Background The changing epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from a hospital-associated pathogen to an organism commonly found in the community and in livestock reflects an organism well-equipped to survive in diverse environments and adjust to different environmental conditions including antimicrobial use. Methods We investigated the molecular epidemiology of S. aureus and MRSA in poultry in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from 1800 birds on 9 different farms within the state. Positive isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and molecular typing. Results Prevalence in birds was 13.7% (247/1800). MRSA prevalence in poultry was 0.8%. The prevalence of MRSA in broilers and layers was 1.2% and 0.4%, respectively. All tested isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. Molecular analysis of the isolates revealed 3 spa types: t002, t084, and a novel spa type, t11469. The novel spa type t11469 belonged to sequence type ST5. Conclusion The detection of t002 in chicken suggests the presence of livestock-associated MRSA in poultry in Ebonyi State. The detection of the new spa type t11469 in poultry that has not been characterised to ascertain its pathogenic potential remains a cause for concern, especially as some were found to carry PVL genes, a putative virulence factor in staphylococcal infection.

Codeine substitute challenges to drug and substance abuse controls in Nigeria: Histopathology evaluations of Norvegicus rattus on lacatomtom is novel research that aimed to evaluate the Codeine substitute challenges to drugs and substance abuse; histopathology perspective and oxidative biomarkers evaluation of the tissues cum chemical pathology analysis of the serum of the control and intervened subjects. The experimental subjects were grouped into control, acute and chronic (T1, T2, and T3) respectively; the acute groups of the oral administration of lacatomtom mixture were given 0.01mg/g of lacatomtom for 14 days while the chronic were given for 42 days and periodically weighed and recorded; The Animals were sacrificed and the organs harvested following ethical procedures for animal killing. The blood and tissues of the harvested organs (blood, lungs, liver, and kidney) under investigation were subjected to chemical pathology analysis to assess the liver and kidney functions, then proceeded to histopathological examination using formalin fixed paraffin processed methods with both routine and special stains, liver, lungs and kidney homogenate were subjected to oxidative stress biomarkers test (MDA, SOD, Gpx, GSH and Catalase). Histopathology results first revealed a severe cellular injury in all the organs under study compare to the normal control; significance (p<0.5) elevation found among some enzymes AST, ALP ALT are also an indication of damaged liver, increase MDA and reduced SOD, Gpx, GSH and catalase correlate the histology results and biochemistry.

Aim: To determining the prevalence  of Candida  albicans  and  Trichomonas  vaginalis  infections  among  first  year female  students  of  Ebonyi  State  University,  Abakaliki, a tertiary institution in Southeastern Nigeria. Study Design: A cross sectional exposed case study. Place and Duration of Study: Ultramodern Diagnostic Laboratory and Research Center, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, between June and November, 2019. Methodology: The study involved 350 randomly selected students who consented to the study. Urine and high vagina swab (HVS) samples were carefully and aseptically collected using sterile universal containers and sterile cotton swabs respectively and analysed within 30 minutes of collection. Analytical methods including plate culturing, Gram  staining,  wet  mount  preparation  and  germ  tube  tests  were  used  to  diagnose  these  infections. Results: The overall results showed a Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence of 11.1% and 6.0% respectively, while 2.0% were co-infected. The subjects within the age group 21-25 years had the highest prevalence of C.albicans and T. vaginalis, 14.5% and 8.5% respectively, while subjects between the ages of 26-30 years had the least prevalence;5.5% and 0% respectively. However, a weak association was observed between C. albicans infection and age difference of the subjects (P = .11), while a strong association was observed between age difference of subjects and T. vaginalis infection (P = .04). Conclusion: The study confirms the prevalence of these infections among the students of Ebonyi State University. There is need for provision of proper counseling on sexual behavior and genital hygiene as well as public health education for creation of awareness and sensitization for students through regular seminars is recommended.