Microbiology

Plasmodium falciparum-resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been largely reported among pregnant women. However, the profile of resistance markers to SP dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) in the general population are varied and not frequently monitored. Currently, SP is used as partner drug for artemisinin combination therapy (SP-artesunate) in some sub-Saharan African countries or as a prophylactic drug in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy and infants and in seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). Profiling of P. falciparum-resistant genotypes to SP is dynamic and critical in providing data that would be useful for malaria control programmes. This study assessed the profile of dhfr and dhps genes genotypes among individuals with malaria in Lagos, Nigeria. Molecular markers of SP resistance were identified by nested PCR and sequenced among malaria positive dried blood spots (DBS) that were collected from indivi...

Plasmodium falciparum-resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been largely reported among pregnant women. However, the profile of resistance markers to SP dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) in the general population are varied and not frequently monitored. Currently, SP is used as partner drug for artemisinin combination therapy (SP-artesunate) in some sub-Saharan African countries or as a prophylactic drug in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy and infants and in seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). Profiling of P. falciparum-resistant genotypes to SP is dynamic and critical in providing data that would be useful for malaria control programmes. This study assessed the profile of dhfr and dhps genes genotypes among individuals with malaria in Lagos, Nigeria. Molecular markers of SP resistance were identified by nested PCR and sequenced among malaria positive dried blood spots (DBS) that were collected from indivi...

Background. The accuracy of malaria diagnosis by microscopy has been a challenge in health facilities in Nigeria due to poor competence of microscopists and inability to report on malaria species other than Plasmodium falciparum. Short microscopy courses were conducted to improve the skills of laboratory personnel to perform malaria microscopy in public health facilities in Nigeria. Materials and Methods. Seven-day malaria microscopy courses were conducted annually between 2011 and 2013 for microscopists in public health facilities. The training courses contained theoretical and practical sessions. Impact of the training was evaluated by practical and theoretical preand post-training assessments on malaria slide reading, parasite enumeration and basic malariology. Results. The 102 participants who completed the training consisted of medical laboratory scientists (62; 60.8%), medical laboratory technicians (24; 23.5%) and other healthcare workers (16; 15.7%). The knowledge of basic m...

Background: Health experts promote the use of alcohol based hand rubs to contain the spread of microbes. The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has brought a worsening public health challenge that re-enacted the importance of hand hygiene globally. Objective: This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of locally made alcohol-based hand rubes sourced from grocery shops within Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. Methods: We conducted a laboratory based in vitro experiment, using 20 randomly sourced hand sanitizers against standard Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and three locally characterized Multi-drug-Resistant bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus (NIMR/NTCC/GP056), Klebsiella pneumonia (NIMR/NTCC/GN065) and Proteus stutzin (NIMR/NTCC/ GN029). Reference standard, 60 % isopropanol was used as positive control. Test suspension method as per European standard PrEN12054 was employed. The Colony Forming Unit/mL (CFU/mL) at base line and after each contact time (15, 30 & 45 seconds) with ...

Background. The accuracy of malaria diagnosis by microscopy has been a challenge in health facilities in Nigeria due to poor competence of microscopists and inability to report on malaria species other than Plasmodium falciparum. Short microscopy courses were conducted to improve the skills of laboratory personnel to perform malaria microscopy in public health facilities in Nigeria. Materials and Methods. Seven-day malaria microscopy courses were conducted annually between 2011 and 2013 for microscopists in public health facilities. The training courses contained theoretical and practical sessions. Impact of the training was evaluated by practical and theoretical pre- and post-training assessments on malaria slide reading, parasite enumeration and basic malariology. Results. The 102 participants who completed the training consisted of medical laboratory scientists (62; 60.8%), medical laboratory technicians (24; 23.5%) and other healthcare workers (16; 15.7%). The knowledge of basic...

Background. Global response to malaria has stalled, despite increased malaria control efforts worldwide. Antibodies are among the immune factors that play a role in mediating protection in malaria, although the mechanism remain unclear. The study evaluated profile of total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and E (IgE) among malaria cases. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional survey of individuals that presented with malaria symptoms and assessed diagnostic care at selected health facilities in Ikorodu Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State, Nigeria. Demographic information was recorded using structured questionnaire. Malaria diagnosis was done by microscopy, ELISA was used to evaluate plasma IgG and IgE profiles among malaria positive and control group. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: LgE plasma level (34760.63±2954.5 pg/ml, p=0.005) was significantly higher in malaria positive cases compared with negative control group (19912.12± 6762.6pg/ml, p<0.01). In contrast...

Background Plasmodium falciparum-resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been largely reported among pregnant women. However, the profile of resistance markers to SP dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) in the general population are varied and not frequently monitored. Currently, SP is used as partner drug for artemisinin combination therapy (SP-artesunate) in some sub-Saharan African countries or as a prophylactic drug in intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy and infants and in seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC). Profiling of P. falciparum-resistant genotypes to SP is dynamic and critical in providing data that would be useful for malaria control programmes. This study assessed the profile of dhfr and dhps genes genotypes among individuals with malaria in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods Molecular markers of SP resistance were identified by nested PCR and sequenced among malaria positive dried blood spots (DBS) that were co...