This present study was undertaken for detection of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLS) enzyme genes among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using phenotypic and molecular techniques. Thirty-four P. aeruginosa isolates from different hospitals in Nsukka and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu were screened for the presence of ESBL-encoding genes. Phenotypic screening for ESBL producers was carried out using double disk synergy test and combined disk test. Genomic DNA was extracted from the isolates by modified boiling method. Extracted DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using ESBL specific primers namely Bla GES, PER, OXA-50, SHV, CTX-M and TEM. The results revealed that a total of 15 isolates of P. aeruginosa were identified as ESBL producer by phenotypic approaches which exhibited varying degrees of resistance to an array of antibiotics tested. While, the PCR screening revealed that 53.33% (n=8) of the isolates that were phenotypically ESBL positive harboured bla OXA-50 gene. However, the genes that encode PER, GES, SHV, TEM and CTX-M were not found in any of the P. aeruginosa isolates. This study highlights the need to establish antimicrobial resistance surveillance network to determine the appropriate empirical treatment regimen for Pseudomonas infections.

BACKGROUND: Burn wounds are inescapable life events especially in low income areas. Contamination of the burn wound site results in localized wound infection, hence the need for potent phytochemicals readily available for wound healing. The use of stem bark of Anthocleista djalonensis efficacy for burn wound has not been evaluated to the best of our knowledge. AIM: The study is aimed at evaluating and comparing the wound healing potential of ointment base of leaves and Stem bark of Anthocleista djalonensis on burn wounds created on wistar albino rats. METHODS: The leaves and Stem bark of Anthocleista djalonensis collected were extracted using 95%v/v methanol and phytochemical analysis conducted. Simple ointments of varying concentrations were formulated to screen for wound healing activity using the burn wound model on experimental rats grouped into six (n=4). Group 1 was treated with silver sulfadiazine cream (positive control), group 2 with ointment base (negative control), group 3 with 1% stem bark extract ointment, group 4 with 2% stem bark ointment, group 5 with 1% leave extract ointment, and group 6 with 2% leave extract ointment.  All animals were anesthetized before the creation of burn wounds. Measurement was taken on day zero and the wound was left untreated for 48 hours in order to allow bacterial colonization before daily treatment of the wound for 16 days. RESULTS: The result of the phytochemical screening revealed that both extract of Anthocleista djalonensis contains flavonoids, tannins and saponins. On day 2, 1% stem bark, 2% stem bark and 1% leaf extract had 16%, 15%, and 10% wound contraction respectively which was higher than the 8.5% wound contraction of silver sulfadiazine. Also as the concentration of the extract increased, the wound healing effect also increased as seen by the percentage wound contraction on day 16 for all treatment.  CONCLUSION: The findings of the study have shown that methanolic extracts of stem bark and leaf of Anthocleista djalonensis contained bioactive constituents which have burn wound healing activity. The stem bark extract showed better activity when compared with the leaf extract and also the positive control (silver sulfadiazine).  

This research was designed to isolate and test the lytic action of a bacteriophage specific to Pseudomonas sp. Both Pseudomonas spp. and bacteriophages were isolated from residential wastewaters. The isolated Pseudomonas spp. were confirmed through biochemical tests. Antibiogram was done with nine (9) different antibiotics, including;aztreonam (ATM), chloramphenicol (CPL), gentamicin (GTN), tetracycline (TTE), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SXT), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC), meropenem (MEM), ciprofloxacin (CIP), ceftriaxone (CRO)). Plaque assay was done to determine lytic action of the bacteriophage on the lawns of the Pseudomonas sp. The host range of the isolated bacteriophages was also assessed. Cultural characteristics and biochemical tests confirmed the Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. The bacterial isolates were sensitive to only ciprofloxacin. The Multi Antibiotic Resistance Indexes (MARI) of the isolated strains were greater than 0.8. The formation of plaques (clear zone) on the lawn of Pseudomonas spp confirmed lytic action. The bacteriophage showed plaques on Pseudomonas sp. isolated from other sites also. The isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosaphages from residential wastewaters is a promising molecular tool in combating the global antimicrobial resistance threat.

This study aims to determine the malaria parasite clearance rate of crude methanol extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta in mice infected with chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei. P. berghei was injected in mice and left for 3 days for establishment. Blood sample collected and diluted with phosphate buffer saline was used for infection. Five (5) groups of animals (mice) were used in this study each containing 5 animals each. The body weights of the entire animal were recorded before and after treatment. Group 1 (normal control), Group 2 (positive control, untreated malaria-passaged mice), Group 3 (standard control, malaria -passaged mice treated with 25 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine), Group 4 (malaria-passaged mice treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of extract), and Group 5 (malariapassaged mice treated with 400 mg/kg body weight of extract). Hematological assessments were carried out before the experiment, 5 days after infection and after treatment. The percentage of parasite load in malaria passaged mice was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower in animals treated with mid and high doses of the extract when compared to control groups. Before treatment, no significant (p > 0.05) elevation was observed in the body weight of mice. On day 5 after infection, dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) decrease was observed in the test groups. After treatment period, the body weights of the animals exhibited dose-dependent increase. The study thus revealed that Cryptolepis sanguinolenta root extracts possesses antimalarial activity in the in vivo mice model and has the ability of re-establishing the blood cells by boosting and stabilizing the blood parameters.