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.

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.