia coli strains, isolated from the stool samples of children aged 0 - 60 months, were tested via polymerase chain reaction, ganglioside GM1 ELISA assay, hemagglutination assay, HEp-2 cell adherence assay, dot blot technique, and disc diffusion method for antimicrobial resistance. Results: Rnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was detected in 16 (4.0%) out of 400 children with acute diarrhea. The toxigenic genotypes expressed by ETEC strains included LT toxin gene 6 (37.5%), ST toxin gene 6 (37.5%), and ST/LT gene 4 (25.0%). The CF phenotypes with major expression included CS2 (25.0%), CS3 (12.5%), and CFA1 (6.3%), with a probability value below 0.05 (P < 0.05). However, no CFA/CS was detected in 56.3% of ETEC strains. Multidrug resistance pattern of nalidixic acid-ciprofloxacin-amoxicillin-augmentin-cephalexin-cefuroxime was observed in 19% of ETEC strains. The most prevalent ETEC serotype was O8: H9 (n, 5). Based on the findings, ETEC infection peaked to 7.2% in July. Conclusion: Although ST and LT toxins seem to have equal distributions in the analyzed population, continuous identification of CFA phenotypes and toxins is necessary for the evaluation of ETEC vaccines in Nigeria.

Introduction: In Nigeria, acute gastroenteritis in children under five years of age is a major cause of mortality and morbidity; identification and characterization of microbial agents of acute gastroenteritis, including Salmonella , remains a powerful tool for effective management, surveillance, and control. Methodology: Diarrheal stool samples were directly plated onto differential and selective media to isolate Salmonella. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases were screened using the double disk diffusion technique and by PCR targeting the bla TEM and bla CTX-M genes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed usingthe PulseNet Canada Laboratory protocol for molecular subtyping using the restriction enzymes Xba I and Bln I. Results: The serotypes identified were Salmonella enterica serovar Zanzibar (n = 5), Salmonella Brancaster (n = 3), and one isolate of Salmonella Enteritidis (phage type 1). The following levels of resistance were found among the Salmonella strains: amoxicillin, five strains (55.6%); amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, two strains (22.2%); cephalexin, five strains (55.6%); and cefuroxime, five strains (55.6%). Intermediate resistance was found in five strains (55.6%) only to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. All isolates were susceptible to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone, and no ESBL-producing Salmonella were detected. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated the involvement of three Salmonella serovars in acute gastroenteritis; resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins was common.

Objective: This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence of Salmonella producing ESBLs strains by phenotypic methods and their profile of drug resistance amongst patients with diarrhoea due to gastroenteritis and enteric Fever in Calabar, Nigeria. Methods: Stool samples were collected from 256 patients in Calabar with diarrhoea due to enteric fever and gastroenteritis. They were examined for Salmonella infection. Isolation and detection of Salmonella species was done following the standard ISO 6579:2002/Amd2007 method. Modified double disc synergy and phenotypic confirmatory tests were used to determine ESBL-producing Salmonella species. Results: Salmonella isolates were recovered from 44 (17.2%) stool samples; 24 (9.4%) were ESBLs producers and 20 (7.8%) were non-ESBLs producers. Eight (33.3%) and 3 (15.0%) strains of both ESBL producing and nonESBL producing respectively, demonstrated resistance against 7 of the 8 antibiotics used in this study. Resistance against 3rd generation cephalosporin was observed in 34 (77.3%) of the Salmonella strains against ceftazidime, 26 (59.1%) against cefotaxime while all 44 (100%) Salmonella strains were resistant against ceftriaxone. Conclusion: The presence of ESBL Salmonella amongst isolated strains should not be overlooked. We recommend continuous surveillance of antimicrobial resistant strains and the rational use antimicrobials agents