Background: Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease of considerable public health importance, particularly in tropical regions where inadequate sanitation and rodent proliferation favour bacterial transmission. Urban rodents may act as reservoirs of Leptospira, contributing to environmental contamination and potential human exposure. However, information on the circulation of leptospires in urban rodent populations in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in Daloa, remains limited. Molecular surveillance is therefore essential to improve understanding of their occurrence in urban environments and associated zoonotic risks. Aims: This study aimed to detect Leptospira using molecular methods in urban mice from Daloa and assess the potential risk to nearby human populations. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Place and Duration of Study: Mice were captured in Daloa from May to December 2024. Methodology: Mice were captured using baited Sherman traps at various urban sites in Daloa, including sewers, markets, and selected households. Following euthanasia, kidney samples were collected, stored at −80 °C, and subjected to DNA extraction using the phenol–chloroform method. The samples were analysed using two PCR assays targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rrs) for the detection of the genus Leptospira and the secY gene, which is specific to pathogenic Leptospira species. Results: Three mice captured in sewer systems tested positive for the genus Leptospira by molecular diagnosis. No samples from markets or households were positive, and no pathogenic species for humans were identified during the study. Conclusion: The detection of the Leptospira genus in urban mice captured in sewers in the city of Daloa highlights the circulation of leptospires in the urban environment and suggests a potential public health risk for nearby populations. These findings underscore the need to strengthen urban sanitation measures, epidemiological surveillance, and further research to characterise the Leptospira species and serovars circulating in Côte d’Ivoire.
Background: Sarcoptic mange is rarely reported in domestic cats, and hospital-based descriptions of naturally occurring infestation remain limited. Aim: To record the occurrence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in domestic cats presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), Hyderabad, and to describe its clinical features, parasitological diagnosis and response to treatment. Study Design: Hospital-based clinical study. Place and Duration of Study: Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, P.V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad, India, from January to August 2026. Methodology: All cats presented during the study period were screened for skin disease. Cats with lesions suggestive of mange were examined in detail, and deep skin scrapings from active lesions were cleared in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) and examined microscopically. Confirmed cases were treated with a selamectin spot-on preparation (6 mg/kg) on days 0 and 30 along with an antihistamine, topical lime sulphur and nutritional support. They were then followed up for clinical recovery. Results: Of the 1,002 cats screened, 36 (3.59%) had lesions compatible with sarcoptic mange, and 14 (1.40%) were confirmed by skin scraping. Cats below one year of age formed the largest group of confirmed cases, followed by those aged 1–3 years, 3–6 years and over six years. Domestic Short Hair cats predominated over Persian and other breeds. Males slightly outnumbered females. Every affected cat was intensely pruritic. Bilateral pinnal crusting, alopecia and erythema were the next most frequent findings, followed by facial lesions, excoriation, scaling, hyperkeratosis, papules and skin fissures. All treated cats made a full clinical recovery with hair regrowth, and none relapsed during follow-up. Conclusion: Sarcoptic mange is uncommon in cats but should be kept in mind whenever a cat presents with severe itching, crusted ear margins, alopecia and erythema. Deep skin scraping is an inexpensive and reliable method of confirming the diagnosis. Selamectin spot-on treatment administered twice at a 30-day interval, together with supportive care, was associated with clinical recovery in the treated cats.
Background: Candida albicans remains a major cause of opportunistic fungal infections worldwide. However, the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains possessing potent virulence factors, such as phospholipases and proteinases, poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinical settings. Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate Candida albicans from clinical specimens in Bauchi Metropolis and determine its multidrug-resistance profile. Place of Study: This study was carried out at selected hospitals (ATBU Teaching Hospital, Specialist Hospital Bauchi and General Hospital Bayara) and at the Department of Microbiology Laboratory, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 130 clinical samples (oral 47, high vaginal 38, urine 18, wound 16 and sputum 11) were collected and processed for Candida identification using Gram staining, germ tube tests, chlamydospore formation on Corn Meal Agar, CHROMagar Candida, growth at 45°C and standard microbiological techniques. Antifungal susceptibility testing for fluconazole (25 µg), ketoconazole (10 µg), itraconazole (10 µg) and nystatin (50 units) was performed using the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar + 2% Glucose + Methylene Blue, following CLSI M44-A2 and CLSI M60 1st Edition (2023) guidelines. Quality control was performed using C. albicans ATCC 90028. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to two or more classes of antifungal agents. Results: Of the 130 clinical specimens evaluated, 72 Candida isolates were recovered, with Candida albicans being the predominant species (73.6%). Antifungal susceptibility testing showed the highest susceptibility to ketoconazole, with 25 isolates (47.1%), and itraconazole, with 24 isolates (45.2%). Resistance was highest to nystatin, with 25 isolates (47.2%), followed by fluconazole, with 21 isolates (39.6%). Overall, 47.2% of C. albicans isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). Conclusion: This study identified a substantial proportion of multidrug-resistant C. albicans isolates. The findings highlight the importance of routine antifungal susceptibility testing and antifungal stewardship programmes in the management of resistant fungal infections.
Purple blotch is an important fungal disease affecting onion production and is caused by Alternaria porri. The increasing dependence on chemical fungicides, together with the risks of pathogen resistance and environmental contamination, highlights the need for effective and sustainable biological control strategies. In the present study, the antagonistic potential and underlying inhibition mechanisms of Trichoderma capillare OGRDT3 were evaluated against A. porri OGRDAP2, the causal agent of onion purple blotch. The identity of T. capillare OGRDT3 was confirmed based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis using the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1α) gene, with the sequence deposited under accession number OR102870. The pathogen A. porri OGRDAP2 was molecularly characterized using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and its sequence was deposited under accession number PV577314. In the dual culture assay, T. capillare OGRDT3 inhibited the mycelial growth of A. porri by 75.55%. The antagonistic activity of OGRDT3 was further investigated using assays for hydrolytic enzymes, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), mycoparasitism and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). OGRDT3 exhibited chitinase and cellulase activities and tested positive for HCN production. In the double-plate assay, VOCs produced by OGRDT3 inhibited the mycelial growth of A. porri by 66.58%. Microscopic observations further demonstrated direct mycoparasitic interactions, including hyphal coiling, attachment, and hyphal lysis of A. porri by T. capillare. Overall, the results indicate that T. capillare OGRDT3 suppresses A. porri through multiple complementary mechanisms involving competition, hydrolytic enzyme activity, volatile-mediated antibiosis, and mycoparasitism. The isolate therefore represents a promising candidate for further evaluation and development as a biological control agent for the sustainable and integrated management of onion purple blotch.
Fungal diseases such as Alternaria leaf blight of sesame and collar rot of groundnut significantly limit the productivity of these important oilseed crops. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of six commonly used seed treatment fungicides against Alternaria sesami and Aspergillus niger using the poisoned food technique. The fungicides were tested at six concentrations ranging from 100 to 2000 µg/mL under a completely randomised design with three replications. The results revealed significant variation among fungicides, concentrations, and their interactions in inhibiting the mycelial growth of both pathogens. Among the treatments, Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS and Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EW exhibited superior efficacy. Both completely inhibited A. niger at concentrations of 250–2000 µg/mL; for A. sesami, complete inhibition was achieved at 1000–2000 µg/mL with Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS and at 500–2000 µg/mL with Prochloraz 24.4% + Tebuconazole 12.1% EW. In contrast, Thiram 75% DS was the least effective fungicide overall, showing comparatively lower inhibition across the concentration range. A consistent dose-dependent response was observed, with increased inhibition at higher concentrations. The enhanced performance of combination fungicides may be attributed to their multiple modes of action. The findings of this study provide a basis for selecting effective fungicides for further field evaluation and integration into disease management strategies for sesame and groundnut.
