International Journal of Pathogen Research

First Report of Biofilm-forming, Multidrug-resistant Coagulase-negative Staphylococci from Butcher Tables in Enugu, Nigeria: A Public Health Awareness

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) have evolved from commensals to significant opportunistic pathogens, primarily due to their capacity for biofilm formation and the acquisition of multidrug resistance (MDR) genes. In low-resource settings, meat processing surfaces like butcher tables can serve as unrecognized reservoirs for these pathogens. In Enugu, Nigeria, no data exist on the prevalence, biofilm-forming ability, and resistance profiles of CoNS contaminating butcher tables, representing a critical gap in food safety surveillance. This study provides the first report on the biofilm-forming capacity and antibiotic susceptibility of CoNS isolated from butcher tables in Enugu.

Methods: A total of 30 swab samples were aseptically collected from butcher tables across five major abattoirs/markets in the Enugu metropolis. Standard microbiological techniques were used for isolation, including mannitol salt agar and coagulase testing. Biofilm formation was assessed using the Congo Red Agar (CRA) method and the quantitative microtiter plate (MTP) assay. Confirmed CoNS isolates (n=25) were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing against 15 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and the results were interpreted per CLSI guidelines. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square tests to determine associations between biofilm formation and resistance phenotypes.

Results: Of the 30 butcher table swabs, 25 (83.3%) yielded CoNS. Among these, biofilm formation was detected in 23 isolates (92% of CoNS; 76.7% of total samples) by MTP assay, with 12 (48%) classified as strong biofilm producers. The CRA method showed substantial agreement (κ = 0.64) with the quantitative method. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed alarmingly high resistance rates: 100% to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, oxacillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and vancomycin. High resistance was also observed for erythromycin (92%), imipenem (60%), ceftriaxone (48%), and piperacillin-tazobactam (40%). All isolates remained 100% susceptible to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gentamicin, and meropenem. The overall MAR index was high (mean 0.68 ± 0.06). Statistical analysis showed a significant association between strong biofilm formation and resistance to erythromycin (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: This first report demonstrates that butcher tables in Enugu are heavily contaminated with multidrug-resistant, biofilm-forming CoNS. The high prevalence of biofilm producers (92% of CoNS) indicates these surfaces are persistent reservoirs for transmitting resistant pathogens through the food chain. Urgent One Health interventions, including stricter abattoir hygiene and antimicrobial stewardship, are required.

Prevalence of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Helminths, Bacterial Infections, and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Escherichia coli in Cattle and Slaughterhouse Workers in Buea Subdivision, Cameroon

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The increasing burden of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths and antimicrobial-resistant bacterial pathogens associated with cattle and slaughterhouse environments poses a significant public health threat, highlighting the need for surveillance and control measures in Buea Sub Division, Cameroon.

Aims: This study investigated the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths and evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from cattle and slaughterhouse workers in Buea Sub Division, Cameroon.

Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving parasitological and bacteriological investigations among cattle and slaughterhouse workers. The study also incorporated laboratory-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing and a questionnaire survey to assess knowledge of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and biosafety practices among slaughterhouse workers.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Buea Town and Muea slaughterhouses, Buea Sub Division, Cameroon, from October 2024 to April 2025.

Methodology: A total of 400 cattle fecal samples and 40 human fecal samples were collected and analyzed using flotation and sedimentation techniques for parasitological examination. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using culture methods and Analytical Profile Index (API 20E). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Structured questionnaires were administered to slaughterhouse workers to assess knowledge of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and biosafety practices.

Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths was 65.2% in cattle and 60.5% in humans. Eight helminth genera were identified in cattle, with Strongyloides papillosus (26.7%) showing the highest prevalence, followed by Trichostrongylus axei (23.2%) and Fasciola hepatica (18.2%). In humans, six helminth genera were identified, with Strongyloides spp. showing the highest prevalence (39.9%). The prevalence of Escherichia coli was 9% in cattle and 75% in adult workers, while co-infection rates were 8% and 20%, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed high resistance to imipenem (82%), amoxiclav (100%), and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (100%), whereas ofloxacin and tetracycline showed complete susceptibility (100%). Although 95% of slaughterhouse workers demonstrated good knowledge of zoonotic diseases, only 25% had adequate knowledge of AMR and appropriate biosafety practices.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of zoonotic helminths and multidrug-resistant E. coli was observed among cattle and slaughterhouse workers in Buea Sub Division, indicating the need for improved biosafety practices and antimicrobial stewardship.

In vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Persea americana Seed Extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Antimicrobial resistance among Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, remains a major public health concern and has prompted increased interest in alternative antimicrobial agents derived from medicinal plants. Persea americana (avocado) seed contains phytochemical constituents with reported antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of ethanolic Persea americana seed extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Ethanolic seed extract was prepared by Soxhlet extraction and tested at concentrations of 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL, 200 mg/mL, and 400 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity was determined by measuring zones of inhibition on Mueller-Hinton agar after incubation at 35 ± 2°C for 16-18 hours. Ceftazidime was used as the positive control, while distilled water served as the negative control. All treatments were performed in triplicate, and data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). All tested concentrations showed inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa. The 400 mg/mL concentration produced the largest mean zone of inhibition (37.3 ± 0.6 mm), whereas the 50 mg/mL concentration produced the smallest mean zone (13.3 ± 1.5 mm). One-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in antibacterial activity among the tested extract concentrations (F = 276.56, p < 0.001). A concentration-dependent increase in antibacterial activity was observed. These findings indicate that ethanolic Persea americana seed extract has in vitro antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and may contain bioactive compounds of antimicrobial interest. Further studies involving phytochemical characterisation, minimum inhibitory concentration testing, cytotoxicity evaluation, and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates are recommended to strengthen the evidence generated by this preliminary investigation.

Hygiene Compliance in Nigerian Urban-based Abattoirs as Monitored by the Occurrence of Enteric Bacteria on Slabs, Boards, Wastewater and Air

Obaro Levinson Oyubu, Bernard Onyekweli Ejechi, Olivia Sochi Egbule — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene in abattoirs may contribute to zoonoses and foodborne infections. This study monitored the compliance of selected Nigerian urban-based abattoirs with standard sanitation and hygiene requirements, using the occurrence of enteric bacteria as a yardstick. Samples from slaughter slabs, cutting boards and dumpsite bones were collected using the swab-rinse method, while wastewater and airborne bacteria were sampled with sterile flasks and exposed agar plates, respectively. Samples were obtained monthly for six months from 16 randomly selected abattoirs located in four towns. Enteric bacteria were enumerated on selective and differential media, and presumptive isolates were confirmed using the Analytical Profile Index system. A total of 1,966 enteric bacterial isolates were recovered, with no marked monthly variation at each sampling point. Counts were 140-146 CFU/mL in wastewater and 68-72, 59-65 and 52-58 CFU/cm² on slaughter slabs, cutting boards and dumpsite bones, respectively. All contact-surface counts were above the FAO satisfactory limit. Airborne enteric bacterial populations in more than 50% of the abattoirs were classified as fair based on the index of microbial air contamination. Comparison of bacterial populations among isolation points showed significant differences (F = 4.40-86.88; P = 0.000-0.026), with isolates from wastewater discharge points having the highest counts. The identified bacteria were Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Shigella flexneri and Klebsiella aerogenes. Escherichia coli was more prevalent than the other isolates (6.6-16.7% versus 2.2-11.7%). Differences in prevalence by abattoir location were generally not significant, except for Escherichia coli on slabs and cutting boards and Salmonella enterica on slabs. These findings indicate consistently suboptimal adherence to sanitary and hygienic practices in the abattoirs studied.

Molecular Characterisation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolated from Hospitalised Patients in Public Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria: A Multi-centre Study

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a major healthcare-associated pathogen and an important cause of morbidity among hospitalised patients. In Nigeria, data on multidrug-resistant S. aureus in clinical settings remain limited. This study characterised methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) recovered from hospitalised patients in three public tertiary hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria, determined antimicrobial resistance patterns, assessed multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices, and detected the mecA gene.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted between March 2019 and June 2021. A total of 460 clinical samples, including wound/pus swabs, blood cultures, catheter urine, catheter tips and bone tissue, were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar. Presumptive isolates were identified using standard microbiological methods and confirmed with a Staph latex agglutination kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, while PCR was used to detect mecA.

Results: Fifty-one (11.09%) S. aureus isolates were confirmed, of which 41 (80.39%) were phenotypically identified as MRSA. MRSA isolates showed resistance to cefoxitin (100%), penicillin (97.56%), ciprofloxacin (87.81%), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (82.93%), erythromycin (80.49%), tetracycline (73.17%), gentamicin (63.42%) and cefuroxime (48.78%). Lower resistance was observed to imipenem (2.44%), vancomycin (12.20%), linezolid (26.83%) and clindamycin (29.27%). The MAR index ranged from 0.08 to 0.83, and 48 (94%) S. aureus isolates exceeded the acceptable threshold of 0.2. The mecA gene was detected in 26 (63.41%) MRSA isolates.

Conclusion: The findings indicate a high occurrence of multidrug-resistant MRSA among S. aureus isolates from hospitalised patients in Enugu. Continued molecular surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control measures are required to support appropriate therapy and limit the spread of resistant strains.

Microbiological Contamination of Public Transport Vehicle Surfaces and Public Health Implications in Selected Motor Parks in Benin City, Nigeria

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The contamination of public transport vehicles with pathogenic microorganisms is an important public-health concern in densely populated urban settings where sanitation is frequently inadequate. This cross-sectional study assessed bacterial and fungal contamination on frequently touched surfaces of public transport vehicles in five motor parks within Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and characterised the antimicrobial susceptibility of the bacterial isolates. A total of 150 surface swab samples were collected from the handles and seats of cars and buses across Central, Uselu, New Benin, UNIBEN Shuttle, and Ramat motor parks. Isolates were identified using standard cultural, microscopic, and biochemical techniques, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute criteria. Microbial growth was recovered from 63.3% of samples. The predominant bacterial isolates were Klebsiella spp. (18.0%), Escherichia coli (13.3%), Pseudomonas spp. (10.0%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (8.0%), Staphylococcus aureus (8.0%), Enterobacter spp. (4.0%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.0%). Candida spp. (38.0%) was the most common fungus, followed by Penicillium spp. (8.0%) and Aspergillus spp. (2.0%). Gram-negative isolates, particularly Klebsiella spp., showed high resistance to cephalosporins and amoxicillin-clavulanate, while fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides retained the greatest activity. Bacterial and fungal prevalence differed significantly between motor parks. These findings indicate that public transport surfaces in Benin City are reservoirs of potentially pathogenic and drug-resistant microorganisms and highlight the need for routine disinfection, hand-hygiene provision, and antimicrobial-resistance surveillance in urban transport systems.

Differential Prevalence and Risk Architecture of Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis in a Slum–urban Dyad of Lagos Mainland, Nigeria: A Comparative Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Survey with Parasitological Confirmation

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background and Aims: This study compared the prevalence, intensity, and knowledge-attitude-practice (KAP) correlates of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection between a slum community (Shogunro) and an adjoining urban community (Iwaya) within a single local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria, to identify determinants associated with any observed disparity.

Study Design: Comparative, cross-sectional, community-based parasitological and KAP survey.

Place and Duration of Study: Shogunro (slum) and Iwaya (urban) communities, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria; study conducted 2024–2026.

Methodology: A total of 142 consenting participants aged 5 years and above (71 per community) were enrolled by purposive sampling. Structured, interpreter-administered questionnaires captured sociodemographic and KAP data. Stool specimens were processed using the Kato–Katz thick-smear technique and examined under light microscopy by a qualified parasitologist. Data were analysed in SPSS version 23 using chi-square tests, with significance set at P = .05.

Results: Of 142 stool specimens examined, 16 (11.3%) were positive for Ascaris lumbricoides, the sole species recovered. Prevalence was higher in Shogunro (16.9%) than in Iwaya (5.6%) (P = .063). Participants aged 5–18 years accounted for 75.0% of all positive cases, against 25.0% among those aged 19 years and above. Females recorded higher infection rates than males in both communities. Correct identification of STH causative agents was substantially poorer in Shogunro, where more than 60% of respondents could not name a causal helminth, compared with approximately 30–40% in Iwaya (P < .01 for several taxa). Sanitation infrastructure diverged sharply between settlements: pit latrines predominated in Shogunro (59.2%) versus water-cistern systems in Iwaya (73.2%) (P < .01).

Conclusion: Residual STH infection in this urban local government area appeared higher in the slum enclave and was accompanied by deficits in sanitation infrastructure and STH-specific knowledge. Slum-prioritised mass drug administration and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) investment, rather than generically urban-targeted deworming alone, may help reduce this intra-municipal equity gap.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Primary School Children in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Intestinal parasitic infections remain important public health concerns among school-aged children in settings where sanitation, hygiene and safe water access are limited. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of intestinal parasites, associated socio-demographic and hygiene-related factors, and knowledge, attitudes and practices among primary school children in Uke, Abatete and Oraukwu communities of Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Stool samples were collected from participating children and examined microscopically using the formalin-ether concentration technique, while structured questionnaires obtained information on demographic characteristics, sanitation, hygiene practices, deworming history and awareness. Of the 86 children whose stool samples were examined, 42 were positive for at least one intestinal parasite, giving an overall prevalence of 48.84%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequently identified parasite, accounting for 37.21% of infections, followed by hookworm (12.79%). Less frequent parasites included Balantidium coli (3.49%), Strongyloides spp. (2.33%), Taenia spp. (2.33%) and Schistosoma haematobium (1.16%). Most socio-demographic and environmental variables were not significantly associated with infection status, although father’s occupation approached statistical significance (p = 0.060). Knowledge of transmission and prevention was generally poor, but attitudes towards preventive measures, deworming, hospital attendance and health education were favourable. The findings indicate a continuing burden of intestinal parasites among school children in the study area and support strengthened school-based health education, periodic deworming, improved sanitation and safe water interventions.

Phenotypic Detection and Multidrug-Resistant Profiling of Escherichia coli Isolated from Diabetic UTIs Patients in Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria

S. Isma’il, T. Inusa, M.Y. Iliyasu, A. F. Umar — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect people of all ages and sexes and are common infections that may cause inflammation, substantial discomfort, and, occasionally, fatal complications. Their treatment is increasingly complicated by antimicrobial resistance. Escherichia coli is the principal cause of UTIs, and patients with diabetes are particularly susceptible because of impaired host defences and elevated blood glucose levels.

Aims: The aim of this study was to phenotypically detect and identify multidrug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from diabetic patients with urinary tract infections in Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State.

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study involving diabetic patients with symptomatic UTIs who attended diabetic clinics for follow-up at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, Bauchi State, Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Bauchi State, Nigeria, from July to October 2025. Samples were collected at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) and Bauchi State Specialist Hospital, both located in Bauchi metropolis.

Methodology: A total of 288 diabetic patients were enrolled in the study. Clean-catch midstream urine samples were collected from all participants in sterile containers, labelled, and transported to the laboratory. Each urine sample was streaked onto cysteine lactose electrolyte-deficient (CLED) agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The isolates were identified using standard methods, and the data obtained were analysed statistically.

Results: A total of 64 (22.2%) E. coli isolates were recovered from diabetic patients, of which 57 were multidrug resistant. The highest proportions of E. coli and multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates occurred in the 40–49-year age group (40.6% and 43.9%, respectively). Females accounted for 59.4% of E. coli isolates and 59.6% of multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates, whereas males accounted for 40.6% and 40.4%, respectively. The 20–29-year age group had the lowest occurrence, with six isolates (9.4%). There was no significant association between age group and the number of isolates (p > 0.05). Patients with Type 2 diabetes had a higher frequency of isolates than those with Type 1 diabetes.

Conclusion: The study showed that E. coli infection occurred more frequently among middle-aged patients, females, and patients with Type 2 diabetes. A high proportion of the isolates was multidrug resistant, indicating a substantial challenge for antibiotic selection. The occurrence of multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates supports the need for strengthened control measures and policies promoting the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Characterisation of the Bacterial Profile of Postoperative Wounds in Patients Attending the University of UYO Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The skin acts as a protective barrier against microbial and toxic agents; disruption of this barrier may permit bacterial contamination and infection. This study characterised the bacterial profile of postoperative wound specimens obtained from patients attending the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). A total of 108 wound isolates were examined using morphological and biochemical characteristics. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent isolate (40.7%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25.9%), Klebsiella spp. (13.0%), Escherichia coli (11.1%) and Proteus spp. (9.3%). Isolates were recovered slightly more frequently from male patients (51.9%) than from female patients (48.1%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.8722). The highest reported total occurred in the 41-50-year age group (28), whereas the 71-80- and 81-90-year groups had the lowest reported totals (two each). The distribution across age groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.2305). These findings indicate that both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were recovered from postoperative wound specimens at UUTH and support timely microbiological investigation of clinically suspected wound infection.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Pathogenic Microorganisms Isolated from Sanitary Facilities in Referral Hospitals at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Hospital sanitary facilities may harbour pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, creating routes for healthcare-associated transmission.

Aims: This study assessed sanitary facilities in referral hospitals in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, as reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms and evaluated their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Study Design: An experimental design and purposive sampling were used to select two (2) referral hospitals.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in referral hospitals in Abakaliki Metropolis, Ebonyi State, south-eastern Nigeria.

Methodology: One hundred and forty (140) samples were collected from bathroom floors, toilet seats, door handles, flush knobs, toilet covers, tap knobs, toilet knobs, and wash-hand basins using sterile swabs moistened with normal saline. Microbiological methods were used for isolation and identification, while antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby–Bauer disc-diffusion technique. For in vitro pathogenicity testing, bacterial isolates were cultured on blood-enriched nutrient agar for 24 hours at 37 ± 2 °C. Fungal isolates were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar enriched with glucose and egg yolk for five days at 30 ± 2 °C to detect lipase, protease, and phospholipase activities. Thermotolerance was assessed for five days at 37 ± 2 °C. Bacterial pathogenicity was determined from alpha-, beta-, and gamma-haemolysis; fungal pathogenicity was based on thermotolerance and enzyme production.

Results: Borehole water was the main source, and flush toilets were the main facilities. Total viable bacterial counts ranged from 2.0 × 10¹ to 8.2 × 10² cfu/swab, coliform counts from 4.0 × 10¹ to 8.0 × 10¹ cfu/swab, and fungal counts from 2.0 × 10¹ to 1.2 × 10² cfu/swab. Toilet seats had the highest bacterial count, bathroom floors the highest coliform count, and door handles the highest fungal count. Bacterial isolates were Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus species; fungal isolates were Candida, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Mucor species. Of 24 Staphylococcus isolates, 9 (37.5%) produced beta-haemolysis and 7 (29.2%) gamma-haemolysis. Of 16 Streptococcus isolates, 2 (33.3%) produced alpha-haemolysis and 2 (33.3%) beta-haemolysis. Of 16 Aspergillus isolates, 5 (31.2%) produced alpha-haemolysis and 3 (18.7%) beta-haemolysis. Inhibition zones ranged from 12 to 36 mm. Bacillus, Escherichia, Streptococcus, and Micrococcus species resisted some antibiotics, while Aspergillus and Rhizopus species resisted fluconazole and ketoconazole.

Conclusion: Pathogenic microorganisms were present on sanitary facilities used by inpatients and outpatients in the two (2) hospitals. High microbial loads and resistance to antimicrobial agents indicate that these facilities may contribute to healthcare-associated infection transmission.

Influence of Xylopia aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera Supplemented Feed on the Production and Quality of Layer Chicken Eggs in Response to Suspected Gumboro Disease

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The effects of Xylopia aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meals on egg production performance and egg quality in laying chickens following a suspected outbreak of Gumboro disease, or infectious bursal disease (IBD), were evaluated. A total of 450 day-old Isa Brown pullet chicks obtained from Agrited were used for the study. The birds were vaccinated against Newcastle disease on arrival and received an IBD vaccine on day 10. On day 18, before the second IBD vaccine dose was administered, high morbidity and some mortality were observed in the flock. Clinical signs and post-mortem findings were consistent with an IBD outbreak. Supportive therapy was instituted, and mortality ceased by day 24, after six days of clinical disease. A total of 138 birds (30.67%) died, and 300 surviving birds were enrolled in the experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to 10 treatment groups, each comprising three replicates of 10 chicks. Treatment 1 served as the control. Treatments 2, 3, and 4 received diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 g of X. aethiopica fruit meal per kilogram of feed, respectively. Treatments 5, 6, and 7 received corresponding levels of T. tetraptera fruit meal, whereas Treatments 8, 9, and 10 received paired combinations of the two fruit meals at the corresponding inclusion levels. The pullets were weighed weekly. Egg production performance was recorded at 32, 50, and 60 weeks of age (woa), while egg quality was assessed at 43 and 50 woa. The data were analysed using analysis of variance, and means were separated using Duncan's multiple range test. Most treated groups showed better egg production than the control, and birds receiving 0.5 or 1.5 g/kg X. aethiopica recorded hen-day egg production above 80%. Most egg-quality parameters did not differ significantly among the groups, except shell weight and shell thickness at 43 woa and yolk cholesterol at 43 and 50 woa. The findings indicate that lower inclusion levels of X. aethiopica may support laying performance after recovery from suspected IBD.

Surfactant-Based Strategies for Mosquito Larvae and Pupae Management

Forman Erwin Siagian — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major global public health challenge, necessitating environmentally sustainable vector-control strategies such as biosurfactant-based disruption of mosquito larval and pupal development in aquatic habitats.

Aims: To reveal the effectivity of biosurfactant above water surface to prevent larvae and pupa of mosquito to obtain oxygen and blocking their breathing tubes, and also their effect to the environment.

Results: Surfactants, including specialized larviciding oils and Silicone-based products, kill mosquito larvae and pupae by reducing the water's surface tension, causing them to drown by blocking their breathing tubes. These films prevent larvae/pupae from breaking the surface to breathe, often providing 100% mortality within hours. Larvicide surfactants are used to control mosquito populations, but unfortunately, their environmental impact varies depending on whether they are synthetic or biological, and what is feared ranging from potential, temporary aquatic disruption to eco-friendly, biodegradable alternatives. Studies showed that biosurfactants often exhibit low toxicity to non-target organisms, such as vegetables, seeds, and microcrustaceans, making them a "green" option for mosquito larva and pupae management

Conclusion: Surfactants larvicide are widely considered non-invasive, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides. They are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), biodegradable, and low in toxicity to humans, animals, and the environment.

Application of One Health Biotechnology to Tackle Environmental and Infectious Disease Burdens in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Critical Narrative Review

Christopher Ononiwu Elemuwa — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionate share of the global infectious disease burden, with environmental degradation, rapid urbanisation, climate variability, and the human–animal–ecosystem interface collectively driving the emergence, persistence, and spread of pathogens. The One Health framework—which recognises the inextricable connections between human, animal, and environmental health—provides an integrative architecture within which modern biotechnology can be strategically deployed. This review critically examines the application of One Health biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa, encompassing molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, gene drive technology, Wolbachia-based biocontrol, mRNA vaccines, environmental metagenomics, and wastewater-based epidemiology. It evaluates relevant biotechnological platforms, contextualises their application within the region's ecological and epidemiological realities, and critically appraises implementation barriers including infrastructure deficits, regulatory fragmentation, and equity constraints. Drawing on literature published between January 2014 and February 2026, supplemented by seminal earlier works, this narrative synthesis finds that One Health biotechnological interventions hold substantial promise for reducing disease burdens linked to malaria, trypanosomiasis, zoonoses, neglected tropical diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Realising this potential, however, requires the simultaneous strengthening of laboratory infrastructure, bioinformatics capacity, biosafety regulation, and community engagement. Targeted investment in regional biotechnology ecosystems—guided by principles of equity and African scientific ownership—is essential if the advances reviewed here are to deliver sustained public health gains for the populations of Sub-Saharan Africa.