Profile and evolution of antimicrobial resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus whole genomes in Africa revealed by phylogeography and bioinformatics.

The elaboration of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Staphylococcus aureus is a significant public health concern. Despite this concern, the spread and diversity of the ARGs in S. aureus are not fully understood.

The hunter and the hunted: mpox in the Mkpot rainforest community of Nigeria.

We describe challenges and opportunities during the mpox virus animal reservoir surveillance expedition to the Mkpot community in Nigeria, a remote enclave in the heart of the Cross River rainforest that is replete with viral and ecological footprints. Anecdotal evidence of mpox in Mkpot and adjoining villages, and the absence of domestic animals where wild animal hunting and consumption is intense, suggests potential spillover of infections at the human-animal interface, requiring active surveillance and monitoring.

Bibliometric analysis of highly pathogenic avian influenza research globally from 2003 to 2023.

Introduction: Despite decades of research on highly pathogenic avian influenza, especially H5N1, an understanding of the impact of research outputs on policy, the impact of funding and policies, collaboration between authors, and other bibliometric measurable indices is elusive.

Methods: H5N1 research data were retrieved from the PubMed database using "H5N1", "highly pathogenic", and "influenza" as keywords, and combined with the Boolean operator, "OR". The evaluated growth pattern of H5N1 research was analysed using Microsoft Excel, while the VOS viewer window version 1.

Negotiating cohabitation in a Nigerian abattoir: One Health perspectives of human-animal-ecosystem interactions examined in the light of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: Urbanization and intensifying interactions between humans, animals, and the environment present complex challenges for One Health, particularly in regions like Central Nigeria. This study investigates the dynamics of human-animal-environment interfaces within a Nigerian abattoir during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, focusing on zoonotic transmission pathways and multispecies interactions.

Methods: We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining ethnographic observations, semi-structured interviews, and biological sampling of livestock, dogs, and small mammals.

Validation and multi-site deployment of a lyophilized qRT-PCR reagent for the molecular diagnosis of avian influenza and rabies in Sub-Saharan African regions.

Molecular methods are widely accepted as gold-standard techniques for the laboratory diagnosis of most human and animal pathogens. However, most molecular protocols rely on reagents that need to be transported and stored at a freezing temperature, a requirement that might affect their reliability in areas where the cold chain cannot be guaranteed. Over the years, several lyophilized molecular products have been marketed to circumvent this issue.

Detection and molecular characterisation of subtype B avian metapneumovirus in commercial chickens and co-infection with bacteria pathogens in Nigeria.

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) significantly impacts turkey and chicken production, though its prevalence in chickens is often underestimated due to a lack of systematic diagnostic surveys. This study aimed to detect and characterise aMPV and determine the prevalence of secondary bacterial pathogens present during aMPV infection in commercial chickens raised in three climatic zones in Nigeria. Tissue samples were collected from carcasses of 42 flocks with suspected aMPV cases accounting for 420 chickens.

Can pigs add another "P" to the PPR? Serological evidence of frequent Peste des petits ruminants infections in pigs in Nigeria.

To achieve the global eradication of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), the epidemiological role of atypical hosts must be fully understood. Among domestic animals, pigs are, until now, the only species that has proven to fulfil criteria relevant for hosts to act as disease reservoir. This entails the susceptibility to infection via contact with infected animals as well as the shedding of infectious virus, resulting in new infections.

Pathology and molecular detection of influenza A subtype H9N2 virus in commercial poultry in Nigeria, 2024.

Background: After the first Avian Influenza H5N1 outbreak in Nigerian poultry in 2006, subsequent waves of outbreaks occurred, causing substantial losses. Despite effective control measures by 2008, a resurgence in 2015 led to further losses and required depopulation efforts.

Aim: The aim of this study was to do pathology and molecular detection of influenza A subtype H9N2 virus in commercial poultry in Nigeria during 2024.

Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans in Jos North Abattoir, Nigeria: Occurrence, serology, and molecular characterization.

Leptospirosis, a neglected zoonotic disease, adversely affects animal, human health, and socioeconomic conditions, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and molecular identification of pathogenic Leptospira spp. among abattoir workers, cattle, and rats in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates and virulence gene expression in poultry farms in Jos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is increasingly becoming a global health concern. This study aimed to investigate and report MDR prevalence, resistance, and virulence genes from poultry in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Methods: The samples were analyzed using microbiological standard methods and polymerase chain reactions (PCRs).

SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV -2 cross-reactive antibodies in domestic animals and wildlife in Nigeria suggest circulation of sarbecoviruses.

Anthropogenic exposure of domestic animals, as well as wildlife, can result in zoonotic transmission events with known and unknown pathogens including sarbecoviruses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals, most likely resulting from spill-over from humans, have been documented worldwide. However, only limited information is available for Africa.

Serological evidence of Newcastle disease virus antibodies in wild birds in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Wild birds have been reported to be reservoirs of viral diseases of poultry, and play an epidemiological role in their maintenance and spread. A serological survey was undertaken to determine the evidence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antibodies in wild birds in Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 150 apparently healthy wild birds comprising 30 each laughing dove, speckled pigeons, cattle egrets, village weavers and African silver bills were sampled.

Detection of clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses in healthy wild birds in the Hadeji-Nguru wetland, Nigeria 2022.

Background: The introduction of multiple avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes into Nigeria has resulted in several poultry outbreaks purportedly linked to trade and wild birds. The role of wild birds in perpetuating AIV in Nigeria was, therefore, elucidated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among wild aquatic bird species at the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands in Northeastern Nigeria between March and April 2022.

Antiviral options and therapeutics against influenza: history, latest developments and future prospects.

Drugs and chemotherapeutics have helped to manage devastating impacts of infectious diseases since the concept of 'magic bullet'. The World Health Organization estimates about 650,000 deaths due to respiratory diseases linked to seasonal influenza each year. Pandemic influenza, on the other hand, is the most feared health disaster and probably would have greater and immediate impact on humanity than climate change.

Rational approach to vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza in Nigeria: a scientific perspective and global best practice.

Since 2006, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtypes H5Nx have adversely affected poultry production in Nigeria. Successive waves of infections in the last two decades have raised concerns about the ability to contain infections by biosecurity alone, and evidence of recurrent outbreaks suggests a need for adoption of additional control measures such as vaccination. Although vaccination can be used to control virus spread and reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by HPAI, no country using vaccination alone as a control measure against HPAI has been able to eliminate or prevent re-infection.

The Evolution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5) in Poultry in Nigeria, 2021-2022.

In 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and global food insecurity, the Nigerian poultry sector was exposed to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and its economic challenges. Between 2021 and 2022, HPAI caused 467 outbreaks reported in 31 of the 37 administrative regions in Nigeria. In this study, we characterized the genomes of 97 influenza A viruses of the subtypes H5N1, H5N2, and H5N8, which were identified in different agro-ecological zones and farms during the 2021-2022 epidemic.

Molecular Detection of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus (PPRV) in Goats and in Sheep in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a vaccine-preventable transboundary animal disease of goats and sheep majorly, and is regarded as a major constraint to small ruminant production especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Despite different strategies that have been employed to control PPR in Nigeria, cases of the disease are still reported in PPR-vaccinated and unvaccinated small ruminant farms. In this study, molecular detection of field PPR virus (PPRV) strains was carried out to determine the presence of PPRV.

Poxvirus Infections in Dairy Farms and Transhumance Cattle Herds in Nigeria.

Lumpy Skin disease (LSD) is an economically important disease in cattle caused by the LSD virus (LSDV) of the genus , while pseudocowpox (PCP) is a widely distributed zoonotic cattle disease caused by the PCP virus (PCPV) of the genus . Though both viral pox infections are reportedly present in Nigeria, similarities in their clinical presentation and limited access to laboratories often lead to misdiagnosis in the field. This study investigated suspected LSD outbreaks in organized and transhumance cattle herds in Nigeria in 2020.