DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant opportunistic pathogen and a public health concern due to its multidrug-resistant nature and potential for zoonotic transmission. This study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of MRSA in apparently healthy dogs in Ekosodin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 160 dogs were sampled, and nasal swabs were processed using standard microbiological techniques. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified based on colonial morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical tests (catalase and coagulase). Methicillin resistance was determined phenotypically using cefoxitin (30 µg), while antibacterial susceptibility testing was performed using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of the 160 dogs sampled, 146 (91.3%) were positive for S. aureus, and 142 (97.3%) were confirmed as MRSA, corresponding to an overall MRSA prevalence of 88.8%. MRSA carriage was highest in dogs aged 0–1 year (100%), and gender had no significant effect on prevalence. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high resistance among MRSA isolates to amoxicillin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, gentamicin, streptomycin, azithromycin, and fluoroquinolones, with partial sensitivity retained for rifampicin (58.1%), ciprofloxacin
(46.5%), and levofloxacin (51.2%). MSSA isolates were generally more susceptible, showing statistically significant higher sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, and cefuroxime (with p-value of 0.047, 0.004 and 0.005 respectively). These findings highlight the widespread carriage of multidrug-resistant MRSA among dogs in the study area, underscoring the need for prudent antibiotic use, improved hygiene, and public awareness to mitigate potential zoonotic transmission.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a significant comorbidity among individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinics at a secondary health facility in Benin City. A total of 150 patients were recruited and stool samples were examined microscopically.Sociodemographic,clinical,andhygienerelated data were also collected using structured questionnaires, and associations were analyzed using chi-square tests.. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 28.7%. The most frequently detected species were Entamoeba coli, followed by Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura. Prevalence was higher among females than males in both hospitals, with a statistically significant association (p = 0.042). Rural residence was also significantly associated with infection (p = 0.001). Other factors, including age, marital status, education, occupation, and hygiene practices, showed variations but no significant statistical associations. Widows and patients with tertiary education recorded disproportionately higher prevalence, while inconsistent hand washing, irregular deworming, and animal contact were linked with increased infection risk,though not statistically significant.IPIs remain common among HIV/AIDSpatients in Benin City despite ART availability. Gender, rural residence, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities contribute to the persistence of infection. Routine stool screening, targeted deworming, gender- sensitiveinterventions, and improved sanitation in rural areas are recommended to reduce the burden of parasitic co-infections and improve HIV treatment outcomes.

Colistin, a "last-resort" antibiotic for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, has seen increasing use, leading to the emergence of colistin-resistant strains.The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of colistin-resistant Enterobacterales in composted manure samples collected from different farms in Benin City,Nigeria.This study was carried out in some selected poultry farms within Benin City,Nigeria .A cross-sectional study which involved collecting composted manure samples from each selected site using sterile containers.Samples were homogenized in buffered peptone water within 24 hours
post collection from the farm.The composted manure were cultured on Mac-Conkey agar plate and incubated at 370c for 18-24 hours.Isolates were identified based on colonial morphology,motility,lactose fermentation,Gram staining reaction andbiochemical tests(indole, citrate, oxidase and urease tests) The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Broth macrodilution was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of colistin in calcium enhanced mueller- Hinton broth (MIC ≤ 2). A total of 11 enterobacterales were isolated from 272 compost manure samples, consisting of 5 isolate of Escherichia coli, 3 isolates of klebsiella species, 2 isolate of proteus species and 1 isolate of providencia spp. Of the 5 E. coli samples isolated, 1(20%) showed collistin resistance. Of the 3 Klebsiella spp isolated none showed resistance
to colistin. 2 Proteus samples were isolated, all of which showed resistance to colistin. Only one isolate of Providencia was found and showed resistance to colistin in the single isolate found.The total prevalence of colistin resistance in isolatedenterobacterales was 4/11(36.4%).This study revealed a concerning prevalence of colistin resistance among Enterobacterales isolated from composted manure in Benin City,Nigeria, with resistance observed in key pathogens including E. coli,Proteus spp and Providencia spp. These findings highlight the critical role of environmental reservoirs in the spread of antibiotic resistance and underscore the potential public health implications, particularly in the context of last-resort treatments for multidrug-resistant infections

This study investigated the effects of malaria parasite infection on kidney function using albino Wistar rats. The aim of the study was to determine kidney impairment induced by malaria through controlled infection with Plasmodium berghei, a rodent malaria parasite closely similar to Plasmodium falciparum. Sixteen male Wistar rats (130–174 g) were divided into four groups:
control (uninfected), and three experimental groups infected with high (10⁶ iRBCs), medium (10⁴ iRBCs), and low (10² iRBCs) parasite doses, respectively. At the end of a 42-day experimental period, kidneys were harvested, processed, and examined histologically using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results revealed dose-dependent renal pathology, with the high infection group showing a tendency of marked glomerular hypertrophy, tubular necrosis, vascular congestion, interstitial inflammatory infiltration, and hemosiderin casts, while moderate and mild changes were observed in the medium and low infection groups. Kidney weights however showed no significant increase in infected rats compared to controls, indicating parasitemia-related organomegaly. These findings demonstrate that malaria infection causes progressive, dose-dependent kidney damage characterized by glomerular and tubular injury, interstitial inflammation, and vascular alterations. In conclusion, malaria-associated nephropathy is a major complication of infection, and Plasmodium berghei-infected Wistar rats provide a reliable model for studying malaria-induced renal dysfunction and for evaluating potential
therapeutic interventions.

Tinea capitis is a contagious dermatophytic infection of the scalp that constitutes a significant public health concern, particularly among children in resource-limited environments. This study investigated the prevalence and dermatophyte species distribution of Tinea capitis among children in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Uhogua, Benin City, Edo State,Nigeria. A total of 160 children were examined, and scalp scrapings were collected and processed using standard mycological techniques. Dermatophyte isolates were identified based on colonial morphology and microscopic characteristics. Out of the 160 childrensampled, 59 were positive for Tinea capitis, corresponding to an overall prevalence of 36.9%. Prevalence was slightly higher in females (38.9%) than in males (34.3%), though the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.276).Children aged 6–10 years recorded the highest prevalence (41.8%), followed by 1–5 years (33.3%) and 11–15 years (33.3%), with no significant association between age and infection (p > 0.05). Six dermatophyte species were identified, with Trichophyton mentagrophyte (28.8%) being the most common, followed by Microsporum gypseum (18.6%), Trichophyton equinum (15.3%), Trichophyton rubrum (15.3%), Microsporum canis (13.6%), and Trichophyton epidermophyton (8.5%). The predominance of both anthropophilic and zoophilic species indicates multiple transmission routes within the camp.These findings highlight a considerable burden of Tinea capitis among children in IDP settings,underscoring the need for improved hygiene practices, routine screening, timely antifungal treatment, and targeted health interventions to mitigate the spread and consequences of the infection