ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Anti-plasmodial, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Anti-sporozoite antibodies as alternative markers for malaria transmission intensity estimation

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Anti-ssDNA and antinuclear antibodies in human malaria.

The incidence of serum antinuclear antibodies and serum antibodies to single stranded (ss) and double stranded (ds) DNA was investigated following acute malaria in 58 Caucasians visiting tropical countries but resident in Britain and in 24 Ghanaians resident in Ghana. In Caucasians this infection was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of speckled antinuclear antibodies (38% compared to 3% in controls; P less than 0.001) and a significant rise in antibody levels against ssDNA (14% compared to 5%; P less than 0.05), but no rise in antibodies against dsDNA. Acute malaria in Ghanaians was associated with an incidence of 25% of antinuclear antibodies and 4% of antibodies to ssDNA; these were similar to those found in healthy Ghanaians who are chronically exposed to malaria. Antibodies against dsDNA were not detected. The incidence of antinuclear antibodies and levels of anti-ssDNA antibodies was higher in the Ghanaian healthy population than in normal Caucasians. These observations indicate that malaria is associated with the development of antinuclear and anti-ssDNA antibodies. Ghanaian patients with a tropical splenomegaly syndrome or with a nephrotic syndrome, both of which conditions are suspected of having a malarial aetiology, had serum levels of anti-ssDNA higher than healthy controls. This observation adds further circumstantial evidence to the role of malaria in causing anti-DNA antibodies.

Source: UG
Anti-trypanosomal activity of diarylheptanoids isolated from the bark of alnus japonica

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Antibacterial activity of plants used in traditional medicines of Ghana with particular reference to MRSA.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: : In an ethno botanical survey carried out in the Akwapim-North district of the Republic of Ghana, 25 plant species, used in traditional medicine to treat skin disease and/or to treat antimicrobial (viral, bacterial or protozoan) infections were identified. Aim of Study: : To investigate the antimicrobial activity of traditional Ghanaian medicines with special interest in anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity. Materials and methods: : Chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts (including use of a Stomacher) of these plants were prepared and agar-well diffusion tests, MIC's and MBC's were used to investigate antimicrobial activity. Results: Extracts of 13 plant species inhibited the growth of one or more of the following bacteria: MRSA, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. Extracts from 11 of these 13 plant species also inhibited the growth of three or more of 14 additional clinical isolates of MRSA. Aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia were active against all 21 bacterial strains tested and showed the highest levels of antibacterial activity overall with MIC's against MRSA in the range of 1.6-3.1 mg ml-1 and MBC's in the range of 6.3-12.5 mg ml-1. Conclusions: : The presence of antibacterial activity in extracts of Elaeophorbia drupifera, Rauwolfia vomitoria and the leaves of Solanum verbascifolium, plants traditionally used to treat skin infections, are reported for the first time. Extracts from Alchornea cordifolia, also used to treat wounds, had the widest spectrum of antibacterial activity.

Source: UG
Antibacterial efficacies and time-kill kinetics of indigenous Ghanaian spice extracts against Listeria monocytogenes and some other food-borne pathogenic bacteria

Increase in food-borne outbreaks has become public health concern worldwide. Exploitation of the antimicrobial properties of dietary spices has become important pharmaceutical tool for controlling food-borne pathogens. This study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial potentials of Ghanaian spices against Listeria monocytogenes and other prevalent food-borne pathogens. In preliminary studies, Listeria was isolated from some food samples. The overall prevalence of Listeria spp. was 23% (13/56). Of the 56 samples examined, 7% showed pathogenic potential for L. monocytogenes. Different solvent extracts of thirteen spices namely Calabash nutmeg, West African black pepper, Aidan, Grains of paradise, Negro pepper, Aniseed, African locust bean, Cinnamon, Black pepper, Clove, Cayenne, Basil, and Rauvolfia were tested for their potentials to inhibit clinical and isolated strains of L. monocytogenes using qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial assay methods. Only clove and negro pepper among the thirteen different solvent extracts showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against L. monocytogenes indicated by minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.05% to 0.4% and minimum bactericidal concentrations ranging from 0.1% to > 0.4% under experimental conditions. Time-kill study demonstrated listericidal activity of ethanolic clove and negro pepper extracts indicated by absolute mortality of more than 3 log units at 2x MIC and 4x MIC. GC-MS analysis revealed three and eight major chemical components present in clove and negro pepper respectively. Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, and B. subtilis also showed satisfactory susceptibilities to ethanolic extracts with MIC ranging from 0.025% to > 0.8%. In general, negro pepper showed broad activity eliciting inhibitory effects against all the tested pathogens. The findings suggest that clove and negro pepper may be promising antibacterial candidates for the decontamination and control bacterial pathogens in food and food supply chain

Source: UG
Antibiotic prescribing in paediatric inpatients in Ghana: a multi-centre point prevalence survey

Background Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in hospitalised patients contributes to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance. Implementing a stewardship programme to curb the problem requires information on antibiotic use. This study describes a multicentre point prevalence of antibiotic use among paediatric inpatients in Ghana. Methods Data were extracted from a multicentre point prevalence survey of hospital acquired infections in Ghana. Data were collected between September 2016 and December 2016 from ten hospitals through inpatient folder and chart reviews using European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) adapted data collection instrument. From each site, data were collected within a 12-h period (8 am to 8 pm) by a primary team of research investigators and a select group of health professionals from each participating hospital. Results Among 716 paediatric inpatients, 506 (70.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 67.2 to 74.0%) were on antibiotics. A significant proportion of antibiotics (82.9%) was prescribed for infants compared to neonates (63.9%) and adolescents (60.0%). The majority of patients (n = 251, 49.6%) were prescribed two antibiotics at the time of the survey. The top five classes of antibiotics prescribed were third generation cephalosporins (n = 154, 18.5%) aminoglycosides (n = 149, 17.9%), second generation cephalosporins (n = 103,12.4%), beta lactam resistant penicillins (n = 83, 10.0%) and nitroimidazoles (n = 82, 9.9%). The majority of antibiotics (n = 508, 61.0%) were prescribed for community acquired infections. The top three agents for managing community acquired infections were ceftriaxone (n = 97, 19.1%), gentamicin (n = 85, 16.7%) and cefuroxime (n = 73, 14.4%). Conclusion This study points to high use of antibiotics among paediatric inpatients in Ghana. Cephalosporin use may offer an important target for reduction through antibiotic stewardship programmes.

Source: UG
Antibiotic prescription for febrile outpatients: a health facility-based secondary data analysis for the Greater Accra region of Ghana

Background: Misguided prescription of antibiotics is an important contributor towards the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The absence of effective interventions to control antibiotic use leads to increased consumption beyond the needed requirements. Antibiotic stewardship interventions must be appropriately targeted and assessed to enhance the controlled use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with antibiotic prescription to febrile outpatients who seek care in health facilities within the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Methods: Secondary data obtained from the medical records of 2519 febrile outpatients, consecutively sampled at the outpatient department of 6 health facilities in 3 municipalities during the baseline survey of a quasi-experiment in 2015 was used. The primary outcome was prescription of any antibiotic. Independent variables included patients’ demographics, symptoms, laboratory investigations (blood film microscopy, malaria rapid diagnostic test, full blood count, urine and stool routine examinations), diagnoses, and prescribers’ demographics. Crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with antibiotic prescription. Results: The prevalence of antibiotic prescription was 70.1% (95% CI: 67.7–72.4). Prescribers with more years of practice (> 5 years) were more likely to prescribe antibiotics compared to those with less than 3 years of practice (p < 0.001). Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI) training was associated with a 2.3 (95% CI: 1.54, 3.53, p < 0.001) fold odds of antibiotic prescribing. Patients aged 5 years or more were 60% less likely to receive antibiotics compared with those under 5 years (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.51; p < 0.001). Patients referred for laboratory investigations were 29% less likely to be prescribed antibiotics than those not referred. The presence of cough as a presenting symptom was associated with a 3.5 (95% CI: 2.54, 4.92) fold odds of antibiotic prescription. Conclusion: Prescription of antibiotics to febrile outpatients was high. Promoting laboratory testing can potentially reduce irrational antibiotic prescription. Prescribing antibiotics for children under five and the prescribing practices of prescribers with longer years of practice should be targeted with interventions to reduce high use of antibiotics

Source: UG
Antibiotic resistance and genotyping of clinical group B Salmonella isolated in Accra, Ghana

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance and clonal lineage of serogroup B Salmonella isolated from patients suspected of suffering from enteric fever in Accra, Ghana. Methods and Results: Serogroup B Salmonella were isolated from blood (n = 28), cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) (n = 1), or urine (n = 2), and identified based on standard biochemical testing and agglutinating antisera. Isolates were examined for their susceptibility to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Most of the isolates could be classified as multiple-drug resistant. Furthermore, the genetic location of resistance genes was shown to be on conjugative plasmids. Genetic fingerprinting by plasmid profiling, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR, and repetitive element (REP)-PCR were performed to determine the diversity among the isolates. Plasmid profiling discriminated five unique groupings, while ERIC-PCR and REP-PCR resulted in two and three groupings, respectively. Conclusions: A high rate of antibiotic resistance was associated with the Salmonella isolates and the genes responsible for the resistance are located on conjugative plasmids. Also, there appears to be minimal diversity associated with the isolates. Significance and Impact of the Study: As a result of the increasing antibiotic resistance among bacteria of all genera, surveys to monitor microbial populations are critical to determine the extent of the problem. The inability to treat many infectious diseases with current antibiotic regimens should prompt the medical community to be more prudent with its antibiotic use.

Source: UG
Antibiotic resistance in hospital wastewater in West Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) has become a global menace and therefore increases morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Globally, hospital wastewater (HWW) has been identifed as a sig nifcant source of antibiotic-resistant elements. Objectives This review aims to systematically review and to perform meta-analyses from evidence on antibiotic resistance studies in HWW in West Africa. Methods The review was conducted in compliance with PRISMA and included studies published between 1990 and 2024 in West Africa from the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Eligible studies that characterized resistant bacteria, genes, or antibiotic residues in HWW were included. Meta-analyses for resistant bacteria and genes as well risk of bias using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale were conducted. Results Out of 23 studies reviewed, resistant bacteria were reported in 39% (E. coli), 26% (K. pneumoniae), and 17% (P. aeruginosa), while 17 studies reported ARGs, with blaTEM (29%), blaOXA- 48 (18%), blaSHV (18%), and mecA (18%) being the most common. Only 4% and 9% of studies focused on toxin genes and antibiotic residues, respectively. Meta-analysis showed pooled prevalence rates for resistant bacteria: E. coli 42.6% (95% CI: 26.7%–60.3%) and K. pneumoniae 32.1% (95% Cl: 28.8%- 36.5%), and ARGs: blaTEM 76.0% (95% CI =64.6%–84.6%) and blaSHV 59.3% (95% CI =19.5%–89.8%). Conclusion This systematic review highlights signifcant fndings of high levels of ARGs and ARBs of public health concern in HWW in West Africa. This highlights the need to improve upon the monitoring of antibiotic resistance and treatment of HWW in West Africa.

Source: UG
Antibiotic use and residue detection in guinea fowl eggs in rural Togo: An assessment of practices and risks

Various classes of antibiotics are used to treat guinea fowl diseases in rural Togo. The aim of this study was to assess antibiotic treatment practices and detect the presence of antibiotic residues in eggs from guinea fowl farms in the Savannah region of Togo. The study involved direct interviews using a questionnaire administered to 87 farmers in the Oti, Tone and Tandjoare prefectures, using the Kobocollect tool. Qualitative analysis of the presence of antibiotic residues in guinea fowl eggs was carried out using the Premi®Test collected from farmers. Data were presented as relative frequencies using Excel software and logistic regression analysis and Chi-square test were performed to ascertain positive associations. The minority of farmers (1.15 %) were under the care of a veterinarian, while 87.36 % practiced self-medication and did not respect the prescribed doses of antibiotics, and 11.49 % had no supervision. All the farmers surveyed use plants for therapeutic purposes, without any real knowledge of the correct dosage. Additionally, 56.66 % of farmers did not respect the withdrawal period before guinea fowl eggs are consumed or placed on the market. Furthermore, 49.43 % (Chi-square statistic = 14.92; dof = 2; P = 0.00058) of guinea fowl egg samples analyzed contained antibiotic residues. Biosecurity and confinement were positively associated with the presence of antibiotic residues in eggs. The study reveals inappropriate use of antibiotics by guinea fowl farmers in the Savannah region of Togo, leading to the presence of antibiotic residues in the eggs

Source: UG
Antibiotic use in surgical units of selected hospitals in Ghana: a multi-centre point prevalence survey

Background: Improper use of antibiotics leads to the emergence of resistant microorganisms as well as drug toxicity, increased healthcare costs, morbidity and mortality. Globally, an estimated 25–68% of hospitalized patients receive suboptimal antibiotic regimes. Information on the extent of this problem in Ghana is currently limited, particularly in surgical units. To strategize for interventions, we estimated the antibiotic use prevalence in surgical departments in a country-wide point prevalence survey (PPS) in Ghana. Methods: Between October 2016 and December 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional multi-center country-wide PPS. This involved an audit of in-patients’ records from all units/departments of ten systematically selected hospitals in Ghana. Data were collected with a standardized questionnaire, adopted from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. In this report, we present data on antibiotic use from the surgical units. Results: Of 2107 eligible patients included in the PPS, 540 patients were identified in surgical units, of which 70.7% (382/540) received antibiotic therapy. A total of 636 antibiotic prescriptions were issued to these surgical patients; 224 (58.6%) for treatment, including 50 for treatment of hospital-acquired infections, and 144 (37.7%) for prophylaxis (medical and surgical). Median duration of antibiotic therapy prior to the survey was 5 days (interquartile range (IQR): 3-8 days). Surgical prophylaxis was administered for longer than the recommended one day in 107 of 144 (88.4%) patients. The choice of antibiotics was largely similar for community- and hospital-acquired infections as well as for prophylaxis. Only 3.7% of patients had microbiological analysis done on clinical samples. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of antibiotic use, with the choice of antibiotics, in some cases, inconsistent with the country’s treatment guidelines. Antibiotics were administered for long duration including antibiotics for prophylactic purposes and the majority was started without supporting microbiological analysis. Prescription practices that encourage rational use of antibiotics guided by microbiology and enforcement of antibiotic policy guidelines should be the target for future interventions.

Source: UG
Antibiotics susceptibility patterns of uropathogenic bacteria: a cross-sectional analytic study at Kanifng General Hospital, The Gambia

Background Antimicrobial resistance poses a public health threat for the treatment of community-acquired uri‑ nary tract infections. This study determined the susceptibility patterns of uropathogens and associated risk factors among outpatients diagnosed with urinary tract infections at the Kanifng General Hospital in the Gambia. Methods A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among patients with suspected urinary tract infec‑ tions at Kanifng General Hospital from March to May 2021. Data on socio-demographic and other risk factors were collected from the study participants using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Mid-stream urine samples were collected, and bacteria identifcation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing done using standard microbiological methods. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were done to determine factors associated with urinary tract infection at 95% confdence level and a p -value<0.05. Results A total of 422 patients were enrolled with 82.5% (348/422) being females. The prevalence of community acquired urinary tract infection was 12.8% (54/422). Escherichia coli was the most prevalent isolate (74.1%, 40/54), fol‑ lowed by Klebsiella spp (8.5%, 10/54). Antimicrobial resistance was highest for Ampicillin (87.0%, 47/54), Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole (77.8%, 42/54) and Tetracycline (75.9%, 41/54). Uropathogens sensitivity was 77.8% (42/54) for Nitro‑ furantoin and 75.9% (41/54) for Ceftazidime. Being female (aOR 5.90 95% CI=1.48–23.67), previous history of urinary tract infection (aOR 2.34, 95% CI=1.06–5.14), use of unprescribed antibiotics (aOR 2.0, 95% CI=1.05–3.62) and hav‑ ing no formal education (aOR 8.02, 95% CI=1.04–62.0) were signifcant factors associated for having uropathogenic bacterial infection. Conclusion E. coli was the most prevalent uropathogen isolated. Ciprofoxacin, Nitrofurantoin and Ceftazidime were the most sensitive antibiotics. Routine surveillance of susceptibility of uropathogenic bacteria would be helpful to update clinicians on the choice of antibiotics.

Source: UG
Antibodies reactive to Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen in children with Burkitt lymphoma from Ghana

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Antibodies to malaria vaccine candidates are associated with chloroquine or sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine treatment efficacy in children in an endemic area of Burkina Faso

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Antibodies to plasmodium falciparum antigens and the risk of clinical malaria in endemic populations

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG