Publications by authors named "Seraphine Nkie Esemu"

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a zoonotic pathogen that poses a serious threat to veterinary and public health worldwide. We investigated mastitis milk samples for contamination with MRSA and also characterized the MRSA isolates by investigating antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors.

Result: We confirmed MRSA in 69 of 201 (34.

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Background: Pierre & Hutch is a tropical tree that grows in West and Central Africa, used in ethnomedicine to treat cancer, diabetes, headaches, convulsions, urinary diseases, and inflammatory diseases. As other species have been observed to possess chemical compounds that target HIV latency-reversal, we hypothesized that this species may have similar properties.

Aim Of The Study: The identification of extracts and compounds of this species, which have HIV-1 latency-reversing activity in J-Lat T cell lines.

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Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The MRSA colonization of neonates, attributed to various sources, including mothers, healthcare workers, and environmental surfaces, can lead to severe infection, prolonged hospital stays, and even death, imposing substantial economic burdens. Given the pressing need to mitigate MRSA spread in these vulnerable environments, further examination of the subject is warranted.

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Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world.

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  • HIV is a significant public health issue in Africa, particularly affecting pregnant women, which impacts both maternal and child health.
  • The study reviewed 248 articles to determine the overall HIV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Africa, finding a rate of 9.3%, with notable regional differences.
  • The highest seroprevalence was in Southern Africa (29.4%), while Northern Africa had the lowest (0.7%), indicating considerable variation in HIV rates across the continent.
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Background: The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased and poses a significant threat to human and animal health in Cameroon and the world at large. MRSA strains have infiltrated various settings, including hospitals, communities, and livestock, contributing to increased morbidity, treatment costs, and mortality. This evidence synthesis aims to understand MRSA prevalence, resistance patterns, and genetic characterization in Cameroon.

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The consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods contaminated with coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) and especially puts consumers at a potential risk of food-borne disease or colonization and subsequent infection. This cross-sectional study determined the levels of CoPS and the presence of . in RTE foods sold in Buea municipality.

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  • Bacterial vaginosis (BV) significantly impacts pregnant women, leading to serious maternal and fetal complications, including potential fatal outcomes.
  • A comprehensive meta-analysis of 26 relevant studies revealed high rates of preterm birth (17.9%), low birth weight (14.2%), and maternal issues like premature rupture of membranes (13.2%) linked to BV.
  • The study found strong associations between BV and adverse outcomes, including preterm birth (OR 1.76) and miscarriage (OR 2.34), highlighting the necessity for better awareness and management of BV in pregnant women.
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Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a severe zoonotic mosquito-borne disease that represents an important threat to human and animal health, with major public health and socioeconomic impacts. This disease is endemic throughout many African countries and the Arabian Peninsula. This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to determine the RVF prevalence in humans, mosquitoes and other animal species in Africa.

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Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus, which is part of the normal flora accounts for most acute and chronic infections in humans, and treatment options are greatly limited, when infection is caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of MRSA from clinical samples obtained randomly from patients in Buea Health District.

Methods: a total of 264 wounds, nasopharynx, and urine samples were collected from patients from different hospitals in Buea and transported to the laboratory in the University of Buea, for analysis.

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  • Occult hepatitis B (OBI) and C (OCI) infections are serious health issues in Africa, leading to liver complications like cirrhosis and cancer, and pose risks for transmission.
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis examined OBI and OCI prevalence across Africa, utilizing data from multiple published studies.
  • The findings indicated that OBI has a prevalence of about 14.8%, while OCI is around 10.7%, with higher rates observed in specific patient populations such as those with liver disorders and malignancies.
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Background: The association between hospitalization for human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) bronchiolitis in early childhood and subsequent asthma is well established. The long-term prognosis for non-bronchiolitis lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) caused by viruses different from HRSV and rhinovirus, on the other hand, has received less interest.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between infant LRTI and later asthma and examine the influence of confounding factors.

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This study aimed to assess the global prevalence of occult hepatitis B in blood donors. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, and Excerpta Medica Database. Study selection and data extraction were performed by at least two independent investigators.

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Background: Coliform bacteria are major causative agents of bovine mastitis, a disease that has devastating effect on dairy animal health and milk production. This cross-sectional study, carried out in the North West region of Cameroon, sought to determine the prevalence of bovine mastitis, coliforms associated with bovine mastitis, risk factors for infection and the antibiotic resistance pattern of coliform bacterial isolates.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1608 udder quarters were sampled from 411 cows using a questionnaire, clinical examination, California Mastitis Test and milk culture.

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  • Yellow fever (YF) has seen a resurgence over the past two decades, leading to outbreaks in endemic areas and new regions, which poses significant public health challenges.
  • This systematic review analyzed data on the case fatality rate (31.1% in humans) and the prevalence of the yellow fever virus (YFV) in humans (9.4%), mosquitoes, and non-human primates in sub-Saharan Africa, based on 55 studies.
  • The findings emphasize the ongoing virus transmission and highlight the urgent need for strategies like the WHO's Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics initiative to prevent future outbreaks in the region.
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Background: Occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) is characterized by the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the liver, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and/or ultracentrifuged serum in the absence of detectable HCV-RNA in serum. OCI has been described in several categories of populations including hemodialysis patients, patients with a sustained virological response, immunocompromised individuals, patients with abnormal hepatic function, and apparently healthy subjects.

Aim: To highlight the global prevalence of OCI.

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  • In Africa, HIV coinfection with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant public health issue, yet data on its epidemiology and case fatality rates are limited.
  • A systematic review of 4388 articles identified 314 studies, revealing a 4.4% case fatality rate for HBV among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and various prevalence rates for HBV (10.5%), HCV (5.4%), and their coinfection (0.7%).
  • The findings highlight the need for targeted public health efforts to address the complex interplay of these infections in Africa, given the observed variability and challenges in data reporting.
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One of the crucial public health problems today is the emerging and re-emerging of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria coupled with a decline in the development of new antimicrobials. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is classified among the MDR pathogens of international concern. To predict their MDR potentials, 23 assembled genomes of NTS from live cattle (n = 1), beef carcass (n = 19), butchers’ hands (n = 1) and beef processing environments (n = 2) isolated from 830 wet swabs at the Yaounde abattoir between December 2014 and November 2015 were explored using whole-genome sequencing.

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The release of untreated wastes from abattoirs into the environment and nearby water bodies poses a significant threat to public health. Such litters may contain pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study investigated 80 samples collected from butchering tables, slaughter slabs, meat rinsing points, and abattoir wastes receiving water from two abattoirs (A and B).

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Introduction: since December 2019, the world is experiencing, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Virus SARS-CoV-2. It is feared that the pandemic maybe more devastating in conflict affected areas in the world. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to the COVID-19 in Buea municipality, Cameroon.

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Introduction: two months into the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon, we assess the trend in the knowledge, attitude and practices of the population with the progression of the disease and the implementation of preventive methods put in place by the government of Cameroon and health partners organizations in response to the pandemic.

Methods: this was a cross-sectional study conducted in selected health areas in the Buea municipality. A questionnaire was administered at the onset and two months later to collect data on the participants´ knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19.

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Background: Escherichia coli O157 is an emerging foodborne pathogen of great public health concern. It has been associated with bloody diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uremic syndrome in humans. Most human infections have been traced to cattle and the consumption of contaminated cattle products.

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