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Background: Orf virus (ORFV) is an important zoonotic parapox virus, with 100% morbidity. It affects mainly domesticated ruminants such as sheep and goats. This study determined the molecular epidemiology of ORFV local as well as imported sheep and goats in Nigeria and evolution of ORFV in Africa. Methods: A total of 30 small ruminants with orf were sampled in a livestock market Abuja Nigeria.Skin scabs from pathological tissues were collected and processed for viral genomic DNA. PCR and Sanger sequencing of B2L gene of ORFV. Phylogenetic analysis, phylogeography, and Bayesian skygird reconstruction (BSK), including mutational changes were performed on B2L gene sequences. Results: An ORFV positivity rate of 67% was determined from samples. Animals Conclusion: We report molecular evolution of ORFV in Africa and identified gap in molecular data; we recommend regional molecular surveillance of ORFV and other zoonotic trans-boundary diseases in global health prevention and control effort.

Background: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are commonly implicated in urinary tract infections accounting for majority of the antimicrobial resistance encountered in hospitals. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae among patients in Anyigba, Nigeria. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using urine samples from 200 patients of Grimmard Catholic hospital and Maria Goretti hospital. Urine samples were processed to identify ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneu- moniae using standard microbiological techniques. Isolates were then tested against antimicrobial agents. Results: A total of 156 bacterial isolates were recovered consisting 128 of E. coli and 28 of K. pneumoniae. Extended spec- trum beta-lactamases production was observed in 69% of E. coli and 31% of K. pneumoniae. These pathogens were resistant to 3 or more antibiotics. Of the antimicrobials tested, cefotaxime demonstrated the highest rates of resistance (100%) for both ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Fifty-four isolates of ESBL-producing E. coli showed a high level of resist- ance to amoxicillin clavulanic acid (83.3%), ciprofloxacin (83.3%), and ceftazidime (79.6%). ESBL-positive K. pneumoniae iso- lates were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin (75%), and amoxicillin clavulanic acid (83.3%). Cefoxitin (62.5%) and gentamicin (66.7%) showed substantially higher rates of resistance against these isolates while all 24 strains were resistant to imipenem. Conclusion: This study indicated the prevalence of ESBL-positive Gram-negative pathogens in these study sites and also demonstrated their resistance to a few antibiotics. This highlights the need for new antimicrobials that are potent and im- proved policy on use of antibiotics. Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; ESBLs; Escherichia coli; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Anyigba.

Hepatitis B and enteric fever remain infectious diseases of major health concern and the etiologic agents share overlapping regions of high endemicity worldwide. This study determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and enteric fever among febrile patients in Ejule metropolis, North-central Nigeria. In a cross-sectional study, blood samples obtained from 200 consenting patients were screened for hepatitis B and enteric fever with standard diagnostics ABON hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Widal agglutination tests, respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and risk factor information. Of the 200 sera tested, 20 (10%) had HBV alone, 35 (17.5%) enteric fever while 6 (3%) had both HBV/enteric fever. Males recorded more HBV (12% vs 6.7%), enteric fever (20% vs 13.3%), and co-infection (3.2% vs 2.7%) than their counterpart females. Ages 18-30 years were more predisposed to single and dual infections compared to older categories. Although sex, ages as well as the participants' occupation were not significantly linked to both infections (p .05). The prevalence of enteric fever differed significantly with being married (p = .01). The illiterate had a higher prevalence of HBV, enteric fever, and dual infection (16.7%, 25%, and 8.3%) compared to higher educational levels. The study confirms the endemicity of hepatitis B and enteric fever in the area. Their concurrent rate highlights the need for clinicians to always consider the laboratory diagnosis of both diseases among febrile patients in endemic regions for proper management in events of co-morbidity. The high prevalence of both infections in connection with illiteracy shows the need to further intensify education of masses on the predisposing risk factors.

Globally, there is an increasing report of bacterial resistance to currently available antibiotics. The urgent need for newer therapeutic modalities was the incentive for the current evaluation of bactericidal and inhibitory effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Mitracarpus villosus on selected antibiotic resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ten-fold serial dilution was used to test the effects of the extracts. The percentage yield of extractable components was 22% for methanol and 8.3% for water. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of methanolic extract was 0.001 mg/mL against Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella Typhi showing resistance to antibiotics and 0.01 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.1 mg/mL for all the isolates except S. aureus and E. coli with MBC of 0.01 mg/mL. Similarly, the MIC of aqueous extract was 0.01 mg/mL for S. pyogenes, S. aureus, B. subtilis, and K. pneumoniae; 0.1 mg/mL against S. faecalis and E. coli; 0.001 mg/mL against P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. The MBC of the aqueous extract at 0.1 mg/mL was active against S. pyogenes, S. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, and S. typhi; 1.0 mg/mL was active against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. coli. Findings from the present study indicate that the extracts of M. villosus have the potential to be used for treatment and cure of infections caused by selected bacteria. The methanolic extracts show more potent activity. Further study on a larger scale at varied concentrations including a test for potential toxicity in cultured cells are needed to depict their safety profiles before recommendation for inclusion in the antibacterial armamentarium. Key words: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), M. villosus, bioactive compounds.

Globally, coinfection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is associated with an accelerated progression of HIV disease and higher mortality resulting from complications of liver-related disease. Despite the public health importance, data are lacking on this subject in the study area. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for HIV/HBV coinfection among HIV patients accessing antiretroviral treatment in Lokoja, Nigeria. In a cross-sectional study, sera from randomly selected 200 consenting HIV patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using The Commercial Rapid Immunoassay Test Kit. Demographic variables and putative risk factors of HBV transmission were obtained using structured questionnaire. HBsAg prevalence was 8.0% in the sampled group with higher seropositivity rate in the age group, 40-49 years, followed by those 20-29 years of age, whereas the other age groups had zero positivity rates each. The difference between seroprevalence rates in relation to patients' age and sex was not statistically significant (

Rubella is endemic worldwide and poses a serious threat to infants and pregnant women. Although the disease has been widely reported in parts of the country, there is currently no documented evidence of the disease in Anyigba. A comparative study of rubella immunity was conducted among immunized and non-immunized pregnant women visiting the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba. In a cross-sectional study, blood samples collected from 300 pregnant women (immunized = 127; non-immunized = 173) were tested for rubella antibodies using ELISA kit. Overall, anti-rubella-IgM and IgG seroprevalence rates of 38 (12.7%) and 83 (27.7%) were detected. Seventy (55.1%) of the immunized against 13 (7.5%) of non-immunized women had detectable IgG. The non-immunized women were significantly more seropositive for IgM than the immunized who recorded higher prevalence of IgG. Immunized and non-immunized women aged 23-32 years had higher IgG and IgM positivity rates. The difference in IgM and IgG seropositivity rates in relation to vaccination was statistically significant (

Hepatitis B and syphilis remained a global disease with a worrisome prevalence in Nigeria. This study was to determine their prevalence and factors associated with HBV and syphilis infection in febrile patients in Ejule metropolis, Nigeria. In a cross-sectional study, sera obtained from the patients were screened for HBsAg (HBV) and syphilis using commercial immunoassay kits. Data on patients' demographic, social, and behavioral indicators were collected using structured questionnaires. Of the 200 participants, 15 (7.5%) were HBsAg-positive, 3(1.5%) had syphilis, while 2(1.0%) had both HBV and syphilis infections. Ages 31-40 had a higher prevalence of single- and co-infection. Comparable rates of single and concurrent infection were observed in both sexes (

Febrile illnesses in developing countries are often misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid fever. Although arboviral infections have similar clinical symptoms, they are usually not screened because of limited resources and the fact that there are several viruses in this group. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has been isolated in parts of Nigeria, but there is no documented evidence of the infection in Kogi State. This study determined seroprevalence of active and past CHIKV infection among febrile patients who tested negative for malaria and typhoid fever. Sera from 243 febrile patients were screened for CHIKV IgG and IgM using an immunochromatographic test kit. Clinical and socio-demographic variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. Recent CHIKV infection was observed in 5.8% of the study participants while 25.1% had IgG antibodies demonstrating previous infection. Significant associations were observed between seropositivity and age of participants (p < 0.001), sex (p = 0.044), marital status (p = 0.002), and occupation (p < 0.001). Clinical symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and headache were significantly associated with seropositivity. This study identified recent CHIKV infection in Anyigba. Therefore, there is need for routine screening of febrile patients and molecular characterization to determine the nature of circulating strains.

Background: Co-infection of HBV with HIV is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. In spite of increasing reports of HIV/HBV co-morbidities in Nigeria, little or no data exists on this subject in Anyigba. Therefore,we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia among HIV positive patients on anti-retroviral treatment programme in Anyigba, Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria. Methods: Sera samples obtained from 200 consented HIV patients were screened for HBsAg using the commercial rapid test membrane-based qualitative immunoassay. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patients’ demographic variables and probable risk factors for HBV transmission. Results: Overall, 3.5% of HIV patients were seropositive to HBsAg and the difference between seroprevalence rates and patients’ age as well as gender was not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant difference between patients’ demographic variables such as marital status (p=0.013) and educational level (p=0.004) and HBsAg seropositivity. Patients with a history of surgical applications (p=0.01) and who indulged in alcoholism (p=0.03) significantly had higher rates of concomitant HIV/HBV infection in the study area. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of routine screening for HBV in the HIV infected populations especially in developing countries where the infection is endemic. We advocate for public enlightenment programmes on routes of virus acquisitions with a view to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated HIV/HBV co-infection. Keywords: HBV, HIV, co-infection, risk factors, Nigeria.

Infections with Staphylococcus aureus, a versatile human pathogen have continued to raise concerns particularly in hospital setting resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality. For proper and adequate infection control and treatment in our environment, it has become necessary to determine the prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity profile of the organism. A total of 100 clinical specimens were collected from outpatients who visited hospitals in Anyigba. The samples were screened for Staphylococcus aureus by standard bacteriological procedures. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined by disc diffusion method. A total of 84 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified in this study. Females (61.9%) had a higher infection rate. Those within age group 0-10 years were most affected. Isolates were susceptible to Gentamicin (100%), Ofloxacin (81.8%), Ciprofloxacin (72.7%), Streptomycin (72.7%) and Erythromycin (63.6%). Eleven Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were identified by disc diffusion technique using Oxacillin. Fifty four percent of the isolates were resistant to Erythromycin and Amoxicillin/Clavulanate respectively. The study highlights the need for periodic surveillance of MRSA for effective infection control.

Globally, increased incidence of liver disease caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. This is because both viruses share common routes of transmission. We determined prevalence of HBV-HIV coinfection and the influence of some risk factors on concomitant infection among people living with HIV in a treatment center in Kakuri, Kaduna State. Two hundred consenting individuals with HIV infection participated in the study. Fifty-seven males and 143 females were screened using commercial hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid membrane-based immunoassay kit (Fastep™ HBV). Seventeen patients tested positive to HBsAg (8.5%). There were more males (14.0%) than females (6.3%). Patients within 40–49 years of age had more coinfection (20.6%) compared to those older than 50 years who had the least prevalence (2.7%). Age of HBV/HIV coinfection was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Risk factors i...