J.Z. SAIDU

Shigella flexneri, a leading cause of bacillary dysentery, induces severe gastrointestinal inflammation, disrupting gut homeostasis. This study evaluates the potential of Lactobacillus
casei as probiotics to enhance immune responses in Wistar albino rats against Shigella flexneri infection. Forty healthy Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control, challenged (Shigella flexneri-infected), Probiotic (Lactobacillus casei-treated), Prophylactic (pre-treated with Lactobacillus casei before infection), and Antibiotic (ciprofloxacin-treated). Stool samples were collected from rats prior to induction with shigella flexneri and Lactobacillus casei, after induction with Shigella flexneri, and antibiotic treatment. Approximately 1g of stool was homogenized in 9 mL of sterile PBS using a vortex mixer to ensure thorough dispersion. A tenfold serial dilution was performed by transferring 1 mL of the stool homogenate into 9 mL of sterile PBS, creating dilutions from 10' to 10-6. From the 1 dilution, 0.1 mL was plated onto Nutrient agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24hrs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most frequently encountered bacterial
infections globally, particularly prevalent among young adults such as university students. Risk factors including poor hygiene practices, sexual activity, and limited access to timely healthcare contribute significantly to the occurrence of these infections. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other uropathogenic bacteria in urine samples of selected students from the University of Benin. A total of 60 midstream urine samples were aseptically collected from consenting students and subjected to comprehensive laboratory analysis. Urinalysis was performed to detect markers such as leukocytes, nitrites, and protein. The identified microorganisms were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing using the standard disc diffusion method. The results showed that 24% of urine samples tested positive for leukocytes, 17% for nitrites, and 15% for protein, indicating possible UTIs. Bacterial counts were generally higher in female students, within 21–25 age group showing the highest mean TVC. Six distinct bacterial species were isolated, with Staphylococcus aureus (33%) being the most prevalent, followed by Escherichia coli (21%), Pseudomonas spp. (11%), and MRSA (16.7%). MRSA occurrence was higher in females compared to males and also peaked in the 21–25 age group. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to cloxacillin and oxacillin, while Proteus sp. and Klebsiella sp. were susceptible to ofloxacin and ceftriaxone. The highest MAR index of 0.44 was observed in Staphylococcus aureus, indicating significant multidrug resistance. The findings indicate the presence of multidrugresistant uropathogens in the student population. This shows a potential reservoir for transmission, necessitating improved sanitation in hostels and public health campaigns to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance. Further research should focus on molecular characterization of resistance genes and explore alternative strategies such as targeted antimicrobial therapies and hygiene interventions.